Eliza was sworn to protect Orsterra and its people, but some threats just seemed a little too big for one team to handle...

Sworn Service

The Knights Ardantes were sworn to protect the realm, sworn into the service of the Sacred Flame as they promised their protection to everyone in Orsterra against any threat, big or small. Be it stopping a small riot in the local tavern or protecting the entire populous from a monstrous beast that spread only plague and death, the Knights would be there offering protection and their blades to stop the threat.

Eliza, of course, was no different. As a Knight Ardante herself, she had sworn an oath to protect anyone against any danger. But that didn't mean she didn't have people she wanted to protect more than others. Both Ophilia and Lianna of Flamesgrace were dear friends of Eliza's now, people she wanted to take extra steps to see protected; as were the S'warkii hunter pair, Z'aanta and H'aanit. All four of them had been through enough hardships this last year, Eliza was sure of that, they didn't deserve to struggle any longer.

But that didn't mean she hadn't hesitated greatly when H'aanit and Ophilia came to her with a new mission in Wispermill.

"I'm sorry," Eliza apologised, shaking her head in utter disbelief. "You want me to help you do what?"

"We required your aid in rescuing our friend," Ophilia repeated what H'aanit had just told her, probably assuming that H'aanit's dialect had been what made her react in such away, not the ludicrous nature of the request itself. "We believe he has been taken to the Gate of Finis in former Hornburg. Why he's been taken there, we do not know for sure but it seems as though he might be being used as a vessel to reawaken the Dark God Galdera."

"And the eight of you need my help stopping Galdera from being reborn and launching destruction upon the world?" Eliza summarised, still staring at them in utter disbelief. There was no way this was a real request, surely. It was too insane, too impossible.

"Nay." H'aanit shook her head and Eliza let out a sigh of relief. This was all some sort of strange prank after all… "There wilt ben more than eight of us."

"Pardon?"

"We've been requesting the aid of many people we've met during our travels." Ophilia clarified. "I think there are nearly 20 of us now."

H'aanit counted on her fingers before nodding. "If Eliza joinens, we wilt ben a team of 20… Plus Linde."

The snow leopard barked in acknowledgement that she would be joining them.

"This is utter insanity." Eliza shook her head again, completely dumbfounded by the request and that so many people had already agreed to join them on their quest to a certain death. Had they really had such an important impact on these people's lives that they were willing to fight with them?

"I agree." Ophilia nodded. "However, if we let things go any further without at least trying to prevent it, all the blood that could potentially be spilled will be on our hands."

"Hast thou not taken an oath to protecten the land from threats such as this?" H'aanit asked pointedly.

"I have, yes." Eliza sighed. "And I owe you both a debt of gratitude. But this… You understand how risky this is, don't you?"

"Yes." "Aye." Both girls nodded, even Linde bowed her head in what resembled a nod.

"And you're still willing to risk your lives anyway?"

Again, the trio nodded. Whether or not Linde understood the question or was simply going along with her mistress, Eliza didn't know. However, it was clear the three of them were determined.

Never had Eliza met a group of people so willing to throw themselves head first into danger, heedless of any consequences that may come to them as a result. Yes, she had a sworn duty to protect the people as well as Orsterra itself, however these eight didn't, they were simply travellers in search of something. And right now they were in search of their missing friend, a boy who might well become the vessel for a being that would bring only destruction and darkness to the land…

They might well be a collection strong fighters and healers – and Eliza could only speculate about how strong the others they'd gathered were – but they had to know they were outmatched by a God, even one who had only just been reborn into a body of a vessel.

Eliza sighed again. "I owe the pair of you a debt of gratitude as it is and if I aid you on this quest, I believe it will be repaid with interest. And protecting Orsterra is my sworn duty..."

"So you'll offer us your blade?" Ophilia asked, smiling upon her in such a way that Eliza just couldn't bring herself to refuse.

"I suppose I will." Eliza shook her head, smiling a little to herself. "However, I will not offer you any soldiers. No need to sacrifice lives needlessly."

"I promise, your life will not be sacrificed." Ophilia reassured her, twirling her staff as they set off to join the others. "There are already five healers in our group, no one will die on our watch."

"We'll see..." Eliza muttered under her breath, already falling into a pessimism. However, if this was to be her last mission, she'd give it all she had. She'd fight to protect Orsterra, to save the boy.

She'd fight to protect this collection of misfits from hurting themselves against a threat they were clearly underestimating. 20 people were no match for a God.