TLOOS - The Fall of Soldin Solitaire 14/07/1495 IME

A VISION OF THE BEGINING

Touching the crystal in front of him, a surge of energy pulses through Soldin and he drops to the ground..... Standing upon a mountain of such immensity that the entire world seems to be laid in front of him, Soldin sees a view that no mortal has ever witnessed...Freiya. Unfettered, beautiful, vibrant; new. Large open planes filled with every manner of beast, thick lush forests teeming with birds and Lakes, Rivers and Seas alive with multitudes of water-born creatures.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
To the side of Soldin stands an old man, in simple robes, staring out at the land in front of him, long silver hair cascading down his shoulders and fluttering in the light breeze.
"I've never seen Freiya from up so high, it is indeed beautiful"
The old man smiles. "I’d like to say I had a hand in its creation but alas it was not me. I did seed it though... the first peoples of this land were mine."
Soldin's eyes stay fixed on the view "You must be very proud of what you have accomplished."
"Pride... an interesting emotion. Sometimes lost on us... You can do so many wonderful things that you take it all for granted, and forget how much it took out of you in the first place. I have no idea if Oghma was proud of this beautiful land, but I guess I was proud for him and, yes, proud of the beings I created to inhabit it."
The old man points out in the distance "Look, there is the first hatchling making its way forth into this new land."
Soldin's view seemed to magically zoom in on a grove within a forest... A group of eggs, each of a different colour sit in a clutch, surrounded by moss and leaves.
"If only she knew what awaited her people .... if only I had known." The old man's tone is sombre and introspect. "What is it I can do for you, Soldin?"
Soldin turns to look at the old man standing beside him quizzically; It’s as if he is unsure of who this is.
“I would hope you’d remember me by now Paladin, you pray to me enough.” The old man laughs openly. "I can take my true form should you wish? I just find a Titanic dragon might be somewhat... intimidating to mortal beings" Soldin shakes his head slowly
"Forgive me divine... It has been a taxing few days. Those hatchlings...were dragons the first to inhabit Frieya?" Looking back at the hatchling in the grove the old man moves his head slightly. “Of sorts... these younglings were my first creation; The Dragonborn. Created to bring draconic ideals and peace to a land before it could be tarnished. I wanted a Utopia and in this place I saw that..." As he speaks the view in front of them zooms out showing the land as a whole once more.
"But in my moment of “pride” I lost touch with the reality of who else would seek to subvert me." The old man drops his head, as if in shame, and in front of Soldin fires spring up in small thatched and wooded settlements across the panorama.
"Tribes would go missing, only to return as darkened husks of what they were. corrupted, fractious... evil."
The map zooms in again, and shows tribal Dragonborn fighting each other - No mercy is given and those that are no butchered and murdered are taken away into the dark.
"I managed to rally what tribes I could to contest her, but we were losing and my design was soon falling to ash within my own grasp...Ironically, it was the opening of the portal and the arrival of the orks that put an end to her plans. With no great power here she could only manipulate and subvert - But with the ork, primal, fierce, unyielding, she met her match. Many of the turned clans perished as the green skins carved out a place in the land for themselves."
“Those corrupted Dragonborn that remained left through the portal and, she did too.. for a while. There wasn't peace per se, Orks are more tribalistic than Dragonborn and so there was conflict - But it was not out of evil, or lust for destruction, but for survival and humanoid jealousy. I could live with that. My creations would learn the art of war from some of the greatest warriors in all the realms and both they and the orks would bring about a sort of balance to the land...”
Laughing to himself the old man says, feeling the irony of it all… “It was as if it was by design.”
"As much as I have grown to love all the races of this land, old and new. I fear the awakening was a pawn moved in a game of chess she never stopped playing."
A moment passes while both just look at the unfolding scenery in front of them. Soldin looks back to the old man.
"Divine... Why does Galandra  dream?"
“Because she is infected my boy... As so many others, in moments of weakness have been.”
"What will become of her?" Soldin replies
“A mist shrouds Galandra, even from me...If the darkness is not removed, then she will fall - And with the power within her she will become the embodiment of darkness in this land.. More so than any of her... Generals. It is this power, though, that keeps it in check, buttressing her against assault... She needs your help my boy, she needs all of your help"
Soldin feels an unease within himself.
"I took my oath, but her very presence conflicts with my words does it not? I will become the holy fire of Bahamut and rid this world of the cancer that has allowed to spread - If she has such evil within her... Should I not enact my oath?"
The old man, still looking out at the views in front of them starts to tell a story...

