Pale dawn light struggles through a blanket of storm clouds over the battlefield of Darkard. Sir Kieran stands at the front line, his silver armor dulled by mud and blood. He raises his sword and shouts, "We will not let darkness consume our homeland!" The cry echoes faintly among the knights—soldiers destined for doom.
From the swirling mist, the Shadow Legions emerge. Their blood-red blades hum with anticipation. Kieran charges forward with unwavering resolve, his blade cleaving steel and bone. A knight's helmet shatters against his gauntlet, and Kieran pushes on, convinced victory will be swift.
But in a heartbeat, agony sears through his side. He staggers as a poisoned dagger—thrown from the rear—finds its mark. Gasping, he nearly collapses, only to be propped upright by his closest comrades. Their eyes glint with false concern.
It is in that moment Kieran realizes the truth: their loyalty is a lie. They raise their weapons in unison, betrayal in every steel bar. The pain overwhelms him as he slips to his knees beneath a hail of cold metal.
Tears sting his eyes as the world fades. "Why…?" he whispers, voice hollow against the chaos. His heart falters, and at last, his lifeblood stains the earth.
Silence falls like an ancient tomb.
Before his final breath, a dark silhouette flickers at the edge of his vision. Seraphina—Goddess of Seduction—appears in a realm beyond mortal eyes. Her violet gaze burns with cruel delight. She watches Kieran's soul shatter, then tilts her head and murmurs:
"Let the Age of Temptation begin anew…"