Part VIII: The Loneliness



	No matter what period of time it was, civilization was all the 
same to Knightfall; unfair and messed up.  How can it be that 
civilization has progressed in everything materialistic, while we 
haven't even made step one in our progression for humanity.
	Love, also, nowadays has nothing to do with the meaning at 
all anymore.  It's more on either power, looks, or wealth.  There may 
be few to the exceptions, but mostly, just for those.  Love has no 
meaning in this society, we fall in "love" for materialistic reasons, 
not for the true sense.
	Knightfall just kept pondering these philosophical questions 
as he sat there, meditating.  Loneliness flowed through him in a 
tremendous pace at that moment.  Everyone he cared for, everyone he 
knew, everyone he loved has fallen and risen to the castle of the 
heavens.  How he loved to be with them right now.  Love was nothing 
like the one felt in the 11th century.....

	The thieves just stared in disbelief at the floating dagger, 
and the human pin cushion.  It is the work of Lucifier himself, all 
of them thought at that moment.  He knew of what the consequences 
would be if this encounter spread throughout France and tried to 
quiet them before it was too late...but it was.
	The three thieves, regaining the feeling in their legs, ran 
to the quickest village they could and shouted like there was no 
tomorrow, "THERE ARE DEMONS IN OUR LAND! QUICK, WE MUST BANISH THEM!"
	"Maybe, it was not a good idea to give you that sword, 
mesmouselle." Chevalier commented. 
	"But if it wasn't for that sword, I would be in an endless 
sleep, monsieur and I thank you for that." she replied but quickly 
gave back the sword to Tombé.  They quickly got their momentum back 
as they realized what was about to happen...turmoil.
	"It's going to happen again...it's going to happen again...I 
can feel it!" Chevalier muttered beneath his breath as a crowd, lit 
with torches, came stampeding towards them.
	It wasn't long before they surrounded the poor couple.  Shouts 
rang in the air.  It doesn't take much to get people to riot in those 
days.
	"THOSE ARE THE DEMONS!!!  We must banish them immediately!" 
one of the thieves shouted above the crowd's noises.
	"How can you trust thieves?  They steal from you, THEY are 
the sinful ones." Belle shouted but it was in no prevail, as signs of 
prejudice filled them all.
	"I can prove it!" the thief exclaimed.  He pulled out another 
dagger and threw it at Tombé.  He couldn't see the dagger until it 
was too late when it stabbed him in the heart.  Shocks and screams 
were heard throughout the crowd. "I told you he was a demon!  We must 
send him to where he belongs!" Cries of agreement rang through the 
mob as they rushed and captured the couple.  
	They were taken to the main city in the land.  The mob told 
the story to the people there and demonstrated their facts.  Onlookers 
were shocked and quickly agreed that in the morning the next day, they 
would be executed and sent to the land they came from.  Even the royal 
guards agreed.  Some civilized people they were....
	The morning light poured into the cell in which they were 
imprisoned.  A feeling of warmth flowed through the couple, but that 
was the least that they needed.   A look of concern showed on 
Chevalier's face...more towards Belle than towards himself.  Belle, 
on the other hand, was as calm as usual and Tombé didn't know why.
	"Why are you so calm?  You are going to be executed soon!  We 
must try and set you free!" Tombé whispered to Belle.
	"We cannot escape from here yet, monsieur.  So what's the use 
of franting yourself?  You should have nothing to fear, after all, 
you are immortal." Belle replied.
	"My concern is not for me, but for you!  A creature as lovely 
as you, should not be taken from the world through such harsh 
consequence!  I...love you, mesmouselle."
	"I love you too, monsieur and should I die, I will die with 
my love."
	"YOU WILL NOT DIE!  Not yet, not this way.  We WILL get out 
of this."  They embraced with other, knowing any moment now, the 
judgement would begin.  They gave a passionate kiss towards each 
other but wasn't long when footsteps could be heard.
	"Get the girl first!  Be careful with the man!" one guard 
shouted.  If they were going to get her, they must first kill him, for 
he would not let them take her without a fight.
