Author's note: This is probably a rare short story that I have decided to post. It's actually an idea I discarded when I was writing my main project. Well, it seemed strong enough to stand on its own, so I decided to give it a storyline and set it off to the world. This was partly - and somewhat unfortunately - derived from my romantic experiences.
I might write another few stories based on this, too. Don't be too surprised. Now, good luck, and enjoy the story.
P.S: Kudos to those who can find the two recurring themes in my stories.
Knight [verb]
1. Warrior, usually dressed in shining armor.
2. A chess piece, moving in an L-shaped direction
3. A guardian, belonging to the Ancients
Regardless of what you think, there used to be six classes instead of two.
At the height of their power, the Knights had built up the underground fortress found in the dungeon. Their counterparts, the Kranthos, built the Tunnels that Lost the light. It was designed to test one's determination, and the worthy were accepted into their brethren.
But something went wrong, and the era of the Knights crumbled.
"Empress, we should begin."
The Empress was a young girl, around fourteen at the most. But she looked strangely intelligent, somehow. One of the Knights had hurried up to the throne, and delivered the message from his superiors.
"We'll wait for the Dark Lord." The Archlord spoke. He was the leader of the Knights.
"Correct." The Empress nodded. "We must not divide ourselves before the battle begins."
The Knight nodded, and dashed off. Everyone was fidgeting around. There were rumors, strange rumors that they didn't believe,
Just at that moment, the doors burst open and the Dark Lord strode in. He wore a black cloak, like his Kranthos. He stopped just before the throne, and bowed. "I hope I'm not late."
"We're early." The Archlord said, "We can begin."
The Empress nodded, and the Archlord walked to her front. Everyone froze in their place, and stood up straighter.
"Dear followers," the Archlord said, "I'm sure that most of you, if not all, have already heard of the rumors. Yesterday, the Dark Lord and I went up and confirmed them."
Some fidgeted, but they stopped immediately. Nobody dared said a thing.
"A Double Knight now runs around above, and he wrecks havoc upon Ellin. After a thorough meeting, the Empress has given the order. We must stop this Knight."
The majestic pillars at the side suddenly glowed, as if applauding their decision. The Kranthos said or did nothing; they simply stood, arms behind her backs, and stared at the Empress. They had been given the nickname, the 'Grim Reaper', from above. The Knights clapped.
"Under the orders of the Dark Lord, the Kranthos be sent out this afternoon to seek and destroy him."
The Kranthos bowed.
"And as for the Knights… those who've their own duties to do, they may excuse themselves." The Archlord stared at the ceiling, "This'll not be an easy task. Not everyone will come back alive."
The Knights looked around at each other. Some touched the hilt of their sword for comfort.
"Those who want to join the attacking force," The Archlord said, "assemble here at noon. Choose wisely."
The Knights stamped their feet. "Yes sir."
"Court dismissed."
The majestic, glowing pillars faded. The doors opened, seemingly of their own accord. They filed out quickly, but the Empress and the Dark Lord didn't move.
"Archlord, leave us first." The Empress said, "I've something to discuss with the Dark Lord."
The Archlord nodded. He turned, and descended down with the others. When everyone was gone, the doors closed again.
The silence became deafening.
"I know what you're thinking, Lord." The Empress said. She looked at him, past the cold demeanor that would frighten even the most hardened criminals, "but you must remember that we cannot change the cycles of Nature, nor can we change what happened before."
"Cycle?" The Dark Lord said, "Evolution only happens when a cycle is disrupted. When a new predator is introduced, the prey must adapt or die. That is how change happens. Either I die, or both of us will."
"I'm not going to let you fight my battle." The Empress said, and she shook her head. "I knew it, from the start, that when I sat on this throne."
"Then why let yourself be crowned?" The Dark Lord said. He turned to her, and bent down, so their eyes were close."Do you think I like sitting around in this black armor everyday? That having a manor, fifty servants, and an army to command would satisfy me? I'm a greedy man, Empress, and I long for the world's greatest treasure!"
She gazed up at him, and looked at her impossibly young hands. She turned away from him for a second, and he stood up.
"I'm sure that there must've been a purpose," the Empress said, "for everything that has happened. Since you've been given the power, Lord, you should serve." She gazed up at him. He had been reduced to a gaunt and fearsome hunter. Maybe if they had a second chance…
"I serve nobody else." The Dark Lord said, "The maxim of the Knights, you must remember. But if we could go back in time…" Drops of water fell from the ceiling and crashed against the cold, marble floor. But none of them cared.
