Failed Hope

{As a mage I was, I sought power and power begat evil.}

….

The ground cracked under the landing force of Sharen. His eyes burned yellow with magical energy and he felt his heart race. The people cheered for him and it pumped him up. With a thought, he called the system, 'System, double magical output!'

**magical output doubled**

Sharen stood, glaring at the three Knights who faced him with equal tenacity. Sharen conjured a sphere of crackling energy mass by weaving a few spells together. With a howling voice, he said, "Leave Samak now!"

"Sharen, the mage…" one of the Knights chuckled.

The other added, "I was beginning to think that you had fled the village."

"You wanted me," Sharen still had his eyes on them. "I'm here."

The Knights remained silent, regarding him with their pale eyes, their knitted lips didn't move yet they spoke. "You seek to fight us, mage?"

"If you don't leave now," Sharen made the energy mass he'd conjured flare. "I'll end all of you!"

His heart beat faster and his stomach turned as he made those proclamations. The people cheered, believing his words. He felt stupid for making himself out to be their hero. He hoped that the Knights would turn away and leave, taking him to be the most powerful mage the news made him out to be yet he knew that that was a fantasy.

Even with the system's help, Sharen knew that he was no match for three Shattered Knights.

"You have made yourself great in their eyes," the Knight said stoically. "But it's time you embraced your true nature. You're one of us and meant to serve the Holy Emperor."

That name irritated Sharen beyond words for it brought with it the memory of the destruction of his home, Dulhe. "In the name of the gods, I defy the Holy Emperor!"

"Blasphemy!" the Knight stepped off the platform for the first time since they arrived. "You dare curse the Holy Emperor?"

"Leave Samak, now!" Sharen flared his magical energy letting it swamp the area, dampening the effects of the Knight's spells. Their lights dimmed but it was still enough for him to see the people at the square.

The Knight put his hand out and a strong force slammed Sharen back, throwing him to the floor. He rolled up with a groan; his ears rang as he struggled to stand. Another wave threw him down again with enough force to break bones. Sharen felt a few bones snap yet he didn't stay down.

The Knight stopped in front of him with a raised hand. "If you will not come with us willingly then we'll take you as a prisoner."

The air crackled and flashes of lightning formed around Sharen, swirling like a tempest. It churned and reeked of power and magical energy. The Knight smiled and said, "You really want to fight us? We could destroy this village in such a fight."

Sharen paused. That one statement brought him to his senses. What had he thought he was doing? Had he thought that he could fight them? He was not even half as powerful as they were and even if he did fight them, Samak would suffer greatly.

Sharen dispelled his spells and looked at the three Knights who stood with their red robes fluttering in the evening breeze. "If I follow you, will you leave the village alone?"

The Knight nodded. "We want you and no one else."

Sharen held out his hand. "Then leave Samak alone."

The Knight nodded and with a wave of his hand, blue lines formed around Sharen's wrists and feet. The lines took form and shape, turning into chains that bound him tightly. Sharen winced as the metal of the chain bore through his skin, piercing as if to split his hands apart.

Then the fiery barricade that enveloped the square parted revealing a young woman with a drawn sword rushing towards the platform. Behind her was a man with grizzly beard.

The Shattered Knights turned to the woman, their emotionless eyes dilating in surprise. "Another mage!"

Narene whipped her sword, standing next to Sharen. "If you must take him then you must take me too!"

"What are you doing, Narene?" Sharen looked at her with a worried gaze. Why wasn't she smart enough to stay where she had been? Why hadn't she been contented to save her own life? Sharen, once again, felt that she was responsible for her actions. He had given her too much hope.

At the thought of giving Narene hope, he felt that strange urge to kiss her again. The urge came over him in waves and it only intensified. He looked away, gasping for breath.

"You're my master," Narene said with a resolute voice. "Where you go, I go."

Sharen didn't know if it was devotion or just her way of showing off but he felt happy that there was someone who was willing to burn with him in hell. The whole of Samak had shown him the love of a family and he had his mind set to return the favour.

He would follow the Shattered Knights and keep them safe.

Chains materialised around Narene's wrists and legs and she grimaced as they wound tight. Khlen rushed up to the platform, his face showing panic. "Sharen!"

"Stay back, Khlen!" Sharen warned and the Knights turned to the man who kept rushing towards the platform.

"Leave him alone!" Khlen yelled, rushing forward.

"Very well," the Knight turned, sending the back of his palm at Khlen's face. The slap twisted his neck and he fell limp. When he fell and rolled over, Sharen saw that the blow had melted away half his face. Khlen was dead.

Sharen watched, speechlessly. His anger burned again and he roared yet there was nothing he could do. The villagers gasped and some sobbed, hiding their faces in horror.

Sharen couldn't look at any of them for he felt he had failed them all. What hero doesn't stand up for his people? What hero surrenders in front of the people who adore him? Would they even see him as a hero anymore?

Sharen sighed. He was no hero and he never was. It was all just the people's way of getting hope and he was sorry for getting their hopes up. With him gone, the village would be open to the attacks of beasts.

A man stood at the front of the crowd, tears streaming down his face. He called out, "'Rene! What have you done?"

Narene glanced at the man and looked away as well. "I'm sorry, father, but I am a mage and I have to be one to the end."

Jerus wiped his reddened eyes. The chains were yanked and Sharen together with Narene were pulled along by the Knights. They led them towards the fiery barricade and when they neared it, the flames died away and the spell was dispersed.

They tied Sharen to the horses they had come with. Sharen was surprised that they'd come with horses. How had they been able to get to Samak so fast?

The Knights mounted the horses then kicked them and they galloped away, dragging the prisoners along. Stones cut into Sharen's feet but he endured, gritting his teeth. The pain didn't hurt yet the feeling that he had left the people of Samak without hope crushed him.