Two figures were spotted riding their horses in the distance carrying spoils from a fresh hunt in a knit sack. Kaiden glanced down at his targets. Maldorf Clear-Springs and Arthur, his apprentice. Maldorf is described as an elf who is an able archer and hunter. Arthur is an inexperienced swordsman who travels with him. "Taking down the boy should be easy," his scout told him minutes before. "But Maldorf is cunning. Be mindful of him." The duo stopped at a small town near a river. As nightfall approached, a small group of bandits snuck in the town. Kaiden's eye glinted at this newfound opportunity. "I will not get a better chance than now," he thought. "It is time to strike." Meanwhile, inside the town tavern, Maldorf and Arthur were sitting at a table. Maldorf had requested some ale from the bartender. Arthur, being too young to handle liquor, had to settle for a bottle of spring-cola. Arthur stared down at his feet and wouldn't talk. Maldorf eyed his apprentice carefully. "Is there anything wrong Arthur?" Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his stool and sighed. "No master. Just thinking about Mother again." "Oh Arthur, not this again." "I'm sorry sir, but I miss her." His thoughts went blank for a moment and began to replay the scenes of the day he lost Mother.
Urocs had attacked the village where he and his mother were living. Most of the men had left to defend the town gates, including his uncle. Arthur was unable to help because he was only eight. He climbed on top of his mother's house so he could see the battle. Using a magnifying scope that his mother gave him, he saw the battle in vivid detail. The Urocs were gaining the upper hand. One by one, men were being brutally cut down. The Urocs were led by a local warlord named Krass. He possessed far more strength then his soldiers. He wore iron armor and carried a large, two handed axe. Both were adorned with sharp spikes. Arthur then spotted his uncle charging at Krass from the front. A fruitless attempt though, as Krass blocked his attack and swung his axe. The axe lodged itself right inside the man's chest. Arthur screamed in horror. Krass glared at him and flashed a wicked smile. He pulled the axe out of his victim's chest and kicked him to the ground. As Arthur's uncle clung to life, Krass raised his axe. "Rahh! Victory is imminent my brothers! Destroy the village and make sure every man, woman, and child is dead! For the Grudge!" The army of Urocs raised their weapons and yelled out battle cries. With one last look at Arthur, Krass took a strong swing at his uncle's neck. Arthur looked away, for he already knew his uncle was gone. From almost out of nowhere, anger flowed through his veins. He wanted to kill every last one of those Urocs. He slid down from the roof and grabbed a dagger that lay on the ground. He yelled in a rage and charged at an Uroc from behind. Arthur saw his mother and stopped in his tracks. The Uroc held her by the throat. "Arthur," she gasped."Escape the village! They won't find you in the forest." The Uroc laughed and slammed her against the wall. The Uroc turned towards his fellow soldiers. "Brothers, the boy is the only one left." Krass points towards Arthur. "After him, and release the hounds!" Arthur turned around and started dashing for the forest. He looked behind him and saw his mother crumpled against a wall. He struggled to hold back tears. Just as he thought he should stop and give up, he saw the Urocian bloodhounds chasing after him. They were the most ferocious beasts that he had ever seen. They were two times the size of a regular house dog. Their teeth were as sharp as knives. Arthur started to run for the waterfall as fast as he could. He knew that he could not outrun the bloodhounds, but he had a chance at reaching the waterfall before they got to him. As he reached the waterfall, the hounds were right behind him. He turned around and saw Krass, pointing and shouting orders. Arthur saw no other option but to jump. A strange mark on his hand began to glow, but he paid it no heed. He dropped his dagger and fell over the edge, and plummeted into his watery grave.
Arthur snapped backed to the present. "That was nearly seven years ago sir," he muttered. "I remember it as if it was yesterday." Maldorf put his hand on Arthur's soldier. "Arthur don't worry about it. We will find Krass soon enough. I swear it." Just as they began to drink, a man burst through the entrance of the tavern. "Bandit attack! To arms men! To arms!" All of the men exited the room armed with pitchforks and woodcutter axes. " Remember to anticipate the attack, then dodge or block, then counter him," Maldorf told Arthur. Maldorf exited the tavern, Arthur close behind. Maldorf spotted a bandit across the distance and launched an arrow into his chest. Another bandit charged at Arthur. Arthur dodged the attack and swept the bandit off his feet with his broadsword. Arthur kicked the bandit in the head until he lay unconscious. On the other side of the town, Kaiden sliced bandit after bandit with his daggers. Kaiden later spotted Arthur from afar. "Perfect," he thought. "No Maldorf to save your hide this time." Kaiden clutched his two daggers and snuck through the edge of town. No bandit nor townsperson ever noticed him. He was now within striking distance. As he raised his daggers, two arrows hit his hands. "Argh! Curses." Arthur spun around, his face flushed with surprise. Kaiden threw a punch with enough force to stop a stubborn mule. The punch hit Arthur square in the chin. Arthur fell to the ground with a thud. Kaiden crouched down until his face was inches away from Arthur. "Be happy that you will live for another day. But mark my words boy. I will kill you!" Kaiden slipped away from Arthur's view. Arthur's vision started to blur. He saw a faint golden light and heard a voice. "Arthur," the light said. "You will lead this realm towards a new age. But you will meet many dangers along the way. You will meet those that are loyal to your cause. The only way to succeed is to adapt. The light dimmed away until all was dark.
