There once was a man covered in flames, That he who had long foretold a prophecy— A prophecy that would alter the stories— histories, traditions, and legends; For the divination shall inherently set its motion, the destruction of its existence, and yet it shall forebode the conflict of kinship in the heart of the Mountains of Aldia.
"THUD. THUD. THUD." The Giants move closer to the walls— their footsteps reverberating on the ground, Their toes seeping into the snowy plains as they march towards Emeraldia. The immense fog's darkness thickens as they use it to hide their presence. The guards patrolled above the walls, clueless about what would occur. King Emorosio headed northwest, following the easiest shortcut— leading him beyond the border and into a forest.
"Something's odd," He thought. "I have a terrible feeling something will occur…" His thoughts circled inside his mind, unable to process an outright decision. His palms leak cold sweat as the surrounding air becomes humid. A vast amount of thick, dark fog quickly spread deeper into the forest, blocking Emorosio's vision.
"This is utterly annoying!" He exclaimed, his eyebrows furrowed from annoyance as he covered his mouth with his hood's mask. As his horse throttles at full speed, armed with only his unwavering perseverance and determination, he charges inside the fog with bravery. Emorosio looks around the area, unable to see anything but the fog's darkness— he draws his sword and brings his horse to a halt, ceasing its speed.
"Well, this is the easiest route to get to. I shouldn't even be complaining!" He snapped, talking to himself.
"Am I correct, horse?" Emor leans down, facing the horse's eyes, caressing the steed's mane.
"I should probably give you a name…" He frowned. "Bronx The Great? No. Jorge The Horse? Now that's just absurd!" He chuckled. "Brownie?" He uttered, childishly giggling. Along with the horse's waddling, they heard a noise. "What was that?" He abruptly said, swiftly placing his left arm on his sword's handle as he scanned the area from left to right, but to no avail. "I can't see anything..!" He thought in his head, still scouring in every direction as he struggled to peer beyond the mist of darkness. As he was about to mount his steed, a rustle of leaves, he heard. He sensed the footsteps of a creature, a creature coming from the left. He draws his sword once more, ready to defend himself from the foreboding monster that awaits him. Emorosio's hand
quivers nervously— his palms dripping with cold sweat as the liquid moisturizes on the sword's handle.
"Focus, Emor. Focus!" He whispered to himself, trying to make himself unnervous. As the fog finally outspreads deeper into Emorosio's surroundings, a quick flash of a silky substance shoots from a distance, aiming toward him. With his fast reaction time, he averts his eyes towards the projectile and swiftly slashes it straight on. With his right arm holding the horse's rope, he slowly steps backward, carefully retreating from his position. "What kind of monster resides here…" He whispered.
The fog quickly seeps through his surroundings, removing all the trees from his vision. He slowly retreats, discerning a faint sound of footsteps. But these are no ordinary human footsteps— no. It is quick and agile, and its weight— seemingly insubstantial. He retreats a few more meters— still, the mist follows.
As the light footsteps come closer— nearing his range, a series of white substances dart from the left, as a white giant spider lunges towards him with its razor-sharp fangs sharply glinting as it approaches Emorosio high-speed. Emorosio, unable to react quickly to the monster's ambush, is hit by its sticky webs as the spider successfully pounces on him, struggling to bite Emorosio.
As he lay on the ground, unable to remove the spider clinging to his body, the spider charged its deadly fangs as a drop of its venomous saliva slid down its fangs, hitting the snowy ground— and dissolving it. Emorosio quickly kicks the spider away from his body and is able to escape its sturdy grapple.
"I never knew these kinds of spiders existed here..!" He exclaimed, chasing his breath. The spider swiftly gets back on its legs and warily approaches Emorosio. Its eyes gazed in every direction he could move forward. Emorosio places his left hand on his left waist, trying to feel his sword. But to his surprise, it wasn't there.
His eyes widened nervously, and his hand shook from fear, bearing the thought that this one singular—individual monster could end his brittle life in one bite. With one final look to his right, he spots his sword— averting his eyes from the spider, the monster immediately charges towards him, aiming for the strike. Emorosio, panicking, with one final decision, decides to face off the monster barehanded.
With this bravery, he stands his ground, waiting for the inevitable. As the giant spider lunges towards him, he quickly grabs his scabbard and shields himself with the spider's fangs. As Emorosio struggles to defend himself, holding the sheath on both ends with both hands, his strength, by far, is unmatched by that of a Giant spider. The spider's fangs bite onto the sheath, though it does not affect anything. A white liquid oozes out of the spider's fangs as
the sheath's material hastily dissolves, and the spider's venomous acidic solvent rapidly vanishes into thin air.
"Damn, I might die from this!" He exclaimed, still struggling to hold off the spider. As the spider completely dissolved the middle of the sheath, Emorosio used the remnants of the sheath to stab the spider's head, declaring it encumbered in a transient period.
"Gah!" Emorosio grunts, struggling to get up. Panicking, he used his right arm to push his body upward and turn it around, facing the ground. The spider, slowly leaving its encumbered state, starts to turn its body over, though still struggling. Emorosio looked over his shoulder— seeing the spider slowly trying to turn itself— he quickly crawled towards his sword.
