The Mountains of Fortitude

[Zulma san]

The inhabitants of the Holy City ignore that the beautiful city is on top of the Mountains of Fortitude.

But for the Holy Knights used to travel across the lands of the Knights of Valor, those Mountains are both a curse and a benediction.
Filled with wonders and dreaming landscapes, the Mountains are also treacherous and dangerous.  

[Zulma san]

((Past story arc happening before the chaotic twins appearance))

Gabrielle was in much better shape now. Her passage at the monastery and the healing of Master Grin had helped her. The Holy Knight did not care about having lost the semi-final against the troll Yata D'Jinn. He had been a great opponent.

But the mind of the woman was troubled more and more by the darkness lurking deep inside her heart. She had promised the dwarf she was heading for the Holy City, but she was taking a detour by the surrounding mountains. She hoped to find some peace of mind there.

It had been a couple of days since she took her leave from the runs master and the snow was now surrounding her. It was late afternoon when physically tired, but mentally calmer, she reached the lake which laid in a small valley surrounded by the mountains.

The Holy Knight found a spot sheltered from the winds and from which she had a full view of the lake and its icy surface. She gathered from wood. She would not hunt tonight for she had enough food and she just settled her camp in silence.  

[NeoPaladinOfLight]

Where has he been for all this time? What has he been doing? Nothing? Everything? He wouldn’t tell even if asked. They call him leader, founder, most holy knight. He is but a man. No, he’s more than man, he is angel--a being of pure divinity, an extension of the most high, or so they say.

If anything, he is the watcher. The holy mountain is his domain. The city, his heart within. He stands, sits, floats around and above it. The demons are his only concern. Yes, the denizens of the underworld--constantly they push towards domination. They want this land. They believe it theirs to begin with. Surely it’s not, but they believe it so.

The watcher is also guardian.

Guardian of what? Good? Right? Justice? No, just this city, just this mountain. Why? What does a servant of the most high have to do with this land? Shouldn’t he be off doing the One’s business? Aren’t angels merely messengers, those who’s sole purpose is to lead, guide, and direct?

No, not entirely.

You see, this particular angel was born to protect. This city, this Garden of Eden is his domain. The most high has given it to him. His sole purpose is to defend it from all evil. It’s supposed to be the closest thing to Heaven on earth. Some would argue it’s not, but that’s for another story.

As for right now, this ship is on the verge of sinking. The dogs of darkness bark at the gate. Once again, it is time for Uriel to take up his sword and smite that which tries to enter, and so he acts. Like a bolt of lightning amidst the torrential winds of a storm, he is there.

And so he’s drawn here, amidst a valley by the lake.  

[Zulma san]

Gabrielle was sitting silent, staring or rather gazing at the lake, at the silence and the immobility which were surrounding her. The silence? At once she became focused and carefully listened. Indeed the silence. She had welcomed the peace but now she was frowning. There was no wind, no brushing in the trees, no stream flowing and no bird singing. That was abnormal.

Trying to mimic the silence surrounding her, the woman stood up and made a couple of step forward. Her head turned to the west, the sun was setting, reflecting warm hue around the icy blue of the mountains. It was beautiful and yet something was off.

She looked to the other side a light coming closer. So bright she had to protect her eyes with her hand and still, her eyes were half closed as she looked at this phenomenon approaching the lake.

Gabrielle had quickly remove the idea that this might have been a demon. No demonic creature could have survived in such a light, less alone be the source of it. Her heart pounded for a second, could it be Dimitri? She calmed down, her body was telling her that it could not be.

Her questioning stopped at once when the light and winds landed not too far from her. Neo. The birds, the winds, the streams began living again. They were not louder than usual, they were just there, whereas she could have sworn that moments ago she was the only living being around.

The Holy Knight hesitated a moment. She remembered having kneed once in front of him but he had lied to her and disappeared. Maybe he was also here to find peace, maybe she should not disturb him and just go? Yet she stayed and made a couple steps in his direction.

"Neo." she said with a bow of her torso.  

[Zulma san]

Gabrielle stood straight as Neo's words hit her. Her face did not flinch. She had to admit that she had not expected her own leader to make that announcement. A soft smile came to it like a sun shine on a pale winter morning. This was the end of her journey. The words of Neo meant that he had seen the depth of the darkness within her heart. Despite her fight, despite her trial, she had failed into keeping the darkness away. But better dying a Holy Knight, than living as an outcast, a Dark Knight. She smiled because she was at peace.

"I knew that that day would come. I did not think it would come from your hand." the Holy Knight answered with a respectful voice.

Her only regret was to have been unable to reach Dimitri one last time before dying. He had been and would remain his true love. She silently prayed that he would be safe and live a happy life. No selfish feeling crossed her mind at that moment. She wanted him happy more than anything.

Her only surprise was that her leader was warning her. He could have killed her at once. She might have been a first rank, she was nothing in front of a legend like Neo.
Why did he want her to fight? To give her an honorable death?

Gabrielle took both her swords. Eosy and Aqual, her loyal blades, were ready for her last fight.

