Chapter 1

Winter was nearing its end, no snow covered the ground. The chilly wind wandered among the bare trees, and nature had grown silent. The silence was broken by the clash of steel and the cries of battle. The Dark God’s demons were besieging the walls of Glelrun, trying to seize control of the Goddess’s city.

The Guardians were ready. This had always been their duty. To protect the city, even at the cost of their lives. The damp soil and the slippery grass made movement difficult. The tall walls cast shadows over the battlefield, where hundreds of fallen already lay. The darkness of the sky and the gleam of the blood-soaked earth created a chilling contrast.

In one of the castle’s chambers, the Guardians were discussing their defense strategy. The dark stone walls were lit by torchlight, casting shadows across the map-covered table. Through the windows, the noise of battle seeped in.

"In ten minutes we open the gates." declared the Commander. "The Third Defense Unit will move out to reinforce the Second Unit. Meanwhile, the archers will support the advance from the walls. Once the Third Unit reaches its position, they will push the enemy back together."

He traced the plan across the map with his finger. Worry showed on the faces of those present, and sweat glistened on some foreheads. The Commander saw their fear, but he knew there was no place for hesitation.

"Much depends on this battle." he said firmly. "We cannot allow the demons to take our home. You may feel fear, but we must fight."

For a moment, the silence in the room grew tense.

"The recruits are to return to the Guard Quarters and wait there."

The commanders nodded in agreement. Relief showed on the faces of the younger Guardians as they started toward the exit, while in the eyes of the seasoned warriors burned the fire of duty and the will to fight. They all knew that this battle was not merely a clash, the fate of the city depended on it.

Vyth, the young recruit, stood beside his master. He was among the few allowed to attend the meeting. As the Commander’s words were spoken, he stepped forward.

"But Commander, sir! In battle every man may be needed, let us fight as well!"

The room fell silent. Every gaze fixed on Vyth. The Commander’s eyes flashed, then he struck the table with his hand.

"This is my decision. I will not send recruits onto the battlefield. You are still too inexperienced for this fight. Two years of training are required before anyone is sent into battle. If I recall correctly, you have completed only one."

"Yes, sir." Vyth lowered his eyes and stepped back beside his master. "I apologize."

The Commander drew a deep breath, then continued quietly but firmly.

"Then, as we agreed."

He turned on his heel and left, his footsteps echoing across the stone floor of the chamber.

Vyth glanced at his master, then spoke with a trace of hope.

"Master... couldn’t we...?"

"I’m sorry, Vyth." The man’s gaze was both sorrowful and proud. "This is the order. You are an excellent swordsman, but you still have much to learn. It is best if you return to the Guard Quarters and wait there for further orders."

"Understood..."

Vyth set off in silence. His steps dragged dully across the stone floor. As he left the chamber, the noise of battle swelled once more.

Walking down the corridor, he saw the lights of the battle through the windows. He heard the clash of blades, the shouts. With each step, his feet seemed to grow heavier.

Vyth trudged through the crowded streets in a sulk. He was young, only seventeen, and although he had never fought in a real battle, he wanted to defend the city where he was born.

He stopped halfway. From beyond the walls he could hear the sounds of battle. Swords clashed, cries echoed, explosions shook the ground. The fighting was drawing nearer.

He knew the city's evacuation routes, the hidden passages used to evacuate civilians when needed. Through one of those routes he could slip out easily and join the fight to defend the city.

By the time he realized it, he was already standing before the passage. The walls were damp, overgrown with moss, the air musty and cold. He reached for the latch, but the motion stalled.

"I can't... They'll find out for sure, and I'll be punished for breaking the order."

He sighed, then turned back toward the Guard Quarters.

In the next moment a soft creak broke the silence.

Vyth quickly slipped behind the nearby barrels. Rusty chains and broken crates lay atop the cover. He waited.

The passage door slowly opened, and six figures stepped out of the darkness.

Demons.

His hand slid to his sword, but he did not draw it. Alone he stood no chance against them. If he ran now to fetch help, by the time he returned with the guards the demons would already be gone.

"So far everything has gone smoothly." one of the demons said. "The information was good. But let's not waste time. As soon as we reach the gate, the bulk of our forces can enter, and we will take what our Lord desires."

