👀 Kael's POV 👀
A lot has happened prior to my arrival in this world known as Aetheria.
I woke up beside an ocean, cold and tattered, with no memories of how I got there. The last thing I recalled was drowning in the middle of the ocean. I began my quest, a search for fire. The first edible item I consumed in this world was from an unknown source.
I was knocked out by some gruesome creature, which I later found out from my fellow captive to be Trollocs. I managed to free Rose from her chains, and she freed us from the hands of the Trollocs.
Unfortunately, we fell into the hands of some deadly armies called the Reapers. That was where I learned that Rose is a princess of the Elvarin Kingdom.
We were taken to the Loctrum clan. I was beaten, humiliated, and stoned by the villagers. I was different. I don't even know what I am. I was to fight for my freedom alongside other captives. We fought and won by luck. We were just two remaining, and I was told to kill my second and gain freedom.
I rejected the freedom; the reason why I did that is still clouded to me. I was taken to the Loctrum cave and forced to labor hard, looking for a hidden treasure for Lord Arctic.
I found the hidden treasure but was at the brink of death. I was taken to the matrix where I met with the Guardian of Souls.
He gave me a ticket to return to my world, but I refused bluntly. I still regret the choice I made up till now. I'm praying to get another ticket, but I'm not ready to face that old Dragon anymore.
The Dragon gave me the name Kael, and I was taken back to this world where I started hearing a mysterious voice in my head. It was the hidden treasure, the key to all knowledge.
I became its host, rather its master. I was blessed with skills and abilities, and the most interesting part of it was the change in my body.
I was able to rescue my fellow laborers and Princess Rose out of the Loctrum Clan. I became a popular figure in the Elvarin Kingdom. Everyone loves and appreciates my strength.
Everyone loves me? That statement isn't entirely true.
Although I claimed to be from the Dwargon clan, a few people still have their doubts, but I wasn't concerned about it.
Everything was going smoothly with Rose and the Elvarin Kingdom. Speaking of Rose, I can't say I love her. I don't even know what love is, but I'm attracted to her. At least, I know what attraction is.
Then something tragic happened. I defiled a lady, Rose's handmaiden. I can't really say how it happened, but I knew I was poisoned. I was banished from the Elvarin Kingdom into this great Forest of Aethralis, which I laid waste to.
I destroyed the forest out of my own greed, which turned me into an enemy with the Guardian of the Forest. I was to be interrogated, but I think the poison was still affecting me, causing me to misbehave.
I was spared because I'm a human. Liam also told me that he was a human from Earth. He was shot dead while trying to protect his family and got reincarnated as a werewolf in this world.
We didn't get to discuss much as he told me that Tyran has been sobbing all through the night. When I asked why:
He revealed to me that she claims to be a failure; she failed to protect Aethralis.
It was all my fault. I destroyed Aethralis, so I had to right my wrong. I took it upon myself to rebuild the forest.
The trees were dead; they couldn't be brought back to life. So I started planting anew. This is the fourth day, and I'm still planting.
"What are you thinking?" A soft, melodious voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I was on my knees, pouring essence into a plant in order to aid its growth.
"I'm not thinking anything," I replied while getting up, then turned to face her.
Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention that Tyran was in my quest of replanting. She had volunteered to follow me and guide me all through.
We have been out here for days now, and our journey has been smooth. We haven't encountered any challenges, and she has been of great help.
"I've been beside you for a while now, but you didn't notice," she replied, and that was when I took a proper look at her. She was still clad in her white garment, her eyes were closed, her hands were clasped against each other, and her head slightly downward. Her feet were not touching the ground, and her body glowed brightly. She seems to love this position; she's a spirit anyway.
"Well..." I scratched the back of my head. "I was just thinking about home."
"Home." She muttered, her eyes flashed open, and she came straight down to me. "Have you finally regained your memory?"
"No... I still don't have a clue. It's just what Liam said about family," I replied and resumed working. I've finished my replanting. The only thing remaining is to boost the growth of the plant.
"Great Liam sees us as a family. He cares for everyone in the Village. The Goblins, the Dwarves, the Elves, and even the Direwolves."
"The Direwolves?" I arched a brow. The name Dire sounds familiar to me.
"The Direwolves and the Direbrinbare can be exemplified as a civilian man to a military personnel. They're both of the same race, but the Direbrinbare are more nefarious and can't be controlled," Tyran explained to me as we walked further.
"Liam used his influence as a wolf to tame the Direwolves, but he couldn't tame the Direbrinbare." I chuckled as the theory started getting interesting.
"I know what you might be thinking..." I heard her voice, and I suddenly stopped and turned to her. I was shirtless but still wearing the old brown trousers which had now turned into shorts. I bet I don't love wearing clothes in my world. "Those Direbrinbare you defeated were the lower rank. There are higher-rank Direbrinbare which even the Direwolves can't stand up to."
I was looking at her; her expression indicated she was speaking the truth. I was beaten by that Urc creature, and a blow from Liam knocked me out. I'm not weak, though, but I hardly recall things. It has been my problem right from day one.
