My sister's spear feels oddly heavy in my hand as I carry it. Its weight is reassuring to me, almost like my sister's spirit inhabits it, and encourages me to wade deeper into the battle. My blood pounds hotly in my ears, and the sensation surprises me. Was this how Griselda felt when Father sent her to battle? Did she feel this rush, this fiery sensation that clouds judgment and makes men lust for the blood of their foes?

My anger at General Brigan only fuels that pounding rush, and I feel my vision swim slightly in a brief moment of unbridled rage. Brigan, who allowed my dear sister to die just so he could have his moment of glory on the battlefield. He makes me sick. If he were not Father's most trusted vassal and general, I would wreak my revenge for Griselda's loss.

And if I died in the process, it would matter not. I would simply join my sister's spirit where it roamed. Maybe then, Father would show me the respect he never has.

I approach the battle looming ahead, but I do not slow my pace. For I see a soldier of the Vanir, a warrior for the enemy, as he slaughters our troops. I recognize his shadowy black figure and still for a brief moment. He is the Shadow Knight, a man who possesses fearsome powers from the Netherworld itself, if the rumors are to be believed. He has slain many in this battle, and I feel a brief fluttering of fear around my heart at the thought of confronting him.

My resolve returns quickly, however. I race forward. "I will face him!" I shout, my hand clutching my sister's spear even more tightly than before. My voice surprises me; my words sound nothing like they normally would, coming from my lips. It is as though I am Griselda, charging forth into a fight for my King. The jewel at the top of the spear catches my eye; is it my imagination, or is it glowing slightly?

"Princess?! You shall not!" The dwarf soldier at my back protests shrilly. I ignore his cry and stride toward my foe. My heart is pounding faster with each step I take, which in turn fuels my breath to come and go even faster. Memories of Griselda fill my mind, and I prepare myself for what may be my final battle.

I will be joining you soon, dear sister. I tell her silently. Just wait a little longer for me.

As I near my enemy, I raise Griselda's spear and aim it at his shadowy back. Before my eyes, he changes, reverting to a human form wearing black armor. My arm trembles slightly in anticipation, and I grit my teeth and tense my arm to hold it steady. When he turns to face me, I seize my chance and charge at him, my spear prepared to run him through.

But he is far too quick for me. Almost effortlessly, I see him spring at me and knock aside the spear as though it were a mere child's toy. The power of his attack stuns me and throws me into the air. I feel him catch me, feel the tip of his accursed sword at my breast, and I can only stare into his eyes as I await that sword to pierce through my flesh and into my heart.

But it does not. I feel him hesitate, feel his sword abate its pressure from my chest. My gaze remains locked with his, but I can see that his eyes seem to be filled with…bewilderment? Seconds pass by like hours, with him continuing to keep me hovering between living and dying.

Finally I speak. "Kill me now." I taunt him. "How long do you intend to keep me pinned down?" He only holds me for a few seconds more before abruptly dropping me, spinning to slay one of our warriors who was approaching.

I sit in shock, regaining my senses and my bearings as I watch him. Surely no man can have such speed and still be human?

With the warrior dead, the Shadow Knight stands silently for a few moments, and all I can do from my vantage point is watch him. I sit up slightly, regaining my grip on the spear in an attempt to stand and fight him once more.

"Go on. Run away." I hear him say, and the suddenness of his speech stops me in place. "This battle is over. Any more deaths will just be a waste." Upon hearing his voice, I feel a strange tingle surround my heart for the briefest moment. It is not something I can explain, just a small, yet significant sensation fluttering in my chest, the likes of which I have never felt before. Before I can speak to him, or even reach my feet, he rushes off, leaving me where I sit.

"Ooh, I'm glad to see you're safe." The dwarf soldier from earlier rushes up to me, and in my numb shock over what just transpired, I can only watch him approach. "I had feared you were…"

My numbness wears away quickly, replaced by my earlier steely resolute. "At this point." I interrupt him shortly. "I cannot go back." I make it to my feet and rush off into the wastelands of the battlefield, not even stopping to hear his protestations. With Griselda dead I had no choice but to go on; if not for her, then for our Father. Our King.