Chapter One: Shadows of Fate
The night was stifling, mirroring the heavy emotions weighing on Ryan's heart. A young man in the spring of his life, yet life had battered him relentlessly a jobless, betrayed soul, deserted by the woman he loved, penniless, and barely able to afford his daily meals. He sat in his cramped room, filled with memories of failure and disappointment, while the sounds of the outside world faded behind the cracked walls.
He stared at the walls, eroded by time, wondering if this tiny room encapsulated his entire existence. A pile of scattered papers on the desk beside him bore dreams that had died before they were born. In another corner, a bag he never used stood as a testament to all his postponed decisions.
"Why me? Why is everything against me?" Ryan muttered as he stared at the ceiling, as though the answers might come from above. But he only heard the sound of his own labored breathing.
On a small table beside him sat an old lamp, coated in a thick layer of dust. He couldn't remember where he got it—perhaps from a flea market or a night of scavenging through discarded items. It didn't matter. It was just another worthless object, much like himself.
In a moment of despair, he picked up the lamp, feeling its cold surface against his skin. "If you were Aladdin's lamp, I'd ask for just one thing—a different life. Any life but this one." He laughed bitterly and rubbed its surface with the sleeve of his torn shirt, as if hoping for a miracle.
Suddenly, the room's lights flickered and went out, and the sounds around him faded. His heartbeat quickened, and he sensed movement in the darkness. A faint glow began emanating from the lamp, like a candle about to burn out.
"What is this?" Ryan whispered, staring at the lamp as it began to emit a strange blue light.
Before he could process what was happening, he felt himself being pulled, as if an invisible force was dragging him into the lamp. He tried to scream, but his voice was trapped in his throat. Everything around him dissolved—the room, the walls, even the air.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself under a sky painted in hues of red and purple he had never seen before. The stillness was overwhelming, as if the world had stopped breathing. He stood before a massive steel gate, with a glowing eye in the center, pulsating with life.
"Where am I?" Ryan muttered, his breath catching as his legs froze in place, overwhelmed by the scene. He noticed the eye staring at him. He tried to approach the gate, but a faint voice echoed from the dense fog, whispering, "Sinner... sinner... sinner." The words resonated in his ears, driving him to the brink of madness.
In the blink of an eye, Ryan found himself sitting on a rough, dusty ground, surrounded by the loud voices and cries of street vendors. He stood up slowly, his head pounding and the scorching sun beating down on his face. The marketplace was crowded with humble stalls selling everything from pungent spices to vibrant fabrics swaying in the breeze.
Looking around in astonishment, he tried to make sense of what was happening. This place was unlike anything he knew. The ancient architecture was adorned with dazzling decorations, and the people wore traditional attire that seemed straight out of a bygone era. The sky was a clear blue, filled with dragons soaring like birds.
"Where am I?" he murmured, his heart racing. He walked through the crowd, searching for any sign of what had happened or how he had ended up here.
As he passed by one of the stalls, he noticed a group of children staring at him with curious eyes. Before he realized it, one of them darted toward him, deftly snatched his phone from his pocket, and ran off with the others into the crowd.
"Hey!" Ryan shouted, chasing after them. They climbed into a narrow alley filled with garbage and quickly vanished into the shadows. Ryan continued the pursuit until he reached a dead-end alley, where he stopped to catch his breath.
Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a young woman with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, wearing a black cloak adorned with stars. She spoke in a calm yet firm voice:
"Stranger in odd clothes, it seems you're not from Belanov."
Ryan: "Belanov?"
The woman: "Huh? You don't know Belanov? It's one of the most famous cities in the Six Kingdoms! Does this mean you're not from the Kingdom of Heart?"
Ryan: "The Six Kingdoms? Kingdom of Heart? Belanov? I have no idea what you're talking about. All I remember is being in my room, and then I found myself here. I'm so confused."
The woman: "Looks like you hit your head. Well, never mind. I saw you chasing Alex's gang. What's your reason?"