Her heart started hitting faster and harder. Was it the fear of death or the excitement of the coming fight? She did not know. Strangely, she thought it was neither, though she did not know where that strange feeling was coming from.  

[NeoPaladinOfLight]

She says she’s ready. Is she really? To accept death—accepting death is a sign of surrender. Is it really? Death is imminent. Death is foreboding. Death is inescapable. Death is the end. It’s life’s only promise. Is accepting death a sign of cowardice, or is it of maturity? At what point is death realized? When does death become so final? All forms of life are given the inert ability to sense death—acknowledge it as a primal force that can’t be stopped.

And she’s ready for it? No, she’s not. She’s ready to fight. She’s willing to fight to hold on. She wants to live. She will fight to her last breath, just so she can hold on tightly to the thread of life. Such is their nature. Such is the nature of all.

He needs to make it quick. Better to end it in a flash than a meandering affliction of torment. The sooner this is over with, the better.

Entering this realm through the divine might of light, his mighty sword sets its sights upon the latest victim of its wrath. The angel wastes no time in assailing the lady knight. Beckoning the cold winds of the valley with his action, as if the earth were signaling the end the end of tranquility, the archangel charges forth and swings his blade.

Make it quick.
 

[Zulma san]

Gabrielle crossed her swords on her chest, facing the Angel.

In the darkest nights, when her heart had almost lost hope, she would have welcome death without a move, thanking whoever would had pitied her enough to end her agony. But in those moments she had always been alone and had never raised her weapon against herself. Was it out of cowardice or respect for life? She would never know.

But now facing her leader, the one she had followed without questioning, in the sunset light, she understood that she would not succumb to death, but accept it when it would come. She would fight for what she had always fought: Light and Life. Her heart might be shadowed, there was still Light and Life within her and she would not allow that part to die without a fight.

The last rays of the sun were disappearing behind the mountains.

Gabrielle felt the attack before it came. Her surrounding was warning her. The air was colder, the soil was trembling. All the elements were awakening, already aware of what would happen. The knowledge did not prevent the Holy Knight from being taken by surprise at the speed of the attack. The blast of light accompanied by the gulf of icy air rushed at her as the Angel charged towards her.

The woman had not had the time to move to avoid or parry the blade. Yet she waited for the pain, the blood, the suffering...and nothing came.

Her blades were radiated of air and water. The cold winds aiming at her had been channeled in Eosy and were now swirling around her. The water of the close lake had joined the wind gulfs and was wrapping the Knight. To her surprise and incomprehension, it seemed that the Holy Blade had bounced back.

Gabrielle's amber eyes were wide opened. How could she have repelled the attack of her Leader? She was stunned. It was luck nothing more, nothing less.
But that unexpected turn of events only brought a realization to the Holy Knight's mind: she did not want to kill the Angel and she knew that this would be the only way for her to live.
She stared at her Leader but did not attack. She knew that she would tire up, exhaust her energy if she ever were lucky enough to survive a second attack.
By refusing to attack was she giving up on her life?

The woman closed her eyes.
She was at peace. She was not giving up. She was defending her life. Sometimes to defend a life one had to take a life but today she would not try to take that life which was trying to steal hers. The life he wanted to destroy and the one she was protecting were two different things. Attacking him would mean making those two lives one and surrendering to darkness.
When Gabrielle reopened her eyes she was smiling softly. Despite her inner debate, the radiation of air and water coming from her and her blades had not weakened.  

[NeoPaladinOfLight]

Is he stunned--surprised at the woman’s evasion of death? Should he be? He merely stands. He’s here to bring an end to the blackest night. He has to end her life, but how does he feel about it? Do angels experience emotions? Are they like mortals in any way? To some, their form can not even be perceived. They’re just a pillar of light. And so he stands, ready to illuminate this darkened land.

He’s deemed the woman unworthy of life. She threatens this plane’s sanctity, but what has she done? What right does Neo have to believe her heretic? Aren’t people--aren’t mortals redeemable? Surely the action of her deflecting his attack is a sign of something significant. Maybe the One has deemed her worthy. That strike was meant to kill her. Neo didn’t hold back. Yet, here she stands.

For the moment, the two simply stare. As to what they’re thinking is anyone’s guess. Neo has never been one to reveal his thoughts. Is he puzzled? Maybe he’s having second thoughts about his action. Maybe he’s considering leaving her be.

The woman is smiling now. It’s faint, but definitely recognizable. What’s within her mind? She’s not attacking. Is it out of fear or reverence? Her will to fight is still strong. No, not fight, defend. Her spirit burns within both of her blades. She won’t fight, but she will definitely defend.

Then a voice is heard throughout the land. It’s a voice hidden within the wind. “What are you here for?” it asks. It’s source is uncertain. Naturally one would assume it comes from the arch angel, but no one actually sees him speak.

By now, Neo has made his move yet again. Another swing--wind and lightning backing this one. The voice within the wind is heard again. “You guard your life with all of your essence. Are you willing to guard the lives of all others?” Almost telepathically, all creatures in the vicinity can hear it. They can all pick up on it.

