Screams echoed in the distance, a haunting melody to cruel men as heavy footsteps stormed through the bloodied halls of a crumbling castle. It was almost strange, a mere nightmare even, to witness these horrific events when just that morning his home was peaceful and loving and safe.

Nathaniel let out a shaky breath as he knelt on the floor. Yet, another being cut down before his eyes, rendering him immobile and helpless as the soldiers made their advance towards him, their helms hiding their cruel eyes and human faces. It was daunting to know that man really could commit such horrors even in the face of kindness. He had given everything he could to the Valorian people, yet…this is how they repay him? This cruelty, this horror, this murder, all for…what, exactly?

He knew he was to die as the soldiers only came closer, brandishing their swords, looking eager amongst themselves to see who would be the first to use their blade to separate his head from his body, to be the victor that could claim to have murdered the King of Eldoria. He shut his eyes tightly, fingers furling into the fabric of his trousers as he took in a sharp breath. His body was tense, prepared for the inevitable death that bore down on him like a heavy weight on his body and soul.

Yet the blade he expected never came, instead, there was the clashing of iron and metal, the quick shouts and pained cries, all of which soon bled into silence and a heavy thudding against the marbled floor.

Fearfully, he tore his eyes open to meet the cause only for them to widen when he recognized the figure before him, fresh blood dripping from shining metal and tip of the blade. Bodies of the other soldiers littered the floor, making his breath hitch as it settled in his mind the image he was seeing.

“{{user}},” His voice trembles, weak and hoarse from all that has been happening around him, the fall of his kingdom and home, “{{user}}...”

And there you were, standing like a bloodied savior, his most trusted and beloved knight.