As the caravan moved along the sunlit path toward Everhearth Village, Ezra opened his interface to check his progress. His experience bar caught his eye, glowing faintly as it ticked upward.
"Let's see…" he muttered, scanning the details. "Defeated eight Stalker Wolves, including the alpha. That's... about 2,500 EXP total." His gaze drifted to his level indicator. "Still Level 15, but I'm halfway to 16. Not bad for a day's work."
He swiped over to his loot tab, where the rewards from the fight were stored. "Alpha's Fang, Alpha's Hide, and... Void-Touched Essence?" he said aloud, frowning. The last item shimmered with an eerie black light, pulsating faintly.
The merchant, overhearing him, turned her head sharply. "Void-Touched Essence? That's a rare drop. Only bosses connected to the Void leave those behind."
Ezra glanced at her. "Rare, huh? I was wondering—how do I exchange these for something useful? I mean, gold's great, but I don't even know where to start."
The merchant smirked, gesturing to the back of her cart. "For regular materials like those Stalker Pelts you picked up, I can give you gold. But for something like that Essence or the Alpha's Hide, you'll want to find an Appraiser. They'll give you the real value, though don't expect them to be cheap."
Ezra nodded thoughtfully, handing over several of the regular pelts. "All right. I'll trade these for gold, then. What's the going rate?"
"Five gold per pelt," she replied.
Ezra exchanged them, earning a tidy sum while holding onto the rarer items. As he pocketed the coins, he glanced back at the merchant. "You seem to know a lot about these things. Mind telling me something? You called me an Eternal earlier. What exactly does that mean?"
The merchant's expression grew somber. She gestured for him to walk beside her.
"Eternals," she began, "were legendary warriors who could bend the rules of this world. They wielded powers far beyond what ordinary people could achieve—abilities that defied logic, much like what you just did back there. But they disappeared centuries ago."
"Disappeared?" Ezra echoed, frowning. "How?"
"No one knows for sure," she said. "Some say they were hunted down by the Void, others believe they sacrificed themselves to seal it away. Without them, the balance of this world shifted. Wars broke out, kingdoms fell, and the Void's influence grew stronger. It's said the Eternals were the only ones capable of truly defeating it."
Ezra absorbed her words, the weight of them sinking in. He clenched his fists, his mind racing. So... that's what happened. The Eternals are gone, and this world's been left vulnerable.
Before he could dwell further, the voice from before echoed in his mind, smooth and resonant.
> "You have completed the hidden quest: Understanding the Eternals."
Ezra stiffened, glancing around. No one else seemed to hear it.
> "For unraveling the truth of the Eternals, you have been granted a new main quest: Heir of the Eternal Flame."
A glowing interface appeared before him, detailing the quest.
---
Main Quest: Heir of the Eternal Flame
Objective: Prevent the Void from consuming Aetheria. Unite the fractured lands, uncover the secrets of the Eternals, and gather allies to face the encroaching darkness.
Time Limit: 10 years.
Reward: The salvation of Aetheria.
---
Ezra stared at the quest log, his heart pounding. "Ten years," he murmured. "That's all I have to stop the Void."
The voice returned, gentler now.
> "Do not be afraid, young one. You carry the spark of the Eternals. Their strength flows through you. But the path ahead is perilous. Will you rise to the challenge?"
Ezra exhaled slowly, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword. "Like I have a choice," he muttered.
The merchant noticed his distant expression and frowned. "Something wrong?"
Ezra shook his head, forcing a grin. "Just... thinking about what's ahead."
The caravan reached the outskirts of Everhearth Village, the bustling town visible in the distance. Ezra glanced back at the forest, then at the village.
"Ten years to save the world," he said softly to himself, determination hardening his voice. "Let's get started."
Ezra walked beside the merchant, curiosity bubbling in his mind. "So," he began, keeping his tone casual, "you seem pretty knowledgeable about this world. Can you tell me more about the big players here? You know, countries, factions, that sort of thing?"
The merchant chuckled, adjusting her seat on the cart. "That's a broad question, but sure, I'll share what I know. Keep in mind, I'm only familiar with this continent Aelden. The surrounding seven continents are a mystery to most of us here, even the scholars."
Ezra nodded. "That's fine. Start with Aelden."
The merchant pointed toward the distant mountains on the northern horizon. "To the north, you've got the Kingdom of Valsenna. They're the largest and most militarized nation on the continent. Known for their Knights of the Silver Sun, a powerful order that enforces the king's rule and keeps their borders secure. They're strong, but rigid—very traditionalist."
Ezra tilted his head. "Knights of the Silver Sun, huh? Are they any good?"
"They're elite," the merchant said with a nod. "Each knight is trained in both martial and magical combat. But their strict hierarchy and distrust of outsiders can be a problem. If you're not a citizen of Valsenna, you're more likely to be interrogated than welcomed."
"Noted," Ezra said, filing that away. "What about the south?"
"To the south lies the Republic of Marveil," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "A nation of traders, inventors, and mercenaries. They value coin above all else, and their capital, Port Arcadius, is a hub of commerce. If you've got money, you'll find anything you need there. But be careful trust is a rare commodity in Marveil."
Ezra smirked. "Sounds like a place where you'd fit right in."
The merchant laughed. "Maybe. But even I have my limits. Now, to the east, past the Glimmergrove, is the Verdant Dominion."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Dominion? Sounds... ominous."
"It's not what you think," she assured him. "The Dominion is a federation of forest tribes, druids, and rangers. They're fiercely protective of the land and its magic. Outsiders are only allowed within their borders if they prove themselves trustworthy and even then, they'll be watched closely."
"Let me guess," Ezra said. "Step out of line, and they make you part of the scenery?"
"Pretty much," the merchant said, smiling grimly. "And finally, there's the Freeholds of Ardyn to the west. No centralized government there it's a loose coalition of city-states, each with its own rulers, laws, and armies. It's chaotic, but if you're looking for freedom or trouble you'll find it there."
Ezra nodded thoughtfully. "So we've got a militaristic kingdom, a merchant republic, a magical federation, and a collection of anarchic city-states. Quite the mix."
The merchant gestured to the guards walking beside the cart. "And don't forget the big associations. The Adventurers' Guild, for one. They're everywhere, and they're the lifeblood of towns like Everhearth. If you need work or want to improve your skills, they're a good place to start."
Ezra perked up at that. "An Adventurers' Guild, huh? Sounds like my kind of place. Any other groups worth knowing about?"
"The Artisan's Consortium," she replied. "They oversee most crafting and trade. If you're looking to buy or sell high-quality gear, they're the ones to talk to. Then there's the Academy Arcanum, the continent's foremost magical institution. They're based in Marveil but have outposts all over Aelden."
"Academy Arcanum," Ezra repeated. "Sounds like a good place to learn about the Void and maybe about Eternals."
"Maybe," the merchant said cautiously. "But they don't share their knowledge freely. You'd need to prove yourself to gain access to their archives."
Ezra sighed. "Figures. Nothing's ever easy."
The merchant smiled knowingly. "That's the way of the world, Kaelion. But if you're as capable as you seem, you'll find your way."
Ezra nodded, his thoughts racing as he pieced together the information. Four nations, powerful associations, and a whole continent to exploreand that's just the beginning.
They approached Everhearth's gates, the lively sounds of the village reaching their ears. Ezra glanced back at the merchant. "Thanks for the rundown. I'll be sure to remember it."
"Don't mention it," she replied. "Just don't get yourself killed before you make it big. I want to hear the stories when you do."
Ezra chuckled. "Deal."