the thoughtful knight

The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls, but Díkē's mind was elsewhere. He sat on a fallen log, staring at the ruby embedded in his left hand. Its faint, pulsating glow was a constant reminder of the power he now wielded—a power he barely understood. The runes spiraling up his arm shimmered in the dim light, their ancient patterns seeming to shift and change whenever he looked too closely.

"What are you?" he muttered, running his fingers over the ruby's smooth surface. It felt warm, almost alive, as if it were responding to his touch. But there was no answer, only the quiet hum of energy that seemed to resonate deep within his chest.

Díkē sighed and leaned back, his thoughts drifting to the events of the previous night. The goblins, the ruby, the blinding flash of light—it all felt like a dream, yet the weight of the gem in his hand was proof enough that it was real. He had no idea what to do next. The forest was vast, and he was alone, with nothing but his sword and this strange, mysterious artifact.

As if in response to his thoughts, the ruby's glow intensified, its light casting long shadows across the forest floor. Díkē frowned, his heart quickening. "What now?" he whispered, his voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.

Before he could react, the runes on his arm flared brightly, and a surge of energy coursed through him. He gasped, his vision blurring as the world around him seemed to shift and warp. The air grew heavy, charged with an electric tension, and a faint, melodic hum filled the air.

Then, with a sudden burst of light, a figure materialized before him.

Díkē stumbled back, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. But as the light faded, he froze, his eyes widening in awe. Standing before him was a knight—tall, imposing, and clad in gleaming silver armor. A massive greatsword rested on his shoulder, its blade etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. The knight's helmet obscured his face, but his eyes—sharp, thoughtful, and piercing—locked onto Díkē's with an intensity that made the young man's breath catch in his throat.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of nature fading into an eerie silence. Then, the knight lowered his sword, the tip of the blade resting lightly on the ground. He tilted his head slightly, studying Díkē with a calm, measured gaze.

"You are the one who summoned me," the knight said, his voice deep and resonant, yet surprisingly gentle. It was not a question.

Díkē swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "Who… who are you?"

The knight straightened, his posture regal and commanding. "I am Sir Calian the Thoughtful, a knight of the Crimson Circle, bound to the Knight's Heart." He gestured to the ruby in Díkē's hand. "And you, young summoner, are my master."

Díkē blinked, his mind racing. "Master? I… I didn't mean to summon you. I don't even know how this thing works." He held up his hand, the ruby's glow flickering faintly.

Calian's eyes softened, and a faint smile seemed to play beneath his helmet. "The Knight's Heart does not choose lightly. It has deemed you worthy, and so I am here to serve you. But know this—our bond is not one of servitude, but of partnership. I will fight by your side, guide you, and protect you, but you must also prove yourself worthy of my loyalty."

Díkē hesitated, his mind still reeling. "I… I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I'm not a summoner. I'm not even a proper knight. I'm just… me."

Calian stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, as if giving Díkē time to process his words. "You are more than you think, Díkē Aegis. The Knight's Heart has chosen you for a reason. But the path ahead will not be easy. You will face challenges that will test your strength, your courage, and your resolve. Are you prepared for that?"

Díkē looked down at the ruby, its glow steady and reassuring. He thought of his family, of the humiliation he had endured, of the fire that burned within him—a fire that refused to be extinguished. Slowly, he nodded, his grip on his sword tightening.

"I'm ready," he said, his voice firm despite the uncertainty in his heart. "I don't know what's coming, but I'm not going to run away anymore. I'll prove myself—to you, to my family, and to myself."

Calian's eyes gleamed with approval. "Then let us begin."

---

As the sun rose over the forest, casting its golden light through the trees, Díkē and Calian set off together. The young summoner and the thoughtful knight—an unlikely pair, bound by fate and the power of the Knight's Heart. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in his life, Díkē felt a glimmer of hope. He was no longer alone.

And with Sir Calian by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

**End of Chapter 2**