Duke Of Darkness

CHAPTER 1

Amid the fog of war that continued to shroud the border, a figure in a black cloak moved silently among the ruins. Rafael De Carlies, known as the Shadow Sword Master, moved as tracelessly as the wind. His eyes were sharp and calculating, and the weapon in his grasp glimmered dimly red under the moonlight.

The man was never clearly seen by anyone, preferring to wrap himself in a veil of mystery. Only a few knew that he was the illegitimate son of King Tremos De Carlies. Those who did know about Rafael's connection chose to remain silent.

To most of the kingdom's people, Rafael's name was merely a faint whisper amid the chaos of the battlefield. Yet, among the kingdom's elite, he was more than just a soldier known as the sword master. Behind his masked face, Rafael possessed magical powers inherited from the De Carlies bloodline—extraordinary and dangerous powers that, if known, could make him a target in the kingdom's political games. However, Rafael sought no power; he was uninterested in any legacy that his father, King Tremos, might leave behind. All he desired was freedom—freedom from the shadows of the past and the noble blood running through his veins.

The clinking of swords echoed from a distance. Rafael paused for a moment, closing his eyes and listening intently. The war at the border was worsening, and the kingdom's soldiers had to fight fiercely against the beasts that attacked more frequently. This land had never been safe, but now the situation seemed worse. As a soldier, he had watched his comrades fall one by one to the claws and fangs of these creatures.

He knew that this war was not just a battle between humans and beasts. Hidden behind all this was a much larger political conspiracy. Someone was trying to exploit the chaos for personal gain, to shake King Tremos's throne, and Rafael could feel that he was part of this scheme. Yet he would not be a pawn easily manipulated. Even King Tremos himself knew well that Rafael was a threat in the form of an unacknowledged son.

Slowly, Rafael approached the barricade where the soldiers were desperately defending against the onslaught of beasts. With a hand signal, he motioned for the soldiers to retreat. They recognized that signal—the sign that the kingdom's "shadow" would take action. Without a sound, Rafael stepped forward, his hand outstretched, and his lips whispered, reciting an incantation in an ancient language known only to a few. From his hand, a bluish-red light shot out, forming a protective shield around the soldiers behind him.

The beasts lunged forward, but they were blocked by Rafael's magical barrier. Their teeth and claws seemed unable to penetrate the shield forged by the long-hidden magic. Rafael took a deep breath, allowing the power to flow freely. This power was not to be taken lightly; each time he wielded it, he felt a surge within him, a force that demanded sacrifice.

Suddenly, a scream shattered Rafael's concentration. One of the soldiers shouted, "Retreat! They are coming again from the left side!"

Rafael exhaled sharply, his sharp eyes darting toward the dark forest across the battlefield. Swiftly, he leaped forward, wielding his sword that now glowed with a magical light. In an instant, he was in the midst of the beasts, slashing them one by one. Each time his sword struck, the creatures burst into ash, vanquished by a force they could not withstand.

Yet behind his courage, an unease stirred within him. Each time he used this power, he became increasingly aware that he was nearing the revelation of his true identity. He always tried to remain out of the spotlight, but this war had placed him on the front lines, making it harder to stay hidden.

Amid the battle, he could feel the soldiers’ stares as they realized he was no ordinary warrior. There were murmurs about his origins, whispers of unfamiliar, even frightening miracles. Rafael tried to ignore them. Deep down, he knew this secret would soon be exposed. If this continued, there would come a time when he could no longer hide the truth about who he was.

When the battle ended, Rafael stood in the middle of the field, breathing heavily. His body was covered in dust and blood, some of it his own, some from the beasts he had defeated. He looked up, gazing at the moon hanging high in the sky. Under that moonlight, he felt an increasing weight on his shoulders.

Suddenly, a young soldier approached him, his face filled with awe and a hint of fear. "Who... who are you really?" he asked with a trembling voice.

Rafael remained silent for a moment, then sheathed his sword. He looked at the soldier, his eyes cold but enigmatic. "I am merely a sword master, Duke Rafael De Carlies," he replied in a low voice. Yet, in his heart, he knew that answer was no longer enough. Slowly but surely, the truth would catch up with him, and he would have to face the legacy he had long avoided.

"Impossible. How could a human possess such power?" The man still couldn't believe it, staring at Rafael suspiciously.

Rafael smirked coldly, glaring sharply at the soldier. Then he spoke in a chilling tone, "You dare question me? How bold of someone like you to say such a thing!"

The atmosphere tensed, and a shiver ran down spines as Rafael's cold voice resonated. His eyes seemed to sharpen, even his pupils turned a bluish-red.

"If you speak nonsense to others, you will face the consequences!" Rafael warned the soldier who had dared to confront him.

That night, as he walked back to the soldiers’ barracks, Rafael became more aware of his future. There was no longer any way to separate himself from the secret of the royal blood flowing through his veins. That legacy, that power, was a burden he had to bear. Although he never asked for it, he could no longer run from the destiny that awaited him.