That day, as Aria sat in her room, she was consumed by confusion. She sat on her bed, her gaze lost in the view outside the window. Why was she branded a traitor? Why was the Hero, her companion, also considered a traitor? She remembered the sight of the Demon Lord, decapitated and slumped on his throne, his crown missing, and her companions on the other side, holding the crown. This feeling of betrayal stirred something within her, a memory from her past.
She was transported back to her childhood, to a time when she visited her father in a jail cell. He had been accused of murdering her mother. As a child, she couldn't comprehend the gravity of the situation. She could only look at her father through the bars, his grin a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. Her father was human, her mother an elf. She remembered their happy family, shattered one night when she found her mother lifeless in their home, her father nowhere to be found.
Now, she was staring at her father in a cell, his mind seemingly elsewhere. The only words he uttered were, "I'm sorry." The next day, he was sent to the gallows.
Snapping back to the present, Aria shook her head, trying to dispel the haunting memories. She was here, in the present, and she had to figure out what to do next.
That afternoon, a knock echoed through Aria's room. As she opened the door, she was met with the sight of Lieutenant Elias Marcus, a young officer of Fort Bastion. Elias was only a few years older than her, tall with curly brown hair and a medium build. His skin was a light shade of brown, and he was slightly shorter than the commander. His voice, not too deep, was a testament to his youth.
"Good afternoon, Aria," he greeted her. "I have come to escort you. We are now going to travel back to Cosmopolis together with the commander."
Aria gave a silent nod, gathering her things and taking one last look at her room. She sighed, closed the door, and followed Elias.
She was escorted down to the stables, where she met the commander and the rest of the party that would accompany her. They were going to travel to Cosmopolis on horseback, a journey that would take around two to three weeks with minimal stops.
As she approached, the commander turned to her, his expression apologetic. "Aria, I'm sorry this has happened," he said. "I'm sure this is just an unjust misunderstanding. We're going to get to the bottom of this. I will personally escort you to the capital and we will find out together what really happened. But I'm also going to have to ask you to be restrained. Do not worry, I will always keep you safe."
With that, Elias gently shackled Aria's hands, careful not to hurt her. She was then helped onto a horse, with Elias riding behind her. And with that, they set off, beginning their journey to the capital.
As the gates of Fort Bastion closed behind them, the convoy led by the commander embarked on their journey to Cosmopolis. The mood among the soldiers was somber yet determined. Each individual, from the seasoned soldiers to the young apothecary Aria, understood the gravity of their mission.
Aria felt a pang of fear and uncertainty. She was leaving behind everything she knew, branded a traitor and bound for a trial in Cosmopolis. Yet, amidst the fear, there was also a spark of determination. She knew she was innocent and she was resolved to prove it.
A few days into their journey, they came across a village ravaged by monsters. As they entered the village, Aria turned to the commander, her eyes filled with concern. "Commander, we must help these people," she implored.
The commander, a stern man with a heart of gold, nodded. "Set up camp," he ordered his men. "We stay here tonight." He then turned to Aria, "Cut the Apothecary's bindings," he added. Aria was surprised, but as soon as her hands were free, she proceeded to help the villagers, not wasting any time.
As Aria began tending to the wounded, a villager, an elderly man with a lined face, approached the commander. "We can't thank you enough," he said, his voice trembling with gratitude. "We thought we were done for."
The commander placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder. "We're all in this together," he said. "We couldn't just pass by."
As Aria and the commander were tending to the wounded, a group of villagers approached them. Their faces were etched with anger and despair. "Why now?" one of them spat out, his voice filled with bitterness. "Why come now when the damage is already done?" Another villager chimed in, "Where were you when the monsters attacked? When our homes were being destroyed?"
The commander faced them, his expression calm. "We came as soon as we knew," he said. "We're not here to cause more pain. We're here to help." Aria stepped forward, her gaze meeting the villagers'. "I know you're angry and you have every right to be," she said. "But right now, we need to focus on healing those who are wounded and ensuring everyone's safety."
The villagers were silent, their anger giving way to the harsh reality of their situation. It was a tense moment, a stark reminder of the pain and loss the villagers had suffered. But it also served to strengthen the resolve of Aria and the commander. They knew they had a long journey ahead, filled with challenges and dilemmas, but they were determined to face them head-on.
