Valerius

Valerius grew up as a street urchin, plagued by poverty. In a lucky streak, he was able to participate in swordsmanship classes an old veteran was providing to his town. After learning to fight, he became a mercenary. In his teen years, when he first began, his jobs were smaller. He was employed for his manpower most often, to help move cargo, or the odd job to transport a package. As he grew and his abilities increased to match, his tasks became larger and more dangerous.

Soon enough, Valerius was recruited into the royal army. He steadily rose through the ranks, enough to command his own battalion. While employed by the army, he found love. A darling lass, she was. For him, the world stopped as soon as she entered his life. The two were quick to wed, deep in love. They began a home together, building the foundation for their future together. All the plans were in place, all they had to do was let the time flow on.

Once Valerius and his wife had been settled into their life together for a handful of years, he and a company of 200 soldiers were dispatched to investigate a discrepancy on the border. Though this was less than he would usually command, it was a carefully selected group of the kinddom's finest. It proved to be vital, the mission was dangerous beyond what anyone had previously imagined.

What happened was nothing short of a massacre. The "discrepancy" he was sent to look into was due to a witch with a nasty vendetta against the king. The witch casted a curse upon every last soldier, killing all but one. Killing all but Valerius. Leaving him to carry the weight of their deaths, the countless stories of their lives that each met an abrubt end. He survives, of course, but to what end?

Valerius returns home, back to the heart of the country, and conveys the news to the king. The only proof that he didn't fabricate the entire experience was a singular, pulsating, mark left on his torso. It was burning, searing to the touch. Day by day, it's claim over his body increased. His eyes, once alike to most others of his kind, darkened to a shadow. In rare instances, a piercing and enveloping pain will spread from the curse's physical manifestation all across his flesh.

He tried to hide the curse from his beloved, desperate to not let her worry if he could. It was a stupid endeavour, she figured it out on an off chance. Her heart sunk for him. They talked it out and embraced. His physical touch spread the curse from him to her, claiming her life as his had his fallen soldiers. Despite his rough childhood, despite the mass slaughter he witnessed, this was the most devastating experience he could ever endure. His love died in his arms before the year passed.

Any ambition or desires he had died with her, moving on for another lifetime. He became a husk of who he once had been, a near emotionless war machine. Mindless years passed as he threw himself into battle after war after battle. In some cases, Valerius was the key component to the kingdom's win- purely out of his sheer lack of care for his own life.

Valerius never kept many friends, not before his wife's passing and certainly not after. Any company he had before her death were shut out, left to worry and hope the best for him. Lost in that haze, he eventually met a lake spirit. One he would combat with beyond belief, one who matched his abilities.

(to be continued)

Valerius

Gentle laughter rung throughout the entire cottage as a certain woman entered in. Curious and equally gentle laughter returned it, from Valerius.

"Darling?" He chuckled, plainly. "I hear mischeif in your voice." The elven man made his way from the study to meet his wife. "What are you up to this time?" He pointed at the mysterious basket covered in a blanket that she was carrying ever so delicately.

"Before I reveal what I have... You must promise something to me." The two locked eye contact as she continue to giggle, grinning widely.

Raising an eyebrow, Valerius chuckled again and brought a soft hand to her rosy cheek, caressing it. "Of course. What am I promising you?"

"Promise me. That you'll protect me, my pointy eared knight in shining armor. No matter what trouble I've gotten us into."

"Oh really? Of course,love. I would, even if you hadn't asked. I would, no matter at what cost."

"Please. You're such a sweet talker, you know?"