Ryan: "Those little brats stole my phone! When I catch them, I'll kick their butts!"
The woman: "What? Phone? I've never heard of such a thing."
Suddenly, both Ryan and the woman found themselves surrounded by bandits.
The Girl: (in a tense voice but hiding her fear behind obvious confidence)
"Well, it seems like we're in trouble now. Do you have any idea what to do in situations like this?"
Ryan: (looking around nervously, then smiling sarcastically)
"Oh, of course, I'm an expert in... nothing. But I think running is a good idea, right?"
The Girl: (ignores his sarcasm and focuses intently on the bandits surrounding them, five in total, each holding a crude weapon)
"Even if we run, they'll just target another innocent, won't they?"
Bandit Leader: (speaking in a rough voice while waving a rusty sword)
"Well, what do we have here? Strangers wandering in our territory. What do you think you're doing here?"
Ryan: (trying to appear brave, raises his hands in an attempt to calm the situation)
"Look, we're just passing through. We don't have anything of value, so maybe you should save your time and back off?"
Bandit Leader: (laughs sarcastically while approaching)
"Really? Nothing of value? This strange one looks like he's carrying some odd things, and they might be valuable."
The Girl: (murmuring to Ryan in a low voice)
"Great, you've made things worse."
Ryan: (narrowing his eyes and muttering)
"Oh, sorry. Do you have a better plan?"
The Girl: (smiling mysteriously and whispering)
"Actually, I do."
Suddenly, the girl raises her hand to the sky. A faint energy, like the glow of stars, emanates around her, and the air grows noticeably colder.
Bandit Leader: (taking a step back, looking at her warily)
"What... what are you doing? Damn it! She's using magic! Who are you?"
The Girl: (with a confident smile)
"My name is Lilia Rosemary, the sorceress of Lady Duchess Anna Freymore's court! Therefore, I cannot support you terrorizing people anymore!"
Bandit Leader: "Damn it, let's run from here!"
The Girl: (shouting)
"Light magic, Eros Phôtos!"
In the blink of an eye, all the bandits fell to the ground, badly wounded.
Ryan: (astonished)
"W-w-w-was that? How? I don't understand!" (Then, in a moment, Ryan realizes he has been transported to an alternate world)
Lilia: (questioning the bandits)
"Listen, I'll say this only once! Where do the kids' gang take their stolen goods?"
One of the Bandits: (shivering with fear)
"I-I heard they take them to sell them at the King of Sewers' tavern."
Lilia: (approaching Rian with a serious tone)
"We need to find the Slum King's tavern."
Bandit Leader: (laughing mockingly despite the pain)
"Do you think finding that scum's tavern will be that easy?"
Lilia: (glancing at him coldly)
"You'll talk, or you'll rot in the city's dungeons."
(At that moment, footsteps are heard approaching from behind. Everyone turns to see a knight in heavy red armor with green stripes.)
Knight: (in a calm voice)
"There's no need to interrogate them further, Lady Lilia."
Lilia: (sharply)
"Frederick! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be busy with your duties?"
Frederick: (smiling calmly)
"Still as harsh as ever, Lady of the Court."
Bandits: (exchanging fearful looks)
Bandit 1: "What? The Lady of the Court?!"
Bandit 2: "And that armor... Isn't that Frederick Alconius, leader of the Red Tigers?"
Frederick: (smiling with a mocking grin)
"Oh, seems I'm more famous than I thought."
Bandit Leader: (muttering in fear)
"The Duke's court... and the Alconius family! We're in trouble!"
Lilia: (in a dry voice)
"Frederick, you haven't answered my question. Why are you here?"
Frederick: (calmly)
"I heard an explosion nearby, so I decided to check it out. But it seems the danger has passed. However, I'll need to take these criminals with me; I have a few questions for them."
Lilia: (in a condescending tone)
"Do as you wish."
Frederick: (glancing at Rian with a smile)
"And who's this stranger with the unique attire?"