A LESSON LEARNED

"A blight once hit a land like this. A pestilence of apocalyptic proportions that looked to wipe out the entire population. Many contracted the disease, and it spread like dragon fire. Thousands died within the first month, thousands more in the months to come, and nothing seemed to be able to stop its’ spread..
The Queen of this land knew not only the pain of the loss of her people, but that of her children. She was determined to rid her land of the pestilence once and for all. She swore an oath that this blight would stop here, that she would be the one to stop it and so, with a heavy heart she had killed anyone who showed signs of it.
Bodies were burned, infected people and even those who were suspected of infection were murdered. The Queen told herself it was for the greater good of the land that this is what was needed to rid it of the blight... And it seemed to have worked. The spread stopped and eventually disappeared.. But at what cost? Her husband, her friends.. Loyal servants and retainers, farmers, merchants and more; All dead.
She was left in a land free of blight, but the cost was nearly too great. She rebuilt, encouraged commerce, had old lands resettled and for a time, the land started to heal the wounds of the past. But the blight returned, more people suffered, more people died - And yet again she did what was necessary.
With a second wave gone, she decided that the only way to deal with things was by force, by tyranny... Her people created the situation, and therefore it was up to her to shepherd them to safety - Even if that meant cruelty. She was, as she told herself, doing this for her people, and they should thank her. Despite this, the blight returned a third time. It was, though, only to affect her and so, true to her oath and her conviction in its’ righteousness, she did what she had to and killed herself...
Taking some time to study the look in Soldin's eye the old man continues. "Do you know what finally ended the blight? A cure.. A cure from a farm boy who had contracted the disease and lived. From him, they were able to vaccinate others, and soon the entire land was free from it forever. Burning out the cancer will delay its’ spread.. but it will not prevent it from coming back. Soldin. A cure is needed, and Galandra is part of that cure."
"Why would you accept my oath then divine? " Soldin says, with a touch of annoyance in his voice "Is that why you have summoned me here? Has my oath displeased you?"
The old man smiles softly and looks back in front of him... "I do believe my boy, you swore it to Lady Tont, not me."
Standing in the Babbling Bat, Soldin sees himself walking over to Lady Athea Tont, and taking her by the hand...
"My name is Soldin Solitaire, and on this day I swear an oath. Where once you had justice in these lands, I see only chaos and corruption. I will become the holy fire of Bahamut and rid this world of the cancer that has allowed to spread. I will burn, root and stem the evil of these lands. I pledge to stay my blade against the innocent. I pledge to deliver justice to corrupted I pledge to remain honest and truthful to avoid more injustice. I pledge myself to the devotion of Bahamut I pledge myself here and now to become the first dragon knight." ... The scene freezes...
"I want you to think upon this oath." The voice of the old man says to him.
“‘I will become the holy fire of Bahamut and rid this world of the cancer that has allowed to spread’....... How do you defeat cancer Soldin?”
“I will burn, root and stem the evil of these lands’. And who is evil?”
“I pledge to stay my blade against the innocent...’ Is Galandra not innocent?
“I pledge to deliver justice to the corrupted.’ She may have darkness in her, but is she corrupt?”
“I pledge to remain honest and truthful to avoid more injustice.’ Have you always remained truthful and honest my boy?”
“I pledge myself to the devotion of Bahamut....’ To be devoted to me is to follow my teachings, is it not? Don’t be the Queen in my story, be the farmer boy. Many shine light and cast shadows... That does not mean they live in darkness."
Looking ashamed, Soldin looks down... "Have... I failed you divine?"
"No child, you are still learning… The lesson is never finished. I see greatness in you, as I do in her... I wouldn't have chosen you otherwise." 
As the old man speaks Soldin is snapped back to the mountain top, which begins to shake. “What is this?!” Soldin losing his footing falls over, the land in front of him starts to turn black, the sky cracks... ashen embers start to burn his tabard and skin.

