At last, the duke and his rebel forces were successfully delivered to the greatest and the most ancient fortress in Skyreach, the Skyhold, wherein they will all be executed even though normally when someone is about to be executed, they will be have to undergone with a trial of the leaders of Skyreach; every duke or duchess of every city in Skyreach and the High King himself, but due to Duke Jarric’s action, the other leaders of every city are divided into being against him, supporting his cause and some who keeps their neutrality in the civil war. This is mostly the reason why the emperor ordered the army to kill him on sight because of the threat he poses on the Empire’s influence in Skyreach making him the most wanted individual in Imperial territories.
As the duke and his rebel forces and other prisoners were gathered inside Skyhold, a jailor appears by the entrance to the great hall.
“Alright, you maggots! Approach the great hall!” shouted by the jailor by the front of a large brass double-door. The prisoners were led to the great hall of the prison hold, then they entered through the great brass double-door which extends to a hallway leading to the great hall.
“Line them up and make sure the priest of the Fallen is ready for the ceremony,” said by the female Imperial-Captain who seems the one operating the situation right now.
The General was nowhere to be seen after he greeted his “guests” but it is most likely that he is already inside the great hall waiting. When all the prisoners made their way inside the great hall, they are greeted by a very grim and eerie atmosphere. The “great hall” is like a palace courtyard but instead of having the typical calming garden, instead it has a large and blood-soaked guillotine in the very center where the General and other two person standing with him waiting.
“Is this really the end of me?” asked by the blonde man to himself as he realizes the severity of the situation, he is in. The hall is surrounded by instruments and tools for torturing prisoners and some small holding cells made out of iron and is cylindrical in shape. Some of them even have the remains of some unfortunate criminal or a random troublemaker who ended being caged and died due to the torture or hunger.
“Hehehe! Do like your new “palace”, your grace?” sarcasm of the jailor who is mocking the duke. The duke seemed a bit angered but still has his composure in spite the situation. They may ridicule the duke continuously but despite of all their mockery the duke himself still seems to be in a serious trance, even the mockeries of some “low-life” jailors doesn’t faze him. He is like a very image of a proud lion who still displays a fearsome presence even being tied-up and gagged.
“Round them up, we will begin with his lackeys first,” said by the female captain, as she also somewhat feels unnerve by the intimidating aura the duke is releasing.
“Now priest, you may start the ceremony,” said by the female captain looking at the robed woman beside her.
“As you say, Ser. As we commend your very souls, we bless each one of you that you may have a peaceful--” as the priestess started the rites, one of Chillrend’s men approached the platform of the guillotine and interrupts,
“Just stop this sham of a ceremony already and be done with it! I don’t need any of your blessings when my land stained by the scums like you! I won’t be even felt blessed dying for protecting my homeland!” ranted by the rebel to the priestess.
“A-As you wish… Tsk!” shocked by the priestess of the Fallen as she stopped her ceremony.
“I don’t need any more pity than is, if you’re just going to kills us. I may be a rebel but I know the Gods smile upon me because I fight for the sake of my land!” the rebel soldier’s final words when he was placed beneath the guillotine.
Brave and bold he may seem, but in the end, he will be only left with a demise of a betrayer as the guillotine blade drops down to his neck and chopped his head straight down. Incidentally, the severed head of the rebel soldier rolled its way to the duke’s feet. As he stares down the severed head of his men, unbeknownst to everyone, Duke Jarric was trembling with anger and frustration as his serious expression changed to a murderous and wrathful intent of revenge towards Imperials.
“Next! The man with then blonde hair,” shouted by the captain to proceed the execution.
“Approach the platform, kinsman. I am very sorry to you but we will make sure your remains will be returned to your hometown,” a simple yet meaningless comfort by Ser Havard to the man.
“I…I don’t want to end it like this… I must…. I must return to Faulterth, I....” as the man bend to his knees, he closed his eyes and prayed on his mind that somehow this will not be the end of him as being falsely accused of treason he didn’t even commit. As he opened his eyes and puts himself in the guillotine, a terrible scream came pouring through the large double door behind them as if was a man being drowned with fear.
“What the… Aaarrrghh--!” shouted by the jailor by the door of the hall. Something burst out that came straight out of the shadows.
