=Morrivar=

The sun was rising in the distance. As it broke through the treeline, clouds began to gather. Soon, the entire forest was covered by shadows. The skies above the castle were clear. A lone knight marched through the corridors of the fortress. He gripped the trident in his hand tight as soldiers saluted him one by one. Some cheered tiredly as they watched him go. 

As he entered the room, he noticed the open window. The mane of his helmet flowed with the momentary breeze caused by the draft of open doors. The shutters slammed closed. 

The knight ignored it. He held onto his trident as he took off his helmet and placed it on the nearby cupboard. His salt and pepper hair was disheveled from wearing the helmet for so long. He ran his fingers through to try and at least somewhat calm the mess, but it only came out covered in sweat. With a grunt, he walked over to the desk and collapsed into a decorated chair. 

Without bothering to take off his gloves, he grabbed the nearby half-eaten piece of bread.

“Why do you put yourself through it?” A voice asked from the shadows. 

The man finished his bite without care. Only then he looked up to meet a pair of red eyes in the unlit corner.

“A knight of your standing, a commander… and yet all you eat is meat drier than sand and bread harder than rock. And you flush it down with only water. Where are the fruits? Where is the wine? Where is the feast?”

“Long since given to the soldiers.” The knight said. His grip tightened around the weapon.

“So they can stuff themselves with treats while you’re here. Alone. Exhausted. With nothing but rocks and sand as your final meal.” The man stepped into the light. 

His white cloak flowed behind him. With each step, his black cane stuck the tiled floor. The clicking echoed in the chamber. The red gem shined with an eerie glow that pulled the shadows to it. 

“They needed it more than me. And I’ve survived worse. I will survive worse.” The knight assured. “Why are you here, Coyotte?” 

“You must realize that this is pointless.” The man smiled as his red eyes narrowed. “Every night, you and your men fight and die for nothing. Every day, while they sleep you stand vigil. How long has it been since you’ve last slept? How long can you continue?”

“As long as it’s needed. By this sword, I swear…” 

“Yeah, yeah. That vaunted oath of yours.” The intruder dismissed his words. “You can recite it all day, but in the end, it will not protect you forever.” He draped himself over the cupboard and began to toy with the helmet left there. “How long has it been? Really. When was the last time you laid down? Or closed your eyes? Why do you struggle so much for them?”

The Knight merely glared as Coyotte picked up the helmet and spoke toward it. 

“You’re so loyal to that poem of yours. Not a God, not a man, just… a few words you had to memorize to be let into the boy’s club. And yet… you are willing to sacrifice your life for it. Why?”

The commander put down his goblet. “This is what you and your master fail to understand. The oath is merely a representation of what we stand for. We don’t fight for gods nor kings.”

“Oh? And what do you fight for then?” Coyotte put down the helmet and began to creep toward the knight.

“For the comrades who stand beside us. For those who serve under us. For men and women who entrusted their lives into our hands.” Morrivar stared down the intruder. 

“You mean the same peasants who would happily throw you under the charging horse if it bought them a few more seconds to live? The same men who will abandon you the moment your powers waver enough for my soldiers to storm this keep? These cowards? Why?” He picked up the goblet and with but a few whispered words caused wine to fill it to the brim. “You could join us. My master would be happy to accept you and yours. All you would need to do is to just… surrender yourself.” 

“Where you see cowards, I see people who put their trust unto us. The family who would sacrifice me for their lives hopes to buy enough time for their child to escape. The soldiers here had stood against you for seven days and nights and will stand for even more if they need to. If you only look for darkness in this world, you will never see the hearth of a friendly house.”

“There is no friendly house” For a moment, Coyotte’s face twisted into an inhuman visage. Elongated, pale, twisted expression with a mouth full of sharp fangs. It returned to its normal appearance almost instantly afterward. “Those strangers who would let you rest. They are merely afraid of a knight. The barons who helped you in your journey will expect you to repay that debt one day. The soldiers only trust you because they have no other option. How many do you think would still stand by you if they knew? If they learned that there was a way to avoid this fighting. A path you hid from them.” 

