SSS Unknown: Dark Knight's Legacy

"The time-space portal," I murmured to myself, the words slipping out like a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My gaze swept over the cavern that surrounded us, its immensity impossible to grasp in one glance.

The cavern was massive—far too massive. Its sheer size was unsettling, a space so vast it felt more like standing under the sky than inside a subterranean world.

The walls, jagged and ancient, stretched into the distance, disappearing into a haze of shadow and dim light. They pulsed faintly as if the stone itself carried a heartbeat, slow and deliberate.

It was as large as a small city, maybe larger. I craned my neck to take it all in, but no matter where I looked, the horizon remained hidden, obscured by a faint, hazy mist that hung in the air. 

It clung to everything, swirling lazily like the remnants of a fading dream. Even sound seemed muted here, swallowed up by the sheer scale of the place.

The ground beneath my feet was uneven, worn smooth in places over time, while other parts jutted out like ancient scars. Strange, glowing veins of light ran through the stone, pulsing with an otherworldly rhythm, their glow illuminating the cavern with hues of blue, violet, and gold. 

t was beautiful, in a haunting way, but there was an unease to it. A sense that the air itself was alive, heavy with the weight of something ancient and unfathomable.

The portal stood at the cavern's center, dominating the landscape. It was massive, towering higher than I had imagined.

The center of the portal shimmered with a translucent surface, a ripple of time and space itself bending and folding. It cast an eerie light, illuminating the cavern's floor in shifting waves of shadow and brilliance.

It was the portal we had crossed, a passage into the unknown that beckoned us with equal parts hope and dread.

The last time, it was too limited, only three could enter.

They weren't that strong. Yet, it still closed so abruptly.

But now, fifty of us ventured forth, an elite crew assembled from the kingdom's most skilled warriors and mages. Each individual had been handpicked for their expertise, their courage, and their unwavering loyalty to the mission.

I served as the vice commander of this formidable force, a position that carried both honor and an unrelenting weight of responsibility. Beside me was Lagon, our leader, towering above the rest with his imposing presence. 

His silver-tipped hair and wolf-like ears caught the faint light of the cavern, his golden eyes burning with a resolve that seemed to defy even the shadows surrounding us.

Lagon had always been the epitome of strength and determination. A veteran of countless battles, he inspired confidence in everyone who followed him. Yet even now, I could sense the tension in his stance. Despite his unshakable facade, the uncharted territory beyond the portal made even him wary.

The team stood ready, their armor gleaming faintly in the ethereal light emanating from the portal. Weapons were held firmly, enchanted blades and staves glinting with the promise of both destruction and protection. Each warrior carried with them the weight of their role in this desperate mission. 

Our objective was clear: to seek the [Sword of Desire] to end the catastrophe that had befallen our land.

I stood still, taking in the surroundings. The area bore faint traces of a crude settlement—a makeshift shelter crafted from materials that must have been scavenged from this alien world. The ground showed signs of disturbance: footprints, some faint embers of an old fire pit, and crude tools scattered about. The three individuals we had sent ahead as scouts had clearly done their part, establishing a foothold for the main team to follow.

But something was wrong. They were nowhere to be seen.

I narrowed my eyes, scanning the area for any clues. The silence was unnerving; not even the faintest rustle of wind could be heard. 

It felt as though the land itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. The settlement looked abandoned, hastily deserted. My gut tightened with unease.

Had they been killed by the monsters of this place?

I shivered at the thought. The portal's destination was uncharted; we knew it could be hostile, filled with creatures that defied logic. Yet, seeing the settlement gave me hope that they had survived for some time. But now...

Had something happened to them?

I crouched low, brushing my fingers against the disturbed soil. The tracks leading away from the settlement were scattered and erratic, suggesting a struggle or a hurried departure.

They disappeared into the dense, alien terrain, where jagged rocks and twisted flora loomed like silent sentinels. The air was heavy, tinged with a strange metallic scent that was both unfamiliar and unsettling.

"Lagon," I called out softly, my voice carrying a tinge of urgency as I turned toward our commander. "The scouts aren't here. Something's off."

Lagon's sharp golden eyes scanned the area, his expression grim. "They wouldn't abandon their post without reason," he said, his voice low and cautious. "Stay alert. Whatever happened here might still be nearby."

I nodded, my hand instinctively gripping the hilt of my sword. The others had already begun to fan out, their movements careful and deliberate. Mages cast subtle detection spells, their hands glowing faintly as they probed the area for traces of magic or hidden threats.

Despite the sense of unease creeping over me, I couldn't shake a small ember of hope. If there were tracks, if there were signs of life, then maybe—just maybe—they were still out there, alive. We just had to find them.

