Chapter 9 - Chokehold and the Slum

'The life of a Sigil is a solemn duty, a shield to safeguard what truly matters. Our existence finds purpose and meaning in the uniting factor we serve. We derive significance from those we protect; the people of the lands, regardless of their nature or size. Our mission is unwavering, to aid anyone in need, no matter the personal cost. As shields, we require no sharpening; as our strength lies in defense rather than offense.'.

I've heard that quote repeated over and over by various people, all of them high ranking Sigil Knights, usually attuned to the element of ice. Though I've always thought of it as demeaning, why can't our lives matter, we are just as much people as the common folk we protect. I don't like how it simply diminishes us as objects to use.

I don't want to be seen as a mere tool for people to use and abuse. A power dynamic where we are always at the frontlines, absorbing all mutilation like bloated sponges. I always knew being A sigil wouldn't be easy, but expect did I not that my very life would be surmised to that of a shield for people I don't care for.

Perhaps when I am a higher ranking officer I'll be more valued in people's eyes. Though for the time being, I'll have to simply be chocked up to be a tool of conflict.

My bed's so comfy, I can't raise myself up. Even though my attendance today is my first priority. But I'm not done yet, I don't feel prepared for the world. Why cannot I not just stay in my crib of comfort at rest.

 "Judari! Get up already. You don't want to miss the last day's attendance, I'm not waiting for you, so get up quickly." Rito's harsh attitude forced my body slowly up from the bed. The room barely lit up by the sun's blocked light. With most of the canopy covering over the forest, any sunlight is a sight to see usually. Though the room Rito and I are in, is in a spot directly under a stream of light, been this way all year round. The sanctuary is quiet, too quiet even. With the only noise penetrating through the walls being plated feet dragging along the hull wooden floor. 

My armor slides easily slides down across my torso as I configure my whole set of plating to fit. Finally done I look into the mirror. I look so tired, my eyebags deeper than ever. Making a cup of my hands, I sink my hands into the freezing water of the bucket beside the mirror, and splash droplets onto my face.

"Everyone must be in the hallways in the next ten minutes or they aren't allowed in the ceremony!" I hear being yelled in the hallway, while a chime bangs throughout the tree.

Entering into the massive shining hall of the training floor. I see Frey yet again on his podium, preparing a santious last speech for this year's Sigil Knight graduates. As the beams of dim light flood in from over the Royal Wood's canopies, down onto the scape of Palelink and the Central Sanctuary. 

As last year, long rows of gleamy now dimly and dull silver knights stand proudly yet burdenly along the lines outlined in the hardwood floor. Though unlike last year, it's feeling a lot more empty in that a lot of people have left. Still this hanging dread hovers over the silent files of knights. And as silent as the dread is, nevertheless it pierces each and every one of our ears. I take my place in line next to Rito who's looking stoically up to the panes of the window. And as do I.

"Welcome all! Today marks one y'jear since most of ya' came to this ordarhly tree, a structure neigh a beacon of our will and duty to protect the lands of Gaia!" Frey bursts loudly as we all stand in quiet.

"Not all who started here ended up in the same places as you are now, be that for various reasons. Let yourselves breathe now that you accomplished the year!" My lungs intake as much oxygen as possible, before me and my fellows let out a sigh of victory.

 "Now, we all stand here in a hall of Solan, our very minds attuned with the elements taught to us. From here on out, every knight standing in your rows is a fully fletched Knight of The Sigil Order. Our land is bound to us as we are bound to it, may we protect it with all our will and helm! Though before we say a final prayer and goodbye, after this ceremony you will be required to go to the reception, there you shall receive your tag and what group you'll be attending!" He yells out.

 "Now everybody repeat as I." Most take a praying stance, especially Rito, who's even after all this time, still infatuated with the Order and Solan.

"Solan, bound by thy chains of Order, restrict thy self in any sort, in an endless wander across a blank beach, I am chained to you my god, a world of hurt I neigh hath to see. Visyn." He ends off as the hall erupts with footsteps and chatter. Long waited have we for the final days of our training, and walking through these glum light halls. A wave of nostalgia hits me like a cold bucket of water thrown onto my face at morn. This whole tree feels like home now, memories lingering in each corner, but as quickly as the days and nights pass inside my mind, they fleet away.