Lilia: (coldly)
"Just another victim of the children's gang."
Rian: (raising his hand in an attempt to break the tension)
"Hello! My name is Rian Carter! I'm not sure where I am or how I got here, but it's a pleasure to meet you."
Frederick: (laughing lightly)
"Your friend's amusing, Lilia! Well, if you want to find the Slum King's tavern, you'll need to follow one of the thieves."
Lilia: (sharply)
"I didn't ask for your help!"
Frederick: "Alright, alright. Farewell then."
(He opens a gate in the air resembling a black hole and steps through with the bandits.)
Rian: (staring in amazement)
"What was that? Is that magic too?"
Lilia: "Yes, the Alconius family is skilled in gate magic."
Rian: (confused)
"I don't understand anything… Am I dreaming?"
(As the two walk through the market, they hear a man shouting):
"Hey! Stop! Thief! Catch her!"
(They follow the man, and the thief is fast and nimble like a cat. After about twenty minutes of chasing, the thief enters a building that looks like a small house.)
Rian and Lilia stand before the building's door.
Lilia: (knocking carefully) "Hello, is anyone here?"
Doorman: (from behind a small hole in the door, in a gruff voice) "Password?"
Lilia: (sighing and muttering) "Password? What a hassle…" (She takes out a small bag of coins and waves it) "Open the door, this is for you."
Doorman: (takes the bag and opens the door)
Rian: (sarcastically) "Is this part of the Court Sorceress's duties? Bribing criminals?"
Lilia: (ignores him and steps inside)
Rian and Lilia enter to find the interior of the building much larger than it appears from the outside.
Rian: (astonished) "What is this? How can the place be this big?"
Lilia: (looking around cautiously) "Illusion magic... Someone is using it here."
Ryan: "Illusion magic?"
Strange man: (sitting at a table sipping a drink) "Exactly, boy. It's a type of magic that allows its user to create illusions that seem real. This place is a prime example of that!" (takes a sip) "Want a drink? It's delicious."
Lilia: (eyeing him carefully) "Your armor looks old, but it doesn't bear any kingdom's insignia. Who are you?"
Strange man: "Me? Just an old man named Raeno, a retired bounty hunter." (laughs loudly)
Lilia: (ignoring him) "Let's move on. We need to talk to the bartender."
Raeno: (noticing the lamp tied to Ryan's waist, looking at him seriously) "Boy, your clothes are strange... And where did you get that lamp?"
Ryan: (glancing at the lamp) "Ah, this thing? I found it among some junk from a vendor... I totally forgot about it."
Raeno: (seriously) "I see... It seems fate will bring us together again someday. What's your name, boy?"
Ryan: "Ryan Carter."
Raeno: "I'll remember it. Ryan."
Lilia and Ryan head toward the bartender.
Bartender: "How can I help you?"
Lilia: "We're looking for Alex's gang."
Bartender: (turning his back) "I only sell drinks, I don't sell information."
Man beside them: (interjecting) "The children's gang, right?"
Lilia: (staring at him) "Speak."
Man: (drunk, laughing) "Ah, of course! But... my tab hasn't been paid yet."
Lilia: (sighing) "Fine, I'll pay. Now talk."
Man: (happily) "You're very generous! I heard they're heading to a village called Dola."
Lilia: "Why are they going to Dola? It's a small, poor village, there's nothing valuable to steal there."
Man: "Actually, there is..."
Bartender: "I heard they got a special request to bring back a Chicken Neck Beast's egg."
Lilia: (eyes wide with shock and fear) "A Chicken Neck Beast's egg?! Are they out of their minds?!"
Ryan: "What? What's dangerous about that?"
Lilia: (in a sharp tone) "No time to explain. We need to catch up to them before they all get killed!"
Lilia and Ryan rush out of the tavern.
Ryan: (breathing heavily) "Is this village far?"
Lilia: "Yes, four hours on horseback."
Ryan: "But I don't see any horses. How will we get there?"
