A Knight is what she called him. On that day, he was bestowed with a responsibility steeped in ancient tradition, the origins of which were obscured by the passage of time. As a Knight, he found himself entrusted with the solemn task of safeguarding the delicate balance of the world, confronting malicious entities that threatened to disrupt this balance.

Despite the gravity of his newfound title, Max harbored aspirations beyond the realm of his Knightly duties. He'd like to follow his father’s footsteps and become an astronaut, exploring the vast unknown and discovering what lies beyond is more of an exciting venture to him. However, Max understood that until he fulfilled his promise to her and completed his duties as a Knight, his dream of space exploration would remain out of reach.

backstory.

Ever since he was a young boy, he had been aware of the unseen inhabitants coexisting with humans—apparitions, spirits, and monsters or whatever you'd call them, they coexist alongside humanity, yet only he possessed the ability to perceive them. At first, fear gripped him at the sight of these ethereal entities, but as he grew, he accepted those entities as a natural part of this world. Most are good-natured, content to exist undisturbed and seeking only peace. Yet, there were also those whose presence posed challenges and disruptions, he was powerless against such beings, opting to steer clear of their path as much as possible.

One rainy night, he and his close friend spent time in their cherished hangout place, a wooden cabin nestled in a family-owned forest. The cabin provided sanctuary from the relentless onslaught of rain, protecting them within its sturdy walls. Yet, amidst the rhythmic patter of raindrops against the window panes, he felt a presence lurking in the shadows, an unknown entity watching over them. Despite his efforts to disregard it, his anxiety intensified with every passing thought. Then, a deafening clap of thunder reverberated through the forest, jolting him from his fitful slumber. Startled, he cast a glance toward the window, and there, illuminated by an eerie glow, stood the ethereal figure—a woman whose appearance mirrored the moon's ethereal luminescence. Her ivory gaze bore into his soul, rendering him immobile, while she remained untouched by the raging rainfall outside. Locked in a silent exchange, time seemed to stretch into eternity until, with a blink, she vanished into the enveloping darkness of the forest, leaving him bewildered, as if she had been nothing more than a fleeting figment of his imagination.

Despite the unnerving nature of the encounter, the ‘moon lady’ left Max with a lingering sense of curiosity. It marked the first time a non-malicious entity had approached him, prompting him to delve deeper into the mystery. The next day, he confided in his close friend, recounting the eerie experience. Initially met with skepticism, Max's friend attributed it to a vivid nightmare. However, Max remained undeterred, adamant about seeking her out. Concern etched his friend's expression as Max shared his intentions. His friend reminded Max of the warnings issued by his parents. The depths of the forest, though part of their family's property, had remained uncharted for years. Despite his friend's apprehensions, Max dismissed the warnings with a casual wave of his hand. Gathering supplies for the impromptu expedition, Max's friend, resigned to his friend's resolve, offered assistance, albeit with a heavy heart.

Venturing into the depths of the forest filled Max with a thrilling sense of adventure. Along the way, he meticulously carved marks into the trees with his pocket knife, ensuring they could find their way back. However, as the search for the mysterious lady proved increasingly fruitless, doubts began to gnaw at Max's resolve. With each passing hour and no sign of her, Max reluctantly entertained the possibility that his friend might have been right all along. As dusk descended, the forest cloaked in shadows, Max exchanged a disheartened glance with his friend. Their efforts had yielded no results. With a heavy sigh, they conceded defeat and decided to retreat to the safety of the cabin. Navigating back proved straightforward, thanks to the trail of markings Max had left behind. Yet, as they trudged through the forest, a disconcerting realization dawned upon them—they were walking in circles. Frustration tinged with anxiety, Max's friend assumed the lead, his pace brisk, driven by a desire to leave the confines of the forest before nightfall descended completely. As his friend led the way, their progress was impeded by an encroaching fog that enveloped the path, obscuring their surroundings. Doubts slowly crept in—had they made any progress at all? Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes shattered the silence, sending a jolt of fear coursing through Max. Whipping around, he only saw a squirrel, who was just making its way to the nearby tree. With an embarrassed chuckle, he turned back to his friend, only to be met with an empty space, his heart sinking as he realized his companion was nowhere to be seen.

Max's frantic search for his friend intensified as he called out into the forest, his voice echoing through the dense foliage. Despite his efforts, there was no trace of his companion. Regret and guilt weighed heavily on his mind—he shouldn't have looked for her. As he pressed onward through the thickening fog, a faint silhouette emerged in the distance, stirring a surge of relief within him. Hastening towards the figure, hope flickered in his heart—until a chilling realization halted him in his tracks. This wasn't his friend. Turning on his heel, dread coursing through his veins, Max bolted away, his senses alert to the danger emanating from the unknown entity. His heart thundered in his chest as he raced through the forest, the entity's ominous presence looming ever closer. Refusing to glance back, Max only heard the relentless pursuit of the entity, its heavy footsteps reverberating through the damp earth.

Max's desperate flight reached its breaking point as exhaustion overtook him, sending him crashing to the ground. Bracing for the inevitable, he awaited the impending doom, only to be met with a blinding light that engulfed him. Shielding his eyes, he cautiously peered through his fingers, finding himself unharmed. Before him stood the lady once more, her ethereal presence commanding attention. Her focus was fixed on the entity that had pursued him relentlessly. In an astonishing display, time seemed to halt as the entity froze in place, ensnared within a glowing hex sign at its feet. Turning her attention to Max, the lady's ivory gaze bore into his soul once more, she spoke to him, yet to his surprise, no words escaped her lips. Instead, a resonating sensation reverberated through Max's mind, although he couldn’t understand her, he could feel her intent. With a graceful gesture, she conjured a book into her hand—a grimoire pulsating with a celestial glow.

The lady's words resonated in Max's mind, a profound calling echoing through his consciousness. Though he couldn't decipher her language, the gravity of her offer was unmistakable. It was an invitation into a realm of power beyond his comprehension. Yet, at this moment of urgency, his immediate concern remained finding his friend. With unwavering resolve, Max met the lady's serious gaze, a silent affirmation of his acceptance. Her response, a simple smile, confirming their unspoken contract. As she leaned down, placing a gentle kiss upon his forehead, the pact was sealed. The weighty grimoire materialized in his grasp, a symbol of the newfound responsibility he now bore. Released from its frozen stasis, the entity renewed its pursuit with a menacing fervor. Without hesitation, Max invoked the power of the grimoire, its pages unfurling until settling upon a single incantation. Fixing his gaze upon the charging entity, he uttered a single command, "Bind."

With a surge of energy, mystical threads extended from Max's fingertips, weaving a complex tapestry of enchantment that ensnared the entity in a tight grip. Despite its thrashing and attempts to break free, the threads only tightened, holding the entity fast in their grasp. As the entity writhed and fought against its bindings, Max's voice rang out with authority, uttering a spell of command. With each syllable, the threads glowed with an intense white light, The entity's form began to falter, its essence dissolving into wisps of energy that coalesced into a single, glowing page. With a final surge of power, the page was drawn inexorably into the open grimoire, sealing the entity within its ancient confines.