Emberen
Emberen woke up, he heard a haunting sound of distant howling. The knight was gone, leaving only the crackling fire as a reminder of his presence. Slowly rising to his feet, Emberen felt the warmth of N'elenia's divine fire still burning within him.
[https://i.imgur.com/8GbbNsw.jpg]
He stepped away from the fire and turned his back on the swamp. In front of him were towering trees that loomed overhead, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, clawing at the night sky. The ancient towers, or what was left of them, stood as silent sentinels, stark reminders of the battle that had raged here centuries ago.
[https://i.imgur.com/Vx6SurM.jpg]
Emberen's instincts told him that he was not alone in this place. His eyes caught a glimpse of movement near one of the fallen towers. Cautiously, he approached, his Flameclaymore at the ready.
As he drew closer, he saw the figure of a person, clad in dark. The figure was slender and graceful. Emberen could not see her face, as it was hidden behind a helmet, but he saw a gleaming emblem on the armor that indicated her allegiance to a distant land.
Emberen hesitated for a moment before speaking, „Greetings. I am Emberen, the chosen champion of N'elenia. I seek to cleanse this land of darkness and fulfill my divine quest. Who are you? What brings you to these forsaken lands?“
The knight remained silent for a moment. Finally, the knight spoke. „I am Seraphina of Aetherl.“
Emberen knew of that place. Aetherl, often referred to as the „Land of the Knights,“ is a legendary castle located in the far east of the known world. It is a place with rich history, tradition, and mystery, and it has earned a reputation as a bastion of chivalry, honor, and noble values.
Aetherl is not just a castle; it is a fortress of legends. Its origins are shrouded in the mists of time, but its construction is attributed to Sir Aethral, who is said to have been a virtuous and valiant knight of unparalleled skill and honor. After doing a favor to the god Lurkil, with his help he built the castle. Because of the divine touch, it is often described as a masterpiece of architecture, with towering walls, majestic towers, and intricate stone carvings that tell the stories of Sir Aethral.
Aetherl is not just the castle itself but also the surrounding region, or at least it was before the war. The land is dotted with other courts, keeps, and fortified towns, all inhabited by noble knights and their loyal retinues. The people of Aetherl are known for their unwavering dedication to the chivalric code.
The knights who hail from Aetherl are renowned throughout the known world for their exceptional combat skills. They are often sought after as mentors and trainers for aspiring knights from distant lands.
Some say that hidden within its labyrinthine catacombs lies the fabled Sword of Aethral, a weapon of unmatched power and destiny. The sword is also known as a beacon of light because of all the demons slain by it.
„What are you doing this far away from home?“ Emberen asked her. Her presence intrigued him. Aetherl, the legendary Land of the Knights, was a place he had heard tales of since his childhood. Its knights were known for their unyielding dedication to the code of chivalry and their combat prowess. He couldn't help but wonder why Seraphina had ventured so far from her homeland.
She hesitated for a moment, her helmeted gaze fixed upon Emberen. She seemed reluctant to reveal her true purpose in these forsaken lands. Instead, she chose her words carefully.
„I have my quest, Emberen,“ her voice muffled by the helmet. „It is a matter of great importance, one that has led me far from the hallowed halls of Aetherl.“
Emberen respected her privacy and he did not press further, but he saw an opportunity for their paths to align, at least for the time being. „Regardless of your quest, it is clear that we both seek to confront the darkness that plagues these lands. Would you consider joining forces, at least for the time being? Together, we are stronger.“
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Seraphina thought about his proposal for a moment. The idea of an alliance with Emberen, a chosen champion of N'elenia, was intriguing, and maybe she could use his help, or the help of his goddess to aid her. She nodded beneath her helmet. „Very well, Emberen. For now, let us face these challenges together.“
Emberen and Seraphina ventured further into the forest, their footsteps echoing in the shadowed woods. As they moved forward, the fallen towers of the ancient battlefield gave way to a winding path leading toward the territory of a renowned lord in those parts. It was said that this lord possessed knowledge and artifacts that could aid them in their quest.