Lilia: (confidently) "Step back a little." (touches her necklace shaped like a dragon, which begins to glow) "Kite, wake up!"
Ryan: (astonished as a massive dragon the size of a bus appears suddenly) "A dragon?! And it talks too? What is this place?!"
Kite the dragon: (in a deep voice) "Order me, my lady."
Lilia: "Kite, we need to fly to the village of Dola now."
Kite the dragon: "As you wish."
Ryan: (trying to compose himself) "Is this real? Am I about to ride a dragon?!"
Lilia: "Get on quickly. We don't have time."
Ryan and Lilia climb onto Kite's back, and it lifts into the sky at incredible speed, breaking through the clouds and rising above them.
Ryan: (shouting in amazement) "This is unbelievable! A dragon?! I'm really living in a dream!"
Lilia: (calmly, watching the horizon) "I hope we're not too late."
Within half an hour, Ryan and Lilia arrive in the village of Dola. The dragon lands in the middle of the village, and Lilia quickly heads toward a large hut in the village. She doesn't bother knocking, but finds the hut completely empty.
She asks Ryan to ask the villagers about the children while she searches for the village chief. Ryan starts his task and asks nearly everyone he encounters, but everyone responds with the same phrase: "We don't know anything."
Frustrated, he sits down in front of a well located in the center of the village. While thinking about what to do, he notices a little girl filling a bucket from the well.
Ryan: (gently) "Hello."
The girl looks at him and cautiously says, "Mama told me not to talk to strangers."
Ryan smiles and replies, "I think your mother is right, but I need your help. I'm looking for my friends. Maybe you can help me."
The girl asks curiously, "Your friends?"
Ryan: "Yes, a group of children. I heard they came here recently."
The girl thinks for a moment and then responds, "I saw them! One of them was carrying something rectangular that lit up when touched."
Ryan thinks to himself: "That's my phone. It must be them." Then he says to her: "Little one, can you tell me where they went?"
The girl answers, "I heard them talking about an egg and that they're going to the cave to get it. But Mama says the cave is dangerous, and there's a monster living there."
While the girl fills her bucket, she slips with a wrong movement and falls into the well. Ryan screams in panic:
"Girl! Are you okay?"
All he hears is the girl's scream: "Help! Help!"
Ryan starts shouting, trying to get the villagers' attention: "The girl fell into the well! Someone help us!"
But despite his shouts, no one approaches the well. He stands among them, stunned, and yells:
"Bring a rope quickly!"
From among the crowd, cold whispers are heard:
"She's done for."
"The well connects to the cave... It's just a matter of time before the Chicken Neck Beast finds her."
Ryan glares at them with anger and shouts:
"To hell with you all! Are you just going to let her die like this?!"
But the crowd remains silent, looking either helpless or indifferent.
Ryan stands at the edge of the well, fear gripping him, his mind swirling with thoughts:
"I have to help her... I can't let her die."
Before he realizes what he's doing, he finds himself jumping into the well without hesitation.
He falls into a cold pool of water, diving to search for the girl. When he finds her, he lifts her in his arms and pulls her to safety.
Ryan, in a reassuring voice: "Are you okay?" The girl, crying uncontrollably: "I thought I was going to die! I want my mom... I want my mom!"
He gently patted her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I'll take you back to your mom. But we need to get out of this cave first."
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the screams of frightened children, followed by a terrifying roar that seemed to shake the cave's walls. Ryan felt as though his ears were about to explode.
Ryan froze in place, trying to process the situation. "What is that sound?" he asked, his voice full of worry. The girl answered, her voice trembling: "It's the monster!"
He grabbed her hand and said firmly: "We're not staying here. We need to run!"
In the pitch black, he made his way blindly, unaware of where his feet were taking him. Suddenly, he found himself in a wide open area filled with tangled mine tunnels.
Six children emerged from one of the tunnels, panting and carrying a massive egg. One of them yelled, "The monster is coming! The monster is coming!"