"Maybe." The Empress said. "But that has now been forbidden. Remember, love to live, and live to love."
"I only know what's one for all, and all for none." The Dark Lord said. "Everything's been decided, Empress. Allow me to die for an Angel. We'll avoid other unnecessary deaths."
"Lord, just listen… please!"
"Not when my destiny lies at stake." The Dark Lord said, "I once had everything, but my greed and folly… made me lose my greatest treasure. It's not going to happen twice."
"Lord, this man is not as simple as you think. The one he fights for has already died two months ago." The Empress said. "Celestia's dead."
"So he's no longer a Knight? That will just make my job easier."
"No! He has the Hand of Fate behind him, I believe." The Empress said. She thrust her hand out and pointed to the throne. "I've not been happy sitting on this throne. Even the air here has been stifling me. Just let everything be, please."
"Ha!" He said, "Make me. I'm one of the sons of Darkness, and I will not accept Fate."
"Lord, the time to let go has arrived!"
"Pardon my brazenness, but I must defy your order. And" he turned to her, and bowed, "If it isn't too audacious, I just have one simple request that I hope you'll grant."
She sighed, and shook her head. "What is it?"
"After the battle's been fought today, burn my body," He said, "and throw the ashes out to the great oceans. Now, please excuse me."
The Empress gazed as the Dark Lord disappeared with a swish of his cloak, and she begged the spirits of the Mirror to bless them.
Kranthos [verb]
1. A medieval Emissary of Death/Darkness
2. Hunter
"We're ready, Empress." The Archlord said.
By afternoon, the throne room had been filled. To the Empress's horror, everyone was as willing as the Dark Lord to fight. Where did the spirits of love and kindness go?
"What about the ones they'll leave behind?" The Empress asked. She didn't look at him, and instead leaned on her throne. She knew that many dreamed of sitting of it, but secretly she wanted to be rid of it. Her position had been as stiff as the back of this gawky chair.
"They'll be seen to by the Dark Lord." The Archlord said, "May we begin?"
The Empress closed her eyes. She didn't want to give the order, but her subjects were adamant. History was repeating itself. "Go."
The pillars at the side glowed brightly, until it became too bright to stare at them. The room began to feel warm and humid, and the winds began to slap their faces.
For once, she wished that she had been an ordinary girl. She felt like running up, and stopping them, but they were too determined. The Dark Lord would probably even resist her order, knowing him. There was nothing she could do, but watch.
Why were they so wllling to die? Did they even care about the ones they left behind? She hated offering them only the pedants they left behind. But she remembered what he had told her before:
A man with only one thing to fight for is the most dangerous of all.
"Good luck," She whispered to herself, and a flash of blue illuminated the whole room and left nothing but her.
The battle was going to be fought.
They were teleported up to the surface, to the outskirts of Henesys. Smoke was rising to the skies, and there was the faint smell of barbequing meat. People were screaming, and horses were walking around, saddles still on their back.
The Knights went into the village first. The Dark Lord stared around at his followers. They were ready. "Split up, and find him!"
They disappeared as swiftly as the wind. They sought to find the cover of the shadows, of course. They were all the sons of the Darkness, having been abandoned by the Light.
But there was no point in that order, really. The Dark Lord knew things which the Archlord did not. He sat down in the shade, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.
It was time.
He could hear even the birds chirping a mile away, and the crash of a waterfall. He could smell roast chicken and wild boar, and he could feel their hides against his hands. In his visions, he could see the rogue Knight. His hatred of the world had given him strength. His love for his angel had carried that even further. The amassed power was almost like a beacon to his senses.
He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a pedant. There was his name written on it. It had been given to him when he had joined them. The pedant felt cold and unfamiliar to him, but it was his past, after all. He had relinquished everything when he ascended to the Dark Lord.
Except for two other things, both he sought to brought to the oceans. Nobody else could know. The first he didn't need, and hated. The second he dreaded people to know, because it would implicate another person.
"Bring me to where my heart and destiny lies." He told the pedant.
The pedant lied.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in Sleepywood. The grass underneath his feet was as soft as silk, yet they squelched when he stepped on them. It was damp here, and the expensive herbs that grew had simply drawn greed into a common place.
But the power… it was gone. Where was the rogue Knight? The Dark Lord closed his eyes, and allowed his instincts to seek.
There.
He hurried to the village entrance. None of the Kranthos were here, he was sure. The village seemed perfectly fine – if it wasn't empty. The Lord wasn't fooled by such tricks. It was a mere illusion.
