Ages ago, somewhere in the universe, lived a devoted child. His entire life was a service to duty, never questioning the toll it took on himself, and on others.
He followed the principles of his world to the letter. Too respectful. Too obedient.
It consumed him. Every command, every rule, he obeyed without hesitation. Freedom had become a forgotten word. He had become so broken he could stop breathing… just because he was told.
And so he lived, drowning in the echoes of duty.
***
According to the game, every character in this world had been dragged here by the gods between the ages of sixteen and eighteen against their will.
Halo felt a chill. What did that mean for him? Were the others like him, or was he the only real human in a world full of NPCs?
If so, he hoped they were at least the nice kind of NPCs, the ones who say "Hello, traveler," not "I will stab you for walking near my cabbage."
"Stop right there! Who are you, and what do you want?"
The voice was deep, echoing, unnervingly ghostly. Halo froze. At least he understood the language. That was something.
The man in black armor locked eyes with him, his gaze piercing like a blade. Halo hesitated.
There was a catch.
Before the gate the man guarded, Halo could see brick roofs peeking above the walls. A safe land. So why demand his identity?
He didn't even look suspicious… well, besides looking like someone who crawled out of a nightmare forest.
"You can't speak?" The echoy voice came again.
Halo stayed silent. The guard shifted, tired, perhaps impatient. Halo wasn't anyone important, but even his unreadable expression should have given the guard some clue. But that wasn't enough.
Giving his name wouldn't help. The guard wanted trust, and Halo couldn't admit he'd transmigrated here, or reveal his Purpose.
He lacked the norms of this world.
What if being an Awakened this early wasn't normal? He might be forced to reveal something he had to keep secret. Higher ranks, like Knights, were more common and more acceptable.
The guard stepped forward, armor creaking, his hand on sword. Halo exhaled and spoke first.
"Name's Halo. I'm an Awakened."
His fist clenched, tense, hoping it wouldn't escalate. The man's eyes narrowed beneath the helmet.
"You mean… you just finished your time at the academy?" His voice was calm now, confused rather than threatening.
Halo blinked at the shift.
Okay, so the scary armored man could change moods fast. Great.
"Should've guessed. Your uniform gives it away." He added.
The guard resumed his stance, sword tip on the ground, hands on the hilt. Halo stayed still, unsure if he was allowed inside. He didn't see the point, unless entering got him closer to Silent Hill, he preferred answers first.
"What should I do now?" he asked, keeping his distance.
The man said nothing, holding Halo's gaze as if trying to read his mind.
"Students run from the academy all the time. But… did you just say you're an Awakened?"
Before Halo could answer, the man spoke again.
"Aren't you supposed to go home?"
A chill ran down Halo's spine. This was what he had feared, but for the first time, he felt a spark of confidence. He could turn this to his advantage.
"Yes… but I barely had three days before I was forced to return to my Purpose."
The man sighed, disappointed, shaking his head. "When they want to, the gods can be truly menacing."
Halo smiled inwardly. He had to.
Menacing was putting it lightly. Kidnapping teenagers and sending them on divine errands was… bold.
"I'm sure you don't know much about the lands. The academy never really teaches that."
He tried for a sarcastic sneer, but his body felt stiff and rigid. Lately, it hardly mirrored his mood. He was on a rollercoaster between vivid expression and pallid emptiness.
"I am Noah, and I am a Knight."
The gate behind him groaned open. Halo stepped back instinctively. Another armored figure pushed it wider with ease. How could anyone be that strong? Was the armor made of feathers?
The sun rose behind them as Noah removed his helmet. A clean-shaven face, dark hair neatly styled, and a carefully groomed mustache.
"Come on, Halo. I'll show you around." He began walking toward the estate. Halo hesitated, starving, tired, desperate for answers, but concluded: Follow, but flee if things go south.
He followed.
Past the towering walls, more than a dozen brick houses stood with modest windows. Few people moved along the streets, dressed in either medieval clothing or combat uniforms. Tables in front of buildings suggested markets, though it was too early for anyone to attend them.
"Don't worry, Halo," Noah said, waiting for him to close the distance. "My Flaw is duty. Looking back, I see how much my choices hurt the people I loved. Funny, isn't it?"
Halo processed the words as they walked. Flaws were supposed to harm oneself or loved ones, but duty? It made sense. Being bound to duty could be just as cutting as any Flaw.
He now deeply feared what his own Flaw might do. Hopefully not "uncontrollable sarcasm."
They reached a building with windows flanking the door and above it. A staircase wrapped around to a balcony. Noah gestured him in. Lanterns lit the interior, resting on walls and three tables with benches.
Halo frowned. No beds. Did they sleep on the tables or not at all?
Was this a "rest area" or an interrogation room with snacks?
"Sit," Noah said. "Me? I'm a Knight. Sleep and I broke up a long time ago."
"You defend this land?" Halo asked, lowering himself onto a bench.
"Yes… until it's no more. Tiresome, you'll learn soon enough."
Halo nodded, awkwardly. He knew nothing about Knights, barely surviving as an Awakened while his best friend reached Lost Lord rank. Ten kills weren't easy with his limits.
But hunger came first.
"Can I get something to eat? And… help me find a hill?"