They collided with Ryan in their haste, and they pleaded, "Help us, sir! Please, help us!"
Ryan felt helpless and answered, flustered: "How can I help you? I can barely handle a mosquito! We need to run!"
But before he could turn around, he heard heavy breathing behind them. Ryan slowly turned around, his eyes widening in fear.
He took the lantern from his waist and lit the area. At the end of the tunnel, stood a huge monster with the body of a lion and a head resembling that of an eagle, but with sharp fangs glinting in the dark. It stood about four meters tall, and each of its roars seemed like an announcement of death.
One of the children: "It's the chicken's neck! Oh my God, we're going to die!"
Ryan to the children: "What did you do? It's chasing you because of the egg! Give it back to him!"
Alex, the leader of the children (holding the egg): "No! This egg will be sold for 100 gold coins!"
Ryan: "Don't be ridiculous! You won't live long enough to sell it!"
The monster started to approach the terrified group. With courage, the leader of the children rushed toward the monster, wielding a knife, but before he could even get close, the monster struck him with one blow, slicing him in half.
Ryan, holding the little girl's hand, was almost paralyzed with horror as he watched the scene, with blood spilling everywhere. The children tried to flee, but the monster was fast, like an eagle swooping down on rabbits.
The children's limbs and body parts fell everywhere, while Ryan remained frozen, still holding the little girl's hand.
In a moment of facing his fear, Ryan turned and began to run with the little girl. They had only covered a few meters when the girl tripped and fell. Before Ryan could return to lift her, the monster leapt on top of her and crushed her with its massive legs.
Ryan fell to the ground, muttering in panic: "I don't want to die... I don't want to die..." The monster was closing in on him with heavy footsteps, and when it lunged at him, time suddenly slowed. The lantern he was holding glowed with a brilliant blue flame, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself standing in front of the well, with the girl filling the bucket as if nothing had happened.
The girl slipped again, but this time Ryan was standing next to her and caught her before she fell. He sat on the ground, breathing heavily, speaking to himself: "What just happened? Did I see the future? Or did I go back in time? I was sure I was going to die by that monster's hand!"
The girl looked at him in astonishment and asked: "What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ryan stared at her, his eyes welling up with tears: "You're okay... I'm so glad you're okay!" Then he hugged her tightly, as if reassuring himself that she was still alive.
The girl replied in confusion: "Wait! What are you talking about? You were just asking me about your friends. What happened to you?"
Ryan's emotions mixed between fear and confusion, but he suddenly remembered the danger threatening the other children inside the cave.
He spoke to himself with determination: "I need to find Lilia... Where did that witch go?"
He rushed to search for her around the village, until he found her sitting with a large elderly man, as massive as a human wall.
Ryan spoke tensely: "What are you doing here?" Lilia answered seriously: "I'm speaking with the village elder about the monster. He says it lives in the ancient dwarven mines. But what's wrong with you? You look like you're about to cry. What happened?"
Ryan shouted excitedly: "Quick! I know where the children are! They're in the caves!"
Lilia looked at him in surprise and asked: "How did you know where they are?" Then she turned to the elder and said: "How do we get to the caves?"
The elder replied in a deep, pained voice: "The cave entrance is in the southern part of the village. It's the passage the monster uses to hunt at night."
Lilia said with resolve: "Alright, let's hurry!"
The elder spoke in a voice full of sorrow: "That creature has shed the blood of many good people. Please, witch, avenge their souls and bring us its head."
Lilia answered confidently: "Of course, I will."
Now, Lilia and Ryan stood before the cave entrance. Suddenly, the echo of children's screams came from inside, mixed with the monstrous roar that shook the cave's walls. Ryan (nervously, speaking to Lilia): "Should we enter? Are you ready?"
Lilia (with a sarcastic smile): "I was born ready! But you look like you're going to shiver until you fall. Did you wet your pants? Stay behind me!"
Ryan (trying to control his anxiety): "Alright... Lead the way."
