The Trees bent as if they were about to snapped in half from the strong gusts of wind being created by the torrential storm, the storm was devastating the capital city of Garmis as lights from the city could be seen in the distance moving around in all directions. Close by a shape could be seen moving across the forest it was that of some creature or animal, but its shape was massive and unknown, this creature had not one but two tail-like shadows protruding from the rear, it could only be seen for a few seconds before it disappeared back into the darkness of the night at incredible speeds a faint blue glow encasing its black body and as the darkness of the night turned into day in the blink of an eye, The Kingdom of Talkun was back to peace once again as the storm faded away with the rising of the sun.
A set of big wooden doors with Intricate animal patterns carved all over them swung open with considerable force with a loud Crrreeeaaaking sound as if the door hinges had not been maintained in a very long time, a figure appeared as the bright light from outside faded to equalize with the large room, its dark and bleak space filled with various people of all shapes and sizes each wielding some weapon somewhere on their body. The figure stepped into the room its physique slowly appearing with the light, it was a man he wasn't scrawny, but he also wasn't extremely buff looking either if anything he was the most normal-looking person in the room compared to everyone else, a simple sword on his hip that looked like it had been poorly maintained, basic reddish-brown leather armour covering his entire body the only part that was different was his bracers which were reinforced with some sort of rusty metal, his back was covered by a greenish cloak with face hidden by its hood.
As the man walked everyone in the room turned to look at him, their looks were not one of interest but of contempt as he slowly removed the hood coving his honey tanned skin the black sultry hair flowing out from beneath it, the people filling the room pierced their eyes into the man like daggers as he walked, the gaze of his leafy green eyes cast downward towards the wooden floor boards, he approached a large board covered in layers of posters as far as the eye could see, he focused in on one of the posters a painting of a plant taking up most of the paper, the man couldn't make out all the words but what he could read was that it was a request to collect plants but not any ordinary plants ones specifically used to create medicinal potions, the local apothecary was looking for these to combat the rising demand since the storm, the man glanced at the poster next to the one he was looking at to find a completely different request it had a painting of some horrible creature wrapped in all black its appearance was confusing it had tentacle's as well as several legs but before the man could continue reading about it the poster was snatched off the wall, the man looked up to see the person who ripped the poster down, it was a burly man wearing barely any armour his chest was naked like a brute his muscles protruding from his body the urge to touch them flooding his thoughts but before he could even look away the burly man spoke in a heavily aggressive and intimidating tone.
"What, you got a Deathwish kid?"
"Wha... Wh..."
The brute scoffed "Loser" before turning around with his massive body, shoving the man aside from the strength. The man watched as the brute walked over to a group of people with the poster in hand until he had finished silently projecting his hate, turning back to the board he ripped the medicinal plant request from it and walked away towards a reception desk at the back of the room approaching it a women spoke enthusiastically.
"Welcome to Balthazar's how may I help you" it was the receptionist she slowly lowered the newspaper she was holding before completely changing her attitude "Oh... It's just Dolion" her tone was that of an exasperated person who had had enough of her job, but it was more than that she spoke with disrespect in her voice something Dolion tried to ignore "What do you want" she tried to ignore the fact that Dolion was holding a request in his hand which bothered him greatly but he didn't let it show.
"Well!"
"I'd..."
Before Dolion could even finish his sentence, he was forcibly shoved aside by the same brute who had done so before the man laughing the entire time while saying "Out of the way pipsqueak" until he had enough and changed his attention to the receptionist, speaking just as aggressively as before.
"I want this job, give it to me!"
"Are you sure sir? Going alone might be dangerous" she replied concerningly
"Do I look like I need help to you?"
"N....no sir, of course not" as she hesitantly plunged a fancy looking stamper down onto the poster, leaving the word 'Accepted' behind in a red ink. The brute swiped the poster from the desk, spun around before storming off out the door as fast as his legs could take him.
The receptionist took out a very large leather-covered book before she began to write in it, Dolion could only make out a few words the entire book looked like it was filled with complexities but from what little he could decipher it seemed to be a logbook filled with every request new and old.