He locked eyes with his sword, knowing that if he failed to retrieve it— his life, his kingdom, everything would crumble and fall. And so he persevered. The spider had already turned itself over as it rushed toward him. Emorosio quickly looks over his shoulder and realizes the monster has already turned itself over, running towards him. Without a second thought, Emorosio quickly pushed his body upward with both hands and used his left leg to kneel. He locked eyes with his sword, estimating its distance. "Come on… Come on..!" He urges himself. With one final push, using both his left leg and arms, he lunges toward his sword, extending his right hand, trying to reach it. With only a meter left, The monster pounces towards him, its eyes red, fangs bared. Collapsing to the ground and his sword seized in hand, he turns his body around, and with his right hand tightly gripping the handle, he delivers a devastating slash on the spider's jaw, decimating its deadly fangs and rendering it useless.
"GRAAHHH!!! Take that, you vile piece of dirty undergarments!"
As the spider collapses to the ground, Emorosio slowly gets up, his heart beating almost like he had run a thousand miles. His legs shook rapidly, unable to control his limbs as his sword rattled in his hand. Yet he still stood up, waiting for the spider's move.
"Come on, you damned monster!" He exclaimed. He tightens his grip on the sword's handle as both hands and legs shake. The spider finally turns its body over, its jaw decimated into pieces. The only thing it can do is to flee. And so it did. The monster turned its back, scurrying away in fear. Emorosio looked at it— bewildered as to why it fled the battle.
"What in the world?" A look of confusion plastered on his face as he lifted his right hand, scratching his head. "That took a toll on me."
As Emorosio stood there for minutes, he finally understood why it fled.
His legs finally gave up from fear as he collapsed to the ground, kneeling. His sword flew from his hand as his eyes widened in joy— he, who remained, was triumphant. "Oh, by the gods..! Thank thee I am alive."
He celebrated, raising his hand, closed fist, his mouth curling up into a smile. He had finally won the battle, and yet he was surrounded by the mist. He looked around the area, not seeing any signs of trees or creatures. Realizing his horse, obscured amidst the fog.
"Come to think of it, Bronx's not around," He frowned, still slowly gasping for air. "I hope those wretched critters do not eat him." He slowly gets up, still surrounded by the immense fog, patting the dirt from his pants as he steadily approaches forward, not knowing where the direction he is heading. He tries whistling for the horse, attempting to signal for its attention, but is unsuccessful. Emorosio began scratching his left ear, eyebrows furrowed. Minutes had passed, but to him, it felt like an hour. All he could perceive in his direction was the thick mist. A minute had passed when suddenly, he heard loud footsteps seemingly heading towards his direction. Emorosio held his sword with both hands as he positioned the tip of the blade face-forward,
hip-level. He braces himself, preparing for the unknown as the rumbling footsteps reverberate on the ground like thunder as an immense gust of cold wind clears the thick fog, revealing the blue skies.
"How did that..?" Baffled, his eyes widening in shock, both eyebrows raised in surprise as the cold wind seeped through his skin, feeling the chilling sensation of something erupting. As he gazed to his left, he noticed a little silhouette of his horse, unfazed by the events. Its mane elegantly sways along with the cold breeze. He calls out to the horse, "Prep!" He whistled. The horse quickly averts his gaze to the noise— seeing his owner, he quickly dashed towards him as it neighed, throttling. "I thought I'd lost you in the woods, horse!" Emorosio let out a cheerful shout. He strolls towards the horse as it quickly approaches him, seizing its steps. He sticks out his hand, caressing the horse's mane gently. "You're not hurt, are you?" He said as he examined the horse's body. The horse neighed in response, puffing the air out of his nose.
"Excellent!" Emorosio smiled, slowly reaching for the rope, pulling himself upward as he mounted the horse. "We must head on again. By the gods' miracle, the mist has cleared up. We are no longer lost." As the horse throttles forward, heading northwest once more, the ground begins to shake rapidly, prompting them to stop briefly as the shaking eludes.
Emorosio gazes to his left, discerning the vivid steam erupting above the forests. "What could that be?" He thought to himself. He averted his eyes in his direction, heading northwest. The cold breeze whizzes in the air as the trees elegantly sway slowly.
The giants' heavy footsteps shake the earth as they reach the kingdom. Still, the guards do not notice their presence as they approach the walls. As the yeti sneakily approaches the walls, a guard on a barrel obliviously drinks his ale, unknowing what will occur. As the guard drinks his bottle, the giant swiftly snatches him as his voice disseminates around the area. The guards take notice, averting their gaze toward the scream as their eyes widen in horror.
"By the gods?!"
"What kind of vile creature is that?!"
"They got one of us! A beast who had walked among men!"
A chorus of three voices erupted as the guards saw their comrade being raised mid-air, held by a furry giant. One of the guards raises their bow. As he shakingly grabs an arrow on his quiver. In a panic, trying to draw his bow as the ammo falls on the ground. "Oh, by the third!" He exclaimed, shakingly trying to retrieve it. As the guard on the left screamed in horror, the man looked up, seeing their comrade, and his eyes widened in horror.
"BY THE GODS, SAVE ME!" The man helplessly screamed as he struggled to pull himself out of the giant's hand. The creature grinned, giggling, seeing the relentless struggle of the guard. It took a liking to it. The other guards remained still, unable to falter nor advance from their position. They FEAR for their lives. The man who had drawn his sword— his sword positioned on his front, his eyes widened in horror as his jaw shook from fear, his arms trembling from the pressure immediately dropped his sword as he collapsed on the ground, knees bent.
The giant's eyes glowed red, giving the guards a sadistic smile as it stretched towards its ears. It placed both hands on the man, covering his upper body. "REAAAAGGHHHKKK—!" His muffled screams abruptly stifled short as the giant wrapped its left hand around his upper body and the right around his lower body. An amount of strength used by the giant— came along with its sadistic smile.