“All of them. Because the path you offer is a betrayal of everything they value. Your Master invaded their homes. Killed their families. And now your armies have been killing their compatriots for days.”

“A misunderstanding. The Inevitable only does what is needed to realize his grand ambition after all. It is not for us mortals to question my Master’s designs. But! I feel like we’ve strayed from the subject.” The intruder grinned. “You’re running out of time. No help is coming and there is only so long even you can hope to stave off exhaustion. So if the fortress will fall anyway, why not just surrender…” Coyotte’s fingers traced over the knight’s beard as he shifted his head so their eyes met. “Surrender to me?”

Thunder cracked.

A flash of light emerged from the trident as Morrivar stuck the ground with enough force to crack the floor. As he lunged from his chair, the massive desk was flipped, scattering the papers. 

Silverly shine caused the intruder to jump away, hissing in pain. His long fingers were burnt. Wisps of smoke trailed after him. 

“I’ve had enough of your games, Coyotte. Begone, you foul creature.” 

His enemy hissed. “You should’ve taken my offer when you had a chance. Now my armies will rain on this fortress. None of you will live to see the next sunrise!” His robes turned into smoke. The gaseous cloud dashed out of the room and burst through the window just as soldiers charged through the doors.

“Master! Are you all right!?” Their leader, a knight in black armor with a horned helmet, spoke. 

“I’m fine, Otto. And how many times have I told you? I’m no longer your master. We’re equals now.” Despite his exhaustion, Morrivar gave him a tired smile.

“Sorry. A force of habit. Still… what happened?”

“Coyotte. He tried to convince me to give up.” 

“The Inquisitor? He was here?” One of the soldiers nearly panicked, but Morrivar’s firm hand on his shoulder calmed him. 

The silver light slowly dimmed as the room returned to normal. 

“I’m all right now. You can return to your posts. Otto, please stay.” Morrivar gave another tired smile to reassure the men. 

“Yes, my lord.” The soldiers bowed and left the room. 

“Mas-” The young knight caught himself. He took off his helmet. “Morrivar… What’s going on?” 

His old teacher didn’t answer immediately. He walked over to the toppled desk and with his free hand heaved it back in place. Then, he opened one of the drawers. Inside, there was a small box.

“He was trying to scare us, but Coyotte was right. I won’t be able to hold out for much longer. The barrier will fall.”

“Then give me the Trident!” Otto protested. “You can rest while I maintain the blessing.”

“No, my boy.” The older knight gave a mirthless chuckle. “We both know the power of this weapon is beyond you yet. I have a different request.” He pulled the box onto the desk and opened it. The young knight could now see a small purple sphere surrounded by silver rings. There was some golden dust drifting freely inside the orb. “There is a secret corridor in the dungeon leading out through the mountain.”

“We can bring in reinforcements,” Otto said, smiling. 

“No. The tunnel is too small. And most of our brothers are on their own quests. I want you to gather what little remains of the non-combatants, our wounded, and the youngest soldiers. Go to the dungeons and open the gate there. Get as many as you can out and join them.” The last words reverberated across the room.

“What?! You can’t expect me to leave you here!” The young knight protested. “Mas… Morrivar!”

“I have to stay here to cover the invasion. The soldiers and I will fight. Once you get the signal, collapse the tunnel. I will allow the barrier to disappear. We will slay as many as we can to slow them down and give you time to reach the Fortress.”

“Then let me stay. We can fight them together!”

“No. Someone needs to guide them. Protect them on the way.”

“But…”

“No. I’m trusting this to you, don’t disappoint me.” He handed him the orb. “If you were to fail. If you were to ever be about to die, use this.” He curled Otto’s fingers around the item.

“What’s that? I’ve seen Sir Vilfor work on one of those.” 

“Indeed. It will take you to absolute safety. Shatter it and you will be removed from the material plane. It will then release you safely where your home is.”

“Then you can use it! After we escape just break the orb and join us.”

