Legend of the Shine

A thousand years ago, a wizard named Sinthor conjured armor to guard the entrance to a great realm and protect its inhabitants. Radiance, as its creator called it, has been motionless near the gatehouse since the last time a stranger tried to attack the castle. The silver armor that gave him a place in the world was covered in dust.

As in thousands of nights past, Radiance was still waiting for an intruder to arrive… to his surprise a group of children approached him from behind. It was obvious that they must be the owners of the castle. Intruders always entered through the front door.

“Hello, master,” Radiance said, stepping forward.

The children were shocked to see the dust fall, revealing the plated armor.

“Is my service required?”

The children looked at each other. Charles acted before the others made a decision. “We need you to be our escort on a great adventure.”

Radiance was not conjured to perceive feelings. Regardless, the children saw the armor gleam for an instant. “At your orders, master.”

“Call me Charles,” said the taller boy in the group. “This is my brother Simon and my sister Joan.”

Radiance looked at the children, studying their faces. “I’m Radiance, the east wing guard.”

“Open the door,” said Charles.

Radiance accepted the order and immediately headed for the door. He quickly opened it and saw sunlight for the first time in a thousand years. The armor gleamed.

“Let’s go,” Carlos said. “Let’s start by finding something to eat.”

The group of children ran and played around Radiance, while the animated armor looked for food. The nearest town was too far… Radiance decided that hunting would be the best alternative.

The children continued having fun. Charles gave his siblings a sense of peace, the assurance that an adult was watching over them. Now they were orphans. Survivors of the crystal war. It had been bad luck to live near the mines. Their life was taking an unexpected turn.

Joan ran after her brother under the sun. The children waited for Radiance to finish what it was doing. Charles watches intently as the silver armor moved through the forest.

“MASTER,” Radiance yelled once it found a source of food. “Here!”

The three siblings ran into the forest to see the metal armor pushing hard against one of the trees. Dozens of fruits began to fall. The children shout with excitement, and they took the fruits and ate.

Radiance waited, motionless by a tree, ready to continue its new adventure.