The morning light filtered through the window, bathing the room in a golden glow. The air smelled of aged wood, incense, and freshly baked bread drifting in from the temple kitchen. Kio stirred beneath the sheets, stretching lazily before opening her eyes.
"How long have I been asleep?" she thought, her mind still half-submerged in dreams. The room was calm, save for the distant chime of bells. "Well… it doesn't matter."
She sat up on the bed and let out a long yawn, stretching her arms as her tousled hair fell over her shoulders. Through the window, she could see the cobblestone streets of Ilmenor, where the morning mist still lingered between the rooftops.
"Right, those kids went out to see the city…" she murmured to herself, rubbing her eyes.
Then, three soft knocks echoed on the door. Before she could respond, it opened, and Meliora stepped in with a light gait and a smile that seemed to shine as brightly as her hair.
—Just waking up, Kio? —she said, resting a hand on her hip.
Kio only looked at her, still half-asleep. No response was needed; her expression said it all.
Meliora sighed and approached without asking permission. She sat behind her, took a comb from a nearby table, and began gently working out the knots in Kio's hair with careful movements.
—Really… when will you ever change these habits of yours? —she said, her voice tender but scolding—. You have beautiful hair, but you treat it like a broom. —
—Well… —Kio yawned, shrugging—. I'm not really one for that sort of thing. —
Meliora rolled her eyes with a smile and continued combing her hair.
—Tell me, Kio… why them? —Meliora asked with genuine curiosity—. What makes them special?
—They have potential —Kio replied without hesitation, her voice firmer than usual.
Meliora raised an eyebrow. —More than Araphor? —
The air seemed to grow heavier. Kio didn't answer. She remained gazing out the window, the sunlight reflecting and slightly blinding her.
Meliora tried to break the silence with a light laugh. —Do you remember that time Araphor came to us after one of his training sessions? And… —
—I don't want to hear it —interrupted Kio, her tone dry, almost sharp.
Meliora stopped. She set the comb aside.
Then, a loud thump echoed from the hallway. Both of them stood up instantly. Seconds later, a sob broke the silence.
Meliora ran to the door and opened it. In the doorway, Lyra was on the floor, one hand on her head, her eyes glassy.
—Lyra? —exclaimed Meliora, kneeling beside her—. What happened? And your brother? —
Lyra lifted her gaze, pale, her lips trembling…
She could barely speak; the words got stuck between sobs and broken breaths. Still, she tried her best to explain to Kio what had happened with Zein and the guard, stumbling over the sentences while trying to hold back her crying.
But Kio, arms crossed and brow relaxed, didn't seem to pay much attention.
—Please… —Lyra begged, tugging at her clothes with trembling hands, trying to pull her out of the room—. Go help him, I'm begging you! —
—Nothing's going to happen to him —Kio replied calmly, shrugging—. I don't know what all the fuss is about. —
—Please…! —Lyra repeated, her voice breaking before collapsing to the floor. She covered her face, and tears began streaming down her cheeks, leaving tiny streaks over the dirt and dust on her skin.
Kio watched her for a moment. In the trembling of her shoulders, in that mixture of fear and courage, there was something familiar. Something that made her sigh with a faint smile.
—Haha… you're just as much of a crybaby as he is —she finally said, crouching to stroke her hair—. Fine, I'll go get Zein.
Lyra looked up, her eyes red, surprised, and Kio looked away before she could notice the tenderness in her expression.
"I can't believe how much these two siblings resemble Araphor," she thought as she helped Lyra to her feet. "Is that why he entrusted me with their care?"
—Meliora —she said without turning—, you still have the ceremonial dress, right? —
Meliora looked at her for a moment, and as she understood what Kio was planning, her eyes lit up.
—Yes, of course I do. —
Kio entered the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and took a deep breath. Outside, Meliora was already moving quickly, her excitement palpable as she pulled the dress from the chest where it was kept.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Ilmenor, the battle was coming to an end. Zein lay on the ground, his body still, his breathing ragged. Blood ran down his forehead, and he could barely keep his eyes open.
