"We welcome the esteemed Apithien to our humble village!"
Woah…
Isaac and I stood quietly behind Solgen as she conversed with a group of heavily armored guards at a place called Igni Town. They were kneeling in front of Solgen, heads bowed like guards greeting their king.
"Uh, Solgen… Why are they kneeling in front of you?" Isaac asked.
"It is because they hold me in high regard, Isaac," Solgen responded.
"Okay, but why?"
"I will tell you once we are inside the village. It is a long story."
She cleared her throat and addressed the guards. "Please rise. There is no need for you to bow down before me. Just take my apprentices and I inside so we may rest."
"Yes, madam!"
They all rose in unison and signaled toward their comrades. The large gate slowly opened and a loud, grating screech permeated the air.
One guard leaned forward and said, "Please, follow me as I take you to our lodging."
Solgen nodded curtly. "Thank you. Follow along, Laila, Isaac."
The moment we stepped inside, we were surrounded by a gentle, cooling breeze, akin to an angel blessing us with their warmth. We were standing in the sweltering heat moments ago, but now it was gone as if it had never existed!
Solgen must've read my mind as she answered my question. "There's a machine run by magic that covers the entire village and changes the temperature within. The same blacksmith we are visiting created it. Did I mention he's also an inventor?"
Solgen was happily chatting away as we walked along the pavement, inspecting the town. The buildings seemed to be built using gray bricks, their architecture similar to the homes on Earth, specifically the United States. A simple brick home with a gabled roof. Turning the corner, we saw small children running in circles, their cheeks rosy with joy. Their clothes were caked in dirt and their hair was a tangled mess. Small horns were protruding from their heads.
I tapped Isaac on the shoulder. "Hey, Isaac. It seems we really are in another world…"
"Nah, really? What gave it away?" He smirked. I rolled my eyes at his response. The guard brought us to a standstill in front of a looming structure made of a deep-red, black material. A charcoal color dominated the building, mixed with a sprinkle of red, similar to an already-used hearth. The architecture was the same as the homes we passed by, but in mansion form. It had wide double doors, a sloped roof, and many rectangular windows that showcased dark rooms.
"Here we are," the guard announced. "You can rest here until the village leader arrives. Please make yourselves at home."
Isaac was whistling while admiring the building. "This is the type of high-grade mansion you would see in Cali."
"Enough of being dazzled by the view," said Solgen. "You two go freshen up and meet me in the lounging area. We have much to discuss."
Isaac didn't need to be told twice as he bolted toward the already open door. I called up after him while tearing my shoes off.
"Isaac, take your shoes off first! It's filthy!"
****
"Ah…. That was complete bliss," I sighed. "Washing off grease and grime never felt so good. I didn't think they would have showers in this place! What surprised me is that it's run by water spirits, which is odd since how there can be water spirits in an area like this. Then again, there are no lakes or any water sources around here, so it makes sense they would find unorthodox methods..."
A pile of neatly folded clothes was waiting for me on the sink. There was a brown, long-sleeved shirt and black trousers that reached my ankles.
"A fresh outfit, too. I don't have to walk around wearing torn-up clothes now."
After I got ready, I made my way downstairs and toward the lounging area. Isaac and Solgen were waiting for me, as they were already sitting down. The interior walls of the mansion were the same as the outside, radiating a moody and ominous feeling. A shaggy carpet was planted right beneath a row of chairs and couches.
"Took ya long enough," Isaac playfully chastised.
"Have a seat, Laila," Solgen said with a smile. "The leader of this village should arrive soon. I was just notified by a guard earlier."
Taking up on her invitation, I sat across from Isaac and crossed my legs.
"Before he arrives, I shall answer Isaac's question before."
Her facial expressions went from calm to deadly serious. "I and the leader here go way back. We were involved in a sort of... adventuring group, to put it simply. We had fought through many battles and overcame many trials together. All of us thought we were unstoppable… Until the Pillars arrived."
Mentioning the Pillars, bloodlust erupted out of Solgen. Isaac and I leapt out of our seats, our skin tingling with goosebumps. Solgen noticed the tension in the air lightening, and the deadly aura around her dissipating.
"Sorry about that. I lost control of myself for a moment."
Isaac poked his head over a couch. "Jesus christ lady! Warn us next time or something!"
