How did the world come to this? Monsters consume our land like a never-ending plague. Darkness has taken over. The smell of blood and rotting flesh fill my nose. After all these years I should have gotten used to it, but it still stings my nose. Screams howl off in the distance, along with metal clanging. The skies what seemed so bright now filled with smoke. Exhausted, I fall to my knees, leaning against my sword. My armor feels heavy and tight on my chest, so hard to breathe. The enemy comes in waves and never letting up. Our military is depleting. It seems like there is no end in sight. What would happen if we gave up? What if we lost this battle? I just need to close my eyes for a moment.

I am the daughter of Deron and Aithne Ambrose, A duke and duchess in the city of Rhodale. Growing up my father was the Mage Knight General. He would train the best Mage Knights that kingdom has ever known but he has just retired from that. Although he still trains with us kids. I have an older brother and three younger siblings, two sisters and a brother. When I was born, I was told I was "a gift from God" and born with his light. A child born of pure light to cleanse the Earth of evil that plagues it. I was given the name, Thea.

I was raised up like any high-born daughter. I learned etiquette, literature, music, needle work and how to run a household. Although I seemed normal, I was anything but. I had magical abilities that would rival any person. My swordsmanship was anything but lacking. Father got me the best magic teacher in the kingdom. Father trained me alongside my oldest brother, Zander. My mother did not like that I was becoming a boy. At the time I was her baby girl and she wanted to keep it that way.

Growing up I remember I did not have many friends for being a noble. I did not look like other girls and most definitely did not act like a normal girl either. I was the only one I knew that had white hair and yellow eyes. I would constantly rip my dresses at the knees so I could play or train with swords. I mainly played and trained with my brother, unless he was with his friend. His friend had a darkness about him, but Zander would always look past that. I remember them being very close. If I were stuck inside learning things from my mother, I would look outside and watch them practice with swords. His friend would catch me staring and give me dirty looks then make remarks to Zander about me.

One day Zander's closest friend moves away. Zander started training more and harder than before. So would I; just to keep up with him. Mother started pulling me away from training and forcing me to become more of a lady. I would protest to father telling him I and the family would benefit more on becoming a knight. I would lead armies into battle one day and I need to train. I wanted to become better than my father, the great Mage Knight General! He would say becoming a lady is just as valuable as my dream. Father and I agreed that I would have to learn both roles. I also was teaching myself Polemology. I was determined to become the best this kingdom has ever seen.

*Clang* "You'll have to do better than that Thea!" snickers Zander.

"I'm Just getting started!" I reply. I charge him, I cast my Magic Whip spell. He charges back and raises his sword and shield. He leaves an opening, but I know it is too good to be true. He wants me to attack from the front. I dodge to the left and use my whip to trip him. He falls to his knees, and I come from behind ready to strike. He casts a ward to block me, swings his leg around and trips me. I kick him over and we end up wrestling on the ground. He draws a knife from his boot and holds it to my throat.

"Looks like I win!" He sneers.

"Do not be too sure of yourself. You would be dead before me." I say while holding a magic dagger to his heart.

"Well look at that, another draw." He replies. He gets up and holds out a hand to help me up. He then walks over to our score board and marks it. "We are an even match."

"Just wait, you won't be able to keep up with me soon enough." I remark. "Ready to go again?"

"Oh! You're on!" Zander replies while getting into position.

One of the maids comes out, " Excuse me Lady Thea, your mother wishes to see you now."

"Now?" I ask.

"Yes, my lady." She answers.

"Ugh, Fine! I'll change and be right in." I reply. I look over at Zander "You're lucky."

"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots!" He laughs and walks away.

I head back inside, and Arya helps me clean up. She picks out a dress and does my hair. "There! All finished my Lady!" She says.

"Thank you, Arya. I will see my mother now." I respond. I take my leave and find my mother in the study. "You wished to see me?" I ask.

"Ah, yes! Have a seat." She gestures for me to sit down. "So, you will be coming of age soon and will need to make your debut. The King and Queen are hosting a ball for all the ladies. Tomorrow morning, we will be going to the seamstress for new dresses."

"Okay, was that all you wanted to see me for?" I reply.

"No need for the attitude dear. I know you want to live a life that is not normal for a noble lady, but you must take your place in high society. You will find a husband and take your place as a lady of the house."

"That is not what we agreed upon. Father said…." I try to say till mother cuts me off.

"No, it was agreed that you can continue to train with him, but you still have responsibilities as a lady that comes first before all else. We are not discussing any farther. You will be going tomorrow. For the rest of the evening, you can study in your room. Dinner will be served at the normal time. Your dismissed."