Later, as they were preparing for the night, Aria joined the commander. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For stopping." The commander looked at her, his gaze softening. "It was the right thing to do, Aria," he replied. "We may be on a mission, but we can't ignore those in need."
As the cloak of night descended over the ravaged village, the convoy hunkered down. Soldiers stood guard, their eyes piercing the darkness, alert for any signs of danger. Aria, having spent the day tending to the wounded, sat by the flickering fire, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
The tranquility of the night was abruptly shattered by a bone-chilling cry. Bandits emerged from the shadows of the ruined buildings, their eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. The soldiers swiftly drew their weapons, forming a protective barrier around the villagers and Aria.
As the bandits emerged from the shadows, Aria's mind raced. She remembered the "Eclipse Blossom", a herb known for its blinding properties. With swift, practiced movements, she reached into her pouch, pulling out the herb along with a small vial of liquid.
In the dim light of the fire, she quickly crushed the herb into the vial, shaking it vigorously. The mixture inside began to glow, a sign that the potion was ready. She had created a makeshift grenade, a testament to her quick thinking and apothecary skills.
With a deep breath, she hurled the glowing vial towards the bandits. As it shattered, a cloud of dust erupted from the herb, temporarily blinding the bandits. The sudden burst of light illuminated the night, casting long, dancing shadows across the ruined village.
Seizing the moment, the commander and his soldiers charged, driving the bandits away from the village. The villagers, initially paralyzed with fear, soon joined in, using whatever makeshift weapons they could find.
After a tense standoff, the bandits retreated, swallowed by the darkness. The village was safe, for now. The villagers, their earlier anger replaced with gratitude, thanked the commander and his soldiers.
Exhausted but relieved, Aria turned to the commander. "We did it," she said, a small but triumphant smile playing on her lips. The commander nodded, "Yes, we did. But we must remain vigilant. The journey is far from over."
As they settled down for the rest of the night, a newfound sense of camaraderie filled the air. They had faced a challenge and emerged victorious. Their bond had strengthened, and they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the ruins of the village, casting long shadows on the ground. The convoy was already up, preparing to continue their journey. The villagers, though still shaken from the previous night's events, were also up, helping the soldiers pack up the camp.
Aria, having barely slept, was already busy. She was checking on the wounded, ensuring they were stable enough for the convoy's departure. Despite the exhaustion etched on her face, her eyes held a determined glint.
As the preparations were underway, the commander approached the group of villagers. "You've shown great courage," he began, his voice carrying a note of respect. "Your village has suffered greatly, and rebuilding will be a challenge."
He extended an invitation to the villagers to take shelter at Fort Bastion until their village could be rebuilt. The villagers, surprised but grateful, accepted his offer. The commander then arranged for a small group of his soldiers to escort the villagers back to Fort Bastion, ensuring their safety on the journey.
As the convoy set off towards Cosmopolis, Aria watched the villagers leave with the soldiers. Her heart was filled with a mix of emotions. Despite the challenges they faced, moments like these reminded her of the goodness that existed, of the compassion that people were capable of showing each other.
The journey ahead was long and fraught with danger, but they were ready. The previous night's events had only strengthened their resolve. They knew they would face more challenges, more dilemmas, but they were prepared to face them head-on. As the village disappeared from view, Aria turned her gaze forward. The road was long, but she was not afraid. She was a captive, yes, but she was also an apothecary, a healer. And she was determined to prove her innocence and help those in need along the way.
As the convoy continued their journey, they remained vigilant, aware that danger could lurk around any corner. Their caution proved to be warranted when they encountered their next challenge - a bounty hunter.
The bounty hunter was not a brute force type of adversary. He was slight and sneaky, known for his stealth and cunning. A notorious figure known for his relentless pursuit of his targets, had been tracking the convoy since they left the village. He was after Aria, hoping to cash in on the bounty placed on her by those who believed she was a traitor.
One night, when most of the soldiers were asleep and only a few were on guard, he made his move. Silently, like a shadow in the night, he approached the camp. The guard assigned to watch over Aria was vigilant, but the bounty hunter was quicker. Before the guard could raise an alarm, he was taken down, a victim of the bounty hunter's swift and silent attack.
With the guard out of the way, the bounty hunter quickly grabbed Aria, who was too surprised to react. He gagged her to prevent her from making any noise and swiftly carried her away from the camp.
