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The wind rushes through my hair as I run through the forest. Trying (and failing) to not snap every fallen twig that is on the ground and allowing my pursuers know where I am going. I look up to see Castle Ardenvale in the distance. The shining white pillars break through the darkness of the night and give me a new sense of hope that I might see the morning. As my new sense of hope feels with new confidence and energy to move on, I slip on the forest floor and crash into a tree.
I look around to see…ice? Winter left the realm months ago but the trees are still blooming and growing. Just as I attempt to raise myself and continue my retreat, a blast of black lightning hits my armor leaving a burn mark and what I can only assume is a nasty bruise underneath it.
“Bullseye” says a female voice in a taunting fashion. Her laughter grows stronger as she approaches me.
A calmer male voice interrupts her laughter, “I don’t know if I would call that a ‘Bullseye’, you barely hit him. You probably did not even break a bone”.
“Whatever, just let me have my fun. Knights are incredibly boring to hunt, especially lonely ones.”
“Who are you?” I shout into the darkness. I draw my sword but I don’t know exactly where the voices were coming from. I put my back against the tree for protection, if I go out, I can go out with some honor at least.
“We are no one” says the male voice. “Just emissaries of a new future, scions of the darkest and more powerful parts of realms. Who might you be, young knight? You seem a bit far from the castle doors.”
“I am Syr Damon of Castle Ardenvale. Knight of the realm and protector of the Queen Linden”, I yell back into the darkness. I have said those words so many times but never with just fear behind them. “I ask again, the name yourselves so that I can bring you to justice”.
Laughter continues from the female voice as I hear footsteps approach me. It continues as a woman in a black and red cloak emerges from the darkness. Her face is covered by the hood of her cloak and she carries a short sword attached to her waist. “Name myself? Well, I will certainly do that when I take my rightful place on the throne of Ardenvale. Shall I fashion myself with a new one or keep the classic? What do you have to say, brother?”
A man in dark steel armor emerges from the darkness as well. His hair is snow white and eyes are glowing light blue. He carries a large tome on his side. It is chained to his person while also being chained shut. “Whatever you please, though I think the family name is required. Kenrith always did sound strong and royal to me.” He remarks to his sister.
“Kenrith?” I question out loud as if this name is supposed to mean anything to me. “What do you want with Ardenvale? Who has sent you to attack the realm?”.
“Sent us? No, we are here to take our rightful place in the kingdom. See our father was supposed to be king but the queen murdered him after learning of his affair with our mother. Luckily she was still around to make sure we were raised with the knowledge of who should really run this kingdom. The ones with power” His demeanor never faulted but a small grin emerged as if he knew what was coming next. “Sister, I think it is time for us to get rid of this problem… and continue on”
“Agreed” said the witch as she struck me with a new blast of lightning and this time it struck was she was aiming for. My visions blurred and dissipated as all I heard was laughter. Continuous laughter.