As the guards watched their comrade in horror, in a span of a second, the giant ripped his body in half as if it were paper. His now torn-in-half waist splatters blood on the walls, instantly dying as the giant throws his body away— his blood and innards travel around the walls as they splatter on the ground. The guards all bellow in horror as one of them, a guard with a bow, rushes towards the bell, desperately trying to send a message of an attack. "By the King's turd!!" The man exclaimed, gritting his teeth and running as he extended his hand to reach for the rope. In a sudden flash, the upper body of the half-torn guard hurtled towards the bell, creating a gaping hole in the bell as it rang deafeningly. His body immediately stopped moving, and with a shift of gravity, he collapsed to the ground, knee-first, his ears profusely bleeding. As he struggles to gasp for air, unable to utter a single word, on his left eye, a piece of brass metal pierced-struck directly on his left eye, rapidly bleeding. In a second, his muscles contract, entering into an epileptic episode and his body convulsing, his mouth gurgling blood. Moments passed, and the giants entered the kingdom's walls, climbing their way inside the borders.
As the man takes his final breath, he sees the giant looking at him with a sadistic grin as it jumps down the thirty-foot wall. In his last moments, all he could hear was his comrades— scared and screaming, begging for their lives.
"It… hurts.." He says in his thoughts, as the weight in his eyes pulls his eyelids down as he succumbs to open death's door, slowly dying in agony. The situation became utter chaos as additional giants scaled the walls, mercilessly slaughtering anything in their path. One of the guards holding a sword, still
"Elzimir, by the gods, please help us!" Cried the guard holding a sword, kneeling, clasping his hands together as he desperately prayed. One of the guards used wood to create a signal fire of emergency but was swiftly snatched by a nearby giant and crushed to death. As the guard prayed more and more, one of the giants with a whiter fur glared at him, but the man did not falter. He continued to implore for his safety. The giant tilts its head, confused. Raising its right leg above the praying guard, grinning sadistically. The guard notices the sudden darkness and opens its eyes. He glanced to his left, seeing a tall, furry monster standing on one leg. He quickly gazes above— seeing his final moments. Before the monster's leg slowly descends into the air, the man closes his eyes, accepting his fate with a tear escaping. In a sudden flash— as the beast's foot meets the man's body— A reverberating echo emanates in the area like waves as the top of the wall shatters into pieces, destroying a portion of the structure. The villagers from below quickly caught the sound, their eyes averted towards the wall above, discerning the dust sprawling out into the wind. The shadowy, tall figure ascends its upper body upward, revealing its white fur dancing along the breezing cold wind. The beast stood still, flaunting itself. The villagers below all avert their eyes towards the horrendous monster above them. In a moment's silence, the beast slowly reclined its back. Tilting its head— its body tensed, its mouth half closed with its lips curled into a circle, drawing in air, puffing its chest out. The clouds quickly darkened, the
poise sanity of a seemingly mundane life dislodged— dismantled, detached, and removed in the very lives of the innocent— leading to a time of despair.
As the beast's hands tensed— swiftly retracting itself to the same position— The heavens, towering over with its darkness, expelled a thunderous clap of lightning, all startling the nearby villagers. On the northwest side of the inner walls, a knight walks out of the fortified gates— his eyes widened in horror, baffled by the inconceivable truth— the times of despair.
"GRROOOOOOUUUAAAAUUUHHHH!!!!!"
An overwhelming roar of invasion envelops the whole kingdom, ceasing everything to a stop.
The audience below, hearing the sound of death's bell tower, eyes widened, all focused on the monster above. Hands covering their ears, forehead furrowing, gritting their teeth. The thunderous roar springs from district to district, causing bewilderment among men and children.
The Yeti's thunderous bellow slowly ceased, and hundreds of Yetis climbed up, surrounding the walls. The villagers are in no way in shape to escape death's palms.
The Monster's leader, the whiter fur, jumps down the thirty-meter wall and effortlessly lands on the ground, destroying three buildings. The other yetis followed their leader, descending— rampaging through the plains, destroying landscapes and buildings. As they mercilessly slaughter civilians, exhibiting an ominous radiance on their sadistic faces. The screams of women and children metastasize through the vicinity. The people, fleeing from place to place, hoping not to be their victims.
"Help us, oh King Emor, please, save us!" Cried the kneeling woman holding her baby. The yeti approaches her and, without a second thought, crushes the woman to death with its foot. As the yeti look down, smiling, eyes glowing red.
"My love, take this amulet and leave by the carriage. You must flee without me!" The man exclaimed, smiling. He hastily removes the necklace amulet from his neck and hands it to his lover before sharing a warm embrace.
"I love you, dear." The lover replied, leaving on a carriage. The man waves goodbye to his lover, the carriage lumbering away. But it didn't take long for a boulder to fly towards the carriage, laying waste to his lover. The boulder's rough and greyish texture, now tainted red from the blood of the man's lover and the carriage driver. The man's eyes widened in disbelief— he could not utter a single word as he kneeled on the ground, weeping— One of the yetis heard his weeping cry and cheerfully walked towards him and knelt, arms relaxed on its legs. The man ceased his cries and looked up, seeing the monster before his eyes. He could only look at it as he shook in fear. Mind disoriented from the tragic event that lay before his eyes moments ago, now facing death itself.
"Ple—" The man's desperate attempt to ask for help immediately stopped as the Yeti flicked him with one finger, launching him to a building fifty meters away and immediately disintegrating his body, limb to limb. His vital organs, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys all splatter on the buildings'
walls. His brain splatters on the ground, along with his skin tissues, all splattered on the building wall.
