Knights of Trinith (OLD/DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 4: A Venture Begins

  Months have passed since the quarrel between Rayven and Ìlios, and the harmed knight has recovered since then. Upon leaving Kryo's chambers, he makes his way to Págos' throne room to get updates of how the kingdom has been going, curiosity taking hold of him more and more with each step. While walking however, he notices more banners upon the walls, where the Ice Kingdom's insignia once was before. Worried of a coup that may have took place, he rushed faster to the throne room, fear riddled in his psyche.
  "What are those crests...? Why are they over our banners...?! What is going on?!" Rayven thought to himself. "How long was I unconscious for? Weeks? Months? Years...?"
  He hesitated as his subconscious strangled his observations while rushing on, forcing him to ponder hard. The insignias he saw above him looked as though they were from Lord Ìlios' kingdom, but they weren't orange as they had been previously. It was a bright cyan, like Págos' banners. They waved on, hanging between the windows in the icy walls, from the sheer cold wind gusting through the hall.
  "Is it a coup—?", he thought "—or is it... an alliance?"
  The thought of an alliance taking place amongst bitter rivals stumped him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth as he gulped. After all, the kingdoms of Ice and Fire have been enemies for eons. Ever since the First Great War of Trinith.
  Finally making it to the grand double doors to his Queen's quarters, he opened them with haste, only to see her very throne room covered in accented Fire Kingdom cloth and metals. The sinister golden hue contrasted the great sapphire Rayven once admired every second of. The scarlet travesty that was of Fire coated over the cobalt silk that was of his home. Between it all was his love, her appearance being the only pure thing left in this room to him anymore after seeing such disgrace. Outraged, he stormed over in desperation, needing to know what had happened to his beloved kingdom whilst he recovered.
  "Págos...?! My lady, what has happened?!" Rayven cried out, holding back his anger.
  "Rayven...?! Y-you have arisen! Thank Winter!!~" Págos exclaimed with a blissful cheer, seemingly ignoring Rayven's confusion.
  She ran to him from her icy throne, seeking to hold him in her arms once more. However, as she had reached him to do so, he backed up from her touch with a hesitant disgust.
  "L-little bird...? What is the matter?" she asked Rayven, taken aback by his swift step back.
  "What is the meaning of this...? What happened whilst I was unconscious...?!" he demanded to know, his paranoia clouding his judgement to his beloved Queen.
  Realizing what has him in a fearful awe, Págos lowered her head in sorrow upon being ignorant to his confusion.
  "I-it has been two months, Rayven... The Kingdom of Ice attempted it's greatest efforts. However... Trinith may be going to war once again..." she said lowly, clenching her hands together over her chest.
  "A-another... war...? So then the Kingdom of Fire—?"
  "—Is our ally. It seems this war is due to controversy against the Kingdom of the Oceans. Whatever it may be, Ilios has pledged allegiance to Winter; as has those of the Sea to an unknown adversary."
  The knight was dumfounded by this, staying still like a statue. It all seemed like a horrible nightmare to him, and as so, caused him to pinch himself in the arm. In the end, he sadly didn't wake up from this horrid dream.
  "Huh?! Sir Rayven, please do not pinch yourself!" Págos exclaimed to him.
  "M-my apologies... But... who is this adversary you speak of, may I ask?" Rayven asked, rubbing where he pinched.
  "We aren't sure, sadly. Although, we have heard that they possess great strength."
  Págos took a sharp breath, glancing away at the large glass windows etched into the great walls aside from them. "Even bestowing the power of Vitalis himself..."
  Rayven's eyes opened widely at this, causing him to faulter bit.
  "Vitalis?! The God of Death?!"  he thought to himself in shock, hesitant to speak out of his insecure cowardice at this name.
  "How could somebody fathom the power of Vitalis?! Even during another Great War as well... This is bad."
  "You now see why we became allies with those of Fire, no?"
  "Yes, indeed... I understand now... With more casualties comes strength for Vitalis, so by working together, we limit this casualty count."
  "Precisely, little bird. There is also another thing I may ask of you, if you are up to the task..."
  Rayven's head perked up at her words, ready for any command his queen may give him. Quickly going into a salute, he prepares for anything.
  "Yes my Lady?"
  "Pfft, hehe... I require you to search for something that can counter the power of Vitalis. All known whereabouts of this are only left in rumors, however... In the end, I believe you can find it." Págos stated, a reassuring grin gracing her lips.