"Erm..." Dolion began to clear his throat "...Hem" before lifting his hand and speaking "Excuse me" the receptionist ignored Dolion as he thought Why the hell is she just ignoring me, his thoughts didn't last long because a few moments later he was snapped back to reality by a loud Clapping sound as the receptionist closed the book shut.
"What do you even want!" she said irritated by Dolions presence
"I'd like to take this request" Dolion responded sarcastically placing the poster onto the wooden counter with a hefty slam, the receptionist responded immediately in a patronizing way.
"Please remain calm or I'll have to call the guards"
"Sorry" Dolion didn't want to say it, but he felt the tension in the room rise as he looked over to two guard looking figures staring at him clenching their weapons why didn't she call those fools for that brute of all people Dolion thought as she stamped the poster before picking it up and holding it out to him her eyes not even looking in his direction.
"Take it and leave already"
Dolion plucked the poster from her hands with a swing of his hand then walked towards the door leading back outside his body screaming of pure rage but just before he could leave, he heard the receptionist mutter under her breath "Finally". As Dolion left the building he started to walk through the streets of Garmis towards the exit out of the city he started to mumble to himself though most of it was in his head some of it could be heard outload but not loud enough for anyone to pay attention not that they would even if they did notice.
I'm no stranger to being ignored, abused or pushed around like that back at Balthazar's, but I shouldn't have to worry about it much longer, with the money from this request I should be able to leave this god-awful city, travel to another country, one that doesn't know who I am and resent me for the choices I made but without enough money I'll never be able to get far enough away from this god-awful place, I'd have left a long time ago if not for Castlias blockade on the Westledon mountains the only way to Amphelia these days is from a ferry at the port town of Bronhold. A voice in the distance snaps Dolion out of his daydream, his longing to escape this place fading into the back of his mind.
"Next!" a loud voice shouts in the distance from here Dolion can see a long line of people in front of several guards at the gatehouse leading out of the city.
Seems like they have blustered Security lately checking everyone's ID's thoroughly again It wasn't long ago people who left the city regularly got in and out without so much as a batted eye from the guards, but now these days such a thing is impossible, they ever question you about your intention for leaving or entering the city, What's going on in the world that there's a need for all this anyway could it have been the storm? Dolion slowly advanced threw the line of people filtering in and out of the city until it was his turn to finally be questioned by the guards, they looked tired slouching slightly in their armour though these were not knights clad in full plate armour, it still looked heavy, them dressed mostly in leather armour, the only metal on them were a chest piece, bracers and pauldrons not even anything to protect their legs a lot similar to Dolions armour. Dolion approached the guard who held out his hand before asking "ID Please" his voice sounding tired though it was only the middle of the day, Dolion handed the ID over to him pulling it from a leather pouch attached to his belt, the guard looked it over before asking "Reason for leaving the city" there was no hesitation Dolion handed the poster from his other hand that he had been carrying since Balthezar's, The guard Un-scrolling it before his eyes, He didn't look long at the poster before responding his voice without enthusiasm but rather concern handing back the documents and waving Dolion threw "You be careful out there, There's been sightings of a savage beast, The last guy Didn't listen when I told him"
"I'll Try, and be careful"
Dolion walked down a pathed stone road that stretched on for miles he had heard tale that it went all the way to the Westledon mountains and even a few other places but he didn't know for certain since he had never left the region before though today was no different even as he looked into the distance as the road went on for as far as he could see he knew he had to take the dirt path into the forest. The mud's still wet from all the rainfall, it's a good sign, since it means the forest should be now full of Barbadensis ready to harvest, though what the guard said is worrisome I should be fine, I'm just gathering plants after all. He continued into the forest not worrying about the possibility of savage beasts attacking him, the forest had seen better days, much like the city which had been thrown into disarray from the storm, The forest had broken and fallen trees with plants ripped straight out of the ground scattered all over, Dolion hoped but secretly knew the plants he was looking for were tough, robust and protected from all types of weather or animals thanks to their strong roots and sharp spines. He continued to walk for a time, till he arrived at the heart of the forest, a large clearing allowing the sun to permeate through the ground the ideal spot for Barbadensis to grow. Dolion spoke as he stretched from his long walk, but not to anyone around since the forest was empty baring a few animals such as rabbits, deer and the occasional red fox, no he was speaking to himself as he often does "There should be plenty around here, well then better get to work".
