The days following Lore's encounter with Hamel and the Shadowborn passed in a fog. Every waking moment, Lore pushed himself harder than ever, throwing his body into the rigorous training schedule. Sparring sessions that should have left him spent barely scratched the surface of his exhaustion, the sweat pouring from his skin, but it wasn't enough. He sought solace in the routine—sword swings, spell drills, defensive maneuvers. Yet no amount of physical exertion could quiet the persistent doubts gnawing at his mind.
Hamel's face haunted him at night. The cold gleam in his eyes, the twisted smirk that had said more than his words ever could. The venomous taunts he'd thrown at Lore had been precise, each one like a blade, slicing deep into Lore's insecurities. That a man like Hamel was still out there, planning, waiting, filled Lore with dread he struggled to shake.
Around him, the entire order of the Magic Knights seemed equally tense, as if the very air inside the halls had thickened. Conversations were hushed, eyes flickered with suspicion, and the usual camaraderie was strained. Everyone knew the Shadowborn were escalating. Rumors spread faster than wildfire—tales of dark rituals, ambushes in the night, and betrayals within their own ranks. It became increasingly clear that the Shadowborn weren't just a loose coalition of criminals and outcasts. They were organized, more dangerous than ever.
One morning, after yet another sleepless night filled with visions of Hamel's smirking face, Lore was summoned to a meeting. The note, slipped under his door, had been brief—Sir Gareth wanted to see him in the briefing room at dawn. It offered no explanation, but the timing told Lore everything. Something was wrong.
The briefing room wasn't like the grand hall where most meetings were held. This was a smaller, more intimate space, used for strategic planning. Maps of Internia adorned the walls, pins and markers highlighting key locations. At the center of the room sat a circular table, where Sir Gareth and several other high-ranking Knights were gathered. Each of them bore the weight of leadership on their shoulders, their expressions a mix of resolve and concern.
When Lore entered, all eyes turned to him. For a moment, anxiety threatened to overwhelm him, but he quickly squared his shoulders and stood tall, meeting their gazes.
"Lore," Sir Gareth greeted him with a nod, gesturing to an empty seat. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit. We have much to discuss."
Lore took his seat, and as he glanced around the table, the gravity of the situation became clear. These were Knight Captains, strategists, the elite of the Magic Knights. His presence at such a meeting was unexpected, and the weight of it settled on him like a heavy cloak.
"We've been monitoring the Shadowborn's activities closely since your encounter in the forest," Sir Gareth began, his voice steady but grim. "What you experienced wasn't an isolated event. We've received reports that their movements have increased in frequency and coordination. They're planning something big, something we need to be prepared for."
A murmur rippled through the room. One of the Knight Captains, a grizzled man with a long scar down his cheek, spoke up. "How much do we know about their plans?"
Sir Gareth stood and walked to the map, tracing a line along the borders of Internia. "Our scouts report that the Shadowborn have been gathering along our northern and western borders. Their numbers are growing, and their movements suggest they're preparing for a large-scale offensive. We don't know the exact nature of their attack yet, but it's clear they're being guided by a single, powerful leader."
"And what of Hamel?" another Captain asked, his tone sharp. "The former Knight turned traitor? What role does he play in this?"
At the mention of Hamel's name, Lore felt a tightness in his chest. He hadn't spoken much about his encounter with Hamel to anyone since that day, but now all eyes were on him. He cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice.
"Hamel… he's dangerous," Lore said, his voice quiet but firm. "He knew things about me, personal things. He spoke to me as if he understood my doubts, my anger. He's trying to manipulate us, to turn us against ourselves. If he can get inside the minds of our Knights, he could do a lot more damage than we realize."
Sir Gareth nodded thoughtfully, taking in Lore's words. "Hamel's tactics aren't just physical—they're psychological. He's trying to create division, to weaken us from within. We need to be on guard, not only against his blades but against his words."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the Knights exchanged uneasy glances. It was clear that Hamel's betrayal weighed heavily on them all. He had once been one of their own, a Knight they had fought alongside. Now, he was their enemy, and his knowledge of their inner workings made him a particularly deadly threat.
"We'll increase security and keep a close watch on our own ranks," Sir Gareth said, his voice resolute. "But we also need to prepare for the Shadowborn's larger offensive. Which brings me to why I've called you here today, Lore."
Lore blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. He had expected to be questioned about Hamel, perhaps even reprimanded for not finishing him off in the forest. But Sir Gareth's tone suggested something else.
"Your actions in the forest did not go unnoticed," Sir Gareth continued, his gaze steady on Lore. "You demonstrated courage and strength in the face of great danger. You fought off three of the Shadowborn and survived an encounter with Hamel himself. That is no small feat."
Lore opened his mouth to protest. "Sir, I barely survived—"
"Nonsense," Sir Gareth interrupted. "You survived because you are strong, Lore. You showed the qualities we need in our Knights—determination, quick thinking, and resilience. And it's time that your role within our order reflects that."
The room was silent as Sir Gareth's words sank in. The other Knights nodded in agreement, their expressions serious.
"From this day forward," Sir Gareth announced, "you will take on the title of Head Squire. It is a position of leadership, one that will require you to guide your fellow Squires and assist the Knights in coordinating our efforts. You've proven yourself worthy of this responsibility, Lore, and I believe you are ready."
Lore felt a rush of emotions—pride, anxiety, uncertainty—all swirling together. Head Squire. It was a title that carried great weight, a recognition that he had risen above the rest. But with it came new challenges, new pressures. Could he truly live up to the expectations that Sir Gareth and the others had for him?
"Sir Gareth…" Lore hesitated. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."
Sir Gareth's expression softened, and he placed a firm hand on Lore's shoulder. "You are ready, Lore. You've faced the enemy, and you've come back stronger. Leadership isn't about never having doubts—it's about facing them and moving forward regardless. You have the strength within you, and now it's time to use it."
Lore met Sir Gareth's gaze, the older Knight's confidence filling him with a renewed sense of purpose. "I won't let you down, Sir Gareth."
"I know you won't," Sir Gareth said, smiling faintly. "Now, we have much work to do. The Shadowborn are gathering strength, and so must we. Head Squire or not, the path ahead will be difficult. But together, we will prevail."
As the meeting continued, Lore found himself fully immersed in the discussions, his mind sharper than it had been in days. The title of Head Squire hung over him, but instead of weighing him down, it began to lift the fog that had clouded his thoughts. He was no longer just another Squire. He had been chosen for something greater, and the determination that had fueled him in his darkest moments began to reignite.
By the end of the meeting, Lore's doubts had not vanished entirely, but they no longer held the same power over him. He had a new role, a new responsibility, and with that came a new sense of clarity. Whatever lay ahead—whether it was Hamel, the Shadowborn, or the dangers lurking within Internia's borders—he would face it as the Head Squire, a title he would wear with pride.
For the first time since the encounter in the forest, Lore felt as though he was truly walking the path he was meant to follow. The shadows of doubt still lingered, but with each step forward, they grew a little dimmer.