The clear night sky, such a beauty, the stars and the moon looking over forests, towns, people. They were always there, yet we still can't appreciate those miracles of nature. We always look forward and never back, such is human nature. One can never see that what is most precious is right beside them. Be it a man or a woman, a child or an elder, they always miss the most important thing of all: love.

Somewhere, there is a forgotten land. Some say giants ruled over it, others say they were elves, but the truth has been lost to time. This vast land is full of ruins of a civilization long gone. Fountains and streets once full of people, now deserted covered by vegetation. Large structures left barely standing, such a shame.

It is true, at first it might have looked like a wreck, but it was peaceful, filled with the silence of a crypt. Even the howl of the wind couldn't be heard. Some might go insane from it, but others would enjoy it just as much.

A tall castle was still standing. Indeed, it was covered by vegetation, like the rest of the land, but it was in a much better shape. Through windows entered rays of light that illuminated the inside. On the walls stood tall statues of gargoyles and knights untouched by the change of time. These were a symbol of power and will.

Inside the castle, there was one person standing on the throne. There was nobody else here, not even animals, not even bugs, only him standing on the throne, sleeping.

This person was wearing a long cape, long enough to cover his body like a blanket. Underneath the cape he wasn't wearing clothes but armor. The armor was made of a strong material unknown by the world, just as his people. He also had a helmet, with horns like those of a reindeer. There were no holes for the eyes or for the mouth, as it was a blank helmet. His gauntlets like claws and his boots pointy and worn.

Months, years passed as he slept, until the day came, and for the first time in hundreds of years, a sound was heard in the crypt city of Silacet.

"What is this, WHOAAA!"

A girl was wandering around the old marketplace. The girl, with red, long hair and shiny, blue eyes, liked to adventure and explore the unknown.

"Don't wander around too far!"

The man who talked to her was a mercenary hired to track a political fugitive. He had white short hair and green eyes, a pretty muscular body and was a good tracker.

"Just look around, this must be hundreds if not thousands of years old! HOW CAN YOU NOT BE EXCITED?!"

"Because I have a job to finish. We can look around as much as you want after, you hear me Roisin!"

It was pointless. She had already wandered off by herself.

"Ah for fucks sake, now I have two people to find..."

A few hours passed. Night was coming. Shepherd found the girl, but not the fugitive.

"Look what you did, now we have to camp here."

"But-"

"No! I don't wanna hear it, you always do this."

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"Alright..."

The Moon was shining brightly, the sky was clear and there was no sound, aside from the wood cracking in the fire.

"Say, don't you think it's strange?"

"What?"

"This city, there is no sound. I can't hear any animal, and when I looked under rocks, there weren't any bugs either. As interesting as you may find it, we must not stay here for long."

"I understand your concern, but this might be quite a discovery! Can we stay another day or so, please?"

"NO! And there is nothing that will make me 'think about it'. I'll get that man and then we're out of here."

"I will buy something nice from the blacksmith for you."

He looked at her. She knew his weakness for new pieces of armor and weapons, and that he just couldn't resist any offers like this.

"Argh, alright! Even if I said no, you would pester me until I accept. So yeah, we're gonna catch that guy and then look around for a day or two."

"THANKS, SHEPHERD!"

"Ahm, would it really hurt you to call me father?"

"No, but I don't wanna."

"Whatever..."

The night passes and the two of them walk towards the castle. The road was hard as stairs were broken, and there were many craters which could lead to one's death.

"The footprints lead inside."

"So what is the problem?"

"There are two different footprints. One is much larger, so I suppose it's a human that might reside here. ...But it doesn't add up."

"Indeed, there is no source of food or water. Maybe he is just staying here?"

"You might think that, but I saw the same footprints in many places around here. I didn't say a thing because I might have startled you, but now it's unavoidable."

"He might be friendly. You never know."

"Let's just get this over with."

He lit a torch and entered through the massive doors. The statues seemed to follow them with their eyes. It was unsettling. They advanced, until they saw him.

"Oh now you gonna get it, you little bastard! You know how much we searched for you?!"

The man was dressed in a robe. His eyes were green. He had medium black hair shaved on the sides and a long beard.

"EEEEEK!? P-Please don't hurt me, they want to execute me! They plotted against me, and now sent you to finish the job!"

"What? You're not making any sense! Just come here and we can discuss this. We are staying around for a few days anyway."

"A-Are you really going to believe me?"

"Sure. After all, it's not like I can't kill you if you fuck with us."

He gulped, but then accepted the offer anyway.

"So do you have any idea what this place is?"

"Honestly, I don't know. It is very close to the capital, but it has remained unnoticed for a very long time. When I found out about it, some of the higher ups started to take an interest in me. I'm telling you, something is wrong!"

"You don't have to tell us that twice."

"By the way... Where did the girl go?"

"Uh... Roisin! ROISIN!"

The girl wandered off again. She truly was the adventurous type.

The two of them walked up the stairs and saw her there.

"Roisin, what were you thinking?!"

"Look."

"W-What?"

In front of them was the man whose footprints they saw at the entrance. He seemed to be asleep, though that didn't last for long. He rose up from the throne, and started to look around.

The three of them were on their guard.

"Um, who are you, if I may ask?"

The tall figure looked at the girl. He stepped closer. This man was at least two times bigger than Shepherd, but for Roisin that didn't matter.

"I see, it seems your people occupied the near lands. None of you would have come so close in the past."

"...What do you mean our people?"

"Ah. Where are my manners? I am called Tarex. It is a pleasure to meet you. Now, I ask that you leave my domain."

"What do you mean, we just got here a day ago!"

"And your name is....?"

"I'm Shepherd."

"Ah. I see, I see. Look Shepherd, this is my land, my territory. And you came here uninvited, woke me up, and made so much noise. I am by all the rights allowed to throw you out."

"Yeah? Just try me!"

"...Do you challenge a king?"

"Yes I do!"

Having confirmed the man's wish for battle, Tarex swiftly slapped him, and, in one smooth motion, threw him to the entrance of the castle.

"See, you don't have the right or the power to challenge me. Now you, girl. Take this other man and leave. Here is my home, my family, my... everything. You must understand how I feel."

He started walking towards the castle entrance. What was on his mind, only he knew, but one thing was clear even for Roisin: The man who called himself king was without doubt lonely.