MAN OF REVERENCE

Caspian had awoke from his coma feeling different, almost as if he had lived through an entirely different life. At first, he thought the memories of the war were just a strange dream, but they were too painfully vivid to dismiss. These memories had deeply affected him, making him feel far older than his ten-year-old body suggested.

From these memories, Caspian had learned a great deal. He recalled how thousands of Dawn Knights—Sun Keepers—had sacrificed their lives to protect a human city from a horde of flesh-eating monsters. That alone was enough reason for him to want to grow as powerful as he possibly could, and one day join the Dawn Knights to aid them in their noble cause. 

The memories from his future had made using his sight second nature to him, after experiencing his future self observe so many horrid beasts. 

The problem now was that the more time passed, the more hazy those memories became. So eventually, he might end up forgetting everything he saw, maybe even having to return to needing seals to contain his eyes' dreaded curse—still being clueless about what exactly it was. 

So in the end, those memories were still much like dreams, some more vivid than others. So when Julian yelled; 

"And Fire!" 

Caspian's eyes widened as he recalled a moment in those memories when he had glanced over at the commanding Lance as he threw various orders around. The man was adorned in gold armour with brown hair and green eyes—of course, this Knight had been Sir Julian. 

Caspian could recall having felt some form of reverence for this man, having managed to secure Lancehood at such a young age, while also commanding legions of Dawn knights. Both feats were almost impossible to attain, but now, as he witnessed the young Sir Julian diligently train the kids in archery, with proper discipline and extensive knowledge it was truly no wonder, how he was able to climb the ranks. 

Just then, the space around Caspian seemed to thicken as Makima stepped out from behind him. 

"Archery suites her." 

She said as her eyes followed Deven. Caspian barely spared her a glance, merely nodding in her direction. 

He couldn't refute her words, compared to all the other students, Deven seemed to have a certain proclivity for precision and accuracy. Even Julian seemed impressed by her performance. 

"We'll meet up by the boiler room tonight, it's best we act fast." 

"That's fine by me." 

Caspian replied with his eyes still locked onto Julian and the three cores that brimmed right within his abdomen. 

"I need you at your possible best." 

Makima continued as she quietly snuck something into Caspian's grip. 

"Boiler room, after dark." 

With that, she faded away into the hallway as Caspian stared curiously at his clutched palm. After using spectral gaze, his brows immediately furrowed. 

Without even a second to waste, he bolted across the hallway with his hand clasped tightly. He didn't stop till he was behind his room door, locked in with his one window covered by dark red drapes. 

Already he could see a soft golden glow spilling from the cracks between his fingers. When he opened up his palm, a tiny golden orb with Celestial Will swirling in its depth revealed itself. Caspian would have been ecstatic if he wasn't so worried by the implications of her actions. 

"I haven't even proved I can follow the scent, why exactly would she then..." 

The more he thought, the fewer answers he gained. So eventually he decided to push all that to the side and start assimilating the core. 

He held the core in his hand and crushed it. Instantly golden mist rose from within his fist and Caspian drew them into his nostrils in one breath. 

As he did, he could feel his mind and body churn as the Celestial Will coursed through his body, aided by his consciousness. 

Of course, this much wouldn't be enough for any substantial difference but it was a start, at least now the outer lining for his first core had been formed. It won't be by much but surely there'll be a boost in his overall capabilities. 

Caspian opted to train his body till the final hours of sunlight came upon him. Then he went over to the guard's station and snuck a proper blade out of their arsenal. Knowing full well, that he would be expected to traverse the forest at night, a blade was the least he could obtain for his own safety. 

The curfews that were placed earlier that day were a huge concern, so Caspian got to the boiler room before the cover of the night. 

Steam repeatedly spewed from the valves at intervals, as the boilers worked as silently as they could. Pipes whined and stirred all over with red lights serving as the only luminous object in the room, only enriching the deep shadows that lay all around him. 

Caspian didn't have to wait for too long, as both girls arrived only a couple of minutes after he did. 

The room was too poorly lit to make out who was who, but Caspian could easily tell through the difference in core purity. Makima possessed a much richer core than her red-haired friend. 

With a wave, Caspian gestured for the two ladies to lead the way. Makima offered Caspian a slight nod while Deven kissed her teeth as she brushed past him. 

As Deven walked ahead, Caspian could make out the faint outlining of arrow fletching peeking out of the quiver strapped to her back. So he wasn't the only one prepared for an unwanted encounter. 

He knew just how deadly the forest that surrounded the orphanage was. An ill-cautioned trip outside at this hour with luck could end in a visit and possible admission to the infirmary. 

He wasn't even sure how he ended up there the last time. 

"I hope to see a spectacle with that blade of yours, you know what could happen otherwise" 

Makima said almost comically as she followed behind Deven. Caspian just stared at her shrouded figure with scrutiny wondering; 

'Why are girls so weird?' 

He lingered closely behind them for a bit before he asked; 

"So how exactly are we meant to leave here without being spotted?" 

"The same way the kids left without getting seen once." 

Makima replied as they all slowly descended a flight of stairs. The deeper they went, the less vivid the red light became, growing fainter and fainter till they were completely submerged in darkness. 

They continued on like that for a while, until a soft white glow revealed itself right at the end of their descent. 

The light spilt from a vent in the wall, and Caspian exchanged strange looks with the girls before volunteering to head up first. 

He climbed into the vent which could surprisingly tolerate his height with little effort. When Deven and Makima followed, he recognised that his experience was completely hereditary. 

'Why am I so short.' 

Although he was barely in the same age bracket as the two girls, the height difference was still far too significant. 

They soon descended onto a platform with a metal gate the size of an adult separating them from the forest beyond. 

"What the hell?" 

Caspian muttered as he stared at the metal gate or more accurately what was left of it. The gate lay in pieces, most of its bars pulled apart in a way that seemed as though a beast had forced its way through as though the metal was nothing but cardboard. 

'Just what had gotten to these kids?!'