6. Obsession.
7. Eternity
8. Gateway
9. Death
10. Opportunities
Odin's obsession with Dark Knights began in his childhood, from a grand tale of adventure where the vicious villain was a Dark Knight, whose unmatched power was feared by all. Odin read in rapt fascination of how the Dark Knight's adversaries would fall to their knees, blood bubbling from their lips, drowning as their lungs and throat filled up.
Odin chased the stories and fables, trying to find some account that taught the Dark Knight power. When he finally acquired the Leonhart tome from Fabul, Odin knew then he was too old to purse it himself.
But there were others.
Odin was nothing if not patient.
Despite his eagerness, Odin knew he had to wait to find the right person. Not just anyone could be Baron's first Dark Knight, but someone who was strong and steadfast enough to embrace their own darkness without flinching. For many years, Odin waited and searched, not wanting to make a mistake; he needed to choose correctly.
After an eternity, young Kain Highwind came into Odin's custody. Odin recognized the jealous anger in the orphaned boy; he knew it had deep, burrowing roots, and wondered how far Kain might go to never feel powerless again.
"Pain is a gateway to immense power," Odin said, awestruck. "You would be unrivaled," he added, the word choice deliberate.
"I don't want to be a Dark Knight," Kain countered, his chin defiant. "I will be a Dragoon, like my father."
"Then you will always be second-best," Odin said, the words angry and prophetic. "You will strive for greatness and always fall short. You will never be as good as Cecil, or have what he has, or be my heir."
Kain scowled but didn't protest, not daring to contradict his liege.
"Get out!" Odin boomed like thunder.
Relieved, Kain ran.
Death came for Odin – not on the battlefield, as expected, or from a diplomatic knife in the back, as feared. Instead, it was his own greed that lured him into the trap. Golbez had promised power, and Odin couldn't resist, eagerly agreeing to meet with the mysterious Cagnazzo.
As Odin fell to his knees, briny water flooding his mouth and nose, he watched Cagnazzo, body shifting grotesquely, transform into a new shape. Ignoring Odin's distress, Cagnazzo plucked the crown from Odin's head and put it on.
"Long live the King," Cagnazzo burbled in Odin's own voice.
Odin's world went dark.
"There are opportunities for you," the woman said, strangely dream-like and impossible with her rotating faces; the current one smiled benevolently. "If you offer obedience."
"Obedience?" Odin repeated, the word felt foreign. As a king, he expected obedience, but never extended it.
One of the woman's too many arms snaked forward, a long, glittering katana in hand. "If summoned to battle, would you fight?"
Odin considered the blade – Zanmoto, he realized. "Yes," Odin answered, taking the katana; it felt right in his hand.
The woman's face rotated, showing a dark grin. "You will be terrifying," she promised.
Odin believed her.