Eques Lux had closed his eyes as he took a deep breath to calm himself down. As he opened his eyes he watched as his surroundings suddenly darkened. The trees had moved without him knowing. The Valley of Death's first Trial was none other than the 'Tree Massacre'. He noticed his allies had their swords drawn. He took a step back as he whispered to them,
"Sheath your blades mei amicis. The forests have begun their Trials against us. The 'Tree Massacre' has begun. The trees are known to feed off one's bravery only to lead them to their death. We need to keep agile to make it out of this Trial. Trust each other and make sure to watch each other's backs."
Eques Noctis took a deep breath and raised an eyebrow as he scrutinised his surroundings once more before he sheathed his sword. He gave a slight nod to Eques Lux showing his understanding towards the situation while Eques Relicus followed suit. As Eques Lux took the first step further into the forest followed by Eques Noctis, they failed to perceive the dagger in the hands of Eques Relicus. As the Eques' took agile steps deeper into the forest, they had their senses peeled in order to keep an eye for their Princess and Eques Tempus. Each step they took the forest began thickening. At one point the Eques' could not move any further. As they tried to retrace their steps they came to a realisation that the forest had changed without sensing any movement. Although Eques Lux and Eques Noctis had their doubt on the Trials they were supposed to go through Eques Relicus had another opinion.
"Eques Noctis, the Tree Massacre should never have been activated against the Eques of the Kingdom, unless we are required to undergo the Trial ourself or there is an imposter claiming to be someone he is not. I have spent years in this Valley and have never undergone a Trial."
"What are you implying?, Eques Relicus?", Eques Noctis asked confused. He had no inclining as to what the Knight wanted to convey as he kept his eyes trained on a sudden opening in the woods. Eques Noctis furrowed his brows as he tried to make sense of the words said by the Eques as well as understand if passing through the opening would be beneficial or worse for them. Eques Lux too seemed confused as he stared at Eques Relicus.
"I am implying that I can see the future and I have seen Eques Lux in it but my knowledge of my past and my vision of the future does not verify who you are. There is no Eques Noctis. There was never one to begin with. The Eques of the Princess are made of Seven parts of time and nature, Darkness is her weakness. That is why there never was a Eques Noctis written in the past nor the future. So WHO ARE YOU?", Eques Relicus raised his voice at the end of his speech.
Eques Lux and Eques Noctis had their eyes wide open as they registered what Eques Relicus had just spoken. Their eyes met as they shared a worried glance. It was impossible for Eques Noctis to not exist for the King himself had appointed him as the Princess' Guardian and Knight. With firm determination Eques Noctis glared at Eques Relicus as he said,
"The Knight of the Future, you may know of your past and the future of our kingdom but as we all know there are variables in the future. The Princess and Eques Tempus know of this too. We have to set in stone our path in order for it to be a reality we cannot just believe in our abilities. Similarly, the future you see is not set in stone yet. You can only see the future of the people you trust for you are willing to see that future. While you have no trust in me for which you cannot see my future. This Trial is not ours to face but yours to discern."
"Eques Noctis states the truth Eques Relicus. I have heard of him. Eques Tempus included. We trust each other. That is why I have a strong feeling that this Trial is not ours but yours.", Eques Lux stated concerned
Eques Relicus could not believe his ears as his own frater was going against him. "This is preposterous.", he said. But no longer had he said it than he vanished right in front of the eyes of Eques Noctis and Eques Lux, leaving both the Eques worried and at attention.