“No!” Morrivar snapped. “I will not abandon my soldiers.”

“And I’m supposed to?” 

“No, you are supposed to lead them, but if all else fails, someone has to deliver the warning.” Morrivar turned away and marched to the wall. “I will prepare a letter to Grandmaster Aramor. Go and pack your things.” The tone left no space for further discussion.

=Otto=

The young knight growled as his fist hit the wall. His gauntlet shattered the stone, sending chunks of rock flying. 

“My lord?” One of the last maids in the fortress looked through the open doors. “Is everything all right?” 

“No. Nothing’s all right!” He growled, making the girl gasp. That was enough to give him a pause. He turned to look into her brilliant red eyes. “Forgive me, fair lady. I was lost in my own mind. Please do not hold that against me.” 

“No foul milord.” She bowed. She bit her lower lip for a moment. “My mother said the best solution for worries of the mind is to share them with someone. May I perhaps offer an ear?”

“It may be so… Thank you.” He sighed. “Sir Morrivar ordered the evacuation of the fort. All non-combatants, wounded, and the younger soldiers are to leave through the underground tunnel. It leads beyond the mountain, far from the siege.” 

“Isn’t that a good thing? If there is a way out, we can all escape when they are none the wiser.”

“He can’t. Not with the Trident. That… that stubborn old fool!” The young man scowled. “He is set on dying here with the soldiers who can’t escape. To ‘buy me time’…” Otto dropped on his bed. His armor creaked from the strain.

“That’s… very heroic of him.” The maid’s smile got all dreamy. “I think it’s brave of him to be ready to fight for us even against such overwhelming odds.”

“He doesn’t even let me try and give him a break. I could at least let him rest for a bit.”

“Don’t blame yourself. Sometimes, all we can do is deal with the situation before us. You can’t change his mind, but you can do the best you can with the hand you are dealt.”

“Thank you for the talk.” Otto wasn’t in the mood for talk. He needed to do something. “Could you please gather the other servants? We must depart soon.”

“It will be done, my lord.” 

The doors closed. Otto got up from his bed and walked over to the desk. A small, leatherbound notebook with a symbol of a simple shield and three interlocked rings. His family’s crest. 

With a simple gesture, he caused the rings to shift and unlock. On the first page, there was a single scroll. He pulled it and rolled it up before storing it under his armor. 

As the day passed, the fortress was abuzz with movement. Soldiers rushed around preparing for the offensive that would unavoidably come to them. Anyone who could still hold arms volunteered to stay with Sir Morrivar, but the old knight sent anyone he could away. Only those who had served with him since his days as a squire. A grizzly group of veterans that, in Otto’s opinion, were way past retirement age. 

“Master…” He approached his teacher one last time. 

“Otto. I taught you everything I could. You have received your accolades. I cannot guide you forever.” 

“It’s not about that!” The young knight protested. “You’re sacrificing yourself for nothing.”

“Not for nothing.” Morrivar pointed to the courtyard. “Look at them.” He gestured with the trident. 

The maids, cooks, and pages were gathering supplies. The castellan who until now steadfastly refused to leave the fort counted everything. Otto saw as the man forced one of the cooks to leave the large pot behind. 

“I am not sending you away to save you.” The old knight stuck a finger at his former student’s chest. “I’m sending as many of you away to protect them. Those brave men and women stayed here until the very end, risking their lives… their very souls. I will not have them make a pointless sacrifice when you can save them. Lead them. Guide them. Protect them. That’s our mission, above anything else.”

Otto didn’t answer. He just kept watching, his armor heavier than ever before. 

=Otto=

The soldiers gathered the wounded in the basement. Otto approached the wall and pressed his palm to the wall. The maid was right by his side as the light framed the gate and the heavy stone gave way to the passage.

“Marcus will lead the vanguard, followed by the wounded and non-combatants. I will close the passage after us and move ahead.” 

He watched as the men marched into the corridor, followed by the servants. Many were carrying heavy bags full of supplies or what little keepsakes they were allowed to take. Otto saw how they carried their entire livelihood with them. Under his cape, he gripped the sword. 

