As soon as I reached the village entrance, the heavy gates swung open immediately. I rushed inside and headed straight to the demi-humans controlling them. "Don't close them yet," I ordered urgently. They looked at me with obvious doubt, but I didn't insist.
Instead, I grabbed Aeryn and quickly tied her to a cart. In the distance, Eldrek watched me, his face reflecting confusion as if trying to figure out what I was up to.
I mounted Aeryn in a hurry, gripping her reins tightly. "Take me back to the battlefield," I commanded firmly. The Skarnill darted off with all her strength, circling the village from the outside until we reached the other side.
"Hold, Aeryn. Just a little longer," I muttered as I dismounted near the corpses of the fallen creatures. Without wasting a second, I began loading the bodies onto the cart, one by one.
From atop the wall, I could hear the murmurs of the giants and demi-humans watching me.
"What is he doing? Does he plan to bury them?" they whispered to each other.
I ignored the stares and comments. My focus was solely on fulfilling the deal we had made with the nagas. Few people knew about this agreement, so I wasn't surprised that my actions seemed strange to them.
Once the cart was loaded, I climbed back onto Aeryn and ordered her to return. The cart was heavy, but the Skarnill had no trouble pulling it along.
As we crossed through the gates again, several demi-humans approached me, visibly concerned. I dismounted to explain, but the village chief stepped forward, raising his arms to calm the crowd.
"Settle down," he said firmly. "Darius and Gronn already told us about this. They..." He paused briefly, choosing his words carefully before continuing. "They made a deal with the nagas that requires delivering the remains of these creatures to them."
The initial silence quickly turned into exclamations of disbelief and discontent.
"That's impossible! Nagas can't be trusted! This is wrong—using the dead like that!" one of the demi-humans shouted, reflecting the general tension.
I chose to let the chief handle the situation to avoid further uproar. He hadn't been on board with the deal at first either, but the giants had convinced him it was necessary and strategic. Now, he had to instill that same conviction in his people.
I stepped away toward Eldrek and Gronn, who were standing in the village square. The atmosphere in the village was tense. The attack had shaken everyone. Though they had been prepared, when the blows hit the walls, panic overtook many.
From my position, I could see children clinging to their parents, seeking comfort.
"Darius, are you alright?" Eldrek asked, his concern evident. I probably didn't look great after taking those magical hits.
"I see you've already collected the samples for the nagas," Gronn added, crossing his arms.
"I'm fine," I replied, still catching my breath. "The good news is we now have a stable sword. It worked perfectly... but all of this has me uneasy. Those creatures were different from the ones I faced at the camp."
The chief approached us then, visibly exhausted but composed. "I want to hear what you have to say, Darius. Please, go on."
I nodded and continued. "Those creatures weren't just stronger; they also used magic. It seemed exclusively wind-based, but taking those blasts was utterly draining. I can still feel the effects in my body."
"I'll have the healer attend to you," the chief said. I nodded gratefully.
"Yes, I saw them from the wall. They looked strong, but what worries me more is that mysterious figure watching the whole time from behind their formation. It must be someone capable of controlling them... perhaps a mage," Gronn commented, his brow furrowed.
"Mage..." Eldrek murmured thoughtfully.
"I agree," I responded. "This is too strange. We need more information about what we're up against. That's why it's crucial to get these bodies to the nagas as soon as possible. If they can analyze them, they might uncover something that gives us an edge."
Eldrek crossed his arms, giving me a serious look before turning to Gronn. He spoke calmly but firmly. "Gronn, I believe you're the best choice to deliver the bodies to the nagas. Darius can't leave the village right now. He's the only one here capable of facing those creatures if they return."
Gronn nodded slowly, though he didn't seem entirely convinced. "I understand. But those nagas are not easy to deal with."
While they discussed, I stepped away a few paces, letting my thoughts flow. I looked around at the villagers—some still frightened, others trying to regain their composure. This couldn't go on. We needed more people capable of fighting.
I stopped walking, and almost without realizing it, I spoke aloud. "We can't rely on just one warrior. We need more people ready to fight."
The demi-human chief, who had been listening closely, sighed and responded. "It'll be difficult to find anyone willing to get involved in something like this, Darius. And the races that could help us aren't exactly... tolerant or trustworthy."
