As evening descended on the City of Purewood, Luke returned to the cathedral, feeling the weight of the day's revelations. The scent of Sister Maria's cooking filled the air, signalling that dinner was ready. The children gathered around the table, their faces alight with the simple joy of a shared meal. Luke joined them, forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside him.
After dinner, it was time for the usual evening routine. The boys, brimming with anticipation, begged Luke to perform his magic tricks. They believed wholeheartedly in the illusions he conjured, even though Luke knew they were just simple sleights of hand and clever use of his phone. But tonight, the revelations about the increasing monster activity and the knights' secret battles had sapped his enthusiasm.
"Not tonight, boys," Luke said gently, his voice tinged with weariness. "I'm too tired."
Disappointed but understanding, the boys accepted his decision and headed to bed. As they drifted off to sleep, Luke lay awake, his mind replaying the events that had brought him here. He thought back to his first encounter with the Aerdeich, a legendary monster that had nearly ended his life.
The memory was vivid: the beast's gnashing jaws, the terror that had gripped him, and the relief when it had finally let go, distracted by the flashing light of his phone. Gareth had told him that the Aerdeich was a creature out of nightmares, its history marked by destruction and death. Luke had been incredibly fortunate to survive that encounter.
He also remembered the battle with the Plyburg, another deadly creature from the Unknown. Gareth, with his unmatched combat skills, had fought bravely to protect them. But it had cost him dearly, leaving him with a severe leg injury.
Luke had felt helpless then, unable to wield a weapon or fight back. It was only his quick thinking and the help of Tora, the tiger, that had saved them. Using his phone's light to confuse the monster, Luke had managed to lead it away, exploiting its weakness to escape and tend to Gareth.
Now, knowing that the knights faced such dangers regularly, Luke felt a profound admiration for them. These were men and women who trained tirelessly, honing their bodies and minds to defend the city. They did so without recognition or reward, their efforts shrouded in secrecy to prevent panic among the townsfolk. Purewood was on the edge of the map, the closest city to the Unknown, and its people were strong and resilient. Yet, they lacked the support of neighbouring leaders, making their struggle even more daunting.
Lying in the darkness, Luke pondered the burden of this knowledge. The knights were fighting a war in the shadows, and the city's safety depended on their strength and sacrifice. He felt a pang of guilt for his own perceived inadequacies, for his reliance on tricks and gadgets rather than true skill. But he also felt a flicker of resolve. He was part of this community now, and he wanted to do more to support it.
As he finally drifted off to sleep, Luke made a silent promise to himself. He would find a way to contribute more meaningfully, to stand with the knights and the people of Purewood. The city's survival depended on everyone doing their part, and Luke was determined to rise to the challenge. The Unknown loomed ever closer, and the battles ahead would be fierce, but together, they would face whatever came their way.
Morning broke over the City of Purewood, casting a gentle light through the cathedral's windows. Luke, as always, was the first to rise. He made his way to the lavatory, taking a refreshing morning shower. After dressing, he remembered he had left his belt in the boys' room. Slipping in quietly, he retrieved the belt and paused to look at the sleeping children. Their peaceful faces were a stark contrast to the hidden dangers that lurked beyond the city's borders.
In Luke's real world, safety was assured by the police and military forces. Nations had the firepower and resources to combat any monstrous invasion. Purewood, however, was a fledgling city. It lacked resources, from ores and money to manpower. The people's tranquillity was thanks to the diligent governance of Mayor Kingsley and the protection of the Knights of Purewood. No wonder Thomas, the eldest boy, dreamed of becoming a knight, inspired by the bravery of Gareth and driven by a desire to protect his family—Father Wingate, Sister Maria, and the other children.
Luke made his way out of the cathedral, but before he could leave, he caught the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. It was unusually early for breakfast preparations. Curious, he peeked into the kitchen and found Sister Maria packing food.
"Good morning, Luke," she greeted warmly, handing him a packed meal. "I noticed you don't join us for breakfast anymore because of your work, so I decided to wake up early and pack some for you."
Luke tried to decline, insisting it was too much trouble for her. But Sister Maria waved off his concerns.
"It's just once in a while. And I've packed enough for two, so please share it with Gareth."
Touched by her kindness, Luke thanked her and set off towards the barracks, the weight of the food packs a comforting reminder of the support he had here.
The early morning air was crisp as Luke walked through the quiet streets. His thoughts wandered back to the conversation with Gareth and the troubling news of increased monster activity. The knights were doing everything they could, but Purewood was vulnerable. Luke felt a growing sense of responsibility, and a need to do more than just clean equipment.
Reaching the barracks, Luke immediately noticed Gareth already hard at his training, doing some stretches, especially targeted at his leg, which pretty much looked all healed. Gareth looked up and smiled as Luke approached.
"Morning, Luke. Came to work like usual, right?" Gareth asked, his voice gruff but friendly. "It's nice to see you getting familiar."
"Always," Luke replied, holding up the food pack. "Sister Maria sent breakfast for us. She made enough for both of us."
"That woman is a saint. Still, I think we go through it once we finish without work," Gareth's eyes lit up.
With the agreement made, Luke set the packed food aside and headed towards his work area to meet Eamon, the elder man who had become his partner in cleaning equipment. They exchanged initial greetings, and soon, they were immersed in their routine. Today's load was lighter than expected, allowing them to work at a more relaxed pace—a welcome change from the tiring previous day.
As they cleaned, Luke noticed a distinct change in Eamon's behaviour. Usually, Eamon would regale Luke with stories to pass the time, but today, he was unusually silent, only speaking to request items or give instructions. It seemed there was an unspoken tension between them, likely stemming from the incident with the bloodstained equipment the day before. Luke suspected Eamon was anxious about the secret being revealed and unsure how to address the matter with him.
As they neared the end of their task, Eamon called out to Luke, his tone more sincere than usual. He hesitated, struggling to find the right words to revisit their conversation from yesterday.
Luke interrupted him gently.
"It's okay, Eamon. I know already. Gareth explained everything to me. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble by poking around where I shouldn't have."
Eamon looked at Luke, processing his words.
"You really understand the situation we're in?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"Yes, I do," Luke replied. "And I promise I won't tell anyone. We don't need to create unnecessary panic."
"Thank you, Luke. It's a tough time right now. The knights are doing their best, but even they are unsure why the monster activity has increased so much. We're not experts in dealing with the Unknown," relief washed over Eamon's face.
"I believe in them, Eamon. Just like I believe in the work we're doing here. By ensuring the equipment is in the best condition, we're helping them fight. It's the least we can do," Luke nodded, feeling the weight of Eamon's words.
"You're right. Every bit helps. We might not be on the front lines, but our support is crucial," Eamon smiled, a rare sight in these stressful times.
The two finished their work, a newfound understanding and camaraderie between them. Luke felt a sense of purpose and resolve. He might be a newcomer in this dangerous world, and Eamon a retired knight due to injury, but together, they were making a difference.
"You know, Luke, for all the uncertainties, it's good to have someone dependable to work with," As they packed up the last of the equipment, Eamon spoke again, his voice lighter.
"Same here, Eamon," Luke replied. "We're in this together."
With their tasks completed, Luke collected the packed food and prepared to head out. The air outside was cool, a prelude to the coming night. He thought about the knights, tirelessly training and preparing to protect the city. He thought about the children, sleeping peacefully in the cathedral, unaware of the threats that lurked just beyond the city's borders.
Heading to the barrack offices, Luke felt a sense of determination. This city, with its resilient people and their unwavering spirit, had become more than just a place to stay. It was a community worth protecting, and he was proud to be a part of it, however small his role might be.