Forwarding down the halls and stair spirals across the tree, I finally arrive in the reception hall on the brink to the outside world. Rito tailing behind me as we hurry to find a secure spot in line.

 "What in the lands of Gaia is this, do you know who I am!?" A skinnering voice yells from just below, and sure enough an angry blonde stands there cocksurely of himself, barrating the poor receptionist.

"I can not be given this number. Six-thousand six-hundred and- I don't even want to continue, it's near the same number as that godstrucken war, you seriously expect me, an Evendale, to take this wretched number and set my name to it. I would rather throw myself into Altum's Abyss than be stuck with such a number!" Siegfried gathering a crowd with the attention he's bringing to himself.

"Sir, the numbers you get are randomized, I have no control over what you get. Not like it matters until you hit a greater rank." The drained looking receptionist says to the brat.

"This is simply outrageous, I demand a new number or you'll be removed from your job." He humphs a triumphant exhale as the receptionist simply looks down into their papers,

"Unless someone else wants to take your number, there's nothing I can do."

"Well then give it to one of the peasants here, unless you can't be bothered to save your position here." I step forward with an unreasonable amount of bravado, quickly drawing upon the eyes of the onlooking crowd.

"I'll take the number!" I yell.

"You? Fine I suppose, what better than a Vind to carry this number." His arrogance seeps into my skin like boiling water, gods what I wouldn't give to be able to give this brat an uppercut in the jaw. The receptionist looks up to me with a small tag in hand.

 "Here's your number tag then, and what is your name sir?" 

"Judari Onyx." I say, as I see Siegfried's eyes shrink to dots.

"You're an… Onyx?" His tone shifts quickly to one of fear.

"Yeah, what about it?" Siegfried locks his eyes away from me, not daring to look me in the eyes. Whatever this alfoul stain has to say, I can't care for it. Lucky his mouth stays shut.

"Now sir, just please sign here and you'll be assigned to your group." I take the small ink pen and draw a crummy improvised signature of my name, seems good enough though. Rito also steps forwards from behind viewing my write my signature.

 "Good, now Siegfried, your new number will be six-thousand eight-hundred and one, that alright?" The exhausted voice of the receptionist nearly drawing me into a slumber by just the drag of the voice. The brat scoffs and does a fast scribble, then walks off behind the now mostly dissipated crowd.

 "Finally that mala is gone, pest of a child he is. Anyhow I see your Fischeran friend still needs to be signed in, let me help, might as well give my thanks by letting you cut in line." I look back to see the remaining people standing in line, as I let Rito in front of me.

"And what is your name?" The receptionist asks.

"Rito." 

 "No last name huh, poor thing." Rito's eyes squirm sizedly down in the response.

"Anyhow you were assigned six-thousand eight-hundred and two, and funny enough, you were both assigned to the Red Cross patrol group, lead by Askeladd Vanahiem, he'll meet you down in Palelink where he should already be set up with some of your patrol."

" Later on in your training you'll be granted access to higher tiers of patrols, which by then you can choose yourself. For now, you'll still have rooms here, as we don't expect our knights to go rent rooms at whims. Now, I'll wish you goodluck on your journeys as Sigil Knights, your oath and duty begins now." Finally set free from the tree, I feel the shifting sands of my memories slipping from my palms, as I make my way out of the gleaming goldstruck mist entrance.

The city across my eyes becomes clear as day, as the morning sun lays it's light across the tree scape convening up above. A line stands across the encarving of the tree, ready to take the wide plank lift down.

 "Ughh, can this line not hurry up, I want to meet our squad leader." I blurt out.

"Be patient Judari, we aren't in a hurry." Rito says in a null tone.

"Hmpf, but what if we, you know. Climb down the side of the tree…" I say half sarcastically quiet.

"You actually think our patrol leader would enjoy seeing his two new recruits sliding down the headquarters walls like ancient kindred?" Rito near scoffs at my silly quip, seems like he's already picked up the notion of being a mere object. 

