Blood of Light and Shadow Part 1: The Border Siege part
The fortress of Lumara stood defiant against the storm.
Torches flickered on ancient stone walls.
Sir Aldric Thorne gripped his sword tighter.
Twenty-eight winters had hardened his fair skin.
Dark brown hair matted under his dented helm.
Gray eyes scanned the horizon for shadows.
His white cloak was stained with mud and blood.
Beneath his armor hung the small obsidian amulet.
Cold against his chest.
Always cold.
The Holy Knights chanted prayers to the Eternal Light.
Their golden banners snapped in the wind.
But the darkness answered with howls.
Demonic shapes surged from the treeline.
Aldric raised his blade.
"For the Light!" he roared.
Steel clashed with claw and fang.
A dark warrior fell at his feet.
Its eyes mirrored something in his own soul.
He pushed the thought away.
High Pontiff Lucius Valerian watched from the tower.
Sixty-two years of calculated grace.
Silver hair framed a gaunt, commanding face.
His golden robes glowed under lantern light.
He smiled serenely at the carnage below.
Brother Inquisitor Garrick stood beside him.
Hooded, scarred face hidden in shadow.
Green eyes never left Aldric.
"The knight fights well," Garrick murmured.
"Too well."
The sacred relic pulsed in the chapel.
An ancient crystal meant to banish darkness forever.
Aldric was ordered to protect it.
He fought his way through the breach.
Smoke choked the air.
Screams echoed off vaulted ceilings.
He reached the altar.
The crystal cracked on its own.
Shattered.
Dark energy exploded outward.
Aldric clutched his chest.
The obsidian amulet burned hot.
For the first time.
Voices whispered in his mind.
"Your blood calls us."
He staggered back.
A dying knight grabbed his arm.
"The Light... is lying."
Aldric looked up.
Pontiff Lucius stared down from the balcony.
His serene smile faltered for one heartbeat.
Garrick descended the stairs slowly.
His hand rested on his hidden dagger.
The fortress walls trembled.
Darkness poured in like living smoke.
Aldric stood alone amid the ruin.
His amulet glowed purple-black.
What have I done?
Why does it feel like coming home?
The Pontiff's voice rang out.
May you like
"Bring me the knight. Alive."
But the shadows already knew his name.