‘Coyotte will pay for it. Some day. Somehow. I’ll make him pay.’ 

As the stone wall closed behind him, he allowed the soft glow of his sword to light his path as he followed the refugees. He felt the holy magic that had been guarding them for the last several days vanish. The aura that kept all creatures in the dark at bay was no longer there, and the hordes would soon converge on the castle. The flying beasts would pick on the defenders as the charging brutes would break the gate. He could imagine how the defenders would fight as they died one by one. Until his master was the only one to remain. 

“No…” He whispered. “I can’t think like that. He will survive. I know he will.” The words were an empty promise. 

He lost count of how long they marched. Before the light of the exit reached him, he heard the sound of combat. The thoughts of his master gave way to his instincts. Sword and shield in hands, he dashed ahead. The knight pushed past the worried refugees and rushed into the open glade. The afternoon sun was gone, hidden behind heavy clouds. Before he could even look around, he heard the heavy steps. Shield raised, he blocked the heavy mace that was swung at him. 

With a blind stab, he pierced a giant’s stomach. A flash of light burned the monster from the inside. Otto pulled his sword out as he rushed ahead. The shield deflected an arrow that would’ve skewered one of the cooks. His sword slashed the primitive spear that one of the monstrosities used as it tried to impale a maid. 

The young knight slammed his shield into another monster, knocking it to the ground so that one of the remaining soldiers could stab him with their spear.

Otto mostly regained his bearings as his gaze swept across the battlefield. He saw a large contingent of monsters attacking from all directions. The soldiers were pushing them away but there was only so much they could do against opponents far stronger, faster, and tougher than them.

The knight took out another two abominations that charged at him. 

“Form ranks!” He called. “Do not falter!” He raised his shield high, signaling to everyone that a Knight of the Order was in battle. “It is not the day we will die! Defensive formation! Archers! Pick at the fliers!” He charged forward, slashing in half a beast that was about to pounce at one of the soldiers. 

“Form ranks!” Marcus repeated, gathering the soldiers. His spear had broken some time ago, and now he was using what remained as a short sword. 

Otto joined his soldiers in the first line. His sword flashed with golden light as he cut any enemy that got near him. In the distance, he saw a massive ogre giving orders to a group of monstrosities. He was ready to charge him, challenge him to a duel, but a maid cried for his help. He saw the girl who met him in his chambers about to be torn by beasts. Without a second thought, he leaped at the beast that was going to tear her throat out. He dropped his sword and shield as he grabbed its neck and wrestled it back. The beast fell on him with its entire weight. The young knight felt his armor creak as he struggled against the beast. He tightened his hold on the monster’s throat. The unnatural animal tried to twist around and bite him, but Otto refused to let go even for a moment. His gloves dug into its throat until he could barely feel his fingers. Finally, in a bout of cold fury, he twisted the head, killing the beast.

He got up. The soldiers were barely keeping it together. Those who accompanied him in the back now joined the ranks, replacing the fallen. Otto picked a spear from the ground. He could still see the Ogre commanding monsters in the distance. 

The head of the spear glowed with dim golden light as the knight released it, throwing it with all his might. Even in the chaos of the battlefield, even as the countless monsters battled the soldiers, nothing got in the way of the spear. As if guided by fate, it flew true and stabbed into the Ogre’s chest, piercing its heart.

“Enough of this!” Otto’s voice echoed across the battlefield. It was as if the thunder struck with each of his words. “Beast! I challenge you! One against one! May heavens judge the worthy, and none shall interfere!” He marched. As he passed where he dropped his weapons, he picked up the sword and kicked the shield up, catching it and strapping it on. 

The soldiers and monsters parted as two commanders met in the middle. 

“A little human challenges me? Boy. I can smell the blood on you, but you are barely a whelp.” The beast grinned. “I’ll make your death long and painful.” He cackled as he picked up his heavy, rusted sword. The weapon was easily as tall as Otto. 