Lucian, his face hardened, raised his sword and aimed it at Zein's neck. The blade gleamed as it caught the sunlight, and Zein, powerless, could only close his eyes.
Lucian tensed his arm to deliver the final blow—but stopped. Something in Zein's hair made him frown: the black tips had turned a pale, almost glowing white.
Before he could react, a beam of light descended from the sky. The radiance was so intense it completely blinded Lucian; a roar of energy engulfed the street as if the air itself were on fire.
When the light dissipated, a figure stood between them.
It was Kio.
She wore the ceremonial dress, and with a single hand, she held Lucian's sword, steady, as if the steel itself feared breaking under her touch.
—Step back, Lucian —Kio shouted, her voice resonating with an authority that made the air tremble.
Lucian froze instantly. Sweat ran down his temple, and he lowered the sword just a few inches.
—But, Ki…! Your holiness! He…! —he tried to justify himself, but Kio's gaze stopped him before he could finish.
—I gave you an order —she said, her tone firm and icy—. As a Saint, you should heed my word. —
Lucian's blade still hovered over Zein's neck, but Kio nudged it aside with the tip of her fingers, moving it gently. That precise, controlled gesture made it clear she wasn't asking—she was commanding.
Inside, however, Kio felt an uncomfortable weight pressing on her chest.
This is more serious than I thought…
Lucian clenched his jaw. He couldn't bear the idea of having been stopped in front of so many. With a roar, he tried to complete the strike before Kio could react. But she did.
Kio closed her hand around the blade with impossible strength. The metal shattered like glass; shards of steel flew to the ground, clinking among the debris.
The silence that followed was absolute.
—Lucian Bellamy, leader of the Sacred Knights of Ilmenor —Kio said, her voice clear, keeping her eyes fixed on him as she positioned herself between him and Zein—. You are hereby relieved of your duties as a knight indefinitely, due to your reckless and unethical actions. —
—But…! —he tried to respond, incredulous.
—You will come with me to the church. Now. —Her tone left no room for argument.
Kio bent down to lift Zein. The boy was barely breathing, his face streaked with dust and blood. Carefully, she lifted him in her arms, his body trembling slightly under the weight of her guilt.
—Forgive me, Zein… I should have—
—Thank you… for coming… I knew you were a good person —he murmured with a tired smile, before losing consciousness.
Kio looked at him for a moment, her expression hardened.
—You're wrong, Zein… —she whispered, more to herself—. But I swear, this time I'll do better. I'll truly protect them. —
With firm steps, she began the return to the church. The light of the setting sun bathed the streets, and the crowd swirled around her. Murmurs, shouts, tears. Some fell to their knees as she passed, as if witnessing a miracle.
The name of the Saint spread from mouth to mouth, and the guards had to form a line to keep the people at bay. Kio didn't look at them. She only held Zein tighter, as if her warmth could keep him alive.
Upon reaching the church, a group of nuns hurried to her. They took the young man swiftly, their faces serious and focused. Lyra tried to follow, but they stopped her before she could cross the aisle. She could only watch as her brother's figure disappeared through the sanctuary doors.
Silence settled over the main hall. The murmur of the crowd outside was barely a distant echo.
Kio turned slowly toward Lucian, who remained standing, motionless, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Then, unable to contain herself any longer, she pointed at him with her finger.
—All of this is your fault! —she exclaimed, her contained fury slicing through the sacred air of the church.
—Me?! What do I have to do with any of this?! —Lucian roared, his brow furrowed and eyes burning with anger—. You're the one to blame! Who the hell leaves two children wandering alone in a city this big and dangerous?! —
Meliora, noticing his rising voice, quickly covered Lyra's ears to shield her from the chaos that was about to erupt.
—Now I'm the one to blame?! —Kio shot back, advancing with firm steps until she was face to face with him—. And who the hell attacks an unarmed child alone in a smithy, Lucian?! —she yelled, jabbing her finger repeatedly into his armor, each strike resonating with restrained fury.
—I thought it was a damn demon! —he bellowed.
