In a barony wracked by famine, death and disease, in an almost deserted castle made of mossy stone and crisscrossed by countless ivy bushes, a few guards equipped with wooden spears and light leather armor seemed to be patrolling, barely looking around, strolling and chatting with no real intention of guarding the place.
"Have you heard the rumors? Apparently, Madame Adelaide seems to be bedridden!" The guard breathed out a laugh, playing with his wooden spear. He then stared at his colleague, this one looking very young.
"Still? The Northguard aren't what they used to be. To think they've been reduced to a bedridden baroness and a four-year-old child!" The young guard deliberately mocked his Mistress, seemingly unconcerned about the fallout this might have.
The two guards continued their rounds, chatting and laughing, oblivious to the world. On the second floor of this castle, a butler in his forties sighed before continuing down a dark corridor, dotted with barely visible paintings. He made his way to a room and knocked. Someone coughed softly, before answering in a hoarse, weakened voice.
"Come in, Donald."
The butler entered and gently closed the door, facing a young lady of about 24, pale and emaciated. Snow-white hair reaching to the small of her back, eyes a ghostly grayish color. Despite her condition, the latter looked simply gorgeous, no contest.
"My Lord." Donald bowed deeply to the young woman who lay in bed, a dull, colorless chamber.
The young woman coughed a little, before looking at her butler.
"Get up, I'm listening." She positioned herself correctly in the bed, leaning against it. She watched her butler rise and open his mouth.
"Good. The situation is, how shall I put it... catastrophic. The further we go, the more contempt the population has for the barony. I fear an uprising of the guard against you, My Lord."
The young woman chuckled softly, as a look amplified by sadness and melancholy settled in her eyes.
"And what of my daughter, Anna? Is Kali taking good care of her?" A slight hint of happiness crossed the woman's voice, as she questioned the man.
Donald then smiled gently, nodding.
"Indeed, Lady Kali takes great care of Madame Anna at the Capital. Have no fear, she is in good health. However, she seems sad not to see her mother."
"I see. Help me write a letter to the latter please, Donald."
Donald walked over to the Baroness's desk and sat down. He took out a rough sheet of paper and picked up an ink-stained quill.
"Noted please: Dear Anna, I am well..." The Baroness would then come and speak for a few minutes, telling how her life at the Barony was very simple, that she was in good health and that Anna needn't worry.
"... Signed, Adelaide Northguard, your loving mother." Donald finished writing the letter and folded it gently. He slipped the paper into an envelope and placed the Baronial seal on it, tucking this letter away in his pocket.
"My Lord, I'm going to post this letter, I'll be back soon."
Adelaide nodded her head, a lock of hair moving in front of her eyes. Donald left the room as she turned her gaze outside, looking up at the dull gray skies of the northern region.
Suddenly, a translucent window appeared before Adelaide's eyes, consisting of a crimson-red background and golden borders.
[Would you like to change your destiny?]
[Yes] [No]
Adelaide blinked several times before simply letting out a laugh. She looked around quickly. However, the window followed her gaze, not letting her out of her sight.
"No I won't!" Adelaide breathed out in color as she waved her frail hand at the window.
[Even if it will save your child, Anna Northguard?]
Adelaide stopped short as she read the next sentence, squinting her eyes.
"Save her from what?"
[The Northguard of the Vedo Empire is no more. Who else but the Northguard can save it?]
Adelaide seemed shocked and rose as best she could from her bed. Then she whispered quickly.
"That means they're back... With the current state of the barony, we won't be able to stop them..." Adelaide then looked at the window and asked a question.
"If I accept, what have I to gain and what do you gain?"
[You gain power and knowledge. I gain the souls of all your killings and at the same time a part of your life].
"Part of my life?" Adelaide coughed softly, as she gazed gently out the window. She hesitated for a long moment, the window then displaying another text.
[If you accept, you'll live into your thirties at best. But you'll have the strength to protect what matters most to you. Your territory and your daughter. Do you accept?]
[Yes] [No]
Adelaide then turned her eyes to a painting of herself and a baby in her arms. She approached him and stroked him gently. She smiled softly, as she took one last look at her daughter, before simply nodding.
"I accept. I want to be able to save my daughter."
[System connection with host in progress. Please wait.... DING! Linkage complete, get ready!]
The woman fell to the floor, holding her head. She breathed softly in pain, as she felt something worm its way into her mind. After minutes of suffering, contained screams and almost unbearable pain, Adelaide was finally able to breathe. In front of her, a faint translucent red panel with golden edges appeared.
[Status:
Name : Adelaide Northguard
Title: The Fallen Nordic Guard
Points : 0
Level : 1
Territory: Barony of Northguard
Territory level: Village
Loyalty: 10/100
Soldiers: 104/500
Population: 1478 / 5000
Tips : To earn points, please kill living creatures. Outlanders give 2 times more points].
"I... need a shower...." Adelaide sighed softly, even though she was out of breath.