A nearby Yeti swiftly snatches a man and immediately chomps down on the man's head, instantly beheading him. The yeti laughs hysterically— its eyes glow red as it finishes eating the man's body.
"Help us, oh great Eiysmr!" A man wearing a white ruffled shirt came running and screaming. Their vocal cords are almost deteriorating from screaming. A nearby yeti, overhearing his desperation, saunters to him— picking him up on his head. The man's jaw dropped in a state of horror, his face visibly revealing his emotion— fear. His body indicates a somewhat relaxed, poised manner.
His legs danced along the breezing winds, mind disoriented, teeth-gritting, tearful eyes, his heart palpitating in an unusual exertion. The yeti positioned the man next to its salivating mouth as it opened. A vividly unseeable steam ascends— escaping its morbid entrance. The man slowly closed his eyes, feeling the intense pressure from his head, accepting his fate. The monster crushes it, blood splattering on the Yeti's fingers as his body plunges through the rapids of its tongue, disappearing into the abyss.
In the far outlook northwest lies the same windmill where Ruthwen lives. Rosanthemum, his daughter, quickly leaves the house, curious about what is happening outside.
"Father..?" Rosanthemum called out.
"What is happening outside, Rosa?" Ruthwen replied, following Rosanthemum outside.
"I do not know, Father," She turns to him, eyebrows raised.
"I can hear the people screaming."
"What?" Ruthwen replied— a hint of shock and worry hitting his face— hurriedly walking towards the door as he peeks his head out.
"By Eiysmr… What in the world is happening?!"
"Father, look!" Rosa points at the wall, emitting smoke. "There's something over there!"
"Where, Rosa?" He replied, moving his head frantically, trying to discern where Rosa was pointing.
"Over there!" She said, raising her tone a little higher.
"By the gods… Are those?!—"
"A Yeti… That's a Yeti, right?" She said, cutting him off. Their eyes meet, sharing a glance filled with fear and horror.
"Pack your things, Rosa. Pack your things! We must immediately leave. NOW!" Ruthwen exclaimed as he hurriedly ran inside, grabbing a large loincloth stuffed underneath an armchair.
"What is happening out there?" A voice coming out of the room erupts a question.
"Rosa, get your legs up and runnin' take your mother. We have to GO!"
"Father…" Rosa replied, her eyes fixated outside.
"Rosa, come on. NOW!"
"Father..!"
"WHAT?!" He yelled, his hair a little ruffled, holding a bag.
"One of them's coming towards us."
"What?!" He hurriedly runs towards Rosa and peeks his head. In his horror, he gazes above, seeing a giant furry monster slowly walking towards them in the outlook. Mouth curled up into a smile, its eyes glaring at them.
"Rosa," Ruthwen grabs her shoulders and turns her, facing him. "Rosa, dear." Rosa's tears slowly fall from her cheeks, her mouth trembling. "Father..?" She replied. Her voice slowly sank into a pit hole of hopelessness.
"Your Father's here, alright? We'll be good. We'll be safe. Now, please help me. Get your mother." He gives her a reassuring smile, placing his left hand on her cheek— and giving her a little peck on the forehead.
"Okay, okay." She replied, constantly bobbing his head, nodding.
"Come on." He said in a faint voice. He frantically runs toward the window and peeks his head out, catching sight of the Yeti at least three miles away, looking in their direction.
"Beaver's Arse.." He muttered to himself before running back to pack their things.
Rosanthemum runs inside her mother's room, swiftly packing their garments as her mother looks at her in confusion.
"Rosa?" Said her mother weakly. "What is happening?"
"…"
Rosa doesn't respond. Her tears flow down her cheeks as she packs her mother's clothes.
"Rosa, tell me! What in the world's happening outside—" Uttering the final word, she begins to cough violently, blood coming out of her mouth splatters on the ground, placing her left hand on her chest. "Mother!" Rosa came striding towards her, patting her back. "Please, Mother. Don't say anything. We'll get out of this house soon."
"Just tell me what is happening?!" Their eyes lock together, sharing a heart-touching moment. Their eyes were slowly watering, sharing a heartfelt embrace. "Monsters… Mother. Monsters are coming towards here."
"Monsters..?" Her mother replied, eyes widened.
"Yes, monsters."
"Well, we should leave this house, then?"
"Yes.." Rosa nodded, sniffing back her nasal discharge as she wiped it with her left hand. Seconds later, Ruthwen came rushing down the doorway screaming.
"ROSA, TAKE YOUR MOTHER NOW! WE MUST LEAVE!"
"Yes, Father!" She replied in a yell, turning her gaze back to her mother.
"Mother, let us go."
"Alright." She replied, giving her a half-smile. Rosa grabs her mother's left arm and wraps it around her shoulders, helping her rise. As they slowly and steadily leave the room, Ruthwen exits the house's backdoor, carrying three bags full of garments as he runs towards the stables.
"Insolent, idiotic, lifeless cur!"
Ruthwen violently vociferates under his breath. Seeing the Yeti towering above him from a distance, its eyes fixated on him— smiling— Ruthwen's skin begins to crawl, hair nestled still like the branches of oak trees.
"The Divine Triune… Help us," He pleads for help under his breath, unable to move from the same spot, ears ringing from fear as he drowns in his heartbeat. As the beast's ice-cold glare ceased, Ruthwen heard a voice— A familiar, disembodied voice calling out to him.
