Scene Transition: "-"

Normal Narration and Dialogue

"Internal Monologue"

"Voice of the gods"

Imperial Guard Barracks – Verdun's Capital City

Two dozen knights mulled dutifully about the ornately decorated building. The elite soldiers housed within traded tactical strategies, performed weapon and armor maintenance, or attempted to catch up on sleep before something demanded their attention.

To any onlookers the barracks and its inhabitants would appear to be a well-oiled machine. The unbreakable shield that stood between the good people of Verdun and other war-faring nations, vicious monsters, and demons alike.

"Status report!" The Knight Captain on duty called into the main hall of the barracks as he walked in, his silver plate armor clanging with every step he took.

One of the knights quickly halted his current task and rose to offer the weekly report. "Sir. Selena has reported increased activity along the Ashmir border as of late. As for the capital, the latest reports from the special operations unit are saying Syndicate activity is at an all-time low. However, they do report hearing rumblings from the commerce district." The knight answered before his attention was drawn elsewhere.

Suddenly, a commotion began to seep through the walls and a few other knights slowly turned away from their tasks. The front door slammed open as a young castle guardsman came crashing in, breathing harshly.

"It's finally happening!" the young guard gasped as he quickly shed his helmet, his eyes sparkling with wonder. "There's a huge duel in the training area-" the guard began before being quickly interrupted by the Knight Captain. "Come on kid, that's it? You had my hopes up with such a dramatic entrance" he chuckled as he and the rest of the disappointed knights began to slowly shift back to their tasks.

The young guard shook his head frantically. "Sir, it's the Royal Guard Captains! They're about to duke it out on the training grounds, half the castles already gathered!" The knights quickly glanced at each other in renewed excitement. "The Vangertz brothers! Holy shit, why didn't you lead with that!" one of the door guards shouted as he shook the young knight by the shoulders before bolting out the door, abandoning his post.

The air was electric, anticipation began to spread as everyone started to make a dash for the open door.

"Freeze!" the Knight Captain suddenly barked. "You all have important tasks to attend to, you're Imperial Knights for Gods sake" He stated, trying to convince himself more than his men while barely managing to maintain a straight face.

The barracks were deafeningly silent as the knights stared at the captain until he finally continued. "Now that being said...ah to hell with it I have to see this." He was halfway to the door by the time he had finished as the rest of the barracks devolved into a mad scramble to get to the training grounds in time.

A few hundred meters away two of Verdun's fabled warriors slowly paced in a circle around the center of the large sand dusted training area, while a midnight black eagle circled above. "What do you say, 80 percent strength?" Haythem smirked as he slicked his raven black hair back with one hand while the other effortlessly twirled a dull iron longsword.

"80 percent! It would take them weeks to rebuild" Galahad laughed as he eyed his younger brother. He tested his dull longsword by slamming his basic round shield a few times, resulting in a slew of loud clangs. He spread his legs into a wide stance and twisted his torso and arms back and forth flexing his hulking, muscular body in a routine warmup stretch. His loose snow-white hair rested atop a rugged face unusually defined for such a young man from years of heavy combat experience; the necklace of wolf teeth could attest to that. His piercing gold eyes featured a thin scar that stretched vertically across his left eye, harmlessly adding a bit of commanding charisma to his demeanor, which he quite enjoyed.

The much less bulky, slightly shorter, but just as physically imposing Haythem performed a similar routine across from him. "50 percent it is then" he sighed briefly before glancing over to the massive crowd that was growing with every passing moment, winking at a cute maid who had shouted his name. The collected gathering of Castle staff started to chant the names of their favored warrior while small pouches of coin exchanged hands.

"Well, this escalated from a casual bout rather quickly" He mused as he slowly dropped into an offensive stance, sword lifted close to him, keenly trained on his opponent. Afternoon sunlight reflected off his lavishly decorated golden plate armor, uniquely issued for the kingdom's Royal Guard.