He snapped his fingers. The signpost next to him fell, and slowly transformed into a human body. He was carrying a bag and the herbs inside had spilled out. There was no wounds on him – he was perfectly fine, if it wasn't for the fact that he was dead.
There was another sound. The Archlrod turned. A rope dropped, and a skeleton crumbled to the ground in its place. There was a rotten stench. A house faded away, and in its place was a crater. The gentle breeze that touched his face had stilled. He saw skeletons and burning houses everywhere.
He was here.
"You've strange powers, Dark Lord." A voice said behind him. "I had thought that I had become the most powerful, of you all."
The rogue Knight was standing behind him. His white uniform had yet been creased, and a rose was still pinned upon it.
"You overestimate yourself." The Dark Lord said. "You may have become a Double Knight, but you know nothing about the Knights."
He sneered. "Of course not. But did you think that I became a Double Knight on my own?"
"What do you mean?" The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing." The rogue knight said, "You don't seem to know much about the knights, either. You cannot change fate, Lord. You see the villagers around here?" He beckoned around them, "I swore revenge against them once, and they failed to change their fates."
"You didn't kill them for nothing." The Lord said. "Your hatred lies in the air."
The knight stared at him. "Yes, indeed. You surprise me." He looked around. "But they deserved it."
"Nobody deserves to go that badly."
"Oh yeah? They are selfish bastards." The knight said and he shook his head. "They were given the chance, our fate was in their hands… but no, they condemned her – and me – two months ago. This is their punishment. They made her suffer even more."
"I sorely regret it, you know." The knight bent down and picked up a bone. "But all this is necessary. I have to save her."
"We are similar men, I see." The Lord said, and he nodded. "I understand your pain well. But even so, we stand at opposing sides. What you're hunting is what I'm protecting."
The knight laughed, his voice reverberating around the dark forest. He threw out his hands. "Very well. I'll like to see if your hatred is stronger than my love!"
"Archlord, there seems to be no trace of the rogue."
They had searched around the boundaries of Henesys, and travelled as fast as they could. But the tracks stopped and appeared as strangely as they had started. He had examined, and analyzed it many times.
Something was wrong.
The rogue knight was impossibly powerful. He had stumbled across an illusion. What he thought was a pond turned out to be a deep hole filled with bodies. What was happening?
He understood how a Knight worked, of course. They gained power from their loved ones, named the Angels. The Kranthos were the ones who were empowered by their hate, yet had become detached enough. But now… what was a Double Knight? How could so much hate and love exist in the same person?
"Archlord?" The Knights behind him called. "It's getting dark, and even the Kranthos can't find him. Perhaps we should return and hunt him down tomorrow."
"Wait. Let me search." The Archlord said, and the Knights nodded. They formed a circle around him. He closed his eyes, sat down, and crossed his legs. He extended his senses around the area.
He could hear a dim crashing – perhaps a waterfall – and wolves howling. He could see the remains of a dinner, and the hides being left out in the sun. But he couldn't smell or touch anything from his visions. All of his senses ought to be awakened. His mind whirled, and he clenched his fists. Sight, senses and hearing would do.
He could find nothing remarkable in the distance. He tried to stretch his visions across the island, but his mind felt as if it was being frozen. He struggled, and he could hear the whispers of the Knights around him. He was losing his vision. But he knew something was wrong.
"I can't sense the Dark Lord any longer." The Archlord said, and he shook his head. He crashed against the wet grass, and breathed heavily. He felt as if he had been strangling himself.
The Knights looked at each other. They unsheathed their swords and glanced around the horizon. Finally, one of them asked, "Archlord… do you mean that he's…. the Dark Lord is… dead?"
"I don't know." The Archlord said, and he rubbed his head. "There might be other reasons. Perhaps he has managed to cloak well enough."
But the Archlord was frightened himself. He forced himself to think through his pounding headache.. Even the Dark Lord couldn't cloak himself that well.
But what about the Double Knight? The Archlord couldn't sense him, either. Something was wrong. Perhaps both were dead.
"Prepare to return to the throne room. Crow, pass a message to the Kranthos." The Archlord, "Tell them to ask the Dark Lord to report in."
"He's really dead?"
"Do it, now."
They were already back in the throne room when the Kranthos replied. Using Mana, they could assume a basic form of telepathy. But it couldn't be sustained, and was used only in emergencies.
