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A long time ago, there was a far off land full of magical beasts and valorous warriors, of vicious fiends and forgotten wonders.
Another land called Erebonia, similar but unlike the one that is commonly known of.
In those turbulent times, a lone hero wandered through the land; he helped the folk and was beloved by them. After some time, his name became a source of hope for all the vulnerable ones in Erebonia.
He was Rean Schwarzer, the Ashen Hero.
He would never leave the people in danger, but once evil was slain wherever he was, he would leave without a word and continue his aimless journey.
His journey eventually brought him to the Dukedom of Lamarre. The people of the dukedom felt excitement by the arrival of the hero in their land, and eventually word of his arrival came to the ruler of the land himself, Duke Cayenne.
The Duke sent his men to summon the hero to his court, and he graciously accepted. There was a great feast that night at the ducal palace, and the various lesser nobles did everything to attract the hero's favour. However he politely declined their offers, for not glory nor wealth were his goals.
That night, the Duke asked the hero to meet with him in private.
“Even the winds carry the words of your achievements with them, Rean Schwarzer. Tell me, what do you fight for?” he asked the hero.
“I only have one goal, Your Grace, that of defeating for good the Demon Lord Ishmelga and his minions. I roam the land to put a stop to his schemes.” the hero answered.
“Then it fate itself, or the will of the Great One, which brought you here, my lord. For you see, the Demon Lord's servants are doing business in my lands.”
“What do you know, Your Grace? I beg you to inform me.”
“Deep inside the Great Forest of Ishtmia, dwells a foul group affiliated with the Demon Lord. These fiends in human skin call themselves the Kin of Fire, but are known by us good folk as “Witches”.”
“I heard rumours, my lord. But since when do witches serve the Evil One?”
“Alas, we only knew this for not that long. These witches kidnap the young ones of our villages, and offer them as sacrifice to the Demon Lord, in exchange for eternal life and other foul boons. But it seems they are planning now something worse. An unholy scheme, to awaken the evil that sleeps deep among the trees.”
“What is this evil you speak of?”
“A demon of the ancient world slumbers there. Ishmelga desires for it to be one of its generals. If they awoke it, no man can imagine what devastation it would wreak upon our fair land. And so I humbly ask of you, Ashen Hero... will you save our people? Will you put an end to this wickedness?”
Rean kneeled before the lord. “For the sake of all that is good and beautiful, I shall protect the children of your land, my lord. I will depart for Ishtmia tomorrow.”
“May the Great One watch over you, young warrior.”
***
And so the next day, at the break of dawn, the Ashen Hero rode his horse as fast as the wind towards the Great Forest of Ishtmia, where evil lay.
The trees of the forest were so tall and their leaves so numerous, that almost no trace of sunlight was allowed in there. “This is a foul place indeed”, thought the hero, “but the light which blazes in my breast shall carve a path”.
At one point, the path was blocked by a thick knot of tree branches, which wrapped on each other almost like to form a gate.
“Who are you?” a voice echoed.
Rean repeated the question. “I shall not reveal my own name unless you reveal yourself. Show your face if you have any trace of honour!” He took out his tachi from its sheat.
“Touch the tree branches, unknown adventurer. The trees will judge the content of your heart.”
Though he was not happy to obey that voice's commands, he saw no other choice. He touched the branches, and then these slowly unwrapped, opening a path for Rean.
“Your heart has been judged. You are virtuous enough to enter this sanctuary.”
Wary, he made his way in.
But his path was blocked once more, this time by a person.
In front of him stood a woman of a sinister beauty, clothed in azure.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am the one who is known as the Azure Abyss. Why did the forest allow you in our sanctuary?”
“The trees called me worthy. Are you one of the witches?” he asked, sword in hand.
“Why are you here, adventurer?”
“The lord of this land told me of your despicable actions. I am here to make sure you will not terrorize these people no longer! Prepare to fight, demonspawn!”
“So, you serve the corrupt duke? If so, then I will not allow you to make another step!”
The witch conjured her staff as from the air, and summoned great roots from the earth, which leaped towards Rean in order to kill him.
The hero dodged, then cleaved the roots with his tachi. Then he ran towards the witch.
But as soon as he came close, she cast towards him a hurling rock, which hit him in his chest. The impact made him fall to the earth, his breast screaming in pain.
The witch approached, and pointed her staff against him.
“No more shall you or your kin threaten this place. Your charred corpse will serve as a warning! Now begone!”
