It has been several days since our adventurer was looking for a place to sleep and eat when his murderous frenzy left him to give way to fatigue. He still doesn't understand the events in the cave, but he doesn't care. And for good reason, few mortal or divine creatures are able to bring the dead back to life. And to achieve this on a human and even more difficult because of their soul not very suitable for such practice. Suffice to say that the person who has succeeded in this tour de force is not just anyone. The adventurer stops and observes around him, there is nothing but brambles and ruins. Which confirms that for once he is in the right place, the South, a land renowned for cyclops, trolls and Elf mages crazy or talented enough to make a pact with the Goblins who swarm in the region. Suffice to say that humans don't last long around here, and yet this young man with a rusty sword and a wet tunic is heading for the most dangerous place on the continent after the arid lands, and what's more with a determination of iron. His mission is simple, complete the quest for his friend who died in battle. He must recover a sword which would be the inheritance of his family, and which an Elf will have stolen. All he knows is that the Elf fled south after attempting to assassinate a northern dwarf noble with the same sword he had stolen. The more the adventurer advances, the more the ruins become numerous and the sky becomes darker and darker. The adventurer feels an enormous anxiety seeping into his being, He frantically searched his pockets for a bramble with a silver glow, and swallowed it without the slightest hesitation, and immediately after, his eyes took the color of the plant. This bramble is the only preparation he has made for the south, for without it, only the gods know what will become of him. The adventurer resumed his journey after a deep inspiration. This place knows neither rain nor sun, there is only darkness that devours everything that is there, and the only plants that grow there are the silver brambles, a species introduced by the Elves when They were the masters of this place, and over time this species of plant has developed an incredible healing capacity, not only does it cure deadly diseases, it can also prevent madness, if it is consumed regularly. Corpses are scattered everywhere near the ruins, this only means one thing. He approaches the most famous place of this land, the last symbol of humanity on his desolate territory, a place that can well be seen, "The tower". And our man stands in front of her, he almost has tears in his eyes, but he pulls himself together immediately, because he knows very well that behind this tower, death awaits him, because this tower is not there by chance. , this is a warning for all the brave unconscious who had the idea of treading these lands. As a guard, A man of immense build, whose strength is reflected in the size of the armor he wears, he has no hamlets meaning this is a spear fighter, his face is covered in scars and wounds, and yet both of his eyes are fully functional, his hair is so dark black that light could get lost in it, and his eyes are also silver in color, all the wrinkles of the carcass that serves as his face gives him the 50th, even if he is obviously younger than that. Approaching the adventurer caught the attention of the guard, which made him move from his post towards the adventurer, he blocked his way and said:
"Halt there stranger, beyond this tower you will find only death and desolation. Whatever's your quest I doubt its reward is more precious than your life. So please, hear my words and take the dead as witnesses. Turned back, and preserve your soul. »
As he finished his words, the guard took the time to take a look at this newcomer. He was surprised to see that such a poorly equipped person could come here. Even the undead dress better. Then in a most surprised tone he asks him:
"Tell me friend, do you have anything to eat or drink?"
The adventurer nodded and showed him the hole in the bottom of what had once been a satchel. The guardian turns around, then goes to his post, takes two chairs, gives one to the adventurer, then sits down in front of him and says:
"Tell me your story, I won't forgive myself for letting someone like you go to his death without knowing why. »
Then the adventurer undertook to explain his coming to the south and his reasons. Once his story finished, the guardian got up and went to his tower, he came out with bread in his arms and a leather gourd filled with water. He handed the presents to the adventurer who rushed at the bread with a voracious appetite and devoured it with tears in his eyes. Never in his life was our man so happy to see bread. This reaction made the guard smile.
"Without even asking, I know you're an adventurer" without waiting for an answer he continued "your reasons are noble, and your determination only embellishes your quest, so I can only support you as best I can. If you want to know everything an elf passed by their three months ago. I think this must be the one you are looking for".
The adventurer looked up from his meal and stared at the guard, a flame of hope just ignited in his silver eyes. The guardian then gave the gourd to the adventurer.
"To be honest I doubt he's still alive, however if it's his weapon you're looking for I think I know where you'll find it. To the south of these lands is a forest, certainly it does not have leaves, but only dead trees, their lives an alchemist who succumbed to madness, however he remains very attracted by precious objects and women. If you're looking for anything of value, he'll have it. »
Hearing these words, the adventurer got up, hung up his canteen and put his bread in his now sewn satchel. Then bowed to the guard, promised to pay him back, and headed south. The guard followed him with his eyes and said:
"Take care of yourself and above all, don't get killed. The curse that will follow, you would not wish it even on your enemies.
