Kingdom of Verdwryn

Michael Lockwood was born in Pine Bluffs, a small farming town with a population of just 1,200. He grew up in a farming family, where he found joy working the land and caring for the animals In his spare time, he was an avid reader, devouring everything from fantasy novels and survival stories to "How It's Made" books. Although his family was poor and the town lacked a library, Michael was fortunate to live in an age when millions of books were just a few clicks away online.

After graduating high school, Michael faced a harsh reality: college was a dream he couldn't afford. Determined to make something of himself, he enlisted in the Army. Standing 195 cm tall and weighing 85 kg, with a physique honed by years of farm labor, he was well-suited for the physical demands of military life. But it wasn't just his body that set him apart; it was his unyielding work ethic and hunger for knowledge.

From the moment he joined, Michael embraced every challenge with relentless determination. He excelled in all areas of training, mastering outdoor survival, hand-to-hand combat, sniper tactics, reconnaissance, and leadership strategy. His willingness to volunteer for grueling assignments and his ability to adapt to the harshest conditions made him indispensable to his unit. Michael wasn't just a soldier—he was a survivor, a strategist, and, eventually, a leader.

Despite his natural abilities, his climb to the rank of First Lieutenant was anything but easy. Every step was earned through sweat, grit, and a refusal to back down. He pushed himself to the limits, taking on the most dangerous missions and pursuing every opportunity for education offered by the Marine Corps. His calm demeanor under fire and razor-sharp tactical mind won him the respect of his superiors and the loyalty of his peers. By the time he received his promotion, Michael had built a reputation as a soldier who could be counted on in even the most dire circumstances.

Yet, beneath the hardened exterior of a war-tested officer, Michael remained the boy who once laughed freely while riding his bull across the pasture and spent carefree days fishing with friends. He kept that part of himself hidden, guarded like a precious relic of a simpler time. More than anything, he longed to return to the life he'd left behind—the farm, the quiet, and the peace.

Eight years into his service, as thoughts of retirement began to take root, Michael's unit was called upon for one final mission. It was an assignment he couldn't refuse, even though a lingering unease gnawed at him. Deep down, he knew this mission might be his last.

The operation took them to the rugged, unforgiving mountains of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Michael and his platoon were tasked with gathering intelligence on a Taliban stronghold, a mission meant to be swift and covert. But the terrain was treacherous, the enemy cunning. The ambush came swiftly, trapping the platoon in a desperate fight for survival against a numerically superior force.

Outnumbered, outgunned, and cut off from reinforcements, Michael made the call to hold their position. They had gathered critical intelligence—intel that could turn the tide of the war—and he was determined to see it safely extracted, no matter the cost.

As the situation grew grimmer, Michael ordered Sergeant Wells, the last remaining officer, to take the intelligence and retreat to the extraction point. Michael and the rest of the platoon would cover their escape. What followed was a fierce, unrelenting defense as the enemy closed in from all sides. Despite their bravery, the squad was overwhelmed, and Michael was struck down in the final moments of the battle.

His sacrifice was not in vain. Sergeant Wells successfully delivered the intelligence, leading to a decisive strategic victory that saved countless lives. Michael Lockwood's name became synonymous with courage, leadership, and selflessness under fire. His legacy endured, a reminder of the ultimate price paid by heroes who stand firm when others would falter.