The lead demon moved forward confidently, the others following closely. The streets grew darker as they pushed deeper into the city.

"The gate? They want to open the main gate?" Vyth thought. "I must stop them. But I cannot handle six demons alone... Or should I risk it? There is not a single Guardian in this part of the city besides me... For now, I'll follow them."

He moved after them cautiously, silently, slipping into the shadows of the buildings. His heart pounded wildly, his palms slick with sweat. One wrong move and the enemy would notice him.

As Vyth followed the demons, his mind kept racing with thoughts of how he might stop them. The sun hung low, casting long shadows across the city walls. The dark stone, streaked with moss grown over the years, only made the sight more somber.

The demons reached the gate. Vyth hid behind a crate, watching and waiting. They were planning an ambush against the Guardians. When one of them moved toward a Guardian who stood with his back turned, Vyth acted. He leapt from his hiding place, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck at the nearest demon. But the creature noticed in time and dodged aside.

The nearby Guardian caught the movement as well and drew his blade. The metallic gleam of the Guardians’ armor had dulled over time and battle, but now it came alive again in the sunlight.

"Well, well, looks like we’ve been exposed." one of the demons laughed.

"No matter, this will be good fun anyway." another grinned, then lunged at Vyth.

The demon’s skin was dark and coarse, his eyes burning with the fire of damnation. The force of his blows nearly tore the sword from Vyth’s grip. Each strike rang sharply against the walls.

At the sound of the clash, two more Guardians rushed to the gate to help. The demons wasted no time, hurling themselves at them, blades flashing, while conjuring fireballs and flinging them at the defenders. The searing heat scorched the nearby wooden objects, and flames flared up at once.

Vyth tried to assess the situation. He knew he was skilled with a sword, but he had no battle experience. The demons were fast, their movements carrying an unnatural precision.

"Stay calm." he reminded himself. "Use what you’ve learned. Attack isn’t always the best method..."

He held his sword before him, waiting for his opponent’s move. The demon lunged. Vyth thrust with perfect aim, striking its torso. The demon staggered, then collapsed.

There was no time to rest. Another demon charged, but Vyth was already moving, helping his comrades in the fight.

A fireball struck one Guardian square in the chest. The soldier fell lifeless, a red stain spreading beneath him.

Vyth’s eyes widened.

"You’ll pay for this, demon!" he shouted, slashing three times in quick succession at his attacker. The demon fell to the ground.

The others began to laugh.

"Not so weak, these humans. Pity it won’t do them any good."

In the next instant, another demon’s blade pierced a Guardian’s heart.

"Even if you kill us, we will return. The Underworld never releases us."

Vyth’s heart pounded. The demons’ words cut deep. The stench of blood filled the battleground, the metallic scent mingling with the acrid scent of burning wood.

It grew harder and harder to breathe.

"How? Are my comrades giving their lives for nothing?"

His thoughts tangled. Fear and anger swirled within him.

The last Guardian charged in fury, cutting down two demons with a single sweep. But one suddenly struck his sword away and readied the final blow.

"No!" Vyth roared.

He hurled himself at the demon, and a fierce struggle began. The creature’s blade slashed his shoulder, pain shooting through his body. Gritting his teeth, Vyth delivered one powerful strike, severing the demon’s head. A quick turn and the last of them also fell to the ground.

Dust and blood mingled on the stones.

Vyth dropped his sword and fell to his knees. The surviving Guardian rushed to his side to hold him up.

Gasping, Vyth stared at the bodies lying on the ground. The weight of the loss pressed down on him all at once.

"Calm yourself," said the Guardian. "It’s over."

The man’s voice was steady, but inside Vyth was still trembling. He closed his eyes, drew a deep breath. Slowly, the anger and fear subsided.

In the silence, only the distant sounds of battle and the howl of the wind remained.

After a few moments Vyth rose to his feet.

"We must hurry. We must report to the Commander!" His voice was firm, but deep inside he still felt the weight of fear and loss. "I saw where these demons came through. We must prevent another force from breaking into the city!"

The Guardian nodded, and the two of them ran toward the castle. They rushed through the narrow streets of the city, past the market and the crowded houses. As they reached the castle, the massive carved stone gates and the time-worn walls loomed grimly above them.