Eldrek glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his brow furrowed as if he already knew what the chief was implying. "Hmm... I know who you're thinking of," he said, lowering his voice.
"Who are you referring to?" I asked, eager, looking between the two of them.
Eldrek turned his gaze to me. "The lizards," he said seriously. "They're violent by nature. Dealing with them will be harder than dealing with the nagas—nearly impossible. They don't trust anyone."
"Perfect!" I said sarcastically, rubbing my chin in thought. "Maybe we can convince them another way. Perhaps by buying their help."
"Buying them?" the chief repeated, a mix of surprise and skepticism in his voice.
I nodded decisively. "There must be something we can offer in return. We could pay for their temporary services. If they're as violent as you say, maybe they're exactly what we need to face those creatures."
The chief and Eldrek exchanged glances, neither of them responding immediately. I knew it was a risky idea, but it was the only one that made sense at the moment. If we wanted to withstand future attacks, we needed allies, no matter how difficult they were to obtain.
Gronn let out a snort, crossing his arms with a serious expression but lacing his words with a hint of sarcasm. "Those cold-blooded creatures... the only thing they care about is steel. We could offer them weapons from the giants. That's bound to get their attention."
The demi-human chief nodded slowly, though his frustration was evident. "And if that's not enough, we could guarantee them food from our crops. Those beasts will definitely think about it after hearing that... though I don't like the idea of having both the lizards and the nagas as potential allies." He paused, his expression hardening. "But if there's no other choice..."
Eldrek thought for a few seconds before speaking. "To be honest, it could work. It's a solid plan."
"If they're warriors," I interrupted firmly, "it's best to negotiate with someone like them. I think I'm the right person to go talk to the lizards."
Eldrek frowned, hesitating for a moment. "As much as I dislike the idea of you leaving this place, it's true. You might be the best option."
"Then we have a plan," Gronn said with enthusiasm, slamming his fist into his palm. "I'll head out immediately. Those damned nagas are farther away than the lizards, and we can't waste any time."
"Where exactly do the lizards live?" I asked, trying to better understand the terrain we were dealing with.
"In the Shadow Swamp," Gronn replied. "It's a dense, humid place, full of roots and stagnant water. There are no villages—just a series of hidden shelters scattered among the mud and trees... a lovely place."
"Marvelous," I said, mimicking Gronn's sarcasm.
We all nodded, finalizing the plan. The chief looked at Gronn with respect. "Be careful. Don't trust those nagas too much."
"Of course," Gronn replied before grabbing his things and heading out with a Skarnill.
As for me, Eldrek advised waiting until morning. "It's better if you don't leave immediately, Darius. If you interrupt their rest at night, they might react poorly. Leave at dawn, when they'll be more willing to talk."
"Alright, I'll set out with Aeryn."
Gronn was already on his way, disappearing into the night with firm steps. Meanwhile, I headed to the healer to tend to my wounds.
At first light, still sore but slightly recovered, I headed to Aeryn. Eldrek was still resting, and he needed it—the physical and mana drain he'd endured had been immense.
Before leaving, I bid farewell to a few demi-humans working tirelessly on the walls. Their eyes were weary, but their determination remained unshaken.
I mounted Aeryn and ordered her to take me toward the Shadow Swamps. The Skarnill moved with agility, her steady pace helping me organize my thoughts.
The scenery began to change as we moved farther from the village. The trees grew taller, their branches forming a canopy that cast shadows across the path.
Aeryn snorted nervously when a flock of black birds suddenly flew overhead, their harsh cries shattering the silence.
"Easy," I murmured, stroking her neck to calm her. "I think we're almost there."
I guessed as much because the air grew heavy and humid, clear signs we were nearing the swamp. A pungent smell of stagnant water and rotting vegetation filled my senses. The ground beneath Aeryn's hooves became muddy, making her steps slower and more deliberate.
In the distance, I spotted robust figures guarding the entrance to their territory. They were tall, their muscular bodies covered in dark green scales. Their cold, hostile gazes and firmly gripped spears were pointed directly at me.
