"The Light Beyond the Shadows" — Recon Mission Prologue
The sky was overcast. In the silence of the night, a restless wind slipped through the walls of the Holy City, carrying with it an ominous chill. In front of the white stone gates, next to the statue of the Sacred Sword, seven horsemen stood silently.
Before them stood Elias Valtar, clad in pure white armor — the seventh of the Nine Knights of Light, who had personally taken part in the final holy war.
Upon his chest glowed the Mark of Luminor, the god of light, shining with a blue aura.
— "This isn't just a reconnaissance mission. This is our greatest trial." he declared. The elite spies behind him nodded in solemn silence.
🕯 The Mission
They were ordered to "find the source of the demonic force hiding at the site of the burned temple."
By command of Dominus I, they must investigate whether "the 13th Dark Knight has begun to move again."
The Angels of Light had ceased communication — a troubling omen.
🏞 Journey Through the Shadows
At midnight, the scouting unit — moving like red shadows — entered the Valley of Lior, a cursed place once known as "Echoing Silence," where no man dared tread. But recently, undead sightings had emerged.
Suddenly… one spy didn't even have time to scream.
— "..."
A strike from an unseen dagger in the darkness, and then silence. Elias's eyes ignited with light as he hurled his sword toward the attacker.
A shadowy figure vanished soundlessly into the deep night.
⚔ Elias's Duel
Elias: — "This isn't a mere assassin… this is an ancient art of shadow. A Dark Knight has come."
He leapt into the air, saved two of his men, and plunged his sword into the ground, summoning a dome of radiant protection.
And from the dark… emerged the very First Dark Knight — Sephist.
Sephist: — "Your light can't even touch the shadow of my darkness, boy..."
(He smiles coldly, stepping forward.)
"The 'Holy Temple'? 'Faith'? 'Light'? Every word you speak is a lie built on blood."
(He channels energy into his sword and lunges.)
Clash! Clash!
Their blades collided — heavy, fast, each blow like thunder.
Elias's strikes were not only swift but struck with crushing force. Suddenly, he ascended skyward, absorbing radiant light from his comrade into himself. The intense aura surrounding him lit up the sky, and the air seemed to burn.
— "Come at me, then!"
Sephist: — "You underestimate us far too much."
Elias(smirking): — "I'll crush you like insects."
Elias's eyes burned with contempt, his aura lighting up the battlefield.
Sephist(calmly watching): — "He's preparing to strike… get ready!"
Casmir(drawing his blade with force): — "My turn now."
Elias watched him, a mocking smile on his face.
Elias: — "Too slow."
Suddenly, Casmir unleashed a slash wreathed in black smoke. Elias's barrier trembled.
Casmir: — "Shadow Bond — Eighth Level!"
Above Elias, six blazing lights lit up the sky, raining down fiery swords.
Elias: — "Holy Sword — Six Stars!"
Casmir faltered under the divine assault.
Casmir: — "Damn… that's powerful!"
Sephist(flashing through the sword rain): — "Lost your focus already, servant of light?"
Elias's right arm was suddenly severed, disintegrating into particles of holy dust. Blood burst from the wound, glowing with divine light, but he clenched his left fist and gathered more radiant power.
— "My turn now…" he whispered from the heart, eyes boiling with wrath.
Elias:(roaring, radiant energy bursting from his body) — "Heavenly Blade — First Level: Soul Slash!"
A deafening silence fell — only the force of the strike could be felt as the air itself quivered.
Sephist(barely dodging with his battle instincts): — "So strong! I can't even imagine what would've happened if that had landed."
Casmir:(grabbing his arm and laughing): — "Yeah… we nearly died there."
Sephist:(gathering shadow energy, eyes sharp): — "You truly are powerful. Different from anyone we've ever faced."
Elias:(angrily charging energy): — "I'm no weak soldier of light! I will never lose… to dogs of darkness like you!"
Casmir:(smirking): — "Is that so? Then let's see!"
Elias reached his ultimate form.
Elias: — "Heavenly Blade — Second Form: Circle of Soul, Light Severing the Sky!"
A silent cut followed, light vanishing into the air, the ground trembling.
Sephist: — "Shadow Sword — Eternal Suffering!"
Black flames engulfed Sephist's sword, and a sharp echo cracked through the sky. His strike broke through Elias's defense, slicing deep into his back.
Elias(blood spraying, screaming): — "You damn dogs… DIE WITH ME! Cataclysm of Light and Death!"
Sephist: — "Not that easy."
Suddenly, Sephist's sword, aflame with black fire, pierced Elias's chest. Holy mist rose from his body, vanishing like steam as Sephist pulled his blade free and stepped forward with grim resolve.
Sephist: — "It ends now!"
(He raised his black-flamed sword high — and with one stroke, severed the head of the blessed warrior.)