The world, is a dark and depressing place. The races of man are not as equally balanced as they should be.
The mighty Beastmen roam the jungles of the wilds hunting all manner of beast and Humans. Elvish people live all high and mighty in their enormous cities. The crafty dwarves make their mighty weapons, deep inside of the earth. But us Humans? We are forced to live like beasts in small villages in the cold wastes of the uncharted regions. We are not strong like the mighty Beastmen, Nor do we have the intelligence of the Dwarves, We can't even use magic like the Elves can.
We are the weakest of the mortal races. Afraid to leave the walls of our villages, we fight amongst ourselves for food, territory, and other petty things. Our Race is filled with greed and anger.
That was before the war of God's came to pass. Now we are forced to hide behind are walls less we anger one of the many gods.
Recently the things outside our village have gotten worse. We've received news that the dwarve built something, something dangerous.
Feeling threatened by the might of the weapon a god obliterated the capital city of Blackmorn. My brother, the strongest of our village went to explore that very city. But he hasn't returned... I fear the worst.
----
P.O.V. Lanius Frey
"It's been almost two years Lanius, your brother hasn't returned. We have to consider the facts."
kicking open the door I strapped an iron sword to my side.
"Look Father, the only fact we need to consider is that he's in danger. I'm going to look for him."
Grabbing my shoulder tightly He looked me in the eyes, concern for my brother and I was all I could see. Of course He was worried, I mean He only ever has three children, and I was the youngest.
"I can't let you go Lanius! I can't lose you too..."
"Father, I promise I will return. Marnie will always be with you. But I would never leave you alone. I will bring back my brother, we will be a family again."
Looking away from me he walked towards the center of the room.
"If you must leave let me give you something. A very long time ago your grandfather found himself lost in the jungle, he came across a single stage coach with a couple of dwarves inside. They just recently lost their horses and were stranded in the forest."
Whipping the center rug off to the side he revealed a small hole covered by a few wooden boards.
"He gave the Dwarves our only horse so that they could find their way out of beastmen territory. Grateful for his generosity they gave him two items."
Opening the trapdoor he ushered me over.
"One item was known as the cloak of mist, it was a long leather cloak that when activated hides the wearer from enemies, and a bag that could hold an amazing amount of items, a bag of holding. These have been the treasures of our family for generations.
The Cloak of mist was gold trimmed, it was all black and had a hood with metal plating. The bag of holding was shaped like a small leather pouch no bigger than a coin purse.
"Take these with you my son, it would make me feel better knowing you had some means of protection."
These were priceless artifacts. If the Village elder knew these were here we would have been exiled.
"I-I can't take these! We wouldn't ever have to worry about food again if you had sold these."
Looking up at me he smiled.
"Your grandfather once told me of a prophecy given to him by those same Dwarves. 'Protect these items, a day will come when a child of legend will be born. These items will come of great use to them.' I feel if it wasn't your brother, then it must be you."
Placing the elegant cloak on my shoulders he slapped my back.
"Your looking pretty good kid!"
Grabbing a small leather satchel he placed the bag of holding inside. Tossing me the satchel he placed his hands on my shoulders.
"You're braver than most Kid, now get going! You're burning daylight."
Turning I stepped out of the family house with determination and butterflies in my stomach.
"Thank you Father."
"Just bring you and your brother back home. I'm too old for all this worry weighing on my heart."
As I walked through the Village people waved at me with smiles.
"Hey Frey! Going hunting?"
"Yeah, something like that. I'll see you around!"
It feels like I'm walking towards my death...
My older brother spoke of Blackmorn alot. He said that the capital of the Dwarven race was west of the village, directly through the elderjungle. The magic forest was one of the largest jungles in the world, Teeming with Beastmen.
As the gate to the outside world opened I took a deep breath. Looking back at the little village I called my home I sighed.
"Sounds like I won't be back for a while... Be seeing you."
Turning towards the outside world I took my first step on the quest to find my older brother.
