—Where am I?
Those were the first words that left my mouth as I regained consciousness. My eyes, still heavy, opened slowly, revealing a world of darkness, dampness, and silence. As I looked around, I realized I was trapped in what seemed to be a cell… an old, abandoned cell, covered in mold and rust.
I clumsily rose from the ground; the cold bit into my bones. When I looked at myself, I saw I was wearing armor —an ancient, corroded suit— and a helmet that hid my entire face. I remembered nothing: not who I was, nor how I had come to be there. Only one sensation lingered —the echo of something lost.
I approached the thick iron bars that kept me imprisoned. The door was off to one side, rusty, silent, yet still solid. I tried forcing it open, pushing and pulling in desperation, but it was useless. Locked tight. Outside, through the veil of shadows, I saw something… a deformed creature, half man, half pig. Its skin hung in flaps, its breath was wet and ragged. It guarded the cell as if I were a prized catch.
Then I heard footsteps.
Someone was approaching slowly. Perhaps another guard.
Was it his usual patrol?
Before he reached my cell, a sound cut through the air —the blade of a sword slicing flesh. A scream— I couldn't tell if it was man or beast— echoed through the dark. In an instant, a swift figure emerged from the shadows. The guard was hurled against the wall with such force that his skull cracked open on impact. His body landed beside my cell, close enough for me to smell the hot blood spilling across the stone floor.
I froze. Silence returned… broken only by a steady drip.
Then I saw her.
A woman stood before me. Her hair was golden, catching what little light there was in the corridor. She wore white armor that gleamed with an almost divine radiance. Her eyes met mine with a mix of judgment and compassion.
—You are a strange undead —she said firmly—. There is still a spark of life in your eyes.
If you hear the voice of God, move… and bring the light back to this world.
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, fading into the corridor as if she had never been there. I remained silent, unable to fully grasp her words.
I looked at the pig-guard's corpse. Hanging from his belt was a golden key, faintly glimmering with a sickly shine. I took it without hesitation. When I inserted it into the lock, I heard a metallic click —the door opened.
I stepped out carefully, breathing in the heavy air of the corridor for the first time. As I walked past other dark cells, something caught my eye. Inside one, a faint glow. I reached through the bars and touched the object —a small green circle, luminous, like a living emerald. The moment I touched it, it vanished… absorbed into my body. A surge of warmth spread through me, a strange energy pulsing in my chest. I didn't understand it, but it made me feel alive.
I kept moving forward. The corridor ended in a corner, and when I turned, I found another pig-guard asleep on a log. His snores were grotesque. I moved past him silently, holding my breath. Once I slipped by unnoticed, I entered a vast chamber.
It was a massive room filled with red coffins, each marked with a yellow cross. The air was thick, smelling of death and melted wax. I moved slowly between them, and at the far end, I found a staircase ascending upward. I climbed, each step echoing in dread, fearing that something might awaken among the coffins.
When I emerged, daylight blinded me for an instant.
And then, I saw her again.
The woman in white armor stood before me, waiting.
—Impressive —she murmured—. Could this too be divine guidance?
She gave a short bow.
—My name is Jeanne d'Arc. I hail from Orléans.
She gave me no time to speak, continuing in a solemn tone:
—The world is in crisis. The fog from the Castle of the Lost Empire spreads unchecked. Humans… are turning into demonic beasts.
This land, once rich and peaceful, has rotted from within. I came to uncover the cause of the fog, to understand what has happened.
—I… I don't know —I answered, my voice trembling beneath the helmet—. But it sounds like a grim mission.
—It is —she said, eyes fixed on the horizon—. But fear not. For now, protecting you is my priority.
Below lies the fortress of Ivern. Beyond the castle city are the lands of the fairies. I will escort you there. Let's move, before the enemies realize you've escaped… and that I'm here.
She drew her sword —a clean, metallic sound slicing through the silence. Her presence commanded respect. Then she handed me another blade, old but sturdy.
—Take it. You might find it useful. Perhaps it once belonged to someone like you.
We began to descend. On the way, another pig-guard blocked our path.
—Hey —said Jeanne, glancing at me—. I want to see how you fight. I gave you that sword, so prove you're not carrying it in vain. You're a knight, aren't you? Use your strength.
—All right… if there's no other choice.
I lunged at the creature. It roared and swung its club, but I dodged and countered, slashing from chest to gut. The beast fell, convulsing, then went still.
The air filled with a nauseating stench.
—Well done —Jeanne said with a nod—. But we can't rely on luck. If we fight them all, we'll wear ourselves out.
—So… better to stay unseen? —I asked.
—Exactly. Move silently. We'll find a safe place soon.
We crept onward, climbing huge dust-covered stairs. To the left, an empty hallway stretched ahead. Jeanne pointed toward it.
—That way. It leads to the lands of the fairies. No one patrols there.
The floor was blackened, as if scorched by ancient fire. Ash clung to our boots as we walked. We followed the narrow path until Jeanne stopped and looked up at the gray sky.
—The wind here feels… haunting, doesn't it? —she sighed—. Even now, countless souls suffer because of these demonic beasts.
It's my duty as a knight to save them. But I can't do it alone.
I want your help. Even an undead can become a hero… I'm certain of it.
Her words struck me, but I couldn't answer. I stood silent, staring into nothing.
She noticed.
—Forgive me —she said softly—. I shouldn't have asked that so suddenly. We'll talk later.
She began descending the next flight of stairs. That's when I felt it— a roar that shook the ground.
I turned… and saw it.
A dragon.
Massive, its scales black as night, its eyes glowing red like burning coals.
Its shadow swallowed everything.
—Jeanne, look out! —I screamed.
She turned, startled… and the dragon breathed fire.
The world burned.
Flames engulfed Jeanne in an instant. Her white armor turned red, then black. Her scream— short, human, agonizing.
—Aaaahhh! No! No, no, no…! I can't die yet! I don't want to die! Help me… God…!
And then… silence.
Only ashes.
Jeanne d'Arc, the woman who freed me, vanished before my eyes.
The dragon roared, triumphant, smoke curling from its jaws.
I knelt, trembling. But something within me burned hotter than fear.
I couldn't stay still. Not after seeing her die like that.
I drew my sword.
The dragon glared down at me and roared again. The sound pierced my ears like knives, making them bleed.
I charged. Its claws came down like thunder; I barely dodged. The ground quaked under its weight. I swung, but its tail smashed into my chest, hurling me against a rock.
The air left my lungs. The dragon opened its maw —fire gathering once more.
I tried to rise, but the flame reached me. The heat devoured me; my flesh burned beneath the armor.
And then… nothing.
Only darkness.
When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer there.
I lay on soft shrubs, surrounded by a field unknown to me.
The sky was blue, the sun blazed bright. The air smelled of grass, not ash.
Slowly, I sat up. Beside me, a brown rabbit watched in silence. Behind it stood a lone stone pillar.
A few steps away, I noticed an extinguished bonfire. I didn't know why, but it felt familiar.
I reached out toward it.
The moment my fingers touched the ashes, fire sprang to life.
A golden flame, pure and warm.
I felt it deep inside. The pain vanished the instant I touched the fire.