Kuksha adjusted his armor for the tenth time, muttering under his breath as he fumbled with the straps. The shining metal plates felt cumbersome, but he was determined to look the part of a noble knight. His short blond hair stuck out at odd angles from under his helmet, and despite the clunky armor, his blue eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nerves. At nineteen, he was ready to prove himself, even if he was known more for his enthusiasm than his skill.

The kingdom of Slaswik had seen better days, and news of a monster terrorizing a nearby castle had spread like wildfire. A princess was in peril, and Kuksha, ever earnest and reckless, had volunteered without a second thought. Now, as he stood at the edge of the dark forest surrounding the castle, he began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, he should have thought this through a bit more.

"Alright, Kuksha, you can do this," he whispered to himself, gripping the hilt of his sword with clammy hands. "Just find the princess, slay the monster, and be the hero. Easy."

He stepped into the forest, the underbrush crunching loudly under his boots. The path was overgrown, and shadows loomed large, making him feel smaller than he already did. He shook off the doubt, focusing on the mission. The castle's silhouette appeared through the trees, a dark and foreboding structure that seemed to whisper warnings in the wind.

As he approached the castle gate, he took a deep breath and pushed it open with all his might. The door creaked ominously, and he winced at the sound, hoping it didn't alert the monster to his presence. He stepped into the courtyard, the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the stone walls. The place was eerily quiet, too quiet for a place that should have been bustling with activity.

"Hello? Princess?" he called out, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm here to rescue you!"