"Alright, we're on the move." Knight captain Ryne on his black stallion horse said as they continued down a trail. He had orange spiky hair and dark orange eyes with freckles but battle scars all over his face.
Marshy asked, "So you're the super serious type huh?"
"Is that an issue? If I focus on my commands, then I'm sure to prosper and keep everyone alive."
"That's where you're super wrong. Everyone's gonna die eventually if the Dark Trio is wandering around."
"Tch. Of course a villain like you would say that. Based on what you did, I'm not surprised in the slightest. But I am surprised at why the king and queen see you as a friend."
"They know me and Kael have the potential to wipe you and your entire kingdom out."
"What?! How dare you say—."
"Butttt we won't do that. Because we're not killers of the innocent unless you fuck with us or try and kill us first. We're not superheroes like you guys are. Take Kael for example."
Ryne and Marshy looked at Kael, seeing him walk ahead of everyone, enjoying nature in itself, even smiling.
Marshy continued, "He's a good kid. Only known him for 2 years and I've grown connected to him."
"How does that relate to anything?"
"He won't hesitate to kill anyone."
"…Hm.."
"As many gods and goddesses or bad people he's killed, he still keeps his innocent nature. He's trustworthy, and this is the first time I've seen him smile. Probably because we've been so busy traveling and not having time to actually enjoy ourselves."
'That's my issue. Feeding my issues onto Kael and keeping him from living his life because I'm too focused on revenge and bringing my family back. It's hard to stop, honestly.' Marshy thought. 'Now that I see he's happy for once, I should talk to him later.'
Ryne sighed, "You're like a mother to him."
"…I…I don't wanna say. It's just.."
"You care about him a lot?"
"I do. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep him alive."
'At first I was focused on keeping him alive so he could help me, but then now I'm seeing that I was just taking advantage of him. Growing alongside him, I see he's just like me. Now that I see him happy, I know he wanted this for a long time.
Ryne said, "Well, I'm not fond of you both, but the king and queen are. So if they seek your help in times of conquest, then I expect a lot."
"Don't expect anything, fool. We're wanderers."
Kael ran up to Marshy, and handed her a dandelion, grinning, "I…found this for you."
Marshy clenched her fists, and she reached out for it, saying, "Kael.."
Suddenly, sprouting from the flower was a large bug. It jumped out with red wings, a dark green body, beetle-like horns, and glowing yellow eyes, and Ryne exclaimed, "A Sernagual wasp! I'll kill it!"
At that moment, Kael and Marshy were calm, Ryne was saying, "How are you two so calm?!"
Marshy said, "Kael, get rid of it."
Kael smiled, "Okay!"
Kael vanished, and then reappeared above the bug, grabbed both of its wings, and kicked both feet into its back, sending the bug flying, smashing through trees and boulders. And as it tried to get back up, in the blink of an eye, Kael dashed up to the bug, his fist now made of stone with glowing red ancient language runes on them, and he punched the bug, and a massive explosion of dirt, trees, rocks, and red energy blasted outward, the bug exploding in a carabage of blood.
Ryne exclaimed, "Dammit! Is that stonecraft magic? It's not like any I've seen, what's with those runes?! That language."
"Only Kael knows what it means."
"And you never asked."
"Hell no, I'm not nosey."
At that moment, Kael walked through the smoke, and handed the flower to Marshy, saying, "I protected it."
Marshy grabbed it, saying, "Thank you, Kael. I see your happy."
"I am!"
"Good, now do you mind finding this wanna-be hero beside us another bug so it can eat him?"
Ryne scoffed, "Bastard!"
Marshy laughed, "HAHA! It was a joke, maybe."
"Tch. I'll always be watching."
Following the unsettling revelations in the ravaged woods, Ryne, the seasoned captain of the knights of Gloomreach, was tasked with a lighter, albeit equally challenging duty: escorting Kael and Marshy to the capital. His armor, usually stern and foreboding, caught the gleam of a softer day as they traversed the winding path that led away from the somber scene of the forest.
Their journey to the kingdom was filled with the vibrant life of Gloomreach. The closer they got to the capital, the livelier the surroundings became. Market stalls burgeoned with arrays of exotic fruits and verdant vegetables, merchants calling out their fresh wares. Children darted through the streets playing with wooden swords and fabric-crafted dolls, their laughter mingling with the calls of the traders.
Kael smiled, "Haha!"
