The Dreaded Knight's Arrival
The throne room doors slammed open.
The Dreaded Knight entered slowly — armor cracked, smoke rising from dents, cape shredded. His steps were heavy, like each one cost him pain.
King Sable rose from his throne, eyes narrowing.
"You return alone."
The Knight knelt.
"…I failed."
Sable's jaw tightened.
"Where is the report?"
The Knight lifted his head just enough for his voice to carry.
"I saw him."
Silence.
Sable's throat tightened.
"…Describe him."
The Knight's voice darkened.
"Floating. White eyes. Ancient aura.
The same presence as before.
The same darkness."
He hesitated.
"…The same demon."
Sable closed his eyes.
"Arkhamis."
⸻
Echoes of a Past Not Spoken
The Knight nodded once.
"Yes."
Sable stepped closer.
"Why is he alive?"
The Knight's fists clenched.
"…Because of me."
Sable stared.
"What did you do?"
The Knight bowed his head deeper.
"You know what happened.
You were there."
A long silence filled the room.
Sable's expression twitched — a hint of pain, regret, and rage all at once.
"…Yes," he finally said.
"I remember."
The Knight whispered:
"Then you know.
His awakening…
is my fault."
But he explained nothing more.
⸻
The Book
Sable let out a slow breath, regaining control.
"Dwelling on the past won't save us."
He turned sharply toward the throne.
"We need the book.
The demon scripture.
It is the only thing ever created to bind or destroy Arkhamis."
The Knight nodded.
"It is in the fugitives' possession."
Sable clenched his jaw.
"Then we take it from them.
Alive or dead."
⸻
The Failed Mission
Sable's eyes turned cold.
"Report the rest.
All of it."
The Dreaded Knight exhaled.
"The mission failed.
We were ordered to kill the vessel — the younger brother."
Sable's stare turned murderous.
"Haruto.
Did you kill him?"
"…No."
Sable's voice cracked with fury.
"Why not?!"
The Knight continued.
"When we launched the attack…
someone intervened."
He paused.
Sable's eyes narrowed.
"…Who?"
The Knight answered quietly.
"Bjorn."
Sable froze.
"Bjorn…?
The prisoner boy?
The Viking?"
"Yes.
He took the arrow meant for Haruto."
The Knight lowered his head further.
"…He is dead."
⸻
Sable's Rage Unleashed
Sable's entire body tightened.
"What… did you just say?"
The Knight bowed.
"Bjorn is dead."
Sable slammed his fist into the throne with a crack that shook the room.
"IDIOTS!"
His voice echoed violently.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?!"
The Knight remained still, accepting the punishment.
Sable shouted:
"Magic today — the magic of this era —
is fueled by hatred.
Every spell, every curse, every attack…"
He stabbed a finger toward the floor.
"…feeds Arkhamis' power!"
The Knight did not look up.
Sable's voice trembled.
"But ancient magic…
the magic of the old clans…
was different."
He stared into the distance.
"Magic born from love.
From harmony.
From the bonds between people."
He turned sharply toward the Knight.
"Bjorn was the last one.
The ONLY living human with ancient magic."
The Knight's silence confirmed it.
Sable whispered:
"He was the only one who could weaken Arkhamis."
His voice broke.
"And now he's gone."
⸻
Only Darkness Remains
Sable stepped back to his throne, looking shaken for the first time.
"No more ancient magic survives.
Only hate.
Only fear.
Only the power Arkhamis feeds on."
He looked down at the Knight.
"And now the demon awakens in a rare-blooded vessel…
protected by fugitives…
armed with MY book…
and without the one boy who could stop him."
The Knight finally spoke.
"What is your command?"
Sable's eyes sharpened into pure ice.
"Retrieve the book."
"Kill the fugitives."
"And this time—"
He paused.
"Do NOT fail."