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Desperate to escape his family, Gerard Vives Vallverdú joined the Hellknights as soon as he was old enough. He was too honest to lie about his age and enlist early, even tho his father grew more and more aggressive as Gerard grew tall enough to seem threatening. At least, he would later grimly reflect, his father had given him plenty of experience in dodging blows and receiving them without complaint.
As an armiger of the order, he thrived. Pointless brutality and purposeless cruelty were replaced by deliberate brutality and efficient cruelty. They had enough to eat--there was no need to starve them, except for endurance training. He was beaten when he did something wrong, rather than because his father wanted to feel powerful. He did not often think of his place in the world, instead fully occupied by the task in front of him and the strict schedule, but when he did, it was with satisfaction. He could be used for something important.
Eventually, training ended and they were deployed to the Worldwound. It was cold, it was miserable, but their policies and procedures were as dependable as their stone fortress. But no routine survives contact with the enemy. After three sleepy months, their patrol was ambushed by demons. Their Hellknight leader fell, after taking down several; two thirds of the armigers died. One demon made it away, wounded and leaking blood. Gerard had taken a serious wound to his leg, and surveyed the battlefield and the ruin of their patrol, and prayed.