Amon's eyes snapped open as he sat up abruptly, clutching his chest and gasping for breath. Instinctively, his eyes began scanning his surroundings, assessing both the environment and the condition of his own body.
What happened? I fell… from the waterfall?yeah, that definitely checks out. But how the hell am I still-ugh… that hurt.
He let out a long, exhausted sigh and slumped back against a nearby rock, his face twisted in a weary grimace. His entire body ached. Every muscle screamed in protest. He was drenched, sore, and judging by the sharp throb in his hand, he probably had a broken finger.
Back during the fall, the rush of adrenaline had masked most of the pain. But now that the chaos had settled and his mind was clearer, the reality hit him.
He was a mess.
Bernak noticed his awakening and smiled warmly, gently patting his lap before standing up.
"He's awake!"
A few seconds later, Kaisarius and the others entered the cave, their faces a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety.
Well… it wasn't just for him. Because right next to Amon, curled up and fast asleep, was Nika.
Judging by the expressions on their companions' faces, one might assume he had also been injured, some dramatic collapse during the fall, perhaps. That would've been a reasonable assumption.
But alas… the word reasonable rarely applied to his delightful group of lunatics.
Because Nika was snoring loudly. Shifting every now and then in his sleep, lying in what could only be described as a crime against spinal alignment.
Amon's head was throbbing, it felt like someone was hammering nails straight into his skull. And he was cold. Freezing, even. At that moment, he couldn't care less about his injured body or broken finger; all he could think about was the unbearable chill and splitting headache.
Oh no... Don't tell me I've got a fever. Blyat... I'm dead.
Kaisarius glanced at him with a sharp, unreadable look… and then promptly kicked Nika.
The man groaned, rolled over, and let out a yawn so foul it practically baptized Amon in warm saliva.
"Just give me five more minutes..."
Amon smiled pleasantly... well, as pleasantly as one could while dying inside.
"I was about to take a shower anyway... Fate cooks in subtle ways, huh?"
Fortunately, Kaisarius was a reasonable man. Which is probably why he placed a lump of some animal's crap right next to Nika's nose.
Amon had to admit… as far as wake-up calls go, it was wildly effective. Nothing like the stench of raw nature to rip you out of dreamland.
Nika's eyes snapped open, and he scrambled away from the "alarm clock," his expression twisted in horror and disgust as he fought the urge to throw up.
Kaisarius didn't move. He simply pointed at Amon.
"Heal him. Now."
Nika let out a dramatic sigh and trudged over to the barely-alive Amon. He placed a hand on his shoulder, and a gentle green light began to envelop Amon's body. The throbbing in his head slowly dulled, the fever faded, and for the first time since waking up, Amon didn't feel like he was moments away from dying.
To his surprise, Nika was actually a powerful enough healer to mend his injuries completely. Thankfully, he wasn't gravely injured... well, to him, it felt like a catastrophic mess. But apparently, to Nika, it was barely a scratch.
Thirty minutes later, Amon was good as new... give or take a bruised ego and a very real fear of falling off cliffs again.
After they had dinner, the group was ready to continue their journey. Amon kept the daggers Kaisarius had given him securely sheathed. He would've lost them if Bernak hadn't found them.
He also learned, much to his shame, that he hadn't done anything useful during the fall. Apparently, after plunging off the waterfall, he screamed like a fair lady and promptly passed out from sheer panic… which, naturally, resulted in Bernak saving him.
How disgraceful...
Still, he was deeply grateful. Amon loved his life very dearly. His last life? Well, he'd been a menace to society until he spiraled into becoming an alcoholic shut-in, empty and numb, where each day was just a lifeless repetition.
But now? Now he felt alive. Panicked, often injured, and constantly terrified but alive. And honestly, that was more than enough.
But then he snapped out of his thoughts and looked back only to freeze, dumbfounded. All of them were staring at him, seriously.
Wait… Oh?
They were still looking at him.
Amon quickly looked away, his heart sinking. Shame twisted inside him as he remembered how he'd left them. He hadn't meant to, not really. But fear had overtaken everything else. He had wanted to help… but he was a coward. If he hadn't noticed the boats and come up with a plan that gave him a sliver of hope for survival, he would've run, abandoning them without a second thought.
And that knowledge sat heavy in his gut.
Kaisarius stepped forward, his sharp black eyes locked on Amon, and unsheathed his sword with a quiet, deliberate hiss.
"Look me in the eyes, Thief."
