Laurence took heavy steps away from the statue toward the black knight that had appeared from the shadows a short distance away.
If Lauri was in a mood to be observant, he would notice that the world was rippling in the presence of the two fighters.
Laurence did not attempt to suppress the power within his body. Laurence's skin was radiant, all shadow in his immediate surroundings disappeared, the light radiating from his body illuminating the square. Any shadow that attempted to dare test his authority was reduced to nothing. Opposite him, an opposite to his light held his head high.
The black knight, where Laurence was so bright, banishing any darkness around him. The black knight held within it darkness so abyssal the entire area around it was engulfed in the darkest of nights. The space around the black knight was hidden by the pure darkness.
It was quite a spectacle seeing the light and dark clash within the village square.
The knight spoke first, 'I am sorry about your friend.'
Laurence's expression didn't change, instead, he stabbed the ground with his staff. The ground ruptured, causing fragmentation of stone to fly in all directions.
"I'm going to tear you in half like I did the rest of your tin men."
The knight sighed, his voice sounded slightly annoyed.
"There is no more need for bloodshed. My master has informed me that he wants both you and that boy back there taken to him. It is a fate worse than death, but at least you would still be able to be with him."
Laurence said nothing.
The black knight shook its head as it readied its blade.
"That is fine, he only ordered for the boy to be captured alive. You were dead or alive."
The time for talk was over.
Again, Laurence moved forward at such a speed that Lauri's eyes couldn't follow him. The man seemingly appeared in front of the black knight, bringing his staff down; the knight didn't attempt to block, instead disappearing into the shadows again. Lauri's staff struck the ground, leaving a large crater where the onyx knight had been standing.
Laurence and the knight engaged in a game of cat and mouse. Laurence's staff swung in a flurry of nigh light speed blows, the black knight, unable to move out of the way, was forced onto the back foot having to block Laurence's attacks. A few times Laurence was about to land a blow on his opponent's body, the black knight sunk into the shadows, appearing a short distance away. The slender blade of the black knight and Laurence's brute force attacks created a cacophony of noises, explosion after explosion, as more of the square was torn apart.
Lauri's attention shifted away from the fight as he brought his knees up to his chest and hugged them.
'What's even the point of all this… Everyone is dead, Granny, Merry, Rich… Everyone… And soon so will I and so will Laurence…'
A change shifted in the battlefield, the area grew darker. Not just the light given off by Laurence, but the bonfire seemed to dim and with it, the homes set alight by one of the now-dead invaders.
It took Laurence a moment to recognise his speed had decreased significantly, he also realised that at the same moment, the black knight had grown stronger. No, not just the knight, as the light of the world grew weaker, the shadows grew deeper.
The black knight capitalized on Laurence's sudden weakness, launching a barrage of precise stabs aimed at his chest. Laurence may have been weakened, but he was still a veteran of combat. Each of the black knights stabs futilely striking against Laurence's staff.
Laurence and the black knight engaged in a quick exchange of blows. Laurence was entirely on the back foot, having to protect against his foes' attacks.
The fight returned to where it had started. The black knight grunted, his head turning away from the fight. Suddenly, the black knight disengaged from Laurence, disappearing into the shadows.
To anyone else's eyes, it would have seemed that the knight had simply disappeared, but Laurence didn't have the eyes of a normal person.
Laurence saw the vague figure of the knight shoot away from the site of their fight, sliding across the ground towards, towards…
Laurence's body jerked, turning into a flash of light.
Unlike before, as light itself seemed weaker, the speed at which Laurence travelled was greatly decreased compared to his previous speed.
He was still fast, only slightly faster than the knight, but the knight had a head start.
As the knight appeared from the shadows, his blade was already shooting forward, aiming straight at Lauri's heart.
Laurence appeared next to the boy, and with no time, he pushed Lauri out of the way.
Lauri was pulled from his thoughts as he fell against the wet cobbles.
"Laurence, what the he-"
The words died in his throat.
Laurence was breathing heavily, one of his arms still outstretched from having pushed Lauri. Blood dripped from his lips. The black knight's blade impaled Laurence's figure, piercing through his upper chest.
The image of the dark knight's sword burnt itself into Lauri's mind.
The knight tilted his head down, slowly pulling his blade out of Laurence's chest. Standing in silence, the knight's voice staggered.
"I- I never would have harmed the boy. I was under orders not to… I'm so sorry."
Laurence sighed, spitting blood, he rested himself against the statue next to Granny.
"I know… I know you all seem to be doing this against your own will... But I... couldn't risk it." Laurence looked at Lauri, blood bubbled out of his lips. "I've watched over this boy since I found him in the woods. I've seen him grow from a small frail scared young boy, into a strong young man… If there was even a chance you were going to hurt him… I would do it again…"
"Laurence…" Lauri stepped forward, as he moved, the black knight stepped back to give him some space. "You- How the hell… Laurence…" Lauri's eyes filled with tears. Kneeling next to Laurence, Lauri rested his head against Laurence's chest. "Y- You were supposed to beat this guy and get us out of here... What am I supposed to do now..."
Laurence put an arm around Lauri's bringing him into a hug – he made sure Lauri did not touch his blood.
"I won't lie and say it is all going to be okay Lauri, you just have to stay strong… You carry the memory of everyone here, you have to live to remember their names, if you don't remember their names, remember their faces and if you can't remember their faces, then remember this. You are the last of us, you carry the last light of the sun."
Laurence turned his gaze from Lauri to the knight. His expression remained the same, but his voice grew colder.
"You beg for forgiveness, then promise me. You will look after this boy, I want him to grow into a mighty Awakened whose name is known all through the lands… Only then will I forgive you…"
The black knight remained still, poking the tip of his sword into the ground. The knight lowered his head.
Laurence's eyes were growing heavy. Doing things had become heavy. Looking at Lauri he smiled. Patting the boy's head, he ruffled Lauri's hair.
"I am proud of you Lauri… We all are…"
Laurence closed his eyes. Moments later, Laurence's large hand atop Lauri's head fell to his side.
Laurence's staff came apart into dozens of strings of light as well as a few trinkets on his person. Although unlike when Lauri had dismissed his Imprints. Laurence's Imprints simply disappeared into the night air.
Lauri just didn't move. His mind had returned to a blank state, his eyes lifelessly gazed at his mentor, any hope for living another day had died with him.
Lauri reached forward, gently picking up Laurence's hand, he intertwined Laurence's fingers with that of Granny's.
Standing up, he took a few steps back.
Laurence and Granny, they looked almost… Peaceful.
As Lauri's dull eyes gazed upon the two protectors of his home, Lauri felt two things.
The balance between light and dark had settled. The light of the bonfire and the dark shadows returned to its original state.
And Lauri found it hard to stay awake. Lauri found it really hard.
Staggering, Lauri's vision began to blur as his legs buckled under him. Collapsing to the bloody floor, a voice whispered into his ears.
It was the same voice that Lauri had heard every time he slew a Fiend, the voice he heard every time he was lucky enough to receive an Imprint. The Voice spoke to him, whispering words he had never heard from it before.
[Your Title is evolving]