I frowned at Isaac as I returned to my seat. "Isaac, shut up. Please, continue."
She nodded her head and carried on. "These Pillars arrived with no warning beforehand. They descended upon Athiens, prattling about how the residents here will serve just fine for their grand plan. Our little group caught wind of their plans by an informant and knew that they had to be stopped, so we prepared for the biggest fight of our lives. However, we stood no chance in the end. They posed to be far too strong for the likes of us, and we failed miserably. They slaughtered members of our team one by one till three of us remained. We thought were going to perish like the rest of our comrades until he opened his mouth…"
I gulped down a lump of saliva as the tense air persisted. The thumping of my heart filled my ears as I asked Solgen, "Who's he…?"
"She speaks of Volken."
A calm voice from the doorway had all of us whip our heads. An elderly man with a full head of gray hair and a matching beard stood before us, leaning on his cane for support. He wore a dark-blue robe that clung to his skinny frame, highlighting his slight figure. His hazel eyes, though weary, contained a vitality that seemed to defy his frail demeanor.
"Oh, pardon me… I didn't mean to interrupt. I am the leader of this village and old friend of Solgen; Morgac…"
"Morg, you arrived," Solgen said in a strained tone.
Morgac issued Solgen a curt bow. "I came running as soon as I heard you arrived. The last time I saw your face was when 'that' happened."
Morgac and Solgen silently stared at each other. It was hard to read their expressions. Are they overcome with so much positive emotion that they are too stunned to speak? Or are they thinking of numerous ways to kill one another?
Isaac broke the ice by speaking up first. "What did Volken do that allowed you three to live? I'm guessing it was terrible since he imprisoned Solgen and all…"
"That I can tell you. Pardon me." The old man sauntered into the lounge area and sat on an open chair. "There we go… Now then. What Volken did in the past was very simple, actually."
He tilted his upwards and closed his eyes…
****
I was kneeling on the ground, gripping my abdomen as a sticky, warm liquid oozed through my fingers. "Volken! What are you thinking in that head of yours?!"
"Quiet Morg!" Volken snapped. He then bowed his head as far as it could go for the seven beings who stood before us. "Oh, great Pillars… Please spare our lives…"
"Spare you guys? Hah! Don't make me laugh. You came marching in here like the insignificant ants you are, looking for scraps!"
It was a little girl giggling madly while pointing at Volken. She wore a light gray dress that glowed with a soft, moonlit hue, like a beacon in the night. The girl was also barefoot, choosing to levitate most of the time. Her irises would flicker to different phases of the moon, depending on her emotions- and right now, it was at the full moon phase.
"Luna, this isn't the time to be laughing. We should at least hear them out…"
This time, a little boy with a head full of wild red locks addressed the girl. His voice was like a lullaby, but beneath the tranquil melody was a monster ready to break free. The boy's skin glowed an orange tint on his copper skin- as if he spent years out in the sun. It was a significant contrast to his counterpart Luna, who was pale. His iris' resembled the sun, the outer edges somewhat flickering every so often.
"Shut up, Solis! You shouldn't be talking! Haven't you burned at least two of their 'friends' with no remorse?" Luna snickered behind her hand.
Solis gave Luna a dirty look. "Well, they were both pointing their weapons at me, so I had no other choice."
"Liar! You probably enjoyed it!"
"Silence," commanded a bland voice. Solis and Luna both shut their mouths at the order. The leader of the group strolled confidently toward the feeble Volken. The leader of the Pillars was a handsome man with a head of curly, jet-black hair and a nose that was slightly curved. He had a stubble chin and a square jawline. Whenever he moved, his teardrop earrings swayed, creating a gentle rustling sound like a gentle breeze through the trees.
"You want us to spare you? Give me one good reason I shouldn't dirty my hands of you filth." The man's voice, devoid of emotion, gazed down at Volken with a blank stare, like we were simply an inconvenience to him.
"...If you were to spare our lives, I would personally make sure no one would oppose you ever again," Volken said through gritted teeth.
"Volken!" Solgen was leaning against her sword as she struggled to rise. Some parts of her skin had scorch marks, while little shards of ice were scattered around her hair, almost like a crown.
"You wouldn't oppose us huh… You feeble creatures aren't capable enough for that." The leader tapped his foot on the ground as if he was actually pondering this amusing situation. The tapping suddenly stopped, and the man gave his answer.
