*Kodoz knew that such a day would come. He knew he would eventually watch as his friends laid down their arms and go away from him...But he still couldn't help but feel horrible. Maybe if things had been done differently, he thought, or maybe if we had rescued him, or maybe if I had taken his place, and he quickly banished such thoughts. It was foolish to think of what may have happened. He still believed everything happened for a reason. He drew his kryss with a flourish, and stared into the gleaming metal. Was it time for him to pass on the mantle as well? Was it time to let the new guard be called in? Time to admit for the first time that perhaps he was no longer at his fighting best? Kodoz looked into the metal, and realized it was like him. On the outside, cold, hard, harsh, and deadly; but when in the hands of the proper crafter, could be reshaped into anything. When first molded, it gets its basic characteristics. Kodoz was like that. His craftsmen had been the guardians of honor. Steel, Triston, Marcas, Elathiel, Logan, Wolf, Borg, and many others. He looked once more into that metal, and realized that like his kryss, was not yet ready to be hung on a wall as a memory, but to be used for the good of the empire. He would continue his fight until he had no strength in his limbs. He would stay to honor Steel's teachings, and to make sure that every generation of guardians would hear of Steel's amazing journey. For such was his destiny, and his calling. Verily, Steel spoke true that titles come after the fact. And Kodoz realized why Steel was finally leaving. Not for himself. But for the Empire. He had served better than any man Kodoz could ever remember. And His legacy would live on forever. Speaking to noone but himself and to Steel, wherever he was, he uttered these words.*
"Steel, Mentor, Teacher, and Moral Compass. You are one to be honored. Safe journeys to you Steel DarKnight, Strength and Honor!"