The Archlord dismissed them and made sure they were gone before he requested the Empress's presence.
She arrived quickly, and she looked calm. But he knew that she was anxious inside. Yet it looked all wrong. She was definitely around twenty, but her reign as Empress seemed to have made her younger. Almost like the workings of fate.
"Archlord, how is the condition up there?" The Empress asked, as she sat down upon the throne.
"Not very good. We could only search Henesys. Out of the five hundred people, a hundred are dead, and two hundred are missing. Artemis Pierce has also been annihilated. Her daughter Athena succeeds her."
"Oh?" She said, "And where is the Dark Lord?"
"I've come to see you about that." The Archlord said, and he bowed. "I was hoping that you could use the Mirror of Desires to confirm my… assumption."
"What is it?"
"He may be dead." The Archlord said, "The Kranthos have no idea where they had gone. I was hoping that he had just managed to cloak himself well enough, and is staying hidden for a reason."
"Maybe we should wait." The Empress said.
"Empress!" The Archlord said, "If he's dead, or dying, then we must render help immediately."
"Do you feel guilty, Archlord?" The Empress said. "Or is it love?"
"Both…." The Archlord said, "If I wasn't that reckless before, perhaps my brother and you wouldn't need to suffer on like this.". Empress, please!"
"The spirits won't agree." The Empress said, and she looked away. "This is how fate works. If he's destined to die, then whatever efforts we invoke will be futile."
"Then take my life as a sacrifice." The Archlord said. "I am willing."
"I've long accepted fate." She said, and sighed. "You don't need to feel guilty. Perhaps it's all better this way. We don't need to grow old, after all. We can die in honor and glory."
"Do you really want that?" The Archlord said, "Is that really your wish, to die as an Empress?"
"I…" She couldn't answer that. The air in the throne room was becoming stifling again. The pillars around them kept lighting up and dimming, and it was getting frustrating.
Finally, she said, "Come. We'll see the Mirror. But I cannot be sure that they'll help"
She got off the throne, and whispered something. It was hard to believe that this young girl had been twenty before. He had become used to seeing her as a child… a very intelligent one.
The throne faded away, and in its place sat a mirror. It reflected the ceiling above, and it was shrouded with mist and shadow. People believed that the Mirror of Desires could see into one's heart and grant wishes. It was something they lusted for, but they didn't know that it was simply an illusion.
There seemed to be faces reflected upon the mirror, just above the Archlord's head – three faces – but there was nothing behind them. On the mirror, almost as if written by somebody, words formed:
What do you seek, young one?
"We need your help to find somebody." The Empress said.
Is this really that important, for you to consult us? Perhaps it's time to accept fate.
"We just hope to know, just to find out, how's the Dark Lord doing." The Empress said, "Please! We can't find him!"
Hm…. The Dark Lord?
The Archlord could feel a gust of wind pass him, and the pillars at the side began to dim. Then he saw part of the mirror cracking, but he didn't dare to interrupt. Perhaps it was natural.
We will not render assistance. He is a traitor of Fate, and he deserves to have his soul condemned
The Empress looked puzzled, but she was thinking quickly. The Archlord remembered the times where the three of them had to deal with angry teachers back in school, but that was a long time ago. "Why do you call him so?"
He has broken the Lore.
The Lore was a set of principles that the Dark Lord and Archlord had sworn to follow. But only half of it was known; the other half was still indecipherable. The ancient text were too complicated.
Do not fret, Archlord. You are still a free man. But the Dark Lord has turned to the Forbidden side. He has deceived Fate and you. Now a decade has passed, his lie is exposed for the world to see. Do not bother to help him, or you'll face our wrath.
"Empress!" He said. He could no longer resist it. "What does all this mean?"
Just wait five hours, and the darkness will soon relinquish.
"The Dark Lord…" The Empress said. She closed her eyes, and breathed heavily. "He is a Double Knight."
Angel [verb]
1. the Creator's warriors. Usually winged, and belonging to the light.
2. Guardian
3. A kind person
There was a flash, a pure, white flash.
The Dark Lord crashed upon the sodden ground. He quickly stood up, and summoned his sword. The grip of the familiar fabric calmed him down a little. At least he knew that happiness had once existed in this world of madness and greed. He looked around. They were in the Tunnels that Lost the light.
The rogue knight was leaning against a boulder. His hair was messy, and he was bleeding in places. But green sparks were travelling across his body, drying the blood and sealing his cuts. A Knight's skill.
