TSS 3: Knight's Son Ch. 15

"So I concealed my true self, masking my identity. Despite a few boys telling me I was beautiful, I was sure they were just trying to get into my panties. I'm pretty adept at deciphering other people's intentions, a skill I honed as a defense mechanism. I understood they were sexually attracted to me, yet most teenage boys would jump at any opportunity. Even though I wasn't attracted to men, I might have given a few a chance if not for the restrictions imposed by the Knights. I couldn't lose my virginity. Of course, I couldn't explain this to them, and their inability to handle rejection only drove me deeper into my shell.

"My shell was only breached around Shayna—well, and now you. Everyone wanted to be friends with Shayna, while I was tolerated as the odd girl who hung around her. My intelligence outmatched that of almost everyone around, and some people struggled with a woman who could outthink half the professors at our university."

Elly paused, tears glistening in her eyes, yet her gaze remained steady as it met mine. I was beginning to understand the depth of her struggle, and my determination to dispel her insecurities grew stronger.

"But you're different," she resumed before I could respond. "You truly believe all the things you say about me. I knew you were different from what I read in your file. Well, reading between the lines, actually. But actually experiencing it is something that's new to me."

"Didn't I prove that on the first night in my dream space?" I asked, my hands gently resting on her shoulders.

"You did, but... well, I suppose years of ingrained thinking doesn't dissipate overnight." Elly chuckled, moving closer into my embrace, her head nestled against my neck. "Even if that night seemed to stretch on for days. Can I ask you for something?"

My arms tightened around her as I replied, "Of course. Anything."

"Just be patient with me?" She placed a soft kiss on my neck before continuing, her voice sincere. "I'm aware you love me despite not knowing every facet of me. And I promise I'll work on viewing myself the way you do. I trust your judgment and genuinely believe you feel exactly how you've expressed."

"It's not just a claim," I said with conviction. "It's an absolute truth."

I felt her nod against my neck, her arms briefly tightening around me. "I... It's just..." She trembled in my embrace for a moment before gathering her resolve. "No, I want to believe you. I'll trust you. Seeing the disappointment on your face a moment ago hurt. I never want to make you doubt me again. I'll work on becoming more open and outgoing, I promise."

"Focus on being the person you aspire to be, Elly," I whispered gently. "Don't try to mold yourself into Shayna's image. You're not her, and you shouldn't be. Embrace the version of yourself that brings you happiness. I've glimpsed your core, and I want you to understand that I love you for exactly who you are."

"You sure you're not studying psychology?" Elly teased, placing another tender kiss on my neck.

"Damn it!" The reminder of class time made me glance at the clock, and I realized I was running late. "I need to get to class!"

"Or we could ditch," Elly playfully suggested, her right leg sliding up and wrapping around my thigh.

"Haven't you had enough of me from last night?" I laughed, not budging.

"Never enough one-on-one time," Elly continued to pepper kisses along my neck, and I eyed my bed with a tempting thought. Just as her lips neared mine, Shayna appeared at the doorframe and addressed the room without looking directly at us. Was she still upset with me? I resisted the urge to consult Charlotte, reminding myself Shayna would talk to me when she was ready.

"Come on, Elly. You wouldn't want to ruin your perfect attendance record." I noticed she avoided eye contact and wondered if she was still annoyed with me. Regardless, I was tempted to ask Charlotte but squashed that idea. Shayna would communicate with me when she was ready.

"Yeah, you're right," Elly responded, reluctantly detaching herself from me. Before her warmth left, I pulled her in for a swift kiss and released her. "Guess I'll drive Bobby in today. See you in class?"

If Shayna was harboring any resentment, she didn't display it. "Sure, okay. See you there. Just make sure you don't take any detours, or you'll be late."

"Yes, mother," Elly chuckled, tugging my hand as she led me to the garage.

Even though we had spent a few days together, I realized I hadn't really paid attention to Elly's vehicle. Shayna's red Kindred Ravager overshadowed the pearl-white convertible parked next to it. I didn't recognize the specific model, but the emblem on the hood indicated it was another creation by Kindred. Once seated in the passenger seat, I noticed an embossed "Slipstream" on the glove box.