I leave without saying a word and head straight for my room. I gather some books and start reading. "Arya, can you bring me some tea and snacks?"

"Of course, my Lady. I will bring some up right away." Arya answers and leaves swiftly. Moments later she returns and sets them on the table next to me. "Need anything else my Lady?"

"No Thank you. Just let me know when dinner is ready." I reply. Arya takes her leave. I try to start reading but my mind starts to wander. I start thinking about what my future holds. If I find a husband or not. If my dream to become a military leader will come true. Before I know it, dinner comes and goes. I get ready for bed and lay my head down. I feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier. I do not think I was asleep for long till I hear the Horn of Rhodale blown off in the distance.

Monsters are near the walls. I shoot out of bed and get dressed in my armor. It is light but strong, moves when I move and lets me blend into the shadows. Although it does not compare to the Mage Knight armor, it still works just the same. I grab my swords and sneak out my window.

The night is cool, and the night sky is clear with a full moon. The Monsters are more active during the full moon. Running across rooftops to stay out of sight and to help me spot the night guards. I pause for a moment to listen. I hear Zander at the East Gate and I start running in that direction to catch up. They closed the gate to make sure no monsters get inside. "Well over the wall I go!" I say. I shoot a magical tethered arrow onto the top of the wall and climb it. I jump down and brace for the ground. I accidentally land right in front of Zander and the other knights and startled them making them draw their swords.

"Stand down men. It's only Thea." Zander calmly says.

"Thanks for the invite brother." I say

"You know you're not supposed to be here, and we both know you'd show up anyway." He says rolling his eyes at me. "It's dangerous for a civilian."

"I am more than capable than most of the men you have behind you. I'll be over here if you need me." I say cockily as I walk away. Zander addresses the men to establish a plan.

The air is getting heavier and the breeze that once blew now stops. A lonely cloud blocks the moonlight. Soft growls and chirps echo through the trees. Black shadows start to appear in the distance. Silence. The cloud passes, the light shines on their red eyes. A piercing loud roar comes from their commander, they charge. Mage Knights set defensive spell traps, slowing down some of the charging monsters. The Knights charge.

The monsters are hideous beings that the devil himself would be proud of. Some walk on two legs and some on four. Teeth and claws like razors. Their saliva contains acidic components with enormous amounts of killer bacteria. Over the years we have found out their ranking system. Renegades are rouges, they act on their own without having to listen to their commanders, and they are fast killing machines. Guardsmen make up the majority of their army, they are foot soldiers. Then they have Brutes and Giant Brutes, those are the muscle of their army, they are slower and do not have a lot of brains.

They have Captains that command the armies with orders from their Warlords. We do not encounter Warlords very often; they look like a demon dragon monstrosity. In fifty plus years of our battles, we have only killed three. One of those kills was just last year. We do not know how many are left but what we do know is that they are getting orders from someone higher up.

I draw my sword and charge them. Sliding under a Brute cutting its stomach wide open. I throw a couple magic daggers hitting a Guardsmen right in the head. I set off an ice trap, freezing another right in its tracks. The Brute screams signaling for help. With one swift blow I cut its head off. More Guardsmen start to come my way. I use a magic whip to pull one close to stab it. Cutting and slashing my way through the monsters. I noticed Knights and Mage Knights from the south side have arrived. Should make quick work now. I look over to my left and see Zander fighting a group of them.

"Zander!" I take my sword and slash a lightning bolt his way. He uses his sword as a lightning rod and absorbing the energy. He stabs it in the ground and blasts them all back. As I turn around, an exceptionally large Brute is charging me. I get in my stance and as I am about to take a step to strike, a Mage Knight from the south charges it.

The monsters head rolls to my feet. I look up in disbelief and the Mage Knight is looking at me. Moonlight barely shining on his hood covered face. His eyes were dark and cold, almost hollow. I could feel them burning into my soul. "Hey! I don't need your help!" I shouted at him. I could see a small dark grin come across his face; it sent a chill down my spine. As fast as he came, he left to kill more. Soon the fight was over.

"Well, that was quick work men! Burn the bodies and clean up the area. Faster you finish, the faster we can go to bed!" Zander commands "Thea you better get home before Mother finds out you're out here." "Yeah, I know." I reply. As I quietly take my leave, I notice Zander approaching that Mage Knight. Greeted him as if he knew him for years.

I get home and clean up my armor and swords. Then stash them back into their hiding spot. I wonder who that man was. He had dark energy but yet it was so familiar. Something about him pulls me into different directions. I slowly drift off back to sleep thinking about that man.