But the adventurer was too far away to hear his last words, and instead received only a breeze of air from the depths of the south. A breeze that will have thrilled even the bravest of warriors, but for our adventurer it is nothing. Because he has already met death, and it is not death that will make him shudder. The further he advances, the more the ruined lands and the brambles devour the road, he takes the opportunity to collect as many as possible. He doesn't even know what time it is anymore, he forgot if he's here for an hour or a year, time is strange, it doesn't flow like outside it's longer and less obvious. What is strangest is the fact that so far no monster has attacked him, in truth he has not encountered any. This is less worrying than his ever-decreasing food reserves, he forgets when he has eaten, and his resources go up in smoke. But, after what seemed like an eternity of walking, he saw an ember in the distance. In his mind, he had only one voice that kept repeating a word "Fires". He began to rush towards the embers, forgetting to take out his weapon, and it was only when he heard the clanking of armor that he remembered a saying:
"A man without a weapon, and a man for whom tears are shed".
In an instant he turns around and draws his sword, but behind him there is no one. A long moment of silence, then a sword was sheathed and a man's voice rang out:
"By all the gods I could have killed you!" Also who will have the idea to dress like that, we will have sworn even one of his creatures" followed a sigh, then the same rattle of armor sounded, but this time on his right. The adventurer faced this mysterious voice in armor, and regretted it so soon, a giant of 2 meters, at least, stands in front of him, full armor dotted with lion symbols like dragons, and his sword whose blade is the size of an arm and a red gem adorns its top, as for the shield which covers its right reaches the blow and an emerald adorns its center, with of course symbols just as indecipherable. This is what many consider the pride of mankind, a Knight of the Plains. Men whose strength and stamina are beyond comprehension, it is said that their armor alone could crush a monster, and their swords are so strong, they are said to be able to shatter rock. Monsters whose humanity only comes from appearance. And like many our adventurer has heard of his soldiers as strong and ruthless, so if he wishes to survive he must be careful. The knight went to sit by the fire and waited, but our adventurer did not approach, not out of fear but fear. When suddenly an imposing voice resounds:
"Come and sit down, there's no reason to be afraid, because if I wanted to hurt you, I would have done it already." »
Although the adventurer has little confidence in this stranger, he could only bend before such an overwhelming presence. When the adventurer approached, the knight said:
"Tell me, you don't look well prepared, what are you doing in such a dangerous land, and what's more, you're alone? ".
The adventurer then undertook to tell his story to the knight. After finishing, there followed a long moment of silence, then the knight had a frank laugh and said:
"I don't think you're so brave, now I feel ridiculous next to it. Hmm, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Azkhar of Kirmine from the dwarves kingdom, I am a former knight who has sworn to protect his people and his king, how about you? Who are you. » The adventurer tells him to be a simple traveler who seeks to accomplish his revenge, in memory of his friend. Azkhar contented himself with this answer and went on, "Well, I see that you have a reason to fight, it will make your stay here easier." I'll tell you one thing, this place has been cursed for ages, if you die here your soul will corrupt and you'll rise undead, so please don't die, because from now on we're teaming up! »
The adventurer, surprised, immediately refused the offer, he may be young, but not naive, and he knows very well what humans are capable of. And in no case will he trust such a stranger, especially if the latter almost killed him a few minutes before. Seeing the adventurer's refusal, the knight took out his sword, which was enough to make the adventurer swallow his saliva. He had then had a moment of hesitation, then remembers that his ability to survive alone is approaching nothingness. So he had to fall back on this unknown who is no longer unknown. The knight gets up from the fire and says:
