Morningtime was a bleak affair.<br/>Every day above ground was spent in shrouds of darkness and shadow. Prayers were for death, and life was for nought. Only the stronger ones kept living, no matter that every day the shadows spread and grew stronger and not a one dared to venture into the cowl, lest fates worse than death chase them out or claim them for eternities to follow.<br/><br/>Valleus NeWinn stood outside his adopted hut, staring with an equal mix of contempt and sorrow at what he saw. Rays of sunlight struggled to reach the ground as they were being slowly choked by the subtle shade. It hadn't reached them yet, and it was still some way off, but it would. One day it would, and they would die or flee. His fists tightened around the hilt of his twin blades, swords and hands that had saved his life on the night the Shade King had taken control. A solitary tear rolled down his cheek as he whirled around and landed a small, but strong fist upon the trunk of the tree he had used as support. His rage had been almost insurmountable ever since, and his only friend (an imposing, powerful Druid) had helped greatly. At first, leaving him be, until he decided to intervene and help at first with his scrying, then with his strength.<br/><br/>Over time, Valleus opened up to him and sought strength from his grave confidence and quiet reserve. He felt safer under the protection of the behemoth than he would with any other single man or woman. He suspected that his large friend felt the same about him. Valleus may not have stood tall, or been physically imposing, but he was a warrior at heart and used his athleticism to his advantage. Valleus proved his worth more than enough.<br/><br/>"One day, I swear upon it," he muttered to himself, "I'll end this, as soon as I have the strength and the courage." Truth be told, the darkness scared him more than anything he could imagine, frightened him close to death. He wasn't alone, but he still knew that the two of them wouldn't be enough. If only more Warriors could come along and join with them, Valleus would raise an army of the best and strongest and storm the Castle and succeed or die within it's walls, fighting until the end.<br/><br/>He raised his head from where it rested on the oak, simultaneously raising his boot to withdraw a symmetrical blade, a throwing dagger. He took his aim and hurled the blade, beginning his swing from his chest and throwing in an outward, horizontal arc. His aim was only slightly enough, but still managed to kill the rabbit on contact.<br/>"I've found lunch! Have a fire ready!" He called out to his friend, the one who didn't speak too often, but always had the right things to say.