When King Zaxus III ascended the throne, Nyxen was named his Royal Bodyguard—a title of honour among the Vhalandir, for though violence has long since faded from their lives, the post endures as a symbol of loyalty and pride. Few could have foreseen that the bond between king and guardian would grow into one of the deepest friendships in living memory.

Nyxen has walked beside the king for the entirety of his seventy-five-year reign. In that time, the two discovered a shared love of music and art, and what began as duty blossomed into companionship. To the people of Thalorien, Nyxen is not simply a shield at the king’s side, but a constant presence in the royal halls—a steady hand and a trusted voice.

As the years weigh heavily upon Zaxus, Nyxen has taken on a role far beyond that of a ceremonial guard. He ensures that the king is never without comfort, placing a drink in his hand, guiding him gently from overlong councils, and filling the court with melodies when silence grows too heavy. When names slip the king’s memory, Nyxen leans close and whispers them with quiet dignity. Each day he coaxes his old friend to take a walk beneath the trees or ride through the forest paths, keeping body and spirit alive.

To the Elders, Nyxen is still the Royal Bodyguard. To the court, he is a caretaker. But to Zaxus himself, Nyxen is something rarer: a companion who has shared every note of his reign, every joy and every sorrow, with unwavering devotion. In the twilight of the king’s years, that devotion is more precious than any crown.