“STOP!”
A barrier appeared above Rean, which protected him from the fire cast by the witch's staff.
“Sister, do not do this. The forest has chosen him.”
“Do not interfere, Emma!”
Another woman approached. Rean could catch a glimpse of her looks, and she was fairer than anything he ever saw in his life. But once she was near enough to be seen, the view of her faded like mist, and Rean saw no more. He only heard some words.
Lux solis medicuri eum.
***
He awoke in an unfamiliar place. He rose, and looked at his surroundings. It was a cozy looking room, with a burning hot stove and several bookshelves filled with what looked like ancient, precious tomes. His chest didn't hurt as much as before, it looked like any injury he might have gotten during the fight had disappeared.
He suspected the worst.
The door of the room opened, and once more entered that fair woman he saw before he lost conciousness. She had hair the colour of spring flowers, and her smile was as warm as a bonfire on a cold, lonely night.
“You finally awoke” she said.
“If this is what I think it is, then I died a failure. For you are the Goddess Aidios, are you not?”
“What?” she seemed taken aback.
“I cannot help but think that this is the afterlife, and I have passed away, slain by the evil witch. Only the Goddess Herself can be this beautiful. My only regret was leaving a world where evil still thrives unopposed.”
“Oh, no, I...” her face became red as a rose, and she hid her blushing by covering it with her hands.
That was when Rean knew that he was alive, and that he had been foolish.
“Forgive me, fair lady. I was still confounded by my awakening, and didn't know what I said. I hope my folly has not made you uncomfortable.”
She looked at him, and smiled shyly. “I cannot say I took any offence, that is for sure. What is your name, young knight?”
“My name is Rean Schwarzer. People across Erebonia dub me the Ashen Hero, yet I feel I do not deserve such praise, not until my sworn enemy still breathes. And even so I would flee the title, for vanity is the death of valour. What is your name?”
My name is Emma. I apologise deeply for my sister's treatment, but she is rather wary of strangers.”
“Sister...? Wait.” he got out of the bed. He looked for his sword, but could not find it. “Are you a witch too?”
“Please, don't be afraid. We are also known as the Hexen Clan, or the Kin of Fire. We mean no harm to regular people, that is why we merely observe the events of the world from the safety of our home forest.”
“You claim that, yet you take innocent children away from their cradles to sacrifice them to your wicked god! Do you deny this?”
“Who told you such a thing?”
“The man I'm currently serving, the Duke Cayenne of the land of Lamarre. You dare to call him a liar?”
“I do not know why he would spread such rumours. The only children we take are those who are deprived of their families by the armies of the Demon Lord, and we raise them as our own. And the only deity we serve is Aidios, the same as you.”
Rean was puzzled.
“Did I not save your life?”
“I...” he felt abandoned, and deprived of certainty. “Why would my lord lie to me?”
“I do not know his thoughts. What else did he say?”
“He said that in the depths of this forest, lies a terrible demon of the ancient world. The Demon Lord Ishmelga seeks to convert it to its cause and make it one of its generals. And for that end, he seeks an alliance with your people.”
“No demon dwells inside this forest. Yet I believe I know what he is talking about, but he is no demon. Would you like to see for yourself?”
She gave his sword back to him, and took him through their village. The core of the forest was a magical town illuminated by the light of fireflies. And Rean started thinking, how could a wicked people live in such a peaceful and soothing place?
“This is Eryn, home of the Hexen. The place where I grew up.”
“It is beautiful” said Rean.
While they walked towards a giant tree far on the edges of the village, the azure witch, Emma's sister, approached them.
“I hope you are thankful that your sister decided to save your life. Our guardian deemed you worthy, but I watch your every step.”
“I'm actually taking him to see him, Vita. Lies have been told about us in the outside world, and the people must know the truth.”
They informed her of Cayenne's orders, and she looked outraged.
“How... how dare he, the scoundrel! We, servants of Ishmelga? We, who were the first to fight it? Emma, Rean, if what you said is true, then Eryn must steel for conflict. The Hexen Clan cannot act as passive observers anymore, as war knocks on our doorstep.”
And then she left in a hurry, walking fast towards the forest's depths.
Emma looked sorrowful. “I knew our peace wouldn't last forever, but it seems that the day of its end is nigh. Let us hope our guardian will have the strength to protect us. Come, it is time to meet him.”
Once they reached the massive tree, Rean saw that a door of sorts was on its bark.