"You're more powerful than I thought." The rogue knight said. He raised his hands to his eyes, watching as the sparks touched and healed. "But why resist using the final arte?"
The Dark Lord cast his Heal. The green sparks touched his skin like a gentle, warm hand. "I've no wish to become a true son of the darkness." He said, breathing heavily. His time was running out. "I will resist fate."
"Very well." He said, and he extended his hand forwards. "I am the one who has been appointed to guard Fate's passing. Since you've decided to defy us, I'll have no other choice!"
Dark wings sprouted of his back, tearing the uniform. The rogue knight yelled, and hammered the ground. He seemed to be writhing in fury, and his voice was growing strangely deep. Purple light shot out of his body, and he was laughing. He conjured a magical, purple spear in his hand, and threw against a nearby boulder.
"Die under Fate's hand!" The boulder exploded, and the tunnel seemed to tremble under his might.
"So be it." The Dark Lord seized his sword. "I will protect."
"Empress… just tell me," The Archlord looked up, "What is a Double Knight?"
They were in her room, now. She had dismissed the guards standing outside the door, and was pacing about. He sat on the chair, confused and tired. In his ten years of being the Archlord, he hadn't seen anything like this.
"A Double Knight is one who brings the light and darkness together." The Empress said. "The ancient text says he is one whose hatred and love have been united."
"What does this mean, Empress?" The Archlord said. He massaged his head, trying not to snap. Even if the Empress didn't mind, there was protocols to follow.
"He acquires power almost equal to a God. It was said that the Creator himself was similar to a Double Knight." The Empress said. "That's why the spirits in the Mirror fear them so badly. Only a Double Knight can truly damage it, but nothing else can destroy it except the Creator himself."
"But that's… crazy impossible." He said.
"Who knows? We only use a small fraction of our brainpower, after all. I believe that a Double Knight only manages to use half." She began playing with her hair. It was a habit that she kept even after becoming the Empress. "But that power is strong enough to kill experts like Artemis Pierce."
"But why... how did the Dark Lord become a Double Knight?" The Archlord said. He turned to her. "Don't tell me…"
"I'm afraid so." The Empress said. She glanced down, like a child who had done something wrong. "It was all a mistake from the beginning."
"Perhaps not." The Archlord said. He sprang upwards. He could do something to make amends. "And he's still alive?"
"Yes." The Empress said, "Or he should be. If he's a Double Knight, we must start factoring in the impossible."
"But how did you know?"
She didn't answer him. The Archlord turned the cabinet on the wall. "May I open that?"
"It's already gone." The Empress said. "My time's limited, after all. I might as well swap it for someone useful."
The light receded from the tunnels, and the six-armed lizards chased after it greedily.
The ice that had accumulated there for thousands of years slowly melted. Water began dripping from the top of the cave. It was softer and calmer than the crunching of bones, or the snarl of beasts. It had been a long time since the Dark Lord had heard such beautiful sounds.
Or was it because he had never paid attention before? Death really changed people in ways.
An icicle fell from the roof, and impaled a lizard. There was a loud squelch, and the lizard roared in shock and pain. The other lizards froze, and one of them bit the fallen lizard's tail.
"There's no mercy in this world, Lord." The voice resounded through the tunnels. The light was still receding, but it never seemed to diminish completely. "But for the few who have kindness, I will protect them."
The Dark Lord seized his sword, and got up. He was slowly getting tired, and it was becoming hard to resist. The light seemed to awaken a part of him that was still human. He rubbed his right arm; it was burning, and turning black.
He was turning into a Son of Darkness; a puppet! But for some reason its progress was getting stemmed.
"A true Knight." The Dark Lord said, "Hatred and love combined, a force that even the spirits fear."
"And when fire and water come together, they can build worlds." The rogue knight said, "I've seen the ancient texts before." The Dark Lord could hear footsteps. They were both recovering, preparing for their next attack.
"But in the end only one can triumph. If it's love, a Knight will be born. If it's hatred, the Kranthos will be made." The Dark Lord said. He brandished the sword towards the darkness, feeling the light empower him. "But if you want the Empress's soul, you must come past me first."
"Then I will." The knight said. He flew up against the ceiling, looking some giant bird of prey. "I fight for Celestia."
He snarled, and lunged forwards. But instead of coming towards the Dark Lord, he slashed against the sword.
Fifteen minutes later, a mage had come to see the Empress and the Archlord. There was some disturbance in the Tunnel that Lost the Light.
"It's been sealed since this lunatic came about." He said. "But we've been sensing five and a half people in it."