Vyth burst into the Commander’s chamber. The spacious hall was adorned with windows and wall tapestries that reached to the ceiling. The Commander was speaking with a young man in his twenties, brown-haired, clad in silver armor. The metal of his armor gleamed in the incoming light.

"Commander, sir! There’s great trouble!" Vyth could hardly catch his breath.

The Commander furrowed his brows. "What happened?"

Gasping, Vyth recounted what he had seen. "Demons slipped into the city through one of the evacuation routes. They tried to open the main gate, and they killed two Guardians. They must have known the locations of the routes. It’s likely they know the others as well."

The Commander’s face hardened. "I won’t even ask why you were in that part of the city... But it doesn’t matter. We must act quickly." He turned to the man in silver armor. "Silver Knight Amarah. I request permission to seal the evacuation routes."

Amarah nodded without hesitation. "Seal the routes. Lead the civilians to the Goddess’s Temple."

"Understood." The Commander departed swiftly.

The silence of the chamber was broken by the echo of hurried steps. The banners hanging on the walls fluttered as the door slammed shut.

Vyth still stood in place, his eyes on the man in silver armor. Who was this Silver Knight, to whom even the Commander obeyed?

At last he shook his head and rushed after the Commander.

"Commander! How can I help?" he asked, his voice almost pleading.

The Commander glanced back. "Hurry to the Guard Quarters. Deliver the news and begin evacuating the civilians. Escort them to the Goddess’s Temple."

Vyth nodded and ran off.

He cut through the city marketplace. The narrow alleys of the streets closed tightly around him, the crowd scattering as he forced his way through. He could not give in to the tension. Every minute counted.

When he reached the Guard Quarters, he immediately informed the Guardians. The evacuation of the population began at once. Fear was written on people’s faces, but the Guardians directed them quickly and decisively. Forming into groups, they set out toward the Goddess’s Temple.

The sun slowly set. Darkness fell over the city.

Vyth still felt the tightness in his chest. The worry did not fade. But he could not stop.

By the time the evacuation ended, the city was shrouded in darkness. Only a few street lamps and the distant glow of flames lit the surroundings. People hurried toward the Goddess’s Temple, where behind the thick stone walls they could feel safe. In front of the temple’s massive, ornate gate stood sentries, watching the arrivals.

Vyth caught sight of Silver Knight Amarah. The silver armor gleamed in the torchlight, almost radiant. Amarah approached with firm steps, then stopped before him.

"Vyth." His voice was calm, yet resolute. "I want to speak with you."

Vyth looked at him in surprise. He could not understand what such a high-ranking knight might want from him. Amarah’s gaze was deep and piercing, as if he sought to read every thought in his mind.

"Please, tell me the whole story." Amarah continued. "What were you doing there? What did you see, what did you hear? How many were there? Every detail matters."

Vyth hesitated for a moment, then began. The torchlight cast shadows across his face, the cold evening wind brushing against his skin. He did not wish to conceal the truth, even though he feared what Amarah might say about his attempt to slip away. He recounted everything, how he had followed the demons, how he had fought them, and how he had finally managed to stop them.

Amarah listened in silence, then nodded.

"I see... Leaving was not a wise choice, but thanks to that you discovered the intruders, and you thought better of it in time." A faint smile appeared on his face. "Thank you for the information."

For a moment he placed a hand on Vyth’s shoulder. The gesture was nothing more than a simple touch, yet it seemed to give him strength.

Amarah’s gaze softened, then he turned and walked toward the interior of the Temple. Beneath the vast, arched ceiling, frescoes and statues adorned the walls.

Vyth watched as the Silver Knight moved away. The tension of the day’s events slowly began to ease. He knew much still awaited him, but now that he had told everything, and after seeing Amarah’s reassuring smile, his spirit felt somewhat lighter.

Vyth left the Temple with a hint of relief. As he descended the hillside, he felt the cool evening breeze brush against his face. From above he looked down at Glelrun’s winding streets, the distant smoldering fires still bearing the marks of battle.

Then three black-hooded figures appeared before him. Beneath their hoods glowed red eyes and bared fangs. Their skin was blood-red. They bore little resemblance to the demons he had fought earlier. The dark, malevolent aura surrounding them was almost tangible in the air.

