Deep within the castle of Eldoria, the grand throne hall echoed with the low hum of mana-infused torches. Their golden flames painted ripples of light across obsidian pillars and banners bearing the royal crest of the Fallen Sun—a symbol of the kingdom's long-standing rule.
Upon the throne, a man entered with the natural authority of someone born to command. His robe, a flowing blend of black and gold silk, trailed behind him like a river of dusk. His hair, stark white despite his youthful face, fell to his shoulders, and his sharp silver eyes carried a weight of wisdom and unshakable resolve.
This was Velkar, King of Eldoria—long before he would be known as the Fallen Knight.
"Father!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
A small girl dashed into the room, her steps light and spirited. Rhena jumped into his arms, and Velkar caught her effortlessly, lifting her with a soft chuckle.
"How is my little princess today?" he asked, brushing a strand of her silver hair from her forehead.
"I made a flower crown!" she announced proudly, placing a crooked ring of petals on his head.
Velkar exaggerated a gasp. "Truly, this is a royal treasure."
A woman entered after her—beautiful, composed, and carrying the gentle but firm presence of a queen.
"Rhena, sweetie, leave your father alone. He's just returned from a long day," she chided.
"It's fine, Leana," Velkar said, smiling at his wife. "Let her stay."
Leana sighed helplessly. "You spoil her too much, Velkar."
"And I'll continue to do so," he replied with a wink.
Their laughter filled the throne hall, echoing through a time when Velkar still held his humanity—before his world collapsed.
Later That Night…The king's chambers were dimly lit by a handful of candles, their flames flickering as a cold wind brushed against the windows. Velkar sat beside Leana on the edge of their bed, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
"Another attack near the west wall," he murmured. "Chain monsters again… but their behavior is different."
Leana turned to him. "Different how?"
Velkar tapped the desk lightly. "They aren't wandering aimlessly anymore. Their movements were… coordinated. As if they had a purpose. Almost like they were controlled by something or someone."
Leana's eyes widened and she stood abruptly. "What would they even want? And who could possibly control them?"
"I don't know," Velkar admitted, his voice unusually heavy. "But I fear it's man-made. Someone—or something—is influencing them."
Silence settled between them.
Then, Velkar blew out the candle beside him.
"Whatever comes, we must be cautious."
Leana lay beside him, worried in her eyes, but comforted by his presence. Within minutes, the room fell into darkness.
Sunlight poured into the dining hall. Velkar, Leana, and little Rhena sat at the long marble table, plates filled with exotic fruit, steaming bread, and tender cuts of roasted meat. Breakfast was peaceful; laughter bubbled constantly as Rhena recited stories of her imaginary adventures.
Velkar listened, smiling. These were the moments that he treasured most—moments that would soon become memories buried under blood and chains.
Later that day, Velkar sat on a massive throne carved with ancient runes and decorated with glowing gemstones. Ministers entered the hall one by one, bowing deeply before standing in a semi-circle before the king.
"We begin the meeting regarding the chain monsters," Velkar announced, his tone commanding enough to silence even the most talkative officials.
Reports started pouring in—townspeople disappearing without a trace, monsters evolving unnaturally, strange chain imprints left on buildings.
But as the discussion deepened, one man stood out.
Bagoas, Velkar's own brother.
He stood near the center, his eyes lowered but a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth—one that didn't belong in a meeting about death and danger.
A minister finally noticed. "Lord Bagoas… What's amusing about this situation?"
Bagoas' shoulders began to shake.
At first, it was a quiet chuckle.
Then—
A twisted grin.
And finally—
A maniacal burst of laughter that sent chills clawing up the spines of every person in the room.
The council fell silent. Even Velkar leaned forward, confusion and anger staining his features.
Before anyone could react, Bagoas' arm transformed—skin draining into a ghastly gray, veins bulging, fingers elongating into something unnatural.
With a sickening crack—
He snapped the minister's neck.
Gasps erupted.
Guards reached for their weapons.
Velkar rose from his throne, fury blazing in his silver eyes.
"BAGOAS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
The throne room trembled under Velkar's voice.
But Bagoas only grinned… a grin far too wide to belong to a human.
Bagoas' body twisted grotesquely. Metallic cracks echoed through the throne hall as chains erupted from his flesh, weaving into his bones and forming armor-like plates. His eyes turned pitch-black, a single burning red iris glaring from each.
He no longer resembled a man.
He had become something far more sinister—
the first Iron Lash.
Velkar's face hardened with disbelief. "Brother… what have you done?"
Bagoas' new form pulsed with chainlike sigils, each slithering across his skin as if alive. He lifted his head and spoke—his voice distorted, layered, half-human and half-wraith.
"Envious?" He laughed. "Brother… I have always been envious."
He stepped forward, each movement sending rattling metallic echoes across the chamber.
"You were chosen by Father. You inherited the throne. You were praised for your strength and talent, while I—your elder—was treated as lesser. Even the rabble in the streets showed you more respect."
His grin widened unnaturally.
"So I sought strength elsewhere."
Velkar's heart sank.
Bagoas continued, voice trembling with obsession.
"I experimented on the useless commoners outside the walls. At first, they died—too weak to handle the ritual. But slowly… slowly… I succeeded."
Visions of vanished townspeople flashed through Velkar's mind.
All the disappearances… all the strange attacks…
It had been Bagoas.
"I turned them into ghostly, chain-born creatures," Bagoas said. "But they were flawed—weak and unstable. So I refined my methods. I increased the number of bodies. I studied their failures. And after countless trials and errors…"
He spread his arms.
"I created perfection—myself."
The ministers trembled. Guards fell back in fear. One man vomited from terror.
"And now," Bagoas whispered, "my control extends to all those I transformed. Every monster in this kingdom dances to my will."