The Legend of the Dark Riders

Dedication

This story is dedicated to the character who inspired the Ellimist. He got me started in story writing and many thanks to him

Warning

Rated T for violence and some mild language.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Maple Story, some parts may be confusing.

Foreword

This is my first story. This story was first posted on the Maple Story forum, Florina Beach. My brother first showed me to FB. Florina Beach has a section for story writing. I got bored and somehow landed there. Thus I started writing.

Shortly after I wrote this story, I started another one, Swordmaster of the Maple. It was hard to juggle two stories, but it was easier too. I could throw out more ideas and could actually make a timeline of events.

When I first started, I didn't know spacing. Even then I ended a paragraph, I would hit 'Enter' once. However, I found out that a gap is needed to recognize the paragraph. Also, the first few chapters are also pretty short, because I had no idea how long I wanted them to be. The chapters will get longer after Part 1. Another thing was connecting it to Maple Story. I didn't want the story to be too heavily based on the game, so I didn't use Maple Story as much as the story progressed. The only things that I probably use are the setting, monsters and the items.

An angel is basically a righteous person with gigantic feathery wings. Death is what takes your soul away after you pass away. Combine the two and you get a fallen angel or a Deathangel. I liked this idea, so I used it. The Deathangel is a death knight. (Note: This job isn't availible in Maple Story) Death knights are masters of death, so I thought this would be a good idea for the evil side.

If you feel this story is good and you wish to post it somewhere else, please ask for permission.

This is my first story. I plan to write at least eight more, but we'll see how it goes.

-The Deathangel

Preface

The day shall come. When the light flees and the shadows devour. When the brave run and the densest hide and the most prideful humbled. When the most vigilant are weakened by fear. When the day is consumed and the night shall rule. When bravery succumbs to fear. When good will bow to evil and life gives way to death. The day will come...the day will pass...the day when the dark legions march across the plain...the day when dragons of death soar with the wind...the day when fear cripples all hearts...they day when knights of Death gallop into towns...the day where the sea will run red with blood...the day when the Deathangel takes to the skies...and the world to bow at his feet.

-Inscription at the Golem Temple

Part 1: Coming Darkness

Darkness is like fire. It starts out small and then grows. Something is needed to fan the it, or else, it will disappear

Prologue

It was evening in the forest of Ellinia. A group of eight paladins sat around a campfire. Each one donned silver armor with the crest of an air wisp. They were all part of the Knights of Wind. Four of them sat in one group playing cards. Another two were up sparring each other with swords. One was sleeping and the leader of the eight was preparing their evening meal. The leader suddenly looked up and drew his sword.
"Everyone, draw your weapons. Evil is amiss."
One by one, each warrior got up and drew his weapon. Two of them drew bows while another two clutched axes in their hands. Two more held spears and the last one held a sword. It could be heard now. The steady clomping of boots, heading towards their direction, could be heard. Then, a figure donned in black robes, appeared in front of them.
"Spawn of evil. What do you want with us?" the leader demanded.
"Your souls," the hooded figure replied.
"You shall never have our souls as long as we live!" the leader exclaimed.
The two archers drew back their bowstrings and fired at the figure. The arrows hit the figure, but he did not even appear to be dazed.
"Weapons created by mortals have no effect on me," the figure replied.
"Impossible…. a…. a death knight?"
The figure drew his sword. It resembled that of a sword that only the highest Knights of the Maple wielded, the Maple Soul Singer. It was, however, painted black and had a skull instead of a maple leaf. He pointed it at them. The eight paladins stood, then charged towards him. The figure appeared to smile, as if he was amused. Then he spoke a single word.

There were eight screams, and then silence.

Chapter One: Knights of Victoria

Long ago, when the island of Victoria was new, the Knights of Victoria were founded. These knights had helped defeat the evil that lurked in the newly created Victoria Island. Many of the monsters were banished to the Sleepywood Dungeon. However, not all the knights could agree with each other. They founded four orders of knights, one for each element of science: Knights of the Sun, Knights of the Wind, Knights of the Maple and the Knights of the Crystal. Each order combined mages with swords

The Knights of the Sun were based on the fire element. Many soldiers were Fighters, Crossbowman and Spearman. Most the knighted mages used fire as their primary magic. The Knights of the Suns belief was simple. Destroy evil completely and vanquish it from the world. Let there be nothing but good. Their strategy in war was to attack full force in numbers.

The Knights of the Crystal were based on the element of water. Most of their spells used water or ice. The Knights of the Crystal were passive fighters compared to the Knights of the Sun. The knights would mainly consist of Pages, Hunters, Crossbowman and Bandits. They would prefer to use guerilla tactics. They would never unite their forces together. Instead they would use strike tactics, picking off the enemy. After they won, they would seal away the enemy. Let evil feel itself.

The next order was knights was the Knights of the Wind and used lightning spells. These knights were like the Knights of the Crystal. They used speed to accomplish their goals. Many of these knights were Hunters, Bandits and Assassins. They too would use guerilla tactics. However, they were swifter than the Knights of the Crystal. Most Knights wore light armor such as tunics or robes, but the high ranked Knights would wield heavy armor. Most of the armies of these, however, were smaller than the Knights of the Crystal.

The final order of knights was the Knights of the Maple. These were based on earth and many of the mages used poison spells. These people were more like Knights of the Sun. Warriors of all types were found in these ranks. Bandits fought side by side with Hunters. Wizards fought back to back with Spearman. They were more conservative than the Knights of the Sun and each knight was bound to the next in a sworn oath. When a knight completed their training, they were given a Maple Weapon. Then, those that made it further, were given more powerful Maple Weapons such as the Soul Searcher or the Soul Singer. These knights fought with honor and never retreated unless they really had too.

These knights were located in present day Ellinia and Perion. Back in these times, both of these lands were united under the Knights. Before the coming of darkness, Victoria was larger. Many small towns dotted the maps. Perion, now a wasteland plateau, used to be beautiful mountains with trees. Ellinia, now only populated with mages, used to hold one of the largest knight garrisons. Henesys, at this time, was a plain filled with nomads and hunters. Kerning was a mercenary city. Many people came here for Kernings famous beer or for sellswords. Sleepywood was another knight town. It guarded the entrance of the Dugueon which was the only location of darkness. Many knights would come to Sleepywood to hone their skills. Yes, Victoria at this time was a good place to live...until the Deathangel came.