Dolion walks over to the nearest set of trees, not but a few steps away, at their base a collection of bright green plants with multi layered spiked leaves sit undamaged. Seems I was right the storm had no effect on these, lucky for me I suppose, better take a few leaves from each plant around here. He reached underneath his cloak around to his back, slowly removing a well-worn and dull iron dagger he grabbed the end of one leaf, pulling it towards him to straighten it then slicing down the spine on either side to remove the sharp edges, once he had finished removing the spines he moved his dagger down to the base of the leaf slicing threw it in one quick movement, the moment his blade went into the leaf a clear gel like substance could be seen, it was not leaking out like blood would from a person, rather it kept its shape staying inside the leaf like it would a container. Dolion went on to collect a few more leaves from the same plant before moving onto another one and repeating the process again, He stayed there for what seemed like hours collecting way more Barbadensis than he needed for the request on the poster, placing each leaf into a large leather satchel pouch connected to his belt, kept in place by a strap around his leg.
After collecting leaves for several hours he placed the last of the leaves into his pouch and returned his dagger back to its sheathe before getting up from the ground and stretching his arms up towards the fading sun, his bags heavy from the amount of leaves he had collected, he even managed to stuff a few extra into a smaller leather pouch besides a few glass botles, a strange looking crystal and small stone looking thing all located above the sword hanging on his other hip, before deciding to leave he spoke out loud again to himself, if anyone was there to notice he would look like a lunatic speaking with the proudness in his voice while wiping his forehead of sweat allowing his hair flow in the light breeze before rolling his shoulders like had just finished carrying some large box "That took longer than expected, got more than I should have, oh well... I should head back" once he was satisfied stretching every nook and cranny of his body he started walking in the same direction he had entered the large clearing, it wasn't long after he started to head back towards Garmis that he spoke to himself again the confusion clear in his voice "That's... I swear... But it can't.... be" Stumbling over his own words he spoke again attempting to clear his thoughts to form a proper sentence "It shouldn't grow here... Especially... ha ha well... not like... that" just a little way from the well-worn dirt path that lined the forest laid a tree ripped straight out the ground now fallen onto its side its insides as hollow as everyone thought Dolion's heart was, in the middle of the dirt surrounding the place the tree had once stood sat a large odd-looking plant, Dolions eyes locked onto it with a puzzling expression as he had said it was not normal for a plant like this to grow around here but he walked over to it anyway curiosity taking over.
The plant stood before him almost a foot tall, its thick long green stem and dainty leaves almost motionless in the wind, on top sat a bustle of bright pink flowers nestled tightly together in a complicated patten, it almost looked like a tiny brain, just below the bright pink flowers were hundreds of extrusions almost like small fingers. Crouching down to observe the plant his thoughts focused on one thing, as there could only be one conclusion It definitely has to be a Celosia Cristata, there's nothing else it could be, though I've only heard about it from the Apotheker a couple of times" though his thoughts were almost like he was certain there was still a puzzled look on his face like he was not entirely sure of his own competence nevertheless, Dolion stuck to his original thought grabbing the plant by the base of its stem and yanking it upwards out of the ground roots and all Even if it's not a Celosia Cristata it'll still fetch a high price a rare find like this, though if I ground it up and created a healing elixir it would be worth more.... But would they even take it without seeing the plant first? No? Dolion shook his head from side to side, as if it reassures himself before speaking out loud, rather than just in his head "No no I'm sure the Apotheker trusts me enough, unlike everyone else" he reached down into the smaller leather pouch before pulling out a mortar and pestle about the same size as his index finger from one of its compartments, it was not the typical size of a tool like this but it was big enough to do what he needed.
