CHAPTER 24 - DARK K(N)IGHT RISING I

"You think that's going to make up for everything you've done?" Ingrid screamed.

"Yeah, just because you woke up one day and decided to call it quits doesn't mean those that hate you for what you did will stop hating you too." Another added.

"Yeah."

Those in a not so good mood because of Kaina expressed their grievances.

"Yeah, you Peacocks have done nothing but been a pain."

"How can we just forget?"

"I'm not asking you to forget." Kaina tried to intervene.

"Disband!" another screamed from amongst the crowd

Khay sighed, looking at the storm that was stirring and he turned, about walking off in Kaina's direction when; "I think…" Lilith held his hand and stopped him, "…going there will only make things worse for him."

"I guess I should step in then." Amine got up and went to the pulpit.

"People." And at his voice, the crowd calmed down. He sighed.

"You guys are being a bit unfair, don't you think?"

"That's what he's going to lead with?" Trilith said. "Amine that idiot."

"I mean, I know very well than anyone what this guy has done, but here's a guy who has come to the error of his ways and trying to be better, all he's asking for is our help at another chance. Oh and for those thinking, 'why should we help him? He's been nothing but mean to us.' So you're going to be mean too? Just when he wants to change? Where would that lead us? A lot of Kainas, so please, reconsider."

The people began to lose face as they averted their gazes and stiffened necks away, some staring at the ground.

"I guess. That's Amine for you." Mira commented. "Come on Ingrid. Time to work." They got up and left into the crowd of students and pushed their way to the frontline.

"It would be criminal for the student body to not step in at this point, wouldn't it? Amine."

"Mira, took you long enough." Amine addressed.

"Kaina." Mira spoke. "I believe everyone here is justified about how they feel towards you. But, as the head of the student body, I must say, that won't fly. Though the peace of this school was handed over to me, I handed you over to the Raggard Ramparts after failed attempts to steer you from the dark. And finally, by some miracle, you've found your way. How would the body reject a part that has managed to heal itself?

He couldn't believe his eyes, from the stand, he watched them all express themselves, and he was taken by surprise, those who took to his side and wanted to help, Mira, Kaina. He couldn't let them fix his errors, this was on him and he had to do something, to take responsibility for it all. He could only smile inside, then he found himself rushing towards the podium.

"The Blue Peacocks will change." He said, almost screaming into the microphone as he addressed everyone present.

"What do you mean by that?" Ingrid asked for the curious crowd.

"All this while… all the damage the Peacocks have caused…" he once again thought back on the past and his actions and influence. "We will spend the rest of our days proving to everyone we ever hurt, that we are better, that we have and can change."

"An interesting proposal. But names do tend to carry memories." Ingrid retorted.

"The Blue Peacocks will become part of the Raggard Ramparts. I'm sure that should be an ease of mind to everyone." Amine smiled, replying to Ingrid and then throwing a grin at Kaina and Kaina softly smiled back. He had accepted Amine's declaration. And for a few seconds, no one could say anything. They knew, if it was the Raggard Ramparts, then they couldn't oppose.

"Alright." Amine addressed. "I guess that settles things then. So from now on, the Blue Peacocks are become one with the Raggard Ramparts, anyone that has any grievances can take it up with me." Amine declared.

None was able to present a case or an argument that would stand against Amine's verdict, they knew the kind of person he was and if he was vouching for Kaina, then they could only trust him. 

The life of the party had returned and people stood about, chattering and clicking glasses and laughing and just having a good time. And over at Khay's side of the hall, they had gotten together again.

"Maan! That was wild." Trilith exclaimed.

"Of all the crazies that has been happening, this is definitely like way up there." Kiriku said.

"Kiriku, try to be kind to Kaina, I know I ended up making a decision without consulting anyone…"

"Don't sweat it. The Raggard Ramparts ambition is bigger than this, if we wouldn't handle this well then we wouldn't be the Raggard Ramparts." He replied. Amine could only chuckle in response.

"Here comes the man of the night." Ingrid hesitantly cautioned as Kaina approached.

"Ingrid. Be nice." Mira reprimanded.

Kaina cleared his throat, announcing his presence.

"Khay. Lilith, Trilith, Amine. Lui and Han. Mira. Ingrid. Kiriku." He called out.

"Thank you guys."

"I uhmm…"

"Aahhh…!" Ingrid groaned. "Enough 'Thank you's' and all that sappy stuff." she cried out. "We get it! You're new now. Can we just…" She rested her hand on her forehead, anyone that knew of body language could tell she was stressed from everything that had just transpired.

"Ingrid." Kiriku reached his hand over her shoulder. "Come on, let's get you a drink. Don't worry, she'll be fine, after a sundae or two." Kiriku informed as he took off with her.

"That was quiet the letter." Khay complimented.

"Is that a tease?" Kaina asked.

"Nah. A solid compliment."

"Yeah, you really went all out there Kaina, I didn't think you had it in you to go that far." Lilith commented.

"I really couldn't have done without you guys."

"That was manly you know, going straight to the point. It was smooth." Trilith cheered on.

"Hey, I almost didn't make it out." Kaina softly smiled.

"Ahh, This muscle for brain tends to cut out the complicated part of things." Han replied.

"It's nice to see you haven't changed. Tril."

"Oh I have, gotten plenty strong. We should spar sometime."

"Yeah, us guys should, you, me, Trilith, Amine, Han and Kiriku, Lui." Khay jolted. "A 7 way man to man."

"I could use some stretching out." Amine replied, hands on pocket and grinning.

"Seriously, its graduation night and you guys are just raring to go. Can you believe this Lilith?" Mira cried out.

"Oh I can, that's all they know sometimes, Mi." She sighed.

And in that moment, no one had to say it, but the bunch of them were glad, they felt this sense of belonging, like the gears in the clock of life had really aligned right at this point. The smiles on their faces were evident enough as they talked about seemingly irrelevant topics."

"Adventure guild maybe?" Lilith cried out, answering a question Mira had asked the lot.

"What about you Kaina?"

"Well, I think, the gu- - -." Murmurs rolled out of the hall and loud footsteps followed.

"I thought this party was supposed to be students only." Mira said, concerned.

"Kaina." A rather heavy voice called out to the boy. And upon hearing, it was as if something he'd been running from had caught up to him and he'd chosen not to run. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and sighed.

"Hikami Kaina." The man called out once again, he wore a light scarlet suit that matched with his scarlet hair, eyebrow and trimmed beard. His sharp facial features suggested he couldn't have been any older than 45 years.

"Father." He blinked and heaved out a long sigh. Then... "Mira, would you keep my cup cold for me? This shouldn't take long."

"Kaina…" Lilith softly called out as he exited the hall with his father.