"I accept these conditions." He whirled his body from Volken and marched away. Volken let out a sigh of relief until the sounds of quick footsteps made him lift his head.
"You might've accepted those conditions, but I won't!" Solgen snarled. "He will slaughter us all in the future!"
She raised her blade at the man in a last-ditch effort until Volken pinned her to the ground. Solgen tried desperately to break free, but Volken's grip remained firm.
"Release me, you spineless leach! How dare you give up so easily! Have you no honor?"
"Are you stupid? We cannot defeat them!"
"You little bitch," one of the bigger Pillars growled. A behemoth of a Pillar that could crush a demogre skeleton in half with just his bare hands, standing at seven feet tall with muscles that no ordinary weapons could pierce. The bald Pillar stomped toward the struggling Solgen but soon stopped when the leader held his hand.
"Hmm… I want to add another order." He pointed a finger at Solgen with a cruel grin. "I want you to imprison her until her flesh rots, and only the bones remain…"
Volken's shoulders flinched at the black-haired Pillar's command. His face darkened. Volken cast his eyes downward.
"…Understood."
Solgen's eyes widened. "What are you-"
Volken paused for a moment, and then with a swift and powerful movement, he struck her in the back of the head, and she slumped to the ground, rendered unconscious.
"Volken! Have you lost your mind?" I winced. I was frozen in place, my heart pounding in my chest, as I feared the slightest movement would cause me to bleed out.
Volken glanced over his shoulder, shaking his head. "Sorry old geezer… Someone has to make the difficult choices."
He hoisted the unconscious lady onto his shoulder and bowed once again toward the Pillars before leaving.
****
"And that is what happened," Morgac recapped. I sat there speechless about what I heard. Volken betrayed Solgen and Morgac, and they couldn't stop the Pillars because they were way out of their league? And Volken struck a deal with the leader of the Pillars and imprisoned Solgen?
Isaac had his arms stretched out on the sofa, with an annoyed expression. "Man, what a dickhead."
"He was also a fool for accepting those conditions," Solgen grumbled. The disgust in her tone was obvious, which I can't blame her for. Someone you trusted surrendered themselves to save their skin, albeit temporarily. To add salt to the wound, he also locked you up in a cave for an entire decade as you slowly die. I would be beyond pissed.
Morgac thought otherwise. "I wouldn't completely call him a fool. He did all that to save our lives. The Pillars were just far too powerful…"
Solgen was glaring daggers at the old man. "Oh great. Did living peacefully soften you up, Morg?"
He raised his hands up in defense. "Living peacefully is far from it. I have lost sleep thinking about the Pillars constantly, and how you were faring."
Solgen rolled her eyes, the bloodlust aura from before slowly crawling out once more. "Yeah sure. Once I regain my strength, the first person I'm going after is that heap of trash, and then I'll parade his corpse across the land."
"I'm glad you have not changed at all." Morgac tilted his head toward Isaac and me with a smile on his face. "I'm guessing Solgen's rescuers are you two?"
Isaac shook his head. "I didn't rescue her. It was all my sisters doing. If you want to praise someone, it's her."
I gave the old man an awkward wave. Morgac got up from his seat and bowed deeply to me.
"Woah old man. Don't break your back on us now," Isaac chirped.
"I would like to thank you personally for rescuing my colleague. I couldn't rescue Solgen myself because of my cowardice, as I didn't want to face the consequences of my actions."
He turned his attention to the Apithien and bowed again. "I do not dare expect you to accept my forgiveness, but I will apologize, dear friend, for not stopping Volken."
Solgen rose from her seat and placed a hand on the sorrowful old man. "There is no need for you to ask for forgiveness, Morg. The hatred that has been bubbling within me is not directed at you. Please, rise."
He slowly raised his head as a faint smile arose from his lips. "Thank you, Solgen. Now then, what brings you here- oh hero of the village?"
"Please do not refer to me as that," Solgen snorted. "Where's the blacksmith? I have business with him."
At the mention of the blacksmith, Morgac ran a hand through his hair. Underneath all that hair, I could've sworn I saw a pair of horns sticking out.
"The blacksmith is currently missing…"
Solgen blinked slowly. "…What?"