"Well, well, what do we have here..." one of the demons grinned, his voice deep and chilling.

"Looks like the kid who cut down our demons," another laughed, sharp and piercing. "But this time he won’t be so lucky."

In the blink of an eye the demons lunged. Vyth had just reached for his sword when, in the next instant, they were already upon him, their massive claws about to strike.

A flash.

The demons were hurled back, sliding several meters across the ground. As they scrambled up, they saw Amarah standing before Vyth. His armor gleamed with a blinding light in the darkness.

"What the…?!" one of the demons hissed. "Who the hell are you?!"

"My name is Silver Knight Amarah." His voice rang cold. "Commander of the First Defense Unit. And your lives end here."

The demons burst out laughing, then charged at him with bloodthirsty eyes. Amarah’s sword flashed from its sheath in a single motion. Holy light blazed across the blade. One strike.

The demons’ bodies split apart, collapsing wordlessly to the ground.

Amarah sheathed his sword, then turned to Vyth, who still stared in shock at the corpses.

"Are you all right?"

"Y-Yes. Thank you." Vyth bowed.

"I already sensed their presence in the Temple. That’s why I came to look around, then I saw you and them."

"There could be more demons inside the walls. And even these ones will return..." Vyth’s voice still trembled slightly.

"No. They will not return." Amarah glanced at the bodies. "My sword is a Holy Relic, as is my armor. They are imbued with magical and Holy powers. They are the only things capable of destroying demons for good."

Vyth looked at him in wonder. "How can one obtain such power?"

"Only the chosen may receive such equipment." Amarah smiled. "But from what I hear, you are an excellent swordsman. A good start. Though a bit headstrong... Still, if you train hard and prove yourself, perhaps one day you too may become a Silver Knight. But until then, you have much to learn. Listen to your superiors. Especially your Master. Even if it doesn’t always seem so, he seeks your good."

Amarah watched Vyth for a moment, then turned and headed back toward the Temple.

Vyth looked after him. For the first time, the Temple seemed truly a symbol of safety.

That night Vyth could not sleep. Lying in his cramped room at the Guard Quarters, he stared at the stone walls lit faintly by the glow of torches. Silver Knight Amarah was on his mind. He saw again how effortlessly the knight had defeated the demons. The noise of battle still echoed within him, and Amarah’s words returned to him again and again.

He admired him. Strong, unshakable. Vyth wanted to become like him.

Beyond the city, fighting still raged, the threat of the demons had not passed. He knew he could not wait any longer. He had to act. He felt he must grow stronger as soon as possible, not only to defend the city, but to earn his place among the Guardians.

The next day, when the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows of the Guard Quarters, Vyth was already on his feet. He waited impatiently for his morning duty to end. As soon as he was done, he headed straight for the training grounds.

He was not allowed to fight outside the city walls, so within the walls he began his own struggle. He chose the harshest, most unforgiving training ground. The cold wind and the damp soil made movement difficult, but this only strengthened his resolve.

The days passed one after another. From morning until night Vyth trained. His muscles burned, sweat streamed down his face, but he did not stop. With tireless determination he practiced swordsmanship again and again, until the movements fit seamlessly into his instincts. He spent his time near the training field, beneath the shade of the trees. In the air, the clash of blades mingled with the fading songs of birds.

When the city’s lamps were lit, Vyth still endured. In the silence of the night, when everyone else rested, he continued to fight against his own limits.

The stars stood high in the sky when at last he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. But in his eyes, the flame of desire still burned.

On his way home, walking the quiet corridors of the Guard Quarters each night, he made the same vow to himself. He would not give up. At any cost, he would reach his goal.

The battle beyond the walls continued, but Vyth’s battle was here, within the city walls, against himself, against his own limits.

Thus passed the next few days, with Vyth training tirelessly, striving to bring out the best in himself. During practice he shut out the outside world almost entirely, there was only the sword, the movements, and his goals. But one morning he received unexpected news. The Commander had summoned him. His heart pounded as he walked the empty corridors toward the command chamber.

As he entered the room, he saw Silver Knight Amarah, whose presence immediately filled him with tension. Vyth was excited and nervous at once, but he tried to keep his composure.