"Fa…." The voice calls out to him, but he doesn't respond. Still staring at the filthy beast.
"Fath..!" It calls out to him again.
The ringing in his ears slowly disappeared as Rosa nudged his shoulder. The monster slowly crouched down, grabbing something on the floor.
"Father, what are you doing?!" Rosa touches his right bicep, heading towards the cart in a hurry.
"Mother said to check up on you here. You're dawdling too much! We have to go!"
"Rosa."
"What?!" She raised her voice, placing the last bag of rations and valuables.
"Rosa, look." Ruthwen points to the crouching Yeti as it grabs a handful of dirt, looking towards them.
"Get your mother, Rosa. GET YOUR MOTHER!" He turns his gaze towards Rosa, swaying his right arm in the wind as if he's telling her to move away, eyes widened, forehead furrowed, a sense of urgency on his face as he flatly declared.
"Y-Yes! Yes, I will—" As the sun's rays hit Rosa's peripheral vision, twisting her upper body back to face the path to her house, striding her right leg forward. The sense of urgency places her under pressure. Sudden blockage of the sun's rays, a glimpse of colossal dirt hurtling toward the house's location— Eyes conceived, time seemed to slow as a streak of teardrop whizzes through the air, leaving her tearing eye— as the inevitable occurred, unable to save her helpless mother.
"Mother, NO!" Her voice echoes— disseminating throughout the lands, reaching the branches of trees, and traveling along the air like waves. In the tragedy's aftermath, Rosanthemum collapsed to the ground knee-first, tears welling in her eyes as she began to vomit. "Gluurughhhkkk!!" The area, including the windmill— was decimated, destroyed, and shattered. Remnants of the building all scattered throughout the vicinity— Wooden rubble and cobblestones. Rosa was still in utter disbelief that she could no longer have a mother, a woman in her life whom she loved and cared so deeply, and someone who had loved, cherished, and cared for her as if she were their world. Ruthwen stared deeply into Rosanthemum— his eyes widened in shock.
"Your mother is gone, Rosa. We must flee immediately." He flatly declared. His facial features show no emotion.
"Shut up!" Rosa screamed, still weeping. "Leave me be. I want to be with my mother!"
"Rosa, we don't have enough time!"
"YOU do not have time!" She raised her voice once more, facing him. Her tears welled up, flowing down her cheeks.
"What?" He replied. His face seemed offended. "Rosanthemum, we do not have enough time. LET US FLEE!" He raised his voice, a hint of anger mixed with it as he grabbed her left arm, forcibly pulling her to join him.
"Let go of me!" She barked. Her face filled with anger, teeth gritting.
"Do you want to die?!" Ruthwen roared. Rosanthemum looks at him, crying. "Is this what you want?! To not hope for the better?!"
"You don't even care about what happened! You don't care about me— about mother!"
"OF COURSE I DO!" He raised his voice even higher. A hint of shaking in his vocals seemed present, suppressing his tears. "Do you know how much it pains me to realize that I have lost the woman I have loved?!" The atmosphere shifts to a sense of mournful ambiance surrounding the situation. Feeling this, Rosanthemum slowly takes a step back as she feels the tension rising.
"If our lives weren't in danger right now, I would simply kneel and weep, but I still have you, Rosa. I still have my daughter. Now, please, We must flee!" Slowly succumbing to his emotions, he let out a stream of tears, flowing down his cheeks as he extended his hand, palm opened.
"Please?" He shakily pleaded.
"I am sorry, Father. I truly am." Rosa gives him a half-smile as she takes his hand. Next to them, the Yeti from earlier hysterically laughed, placing both hands on its stomach and slowly getting up from the ground, locking its gaze towards them. Its mouth curled up into a smile. The beast's cold exhalation ascends the aerial vicinity, oxidizing in the air.
"Rosa! Get inside the damn wagon!!"
"Yes, Father!"
"Hurry your legs, Rosa!" Ruthwen rushed to the driver's seat, signaling the horse to throttle forward. Rosa hurried her footsteps, tears still flowing down her cheeks as she opened the gates. "Hurry forward, father! I'll jump on the cargo!"
"Aye!" Ruthwen commands the horse as it steps forward, full throttle. "Neeeiiiigghhhh!!!"
The horse bashes on the half-closed wooden gates, going in full throttle. Rosa, who was near the entrance, gets hit on her side, sending her five feet away. "Urghhkkk!!" Ruthwen sees this, eyes widened, face shriveled in fear. Shouting, "Rosa!" He tried stopping the horse but to no avail.
"I will be fine, father! I'll catch up!" She replied, shouting. Struggling to get up, she crawled next to a wooden post, pulling herself up as she placed her left hand on her hit waist.
"How.. did that hit me..!" She muttered, limping towards the running wagon.
"Halt, damn horse! Halt!" Ruthwen cried.
"Father.. I'll be there..!"
As Ruthwen makes a right turn, retreating— rescuing Rosanthemum— The vile beast from before, hysterically laughing. It grabs a hold of a large boulder. And with one hand— retracting its body— aiming towards the carriage.
"Rosanthemum, stay still and extend your hand. I'll grab hold of it!" Ruthwen cried, leaning to his right as he extended his arm-full with a smile carved on his face.
Rosanthemum ceased her movements, locking her eyes with her father as she extended her right hand.
"Stay still, Rosa!" Ruthwen called out. Leaning a little further, hands extended.