Vangertz Family Farm - Outskirts of Verdun ~ 12 years prior

"Haythem! Gally! Dinners ready, come on already!" They could hear their mother yell in the distance. "965, 966, 967" they shouted in unison as the pair of wooden swords swung through the air.

"That's it little bro, pretty soon we're gonna be the strongest warriors in the whole village!" A much younger Galahad chuckled as he ruffled his younger brother's disheveled hair. "He may be three years younger, but he swings that sword with everything he has. Every strike is just as powerful as the first".

"Who says we're not already" Haythem smirked as he flexed his sword arm gleefully.

"Dad would be real proud, we're all mom and Verena have now after all" Galahad said as he threw his arm around his little brother's shoulder and they began to march up the small stone path leading to the quaint village cabin they called home. His complexion darkened slightly as they neared the home "The next time that bastard attacks we'll be ready for em.....we won't lose anyone else" he declared confidently, his bright blue eyes revealing a fleeting hint of sadness draped in anger.

"Let's make it two thousand swings tomorrow" Haythem added as they crossed the threshold into the warmly lit cabin. The pleasant aroma of a freshly baked meal and two smiling faces welcoming them home.

Imperial Training Grounds

"What exactly do you think you two are doing?" the Vangertz brothers heard from the quieting crowd as they immediately rose from their combat stances, recognizing the voice all too well.

Two gold plated knights had just split the crowd for a scarlet haired beauty. Her lithe frame was covered by a set of stately looking adventurers' armor, which seemed more geared towards capturing a suitor than protecting anything in a meaningful way. Her lightly freckled face and soft features slightly scrunched as she crossed her arms and shifted an accusing gaze between the two brothers with her striking green eyes.

"Princess Malta, well you see...." Haythem began while dawning a guilty grin and shooting a quick glance over to his brother.

"Your highness, a pleasure as always" Galahad interjected as he dipped his head in a shallow bow. "My brother and I were just about to perform an equipment check. Have to make sure the empire's swords and shields are up to snuff" he alleged while a single drop of sweat dripped slowly down his unbelievably straight face. "An equipment check, I'm definitely getting my pay docked for this" he lamented before she responded.

"Oh, well that's too bad" she pouted before continuing. "Because I was looking for a duel between legendary warriors" she stated as her face slipped into a sly smile. "Now you boys wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you" she questioned, biting her lower lip.

The crowd instantly rose back to life as many a knight and guard sighed in relief, courtesy of the recent development.

"Well, that can certainly be arranged" smiled Haythem as he cracked his neck and gave his longsword another twirl "I know just the guys".

"Naturally, anything for the princess of flames" Galahad added confidently, prompting a quick blush to cross her face.

Malta stepped forward and lifted her delicate hand towards the cloud covered sky. After receiving light nods from the pair, she paused as everyone around them froze in anticipation before she dropped it.

"Come, embrace divinity!" Galahad boomed in a commanding voice, arms spread, head tilted towards the heavens. A single angel wing made of pure white light began to form from his left shoulder as a beam of light slashed through the clouds and washed over him.

Vangertz Family Farm ~ Past

The brothers exited their home and began to head towards the path into the local forest behind their home. As they passed by the local farm's chicken coop Haythem noticed one chicken in particular eyed him with an all too familiar unnaturally steely gaze.

"There's that little bastard...I've got my eye on you" Haythem thought to himself as the pair neared the farm.

The boys strolled past and had almost reached the path when Haythem stole another glance backward, only to be greeted by the same menacing stare. Their eyes met briefly before Galahad's question shook him from his optical chess game with the chicken.

"Umm yeah, sorry what did you say?" Haythem asked, shaking his head.

"I asked what the fuck you were staring so intently at over there?" Galahad returned with an amused tone.

"It's nothing" Haythem responded quickly.

"Come on I'm curious, that's like the fourth time you've zoned out staring at that farm" Gallahad challenged as they crossed into the forest.