Ryne led them through the bustling streets, his expression a mix of pride and caution as he glanced back now and then to ensure Kael and Marshy were still following. The capital was a grand tapestry of ancient stone buildings intertwined with lush greenery that crept up walls and curled around columns, a testament to the kingdom's harmony with nature.
Their destination was not the grand palace itself but an exquisite mini-palace outside the main castle walls. This guesthouse, reserved for esteemed visitors, had the elegance of the royal palace but on a more intimate scale.
No sooner had Ryne introduced them to their temporary residence than Kael's eyes sparkled with unrestrained curiosity. The mini-palace was a marvel of architecture, with high domed ceilings painted to depict the sky at various times of day—morning pink, twilight blue, and midnight studded with stars.
Kael, hardly containing his excitement, darted from one marvelous sight to another. Sculptures of mythical creatures and heroes of yore seemed to invite him to explore further. He tapped on crystal vases and ran his fingers along the silken tapestries, his wonder untamed.
"So much fancy crap in here for what?" Marshy asked.
Ryne scoffed, "How dare you! The Queen decorated this herself!"
"Tacky."
Ryne then found himself in an unusual predicament—chasing after Kael to ensure nothing was broken, his usually composed demeanor melting into a blend of exasperation and faint amusement. "Careful, young sir!" he'd call out, only seconds too late as Kael zipped past another priceless artifact.
"Really, Ryne, he's just excited." Marshy would chuckle, her voice echoing slightly as she strolled leisurely behind.
Kael, oblivious to the potential chaos his enthusiasm could unleash, moved like a whirlwind. Ryne, panting slightly, resorted to strategic positioning, trying to predict Kael's next destination in this impromptu game of tag within the halls of history and luxury.
'He's fast! But if I can cut him off…'
It was a scene filled with light-hearted chaos, the stern knight outmaneuvered at every turn by a joy-filled boy too fast for him, each dodged grasp adding another layer of warmth and laughter to the residence's opulent halls. Amidst the strains of managing this exuberance, Ryne couldn't help but crack a genuine smile, the burdens of duty lightened by the sheer exuberance of youth.
"Dammit!"
At the luxurious mini-palpace, while Ryne was still catching his breath from his last attempt to corral Kael, Marshy stood quietly in a corner, her gaze distant. She clasped her shadow sword, Swordren, whose whispers were audible only to her ears. The murmurs grew more insistent, a ghostly counsel urging her to take action. With a firm tone, she turned to Ryne. "He needs to see more of this place, more of the life here. Take him out to the capital, show him around."
Ryne responded, "Who are you to give me orders?"
Marshy smirked menacingly, "If you don't, I'll tell the king and queen. They're big fans of us."
"Tch! Fine!" He gestured to Kael, beckoning him to follow, and soon the pair were stepping out into the sunlit streets of Gloomreach once more.
Kael looked back at Marshy, asking, "Marshy..?"
"I'm fine. You know it's that time of day. Go have fun with our servant Ryne."
"…Okay."
Ryne scoffed, "Inonly serve the king and queen and princess!"
Kael thought, 'She's doing it again…I hate it.'
As they ventured deeper into the capital, Kael's eyes widened with wonder. Gloomreach was a symphony of bustling life set against a backdrop of ancient grandeur and verdant beauty. Buildings of old stone stood proud, enwrapped in climbing ivy and blooming flowers that danced in the gentle breeze. Each structure told a story of centuries held together by mortar and magic, the charm of history mingling with the vivid pulse of present life.
Kael, smiling, "Ah!"
'This is amazing!'
Ryne said, "Nice isn't it? Based on how you're acting, I can tell you haven't been around this much."
'This kid, what exactly has he been through?'
The main thoroughfare was adorned with banners depicting the great oak of Gloomreach, fluttering like forest leaves above the heads of the city's denizens. Street performers captivated gatherings of onlookers with displays of fire-juggling and acrobatics, their movements as fluid as the wind-swept branches of the trees that lined the cobblestone streets.
Kael and Ryne passed by open-air markets where artisans sold crafts of extraordinary craftsmanship—silver jewelry that mimicked the flow of water, wooden carvings so intricate they seemed alive. The scent of fresh bread wafted from bakeries, mingling with the spicy aromas of street food that tempted all who walked by. Hunters and hunters guilds were standing around a quest board to take on new quests posted daily.
"Aw man! Only 5 gold coins for this hard ass quest?!"
"Me and my party will take it then!"