The knight braced his shield. Any reckless move could see him crushed under the enemy’s sword. 

“You talk big, whelp, but when it comes to battle, you hide behind metal.” The monster shoved Otto back with one hand. The knight stumbled as the overwhelming strength of his opponent caught him by surprise. A stray rock tripped him as he tried to catch his balance and he ended up on his back. The beast grabbed the spear still jutting from its chest and tore it out. Instantly, the wound began sealing itself with terrifying speed. 

“What sorcery is this?!” One of the soldiers cried from the side. 

“Heh. Do you like it? Coyotte made sure those worthy were given something a little extra. To make sure we can stand to pesky knights like you. I got super-regeneration. Nothing you do can kill me.” The monster boasted. 

“No one is immortal.” Otto spat as he got up. His grip on the sword tightened. “I have no care for dark magic Coyotte might’ve given you. My master gave me a task. As long as I stand, those people behind me will not fall.”

The monster burst into laughter, joined by the other beasts. “Stand? A mere flick of my fingers is enough to put you to the ground. Go to your master, boy, so at least you can watch him fall. I’m sure the old man would appreciate some company.” His grin turned feral. “Right before Coyotte finally breaks him. The Inevitable said that he would make him into his servant.”

The glow of Otto’s sword illuminated the clearing. With a dash that roused the dust from the ground, he charged at the ogre. The beast swiped his hand at him, but the young knight was able to weave under it. His sword pierced the monster’s stomach. 

Sickly green acid spewed from the wound. The ground sizzled but Otto’s armor only glowed as the vile poison vanished as soon as it came in contact with the knight. Seeing the cut seal itself shut, he slammed his shield into the Ogre’s stomach and pulled his sword out. Two more cuts joined the first wound before the knight had to roll out of the way of the massive swing of the rusted blade. The beast’s sword crashed into the ground, sending dirt into the air. 

With a heave, the Ogre lifted the massive sword and twisted to try and slash the irritating knight. Otto ducked under the attack and his sword cut at the beast’s tendons. The damage vanished almost as soon as the wound was dealt, but the monster still fell to its knees. 

“Fool! You cannot win! Coyotte made it so! All my wounds will seal.”

Otto did not stop his attacks. “No magic is without weakness. Even Sir Vilfor doesn’t claim to be omnipotent. To blindly trust in your master’s tricks is going to be your downfall.” The knight’s sword had found purchase in the monster’s neck. He pushed the sword enough that it went all the way through. 

“I will enjoy watching as your master is stripped of his armor and dragged through the army. I will cheer as Lord Coyotte breaks him until he is but a wreck. I will savor it as The Dark One rebuilds him into one of His knights.” The beast raged. Even with his windpipe destroyed, he spoke without issue. The Ogre stood up, undisturbed by Otto’s attempt to hold onto the sword. The young knight was forced to let go to maintain stability. 

“Master Morrivar is not like you. He doesn’t break out of fear. We don’t break, no matter what. We are The Knights of the Golden Flame. We shall defend this land from foul beasts like you.”

“You’ve just lost your toothpick, whelp. And your master will fall. Lord Coyotte has his ways.” 

Otto jumped back as the beast’s sword slammed into where he had been a moment ago. 

“Even with all the power of his trident, he merely delayed the Great March.” 

“And yet in those seven days, we’ve killed more of your comrades than used to live in this land. The dead could be counted in the tens of thousands.”

“They were weak! We are stronger than those pathetic fodder you’ve faced. We wanted you tired. Exhausted. And we’ve won.” He lifted the sword and swung diagonally. Otto rolled under the attack and slammed his shield into the beast’s fingers. Two were cut off and fell to the ground, twitching. “I will feast on your bones while my horde feasts on those precious civilians you’re trying to protect!” The Ogre roared. 

He brought his sword down with newfound speed. The sudden burst caught Otto off guard and sent the knight flying back. His chest piece was dented.