Dolion stood up with the plant firmly in his hand he walking over to a stable-looking rock not a few steps away, placing the mortar on its slightly uneven surface laying the plant gently down next to it, He took out the dagger he had used before from beneath his cloak cutting into the plants stem into several smaller sections but leaving the flower on top intact. One by one he placed the sections into the mortar before using the pestle and slowly applied light pressure, rubbing the plant into the wall of the mortar, each rotation mushing the plant more and more until only a green paste remained, he reached into his leather pouch removing a small round glass bottle before removing the cork keeping in the clear liquid inside, he gently placed the green paste into the bottle before setting it down on the rock, unlike the stem he placed the flower into the mortar and grinding away at the flower it didn't turn straight to paste rather it started to turn into a powder but Dolion didn't even notice at first, his thoughts to preoccupied by something else I'm not sure how a plant like that even survived being in the darkness for so long. Yet it's so vibrant and colourful even as I'm actively pasting it into dust, though it almost looks as if the flowers are bleeding its redder than pink. Once he felt he had ground the flower enough, he took the contents placing it into the same bottle its liquid turning a bright Pinky-red colour, he removed a small cotton bag filled with a bright green powder from his pouch placing a small quantity into the bottle, almost immediately the liquid inside began to react, Dolion struggled to place the cork into the bottle the rising liquid almost spilling out onto the ground, after a short while the substance settled into a brown liquid that seemed to sparkle and glow in the little sunlight that remained he placed the bottle back into his pouch thinking I should make some with the Barbadensis while I'm at it, better to be safe than sorry Taking the other two glass bottles from the same pouch
The sky had long since turned orange and night was fast approaching, Dolion packed up his things carefully placing them into his pouch and started walking back along the path towards Garmis, as he walked there was little light that made it through the trees, what could be seen cast an orange glow down onto the ground, the more darkness encroached, the more Dolion's fears would be realised, and it didn't take long, since a short later a figure clouded in darkness appeared blocking the path forward, at a glance it seemed to be a small fox like creature but the more and more he approached the larger it got until Dolion froze in his tracks, the light piercing threw the trees to illuminate not the body of a large fox but that of an even larger wolf, it stood there half the size of Dolion, its body encased in black fur, as the light vanished once again only its burning orange eyes could be seen looking directly at Dolion, as he moved slowly walking backwards reaching for his sword, the wolf Snarled towards him with aggression its sound being echoed into the bushes left of Dolion and again behind him but it couldn't there was nothing to echo off Dolion's thoughts were panicked It couldn't be, my luck can't be this bad, not one, not two but three of them Seconds later he saw a second figure appearing bit by bit out of the bushes its eyes locked onto Dolion as he turned to face it still walking backwards pulling his sword from its sheathe hastily pointing it towards the wolves, to his left the third wolf pacing towards him Only one way out of this.... Got to run fast only one thought on his mind he turned around ready to run in the only direction the wolves were not, but he had been mistaken another wolf sneaking its way up to attack him from behind, had been there all along his eyes only saw it for a glimpse as it pounced up towards him jaws wide open ready to strike the look of aggression plastered all over its beastly face, if not for the sword he had been holding as he spun around ready to run he would have been dead, throat ripped out from behind, his corpse on the floor as nothing more than a snack for these four wolves, The sword had struck the wolf mid leap from the back of the blade inflicting no wound but causing the wolf to scamper off from the blow.