"Off to the Broken Ruins to take down the blood wolf pack I guess, good reward, knowing that place is known for catching wolves daily, that's an infinite money scheme for us! They get so much you'd think a god was created to birth them."
"Just wait until the Dark Trio get to them."
"There's a seven headed dragon in Nodhean? I thought that place was full of peaceful spiritual people who commune with nature?"
Elsewhere, Amidst the din of commerce and laughter, a town crier in a vibrant tunic stood on a small wooden platform, his voice booming across the square. "Hear ye, hear ye! From the high mountains of Nordholt to the shimmering shores of Mirrormere, the realms gather for the Festival of the Divine Tree! Gifts of peace and prosperity are to be exchanged in hopes of yet another bountiful year!" His words painted visions of distant lands, ties of unity, and ancient customs held dear by all corners of the kingdom and beyond. "Or to make creating gods faster!"
Kael absorbed every detail with a keen interest, his mind alive with the stories unfolding around him. As he ventured onward, locals engaged in their daily routines shared snippets of conversations that floated in the air like snippets of a larger narrative. "The orchards are thriving this season, best yield in a generation!" one merchant called out to another. "Aye, and the river's running clear too. Fish are plentiful, good omens for the year, eh?"
Children darted through the streets, their games infused with tales of knights and dragons, echoing the kingdom's legends with each shout and laughter-filled chase. Kael marveled at how history and myth were woven into the very fabric of daily life, every corner of Gloomreach a testament to its rich cultural tapestries.
Ryne, watching Kael's amazed expressions, felt a swell of pride for his homeland. To him, this was the heart of Gloomreach, not just its stones and trees, but its people—resilient, vibrant, and deeply connected to both their roots and each other. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets, the capital of Gloomreach stood radiant, a jewel of history and community shining under the canopy of an ever-watchful forest. It was a sight to behold, a kingdom not just surviving, but thriving under the guardianship of those who loved it dearly.
Ryne said to himself, "We are approaching war with a rival nation, to see this beautiful place in ruin…I can't let that happen!"
Kael asked Ryne with a straight face, "Who are you talking to? Are you okay? Talking to yourself?"
"W-What?! I-I'm not crazy or anything!"
"Mhm."
As the light of the setting sun draped Gloomreach in hues of gold and amber, the mirth and revelry that filled the air paused momentarily at an alleyway not far from the bustling market. Two small children, a boy named Jorin and a girl named Lila, twins with red hair and light brown hair, were cornered by a group of scruffy-looking thugs. Kael's sharp gaze caught sight of the scene as he heard the harsh tones of the bullies.
"What've we got here? Too much noise from such little pests," sneered the tallest thug, his voice raspy and menacing. The children, clutching a handmade toy between them, backed against the weathered brick wall, their eyes wide with fear.
"Please, it's just a toy dragon, it doesn't bother anyone!" Lila's voice quivered as she held tightly to Jorin's arm.
But as the thugs closed in, raising their fists to intimidate or worse, Kael's instincts surged forward, fueled by a protective fury. With astonishing speed, he darted toward the alley, his shadow stretching long and dramatic in the evening light.
Before a single fist could strike the children, Kael was there. His arms moved like the driving force of a tempest, each of his hands capturing the wrists of the thugs. His grip was iron, unyielding, and infused with an ancient strength that seemed to summon the echoes of Norse gods.
The thugs struggled, their faces contorting in shock and agony, but Kael's power was overwhelming.
"What the hell?! Who is this kid?!"
Ryne exclaimed, "Kael!"
With a deep roar that resonated with the fury of the seas his ancestors had once navigated, Kael heaved. His arms lifted the grown men as if they were mere driftwood caught in a stormy gale, and with one fluid, forceful motion, he launched them skyward, a loud thud and a shake from the ground came from the throw, making even the surrounding buildings rumble.
The thugs flew, arcing high and away, their forms shrinking into dots against the dusky sky, until they disappeared from sight, leaving behind only the sound of the wind whistling through the alley. Silence fell for a breathless moment, the scene frozen as if time itself stood in awe of the Viking's strength.
Ryne said, "Ah..I guess I'm not surprised at this point."
'Seeing his strength on the spot, no wonder the King and Queen are interested in him.'
Then, as if a spell had been broken, spontaneous applause erupted from the gathered onlookers who had witnessed the event. They clapped and cheered, their faces alight with admiration and not a hint of fear. Among their praises, murmurs spread quickly.
"Did you see that? Like a hero from the old tales!"