As the carriage swiftly moved along with the winds' currents, Rosanthemum gave Ruthwen a warm embrace of a smile carved from her mouth and into the tip of her ears; Long had written her fate in her peripheral vision as time slowly moved. There, Rosanthemum, facing the carriage three miles away. From the left side of the carriage, a large, grey boulder slowly hurtles towards the carriage 5 feet away.
As the boulder slowly decimated the wooden structure of the wagon. Hitting Ruthwen— instantly killing him— blood splattering on the boulder frames away. A painful second slowly passed, and Rosanthemum's sense of time slowly came to her senses as she watched her father mercilessly murdered by colossal apes who knew no sense of empathy. The boulder collided with the wagon, producing a thunderous "THUD."
Producing a gruesome, sickening "SPLAT!" Covering the boulder with Ruthwen's innards— vital organs, his heart, burst into pieces, his intestines scattered all over the boulder, meat chunks decorating the boulder's greyish hue as blood splattered all over, coloring half of the boulder's textures. His left eye flies across the air, landing right beside Rosa as she looks at it in horror.
Two of his horses's anatomy parts— hide, meat, and organs, scattering all over the area— Some of its blood hitting Rosa's left cheek as the boulder blisters through several trees along with Ruthwen's wagon and pieces of bones. His lower body—torn in half—Missing jaw, half destroyed head, brain still intact.
Some of his intestines are still somewhat intact, traveling along its hurtling body, swaying in the breeze.
As the world quickly dawned on Rosanthemum's shoulders, her ability to comprehend— ineffable— unable to express her thoughts as time began to move slowly. Rosa's tormenting reality.
Her hopelessness started to dawn on her with every sob of anguish; she clutched her chest, gripping tightly on her garment, facing the skies above. She couldn't accept the apocryphal situation. Her mind was unable to elucidate itself as she kneeled. Erupting a vociferous, bawling cry— weeping— In her moment of sorrow, her melancholy state attracted several beasts towards her area. Rosanthemum's mind clouded, tears streaming down her cheeks profusely. With every heave of her weighty chest, she erupted a bawling scream, crying her life out. Her cries echoed through the vicinity as four vile beasts slowly approached her.
With every step the monsters make, reverberate through the ground. As the monsters reached Rosa, hunching down. Their hands nestled on top of their thighs. "HheHehehHehEhEhe…" The beasts all synchronizingly giggled. Rosa raised her head to face the sky, still bawling her eyes out. However, she did not realize the monsters were already beside her as their eyes glared as if a thousand daggers had pierced Rosanthemum's soul.
"Grunt.." "Huff..!" "Hunff..!" "Gruffn!" The vile beasts all face each other— nodding and smiling— as if they are conversing with each other. As the beasts slowly peek their heads on top of Rosa's view, blocking the skies, their terrifying facial expressions, teeth-gritting, fear-inducing appearance, Rosa's cries slowly dissipate. "Father.." As she finally uttered those words, everything felt numb. Her eyes slowly succumbed to darkness as she died in the hands of the beasts, tearing her body limb from limb. As the beasts happily rip her to shreds. The left yeti grabs her left arm, the other, her right. As the monsters both lift her in the air, they all pull together, ripping her body in half as the front yeti swiftly grabs her head and the other, her leg. Efficiently pulling her limbs apart— blood flowing down, splattering on the ground as her intestines slowly fall into the grasslands, tainting the once green hue a splash of blood.
"HeHehEHheehh!" The beasts cheerfully hop up and down as they fling around her divided, lifeless, and deformed body around. As moments passed by, If only the knights had shown up with their silver armored horses and their longswords readied just in time, many casualties ceased to happen.
"Split into three squadrons!" The man holding a lance uttered. "Slice up their tendons. Make them fall and stab their hearts! That is what we must do!"
"Aye!" The soldier resoundingly cried as they all throttled, marching forward, splitting into three groups. The scene suddenly shifts as Emorosio slides down a slopy stone slide leading down to a large dark cave.
"This is not what I intend to happen!!" Emorosio screamed, sliding down the slopy stone slide leading down to a narrow hole. Armed with one sword, he prepared himself.
"This cannot be happening!" He exclaimed, landing under a large pool of water. His sword slips away from his hand, sinking under the water.
"Gluggrhgrhkkkhh!!" He quickly swam on top, breathing for his life as he slowly opened his eyes, meeting a ridiculously vast amount of minerals— glowing rocks, gemstones, crystals, and ores. The light emitted by the crystals radiates the surrounding caves of different streaks of colors and shades.
"By the gods..!" Emorosio exclaimed, his eyes widened at the pristine sight of crystals surrounding the cave entrances.
"This is…" His eyes lit up.
"This is worth the discovery!" He exclaimed. His mouth curled into a smile as if he had eaten his favorite food for the first time, hovering above the water's surface as he paddled his feet underneath, preventing himself from sinking.
"Huff…" He gasped, "This is exhausting. I must tread lightly." He slowly swims ashore towards the glowing light. With every stroke, every gasp for air, swimming his way up to the unseeable land, he safely reached land guided by the crystal's flickering light.
"That took a toll on me." He laughed, taking off his soaked garments, revealing his rugged, muscular, slender body— biceps marked with scars differently, chest puffed up. His broad chest hair lined up, connecting along his abdomen.
He grabs his soaked-up shirt and jiggles it in the air, scattering the waterdrops around the area. "Phew." He shakes his head, running his left hand through his hair. He grabs both ends of his shirt, squeezing the water out, flapping it around, and trying to dry it up.
"This is annoying." He uttered, shaking the water out of his body. "I mean, I'm out 'ere, all alone. That damn horse probably left me." He sighed, sliding both hands across his face, placing it on his forehead, and facing the ground. "Come to think of it, if the hole is as big as his body, we would be cramped up and slid down together, and I wouldn't even be alone!"
