Work Text:
The cold sharp breeze fills the air of the dark hallway. It had pillars on each side, wrapped with vines. Behind them were a line of colourful broken windows. An altar stood at the front. It had a statue of a humanoid god with sleek fingers and long wavy hair. A table of wilted flowers and dirty cloth sat in front.
A man with red hair and silver armour knelt down, his left hand on his chest. His eyes were closed as he whispered a prayer silently. He stood up. He took a deep breath to feel everything around him.
It was cold. It was quiet.
Footsteps could be heard from the other side of the hallway. A tall man with greyish hair walked in. He held a helmet of a knight in his right hand. His clothing was white, with dark green sleeves and black pants.
“I didn’t know there were others here.” the man laughed. The red haired man turned around and quickly bowed. “Apologies, dear friend. I am only merely paying my respects for this statue. I truly did not mean to intrude.” he responded.
“There’s no need to apologize. I couldn’t care less about this ugly statue anyway,” the grey hair replied as he walked closer. “My name is Richard. Pleased to meet you.”
The other man was taken a back by Richard’s rude comment. “There is no need to describe this statue as ‘ugly’. It is a statue that reflects beauty as it is a representation of the Aeon of Beauty, Idrila.” he stated. “You are a Knight of Beauty, no? How could you say such things about THEM?”
“Oh? Me, a Knight of Beauty?” Richard chuckled. “My attire might resemble one of the Knights but I am not a follower of your… Aeon. I’m simply just a wandering knight.” he said with distain. Richard walked forwards, in front of the statue. He stared and raised his hand to feel the stone cold figure.
The red haired man stayed silent, unable to refute.
“Say, O dear Knight of Beauty, what makes you believe in Idrila? What is even the point of believing in the path of Beauty?” he teased. He backed away from the statue and slowly walked to the entrance.
“When at your lowest, THEY will save you.” the red haired man closed his eyes as he recited a poem dramatically. “THEY will save our universe from strife, from the bloodshed and from the despair. For Idrila, is our saviour.”
He opened his eyes to see that the grey haired man had disappeared.