I hate to call attention to it, but I feel like Rito is trying to hide himself, shelving away his emotions to appear unfazed. I may want to talk to him about it, I wouldn't want him to unnecessarily spiral himself down that kind of path. Though may be me overthinking.

Finally we step upon the lift after a long waiting period. Us along with five other people, slowly make the lift descend down upon the misty grass, the fresh breeze of sea-salt hits my nostrils yet again, been a while since I was down in Palelink, at the very least a month or two. 

Seems the town has barely opened up yet, as chatter and salesmen running rampant about their prizes are neigh to be found. Only the rustling canopies up above, inspecting the trees, seems like the canopies extend up to at least half a kilometer, and the trunks being around one-hundred fifty to two-hundred meters in width.

So interesting how most trees don't go anywhere near past even ten meters in height, yet here these gargantuan trees slumper around in the Royal Woods, though it seems like by them being so huge, most of the forest ground has been deprived of variety and most life. 

With only patches of grass and mulch. Though in spots of lights, where the canopies leaves shift, spotlights of flowers and bouquets form.

Upon the gray gravel path road, we sink down lower into the city of Palelink, the bleached house with vibrant roofs now just a reminder of the past year instead of the new thrilling town.

In the city center, long lines of knights stand ready, with commanders all holding out pieces of plain looking cardboard, and finally I spot the man holding the Red Cross sign. His hair vibrant red as flames, and his skin tanned like bronze. Suddenly I lock eyes with the man in his shiny armor with yellow strips of cloth scattered around the set. His piercing emerald eyes seemed to inspect my soul. Though as quickly as our eyes had met the stare vanished, and suddenly I feel the tug in my arm from Rito dragging me over to the group six line.

As every knight and graduate had gathered into the town square, the leaders of each squad had taken their groups into a more disclosed area. Askeladd led us a bit away from the town center and instead had us placed beside a library in close proximity to the sea. Askeladd stands tall, not on a podium like Frey, although his pure geist seems to match that of Frey.

 "Red Cross knights all in line!" He yells. As we all shut our mouths.

"Today will be your very first day of being fully fletched Sigil Knights, I expect from each one of you that you have been properly trained in the element arts. And as your patrol leader it is my duty to inform you of today's task at hand." He swiftly takes out a piece of crumbled fresh paper up. He lets out a cough.

"For the next two weeks we will be going on a field mission towards Oresfall, there we shall be patrolling and muting any trouble there may become. The travel time to Oresfall will be approximately two days, as we are walking on foot along a certain path." He speaks in certainty, which for some reason, makes my heart beat just a little slower, with a veil of comfort around it.

"Though I do need to remind you all, this is not a regular field training like when you were trainees. This will be real, and casualties are not uncommon, be that an attack from monster or kindred robber. Be on guard, as we Sigils may be revered, but also highly targeted. Best piece of advice, stick together, and don't act on emotion, this is a duty, not a past-time." A sliver of angerness slips out of him, though it seems his intentions are well grounded.

 "We'll begin march in twenty minutes. As a morning feast is in order before travel." He takes out thirty brown paper bags, all seemingly filled with lunches. He quickly throws one out to each knight in the squad. I catch the hurdling bag as it's tossed towards me and I inspect inside. I take out a small pastry, glazed in a semi-transparent sweet powdered sugar mix. We are truly eating like Dukes.

The dark shadows of the forest canopy cast their shade upon the squad. We all walk in solitude inbetwixt the occasional chat or two. Me and Rito are situated at the very front with Askeladd as he leads forwards the march, hopping from spotlights where light shines down onto plantations of lively and spirited flora, some of the soothing flowers spread slight hints of glow and shine, having translucent petals light the way into the darkness of the forest.

Slowly the terrain itself began steeping upwards, as we'd been keeping close walk to the mountain side, most of the canopies don't cover these uphills so they're great pathways for travelers. Although back when it was just Rito and I, we just wandered wherever. Full on miracle we only got attacked by a beast once, whereas most people get hunted down by stalking predators in mere seconds.

