Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 89: Promises are easy

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Promises are easy

Cassian turned around to find it was Alistair, who was shouting his name.

Cassian! Keren is asking about you. You should go and see him. Alistair said with some guilt in his voice. He was avoiding meeting cassian’s eyes.

He was not able to meet Cassian eyes, he had really failed him. He is really weak to be trapped in a dream by a filthy monster. It was a shame of his life.

The trianees is still young, they have a reason but what about him. His mind was still not strong as cassian. That any nasty creature was able to control him.

Cassian nooded at the old man and start walking towards the Alistair.

The small room was dimly lit by the morning sunlight peeping from the window. Cassian stood near the window with his arms crossed over his chest as he gazed at the forest beyond.

The room was silent as each of the room’s occupants was lost in their own thoughts. cassian’s sword rested against the wall with its blade now clean of the dark ichor it had shed earlier.

Around him his group sat in uncomfortable silence. Alistair Crawford, with his broad shoulders slumped, leaned against the wall with his jaw clenched tightly.

Morren Roneyev ran a hand through his disheveled hair while avoiding everyone’s gaze. Oronik Faelor fidgeted with the strap of his glove while his eyes were fixed on the floor. keren was busy figditing with his herbs..

Finally it was Oronik who broke the silence. "Cassian, I—" he paused as if the words were too heavy to form. "I am sorry. I should have.... I let myself get caught in that monster’s trap."

Cassian turned and his sharp gaze landed on him. His face betrayed no emotion but his silence was enough to show his anger.

"It wasn’t just you Oronik," Alistair said. His deep voice carried both guilt and frustration. He straightened and took a step forward with his fists clenched tightly.

"We are knights, who are trained to resist manipulation and to stay sharp in any situation. And yet we—" His voice broke for a moment. "We let you down Cassian. We let each other down."

Morren let out a bitter laugh. His voice was tinged with self-loathing. "Let us not sugarcoat it. We fell for its tricks like fools. Illusions? We are supposed to see through those. But instead we were lost while Cassian fought alone."

Oronik finally looked up and his green eyes were filled with shame. "We have faced countless battles together Cassian. We have fought armies, beasts, and monsters far worse than this one. But this time..." His voice faltered. "This time we failed you. I failed you."

Cassian remained silent for a long moment as his gaze swept over his companions. He could see the genuine remorse in their face. He let out a quiet sigh and turned away again with his low voice.

"You did not fail me," he said. His word silenced the room as he continued. "You failed yourselves."

Everyone’s expression ashen as this words cut deeper than any blade could.

"I trusted all of you to be strong," Cassian continued with his back still turned. "Not just with your swords but with your minds. You have proven yourselves time and time again in battle. Yet tonight you let the shadows of your own desires and fears consume you."

Keren flinched at his words and Oronik lowered his head again. Morren gritted his teeth and his hands balled into fists.

Cassian turned back to face them and his piercing gaze met each of theirs in turn.

"But do you think I came out of this unscathed?" his hands clenched at his sides. "Do you think I did not feel the pull of that monsters’s lies? It used illusions of someone I..." He paused and his jaw tightened. "Someone I care about. It tried to exploit my weakness just as it did yours."

His words left the room in stunned silence. The weight of his confession hit them harder than any reprimand could.

"But the difference," Cassian continued, "is that I refused to give in. Not because I am stronger than any of you but because I knew the lives of innocent people depended on me.

The monster try every possible means to exploit your greatest regret and fear but, it has to be you who should not allow anyone to play with your mind and fear ."

Alistair’s voice trembled as he spoke again. "You are right. We let our guard down. We let ourselves be blinded. And because of that we—" his voice cracked and he looked away as guilt consumed his eyes.

In the corner Orion shifted uncomfortably and broke the heavy silence. Cassian turned his gaze toward the trainees. His expression grew hard.

"You five," he said in a sharp tone. "Do you think this is the time to sit and sulk? Your mistakes cost an entire village its safety. Instead of helping, you ruined what little hope they had."

Orion opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it when Cassian’s piercing glare landed on him. Llyris gripped his brother’s arm tightly while Ivis clenched his fist tightly.

"You are trainees. That does not excuse you of your actions," Cassian continued. "The villagers needed protection and you ruin their village and make them fear you even more. This is not about your inexperience. It is about your carelessness."

The trainees nodded silently. Shame was written all over their faces.

Cassian’s voice became softer but remained firm. "You cannot undo what has been done. You can help rebuild what was destroyed. Go and help the villagers.

Take responsibility for your actions. Show them that knights, even those in training, do not abandon their duties."

The trainees rose slowly with their heads lowered. Orion stepped forward first. His voice was barely above a whisper. "We will make it right, sir hayes. We promise", others also echoed his words.

"Promises are easy," Cassian replied with an unwavering gaze. "Actions are what matter. Go now."

The trainees left the room in silence. Their steps were heavy with guilt.

Cassian turned back to the rest of his group and left them alone in the room, he walked outside the little house in silence.

Everyone look at the back of Cassian and gulped nervously, they have never seen him this angry.

Collectively, all of them looks towards Keren, who has not spoken a single word from start. he was still busy studying his herbs and making who knows what potion.

Keren felt their gaze on him and he furrowed his brows, it was hard to work when so many pairs of eyes were staring at you.

What? Keren asked them in an irritating voice.

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