"Well now that we are two we can survive more easily. Tell me what can you do that will help us? in response the adventurer clutched his sword and smiled triumphantly. Azkhar inspected the adventurer's gear and said, "We'll be up against trolls and giants most of the time so I hope you're prepared to endure this nightmare." despite Azkhar's words, this did not prevent the adventurer from agreeing to follow him. They walked for an indefinite amount of time, until arriving in front of a huge pile of charred corpses in the middle of the road, Azkhar expected an expression of disgust from the adventurer, but received nothing but indifference. Admittedly the smell is putrid, but compared to the smell that the blood of monsters gives off it is nothing, the adventurer smiles sadly, and he thinks that indeed, he would not wish himself out, even at his worst. enemy. They passed the stack and headed north, finally apparently, because heading here, where everything looks alike, comes from the miracle. However Azkhar has surprisingly no trouble navigating despite the roads which do not differ in any way from the previous ones, it is at this moment that the adventurer ceased to doubt his choice to accompany him, if he had remained alone by now he will already be lost and dead of hunger or thirst. After another eternity of walking in its sad and arid lands, our two companions arrived in front of a wall of tree trunks already well worn. The adventurer then remembers that he had to go to the madman of the forest to hope to find this sword. He advanced slowly, as if attracted by this forest which, however, at first sight, has nothing to offer. When he was in front of one of the trunks, he saw in front of him the trees move aside and let him pass, a miracle! The gods therefore want me to return there, this is his destiny, but yes it is obvious, he will return to this forest and recover the property of his fallen comrade. Azkhar is yelling at the adventurer, but the adventurer is already in front of the trunks, ready to enter. When suddenly he had a flash of lucidity, and jumped back, then in a flexible movement, he jumped to his right, narrowly dodging the huge rock that was thrown at him. His silvery eyes turn blue, he pulls out his sword and stares straight ahead at the approaching shadow, but the closer it gets the bigger it grows, eventually becoming immense. A creature twice the size of Azkhar, its skin is light gray and its hair is dark black and its eyes are silvery in color, as for its face it is extremely ugly, giant canines protrude from his already widened mouth and a large nose almost covers his eyes. The creature carries on its back a huge club that could crush a dozen men without problem and around its sews several human skulls for the most part. The monster screams a rocky cry that would send chills down your spine, it advances towards the one who dared to avoid its blow, but the monster was blocked by a human in shiny armor, he wanted it, so the monster began to attacking Azkhar, he was throwing rocks bigger than each other at him, but nothing to do about it Azkhar smashed them all with his sharp sword, furious the beast took his club and crushed the knight, but no crack, only a sound of metal resounds in the south. The adventurer can't believe his eyes, this madman from Azkhar preferred to block the monster's attack rather than dodge it, and the monster also looked surprised because he didn't know what to do and remained planted in front of his opponent, then draw by Azkhar yells:
«NOW!!! Now is the time to kill him!!! »
Hearing his words the adventurer pulled himself together and rushed towards the monster sword in hand, but the creature must have sensed the presence of the adventurer, for it abandoned Azkhar and also rushed towards its opponent with alarming speed. Having extremely heavy armor Azkhar could not pursue the monster and could only shout:
«Attention!!!! »
But too late because the monster is already preparing its next attack and the adventurer is right in front of it. In a flash the adventurer jumps above the monster, then he raises his sword on the head of his opponent and grabs it with both hands, the monster does not realize that his enemy is right on his head and continues his movement looking triumphant. And at the same time the attacks of the monster and the adventurer rang out at the same time, a cry resounded in his lands, and it is not that of a human, we hear the sound of the corpse of the beast which collapses. And in the smoke we can only see the blue eyes of the adventurer moving in the pile of dust caused by all this mayhem. When the adventurer arrives in front of Azkhar, his eyes return to silver. The face of the adventurer is covered with monster blood, which lands him an expression of disgust, seeing this Azkhar laughed and in his tears of joy he said:
"I knew you were strong but at this point, I must admit that I was worrying for nothing" the adventurer, looking a little annoyed, asked the name of this creature he came from to confront. "Ah that, well what you just killed is what we call a Troll, and you just killed it without the slightest difficulty" and Azkhar started to laugh again, which started a little bit annoy our adventurer. But the adventurer's angry face only made Azkhar's laughter louder, the adventurer then continued on the way, and Azkhar still followed him laughing, the adventurer told him to be quiet , it was only getting worse, so he decided to put up with Azkhar's big, jolly voice the whole way.
Deep in the southern forest, a small wooden house from which smoke comes out.
