(Four years later)


    The sun was warm this afternoon, filtering through the thick leaves of the old oak tree.


    I sit beside my father, leaning against the rough bark.


    He’s quiet, his arms resting on his knees, staring at the fields in front of us.


    I glance up at him.


    He looks tired.


    The kind of tired that doesn’t just come from long days. He was given a month off for some reason but I not complaining.


    Especially mom.


    "You hiding out here too, Henry?" A familiar voice called out.


    I turn my head and see Ethan approaching us. Zero was behind him as he shyly hide behind.


    "Figures you’d run off too," my father mutters, though there’s amusement in his tone.


    Ethan laughs as he drops down onto the grass beside us, "Our wives are at it again."


    My father sighs, "What is it this time?" He said as grab a cigar from his jacket pocket puts it in his mouth.


    Ethan flicks his finger and the cigar was lit, "Who makes the best stew. Tonight we are going to sit through an hour of complaints only for them to forget what happened the next morning."


    I couldn''t believe to hear that my mother and Violet were arguing about that?


    Scary thing is...that happens a lot. Make you wonder how the hell can those two tolerate each other.


    Zero flops down onto the grass beside me, "I had to escape before my ears fell off."


    I chuckled knowing that I endure this longer than you buddy.


    I had to admit that I enjoying my company with Zero. Sure he is a literal child but he knows how to have fun at least. He gets scared often so the one who plays the role of big brother.


    I will try not to let my nasty side influence him too much.


    For a while, the four of us sit there, letting the breeze pass through.


    Then, out of nowhere, Zero jumps up and shoves my shoulder. "Tag. You’re it!" Seems like he getting tired of sitting around.


    I''m not complaining either way.


    I push myself up and lunge at him, but damn he''s fast.


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    We run circles around our fathers, our small legs carrying us as fast as we can go.


    Second away I was from tagging him, "Alright you two. Come sit down." my father’s voice stop me literally inches away.


    Something in his tone was off.


    Zero noticed that too.


    Ethan stretches his legs out, glancing at my father, "Might as well tell them now, huh?"


    My father exhales, "Yeah. They should know."


    I sit back down catching my breath, but my heart beats a little faster. The mood just shifted out of nowhere...I didn''t do something bad. I was on best God danm behaviour.


    "Listen, you two...you know we’re knights. And you know we’re away a lot. We don''t fight for one but multiple. But mainly for Redgate." Father mentioned.


    I nod.


    I’ve never questioned it. I figured knights had responsibilities, but I never asked what they were.


    Ethan leans forward, "The kingdoms faces a threat that my lead to our destruction if not dealt with. The Veilguard Church. A cult that worship the horrors that behind the veils. They want to open the Veilguard Portal and release the monster inside."


    Zero tilts his head, "Why’s that bad?"


    My father’s jaw tightens, "Because if they succeed, the Veils will invade. They are monstrous spirits that only have three things in mind. Feed, reproduce and kill."


    A chill runs down my spine. Now I see why father is busy all the time. Must be tough.


    Zero shy asked, "So why don’t you just stop them?"


    Ethan gives a dry chuckle, "We try. But the Church is clever, and the kingdoms politics don’t make it easy. You just don''t know if the person you trust in your life turns out to be apart of the Veilguard church. The king''s and queen also, it scares me knowing that only some are making it easier for us to find the members in their kingdom."


    I glance at my father and I can understand frustration in his eyes. I would be too if I was dealing with corruption.


    Zero frowns, "You guys are known as the strongest knights. Why don’t you just ignore the politics?"


    Oh my naive little child. You can be a world famous rapper, pastor or even senator, you are not immune to the law.


    Considering that our mom''s are housewives. We are in no position to break the law.


    My father shakes his head, "Because being a knight isn’t just about strength. It’s about responsibility. We fight when we can, but we can’t be reckless."


    I looked at the sky and said, "That sounds stupid."


    Ethan barks out a laugh, "That’s what I said when I was your age."


    He glances at my father, "What do you think? Send them to Azurefang Academy?"


    My father nods, "Their teacher won''t be happy that our descendant came back to cause hell. Remember miss Jewels, tell this day I feel like we caused that woman to grow grey hair."


    Zero’s eyes light up, "So we’re going to school?"


    Ethan smirks, "More like a fighter school. Henry learnt the sword while I perfective my magic. You two will learn what best suits you guys."


    I glance at Zero. He grins. I grin back.


    Our fathers let us go after that, telling us to play while they discuss things in private. But my mind is stuck on the Veils.


    Zero and I wander toward the riverbank. The water is clear, reflecting the blue sky. I sit on a rock, dipping my hand into the cool stream.


    Zero plops down beside me, "You think we’ll have to fight those Veils one day?"


    I stare at the water, imagining dark Lovecraft monster slithering out of it, "Maybe."


    Zero grins, "I’d use magic to blast them away."


    I scoff, "Magic’s cool and all, but I’d rather punch them in the face."


    Zero laughs, "You would."


    I smirk, "What? You want me not to make myself a badass by just using my fist."


    Zero kicks a pebble into the river, "Then let’s make a promise."


    I glance at him, "A promise?"


    He nods, holding out his hand, "We follow our dads path. We train, we become knights, and we compete to see who’s stronger."


    I look at his hand, then back at him.


    A part of me hesitates. Was it because I thought that maybe I will do something in this life that was normal.


    Grow up. Go to school. Get a good job. Get married. And start a family.


    But maybe that''s why I was sent here in the first place. To stop the Veilguard from opening.


    I doubt I''m the hero in this tale but at the very least...I can help by making things easier for the next guy.


    Besides, I really want to punch a Cthulhu like monster in face.


    I grab his hand, gripping it tight.


    "Deal."