The Undying Knight’s Curse

"Those who trespass... this sacred land... shall die!"

The black-robed knight blocking the valley road, astride a pitch-black armored steed, was an intimidating sight. The horse's angular metallic armor left no part exposed, save for its red eyes, and the neck armor bristled with sharp spikes, giving off a menacing aura.

The knight himself was similarly encased in dark armor, the black spikes of his helmet emanating an evil light, and his dark cloak billowed like the wings of a demon.

Grayson's brows furrowed as he watched the knight, "I thought the zombies were merely the dead, reanimated by evil magic."

"If such a creature is also present, then this matter is entirely different." Grayson struck a match to light his cigar, taking a deep draw before flinging the smoldering stick towards the knight.

A flicker of murderous intent flashed in the black knight's eyes as his warhorse neighed and charged. 

"Be careful, darling, this one is no ordinary foe!" 

Cigar clenched between his teeth, Grayson pushed Katheren aside and retreated a step as the black knight whooshed by. In a swift move, Grayson grabbed the knight's arm and leaped onto the horse's back.

He wrestled the knight from behind, deploying five blades from his clawed glove, pinning them onto the knight's visage and chest. With a clenched fist, he struck hard upon the knight's helmet, denting the dark metal.

To Grayson's surprise, the knight seemed unfazed by the attack. An elbow strike hit Grayson's ribs, and the knight's cloak lifted, thrusting Grayson from the horse.

He fell, rolling before springing to his feet, just as the knight turned for another charge. Composed, Grayson drew his soul-eating silver sword, which glinted with ghostly silver flames in anticipation.

The cut-and-thrust was swift—a shadow and a wraith they were, facing off on the valley road. Grayson's white cloak and the knight's black one spread out like the wings of angels and demons clashing in celestial combat.

Feeling the weight of the knight's blade, Grayson released his grip and with lightning speed, slipped from the knight's reach. In a blind spot, his clawed glove slashed, severing the knight's spiked shoulder guard with radiant beams of soul energy.

Enraged, the knight whirled, his blade enveloped in hellfire, hurling black flames at Grayson. With an icy smirk, Grayson weaved through the assault, closing in with his glowing sword.

A white shockwave pierced the knight's armor, scattering shards of blackened metal. But the blow had not felled the knight; he simply pulled Grayson's sword from his flesh and tossed it aside.

"Those who have shed human blood... cannot... slay me..." The knight's voice echoed coldly as he discarded the silver sword and the scattered pieces of his armor were drawn back to his body with a dark miasma.

"Perhaps I should've let you have that stab, little one," Grayson said, picking himself up. "Are you not going to fight with all your might now?" Elyra asked, eyeing the knight, "Do it, and you can shred him!"

"No, you little fool. You don't understand what he fears. Even if I did, I couldn't kill him," Grayson shook his head, loaded with meaning.

Before Elyra could respond, the black knight summoned a spectral dragon with a shriek that tore through the valley, a black rift torn open above him. 

"This is... a Phantom Dragon!"

Shock and dread filled Grayson as the dragon's wail bore down, the amulet on his chest powerless against the encroaching fear. Elyra and Katheren both wailed in pain; the little owl tumbled from Grayson's shoulder, trembling on the ground, and Katheren curled up, her body wracked with terror.

"We can't let him succeed, the Phantom Dragon will destroy us all!" Grunting against the fear, Grayson darted forward, tackling the knight to the ground as the rift in the sky snapped shut.

Righting himself, the knight threw Grayson off and went for the killing blow. But gunshots rang out; the knight staggered, his blade hovering inches from Grayson's face. Two more shots struck true, leaving glowing holes in the knight's chest.

"You can't be killed by those who've shed human blood, but what about me, who never has?" Katheren called out, firing two silver bullets that pierced the knight's head.

The black knight let out a final cry, his presence dissipating into the night, leaving nothing but his armor behind.

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you!" Grayson exhaled, lying back on the ground.

Katheren, still shaken, helped Grayson up, "Are you okay?"

"Maybe you should've acted sooner," Grayson said, looking into her eyes, "but you saved my life. Thank you, my dear."

Her cheeks flushed at his words, she helped him to his feet, only to be interrupted by Elyra's voice, "What happened? Did the dumb girl do something right? That's not fair; I didn't even get a chance to show off!"

"You can still brag to the birds in the woods about killing a Death Knight," Grayson chuckled, holding his sword, "That's always been your style, hasn't it?"

"I'll take your advice!" Elyra chirped, perching on Grayson's shoulder.

As Grayson and Katheren shared a smile, they sat down to rest away from the black armor, while Elyra feasted on a piece of provision from Katheren.

"You just called him a Death Knight?" Katheren inquired after a sip of water, "What's that?"

Grayson glanced at the scattered black armor, "Death Knights are the vanguard warriors of the Vampire King, mighty undead beings from the Cursed Lands to the east. They have undying bodies and the power to summon Phantom Dragons."

"In the wars against the vampires, countless humans fell to them. Most soldiers couldn't kill them since they had blood on their hands, and the new recruits were paralyzed by mere sight of them."

"That's horrifying," Katheren gasped, "But what's he doing here?"

"I don't know. Death Knights haven't been seen since the Ghost King was sealed. His presence means the island is much more dangerous than Jaxton said. Perhaps he's hiding something, or maybe even he doesn't know the deeper secrets."

"Anyway, we might face even more danger ahead, with more Death Knights, or other fearsome undead or devils," Grayson said, looking at Katheren's uneasy face.

"Do you regret coming with me now?" 

"No!" Katheren shook her head without hesitation, gently grasping Grayson's hand, "I don't regret it. You saved my life, and I'll follow you wherever you go. I'm your little shadow, right?"

Grayson nodded with a knowing smile as Elyra, mouth full, mumbled, "And me! I'm not just a dumb girl's shadow!"

"We couldn't forget you, little troublemaker," Grayson and Katheren laughed together, until eerie whispers began to emanate from the other side of the valley.