Failed Knight

A Story by Blood Stained Inu

A story about a knight who has failed in his duties and is sentenced to death.

-Grand Court

-time 1 verax past midday

-year 1245 of the dragon century

*A messenger from the White Griffons hands a note to the judge*

Judge: Foron formerly of the White Griffons you are accused of treason to the crown for being a user of dark magics...Do you have anything to say in your defense?

Foron: Simply that the dark magics are not evil and you are all fools for trusting the White Griffons of the church…. They have betrayed you…

Judge:Then without further ado i sentence you Foron Grafis to Capital Punishment… prepare to meet your headsmen

Foron:Your fools! The whole lot of you!

*Foron is dragged away by members of the White Griffons*

*A Couple of days later*

Foron: This country is damned because of the White Griffons...Those damned liars knights of the people what a joke…

Guard:Your execution is scheduled for tomorrow morning on the ninth verax

Foron:Yes and what of it?

Guard:I was simply questioning why you haven't escaped yet

Foron:What do you mean? I just can’t I am in handcuffs that restrict magic

Guard:Oh? And none of your old friends want to help you?

Foron:Of course not they believe all of the White Griffons’ lies

Guard:A shame you're quite powerful in the Dark Arts...In fact I might even cry

*the guard now clearly female laughs*

Foron:Wait you're not my regular guard...and I sense dark magic within you…

Guard:Yes great I can see you do live up to my expectations, I am Elona The Necromancer

Foron:What would the great necromancer want with me?

Elona:To put your Dark Knight magics to good use *she smiles*

Foron:Will I be able to avenge my family that was murdered?

Elona:Do you mean your wife or your younger sister and daughter?

Foron:My wife as well!?

Elona:Yes she was killed after you were arrested

Foron:I wish to avenge them all then…

Elona:Then yes you’ll be able to get your revenge as long as it does not interfere with our mission

Foron:what mission?

Elona:The one to overthrow the church and the White Griffons and then show the truths of the dark arts…

Foron:Very well my life is yours…

Elona:Oh? your life is mine? You should be more careful if you put your life in someone else’s hands they're bound to steal it

Foron:I don't care all i wish is to help and take my revenge in the process…

Elona;Well then let's leave

*elona summons a monster made of bones which destroys the prison cell and breaks foron’s restraints*

Foron:How powerful…

Elona:Yes Crossbones is quite strong. Now let’s go We’ll pick up your equipment on the way back to base

Foron:Equipment…?

Elona:Yes you need something to manifest your powers with mine is my blood

Foron:Then mine must be my blade and shield right?

Elona:Yes of course it is but your blade and shield have been warped by your powers making them stronger and more fit for you

Foron:I see…

*foron and elona escape the prison in the capital of farim stealing horses and riding off into the countryside*

*weeks later after foron has collected his equipment*

Foron:Why are we in the frost dragon’s mountains?

Elona:To test your magics of course don't worry if you start to die crossbones will intervene

Foron:You're insane aren't you?

Elona:Not anymore then you are unless you decided to join...the how did you say it...ah yes the fools of Darir

Foron:Well this country is of fools…

Elona:But are you one of them?

Foron:No I am not...or at least I hope not…

Elona:Good then go fight that dragon ok?

Foron: Fine...Where is it?

Elona:Right behind that rock

Foron:Very well then..

*foron turns around the mountain past the rock to discover a giant dragon covered in ice spraying its frost breath over a bear and eating it whole*

Foron:This is ridiculous! How could I defeat that thing!?

Elona:With your magics obviously

Foron:Still...I must defeat the great frost dragon?

Elona:Yes just as I defeated the great undead dragon to amplify my magics

Foron:fine…

*foron steels his will just as the frost dragon turns toward him draw into his magical powers being so close, The frost dragon spouts is freezing breath at foron who barely escapes at the sacrifice of his horse*

Foron:Fine then dragon i'll give you your fight!

*the dragon roars as foron charges it his sword drawn and shield at the ready, as the dragon spouts is freezing breath again foron raises his shield a dark magical barrier extending from it and protecting him from the frost breath*

Foron: I see now...my magics are an extension of my will

*foron slashes with his sword dark magical slash causing the ice dome to be split in half as well as the dragon, The frost dragon withers in pain it's own ice freezing over its wound but not healing the cut through the middle of its body*

Foron:I...I did it!

Elona:Not yet finish it off and claim its power as your own!

*foron nods slashing through the dragon’s head killing it and then collecting a glowing frosty blue and white crystal from the dragon’s horns*

Foron:Is this the key to claiming its power?

Elona:Yes foron we will implant the gem into your body using magic and make the gem part of you just as it was part of the dragon

*without another word elona fuses foron and the crystal making it part of his heart and as she does so a frosty fog flows around his sword and shield*

Elona:There done you are now part crystal

Foron:Is this the secret to the dark magics…?

Elona:Of course not it is merely a way to empower your magics

Foron:Where to now then?