Emma touched the door, and it opened. Beyond it, there was a stairway that led undeground. They walked down the stairs, which brought them to a large room. Emma rose her staff, and the room lightened up.
In the centre of the room stood a massive crimson titan sitting on a stone throne, surrounded by vines and roots.
“That, Ashen Hero, is the guardian of our forest. We call him Testa-Rossa. He rules over fire and heat, and his power gives nourishment to the trees, the flowers and the animals. He is no demon. And he is the one who deemed you worthy of walking through our domain.”
“I can see that he is a being of goodness” said Rean. “But now I wonder what was the point of my mission in the first place. Why send me here, if your people are not a threat to mine?”
The dreaded answer would soon come. Suddenly, they heard screams from above, and the sound of blades and horses neighing.
They hurried up to find a dreadful sight: soldiers in armour were cutting down the people of Eryn and burning down houses.
Emma screamed. “WHY?”
Rean, outraged, wielded his blade and pointed it at the men. “How dare you torment these people? You are no better than the mindless hordes of the Demon Lord! Prepare to die, villains!” he threw himself into battle, cutting down the evil warriors.
“So, you decided to turn on us. Then you will die here, accursed traitor.” Rean turned to look at the one who was addressing him, and there he saw Duke Cayenne, sword in hand on a warhorse.
“Your Grace... why?”
“It was good of you to open the path for us to the heart of the forest, naive young warrior. But your role in this has ended! I shall take the crimson giant for myself, and I will become more powerful than the Demon Lord itself! Now die, Ashen Hero!”
Cayenne tried to strike Rean, but the blow encountered the barrier that Emma just conjured. The witch had protected him yet again.
“Ah, another witch” said Cayenne. “You will die like that other one. She killed dozens of my men before we could put her down, and I will make sure that you and all of your kin shall meet the same fate!”
“That is not possible!” said Emma. “Vita could have never...”
“Before her life ended, she begged! Like a dirty dog!” said Cayenne, his vicious face illuminated by the flames. He was laughing while he spoke. “And as a gracious lord I served her a quick death! You should be grateful for this, for I shall extend the grace to you as well!”
“You monster! Dark was the day you came to life, Cayenne!” said Rean. “But I shall put an end to you tonight, and restore peace to the land!”
But just as he said that, ten of Cayenne's men attacked him, each from a different side.
Though he was a skilled swordsman, the difference in numbers made too much of a difference. Is this it, he thought?
Then all around him seemed to disappear. The next thing he saw was an unfamiliar landscape; he was not in Eryn anymore.
“What happened?”
Next to him, he saw Emma curled on the ground, weeping.
“Rean, I... I teleported us out of the forest. There was no hope for our village anymore. All is lost!” She shouted a lamentation to the cold white moon, and stood there, without moving or saying anything.
And Rean knew that it was his fault. He, who desired fighting evil more than anything, became its very instrument because of his own naivety.
“I am bitterly aware that no act could ever buy redemption for my mistake, but at least, good witch, let me take care of you.”
Rean helped Emma get on her feet, and carried the exhausted witch on his back.
***
Rean looked at his surroundings, and saw he was now in the Sutherland Marquisdom, close to the new capital of Saint-Arkh. That was the seat of Lord Hyarms, the Steward of Erebonia, who ruled over the realm since the demise of the rightful rulers.
They walked, and soon found a village. Rean paid for a room in an inn, and laid Emma down to rest on a soft bed, while he slept on the floor.
The morning after, they spoke on what would their next steps be.
“It might be an impossible task, but as the one who allowed him to get through the forest's barrier, it is my duty to put an end to Duke Cayenne's evil schemes, or give up my life in the attempt. But what I know for sure is that I cannot keep on living a coward.”
“There is something” said Emma. “There were rumours in our village speaking of an ancient paragon of the Hexen, who lived in solitude in a shrine far away. Maybe she can grant us some help, it is worth trying.”
“Then we must away. My blade is yours to command, and so it shall be until it pierces Cayenne's black heart.”
They walked out of town, and once no one was in sight, Emma teleported them somewhere else.
***
She sent them to what looked like a mountain path.
“Up here, near the peak of the mountain, lies the Ashen Shrine. We will probably find her there.”
“Then let us waste no time.”
But then they heard a bird's cry. They looked beyond the horizon, and saw a majestic blue bird approaching them. Their wonder was great once the bird transformed itself into a woman, once it reached them. And then Emma wept again, but this time of joy.
