A failed launch on the Dark Lord's Lair leaves Light's Hand in shambles, forcing a younger generation to rise above the ranks. A new Champion is titled, re-paving an old path for the crusaders. The secrets of ancient texts spoke of salvation, but at...
The remnants of Light's Hand travel across the Desolate Valley, back to their homes. Their mission to stop the Dark Lord has failed, they carry their fallen comrades to rest peacefully in the village of Zødius.
A team of horses cross the river that divides the Deotoro Forest from Zødius, the mountain base colony. The end of the river stream led to a glorious ocean of water, that would fall into the Depths of Scrious. The endless run of water would mist, as the sun would shine on each drop of water giving a subtle reflection of light, in the seemingly endless chasm.
"Open the gate" A voice called out from a tower near the small gateway leading to the humble village. Inside the walls, Sir Elias greets the surviving knights with surprise. "What happened?" He asked while counting the dismounting grand master.
The Grand Master sits in a silence beside his horse, facing the knights behind him.
"Executus betrayed us." Damien told the young knight. The other looked amongst each other, feeling Damien spoke out of turn, by interrupting the grand master remorse. But, they still felt the icy touch of Executus, thus overcome with suffering once more.
Clugaol looked down with disappointment then back to Uriel; mourning her passing once more. "We have failed." The Grand Master spoke with pain in his heart.
Odessa runs to Tirion with a loving embrace, "I have spent my nights, laying awake worrying for your life," she jumps into his arms. "each night I felt the comfort of your love." She said, gently pressing her lips on the young knight.
"I spoke to the stars of my unconditional love." he said, with his betrothed nestled in his arms; Their hearts connected he felt the love that inspired him to persevere through his darkest hours.
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The knights slept heavy with the exhausted heart of a warrior. All except Aiden Lochard, haunted by his memories of the fallen comrades, by the hand of Executus. Images flash with each blink, forever burned into his memory. The last expression of his master, and best friend. A brother to him. Aiden sat on the side of his bed, cradling his head. The pain in his heart could not understand his reality, and that's when he heard the voice.
"Beware..." Aiden could hear the voice clearly. "Betrayer...."
The voice spoke again, and now Aiden looked around his room for the source. He felt a familiar voice, but hard for him to visualize the face from the unnatural whispers.
"Who is that?" He asked still searching the dark, and empty room lit by the dim shine of the moon.
The Sun rose late the following morning; the farmhands were already tending to their stock by the time Tirion awoke. Odessa's hand stretched across his chest -- lost in each others eyes. Tirion wanted to preserve this moment forever, but his responsibilities lay with Light's Hand, so he proceeded to the temple grounds above the Grand Hill.
The young knights stood silent along the wall. The table of empty chairs created an eerie feeling to the few occupied seats. As Tirion enters the room, the grand master waits for the knight to sit, before speaking.
"There are many questions to be addressed." Clugaol said, standing from his chair, looking around at the concerned faces of the young knights. "We must not let this failure destroy us." He says, "We must refocus our energy on peace, once more. The path of the warrior will no longer define us." He says, the room stayed silent.
"What of the scourge?" Aiden asked from his seat.
"They are a threat that will be dealt with." Clugaol responds. "But, we must return to our duties. We are all children of the stars, thus, we all have the capacity to wield the light." He says.
"The Light has failed us." Damien rebukes. "We cannot adjust their training so late in the process." he informs the grand master.
"Our knights are gifted." Clugaol says, silencing the headmaster. "they will adapt to their blessing, so long as they receive proper training." he says to the room.
"I'm curious." the headmaster asked, feeling instigated. "Who gave you authority to lead this guild?" he asked the grand master.
"Why is this on your mind at the moment?" Clugaol quickly questioned. 'Perhaps your intentions will reveal themselves' he thought to himself while locking eyes with Damien. The headmaster sat defeated in his chair.
"There is no choice." Clugaol began, "Some of you must rise above the ranks if there is to remain a hope for peace." the grand master announced to the room. "The Path of Light will shine once more. We must maintain our diplomacy with the East if we want to stop the undead advance." the grand master informs. "We will enact new titles when our minds are clear." he says without even a glance towards the Headmaster, "for now, embrace your loved ones and neighbors, I fear our war has only just begun." Clugaol says, dismissing the younger knight from the chapel room.
The Crusaders at the table sat still, each of them seeming eager to discuss what they felt from the assault. Curious as to who would lead them, though each had different ideas of who could lead the most efficient.
"What will we do Grand Master?" Rhegar asked breaking the silence.
"We shall preserve what we still possess." Clugaol answers.