"It's....it's the chicken" Haythem divulged nervously.

"What's wrong with the chicken, they look unhealthy this season or something?" Galahad pressed.

"No, no, it's...it's just one chicken..... a specific one..." Haythem responded after a brief pause.

"Bro are you ok, what the hell are you talking about?" Galahad asked in a concerned tone.

"Whenever I pass by, this one chicken always drops whatever it's doing and just stares at me. I swear to god it's cursed or something, It's like it's staring right through me.....right into my soul.....judging me." Haythem confessed.

Galahad paused and just stared at him for a moment before he started to laugh uncontrollably. "You run into a few too many trees on your way home?" he practically cried, wiping a tear from his eye.

"In 10 years you're going to march into Demon Lord Dante's throne room as a legendary hero and you'll secretly only be pondering the threat of a sneak attack from a cursed chicken" Galahad barely got out in between his laughing fit.

"You'll see," Haythem said, narrowing his eyes forward "Dante's truly detestable, but that chicken.....that's the real threat to humanity." he continued with conviction in his voice.

After a few minutes of walking through the breezy forest, Haythem decided to pick up another conversation.

"Hey, eagles aren't supposed to laugh... right?" Haythem asked as they made their way deeper into the forest.

"Stop...I...I can't take any more" Galahad said as he failed to contain his laughter, having to stop and rest his hands on his knees.

"Just wait, we're almost there" Haythem chuckled as they continued forward.

They moved quickly through the trees, their shabby leather armor shielded them from stray branches and the chilly early evening breeze. After they had walked a few more minutes they passed through a small gap in the dense forest and ended up in front of a large tree in a small clearing.

"Check this out" he exclaimed smugly before he whistled loudly and hurled a small piece of dried meat into the air. Anticipation built as the brothers tracked it through the air with unwavering focus before it landed a moment later with a disappointing plop.

The boys paused and looked at each other, "Was that the part where some magical creature was supposed to come leap in and grab it out of mid-air like a badass?" Galahad gibed as all three of them broke into a laughing fit.

"Wait, what?" they said in unison as they looked up to find a midnight black eagle with piercing red eyes perched directly above, laughing along with them.

"There you are, you little rascal" Haythem chuckled as he tossed another piece of dried meat into the air. This time the large bird leaped from its perch, diving expertly to intercept the hunk of meat before spreading its impressive wings and landing on Haythem's outstretched arm. "I think I'm going to name him Joker'' Haythem beamed, presenting the massive bird proudly.

"Holy shit that's a phantom eagle!" Galahad remarked with a shocked face.

"A what?" Haythem asked quizzically, raising an eyebrow as he ran his hand along it's smooth, feathered back.

"A phantom eagle, at least one of us pays attention in class. This beauty has incredible speed, power, and eyesight. I think they can live for something like 70 years too, this one looks like it still has a lot of room to grow." "Wait, did it just wink at me?"

Suddenly Joker's head lifted, and he stared alertly into the forest before giving a piercing caw and leaping off Haythem's arm. The brothers instinctively glanced at each other and drew the swords that never leave their hip.

Trees rustled on the outskirts of the clearing before a bone chilling howl cut through the dense foliage. "We need to get out of here" Haythem whispered to his brother as he started to slowly creep back to the path they had come from.

"Wolves shouldn't even be in this forest, they must have been pushed out of Juno's territory" Galahad lamented, his face drained of color. His eyes darted around for any source of providence. "God damnit the tree's branches are too tall, the bark too slick to climb...we are covered in sweat, hidings not an option either...they would just track us down."

"Come on, we need to go right now" Haythem pestered, barely containing the fear that was slowly growing within him.

"We'll never make it; we have to fight them here, It's the only chance we have" Galahad finally stated calmly as he gripped his sword tightly.

Five large wolves stalked leisurely from the foliage one by one, locking eyes with the brothers as they fanned out in front of them. Their matte gray fur ruffled slightly in the breeze while their mouths curled into vicious snarls. They flashed their razor-sharp fangs and began to encroach.

