It had been pouring outside for the last four days now. Inside the castle, a short young man with yellow hair and eyebrows was pacing back and forth slowly in the stone corridor without any expression. He was dressed in a blue vest, with a red cloak tightly clamped around his body saving him from the intense cold which was now getting overwhelming. Every now and then, he would stop, look at the clock at the end, then at one of the doors, and then resume walking.

The corridor itself was empty and mostly undecorated. The sides were plain rock and were adorned with suits of armor to one side and wooden doors to the other. The floor was smooth, and looked as if it had just been cleaned. There were infrequent windows to the side, which presented a calm view of the rain outside falling on the dense forests for miles. Apparently, the castle was elevated.

Just as he was about to turn again, the wooden door at the center opened with a small noise and a tall lean man in a black cloak walked out. He did not show much expression as the former walked towards him.

'Doctor...', the young man said, his medium-pitched voice slightly cracking. 'Well, how is it?'

'My lord, it's most wondrous', the doctor said, though his face did not show it. 'You've become a father not once, but twice today'

'Twice, you say?', the man said, still without expression.

'Yes, my lord, a boy and a girl', the doctor nodded. 'Both appear to be in good health'

'I see' the man said. 'Two children... that was unexpected'

'My lord', the doctor said, betraying emotion for the first time. 'It was a terrible experience for her ladyship. She was clearly weakened by her recent illness, but even then...'

The young man turned away.

'She didn't make it', he said, his voice only slightly sad. 'I know'

He walked to the nearest window.

'My lord?' the doctor said hesitantly in a worried tone.

'But knowing it would happen didn't make it any easier', the man sighed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It is the year 1545. A long period of peace between the Kirgard kingdom and the State Union of Zelmony is about to come to an end. Despite efforts from Chancellor Ryan of Zelmony to maintain good relations, there is a mutual sense of distrust running deep through both countries, making diplomatic action difficult.

The point of conflict: Helman Island, a disputed area in strategic position between the two enemies. Claimed by both nations, the ownership of the island has changed repeatedly over the centuries. Soon, the past twenty-one years of Zelmony control will end as well.

But this time, Kirgard will not be satisfied with the island alone. Plans for a full-scale invasion are ready, and the royal army is stronger than ever.

Under the command of the Red General, Jovian Knight, a surprise attack is carried out on the port city of Jargo. This is where everything begins.

St. Reinard, the capital of the Kirgard Kingdom.

Four weeks before the attack on Jargo Port City.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The ground was scattered with bodies. Dead men everywhere, in a small clearing in the woods. At least twenty of them were in plain view, slaughtered, brutally butchered, as if by a monster. Beyond them all stood a solitary man, dressed in a black cloak with long white hair and a bloody sword in his hand. His face was invisible, turned the other side. Then he turned, revealing the smile of a maniac and a twisted expression on his face.

Daniel woke up, sweating profusely. The room looked exactly as it was supposed to – respectable, sober, clean and befitting a colonel in the royal army. A maroon carpet was sprawled in the center, with a small study to one side and a bed to the other. On the third was a metal cupboard with a huge handle. There was nothing else in the room, save for a small pile of weapons which lay beside the bed.

Daniel looked into the mirror beside his bed. A young man in his thirties looked back at him. His hair was long, white and ran right till his waist. His complexion was fair, and he did not have a single scar visible, unlike most other soldiers. He was well built, tall and had a long, sensible face and a pointed nose.

'Again' he said to himself, trying to calm down. 'These nightmares are becoming more frequent of late'

He closed his eyes, trying to stop the sharp sound he could hear in his head.

'I guess it must be the stress' he said loudly again. 'Am I worrying too much about the upcoming war?'

A sharp knock sounded on the wooden door.

'Daniel!', someone called out loudly.

'Who is it?', Daniel called back.

'It's me, Angel! Aren't you up yet?'

'Angel...?', Daniel said, slightly confused. 'Wait! Is it already late?'

He turned in a flash to look at the clock.

'Hold on! I'll be there in a moment!', he called, throwing off his blanket.