El Viaje de Liffel: la Bruja de la Vida hacia la Profunda Oscuridad
Prologue: The Past of the Kingdoms
The Kingdom of Arcaladia and the Theocracy of Alik had begun a war so bloody that other races and communities, caught in the middle of their clashes, were forced to choose between fleeing or defending their lands. These were in the territory known as the Veztuo Empire, a fertile and varied land that resisted the devastation of war.
In the arid lands of the Theocracy of Alik, the silence was interrupted only by the metallic sound of warriors sharpening their swords and preparing their armor created with the inherited knowledge of the Dwarves.
The ancient structures, eroded by time and the harsh conditions of the place, recalled a time of splendor and strength. Among the citizens of Alik the story was told of a mysterious wizard with gray hair and an imposing voice, who had arrived with promises of protection and power, declaring that he was a God. Without resistance, the inhabitants accepted his mandate, and thus he consolidated himself as the highest authority in Alik.
Meanwhile, in the distant Kingdom of Arcaladia, a fertile and prosperous land, its inhabitants, many of them wizards, watched with suspicion the growing power of the Theocracy of Alik. In particular, the Temple of Rya, settled in the territory of Alik and home to a large group of beings with magical abilities. The Temple of Rya maintained a tense truce with Alik, the relationship always hanging by a thread. Amid whispers and rumors, the temple's leader, a mysterious priest named Carbeneyo, was said to possess arcane and unknown knowledge that gave him power over death.
Alik, relentless in his hatred of all beings who used magic, decided to destroy the Kingdom of Arcaladia and expand to take its fertile lands, considering them a threat to his faith and power. For its part, the kingdom of Arcaladia decided to act. The kingdom also shared a particular dislike of witches, who unlike wizards did not need to recite incantations to channel their powers. Witches practiced quick and lethal magic, something the Arcaladian higher-ups viewed with caution and distrust. On the other hand, the Temple of Rya partially worshipped death-related witches.
The First Battle
A gray and tense day was the scene of the first great battle. Leading the army of Arcaladia was Commander Mesiol, a warrior of great skill with the sword. He wore an inconspicuous costume and wielded a light sword, which he wielded with a skill that his soldiers admired. Rumors of his speed in combat, of his agile and precise movements, were known even beyond the borders of Arcaladia.
The soldiers advanced in formation toward the Temple of Rya, confident in the strength of their numbers. The clang of swords and the sound of the footsteps of thousands of soldiers echoed as they approached the immense temple, whose walls seemed to be carved by divine hands. With each step, the commander Mesiol saw how the architecture of the temple, strange and majestic, defied the constructions of his own kingdom.
However, the battle was hard fought. Despite his skill, Mesiol and his troops encountered unexpected resistance from Rya's defenders. When the sandstorm cleared, Arcaladia had lost 35,000 soldiers, while the defenders of the Temple of Rya had lost some 4,500. Alik, though allied with Rya, stood aside, leaving the temple's inhabitants to endure Arcaladia's invasion on their own.
The Second Battle
Determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past, Arcaladia launched a second, much more forceful attack. This time, 85,000 soldiers advanced with determination towards the lands of Alik, carrying 178 witches with them. Noble witches who unleashed their powers quickly without the need for lengthy incantations and are extremely lethal. The vanguard of this imposing army moved towards the Temple of Rya, guided by the will to destroy all resistance.
The structure of the temple was colossal and complex, so much so that many soldiers stopped to admire it before retaking their position. It was at that moment, when the troops of Arcaladia were inside the temple. While the priest Carbeneyo, from the shadows, put his plan into action. With a simple movement he activated a mechanism that closed all the doors of the immense construction.
The soldiers of Arcaladia barely had time to understand what was happening before the flames began to consume everything around them. Carbeneyo, in an act of sacrifice and devotion, had decided to seal the temple and set fire to all present, including 3,000 soldiers of Rya. Screams and flames rose, the air became thick and fiery, and the soldiers trapped in the temple were engulfed in an inferno they had not foreseen.
The flames still consuming the Temple of Rya, the war continued, and both Arcaladia and Alik seemed determined to fight to the last consequences. While the kingdoms were plunged into chaos, the echo of the promises of glory and sacrifice resounded in every warrior, in every mage and in every corner of the territories devastated by the conflict.
End of the War
The sands of the border between the kingdoms of Arcaladia and Alik glowed under the night and there was a light sandstorm over the battlefield. In that inhospitable place, Liffel moved cautiously, flanked by the experienced Caysus. Less than a year ago, he had decided to join the war, and in a short time he had become a key figure within the Arcaladian army. Liffel had demonstrated exceptional skill in healing and combat magic.