"Hold, Aeryn," I whispered, gently pulling on the reins. The Skarnill stopped, but her body trembled with unease, as if she wanted to flee.
I dismounted carefully, keeping my movements slow and measured to avoid alarming them. I advanced a few steps, maintaining a safe distance, while Aeryn followed my instructions and moved back a little.
"Leave, human!" one of the lizards shouted, pointing his spear at me. "If you don't want to die, turn back now."
I stood still, observing them. They were imposing, standing over two meters tall. Despite their minimal armor, their bodies exuded an intimidating strength. Their spears seemed like extensions of their hands, ready to strike down any intruder.
"I come from the demi-human village," I said, raising my voice calmly. "I represent them and the giants. I bring a business proposal that might interest you."
Another lizard growled, stepping forward with an expression full of distrust. "Shut up, human! Your words mean nothing here."
I swallowed hard, maintaining my composure. "Aeryn, wait there," I murmured without taking my eyes off the lizards. The Skarnill obeyed, retreating a few meters while I stood my ground.
One of the lizards approached closer, his stance defiant, looking me up and down. "You've got guts coming here," he said in a mocking tone. Then, with a sharp gesture, he pointed down the path. "Follow me. But don't try anything stupid, or we'll feast on your stupid bird."
I couldn't help but grimace at his comment, though thankfully, it went unnoticed.
The second lizard remained guarding the entrance, growling as we ventured deeper into the swamp. The environment grew stranger with every step. The muddy ground was riddled with massive roots jutting out, obstructing the path.
Lizards emerged from all directions, their eyes fixed on me. Some hurled hateful remarks, clearly trying to provoke me, but I held my composure.
Finally, we arrived at a more open area where a massive hollow trunk served as the central base. Atop it, on an improvised throne, sat the lizard chief. He was larger than the others, his face and body crisscrossed with scars—clear evidence of countless battles.
Around him, several female lizards attended to him, fanning him or holding containers filled with murky water.
The guard who had escorted me bowed slightly and spoke with respect. "Chief Zardak, this outsider claims to have a business proposal from the demi-humans and giants."
Zardak looked at me with disdain, his golden eyes gleaming intensely. His voice was deep and filled with authority. "Speak, human. If you don't have anything interesting to say, you'll be my meal for the week."
I swallowed hard but stood firm. "I represent the demi-humans and giants. We have an urgent matter and a proposal that could benefit you."
Zardak didn't take his eyes off me, though his attention seemed split between my words and barking orders at the lizards around him. "Bring me something to drink," he growled at one of them, who quickly obeyed. Then he pointed a clawed finger at me. "Continue."
I explained the offer calmly, detailing the supply of weapons and food in exchange for their support in defending the village. Throughout my speech, Zardak remained silent, his gaze unyielding.
When I mentioned the threat we faced, he interrupted brusquely: "The weapons will be made to my specifications, and as for the food, it will be for no less than 40 seasonal cycles. Not a single one less."
I calculated quickly. Forty cycles amounted to ten years. I lifted my gaze, pondering for a few seconds before nodding. I didn't have many options.
"Agreed. We have a deal."
Zardak let out a short, harsh laugh. "Hold on, fool. This doesn't end here."
He stood up, pointing at a massive lizard among the crowd. "Bring Thargak!"
The lizards roared with enthusiasm, pounding their spears against the ground. My nerves started to show.
"What does this mean?" I asked cautiously, glancing at the chief.
Zardak stared at me with a fierce grin. "Here, no deal is sealed without a challenge. The rules are simple: the one who survives wins." He gestured toward a circular platform raised above the swamp. "Get up there, human. Now."
This caught me completely off guard. I hadn't come here intending to fight these beasts.
But with no other option, I prepared myself for what was to come. Thargak approached the platform, pounding his chest and roaring like a true war monster.
The lizards around us erupted into cheers and guttural growls, their excitement filling the air.
I climbed the platform cautiously, each step heavy with anticipation. Thargak stood waiting for me, his massive frame casting an intimidating shadow over the arena.
As I reached the center, he wasted no time. With a roar that shook the swamp, he lunged at me with incredible speed for a creature his size. I barely managed to dodge, his massive claws slicing through the air where I had been moments before.
The fight was on, and there was no turning back.