Quick side note in my journal here. Who on Earth is Kindred? Before marrying my wives, I'd never encountered them as a car manufacturer. Are they foreign? Given that both my wives drive their models, I'm guessing they must be owned or somehow affiliated with the Paladonic Knights. Also, whoever is in charge of naming their models seriously needs to reconsider their career choice. Ravager? Slipstream? Next thing, they'll introduce an off-road vehicle called "Rocky"! Maybe I should think about a career in marketing...

Anyway, let's get back to the present.

"Is it weird that a part of me still wants to ditch?" Elly's hand rested on my thigh as she maneuvered the car out of the garage.

"Do you actually have a perfect attendance record?" I inquired, genuinely impressed.

"Well, almost," Elly admitted with a wince. "Shayna's impromptu makeover yesterday made me late, but apart from that, yes."

"Well, I won't be the one to lead you astray, no matter how tempting it might be," I told her, contemplating whether to suggest returning home. I could probably afford to miss a class or two... I think.

If you knew the things she was thinking about doing to you, you'd be begging her to take you right here, right now, Charlotte informed me.

You just want to feed on our sexual desires, I accused her jokingly.

Nope! Charlotte cackled in my head. Don't need to. I'm already glutting myself on Elly's desires.

Slut! I exclaimed with a mental chuckle.

Actually, never mind, she said in syrupy sweet tones. I really want you to go back. I'm curious if she can actually do that last thought. I've never thought of that. Oops! Busted.

"You're communicating with her, aren't you?" Those words might have sent shivers down my spine in any other relationship with any other woman. But even in this situation, I wasn't entirely sure how to respond.

"I'm sorry," I said, treading carefully.

"No, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," Elly replied, giving my thigh a reassuring pat before allowing her fingers to idly trace patterns along my leg. "Did she share my thoughts with you?"

"Not in explicit detail," I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief. "But she tried to persuade me to bring you back to my bedroom immediately."

"Hmm, that could lead to some interesting discussions." Unfortunately, whatever thoughts were running through Elly's mind, she didn't share them with me.

I really like her way of thinking! Charlotte chimed in a moment later. Then, in a switch, she assumed control over my words and directly addressed my wife. "I concur, and we'll have more to talk about without prying ears around. However, we'll need to figure out how to establish a two-way conversation, though... Yeah, that's a solid plan."

"Hey!" I interjected, taking back over my mouth. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't do that anymore."

My apologies, but I had to ensure she got the message. No, I won't reveal the specifics. We women need our share of secrets, too.

We continued driving silently for a few minutes, Elly's hand tracing unhurried circles on my leg. Then, with a determined declaration, she announced, "Fuck it. She'll just have to forgive me."

Without any clarification from either the driver or my internal companion, I leaned back in my seat, anticipating that Elly would soon turn the car around and head back home. To my surprise, however, she pulled into a car dealership.

"Um..." I scanned the surroundings as we exited the car, noticing a salesperson hurrying over to greet us. "This isn't quite what I was expecting."

"Let me handle the initial conversation," Elly said briskly before addressing the olive-skinned woman approaching us. "Good morning, uh... Is it pronounced Demitra?"

"Good morning!" The woman's grin was accompanied by a nod in our direction. "Yes, you got it right. Are you considering a new car today?"

"Yes, my husband was recently promoted, and we wanted to commemorate the occasion with a unique vehicle," Elly declared, radiating confidence.

The saleswoman's eyes briefly flicked to Elly's car before lighting up as they settled on me. "Congratulations are definitely in order. You're in luck; we received information on the latest models last night." She turned and headed towards the dealership building, and just as I began to follow her, Elly's hand on my chest halted me.

"I had some kin that strongly recommended this place," Elly said, using a phrasing that struck me as odd. "I've always hated the process of buying a car, but they assured me that this is the place to go."

Demitra turned back to us, her practiced smile concealing a fleeting grimace before she spoke. "I dread to think of the experiences they might have had at other dealerships. However, I can guarantee that we prioritize a hassle-free shopping experience, and you'll find exactly what you're looking for here."

Elly visibly relaxed, but there was a glint in Demitra's eyes as she cast an eager look my way, a moment that didn't escape my notice.

