Advancement

Wald's eyes slowly fluttered open, his head throbbing with pain and his vision blurry. As he tried to move, a cold, solid steel restrained him, binding his arms tightly behind him. He groaned in slight pain while he struggled to move and make sense of his surroundings, eventually realizing where he was.

"...Unhand me, you lunatics! Release me from these rusty chains!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with anger and desperation as he strained against the unyielding metal that held him captive.

The shackle around his neck cuts off his breath, making him choke and cough, and the shackles on his feet made him stumble as he struggled to rise up.

As he continued to shout and squirm in his restraints, the chains clanked loudly against the walls of the small and dark dungeon.

Wald's cries echoed through the empty corridors of the place. He shouted until his throat was raw and his voice grew rougher, hoping that someone would hear his voice.

Outside the dungeon, the guards posted at the entrance heard the noises coming from below. The two of them gave each other quick glances before they made their way down. As they approached the cell where the noise was coming from, they could hear the sound of Wald's curses and insults ringing out in the darkness.

Upon seeing the faces of the guards, Wald chuckled like a maniac while he gritted his teeth. "Hahaha! Woe be to you, minions of Gods! Release me from these chains at once!"

Wald's unsettling remarks made the guards uneasy, but since Wald was incarcerated like a dog barking in its leash, the guards attempted to sound more authoritative. "Silence, cur. Your barks hurts my ears," one of the guards sneered, his hand tightening around his spear.

"You are an enemy of the kingdom, traitor. The punishment for your crimes shall be decided by the will of the Gods," another one added.

With a snarl of anger, Wald continued to hurl insults and curses at the knight guards, "Gods this, Gods that. Tell your Gods to die! You slaves of the Gods, keep bowing your heads to the ground like the obedient bastards you are!"

The guards grew increasingly annoyed at Wald's barks. Soon, they unlocked the metal bars and entered his cell. Wald persisted in taunting them even as they drew closer.

But his defiance was short-lived as the knights fell upon him with strong blows, their metally clad fists and boots raining down upon him with brutal force.

"Blasphemous! How dare you speak such impious words, you miserable hound!" one of the knights retorted, his voice laced with contempt. "You shall learn to show proper reverence to your superiors, else you shall suffer the direst retribution!"

Wald withstood the barrage of punches and kicks thrown his way. Blood trickled down his face as he took all the hits on his face, his body taking all the brunt. While the knights repeatedly threw their punches and kicks, he strained against the chains that bound him, trying to break free even if his hands were to break.

Finally, with a sudden burst of strength, he broke free from the chains that had been holding him captive. The sound of metal clanking against the stone floor as Wald pulled the chains along the walls echoed through the dungeon. With a fierce roar, he lunged forward.

The guards were caught off guard as Wald lunged at them with fury. He landed several blows on one guard, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Breaking the other chain on his right arm with sheer force, he pummeled them with his bare fists, using his chains as makeshift weapons to bludgeon them into the ground.

"Kyaak!"

The guard tried to scream but Wald manages to shut him up by smashing his face on the ground repeatedly. He then mounted the helpless knight and continued to pummel his face with his bare fists.

With each blow, the sound of his bare fists against the metal reverberated off the stone walls of the dungeon. His punches were like a battering ram, unrelenting and powerful. That the knight's helmet provided little protection against the force of the blows, and soon it was dented and crushed, breaking his face along his metal clad.

"B-By the gods' name, you will regret this, you vile demon!" amidst the chaos, the other knight bellowed in fear, unable to take a single step forward.

Hearing the knight's bellow, Wald ceased his barrage of punches on the guard that laid presumably dead on the ground, his bloodied fists hovering in the air. With a short pause, he suddenly lunged forward again, with the intent of grasping the guard with his blood-streaked hands.

The knight stumbled back in terror, but he was fortunate that the chains on Wald's feet had prevented him from reaching him. Seizing the opportunity, the knight scrambled to his feet and fled to alert the other knights outside of the dungeon.

Panting heavily, Wald stared at the ceiling, feeling hopeless and tired. He looked at the chains on his feet while he reasoned to himself that even if he was to break free from the shackles, he won't have a chance to get pass through the numbers of guards outside, especially not in his current state.

'Never mind. I shall just take these wretches with me to the afterlife!!'

Using his raw strength, Wald broke the shackles that bound both of his feet, the sound of clinking metal echoing through the dungeon. He could hear the growing clamor of footsteps and shouts as the knights approached his cell.

As he stood up, Wald readied himself for what was to come. As he walked out of his cell, guards were already waiting, surrounding him on all sides.

'Come and fight, you minions!'

...

The clamor of panicked knights drew the attention of those within the fortress walls. The men nearby quickly readied their weapons and shields as they heard the sounds of commotion coming from the dungeon below.

Randal and Kaelsa rushed to the scene to see what was happening. "What's the meaning of this?" Randal demanded to know.

One of the knights replied that the Skogzgard knight, who had been taken prisoner yesterday by the Winthrope group, had gone on a rampage first thing he woke up.

As Randal and the knight conversed about the situation, the screams and shouts grew louder. The metallic clang of weapons striking each other could be heard, giving a clear indication of the chaos that was ocurring below.

"Kaelsa, could you inform both of the Commander of this dire situation?" Randal requested after his discussion with the knight guard.

