The smell of burning wood woke up Magnum. Black clouds floated up like towers in the sky contrast to the white pillar of the Gods.

“Useless fucking pillar,” Magnum said looking out the window, eyes still heavy. He had a good sleep. His bed was comfortable and clean but he couldn’t get out of his mind that the person who slept there the previous night was probably dead now. Most likely burning and flying to the sky.

Harthur entered the house where Magnum slept and went straight to the kitchen. He was carrying eggs and vegetables that he scavenged around. He then started cooking. Magnum heard and smelled the event in the kitchen and ran down. Hot omelets and bread made his mouth water and he ate beside Harthur. They ate quietly. Not saying a thing to each other.

Magnum finished his meal, “Thank the gods!” he said.

“Not me?” Harthur whispered.

On the left side of the table, beside Harthur was a thin bar-like instrument that had two straps. It looked complex with some gears and contraptions.

“What is that?” Magnum said.

Harthur looked at where Magnum was looking, “My shield blade”.

Magnum stood up and looked at the device closer, “Shield blade, Ah yes. I’ve heard about it before. It doesn’t explode right?”

“No,” Harthur laughed, short one.

“So how does it kill demons?”

Harthur stood up and wore the instrument in two quick motions on his right arm. He then moved his wrist slightly and it snapped and formed a shield, a round shield with small vertical slits. It was blazoned with the face of a tiger with branching horns.

Magnum was impressed by how it looked and how it snapped open, “So how does it kill demons?” he said again.

Harthur chuckled, “You didn’t notice the color? It also absorbs radiance like the usual weapons.” Harthur saw that Magnum was still confused, “Ah! I know what you’re asking for. I covered it with this cloth because I already used the radiance.” Harthur then took the cloth around his neck and covered his shield.

“Yes.That! That white cloth, some say its unbreakable?” Magnum said.

“It is,” Harthur said.

“Can I try?”

“Try it. But not on mine, please pick any on the wagon outside”.

Magnum walked outside. The sun was bright that day and the pyres made it hotter. He found the wagon full of swords, spears, and wands. All of them looked gray, the weapons weren’t shining like Lordred’s sword yesterday.

“So that coward did not use his weapon. This is what it looked like once the radiance was consumed.”

He then picked a white cloth, the same that Harthur was using on his shield. It was thin and light. And now that he was holding one, Magnum can see his hand through it. It looked like it was sparkling with the same colors of the enchanted weapons but it was not sparkling. It had some tiny pieces of the same white and blue material that reflected light. He picked up the knife he had on his waist.

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Harthur finished his food and came outside to witness Magnum’s experiment.

Magnum stretched the cloth. He tried with all his might but it never tore apart. He stabbed it multiple times but his sharp knife could not cut it.

“What magic is this?” he said.

“It's precious material from the God’s Pillar itself,” Harthur said walking to the wagon.

“Precious?” Magnum looked at all the weapons, “So you have to bring it back?”

“Yes, but you can take anything you want. It will help you in your battles”.

“Won’t they look for it?”

"Yes, but I can make up an excuse for a few missing."

Magnum put the cloth back, “No, I don’t need it”

“Take the cloth. The weapon, yes they are useless to you”.

Magnum shook his head and walked away from the wagon.

Harthur took one cloth and tried to give it to Magnum, “Don’t be so stubborn. The cloth protected my shield from any damage. It will help you!”

Magnum shook his head again.

Harthur sighed and walked to the front of the wagon. He checked up on the horse and its garments.

“The other squires? They never came back here huh?” Magnum said.

"Yes. They all left. Now, It's just me who will bring back all this to Midandria.”

“You can’t ask for any backup?”

"No one will come. We are the backup. Most of the knights are stationed in the south and on the bases around Corone and Midandria. We received a distress call from our camp and came here as fast as we could. We tried to save as many but we're late. Half of the town was already destroyed."

Magnum walked around and sat on a stone beside the dirt road, “So what's that godsent knight doing?" he said.

"You mean, Gwyn? He was summoned back to Midandria for some ceremony by the Vicar".

Magnum threw a rock at the wall in front of him, "Useless dumbass!"

Harthur took a deep breath. “We are not perfect. We make mistakes.”

“Imagine being this holy warrior but always out for a dinner with the Vicar. It's so stupid.”

“It is,” Harthur agreed with Magnum for the first time.

"I only saw him in action once. But that one time, he erased a field of demons. He threw his spear and the spear shone so bright I got blinded. After the blinding light, all the demons got purified."

"Must be fake. If it's that easy, this stupid war should have ended years ago."

Harthur climbed up to his wagon and readied his horse, "No, the demons are too many. They are coming in droves from the south."

“I’ll take care of them,” Magnum said.

“You can’t. They are stronger and bigger,” Harthur said looking back to Magnum.

Magnum stood up, "It doesn’t matter! I’ll do it!"

“Well, at least wait till I become a knight and So I can help you.”

"When are you gonna be a knight? I can't wait to kick your ass!"

"Someday and when it happens you won’t be able to land a punch on me," Harthur said.

“Then I’ll kick you,” Magnum said.

Harthur smiled at the road, "And you? Where will you go?"

"South to kill the Grand Demon. Be quick or you won’t see how I kill it," Magnum said.

Harthur shook his head, “Don't die!" he said and then he whipped the horse, his shield beside him. He waved his hand at Magnum as a farewell.

“I won’t! And tell those useless knights to be better!”

“The Knights are trying to be better!” Harthur shouted as the wagon pressed forward.

“Be sure of that! if not, I’ll destroy the Knights!”

“I won’t let you!”

“Then be better!”

“I’ll do it!”

“Do it!”