"Vyth. I am glad to see you." Amarah’s voice was calm, though his gaze was serious.

"The same here, sir." Vyth bowed respectfully. His heart still raced, but he would not let his emotions take control.

The Commander stood by the window, his face cloaked in shadow by the light outside. When he turned, a fleeting smile crossed his face, as though he acknowledged Vyth’s efforts.

"Vyth, I have a task for you." The Commander spoke slowly, deliberately. "After the recent events, we have tightened our surveillance of the surrounding areas. The enemy is preparing for something great."

Vyth listened with tense attention.

"Indeed." Amarah stepped closer, his gaze stern. "The followers of the Dark God seek to reach the Temple of the Goddess. We do not yet know their exact goal, but we are certain they are planning something dangerous."

Vyth’s heart beat even faster.

"Surely you wonder why we are telling this to you, a Guardian apprentice." Amarah’s voice was firm, yet not condescending.

Excitement surged through Vyth. For some reason, they had chosen him.

"As I told you the other day..." Amarah continued, "...you have shown remarkable performance. But to be honest, I am following higher orders." He paused briefly, then went on. "I will take you to the one who gave this order. You will hear the details, and then you may decide whether to accept the mission."

Vyth listened in astonishment. He had not expected this.

In the past few days he had felt invisible. Now it became clear that he had drawn far more attention than he had realized.

He did not know who had requested him for this mission, nor exactly what he would have to do. But in one thing he was certain. He will accept it.

Amarah escorted Vyth to the Temple of the Goddess. As they walked along the rocky path, the air grew cooler, and in the distance the wind whispered softly around the Temple’s white marble columns. They stopped before the massive gilded gate. Vyth’s heart pounded as he gazed up at the structure, which seemed almost otherworldly.

The inside of the Temple was cool and quiet. The warm glow of torches glimmered on the carved stone walls, where mystical scenes from the Goddess’s life came to life. Frescoes adorned the ceiling, and the play of light made the painted figures seem almost alive.

With firm steps, Amarah led Vyth deep into the Temple, until they reached the chamber of the High Priest. The doors, decorated with ancient symbols, opened silently before them.

A strange stillness ruled the hall, as if all the noise of the world had vanished. High Priest Aryn stood by the window, her figure embraced by the light filtering through the stained glass. Her rose-pink hair fell gently upon her shoulders, and her long robe seemed to be made of liquid fabric, flowing around her. In her hands she held an old, worn book.

Vyth bowed, greeting her with slight unease. The atmosphere weighed on him, the solemnity of the sacred space filling him with unusual nervousness.

"It is an honor to meet you, High Priest Aryn." His voice trembled slightly.

"Welcome, Vyth. I am glad we finally meet." Aryn’s voice was gentle, yet firm. "I have heard much good about you."

Vyth laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck.

"Much good? Usually I just get scolded for doing something foolish."

"Come now." Aryn touched his arm with a smile, and the gesture suddenly calmed him. "Though you are reckless, your heart is in the right place. You are a good warrior, but you still have much to learn."

Vyth glanced at Amarah, who nodded in affirmation of the High Priest’s words.

"Now, as you know..." Aryn continued. "...I have called you here to give you a task. Of course, you have the right to refuse, and there will be no punishment. If you do not feel ready, do not be afraid to say so."

Vyth listened silently, absorbing every word.

"The Dark God is besieging our walls." Aryn’s gaze pierced into his. "You have already faced demons. Now we have discovered a cave nearby, where a smaller but strong demon force has entrenched itself. We do not know what they are planning, so we need you to cleanse the cave and gather information about their intentions."

Vyth’s heart pounded harder.

"You will not go alone." Aryn cast a brief glance at Amarah. "He will accompany you. And since you will face demons, you shall receive a Holy Relic. A sword that will aid you in battle. In addition, you will be given a map of the cave’s location and one day to prepare."

Without hesitation, Vyth lifted his head. The calm of the Temple, the weight of the mission, and the burden of responsibility all pressed upon him. Yet he knew this was his moment.

"Of course, I accept the task." His voice rang firm.

