The moment the blurred horizon became clear, the sound of the footsteps became vivid followed by the chattering voices of the living.
A familiar scenery, I've been in this place for ten times. Continuing, this was considered to be my 11th.
Everything was the same, yet at the same time, it felt different.
The memories of Edwin Lightsaber became one with my soul.
A noble deprived of wealth and birthright.
Exiled from his home kingdom and found himself wandering in a desolate town across the border.
In his hand, a family heirloom which served as his everything, a cursed dagger.
When it was a game, the item was considered to be a key for choosing the first general that would accompany the player throughout the game. However, now, the dagger had a tragic story that makes my blood boil in rage.
For now, I've kept my emotion in check, I went to the nearby tavern. Using the stairs, I took the spot on the 2nd floor near the window. A place where I could watch the streets filled with filthy beggars.
"May I take your order sire?"
"No, here take it and never return." I took a silver coin from my pouch and shunned the waiter away.
My voice was not as plain as it was in the game, it was now filled with sorrow and anger. It was not just a programmed player character. I really felt real as if it was my own.
After moving my hand for the tenth times. I've come to accept that the menu bar was under maintenance. It just won't appear.
If this was Everwar, I only had a short amount of time before the bloody battle occurs.
Back in the game, there were ten paths to choose. Which means I have to choose one among the ten different first generals of the game.
Within the spawning area, there were five places to choose, the north, south, east, west and the middle. Each direction contained two first generals that would make their appearance once and never again. In the story, all the first ten generals would meet their end. Only one would survive at the player's mercy.
As of now, the tavern where my feet lies was considered to be the middle area. At the sunrise, this place will be raided by the Bloodhound Rider General along with his tribe, the Hound Riders. Famous for being the notorious band of thieves. They will massacre and plunder all the living within this town.
However, the Hound Riders didn't know that there was a cavalry of White Paladins staying within the town. A group of high born knights tasked to protect the kingdom of the WhiteCrown.
The first generals were evolving characters designed to accompany the player for the whole game. However, in every game, there was always at least one character that was designed and considered as broken. If a player would choose to play the game in an easy mode, they simply need to choose this general.
And it is here.
"Run!!! Hound Riders are coming!!"
Those trembling words instilled fear to the masses. People started running from all over the place. The tavern was emptied in a few seconds leaving me alone. I closed my eyes and held the Soul Dagger tightly.
"Awooooo!!"
"AHHHHH!!"
Swords cutting flesh.
Sharp claws ripping the skin.
Metal against metal.
I could hear them all. Screams and laughter of madness filled the whole town. I already knew no one would notice my presence in this deserted tavern. In the game, every time I went back, this was the only place left untouched after the chaos.
When the screaming dies, a bright light shined at the center of the town. I opened my eyes and witnessed this scenery for the second time. The last remaining White Paladin had awakened. No match against the might of the killer brigands, she watched her allies died in front of her eyes. This caused her hidden bloodline burned within. Yes, It was the broken White Valkyrian General, Aether!
The familiar white armor and white wings sprouted from behind, the once magical broadsword her father gave to her transformed into a great ax. It was really the Aether that I knew.
However, this awakening would only excite the unmatched Bloodhound Rider General, Han Zhou.
Without paused, the battle continued. Aether quickly cast one of her broken skills, Revival!
The White Paladins around Aether was brought back to life, they took a moment of bewilderment before they came back to reality only to die again.
Hound Riders became unbelievably no match against the awakened White General. In just a single swing of her great ax, a dozen warhounds was sliced in half causing gallons of blood filled the streets. The riders fell in the ground with extreme fear against their new opponent.
Soon, the thunder resounds throughout the skies and the rain began to fell.
The only ones left were the White General and the Bloodhound General. Facing each other, everyone around them was unmoving.
"Let my justice claim your life! Hound Rider!" Aether shouted as she pointed her majestic bloodsoaked great ax to the Hound General.
"Hoo, I've waited so long to find an opponent that could match my blade, White Paladin!" Unafraid, Han Zhou unmounted his Warhound and walked towards Aether only stopping 10 steps away from her.
Drawing his beloved blade, Muranagi. Han Zhou made his finishing stance. One of his lethal skill: Unseen Slash!
On the other hand, Aether charged with eyes filled with vengeance.
In the blink of an eye, the two clashed and exchanged position!
"Awooo!"
Han Zhou's Warhound who was first to know the result reacted and pounced at Aether!
Using her remaining strength, Aether swing her ax to finish-off Han Zhou's hound cutting its body mid-air
"Not bad."
Those were Han Zhou's last words as his head slid off his body.
Clang! Clang!
At the same time, Aether's white armor came off and a long line of clean-cut started bleeding on her white pale skin.
Han Zhou would never know that Aether had a second weapon, a claymore made of her own magic. As soon as Han Zhou dodges her great ax, Aether was left defenseless. He was able to slice her cleanly with the agility faster than the speed of sound, however, the moment he looked forward he was met with a magic blade passing through his neck.
The battle was over. It was a draw.