Elona;The home of the dark mages… The tower of Ebony

Foron:I thought that was only legends

Elona:That's what it is supposed to be a fabled tower of ebony black stone in the mountains away from the all seeing eye of the church and the white griffons, a safe haven for the dark mages to practice their arts without a risk of being killed simply for having black magics which it is only possible to get from the very moment you're born… I am honestly impressed you hid it so long.

Foron to himself:It's likely best to keep my secret then..I thought they might have known but never mind…

Elona;Cat got your tongue? I know it's a lot so try to keep up we have a long way to go

Foron: A long way huh? Just give me time to find a new horse

*After months of travel foron and elona see a dark tower silhouetted in the mountains against the setting sun*

Foron:Is...Is that the tower of ebony?

Elona:It is Foron the legendary tower of ebony...Welcome to the black circle, the circle of truth

Foron:How long till we can complete our mission?

Elona: we need only two more dark mages then we should be a force to be reckoned with

Foron:So? Do we wait or go and get them?

Elona:We shall go get them after we induct you into the circle

Foron:Induct…?

Elona:Yes we're making you a part of it

Foron:Fine if that's what I must do

*They climb the mountain path up to the tower going inside to a room with a giant magic ritual circle*

Foron:what do I do?

Elona:Stand in the middle of the circle please

Foron:Very well

*As foron steps into the middle of the circle magic flows into him and the tower around him disappears as a dark being approaches him*

Foron:What's going on!? Who are you!?

???:I am your inner darkness...confess and you will be a part of the dark circle….

Foron:Fine confess….I’ve killed others and I couldn't protect my family I feel guilty and now I desire revenge for my family

???:You're a man over thirty you're bound to have more darkness otherwise I wouldn't be here…

Foron:Fine! When I was a new knight I was entrusted with the princess because i was so skilled...And...I failed when assassins came to kill her I lost taking heavy injuries as they killed her…I am guilty of that...

???:You failed you job as a knight? But surely you would have used your magics to protect her right?

Foron:No…I didn't have magic from birth...I died in that fight with the assassin and was somehow revived receiving my dark magics in the process...I fa*iled as a knight and I am now a guilt ridden zombie...I live while the princess is dead…

???:I see…

*the being disappears in a mist and suddenly he's back in the ritual circle in the tower of ebony*

Elona:So that's what you were hiding…

Foron:You heard all of that…?

Elona:Yes… but welcome to the dark mages and the knights of the black dragons

Foron:I am no knight…

Elona:I suppose you're right…

Foron:I am right, now what next?

Elona:We have to gather the last two members of our group

Foron:How long will it take?

Elona:Not long I’d hope in fact we already have the general location of the first

Foron: Where to then?

Elona:The forbidden forest

Foron:Your kidding right?

Elona:No I am not and yes the forbidden forest does have those legendary demons and such

Foron:unbelieveable…

Elona:Quite now let's go

Foron:Fine…

Elona:So unenthusiastic…

*they leave the tower of ebony travelling to the farthest reaches of the continent, the legendary forbidden forest thought to be filled with all manners of monsters and demons*

Foron:So this is the forbidden forest…

*a pure white mist comes out of the forest filled with demonic energies*

Elona:Yes it is can you feel the demon's power coming from within?

Foron:I can is overwhelming

Elona: It is int it…?

Foron:Shall we head inside then…?

Elona:Well it's not like there's any other way to our target

*the venture into the forest the msit limiting their vision immensely and disturbing yet worrying sounds coming from everywhere*

Foron:We should...hurry…

Elona: I...well...I can't possibly agree more…

*they move faster careful to be quiet and soon a small building appears in the mist*

Foron:I see a building is that it?

……..

Foron:Elona?

*he looks around to discover elona is nowhere to be seen*

Foron:Damnnit...nothing left but to go into the house I geuss…

*Foron approaches the house when a scream comes from within*

???:ahhhh!!!!!!

Foron:What the!?

*foron goes inside concerned about what's happening inside and as he does a younger girl by at least three years runs at him*

???:Foron! It's been so long! Do you remember me?

Foron:Princess Dela!? H-how are you alive!?

Dela:Hmm? I don't know Foron but i woke up in this house but i can't leave cause i can't navigate the forest

Foron:It might have been magics…

Dela: magics? like this?

*she snaps and a summoning circle appears a monster coming out of it*

Foron:A monster? You're a user of the dark magics then...and a summoner none the less…

Dela:Are you proud foron? I am a super powerful person like you now!

Foron:I am not that powerful i did not protect you...I failed you…

Dela:So what if you failed me? You're my favorite person and you always try your best!

Foron:I swear I'll do everything in my power to protect you this time…

Dela:I know you’ll do your best you always do

Foron:Come on I’ll get you out of the forest...I hope…stay close

*dela grabs foron’s hand*

Foron:what are you?

Dela:it'll be easier to stay together like this wouldn't it?

Foron;I suppose so yes..

