Episode 2: The Magiknight

Delfric raised his sword above his arm, positioning such that he could easily plunge forward. On the other hand, Ardor favoured holding his longsword in front of him, being easily able to hit and fend as needed. Ardor observed that Delfric had a smaller stature, which possibly meant that he was a speedy fighter. The two duelists circled each other, neither making any move as they watched and observed each other's stance.

Ardor figured that if Delfric was agile enough, he would be able to perform thrusting strikes quickly to overwhelm him in no time. The only way to measure Delfric's speed was to attack first. In a quick fluid motion, Ardor stepped quickly towards Delfric, raising his sword to perform a downward strike. In response, Delfric lunged his blade forward, aiming for the shoulder. Knowing that the blade will reach him before he can strike the foe, Ardor turned his body, his weapon brushing off Delfric's blade and he made a shoulder barge into Delfric. Being lighter in weight, Delfric was knocked back but remained standing and began a barrage of light cuts against Ardor in a furious momentum.

Though slower in movement, Ardor's eyes have seen enough combat to see through the feints and strikes and he managed to match the young warrior's speed, parrying each strike his foe launched at him. Undeterred, Delfric yelled his warcry and did an overhead slash, causing Ardor to step back to prevent a blow to his head.

Suddenly, the gems on Delfric's blade began to glow as if radiating light on its own. Delfric pointed his blade at Ardor and uttered, "Arvin fira lavo". The blade's metal began to burn as fiery flames spewed from the hilt. The gems were now shining a bright red in spite of their natural colours. Delfric waved his sword in a horizontal arc, causing the flames to move in a fireball-like projectile. Stunned, Ardor weaved his sword to catch the projectile, slicing through it and causing the flames to dissipate. Delfric continued slashing the air before him, creating a series of fire strikes at Ardor.

So, Delfric is a mage fighter, Ardor thought to himself. Now understanding his opponent's tactics, Ardor performed defensive strikes to parry each fire attacks as he drew closer to Delfric. Realising that he is about to lose ground, Delfric raised his left hand, pushing his palm outwards and shouted, "Fora Vox!"

An unseen force caught Ardor by surprise as he was pushed back almost as if a horse was charging at him, causing him to rapidly step backwards. Unwilling to give up, Ardor found his balance, but fumbled his sword in the process. Delfric grabbed the opportunity to drive home his blade once again at Ardor's shoulder. Being a master of unarmed combat, Ardor reached forward, holding off Delfric's sword arm and did a quick punch at Delfric's face. The strike connected with its intended target, stunning Delfric briefly and Ardor immediately gripped Delfric around the neck and wrestled him to the ground.

Delfric gave a yell as he thumped to the floor under the immense force Ardor was pressing him on. Recognising his victory, Ardor let go of his grip and stepped back, bowing as he said, "My apologies, thank you for this duel".

Delfric coughed slightly as he looked up at Ardor with a frown, before he relaxed and answer, "Your reputation precedes you, Lord Ardor. You truly are a marvelous fighter."

The king rose from his throne as Delfric slowly stood up. "Now, no offence meant, Sir Delfric. You have fought well". Delfric bowed as the king continued, "Ardor, this is the situation. Sir Delfric is a Magiknight from the Western Kingdoms, as you have no doubt realised it yourself. The Magiknight Corps are the Western Kingdoms' defence lines, but they now require our aid for an important mission".

Ardor listened intently and inquired with a frown on his face, "What assistance do you require, Sir Delfric? Surely, as your army is more versatile than ours, I do not see that you need our military aid."

"We require a skilled warrior to help us navigate in the Kingdom of Renegard to locate a magical artifact," Delfric answered. "A few years ago, the Archmagi of the Western Kingdoms, High Lord Numor, prophesied that demons will emerge from the Underworld and begin a conquest on all that lives on this earth. He said that when the king's reign ended, a comet will appear and the seals that prevent the demons from coming into our world will be broken and when the sun disappears from the skies, the demons would have succeeded in their conquest. A week ago, King Ragan succumbed to illness and he had no heir. Lord Mustang is currently the steward of the Western Kingdoms, while the nobles bicker over the throne and we were all worried that this will come true."

Ardor looked at the young warrior in disbelief and turned to his king, "Sire. I'm a man of war, not fairy tales. Do you believe in this story?"

King Aeric sighed and gave Ardor a stern look, "I know you do not believe in his story. I wasn't sure of it myself at first, but there's been a situation". The king paused, choosing his words carefully, "We have had a demon incursion."