„Emberen,“ Seraphina seizing the opportunity to steer their course suggested, „there is a castle nearby, the domain of a lord known for his wisdom and resources. It is said that he may possess information that could help us both. Would you be willing to accompany me there?“
He nodded in agreement. „Very well. Lead the way. On my map in these areas, I can only see the Castle of Kulkri, and no one should be there by the latest information I've got.“
They followed the winding path and as they approached the castle, they noticed the soft glow of torchlight flickering through the dense trees. It seemed that someone was within, and the castle was not abandoned as Emberen had initially thought.
Drawing closer, they were greeted by the sight of two knights standing guard at the castle's gates. Their armor bore the emblem of the castle, and they appeared vigilant but not hostile.
Seraphina stepped forward, her demeanor composed and respectful. "Greetings," she began, addressing the guards. "We come in peace, seeking an audience with the owner of this castle. I am Seraphina of Aetherl, and this is Emberen, the chosen champion of N'elenia. We have important matters to discuss."
The two knights exchanged a glance.
„Very well,“ the knight said. „We shall escort you to see our lord, King Aric, inside the castle. Follow us.“
Inside the grand hall, they were met with the sight of a stately figure seated upon a carved stone throne. As Emberen and Seraphina approached, King Aric rose from his throne. „Welcome to the Castle Kulkri,“ he said in a deep commanding voice. „I am King Aric. I understand you wish to speak with me, what brings you to my domain?“
Emberen stepped forward, offering a respectful nod to the king. „Your Majesty, we seek knowledge and resources to confront the darkness that plagues these lands.“
King Aric regarded them both with a measured gaze before finally speaking. "It is not often that a champion of N'elenia graces our castle with their presence. Very well, I shall hear your request. But first, let us feast and share tales of your journey. I have a feeling that your quest is of great importance to these lands, and I may have knowledge that can assist you."
Emberen and Seraphina sat down to share some souls with King Aric in the grand hall of Castle Kulkri, and they noticed an unusual bottle on the king's table. The bottle emitted a shimmering, ethereal light that danced and flickered within. Intrigued, Emberen couldn't help but ask about it.
„Your Majesty,“ Emberen began, gesturing to the radiant bottle, „may I ask about that remarkable container? It seems to emit light.“
King Aric smiled warmly as he picked up the bottle and inspected it. "Ah, this," he said with a chuckle, "it's a healing potion of my own creation, infused with the blessings of our goddess. It can mend wounds and restore vitality with each sip. You may wonder why I indulge in it so frequently."
Seraphina and Emberen exchanged a curious glance, but King Aric continued, his tone nonchalant. "You see, it not only heals, but it also happens to be quite delectable. I find its taste rather exquisite, which is why I enjoy savoring it."
Emberen and Seraphina nodded politely, accepting the explanation but feeling a sense of unease in the back of their minds. Something about the situation seemed off, and their suspicions grew as King Aric delved into the tale of his predecessor, the previous king.
"With this potion, I can't help but remember the days when our previous king, a brave and valiant soul, battled the great demon Ki'rc," King Aric recounted, his eyes distant with admiration. "He fought with such passion and determination, facing the demon in a battle that shook the very foundations of this castle."
The king's words sent a shiver down Emberen's spine. Ki'rc was no ordinary demon; it was one of the most malevolent and destructive creatures to ever exist. The reverence in King Aric's voice for a being that should have been despised sent a clear warning signal.
[https://i.imgur.com/41R3Ir7.jpg]
Emberen leaned in closer to Seraphina and whispered, "Something is wrong here. He speaks of Ki'rc as if it were a hero, not a demon. We must be careful."
„The battle lasted for many days and nights, until the king dropped dead and the great demon Ki'rc stood above him.“ The king continued talking. „But the king did hurt Ki'rk, shattering his soul that almost killed him.“
„But if the demon is not dead, where is he now?“ Emberen asked.
The king took a sip of his drink, and with a sly grin, he looked at them and said: „You see, my dear guests, this tale is not one of battle but of transformation. I am Ki'rc.“
In an instant, King Aric's true demonic nature emerged. His eyes glowed with an unholy light, and his body was covered with darkness. Emberen and Seraphina were now face to face with the great demon Ki'rk. The battle between light and darkness had found a new battleground within the halls of Castle Kulkri, and Emberen and Seraphina braced themselves for the confrontation of their lives.
[https://i.imgur.com/3FRPpnc.jpg]
[https://i.imgur.com/1ika3rH.png]Their current location