"Formation black!" Galahad barked as Haythem stepped closely beside him, swords side by side. "I may not pay attention in class, but I memorized Galahad's formations long ago. Formation black...a nightmare scenario where we are outnumbered by strong opponents. A defensive formation meant to reserve stamina while being no more than a foot apart giving the attackers no blind gaps to attack from."

The lead wolf growled savagely as he began his assault with a direct forward leap, attempting to split their formation and end the fight before it began.

Suddenly a shadow blanketed the boys as Joker screamed down between them, striking the wolf's face with razor sharp talons before veering off.

Without a moment's hesitation, the boys swiftly dashed forward in unison and drove their swords into the screeching beast before it could recover from the debilitating strike. After confirming the kill, they quickly leaped backward and returned to their previous stances.

"We can do this, let's show them who this forest belongs to" Galahad yelled, stealing his resolve as he shot a thankful glance skyward. "I've got your back bro, let's split them" Haythem added as he spun his sword and prepared to do battle in earnest, their heightened morale just barely keeping the fear at bay.

The other wolves closed in quickly, seemingly enraged by the loss of their packmate. Razor sharp fangs glimmered in the newly arisen moonlight. "Now!" Galahad barked as the pair charged forward giving the two middle wolves a sideways slash before standing back-to-back splitting the remaining wolves.

Fangs and claws assailed them from all directions while Joker dived in and parried any potentially lethal strikes. The sound of steel and howls of monsters filled the clearing. Galahad took another sharp bite to his off shoulder, trading it for a nearly lethal strike at his last wolf, shoving it away before glancing over his shoulder. Haythem looked like he was at his limit fighting his last wolf, his bloody left leg looked like it could give way any moment.

"Switch!" Galahad yelled as Haythem immediately attempted to retreat, his left leg cracked with a sickly sound and he stumbled backward onto his back. Joker was tied up dealing the finishing blow to Galahad's wolf while the last one took the opportunity to launch itself at the exposed Haythem.

"Ahhhh" Galahad grunted as he drove his blood covered sword into the beast while taking a claw to the face. He fell to his knees after he felt the beast give its last breath while he clutched his left eye tightly, feeling the blood trickle down his face.

Galahad wiped the blood from his eyes and spotted Joker out of the corner of his vision, he stood victoriously over the wolf and gave a weakened screech, his talons and beak coated with blood, his body heavily bruised.

"Gally!" Haythem cried as he attempted to stand, his body covered in scrapes and gashes.

"It's over, we did it" Galahad gasped in between sharp breaths. He then turned to deliver a reassuring smile to his little brother who starred past him with a ghostly pale face. He tracked his gaze to the gap in the clearing where seven more wolves emerged from the small gap in the foliage. He could feel a faint tug on his tattered leather armor before he turned to face Haythem once again.

"You were the best big bro I could have ever asked for...I love you....kill...the chicken" Haythem choked out, clutching his abdomen tightly. He mustered a brave smile, eyes half closed in exhaustion before they fully shut and he slipped into unconsciousness. His bloody half chipped sword rested on the ground beside him.

Galahad fought back tears as rage began to build within him. "No" He whispered as he faced the approaching wolves once again.

"OH?"

"NO!" He roared.

"WHAT IS THIS?"

Galahad gripped his sword tightly and pushed himself upright, his body ached with a dull pain. Adrenaline being the only thing tethering him to consciousness.

"I LIKE THIS ONE"

The approaching wolves began to drool as they stalked ever closer, eying them with hungry, greedy eyes.

"Fuck no! You're not touching him you fucking monsters!" He shrieked as he stood in front of his brother. Blood streaked down his face as he widened his stance and raised his sword, his entire being dripping with murderous intent.