THE CORRUPTION IS HERE

“He hasn't shown you everything Soldin... Solitaire” a serpentine voice hisses. It was I who called you here.. so you can see the truth of your folly."
Soldin pulls himself to his feet - The old man is gone, and he is alone on the mountainside. A vision of battle appears in front of him; He unsheathes Huthwei’s Bane. and charges forward…
A voice calls out to him “Sir , wake up... please?” But he ignores it, and carries on. In front of him he sees his companions, his friends, fighting against an unrelenting horde. Managing to fight through a blurred mess of shadowy enemies, the Paladin starts taking blows from the left and right... But he sees him now... He sees his target.
Clad in black armour, an angel of death and destruction stands as if he had no care for the battle raging around him. He looks at the Paladin advancing upon him, and with a single motion of his hand, he holds him still. More blows rain down on him, breaking armour, stabbing, biting... Bludgeoning.
Lying on the floor of the sanctum, Soldin starts to spit blood.
“Help! Please help! Someone!!" Gregor shouts in panic. Soldin fights to return control of himself ... He must end him.
The old man's voice breaks through the din of battle.
“Soldin, you must snap out of this - She is going to kill you!” Soldin ignores the voice, and grips Huthwei's Bane tightly. He spits out a wad of blood from his mouth and shouts
"I... Am the divine’s... Justicar and... I… Seek… Justice!"
Using all the power that he can muster, he pushes back on the force that holds him in place and strides forward. A spear lances into him in the side. The armoured figure in front watches as the Paladin struggles towards him...
Soldin's eye glows with the power within him, Huthwei’s Bane shines a light as if a beacon in the darkness...
“Soldin, do not do this.. Fight it my boy! “
He swings his sword with all his might, but just as it is to connect he feels choked. The armoured figure looks at him with amusement, and squeezes ...
(Soldin's body on the Temple floor starts to convulse as Gregor screams for help)
Hearing the screams, Galandra runs back inside and heads straight to Soldin's side. Calmly she ushers Gregor aside, shuts her eyes and starts trying to break her friend from the spell. Glimpses of the battle flash before her, and she winces at the pain.. She is not alone, another soul is here, not malevolent but confused, scared even – He is unsure of what he sees before him.
Eyes still shut, Galandra tries to ignore the interloper and focus on her friend…
"I am here Soldin. Come back to us, you are not alone, I see you, I have you. The Darkness does not control you "
Burning bright light emanates from every inch of Galandra's body as she tries to awaken her friend to rescue him from this nightmare.
"We are the good, and forever shall be the good!" Galandra shouts in anguish.
"My lady, I don’t know what is happening to him..." Gregor sobs beside the body of his liege "Come back to us Soldin.. Fight for the light!"
“This is my gift to you Paladin... Watch as they die!”
The armoured figure holds another by their throat, as he looks down and grins at the helpless warrior. Galandra still is unable to bring him back - She shouts to the figure in the dream to aid her, but he is transfixed as well.
"My Lord Bahamut , please aid us, please protect our friend from this vision."
Galandra starts to pray and, to her surprise, so does Lance , who had come in with the others but felt helpless to deal with the situation.
Under his breath, he says "Come on old man, show your hand if this boy is really your representative."
The face of the armoured figure, and his victim are obscured ... They dangle there, helpless, choking.
“R..rr..un…”
The armoured figure looks at his victim and laughs... The Deacon enters the chamber and sees the site of the warrior lying prone beside the sacred crystal, cracked and becoming cloudy with what looks like blood.
"You all must leave now. Galandra, stay here and pray with me!"
The battlefield shakes once more, and the sky rips open .. Wind sweeps the field. The armoured figured looks up at the wound in the sky, and grins maliciously. He slowly, methodically starts to disembowel the victim in his clutches, as if cutting through butter with a warm knife.
“I..i...m s..as..or..ry" The victim gurgles, as his entrails fall to the dirt below him, blood and viscera slashing his face.
The group in the Temple stand motionless, unable to tear themselves away from their comrade...
“You must all leave, please!?” The Deacon begs.
Galandra looks up at them all, tears in her eyes...
" I can't, I can't reach him."
"Damnit, you stupid, arrogant ass. Grit your teeth and wake up!" Lance shouts at Soldin’s motionless body. Nothing happens.
Tharivol  puts his hand on Lance's shoulder, and says "We must leave, we are doing little to aid this matter and much to hinder it."
Draken  , looking readying his axe and looking at the crystal is stayed by Thomas  who shakes his head. "Tharivol is right my friend we must go."
Thomas, Tharivol, Draken and Lance leave the shrine, leaving Galandra and the Deacon to pray by Soldin's side.
Dropping the body, neck broken and body destroyed, he sees the destroyed face looking at him...oh gods, he knows this face he loved this face…
The armoured figure looks at the corpse and then at the Paladin.
"This is your end."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Galandra glimpses the second figure again.
"There is someone in here with him."
"I know child, " the deacon says, "concentrate, we must pull him out before it is too late."
Soldin sits by a boulder, bleeding, and the armoured figure walks off as darkness falls on the battlefield.
"It’s ok Soldin, don’t be afraid of the dark - I will protect you."