“VAMPIRES!” alarmed by the Imperial soldier who is wounded and bloodied. Creatures of the dark razes the corridor; some came and broke through the very roof of the hold and into the great hall. The Skyhold has been overrun by vampires and the undead that they command; gargoyles, flesh-skeletons and even the death hounds ravaging through the ranks of Imperial soldiers and rebels alike.
“What in blazes is going on here!?” asked by General Tullium as he unsheathe his blade. The night has truly been truly a bloody one not only because of the execution of the duke and his men but also because of the “uninvited guest” that came raising hell and chaos around Skyhold.
“He’s here! Find the Champion and kill everyone else!” declared by the vampire who is leading a pack of death hounds.
“By the Gods, what is this damnation?!” sighed by the blonde man who is in shock that something grueling again has befallen him…. Will he be able to survive this nightmare of an experience?
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Champion of Dawn Chapter III: The Darkness Lurks
“Aaarghhh! It got me!” Screamed by an Imperial who got pounced on by a sinister-looking hound. The chaos continues as the creatures of darkness launches an unexpected attack at Skyhold as the esteemed soldiers of the Empire being decimated by a pack of undead hounds called death hounds. “There’s too many of them! The sentries and the frontal barricade at the entrance is infested of these things!” said by Ser Havard who is fighting in the ranks of General Tullium who is in the great hall. “Evacuate the staffs of the hold who is unarmed, and Gods forgive us we can’t do anything more about the other prisoners in here,” commanded by general. “How about the rebels, sir? Are we going to kill them now?” asked by the female captain. During the chaos, most of the prisoners have been dead being not able to defend themselves, but some of the duke’s men and himself got out of their captivity. “Grrr! You there, grab that sword be ready to cut your way thr
Champion of Dawn Chapter IV: Dance with the Devils
Under the clouded sky in the midst of the night, the great prison hold of Skyhold is under attack by the foul creatures of the night. To what reason they should attack an old ancient brig such as this? As per the one who led this assault, the vampire who calls himself “Klauss Kulihar”, an offspring of a vampire lord known as “Lord Kulihar”, he states that he was tasked to find someone who is currently at the Skyhold at this very moment. But the question still remains on “who” is this individual? “What am I supposed to do?” in the blonde man’s mind as he is having a dilemma in who should he help at this very moment. So far as the situation goes, the prisoner by the stairs that descends to the ground level of the hold is being overrun by a pack of death hounds who clearly looked like a creature that spawn from the netherworld, while on the corridors, the female Imperial-Captain who is in the great hall earlier is being outnumbered by two ghastly garg
Champion of Dawn Chapter V: Regroup with the General
Geordan’s eyes widen as he saw his companion’s appearance under her helm, the captain is indeed a Shakirian, an Imperial native who dwells in the land south of the Empire, which has been colonized by the Empire long ago up until now. They’re common traits is that they have that tan skin, with a distinguished eye colors between ruby, dark brownish tint and a dark-yellowish glow. But in her case, she has that blue eye which can be the most common thing in the Empire and Skyreach. “She’s a half-Imperial?” Geordan’s thought as he stares at the captain. “What? Is there something on my face?” asked by Amaya as she looked back at him brows raised. “U-Uh, no… Well, let us be o-off then, Captain,” nervously replied by Geordan as he turned his gaze back. “No. I said you can just call me Amaya. I owe you that much since risked your life to aid me and help me realize this tragedy,” said by Amaya with a very serious and chivalrous expression.
