Knights Apocalyptica

Chapter 42: Disciples

“It was the stuff of nightmares.

For as long as I live, I’ll never make the mistake of entering a Rift again. The day after we stepped through that Goddess damned tear, I retired from my service as a Knight.

Have you ever seen a world where the very ground below is covered in flesh? Where it pulses to the beat of some unknowable heart? No. You have no idea of what I’ve seen. Of the swarming maggots that coated the surface of that cursed land. And I pray that you never do.”

- Knight Lieutenant Oswald, Rift Expedition Report (249, 3rd Era)

Garin wrapped an arm around Olivia’s shoulder as a fire blazed in the middle of their little encampment. There were a few different fires. The steel wagons of the caravan circled together in the middle of the wasteland in a mimicry of the steel curtain surrounding the Kingdom. It was a far cry from a perfect defense, but the space allowed those of the Order to have some peace.

A few others of the Verdant Oak had joined their fire. Including Gwen, who seemed a bit sour and kept shooting envious glances at Olivia.

Erec leaned forward, arms wrapped around his knees. Taking in the Armored Knights' silhouettes atop the steel wagons surrounding them. Their impromptu wall. The only line of defense against monsters that might roam and notice them in the wasteland. Would he be there one day? Burning the night away to ensure the rest of his Order could sleep safely?

“And that’s the first time we met; dragged in by his dad and with a burning red face when I suggested we play a game of tag.” Garin shook his head, eyes drifting toward Erec as he told of their first encounter to the strangers.

A girl named Veronica nodded her head, flashing Erec a smile. “I think the shy types are awful cute—very fun to mess with.”

“Oh, I agree! It’s always fun finding a way to tease them, though; he’s a bit of a wild one if you’ve heard.”

"He doesn't look like much of a mad Knight now, does he?" Veronica asked and titled her head.

Erec shrugged his shoulders and sighed; giving her some platitude as the conversation floated away from him. There was some curiosity about him within their Order, and Garin was trying to dispel it and make them comfortable with him. Especially as it came out that Boldwick was paying special attention to his training. The Academy might think of him as a 'mad Knight,' especially as he showed off more of his fighting in public. But the initiates in their Order held a different opinion. He was theirs, one of them, and because of that, they were more supportive.

At least, that's what he'd gathered over the last few minutes. Hard to say how much of that was from Garin working on public perception.

They were tied together. A family, in a way.

A family that brought with it attachments that Erec had long forgotten how to feel about. It made him miss his mother and his younger days with Bedwyr; before other people crept in and they got yanked from that private life together to be tested by the world at large.

Erec glanced over at the gathering of priests and Silver Flames Knights. They were separated just as far as possible, even erecting their own sleeping tents to distance themselves.

But that was fine. They weren’t part of this family. And Erec was glad, if anything, that none in their Order went over to try to ease the tensions. They inserted themselves here into the expedition in the same way they’d inserted themselves into Erec’s life.

“You alright?” Colin asked from his side, leaning in to not break the flow of the main conversation—they were talking about heroes of old. Including the fight against the Rot Behemoth. A story that Colin must’ve heard damn near a thousand times, given his father was the one who slew that monstrosity. Erec glanced at him, seeing the frown on his face. Since when does he care about other people?

“Yeah, I’m alright.” Erec rubbed at his eyes. “Tired. But I don’t think I can sleep tonight.”

“Why’s that?”

Erec looked out—past the gaps in the steel caravan. At the ever-pressing darkness of the wasteland that splayed out for hundreds of miles. Somewhere out there were red eyes; attached to a stag as white as the moon. He was certain. Just as he was sure it was watching them.

“Well, be sure to do your best to get some rest. It’ll be a long journey, and I don’t want to haul you along and have to fix your mistakes.” Colin said before turning away.

Yeah. That was more like him.

“Erec!” A booming voice called out from the shadows of the fire. Boldwick stepped into the light and frowned as he looked at the gaggle of initiates around their fire. “Ah, Gwen’s here too. Good. You two, get your Armor on. We’re going on a scouting mission. Meet me over there.” He gestured to a gap in the steel wagons.

The rest of the initiate went quiet. They whispered to each other, not quite soft enough for their jealousy and confusion to avoid reaching his ears. Erec shrugged and got to his feet.