He stood up and placed his sodden shirt on his right shoulder. "Come to think of it, where did my damn sword go?" He scours through the area, trying to find his sword. "Damn it! It slipped right through my grasp." He delivers a disappointed sigh, curling his spine forward and placing both hands on both thighs.
"What am I going to do?" He retracts his body, standing still. "I must find that damn Emerald... Even if It is the last thing I must do!" He takes a deep breath, standing up yay high as he marches past the oddly looking crystals embedded in the stone rocks.
As Emorosio left the pool of water, his marching footsteps echoed throughout the cave's entrance, reverberating through the surrounding walls.
The water pool's small waves echoed through the surrounding air. Inhaling the smell of freshly watered earth and moss, he takes a nice breath as His footsteps echo through the walls, hitting the glowing crystals as they flickered, reacting to the echoing footsteps Emorosio created.
Seeing its reaction, he gazes through the fine crystalline minerals embedded in the walls, grabbing his interest. "So they react to sound, huh?" He thought to himself. Minutes had passed, and Emorosio had reached nowhere. "I've been following this path for minutes now, and It leads nowhere. It is absurd!" He exclaimed, shouting. There, in the distance, echoing through the
darkness. A mysterious entity hiding in the outlook. Its disembodied screech reverberates through the walls as the crystallines glow red.
"SCREEEEEEEECCCCHHHHH!!" The disembodied echoing screech grew louder.
"What in the?" Emorosio averted his gaze toward the disembodied echo, gaining his attention. Armed with nothing but his fists, he panicked but stood his ground. "I should run.." He thought to himself. A w2silhouette of a giant, bat-like monster whizzes through the air, flying towards him. "By the go—" As he uttered those words, a streak of green light beams from above, transporting him to a different unknown chamber inside the caves. There, Emorosio is left lying on the ground, eyes closed.
"Speak." A disembodied voice spoke as its voice echoed throughout the chamber, bouncing around the vicinity. Emorosio slowly opens his eyes, meeting with a colossal spinning green matter. Its radiating glow envelops the whole chasm. Its green hue and streaks of light all bounce on the dark, earthy walls of the chamber.
"Speaketh thou, mortal tongue." The disembodied voice reveals itself as it takes three steps forward. Its monstrous green hue, scaly body, terrifying wings, and razor-sharp claws. Revealing itself above the spinning gemstone as its deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"By Eiysmr… What are you?"
"I am Ederius, the Keeper of the Chasmic Emerald."
"It is you…" Emorosio slowly stands up. "You are the dragon father mentioned."
"Indeed I was, Emor." Ederius nodded. "I have saved you from the Phiats," Ederius added.
"Why did you save me?" Emorosio asked in confusion.
"It is no longer your concern," He answered. "State the reason why you have come here."
"I have come here to fulfill the prophecy."
"Ah, yes. The prophecy…"
"You knew about the prophecy?" Emorosio asked, intrigued. Ederius looks at him, nodding.
"That is my reason why I have come here."
"Very well."
"You are aware of the powers the Emerald can bestow? Ederius asked. To Emorosio's reply, he nods.
"I see through your lies, Son of Eiysmr."
"What do you mean?!" Emorosio's eyes widened, eyebrows raised, forehead furrowed.
"My father, Eiysmr, uttered his testimony… a prophecy… And that prophecy is but the truth!"
"Then state your purpose."
"I have already told you…"
"Have you?"
…
"I have come here to fulfill the prophecy."
"Are you here to fulfill the prophecy?"
"I am."
"Step forward and extend your hands."
"Alright." Emorosio takes a step forward, extending his hands as he slowly tries to touch the Emerald.
"Do not hesitate to approach it."
"It is spinning…"
"Do not hesitate."
"Alright."
As Emorosio sticks his hand on the spinning Emerald, its spinning movement suddenly stops. The Chasmic Emerald light grew brighter, engulfing the whole chasm with green light. There, clinging above the walls, are thousands of resting bat-like monsters. The Phiats are wrapping
heir bodies with their wings as they awaken from the menacing ray of green hues possessed by the Emerald, letting out a terrifying screech that startled Emorosio.
"OUT WITH IT!" Ederius uttered, prompting the Phiats to cease their doing.
"What are those?" Emorosio inquired. Ederius gazes towards him and gazes back to the monsters above.
"They are called Phiats, monsters who came from the powers of the Emerald."
…
"Same goes with the Yetis."
"Is that the truth of that?" Emorosio asked.
"Yes. When Eiysmr discovered the whereabouts of the Emerald and created the Kingdom of Emeraldia, the Yetis were created by the Emerald in order to bring balance to Good And Evil."
"I see."
"Then what do I do now?"
"Think of your desires. Make a wish. And when you have thought of it, you must speak of it."
"That doesn't make it a wish now, does it?"
"I am the bringer of wishes to the Emerald. I am its source of power. I am to heed your wish and bring it to my Master."
"Before I make my wish, what did my father wish for?"
"Prosperity."
"I see," He responded. "My father, Eiysmr. Was he the first one to find this? The chasmic Emerald?"
"Yes, yes, indeed."
"Alright. I have thought my wish."
"Let us hear it." Ederius stands with his hind legs, spreading his wings, facing the chamber's ceiling.
"Alright, here goes." He takes a deep breath, preparing himself.