“Sister... you are alive!”
Vita, the Azure Abyss, stood once more in front of them. “I had not the power to face Cayenne's host alone, but I did manage to deceive them. They merely saw an illusion of my own death, but I retreated to scheme my vengeance. And you!” she said, looking at Rean. “You might prize yourself on your purity of heart, but your trust has doomed us all! You cannot claim to be a purger of evil when you cannot even detect the darkness in others' hearts.”
“I refuse to assume the worst of others, but my carelessness is unforgivable” said Rean. “When all of this is done, you might claim my life as vengeance. But until then, allow me to repair things. I swear to you, my azure lady, I will not suffer Cayenne to breathe anymore. So give me the time and chance to avenge you and your village...”
“Taking your life will not help anyone” replied Vita. “But you will join me and Emma in our vengeance. Now let us haste, the ruler of the shrine awaits.”
They reached the peak of the mountain, and found a wall of stone. As in the forest, Vita and Emma's spell materialised a door.
“This, Rean, is the entrance to the Ashen Shrine.”
He stepped forward, and entered. There was a stone altar in the middle, and a bowl full of water.
“Drink from the bowl, and face yourself” said a childlike voice.
Rean obeyed, and drank. A path appeared beyond the altar, and he walked to it.
And soon, around him, appeared a scene of houses on fire, not unlike what he saw in Eryn the day before. People screamed and ran in all directions; one approached Rean, and walked right through him. “Phantoms?”, he thought.
The he heard a claking sound of steel. A giant man in armour black as night approached him, grasping in his hand a foul sword made of flames and darkness.
The armoured man pointed his sword at him. “This is who you can be, Rean Schwarzer. You can have the power to protect everything, to make sure that no corrupt heart can ever impose their will on others. All shall bow under your righteous will!”
“You talk of becoming a tyrant. Good intentions can have foul consequences, as I have learned. I will temper righteousness with wisdom, and so, I will refuse to hold more power than necessary.”
“Fool” said the black knight. “Power is the only mean to impose your ideals on the world, by renouncing this, you are doing nothing but favouring those who hold no qualms and no morals. Do you believe the Demon Lord would think as you do?”
“No, and that is exactly what makes me different from it! The darkness cannot be dispelled by its own rules! The light, the true light, is different. You cannot stop me, wicked knight!”
The armoured man lunged towards Rean, sword in hand.
The Ashen Hero closed his eyes, and focused on his opponent's sounds. With a single, precise stroke, he felled his enemy, who turned into dust and melted in the air.
His surroundings changed once more. Emma and Vita were there with him, and in front of him, stood a young girl with long blonde hair.
“You pass the trial, young hero. My name is Roselia, and I am the warden of the Ashen Shrine, and of the treasure hidden within it. Emma, Vita, I thank you for bringing me the hero who will restore order in this realm.”
The two witches knelt before the child. “It is a honour to meet you, great ancestor of the Hexen.”
“Come with me, children” she said. “I shall take you to the heart of this shrine.”
As they walked down to the depths of the mountain, Roselia told them the history of the titan Testa-Rossa, and of those affiliated to him.
“A long time ago, during my youth, there were seven guardians sent by the Goddess Aidios to guard Erebonia and its people. The Divine Knights was their name, and Testa-Rossa was one of them. And so was the Demon Lord Ishmelga.”
“That fiend is the same as the Hexen's guardians?” asked Rean.
“He was created by the Goddess same as the rest of them, but as the others delighted in peace and all that was good on this earth, Ishmelga grew some wicked desires, and within him came the idea of changing the order estabilished by the Goddess. Some claim that was the very moment when evil came into the world. The other six Divine Knights joined together to defeated him, and banished him to the depths of darkness, beyond the borders of this world. Then they went to sleep, afraid of their own power, afraid that one of them might become another Ishmelga. But by then it was too late; evil already lurked in the hearts of men, and eventually, this evil granted Ishmelga the strength to break free from his prison. However, some were still willing to oppose him. Have you heard of the Iron Paladin?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, Lady Roselia, somewhere hidden in my heart lies a prideful desire of becoming like him. But I still have a long way to go.”
“That you do. The Iron Paladin, riding one of the seven Divine Knights, fought Ishmelga to the point of driving the latter into hiding, and became the greatest hero in Erebonia. But then, a sad day, the Demon Lord found the way to deceive him, and destroyed him. Since that day, people in Erebonia have lived under constant fear. I kindly ask of you of putting an end to it.”