SOLDIN GOES HOME

Soldin looks up, and sees his mother, so beautiful, kind and holding out her hand.
"Your father waits, come"
"Father..." Soldin says weakly. His mother reaches out her hand.
"Come, the war is over." Soldin nods and takes his mother’s hand. Within the temple, Soldin convulses one last time and is still, his eyes open and a smile on his face. Sitting in his home village looking out at the coast was always his favourite thing to do as a child. Cuddled in to his mother, waiting for his father to return with the boats.
It made him smile to think of that, when he was truly happiest.
"Come on Soldin, you don’t want to miss your father coming in on the boats, do you?"
Soldin, but 5 years of age and with a stick he uses as a sword, runs after his mother...
"Coming mother!"
He gets closer to the village wharf, and he sees another armoured man looking at him - Not an evil creature, but one of light, saddened by what he has just witnessed. The young Soldin holds out a bright, luminescent shell and says...
"I never left here, you know - I died when my family died, my place is here. Remember what you witnessed, find my sister and protect my friends from this nightmare. It will not be me any longer but It could be you."
Valishul  , looks at the young boy "I don’t know why I have been chosen, but I promise you that I will find your sister, protect her, and your friends - I swear on it"
The little boy holds out the shell "A gift from the Deacon, but it is not one I can take. It is yours now, protect it." As Val takes the shell, a sharp warm pain flashes through him, filling up all the empty space within his consciousness... He awakes at the altar of Marduk, where he had set himself to prayer but a few moments before.
"Come on Soldin, hurry now." Looking at Galandra, chanting over him he squeezes her hand
"it is over, my friend - I am going home. Tell the others. I will wait for them… I will wait for you."
"No, please.. Soldin, please don’t go..." Galandra's tears cascaded down her cheeks as she speaks, but deep down she knows the decision is made. Soldin gives her one last smile, and then closes his eyes for the last time.
It is a warm day in his village, the fishing boats are on their way back, and Soldin walks with his mother to meet them. He thinks to himself about what the future will hold for him, but hopes that he will never leave this place.
He runs off in front of his mother, swishing around with his stick and laughing as he makes his way to the harbour to see his father’s return.

Knight and a ghost by Karlsimon