Venator stood amongst the shadows nearer the back of the crowd, a place he felt most at ease during gatherings like this, his ebony black scarf loose around his neck but close enough to calm his nerves. His eyes drifted across the sea of heads, drawn to the occasional splash of colour amongst monotonous blacks and brunettes before turning to the side, to fall on the man standing by his side. The man was taller and broader than himself, with muddy brown hair and bluish green eyes. The armour cladding his body and the greatsword on his back marked him as a knight, the flecks of grey in his hair and his rigid posture betraying his years, yet the first thing Venator saw wasn't the veteran knight, but the man who had raised him for the past 12 years. The older man noticed his gaze and gave him a wide smile before jerking his back to the stage, Venator returning a small smile and turning his attention back to the raised podium. This was important for the older man, so the least Venator could do was see it through.

As the first scroll was called, the first thing the black-haired knight remarked was that the chosen Knight of Light was young. Too young, in his opinion, and his father agreed, judging on his tightened expression. Despite this, his appointment met no opposition and the next scroll was quickly unsealed. The Knight of Spirit, Telius, was definitely more suited to his position but the way he carried himself, like a noble, left a bad taste in Venator's mouth. The third knight, however, caught his attention more than the other two.

Arcane Spirit was a previously unheard of element, which was unusual enough, but the Knight the scroll had chosen was even more so. A bow-wielding woman stepped onto the stage, but her movements were of noble grace diluted by something, as if absent for a time. 

The Knights of Fire and Earth were familiar names to Venator, even though he had never met either in person. The Shulz Family was deeply respected in his home village and many young men had left to serve under Lord Aldebrand, Venator too considered it but remained by his adoptive father as wandering free-lance knights. His travels had afforded him many stories, many about the 'Peasant Demons' formerly lead by the very same man taking his place underneath the banner of Earth. The Knight of Fire, however, was more of a Mystery. All he could recall of the cloaked and hooded woman was that was Aldebrand's daughter, but little else. As he looked closer at the pair, however, he saw a glimpse of the interaction they shared, and his curiosity grew as he wondered about what was going on between them... 

His train of thought was lost as he, like many of the crowd, was surprised by the sudden and dramatic entrance of the Knight of Wind, although his reaction was limited to the raising of an eyebrow and slight jerk of his head. He was quick to gather her as a huntress, given her weapons of choice, but her brazen entrance seemed incongruous with the low-profile that they require. Shaking his head lightly, he spared a glance at his adoptive father, his expression equally bemused, before waiting for the opening of the next scroll. 

The Knight of Metal seemed much like his namesake, sturdy and reliable, although he seemed to be at least a decade older than most of the other Knights, and at least twice the age of the boy standing under the banner of Light. His weapon was possibly the most fitting of all the present knights, a quarterstaff made of solid metal, although he couldn't identify which type. Shifting his weight off one foot and leaning against the shadowy wall, he made to take a long breath only for him to freeze up as he heard the next name to be called.

"Venator Nylis, You have been chosen as the next Knight of Darkness!" His eyes, which had been gently closed snapped open and locked quickly onto the announcer as he pushed himself off the wall. A gentle jab in the ribs got his attention and he turned to look as his father's grinning face. 

"Go. They're waiting for you, Lad."

Giving the man a short hug and a small smile in return, Venator pulled the scarf up over his mouth and nose as he broke from the shadows, gliding through the crowd like a shadowy blade. As he reached the announcer, he wordlessly accepted the scroll and took his place under the black banner of his own element. 

"May your shadows keep that close to you safe from harm." Before he could contemplate the meaning of the words, a fluttering sound caught his attention and he looked up to see a black shape fly low over the crowd. For a reason he couldn't understand, he felt compelled to extend his hand, and when he did so, the black shape flew straight towards him, forming into a shadowy black raven. The bird perched itself on his arm and cocked its head curiously, Venator smiling slightly under his scarf as it did so. It was the size of a normal raven, but shadows peeled and coiled off of its wings and tail like thick black smoke and its very presence felt... otherworldly, like a ghost or shade. Casting his arm out, the shade-like raven took to skies again, only to circle the podium and perch on his shoulder as if a trained bird.

Looking at the creature and then to the other Elemental Knights, Venator couldn't help but worry that something drastic was stepping across his path...