The Stonehearted Knight

The fire attracted a lot of attention. But not enough to divert the stream of people going into the temple. Its massive doors were already open.

Hex left Gorge at the inn and walked towards the massive archway entrance of the temple. The building was spherical but with half of it submerged in the ground. 

The entrance was engraved with many figures and symbols, which were painted with gold. Hex caressed them, reminiscing about the years he spent cleaning these things. 

Life in the cloister was not free. He had to do all kinds of chores and still actively participate in the classes.

"Hex?"

Hex turned to look at the person calling him softly. She was a red-haired girl, with big light brown eyes. She was rather petite and clad in a short robe and sandals. Her eyes were wide open and a warm smile hung on her lips.

"Allie, time seems to have frozen for you. You still look like a child." Hex said, sounding happy. He even walked towards her with his arms wide open, obviously wanting to hug her. 

"And you are still as irritating as then," Allie scowled at him. She slapped his hands away, annoyed and amused by his antics. It was as if he was still the annoying pest from six years ago. 

"Ouch. Please be aware of your strength, lady Blessed Squire," he said in mock fear. Allie just rolled her eyes and walked in. Hex naturally caught up and walked with her. 

The inner building of the Temple had remained the same. Large murals decorated the walls and the dome. The wooden benches were still placed in a semicircle, with an open area in the middle, towards the front. 

The benches were already filled with people who were either participating or witnessing the ritual. Hex noticed five people standing in the open area, three he already knew.

"How many of our class already have their blessings?" Hex inquired to Allie softly. He had been out of the loop too long and had cared too little. At least before today.

"Out of the thirteen people from our class, those three failed to gain a blessing so far. You were not allowed. The remaining nine all acquired their first blessing two years ago. I even heard Sloan and Born trying to acquire their second next year." 

"And Clannad?" Hex asked suddenly. Surely as the heir of the town's oldest family, it had the resources to acquire an intermediate or even 

Allie looked solemn. "Clannad already has his second blessing. It caused a big commotion last year." She turned towards Hex with raised eyebrows. "You didn't hear anything about it?"

"Nope," Hex said dryly. He seemed calm but hearing the boy once his biggest rival already so far ahead, ignited a fire inside. 

'I too could have achieved all that. I was the best. Undefeated. Yet, I was banished. All, thanks to him. One day…'

Hex's fingers were digging into his palms. The mere thought of that one man made his blood boil. One man had decided his fate with one sentence. 

Hex scanned the crowd, especially the front rows, trying to find that bastard. He knew he was far from even thinking about revenge, but he wanted to see him. Wanted to show him that he could gain a blessing on his own. 

"You are in the way."

Suddenly someone said from behind. Hex froze. That voice. That heavy, emotionless voice, it couldn't be.

Slowly Hex turned. Behind him stood a towering figure. He was clad in leather armor with a black coat on his shoulders. His golden beard and locks gave his chiseled face an ethereal feel. Those ember eyes seemed to be able to peer inside someone's soul. 

'He didn't change. Still like a deity above ants.' But like always he didn't seem haughty or condescending. No, even that would require feelings. Something this man lacked entirely. 

Allie looked nervously at the man and bowed slightly. "Lord Baron. We will just watch."

She dragged Hex to the side. By now, many people had noticed them. After all, the baron was the true leader of the town. His mere presence attracted everyone's focus. 

People stood up and bowed lightly, offering their respect. The baron walked silently towards his seat at the front. He never gave Hex or someone else even the slightest look. He was amidst them, yet not part of them. 

Only when the baron had taken his seat, did some of the people gaze at Hex. One of three old classmates in front even stepped forward with his hands on his back.

"Hex! How dare you return to disturb the ritual. You are banned!" His loud voice attracted everyone's attention. Except for the baron, everyone's gaze turned toward Hex. Gradually the sounds of whispers and discussions broke the temple's silence. 

Hex remained calm. He noticed Allie already taking some distance from him. It didn't affect him. Not anymore. He already learned to accept such things when he went from being the leader of the class to being the outcast. 

"Silence!"

An old gray-haired lady, clad in gray and silver walked from behind the altar. Her expressions were calm but her eyes seemed blazing. Her shout had silenced the crowd. Except for the Baron, no one would dare to go against the priestess. 

Seeing everyone silent, she turned her gaze towards Hex. Hex didn't flinch. He had never been afraid to face her. She was strict and harsh with her punishment, but she also took care of him. 

"You look healthy," she said with a warm smile. "But you truly don't belong here. Please leave."

Hex, prepared for this, inhaled sharply. He clenched his fists and looked at the priestess. "I think I do belong here today. I know…I know, I am banned but the rule of the temple states that everyone, even the worst of criminals, is allowed to perform an offering, doesn't it?"

A slight murmur again occurred in the crowd. The priestess's gaze narrowed. She didn't seem pleased. "That might be true. But aren't you forgetting something? You are also banned from buying offerings. So, how can you still participate?"

Hex smirked. "I am banned from buying it. But what if I found something I can use? Something like this?" He pulled a red and green colored crystal from his pouch, exhibiting in front of everyone. 

A few audible gasps and shouts went through the crowd. And then, as if they were one, everyone turned to look at the baron. They knew it was he who had banished Hex from the ritual six years ago. 

Hex was pleased to see the baron finally pay attention to him. It felt good. It was as if he finally disturbed his calm life. It was not much, but at least it was something. 

Everyone held their breath. Even Hex. He knew he could argue and call upon the laws of the city, but he had learned that the ones in power could always break them. And the baron had powers beyond anything anyone else had in the town.

After what felt like an eternity, the baron spoke.

"Things found in the mountains belong to the one who found them. That has been the rule of Grindeston. He can participate."

A rock seemed to have been lifted from Hex's chest. He had made it. He looked at the baron. At the same, the baron's gaze was on him. Their gazes met for a brief moment. 

Hex nodded. He still hated the man. But for now, he had passed the first challenge. Now it was up to his luck. The crowd looked at him in silence. This year's ritual seemed even more exciting. 

"Don't get smug," one of three boys at the front said. He was the one who called him out. "Yes, you just got the permission." Another chimed in. The third smiled viciously. "I bet you will fail. You used your luck in getting that beast crystal." 

Hex eyed them. "Or maybe, you three will attract all our bad luck, like every year. I guess I ought to thank you three for increasing my luck."

Some of the newer youngsters snickered. The three seemed livid. Hex was basically cursing them to fail. 

"Hex," the priestess pulled him apart from the others. "Are you sure you want to use a beast crystal? Do you even know how dangerous they can be?"

Hex shook his head. "I know you guys said that we ought to use pure crystals, but I can't get them now, can I?"

The priestess shook her head. "I hope you don't regret it. I wish I had more time to explain to you what you are risking." 

Hex just shrugged. The priestess sighed and walked to the center of the circle. "Gather around. Hold your crystals out. We will start the ritual."