"He was running low on materials for some sort of secret project. I tried sending a few of my guards to accompany him, but he stubbornly refused. He hasn't been back for quite some time now. I was just about to send a lookout party until you arrived."
Solgen sat back down quietly while thinking. She glanced at Isaac and me and snapped her fingers. "No need to send your guards. I will send my apprentices instead."
Morgac raised one of his eyebrows. "Your apprentices?"
"Come again?" Isaac said.
"Count this as a sort of lesson from your mentor. Your first task is to find the blacksmith and bring him here safely. I will hear no objections. Where was he last seen Morg?"
"Last I heard, he was looking for metals in the Wyvern Zone, a great distance south of here…"
I noticed Isaac's ears perked up.
"Perfect. Isaac, Laila, get ready to depart."
We both peered at each other and fixed our gaze on Solgen. Isaac voiced our troubles. "Uh… We don't have any weapons. Ours broke when we fought Volken."
I nodded my head in response. Solgen sighed, and a familiar portal appeared to her left. She reached in, pulled out two heavy longswords, and flung them toward us with a loud whoosh..
"Use those for now. They will be enough for your venture. Meet us at the front gate as soon as you are done with whatever. Morg, let's go. We have much to talk about while we walk."
"Yes… we do indeed."
We watched as they both exited the mansion, the sound of their voices lingering in the air.
Isaac spun to face me, his gaze serious. "If I am not mistaken, I'm pretty sure they said wyvern."
"Yes, they did," I answered hesitantly as I watched Isaac exit his chair and leave without another word.
****
Isaac and I ambled to the front gate and noticed Morgac and Solgen's conversation, punctuated by the sound of their whispers.
"…I'm telling you, their growth is monstrous. Under my tutelage, they will be a force to be reckoned with."
Morgac scowled as he shook his head. "We cannot send these kids to fight our bat-"
The old man heard our footsteps from behind and gestured at Solgen.
"Good. I see that you two are ready. Morg will hand you a map of the entire southeast region so you don't get lost on the way."
Morgac reached into his robe and pulled out a pocket-sized map that had landmarks already identified. There was a bundle of trees, hills, and rivers drawn. On the map was a large X on top of a tightly dense forest named Wyvern Zone.
Morgac ran a finger along the map. "The quickest route to reach the Wyvern Zone is marked right here. It should take you only a few hours. Remember, find the blacksmith, and bring him home. Be safe."
"Death is not an option, dear apprentices," Solgen added. Even though she put on a brave face and said it jokingly, I could feel the tension emanating from her eyes.
"Don't worry about us. Isaac and I will come back safely. Right Isaac?"
Isaac simply nodded his head in response. His silence was kinda worrying me. As soon as he heard Wyverns would be in the area, he started acting weird. Just what is going on in his head of his…
"Before we leave, what does the blacksmith look like?" I asked.
"Hm… we don't have a clue," Solgen muttered while studying the sky. "To be more precise, he changes his appearance whenever he feels like it. The reason for that is shrouded in mystery."
"Well, ain't that something…" I mumbled. Someone as great as him as this sort of hobby. I don't judge. Anyway, we should probably get going. If we waste any more time, who knows what might happen to the blacksmith?
"Thanks for the advice, I guess. We'll be going now. Come on Isaac," I said, wrapping the map. The gates soon opened while we waved goodbye to Morgac and Solgen. After we left the village and gained a good distance away, I thought of making some small talk with my brother.
"This will be our first adventure together, right Isaa-"
I ran into Isaac when he suddenly stopped, the jarring impact sending a jolt through my body.
"Laila," he said carefully.
"…What? You're weirding me out right now…" I winced, rubbing my nose.
"You know… Seeing a wyvern with your very own eyes… is a man's dream, ya know.?"
I saw the unmistakable glint of a wild boy ready to do something stupid flash in Isaac's eyes.
"Don't you think about it…" I warned.
A single tear streaked across his face. "This is destiny… this is God telling me- Isaac! pursue your dreams!"
"Isaac…"
"Will you stop your very own brother from reaching his dreams?"
"Depends on what your dream is," I answered vaguely.
"…I'll tell you when we get there. Now, onwards! Dear sister!" Isaac increased his pace after his worrisome announcement.
"Hold on! You're going the wrong way, dumbass!"
I hate my brother sometimes…