Shadowlove

Prologue Part 2: The Hero of Light

As the lone knight stood at the edge of the mountain, gazing down upon the castle below, his mind was filled with a mixture of anger and determination. The armor he wore was a testament to his years of experience and countless battles, it's gold and silver plates gleaming in the dim light that filtered through the smoky clouds that hung over the area. Scratches and dents marred its surface, evidence of the many foes he had faced and vanquished in his long career.

But despite the wear and tear on his armor, the knight's gaze remained fixed on the castle below, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. Attached to the back of his breastplate, a flowing white cape fluttered in the wind, a symbol of his honor and nobility. It was clear that this was no ordinary knight, but a warrior of great skill and reputation, feared and respected by all who knew of him.

As he stood there, lost in thought, he suddenly sensed movement behind him. Instinctively, his hand went to the hilt of his sword, drawing it from its scabbard in one swift motion. Turning to face the source of the disturbance, he saw a figure approaching him, their footsteps echoing softly on the rocky ground.

For a moment, the knight tensed, ready to strike at any moment. But then he recognized the newcomer as one of his own, a fellow warrior in service to the same Champion. Relaxing his grip on his sword, he turned back to face the castle, his gaze once again fixed on the distant walls.

Despite the tranquil blue of the sky above, there was a sense of foreboding in the air, a feeling that something was about to happen. And the knight knew all too well what that something was: the castle was under attack.

For years, the mountains had acted as a shield for the castle, protecting it from invaders and would-be conquerors. But now that shield had been compromised, and the knight knew that the enemy was coming. With a sense of grim determination, he tightened his grip on his sword and prepared to defend the castle with his life if need be.

This was not the first battle he had fought, nor would it be the last. But it was one he knew he could not afford to lose. For the fate of the castle, and perhaps even the kingdom itself, hung in the balance.

"Sir, we just received word from the Capital." The knight exclaimed. Their words were delivered swiftly enough to halt the deadly reaction.

The Champion of Light took a deep breath, releasing the stress that was building up from his glaring at the King of Darkness castle for so long. He nearly forgot he wasn't alone.

He turns back to the knight and the rest who have followed him this far. Even after multiple looks, the sheer amount of those who were willing to fight impressed him greatly.

In an unprecedented turn of events, the nations of the north, east, and west have put aside their differences and joined forces to confront a common enemy. For the first time in their history, they have formed a unified army to face the King and his Dark army. Even the Queen of Light, the King's arch-nemesis and ruler of one of the nations, has joined the alliance, granting her champion the title of the Champion of Light, or simply, 'The Hero'.

This title is not bestowed lightly, as it signifies that the hero is the most seasoned warrior when it comes to confronting the King. It is a great responsibility and an even greater honor to be chosen as the Champion of Light, and all eyes are on this legendary figure to lead the charge against the King and his forces. The stakes are high, and the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of this chosen hero.

The knight approached him, bowing his head before delivering his report. "My Champion," he began, "we have received word that Her Majesty is on her way to participate in the fight."

The Champion's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. "What!?" he exclaimed, his calm and serious composure giving way to shock and concern. The nearby knights, lounging about and waiting for the call to action, snapped to attention at the sudden outburst.