the knights heart

The forest was alive with the sounds of morning—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant rush of a river. Díkē sat cross-legged on a mossy rock, his left hand resting on his knee, the ruby embedded in his palm glowing faintly. Sir Calian stood nearby, his greatsword planted firmly in the ground, his silver armor gleaming in the sunlight. The knight's presence was both reassuring and intimidating, a constant reminder of the power Díkē now wielded—and the responsibility that came with it.

"The Knight's Heart is not a tool," Calian began, his voice calm but firm. "It is a bond—a connection between you and the knights it summons. To wield it effectively, you must understand its nature and respect its power."

Díkē frowned, his brow furrowing as he stared at the ruby. "But how do I do that? I don't even know where to start."

Calian stepped closer, his piercing eyes studying Díkē with a thoughtful gaze. "Start by listening. The Knight's Heart is not silent. It speaks to you, not in words, but in feelings, in instincts. Close your eyes and focus. What do you feel?"

Díkē hesitated, then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. At first, there was nothing but the sound of his own heartbeat and the rustling of the forest. But as he focused, he began to notice something else—a faint, rhythmic pulse emanating from the ruby, like a second heartbeat. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there.

"I feel… something," Díkē said slowly. "It's like a heartbeat, but it's not mine."

Calian nodded. "Good. That is the Knight's Heart. It is alive, in a sense, and it is connected to you. The more you attune yourself to it, the stronger that connection will become. Now, try to reach out to it. Not with your hand, but with your mind."

Díkē furrowed his brow, concentrating. He imagined the ruby's pulse growing stronger, louder, more distinct. At first, nothing happened. But then, slowly, the pulse began to intensify, the rhythm synchronizing with his own heartbeat. The ruby's glow brightened, casting a warm, red light across his face.

"I think… I think it's working," Díkē said, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Do not rush," Calian cautioned. "This is only the beginning. The Knight's Heart is powerful, but it is also unpredictable. If you push too hard, too fast, you risk losing control. Focus on maintaining the connection. Let it flow naturally."

Díkē nodded, taking another deep breath. He focused on the rhythm, letting it guide him. The ruby's glow pulsed in time with his heartbeat, the warmth spreading up his arm and through his body. It was a strange sensation, both comforting and exhilarating.

"Now," Calian said, "try to summon me."

Díkē's eyes snapped open. "What? But you're already here."

Calian shook his head. "I am here because you summoned me earlier. But to truly master the Knight's Heart, you must learn to summon and dismiss your knights at will. It is not enough to rely on instinct. You must understand the process, the mechanics of it. Close your eyes and try."

Díkē hesitated, then nodded. He closed his eyes again, focusing on the ruby's pulse. He imagined Calian's presence, the way the knight had appeared in a burst of light. He pictured the runes on his arm flaring, the energy surging through him.

"Summon," he whispered.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the ruby's glow intensified, and the runes on his arm began to shimmer. A faint hum filled the air, growing louder and more intense. Díkē felt a surge of energy, like a wave crashing over him, and then—

Nothing.

The glow faded, the hum died down, and Calian remained where he was, watching him with a patient expression.

Díkē opened his eyes, frustration etched on his face. "It didn't work."

"It takes time," Calian said calmly. "Do not be discouraged. Try again."

Díkē sighed, but he nodded. He closed his eyes once more, focusing on the ruby's pulse. This time, he tried to visualize the process more clearly, imagining the energy flowing from the ruby, through his arm, and into the air. He pictured Calian's form materializing before him, the light coalescing into the knight's imposing figure.

"Summon," he said again, his voice firmer this time.

The ruby's glow flared, and the runes on his arm lit up, their light spreading up to his shoulder. The hum returned, louder and more intense, and Díkē felt the energy surge through him. This time, he didn't fight it—he let it flow, guiding it with his mind.

And then, with a sudden burst of light, Calian vanished.

Díkē's eyes snapped open, and he stared at the empty space where the knight had been. For a moment, he panicked, thinking he had done something wrong. But then he felt it—a faint presence in the back of his mind, like a thread connecting him to Calian. The knight was still there, just not physically present.

"Calian?" Díkē called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I am here," Calian's voice echoed in his mind, calm and reassuring. "You have dismissed me, but our bond remains. Now, try to summon me again."

Díkē took a deep breath, focusing on the thread connecting him to Calian. He imagined the knight's form materializing before him, the light coalescing into his silver armor and greatsword.