“Heh. That’s the difference between us.” He coughed a small globe of blood through the grates in the helmet. “You fight for your satisfaction. You just want to enjoy the suffering of others. I am protecting those who depend on me. We are not the same. In fact, we are opposites.” The knight’s armor began to glow. “And where you fear the light, I embrace it.” The glow concentrated in his open palm, taking the shape of a sword. “When people cry for angels, the knights answer.” 

Thunder echoed across the clearing as Otto disappeared from his place. In an instant, he was behind the Ogre. Before the beast could realize what was going on, the glowing sword pierced its chest. 

“You cannot-” Whatever the beast wanted to say was lost.

“Daylight.” With that single word, the clearing was filled with blinding flash. The clouds that shielded beasts until now dispersed in that instant. Every beast still present turned to stone. Even the Ogre’s regeneration couldn’t overcome it. The taint of Coyotte’s vile magic was exorcised from his body, tearing the soul with it. 

Otto collapsed on one knee. As soon as they regained their sight, the oldest officer and one of the maids rushed to him. 

“My lord. Are you okay?” The commander asked. “What you did at the end…”

“I used up all of my power. It will take me time to regain it.”

“But we are safe now, right?” 

“For now…” Otto groaned. “But the beast spoke true. Coyotte will not stop until he breaks Sir Morrivar’s spirit.” He pulled out the purple sphere and the letter and handed them to the commander. “Lead them to the fortress. And if you have no other choice, break the orb. It will take you and the letter to safety.”

“With due respect, my lord.” The commander waited until the knight nodded. “Horseshit! I will not abandon my men to die any more than you would abandon your master.” Despite his relative inexperience, he knew what Otto intended to do. 

“Very well. My lady, this duty will have to fall to you then.” He handed the items to her. For a moment, he stared into her twin red eyes. “Use it only in an emergency, but make sure Grandmaster Aramor receives the letter.”

“Sir… you’re exhausted. You can’t…” the girl accepted the items. 

“I still have some strength in me.” He stood up and pulled a small glass whistle from inside his armor. Putting it through the grates of his helmet, he blew. The clearing was once more filled with brilliant light, but it wasn’t nearly as blinding. When it was gone, a beautiful white horse stood in the middle. 

“Sir.” The commander saluted. “Good luck.” 

“My thanks. And may you forgive me for what I’m about to do.” Otto jumped onto the steed. “Go, Milady. Go!” 

The horse dashed on, spurred by her master’s command. 

=Morrivar=

The monster horde was endless. Beasts of all manners threw themselves at the defenses. Their bodies piled under the walls, forming hills on which their comrades could climb. Coyotte’s servants fought like fanatics with reckless abandon. 

Morrivar’s trident stabbed into another beast. A silver beam of light shot out, killing several more. 

“Do not falter! For even if we die today, hell itself will fear us and the heavens will welcome us with open arms! There are no cowards here. Prove to the enemy that even when bodies might break, the spirit will remain forever unbroken!” 

The knight spun his trident and slammed the rear of the shaft into the ground, sending sparks in all directions. A blast of silver light vaporized the monsters that tried to get past him. 

The walls shook. 

Looking down, Morrivar saw a massive monster, easily as tall as two elephants stacked on top of each other—another strike. Cracks began forming in the wall from where the beast was attacking. With the third strike, the monster broke through. The knight leaped from the collapsing battlements right onto the beast. His trident crackled with white lightning as he stabbed through the monster’s head. The abomination screamed as its brain burst, bones cracked and its meat fried under the white lightning. 

When the knight stood up, the beast was nothing but ash. Its body dissolved into dust. 

“On me, oh brave fighters. Whoever still stands join me!” With the walls broken, the fortress would soon be overrun. He could already see the beasts of darkness climbing onto the destroyed battlements to get past the defenders. Glancing behind, he could see the fires consume the inner fortress. This would truly be their final stand. 

“Die!” A beast hissed as it leaped from the shadows. Morrivar twisted around, but before he could kill it, a spear skewered the monster. One of the soldiers rushed to his side, followed by more defenders.

“We stand by you, my lord.”