But as I stared into the alien wilderness, with its foreboding shadows and unearthly silence, I couldn't ignore the chill that ran down my spine. 

This place was dangerous, and it would take everything we had to survive, let alone uncover the truth of what had happened here.

"Hey!"

The voice rang out sharply, breaking through the oppressive silence of the alien landscape. I turned toward the source, my instincts immediately on high alert. In the distance, three figures emerged from the shadows, moving toward us with uneven steps.

As they drew closer, I recognized the symbols emblazoned on their armor—the crest of the Magic Kingdom. Relief washed over me like a sudden tide. These were our scouts, the ones who had been sent ahead to prepare the way.

The group consisted of a lizardman and two ogres, their massive frames unmistakable even from a distance. But as they approached, it became clear that they had been through hell. Their armor was battered, dented, and smeared with what looked like blood—some of it their own, and some of it an unearthly black ichor that I didn't recognize. Cuts and bruises marred their exposed skin, and their steps were labored as though every movement cost them dearly.

"You're alive!" I called out, hastening toward them. "What happened? Where have you been?"

The lizardman raised a clawed hand in a weak gesture of acknowledgment. His scaled face was hardened, his sharp eyes gleaming with exhaustion and wariness. "Barely," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "We ran into... something."

***

As the lizardman concluded his report, I noticed the heavy tension lingering in the air. Lagon, standing beside me, remained silent for a moment, his sharp golden eyes narrowing as he processed the information. His imposing figure, tall and scarred, cast a long shadow under the cavern's dim light.

"Hm," he finally grunted, his voice low but laden with thought. "An Unknown Death Knight with ties to the Darknight Order... and we don't even know his name."

The mention of the Darknight Order sent a ripple of unease through the room. That organization, infamous for its clandestine dealings and penchant for balance, had always been a thorn in the kingdom's side. If this Death Knight was affiliated with them, it spelled trouble.

"Let's break this down," Lagon said, his tone now sharp and commanding. He turned to the scouts, his gaze piercing. "You're certain he didn't admit to being connected to the Order?"

"Yes, Commander," the lizardman replied. "He denied it, but his actions and mannerisms... they align too closely with what we know of their operatives."

"And his personality?" I asked, stepping forward, my curiosity piqued. "What do we know about him?"

"Nothing concrete," the scout admitted, his scaled brow furrowing. "They're erratic, unpredictable, and radiate a wild energy I've never encountered before. 

Lagon crossed his arms, his expression grim. "This Death Knight... did he show any signs of hostility?"

"Not directly," the lizardman said, shaking his head. "But make no mistake, Commander—he's dangerous. His aura alone was suffocating, like standing in the shadow of death itself. And his power... even though he didn't display it fully, it was clear he's far beyond any of us."

The room fell silent again, the weight of the report pressing down on us like the damp air of the cavern. Lagon glanced at me, his eyes searching for my reaction. I swallowed hard, my mind racing.

A being with unknown origins, immense power, and potential ties to one of the most dangerous organizations we knew—this wasn't just a random encounter. It was a puzzle, a threat, and perhaps even an opportunity.

"He's a wildcard," Lagon finally said, his tone decisive. "We don't know his motives, his strengths, or his weaknesses. But one thing's clear—he's not someone we can ignore. If he truly has ties to the Darknight Order, then his presence here might be more than just coincidence."

I nodded, my thoughts aligning with his. "Do we engage him directly, or wait to learn more?"

Lagon tilted his head back, staring at the cavern ceiling as though seeking an answer amidst the jagged rocks above. His sharp features were illuminated by the faint glow of magical lamps, casting long, shifting shadows across the room. After a moment of silence, he let out a heavy sigh that seemed to echo in the tense stillness.

"A risk too big to take," he finally said, his voice low but filled with a weight that made everyone present straighten unconsciously.

His piercing golden eyes shifted to Steel, the old lizardman scout whose rugged scales bore the marks of countless battles. Steel stood rigid, his tail flicking subtly—a nervous tick that betrayed his unease under the Commander's gaze.

"Steel, you said that you would go with him to conquer the Goblin Fortress, right?" Lagon asked, his voice as steady as steel.

"Yes, Commander," Steel replied, his tone laced with tension. His jaw tightened, but he didn't waver as he met Lagon's eyes.

"Good," Lagon said, his expression hardening. "Find a gap to betray him. Get rid of that man."

The room seemed to grow colder at those words. Lagon's tone carried no hesitation, no ambiguity. It was an order, plain and simple—a deadly one. The weight of it hung heavily in the air, pressing down on everyone.