"Summon," he said, his voice steady.

The ruby's glow flared once more, and the runes on his arm lit up. The hum filled the air, growing louder and more intense. Díkē felt the energy surge through him, and then, with a burst of light, Calian reappeared, standing tall and imposing before him.

Díkē let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, a grin spreading across his face. "I did it."

Calian nodded, a faint smile playing beneath his helmet. "You did. But this is only the first step. Summoning and dismissing your knights is the foundation of your power. To truly master the Knight's Heart, you must learn to control it in battle, to summon multiple knights at once, and to harness its full potential."

Díkē's grin faded, replaced by a look of determination. "Then let's keep going. I want to learn everything."

Calian's eyes gleamed with approval. "Very well. But remember—this is not a race. Mastery takes time, patience, and discipline. Are you ready to continue?"

Díkē nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I'm ready."

---

For hours, Díkē practiced under Calian's guidance. He learned to summon and dismiss the knight with increasing precision, the process becoming smoother and more natural with each attempt. He also began to explore the limits of the Knight's Heart, experimenting with the energy it provided and the ways he could channel it.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Calian introduced him to the concept of **Knight Bonding**—the mental and emotional connection between a summoner and their knights. Díkē learned to communicate with Calian telepathically, to sense the knight's emotions, and even to see through his eyes in battle. It was a strange and exhilarating experience, one that deepened his understanding of the bond they shared.

But the training was not without its challenges. The more Díkē pushed himself, the more he felt the strain of the Knight's Heart's power. Summoning Calian repeatedly left him exhausted, his body aching and his mind foggy. There were moments when he lost control, the ruby's energy surging unpredictably and forcing him to stop and rest.

"This is normal," Calian assured him during one such break. "The Knight's Heart is a powerful artifact, and it takes time to build the stamina and control needed to wield it effectively. Do not be discouraged by your limitations. They are a part of the process."

Díkē nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I just… I want to be strong enough. I don't want to let you down."

Calian's eyes softened. "You are stronger than you realize, Díkē. Strength is not just about power—it is about perseverance, about the willingness to keep going even when the path is difficult. And you have that in abundance."

Díkē smiled faintly, the knight's words bolstering his spirits. "Thanks, Calian. I needed to hear that."

"Then let us continue," Calian said, his voice firm but encouraging. "There is much more to learn."

---

As the day wore on, Díkē's control over the Knight's Heart grew stronger. He learned to summon Calian in an instant, the knight's form materializing in a flash of light at his command. He also began to experiment with the ruby's energy, channeling it to enhance his physical abilities—his speed, his strength, his reflexes. The runes on his arm glowed brighter with each success, their patterns shifting and changing as if responding to his growth.

But the most significant breakthrough came when Calian introduced him to the concept of **Knight Evolution**.

"The knights you summon are not static," Calian explained. "They grow and change alongside you, their abilities evolving as you prove yourself worthy of the Knight's Heart. With time and effort, you may unlock new forms, new powers, and new knights to summon."

Díkē's eyes widened with excitement. "New knights? You mean there are others like you?"

Calian nodded. "Many others. Each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. But they will only reveal themselves when you are ready."

Díkē clenched his fists, his determination burning brighter than ever. "Then I'll prove myself. I'll become strong enough to summon them all."

Calian's eyes gleamed with approval. "I have no doubt that you will."

---

As the sun began to set, casting the forest in a warm, golden light, Díkē and Calian sat together by a small campfire. The young summoner was exhausted, his body aching and his mind weary, but he felt a sense of accomplishment that outweighed the fatigue. He had taken the first steps toward mastering the Knight's Heart, and he knew that this was only the beginning.

"You have done well today," Calian said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But remember—this is a journey, not a destination. There will be challenges ahead, and there will be times when you doubt yourself. But if you stay true to your path, you will overcome them."

Díkē nodded, his gaze fixed on the ruby in his hand. Its glow was steady and reassuring, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded—and the responsibility that came with it.

"I'll keep going," he said, his voice firm. "No matter what."

Calian's eyes softened, and a faint smile played beneath his helmet. "Then you are already on the right path."

As the fire crackled and the stars began to appear in the night sky, Díkē felt a sense of peace settle over him. He was no longer the disgraced son of the Aegis family—he was a summoner, a wielder of the Knight's Heart. And with Calian by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

**End of Chapter 3**