Light turns to dark, as the sun's light begins to power down. Deep inside the Royal Woods, with near no light source but our own lit lanterns, Askeladd yells at us it's time to set camp after a long day of walking through swampy grass, fog and winding paths.

A small campfire had been constructed upon some wet clumps of stones we found buried under the dirt. As finally the whole squad could set themselves down and remove their sturdy armor pieces. Askeladd raises himself up with a dull metal cup in hand.

 "Great day of marching troupe, today was the hardest as only around eight kilometers remain, we could of course make it the rest of the way, but as the sun's gone down to rest, it's best we rest as well." Askeladd yells out to the weary knights, some even in tents. Though Askeladd seems proud of his little rhyme, that's a little charming, I don't know why, maybe I should also be proud of smaller moments like that.

 "I would advise you to go to sleep now, as I'll be waking all of you up near before sunrise. As long as a little light shines through that thick canopy, we walk." He yells as many people leave the mostly dampened campfire, Rito goes into one of the ivory tents as well, not even saying goodnight.

The camp has quieted down, and the only person is still wide awake, beside Askeladd. He sits in complete solitude, staring out into the void-like forest reaches, analyzing the closest to a sound. I raise myself and position myself next to him as he sits on a thick log of wood.

 "So, why haven't you gotten to bed as you said we should?" I ask as his body jerks forward for a quick second, clearly not ready for anyone to come up to him.

"Oh, well I'm just keeping watch for the time being. And you're one to talk, come on now, into a tent with you." He says, trying to wave me off.

"I can't sleep, would you mind if I sit here for a bit until I'm properly tired?" I ask.

"You're an adult, I can't choose when you sleep." 

"Thanks." We both sit and stare in each direction of the wraithing forest, like each breath we took could be our last, though not a single shadow or figure appears from the darkness.

"So, how long did it take ya to become a Sigil Commander?" I try with my best effort to summon my dad's impeccable accent, though by the bethrowled look on Askeladds, face, it seems it's a failed attempt.

"About twelve, maybe fourteen years. Been a Commander for five years. Though I was never any sort of prodigy, so I had to simply make my way through the ranks with sheer force." 

"That's very impressive, but who are these prodigies, I've never heard of such."

"Some people are just a bit more gifted at being able to keep a steady mind in combat, or just generally being more imaginative, I was never like that. Suppose I could be called dull minded but looking at the position I am today, I don't think such insults apply to me." He says with a voice not full of bravado but confidence.

"That's one long time to become a Commander." I add.

 "Generally speaking, I'm lucky to even be a Commander, as most with my difficulties either fall behind and leave The Order, or simply join the dead early."

"So, have you encountered a lot of death during your time?"

"I would never wish my memories of The Order on anybody, which also happens to be why this will be my last mission." Askeladd says.

"You're retiring?"

"I am, and I couldn't be more happy that I am. Finally I can spend some time with my daughter, Alexandria. She's been alone for a while now, she's had to live with various people just because I couldn't be there."

"Sorry for budding in with so many questions, but couldn't her mother take care of her?"

"Oh's it's alright, I'm not one for secrets. My darling Sophia was taken from me too early. And even though I couldn't do much against her fate, I could have still protected her more." He wiping his nose.

"Don't blame yourself, I'm sure you did all you could to protect her."

"She wasn't taken away from me by accident, but an order given to me straight from the leader of the Order, Luther Virian," He pauses.

 "He ordered me to give her up to a man by the name of Lannis Shallow. I begged and begged for reasons as to why, and what was going to happen to her. But it was deaf ears and mouth, as if I had become invisible to them. I have no idea what happened to her, but it was six years ago I last saw her, I can only hope she's doing well." He swings his legs up from the wood log.

"Well enough about me huh kid, what's your name?" His whole attitude changed in mere seconds, reaching out his hand to help me up as well. To control emotions like that must be a skill Sigils need to learn.

"Judari Onyx, sir!" I let him help me up.

"Onyx, as in Inari Onyx?" He asks with glee across his face,

"Yes, that's my dad." 

