The sun was slowly vanishing behind the rickety wooden houses. Dusk had come and darkness was slowly creeping in. She rode next to her trusted bodyguard James. Knowing deep inside that he would protect her from anything the darkness could conjure up. The sky grew into an ominous starless black., torches flickered nervously, casting vicious shadows over the walls. The streets were silent except for the sounds of the horse's hooves hitting the stone pavement. Her horse stops suddenly and neighs frightfully. James rides a few paces further holding out his torch to see. A deafening explosion is heard and she is blinded momentarily. She could feel the flames licking her clothing and scorching her bare skin. She felt as if she were flying, only to hit the ground hard. Her eyes finally adjust to the new light and she opens them. Her horse lie a few paces away, charred beyond recognition. James was up however, he and his armor were scarred by the flames. He was yelling something to her. Yet she heard not a sound. She reached down grasping at her magical stone. She taps it several times, trying to get aid. Yet the stone does not respond. The flames around them die down and her eyes land on the most horrible vision. A man walked from the source of the explosion, dressed in armor made entirely of bone and the flesh of his victims. James yells to her once more and moves to block the way of the vile creature.
The bone covered man grins, his filed teeth gleaming in the light of the fire. James attacked quickly bringing his blade down onto the head of the man. Another bright flash occurs. When she could see again James was struggling to keep his blade up. The wicked man held a sword, one made entirely of darkness, a black cloud in the shape of a sword. After putting all his strength to block the dark wraith of the weapon he does not notice the second blade. A small featureless dagger slipped out of the man's sleeve and headed for James gut. She yells out, straining to get to her feet. Until she realized, her legs were pinned by a fallen beam. Then all goes in slow motion. The small dagger plunges into James stomach. Shocking him just enough to lower his strength for a moment. A moment was all that was needed, his blade is turned aside and the horrible blade cleanly severs his head. The man kicks the corpse to the ground and cackles madly. He turns slowly towards her and removes his depraved helmet.
It was Wulf, the one she had banished from her kingdom, a man corrupted too far by his own hatred, a thorn in her side gone worse. He stalks towards her, her mind works quickly and she begins to talk her way out of things; trying to make some sort of agreement as she normally did. He does not respond, only raises his blade to strike her down. A voice rings out through the unnatural silence and her eyes dart to a figure behind Wulf. He was armored for battle, the metals black as the sky, he held a strange scimitar, it too was black, jagged teeth lining the blade. Wulf turns to the man and growls, slashing his blade at the newcomer. The attack was reflected skillfully and the dark blade seemed to flicker as the two swords collided. The two men fight, their movements graceful and dangerous. Not a single sword reaching it's destination. Until that jagged blade bit deep into Wulf's armor, cutting through it like paper and slicing his arm off. Wulf let out an ear-piercing scream of pain and rage, and vanished.
Suddenly she was once again afraid. Had she been rescued only to be killed? The stranger strode to her side. She clenches her eyes shut waiting for death to take her. Yet all she felt was a weight being lifted from her legs. She opened her eyes again and saw a hand lowered to help her up. She takes it hesitantly, unsure of the man's intent. She soon saw he held something else in his hands. Offering it to her, it was a black rose.
She takes it looking up to his face, only to see his helmet and two glowing orbs staring down at her. She carefully raises her hands to remove the helmet, suddenly curious about her savior. A small click was heard and it comes loose, she slowly began to lift it and.... Awoke in her bed, her clothes clinging and wet with her sweat. It was all a dream.. she turned her head stretching the sleep away... and saw a black rose lying on her pillow......