Lilia stepped into the cave, raised her hand, and recited a magical incantation: "Light magic... Hero's Cirrus!"
Her hand lit up like a candle or lantern, illuminating the path ahead of them. Lilia (pointing to Ryan): "Now... follow me."
Ryan cautiously followed her, scanning the dark cave. Eventually, they found themselves in a wide open space, the very same place where the children's tragedy had occurred, but the area now seemed strangely quiet, as if nothing had happened here.
Ryan (thinking to himself): "Could I have imagined it? But I'm sure this is the same place where the monster attacked us!"
Suddenly, screams came from a nearby tunnel. The children appeared, running in fear, shouting: "The monster! The monster!"
They were carrying a strange-looking egg, and from the depths of the darkness, the monster called "Chicken Neck" emerged. Ryan's breath stopped for a moment, and his memory flashed back to the scenes of terror.
Ryan (trembling, speaking to Lilia): "The children are here now! We need to get out of here, this thing is too dangerous!"
Lilia (calmly and confidently): "Run? Impossible! The Chicken Neck monsters are known for their speed. If we try to escape, they'll tear us apart. And I, Lilia Rosemary, have never run from a fight!"
Ryan (with extreme anxiety): "Then... what do we do? What do we do? Right! Summon your dragon!"
Lilia (with a sarcastic smile): "I'm not bothering 'Kit' for this chicken. Gather around me!"
The children gathered around Ryan, while Lilia began to chant another spell: "Light magic... Xanthos Twikus!"
A protective dome of light surrounded Ryan and the children, providing them with safety. Lilia (in a firm voice): "Don't step out of this dome, no matter what happens."
Lilia approached the monster, which began to roar in anger. Before it could attack her, she cast another spell aloud:
"Light magic... Halosis Tes Hemartias!"
Chains of light appeared, binding the monster, which struggled to break free but to no avail.
Lilia (in a low voice, filled with anger): "It's time to rid the villagers of your evil."
She raised her left hand to the sky and began chanting another spell:
"Light magic... Ho Huitus Tes Mitanoyas!"
A ring of light appeared above the monster, and swords of light rained down, piercing its body and killing it instantly.
Ryan and the children stood stunned, unable to believe what they had just witnessed of the witch Lilia's power.
Lilia stepped forward toward "Alex," the leader of the children's gang, and grabbed him by the ear firmly, saying:
"You're a troublesome boy! This is the fourth time you've skipped your lessons this week! I swear, you'll be punished. I'll make you memorize the entire story of the lion!"
Alex (with agitation):
"No, please, teacher! I'd rather clean the stables than read that boring story!"
Ryan (surprised):
"Do you two know each other?"
Alex (with a sarcastic smile):
"Of course! She's my girlfriend, and I'll marry her soon."
Lilia (tightening her grip on his ear):
"Really?"
Alex (in pain):
"Ouch! Sorry, sorry! I was just joking. She's my teacher!"
Lilia (addressing Ryan):
"This troublemaker is the son of the ruler of the land, and I am responsible for his education. But he took advantage of my distraction and ran away from the palace."
Alex (protesting):
"She's lying! You fell asleep during the lesson!"
Lilia (tightening her grip on his ear even more):
"Really? It looks like I'll cut off your ear this time!"
Alex (in pain):
"Stop! Stop! I promise I won't run away again!"
Lilia (addressing everyone firmly):
"Now, let's leave this place. Follow me!"
The group exited the cave to find the villagers waiting anxiously at the entrance, loudly asking:
"What happened? Did the children survive? Were they able to defeat the beast?"
Lilia stepped forward toward the crowd and raised her voice, saying:
"Listen, people! In the name of Duchess Anna Framore of the kingdom, I declare that the beast that resided in the caves of your village has been slain. You may now enter the cave and burn its body, so that its scent doesn't attract the ragnar beasts."
The crowd erupted in cheers:
"Thank you! Thank you! Long live the Duchess of the Heart Kingdom! Long live our Duchess!"