Steel hesitated, his eyes briefly darting to the floor as his claws flexed at his sides. His silence spoke volumes, but after a moment, he nodded reluctantly. "…Yes," he said, though his voice lacked conviction.

The tension was broken abruptly by one of the younger scouts—a brash, wiry orc who couldn't contain his excitement. "Fuck yeah, fuck that guy," the subordinate blurted out, a wide grin splitting his face.

Lagon's gaze snapped to him, sharp as a blade. The orc's grin faltered immediately, his enthusiasm dissolving under the weight of the Commander's disapproval.

"This isn't a game," Lagon growled, his voice cutting through the room like a whip. "Do you understand the risk involved? If this Death Knight is as dangerous as the report suggests, a single mistake could cost us all our lives. You will follow Steel's lead and execute the plan with precision—or you will answer to me."

The orc swallowed hard, his green skin paling slightly. "Y-yes, Commander. Understood," he stammered, bowing his head in submission.

Steel, meanwhile, clenched his fists tightly, his claws digging into his palms. "Commander," he began carefully, his voice edged with hesitation. "This plan... carries significant risk. If he suspects betrayal, we might provoke him before we're ready. And if he really does have ties to the Darknight Order…"

Lagon held up a hand, cutting him off. "I know the dangers, Steel. But leaving him unchecked is an even greater risk. This isn't a choice—it's a necessity. Do your job, and do it well. Wait for the perfect moment when his guard is down, then strike. Report back as soon as it's done."

Steel exhaled deeply, his tail curling in frustration. "Understood, Commander. It will be done."

Lagon's expression softened slightly, though his golden eyes retained their unyielding resolve. "Good. Remember—no mistakes."

As the group began to disperse, Steel lingered for a moment, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts. He looked as though he wanted to protest further but knew it would be futile. With a final, reluctant nod, he turned and walked away, his steps weighed down by the burden of the task ahead

As the meeting dispersed, I found myself standing in silence, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Lagon's decision was logical—practical, even—but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. The Death Knight had shown no open hostility, and while his motives were unclear, he had helped our scouts. Planning to betray him felt... wrong.

"Commander," I said softly, breaking the silence as Lagon turned to leave. "Are we certain this is the best course of action? What if we're wrong about him?"

Lagon paused, his back still to me. His shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath.

"Alice, I understand your hesitation. But in times like these, we can't afford to take chances. We need to eliminate it before it grows into something we can't control."

His words were resolute, but they did little to quell the unease gnawing at my chest. 

As Lagon walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this decision might come back to haunt us. Betraying someone who had shown goodwill—even if only momentarily—was a dangerous game to play.

And in this fractured, uncertain world, trust was a rare commodity. Would breaking it so easily cost us more than we were prepared to pay?

"No, we shouldn't betray him," a voice called out from across the room. It was Meat, one of Steel's subordinates. His stance was tense, his fists clenched at his sides as he stepped forward. 

His eyes were filled with frustration and hesitation, and his voice wavered with conflict.

He glanced at Steel, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "He helped us," Meat continued, the words coming out almost as a plea. "He risked his life for us. We can't just turn on him like that."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The others present, most of whom had been part of the briefing earlier, watched the exchange, sensing the tension mounting.

Steel stood still for a moment, his gaze narrowing as he processed Meat's words. 

His shoulders were broad and strong, but the muscle beneath seemed to tense with every second of hesitation. Finally, he spoke, his voice flat, carrying the weight of command. 

"Meat, this is an order," he said, his tone cold and unyielding. His words left no room for negotiation.

But Meat didn't back down. He looked up at Steel, eyes still full of doubt, as though he were hoping for a different answer. "I know, Steel, but... this feels wrong."

Steel's patience snapped. With a growl, he stepped forward, his massive arm coming down heavily on Meat's shoulder. The weight of his presence made Meat flinch, his body going rigid under the older lizardman's touch. 

"I said, this is an order," Steel repeated, his voice low and threatening. "You want to defy it? You want to question me now?" His grip tightened just enough to send a warning.

Meat's eyes softened, and he hesitated, his fists unclenching as the weight of the situation pressed on him. He looked at Steel, then at the ground, finally letting out a frustrated sigh. 

"...Okay. Fine. I'll do it," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. There was no fire in his words now, just resignation.

Steel released him with a firm pat on the back. "Good," he said, his tone lightening just a little, but there was no warmth in it. It was the sound of someone who had just made peace with a difficult decision.

Meat stood there for a moment, a storm of emotions brewing behind his eyes. But the matter was settled. The order had been given, and now they would follow it, no matter the cost.

Yes, no matter the cost, we must save the kingdom.