A righteous and sincere decision

The following morning,"Will, are you ready? Has your injury healed any?" Eddie's voice called from outside the door. Today was the day of their consecration ceremony, and since yesterday, Eddie had been in an almost euphoric state. To Will, he thought he should feel just as elated, for both he and Eddie had successfully completed the baptismal rites of the Paladin Order. But now, Will found himself unable to summon any enthusiasm."Hey, Will, how's it going? Are you ready?" Eddie asked as he briskly entered the room once Will opened the door."Mm, nearly. Let's go." Will replied."Will Gibson, may I ask, are you prepared to become a Paladin?" Eddie said, mimicking the gesture of Pope Matthew, placing a hand on Will's shoulder.Will lowered his head, saying nothing, his lips curling into a bittersweet smile."Hey, brother, what's wrong? Ever since you woke up, something seems off." Noticing Will's strange demeanor, Eddie questioned with concern."It's nothing. Let's just go."...In the grand hall of the Church, Pope Matthew had ensured everything was prepared well in advance. The usually plain hall now resembled a grand festival. Candles were lit on the shelves around the room, their yellow flames casting an aura of solemnity against the white marble walls. In the center of the hall, twenty long benches were arranged, each occupied by a Paladin, their white hoods adding to the reverence of the scene. A wide aisle, covered with a bright red carpet, ran through the middle, extending from the entrance to the pope's altar.Gradually, the heavy marble doors of the hall creaked open, and the seated Paladins turned to glance back. Will and Eddie slowly entered, their eyes wandering about. While the others were clad in pristine white robes and hoods, Will and Eddie were still wearing the same garments they had worn three days ago during the baptism. Their clothes were stained with the blood and grime from their previous battles."Please, come forward," Pope Matthew called from behind the altar, beckoning them with a hand."Now, the ceremony is about to begin," Pope Matthew declared loudly, tapping his staff against the floor to quiet the assembly."First, I ask that Will Gibson and Eddie Marshall kneel on one leg." Pope Matthew's voice was steady and authoritative.Will and Eddie exchanged a glance before each dropped to one knee.Pope Matthew approached slowly, holding a golden staff topped with a red gemstone. He descended the two steps of the altar and placed the staff upon Eddie's left shoulder."Eddie Marshall, do you vow to serve the Paralar Empire as a loyal and honorable Paladin? Will you adhere to the discipline of the Paladin Order, and fight against sin and evil, even at the cost of your life?" Pope Matthew intoned gravely."I do. I swear to serve the Paralar Empire as a Paladin," Eddie answered immediately."Very well. I hereby consecrate you as a Paladin of the Paralar Empire," Pope Matthew said, tapping the staff gently twice on Eddie's shoulder.Then, the pope turned to Will and placed the staff on his left shoulder."Will Gibson, during the final trial, your strength has impressed us all. You were willing to sacrifice your life to save your friend. Your faith is truly admirable. Do you vow to serve the Paralar Empire as a loyal and honorable Paladin?"Will suddenly fell silent."Pope Matthew, please, answer my question," came the pope's demand."I... I do not," Will muttered softly."What?" Eddie, kneeling beside him, gasped in disbelief. Pope Matthew, too, stared at Will, his eyes wide with astonishment, as the other Paladins in attendance murmured in shock."Silence!" Pope Matthew commanded sharply."Why?" the pope asked again, his tone softer now, as he leaned closer to Will, who still knelt with his head lowered."Because... because I cannot accept the creed of the Paladin Order!" Will replied, his voice trembling with emotion."Eddie, what's he saying?" Eddie whispered, clearly as confused as the rest of them."Kill him!" A shout erupted from the crowd of Paladins, their voices laced with fury."Well done, child," came a soft voice from the back. A figure cloaked in white raised his head. With golden hair and blue eyes just like Will's, it was none other than Will's father, Terry Gibson, watching the spectacle with a confident smile."I said, SILENCE!" Pope Matthew roared, causing the room to fall into an eerie stillness."Very well," the pope said after a pause, his voice no longer commanding, but rather resigned. "I will not force you. Rise."Will looked up at the pope, his expression unreadable, and slowly stood.Pope Matthew then raised his hand, emitting a golden light from his palm, before striking Will in the stomach with a powerful blow.The pain was intense, causing Will to collapse to the floor. He began vomiting, spilling red liquid, not blood, but a pale, reddish fluid."Since you've chosen to renounce your place as a Paladin, I will reclaim the power of the Holy Water within you. All of the Holy Water will be purged from your body. From this moment onward, you will no longer be a Paladin, and you will no longer have the strength of one," Pope Matthew said gravely."Ugh... Fine," Will groaned from the floor, still expelling the crimson liquid....The following morning, life seemed to return to its normal pace. In Will's home, his mother was busy in the kitchen, preparing a hearty breakfast for the family. Will, however, lay in his room, reflecting on the past few days, as if everything had been nothing more than a strange dream.As he lost himself in thought, his father, Terry Gibson, entered the room."Father?" Will looked up at him."Will, I saw your actions in the hall today," Terry said."Really? You must be pleased with what I did," Will muttered with some regret."You've grown, Will," Terry replied sincerely."Father, I think I'm starting to understand why you never wanted me to become a Paladin," Will said, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he spoke absently."What do you understand?" Terry asked."Maybe... maybe I don't want to be a Paladin after all. No, I do want to be a Paladin, but the kind I've imagined in my heart. It's just that this kind of Paladin isn't like them," Will suddenly sat up, his eyes locking with his father's."What's the Paladin you imagine like?" Terry asked kindly, sitting down beside him."I'm not sure yet... but at least they wouldn't kill their own comrades," Will said."Well said, my child. Though you didn't become a Paladin, I have no doubt that you'll become a hero known the world over, for you are my son," Terry said with a confident smile.Will rarely saw his father smile like that, for he was often preoccupied with matters of business and trouble. But in that moment, seeing his father's warm smile, Will couldn't help but forget his worries and return the smile from the heart.