"I realize this wasn't the plan you had in mind," Elly whispered as we followed Demitra, "but getting your own car is necessary. Besides, judging by how she just looked at you, that might still be on the table."

My stride faltered as if stumbling over an invisible obstacle while an ill-timed gulp of saliva went down the wrong way, causing me to cough and splutter. Elly's reassuring slap on my back accompanied my desperate attempt to regain my composure. Surely she didn't mean what I thought she did... right?

"I'm sorry, what?" I managed to whisper, my voice a mix of surprise and confusion, as we approached the door Demitra was holding open for us.

"I'm not blind, Bobby," Elly replied in hushed tones as we continued walking. "And I've come to realize that you're still adjusting to the world you're now part of. So, I thought this might be an enlightening experience for you. Besides, don't you find her intriguing? I certainly do with that mocha skin and dark eyes."

This time, I succeeded in not choking on my own saliva, although we were too close for a further discussion on that particular topic.

Demitra didn't lead us to any cars, as I had anticipated, but rather to a kiosk in a back room. With her practiced smile, she instructed, "If you could just enter your employee number in this box, we'll be able to see the options that fit your budget."

"I don't—" I began to protest, realizing I hadn't received an employee number from the Knights. Thankfully, my wife stepped in to rescue me.

"Don't worry, darling," Elly assured me with a gentle kiss on my cheek. "I've got it memorized."

As I observed her fingers dance across the keys with impressive speed, I caught glimpses of my birthdate, initials, and other characters. The screen flickered a few times before transforming into a solid gold background, centered by a vivid blue number 2. The color and numeral remained visible for several seconds before vanishing.

Demitra's countenance shifted into one of astute curiosity, her lips moistened as if in anticipation, and she turned to us, a broader smile stretching across her face. "Well, it seems things are going quite well for you, Mr.—?"

Bobby. Bobby Brody," I introduced myself, extending my hand for a handshake. For some reason, Elly's grip on my arm tightened to the point of discomfort. I half-expected her to draw blood, yet her expression was all smiles when I glanced at her.

"Well, Mr. Brody," Demitra's eyes gleamed with a certain eagerness as she delicately accepted my hand. "Everything appears to be in order. We have a selection of exquisite options within our Kindred vehicle range for you to consider."

I leaned in closer to Elly, my nervousness growing. Despite the assurances that everything would be covered, the situation's intensity made me uneasy. "What can we afford in terms of monthly payments?" I whispered, seeking some clarity.

"Gold," Elly murmured back, not directly answering my question. She met my gaze with an intensity I struggled to interpret. "You can ask her. She can gather the information from my thoughts."

Demitra's amused voice cut through our hushed conversation as she held a door open for us. "Already discussing what you'd like him to get you?"

"Something like that," I attempted to play along with a chuckle, my mind racing with questions. I demanded answers from Charlotte, frustrated by the lack of clarity.

Charlotte's response was a cackling laughter. Yes, a genuine cackle!

I believe, for the first time, you've sparked a bit of jealousy in your brilliant wife. Apparently, the color corresponds to your potential, according to the Knights. Rose gold is her color. Elly tells me each hue represents a different potential rank—black being the lowest, followed by red, blue, green, and gold at the top. There are various shades in between, but gold signifies the highest potential.

And the number two? I inquired as we walked down a corridor toward an elevator.

Simple, Charlotte explained as if it were obvious. That's your rank. The screen indicated to the saleswoman that your potential is limitless, but you are newly at the second rank.

Suppressing my emotional response, I faced the mirrored walls within the elevator. Demitra's gaze was on me, as intent as a ravenous hawk spotting a plump, juicy rabbit to devour.

As I mulled over the situation, I couldn't help but wonder if this turn of events was a positive sign or if it indicated that my involvement with the Paladonic Knights was deeper than I had initially thought. Was this somehow connected to the events in the caves, or was it due to something entirely different? Unfortunately, even Charlotte didn't possess the answers, and a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach.

What I could figure out was that the more I delved into the workings of the Paladonic Knights, the less my feelings towards them remained positive. Even though I was about to get a new vehicle, I knew nothing came for free. Nevertheless, it was evident that they held significant expectations for me despite my reservations.

