the knights reflection
The fire crackled softly in the quiet of the night, casting flickering shadows across the small campsite. Díkē sat by the fire, his gaze fixed on the flames, his expression unreadable. The ruby in his palm pulsed faintly, its glow a steady reminder of the power he now wielded—and the darkness that threatened to consume him. Nearby, Calian and Seraphine stood watch, their presence a silent reassurance. But even they couldn't ignore the tension that hung in the air, the unspoken questions that lingered between them.
Malachar, the third knight, stood apart from the group, his towering figure cloaked in shadow. His greatsword rested on his shoulder, its jagged blade gleaming with a faint, icy light. His presence was unsettling, a constant reminder of the path Díkē had chosen—a path born of vengeance and fueled by the god of Death.
Calian glanced at Seraphine, his expression thoughtful. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low.
Seraphine nodded, her piercing eyes filled with concern. "About him," she said, gesturing subtly toward Malachar. "And about Díkē."
The two knights moved a short distance away, out of earshot of Díkē and Malachar. The night was quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Calian crossed his arms, his expression grave.
"He's changed," Calian said, his voice heavy with concern. "Ever since he summoned Malachar, he's become… darker. More ruthless. I fear the path he's on will destroy him."
Seraphine nodded, her gaze fixed on the distant figure of Díkē. "I've noticed it too. The blood knights, the worship of Death—it's all consuming him. But what can we do? We're bound to him, Calian. Our purpose is to serve him, no matter what."
Calian sighed, his expression troubled. "I know. But serving him doesn't mean we have to stand by and watch him destroy himself. We owe it to him to try to guide him back to the light."
Seraphine's eyes narrowed, her voice tinged with frustration. "And how do you propose we do that? Díkē is consumed by anger and vengeance. He won't listen to us, not anymore. Not after what his family did to him."
Calian was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the fire. "Perhaps not. But we have to try. If we don't, who will?"
Seraphine's expression softened, and she nodded. "You're right. We can't give up on him. But we also can't ignore the danger he's in. Malachar… he's not like us. He's a knight of vengeance, born of Díkē's anger and hatred. He's feeding that darkness, encouraging it."
Calian's eyes narrowed, his voice low and firm. "Then we'll have to find a way to counterbalance him. Díkē needs us now more than ever, even if he doesn't realize it."
---
As the two knights returned to the campsite, they found Díkē still sitting by the fire, his gaze distant. Malachar stood nearby, his presence a silent, brooding force. Díkē looked up as they approached, his expression unreadable.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion.
Calian stepped forward, his expression serious. "We're worried about you, Díkē. The path you're on… it's dangerous. We don't want to see you consumed by it."
Díkē's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "I'm not consumed by anything. I'm doing what I have to do. My family betrayed me, and I won't let them get away with it."
Seraphine stepped forward, her voice firm but gentle. "We understand your anger, Díkē. But vengeance won't bring you peace. It will only destroy you."
Díkē's fists clenched, his anger flaring. "Peace? I don't want peace. I want justice. And if that means embracing the darkness, then so be it."
Malachar stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with approval. "You speak wisely, Summoner. The weak cling to notions of peace and light, but true strength lies in embracing the darkness."
Calian's expression darkened, his voice rising in anger. "You're wrong, Malachar. True strength lies in balance, in understanding both light and dark. Díkē, don't let him poison your mind."
Díkē stood, his eyes blazing with fury. "Enough! I don't need your lectures, Calian. I know what I'm doing. And if you can't accept that, then maybe you shouldn't be here."
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Calian and Seraphine exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with sorrow. But they said nothing, their silence a testament to their loyalty.
---
Later that night, as Díkē slept, Calian and Seraphine stood watch, their thoughts heavy with concern.
"He's slipping away from us," Seraphine said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Malachar's influence is too strong."
Calian nodded, his expression grim. "We can't give up on him. No matter how far he falls, we have to be there to pull him back."
Seraphine's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then we'll find a way. We'll show him that there's still light, even in the darkest of places."
Calian placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression softening. "Together, we'll find a way."
---
As the night wore on, the fire burned low, its embers glowing faintly in the darkness. Díkē slept fitfully, his dreams filled with shadows and whispers. The ruby in his palm pulsed faintly, its glow a steady reminder of the power he now wielded—and the darkness that threatened to consume him.
But even in the darkest of nights, there is always a glimmer of light. And for Díkē, that light was the unwavering loyalty of his knights—knights who would stand by him, no matter how far he fell.
---
**End of Chapter 14**