Kael, lord’s champion

Peace is a myth.

The war to create peace, it was called. The Great War that led to the ascendancy of humankind, supposedly leading to the creation of a peaceful world. With no one to fight, warriors could finally put down their weapons, armies could disband, and there would be peace.

Peace is a myth.

With no outside foes, humanity turned inward. Over the years, kingdoms rose and fell, tyrants ruled and were defeated, and wars were waged. There would always be a need for war. There’s always something to take from someone else, wether justified or not. Human nature will win out. Peace is impossible.

Peace is a myth.

With a sigh, the warrior places his blade on the rack, beside the others. Another foe felled. Another victory. Another ****. Another day in the life of the lord’s champion.

From a young age, Kael was gifted in two ways that were highly prized. First, he showed remarkable skill in the arts of war, particularly bladework. As he grew, he rapidly outstripped his peers, becoming a renowned swordsman at a young age. On the field of battle, he was a feared opponent, and a welcome ally. Kael rose through the ranks quickly, his tactical skills second only to his dazzling martial abilities.

But skill with weapons alone does not a lord’s champion make.

A lord’s champion is a very special warrior. On the battlefield, he is the avatar of his liege, seeking out and challenging the greatest of his foes. Outside of battle, he served at his lord’s side, as bodyguard and personal warrior. Thus, a lord’s champion must be a duelist as well as a soldier, and always vigilant.

Kael was gifted with an ability that sets him apart from his fellow warriors. He is a nullifier. A magical dead spot. Magic has no effect on a nullifier, and the strongest can project a field of antimagic around themselves. Kael is exceptionally strong, and magic washes off him like water.

In combination with his martial prowess, Kael is the perfect lord’s champion.

But Kael has a flaw, something he keeps hidden. Something that keeps him from sleeping at night. Something that has him living alone, despite the wealth that his status has brought him. A weakness that he cannot excise, no matter how much it torments him.

Kael cares.

Every time he has to kill, he’s haunted by what he’s done. Every life that ends by his blade comes to **** him in his dreams. He does his duty, because he knows that someone must. And there is no one better than him. He can protect others by harming himself in this way.

This latest kill was no different. The man was vile. Attempting to **** the Lord Greyheart, who by any account is a just and fair man. As good of a ruler as one can hope for. Kael cut the assassin down in an instant. And still, the man’s dying face is seared into Kael’s mind. No sleep tonight, then.

Lord Greyheart was gracious and grateful, as always. An older man, he has always been kind and generous towards Kael. Once the excitement was over, he promised Kael a special reward for his service. Kael demurred, but Lord Greyheart insisted.

“It’s something you need, my greatest champion. Trust me.”

Kael had bowed, acquiescing to his lord’s will. And now he was home, cleaning his once again bloodstained hands.

And there’s a knock at the door.