"What are you doing?!"
"That is the Ancient King!"
The sword-bearing Banished Knight could scarcely believe his companion's actions. They had both recognized the figure before them as the Ancient King — they had even knelt and paid respect moments ago. Yet now, his fellow knight lifted his halberd against them.
"Of course I know that is the Ancient King. Why else would I have bowed?" the halberd knight said grimly. "But I am still sworn to Lord Godrick. To betray him — that is something I cannot do."
With that, he planted his halberd firmly before him, assuming a defensive stance. "My deepest apologies, Ancient King. If you wish to proceed… you must first defeat me."
Lucian stepped forward without hesitation. Such defiance was to be expected — not all knights shared the same convictions. The Storm King's age had long since passed; the Ancient King was but a lingering soul, unwilling to fade. To demand every Banished Knight's allegiance would be folly.
Yet the Ancient King did not grow wrathful at this defiance. Instead, a sense of pride stirred within him. Knights… wherever you are, your loyalty and honor do not disgrace the name of Storm.
He bade Lucian to spare the man's life. Not that Lucian needed the reminder — he had no wish to kill him. So long as Godrick fell, this knight, too, would one day follow him.
Drawing his two blades, Lucian engaged the halberd knight.
―
Soon after, the halberd knight lay sprawled in defeat, limbs cast wide upon the ground. His companion, the sword-bearing knight, sat beside him.
He had lost — utterly.
His skill with the halberd was not the best among Stormveil's Banished Knights; even his companion surpassed him in swordplay. Yet he had always borne renown for his command of the storm. And when he raised his halberd to summon the winds, Lucian snuffed them out with the faintest breeze.
For the first time, he had witnessed the true storm — and the pitiful shadow of his own.
"So strong… no wonder you were chosen by the Ancient King," the knight murmured. "If you can defeat Lord Godrick, then I swear — I shall follow you."
The sword knight shook his head. He and this comrade had grown together since youth, as close as brothers. He knew his friend was stubborn to the core, yet never thought he would dare raise arms against the Ancient King's chosen.
"First the heir of the Storm King… now the one chosen by the Ancient King himself. Perhaps the Stormhawk Dynasty might yet be reborn."
The knight on the ground spoke again, conviction in his tone, "It will. That last heir of the Storm King was too weak, and so he was captured. But this one… this lord's strength is beyond question. I have felt it myself."
The sword knight let out a long sigh. "Let us hope so. Otherwise, if things continue as they are, we Banished Knights will all be dragged off as grafted sacrifices…"
―
Elsewhere in the castle, Hakkan cleaved a soldier's spear in two with a single strike, then kicked the man sprawling. He did not linger to finish him, instead waving frantically to those behind him.
"Go! Run!"
A small band of young Tarnished stumbled after him, their fear plain. Among them was a girl most striking — bright golden curls and a vivid crimson cloak, her youthful face marked with terror. The others huddled protectively about her as they fled.
Hakkan led them through the twisting streets of Stormveil, unsure where he was headed, only knowing they had to keep moving. If they faltered, the soldiers would soon close in.
Damn it! I should never have gone soft! He cursed himself inwardly, yet never once thought to abandon those following him.
He stayed in front, keeping distance from the enemy so as not to be ensnared. But soldiers poured in from every direction, and soon there was nowhere left to run. At last, they collided headlong with a troop of Godrick's knights.
Ordinarily, Hakkan would not flinch at such foes. But burdened with this frightened band and armed with only scavenged weapons, he could not hope to fight.
He planted himself before the others, urging them to fall back. Only when they had gained distance could he attempt to break away.
The girl in the crimson cloak — Roderika — obeyed at once, fleeing headlong. But she collided with something solid, nearly sprawling to the ground.
A large hand caught her, steadying her before she fell. She looked up in relief, only for her face to blanch white.
The one holding her was a Banished Knight.
"Ah—!!"
Hakkan, fending off a knight, turned at the sound of her scream. His scalp prickled — another Banished Knight had appeared. Wolves ahead, tigers behind. Perhaps this was where his tale would end.
A pity… I will never see the day Lucian claims the Elden Throne, never see that golden age he spoke of…
He raised his blade, charging toward the nearest Godrick knight. Even in death, he would drag one with him.
But a sudden gale roared past. The knight before him, and two soldiers beside him, were shredded in an instant, their upper bodies torn away, leaving only twisted legs collapsing into a heap.
"Hakkan!"
The voice was familiar.
He turned, scarcely daring to believe it. The words had come from the Banished Knight holding Roderika. Tentatively, he called out:
"…Lucian?"
It was him.
Moments before, Lucian and his companions had encountered this small band along their path. That crimson cloak — too familiar to mistake. He had suspected all along that the missing Roderika was among them. Their route mirrored his own, ever just ahead, drawing soldiers away.
So Lucian had pursued alone, trusting Nepheli and the others to catch up. And now, not only had he confirmed Roderika's presence, but he had found another familiar soul.
At the head of the band — the very first living man Lucian had met upon entering the Lands Between.
Hakkan.
Why he was here, or why he had joined with Roderika, Lucian could not yet know. But it seemed Hakkan had been ready to throw his life away against Godrick's knights.
So Lucian's storm had cut them down in an instant.
And in that moment, two companions reunited amid the chaos of Stormveil.
――――
[T/N:]
The Stormhawk Dynasty, also known as the ancient civilization of Stormveil, was a powerful faction in the Lands Between, renowned for its mastery of storm-based battle arts and its alliance with the formidable Stormhawks. This civilization, which once ruled over Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula from its stronghold, Stormveil Castle, was led by a figure known as the Stormlord, whose true nature is debated.
[1 of 2 Bonus/Extra Chapters for your powerstones.]