[FancyCyclops]

Meanwhile, in the mind of a Knight who found peace...

It was like a dream. But where does the real life begin, and the dream end? The battle at the Godly stage, or the endless darkness that enveloped him? When he pushed his body beyond the limits and used the power of his anger and rage against the one who destroyed everything for the sake of his own ego, he felt complete. The final sacrifice made to prove that even that demigod was only mortal. His only worry then was if anyone would make it home. The darkness enveloped him as he looked over everyone and knew,

that they would be going home...

Everything began to go dark as the high subsided. As his body realized that it was dying, and everything began to disappear from his mind. As worries made way for acceptance, he knew that there would be another like him. There would be others to pass on his torch. To bear his flame. He fell into a deep sleep, comforted in these rationalizations. Thin as they may be.

Music

Time begins to pass. In his mind, but hours. Long hours spent recollecting the self, wondering what if, and what is. Why this body continues to think if he has died long before. Memories of friends, of a familial bond between him and his siblings in battle. Remembering what his name was, how he fought, his creed.

They flashed before his eyes; visions of a Drifter who beared sword and glaive, the friend who he made first. Of a swordsman who was wrapped up in battle; and provided a healthy rivalry, even as the old company fell apart. The days spent in Tannis, defending it from harm, then being offered a position within its militia. How willingly he took upon that mantle! How willingly he did so, so that he could fight alongside the Reaper Brothers. The adventures that he found himself undertaking when he was by their side- oh, how could he forget?

When he met a close friend of that Drifter, he knew that he had to dedicate himself to this duty. Although he could not fight alongside him on the fateful day, he knew that, at least, he could fight alongside someone familiar; a pink haired Healer who was his friend. When he fought alongside the both of them in the Seige, he knew that they all made a great team. A shame, then, that these partnerships were not to be in the coming battles.

When they fought against the executioners, oh by the skin of their teeth and by the grace of their Gods did his party make it out alive! Even with his might and her healing, it was still such a gamble! Yet, the knowledge that they were all safe; that was reason enough to keep on going.
That, and the need to quiet the dragon within.

It was on that final day; the day when the game was to be ended, the final plays were to be made, and the King was cornered that the stakes were at their highest, when the Reaper's scythe was upon all their necks. The Drifter- Tenyu, stayed behind to fend off Mother; a valiant deed, if comparatively humble. It left him, the healer, Abi, her companion, Lia, and a Lich to fight against the Demigod. Was it irrational not to feel fear? Yes. Was it foolish to even try and stand up to him? Yes. Would it have been a better idea to have grabbed everyone and ran back down the mountain?
Of course not.

Yet, thinking back on it, if he had so much duty, why did he throw his life away so willingly? Was it a need to defy the odds? No. It was simply because he died the first time he made his entrance. Every blow after that was against a corpse. Not one of them scarred his will; now tempered by the flames of battle. And though his party may have done ultimately nothing; still his valiant cheers and bold spirit may have inspired the others to fight on.

Truly, if he didn't have so much duty, he would not have so much time to reflect. After all, everything is still dark.

That's right. It all went dark. He departed the world with one last wild rush, after the last battle of his life. Or... so he thought. If this was truly the end, then there would be more than the dark. Sure, he departed this world; dropping away all his worries after the highest height of his life, but something gnawed at him. Something lingered. A reminder? Light, at the end of the tunnel. Memories rushing back to him. At least, it felt like it was rushing back to him.

His flame continued to burn on. Fueled by the memories of his friends, the memories of a town that depended on him. The continued waves of black beasts that assaulted the town; the flames that would burn them all away. The continued troubles both in the Motherland and upon Sigrogana's soil, the men and women that depended on him, and men like him. The smiles of those who he needed to protect, and those who he fought alongside. That's right!

It was as though he was yanked back from the brink of death for a reason. His name: Rand. His purpose: to protect. His creed: to fight to the end. It was at this moment; when everything finally lined back up, that he realized that he was awake for longer than he thought he was. The world outside the mind is bright. It's full of friends. It is full of adventure. With a duty to keep this world alive, he found himself in the green, green grass of Tannis. Duty never ended for him.

Disoriented, his eyes are flooded with light. It was a miracle that he survived; though a peculiar spiral-shaped scar remains; a reminder that he evaded almost-certain death by only the grace of the Gods.

Leaving the dream, the Knight disappeared from the hospital the moment he was dismissed, holding a blade that was warped beyond recognition, but belonging to a hilt and guard that still remain.

And eventually, he faded into memory, or so others thought.
But there are rumors of a golden-caped Knight, bearing blade and flame. But as soon as the battle ends, he disappears.

His aura is quiet. His blade is repaired and reborn anew. Though Duty continues to keep him marching onward, now this armored knight seeks greater challenge.
For so long as the world keeps on turning, there will be a stronger enemy; for which he must be ready to defend against.