Liffel, known as the witch of life, had always felt a deep connection to nature and a yearning for happiness. Her healing magic was a reflection of her love for life itself; each wound she closed reminded her of the beauty that existed in the world. However, as the war progressed, that light began to fade.
The brutality of combat led her to make difficult decisions, and with each battle, her heart hardened a little more. Although her essence was to heal and protect, the weight of the violence she witnessed filled her with a deep emptiness.
Caysus, an experienced warrior, had been a key figure in Liffel's training. With years of battles behind him, he taught her how to fight without using magic, how to survive in a world where magic was not always a guarantee of victory. Throughout their time together, their relationship grew stronger, and Caysus came to regard her as a little sister, protecting and guiding her every step of the way. His unconditional support was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of war, giving her the confidence she needed to face the horrors of the battlefield.
-Ready for this? -Caysus asked as he scanned the horizon, his massive hammer resting at his side. Remember, it's not just about magical skills here.
Liffel nodded with determination. Though exhaustion and tension weighed heavy on her spirit, she knew she had the strength to face what was to come. Arcaladia's last army numbered 150,000 soldiers and 267 witches, and the Temple of Rya, the next destination, was defended by 8,000 soldiers, while Alik's troops, on their way, numbered around 147,000.
Liffel stood next to Caysus and Commander Lariel, a prodigious and beautiful witch. The connection between the two sisters was undeniable, but fate had laid out different paths for them. Lariel had decided to split up with half of the group, heading down an alternate path to attack the last survivors of the bloody battle.
As Caysus' group hurried toward the Temple of Rya, a sense of urgency grew in the air. They knew they were running late. Upon arrival, Liffel was met with a gruesome scene. From a distance, she could see Lariel in the vanguard, fighting with impressive skill. With his magic and agility, he had annihilated 1,178 soldiers, taking them down one after another with his sword and magical power.
However, in the midst of the battle, Lariel's fate changed drastically. In front of her appeared a soldier in dark, worn armor. Lariel recognized that scar on his face and the tattoo on his left arm; it was someone who had shared a past with Lariel. They were both in love, but the war had forced them to face each other in a deadly duel.
The battle was fierce, each blow echoing with the desperation of two hearts caught in the horror of war. But suddenly, tragedy struck. A poisoned arrow streaked through the air and slammed into Lariel, who fell instantly. The devastated soldier fell to his knees, screaming at the top of his lungs for the loss of his beloved. He vowed that he would find a way to resurrect her and avenge her, meanwhile, the horror of the battle unfolded around him.
What was left of Lariel's squadron was annihilated by the soldier, who, in a last act of desperation and love, carried away Lariel's lifeless body, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a deep silence that echoed in Liffel's heart.
The sands of the border between the kingdoms of Arcaladia and Alik glowed under the night and there was a light sandstorm over the battlefield. In that inhospitable place, Liffel moved cautiously, flanked by the experienced Caysus. Less than a year ago, she had decided to join the war, and in a short time she had become a key figure within the Arcaladian army. Liffel had demonstrated exceptional skill in healing and combat magic.
Liffel, known as the witch of life, had always felt a deep connection to nature and a longing for happiness. Her healing magic was a reflection of her love for life itself; each wound she closed reminded her of the beauty that existed in the world. However, as the war progressed, that light began to fade.
The brutality of combat led her to make difficult decisions, and with each battle, her heart hardened a little more. Although her essence was to heal and protect, the weight of the violence she witnessed filled her with a deep emptiness.
Caysus, an experienced warrior, had been a key figure in Liffel's training. With years of battles behind him, he taught her how to fight without using magic, how to survive in a world where magic was not always a guarantee of victory. Throughout their time together, their relationship grew stronger, and Caysus came to regard her as a little sister, protecting and guiding her every step of the way. His unconditional support was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of war, giving her the confidence she needed to face the horrors of the battlefield.
-Ready for this? -Caysus asked as he scanned the horizon, his huge hammer resting at his side. Remember, it's not just about magical skills here.
Liffel nodded with determination. Though exhaustion and tension weighed heavy on her spirit, she knew she had the strength to face what was to come. Arcaladia's last army numbered 150,000 soldiers and 267 witches, and the Temple of Rya, the next destination, was defended by 8,000 soldiers, while Alik's troops, on their way, numbered around 147,000.