"You're gonna grow up to be something special huh. Your dad was my reason for joining The Order in the first place, and his title. Oh it hits right in that nostalgic spot."

"My dad had a title, I thought he was just an Officer or Commander?" 

"Inari Onyx was the flame general of The Order, which all in all, means he was the current best user of flame charges, you should have seen the newspapers and illustrations when his actions spread across the land. 'Inari Onyx, disgraced Vind now a hero of the battlefield?'." 

"What battlefield was my dad a hero of?"

 "His full title should explain it well enough, Inari Onyx, Flame General of The Order, Scourge of the Prince's cult. He was the one to put an end to that disturbing clan." Askeladd acts all in starstruckdom even though my father isn't even here.

"He never told me about all this, he only ever told me he was a Sigil." Did he keep more about himself hidden away I wonder.

"Can't imagine why, anyhow it is actually getting late, I would recommend some sleep." Askeladd says as he prepares himself for the night.

"Of course. And uhm, it was good talking with you." I give a slight wave to Askeladd.

"You too, Judari Onyx." He says closing his dark green tent in. I suppose I should get some shut eye before tomorrow becomes today.

"Everyone pack up this instant, we'll be moving from camp in five minutes. I expect this whole place tucked inside your bags and packs by then!" I hear yelled outside of my tent. Quickly I rush my body up to get ready for the day, as stark sunbeams shine down from the canopies, and through the dark verdant cloth of my populated tent.

Outside I see various of my current squad, all fully disassembling the camp. I try my best to help but I fail flat and just stand watching, doing nothing but picking grass.

Finally on the move again, the dainty chirps and tunes sung from the birds linger and chimes in the soft breezy air. The terrain of the forest begins seeping upwards, as we approach towards the city of Oresfall, the large tree trunks being checkpoints of places to ignore, as beasts and prowlers of the dark could pounce from any corner or whole from the circa one-hundred meter trunks.

The forest fog grew lighter and lighter, as the lume of the dawning sun cut clear all eye-hinder. A large winding path up towards a colossal gate like entrance occurs before my eyes.

"We've arrived Red Cross, the great and slum-like city. Oresfall." Askeladd yells out as the squad jubilates.

The forest finally clear of sight with only canopy stricken out across my head, the great entrance of Oresfall comes to view. A clean cut wall scaling up into the mountain cliff face, emulating that of a fortress with various walkways, the front wall makes it's entrance to my vision as my eyes meet fully with the great mountain. The city seems to be no less than four-hundred meters up from below ground, situated clear-cut deep into the mountain. With an elongated winding path connecting to the bottom of the forest, the path itself rests curvedly inside the spearhead like indent into the mountain range, all unnaturally carved by kindred hands.

Askeladd leads the whole squad uphill, through criss and cross, winding paths and plateaus, after walking up against hard stones with my poor soles for ten minutes. The full city of Oresfall now into my view. A full front road carves through the town separating the whole capital. Large constructs of apartment buildings pillar up towards the ceiling of the mountainside cave, acting as support structure for the cave's integrity. With dark dusk alleyways being even the more highlighted with their slick of uncomfortableness, spreading out into the main street. Lucky the main street is littered with lit up with torches ignited inside small stone holders. 

Askeladd walks in first to the stinking city, as ash and smog fill my nose and lungs. What and how much died here? The people walking upon the streets take notice of our squad and quickly walk inside the nearest establishments they could find, I don't get it, aren't we here to help? Though various scratchy carpets were laid out onto the side of the main road, with old crummy beggars sitting and praying for our help. 

"Ignore them, their help will arrive later." Askeladd coldly remarks as we walk through the city streets. Long at the back of the cave, seems to be a large gate of some sorts, made of dark gray stones and rock. Multiple guards stand completely straight, waiting for Askeladd to approach them.

 "Ey Migi Veru?" I hear said from one of the stalls embedded into the buildings, a red Kasparan had yelled the sentence for but a second I thought it was Dorgan who was talking..

"Not interested, keep moving patrol." We slowly approach the back wall, as I notice the sheer scale of this cave, the ceiling seems to stretch kilometers in both directions, this city is like a maze. We come closer and closer, passing the various alleys filled with sketchy figures. 

