There is a nasty, crooked street, where only the lamps provide comfort to those who traverse.
And of all the lamps, one shines the brightest.
It provides ample illumination to guide the traveler along their journey.
And many a traveler take full advantage of the light, knowing full well what lurks in the shadow.
Evil, disturbing things.
Things that go bump in the night.
Things that would horrify even the noblest of men.
The brightest light casts the darkest shadow.
But, as long as that light shines, the darkness is kept at bay.
The traveler grows confident in the face of uncertain danger.
Until one day, that one ray of hope is snuffed out.
And all comfort dies along with it.
The evil that was hidden away in the shadow quickly reveals itself with a big, twisted grin.
Quickly overtaking those who are stranded, feasting upon their fear.
Until the light flickers back on once more, and the darkness flees the scene.
And so the cycle repeats.
Light to darkness, darkness to light.
And helpless souls caught in the middle of it all.
Souls that one brave man thinks he can save.
He dares to go into the shadow, away from the comfort of the light.
There, he confronts the darkness.
A facade of heroics he wears with pride.
As though he is the light.
And so, he challenges the darkness, eager to break the cycle.
But much like the light he veers from, the hero is snuffed out by the darkness.
And the pattern loops.
How brave are you, Sir Renault?
Do you dare venture away from the comfort of the street lamp?
Your beliefs compel you to save souls, to be a guiding light in the shadow.
But you’ve traveled too far, haven’t you?
You can feel your comfort and safety slipping away.
You know what’s coming.
I am the darkness.
I am the shadow.
And as the light that protects you fades, I reveal my big, twisted grin.
I have overtaken many a stranded traveler, making a fool out of them all.
And now, O great Crusader, it’s your turn to fade.
I will snuff out all hope you have in saving the damned of this world.
I will feast upon your ever-growing fear, as you realize the gravity of what you’ve stepped into.
I will delight in knowing that you could not fulfill your mission.
And you will be left with nothing to show for your crusade.
Everything you hold dear, shattered.
And the lamp will flicker back on.
I will flee the scene, satisfied in the damage I’ve caused.
And you will be exposed for the fraud you really are.
Nothing more than a broken, sinful man, whose Lord abandoned him long ago.
And I will watch from the shadow, still grinning at the sight of your downfall.
The brightest light casts the darkest shadow.
And that shadow will destroy you, once and for all.
So it has been written, so shall it be done.