Dela:Let’s go then

*they leave the house venturing back into the forbidden forest when they hear a blast of magic*

Foron:We have to find the source of that blast it's a friend of mine

Dela:very well then

*they run off towards the source of the blast to find elona being attacked by a horde of demons*

Elona:Foron help me!

Foron:Don't worry!

*foron slashes casting a blade of magic to sweep through the demons and dela summons a giant dragon which rips apart the demons*

Elona:Thank you..whos the girl?

Foron:This is dela she's the person we're supposed to find also were holding hands because it's easier to stay together

Dela:Hello1 Any friend of Foron’s is a friend of mine

Elona:As in the lost princess Dela? From your past?

Foron:yes not so lost and not so in the past…

Dela;yes it's true

Foron:Anyways I am sure you’d agree it's definitely time to go

Elona:Yes let's hurry

Foron:Of course

*they go through the forest till they reach a clearing*

Elona:this isn't a way out

Foron:no but it's a start…

Dela:What do you mean?

Foron:I mean that the mist is emitting from that demon over there

*In the middle of the clearing a giant demon sits with mist pouring from its mouth the whole clearing is filled with its demonic presence*

Dela;Demon!

Elona:Let's hurry up and destroy it then…

Foron:No need to tell me

*foron slashes but as he does his sword glows sending extra slashes of magic into the demon ripping it to tiny shreds before it dissipates into dust*

Elona:What happened while I was away…?

Dela;He found me isn’t he great?

*the fog slowly starts to dissipate the forest becoming easier to travel through the forest and out of it*

Elona:It is the forbidden forest no longer it seems

Dela;This was the forbidden forest?

Foron:Yes and now we can leave…

*Foron leads everyone out of the forest and collects a new horse for dela*

Dela:Thank you foron

Foron:Your welcome but what's next Elona?

Elona: I haven't gotten a messenger bird from the tower so I'd assume we just head back to it

Foron:Very well, Dela you know how to ride a horse right?

Dela:Of course Foron I am not a child

Foron:I didn't say you were you're a grown woman of your own right

Dela:Good as long as you know

*Foron sighs to himself getting on his horse as they begin their travel back to the tower of ebony*

Elona:Dela how are you so powerful? have you ever killed a dragon?

Dela:I've never even met a dragon…

Foron:It's likely she was born with it and perhaps that was why they were trying to assassinate her

Elona:Perhaps that is it...And maybe that's how you got your powers…

Dela:It isn't important though really is it? it shouldn't matter after about five years of nothing

Elona:You're probably right princess…

*Just as the tower comes into view a rosy red explosion erupts from it sending ebony shards everywhere*

Foron:What the heck!?

Elona:Impossible…

Dela:Was that the ebony tower…?

Elona:It was...and it was supposed to be indestructible supported by all the dark mage's’ power…

Foron:We won't have the support of the dark mages and that seemed like a magic explosion…

Elona;We may have lost the dark mages but..we can't risk the loss of our only chance to complete our mission we’ll find the last person on our own and deal with whoever destroyed our people…

Dela:Ok...I'm sure with foron the three of us and another mage can do it

Foron:You believe in me too much dela...I’m only one man…

Dela:Well then we’ll just have to rely on me too!

Elona:Me as well...this is our only chance to change this world now…

Foron: I agree let's gather the last member of our little party and finish our mission

*they adventure till they arrive at the port town of Duvin*

Elona:So this is Duvin?

Foron:Yes it is be careful though there's a lot of white griffons here and keep your hoods pulled over your heads

Dela:Got it

Foron:Why did we have to come here anyways?

Elona:Because the last dark mage were collecting is here in the tavern

Foron;Fine...let's hurry…

Dela:Wait foron isn't this your home town?

Foron:Yes it is and it's the murderer’s too so can we please hurry?

Elona:Yes of course…

Dela:Yeah…

*they hurry to the tavern but run straight into a white griffon who knows foron*

Soldier:Foron!? How are you alive traitor!?

Foron:Traitor!? You're a murderer!

*he kills the soldier before they have time reply*

Foron:Sorry... I acted without thinking...hurry we won't have much time…

Elona:Got it i'll find the mage guard the entrance!

Dela:Foron be careful killing is bad for everyone…

Foron:I know i try not to…

*foron and dela defend the tavern fighting off the white griffons as the soldiers attack them and after a few minutes elona comes out pulling another girl behind her*

Elona:duck down!

*as foron and dela duck down the girl screams fire killing all the white griffons*

Foron:A dragon girl!?

Elona:Yes her name's Danas now let's leave duvin before it's too late!

Dela:Got it

Foron:I couldn't agree more…

*they leave duvin getting on their horses and riding as far as possible away for the day*

Foron:I think we're ok for today…

Danas;Yes...And thanks for saving me i'm sure the white griffons were at the tavern to kill me…

Elona:your more then welcome

Dela:of course you're our friend now!

Danas:And for what it's worth foron i never believed you were a criminal...it was clearly rigged…