Hero Dyes - Blue

Yohan: “Leon, stop hiding under that Geminis Knight helmet and face me like a true warrior!” Bridget boasted. She was proven wrong as the knight spoke loud to filter out his muffled voice.

“Leon is still out on his raid.” This confused Bridget as she was trying to figure out who this knight was. I had no clue as I never paid that close to attention to such details.

“There was only one more Geminis Knight under Magnus’s rule. He was demoted because he tried to steal my swords and I defeated him severely.” She proclaimed and waited to see if she was right.

“That was how you ranked up from a patrol knight to a Guard Knight, and soon earned the title of High Knight. I was there when you fought him. Having said that, you need not worry about that man anymore. He is dead. Magnus just killed him a few hours ago.” Both of our eyes widen upon hearing this. The flashback of us watching Magnus kill Finnor while peering through the slit of the tent, was the only fitting description of this event. This meant nothing to me. To Bridget on the other hand, it seemed to mean something as I watched her eyes tear up. Having said that she was fighting those tears back by scowling more.

“Explain this properly, now!” She barked as the Geminis Knight signaled for the other knights to stand down.

“Form a perimeter.” He ordered, which left him alone with us as he prepared to go over the details.

“As you know, a Geminis Knight is to keep themselves from being recognized by other knights. In case of a demotion, none of the knights would treat them differently. Finnor was the perfect example of that. After you brutally defeated him and nearly left him for dead, his recovery process left him with amnesia. We tried everything to recollect his lost memories. His mind was broken to the point that he became this timid knight. His muscle memory and reflexes never faded, which allowed him to be a skilled soldier. The only other thing that remained was you. He expressed to me several times that he feels like he knows from somewhere else but can never determine from where.” He paused for a moment as he slowly drew his sword and stabbed it into the ground. This made Bridget gasp as she recognized the sword.

“Why do you think he was overly obsessed with you?” She ignored his comment and quickly shouted upon seeing the sword he drew.

“What did you do to your sword?” She continued to stare at him as he remained silent for a moment. It was like he was angry with her.

“I’m speaking about one of your comrades who just died by Lord Magnus for trying to keep you safe, and all you can do is focus on something else-”

“Who cares about him! Sounds like to me I did the entire army a favor by getting rid of an arrogant bully and turned him into a obedient slave! Now what did you do to your brother’s sword!!” It finally clicked in my head as her words revealed who this knight was to us without letting the other knights know. Indeed, you can change the hilt and guard of a sword, but his brother’s blade was especially made from rare minerals. I only know this because my father bragged about it often.

“I told you once before, Twin Blade Knight, leave the past behind you. I’ve done so, and I’ve warned you that I would if you continued down this road. You selected a different path than the one I laid out for us. I have accepted this… So should you…” He pulled his sword out of the ground and pointed the blade at her.

“By order of Lord Magnus, you are stripped of your knighthood. You have become an enemy to our kingdom. You are to be captured or killed, and brought back to Lord Magnus at once. Come now, peacefully. If you refuse, then force must be used. What is your decision, Bridget?” I could see the tears streaming down her raged filled face as she glared at Ulrik. He was serious, and so was she. Before another word could be said, a roar of battle cries surrounded the area. Armored warriors began fighting the knights that Ulrik led and a battle instantly erupted.

“Stay close to me!” I shouted to my son as we began to defend ourselves from any attacking knights. We joined some of the warriors that came to our aid and started to win this battle. I looked around for Bridget to make sure she wasn’t going to expire before taking down at least one tyrant. I spotted her quickly but halted myself from helping her. She had locked her swords with Ulrik and seemed to be talking to him. She wasn’t angry while they exchanged words. She nodded slightly a few times which led me to believe Ulrik was still trying to help us. After a short while he leaps back and begins to shout for a retreat. He mounted his horse quickly and continued to order them to fall back. I slowly made my way to Bridget as the area cleared out of knights. She stared at the ground for a moment, smiling as if she was ready to celebrate.

“Is everything alright, Bridget?” She was lost in her own thoughts as my question didn’t reach her.

“Bridget.” I spoke louder as my son joined me. She finally lifted her head and smiled more upon seeing my face.

“Everything is fine, Sir Yohan. Having said that, there has been a change of plan.” I raised my eyebrow as she continued to speak.

“We’re going to stick with a plan that me and Ulrik have been building for years now. Your arrival at this moment to select me as a Hero Dye is perfect. Ulrik being promoted, our alliances finally gathering and reaching this land, everything is falling into place now thanks to you. We’ll be able to take down Magnus sooner than you think.” Her boasting came to a pause as her smile dimmed and a serious expression presented itself.

“I will go on this journey with you, only if you allow me and Ulrik to take down this tyrant our way. Once we’ve succeeded I’ll be yours to command. Agreed?” She reached out her hand yet again to seal a new covenant. I thought about it for a moment before mentally shrugging and agreeing to her terms. Her smile returned as the warriors whispered in awe at my very presence. This made me question who these warriors were that they have rallied.

“Bridget, how did you acquire so many people for your cause?”

“Ulrik just told me who they were. They are followers and believers of the Hero Dye Sages. Ulriks’s uncle hails from the Tellus kingdom while Ulrik himself comes from Quartal. His parents moved here with him while half of his siblings stayed in Quartal. As you know, his uncle and his brother were Dye Heroes. Once all three kingdoms were overthrown by the tyrants, Ulrik and his wife started forming a rebellion in all three kingdoms. From what I gathered, his wife died for this very cause.” Her explanation only drew more questions from me.

“Ulrik seemed against the sages and their cause. Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Oh, no, he is still against it. When his wife died it all fell apart and the plan evaporated. However, Ulrik just told me that one of the knights is actually a part of the Dye Hero alliance. She found a mage who excels in teleportation magic and hurried to Tellus. There, the sleeping alliance woke up and spread the word to the Quartal kingdom. Now the plan is back in play all thanks to you. Ulrik will do what he can but he already stated that he will not be leading this like he was originally supposed to. He is leaving this crusade to me.” The woman talked so fast from excitement that it took me a few seconds to comprehend all that information. I realized my mouth was agape and closed it as I cleared my throat and dusted myself off from the battle.

“Well, whatever you have situated, I will not tamper with. Me and my son will simply aid the cause and see this through. I guess in other words, lead the way.” Bridget smiled and ordered the warriors to move out. My son was about to follow but I gripped his shoulder and held him back for a moment so we could talk out of earshot of the alliance members.

“I’ve seen this card before. It is a tricky one. Ulrik may not be on our side. If he isn’t, and these men and women swore an oath to him, Bridget may be leading us into a trap without her knowing. Please, my son, I beg of you, clear your mind. This plot doesn’t sit well with me.”

“It’s too rapid.” My son adds. His eyes glared with distrust swelling within them.

“I’m not a fool, father. I sensed the tremors of evil in the air. Let us be cautious indeed.” I couldn’t help but smirk as I’ve taught my son well enough to sense danger. Once again, I had forgotten that he is a man now and not a child I need to hold hands with.