As the young Lovell sat in the shade of an old oak tree, he began to ponder why he was there. Life's cruelty was the only friend he had known, but he had found his way to an orphanage where other kids who lived in a similar situation as his now smiled and ran across the grass as if they had never known pain.
He found himself lost among familiar faces. He couldn't sympathize with them. He couldn't understand them. Joy was such an alien thing to him that he wouldn't even attempt to embrace it. The young Derek was without a doubt thriving in such a place, but he was the shadow to their joy.
The days marched on as he felt himself growing more and more disconnected. The snow of winter came, and the world was blanketed in white. As Lovell struggled to March in the cruel snow, a hand reached for him. This was perhaps the first time he had exchanged words with the soon-to-be leader of their little brigade.
" Are you alright?"
Derek asked with genuine concern in his voice.
" Better be careful, the snow here is really heavy? Thick? Whatever, just be careful. Oh, and you don't want to be late. I heard they are serving warm stew in the cafeteria today, so you don't want to miss it."
Lovell had already grown a little disenchanted with this loud kid that he would occasionally come across, but he was in desperate need of warm food. The cold winds of the night before taught him that he was still a child and, as such, needed others if he was to survive.
" Help me move through this snow to the cafeteria, then um... What was your name again?"
"Sure, I was heading there anyway. Name's Derek, and you are?"
" ... Lovell "
...
The cold winds that brought him together with Derek came to mind as the cold steel bound his limbs together with the unconscious Derek, embracing his arms and legs.
That ended a lot quicker than I had expected. She took us down before we could even react. Now look at us. Considering we are in a cell, I assume those knights of whatever they call themselves, got involved. Just my luck. Things aren't looking too good for.
He looked around the square cell and saw that it was made of iron bars. It wasn't exactly brand new but it wasn't as old as he wished either. What was even worse was that their things had been confiscated. Even their pockets were cleaned thoroughly. He placed his hopes on the lock-pick he had hidden away in case something like this should happen, but it too was nowhere to be seen.
The sound of footsteps began to approach the cell. Lovell wasn't exactly sure where the sound was coming from in the dimly lit room, but chose to appear like he was still unconscious to get a better feel for the jailer he knew nothing about yet. The sound continued to progress until it came to a stop. The sound of a door opening followed, and with it a deep, mellow voice.
" I already know you are awake, so you can stop with the theatrics."
"..."
Lovell slowly rose as if he had just woken up
" You woke me up at a bad time. How about you come back in a few more minutes? I was just about to taste this dish, which I have been dying to try out. Granted, it is in a dream, but it does look really good. Tell me, have you ever tried chocolate? I have been told it's amazing and a few wealthy folk I have seen seem to enjoy it a lot."
The knight heard this a mocking smile grew on his lips.
" Wasting time with useless conversation isn't what I came here for. I am Knight Commander Anthony. I am the man in charge of this here station, and I have news concerning the notorious leaders of the infamous Sleight of Hand. Your activities so far already warranted a discussion between us, but what I am here for is a completely different matter. You boys have been allowed to erase all your past sins. Not only that, you may also be awarded with riches and honor if you use this gift wisely. The Dreadbor, whose mansion you attacked, has allowed you to redeem yourselves and become great men. Be thankful."
Lovell listened to Anthony with a displeased face. He had always felt uneasy about anything playing to someone else's tune, but now he was particularly wary. There is nothing free in this world, and whenever there was mention of honor and riches, there were simply incentives to give you direction, as some drive directs you to wherever they would like you to go.
" ... and it is with great humility that I present to you both your acceptance to Brave Hearts Academy. Be thankful that someone has gone out of their way to care so much for a couple of petty thieves."
Lovell felt infuriated. Not only had his future been decided, but it was going towards a rather dreadful direction. Going to an academy meant only one thing: his life as a free man was over. Anthony was particularly smitten when he saw the bulging vein on Lovell's head. Yvonne had berated him with all manner of insults because of Lovell and Derek, but now he felt like a small portion of his resentment began to melt away.
" I trust you will inform your unconscious comrade of your new arrangements when he wakes up. I will not be repeating myself. I will be seeing you again, though, if fate allows us to or if you somehow manage to find your way back here in my cell."
With a smug and satisfied look on his face, Anthony turned his back on the cell and left the room. The cell was quiet as Lovell was trying to bottle his fury. His current situation made him realize how easily subdued he was. He had always been living in poverty and swore he would create a better life for himself. He began living as a thief so that he wouldn't die of hunger in some gutter somewhere. Now, he was set to go risk his life in unfamiliar territories fighting against Horrors of all kinds and he couldn't even voice his protest. He had traded a gutter for a battlefield. He looked through the gaps of the cage and tried to get a better look at the ceiling, but the lighting was so poor that all he managed to do was notice how high up it was.
What am I doing?
How did it come to this?
What am I to do next?
Why is everything always so... unfair?
He threw a glance at the unconscious Derek and saw how peacefully he looked. For as long as he had known him, Derek had always been cheerful and joyful in his memories. What was the difference between them? Why had he always been able to smile no matter the situation? Why was he incapable of that simple action unless he felt he was getting justice for himself or harming those he considered deserving of it? It was only when he stole, hurt or conspired against others that he truly felt what others called joy.
Maybe I already know.
For me, it is only when I make the world hurt that I feel blissful. Forcing empathy, if you will.
Nobody will ever understand my pain if they have never felt it. What am I thinking? Who cares!!! Sometimes it's just fun to laugh at the misfortune of others. I don't need to justify it. Yes, I will survive this and anything else they throw at me. If it is my fate to face ruin, I will drag as many as I can with me.
A firm gaze was created in this dark room. He had experienced many things in his life that most did, but had never thought himself special or different. Now, he had clearly defined himself and what his ambitions were.
His smile slowly blossomed in the dark, and it would soon be seen in the light. As he swam in ideas on how to progress, he noticed that the breathing beside him changed. Derek was waking up.
" Lovell? Where are we this time? "
Lovell suddenly felt a little guilty. His only friend was now dragged into a mess he was partially responsible for. Not sure how exactly he was to react, he spoke in a relaxed and misleading manner to try and lighten the mood.
" Nowhere too grand. We were simply taken prisoners by the knights of Gravia, who preside over this remote town and are now comfortably staying in their cell blocks. Oh!, And this knight commander guy said he managed to get us a place to live, we should be going there in two days, so I wouldn't get too attached to this place. What else?..."
Derek quietly listened to his words and found himself amused. Lovell had always had a knack for lightening the mood, and he had to admit, the way he was telling the story was rather humorous.