Legend of the Weeping Knight

                            Prologue

     A thunderous clashing of metal on metal, the ripping of flesh and crushing of bones, the smell of rancid and rotten monster blood floated on the wind across an open field. Standing amongst an army of corpses was a lone knight, struggling bravely against a large orc wielding an age as large as the knight himself. Despite the orc's tremendous strength, this axe was too large and heavy to wield for an extended period, let alone with the numerous injuries the knight had managed to inflict upon him. Wildly he swung his axe, trying desperately to end the life of this single knight.     Slamming his mighty axe into the ground, leaning into its haft to keep himself up, the orc managed to pant out, "How… you… are a puny human… you were supposed to be… no match…"     The knight, tired and injured from fighting, spoke none. His armor and clothing, smeared and covered in a thick layer of monster blood. Despite the tired and ragged knight's condition, he lunged at the almost defenseless orc, screaming with anger and hatred in his eyes. The orc tried to wrest his axe from the ground but the knight cleaved his sword into the handle of the axe, aiming for the orc's thick fingers. The orc recoiled in pain, gripping his wrist as he let out a feral howl of pain. Three of the orc's root-like, thick fingers fell to the ground as blood began to spew from his hand. The orc continued to howl, staring deep into the knight's eyes. Both of their eyes were filled with primal rage as they let out wails in sync. The knight gripped his sword tightly and swung at the orc's throat with all the might he could muster. The blade of the knight's sword; once finely honed and shined like the sun, was now caked in a layer of black, sludge-like blood and the edge worn and damaged; sank deep into the throat of the orc as his howling stopped and the life drained away from his eyes. The orc let out gurgles and grumbles as his body fell to the side. The knight became silent as his enemy fell to the ground and his blade ripped out of the orc's throat from the weight of his body falling. The knight stood up as best as he could, surveying the battlefield. This once prosperous grassland littered with the bodies of necromantic wizards, goblins, the remains of the dead, and a few human corpses was dead silent. The knight tried to step forward and nearly lost his balance on the corpse of a necromancer. Looking up to the sky, the knight's eyes began to fill with tears and he screamed as loud as he could. His scream, louder than loud, was piercing and traveled along the plains like a breeze, alerting the nearby village that the fight was over.      A small force of royal knights rushed over to see this lone knight, barely standing straight, as he roared in victory. The leader of the royal knights, a female wearing a purple cloak around her shoulders, looked on, shocked as this lome knight stood triumphant among a field of corpses. The lone knight did not acknowledge the royal knight's presence and used all of his remaining strength to let out his cry of victory before falling, unconscious, to his knees.      As she came back to her senses, the royal knight captain looked to the two knights she trusted most, behind her, "Quick! We must rush to his aid!"     The knight captain hurriedly checked to see if the hero of the hour was still breathing and sighed in relief as she felt his small, light breaths.     "He is breathing, but he doesn't seem to be a member of the squad we sent earlier," she remarked, seeing that his armor was simple and not made by the royal knights armory.     Her quiet, humble knight responded after quickly surveying the battlefield, "I don't see any bodies resembling other knights. Do you mean to tell me that this single adventurer did this?"     "I shall survey the scene up close, I want you both to carry this man to the village for treatment. While there, ask about our squad and what became of them."     The two knights behind her nodded and lifted the lone knight and began to head for the small village nearby. The knight captain began inspecting the scene to find only three other human bodies that weren't corrupted by necromancy.     She scowled in disbelief and shame, "They are all adventurers. Young adventurers… if only we came sooner."     Shortly, the two knights she sent returned with bright faces.      The bright cheerful knight smiled and proclaimed, "We delivered the adventurer to the care of one of the villagers and the squad we sent ahead is being taken care of by the village, they seem to have minor injuries, Captain!"     The captain held her grim look as she addressed them, "Our job is done here. Let us be off."     The cheery knight furrowed his brow in worry, "Captain? Why do you carry such a grim face?"     The quiet knight only looked down in shame, "You heard the Captain. I am sure she will explain on the long journey home."