Plague Of Shadows

Annalise wakes to an empty bed, the lingering echoes of her vision still fresh in her mind. Her heart pounds as the realization settles in—if they don't make it to Leandria Fortress, everyone here will die. But how could she convince Ethan? Would he believe her? Or would he think she had gone mad?

The room is dimly lit by the morning sun creeping through the curtains, casting long shadows along the grand chamber's stone walls. The scent of lavender from last night's bath lingers, but it does nothing to calm the storm in her chest. Sitting up, she presses her trembling hands to her face, willing the panic away.

She knows there is no choice but to try. Ethan is their leader, and if she is to guide them to survival, she must find a way to make him listen. But first, she needs to regain her composure.

A soft knock at the door breaks the silence. Before Annalise can respond, the door creaks open slightly, and a young maid steps in, her eyes widening in surprise.

"My lady! I didn't know you were awake yet. I-I came to prepare your morning tea."

Annalise quickly gathers herself, schooling her expression into calmness. "It's fine. Please, prepare a bath for me instead."

The girl nods quickly and hurries away, leaving Annalise alone once more. As she waits, she gathers her thoughts. Where was Ethan? She needed to find him immediately.

When the maid returns, Annalise steps into the warm bath, letting the water soothe her tension. "Where is the Duke?" she asks as the maid brushes scented oils into her hair.

"At the training grounds, my lady. He is overseeing the morning drills with the knights."

That was all Annalise needed to hear.

Once ready, Annalise wastes no time. Dressed in a practical riding dress and boots, she strides toward the training grounds, the cool morning air helping clear her mind. The scent of metal and sweat grows stronger as she approaches, the sounds of clashing swords and shouted orders filling the air.

As she steps into the vast courtyard, her breath catches in her throat. She sees them—the knights from her vision.

Understanding the Obsidian Vanguard

The sight before her is mesmerizing. The knights move with deadly precision, executing coordinated attacks that speak of years of relentless training. She had never paid attention to them before. When she was a maid, they were mere shadows in the halls, silent protectors of the estate. But now, as the Duchess of Vornhart, she understands their significance. It was mandatory for the Duchess of Vornhart to know how the Obsidian Vanguard came to be and everything about them.

Origins & Reputation

Founded by Ethan's ancestors, the Obsidian Vanguard had existed for centuries, originally a secretive warrior order sworn to House Vornhart.

Over time, they evolved into an elite military force specializing in black ops, espionage, and battlefield supremacy.

Feared by their enemies and respected by allies, the knights of the Vanguard wore obsidian-black armor infused with enchantments, making them highly resistant to both magic and physical attacks.

Unlike other military orders that swore fealty to the empire or the royal family, the Vanguard was loyal only to Ethan. This loyalty had led to suspicions that they might one day serve as his personal army if he ever chose to rebel.

Structure & Ranks

Commander of the Vanguard – "The Obsidian Warden"

The highest rank, given to the leader of the Vanguard, answering only to Ethan.

Current Holder: Sir Aldric Vale—a battle-hardened warrior feared across the empire.

Knight-Captains (The Four Black Lords)

The four highest-ranking knights, each specializing in a different aspect of warfare. They serve as both advisors and leaders of specialized divisions.

Knight-Elites (The Raven Guard)

The elite warriors of the Vanguard, trained in combat, espionage, and assassination. They execute Ethan's most sensitive missions.

Knight-Apprentices (Shadows-in-Training)

Recruits undergoing brutal training to earn their place. Only 1 in 10 survive the trials, making knighthood in the Vanguard a rare and deadly honor.

Notable Members of the Vanguard & Their Aura Attributes

Sir Aldric Vale – "The Obsidian Warden"

Age: 42

Personality: Stoic, unyielding, and fiercely loyal to Ethan. He believes Ethan is the last hope for the empire.

Appearance: A towering figure with grizzled black hair, piercing golden eyes, and a scar across his face.

Abilities: Master strategist and swordsman, possessing a powerful Water Attribute Aura that makes his body nearly indestructible.

Lady Seraphine "The Phantom Blade"

Age: 28

Personality: Mysterious, pragmatic, and merciless. Prefers eliminating threats before they strike.

Abilities: Shadow Attribute Aura, enabling silent movement and phased strikes.

Sir Garrick "The Iron Bastion"

Age: 35

Personality: Boisterous and battle-hungry, yet fiercely protective of his comrades.

Abilities: Earth Aura grants him superhuman strength and defensive capabilities.

Sir Lucian "The Silver Reaper"

Age: 30

Personality: Elegant and calculating, favoring wit over brute force.

Abilities: Electric Attribute Aura that enhances his reflexes.

Awakening Aura

When a knight reaches a certain level of mastery—typically after years of rigorous training, battle experience, and personal growth—they unlock their Awakening Aura. This aura is a raw manifestation of their inner strength, enhancing their physical abilities, combat instincts, and resilience. A knight with an awakened aura gains increased speed, strength, and heightened perception, allowing them to sense the movements and intents of their opponents in battle. Their strikes become sharper, their endurance seemingly limitless, and their presence exudes an undeniable pressure that can intimidate lesser warriors.

However, this is only the first stage of true power. The real transformation occurs when an awakened knight ascends to the Swordmaster Level.

Unique Aura Attributes – The Pinnacle of Power

A knight who has already awakened their aura and then advances to Swordmaster Level undergoes a second, far more profound transformation: the manifestation of a Unique Aura Attribute. This attribute grants them mastery over a specific elemental or conceptual force, further refining their combat style and abilities. Each knight's aura attribute is deeply connected to their personality, combat philosophy, and spiritual alignment, making no two swordmasters exactly alike.