"I wish to create eternal warmth in my Kingdom. To bring forth peace and to incinerate those who bring forth harm. To become the flames that ignite the chalice of war, to become the flames that shield those who are weak. That is my wish!"
"Outstanding! You really are the Son of Eiysmr. The man covered in flames! I commend your wish. Answered, it is! I heed thee your wish!" As Ederius uttered those final words, a beam of green light shot up the ceiling, destroying it. Layer by layer, rock by rock, dirt to dirt, the green light blasts open a hole as the green light escapes the forest floors, hitting the stormy skies and dissipating the terror of storms. The skies had turned completely green.
At the highest peak of the Kingdom's castle, a lit-up flame sparked at the castle's highest pointing cone. As the lit-up fire turned blue, flickering. The flames slowly created an invisible, clear-like barrier that surrounded the Kingdom, dissipating the once snowy plains of their world into a vast land of warmth.
The yetis had begun rampaging at the outer walls. The knights put their rampage to a stop, slicing their tendons and stabbing their hearts. The persistency of the Yetis had overwhelmed them. Many knights lost, yet their attempts weren't enough to stop their neverending rampage.
As the flickering flames' barrier slowly engulfed the kingdom, the remaining yetis inside were instantly disintegrated.
"What in the oblivion?!"
"They are disintegrating, how?!"
"I do not know, but it is our fair chance. We can win!"
"Do not give up hope just yet, Men! Secure the parameters, and save those who are needed for saving! Kill those vile beasts!" The commander exclaimed, his voice weak and tired, giving his men the willingness to fight, he charged towards the gates full throttle, along with his brothers marching behind.
"AYE!!"
"You, Son of Eiysmr. Your kingdom is now once saved."
"I knew this day would come, Ederius."
"Very well, I shall send you above."
"I thank you." Emorosio nods farewell as Ederius does as well.
In a moment's silence, a green light hits Emorosio and instantly teleports him beside his horse. As he slowly opened his eyes, his ears slowly stopped ringing, realizing his horse was beside him, he greeted it with a warm smile.
"By the gods… Teleportation sure is a nifty way of transportation, but it sure does take a toll on me."
"I shouldn't dawdle long, I must go back ho—"
"Woah! Hey, it is you, Bronx." He cheerfully greets his horse as it looks at him in annoyance.
"Don't you miss me? Cause I sure do miss you." The horse glares at him, turning its back around, shoving dirt using its hooves.
"Woah! Take a break, mate. Rest eaaassyyy..!"
"Let us go, then." He added, jumping right on top of his horse as it throttles forward, heading home.
"I have failed as a King. I just wish my people were okay." Along came the lumbering sound of a throttling horse as Emorosio hastily followed the path to home.
Hours had passed, and Emorosio reached the main gates of the kingdom. Witnessing the horrifying aftermath of the battle, where a hundred yetis had laid waste. And a hundred men had fallen. He could only do nothing but mourn.
A few days had passed, and many lost their lives to the rampage of the monster. Emorosio had gathered the townsfolk and with their graves laid upon the plaza, the king honored the fallen soldiers and mourned the dead commoners.
Another few days had passed, and Emorosio sat on his throne, witnessing boredom as he awaited the newly refurbished sword.
"Darling," A disembodied female voice called out for him.
"Yes, Eikyl?" Emorosio responded.
"Care to tell me again what happened when the Yetis attacked?"
"I'll talk about it later in bed. I am awaiting the sword."
"The sword? What do you mean?" Eikyl inquired.
"The sword that started this all." He replied, gazing towards her.
"You mean the prophecy?" She responded. Sliding her hand on his left bicep.
"Yes, the prophecy." He replied, touching her hand.
"I saw Ruthwen's deformed body in one of the graves."
"Ruthwen? Who is that?" Eikyl asked.
"The commoner who gave me the sword. The man prophesied to give it to me."
"I see. May his soul rest in Fauhl." Eikyl disconnects her hand from his bicep as she slowly descends downstairs.
"Indeed, it will. He was a fine man." As they conversed, the Palace gates opened and out entered a knight holding a pristine, white cloth in both hands as he slowly walked towards the maroon carpet.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The knight bowed, presenting the white loincloth before the king.
"We have brought to you, Your Majesty, the Sword of the late king, King Eiysmr."
"Did the blacksmith refurbish it quite well, did he?"
"Indeed he did, My King."
"Excellent." He said. Before turning his gaze to Eikyl, and said,
"Eikyl, dear, will you please take it for me?"
"Yes, dear."
"Thank you, love." He replied, smiling. Turning his gaze back to the guard, he said,
"Knight, you are dismissed. I thank your service."
"In your honor, my liege!" The knight turns its back, marching forward as he exits the building.
"Eikyl."
"Yes, dear?" She responded as she calmly walked up the flight of stairs.
"Have you seen the Eternal Flame we stored in the dungeon?" He inquired.
"I have not, dear." She responded, placing the white loincloth right next to him.
"I'll show it to you later." He replied, grabbing the loincloth.
"I would love to."
"Alright, I'll lead you the way later." Emorosio smiled, chuckling. He slowly unwraps the sword.
"What are we having for dinner, dear?"
"Should we get your favorite?"
"Yes, we should!"
As Emorosio finally opens the white loincloth, a refurbished twinkling sword meets his eyes as light bounces back to his left eye. Its hilt of black, attached to his pommel, a rounded gemstone, and the sword's blade carved with symbols.
"The sword that almost killed the divine guardians… You really are the man covered in flames, father." Emorosio laughed as he rested his back, taking a deep breath.
CHAPTER, END.