For decades, Grimheim has survived the onslaught of the monstrum with the will and fortitude only the most determined could possess, but something is changing. While the people of Grimheim carve their foothold to survive, two dutiful knights will cross paths to determine the fate of Grimheim.
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In the dark and dread-filled forest of Helvete, a lone knight traverses the fog-covered soil and thick rotted trees, their black-hilted and silver-bladed long sword held in their hands leaning to their right shoulder, the sword covered in viscous black fluid. Their head was shielded by a smooth, dark silver armet helm. The helmet had numerous scratches, splots of mud and blood crusting onto its surface.
Below the helmet, the knight dons a common foot soldier's armor, with rough red and black clothing beneath steel plates strapped together with leather. A red cloth flows down the knight's back waistline from beneath the armor, with the crest of two black longswords clashed into an X, Grimheim's symbol of might, courage, and suffering.
The knight looked behind themself in alert as they staggered out of Helvete, the events fresh in their mind causing untold fear within them.
After running out of the forest of death, the knight dropped to their knees in a grassy plane sharply cutting off Helvete's black soil, as if the aura of the forest wouldn't dare to overstep Mother Nature's boundaries.
The knight breathed heavily in their helmet, before scrambling back to their feet and continuing their retreat. In a short time, the knight crossed onto a dirt road leading out of Helvete, its trail disappearing over a small grassy hill. The knight breathed a sigh of relief before tiredly walking down the path, reciting the report of the events in their mind dutifully.
In less than an hour of walking the dirt road on their lonesome, a group of people in armor appeared across from the knight, a tense atmosphere among the group.
One of the armored people sighted the knight before the rest and pulled a sweihander from his back.
"Who dares to travel the path to Helvete!?"
He said with a loud, deep voice in a Norwegian German accent, caution prevalent in his tone.
The lone knight haggardly dug into their breastplate, before taking out a red cloth with Grimheims crest on it, raising it into the air before shoving it back into place.
"Sheathe your weapons, it's a Knight Of Grimheim!"
The assumed to be leader said as he put his sword into its strap on his back, and the armored people followed suit. When the lone knight saw the absence of aggression, they fell back onto their knees and then fell to the dirt, a dull thud sounding as the group ran to the knight's aid.
Before the knight's eyes closed one more time, they saw a glimpse of red cloth with a black blur whip behind the group, signifying them as fellow Knights Of Grimheim.
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In a mellow wooden room softly lit with only a candle, nothing but the sounds of someone's steady breathing could be heard.
This is one of the King's guest rooms, used to accommodate people who, although do not live in the King's manner, are planned to stay for a few nights.
A yawn erupted from under a blanket on the bed, the person now awakening. When the fur blanket was just starting to move, the person under it shot up into a sitting position, grabbing the air near their left waist before trying their right thigh. They didn't grab anything, so they abruptly pulled the blanket off and looked at the room suspiciously.
The person on the bed was a boy, still a teen, but old enough to be a knight.
Knights Of Grimheim were of high demand, after all.
The boy had dark brown hair braided into a tight ponytail falling between his shoulder blades. Tan, had smooth skin, with small scars spread across both his face and body. He had firm yet sharp brows that naturally furrowed, glinting green eyes, a small nose, and straight lips. He was slightly skinny, but his defined muscles helped to cover his bones.
He no longer wore his battle-worn armor, only a clean pair of tight black and grey clothing. The black shirt was short-sleeved, and the neck had three unbuttoned pieces. The black and grey pants went below his ankles, tight around his legs. The outer half was black, while the inner half was grey. He had no footwear.
After making sure his equipment wasn't in the room with him, he stood up off the bed and looked to the door. He's around 5'9, slightly above average for someone worthy of being a Knight Of Grimheim.
After getting up, he scratched his jaw while going to the door and listening for noise. He didn't hear anything, but he believed he heard a sigh. He opened the door.
Outside of his door, a woman in a black and white skirt jumped from the door suddenly opening, before bowing her head and speaking nervously.
"Sir, the King and Queen are awaiting your presence in the dining hall for breakfast."
The boy looked at the woman blankly before sighing in relief, completely forgetting the contents of his report.
"How long have I been sleeping?" He spoke softly yet firmly, questioning the woman to alleviate his concern.
"Two days, Sir. Your physical wounds were minor, but the court mage noted you had distress clouding your thoughts and memories." She was calmer now after getting over the surprise greeting and finished her sentence thoughtfully.
The boy frowned when she mentioned his memories, but didn't make any comments about it. The woman noticed his discomfort and quickly changed the subject.
"Today is Fredas, Sir, so the Princess has returned from the frontier. I'm certain you will be able to speak to her directly in the dining hall." She tried to sway him with thoughts of the young Princess, but he showed little interest in that.
"Perhaps, but I'm more focused on my report from Helvete." He said it half-hazardly, but the woman was caught unprepared. Not many men and women could say they didn't hold the Princess in a state of high importance, much less a dutiful knight.
"Ah, yes, of course. Whatever happened to your squadron in Helvete is also a priority. Even the King knows so." She spoke unhinged, before bowing her head and skurrying off and disappearing behind a turn in the brightly lit hallway.
He looked at her back as she walked away before asking himself a question,
'Where is the dining hall?'