-----
P.O.V. Ander Fernandez
Stretching out at the desk in my bedroom I closed Mister Frey's journal. Tapping the key to my finger it changed into the ring that hides the journal. Placing the book inside the ring I stood up from my desk.
"I wonder if Sir Roland has time for me to ask a few questions."
Walking down the hallway I wandered towards the main living area, Mother was reading a book by candle light as Knight Roland sat across from her, sipping tea.
Sir Roland was in his mid-forties, he became a knight when he was my age. He fought in three massive wars! If anyone knows about magical items it would be Sir Roland.
Waving to Sir Roland he simply gave me a subtle nod. Mother looked up from her book and noticed me walking towards them. Smiling she closed her book and outstretched her arms.
"My little Ander, what are you doing awake this late at night?"
Hugging my mother I sat next to her.
"Can I ask Sir Roland some questions?"
Raising an Eyebrow Roland smirked.
"Its a little late for sword training my boy."
"No, I'm still sore from last time Sir Roland. I have been reading a story about different types of magic and wanted to know if you've heard of them before."
"Oh? Your mother would be a much better option. She was the queens court mage before retiring."
Waving her hand she ushered for Roland to sit.
"How about we both try to answer any questions you have."
"Thanks a bunch!"
Mister Frey wrote about two specific magic items in his first entry...
"The Knight in the story was called the master of weapons, he had so many different weapons that him and his squire couldn't even hold them all! So he visited a magician, he gave the knight an item that could fit an entire armory of weapons inside of a small pouch!!"
Mother chuckled before smiling at me.
"Oh I know that one. It's known as the bag of holding."
"What kind of magic did they use to create something so amazing?"
"My lady, I think I can answer that. See they used a type of magic that creates a type of pocket universe! This magic creates a tiny dimension where you could store quite literally anything."
"How do you retrieve one specific item or weapon if they float around?"
Mother patted my head and smiled.
"See, the magic uses a type of activation. Simply place your hand inside the bag of holding and think of what item you wish to retrieve, and in the blink of an eye you will probably feel something in your hand, if all goes well you will have what you seek. Simple as that my Ander."
"The dwarves were truly amazing!!"
Roland raised an eyebrow.
"Dwarves? Like the tiny men that make weapons for adventurers?"
My mother stroked my head and laughed.
"Honey, you've been reading those fantasy stories again haven't you?"
Laughing I stood up.
"Well Mother, I think they were real!"
"Honey... they are nothing but fairytale creatures. They aren't real..."
Roland smiled before humoring me.
"The bag of holding is a real item, but nobody has ever been born with the power of enchanting. The dwarves could have been real, If you grow up strong you can go on an adventure of your own and discover that for yourself."
"Maybe I will, It's settled!! I'm gonna become the best mage to ever live!! Then everyone will believe me."
Mother stood up, her hair began to glow with a brilliant red fire.
"Light a fire under yourself my baby boy! I support you all the way. When you learn what power you can use I'll train you myself!"
Screeching in happiness I ran up to her and gave her a deep hug.
"I love you."
Turning around I ran out of the living room.
-------
P.O.V Lanius Frey
I'm such a fool...
I got lost in one of the biggest forests in the world! This cloak has come in handy more times than I can count. The Beast men always go hunting at night for potential Human slaves.
The Elves wish to have human slaves for their building projects, and the Beastmen wish to gain the magic crystals Elves make. So they hunt for weak humans every night.
I have had to use this cloak so much because I could never beat one in single combat.
The tigermen, they can smell my scent on the wind. I've obtained several slashes and at one point almost died to blood loss.
"I think that I might have gotten over my head a bit..."
The crack of a twig alerted me of something.
"I... Smell you Human."
Climbing out of the woodwork was a mighty beast of a man, He was tall and built like a swordsman. But he was different than the other Beast men. He was skinnier then the others.
He had black stripes covering his white, furry body. He looked like an Albino of his kind. He was missing an eye.
"Back off, I'm not afraid to use this!"
"Quiet Human! You'll alert the others..."