"A…A house? D…Smoke? D…of life. Life, of human beings. »
A woman whose white dress suggests a priestess, her skin remains white, although she was soiled by the numerous wounds all over her body, and her hair in disorder is filled with pieces of land, her face is filled with injury too, but we can however attribute some trait to it, his eyes are brown and his cheeks have no color, his hair is black, but the few places not touched by the dirt show an orange color, a small nose finds itself in the middle. The priestess is skin and bones, literally and figuratively, she is severely debilitated to the point where even speaking costs her energy. Then suddenly she suddenly started crying, and her crying turned into laughter. When the door of the cottage opened, and from it came out a man dressed in a reddish tunic, his face was without the slightest scar, his hair was of a silver complexion, as were his eyes, vials hanging from his belt and a short sword in its scabbard. He approached the priestess who now lies on the ground, her skin now pale, not that she had any color at all at first. The man pulls out his gun as the woman gets up, when he was ready to slit her throat, the woman whispers something, and her eyes aren't brown or black, but red. The man cautiously approached the woman to hear her words and he heard:
"Goddess, forgive my peach trees, please. Goddess forgive my peach I beg you…I swear not to do it again, please. »
The priestess endlessly repeating her words. But despite all his signs that scream death, the man still had the courage to approach. This is what will cost him his life, because the woman, seeing the man approaching, raised her head from her hands and threw herself on him while emitting a horrible scream, the man hardly had time to throw even one shot. He is cooked, but, strangely the creature remained on him while observing him with his big red eyes, he is not yet corrupted. She smiled and laughed as her skin began to stiffen and age at an alarming rate, the man in a panic, pushed the woman away and reached into her pockets frantically, then pulled out one of his Silver Brambles. Then he put the bramble in the wide open mouth of the woman. The sinister laughter of the priestess dies out, giving way to tears, then to silence. The priestess collapsed, she is tired, hurt, thirsty and hungry, so this man is her only way out. She tried to talk to him but her mouth and her tiredness prevented her, but she had little need to say anything, because the man took her in his arms and took her to his house, he goes in and closes the door behind him.
Upon waking up the priestess no longer felt any pain, and her hunger subsided, she still has a terrible headache, but compared to what she has just endured it is nothing. She sees above her an old wooden roof, a long black fur covers her body, and a warm temperature invades the room where she is, which tore a very sad smile from her.
"I'm surprised you're still alive," a male voice sounded from across the room. The woman gets up abruptly, which draws on her face a grimace of pain. "If you want to keep your back, I advise you not to move" The man approached and sat down next to his patient, he handed her a dish with bread and a mushroom soup with a piece of meat between. The woman took the dish, and did not hesitate to help herself, the man continued to observe her then said:
"I found you some time ago outside, you were injured and covered in mud, I did not find any brambles in your belongings, I conclude that you do not know where you are, do not is this not ? The woman looked the man in the eye not knowing what to say, then she nodded her head. "Reassure me, you at least know who you are"
The woman then took a breath to say:
"I am Elima daughter of Marthar and Scilia, and I come from the holy city Caiténa, I am in search of the wise scarlet dragon, I hardly remember what took me to his lands" then without shouting guy, she got out of bed and bowed "I thank you for welcoming me into your home, I am eternally grateful to you" She looked up to see her savior better, he had the features of an old man, wrinkles full the face and a big nose is between his eyes, when his clothes are very strange, his outfit consists of a red cape with blue and white patterns on the chest, the hood is more blue in color that reddish, a leather belt separates the top from the bottom, and hanging from this belt are vials and a short sword in its sheath, black fabric trousers for the bottom and leather boots adorn the end of this curious garment. Then she glanced briefly at the room, and her gaze stopped, a fireplace, on it a magnificent sword in its scabbard, it is adorned with gold, sapphire and silver, the wrist takes the form of a boar with emerald eyes, the sword must be the size of an arm, it is held by pieces of iron that prevent it from falling. The man, not noticing the woman's gaze on the sword, said:
"Well I am, Thisvelt" hearing his name the woman turned around puzzled, Thisvelt is an Elf name, and it is forbidden for humans to associate with Elves, because some are hostile towards others, for a reason that only history and the gods know. Seeing Elima's puzzled look, he revealed the pointy ears behind his hair, then continued:
"I am indeed an Elf, and if I didn't kill you…Well…I have no reason to." We are in the South, in its lands, to survive is a miracle, those who come to its lands have a good reason to do so, or want to flee the world, I am fleeing a madman who is trying to kill me to steal my sword. I'm an alchemist, and I've been looking for a way to leave this place for an indefinite number of years or days."
Hearing his words, Elima's priestess instinct, gave her compassion for this Elf hunted for his one and only good, she took his hand and looked him in his eyes:
"I swear on my life to help you, to leave this cursed place and I will protect you as best as I can against anyone who dares to attack your soul" Hearing his words, Thisvelt laughed and says:
"You are very naive, trusting a stranger like that, I can guess that you are a priestess. Hearing her words, Elima frowns and says in a slightly embarrassed tone "I'm not a priestess anymore, I gave up my title a long time ago, and trusting you is the least of all things, need I remind you that I owe you my life.