Chapter Text
There is a legend held dearly by the people of this world - a legend about four Warriors of Light who saved the world from darkness. There was a thief from Pravoka and twin mages from Crescent Lake, but there was also a swordsman - a young man who controlled the forces of light - who couldn't recall his homeland. The swordsman was very powerful, but also capable of great mercy. After the Warriors defeated Chaos, god of discord, they were given the opportunity to voice a wish. The thief wished for riches, and the mages wished for the most powerful spells. However, the swordsman, who felt sorry for a rogue knight they had slain on their journey, wished for the knight to return to life, but with no memory of the events that led him into darkness. Due to his wish going against the will of his comrades, he was forced to give up the Armor of Light, which he had earned through countless battles. In addition, some of his powers were sealed until further notice. That didn't deter him, though - he still went through with it. Angered by the swordsman's mercy towards an enemy, the thief and the mages left him behind. Nobody knows what became of the Warriors of Light, or of the knight - time erased those details.
What nobody knows, though, is how true this "legend" really was, and how relevant it would soon be...
***
Seth Hirschall was a young man with no memory past the last few years of his life. He had been traveling for half a year now, looking for a place to call home after the long journey he had been on - a journey through time with three others to defeat the evil god Chaos.
Seth had been deserted by his three allies after the battle, and had been forced to find his own way to the present time. Now, as he traveled from place to place, he realized that the battle between the four warriors and Chaos was nothing but a legend now. He didn't really mind. He didn't want anyone to know that he was the light-wielding warrior who had been left behind by his “friends”.
As Seth headed for the castle town of Cornelia, many memories of his journey came up in his mind - Cornelia was the first town he could ever recall traveling to. Back then, he only had his sword, the clothes on his back, and a crystal, which he still carried with him. He wondered how things were going with the people of this town, despite the fact that they wouldn't remember him like he remembered them. Seth decided to go check on the town to see if everything was as he remembered.
Upon entering the town, though, he saw a group of knights fighting a horde of demonic creatures. The knights were clearly outmatched - the only one still fighting was an inhumanly tall man with silver hair, dark armor, and a purple cape. Worried for the knights, Seth decided to intervene. As he approached, the knight in dark armor turned to face him. Seth was stunned to see that the man's eyes were a golden-yellow in color.
“You need to stay back! This is no place for civilians!” the knight exclaimed.
Seth shook his head. “I am not a civilian - I know how to fight. Please, allow me to assist!”
“All right, but please, be careful!” the golden-eyed man replied.
Seth charged into the middle of the pack of demons, concentrating light into his sword and cutting the creatures down one by one. As the last one fell, a loud cheer rose from the knights.
The knight in dark armor walked over to Seth, a warm smile on his face. “You saved our town... Thank you, traveler.”
“ I am glad to have been able to help,” Seth stated.
“You're really strong for someone so young. What is your name?”
“I am Seth Hirschall... I am just a traveling swordsman - nothing special.”
“You need to give yourself some credit. Anyway, I am Garland Levitan, general of the Knights of Cornelia.”
Garland was a name Seth had heard before. The knight he had battled on his journey with the other Warriors of Light was also named Garland. He wondered if this was the same man, but had little time to ponder it. Seth was soon startled out of his thoughts by the sound of Garland's voice.
“Hey Seth, is something wrong?”
“N-no, Sir Levitan,” Seth replied shakily.
Garland made a face. “Don't call me ‘sir’. That's way too formal for my tastes. Just call me Garland.”
Seth averted his gaze, focusing his intense blue eyes on a clump of grass at his feet. Things were silent for a while, then Garland spoke once more.
“You said you're a traveler... Do you have a place to stay?”
Seth looked back up. “I was thinking of staying at the inn for the night.”
“Nah, don't waste your Gil,” Garland laughed. “I have a better plan. You'd be an excellent addition to Cornelia's army. The barracks are comfy enough, and most of the other knights are good people. We could use someone like you.”
“But Garland... I have no formal training.”
“Don't worry about that. You obviously don't need combat training, and I can teach you the social aspects of being a knight. Come with me - I'll take you to the castle and ask the king about letting you become a knight. I'm sure he'll say yes.”
Seth nodded. “Thank you... I am in your debt.”
***
Upon entering the castle, Seth and Garland came to some stairs. Seth remembered the layout of the castle well - these stairs led up to the king's throne room.
“Wait down here, Seth,” Garland said. “I'll ask the king for permission to bring you in.”
Seth sat on a nearby chair and took his crystal out of his satchel. It was the same color blue as his eyes, and it shone with a brilliant light. He began polishing it as he waited for Garland to return.
Eventually, Garland descended the stairs with a grin on his face. “Hey Seth, King Bryant wants to see you...”
Garland's eyes suddenly focused on Seth's crystal. “Where did you get that?” he inquired.
“I do not remember...” Seth replied. “I have had it as long as my memory goes back.”
“What do you mean?”
“My memory only goes back about two years... Everything before then is a blank...”
“Ah... You too, Seth?” Garland asked, sounding sad.
“Me too...? You mean that you have no memory also?”
“You're correct, although you remember more than I do. My memory only goes back about six months.”
“My apologies...”
“Don't worry about it. It's strange, though... Two warriors with no memory... I guess we might be kindred spirits. Maybe we'll become friends!” Garland smiled.
“Friends...” Seth mused. “That would be nice.”
“Anyway, we don't want to keep King Bryant waiting. Come on, let's go!”
***
Seth followed Garland up the stairs and into the throne room. King Bryant sat in his throne beside his wife, Queen Jayne, and beside them stood the emerald-haired Princess Sarah.
Garland knelt before the monarchs, and Seth mirrored the gesture.
“You may rise, Sir Levitan,” King Bryant called. “You may stand as well, traveler.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Garland replied.
“Traveler, your name is Seth, is it not?”
Seth nodded. “You are correct, Your Majesty.”
“Sir Levitan has told me all about your skill on the battlefield. He also stated that you seem to be able to control light. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Seth answered.
“A power akin to that of the leader of the legendary Warriors of Light... Are you perhaps his descendant?”
“I...do not know,” Seth stated. He hated lying to Bryant, but felt that the monarch wouldn't believe him even if he did tell the truth.
“He has no memory past a few years,” Garland said.
“Very mysterious indeed. But Sir Levitan has great faith in your abilities. I will grant his request and add you to the roster of knights.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Garland.”
“You're welcome. ...Now, Sir Levitan, please take Sir Hirschall to the barracks and show him around.”
Garland bowed. “As you wish.” He then rose and said, “Let's go, Seth.”
Seth nodded and followed Garland outside, not knowing how this meeting would affect not only his life, but the fate of the world...