Eight years ago, Nek Atlas had been a scared, lonely figure in a bar in False Heaven, living with the realization that he was the clone of some tyrant Narrikian, brought to life for the purposes of the Anrufe. He had no magic. He was not advanced in technological proficiency. He had been depressed, thinking about ending it all... When he met Jay, his first real friend.
Since that day, when Jay had befriended Nek and showed him that there was still hope in the world, Nek had become much stronger. He had become confident in himself. He put the life that Ken Atlas had lived behind him. The only thing that was important was the life of Nek Atlas, apprentice to the Templar named Jay. He had served Jay faithfully.
And even though he had become a confident, bold man, he was almost trembling as he stood before Jay, just as he had done thousands of times before. Only, this was different. This was a special ceremony, and it would change Nek's life entirely. He had made the decision already, obviously, or else he would not be standing here. This was more of a formality for the people watching... But still.
Could Nek really take on the tasks of becoming a Templar?
Nek shoved these thoughts out of his mind. He wanted to help Jay. He wanted to help Jay rebuild his people. And after all, this was a very important ceremony. Jay would no longer be alone. He would no longer be Jay, last of the Templars, Warrior of the Light. Jay would change, and so would Nek and Inari... But then, Nek realized, he'd been changing for the last eight years. They all had.
"Yes, Master," Nek replied with a wide, stupid grin on his face.
