The Blade Of God-Chapter 51: To Face Uncertainty (Slash II)

The morning of the expedition is dreadful as it is surreal.

Zayn is the first to awaken, sitting at the edge of her bed as she takes a moment to reel herself into her reality. She thinks about the uncertain journey from here to the Gods realm, about her friends that ride with her from dusk to dawn, their loyalty and promise echoing within their heart as they follow Zayn from here to the depths of hell.

Zayn thinks about the other knights. She thinks about home and her mother and siblings. Zayn thinks about her strength, about Excalibur that is always in her thoughts and seems so close, even without a humanoid form. Zayn thinks, and thinks, and she feels herself sinking.

"Hey kid." It’s Excalibur who speaks her in head. "We haven’t even left yet. Think more positively, will you? Why is you, a hero, so downtrodden?"

"I’m just worried for everyone." Zayn said. "D-do you think we’ll be alright? Honestly, Exci?"

"You and that awful nickname..." Excalibur mumbles, but he doesn’t refute. "Most of you will be. The weak will not last. You need to be on your A game. These Gods are crazy beings."

"You’re right, Exci." Zayn said. "I-I just hope everything will be okay."

There’s a sudden soft knock on Zayn’s door. Zayn looks up, peering over her shoulder to see that Amur is still sound asleep, unawake to the world.

Zayn stands up and clears her throat, taking long strides to the bedroom door to open it. There stands Clarke, her hands behind her back and a soft smile on her face.

"We must ready you, Holy Knight." Clarke said, "And sadly, I must awaken Amur. We need to start preparing the horses."

Zayn gulps, nodding her head, standing by the door as Clarke makes her way over to Amur to wake her up.

...

After Zayn appears in Clarke’s office, the gifted armor suit standing by Clarke’s large window as Clarke beckons her over and motioning for Zayn to strip and slip into her new knight armor for the trip, Zayn sighs, following Clarke’s lead and her instructions. Zayn however, suddenly stops, staring at the revealing armor, but her eyes move over to the long, black fur cape made out the finest lion’s fur that covers her right shoulder. There is also a newly added black belt on the mannequins slim waist, and there is a new, silver helmet that resides near her armored boots.

"Captain tried to add as much pieces as he could to make you a bit more comfortable." Clarke said. "It’s still pretty revealing, but Captain pushed the limits of what he can add until the prince warned him of Shivia’s wrath. But he did try."

"No-I-I appreciate his kindness." Zayn said, rooming her fingers through the soft fur. "Please, give him my thanks."

"You may do so when you see him." Clarke said, a humored hint of mischievousness in her eyes. "You, Captain, and I will be leading the front, so you have plenty of time to chat."

Zayn nods her head, heavily swallowing as she begins to strip off her old knight armor.

...

Once Zayn is all dressed and Clarke gathers her pouch and two katana swords, the two woman head outside and to the front of the Black Fawne’s front, where the other knights gather to prepare their horses and ready themselves mentally for the journey. Some of the knights turn to Clarke and Zayn, their eyes roam up and down Zayn’s exposed armor, peeking glances at her as she walks forward. Zayn gulps, using the black fur cape as a shield amongst these eyes.

There’s the heavy sound of metal hitting the ground. Zayn looks up to see Jeremiah step forward, reach for her hand, and pull her behind him, leading her forward as he heads towards the front of the line.

"If you want to keep your eyes," Jeremiah said, "keep them forward." He warned.

The knights heed to Jeremiah’s warning, busying themselves with hoping on their horses or fixing their packed bags. Zayn gulps, peaking a glance over Jeremiah’s tall shoulder, as his eyes stay glued forward.

"C-Captain." Zayn said, unconsciously squeezing the hand intertwined in hers, causing Jeremiah to flinch and suddenly stop in his tracks. "T-thank you. For the coat and-thank you, Captain."

Jeremiah clears his throat, nodding his head but keeping his face forward, yet Zayn notices his ears are flushed a bit pink.

"Holy Knight Zayn," Jeremiah said, coughing in his clenched hand. "May I help you on your horse? The armor is bit uncomfortable, correct? It would be easier to get on with help."

Zayn gulps, nodding her head. Jeremiah bends lower, making sure to keep his eyes down as he delicately grabbing Zayn by her slim waist and hustling her up, easily picking up Zayn’s heavy pounds of armor as Zayn swings her leg over her horses’s saddle and Jeremiah helps her to sit comfortably. Zayn holds the reins on her horse and settles herself more comfortable on the saddle, sitting up straight and tighten her hands on her horses’s reigns as she looks down at Jeremiah.

"Captain, t-thank you again, dearly." Zayn said, feeling her cheeks flush with heat.

"It is not a problem, Holy Knight Zayn." Jeremiah said, and he opens his mouth to say more, but suddenly there’s the loud sound of wheels turning and rolling over a bumpy road. Zayn and Jeremiah meet eyes before they face forward, spotting three large carriages emerge from a corner and headed to the from of Black Fawne’s headquarters.

"It appears as our guest have arrive."

Jeremiah said, slowly retracting his hands from Zayn’s slim waist. "The Prince comes with unnecessary baggage."

Zayn snorts, watching as Prince Miuoi hops out of his carriage and lands swiftly on his feet. He turns to Jeremiah and Zayn’s direction and waves before he hobbles to another carriage and opens its doors. A familiar long, beautiful head of pink hair appears first before a woman wearing a long, tight pink gown that hugs her curvaceous body steps outside the carriage. She smiles and delicately touches Prince Mioui’s cheek before she turns, and Zayn only gasps at the stunning woman.

It appears as it isn’t just her that’s memorized. The knights behind them stop to watch the woman head towards them with Prince Mioui on her arm, her big aqua eyes crinkling as she softly smiles to the knights.

"Well hello, knights!" The woman said. "It appears as if you’re about to venture off with my older brother. I wanted to wish you all well, and to please take care of my brother while he’s there. He can be so clumsy sometimes, and it worries me!"

Jeremiah’s green eyes lands on Prince Miuoi, giving him a long, long look as Miuoi quickly averts his eyes and stiffly smiles.

"Will do, my beautiful Highness!" It’s Clarke who said, effortless hoping on her horse.

"Who is that, Captain?" Zayn asked, her eyes suddenly meeting the beautiful woman’s, but her expression--that is kind and cheerful to everyone else--morphs to an emotionless one as her eyes glide from Jeremiah’s hand on Zayn’s horse to Zayn herself.

Jeremiah stands closer to Zayn’s horse, his green eyes focused on the woman’s aqua ones.

"That is the royal princess." Jeremiah said. "Princess Momoi."