THE DARK KNIGHT | 18+

Silently rustling through the thick, damp forest were seven Azeroths on their midnight black horses. They hadn't seen the sun for more than two weeks now. It smelled musty in this part of Theola. Azeroths were expecting ruthless rainfall for several forthcoming months. The mysterious noises in the forests belied rich diversity of creatures.

These forests are untouched, Alaric thought. As long as the unknown creatures in this wilderness are scrumptious, this area would make a good base for initial troops.

“Are you certain this would be fruitful Alaric?” Emperor Derek asked. his gaze did not waver from the the uneven road ahead, his thin and breathy voice forced Alaric to acknowledge that his highness was getting old.

“Yes your highness. A parley would certainly help Theolians realize who they are against”

Eloquent mannerism like this, Alaric used only when addressing his highness. He otherwise couldn't care less about these negotiations. He wondered why heralds couldn't do these useless negotiations on their behalf. What is the purpose of dragging a knight like him in political debates for which he was going to be as useful as a chocolate teapot. And all of this, knowing there was going to be a war. A war Theola was going to lose; Alaric was certain. The mere thought made Alaric thirsty of blood.

Kingdom of Theola had been impregnable for centuries. Mighty rivers and unsurmountable mountains made it the home of millions. In Theola, hunger was a myth, violence was history and discrimination was a complex word. They knew nothing of the power-hungry outsiders that watched Theola with envy and lust. People dwelled in Theola’s arms in joy, peace, and justice.

Isn't that a perfect kingdom to ruin, Alaric mused.

After long rumination, plotting and waiting, it was time. Azeroth had grown disproportionally massive in the last decade and Theola was going to be its finishing touch to perfection. Theola could no longer afford to ignore the demons of outside world.

As an army of hundred thousand surrounded their boundary, Theola’s army responded by practicing their own sets of protocols. Their confidence and competence was exercised for centuries and it had provably worked in their favor as far as the history was concerned.

And yet, for the first time ever, Theola was challenged by a greater power. The impregnable kingdom of Theola should have seen the rising empire of Azeroth as a threat. And they did, when it was already minute to the midnight.

Azeroth empire had its eyes on Theola for decades. The opulence, intellect, minerals and wealth was worth envying. But envy wasn't enough for the Knight commander of Azeroth. Envy was but an avenue for his obsession: of power, dominance and blood. The same day Theolians had dreaded for years, Alaric had patiently waited for.

Theola’s greatest concern wasn’t that Azeroth headed to their boundary with hundred thousands. Theola was well capable of buttressing their armed forces with larger force. As of the armed machinery and technology was well shared between the two kingdoms. However Theola did not have that one thing that Azeroth did, the one thing that Theola was afraid would bring their kingdom to demise.

Knight commander Alaric Hades. His name corroborated his aura. There was increasing doubt of his humanness. By rank, he was only a knight, but there was no kingdom that didn’t fear him more than the grim reaper himself.

The rumors fled across the kingdoms about his gothic glory. He once killed twenty soldiers with nothing but his hands. The truly frightening tales of women dying in his bed evoked shivers on feminine flesh. He was the man mothers would warn their naughty children about. He was the devil women vowed themselves to stay away from.

Yet his popularity amongst feminine communities was undeniable. The women of Azeroth could not help themselves but eye him twice when his attractive figure would trot gloriously across the streets on his equally magnificent horse. He was god, of glory and death. And as some might put it, he was death; of god and glory.

He was the reason why hierarchy of Azeroth was distorted. He stayed second to the king, his word was heavier than many ministers and royalties. His loyalty to his king Derek was unquestionable. It was one of the reasons why Azeroth had no one to rely on but Alaric Hades.

It would take death for him to admit it, but he was excited to visit the capital city of Theola. It gave him the pleasure of embracing a sacrificial lamb as he looked forward to devouring it. He needed to know how the great Theola looked before he destroyed it, before the rivers bled red, and the vultures were fed well.

“And your presence would persuade them to surrender I believe” King’s voice intervened his thoughts.

“Certainly” Alaric whispered as suddenly out of the trees emerged the scenic palace of Theola. The immaculate architecture stood across the levels in the city. They could see on the highest level a tall palace a turret attempted to reach the sky. That is where they were meant to be this morning.

The seven horses dashed across the well-planned streets of Theola spanned by guarding soldiers. No unarmed citizen roamed on the street. A strange silence engulfed the entire city, as if they were afraid the seven Azeroths would wipe out their entire population themselves.

Alaric almost smiled at the immense precaution taken by Theolians. They should indeed be wary of his presence. God forbid if he liked one of their women, no one would stop him from slumping her on his shoulder and carrying her back to Azeroth.

Their arrival at the palace could hardly be called a welcome. No one exchanged pleasant greetings nor did anyone displayed a speck of delight. The king of Theola stepped down his throne to address his “guests”, inviting them in adjacent large hall to discuss the matters further.

Alaric found himself immediately disinterested. He already knew no party would be denying the war to settle for peace. No king ever sought peace.

Naturally both the kingdoms felt confident that they had the upper hand over the other. Theola, because it was incredibly strengthened from within, and Azeroth because it had Alaric Hades.

He excused himself in not less than five minutes after the discussion began. The King Derek did not insist upon him staying since politics was not his forte. He was no use in a conversation. His presence had already created a ripple in Theola's seemingly impenetrable confidence. He was now better silent, he did things better quietly.

As he walked across the halls of magnificent palace he felt the guards around him stiffening. He felt delighted by their hesitance but his features failed to portray them. He liked that about himself. No matter what hailstorm evoked inside his mind, his face remained unreflective, leaving the bystander completely clueless of his turmoil. He strode with his hands locked behind his back, his aura warning the creatures around.

The soldiers’ eyes reluctantly glanced upon his sword neatly tucked inside scabbard. The young soldier wondered how many bodies the great sword must have befallen? Hundreds? Thousands? Nonetheless, his naïve imagination could do no justice to the true numbers. Alaric was far too barbaric than anyone could fathom. Despite his deadly reputation he was still an underestimated swordsman. It was another thing Alaric liked about himself, being utterly unpredictable.

During his session of self-admiration, his gaze fell outside the giant window at the end of the hallway. This one, unlike the rest of them had no ornate designs on its glass, or colorful depictions. Alaric realised that beauty of this humongous glass was not something on it, but what lied beyond. He felt small, looking over the stunning view of dense mountains capped with grey clouds. The rain was lingering on the horizons and he could feel the gust of cold winds even from his safety.

However, it wasn’t the sight of nature that allured him. A blurred figure sat on its knees in the field of flowers, alone and engrossed.