—And now you come at me with that nonsense! —Kio swung her arm violently—. Don't you realize you're betraying the very ideals you fought for forty years ago, you damn fool?! —
—Me?! —Lucian clenched his fists—. Don't try to change the subject! That's exactly why Araphor died! —
—What…? —Kio's voice broke for just a moment.
—Yes! Too bad his great teacher didn't even learn of his death —Lucian spat with contempt—. Your damn irresponsibility is what killed him! You killed him! —
—That's not true… —Kio said, her face hardened by confusion and rage.
—YOU ABANDONED HIM! —Lucian shoved her, unable to hold back—. You left him to his fate, just like that poor boy! —
—You're lying… —she whispered, trembling.
—That's why it happened forty years ago! —Lucian snapped, his face so close to hers that she could feel the hot air between them—. Because of your damn way of being! Everyone ends up leaving you! —
Silence fell abruptly. Lucian, seeing his own fury mirrored in Kio's eyes, took a step back, remorse choking his throat.
—Kio… I didn't mean to… —he murmured, reaching a hand toward her, uselessly.
—No… you're right —Kio said, turning her back and walking away with slow but steady steps.
Lucian followed her with his eyes until they met Meliora, who shook her head slowly, making it clear there was nothing left to say.
Meliora escorted Lyra out of the room where Zein was being tended to, while Lucian remained in the middle of the church, motionless, his gaze fixed on the floor. The echo of his own words still hammered through his mind like a relentless mallet.
Several days passed since then. The crowd that had once filled the church had dispersed, leaving only a few believers praying silently. Outside, in the garden, Zein practiced magic: launching small spheres of water and fire that dissipated in the air. Lyra watched him with a smile, while Meliora patiently brushed her hair; occasionally, the girl tried to imitate her brother's movements, creating tiny ripples of water that barely floated above the ground.
After the incident, Kio had decided to train them in magical defense. She wanted them to know how to protect themselves, though deep down she knew it wasn't enough. She still hadn't taken Zein as her disciple; Lucian's words weighed too heavily on her mind.
Then, Lucian appeared in the courtyard. Fatigue and regret marked his face. Seeing him, Kio immediately stopped the training and gently took Lyra by the arm.
—Come, I'll teach you something new —she murmured, walking away, leaving Meliora watching closely in case anything happened.
Lucian approached Zein slowly.
—Hey… boy. Forgive me —he said, his voice low, almost breaking.
Zein looked at him, uncertain, his body still tense.
—You… you're a blessed child, aren't you? —Lucian asked.
—What? N-no, of course not… I don't know what you're talking about —Zein replied, nervous.
—Don't worry, I won't tell anyone —Lucian said, a faint, sad smile on his face—. It's the least I can do. —
Silence stretched for a few seconds before Zein took a seat on a nearby bench. He patted the space beside him, inviting Lucian to sit as well.
—Alright —the boy finally said—. I'll forgive you… in time. But I want to ask something in return. —
Lucian nodded, a hint of hope in his voice. —Sure, anything you want. —
—Take me as your pupil —Zein said, smiling with determination—. You're incredibly strong… I want to be like you, to protect my sister. —
Lucian couldn't help but smile.
—You're admirable, boy —he said, ruffling his hair affectionately—. Not like me.
—I heard you fought with Kio. Weren't you acquainted? —Zein asked, curious.
—Well… —Lucian lowered his gaze with an apologetic smile—. It's a long story. —
—Then that's fine —Zein replied, smiling—, I have time. —
Meliora approached and sat beside him, equally interested. Lucian took a deep breath before beginning.
Meanwhile, inside the church, Kio had locked herself in her room with Lyra. She sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward, covering her face with both hands.
Lyra approached cautiously and sat next to her.
—Are you… okay? —she asked softly, placing her small hand on Kio's knee.
—No… —Kio murmured without lifting her head.
—Do you want to talk about it? —the girl gently insisted.
Kio lifted her gaze. She saw in Lyra a worried face, yet filled with tenderness and a genuine desire to help.
And so, in separate places, both—Kio and Lucian—began to recount the same story from the past.