"Five and a half?" The Archlord said. It was impossible to have half a person! "Make yourself clear."
"Well, it's probably a glitch –"
"The system worked well for the past hundred years." The Archlord said. His headache was making him feel irritable. "Just get to the main point."
"Maybe a Halfring's in there." The mage said, and he shrugged.. "Any half-human may cause such a result."
"I thought you said it was sealed." The Archlord said, and he sighed. There was no other way to get in from the surface. "Just tell me, what the heck does all this mean? Do we get ready our forces to attack?"
"It's advisable." The mage said. A messenger ran into the room, and bowed before them.
"Pardon my brazenness, but something's gone wrong with the system."
The Archlord groaned, but the Empress looked nonchalant – almost ready to accept Death. She was lying on her bed, her eyes closed, but the Archlord was sure that she wasn't sleeping.
"What the heck's going on right now?"
The messenger said, "It seems that there're six people in there now. However they're getting in, they're not using the entrance."
"So what the heck are they, ghosts?" The Archlord said, and he slammed his fist again the table.
"We just need to open the gates, and attack whoever's inside." The mage said. "Even the Dark Lord can only get in through the entrances."
He was assuming that the Dark Lord was a simple Kranthos, of course. He dismissed both of them, and began planning again. What would be their best choice?
The Empress sat up. "I knew this would happen."
"And you still gave away your sword to him?" The Archlord said. "Empress, pardon me, but if you die… it'll mean the collapse of our system."
"It won't." The Empress said. She looked away.
"What do you mean, it won't?" The Archlord said, "Pardon my brazenness, but your soul will be shattered if that thing snaps!"
"I… don't mind.' The Empress said. "This is fate's calling, Archlord. When I'm gone, another woman will sit on the throne. Nobody's indispensable."
Tell that to my brother, he thought. "Nevertheless, we are recalling all troops. We will stand barricade here until the main force annihilates the rogue knight. Then searches for the Dark Lord can be done."
"You won't need it." The Empress said. "I know he's in the tunnel."
A sudden scream broke the silence. Light appeared at the end of a tunnel, and there was the crunching bones and metal. No! They had fallen into a dumb trap!
The rogue knight stared into the Dark Lord's eyes, and he grinned. "It seems that I have won."
"N… not yet!" The Dark Lord broke the rogue's knight grip, and he fell back. The sword, he had to find the damned sword! Kyrista's sword! His arm seared painfully, and his vision was dimming…. A little by a little. Something else was in the tunnel.
"You won't find it. The greed of Man's dark enough to blind you." The knight said. The tunnel became to tremble, as if there was a small earthquake. The shouting became louder. The main force.
But the sword! It would certainly be lost in the confusion – broken, even. There was no choice.
He thrust his hand up to the sky, and conjured an orb. His arm seemed to glow black at first, before it receded back into a healthy peach colour. He no longer felt as tired, but something was jarring in his brain.
Destroy.
He felt as if something – wings – might sprout out from his back, but he resisted it. The orb shone in the darkness, reflecting black light upon the jagged walls. He could almost feel the sword sitting in the darkness ten feet below him. The knight wouldn't break it yet. He needed her soul to be intact.
"But have you wondered how I obtained these powers?" The knight said.
"What?" The Dark Lord breathed. Accepting the darkness within him felt strange… yet he remained in his human form. Kyrista's protection, he knew. Once it was gone, he would be doomed to be a puppet – albeit a powerful one – of the dark.
"It's only been, what, a month? Three weeks? Heck, I even forgot, but it was a short time." The knight said. "Yet I can match ten years of your powers. Have you ever wondered why?"
The Dark Lord paused. The sword seemed to glow in the dark. He was submitting to the darkness now, bit by bit. Only Kyrista's protection could save him, but she had done it at a high cost.
If one of them had stepped on the sword accidentally…
"The three spirits in the mirror, they are with me." The knight said, and his eyes glowed.
"So?" The Dark Lord said. "What can they do?"
"Bring me to the Empress." The knight said. "It is time for checkmate."
Another crazy thing happened.
"What do you mean, the door's been shut?" The Archlord said. He really felt like shouting at somebody now. Everyone was screwing up at their tasks, and he was expected to clean up the mess. And the Dark Lord! He ought to know better!
"It seems as if that some external force has interfered." The mage said. "We can't withdraw the troops now. They'll be stuck in the tunnels until we find a solution."