“Who was the armoured man I saw in my vision?” asked Rean.
“That is the infamous Ironblood Tyrant, one of Ishmelga's greatest generals. They say he is the one who slayed the Iron Paladin. One day you will have to confront him, if you wish to put an end to its tyranny.”
They finally reached the core of the shrine deep beneath the mountain, and there was another titan much like Testa-Rossa, but coloured gray.
“This, Rean, is Valimar, the Ashen Knight, who was the Iron Paladin's trusted comrade. And now, he shall be yours.”
The giant's eyes became alive with a bright light. “Thou art possessed of a fine spirit, young man. I shall fight alongside thee as I did with thy predecessors.”
“Now, Rean, enter Valimar and guide him to battle! I shall teleport us on the field, where the wicked Duke is guiding his host, riding Testa-Rossa.”
***
And so the elder witch did as she said. Rean and his companions found themselves on a wide green field. Beyond, he could see Testa-Rossa marching at the head of a large host. And inside the titan was Duke Cayenne, controlling it. The Duke's plan was to march to Heimdallr, the accursed capital ruled by the Demon Lord, and to use Testa-Rossa's power to defeat it and its minions. And then, he would have become the new lord of Erebonia, and would have ruled over all people with absolute might.
Rean teleported inside Valimar, and rode to battle, the titan's giant sword sheated.
The Duke stopped in his tracks once he saw the Ashen Hero riding in his Knight, accompanied by the three witches.
“So this is where you hid, rat! Behold the fruit of your action! Thanks to you, the guardian of the forest is now my loyal thrall.”
“I am here to redeem what I have wrought. You have deceived me, and now I shall make you pay!”
Cayenne ordered his troops to attack, but a giant barrier prevented them from getting close. The three witches were raising their staves, making sure that Cayenne didn't get any help.
“Now it is only the two of us. Prepare yourself!” Rean lunged at the evil Duke. Regrettably, this was the first time he fought on a Divine Knight. But the same was true for Cayenne. And he didn't have the same experience with the blade Rean had.
The Duke frantically tried to defend itself. The Knight's own might compensated Cayenne's inexperience in single combat, but Rean and Valimar's blows kept coming down relentlessly, his rage and fury behind them.
And as the fight raged, Rean thought about his reasons to fight. Was it merely to redeem himself in his own eyes? Was it for glory? All of these reasons were born of vanity, as he already knew deep down.
And so the manner of his strikes changed, they became subtler, yet stronger. The true warrior did not fight for glory, not redemption, nor vengeance.
He did so because it was right, regardless of what it meant to him personally. Cayenne could never win against someone with that resolve!
And with a final, decisive strike, Testa-Rossa's golden sword fell from its grasp, and Valimar ended it with a last powerful strike.
And so, the Duke's evil ambitions came to an end. His host, once they saw their commander fall in battle, decided to lay down their weapons and surrendered.
***
“Thank you for freeing me from that wicked man's control” said Testa-Rossa to Rean, once they forced the Duke to get out of it. “I will go back to my forest, and shall help the Kin of Fire rebuild their home.”
Rean faced Cayenne, and pointed his sword at him. "I should slay you for what you have done", he said. Cayenne looked terrified, and screamed for mercy. "But this is not who I choose to be. Run, you foul coward, and if you ever think of trying something like this, I will put a stop to your plans once more. You cannot beat me!"
Cayenne ran away, ordering his host to follow him. Very likely, this loss of face would have eventually meant his removal from power.
And so, together, Rean, the two titans and the three witches went back to Eryn. Testa-Rossa used all the power of the forest to restore the village to the way it was, commanding the animals to help the villagers rebuild their homes. Those witches and their families who escaped deep into the woods to avoid Duke Cayenne's bloodbath came back to their village to find their homes standing once again.
And so, finally, the time came for Rean to leave. But his heart ached, for he would not have seen the fair witch Emma ever again once he decided to go forth.
“My hero, you will need someone by your side during your journey to defeat the Demon Lord. I would like to be with you, as its war of conquest threatens our land as well.”
Rean felt elated for a second, but then Roselia spoke.
“Emma, you know our taboo. Witches cannot leave the forest, unless they wish to be forever considered outcasts.”
“But elder, have I not left the forest before already? What difference does it make?”
