In an unknown location on the continent of Astoria
James appeared abruptly and stumbled onto the mudded ground. The thunderstorm still raged with absolute fury and within seconds, James was drenched.
All around him were tall towering trees growing in rows with clear paths between them, in the distance was a mountain range and close to his left 25 meters away water a river that flowed with a strong current as the result of rushing waves of water joining its flow.
James lay on his stomach as the rain washed away his blood-stained face and clothes, yet he paid no mind to these.
"Ahh…!"
He slammed his right fist into the mud, not caring for the damage he caused to himself. The pain in his voice as he mourned the betrayal of his dear friends, wife and people echoed in the darkness of the night.
"Ahhh!"
His breath came out in heavy heaves as the intense fire within him continued to simmer, ready to explode. He could feel his chest burn from the sensation as he took in deep breaths and slowly got to his knees.
With eyes pointed to the skies, his golden eyes now turned red and gleamed with a malevolent light. Its stare challenging the very heavens.
"AARRRGGHHH….!"
Suddenly, James let out a mighty roar that shook the very air around him, both hands clutched onto his chest.
The roar was primal, a mix of raw agony and desperate rage. It was guttural, a sound that came from deep within him, carrying the weight of his pain and hatred.
Awakened within him was a fire that exploded with the fury of a raging inferno, spreading through his body like a furious wave. Everywhere it passed, James could feel a darkness take root. It was a feeling that arose from the chill he felt in his core.
It certainly didn't come from the cold of the night rain.
*RUMBLE*
Thunder rumbled as his golden hair slowly turned black with streaks of dark red within. It was the physical manifestation of the darkness within him, yet James was clueless.
He could feel his heart grow cold by the second as the cold rain cooled his blazing spirit. In place of warmth and kindness came hatred and cruelty.
As the roar of pain and hatred died down, so did the flames that kept him moving. With a thud, James collapsed into the mud face first, the raven black of his hair returning to their usual gold.
He was spent, injured and alone with nowhere to go. His eyes returned to their golden glow as they slowly grew heavy and eventually closed.
....
"Did you hear something?"
"What?"
"Did you hear a loud roar? It sounded like a wounded beast or a man?"
Thalia Silverbrook Felt her chest tighten. She placed both hands on her chest.
'What is this dreadful feeling?'
"A wounded beast? Thalia, it's raining heavily and I'm sure most magical beasts are taking shelter. Even if they weren't. I doubt they'd venture so deep into populated areas.
"And why would a man be here? This is the territory of the Sunbound, people don't just waltz in."
Thalis of course knew all this, but the feeling in her heart wouldn't go away. With a firm gaze, she looked in the direction of where she heard the roar and stormed in that direction.
"Hey, wait! What are you doing?"
Zarek Emberbane chased after her. He was the assigned fighter to her and if he allowed anything before her, he dreaded what consequences he would face.
A few moments later, he caught up to her.
"You shouldn't be doing this, Thalia. What if something happened to you?!"
Already drenched by the downpour, Zarek tried to talk sense into Thalia, but the woman was in her own world.
She frantically looked around with an eagerness he hadn't seen before. His eyes caught something as he gulped, a slow heat rising in a certain region.
Drenched in the rain, Thalia was not aware the attire she wore exposed her bra, showing a glimpse of her massive cleavage and voluptuous figure to Zarek. Her blonde long hair stuck to her charming and seductive face as her eyes darted around.
Her chest heaved up and down from the short sprint. Zarek had fancied Thalia for the longest time. Yet, he was forbidden to initiate any romantic gestures.
'Fucking codes of conduct!'
"Help me look around, Zarek. I'm sure there is someone around here."
"Huh? O-of course."
Zarek shook his head to dispel any unsavoury thoughts, proceeded to look around and moved away from Thalia.
For a moment, Thalia gave Zarek a derisive look before turning around to search. She was not naïve to not see the look she received from the men. She could infer their thoughts at a glance and honestly, it nauseated her.
She turned around and continued to search while moving towards the riverside. A minute after moving in that direction, she spotted something. A flash of gold appeared momentarily when the lightning flashed.
"Over here!"
Promptly rushing over, she arrived beside James and noticed his sorry figure passed out in the mud. However, there was a dangerous and alarming aura around him that froze Thalia.
'Is this what I felt earlier?'
"Woah, you were right. There is a person here. But how did he get here?"
Zarek looked around the vicinity to see if he'd find something but nothing stood out. James was the only being in sight.
"That's not important right now. Help me get him back to the sanctuary."
There was a time for questions and answers, but right now, an injured man lay passed out, a person in need of immediate help.
"Of course."
Zarek lifted James with ease and then turned around towards the sanctuary with Thalia right behind her. She momentarily turned back to look at the spot James laid before continuing forward.
...
Inside one of the many rooms that were used for receiving guests who came here for healing, Zarek placed James on the bed and disrobed him.
The room was a simple one with a small window on one side and a bed on the other. A small bedside table was beside the single bed.
Watching the now naked upper body of James, Thalia swallowed unperceptively at the sight. She was no stranger to this sight and while she hadn't been touched by a man, she knew a lot.
There was just something about James Thalia did not understand. It was like a moth being drawn to flames.
'Just what is this feeling?'
"Aren't you going to heal him?"
"Oh, yes. Make room."
She promptly stepped forward while Zarek stepped back. He watched her with narrowed eyes as this was the first time he had seen Thalia behave like that.
'What exactly is she thinking about?'
His gaze shifted to the sleeping James who had numerous cut marks on his arms and chest.
'Nah… I'm thinking too much.'
Sitting on the side of the bed, Thalia stretched both hands towards James and closed her eyes. A moment later, a golden glow emanated from her palms as the light from them fell over James's body.
The cuts and bruises began to heal at a rate visible to the eyes. Gradually, all the wounds were close, save for the mud that still stuck to his figure.
'All his wounds should be healed now, even the internal ones. The only thing left is for him to wake up.'
"He should be fine now, I think."
Thalia looked over to Zarek who still stood over her like a creep.
"Mm... That's good. Can you tell when he will wake?"
"I'm not sure. But enough rest should do the trick." She stood up from the bedside and moved away.
Zarek being too close was uncomfortable for her. Yet, she didn't want to seem rude.
"I'll take my leave first. I need to change into new clothes. I'll report the situation to the sanctuary master, so you can return as well."
Without waiting for a reply, Thalia walked out of the room. But her curiosity about the mysterious man remained.
'I'll be back once he leaves. Maybe I can figure something out then.'
"…"
Zarek watched as Thalia closed the door behind her.
"Haa… What am I thinking? It's not like I can do anything."
Looking over to the figure lying on the small bed, Zarek thought in silence.
"Probably a noble."
James's features were pleasant to the eyes and even as he lay there helpless, Zarek could tell simply from the air around him.
"Let's get changed as well."
...…..
James felt a warm and soft sensation in his hand as he slowly woke from the depths of unconsciousness.
Not entirely clear as to what it was, he pressed harder on instincts.
"Mmm…"
'Huh, what is that?'