Before I could open my mouth to answer her, an ethereal being appeared in our midst. She looked just like Tyran, but a younger version. Her white garment was stained with blood, and her essence was overwhelming the area.
She's in a state of panic, in danger.
"What's it, Mirian? Why is your garment stained with blood?" Her sister asked, panicking.
"The village was ambushed by the Radiant adept Direbrinbare; Great Liam is at the brink of death," she said before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind Tyran and me.
Tyran was staring at me, still in a state of shock. I was also shocked because I couldn't process all that was happening. Her sister appeared and disappeared...
I felt her hands wrapped around my neck as she pulled me into a tight embrace. "We have to reach the village as soon as possible," she said, and I nodded in her arms as we both vanished into thin air.
We reappeared in a clearing; it was the spot where I had roasted the meat of a Direbrinbare. I thought we would appear in the village. I bet I was wrong.
She grabbed my left wrist, and we started running forward, her legs still not touching the ground. "Sorry... I can't take us straight to the village." She apologized as if it was her fault.
I knew if she was alone, she would get to the village in no time. So, I'm the burden here, not her.
We arrived in the village after a long run. I was so exhausted, and so was she. Smoke filled the air from different directions, buildings were destroyed. The ground was filled with marks, and the woods were stained with blood.
Tyran collapsed beside me as the wailing of the injured beings filled the air. I would have denied that this was the village I was taken to if I didn't see Liam. He was seated on a rock, watching the aftermath of the ambush laid by the Direbrinbare.
"Mitsuri," she bellowed and rose to her feet. She dashed out of my presence almost immediately, and I walked up to Liam, my teary eyes scanning everywhere.
They were all staring at me: the Goblins, the wolves, the Urks, the Elves, the Dwarves. It wasn't a friendly look. It was the same look the citizens of the Loctrum Clan gave me when I was led into their city.
"You..." someone said directly to me, and I stopped walking. The voice came from behind, so I turned to see a man with green skin. He's a goblin, and he was holding a sword. I already knew why he had stopped me. I need no soothsayer to tell me that all that has happened is my fault.
"You destroyed the Aethralis forest. You took away the great tree that protected us from those beasts. All my brethren are suffering in pain because of you. Mitsuri is at the verge of death, and Great Liam isn't healing. All this is happening because of your presence. I'm going to end you," he declared bitterly.
I recalled when I devoured the great tree, which was the cornerstone of the Aethralis forest. I already had what I wanted, but out of greed, I gave the Direbrinbares the privilege to attack these villagers.
It's all my fault, and I'm aware of it. The Goblin is right; I deserve no mercy. His grip on the sword tightened; he would attack any time soon. I stood my ground, my fist threatening to fold, but I released it. If there's anything I deserve, it's death. My fate is sealed; I'm going to die by the hands of this Goblin.
He made his move, letting out a war cry. His expression, his emotion, his grief—all together in the sword. Alexa wasn't even bothered, maybe she wanted me dead also.
I saw the thread, my life flashed before my eyes as he raised the sword, aiming to slash from top right to bottom left, but a shadow obscured my view.
Someone saved me from the hands of death. It turned out to be the great Werewolf. He had stopped the sword with his hands. His white fur was stained with blood as he growled loudly, releasing his magical essence.
"I'm sorry, Great Liam... I didn't mean to," the Goblin apologized, but he was dismissed by the Werewolf, who turned to me instantly.
"It was my fault... You should have just let him kill me," I said to him, my voice breaking.
"That's an easy death. I want you to face a real brutal death," he gnashed his teeth. His expression was blank, and I couldn't decipher what he meant.
He started leaving while I walked closely from behind.
"What do you mean?" I managed to ask, my head banging furiously.
"This was just a show. The Direbrinbares are coming for a showdown. They're coming to kill everyone," I heard the voice of Mitsuri. He was limping with one leg, his clothes covered with blood.
"They came to weaken our defenses while we were unprepared. Now, they're going to attack us once and for all," I heard another voice.
"Great Liam... Shouldn't we evacuate?" asked the Goblin, the one aiming to kill me, as we walked into the inn.
"What about them?" Liam asked, and I looked up to see the greatest shock of my life.
Those who stood to fight with the Direbrinbares were injured beyond recognition. Some were dead while many were at the verge of death. They couldn't even move an inch, much less evacuate.
And I knew Liam. He wouldn't leave behind these people. He takes everyone as his family.
This is all my fault. I should have just died from the poison. Now, a lot of lives are dying because of me.
This is small compared to the massacre that will happen if the higher rank Direbrinbares return. Liam is weak, Mitsuri is injured, Tyran already knew it's a fruitless battle. No one is going to survive in this village.
I'm just like the robber that attacked Liam's family on Earth. He was able to save his family on Earth by dying for their sake, but in this world, he's going to die with his newfound family.
And this is because of me... KAEL... The Great Grandson of Adam.
"Alexa... You've to do something or I'll destroy you myself."