Liffel stood alongside Caysus and Commander Lariel, a prodigious and beautiful witch. The connection between the two sisters was undeniable, but fate had laid out different paths for them. Lariel had decided to split up with half of the group, heading down an alternate path to attack the last survivors of the bloody battle.
As Caysus' group hurried toward the Temple of Rya, a sense of urgency grew in the air. They knew they were running late. Upon arrival, Liffel was met with a frightening scene. From a distance, she could see Lariel in the vanguard, fighting with impressive skill. With his magic and agility, he had annihilated 1,178 soldiers, taking them down one after another with his sword and magical power.
However, in the midst of the battle, Lariel's fate changed drastically. In front of her appeared a soldier in dark, worn armor. Lariel recognized that scar on his face and the tattoo on his left arm; it was someone who had shared a past with Lariel. They were both in love, but the war had forced them to face each other in a deadly duel.
The battle was fierce, each blow echoing with the desperation of two hearts caught in the horror of war. But suddenly, tragedy struck. A poisoned arrow streaked through the air and slammed into Lariel, who fell instantly. The devastated soldier fell to his knees, screaming at the top of his lungs for the loss of his beloved. He vowed that he would find a way to resurrect her and avenge her, meanwhile, the horror of the battle unfolded around him.
What was left of Lariel's squadron was annihilated by the soldier, who, in a last act of desperation and love, carried away Lariel's lifeless body, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a deep silence that echoed in Liffel's heart.
Liffel and Caysus watched the burning Temple of Rya as the Carbeneyo priest retreated laughing from the burning place. Without thinking, Liffel stepped forward and stabbed him .Carbeneyo stared at her, with a mixture of hatred and disdain.
-So I'll die for a heretic witch," he spoke painfully in her choked voice, "but it doesn't matter. You are all doomed.
The priest fell dead, while Liffel silently watched the burning temple. The flames illuminated the sweat and exhaustion on her face, and Caysus, seeing her hands trembling, placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. Night continued in the desert and accidentally Liffel stumbled over a rock and opened a coffin buried beneath the sand. Inside, a flimsy dark soul transferred into her without her realizing it.
Days later, Alik sent Marze, one of his highest ranking soldiers, along with a hundred soldiers to eliminate any threat to the Temple of Rya. Marze is a blond-haired, battle-scarred warrior equipped with advanced armor and a device on his back that emanated strange energy. Without a word, he and his group surrounded Liffel, Caysus and the few soldiers of his team.
-Retreat," Caysus ordered, pushing his way through the enemy defenses and eliminating several soldiers in his path. But Marze, using supernatural speed, flew overhead, launching simultaneous energy blasts that fulminated Liffel and Caysus' allied soldiers. In a single instant, Marze knocked Caysus unconscious, and Liffel, lashing out with a bolt of magic, took out Marze's soldiers, though he managed to dodge her attack with unnerving agility.
The sound of metal and magic clashing echoed in the air as Marze rammed her with his katanas. Liffel summoned a blue sword of energy, blocking his attack, but Marze would not relent, pressing her until her strength was at its limit. She tried to teleport behind him to surprise him, but Marze's shield absorbed her attack, neutralizing her magic temporarily. Marze slashes her leg as he watches her fall to the ground, he stares at her with inexplicable sadness . As Liffel endured the pain, lying on the ground, she looked up at him and asked:
-Why that look? -asked Liffel, exhausted, from the floor.
Marze, with a wistful expression, replied:
-You must go on living. I'm not here to finish you off. My goals have nothing to do with this war.
And before Liffel could answer, Marze vanished, flying into the sky.
-Uhh...? -Liffel muttered, puzzled. Quickly, she tied a tourniquet using the long gauntlet on her right arm and, feeling her powers returning, she wielded her magic sword. With effort and limping she went to find Caysus, who lay unconscious.
Both returned to the rendezvous point of the Arcaladian army, where they regrouped and left the battle territory. Alik, in the end, sent reinforcements that managed to expel the Arcaladian soldiers, marking a new border. However, Arcaladia, after winning the war, declared the witches dangerous and began to persecute them.
Shortly after the truce, in an attempt to establish peace, it was decided to marry 20-year-old Liffel to Marze, who, at 27, had become a war hero of Alik. Although their encounters had been few, they developed a relationship of mutual respect, where even a kind of quiet and calm love emerged. But one morning, Marze disappeared without warning, leaving Liffel once again trapped in the shadows of war and loneliness.