⚔️ Clifford Smithenrite ⚔️
"Good job, dear reader. You are on your way to avoiding becoming a blind sheep."
Clifford Smithenrite was twenty-two years old when his entire world shattered.
He was a young warrior from a noble house. His initiation into the Army of Ages was set to take place that very afternoon.
He was excited. Honored. Ready to serve his goddess.
And then Lumina's Knights surrounded his home.
The Announcement
⚠️ COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR ⚠️
YOUR HOME HAS BEEN MARKED AS HOUSING TRAITORS.
COMPLY OR DIE.
Fear almost paralyzed him. What have your parents done?
His excitement for the initiation suddenly dulled. Why the hell would his goddess' Knights be attacking his home?
He had to find a way out.
Fearfully, he searched every room in his house, pulling a pack of supplies together. He had no idea if he would even make it out alive.
His heart leaped into his chest as he heard the sound downstairs—
Doors shattering. The clanking of armor.
The announcement wasn't wrong. He was surrounded. There was no way out.
The Knight's Arrival
The door to his room burst open.
A knight of his goddess stood there, calling him by name.
"Clifford Smithenrite. Your family has been marked as traitors to your goddess. Will you come with us willingly?"
Before he could answer—
A daemon appeared before him.
With a snap of his fingers, Clifford was placed in a time displacement.
Everything froze. The knight. The world. Time itself.
The daemon walked around him, eyeing him with curiosity and intrigue.
Diaglo's Offer
"Interesting. They told me I was to obtain a warrior. You are not?"
In indignation, Clifford scowled at the monster. His adrenaline was running high.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have any idea who my parents are?"
"Correction. Who your parents were. Lumina has brutally murdered them because they would not bow to her control."
Clifford didn't know if he should believe this monster or not.
"My parents can't be dead. I just saw them this morning."
"And I just witnessed their death. I promised your mother I would keep you safe. You will not survive against the knights. They will suck out your soul and destroy your mind."
"Your mother was part of the rebellion. She was captured, and I will not allow her death to be in vain."
The daemon—Diaglo—extended his hand.
"Now, even I have my limitations. Do you wish to travel with me? Or fight your way out?"
Lyra's Intervention
Out of nowhere, a woman appeared.
"Tsk tsk, Diaglo. You should not try to deceive this child. He does not want to go with you. He is to come with me."
The monster hissed at this new woman, then quickly recovered.
"Oh, dear Lyra. How about we give the boy a choice? You know how I do love choices. And if either of us take him against his will... then we will be no better than Lumina, right?"
An idle smirk crossed her face.
"Fair. Make your choice, boy. Do you let the knights kill you, go with the monster, or come with me?"
She leaned in close to Clifford, her smirk turning wicked.
"Sometimes, you know, we fail to see what is right in front of our face as the right choice. Because you see, free choice is an interesting thing."
⚡ The Choice ⚡
Three paths lay before Clifford Smithenrite:
1. Stay and fight the knights - Certain death, soul destroyed
2. Go with Diaglo - The God of Chaos offers power, but at what cost?
3. Go with Lyra - The Goddess of Balance offers freedom and insight
Who would you trust?
The Beginning of the Saga
Clifford Smithenrite's story is the gateway to the Fall of the Gods saga.
A young warrior whose parents were murdered for refusing to bow to Lumina's control. A boy caught between two gods—one offering power, one offering freedom—both with their own agendas.
His choice will determine the path of his story. And unlike the blind sheep who simply obey, Clifford chose to run.
Good job, dear reader. You are on your way to avoiding becoming a blind sheep.