Aryn’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"I am glad to hear it." She paused briefly, then added. "What may seem unusual is that during the mission, you will lead the party. Although Amarah outranks you by far, I want to see how you handle the situation as a leader. Therefore, the decisions will be yours."

Vyth blinked in surprise.

"Even so, do not be afraid to seek counsel." Aryn’s gaze remained calm. "Leadership does not mean deciding alone. Sometimes the best ideas come from those you least expect."

Vyth drew a deep breath, then bowed.

"Understood. Thank you for the trust." His voice echoed firmly in the silence of the chamber. "I will not disappoint you."

Amarah and Vyth walked in silence through the narrow corridors of the Temple. Vyth felt as though they were stepping into another world, where the noise and worries of the outside stayed far away.

The path to the armory seemed long. Amarah moved with steady steps, while tension grew in Vyth’s chest. It was no ordinary thing for a Guardian to set foot here. The ancient symbols and carvings along the walls told old stories, which Vyth found himself trying to decipher.

"You know, Vyth..." Amarah finally broke the silence. "...this armory holds only Holy Relics." His voice carried reverence. "Only Silver Knights and higher-ranking Knights may enter here. High Priest Aryn’s trust is the only reason an exception has been made for you."

Vyth could not decide if this was more an honor or a burden.

"Though I don’t really understand why I was chosen." he admitted quietly. "But since it’s come to this, I’ll do my best to prove worthy of the trust."

Amarah stopped for a moment, placing his hand on Vyth’s shoulder.

"Perhaps that is exactly what High Priest Aryn saw in you." he remarked. "You don’t strive to prove yourself for glory, but because you believe in what you do."

They stopped before the armory doors. The massive steel gate radiated a cool energy that even Vyth could feel on his skin. Amarah stepped closer, placed his hand on the gate, and with a deep, rumbling sound it began to open.

"It recognizes the energy of the Knights." Amarah explained. "Only those it deems worthy may enter."

The inside of the armory shone with blinding light. Swords, daggers, bows, and armor stood in perfect order, each radiating the power sealed within them. Vyth stared in awe.

Amarah soon lifted an elegant one-handed sword from a rack. "This is yours."

Vyth accepted the weapon carefully. The moment he touched it, a strange sensation flowed through him, as though the sword were alive. For an instant, he felt united with it, as if the blade itself were watching him.

"It will take time for the two of you to grow accustomed to each other." Amarah continued, watching his reaction. "Holy Relics are not mere tools. They are alive in a sense. They sense, they respond, and when needed, they fight alongside their wielder."

Vyth stared at him in astonishment.

"Does that mean..." he began uncertainly.

"If someone comes into possession of a truly powerful Holy Relic..." Amarah nodded. "...then anything is possible."

Vyth silently studied the sword in his hand. He felt that from this day forward, something had changed.

After Amarah had taken a few more items, they left the armory. Their footsteps echoed along the corridors of the Temple, but their thoughts were already on the mission.

The common hall of the Guard Quarters was dark and quiet, lit only by the dim glow of torches against the thick stone walls. Amarah sat down on a chair, then looked at Vyth.

"Now it is time to discuss the strategy." he declared. "You are the leader of the party. I’m listening."

Vyth smiled, though inside excitement still churned within him.

"I’m curious about that myself." he said lightly, pulling out the map Aryn had given them.

As he unfolded it, his finger traced the cave.

"The entrance is on an open clearing. There’s no cover, which means it will be hard to approach unnoticed." he explained. "But if we slip along the back side of the cave, keeping close to the wall, we may be able to enter without being seen... unless they’ve posted guards outside."

"A logical thought." Amarah nodded in approval.

"If there’s a hidden passage inside the cave, it could give us the chance to avoid direct combat, or even lure them into a trap." Vyth continued.

Amarah listened through, then leaned back.

"You analyzed the situation very well. I agree this is the best option."

Vyth nodded with satisfaction and tucked the map back into his pocket.

"Go and rest." Amarah said, rising from his chair. "We leave early tomorrow."

They parted ways and each went to their rooms.

In the dark chamber, Vyth lay on his bed, the pale light of the moon filtering through the window. The sword rested at his side, and he could still feel its strange energy.

As his eyelids slowly closed, he knew that tomorrow would not be just any mission. This would be his first true trial.