Alaric awakens slowly, feeling his strength gradually returning. The recent events are still vivid in his mind. He remembers the altar, Nyanja, and the unbearable weight of what he had to do to survive. But here, under the filtered light of thick trees and towering mountains, he feels slightly more at peace. Kwame, the charismatic young man who helped him, sits beside him, quietly watching the landscape.
"Thank you, Kwame," Alaric murmurs, his voice still rough with fatigue. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Kwame smiles softly, a smile that reveals a sincere kindness. "No problem, brother. You seemed like you needed help. But now that you're awake, maybe you could tell me what happened to you? You seem to have come from far away."
Alaric sits up slowly, leaning against the tree trunk behind him. "Yes, I come from far away, indeed... But tell me, where exactly are we?"
Kwame gives him a curious glance, then looks into the distance. "You're in the High Plateaus of Vankora, more precisely in the City of Kormak."
Alaric raises his eyes and takes in the place for the first time, noticing the details. The city stretches before him, nestled in the green mountains and surrounded by winding rivers that glisten under the sun. The terraced roofs, made of baked clay and adorned with intricate floral patterns, overlap one another, forming a mosaic of warm colors. Finely carved minarets rise above the city, pointing toward the sky like golden needles, and hanging gardens overflow with exotic plants and bright flowers that waft their scent into the air.
The City of Kormak is a lively blend of life and culture. Crowds bustle through the paved streets, dressed in long colorful tunics and ornate scarves, reminiscent of the precious fabrics one might find in markets of silk and spices. The buildings, made of white stone, are dotted with architectural details such as carved balconies and inner courtyards filled with water basins and statues of ancient sages. The scents of incense and spices float in the air, and distant chants mingle with the sound of temple bells, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.
Alaric is struck by the beauty of the place, which resembles a city straight out of a dream. But he also knows he is far from home. "The High Plateaus of Vankora," he murmurs, trying to gauge the distance separating him from where he started. "I am really far from home."
Kwame nods, reading the concern on Alaric's face. "You are far from where you came from, brother. I'm here on a mission. I'm looking for a scientist who stole important information from Alokta, my homeland."
"Alokta?" Alaric asks, curious. "I've never heard of that place. How far is it from here?"
"Very far," Kwame replies with a nostalgic smile. "Alokta is a vast and ancient kingdom known for its science and arts. It's a place where knowledge is revered almost as much as the gods. We are a proud people, the Alloktons and Alloktonnes, but we also have our enemies. This scientist I'm chasing stole secrets that could put our nation in great danger if they fall into the wrong hands."
Alaric thinks for a moment, weighing his options. He knows he still has a long way to go to find his friends and return to Eyoma, but he is also aware that he doesn't have the resources or strength to continue alone for now. "Kwame," he says finally, "if you allow me to accompany you, perhaps I can help. I need money and resources to get home, and I'm willing to work to earn them."
Kwame seems to hesitate for a moment, sizing up Alaric with a scrutinizing look. "You seem like a good guy, but I don't know you well enough to know if you will be an asset or a liability. How do I know I can trust you?"
Alaric nods, understanding Kwame's dilemma. "I understand. What must I do to prove my worth to you?"
Kwame thinks for a moment, then smiles slightly, a smile that hints at a challenge. "There are creatures and notorious individuals in this area causing trouble for the locals. If you manage to get rid of them, you'll prove that you can be useful. It will also serve the people of this city. What do you say?"
Alaric smiles back, his ranger warrior spirit awakening at the prospect of a challenge. "All right, show me these enemies, and I will prove what I'm capable of."
A few hours later, Alaric finds himself outside the city, in a dense forest bordering the mountains. Kwame has brought him here to show him the first of his trials: a group of vargulls, bestial creatures with sharp claws and poisonous fangs that have recently been attacking nearby villages.
Alaric tightens his band around his forehead, ready to fight. He feels the power of the Mark pulse under the fabric, a source of strength and determination. "I'm ready," he says simply.
The vargulls emerge from the shadows, growling and baring their teeth, their eyes glowing in the dim light. Alaric takes a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline surge. He recalls the teachings of his ancestors, the combat strategies he has learned since childhood.
With astonishing speed, he charges, his sword gleaming in the filtered light through the trees. The vargulls are fast, but Alaric is faster. He uses his Spectral Swiftness ability, moving so quickly that he leaves behind afterimages of himself. The creatures attack the mirages, confused, giving Alaric time to strike.
"Blade of Fate!" he shouts, bringing his sword down with deadly precision. The blade cuts through air and flesh, ending the vargull threat in a few well-placed strikes.
Kwame, watching from a distance, nods with satisfaction. It is clear that this warrior knows how to fight and that he can keep his promise. Alaric, though tired, remains alert. "Is it over?" he asks.
Kwame smiles. "Not yet. There are still a few other... challenges to overcome."
The following hours are a series of battles and confrontations. Alaric faces local bandits, thieves who have been terrorizing merchants on the mountain roads. He uses his expertise in trap detection to thwart their ambushes and his enhanced endurance to neutralize them one by one. Each victory strengthens his confidence and his desire to prove that he is not just a survivor but also a protector.
Once the tasks are completed, Kwame leads him to a local market in the heart of the City of Kormak. Alaric buys new clothes with the money he earned, trading his torn tunic for a richly colored kameez embroidered with golden threads, and a new loose shalwar, reminiscent of the traditional attire of the city's merchants and scholars. He also chooses a new headband in deep red fabric, adorned with golden geometric patterns, to cover the Mark.
Kwame looks at him approvingly. "These clothes suit you well, brother. You have proven your worth, and I am glad to have you by my side. Now, we must find this scientist. Are you ready to continue?"
Alaric nods, feeling a new determination surge within him. "Yes, I am ready. Let's go find him."
With new clothes and a new mission in mind, Alaric and Kwame set out to track down the renegade scientist, their steps leading them deeper into the mystery and unknown of the High Plateaus of Vankora.