Sub-Chapter 4.1 - The Eyes of the Kingdom
The Great Pope Palace
The fire crackled softly in the quiet living chamber of the Great Pope Palace.The room smelled faintly of incense and old parchment. Tall windows allowed the moonlight to slip across the marble floor, illuminating the towering shelves of ancient scriptures that surrounded the chamber.
Ancient scriptures lined the walls from floor to ceiling.
Their leather spines carried centuries of prayers, wars, and forgotten miracles.
Before the fireplace sat The Great Pope Lucas Garendra III.
He held a glass of red wine loosely in one hand, watching the flames dance inside the hearth. The crackling fire reflected in his calm eyes.
Then, a soft knock disturbed the silence.
Lucas did not turn.
"Enter."
The door opened slowly.
A young nun stepped inside and bowed her head respectfully.
"Father… Captain of the Umbral Phantoms, Elrich Stood has arrived."
Lucas did not turn immediately.
He stared into the fire as if searching for answers within the flames.
"Send him in."
Moments later, a lean tall man cloaked in dark garments entered the chamber.
His movements were silent, almost ghostlike.
Elrich knelt before the Pope.
"Your Holiness."
Lucas gestured slightly.
"Report."
Elrich lifted his head as he removes the hoodie cloak from his head. His sharp elf ears make his silhouette on the wall like a devil.
"The Arcana Captains gathered tonight in the Zorel Mountains."
Lucas listened quietly.
"They held a private meeting deep within the forest. Commander Lucifell announced he and the Captain of Eclipse Guard, Azazel will depart at dawn."
"Lucifell gathers his captains in the dark… yet the kingdom sleeps peacefully."
Lucas lifted the wine glass slowly.
"To where?"
"The Dark Elven Forest."
A brief silence filled the chamber.
Lucas leaned slightly forward.
"And why would the Nightbringer ride into a cursed forest willingly?"
Elrich answered calmly.
"To meet a warlord known as Lavik the Cutterbones."
The fire snapped loudly.
Lucas whispered the name slowly.
"Lavik…"
"A butcher who carved his throne from the bones of fallen armies."
Elrich continued.
"There is another reason for that"
Lucas's eyes sharpened.
"Speak."
"Oracle squadron confirmed that The army of Underworld Kingdom has begun its march."
The Pope's calm expression finally shifted.
"How long?"
"Three weeks, at most."
Lucas stood slowly.
"And their route?"
Elrich pointed to a map placed upon the table.
"They will emerge from the far side of the Dark Elven Forest."
Lucas stared at the map.
"So Lucifell intends to form an alliance."
"With Lavik controlling the forest's territory, yes."
Lucas chuckled quietly.
"Interesting."
He turned back to the fire.
"Tell me, Elrich… do you know what truly frightens me about Lucifell?"
Elrich remained silent.
Lucas answered his own question.
"One day… the people of this kingdom might believe more in the Nightbringer than in the Church itself."
He stared into the fire.
"That man is far more dangerous than any enemy army."
The flames' reflection danced in his eyes.
"And faith, once stolen… is impossible to reclaim."
The Royals Palace
Far above the sleeping capital city, the wind brushed gently across the South Roof of the Royal Palace.
The city below glittered with lantern lights.
Standing near the edge of the Royals Palace's rooftop was The Queen of Mournvale Kingdom Shenly Quirsa Voyage. Her black obsidian gown flowed gently with the midnight breeze as she gazed toward the sky.
Then a shadow appeared above the clouds.
A griffin.
The powerful wings of a griffin sliced silently through the night air.
The beast descended gracefully onto the rooftop.
Upon its back sat Donnie Ab Kelenzy, Captain of the Oracle Squadron.
The griffin landed without a sound, protected by Donnie's stealth magic.
Donnie stepped down and knelt before the queen.
"My Queen."
Shenly smiled faintly.
"You're late."
"My apologies. Observing the Arcana Captains was not simple."
Donnie kept his head lowered.
Shenly folded her arms.
"So… what did our Nightbringer decide tonight?"
Donnie answered.
"He will depart at dawn with Captain Azazel from Eclipse Guard squadron."