"His tattoos... he's a Viking! I haven't seen one in ages, not since the old trader routes closed!"
Kael stood calmly, adjusting to the sudden shift in attention. Despite the cheers, his eyes softened as he turned to Jorin and Lila, who looked up at him in awe and relief.
"Are you both alright?" he asked gently, his voice a stark contrast to the booming ferocity from moments ago.
"Yes, thank you!" they chimed together, their gratitude mingling with lingering fright.
Jorim asked, "Hey, do you wanna be friends?"
Lila added, "Yeah! Do you?"
Kael thought, 'I usually have to ask Marshy..but she told me to have fun. So I will.'
Kael nodded, "…Okay."
"Yes!" The twins exclaimed.
As Ryne approached, having watched the spectacle with equal parts surprise and pride, he clapped Kael on the shoulder. "Well done. It seems there is much about you still to be revealed," he said, his tone rich with newfound respect.
The crowd slowly dispersed, their whispers carrying the tale of the Viking with legendary strength and a heart brave enough to protect the innocent. Kael, modest in his heroism, nodded to Ryene, ready to continue their exploration, though now with the silent acknowledgement of his unique heritage glowing as brightly as the setting sun over the vibrant city of Gloomreach.
Back to where Marshy was, she had listened to the whispers of Shadowren, and she was brought In the depths of the shadow-laced throne room, the air hung dense with the weight of ancient secrets and darker bargains. The walls, veiled in darkness, seemed to pulse with a life of their own, whispering of forgotten truths and concealed power. At the center of this enigmatic chamber sat a throne carved from obsidian, its surface swirling with a mesmerizing, almost liquid flow of shadows.
Upon this imposing throne loomed a figure as terrifying as it was majestic—a creature woven from the very darkness that filled the room. Its form shifted and flickered like smoke, its eyes glimmers of crimson within the engulfing black.
Before this shadowy sovereign, Marshy knelt resolutely, her posture one of determination rather than submission. Clutched in her hands was Swordren, her shadow sword whose blade hummed softly, resonating with the same dark energy as the room itself.
"How much time do I have left?" Marshy's voice, usually so strong and confident, carried a hint of vulnerability. The words echoed against the stone, each syllable stretched thin by the gravity of her situation.
The shadowy figure leaned forward, its form coalescing into a more discernible shape as it addressed her. "Only a few hours. But for the right piece of your soul, you can buy some time. It costs to use a blade like this one, a god your ancestors created, spreading my essence scattered through the world to protect me from the Dark Trio so I could be with you."
"Yeah, and pieces of my soul go to you every time I use you."
"It's the only thing that can kill a god besides the Dark Trio. Hehe…many would kill for this power."
"But you're no mere god like the other ones people create, I can tell. The way you talk, it's like you've been here before."
"Hehe, maybe, maybe not. Sacrificing yourself to use me and get revenge and find your family, how do you know you'll still be alive even if you do create a key to get to hell?"
"Because I have Kael."
"Ah. Right. He's the only thing keeping you alive. You began to get happier with him, even after years of depression after what happened—."
"Shut up."
Marshy's eyes, fierce under the weight of her decision, did not waver as she stared into the depths of those crimson glints. This was the pact she had made, the choice that had brought her here, to this moment where everything hung in the balance. The sword in her hand felt heavier, alive with a power that demanded its price.
"Just take what you want," she replied with a hardened resolve, her voice echoing a finality that seemed to make even the darkness hold its breath.
The shadow figure nodded, a gesture that seemed to ripple through the room. As it extended its hand, shadows stretched forward, tendrils of dark mist reaching toward Marshy. She felt a pull at the core of her being, a piece of her soul untethering. It was an ache, profound and absolute, yet she remained steadfast, her gaze locked on the shadowy sovereign as the transaction was sealed.
The shadows receded, and the air around her felt charged, heavy with the price paid but also crackling with new, potent energy. Swordren trembled in her grip, now more a part of her than ever, its destiny and hers irreversibly intertwined.
Marshy rose, her knees steady as she stood before the throne. The pact was made, the cost exacted, and though the path ahead was fraught with peril, she was ready to face whatever lay beyond the shadows, her resolve unshaken. With a final nod to the shadowy figure, she turned, her figure a silhouette against the swirling darkness, the echo of her sword a whisper of power and foreboding as she stepped back into the light, and she was back in the "mini-palace" standing there alone, with tears in her eyes.
"Will I make it?"