Yanaki took a deep breath, her hand resting on the oaken door. She could feel the immense energy from within, but strangely, it wasn't the fury of the Treant, nor the hatred of the Wraiths. It was a pure sorrow, so thick it was almost tangible.
She pushed hard with her shoulder.
The heavy door slowly swung open with a long, drawn-out creak, revealing the space within. This was not a magnificent hall or a treasure room. This was the study and resting quarters of a commander. The room was large but simply furnished, reflecting the character of its owner. A cold stone fireplace. A weapon rack holding only a single, beautiful spectral greatsword. A large ebony desk covered in yellowed tactical maps.
And at the far end of the room, before a giant, dust-covered window, was a high-backed armchair. A figure in magnificent commander's armor sat there, his back to the door, silently looking out at the ruined city below.
The spirit did not move as they entered. He merely spoke, his voice deep, weary, and holding a pain that centuries could not erase.
"More adventurers... Have you come to take my life, or to mock my failure?"
[Knight Commander's Spirit - Sir Kaelan]
Level: ?? (Weakened by torment)
Status: Pondering, Grieving, Bound by an Oath.
Description: The spirit of Erathos's greatest Commander, Sir Kaelan 'The Unbeaten Sword'. He is bound by an unfulfillable oath and the torment of failing to protect his king and kingdom.
Yanaki signaled for Sylva and Elara to keep their distance. She stepped forward, once again using respect as her first weapon.
"We did not come to fight, Sir. We came to listen."
Her answer seemed to cause some surprise. The armchair slowly turned. For the first time, Yanaki saw the face of a legend. Even as a spirit, Sir Kaelan possessed a noble appearance. His face was chiseled and handsome, but his eyes were deep with an endless sorrow. His armor was magnificent, but it looked more like a burden than a form of protection.
"Listen?" he repeated, a bitter smile flashing across his face. "Then listen. Listen to the tale of the man who swore to protect his king to his last breath, only to be given the final order to stand still right here."
He spoke of the Great Arcane Cataclysm. As the kingdom was engulfed in flames, the king decided to perform one last ritual of sacrifice to try and save what little remained. The king's final order to Kaelan, his most loyal guard, was: "Protect this door. Let no one in, and no one out, until I return."
But the king never returned.
Kaelan, bound by his absolute oath, stood guard at this door. He guarded as the kingdom fell. He guarded as everyone he loved perished. He guarded as his own body faded away. And his spirit continued to guard, for centuries, imprisoned in this very room by his loyalty and the torment of not being able to die by his king's side.
His pain was so strong it had corrupted nearly all the other knight spirits in the citadel.
"Now you have heard," Kaelan said, his voice exhausted. "You may leave."
"We want to help you pass on," Yanaki said with determination. "What do you need to break that oath?"
Kaelan looked at her, a faint spark in his sorrowful eyes. "My oath can only be broken in two ways. One, an order from one who carries the Royal blood. Two, an honorable duel, where I am defeated by a worthy warrior, proving I am no longer strong enough to carry out my duty."
The Royal bloodline of Erathos had long since died out. Only one option remained.
This was the final battle of the Ancient Citadel. Not a slaughter, but a ritual of liberation.
Sir Kaelan slowly stood up. He walked to the weapon rack and lifted his spectral greatsword. Instantly, his aura changed. The sorrow was still there, but it was now cloaked in the powerful, focused aura of an unbeaten warrior.
"I have not fought for centuries," he said, his voice now like steel. "Show me your courage. If you can defeat me, I will be liberated. I will grant you the [Shard of Courage] as your reward."
He paused, his gaze turning dangerous. "...But if you lose, your souls will remain here, to keep me company in eternal torment."
The stakes were set. Win, and they would get the memory shard and free a legend. Lose, and they would become a part of this tragedy.
Sylva stepped forward, its Guardian's shield at the ready. Elara did not sing a lullaby; instead, she began to hum a heroic tune, an old battle hymn of Erathos, to bolster her comrades' morale. Yanaki fell back, taking her position as commander.
Sir Kaelan raised his legendary greatsword high. The light from it was brilliant and tragic.
The final honorable duel was about to begin.