The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the barren plains as Caelan, Elden, and Zaimond marched forward, their steps rhythmically crunching against the gravelly ground. Despite the world's gloomy state, Caelan couldn't help but feel a buzz of excitement running through him. Here he was, on a grand journey with a legendary knight and a wizard who was, well, eccentric at best. But hey, that's what made it fun.
"So, uh," Caelan started, hands clasped behind his head as he casually strolled along, "what's the plan, anyway? We just walk until we find the big bad darkness? I mean, shouldn't we have like... a map or something?"
Elden shot him a sidelong glance, his face stoic as always. "We don't need a map. The darkness finds you."
"Great," Caelan muttered, rolling his eyes. "That's super comforting, Elden. Love the positive vibes."
Elden kept walking, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay sharp. There are things out here that can sense us. And not all of them will wait for a formal introduction."
Zaimond, who had been unusually quiet until now, suddenly perked up, his mismatched eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, speaking of things lurking around—have I ever told you guys about the Ten Demon Kings?"
Caelan blinked, glancing over at Zaimond. "Uh, no? Should I be worried?"
Zaimond twirled his burnt staff in a dramatic flourish, the motion somehow turning into an awkward dance as he began to sing, off-tune but enthusiastic:
"Ten Demon Kings, cruel and bold,
Ruling darkness, hearts so cold!
One by one, they rise again,
Bringing ruin to all men!"
He spun in a circle, his voice growing louder with each verse, causing Caelan to burst out laughing while Elden simply sighed, clearly used to Zaimond's antics by now.
Caelan chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye. "Okay, I have got to hear more about these Demon Kings. You can't just drop a song like that and not explain."
Zaimond grinned, spinning his staff before leaning on it like some kind of wise sage. "Ah, well, it's a tale as old as time—probably older. You see, before this world plunged into darkness, there were ten beings of immense power, each one ruling over their own twisted dominion. The Ten Demon Kings."
"Sounds like a fun bunch," Caelan quipped. "So what, they're like, running the show now?"
"Not exactly," Zaimond continued, wagging his finger. "They've been dormant for centuries. But now, with the darkness spreading, they're starting to wake up again. One by one, they're reclaiming their thrones. And if we don't stop them, well…" He paused, his grin widening. "Let's just say the world's gonna have a bad time."
Caelan's brow furrowed. "Great. So we've got ten supervillains to take down. And here I am with a shiny new power I barely understand."
Elden finally spoke up, his voice low and serious. "They're more than just villains. Each one controls a different aspect of the darkness. If we're going to defeat them, we'll need more than just brute strength. We'll need strategy."
Zaimond nodded eagerly, suddenly shifting into a much more serious tone. "But that's not the only problem. You see, back in the day, when the Demon Kings first emerged, there were warriors who stood against them. The Ten Legendary Knights. They were the heroes of their time, each one possessing power rivaling the Demon Kings themselves."
Caelan's eyes lit up. "Whoa, seriously? So what happened to them? Did they win?"
Zaimond's grin faltered, and for the first time since Caelan met him, he looked... somber. "That's the mystery. No one knows. One day, the Demon Kings were sealed away, and the next, the knights vanished. Gone. No trace. Some say they were betrayed, others think they were destroyed in the final battle. But no one knows for sure."
"Wait, wait, so we're out here facing these demon lords, and the only people strong enough to beat them are just gone?" Caelan threw up his hands in frustration. "Fantastic. This mission just keeps getting better."
Elden remained quiet, his face unreadable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something—regret, maybe? Or was it doubt?
Zaimond, ever the optimist, shrugged and returned to his song, this time with a bit more bounce in his step:
"Ten Knights, with swords held high,
Vanished, leaving not a sigh.
Where they went, no one can say,
But their legend lives today!"
Caelan couldn't help but smile. Despite the grim news, Zaimond's goofy energy was contagious. "Okay, so let's recap. We've got ten demon kings waking up, ten legendary knights missing in action, and the three of us—totally outmatched—are supposed to save the world. Sound about right?"
Zaimond tapped his chin, pretending to ponder. "Yup, that pretty much sums it up. But hey, no pressure, right? We've got light on our side, and me, of course. That's gotta count for something!"
Caelan laughed, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous, man. But honestly? I kinda dig it."
Elden, who had been silent through the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice cutting through their banter like a blade. "Ridiculous or not, we need to stay focused. The darkness grows stronger every day, and we can't afford to waste time."
Zaimond's grin never faltered, though his tone became more serious. "Oh, I'm focused, alright. You don't think I'm just tagging along for fun, do you? We're gonna need everything we've got to even survive this journey."
"Survival's good," Caelan added, twirling his finger. "Big fan of survival."
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an eerie twilight over the landscape, the three companions continued their trek, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step. The farther they went, the more Caelan could feel it—something dark was watching them, lurking just beyond the edges of their vision.
"So," Caelan said, breaking the tense silence, "do we have, like, a destination in mind? Or are we just wandering around until something jumps out and tries to kill us?"
Elden didn't miss a beat. "We're heading to the Fortress of Solaria. It's one of the last places still holding out against the darkness. If we can get there, we might find some answers about the Demon Kings and the missing knights."
Zaimond's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Oh, I've always wanted to visit the Fortress! I hear they've got a library filled with ancient tomes. You think they'd let me blow some stuff up? For research purposes, of course."
Caelan chuckled. "Yeah, somehow I don't think they're gonna hand over their magic books to the guy who sets things on fire for fun."
Zaimond wiggled his eyebrows. "You'd be surprised how persuasive I can be."
As night fell, the three travelers continued onward, the looming threat of the Demon Kings hanging over their heads, and the mystery of the legendary knights guiding their every step. This journey was only beginning, but Caelan had a feeling it was going to be one wild ride.
And, honestly? He wouldn't have it any other way.
End of Chapter 1.