Champion of Dawn Chapter VI: Just Need a Little Push
As Geordan looked at the man that came from Ser Havard’s back, he saw the general himself as he reaches his hand to him. “I am General Gladios Tullium, commanding officer of the Imperial army here at Skyreach. A pleasure to meet you,”Geordan then shakes the general’s hand and salutes him. “Geordan Auroran, sir! A knight-errant of Faulterth, I am also affiliated with the Imperial Academy’s Knight order,” he said as he put his fist to his chest. (Imperial knight’s giving honor to a high-ranking official of the Empire.)“Hmph… So, you’re the knight who declined the army’s offer.” said by the general as he examined Geordan.“Offer? What kind of offer is that, if I may ask, sir?” asked courteously by Ser Havard.“It’s mad why I wasn’t able to recognize you when you got dragged here at this mess. Never seen you as well the typical high and mighty attitu
Champion of Dawn Chapter VII: Joining the Empire
The remaining Imperial forces led by General Tullium that was at the Skyreach’s oldest and largest prison hold, Skyhold, took a brief and well-deserved rest as they manage to drive off the creatures of darkness that attacked them during the execution of the rebellion’s mastermind Duke Jarric Chillrend. The motive of the attack is still unknown whether it was really a plot to free the duke or if there’s really another mysterious faction who will also join in the conflict that is happening at Skyreach. As the general and his men got their brief scouting and short respite after successfully driving-out the creatures that assaulted Skyhold, they plan on making their way back to their main headquarters at the capital of Skyreach which is the city of Fortitude. As they marched on, Ser Havard and Captain Amaya invited Geordan to come along with them for the time being. “As we proceed down the river, there is a village their called Riverton, and that’s my hometown.
Champion of Dawn Chapter VIII: In the Shadow's Eyes
After his well-deserved rest at Bardon’s inn, Geordan prepares for his journey back to Faulterth giving his gratitude for Bardon’s family for taking him in. “You my sincere gratitude, Bardon,” Geordan said as he smiled and taps the shoulder of Bardon. “Aye, don’t mention it, milord. You are a friend here as well as your good father and you are welcome here anytime,” said by Bardon as his wife and daughter nods in agreement beside him. “Yes, Ser Geordan! I hope to meet you again soon,” said by the young lady, Bretta as she bows like a female nobility, holding the hem of her dress and raised it a bit then bows. It was a bit clumsy but Geordan appreciated it as he patted her head. “You would make a fine escort one day, milady,” said by Geordan to the Bretta that made her blush because of Geordan’s compliment and embarrassment as well. “T-T-Thank you, milord!” said by Bretta stuttering. Her parents laughed out of joy seeing their daughter taking a
Champion of Dawn Chapter IX: Saving Light
Geordan who is at the mercy of a group of vampires that ambushed him on his way to Faulterth is at death’s doorstep again as he is being by two of the vampires and heavily wounded due to the one that is on his backside. He kept trying on breaking free from the vampires’ grasp on him but due his condition, there’s no luck as those two surpasses his own strength as they combine their super-human grip on him. “It’s useless to resist, human. Now, we will see if you are the one that we are looking for,” said by the vampire who pounced him earlier as it tries get close to him as it walks towards him. The vampire grins as it shows its white-sharp fangs like he was trying to take a taste of Geordan’s blood. “It is no use! I cannot break free from them. They are too strong!” said by Geordan to himself as the vampire already within his face. “Let’s see if you are the Radiant One,” said by the vampire before it took a bite on Geordan’s neck.
Champion of Dawn Chapter X: The Dawn-bringers
As Geordan’s life was saved by an order of warriors known as the Dawn-bringers, the two of those warriors, Inga and Thorac faces the vampires who assaulted in the middle of the misty forest that surrounds the Fallkeith territory. The other one of the Dawn-bringers named Joss is with Geordan as he is the healer of the group, in-charged of keeping Geordan from harm. As for what reason why, Geordan was attacked by these vampires is still a mystery. “Grrraaaghh! I’ll devour you!” yelled by the vampire as it dashes towards Thorac. As the vampire closes in on him, Thorac throws one of his silver hand-axe at the vampire but the vampire managed to dodge it easily, but as soon as the vampire returns its attention to Thorac. “Aaaghh! It’s a bait!” said by the vampire as Thorac managed to get close to him in instant. He then cleaves the torso of the vampire due to his successful attempt of baiting him into an opening. The vampire backs away as it suffers a very lethal wound acr
Latest Chapter
- Champion of Dawn Chapter XII: The Daughter of Cold-bringer
- Champion of Dawn Chapter XI: Hunting Predators
- Champion of Dawn Chapter X: The Dawn-bringers
- Champion of Dawn Chapter IX: Saving Light
- Champion of Dawn Chapter VIII: In the Shadow's Eyes
- Champion of Dawn Chapter VII: Joining the Empire
- Champion of Dawn Chapter VI: Just Need a Little Push
- Champion of Dawn Chapter V: Regroup with the General
- Champion of Dawn Chapter IV: Dance with the Devils