The Second Side

Prologue

There was once a leader among men.

When a war broke out between those who could harness magic and those who couldn't, many were scared. They feared that those with the gift of magic would bewitch them, or set their towns alight from miles away. These ignorant people knew nothing of magic and how it worked, but the fear was there nonetheless. Invading every waking thought, until it consumed people. Fear was more their enemy than magic ever was. Many thought that they might never feel safe again.

But then came a warrior. He commanded no legions, he held no high rank. In fact, if he had then maybe the war may have had a very different outcome. But he didn't, and the end was the end. No, he was just a soldier like any other. The only difference was he lacked their fear.

His skills were legendary. His enemies would fall before they even saw him coming, and all they would hear in their last moments was the sound of his flashing blade. He was a Swordsman, but not the kind we see today, for this was before we began to count time. A time before Swordsmen and Shielders ever clashed army upon army. Once, they fought as one. United. A Swordsman and a Shielder would always fight in pairs, as partners. You knew your partner better than you knew yourself, and you counted on them to save your life. And it was this blind trust that ultimately led to our young hero's end. You don't expect a stab in the back from the person who is supposed to be watching yours.

Our young hero's name, as you might well know, was Raphael. His skill was legendary and many men would have gladly followed him into death had he told them to do so. He had the sort of power that comes from reverential respect. Often, he was offered the chance to lead, but he always declined. His warrior's mind was best left on the battlefield, he claimed.

There was another young man who fought by his side. Not quite able to match him in skill perhaps, but had a mind like no other. He was a Shielder, sworn to protect just as Raphael was sworn to slay. On the battlefield, the pair were unequalled. Raphael trusted him more than anyone, even though this ultimately led to his undoing. This man's name, as you might well know, was Cain.

And then one day, as the story tells us, Raphael disappeared. He vanished into the night and was never seen again, while just as mysteriously Cain remained. Rumours swirled around about the manner of his disappearance, whether he was murdered or was simply a deserter. None would ever know the truth.

But before that, he was a leader among men.