* * * *

1072 A.D.

Ardin awoke to a disorienting darkness. His sense of time was lost, a blurred passage between his last memories and his current awareness. As he slowly sat up, the initial realization was his ability to move. His body ached, and a heightened sensitivity to the cool air on his skin sent shivers down his spine, yet the discomfort was bearable.

Surrounded by an impenetrable void, he couldn't see anything. An assumption crept into his mind—this must be Hell's deepest, darkest abyss. But, at least his physical senses seemed intact. Thoughts of his predicament swirled, his mind racing to understand his predicament.

In the teachings of the priests, Hell was a realm of fiery torment, a place filled with the reek of sulfur and brimstone. Yet, the air around him felt damp and cool. This wasn't the inferno he'd envisioned. Where were the demons meant to be his torturers? Where were the agonized and tormented cries of sinners? The anticipated waves of terror he'd prepared for ebbed and flowed within him.

Reaching up to his face, a shocking truth unveiled itself. He was devoid of eyes, the sockets hollow and void of sight. Panic gripped his heart. How could he defend himself against demons if he couldn't see them coming?

As his hands explored his immediate environment, his new ability took hold, and the surreal nature of his reality deepened. He was not in the afterlife; this was the remains of his home. Fingers sifting through ash, he absorbed information through his peculiar gift. Fragments of his past life lay scattered—his deformed children, their presence close, but a bit further lay the lifeless form of Venita. Did she perish while attempting to shield our children from harm? He wondered, a mournful contemplation amid the enigmatic darkness.

With trembling hands, Ardin's fingers traced a path over the scorched earth until he reached where Venita's remains lay. An internal struggle brewed within him—did he dare confront the sight of her charred bones? The weight of his uncertainty hung heavily in the air, overshadowed only by his overwhelming need for closure.

He summoned his courage and let his hand descend upon the bony shoulder below him. The moment of contact shattered the barrier between the living and the dead. Knowledge surged into his consciousness, but it was not of his beloved wife. Instead, the spectral connection unveiled the truth of Old Maerta's demise. A scream, raw and ragged, tore from his throat, a manifestation of his grief and terror reverberating in the eerie emptiness around him. He had hoped for answers, yet the revelation plunged him deeper into the abyss of unanswered questions.

His anguished cry echoed, punctuating the dark silence. The fractured bones he touched bore the marks of violence, blades, or force, breaking the fragile structure. But where was Venita? Why was there no sign of her presence amidst the remains of their shattered home?

Driven by desperation and dread, Ardin cast aside his shoes and rose to his feet. He drew upon his unique ability, a supernatural gift allowing him to navigate his surroundings, a distorted semblance of sight in a world of darkness. He moved with a hesitant urgency, each step guided by intuition and his innate connection with his environment. Corpse after corpse, he searched, an unrelenting fervor driving him as he sought any sign of his missing wife.

Time lost its meaning as he continued his relentless search. Over and over, he moved from one skeletal form to another, his heart pounding in his chest, a desperate prayer for discovery mingling with his mounting despair. His quest led him through the charred remnants of what was once his village, a haunting reminder of the life he'd known.

The warmth of the sun's touch on his skin signaled the arrival of dawn, the world outside his personal darkness illuminated by its golden rays. Yet, even in the light of day, Venita remained elusive, her absence a constant ache in his heart.

Exhaustion clung to his bones, and hunger gnawed at his stomach. With a heavy heart and unshed tears, he retraced his steps, a weary journey that brought him back to the heart of his devastation. Gently, as though cradling a fragile treasure, he gathered his broken children into his arms, holding them close, his grip tender yet unyielding. Their innocent lives, free from the knowledge of tragedy, brought bittersweet solace, a reminder of the life that still clung to him amidst the ruin.

Ardin shuddered, his tears invisible but no less real, his cries echoing through the wreckage as he clung to the only fragments of his shattered world that remained.

As Ardin's senses slowly reawakened from the grip of sleep, the memories of his harrowing ordeal rushed back, mingling with the fragments of his broken reality. His body was on the mend, his bones knitted back together by forces unknown, and his skin bore the remnants of Zeus's thundering assault. However, his eyes remained shrouded in darkness, an unrelenting reminder of the cruelty he'd endured.