Adrenaline pumped, viciously contaminating his body, increasing the size of his pupils as his heart beat faster, and faster, and faster until his entire body was about to explode, and in that solitary moment the weight of the world came crashing down onto the ground beneath his feet, each stride echoing through the night as the sky turned pure red, like the whites of his eyes, the rush of adrenaline pumped more and more, the fact was, Dolion had begun to run, his body moving on its own as the pure fear commanded him forward as fast as his legs would take him, he hastily through panic and shaking shoved his sword back into its sheath just so he could run faster, the wolves hot on his tail, Dolion's panicked thoughts rattled in his brain as his eyes began to blur almost like he was attempting to look at his nose his vision doubling I'm dead... I'm dead I'm so dead... I'll never survive! Although his eyes started to betray him, the ground ahead of him disappeared into a darkness beyond what he could not, It took all the strength and willpower in his body just to stop before the drop into the void below and just as he did the sky flashed in one final change of colour into a deep blue for only a nanosecond its wisdom laid to bare before being replaced by only darkness, the sun had finally gone the moon taking its place, but to Dolion it was a sign, a sign showing him what he must do, a sign to say he must take a leap of faith the urge to comply rushing over him clouding his judgement, Dolion turned his head around to take one last look at the wolves still approaching, how he had not been caught already, was beyond his comprehension, He looked back staring straight into the void, the darkness reaching out wrapping his body in a thin cloud of tentacles beckoning him to jump, just like the sign before he felt an irresistible urge to obey. A wave of fear washed over him causing more adrenaline to flow into his veins, it wasn't fear that the wolves would rip him limb from limb but that of the darkness itself, he almost took a step out complied to obey the urge, shaking his head his thoughts became clear I can do this, I can survive, but only if... he heard the sound of a wolf right behind him just as he began to think, turning around to face the beast as he slowly fell backwards, pulling the dagger from behind his back, the wolves hind claws dug into his leathery armour pushing him into the void below, the wolf falling down behind him, to its eventual death.
The darkness was thick no light to show him the way, the only indication that he was anywhere at all, let alone falling to his death was the air rushing through his cloak, his hair and his body yet with his hand he could something that felt just like dirt there could be no mistake it had to be Must be the wall, the side of the cliff The dagger still in Dolion's hand he thrust it with only the strength of his arms into the dirt like substance, as soon as it made contact with the dirt he steadily began to slow down, the resistance of the dirt as little as it was since the blade sliced through it so easily was enough make him gain even a small shred of hope. It felt like he was falling forever his senses heightened as time slowed yet it wasn't long until the rush of air stopped Dolion being jerked downwards by the sudden stop of the blade striking something hard, losing the grip of his left hand he stayed there swaying in place slowly losing the strength to remain hanging on. He reached out with his free hand feeling the wall before him, it was no longer dirt but stone, swinging his legs to try and find a ledge on the wall he found nothing, nothing but an empty space there was nowhere he could go, no way to know how far down the darkness went he could only think one thing now in a pitiful voice on the verge of defeat and sadness I'm trapped, stuck here for as long as I can hold on, I won't last long before I drop to my death, no one would care anyway, perhaps it's for the best... A voice shrouded in mystery but that of a woman creeped into his mind stopping his thoughts in their track as she gradually whispered only one thing "Trrruuussst"
He progressively started to let go of the hilt compelled yet again by an unseen force, closing his bloodshot eyes he fell once again into the darkness the air rushing around him but unlike before it only lasted for an instant, before his legs impacted the hard surface, falling over as a result, it was that of the ground. Standing up his body shaking from the adrenaline coursing throughout, he spoke in disbelief confused by the events "How am I even Alive? How far did I fall? Who or what was that voice?" Suddenly he snapped his head towards a sound not too far in the distance, a howl from an unmistakable beast filled the forest, it was that of a wolf and in the low light their figures could be seen walking towards Dolion all eight of their eyes looking right at him, nowhere to go he was forced backwards knowing he would collide with the wall of the cliff, and meeting his unfortunate end, even after he had just survived death twice but something was strange he noticed it yet he couldn't find the answer to his own thought Four wolves, but I know I saw one fall to its death, It can't have survived... Though he knew a wall must have been behind him, he never encountered it he only continued to walk backwards further and further, but the wolves stopped in their tracks growling at Dolion but coming no further, he looked around observing his surroundings of mostly darkness "Why did they stop, were even am I? Seems to be some sort of cave am I safe?" knowing the answer already he still asked the question out loud as if to comfort himself. Looking at the wolves they all began to howl the sound echoing through the cave walls, upon hearing it the sound vibrated through his body, again almost impelled to move he turned around facing his back to the wolves, fear no longer holding him back he pressed on into the darkness knowing the wolves would not follow and that he was safe, for now.