Of Light and Dark

Arogant Knight

      The night was closing in and Artorias was once again in his chambers. Laying in his bed he was thinking of the enemies that he may face. "Truly nothing can be more dangerous than dragons" he thought. "Why would the king want me to have a full escort?" Artorias said to himself. After all these years of service, does the king truly start to doubt my skill and faith?" The answer followed through the shadows as Chandra stepped from the shadows.
          "I am the one who advised the king to send a party with you." Once again Artorias was not surprised by Chandra's skill of stealth, he knew her well and knew what to expect. "If anything happens to you" Chandra continued "then the kingdom will lose it's champion and I will lose my friend" she lay beside him and looked into his eyes, a sad smile spread across her face.  I have seen dreams of you drowning in the dark and no more light will ever see your soul. I do not wish that steam to pass" she finished. Artorias smiled at her and said
          " Nothing will ever happen to me as long as you are in my heart." Artorias waited for Chandra to fall asleep and as soon as she did so, he quietly stood from his bed and carefully strapped his armor on himself. He took his sword and looked at his beloved Chandra one last time. Artorias knew that without an escort he may not return from the lands yet unknown to him, still he wanted all the glory from himself.
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      He strode through the night away from his holy land that he's protected for so long. He followed a path that led to a sacred forest full of hunters and their prey. It took him almost half a day to reach the forest. At lady he arrived to the sacred grounds of the hunters. He slowly started walking through the forest when he noticed how quiet it was. All he heard was the wind blowing off the grass and leaves. He drew his sword to be prepared. "Better be prepared" he muttered to himself. The silence was disturbed by an arrow that was meant to kill him. Artorias drew him blade up and split the arrow in two. He heard a yell a man covered in leather armor rushed at him. Artorias easily blocked an attack and quickly countered by letting his foes head depart from his shoulders. Artorias sighed "The fool should have stayed hidden." No arrows followed for those in the shadows knew that this time the prey was too good to hunt. Artorias send hundreds of men into the afterlife in a few short swings. But he had no time for a brawl as he had to save the kingdom of Oolacile. He walked towards a ruined tower. Before he had the chance he heard a growling as a large gray cat appeared on his left. The cat spoke surprising him.
          "Why doe thou kill my servants? What business does thou have here in my forest?" Asked the cat. Artorias replied.
          "You can ask them the same question. Ah but I am Artorias the first knight of the king Gwyn. My mission is to travel to the ancient kingdom of Oolacile and save it from the curse." The cat considered his answer and went on.
          "Aye indeed this the only way to enter the ancient kingdom. Still it is for me to decide wether or not you are worthy of my blessing" The knight grew impatient and asked
          "Well out with it then." Artorias spat.
          "Below us there is a sea and in that sea lives there lives a hydra, you must kill it and then perhaps...the blessing shall be granted to thee." Artorias had no time for this. He said.
          "I wish not for your blessing, I must go to Oolacile with... or without your damn blessings."
          "Very well you may go" the cat said. Artorias was surprised the cat agreed so easily. From above a broken pendant landed in his palm. "Go ahead then" the cat said at last. Artorias came forward close to a wall covered with moss and vines, in a few seconds a dark portal opened inside of the wall and a giant hand covered in darkness stretched out to him and violently grabbed him. Artorias was beginning to panic, he could not reach for his sword and he was helpless. The cat had tricked him he thought. Then he knew no more.