“Good to see you one last time, Rowan.” The knight smiled under his helmet. 

“If we are to die today, I’m happy it be fighting those damned creatures.” 

“Then let us welcome them. With iron and flames.”

“With Iron and Flames!” The soldiers cheered. 

The last few defenders formed a ring as monsters flooded the castle courtyard. They were leaping over the walls, charging through the breach, and diving from the skies. The remaining archers pestered any that dared to fly too close with countless burning arrows. 

“By this blade, I swear!” Morrivar chanted. His silver armor glowed. With a thrust, he killed a beast that would’ve torn off Rowan’s head a second later. Without a break, he punched into a hellhound that leaped at him. The clawed gauntlet of his armor pierced the monster’s throat and tore its head off in one strike. 

A flying beast swooped down and grabbed the soldier to the knight’s left. He tried to save him but he was just a moment too late. Instead, he killed two monsters that tried to capitalize on the opening and get inside their circle. 

The soldier was dropped into the middle of the horde, where he was soon torn apart. Even at the distance, Morrivar saw several more monsters die before the man fell under the onslaught. “To stand unwavering in the face of danger.” He continued the words of the oath he once took. 

Rowan died when one of the shadow goblins fired an arrow from high up. The shot pierced right through his jugular. He was dead in seconds. 

“To fight with my all heart. To never back down.” Goodbye, friend. We will meet again.

The hordes were endless. With the dark clouds hanging over the castle, the soldiers couldn’t tell how many enemies still waited for a chance to get a piece of them. Morrivar watched as one of the younger fighters chose to charge into the horde, swinging his sword wildly. Sparks of magic exploded from him until, in the middle of a large congregation of beasts he let go. Ralnor, a sorcerer who could never quite control his gift. Morrivar realized that the man sacrificed himself to take as many of the enemies as he could.

“Step forth! No surrender! No regret!” He called out to the remaining defenders, but only a handful still stood. 

“I here swear that neither pain nor fear will hold me back!” The knight whispered the next words of his oath as he watched in the corner of his eye as the remaining archers got torn to shreds by two Nightmares that managed to break into the formation. The demon horses were soon killed by some soldiers but the formation was truly broken now. 

Morrivar charged on. His muscles ached now and his mind grew clouded as the exhaustion of the last few days piled up with the fatigue of the battle. The adrenaline that fueled him until this point was slowly leaving him. Thousands of monsters died that day, but it would not be enough. 

A lone dark cloud flew through the air before crashing not far from the knight. The monsters stepped away from the knight, revealing Coyotte standing there, smirking. 

“It’s over, dearie. Everyone’s dead. The castle is ruined.” 

“How many servants have you lost, Coyotte?” Morrivar slammed his trident into the ground to support himself. “When you go back to your master and grovel at his feet, do you think he will find the sacrifice justified?”

“He will. Once I present you to him. In chains. Think of all the fun things we could do together. Why do you fight for them anyway? You are a noble without a land. My Lord can grant you that which you’ve lost.” 

“I was not a lord because of the lands I ruled. My station was because of the people that depended on me. That your master cannot give me back.”

“Oh, but he can. And they will be even more loyal, even more obedient. I can even teach you a few tricks. Look.” Coyotte pointed at one of the monsters. “You. Come here.” The beasts followed without a second of hesitation. Morrivar saw as the Inquisitor’s sword flashed out and cut the monster’s head off. The thin blade was back into the cane before the body even hit the ground. “They will do whatever I tell them to. And they will love me anyway. Always.”

“That is not love. They are just blind to your cruelty. And you still don’t understand. I do not desire love or adoration. I am not fighting for wealth or glory. I have opposed you, and your master because I believe in the men standing beside me.” He straightened his back. “Those who gave their lives for me. The men and women who chose to stand by my side in their last moments and face death with open arms.”

“You’re a fool. Don’t you see? You are now alone. You will suffer alone!”

