Part One
The very next day, Sentinel Cyrus woke Eleanor and Clay. Without much explanation they were taken into a carriage where Knight-Freeblade Reynold sat. After a few hours of falling in and out of sleep, Clay finally mustered the strength to ask a question.
"Where are we going?"
"I called an immediate Sentinel Assembly to relay the events of Windmere and the surrounding towns."
"How does this whole Knight thing work?"
"You first enter the knights as a squire. After speaking with the other Sentinels, hopefully they will sign off on the two of you becoming Squires. After training under Reynold and completing the Knight's Ordeal, you will be given the title of knight and will be assigned to a smaller unit under a Knight-Lieutenant or a larger unit under a Knight-Captain. A Sentinel like myself oversees a specific region of Valdris. We are the decision-making body within the Knights and report directly to the Highlord. The Highlord holds absolute authority over the Knights."
Cyrus turned to see Clay fast asleep.
"He asked the question and fell asleep before he could hear the answer," he chuckled.
"For someone so mature essence-wise he is still just a child," he laughed.
The carriage continued on for hours as Eleanor and Clay continued to periodically wake up. Eventually, the carriage came to a stop and the Sentinel and Freeblade woke the two children.
They poked their heads out and were greeted with an unassuming cottage.
Part Two
The Freeblade and children entered the cottage behind the Sentinel. At a first glance, the cottage appeared to be empty, however at the table were two old men and an old woman in similar outfits to Sentinel Cyrus.
"Kind of you to join us. Welcome to all of you," greeted one of the men.
"Our carriage arrived a bit later than anticipated. It's nice to see you haven't changed one bit Erill," snapped Cyrus.
"It's funny that Erill has something to say considering he arrived less than three minutes before you," commented the woman.
"Thank you, Aria. I see you still look as beautiful as ever."
"This is a Sentinel Assembly. Quiet the unnecessary noise and let this meeting commence."
Cyrus took his seat while Reynold motioned us before the Sentinels. He knelt before them then pushed Eleanor and Clay down as they were slow to kneel.
"Thank you dear Sentinels for your presence."
"It seems the children don't have any manners," commented Erill.
"And that will be my fault. I failed to teach them the proper etiquette when addressing a Sentinel," admitted Cyrus.
They continued to kneel as the meeting began.
"Welcome everyone. I thank all of you for your response to this sudden assembly request."
The Sentinels nodded and continued listening.
"The town of Windmere and the surrounding village have been cleanly wiped off the continent."
"You cannot be serious!" shouted Sentinel Aria.
The other Sentinels sat in silence with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"How could this be possible?" asked Sentinel Erill.
"If you'll allow it, I'd like to have this young boy explain his experience," as he extended his hand towards Clay.
Clay grasped Cyrus' hand and helped himself onto his feet.
"For months there had been a new figure in the sky but of course you already knew that. That figure came crashing into Windmere as a hand, destroying everything in its path. Eleanor and I were able to escape due to my resonance."
Clay knelt back down and Reynold stood to confirm the testimony.
Chatter ensued amongst the Sentinels.
"A hand large enough to cause that much destruction?"
"It appears this is more serious than we thought," pondered Erill.
"And as for the child, you were able to confirm he truly developed a resonance?" questioned the Sentinel.
Cyrus answered, "Yes, it appears he has the ability to manipulate shadows."
"Well, why don't we have the child show us something?" proposed Sentinel Erill.
"Oh, would you stop it!" shouted Sentinel Aria.
"We have some time, don't we Thorian?"
"I suppose the boy could provide a demonstration. It is not everyday you stumble upon a child so gifted."
Clay rose to his feet and sank into the shadow of Sentinel Cyrus. He then moved within the shadow before returning to the surface through Sentinel Thorian's shadow.
"How fascinating!"
"Can we redirect our attention back to the crisis at hand?" Aria interjected.
"It's important we understand the nature of his ability. Freeblade, boy, and girl, you are to return to your wagon as the Assembly comes to a verdict," decided Sentinel Thorian.
The three exited the cottage, entering their wagon once again. They sat in the cottage for what must have been hours before they were summoned before the Sentinels once more.
They kneeled before the Sentinels and awaited the concluding words of the Assembly.
"Freeblade Reynold, with the blessing of the assembly, you will be the leader of a newly assembled division tasked with investigating the Hand Incident. With this you will also be receiving a promotion to Knight-Lieutenant. As for the children, we shall find someone fit to develop their talents," delivered Sentinel Thorian.
Reynold twitched at these words, then calmly rose.
"With all due respect, I will only return to the ranks on my own volition. Instead I propose that the boy and girl stay with me as I prepare them to enter the Knights."
"Of course! I knew you wouldn't even consider it for a second. That's how you've always been," Cyrus laughed.
Part Three
With some slight convincing, the Sentinels permitted Reynold to train Eleanor and I in preparation for the Knight's Ordeal.
Our first day of training began with an evaluation of each of our abilities and body measurements. Then, we moved onto our first training exercise.
"Your first task: attack me with all you've got!" Reynold shouted.
Combo jumped off his shoulder and hovered in front of him, with his eyes rolling.
"Sledgehammer it is," he sighed.
We rushed towards him, shielding our bodies in essence. Eleanor leaped into close combat with Reynold. I concentrated as I pooled my essence into my feet and sunk into my shadow.
"Gah!" Eleanor shouted as she dodged an attack.
I rose from Reynold's shadow with an uppercut.
"Take this!"
He maneuvered his head back. My body was now left wide open to an attack.
"Hah!"
He swung the sledgehammer, sending me into a nearby tree. I groaned but didn't have much time to dwell on the blow.
While shouting, "That's not all," Reynold continued the assault with his Combo Count raised to 2.
Instinctually, I extended my palms towards my shadow and gathered a shadow orb inches above my hand. With every ounce of my being, I released the orb towards Reynold. He jumped into the air, avoiding the orb, but leaving himself vulnerable.
Eleanor followed him into the air, landing a kick, hurling him to the ground.
"Get ready for me to beat your ass!"
"Do it, Clay!"
I sent him into the shadow right as he reached the ground. Then, I released him from the shadow of a tree and landed a clean hit.
He chuckled a bit before standing up and wiping the smile from his face.
"Okay, it's time to get serious," he muttered, cracking his knuckles.
In an instant he appeared before me. I couldn't even track him. I tried to sweep his legs but he disappeared. The next thing I knew I woke up on the grass. Standing above me was Reynold.
I see the two of you finally gained consciousness, he said while glancing over at Eleanor who had also just awoken.
"Yeah, you might be confused as to what happened. You managed to land a good blow on me so I decided to step it up a bit. I might have overdone it though so that's all for today," he chuckled.
He escorted us back to the Sentinel's residence to conclude the day.