"To where?"
Her eyes sparkled with interest.
"The Dark Elven Forest."
Shenly tilted her head slightly.
"To meet Lavik the Cutterbones? Lucifell will try to negotiate with that warlord about forming an alliance against the army of the Underworld Kingdom."
Donnie blinked in surprise.
"You already knew??"
"My dear Donnie… nothing interesting happens in my kingdom without me hearing about it."
She stepped closer to the edge of the rooftop.
"The Nightbringer walks a very dangerous path."
Donnie hesitated.
"Do you believe he intends to betray the crown?"
Shenly folded her arms.
"I believe Lucifell belongs to no crown."
She paused.
"And that is exactly why he frightens everyone."
Her voice softened slightly.
"But if such a man must exist…"
Her eyes glimmered with something dangerous.
"…then perhaps he should stand beside me instead."
Yet beneath that calculation…
Something far more personal stirred inside her thoughts.
An obsession she rarely allowed herself to admit.
If a man like Lucifell must exist…
Perhaps he should belong beside the throne.
Beside her.
Northern Naval Base
At the northern bay of Mournvale.
The sea crashed violently against the rocky shore.
Rows of military tents burned with torchlight.
Twenty royal guards surrounded a large war pavilion.
Inside the tent stood The King of the Mournvale Kingdom, John Voyage. He stared silently toward the dark ocean horizon.
Behind him, the tent flap opened, then an armored figure stepped inside.
Kahn Lamh Aquila, Captain of the Dread Cavalry, stepped inside and knelt.
"My king."
John did not turn.
"Report."
Kahn spoke clearly.
"The Arcana Captains gathered tonight in the Zorel Mountains."
John chuckled.
"So the Nightbringer sharpens his claws again."
Kahn continued.
"He will depart at dawn with Captain Azazel."
"Destination?"
John turned slowly.
"The Dark Elven Forest."
John poured himself a drink.
"And the reason?"
"To meet Lavik the Cutterbones."
The king laughed quietly.
"That savage warlord…"
"And why would he bother with that butcher?"
"Because an Underworld Kingdom army is already marching."
John froze.
"How long?"
"Three weeks."
John laughed quietly.
He walked toward the tent entrance.
"The Church fears him…"
"The nobles whisper about him…"
"And my queen watches him like a hawk."
He stared toward the distant mountains.
"One day, the Nightbringer might decide the crown itself is unnecessary."
Kahn remained silent.
John sighed.
"And yet…"
He raised his drink.
"…without him, this kingdom would already be ashes."
Sub-Chapter 4.2 - Dawn of The Road
The Eclipse Hall of Eventide Castle was silent except for the flickering of candlelight.The massive round table of grey stone glowed beneath candlelight.
Lucifell sat calmly at the head.
Azazel sat to his right.
Azazel leaned casually in his chair.
Alice sat to his left.
she leaned forward with crossed arms.
Marvelerick sat proudly, Runagard remained quiet, and Tigris observed silently; they filled the remaining seats.
And above Lucifell…
A tiny figure sat quietly upon his head.
Alquine.
The small fairy crossed her legs gently while resting both hands on his hair.
She said nothing.
Her small eyes watched the room carefully.
She was worried.
But she refused to show it.
Like a mother silently watching her child leave for battle… she simply stayed close.
Lucifell spoke.
"The army of Underworld Kingdom is marching."
The room fell silent.
"They will appear from behind the Dark Elven Forest in three weeks."
Runagard nodded slowly.
"So that is why you're meeting Lavik."
Lucifell nodded.
"Yes."
Marvelerick leaned forward.
"Then we should all go."
Tigris shook his head.
"A full army entering Lavik's territory would start a war immediately."
Alice slammed her hand on the table.
"Then I'll go!"
Lucifell spoke calmly.
"At dawn, only Azazel and I will depart for the Dark Elven Forest."
Alice becomes furious.
"Why Azazel again?!"
Runagard shook his head calmly.
"The Dark Elven Forest is no place for a full force."
Tigris added quietly,
"Lavik would interpret that as a declaration of war."
Marvelerick lowered his head, and his wings froze lowered.
Lucifell look at him.
