**Chapter 1: The Last Refuge**

The last remnants of sunlight faded beyond the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the desolate landscape. Sir Valoric, once a proud knight of the kingdom of Everia, now stood amidst the ruins of his homeland. The once-majestic castle lay in shambles, its stones scarred and blackened by the fires of destruction. The air reeked of smoke and ash, a constant reminder of the devastation wrought by the Black Swan organization. Valoric's armor, once polished to a brilliant shine, was now dented and battered, a testament to his valiant but ultimately futile efforts to defend his kingdom. He had fought bravely, but the Black Swan's forces had been too numerous, too well-trained, and too ruthless. As he gazed upon the ruins of his home, a sense of despair washed over him. With a heavy heart, Valoric knew he had to escape. The Black Swan would not rest until they had hunted down every last survivor of the kingdom. He had to flee, to find a way to regroup and one day exact revenge upon the organization that had destroyed everything he held dear. As he set off across the barren landscape, Valoric's thoughts turned to his own survival. He had to find food, shelter, and safety. The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows across the ground, and he knew he had to find cover before nightfall. As he walked, the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps, light and hesitant. Valoric drew his sword, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt. A figure emerged from the fading light, clad in a suit of armor that seemed to be in better condition than his own. But it was the knight's posture that caught Valoric's attention. He walked with a slouch, his head hung low, and his eyes darting nervously about. As he drew closer, he dropped to his knees, his hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. "Please, sir knight," the man begged, his voice trembling. "Help me. They're after me too. I don't know what to do." Valoric's grip on his sword relaxed, and he regarded the kneeling knight with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Who was this man, and what had he done to incur the wrath of the Black Swan? "What is your name?" Valoric asked, his voice firm but not unkind. "I-I'm Sir Lucas," the knight stammered. "I was traveling with a group of merchants when the Black Swan attacked. I tried to defend them, but... but I couldn't. I ran, and they've been chasing me ever since." Valoric's expression softened. He saw the fear and desperation in Lucas's eyes, and remembered the same feelings that had driven him to flee. He sheathed his sword and nodded. "Very well, Sir Lucas. I'll help you. We'll travel together, and try to find safety in numbers." Lucas's face lit up with gratitude, and he scrambled to his feet. "Thank you, sir. I owe you my life." Valoric nodded, a small smile on his lips. "We owe each other nothing, yet. Not yet. Let's get moving. We have a long road ahead of us." Together, the two knights set off into the unknown, their footsteps echoing across the desolate landscape, as the sun dipped below the horizon, plunging them into the darkness of night.