Ardor's eyes became wide as he spoke, "What? Why was I not informed of it?".

Sir Delfric quickly answered on the king's behalf, "Because your troops did not make it. As I rode here from my lands, I sensed foul magic. Someone has been allowing demons to enter into our world. I traced its magic and found a scout detachment dead near the Umber Swamp. Their bodies lay there, and I found much of the bodies missing. Something ate them."

At this, Ardor shuddered. What sorcery is this?!

Delfric looked clearly uncomfortable as he continued, "I burned the bodies, and continued hunting the trail. And then I saw it. It was a strong one, but alone. I managed to sneak up behind and dealt a fatal blow. Perhaps by fate, I knew I needed proof for my tale, and here it is. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out where it came from, but I can guess that the entrance is probably somewhere near the swamp. I took its head and brought it to the king yesterday."

The king picked up from here, "I've sent a company to investigate the Umber Swamp. Hopefully, we can find out what happened in there."

Ardor nodded, still unclear of the strange events that happened. "So what about this artifact you mentioned. What do you need it for?"

Delfric resumed his tale, "Before he died, High Lord Numor wrote in his diary that his scrying crystal revealed that the future can be saved and the demons will be driven back from this land if we can find a lost relic called 'The Tome of Sacred Flames'. A mage of the Lutni Order must read the incantation to seal the demons. He also wrote that the Tome's location is somewhere near the Mardar Cliffs."

"Mardar Cliffs is a difficult place to traverse," Ardor said. "If we ride north, we should reach it in two days, but locating your tome in this place is going to be difficult. Did the Archmagi mentioned any specific location at Mardar Cliffs?"

"Yes, though not very specific to be exact," Delfric answered as he pulled a piece of torn yellowed paper from his garb. "At midnight, upon the eternal sun's light, water shall rise up from the earth and on this reckoning, the entrance shall open its way".

Ardor once again gave a confused look, thinking through the words of the riddle, but couldn't make sense of it. Finally, he gave up and thought about the other matters. "You said you needed a skilled warrior to guide you, and then we need a mage of the...what Order?"

Delfric responded, "The Lutni Order. They are a group of skilled magicians who use Nature magics in the Western Kingdoms. We normally call them druids. Before I made my way here, I called upon them and they said they will assist us once we have located the Tome."

"And now regarding a skilled warrior, I have decided to send you, Ardor," King Aeric interjected.

Ardor blinked and looked at his liege. "Me? Sire, if a demon invasion is to happen, surely I should stay here to command our forces to counterattack?"

"IF a demon invasion is to happen, we will all be dead!" The king answered. "Whatever happens, we should do our best to prevent the invasion instead. Besides, you saw what happened earlier. You were able to take down one who uses magics and blades. My guards couldn't do that. You are the best man for the job."

"Legatus Riggs will temporarily take over command of the Kingdom's core forces. I have sent word to advise the other nobles and their people to abandon their settlements for now and fall back to Fort Ragnar. Legatus Harfor is overseeing the defence of the fort," King Aeric announced. "Now you, my friend. You shall be the hero of our times and assist Sir Delfric with his quest."

Lord Ardor saluted to his liege. Delfric bowed and asked Ardor, "My lord, I am ready to leave when you are."

Ardor smiled, "Let us rest for today, and we shall set off tomorrow". Turning to King Aeric, he inquired, "Sire, may I ask for some men to aid in our mission?"

The king scratched his chin and nodded, "Since you may need some time to find the Tome, it may be best to have extra eyes to unravel the riddle. I shall give you two of my guards. Hakom! Duran!"

One of the King's Shields stepped from behind the throne to the front and faced the king. Another man wearing chain armour and a tan cape ran in from the hall's entrance and came beside the Shield, awaiting the king's orders. Ardor recognised the man as the one who brought his horse to the stables earlier.

Facing the Shield, King Aeric said, "Duran. I give you leave to escort Lord Ardor and Sir Delfric in his quest." The Shield bowed and answered in a deep voice, "I will not fail you, Sire".

Turning to the other man, the king continued, "Hakom. Fetch a horse for yourself and Duran. Report to Master Dux about your assignment, then make preparations to leave tomorrow."

Hakom mirrored Duran's response and the king looked satisfied.

"Now," King Aeric boomed. "Go rest, all of you. Tomorrow, your quest shall begin."