Reluctantly, Amon raised his gaze. Though, it twitched and faltered under the weight of Kaisarius's stare. His heart thundered in his chest.
He wouldn't kill me… right?
He'd ordered Nika to heal him, hadn't he? That had to mean something, right?
Unless… unless this was some twisted sense of humor. Give him hope, just to take it away again. Pull him from the pit, only to kick him back in deeper.
Kaisarius slowly closed the distance between them, his expression unreadable, though there was a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
"I said he was a coward. I said he was weak. I said he was a burden. Pathetic."
His voice darkened with each word, low and biting. Even his stance seemed heavier now, more imposing. Amon instinctively took a step back, throat dry, heart rattling in his ribs.
Oh no. This was it. Game over.
But then-
CLANG!
Kaisarius slammed his sword into the ground, the blade burying deep into the earth. And before Amon could process what was happening, the man grabbed him and yanked him into a hug.
A very violent, spine-compressing, bone-cracking hug.
Ghgh-shit, I think I broke my spine.
Kaisarius finally let go, giving him a few hearty slaps on the shoulders. A rare, wolfish smile tugged at his lips.
"Yes," he said with certainty, "you are weak. And definitely cowardly."
Amon blinked, one brow rising in confusion.
Wow. Thanks for the motivational speech, coach.
But Kaisarius continued, that rare proud smile still lingering on his face.
"But you proved that you're not a burden… nor pathetic. Even when afraid, you found the courage to return and your actions saved our lives. For that, you have my gratitude."
Amon blinked, stunned.
Okay, that's… kinda sweet. That's gonna make me blush. Stop it, uwu…
He coughed awkwardly and glanced around, unsure if this was some elaborate prank.
Wait, no. What's happening? Why is everyone so serious again?
Before he could piece things together, Kaisarius pulled his sword from the ground and raised it high into the air.
"Bend your knee."
"... excuse me?"
Kaisarius didn't blink. "Just do it."
Amon stared at him, then at the sword, then back at him.
Okay, so either I'm getting knighted… or butchered.
Kaisarius stared at him as Amon awkwardly bent one knee, looking like a half-folded tent in the rain. The warrior's smile widened ever so slightly, and with ceremonial precision, he lightly tapped Amon's shoulders with the flat of his sword.
Lightly, of course, by Kaisarius standards. That blade was so sharp it probably filed taxes just by existing. Amon could've sworn he felt his spine flinch.
"From this day forward, you are a Knight of Astarax."
"I command you: let no blade strike your back."
"Let your sword seek justice and righteousness."
"And above all, I command you to be courageous… to never fear the darkness of evil."
Amon blinked. Ok, that's sounds badass...Still not giving me health insurance, though.
Amon's mouth curled up at the edges. Well, Mom, I made it. Still probably gonna die tomorrow... Shit, this is serious. Don't laugh. Don't you dare laugh!
Kaisarius removed the sword from Amon's shoulder and rested its gleaming tip on the ground, both hands clasped over the hilt like a solemn oath.
"Rise, Knight of Astarax. Amon The..."
Amon's eyes lit up, a spark of childlike excitement flashing through them. Holy shit! I'm getting a title. I'm so in!
His brain started racing. Amon the Swift? Amon the Cunning? Ooh, maybe, Amon the Slayer... Okay, that one ain't happening.
Kaisarius caught the eager gleam in his eyes and smiled warmly.
"The... Fraud."
"...Pardon?"
Fraud? What do you mean Fraud? Like my Aspect wasn't already mocking me!
He looked around and noticed the others stifling their laughter. His eyes widened in disbelief and betrayal.
So you guys are… warriors, huh? Drama mayors, the whole bunch of you! What kind of king are you, Kaisarius?! And the rest of you?! I've never seen warriors and their king act like such goofy-ass clowns!
But still, Amon was a forgiving and understanding young man. So, of course, he didn't argue over the title.
Naturally not. He wasn't a barbarian like those guys. So, with a pleasant smile, he asked:
"So... I noticed when looking at the map that we're going to a temple, right?"
Bernak nodded, suppressing a chuckle and replying seriously:
"Yes. We'll rest at the Sun God's temple and ask for their support."
Amon's smile widened politely as he heard that.
"I see..."
Bernak's eye twitched, a chill running down his spine.
"Why are you asking?" he said cautiously. "Don't do anything reckless or dangerous there, my boy."
Amon nodded with exaggerated politeness and began walking with far too much enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, honorable elder. I've always respected the... Gods."