The stench of the smoke billowed out, chased by the angry flames. The contrasting colors of reds, yellows, blacks and greys danced around the small gate, its towers, and stone buildings. The darkness of the surrounding woods quietly and silently gazed upon the unflinching flames. The light that such a sad scene cast, reflected off of two individuals, who sat at the very edge of the fire’s reach. Clothed in vermillion and an electric iris, one of the knights sat, his sword sheathed, but dug into the ground, both hands grasping the sheathed blade. His helmeted head rested against the crossguard, yet an observer could easily see that his gaze was fixed on the unforgiving flames. The second individual, clothed similarly, but in black, white, crimson, and a vibrant yellow, stood. Both were tattered and worn, and not a word was spoken as the flames lifted their horrible hands heavenward. The second knight wore an inset crown on his helmet, and by a mere glance, one would realize that he was by far the superior. Yet his left hand rested on the helmeted head of the first knight, displaying an unparalleled compassion and care, as well as a resolve unhindered. The silence between the two knights spoke more than a thousand words. The tears that flowed out from under both of the knights’ helmets, displayed that what they observed and had experienced had truly affected them. There were no screams from within the burning carnage. No sound of life or desperation. Yet both knew that deep within the hellish furnace there was one experiencing the horrors of the flames.

  Just moments before this scene, both knights would have been seen emerging from the disastrous furnace. Swords sheathed, yet shields up, they had moved hastily out of the flames. The royal individual had led the way, and while the flames seemed to cause some discomfort, their effect seemed of little concern. The other knight, on the other hand, was practically on fire as he followed his companion. They had emerged calling back from one to the other, as the smoke had caused visibility to be increasingly difficult. Other than their voices, the whole scene was incredibly quiet, something that added to the horrible element. They had crashed out of the fire, successfully doused the one’s fiery condition, and had taken the position that we had found them in.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Now, returning to the present, the crackling of the growing fire began to increase, yet another sound began to grow. The first knight, his armor still steaming, started to shake uncontrollably, as the sound of sobbing began to emit from under his helmet. As his body began to be ravaged by this onslaught of emotion, his companion crouched down, pressed his head against his companion’s, and quietly whispered “This is not your fault, you have done all that you could do”. The silence of the surrounding trees seemed to oppressively bear down. Yet the quiet confidence and condolences that radiated off of the royal knight, in a sense, unashamedly opposed them.

  In an instance, the sitting knight drew a short dagger, sliced off a badly singed green scarf from his left arm and began to throw it towards the flames. As he pulled back to launch the scarf, his companion caught his arm. For a moment, there was a silent struggle, then the royal knight reached and took the scarf from his companion’s gloved hand. With no words spoken, he deftly and silently tied the small token of love around his friend’s right arm. Sitting down next to him, the royal knight stated “live in the pain.” A sigh emitted from the other, the shaking stopped, as both gazed back into the flames, fully aware of the horrors within.

  To return to the rescue mission, and recount what took place there, would do a great disservice to our friend in vermillion and iris. And if one truly desires to know the horrors and pains that inhabited and were experienced in the hellish furnace, they might find it in themselves to ask. Yet the scars of the courageous have come with great pain and sadness, and to press such a topic for one’s selfish desire to understand, fully discounts and dishonors the struggles and hurts that the bearer carries. To come alongside and bear a brother up, is another matter, and for those who do such, great is their reward. Yet at this point, we move on, leaving the two companions in their sorrowful sadness, realizing that some desire the familiarity of hell to the wonder of heaven.