  "Something to counter the God of Death...? What ever could you mean my queen?" Rayven asked, confused by this statement.
  "An Acolyte of Light, little bird."
  Rayven's expression under his mask shifted to that of total disbelief. After all, an Acolyte of Light was simply just part of a children's tale. That of sins and virtues, being used to control Light and Dark. However, it was only a story made by philosophers long ago who wanted to teach the youth of right from wrong. So then, why would Págos ask Rayven to search for such a thing?
  "M-my queen... Art thou asking me to seek for that of children's legend...?" he asked for clarification, and in return, she nodded. "You ask me of the impossible...! H-how would I find that which doesn't exist?"
  "It is because they do exist, little bird." Págos answered, surprising Rayven to wit's end. "Vitalis and his kingdom already have ahold of the serpent of Envy... Their desire to have more than what they can withstand being in control of the God of Death."
  Rayven: the knight whom had awoken from his near vital burns just moments ago, had met face to face with a new journey ahead of him. One that could possibly lead to an endless adventure to search for the seven virtues; the Acolytes of Light.
  "I only trust thou with such a mission. I-I hope you understand, my little bird..." Págos stated with a sad smile, a tear brimming down her pale soft cheeks.
  "I understand, my lady. If gathering these virtues is what is takes to save the kingdom, then so I shall do." the knight reassured, lowering down to one knee.
  "Thou command is what I seek, my lady... I sincerely apologise for my previous actions."
  "No need to apologise, dear Rayven... All I beseech of you is to do this mission for me... If you so desire, I can provide you with other knights—" Págos began, before Rayven spoke out in a reassuring tone.
  "I-it is alright, my lady... I work better when alone on missions..."
  With a keen sense and a steady blade, Rayven was known for his dexterity when in solo combat, his swiftness being noted enough to allow him to boast only a single straightsword and no shield in combat. After all, he wouldn't need something so clunky in his way. If not even a shield, why would a lethargic glutton in plated steel be any better?
  Shortly after this meeting had adjourned, Rayven gave his queen a kiss, and made his way out of her quarters. Looking out the window to see the vast Kingdom of Ice below him; the crystal cobalt hue below him shining brightly, the cracks of the ice piercing through in the light as if like a cut sapphire.
"This is the last time I shall see this place for quite some time, is it?" he thought to himself.
"It is a shame... Pagos shall remain here, along with Kryos, and Xyvol... She shall be safe."
  Although he had thought this, Rayven couldn't help but to feel anxious in the end. He had never been outside of the Kingdom of Ice, so now that he was assigned a mission that could lead him... anywhere, has led to a sense of discomfort. However, his comfort won't help the Kingdom win in this ensuing war.
  After a rather lengthy time preparing rations, whetstones, water canteens, a couple magical scrolls, and a lengthy empty journal, Rayven strapped on his now filled bags around his waist guard and set off to the unknown. What awaits him outside the great ice walls of his beloved home is a mystery, but if it is to save all he loves from the swift hand of death, then so be it.

  ...

    Hours had passed in what felt like an eternity as Rayven walked down the barren cobble path, sprinkled in a peaceful white powdery snow. The chills of Winter's touch were comforting to the homesick knight, for all but mere moments. The snow slowly died down to that but a brisk rain as he finally passed the border from the Kingdom of Ice to the outskirts of land between kingdoms.
  This was known as the Outlands: the land of lawless bastards, murderous intent, and a fair amount of lackluster knowledge of just about anything. It was said that some of the most dangerous monsters resided in the great plains and mountains surrounding here, since they were driven out of their old homes: where the Kingdoms of Trinith set up. Residents that live here for other reasons than to murder one another, were strictly here for one thing, and one thing only.

Hunting.
 
"I hope I do not run into any hunters here." Rayven thought to himself. "They tend to be obnoxious about their self-proclaimed 'achievements'."
  Up ahead in the distance, far along the horizon, had been a village. No, a town! Seeing civilized life here in the Outlands surprised Rayven, his eyes widening at the sight.
  "Who in their damned minds would reside in this living Hell?!" the knight thought to himself. "They must be idiots!"
  Soon, Rayven would see that he was not only right, but how oddly lucky he is to have been so.