The rare, mesmerizing bald eagle sits perched on the hand of a woman of heartbreaking beauty. Her skin is the color of crystal and her clothes resembled that of a priestess. “Fly away.” She whispered in a heavenly voice. As if it had understood what the priestess said the eagle spread its wings and took flight above the mountain range that encircles the entire village of Norm. Norm is a peaceful village that never took likely to intruders or messengers for that matter because of the tyranny that plagued the world beyond. The only contact that remained was with a neighboring village called Dyne. The two villages often traded products that were needed for everyday life without having to buy from more, less fortunate, villages. In fact, they are the only two villages that have not been raided by bandits or merciless knights as well as the only ones not attacked by demons. All wonder for how long this peace will last? “Priestess Isabel!” A young man dressed in animal fur called as he rushed over towards her, panting from his long run.

“What is it?” She asked gently. The man took a deep breath. “We have….we have an intruder.”
The priestess stared up at the heavenly clouds above in deep trance. “Where do they come from? What is beyond these mountains? Is it truly only murder and wraith or is there still beauty and love left in this horrific world?” Isabel quickly spun her head around to the man. “Just send the offense team like always.”

“We did. We sent twenty of them.”“Then there is nothing to worry about. Leave me be.”

“Actually there’s one problem…” The young man said as he blushed in embarrassment. The priestess gazes upon the man with disgust.
———————————————————————————————

Crowds of villagers, young and old, have gathered around the center of the village where a rusted golden statue stands tall in the center. Below lies nineteen of the twenty men of the offense team, withering in agony. A small, bald old man scratches his chin where a slight goatee has started to grow into a dirty gray color. He watched with admiration as the last of the offensive team fell to the ground in defeat. “Incredible…” He mumbled as the crowd began chattering with different reactions.

“What is going on here?” Boomed the voice of the priestess. Instantly the crowd grew silent. Several men and women stumbled quickly to the side as Isabel slowly moved between them all. She suddenly paused in shock when she found all of the offense team lying on the ground. Sitting beneath the golden statue is a knight with rusted armor. He was chowing down on an apple, ignoring the crowds gawking. As he finished all but the core of the apple, one of the villagers attempted to charge. The knight flicked the core to the man where he was struck in the forehead. The villager fell back, increasing the surprise of all around. “You!” Isabel shouted. “Did you do this to my men?”

“You don’t see anyone else around do you?” The knight replied rudely.

“How dare you talk to me that way! Do you have any idea who I am or where you are?”

“No…” The knight starts and stands back up. “I don’t care either. I was just passing through and I’m leaving now.”

“Wait!” The interested old man calls out. “You were fantastic. Can I have your name please?”

“….Zorn.” The knight replied. “Well Sir Zorn, I have some fresh armor if you would accompany me back to my house.” The old man promised with a happy smile. Zorn stared at the man suspiciously before deciding to go with it. A new armor would do nicely after all. Priestess Isabel looked pissed.
————————————————————————————————–

Half a day had gone by and the sun was now sinking behind the mountains, leaving an orange ray strewed across the sky. Isabel and the old man were inside a small shack along with several other villagers. They were discussing the new knight who had suspiciously arrived. “I don’t trust him.” Said one of the men. Others couldn’t disagree with the statement.

“He has not done anything so far and there has been plenty chances for him to wipe us all out.” The old man explained to all. “I believe he is a man in search of something.”

“What would he be searching for?” Isabel asked. The old man prepares to reply with an answer before they are all hypnotized by a beautiful melody trailing from outside.

The entire lot dispersed from the cottage quickly to find the source of this heavenly music. Much to their surprise the traveling knight, Zorn, was the source. He stands above a nearby cliff with his ocarina to his lips. As he blew into the instrument music of heavenly nature erupted from within himself. Strange lights have suddenly appeared from out of nowhere and their appearance is increasing every minute. “Bugs?” Isabel wondered aloud.

“Fairies.” The old man says with his eyes widened in shock. “I cannot believe what I am seeing…”

“What is it old man?” Isabel demanded while the others were smiling as if drunk from the happy melody.

“That instrument…that is the Ocarina of Malta…” He started. “It is the instrument built by the elves generations ago. How does he have it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You see, it is one of two artifacts created by the elves. They had handed it down to a man they saw fit, a man who had been predetermined in legend to bring the end of the darkness. That man was the great swordsman, Gala.” The crowd had grown silent. This man Gala was a legend among the knights, the best there had ever been. He was a hero with a tragic end. “It was rumored that when the two artifacts were brought together it would either destroy a man or end the darkness. Unfortunately man is greedy. Gala was no exception. The powers of the artifacts are said to bring forth the fairy god who will give the user one wish alone….to bring end of darkness or give immortality to the user. Gala chose the latter. Consumed with greed and anger, Gala became evil.”

“Then why is it that this man is not?” Isabel asked in interest.

“I only see the ocarina. I don’t see this other artifact in possession.”

“What is this other artifact?”

“I am not quite sure what to call it but I’ve heard that it is a sword made of fire…”
————————————————————————————————–

The following morning had arrived. Zorn walked out of the cottage alongside the old man. He now wears a new armor, one that is less dirty. Isabel and several of the other villagers meet him at the exit of the villager. “As it turned out, you did not come here to harm us.” Isabel said. “There are hardly any noble knights left around so I offer a job for you to protect this village with your sword. What do you say?”

“My sword is only used for my own services.” Zorn replied.

“We will pay you handy.”

“I care not for your money nor any of you. I am on a mission and I will not be held up by civilians.”

“Hold your tongue imbecile!” One of the villagers had shrieked but the priestess held out her arm to calm him.

“Very well. May your journey be of good fortune. So long fake knight.” Isabel said before she and her men walk away from him and the old man.

Unhurt by her cold words, Zorn faced the old man. “Could you tell me where I can find a blacksmith? My sword needs repairs.”

“Yes. Dyne village has fancy blacksmiths. Ask for the man named Tristan. He is an interesting fellow, that one.”

“Thanks. I’m off.” Zorn gives a quick wave and said.

“Good luck on your journey, Knight Zorn.”

“…not Knight…just Zorn…”