And then Lucifell reached beside his chair.
He placed a sword gently on the table.
"Marvelerick.."
Then Marvelerick followed Lucifell's voice as he raised his head.
Marvelerick's eyes widened.
"Commander… is that—"
Lucifell nodded.
"My old weapon."
An Archangel's Sword.
The weapon radiated an ancient presence.
Marvelerick stared at it like a child seeing treasure.
Lucifell pushed the sword toward him.
"In the absence of your captain and myself... you are to guard Eventide Castle."
Marvelerick slowly picked up the blade.
"Yes, Commander!"
his hand shaking.
Marvelerick's excitement was impossible to hide.
Tigris smiles proudly.
Runagard clap Marvelerick's back.
Alquine quietly wipes the tears on her cheeks.
Alice stared at them both.
"So he gets a legendary weapon…"
She crossed her arms.
"…and I get nothing?"
Lucifell sighed.
"When I return…"
Alice leaned closer.
"…yes?"
"You may choose the place."
"The place?"
Alice tilts her head.
her tails moved up and down.
her wings steady.
"The walk you requested."
The room went silent.
Alice's face turned red instantly.
her body froze.
Runagard and Marvelerick burst into laughter.
Tigris smirked.
Azazel hid a smirk behind his hand.
Alquine sighed quietly on Lucifell's head.
Later that night, the meeting ended.
Outside the Eclipse Hall, a familiar figure waited quietly.
Kestrel.
Tigris senses someone.
"Commander.."
Lucifell rises and slowly walks to the door.
Lucifell stepped out of the hall.
"You should be asleep."
Kestrel shook her head.
"I heard you're leaving in the morning."
"Yes."
"To meet Lavik the Cutterbones?"
Lucifell nodded.
Kestrel looked worried.
"That man is dangerous."
Lucifell smiled faintly.
"I know."
Suddenly the door opened again.
Alice stepped out.
She stopped when she saw Kestrel standing close to Lucifell.
Alice crossed her arms.
"Oh…"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"How touching."
Lucifell closed his eyes in exhaustion.
Departure
Snow fell gently over Eventide Castle the next morning.
Lucifell and Azazel stood beside their horses near the castle gate.
The world was quiet beneath the falling snow.
Runagard handed Lucifell a map.
"After leaving the Zorel Mountains, ride through the Centaur Forest."
He pointed along the path.
"From there, head east toward the Dryad Forest."
Azazel nodded.
"And after that?"
Runagard answered calmly.
"You will enter the Dark Elven Forest."
"Six hours of riding."
Tigris stood quietly nearby.
Inside the temple hall behind them, he whispered a prayer for their safe return.
Marvelerick stood proudly near the gate, holding Lucifell's Archangel Sword across his shoulder.
Alice walked toward Lucifell slowly.
She grabbed the edge of his cape.
"Remember the promise."
Lucifell nodded once.
"I remember."
Inside the castle…
Alquine had locked herself in her room.
The others knew why.
She was the oldest among them.
Yet she carried the softest heart.
Sometimes… she simply could not bear watching someone leave.
Azazel mounted his horse.
"Ready, Commander?"
Lucifell stepped into the saddle.
"Let's go"
The snow continued to fall.
Then they rode forward.
Two riders left the gates of Eventide Castle beneath the silent snowfall.
The wind whispered through the stone towers behind them.
Ahead lay only forests, mountains, and war.
They descended from the Zorel Mountains, where the cold winds of the high cliffs greeted them like old ghosts.
They rode through the Centaur Forest, where the towering warrior Artharuk stood watching from the treeline.
The great centaur lifted his arm in silent farewell.
Lucifell nodded once in return.
Their horses carried them onward.
Through the quiet paths of the Dryad Forest, where ancient trees whispered with voices older than kingdoms.
The dryads watched silently from the shadows.
None dared to stop the riders.
For the road they walked was not one meant for ordinary men.
It was a road carved by fate…
And stained by blood yet to be spoilled.
Far away in the distance…
The dark trees of the Dark Elven Forest waited silently.
And somewhere within its shadows…
Lavik the Cutterbones was already sharpening his blade.