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The moon stood high in the nightly sky, the stars dancing around the vast orb that illuminated the world below now that the sun was sleeping beneath the horizon. The sole red star among the other thousands shone especially bright this night and Clive wondered why, his eyes observing the distant light that looked like it was on fire.
The message of his father that war was inevitable any longer still echoed in his mind. It would be his chance to prove himself worthy of his newly acquired title as Shield, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. Actually, it was far away from the truth. Of course, he was filled with pride to raise his sword for his home, for his brother Joshua in particular. But the prospect of all the lives that would be lost in the upcoming war was frightening him, more than it should.
Friends and comrades he met throughout his years of constant training to be the ultimate shield for his brother would die on the battlefield for the sake of their homeland of Rosaria. Such was war and Clive wondered if their faces would fade from his memories eventually, only haunting him during his sleep.
Maybe that was why he paid more attention to the sole red star in the sky. It looked like a blazing fire and it felt like the flames burning inside him, the blessing of his younger brother resonated with the heavenly body, no matter how far away it might be. Clive realised that the star reminded him of Joshua, of the flames he represented and the faith and hope all people of Rosaria had in him.
Clive was the first born so it should have been him who became the Dominant of Phoenix, yet the divine bird shunned him and instead chose his younger brother as its vessel. Even to this day, Clive could not say with certainty how he felt about this development. Naturally, he was happy for his brother to be the wielder of such power, but also a little bit jealous. He hated himself for thinking like that because he was the older brother and he was supposed to be the protector and not the other way around.
But even as Dominant Joshua was still Joshua, showing no signs of change. He might be the wielder of a divine beast, but he would always be Clive's little brother. Clive realised that at some point and that was the reason why he decided to train and become Joshua's shield. Of course, it would be handy to have such unfathomable strength but in the end, he didn't need divine power to protect his brother.
Besides, Joshua needed him as Clive and not somebody else. That thought alone was enough to fuel his will, to push himself further and further onwards. And finally, all his endeavours were bearing fruit and he could be his brother's shield, now and forever.
Suddenly there was a weak knock at his door, so quiet that he almost didn't notice. Clive had been so lost in his mind that it startled him. Sitting upright in his bed, he wondered who wished to see him this late even when he already knew who was standing in front of the door. He would always know, no matter what. The feeling of the flames growing stronger within him was a dead hint, but that sensation paled compared to the warmth that filled his heart when he sensed the familiar presence outside.
Pulling the comforters from his body, he placed his bare feet on the ground, cold seeping through his body. It vanished a moment later already, the flames residing within him always keeping him warm. Clive walked to his door and slowly opened it, revealing the figure standing outside.
“Joshua,” he said softly, taking in his brother's tired appearance who only wore his sleeping attire.
“Brother...” Joshua responded meekly, sounding unsure of the decision that led him here.
“Why are you here, Joshua? It's the middle of the night. You should be asleep by now.”
His little brother didn't say anything in response for a long while, becoming fidgety as his eyes suddenly found the floor very fascinating. The sight made Clive smile softly at Joshua even when his brother didn't see it.
“I'm sorry, Clive, I shouldn't have come here. I will leave.”
The older of the Rosfield brothers was about to say something in return, but a sudden yell of Joshua's name echoed through the hallways, causing the two brothers to look at the direction it came from.
“Lord Joshua! There you are!” An exhausted-sounding guard came soon into sight, the man's eyes fixated on Joshua. Clive looked at his younger brother with a raised eyebrow. Joshua sensed the stare and returned it, twirling his fingers. It was painfully obvious that Joshua didn't notify his guard about his nightly walk and must have sneaked past them, something his younger brother was pretty good in. Therefore, his absence must have caused the poor man great concern.
“I searched in the entire castle for you, my Lord. I thought something might have happened.”
“Oh...oh... I'm sorry. It was not my intention to cause you any trouble....”
“Please don't apologize, my lord. I was just worried about your safety. If I had known you were going to meet your older brother, I wouldn't have made such a fuss.”
Bowing, the guard added, “Forgive my rudeness, but I have to ask you to return to your chambers. His Highness requested as such and we guards are obligated to follow his orders.”
Joshua turned around and gave Clive a sad and kicked puppy look, pulling at the older brother's heartstrings. It lasted only for a brief moment, but it was more than enough for Clive to act before he knew what he was doing. Joshua returned his attention to the guard and was about to leave, but Clive wouldn't have it.
“Wait a moment,” he ordered, the guard and Joshua looking expectingly at him. “It's fine,” he added after a brief moment of silence.
“But my lord-”
“Don't worry, I will take responsibility for this. Just make sure that the other guards know where Joshua is, so we don't cause a large commotion in the middle of the night.”
The guard looked for a few seconds at Clive before he bowed. “As you wish.” After that, the man left, leaving the Rosfield brothers to their own devices again.
“Come in,” Clive offered, stepping to the side so that his brother could enter.
“Thank you,” Joshua whispered in return, taking up the offer without a second's hesitation. Once he was inside, Clive looked in the hallway for a final time, making sure no other guards would be coming right away before he closed the door, satisfied with what he saw.
The two brothers stood in comfortable silence in the room, simply enjoying one of the rare moments where it was only them these days. Both were the sons of the current leader of Rosaria, nobility, so there was always someone around them. Most of the time, they had to get creative when they wanted some peace and calm.
“It has been a while since I was last in your room, Clive,” Joshua commented, taking in the sight, sitting down on a stool while Clive did the same only that he seated himself on his bed. Nothing had changed recently, making Clive wonder how long it has been. Definitely too long. That much was certain.
He didn't feel like he had to say anything in return, both of them already knowing it was the truth, so he let the comment stay on its own.
The comfortable silence between them continued for a while longer until Joshua yawned and rubbed his sleep. It was hardly a surprise, considering the hour. Still, Clive smiled at that.
“We should go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be hectic for both of us.”
“Mhm,” was the only noise Joshua made. Clive knew his brother well enough to tell that the sound meant confirmation. He dived under his covers again, but held them open, patting the spot right next to him.
“Come here,” he simply said. Joshua positively beamed at the invitation and accepted it eagerly, a bright smile on his lips. He moved faster than a bolt of lightning, slipping into bed right next to his body.
Clive pulled the covers over them and then pulled Joshua close to him, his brother burying his face into his chest. When they were younger, hugs had been a common thing between them, but as they grew older they barely found the privacy for them anymore. Therefore, feeling the warmth of his brother seeping through his body again felt nice, like nothing in this world mattered anymore.
“Thank you, Clive. You are the best brother I could wish for,” Joshua whispered, his eyes already closed as he drifted to sleep. Clive responded by tightening his embrace, pulling his brother even deeper into his protective hug.
“Always Joshua, now and forever.”
After that, no words were spoken anymore between the two, both of them falling fast asleep, warm and content in their hug. Neither of them knew it would be The Last Time.