This Tigerman had a giant twohanded sword strapped to his back. He wore ripped up shorts and a black overcoat.
"I've seen what your people do to my kind, I won't let you touch me!"
"Stop talking! My name is Lux, I'm an outcast, I don't mean any harm. I warn you though, if that fire you sit next to isn't put out, you will be captured."
Sighing I grabbed a pail of water and tossed it on the fire.
"Why are you helping me Lux?"
"I am one of the Pale born. My tribe sees me as a monster because of the color of my fur. So they casted me and my family out when I was a child. They attack me everytime I'm seen, so I've learned a thing or to about stealth."
Looking down at my feet I sat back down.
"Take a Seat Lux, My name is Lanius Frey."
Sitting down he put his hands on his lap.
"Can I ask you something Frey?"
"What is it?"
"You don't live in the jungle right?"
"I live in a village on the outside."
"Is it true what they say? Is the sky really dotted with glowing stars?!?"
"You can see them every night. They really are gorgeous..."
Looking up I Sighed again. Inside the Elder Jungle the canopy was so thick you couldn't even see the moon! It was truly depressing.
"I wish I could see it..."
He sat in pain, he was obviously uncomfortable. He was an outcast, ganged up on and discriminated against.
"You can leave the jungle whenever you want right? Why not just leave?"
"The tiger tribe was cursed by the gods a long time ago. They placed a glowing sword within the sacred elder tree stump. No Tribe can even touch the blade. If we ever get close to it the whole area becomes foggy and we end up back at the start of the path. It works the same way if we try to leave the forest."
He can't even leave this terrible place. I feel bad for him. But what really takes my curiosity is that sword... It's got a powerful enchantment. If I can get my hands on that sword I could even put up a fight against the Beastmen.
"What if we removed the sword?"
"That's crazy talk human. That sword hasn't been seen in centuries."
"I'm saying I wanna try and help you Lux! Where's your optimism?"
Getting up he looked at me.
"You're serious? We would have to get through the tiger village, make it through the lost vale, and pull the sword from the stump."
"It's worth a shot, what's the worse that could happen?"
"Death."
"Is that any worse than what your going through right now Lux?"
Smirking he looked at me.
"Fine, Let's do it Hu-, Frey."
Sticking out his hand he looked me in the eye.
"Let's go get ourselves killed Lux."
Grabbing his hand we shook.
And with that, I met the first ofnmany life long friends.
---
Whispering to ourselves about strategies the rustle of the brush alerted us to a possible threat.
"I'll be your support..."
"Alright Frey."
Activating my cloak I was shrouded in mist. Disappearing behind a tree a massive tiger man stepped out of the brush.
"I smelled a human... But I got an even better prize. Hello pale one..."
Taking out his sword Lux got into a fighting stance.
"I've killed your kind before, I'll do it again."
"Yeah, you've killed the sickest of our village, and if I remember correctly... they gave you that."
pointing at his face the Tigerman laughed.
"Come at me! Or are you scared Asshole?"
"Time for you to die Pale one."
Lunging at Lux he dodged it gracefully. swinging his sword down the Tigerman swept Lux's leg.
As he hit the ground the Tigerman kicked his sword away.
"I cant believe I get the privilege to slaughter the stain on our races name!"
Taking off the hood I unsheathed my sword.
"I'll give you a stain you stupid cat!"
Moving as fast as possible I thrusted the sword into his back. The force of my attack knocked the tiger man over Lux.
Struggling with the Tigerman I shouted at Lux.
"Prove them wrong! Finish h-."
Swinging his mighty arm I was knocked into the trunk of a tree.
"P-Pale one... You trained your own pet?"
Pulling out the sword he was hunched over in pain.
"The village Chieftain will find this most entertaining."
"This ends now, I'm leaving the forest!"
Rushing the mighty Tigerman Lux landed a heavy blow across the Tiger's face. Slamming into the ground with a sickening thud Lux let out a triumphant growl.
"We actually beat a Tigerman warrior!"
Groaning I got to my feet.
"Congratulations... Lets get moving."