Way of the Knights

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Inside a room surrounded with pitch black darkness, a single pillar of light could be seen at it's center. 

Beneath it, was a throne made out of bones which comes from myriad creatures. A man sat in this throne. Most of his features are hidden, only his feature-less eyes, extremely pale hands and toes were exposed. 

The throne was elevated a few meters above from the ground by a mound of bones. Beneath it, four people prostrated in front of the man who's sitting in the throne. 

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

The man sitting on throne drummed his fingers at the armrest of the throne which took the shape of a skull. Each tap of his fingers caused the hearts of the men beneath him to freeze, their bodies felt cold and they sweating buckets each passing moment. It was as if each tap of this man's fingers were shaving a few years out of their lifespans. 

"...it is but a momentary setback." 

The man's words brought an unspeakable chill in their hearts despite their actual meaning. In truth, the man didn't find them at fault, but to the prostrating people, it might as well be the same as calling them inept at their jobs. 

"Even if they managed to catch-on, it's already too late. They have no way of knowing the real depths or our strength. Have no fear, O children of mine."

"Glory be to the Allfather." The prostrating people replied in unison. 

"Still, it would be best to be prepared just in case. Increase the strength of the troops. I'll allow you to choose at least ten candidates from each camp and bring them to me in order to receive Communion. Make sure to choose the cream of the crop." 

"We hear and obey, Allfather's words." 

"Strengthen your faith in me Children. Our Salvation will come and we will receive, Transcendence." The man spoke with a passionate tone but it just filled the prostrating people with overwhelming dread. 

"Glory be to the Allfather." 

Still, they praised him and glorified his words. As his so-called 'Children', they can't raise their own opinions on this matter since the Allfather has already decided. 

"Mn. You may return." 

As soon as the Allfather said this, the prostrating people under him disappeared out of nowhere, leaving him alone in this vast darkness. As soon as the others disappeared, the darkness surrounding the room rolled and proceeded to swallow the light, devouring even the man sitting in the throne. It didn't take long before the darkness consumed all and once again, the Allfather returned to his slumber. 

Several worlds away from where this event took place...

Raven abruptly opened his eyes and felt suffocated. He caught his breath and calmed down his body. His face was somewhat pale and his back is drenched in cold sweat but his eyes remained bright as his smile. 

A chuckled escape from his lips as was still in the process of catching his breath...

'A momentary setback you say...well, I'm glad that it all worked out according to plan. They didn't launch any signals for the war and are still planning on following the 50 year deadline. Anyhow, this is all good. This is what we want. Just you wait, Allfather. I'll enjoy wiping that dignified face of yours to the floor.'

---

In a far away land...a place hidden from prying eyes of the crowd, a paradise could be seen. 

This place if located far above the skies, but not beyond the space outside. It is hidden just in the middle of the atmosphere. It is also a place where only the worthy could reside, a land filled with an everlasting peace and prosperity. A true paradise which mortals could only dream of visiting but will never find even if they searched for it in their entire lives.

In this place, land is scarce while clouds could be found everywhere. Normally, these clouds are something almost incorporeal but in this place, it has a solid form and could support weight just as much as a land could. Well, considering the fact that it's even supporting islands should've been impossible but that's exactly the case here. 

People could be seen walking on the surface of the clouds, there's even people who are swimming in it. In fact, things like Airboats could be seen sailing at these clouds, transporting goods and people from one island to the other. 

Speaking of islands, there are numerous islands in this place. Each one aren't as big as the main island but still has their purposes. The main island however is no different from a floating continent being supported by none of other than the clouds themselves. 

In the main island, the scenery is almost the same as the ones from below, the only difference is that their surroundings are filled with specks of golden radiance and it's on top of the clouds. 

The main island is where the most advanced civilization could be found. People who wore pure white robes and dresses could be seen everywhere. Majority of them look like humans despite the fact that they have a tiny pair of white wings behind their backs. 

These people lived a quiet and peaceful lives, their expressions were contented and satisfied, as expected of the people who are living in a dreamy paradise.

At the very center of the main island, is another floating island. What sets this floating island apart is the fact that it only held a single infrastructure and nothing else. 

It was a castle, a golden castle which represents the highest order of this land. 

Some says that the castle is where the rules resided, some says that the castle is a holy place that protects all. Some people said, that the golden castle is where the Gods lived. Whatever it is though, at the end of the day, rumors will remain rumors until proven true. 

Inside the golden castle, in a place restricted to even the people who lives at this very location, a woman could be found standing in an open balcony, staring at the distance horizon while pondering over something.

Anyone who laid eyes on her will instantly be enamored by her beauty. She goes beyond the level of a 'kingdom-toppling beauty' as she is no different from a true Goddess in every sense. 

She has a long and silky black hair reaching her soles which fell like a waterfall behind her. She was fair, elegant and graceful. She has a pair of golden irises which accentuates her ephemeral beauty, a pointed nose, rosy cheeks, cherry lips and has a curvature that could give any sane man delusions just by the mere sight of it. 

She isn't wearing anything fancy, just a plan white sleeveless dress that hugged her curves and reaches all the way to her ankles. Her slim and delicate hands grasped the railings of the balcony as she stood there barefooted whilst in deep thought as the wind gently caresses her face and blew against her hair, causing a divine and picturesque image. 

*Sigh*

A sigh which was akin to the most melodious whisper, escaped this goddess' lips as she gently crossed her arms within her bosom. Her delicate face appeared troubles as her eyes misted. 

"Stop staring, Hailey. If you want to say something, say it." The goddess said without looking back. 

A few meters away from here, a silhouette appeared in form. It was a young woman who wore a silky white robes with golden linings, she too have the same small pair of white wings and her face depicted an embarrassed expression while pouting. 

"Excuse me, Holy Maiden. But I can't help it, you were too beautiful. I can't help but to stare." The young lady named Hailey replied. 

"Yes, I know I'm pretty. I have a mirror you know?" The Holy Maiden chuckled softly, causing Hailey to be stunned speechless once more. 

'Ah! How? Dang it, why is she so pretty? I thought I've always likes boys but come on! This is just too much. Ah~ Holy Maiden...' Hailey was being delusional once again as she was bewitched by the ethereal beauty of the Holy Maiden. 

"Hailey...focus." The Holy Maiden noticed her and reprimanded. 

"A-ah! Right, I apologize Holy Maiden." Hailey cleared her throat and said: "We've received big news recently Holy Maiden." 

As soon as she said this the Holy Maiden's eyes bore onto Hailey. The young lady recognized this look. It's one filled with excitement, anticipation, worry, longing and boundless affection. 

'Doesn't she know that if she looked at her suitors this way, they'd be willing to die for her without any hesitations. Ah, she's just too beautiful. Unfortunately, only one person could illicit this kind of response from her.'

"The Ancient Elysium Sect's Sect Master recently made a public appearance. He announced that the their sect will enter an indefinite period of seclusion." Hailey reported and silently observed the holy maiden's reactions. 

The Holy Maiden was stunned after hearing that message, she turned around, gazed at the horizon and shown a smile filled with tenderness and boundless love. Hailey was stunned speechless, she almost wanted to pass out when she saw this but she held to her consciousness. 

"I see..." The Holy Maiden whispered, "I understand. Isn't this why I fell for you in the first place?"

The Holy Maiden looked at the sigil that appeared on her hand with boundless love...

"Isn't that right? My dear Husband?"