"Askeladd my good friend!" I hear yelled as the whole troupe stops up.

"Dirbys?" Askeladd says.

"Yes yes my friend please come, I've many sculptures to show you!" He yells as if completely unaware of the troupe of eighteen people behind Askeladd.

"Dirbys I'm kind of on a mission, could this wait till later?" Askeladd pleads.

 "My friend, it will only take a minute, please. I've carved some of these myself, and I would like you to pick one." Dirbys says with a grand smile upon his lips.

"Okay fine, let me see" Askeladd scans over the four wood carvings laid across the table. One picturing a kindred figure, one a skull, one a tower and one that I simply cannot comprehend what is.

"Come on, just pick one." Dirbys says.

"Hmm, I'll pick… The skull!" Askeladd bursts out with glee.

 "Argh you have a good eye, I found it while exploring the desert underground. Y'know what friend, you can take it with you." 

"No please, it's yours, and I should really get going-" Askeladd gets cut off, as the noise of a massive boulder getting scraped across the floor rings throughout the whole city. We instinctively look towards the gates at the back of the city. White snow gently falling from the ground onto the streets, in harsh contrast to the thunderous winds shimmering an avalanche of frost. 

A pale man is visible through the hazy snow, his deep sunken eyes immediately gripping the fear of death into my heart. I look to Askeladd for comfort, but instead I'm met with the anger of a thousand suns, the pure rage upon Askeladd's face one I wouldn't wish to see no matter the situation.

As the gate fully ascends to the top, setting itself stuck and open to the tundra behind the mountain. The pale man walks mighty inside Oresfall. Strutting along with his arms behind his back, and each step he takes rings a hundred bells inside the city, his mere presence inviting archaic prowess. 

His fully black outfit contrasting against the harsh snowstorm behind him as he moves more and more into the city. He's tall, creepily tall. His limbs like those of a spider, with long spindly legs and fingers. And only a few strings of his well torn and thin hair remains, while his lips look near stitched up by their sheer dryness and cracks.

 He moves slowly along into the city, as the only people remaining on the streets hid away, even before when we entered some remained out. A young boy suddenly jumps into my vision, and with no clear way to go, he hides under Dirbys table.

His elongated leg raises to move his unnatural body along, the perverse twisted body of the man fully sets into my soul what kind of man this is. A man disenchanted by the gods, being a pure mockery of them. He approaches the troupe as my heart begins to beat loud. The dark engulfed eyes of the man draw all my rationalization out from my mind, this man is Danger.

Finally he stands near Askeladd and glances at my Commander, I look back to Askeladd expecting him to either be fearful or at the very least scared. But that lingering rage is still intact.

"LANNIS!" Askeladd shouts so as the whole city and forest could hear him. His feet quickly starting a sprint towards the pale man, as he scoffs. A sword in hand of Askeladd, already coated in sizzling flames, even the heat could be felt this far away. 

 Askeladd sprints and sprints, and suddenly just within swing range. He stops up. Frozen in place with his lowly sword hanging by his side.

"Pathetic Sigil Knight." Lannis speaks, his voice sounding like cries of a hundred souls, deep enough to be passed as drowning.

The whole troupe takes long steps back, as Askeladd slowly begins reaching for his throat. Sounds of choking echo from him. His feet take off from the stone ground, as he levitates longer up into the air. Lannis has his spindly hands extended, waving his fingers around in patterns over and over.

"Rupture." Lannis speaks. His outward hand clasping together, till a crack of bone is heard. It rings throughout the hollow town like a bell to signal morning, like those at Sentinel… Is this what my dream is, an escape… I don't dare let myself look away, but I want to, why can't I look away. 

Askeladd's wafting body cramps inwards, the silver plated limbs snap like birch twigs. Not a scream or cry escapes him, only the spine chilling sounds of his armor brazing against the bones of the betwitched man. A ball of shattered silver and flesh floats like a tortured doll. Lannis pushes forward his hand, sending a shockwave towards Askeladd's carcass, firing it across the street road into the nearest wall.