Chapter 8: Unconventional Knight
"Well, how does it feel? I know I'm slightly taller, but I'm sure my clothes should fit you just fine," Bridge beamed as he leaned partially against the walls of his sleeping quarters with his arms crossed.
He was currently watching Arbus try on some of his casual clothing.
He had been kind enough to let Arbus use the shower in his room to wash up, since Arbus had still been covered in dried blood when they brought him in.
He wasn't exactly a prisoner, so there was no reason to let him remain in that state.
Plus, he didn't think it would be right to let him meet the Sentinel like that.
Yome had surprisingly thought the same as well.
The ship had landed on Paradis half an hour ago, settling in a parking station beside the Hold - the largest tower on the moon that dominated the skyline with its imposing silhouette.
They had been told to wait patiently for a while.
Arbus calmly adjusted the sleeves of the shirt.
"It's fine, thanks," he replied simply.
Then, he looked over at Bridge with a complicated expression.
This Knight - was rather unusual. Not only did he not care about the difference in rank between them, he also didn't seem to care about his appearance.
"…Honestly, I'm a bit confused on why you're helping me out so much. But I'm thankful nonetheless."
Bridge blinked in puzzlement.
"What's so confusing about it?"
Arbus stared at him blankly.
"I'm half-human. The son of a Reincarnator."
"…So?" Bridge said, his brow still raised.
Arbus studied his expression silently for several moments.
Shortly after, Bridge chuckled.
"I understand what you meant, Arbus. I'm not oblivious."
He exhaled deeply.
Then, he turned his gaze to meet Arbus's.
"I'm sure you've experienced no shortage of disdain and hatred from other Renegades so far. That must have truly been hard for you."
He shook his head slightly.
"…It's a bit sad, isn't it? The Renegades is an organisation built to protect the populace of Rendes and the victims of the Reincarnators."
"…And yet, it discriminates against those that can be considered the biggest victims in this war."
"It's unfair," Bridge muttered somberly.
Arbus's eyes widened.
He'd never expected to hear something like that from anyone before.
Bridge's dazzling smile returned.
"You don't have to worry about being treated any differently here. Well, at least not by me."
"…In a way, this crew is kind of in a similar position."
"We're all Red Mornans, the weakest of our species - looked down on by everyone."
"Yet, we didn't let that label define us."
"Just because we have a worse start doesn't mean we can't surpass everyone else!" he bellowed.
"We're still Renegades and we're still fighting to rise up the ranks little by little, until we prove everyone wrong."
Arbus said nothing as he took in the Knight's words with an unreadable expression.
What surprised him the most about this Knight was the fact that he couldn't seem to find the instinctual fear or wariness he always saw in the eyes of everyone who looked at him - in his.
Not even a hint.
'Such… a weird guy,' he thought.
"Your team doesn't seem to agree with your views though," he said bluntly, his thoughts drifting to the Red Mornan with ocean blue eyes filled with killing intent.
Bridge chuckled for a bit before sighing.
"Yeah, they really don't, but I can't blame them. You'll be surprised to know how many of them have had an encounter with a Reincarnator in their home Star System, or a member of the Second Chance group."
His gaze fell slightly.
"…Some have even lost their loved ones, as well."
"But trust me when I say they're all great people. The best people I've ever met, really."
"Especially our Vanguard, despite her um - intimidating personality," he mused.
He paused for a moment, then added slowly.
"Without her… I'm not sure where we'd be."
His thoughts wandered for a moment.
"Anyways, you should cheer up a bit. I know what happened on Terytl-B was truly tragic beyond belief."
"But you just killed a Reincarnator. That's something most Renegades will never get to do in their life, despite joining up for exactly that purpose."
"You should feel extremely proud that you managed to get vengeance for them."
Arbus's gaze grew somber.
"Vengeance, huh? …I don't think there's anything about that to be proud of."
"I would prefer saving their lives, instead."
Bridge said nothing as he noticed Arbus's complex expression.
He coughed awkwardly.
"Y-yeah, that makes sense. Um, we should probably head back to the main deck now. I'm sure the Sentinel is ready for us."
Arbus said nothing as he simply followed along.
His eyes followed the Knight for a few moments.
This Knight was completely different from almost everyone he had met in the last few years.
A part of him wanted to believe his words were the truth. That he truly understood Arbus to a certain degree.
But he simply couldn't bring himself to.
Both of them emerged from the room shortly after, sitting beside the others that were patiently waiting.
Bridge had already told Arbus the names of each of them at some point during their talk.
The ship's pilot, who he hadn't seen earlier, was called Caster. He was a tall Mornan with dirty blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
Arbus noticed the bandages beneath his clothes, most likely due to a recent injury. An anxious expression rested on the Mornan's features.
The woman who sat sprawled in a chair was Arya. The only other female Mornan on the crew besides their Vanguard.
The towering old Mornan in a bulky Knight's suit was called Damian.
The youngest member of the crew was simply called Trix, although everyone apparently knew that wasn't his real name. He still seemed as downcast as before.
And finally, the young Mornan with ocean blue eyes and dark blue hair, watching him like a hawk, was called Kai.
They all sat in silence, doing as their Vanguard and keeping their interactions with him minimal.
Arbus didn't really mind that.
After a while, the Vanguard - Yome, emerged from her quarters.
"I've been ordered to bring our guest up," she announced, her voice cutting through the quiet.
"…Bridge, you'll follow along. Everyone else, remain here and take care of the ship."
"There's no reason for all of us to go up."
Arya, the only other girl on the team, suddenly glanced towards Yome.
"What! That's not fair, we want to see the Hold too. Why does Bridge get to go!?"
Yome said nothing as her eyes met Arya's with a blank stare.
Arya slowly leaned back in her chair as she grumbled inaudibly.
"Understood, Vanguard Yome," came the hoarse voice of the towering old man that reminded Arbus of his grandfather in some ways.
Bridge nodded excitedly.
Then, the ship's door slowly hissed open as they strode out.