In a place where the sun never shines anymore, is situated Eldoria, an ancient city. It had been a great place for hope and treatment but now it has become shadows and terror city. In former times Eldoria was well-known for its blood remedies made of blood that attracted people from all over to come and get healed by the mysterious powers of the Healing Church.
Healing Church was a center of the city which was known for its miraculous blood treatment. Blood was thought to be endowed with supernatural abilities bestowed upon it by God in order to cure any disease. Pilgrims who were infirmed traveled long distances relying on Church's assurances about salvation.
However, there have always been whispers beneath the surface – dark tales about strange happenings within the city. Some purported to have seen individuals disappearing mysteriously, some talked of having sighted queer figures lurking in dark, and others mentioned frightful sounds emanating from deep recesses of undergrounds surrounding church premises. The same blood meant to heal also carried rumors of spells cast upon it which distorted humanity into monsters.
Near the heel of the Fugu Mountain, a man stood alone. He was clad in a bulky black gray armor, stained with blood and riddled with arrow spikes. His breath came in heavy puffs as he staggered forward, his body swaying from side to side as he struggled to stay on his feet. The man's steps were slow and labored, each movement a fight against the exhaustion that threatened to overtake him.
Blood dripped from the gashes in his armor, leaving a trail behind him as he moved. His face, barely visible through the visor of his helmet, was pale and gaunt, his eyes hollowed with fatigue and pain. The man's breaths grew more ragged with each step, his body trembling as he fought to remain upright. But he pressed on, driven by a force stronger than his pain, refusing to let himself fall
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he reached the towering main gate of Eldoria. The city walls loomed before him, dark and imposing, covered in ivy and streaked with the grime of countless years. Cold wind blew through narrow gaps between the bars of the gate itself, which creaked ominously as it was heavy and wrought iron.
Two soldiers stood at the entrance with their helmets' metals shields hiding their faces. One of them, gripping his sword tightly, stepped forward with suspicion in his eyes while the other one raised his spear ready to attack any intruder."Who are you? Why have you come to this place?" The first soldier spoke with a sharp and distrustful tone.His voice cracked as he breathed heavily before saying, "I came here to seek salvation from the Church."
Upon hearing these words, the guard's sword lowered slightly. He exchanged a quick look with his fellow guard. His suspicions faded away, replaced by tiredness."You've come for salvation right? Fine go on," he said stepping out of the way and completely lowering his sword.The man in armor did not reply; he just continued walking ahead making noise at each step due to his armor clanking all over. As he trudged slowly into town, both guards followed him closely with their eyes but never uttering another word.
As the man crossed the threshold into Eldoria, the city revealed itself to him in all its grim and decaying glory. A thick fog hung low over the streets, swirling around the crumbling buildings and filling the air with a damp, heavy chill. The cobblestone roads were uneven and slick with grime, giving off a faint, metallic scent that mixed with the stench of rot and decay. Once-grand structures now stood in ruin, their windows shattered, and their walls blackened with soot and time.The few people who still wandered the streets were gaunt and hollow-eyed, their clothes tattered and their movements slow, they shuffled through the fog, their faces pale and expressionless, barely acknowledging the man as he passed. The atmosphere was suffocating, thick with a sense of despair that seemed to seep into every corner of the city. Shadows lurked in the alleyways, shifting and twisting, as if hiding something monstrous just out of sight.Above, the sky was a dull, sickly gray, with no trace of the sun to be found. The air itself felt tainted, heavy with the smell of blood and something far worse. The city seemed to breathe with an unnatural rhythm, as if it were alive, its heart beating in time with the footsteps of those who dared to walk its streets.
The man in the bloodstained armor walked deeper into Eldoria, the fog around him grew thicker, wrapping around his body like a shroud. He moved slowly, each step echoing on the cobblestones, as though the city itself was holding its breath.
Through the mist, he began to see a shape ahead—a building that seemed different from the rest of the decaying city. As he got closer, the structure became clearer, and it stood out in stark contrast to the dark, crumbling surroundings.
The church before him was beautiful, almost glowing with an otherworldly light. Unlike the rest of Eldoria, it seemed untouched by time. The walls were made of smooth, white stone that gleamed, even in the dull light. Beautiful carvings covered the outside, showing images of angels and battles, their faces a mix of calm and fierce.
Tall, colorful windows lined the church, each telling a story in bright, shining colors. The biggest window, above the entrance, showed a glowing figure holding a cup filled with blood—a symbol of the church's healing powers.
The entrance doors were huge, made of dark wood carved with strange symbols. The wood looked ancient, yet it was smooth and polished, as if nothing in the decaying city could touch it. Above the doors, old, glowing letters were carved into the stone, their meaning lost to time.
As the man in the bloodstained armor approached the entrance of the church, a figure suddenly stepped out of the shadows. The paladin who blocked his path was a hulking presence, his broad shoulders and thick arms barely contained by his heavy armor. His face was rough, with a scar running down his cheek, and his eyes glinted with a mean, thuggish vibe. The man's jaw was set in a permanent sneer, and a dark stubble covered his chin.
The paladin's armor was dirty and dented, but the insignia of the church was still visible on his chest. A large, wicked-looking sword hung at his side, its hilt well-worn from use.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" the paladin barked, his voice full of suspicion and aggression.
The man in the gray armor didn't answer. He kept walking, ignoring the paladin as if he didn't exist.
The paladin's sneer twisted into a snarl. His hand shot to the hilt of his sword, and with a swift motion, he drew it from its sheath. The blade gleamed menacingly in the dim light. "I'm talking to you, asshole!" he spat, his voice dripping with fury.
Without warning, the paladin lunged forward, his sword raised high as he charged at the man in the armor. He swung the blade with all his might, aiming to cut the man down.
But the man in the armor didn't even flinch. With a speed that belied his weary appearance, he drew his own sword in a blur of motion. The two blades clashed, but instead of the paladin's sword cutting through, it was stopped dead in its tracks. The sound of metal on metal rang out, sharp and final.
In the same instant, the man in the armor twisted his wrist and, with a single powerful motion, snapped the paladin's sword in two. The broken blade clattered to the ground, leaving the paladin staring in shock, his mouth hanging open.
"Impossible…" the paladin gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You broke my sword… just by blocking it? This sword was given to me by the church… It's supposed to be strong!"
The man in the armor said nothing. He simply sheathed his sword with a practiced motion and turned his back on the stunned paladin. Without another glance, he walked to the front of the church doors, leaving the paladin standing there, frozen in shock and fear.