Forty years ago, Kio, Lucian, and Araphor had received a direct mission from "him." They were to hunt a group of demons near Ilmenor, in a cave hidden among the mountains.
The air there was thick, heavy with smoke and moisture. After eliminating several creatures, they advanced to the back… but what they found stopped them in their tracks.
—Children? —the young Lucian asked, confused—. What are demon pups doing here?
—I don't know —Kio replied seriously—. But it's not safe to leave them alive. —
She raised her hand. In her palm, a sphere of energy began to form, growing slowly, pulsing with a lethal glow.
—Come on, Kio —Araphor said, approaching her in disbelief—. You're not serious… are you? —
Kio's gaze, firm and cold, never left the demon pups huddled in the back. That expression was all too familiar; there was no turning back.
The metallic sound of a sword leaving its sheath cut through the silence. Araphor advanced, and the blade descended violently. The strike never landed: Kio stopped the sword with her bare hand.
—Get the pups out of here, Lucian! Now! —shouted Araphor, forcing his sword to break free from his master's grip.
Lucian hurried to approach the little ones, who trembled with fear, their eyes shining under the cave's dim bluish light.
—I don't want to fight you, Araphor… —Kio said, her voice tense, the glow of energy still growing in her palm—. Let me kill them and let's be done with this. —
—Kill children? —roared Araphor, enraged—. Over some damn orders?! —
—You don't know what they could become in a few years —she replied, not averting her gaze from the little ones.
Araphor could take no more. His sword drew a diagonal cut, fast and decisive. Kio barely turned her body, dodging the attack with an irritating, almost arrogant ease.
Lucian immediately lunged with a downward strike, his sword blazing with fire magic. The roar was deafening; the cave shook, and a fissure opened in the ceiling, sending fragments of rock crashing down.
When the dust cleared, Kio remained standing. Unscathed. Not a single wound. Only the sword resting on her shoulder, and that gaze… serene, yet sorrowful.
A moment later, her fist sliced through the air and struck Lucian's chest with devastating force. His armor shattered like glass, and he was thrown into a stone column, leaving a dry, metallic echo throughout the cave.
Araphor's sword fell to Kio's feet. She picked it up calmly, spinning it between her fingers, as if the memory weighed heavier than the steel.
Araphor, lying on the ground, gasping and too weak to rise, could only watch her approach, his eyes searching for answers.
—All of this… just over some orders? —he asked, his voice barely audible.
Kio remained silent. Her steps echoed through the damp cave as she approached, sword raised above her head. For an instant, her gaze met young Lucian's, frozen before her, determined to protect the master he still called his own.
—Lucian, step aside! —Araphor shouted, his voice breaking as he struggled to breathe—. Step aside!
—No! —Lucian replied resolutely—. If you must die, I will die with you!
Araphor felt his heart race, powerless against his disciple's stubbornness.
—Kio, please! Don't do it, I beg you. He's just a child… please —he pleaded, his voice heavy with fear and desperation.
The roar of his words mixed with the thoughts invading Kio's mind. Voices, memories, past decisions, and present fears pushed her to the edge. She remembered another moment, years ago, when she had felt the same, trapped between duty and humanity. Her chest tightened, and for an instant, the sword seemed to weigh tons.
Her hands began to tremble, barely visible under the residual magic glowing in the cave. The steel fell behind her with a dull thud. Kio hunched over for a moment, staring at her own trembling hands, then lifted her gaze.
Before her, Araphor and Lucian watched with fear, confusion, and a hint of pleading.
She took a deep breath, and with a decisive movement, turned and left the cave. Her steps were firm, though something inside her broke with every step that took her away.
—Kio! —shouted Araphor, struggling to rise with Lucian supporting him—.
—Forgive me, Araphor… —Kio said, avoiding his gaze—. I am no longer your master. We will never meet again. Goodbye.
And without looking back, Kio continued walking, leaving behind the echo of the cave, the whispers of orders, and the gaze of those who had once been her world. Araphor and Lucian remained there, motionless, as the sound of her steps faded into the shadows, carrying with it the certainty that something irrevocable had changed forever.