Chereads / Anguish, the story of Ridion / Chapter 2 - turning tides

Chapter 2 - turning tides

With an initial glance over everything done, Ridion jumps from the side of the building, landing on the stone path, he takes a look toward the Building in which he has his first memories in this world, and in that instant the ragged building begins to crack, finally seeming to give away at itself and gravity. "I...guess I should head for a city then." Ridion says slowly, he would need to get the hang of speaking whatever language the people of this land are native to. Suddenly he was dreading his first conversation out of fear for how it will go. He decides to head east for Feliere.

Ridion takes a deep breath, small beads of sweat gently rolling down his face to his chin, before dropping to the ground in front of him, he had been walking for a few miles and while his sight allows him to see the fastest route to the capital of the city, the sheer distance has him sweat pouring down his face. Thinking a hike may have not been the best choice, Ridion instead tries to find a way towards the nearest shelter. Anything would do. He was far too exhausted to complain about the intricacy of where he would next lay his head. Focusing his entire being on his eyes again, but instead this time, being unable to see farther than a mere 5 miles. His exhaustion has severely dulled the limits of his power. Making a note of the fact, Ridion sighs, and heads slightly west where there is what looks to be an abandoned stable of sorts. Eventually reaching this stable he sits down against the hard oak wood of the side of the stable, out of site from the small road it leads from, and falls asleep.

As Ridion is sleeping, he begins to have visions of what looks like to be the people of this world. A small boy born to a family of beastfolk, then the visions move forward, the boy is alone, the house he once lived in painted red, his family slaughtered, and the culprit standing directly over him. A tall human in a cloak, surrounding them, other humans along with a few beastfolk and demons alike, taking all of the belongings of worth they could find, and others beginning to set fire to his home. Terror filled his eyes. His heart palpitating. His eyes rolling back and forth from the scene before him. The man standing in front of him raises a sword. A sword darker than night itself, in a swift motion he cuts off his head. This instance followed by another, the burning home once filled with happiness, blood painting the earth, and thus giving it life. The boy however, was somehow still alive. His head detached from his body. His eyes snap open, and he screams, but no voice comes, his eyes dart around, he cries but feels no tears. Suddenly in his view appear footsteps, a figure he can't quite make out. Walking directly towards him. This figure stops directly in front of him, all he can see are shoes, until his vision suddenly shifts, his head is picked up off of the ground. And he is brought face to face with a woman. Her hair scarlet, her eyes the sun itself, or maybe the flames were just reflecting off of her? He cannot hear a thing but as he stares at her, she begins to speak.

"Remember your hatred"

This was all he could see from the movement of her mouth, and in that moment, Ridion Awakes. Shaken by the intensity of his dream, as he opens his eyes, groggy and uncomfortable. He finds himself shackled, and on the back of a carriage. A creature resembling that of a lion that looks to be about twelve feet tall if it were to stand. at the head of the carriage, it is a young beastkin, heavily resembling that of the very lion he's leading, his ears twitch as Ridion and he speaks out to him.

"Hey, thought you looked cold and lonely, thought I'd take ya along with me, hope that's alright considering your circumstances, human."

"I- Where are we headed? And who are you?" Ridion asks, more concerned about his destination than his bound arms. "Let's just say you wont have to worry about sleeping outside anymore at the very least. Not for now anyways. I'm going to have you work for me, some would call this slavery but I think it's best for both of us if we avoid the term altogether. Sound good?" The beastkin says in an amused tone "I dont think I get it, but if you're helping me I'll gladly accept, I thank you for your generosity." Ridion speaks fast and the same moment his sentence finished, he breaks free of the wooden binds on his arms, and moves closer to the beastkin, separated only a few feet away from each other, and before the beastkin begins to speak again, Ridion adds "I can see that we are heading farther away from the large city, would you mind giving me knowledge of this land in exchange for my work?" The beastkin, instead of giving a shocked reaction to Ridion's actions, simply nods his head, and continues on his path. Before long they are in closing in on a structure 3 stories high, made out of a painted black oak wood, with very extravagant features and detailing, large round windows accompy every floor. Along with a sigil looking to be akin to a lock for the windows. Massive double doors accompanied by golden handles, and golden detailing along the wood grain, round trimmed bushes line the entire building, and around back there seems to be a massive field. This field is filled with different tools and supplies, and further out is tilled soil, vegetables and fruits growing for at least two miles. It isn't the biggest building Ridion has seen while searching about, but it's definitely among the most luxurious. The beastkin takes the reigns off of the lion and the creature dissipates into sand, then the carriage doors open, allowing Ridion to step out unto the soil. Taking a deep breath, he wonders what exactly will become of him in this place.