A Knight's War

Long ago,

a prophecy foretold the rise of a chosen one,

a woman with fiery hair, who would reshape the world.

But the gods, fearing her power,

whispered into the hearts of men,

urging them to burn any child who fit the prophecy.

And so, innocence was lost, as the innocent

were consumed by the flames of fear.

No.

Have mercy, she's only a child.

This child is a gift from the light,

she's your daughter, your seed, I swear it.

Don't damn your soul!

Avalon, take my hand.

No, you don't have to do this.

She is your daughter, I am your faithful wife.

No!

No! No!

Something dark has happened here.

Tell me, do you dream of her?

You do, don't you?

I saw nothing, because there was no dream.

Then why did you wake with such a fright?

Because I felt the eyes

of a little man watching me while I slept.

And I haven't eaten.

How about I give you a taste if you tell me your dream?

Food first.

Dream first.

All right.

I dreamt I was with three women,

and they all wanted me at the same time,

but I couldn't decide which one to please first.

I don't believe you.

And now you know

why I was so angry when you woke me.

I was very disappointed to see your face.

If that was your dream,

you would have awoken holding a different sword.

Hmm. Perhaps.

Father, they've come.

Go find the men and tell them what you have seen.

The prophecy is true.

Your men, they will not come.

They will not believe the boy.

Let us all go.

Tell them what you have seen yourself.

Whatever they're preparing, it happens tonight.

Our lives are in your hand.

I'm not worried, father.

I know.

Be safe.

You be safe, my nephew.

I will see you again, Uncle.

Here, in the glory of the light.

Again, nephew.

Not in glory.

Not yet.

You may have sent him to his death.

When they hear the prophecy is true, they will come.

You blindly believe in people.

And you don't believe in them at all.

Air flows from above.

Yes.

But where does it lead?

Did your dream not tell you?

Did yours?

I would like to hear more about this dream

with the three women.

Take me back there now.

I wonder, though.

Were you just changing the details

from when you used to sleep with the pigs?

-What? -Bhodie, the pig pleaser.

You know, it's a shame Father didn't have room

in his castle for one more bastard.

Yes, Father's seed was sown far and wide.

Luckily for you, you were born

with Father's gift of sight.

Hmm. But not his name.

After this, Bhodie, you won't need his name.

That's because only the living have need of a name.

It's begun.

It's the Brother of Caius.

They're sacrificing themselves for the gods.

You mean demons.

They are killing themselves for demons.

One man's gods, another man's demon.

The longer we wait, the less there'll be to fight.

There's the torch.

We must find a way in.

If you still want to leave--

What are they doing?

They're preparing her body.

For what?

To free the fallen.

They are opening a gateway to hell.

Whatever happens,

we cannot let a demon through that gate.

You've seen this before, haven't you?

I promise you, brother.

We will walk out of here alive today.

Bhodie!

Help me!

Why did they stop?

Demon.

No!

Bhodie, do you remember your pledge?

We have failed.

No, we haven't.

Not yet.

Did you mean it, those words?

She cannot be saved.

What if she could?

How far would you go?

Would you go to the ends of the earth?

She's gone, brother!

Swear it and mean it or say nothing at all.

I would do all that is required

to fulfill the prophecy, including giving my life.

I know.

But this is your destiny.

You will fight for her when others will not.

You will protect her when others fail.

You will be the shield while the storm rages on.

That is your destiny.

Remember, no matter how dark it gets,

light will make a way.

Come with me.

Poor, poor knight.

Betrayed by his brother.

Abandoned by his father.

Chasing the promise of glory.

But will any be found?

Who are you?

I am the lonely Keeper of this realm.

And what is this place?

You failed to protect her.

Now you've traveled through the Forbidden Gate

to the land of the gods.

Do you want my help?

Can I afford the help of a demon?

My kindness is not enough.

Speak plainly, demon.

What is your wage?

I can help you save the chosen one.

And why was she?

The girl with the fire for hair.

I made a bargain.

I gave her this.

This will allow you to die a hundred deaths.

I offer it to you.

A hundred deaths?

More or less.

Hopefully less.

And what of your bargain?

The bargain?

Yes.

All I ask is that when the gate opens,

you will suffer me passage with you to your realm.

That is the price of a hundred deaths.

More or less.

More or less.

And how do I return to my brother?

Three lords hold three stones.

And has the chosen one gone to fight these lords?

She has.

And you are wasting time.

Why don't I just kill you, demon?

You may try, I suppose.

But the power of the talisman only works

as long as I still have breath.

Fine, Keeper.

If I succeed,

I'll allow you passage through the gate with us.

A fine bargain.

But it must be sealed in blood.

Just a drop.

When I cover your wound,

I may not be able to help myself.

Betray me, demon.

And I will hunt you through the ages.

Yes, very worth.

As long as there is light in this talisman,

you will be able to die and be reborn.

If the light dies,

you die with it.

Having second thoughts?

Name your purpose.

You are outmatched.

So be it, little mouse.

I demand that you cut me down now.

You've made a grave mistake.

It would be wise for you to release me right now.

Looks like you're the one

that's trapped now, little mouse.

A knight of the light, here in the realm of the fallen.

One would wonder what crime he committed

to be sent here.

Or does he hunt the witch?