"How long will that take?" The Archlord said. "The Empress is at stake!"
"Six hours, unfortunately."
"That's too goddamned long!" The Archlord said. "Empress, we'd better move to the throne room."
She did not complain and followed his orders. She finally seemed at peace, as if she knew what would happen. She sat down upon her throne, and closed her eyes. The Archlord gazed at the young girl, and cursed. All this was his fault.
"When he comes in, do not resist." The Empress said, "You're not strong enough. He'll tear you apart as easily."
"I refuse to believe it." The Archlord said. "The spirits will protect us."
"Will they?" The Empress said. "The time for that has already passed."
A voice boomed.
Do not defy fate, young one. You'll see the consequences in fifteen seconds.
"Fifteen seconds?" The Archlord said, "What do the spirits mean?"
"You'll see." The Empress said, and she closed her eyes.
There was another whirl of light.
The Dark Lord crashed upon a cold, familiar marble floor. He could hear surprised shouts from above. Mages were running around, shouting. They began running away from the door. Some of them even dropped their wands in their haste, and it clattered against the floor.
A voice boomed.
Do not defy fate, young one. You'll see the consequences in fifteen seconds.
The knight conjured a thunderbolt and hurled it against the fleeing mages. They froze in place, statues that were made of flesh and bone.
"Cowards."
The knight burst through the throne doors, and they shattered like they were glass. The Dark Lord followed him, but he wasn't as fast. He felt as if something was gnawing in his brain, and it was becoming hard to breathe. A voice in his head boomed.
Destroy the other Double Knight, or die trying!
He could see the Archlord's surprised face, and the Empress calm demeanor. But the knight was already flying forwards. He could see the Archlord unsheathe his sword and cut through the air, but the knight simply got out of the way. His hands were outstretched towards the Empress.
The Dark Lord stared at the pillars and the sword. He had an idea. Fate might be reluctant, but it would have to become his piece of paper as he rewrote the ending.
The Archlord raised his sword again, but the knight simply thrashed a punch into his face.
He whirled, and slashed again blindly. It clipped the knight's wings, and he fell upon the floor in fury. He snarled, and leapt upon him. The knight whammed another fist against the Archlord's face.
He felt as if his head might have been torn off. He was aware of that he was flying, and he collided against the pillars. His armor absorbed most of the impact, but he wasn't sure if the crack he heard came from him or the pillar.
Hopefully the pillar, because the knight was approaching him. His eyes had turned garnet, but the wings he had… they seemed to belong to an angel. He could see green sparks travelling across the knight's body, healing him like faithful guardian angels.
The knight bent down, and raised his hand for the final blow. There was no pity in his eyes, only a mad desperation. The Archlord felt fingers curl around the front of his helmet, blocking all the light. His sword had disappeared, somewhere. It was the end.
"Stop."
The Archlord could sense the spirits gliding in the air above him, looking rather triumphant at the devil they had made. Love made people made, the Archlord was sure.
"Stop. It's me you want." The Empress said. She had gotten off the throne, and was walking towards them. "Take my soul, and leave."
The light came back; the fingers were gone. "Damned… no." The Archlord said. He could hear the pillar crumbling next to him. The reign of the Knights was over. They had been betrayed by their Creator.
Do not defy, Archlord. This is fate. The old must make way for the new.
Three faces appeared in the air… ghostly faces. They whirled around, strangely ugly and contorted. The spirits, he knew. What was happening? Even the ancient texts had shown the spirits to be kind, beautiful individuals…
"Indeed." The Empress said, and she stopped three feet from the knight. What was she doing? The Archlord tried to call out, but he was too weak… too tired.
"Very well." The knight said. He stood up, and extended his hands. It was dripping with the Archlord's blood. "I'll make this painless and quick, but I can't guarantee it if you struggle."
"I won't." The Empress said. "Come."
The knight stumbled forwards. One of his hands grabbed her shoulder. His wings quivered. He could see the Empress bleeding, but she simply looked at peace. What was she doing?
"Dark Lord..." The Archlord said, "what the hell are you doing?"
"Saving Kyrista." A voice reverberated across the room, almost as mad as the knight. The Dark Lord heard him? Everyone turned. It was forbidden by the Lore to refer to the Empress by her name. Suddenly there was hope again….
He remembered; only a Double Knight could damage the mirror.
But how would they destroy it, and with that the spirits within?
Do not defy fate, or you'll be condemned to fate worse than death. If you surrender now, you may have a lighter sentence.