Once they reached the cave, the bounty hunter finally removed the gag from Aria's mouth. He stepped back, allowing the dim light from the entrance of the cave to illuminate his features. "Allow me to introduce myself," he began, his voice as smooth as silk. "I am Silas, but most know me as 'Silas the Shadow'."
He paced around the cave, his steps as quiet as a whisper. "I've been tracking you since you left the village," he continued, his eyes never leaving Aria. "You see, there's a hefty price on your head, and I intend to collect."
He leaned against the cave wall, his smirk never leaving his face. "I've captured targets that were guarded by the best, slipped past defenses that were thought to be impenetrable. Your guards... they were no match for me."
His eyes gleamed in the dim light as he continued, "So, don't hold out hope for a daring rescue. By the time your friends realize you're gone, I'll have collected my bounty. You're my ticket to a comfortable life, Aria, and I always get what I'm after."
Back at the camp, one of the soldiers on guard duty noticed Aria's absence. His heart pounded as he quickly woke up the commander. The commander, instantly alert, assembled his men. "Aria's gone," he said, his voice grim. "We need to find her."
He tasked Lieutenant Elias Marcus, his most trusted scout and right-hand man, to search the surrounding area. As Elias began his search, he noticed something unusual on the ground. It was a strange dust that shimmered in the moonlight.
Little did they know, Aria had managed to drop some of this dust when she was taken captive. It was a type of powder she often used in her medicines, known for its luminescent properties. In the darkness of the night, it shone like tiny stars scattered on the ground.
Realizing its potential, Aria had used it to leave a trail, hoping that the commander and his men would notice. It was her way of leaving breadcrumbs, a path for them to follow.
As Elias pointed out the strange dust to the commander, hope ignited in their hearts. They had a trail to follow, a way to find Aria. With renewed determination, they set off, following the shimmering trail left by Aria.
In the cave, Aria was racking her brain for a way to escape. Suddenly, she remembered the leftover manticore antidote she had used to heal the commander. Quietly, she managed to open the bottle and left it open behind her, using her scarf to cover her nose and mouth.
Silas, the bounty hunter, was oblivious to her actions. He was growing impatient, muttering to himself, "Where is that dumb freak? It's been an hour already." He was referring to his partner, another bounty hunter.
Suddenly, Silas spotted torches in the distance. "Impossible!" he exclaimed, "I haven't left any trail for them to follow. How could they have arrived so fast?"
Growing nervous, Silas turned to grab Aria and make a quick escape. But as he moved, he noticed an arrow flying towards him. He tried to dodge, but his movements were sluggish, his senses dulled. A wave of nausea washed over him, his vision blurring. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the arrow found its way to his throat. He collapsed, gagging on his own blood.
Moments later, Elias arrived at the cave. Hearing Aria's warning shout, he quickly covered his nose and mouth, rushing in to rescue her. Once they were safely out of the cave, he cut her bindings and explained that the commander and the others were not far behind.
"Why did you say not to breathe?" Elias asked as they made their way through the forest. Aria took a deep breath before explaining, "The manticore antidote I used has potent fumes. They're odorless, but if inhaled, they can cause nausea in short exposures and unconsciousness in long exposures."
Elias nodded, understanding now why his arrow had hit its mark. The bounty hunter had been affected by the fumes, which had given Elias the opportunity he needed. It had been a gamble, but he was glad it had paid off.
Just beyond them, the sounds of fighting echoed through the forest - the unmistakable clash of swords. As they arrived at the scene, they saw a huge man with tiger ears and a tail, flailing a club around with immense strength. He was a beastfolk, a race known for their formidable power and animal-like features.
Aria's heart sank as she recognized the description. This must be Silas's partner. Around him lay some of the soldiers from the convoy, defeated and injured. The beastman roared, "Where is that puny Silas?" His voice echoed through the forest, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.
The commander, assessing the situation, ordered his men to stand down. "This one is too much for you," he said, his voice steady despite the danger. He stepped forward, drawing his sword. "I'll face him alone."
His men protested, but he silenced them with a look. This was his fight. He would not risk more of his men. As the commander moved to face the beastman, Aria could only watch, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to trust in the commander's strength and skill, and hope that it would be enough.