On the horizon, the sky reddened as the light of day began dissipating the darkness of night. Although, darkness still reigned for the time being, someone was very easily agitated.
Miguel could feel the shift of energy in the atmosphere, the energy surge startled him. Even though the sun globe couldn't yet be seen, the warm potency that the sun gave shook him.
The feeling was uncomfortable, Miguel especially felt it over his eyes. He wasn't ignorant about zombie movies from his previous life. Zombies were creatures reanimated by magic or something scientific. Miguel, from that little knowledge, knew that the undead had a weakness against light and fire. He thought of himself coming back from the dead, that he was in the same situation, sort of.
Unlike the the undead from his own understanding, Miguel was different. He had no fear of the light. It made him uncomfortable but that wasn't something he couldn't get used to.
Last night after leaving the carriage, Miguel went over to lay down on the bank nearby. It was here where Minerva's Chosen had slept. He still lied there in this early morning, unmoving. Having already awoken and feeling the potential influx of the atmosphere, Miguel started his 'Life Gutter', absorbing the energy in the environment. Miguel could feel the power within his body and the lack of comfort he experienced before was slowly fading away.
Time still moved while Miguel began his activity, the sky turned brighter and it was then that Miguel opened his eyes. The violet pupils stared up at the sky, those purple pupils appeared to be floats in a black ocean.
While he stared at the sky above, Miguel also contemplated his life in general. He was no longer the Miguel from a small village turned adventurer nor was he Claud from the life he was prior. Where would he go from here?
The first step is to wipe the slate clean. Miguel could never forget the betrayal he faced. Thinking about it, he figured that he was specifically targeted. Otherwise, it would not possible for him, a random nobody, to receive such well calculated treatment. Who does that to an copper ranked adventurer?
Miguel lifted his arm to see the 'Ring of the Dead'. He admired it simply because it changed his fate. Perhaps before, Miguel would've made a name for himself after many years. Now, Miguel felt all to powerful. That's not to say he was power hungry, rather, he determined that he has some greater purpose to fulfill. What was it? He didn't know. So far, his only long term companion was Jacob, who had a similar circumstance like himself.
Glancing to the side, He saw Lydia close to the carriage. She was still asleep. Under the elven priestess, the cloud fairy was spread over the ground shaped like a bed.
The other swamp elves didn't seem to be around, in fact, they were in the carriage.
Miguel got of his back. He set out to the pond, slowly removing the clothes he wore. By the time he reached the pond, Miguel was completely naked except for the bracelet on his wrist. He began to clean himself up...
An hour and a half later, Miguel was leisurely walking back to Kryonite. He wasn't alone though, Lydia insisted on coming with him.
Prior to leaving the cemetery, it was discussed that Miguel will come to the marshlands and deter the enemies of the swamp elf. Miguel had his own business to deal with so he thought he'd be going to Kryonite alone but Lydia ended up coming along.
The other elves would use the carriage and return to the swamp. Of course, the accompanying elves didn't want to let Lydia go but they couldn't disobey her either.
The priestess had more than one reason to join Miguel. One was to expand her own horizons and another was to find the rest of her companions. Her sisters, Layla and Laura
"What are you going to do in town?" Lydia asked.
"Kill some people, probably."
"Huh!"
"Have a problem with that?" Miguel asked back.
"Uh... no, just... nevermind."
Miguel waved his hand. Suddenly, a cloak appeared in his hand. Of the many things that was stored in the 'Ring of the Dead', a number of cloaks were present as well. He handed the cloak over to the swamp chief's daughter, the feeling that she'll burden him was eminent.
"Use this. When we're in Kryonite, keep your distance. I don't want any trouble involving you."
"I understand, Milord." Lydia replied, gladly accepting the dark cloak. She immediately wore it, keeping her small frame hidden.
Lydia was a clever, understanding that she was in no way of use in helping. Not even Cloud was of any help but in her heart she knew that keeping close to the chosen champion will bring some sort of good fortune.
Upon approaching the entrance to the town, more and more people frequented the area. Picking up various plants or out hunting mild animals, on the town outskirts there where many tents and stalls pitched up.
This was totally different from what Miguel remembered, he wondered whether today was a special sort of day. Miguel entered the crowd, looking at the stalls. Lydia was there too, she was following behind at a distance.
There were many people of the races here. Aside from humans, muscular
beings with greenish skin were present.
"They are called Orcs." Miguel remembered some information. Aside from them he saw the bestial race in variety too.
"Swords, good swords. Get a good sword."
Miguel turned to find a dwarf. The dwarf was selling swords. Miguel decided to go there. He wondered, "Would he buy the weapons I have?"
Before he could come up to the stall, Miguel stopped. He felt a fluctuation of life tactically maneuvering through the crowd. The person was heading his way, Miguel was strong but he started up 'Life Gutter' to a high degree.
Pretending to not notice a thing, Miguel let the other approach him. Everything seemed to happen quickly. A presence was felt right at his back then a unnoticeable tug came from his wrist.
The 'Ring of the Dead' attracted the eyes of greed. When the bracelet was full of rust, no one would've wanted it then. Now the ornament presented itself with heavy lustre. Had Miguel been someone else, he would've taken a greedy liking to the bracelet as well.
Unfortunately for the thief though, the 'Ring of the Dead' was attached to Miguel's arm. If the thief wanted the bracelet, then the arm would need to be taken away.
Having failed his attempt, the thief left the wrist and began to move blending into the crowd. However, Miguel had no intention of letting the other go without punishment. With a quick shift of his will, a thick knife weapon shimmered into existence. Miguel flicked his wrist with incredible strength.
"GYAAAH!!!"
The thief was jerked backwards and stumbled onto the next person, messing him with blood. Falling to the ground afterwards, the thief held his arm with the other. Somehow his hand had been cut off.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Writhing in pain, there was no way for the thief to know who injured him. It was especially true when one was in a crowd. His screams and spilling of blood garnered the attention of more people, making the victim's true assailant invisible.
The knife in Miguel's hand vanished. He turned back to get a quick glance of his art work. On the floor, a hand was left in a puddle of blood. Next to it was another item that captured Miguel's attention. It was a tag the was similar to his own, it was like the adventurers tag but the one on the ground was for the mercenary guild.
Miguel concluded that the thief must've worn it on his wrist, to keep it hidden somehow.
While more people gathered, Miguel chose to depart. He saw another mercenary introduce himself angrily. The mercenary pushed the people away but someone in crowd pushed back. A fight broke out, slowly like a black hole, it pulled others into the brawl.
Things were getting dicey in this market place. Miguel had no reason to be here, he went on and entered the town. The adventurers guild was the current destination.
While Miguel headed towards the guild. Someone was cautiously following behind. Dressed in a thick robe and head covered by a pointy hat, this female body was not Lydia. Prior to the events taking place, it was this lady that coaxed the thief to steal the bracelet.
She thought it was unfit for a man to wear such ornaments but sadly things turned out different. Miguel headed to town and she stealthily followed. Little did she know that Miguel wasn't alone.
Lydia was further back, all that happened went on right in front of her eyes. Her astonishment increased when she realized that Miguel had a tail behind him, that is to say, she had discovered a woman stalking Minerva's chosen.
Lydia became more attentive to her surroundings. If something where to happen to Miguel, she was ready to jump in.