The Great Forest Of Juni
Avlon sighed. He had just left and was already homesick. Believing he was already letting down his parent's faith in him.
After a sonen of traveling, the carriage came to a stop. Avlon gave the driver 2(St) and accepted his 6(Bt) before walking into the woods. Although the carriage was traveling to Stal, his destination, he concluded that traversing through the woods would be excellent training and self-improvement. The lack of beasts made the trip easier. Regardless, one was still bare to the elements and the scourges of humanity, bandits. Recently, there was talk that merchants who went to Stal were, killed, raped, and robbed. Avlon's knuckles turned white as he gripped Bloodshed tightly. The mere thought of these things and encountering bandits scared him.
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"F##k!" Avlon screamed to the heavens as he struggled to light a fire. While consuming his lackluster stew, he began to regret not taking his mother's cooking lessons seriously. Although it was dark out, the month of Juy was warm, and cold nights were not a problem. The usual howling and sounds one would expect were non-existent. According to some friends at the port, it was so loud at night in the forests of The Beast Continent that it was impossible to sleep. Avlon fell asleep thinking about the life he had as a child.
Flashback, brought to you by The Black Crest Industrial, Onyx Quill cabinet.
Ten years ago, Month of Mou
"Morning, Mother!" Avlon greeted his mother cheerfully. " How are you?" Without waiting for an answer, Avlon laughed as he ran outside to play with the other children near his home. Grim and his wife watched their son frolic with the other little slumers. "He will be five years old tomorrow." Grim looked at his wife with exasperation, " Honey, you know how it is at the port." "I am barely making enough to feed us as it is." "I know, but our son is of age, and I want to send him to school. So he can have the opportunity to move into the City's Inner Ring and have a good life." Grim could only sigh in response to his wife's concerns. Due to the small pay of 5(Bt) a month, his boy couldn't go to school.
On arriving at the port, Grim garbed his gloves and prepared to start work for the day. While transporting a crate, Grim noticed a child with glowing bronze skin, platinum hair, and turquoise eyes looking at him. "Hello, young sir, how are you?" Grim used a more formal tone when speaking to the boy, as he appeared to be titled. Surprised at being approached, the child regained his composure and answered intelligently. "My name is Jaml Ivbry of House Ivbry, son of Eine.". Grim was shocked by his character and subconsciously placed his opinion of the child higher. Grim then cast his eyes about. Jaml, noticing the action, said, " Are you looking for my guardian.?" "If so, you will be disappointed as I have no caretakers with me.". He continued to say, " Your character seems to be good, and the company was amicable. As such, I have a gift for you. Snapping his finger, a port bookie hovering in the background hurried over. The bookie returned with a seemingly fragile pup and relinquished it to Grim along with a Silver talez. Wanting to convey his gratitude, Grim bowed deeply to Jaml. "Thank you, young master, you do not understand the joy this will bring my son." Jaml, pleased, asked his name. "My humble name is Grim." Jaml nodded, and, before leaving, he spoke in passing, "I will speak to your employer to give you the day off The name of your son is?" Jaml had already boarded the carriage as Grim responded "It's Avlon sir, Avlon." While his co-workers stared daggers at him, Grim walked home ecstatic. He was eager to see the happy expressions of his family when he brought home his gifts.
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On arrival at his home, he found his family eating lunch, and realizing he could eat with his family brought him a spirited feeling. He couldn't do so often, as he was at work during these times. Avlon screamed in excitement as he saw his father coming to the house and rushed to embrace him in a hug. "You're back!" Grim smiled at his son before presenting him with the puppy. Grim's wife, Avlon's mother, came outside to witness what caused the commotion. While inside, Avlon ran around to gather leaves and straw to make a bed for the pup, which he called Axis.
"I have a surprise for you," Grim said teasingly as his wife started prepping for dinner. She smiled, "The last time you said that, it was pot I'm cooking in. Looking over her shoulder, she continued, " "Hmph, as if we can't buy more than just a few measly cooking knives with this." She dropped her spoon in shock. On the table in all its glory was a Silver Talez glittering in the sun.
As they tried to enjoy the dinner, Grim's wife coughed in shame as Avlon choked on the burnt stew. Grim laughed at her expense, and she hit him in response.
End Flashback
Avlon woke at 4:00 um. The weak rays of the still-sleeping sun lit the morning skies in a mirage of colors. As they say, "The early harboral kills the otterus." Avlon once again stomached his unappetizing stew before washing up in a river he discovered in the vicinity. Packing up his things, Avlon marched in an easterly direction as he made his way to Stal. Traveling for about a sonen, Avlon stopped to refill his water pouch and quench his thirst. "What a trip. It happens to be pretty lonely without company." ~rustle~~rustle~~snap~. Avlon whipped around to see a bloody hand rolling out of the bush. Raising his head, Avlon saw a large burly creature gorging on the body of an obese man. ~Burp~, ~kuh~, ~kuh~ coughed the beast, "These blasted softies are so plump and delicious!!" The creature laughed out loud as it ate. Avlon stood petrified as he looked from the chubby hand to the mutilated body. Half the chest was missing. It was easy to see the still-beating heart of the victim. The lack of screams puzzled Avlon. He soon noticed, however, the gaping throat of the unfortunate man. ~Grrr~~fuuf~~fuuf~. Fear crept into Avlon's heart as he heard the deep throaty growl and sharp sniffing. These sounds were alien, and they rooted him to the spot. It was as if Temer( god of time, space, eventuality, and inevitability.) had him within his hands. A deep voice shook him from his stupor, "Hello, is how you humans greet each other, right.?" rumbled the voice. As two large yellow eyes locked on to him.