“You did only to save your own life, because of village was under attack. This time, it would be different. In time, the forest won't see you anymore as one of our own.”
“But...”
“Emma, think about this very well.” intervened Rean. “My heart does desire for your company, but if this means your exile then I cannot wish that for you. How about we sleep on it, and then you will decide on the morrow?
“Maybe that is the best idea.” Yet the witch's heart was set, for she could no longer be apart from the hero's bright light.
And Rean knew this, so he decided to leave like a thief in the night. He ran away from the forest riding Valimar, tears in his eyes. As of now, his only thought would be fighting the Demon Lord, and he would forget about the fair and kind witch he met deep in the Ishtmia Forest...
***
The morning after, Emma woke up and searched for the hero, but once she saw that she could not find him, she understood that he left without her, in order not to make her choose between him and her home.
“Why”, she thought. “This was not your decision to make, Rean.”
She walked near a stream, and sat down, holding back her tears and her sorrow.
Someone approached her, and she turned to find her sister Vita, who sat near her.
“He did the right thing, you know. He earned his redemption in my eyes.” she said.
But that was not enough for Emma. “If he really did the right thing by leaving me here, then why does my heart ache so? How could a heroic action cause someone else so much pain?”
Vita looked at the water with a melancholic expression.
“If you go... you might never come back. The forest could potentially forget you, and never allow you back to our village. Are you willing to lose all of this?”
“Rean was never part of our village, yet the forest let him in all the same. It could do the same for me.”
Vita rose, and looked at Emma.
“If you won't keep your heart pure, you might never come back. Keep close to the hero and do not let the outside world corrupt your ways. I will send you to him, I know where he is.”
Emma's heart filled with hope, and she smiled. “Please, sister! I promise you that I will protect our land, and once all of this is over, I will be able to come back!”
Vita grinned. “I knew you could not be stopped. So strong and stubborn, you've always been. As am I.” Then she took her staff, and made Emma disappear.
***
Somewhere outside of the forest, Rean found a hidden spot to keep Valimar safe.
“My faithful companion, will you fly to fight at my side, whenever I shall call you?” he asked.
“I will, Rean. I can sense thy life energy wherever thou art, and I shall haste to thy aid whenever thou will call.”
“Very well then. It is once again time for me to hunt those who serve the Demon Lord.”
He left, and followed the path that went east, towards the city of Bareahard. He thought of Emma the kind witch, the woman he left behind. He promised himself that he would never love again, for no one would ever take her place in his heart. Blessed yet cursed was the day he set foot in that forest, for his mind would have always wandered back there, where he had left her...
“However, you will not be able to get rid of me that easily.”
Rean turned, and there she was.
“Are you a mirage? An illusion from the enemy?”
“I am real, Rean. This is my fight too, and I have chosen to leave my home for everyone else's sake... and yours. If you don't want me by your side, you're going to have to tell me now, or never again.”
The Ashen Hero wept, and ran to embrace his beloved.
***
That afternoon, Vita met with Roselia, to discuss about the war to come.
“So, she left, didn't she?” Roselia asked.
“You knew this would happen, wouldn't you?” said Vita.
“Of course I did. I merely wished to test her resolve, as I did with the young hero. They're a good couple, don't you think?”
“Do you believe he is the chosen hero? The one who will dispel darkness for good from this land?”
“Yes... I do believe the prophecy talks about him. He and Emma will find other companions, and together will bring the longest peace that ever was. The Ashen Hero, the Good Witch... and his Knights Seven.”
***
Deep inside its dark fortress in Heimdallr, the Demon Lord Ishmelga heard of the news from Lamarre. The puppet it chose to bring him the Divine Knight Testa-Rossa, Duke Cayenne, failed in his task, stopped by the new rider of the Ashen Knight. Again, his brother stood in its path.
“No matter”, it thought. It would find another chance to force Testa-Rossa to serve in its demonic host.
It called before it its greatest general, the Ironblood Tyrant, who knelt before it.
“My faithful minion. It appears that Valimar once again has risen from its slumber to put a stop to my schemes. The young hero who now wields his power is named Rean Schwarzer, also known as the Ashen Hero. Does his name mean anything to you?”
“No” said the Ironblood Tyrant.
“Excellent. Now go forth, and crush my foes under your mighty heel!”
The Ironblood Tyrant rose, and set forth to conquest. The Demon Lord looked upon him with a satisfied and malevolent expression.