“Sir Alain, who was that?” Betto asked, referring to the witch from the shop, as the trio exited the front gates of the Kingdom.

“She was the shopkeeper when I was a fledgling like you two. I just decided to pay her a visit.” Alain stated, continuing towards the front gates. “I was just looking out for her as she did for me.” He added with an ear-to-ear smile.

“Aren’t knights supposed to be defending the kingdom? Like all those stories of the legendary knights.” Tev asked as they exited the gates and into the open fields. “We could be getting glory and riches!”

“What have they been teaching you?” Alain sighed, placing a hand on his head. “Some people find enjoyment from their adventuring plunders, but I find that the real treasure is the memories that you make along the way.”

“Is that why you became a knight?” Tev asked, “honestly all the stories of potential wives, riches, and glory drew me in. Right Betto?” he added, lightly nudging Betto on the shoulder.

“Sir Alain, what is our task today?” Betto requested, trying to stay on task. “Also, if I may ask. Why did you change your voice?”

“Would it kill you to drop the ‘Sir Alain’ part?” He chuckled “you two can just call me Alain”.

“But sir, isn’t that disrespectful?” Betto shot back, “especially with the position you have earned?”

“It makes my job more enjoyable,” Alain replied, patting Betto on the back. 

“Wait, so a knight’s life isn’t as fun as I thought it was?” Tev spoke to Betto as they trekked through the dense terrain. “I want to live the glory of battle-” He added before bumping into Alain. 

“Alain?” He asked feebly.

“Quiet. I heard voices” Alain stated as he slowly approached the treeline. A large commotion erupted in front of the treeline.

Many human-like conversations were being held in front. As they broke the treeline, a bunch of small dark monster-like beings were arguing in front of a broken-down carriage, carrying a large crate. The monsters patrolled around the broken transport. A few monsters were attempting to fix the carriage but to no avail. Their stubby little bodies were only meant to be fodder, not artisans.

“What are they?” Tev asked, twisting his face with disgust.

“Not one of us. Prepare for combat.” Alain commanded, readying an oversized metal club, prepared to strike. “Let me handle them first. Be prepared to strike on my mark.” He added, charging his metal club with glowing red energy before leaping into the fray. 

“What happened?” one of the beings asked another one.

“Our cart has broken down!”

“We better fix it quickly, before we get spotted!”

“Did you forget to pay your tolls?” Alain taunted the underlings.

“IT’S THE UNITY KINGDOM!” One of the monsters screamed as they dispersed. 

“Battle stations!” another one said, scrambling to get his weapon.

“I don't think so!” Alain shouted.

His club split into chained segments, managing to hit multiple monsters with one swing. The mysterious red aura from the club transferred to the weapons of the minions.

“That was a really weak hit!” One of the monsters taunted him, still standing. “Get him, boys!”

“He didn’t knock any of them down!” Betto panicked from the treeline. “We have to help him!” He added as he grabbed Tev by the hand.

“I meant to do that.” Alain retorted the lesser being, his club changing into a glowing bright blue. “Betto! Tev! Now!”

“We still have our weapons for your backup!” An arrogant monster reminded before his weapon seemingly drifted out of his hands and into Alain’s club. “My weapon!?”

“I hope you didn’t need that.” Alain taunted as his unknown powers collected all the weaponry of the monsters, rendering them useless.

The rest of the battle was an absolute slaughter, as Tev and Betto were unmatched by their unarmed opponents. With hands quick and fierce as the wind, Betto immediately dispatched numerous fodder soldiers, followed by the scorching flames of Tev. Within an instant, the monsters were sent scattering. Their first battle was a success!

“Yeah, that’ll teach you!” Tev jests, standing triumphantly.

“Sir Alain, what were those monsters?” Betto questions, inspecting the remains of one of the slain monsters. 

The monster’s black slimy body, white swirls periodically sprouting like flowers and wilting away back to the depths of its shimmering skin. The monsters were almost otherworldly.

“They’re Deteriors,” Alain stated, twirling a fallen Deterior’s helmet like a child's toy. “They come from the Kingdom of Morticastrium.” He added with a pause.

“Morticastrium?” Tev asked. Confusion was spelled out based on how he looked at Alain and Betto. “What is that?

“They didn't teach you about Morticastrium?” Alain asked Tev. “What are they even teaching you at knight school?

“Weren’t they responsible for the ruination of the surface 50 years ago?” Betto pondered, pulling out a hidden history pamphlet and flipping through it furiously. “I heard that in order to combat the threat, the Kingdom of Unity was formed.”

“Oh right! Now I’m starting to remember.” Tev answered.

“Enough with the history lessons,” Alain demanded, waving for the two to come join him. “We’ve got to see what’s in the transport. You two, help me lift the lid of this crate.” He commanded as they began to lift the top off the largest crate of the transport.