	To his surprise, eight guards came to take just one person.  
Right when they opened the prison door, he rushed them.  Love has 
taken over him, and love was a great fighter.  It took six of them to 
take hold of him.  Two went to take the girl, but she put up a fight 
as well.  She had knocked one of the guards down, but the other hit 
her in the back of the head with the bottom of a sword, Tombé 
Chevalier's sword.  Filled with rage, he struggled to break free but 
couldn't as they were both escorted out.
	The crowd cheered as the two demons came into the light.  Some 
bellowed out just words while others threw rocks.  Tombé stared out 
and saw what their punishment would be....a bonfire.
	Chevalier stared in horror as they dragged Belle Fleur and
tied her to the pole.  Like someone playing the moment in slow motion 
just to agonize him, a man with a torch came walking out of the crowd. 
He wore a mask, like all executioners.  People called this land one 
with the most civilized citizens, diplomatic people, moral people.
	The executioner lit the hay.  Belle still looked calm as the 
fire quickly spread around her.  It wasn't until the flames engulped 
her that a scream was heard, so deafening, so heart-wrenching, that it 
would chill even the bravest soul.  Filled with rage and adrenaline, 
Tombé broke free from the guards and was able to get his sword.  He 
fought his way towards the bonfire and ran into the flames.
	He couldn't see a thing, but he could feel where she was.  He 
quickly cut her free and took her out...but it was a little too late.  
Belle looked so fragile now.  Her life was between here and there and 
Chevalier couldn't help but weep.
	"I'm sorry, mesmouselle.  I'm terribly sorry for what i've 
done to you....It was all my fault...I shouldn't have gotten so close 
to you..." Tombé mumbled as he held her in his arms.
	"I forgive you, monsieur....you will find me again...and 
i'll...be..waiting...for you....Au revoir mon amour........" she 
seemed to trail off as her essense quickly faded from her body.  
	Tombé broke out in tears.  His heart had just been shattered.  
He could feel death inside him, he died that day...in a sense.  All 
his humanity was in her.  He still held her in his arms, not willing 
to let her go.  He just stared at the her, his eyes watery.  She 
still looked like an image of perfection, no matter how she looked on 
the outside....she was still a beautiful flower......
	Reality suddenly sinked into Chevalier.  Looking towards the 
crowd, he gently laid Belle on the ground.  His watery eyes were 
suddenly gone, a soulless being now replaced it.  His eyes turned to a 
blaze of fire.  Anger and revenge filled him now....
	"YOU WANT TO SEE A DEMON!?!  WELL, HERE HE IS MON AMI!" and 
he came out fighting everyone in the village, innocent or not....
	A sudden shriek awakened him from his meditation.  He stood 
up.  Another shriek filled the air again and he found out where it 
was coming from...a young lady being mugged down below.
	Knightfall didn't want to help, he didn't want to save her, 
he didn't want to care but he just couldn't.  No matter how he fought 
it...he just couldn't as he leapt off the cliff and swung down to the 
ground.  It wasn't a matter of time before he came face to face with 
the confrontation, three muggers and one lady.
	He looked at her, and for a moment, thought it was Belle right 
there.  He looked over at the muggers and laughed.
	"You don't want to be doing that.  I'm pissed off right now, 
and I cannot control my actions." He suggested.
	"Hey! It's the watcher!  What are you going to do, huh?  We 
outnumber you, freak!" one of them said.
	"heh he...seems like I outnumber you...heh he he..." The 
fallen knight laughed...and in a few seconds, the three muggers were 
lying on the ground, bleeding.  What he did was too fast for anyone 
could see...but it got the job done.
	"Oh, thank you!  I'm really greatful! Really!  How can i 
repay you?" the young lady exclaimed.
	"Nothing, what's done is done.  I merely lent a helping hand." 
The knight said as he started to walk INTO civilization.
	The young lady smiled and nodded, then replied, "If I didn't 
know better, mister, I'd think you are breaking your oath."
	"Some oaths are meant to be broken"