Some examples of Unique Aura Attributes include:

Fire Aura – Grants enhanced speed, explosive strikes, and the ability to ignite weapons or surroundings in flames. The wielder's fury burns through defenses, making their attacks relentless and devastating.

Water Aura – Embodies fluidity, adaptability, and precision. Knights with this attribute can move like a flowing river, making their strikes unpredictable and their defenses nearly impenetrable. Some even manipulate moisture to a degree, creating mist or coating their blade in water for enhanced cutting power.

Earth Aura – Represents unwavering defense and overwhelming strength. A knight with an Earth Aura can fortify their body like stone, endure powerful blows, and deliver crushing attacks that shake the ground beneath them.

Wind Aura – Enhances agility, speed, and precision. A swordmaster with a Wind Aura moves like a tempest, their blade swift and unpredictable, capable of cutting through opponents before they can react.

Lightning Aura – Increases reaction time and attack speed to supernatural levels. Lightning-affiliated knights strike with sudden, electrifying force, overwhelming foes before they can even mount a defense.

Shadow Aura – A rare and feared attribute, granting the ability to blend into darkness, strike unseen, and invoke illusions or fear in their enemies. Shadow-affiliated knights are deadly assassins, capable of vanishing mid-battle.

Light Aura – The embodiment of purity and precision, offering unparalleled clarity of vision, enhanced reaction speed, and the ability to dispel darkness and illusions. Knights with Light Aura often become legendary figures of justice and heroism.

The manifestation of a knight's Unique Aura Attribute is not only a sign of power but also a reflection of their soul. Some knights undergo trials or deep introspection before their aura attribute fully awakens, while others find their attribute emerging in the heat of battle, in response to a life-or-death moment.

Beyond mere elemental manipulation, some swordmasters develop hybrid attributes or even more abstract concepts, such as Gravity Aura, Blood Aura, or Celestial Aura, each with its own distinct advantages.

 Weapons of the Vanguard

Aura Guns, Swords and Aura Bombs

Aura Guns

A fusion of science and magic, these firearms channel the wielder's aura into devastating projectiles. Core Mechanics:

Power Source – Mana Crystal: A refined mana crystal serves as the gun's core, acting like a battery and a conduit for aura. The crystal absorbs mana from the wielder or recharges passively over time. High-grade crystals can store more energy, affecting the gun's capacity and firepower.

Aura Conversion – Bullet Formation: The gun condenses aura into projectiles upon pulling the trigger. The density, shape, and speed of the aura bullets depend on the wielder's aura control.

Some guns might have a chamber that pre-loads aura bullets for rapid fire.

Types of Shots:

Basic Shot: A standard bullet-sized aura projectile, fast and efficient.

Charged Shot: Holding the trigger condenses more aura for a stronger, slower blast.

Burst Mode: A quick succession of lower-power shots for crowd control.

Elemental Infusion: If the wielder has elemental affinity, the bullets can take on fire, ice, lightning, etc.

Limitations & Drawbacks:

Overheating: Too much continuous fire overheats the mana crystal, requiring cooldown time.

Aura Drain: Users with weak aura reserves can tire quickly.

Crack Risk: Overuse or unstable aura flow can damage the crystal, reducing efficiency or causing explosions.

Aura bombs

Devastating explosive devices fueled by Mana Crystals, used for large-scale destruction.

Core Mechanics of Aura Bombs:

Power Source – Mana Crystal Core:

Like the aura gun, the bomb contains a refined mana crystal that stores and amplifies aura energy.

The crystal is encased in a reinforced shell to prevent premature detonation.

Detonation Mechanism:

Impact-Based: The aura bomb explodes upon hitting a surface.

Timed Detonation: A delay before explosion, controlled by the user's aura input.

Remote Detonation: The user can trigger the explosion from a distance via an aura signal.

Types of Aura Bombs:

Blast Bomb: Standard explosion with a shockwave of pure aura.

Piercing Bomb: Releases concentrated aura spikes in all directions.

Elemental Bombs: Infused with fire, ice, lightning, etc., for additional effects.

Gravity Bomb: Uses aura compression to pull enemies inward before exploding.

Limitations & Drawbacks:

Aura Consumption: Requires a stable aura supply from the user to prime and trigger.

Crystal Fragility: If the crystal cracks before detonation, it may cause an unpredictable explosion.

Weight & Size: Larger bombs have stronger effects, but are harder to carry or throw.

Charging Mechanics:

Gradual Charge: The user infuses aura into the bomb over time, increasing its explosive power.

Instant Charge: A quick surge of aura for immediate detonation, but at a reduced effect.

Overcharge: Pushing too much aura can destabilize the bomb, causing premature or unpredictable explosions.

Swords 

Aura-infused swords are weapons forged with a perfect balance of science and magic, designed to withstand and amplify aura-based combat. These blades are wielded by elite warriors, noble knights, and those trained in the art of aura manipulation.

Core Mechanics:

Material – Etherium Steel:

A rare alloy infused with refined mana crystals, making the blade both lightweight and nearly indestructible.

Capable of conducting aura, allowing the user to enhance slashes with elemental power.

Can cut through magical barriers and disrupt aura-based attacks.

As Annalise observes the knights in training, she realizes the full weight of her vision. These men and women are strong, but they won't be enough to survive what's coming.

She must tell Ethan.

But how?

Will he believe her, or will he dismiss her as delusional?

She clenches her fists. There is only one way to find out.

She takes a deep breath and steps forward.

With every stride, she moves closer to her fate—and to the battle that will determine all of their survival.