Binding Oath

Rhok found himself standing before the grand gate, panting heavily. His breath was shallow and raw, his feet blistered and bloodied from running barefoot across the rough path to the Hoffmann estate. Sweat poured off his body, evaporating in the heat, creating a white, menacing aura around him.

The pain was something he had grown accustomed to, but this deep hatred was something new. He thought he had understood it, but the image of Altric and Elfa's warm, lifeless bodies in his arms kept haunting him.

Soon, Jack and Lupus hurried to meet him at the gate, their faces pale and filled with confusion.

"They attacked us!" Rhok yelled through his ragged breath, pointing toward the direction of the Burrowbane house — his home.

Jack opened the gate, and Lupus examined him. "Oh my god, your feet!" she exclaimed in shock.

"Who? What happened?" Jack asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion. Meanwhile, Lupus quickly performed a healing spell to mend his wounds.

Rhok collapsed onto the ground on all fours. "Armatus mobile suits — hundreds — moving eastward..." He struggled to speak as he heaved, the pain in his feet subsiding but the brokenness in his heart unrelenting.

Jack, observing the blood on Rhok's shirt, arms, and legs, realised it couldn't be his blood. The slave circlet on his neck would prevent him from causing such destruction.

Jack crouched in front of Rhok, placing a hand on his shoulder. "...Those aren't your blood, right?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Altric and Elfa… They're dead... Jack... I... I went out to draw water from the river, but when I came back..." Rhok's voice trembled, unable to hold back his tears as he bit his lip to suppress his sobs.

Jack exchanged a grim look with Lupus before turning back to Rhok. "We believe you, Rhok. Hang on, we'll get some water for you," he said, his voice heavy with sympathy. The emptiness in his chest mirrored the hollowness in Rhok's heart. How much more blood must be spilled in this war? Jack clenched his fists tightly as he and Lupus headed toward the house.

"How is that possible? The information we received yesterday said it would be another week before the attack," Lupus murmured, covering her mouth in shock.

"I don't know... Could the intel have been false? A trap to make us, and everyone in the Osten Empire, think we had another week?" Jack speculated as they walked inside, their boots echoing in the long hallway.

"Z'Smite us!" Lupus cursed under her breath as she turned to Jack. "Listen! We need to wake everyone up, full alert. They might cut off our power supply soon. I bet they're attacking the Eastern Dam as we speak." Panic laced her voice.

"Alright, I'll get Rhok some water, and get the Armatus suits ready for combat," Jack said, his mind already working in overdrive. "Let's meet at Hein's warehouse?"

"Good idea! Let's not waste any time!" Lupus replied, pulling Jack close and kissing him passionately.

Lupus pulled back with a deep breath, her voice soft. "I love you. Please stay safe."

"I love you too!" Jack replied, turning on his heel and hurrying off.

***

The chaotic sounds of movement and gasping echoed through Hoffmann's estate. Children and other members retreated to the bunkers as Magistrate Ludwig sent out a city-wide alert, urging everyone to take refuge in the bunkers located at the right corner of the cliffside.

The fully-equipped group emerged from the estate: Lupus in her golden arc boots, Frain with her battle axe, and Lunice, Lanny, and Larry with their staffs. Their Stellius rings glimmered brightly in the morning light. Behind them, Magistrate Ludwig and Vice Magistrate Petra followed closely.

The shuffling sound of boots on the pavement echoed as they passed through the gates, heading for their transports.

Frain sniffed the air, detecting a faint metallic scent. Her eyes widened when she saw a man resting against the metal fence, holding a cup of water. "Who's that man?" she asked, pointing at the figure.

"That's Rhok Wagner," Lupus replied loudly enough for everyone to hear. "He was the one who ran here to warn us about the Armatus mobile suits."

The group glanced at Rhok with sympathy, but their priority was the upcoming battle. They quickly turned their attention back to the transports.

Suddenly, a war cry split the air. "I'll fight!" A man stood, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage and vengeance.

Lunice stepped forward to confront him. "You'll fight for us? Against your fellow Armatus knights? Is this some kind of joke?" She scoffed, amused.

Rhok stood firm. "Yes!" he replied resolutely. Gripping the metal circlet on his neck, he continued, "If this isn't enough, I'll swear an oath. I swear on my life that I'll never betray the Hoffmann family, Jack Squire, or the Osten Empire. Is that what you did during the Light of Punishment? Some sort of binding oath?"

The mention of the Light of Punishment caught Lunice off guard. It was a binding oath, much like a contract. If the terms were broken, the penalty was severe.

"Fine!" Lunice sneered at Rhok, unimpressed. "I don't trust any Armatus knight, to begin with. But if you're so eager to swear a binding oath, I won't stop you." She flicked her finger in a sharp motion.

"Axiothemis!"

A white glyph materialised at the tip of her finger, flickering like a strange firefly. Lupus extended her finger toward Rhok, and he did the same. As their fingers touched, the binding process began.

"Now, state your oath, Gold Knight," Lunice instructed sternly.

Rhok locked eyes with her, his voice steady. "I swear on my life, I, Rhok Wagner, will serve under Jack Squire, the Hoffmann family, and the Osten Empire. The importance of order shall follow as specified by those first in command."

Lunice paused, slightly startled, before agreeing to the contract. "Axiothemis!" The white glowing light faded as the oath was sealed.

"Now rise, Rhok Wagner. We have Armatus suits waiting for you," Petra proclaimed, her posture regal and graceful.