History. History is typically a subject that bores so many others. With so many complicated details and drawn out explanations, and I can kind of see why, but at the same time, I am completely fascinated by our history. I mean, it's just so cool looking into the past, reading about all the fascinating events that happened! I envy those who live in the past, to be able to experience those fantastic events for themselves. The theft of the powerful grimoire of the arcane magics, the exorcism of a wicked, soul devouring demon, and even the world almost ending from some super powerful warlock! It's just...so amazing! Being those people in those events, having so much action and excitement around them!

I'm...getting a bit sidetracked here. I'm writing down this journal, because I'm so, so interested in seeing the world. I want to see if there's any adventure still lingering around, and if there is, I want to jump into it! It is a bit dangerous, but I think I can manage. My mother and a few siblings of mine are really supportive of me, and I don't plan on letting them down! My name is Azai Lithian, this is my first day of adventuring, and I'm going to make my mark on the world!

The soft sounds of metal clanking against stones echoed through the halls in slow intervals, a tall figure, adorned with a crimson cape, with a gray fox fur trim along its sides, paced slowly towards a large, dark wood door, in a tall corridor surrounded in elegantly carved stone. The figure approached the door and knocked twice, before pulling the door ajar, peering into the room.

A massive figure, equipped with intrinsically smithed armor, their shoulders several feet apart, and their height beyond 4 meters, sat at the far edge of the room, their back facing a massive ornamental window behind them. They sat slightly leaned forward, two gargantuan gauntlets hovering a few inches away from a hovering, perfectly spherical glass orb, as large as a massive pumpkin, with a beautiful, blue rose-like flower within the glass. The sphere radiated an ethereal glow, trails of magical energy flowing into the massive figure's gauntlets, arms and broad body, the figure in concentration as they attune their soul to the magical energy of the sphere.

The cloaked figure pulled the door further open, before walking softly into the large, dim study, illuminated by little but the radiating sphere, and the moonlight peering through the curtains of the window. "Sir, I apologize for interrupting your attunement, but I have some news from our scouts from the Isylian desert." The massive figure's concentration fades, they carefully cradling the blue orb as the azure light radiating from within the orb soon dimmed, with the energy ceasing its flow into the steel-clad knight. They carefully lay the glass sphere onto a silver mantle, held aloft by an elegantly crafted twisting silver stand. They soon lift their head towards the crimson-cloaked knight, and begun to speak in a gentle, deep voice.

"It is quite alright, for I'm sure that you have important news, do you not?" The large figure straightened themselves up, their faint shadow emitted by the moonlight outstretching far behind the cloaked figure, as they stood in the doorway.

"I believe that it is important; our scouts had report that there was a large legion of soldiers moving through the desert towards the east." The smaller knight replied with their tenor voice. "They do not bear any flags or emblems signifying their loyalty or kingdom"

"Hmm..." The large figure paused, raising their gauntlet to their head, and gently scratching the metal of their gauntlets along the curved metal on their face. "I see. It would be too presumptuous for me to suggest that they are mercenaries, but continue.”

The smaller knight stood tall before continuing. “Our scouts, also report that a trail of thick smoke seems to always follow them, and that they never seem to rest.”

The larger figure was intrigued, before leaning a little forward out of interest. “Fascinating...But...Could this mean that there are rogue automata among our ranks?”

“Doubtful, sir. All of our outposts along Eyr respond, and none of them seem to be generating enough suspicion for us to investigate.” The smaller knight rebutted.

“If this is so, then I fear that this may be the start of something grave.” The larger knight’s tone became grim, looking down as they slowly stretched the fingers of their gauntlets out.

“Sir?”

The larger knight slowly clenched their hands into a fist, the sound of metal straining against immense weight subtly emitting from their gauntlets. “These soldiers, as you say, never rest, and produce thick clouds of smoke. I am afraid that one of the kingdoms may have discovered the secrets of our creation, and have begun producing soldiers akin to us for their selfish desires.”

Both figures were still, and all was silent, with the exception of a faint rattling sound coming from the larger knights hand, sheer anger flowing throughout the larger knight’s soul.

“Keep close watch over these machines, and try to discover their origin. Selfish tyrants may use these automatons to wage war amongst the weaker kingdoms. I refuse to let that happen.”

“Right away, sir.” The smaller knight gave a salute to the larger knight, before swiftly exiting the premise, closing the door behind them. The larger knight gave a deep sigh as they relaxed their fist, standing up from their large stone throne, and slowly walking to the mirror. Deep metallic crunching coming from every step as they spread the thick curtains apart, with a serene forest view, basked in the moonlight hidden behind the sheets. The large figure stared sorrowfully down towards the peaceful vista, anxiety starting to invade the knights thoughts.

“Who do these macabre machines belong to? And what exactly is their purpose?” The knight muttered to themselves, watching as the leaves gently brushed amongst themselves in the waxing moon.