“Heh.” The knight couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “Yet another mistake. By my name, Morrivar de Gaillarde, we stand united!” His armor burst with silver light. With one last effort, he slammed the trident into the ground. The skies shook as the clouds that shielded the monster army were torn away by silver lightning. The knight watched as beasts turned to stone as rays of sunlight reached through the clouds. The lightning slammed into any larger monster. 

Morrivar could see as if in slow motion the lightning near Coyotte. The Inquisitor’s hand reached into his pocket as his eyes widened. In the last instant before the biggest lightning of them all would strike the monster before him, the knight saw a flash of purple, and Coyotte was gone. 

Only some paper scraps that fell from his pocket remained. 

“Otto… you fool.” The old knight fell on one knee. He could recognize the writing anywhere. It was his writing. The letter to Aramor. 

A sword pierced his chest. 

“Heh. Lord Coyotte suspected you might’ve tried to pull some last-second trick. He refused to give me his blessing until you were broken, but I think he will be just as happy with your death.” The beast behind him gloated. His skin shone with blue lightning even as another strike from the sky slammed into him. 

“Master!” A pained roar echoed from across the battlefield. Many monsters screamed as a sword of light tore them into shreds, and more yet died under the hooves of a horse that charged across the battlefield. 

Even without Coyotte’s leadership, the army still marched on with a singular purpose. They were now converging on Morrivar’s location, eager to taste the knight’s flesh. 

Otto’s horse leaped over several beasts and his sword tore yet more apart. 

The knight jumped off and dashed over to Morrivar in one charge. The monster that stood over the body didn’t even have a chance to react as the sword of light and Otto’s usual blade both stabbed into him. One pierced his heart and the other cut off his head. The beast was dead in one strike. 

“Master! No!” Otto kneeled next to Morrivar. 

“You foolish, foolish boy.”

“It’s gonna be all right. I can fix this. I promise.” The young knight dropped his sword. “May the gates of Silver open. Welcome oh weary travelers and give them rest.” The light surrounded them and they were gone.

Everything was more. Morrivar blinked as he laid on the soft grass. “Where… are we?” He coughed.

“You know about my other teacher, M… Morrivar.” Otto caught himself. “She taught me how to visit her, but I cannot do it often.” He pulled his master’s helmet off, revealing a tired, pale face. 

“Heh. So that’s where you were off to so often…”

“It’s not like that!” The young knight protested. “Just lay down. Save your strength.” Otto pulled a scroll from under his armor. 

“What’s… that…” Morrivar turned his head to look at his protege. 

“A family treasure. Gifted to my ancestor by a celestial long ago. We’ve held onto it until now.”

“Keep it. My time has passed… It’s time… for the younger…” His words were interrupted by a bloody cough. “For the younger generation to… take the fight…” His eyes closed as the last embers of strength left his body. 

“Death. Life. Shadows. Light. I call upon mysteries of the world.” Otto read from the scroll as a lone tear fell from under his helmet. “Light, Love, Black, War. Silver Gates and Fiery Walls. Tribunal calls and mortals cry. Reverse the flow of time. Sun of the sky, Moon of the lake. Wake what’s gone and heal what’s broken. Break the chains of fate, and may destiny yet prevail. Life was cut short, another chance was given. Morrivar! Morrivar! Morrivar!” The chant finished and Otto watched the scroll go out in golden flame. “Don’t leave me yet, master…” 

The old knight didn’t move. His body rested on the grass. 

Otto took off his helmet. Tears freely fell down onto his armor. 

“Master…” 

“I thought… I told you to call me Morrivar…” The man groaned as he shifted a bit. His armor was still torn, but the hole in his chest was gone. And so was the blood. “You’re a fool, Otto. A blessed fool.”

“I know, Morrivar. But I need you. We still need you.”

“Well, you might as well introduce me in person to your other teacher if we’re here. I’ve wanted to meet her since you first told me about her.”

“Sure. If she’s home.” Otto hesitated. “The castle was still destroyed. We’ve lost the battle.”

“Yes. But maybe we can still win this war. Don’t lose hope, Otto. There is always a sliver of hope.”

A sliver of hope.

=Morrivar=