“Can you protect yourself from the secret sin that lies within?”  

[Zulma san]

Gabrielle was startled by the voice. What for...? Why...? she wondered. She had come here to find answers, to find peace. Maybe she had been granted her wish, maybe the angel was the answer, maybe death meant peace. Her amber eyes flickered a second. She was looking at Neo, he had not moved, his lips were sealed and yet the voice was there. Was it his?

She did not have an answer when the second assault came. An assault accompanied by more words. Her body did not move, her blades crossed did not flinch, but her mind was racing, trying to understand. She was but a mere mortal. She was a simple woman. Guard others' lives? the words echoed a moment. Wasn't what she had been doing for all those years? Wasn't what she had sworn to do when she became a Holy Knight?

Gabrielle felt the lightening mixed with the wind. She too could bend that element yet she had never used it since she had been cursed. That element was too unstable. She did not want to lose control. As an echo to her own fears, the blast was joined by a last sentence 'Can you protect yourself from the secret sin that lies within?'.

This time, if the angel's blade was stopped by Eosy and Aqual, the lightening attack was not. The woman felt the arc enter her flesh above her heart, at the base of her neck...right on the grey scar which had been spreading its venom in the body and soul of the Holy Knight.
The flash of pain was instantaneous. Radiating from the now open wound towards each of the knight's limbs. Spasms jolted her body and blood tears rolled across her pale cheeks. Her eyes were looking at the Angel without understanding.
Her blades were still crossed, the swirls of water and wind were stronger than ever before, yet she was unable to move. She was freezing and burning at once. The electric arc was fluttering like her own pulse, each beat was bringing pain.

The words came back tormenting her, joining the physical pain, 'Can you protect yourself from the secret sin that lies within?'. She opened her lips to speak but no words came. Her mind though was screaming 'Yes'. Despite the pain, she would not give up.  

[NeoPaladinOfLight]

“Then live on.”

One can see it in his eyes. Some strange mixed feeling of somber compassion. It’s as if he’s seen something that’s been hiding from him in plain sight. He knows why he was drawn here. He knows what his mission is. He knows what it was, and he knows that it’s complete. The One has a way of revealing things only when the time comes.

The time is now.

Having finished his duty, he looks to the heavens. His sword has since returned to the realm of light from whence it came. The evening grows late as darkness descends upon the valley, but despite this, serenity travels in the midst of a light breeze.

He doesn’t know how long the woman’s had that shade, but he’s confident in her ability to remove it. She’ll have to if she has any hope of living life as a defender. Yes, she will undergo trial after trial, each testing her will, but that won’t matter. She has the ability to persevere. If anything can be taken away from this experience, it’s exactly that.

The woman is wounded, but she should soon heal. Perhaps the pain will serve as a reminder of this day--the day she took her oath. Maybe it will serve as a sort of purgatory for the time being. Maybe it will end as soon as the angel takes his leave. Truthfully, it’s entirely up to her. How long does she wish to suffer? How long does she need to suffer? It’s been said the moment one takes on the mantle of light is the moment all darkness breaks loose.

And so Uriel departs in the same manner he arrived. He gives no indication to his thought or purpose. Did he really come here to kill the woman? Is he leaving in defeat, or was there something else to it? He’s left her alive and breathing. Did he hold back against her or did she really fend him off?

We’ll never know.  

[Zulma san]

'Live on' The words were like a lullaby, swirling and echoing in her mind. 'Live on'. The Holy Knight felt foggy. She barely could see behind the pain. She could just hear that voice coming out of nowhere. 'Live on'. Then...he left.

As the angel disappeared, Gabrielle fell heavily on her knees to the ground. Her hands were still clenched to the pommels of her katanas and she was shaking.

She felt strange, very strange: freezing and burning at once. She slowly dropped her blades to the floor, her hands still shaking. Her shivering fingers cautiously touched the wound by her neck. She looked to the side. The grey mark was still there, but there was something else. A hint, faint of light. She frowned.
What had happened? Why had he left? Everything was blurred.

Gabrielle carefully brought herself to her feet. The electric shock seemed to have passed, yet, the scar seemed alive. Flashes of pain were striking the side of her neck once in a while. As a pulse of pain. The Holy Knight took her swords and put them back in their sheath.

Tonight she would sleep here. But tomorrow she would travel to the Shimmering Coast, answering the call they all heard.
As she made a couple of steps along the side of the lake, she realized how dark it was and how bright the angel had lighted the place.
She was calm despite the pain. Something strange was happening to her, she could feel...her blood. The feeling of ice and fire seemed to be running through her own veins. It was not painful but not agreeable. It felt as if...a fight was going on in her very own body.
The scar was painful on the other end.

She was tired, too tired to understand.
"Time will come when I will." she whispered to herself.
Going back to where she had previously thought about raising her camp, she prepared a little fire. She barely ate and minutes later, she was sleeping in peace...a first in a long time for the first rank knight.

[EXIT to the Shimmering Coast.]