"Sir Kael!"
Lucas called out, hope lighting up in his chest.
Standing before him was Kael. His sharp eyes and commanding presence revealed the seasoned warrior he truly was.
"I thought I heard something here," Kael said, his voice calm yet firm. "Didn't expect to find you, kid."
Kael's gaze shifted past Lucas, settling on the group of young men gathered behind him. His eyes narrowed, and he seemed to understand the situation instantly. A faint grin crossed his face.
"Ah, this isn't good," he said, shaking his head. "Such young people, already twisted by the evil in this world. It's truly sad."
Lucas turned to glance behind him. The group's expressions had changed drastically. Their faces, once full of bravado, were now pale and darkened, as if they'd seen a ghost.
The boy in the middle stammered, his voice trembling.
"H-Hey, did he just say Kael? One of the Silent Sentinels?"
"Y-Yeah," another chimed in. "I heard it too!"
"I've never seen him before, but… isn't he the one with the eyepatch and red hair?"
Realization hit them like a tidal wave. One by one, they dropped to their knees, heads bowed.
"Forgive us, sir!" they pleaded in unison.
Lucas stared at them, dumbfounded. They had surrendered without a fight.
'Wow… Sir Kael really is amazing,' Lucas thought.
Kael chuckled softly and addressed the group. "Alright, I'll let it slide this time. But if I catch you hurting someone again, you'll have me to deal with. And trust me, you don't want that."
Without hesitation, the group scattered, vanishing into the shadows of the alley.
Now, only Lucas and Kael remained—or rather, there were three of them.
Kael turned back to Lucas, his tone softer now. "So, Lucas, what are you doing in a place like this?"
Lucas scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh, uh… I didn't like how the crowd was staring at me earlier, so I went looking for some peace and quiet. Didn't think I'd end up… well, here."
Kael raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Hmm… I see."
Suddenly, Lucas remembered. His eyes widened. "The kid!"
He hurried deeper into the alley, Kael following close behind.
There, slumped against a wall, was a young boy. His small frame was bruised and battered, his clothes torn and stained with blood. His brown hair clung to his forehead, and his pointed ears twitched faintly.
Lucas froze, his stomach twisting at the sight. How could anyone be so cruel?
Kael stepped up beside him, his expression darkening. "I see…"
Lucas clenched his fists, guilt clawing at his chest. He had been so focused on saving himself earlier that he hadn't even thought of this boy. But even if he had tried to intervene, what could he have done? He was too weak to fight those guys. He'd only have become another victim.
Kael turned to Lucas, his voice steady and reassuring. "Lucas, if it weren't for you, this kid might not have survived."
Lucas blinked, startled. "How do you figure?"
Kael smiled faintly. "If you hadn't drawn my attention here, I wouldn't have known someone needed help. It's my duty as a knight to protect people."
Lucas lowered his gaze, his guilt easing slightly. Kael had a point, but it didn't stop the ache in his chest. It wasn't just that he hadn't saved the boy—it was that he couldn't. His weakness stung deeper than any insult.
Stepping closer, Lucas crouched beside the boy. "Hey, kid. Can you stand?"
The boy's eyes fluttered open. They were wide with fear, his face pale and trembling. He tried to speak, his voice barely a whisper.
"Please… don't hurt me."
Lucas flinched, his heart sinking. He felt utterly powerless. What was he supposed to do?
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll handle this, Lucas. You've done enough."
Lucas hesitated but eventually stood. "Alright, Sir Kael."
He wanted to help, but he knew Kael was better equipped to handle the situation.
As Lucas turned to leave, Kael called after him.
"By the way, Lucas. If you ever need help with something, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll be in town for about a week. Consider it a reward for helping me find this boy."
Lucas paused, his eyes widening. 'A reward? Does he mean for leading him here?'
He nodded slowly. "Alright, Sir Kael. I'll keep that in mind."
With that, he walked away, leaving the alley behind.
***
Lucas's mind was heavy as he wandered the streets. Today's events had shaken him to his core. He realized more than ever how much he hated being weak.
Back on Earth, he had always been an outcast. He wasn't athletic or particularly skilled at anything, and he struggled to make friends. His brother, on the other hand, excelled at everything, casting a long shadow that Lucas could never escape.
Though Lucas had been top of his class academically, it didn't matter. To everyone else, he was just 'the guy who wasn't his brother.'
The judgment, the insults, the loneliness—it had all taken its toll. He had fallen into anxiety and depression, retreating into books and music to escape reality.
But even through all the pain, he had tried to stay kind, to understand others. Yet over time, he had grown selfish, guarding his heart and caring only for himself and those he loved most.
The one thing that kept him going was his brother. To Lucas, his brother was everything—his best friend, his guide, and his greatest inspiration.
He had always wanted to shine like his brother, to prove that he could be something more.
But maybe… some people were meant to stay in the shadows.
For now, though, Lucas resolved to change. He didn't want to be a hero. He just didn't want to be helpless.
He hated being weak. More than anything else, he hated it.