"SUCH A NOBLE SPIRIT DESERVES A FITTING FATE"

The wolves slowed their approach as a golden light began to emanate from behind Galahad. Soon a pair of angelic wings woven from pure light radiated from his back. His face shifted from one of rage to one of judgment. His head rose to the heavens, arms spread wide as the words came to him from above.

"Hyperion, god of light, bless me with your divine power!" His eyes glowed gold and his hair drained to a pure white as an otherworldly power filled him. He gently opened his eyes as the wolves began snarling again.

"NOW SHOW THEM MY POWER"

"I believe it's time for your judgment" he stated as he once again raised his hands to the heavens, his wings of light glowing brighter. An elegant glow enveloped him, Haythem, and Joker in a bright white light. Night turned to day around them as his sword began to hum with power. He narrowed his eyes against the wolves that began to move against him.

He pushed his body to its absolute limit as he dashed forward with violent speed and delivered a titanic strike that obliterated the front three wolves in a single golden flash. His head slowly rose to gaze upon the remaining wolves who now slowly backed away, shook with fear. Face covered in blood, his now piercing gold eyes glowed with power.

He began to raise his sword once again, which prompted the remaining wolves to quickly retreat into the forest.

"Mine" he whispered raggedly as he stood in front of his little brother. He reversed his grip on the sword, then drove it into the soft, blood covered earth beneath him. His beaten body finally relaxed as he rested it on the hilt. The angel wings slowly closed to form a cocoon around him as he began to slip into unconsciousness while still standing...still ready to fight.... still ready to defend.....

Imperial Training Grounds

The crowd was too enthralled to even react at the spectacle before them, mouths agape in pure aww.

Haythem closed the distance with inhuman speed, pivoting right then spinning left and delivering a crushing blow which was just barely parried by Galahad's glowing sword. A rain of blows assailed Galahad from every direction at incredible speed as he barely managed to fend off the relentless onslaught of steel.

Galahad found an opening and delivered a wide sweeping shield strike which Haythem used as a spring to backflip off before landing gently in the middle of the training ground. "Come on, let's give 'em a show" Haythem teased as he surveyed the stunned crowd.

"You asked for it" he chuckled as he raised his hands once again. His wing glowed brightly as an arch of pure light formed above him. Around a dozen golden swords of light came through the celestial veil and floated imposingly above him. He then used his wing to throw up a small dust cloud off the training grounds floor, which produced a small smokescreen.

Haythem smiled as he raised his sword in a defensive stance as the first six golden swords rained down upon him through the cloud of dust. He backpedaled and prepared to parry the swords he could not dodge directly. Haythem's eyes flashed slightly as he tracked the swords coming through the cloud with unparalleled reflexes, easily ensuring all they hit was air.

Suddenly, Galahad crashed through the smoke, his glowing sword raised high above him.

Haythem immediately planted his feet, preparing to dodge then counterattack before four golden swords landed around his back and sides, boxing him in place. He barely shifted his sword sideways before taking a crushing overhead strike from Galahad's glowing sword, the ground slightly cracking under Haythem's feet from the powerful impact. Galahad swiftly followed with a devastating shield smash to his lower torso, sending Haythem flying backward as the shield exploded into dozens of wooden shards from the impact.

Haythem plowed his sword into the dirt in mid air to stop from being tossed from the training area entirely before he wiped the trickle of blood from his mouth. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" he laughed, grinning ear to ear. Haythem's remark earned a cheeky cackle from the black eagle which had circled above the training area for the duration of the battle.

"Show time" he smirked as he stretched out a hand to a nearby knight from the crowd who tossed him his sword without delay.

Twirling both swords he cracked his neck and dropped into his favorite offensive stance. Positioned low with his right leg dropped back, twin swords at his side. A foreboding posture which all but assured an imminent assault.

"Dodge this!" he challenged as a bolt of lightning shattered from the clouds above striking Haythem. Eyes glowing pure azure, he exploded forward, the world slowing around him as he embraced THE THUNDER GODS MIGHT.