Chapter Text
In an age of long and archaic war where men wore suits of gleaming metal and clashed steel against shields in bloody battles, a silent knight lived. From birth, this knight’s life was burned by war. A troubled beginning from his parents' death forged him into a prodigious combatant at the front, a capable commander from behind, and a devoted brother at home. His imposing figure struck dread into his opposition. Standing at 7 feet with shoulders broadened by pauldrons and a longsword made heavier for his stature, he was a merciless mercenary in his early years. His demeanor became known for being so cold and quiet that people rumored that no human could be beneath that great helm. In fact, never once in public had he been seen without his armor—it basically became his second skin.
As his renown grew louder, he drew the esteemed eye of the Baron of House Angelorum, a highly prominent family to the northeast reaches of the empire. The Baron recruited the knight to serve under their banner and become a true knight by serving under his new lord. The war became the knight's home as he spent his prime on the frontlines, carrying out reconnaissance missions, planning attacks, leading year-long campaigns against the western nations, and sending his military payments to his sister back home. His excellence became known throughout the remaining years of the war, eventually rewarding him with the honor of being crowned a royal warrior of the highest prestige.
Bearing the house's noble colors, he began to turn the tide during the final years of the continent's war. His bond with the Baron was unbreakable, for he had become the father the knight lost all those years ago. He became an honored guest in Angelorum's region and was turned into the personal sentinel for the family. But finally, nearing the final stretch of the western war, the knight stood witness to the baron's daughter ascending to the throne once her father drew his last breath. During his funeral, the knight was the one who carried his casket to his grave—the Baron's wish for him to do so. The knight gave a final kneel to the Baron as his daughter read his valediction to the house.
Soon—and finally—the war ended with the empire's pyrrhic victory as they fully conquered the West. Now, many years have passed since the Baron’s death. The war's devastation is slowly fading away as the empire recovers from the victory that its glory days had brought it. The knight still serves under House Angelorum—a honor bound vow he made himself to the Baron as a thank you. Now working under the Baroness, he lives a freer life away from battle. Finally, after six years of war, he can rest.
But... the consequences of war still linger long after.