Kaelsa nodded before he hastened towards the keep. Each of his footsteps thudding against the cold, stone floor of the great hall.

The hallway was vast and bright for the sunlight pierced through the large windows and shone over the floor. He looked up and saw the high ceilings and tall arches that towered above him in awe. It was so quiet that the sound of his footsteps echoed throughout the entire hallway, making him feel as though he was the only person inside.

Shifting his attention back to his task, Kaelsa hurriedly walked towards Varus' office. As he reached the door and realized they weren't there, he approached the guards patrolling the hallway.

Kaelsa approached them and asked, "Do you know where Commander Pendragon is, sirs?"

The guards looked at each other before one of them spoke up, "He left not too long ago. However, we are not sure where he went."

Disappointed, he thanked the guards and continued walking down the hallway, hoping to find Varus.

'Maybe he left with the third commander to take a short stroll around the keep,' Kaelsa thought to himself as he passed by the tapestries and lit torches that lined the walls.

As he walked further down the hallway, he could see the near end of the great hall. Walking further, he finally heard a distinct voice that caused him to quicken his pace. He walked with a sense of urgency until he finally caught sight of Gallahan in the middle of the hall, but then came to an abrupt halt as he saw someone was kneeling before him.

He stood still besides the wall, his ear attuned to the sound of the conversation. He knew that it was considered impolite to eavesdrop, but he could not help but listen as his curiosity piqued.

He justified his actions by reminding himself of his duty to inform Gallahan of the recent happenings within the fortress and that he was just waiting for them to finish.

"Your actions are a grievous transgression!" exclaimed Gallahan, as Mikail knelt before him in the great hall. "Your rash and ill-considered action result in the needless deaths of your fellow knights, and now you raised your hand against a respected captain of the Dreadmoore."

Mikail hung down his head in shame, aware of the severity of his mistake. "I acted impulsively, my lord," he said, his voice low and remorseful. "I allowed my anger to cloud my judgement, and I deeply regret the consequences of my actions."

Gallahan lets out a heavy sigh, his eyes showed disappointment and concern. "I know that you did not intend to cause harm, Mikail," he said, his voice softening. "But to be a respectable knight, you must learn to control your emotions and act with discipline and honor at all times."

Gallahan was taken aback when Mikail suddenly dropped his sword and prostrated himself before him. "I beg your forgiveness, my lord," he pleaded, his forehead touching the ground. "I beg of you not to strip me of my knighthood."

Gallahan was taken aback by Mikail's sudden act of contrition. He cleared his throat and said, "Raise your head, Mikail."

"Fear not, Mikail. Though your actions were rash and unbecoming of a knight, you have been a valuable member of our knighthood, and I have no intention of casting you aside. You know, I see great potential in you, and I believe that you will rise above this and become an even greater knight in the future."

"T-Thank you, sir."

"I know you feel a deep sense of responsibility for the death of your comrades, particularly Sigfred's. It is natural to feel anger and grief in such a situation," Gallahan continued, his expression stern yet understanding.

Mikail hung his head again, his emotions still raw whenever he heard Sigfred's name mentioned. However, he forced himself to make eye contact with Gallahan, determined to listen to what the he had to say.

"But I did not summon you here to lecture you, Mikail," Gallahan said.

"...Then what must you need of me, sir?"

"I am here to offer you something—an opportunity. But I must warn you, it is a heavy burden that requires great responsibility."

"Yes... my lord," Mikail's voice sounded confused as he responded.

"Mikail of Winthrope knights." Gallahan used his sword and tapped the tip of the blade on Mikail's shoulder.

"By the honor and grace of the gods, and by the authority vested upon me as your commander; I bestow upon thee this title. May you continue the legacy left by the late Sir Sigfred Lee, and uphold the principles of honor, courage, and unwavering dedication to our honorable cause."

"This is in recognition of thy valor, bravery, and unwavering dedication to our cause. Kneel before me, Mikail, and receive this new mantle of leadership with humility and steadfastness, knowing that it comes with great responsibility and accountability."

"I, Gallahan Wallace, hereby declare you, Mikail Hann Cynesige Winthrope, as the new second captain of the Winthrope knights."

"...!" Kaelsa couldn't believe what he had heard.

"Arise now, Captain Mikail, and lead our knights with honor and integrity, ever vigilant and true to our code of chivalry."

Mikail felt his heart swell with gratitude as he knelt before Gallahan. The tapping of the sword on his shoulder felt weighty, like an immense responsibility had been placed upon him. He listened intently to Gallahan's words, feeling the weight of the honor bestowed upon him.

"It is my utmost respect to accept this honor," Mikail spoke with a quiver in his voice, "I will dedicate my life to serving the Winthropes and continue the legacy of Sir Lee."

Gallahan smiled, pleased with his response. "Very well, then. You are dismissed, captain Mikail."

Mikail stood there, feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride within himself. As he made his way back to the barracks, he noticed Kaelsa standing by, looking at the ground. He didn't mutter anything, not even an eye contact.

Mikail tried to ignore him, but he could feel the animosity coming off of Kaelsa in waves.

"..."

Kaelsa just stood there silent, his heart was full of bitterness and rage. All these years he had worked hard to earn Gallahan's recognition; but it had been easily taken away from him from someone so insignificant like Mikail.

He gritted his teeth before he bit his lower lip. He clenched his fists with his eyes that are threatening to bulge out.