If Boldwick wanted to take them on a small mission, he wouldn’t object. Though why only he and Gwen wasn’t entirely clear to him.

It beat sitting around the fire with all of these strangers, which was rapidly becoming more exhausting. And he doubted his ability to sleep later.

“Yes, Sir.” Both Gwen and Erec answered before splitting off to get their Armor.

A little over three hundred steel statues splayed out in the center of the caravan circle. Erec found it easy enough; since he had VAL to direct him. And now his personal effect on the Vallum model made it stand out.

Most Knights painted their house crest onto their Armor to make it stand out and represent their family name.

Erec didn’t paint the House Audentia crest on it because he was a second son and didn’t plan to stay in their House.

He became a Knight in part to walk his own path. And now that path involved VAL. So, he’d opted to steal from its past.

A Vortex Industries logo adorned the center of his chest piece. It was a perfect replica of the design; since VAL cheerfully guided him when he’d painted it. It felt fitting, given his technical employment. And he couldn’t lie; the symbol held a feeling of power and old-world mystique. It was a welcome step away from the typical heraldry of animals and mythological creatures most houses used.

Erec entered the Armor, throwing the cloak hood over his steel helmet as VAL engaged the camouflage protocol. The cloak turned a dull brown color, easily matching the surrounding dry landscape of dirt and rocks.

He cut past the groups of merry Knights. Even though they knew the dangers lurking outside and were fully aware that they were no longer protected, they had a cheerful atmosphere. They were confident with their numbers, and many were well accustomed to leaving the safety of the Kingdom. The ease in the atmosphere was concerning.

Who was really the mad Knight in this situation?

Erec reached a small group of people, Boldwick in his weathered gear, and Gwen approached at the same time as him in her Vallum model. And also two other people he’d yet to meet. One in a heavily modified Vallum and another in a custom Armor. Boldwick glanced at him and Gwen. “Ah, there we are. The two initiates.” He glanced at the group. “Introduce yourselves; then we’ll head out.”

The two mysterious Knights shared a look. Whoever was piloting the heavily modified Vallum stepped forward and cleared their throat. They had about twenty swords strapped to their frame—hilts, sheathes, and lengths of the blades varied greatly, almost like a damn cactus with all the pointy objects.

“Sir Alister, Knight Errant.” He nodded his head towards the two of them. “That old grump has taken two more under his wing, huh?” He snickered as Boldwick grumbled. “Don’t take any of his harshness personally, but yeah. Nice to meet you. Don’t be surprised if I stop by the Academy and come harass you in the future, now that I know who you are.”

The other Knight wore a slimmer Armor than any Model Erec had seen before. It reminded Erec of the Crimson Lotus’ type, though, even thinner. They lowered their head as a sultry feminine voice came through the helmet. “Dame Robin, Knight Lieutenant.” She said. Her head shot to Sir Alister. “Please refrain from scaring them away. It is best to treat new Knights kindly and ease them into these sorts of things. We are, for better or worse….” She kept staring at Alister, “Your seniors.”

Gwen introduced herself first, and Erec gave a quick sentence about himself. Their attention slipped back to Boldwick.

“Each of you knows the real details of this expedition. Erec, here is the other person seeing the White Stag. But tonight, I don’t think we’ll face an attack. Call it a gut instinct. So, I’m going to take this chance to teach you all a thing or two. And maybe in the process, we’ll find some kind of hint to what’s going on…” Boldwick seemed a little uncomfortable, in the way Erec always got when different worlds of his life came into a sudden an unpredictable clash together. Still, he forged ahead. “…That’s about it. There shouldn’t be any questions.”

“Now hold up,” Gwen raised a hand. “What’s he mean we’re all under your wing? These two your old students, or…?”

“Sir Boldwick is a mentor to us both, as he is to you, yes.” Dame Robin answered in a polite tone. “I fully expect him to solidify that relationship once you’re made into Knight Errants, like Sir Alister here. Just please vow to do better than him.”

“Hey!” Alister called out, pressing the side of his helmet. The visor opened to reveal his shocked face.

She shook her head and stepped past the caravans into the night. “We should get moving; we only have a portion of the night if we intend to come back and rest.”

Boldwick muttered under his breath, low enough for anyone except Erec, who was next to him, to not hear. “As if I’d get any sleep with that monster out there.”