The Dark Lord was standing in front of the throne, and he brandished Kyrista's sword against the faces. "So, it has come like this. If you still want to dispose of Kyrista as the Empress, then you must get past me first."
What the hell was he doing? The Archlord looked around for his sword – and there, it was lying about five feet away from him. If he could crawl there, and hit a vital spot on that Double Knight…
"You won't stop me." The knight said. The faces around him glided around in the air like flitting birds, but they said nothing. "I don't believe that you are more powerful than the spirits."
"I would like to ask again; would you want to change fate, spirits?" He stared up the faces. "We have worshipped you and made sacrifices to you. Yet you betray us today, using the name of Fate as an excuse for everything you do."
SILENCE! We will not be spoken to like that.
"Lord, please…." The Empress said, "You don't need to get involved."
"Oh yeah, spirits? I am sick of protocol, I tell you. You are nothing but a bunch of parasites. You fill yourself with envy and jealousy." The Dark Lord swung his sword through the air. "And with that you corrupted the rest of your followers, the ones up there."
Archlord, attack him! Devil, if you don't –
The rogue knight nodded, and he sprang forwards. The Dark Lord grinned. "Then this is the end, after all." The Dark Lord said, "Kyrista, I guess this is where I have to say farewell."
"Your sacrifice'll be useless!" Kyrista called. She ran up the stairs, the shadow of the knight covering her like some dark grey cloud. "Lord! Just listen, please! You don't need to die for me!:
"See you in the afterlife, Kyrista." The Dark Lord said, and he grinned. The sword spun through the air, and the light rays began flying through the room. The faces roared, and the sword flew and cut with unerring skill.
The pillars glowed magnificently as the time Kyrista was crowned. They were submitting to a new owner.
The Dark Lord crumpled, and he fell down the stairs. It was hard to believe that his defiant brother suddenly looked like a puppet whose strings had been sliced off. The Archlord picked himself up. Maybe he had lived, somehow…
"Lord, you idiot!"
In the air, along with the three spirits, there was a line. Dark Lord's handwriting, he was sure. He had seen it too many times, fifteen years ago, when they copied their homework from each other.
I have not failed you, Kyrista..
The glowing pillars at the side rumbled. The light rays seemed to pause, before they collected in the centre of the throne room. A spear was forming, he was sure. Its light was so blinding that the Archlord had to cover his eyes, so that he could see Darkness…
The one who unites Light and Darkness…
The spear flew through the air and crashed against the throne. There was no explosion – the spear simply disappeared with the throne. The mirror did not shatter, but melted as if made of ice. The water dribbled down the stairs, and instantly froze. The ice was not crystal clear, nor was it white, but it was black. Coal, shiny black.
The faces roared, but no sound came out. They crumbled into dust and fell upon the ground as grains of sand. Returned to the Earth.
The knight crashed upon the ground, and the wings receded from his body. He turned, to the great ceiling, and his hand stretched towards the sky.
"Empress of the Heaven, Celestia…. Take me. This world… this world is full of darkness!"
The pillars began to dim, as the Dark Lord's blood pooled and collected at the bottom of the throne. The throne room turned dark, and the pillars crumbled. The throne disappeared, leaving an empty space. Everything was gone, but the Empress had lived.
Fate had been overthrown.
Three days later, the ship set off for the great oceans. The Dark Lord had been cremated, and they kept his ashes in a sliver tin. Without the spirits, the underground fortress had been destroyed and overrun. Everyone was healing, and some were helping to rebuild Henesys.
The sunset reminded the Archlord of sandy beaches and palm trees. He could imagine what his brother would say: Damn it, live well, or I'll come back and haunt you. But ever since they assumed their positions, they were forced to be more polite and formal. Now they were all free.
"Empress… do you mind me asking something?" The Archlord said. They stared out into the great oceans.
"What is it?"
"I was wondering… you said that only a Double Knight could damage the mirror." The Archlord said. "How was it possible that my brother destroyed it?"
"He transcended the path of the Double Knights." The Empress said. "I was thinking about it the other night, too, and it came to me. There're not only two classes, but three."
"Three?" The Archlord said. "What's the third one?"
"Angel." The Empress said. "I figured it out. Every Knight protects an Angel, but when he does so, he becomes an Angel himself. I believed that the Dark Lord figured that out."
"So… he also mastered the third class?" The Archlord said, and his eyes widened. The greatest element of an Angel was sacrifice. "Then…."
"Yes." The Empress said. "I believe he became an Angel's Knight."