Hyuwin: Run, Selah, run!
Selah: You sure this is a good idea?
Hyuwin: I don't know, just keep running for now!
They are being chased by a fierce reptile with sharp, serrated teeth and hard, dark blue scales. Its orange underbelly flashes beneath each stride, while sharp claws dig into the ground, propelling it forward. Spiky spines run along its elongated neck, and its sharp, fiery light-green eyes are locked onto them with relentless focus.
At a pivotal moment, Hyuwin signaled for her to leap as high as she could. The monster, still in relentless pursuit, unknowingly walked into their trap and plummeted to its death, impaled by the wooden stakes below, Hyuwin and Selah, catching their breath, exchanged happy glances as they took in the sight of their big catch.
Back at camp, they lay their catch, preparing to salvage valuable materials like scales, skin, teeth, bones, and claws for trade, while setting aside the meat for consumption. As they worked, they explained to Neros the importance of these forest beasts in their daily lives. Neros watched with intrigue as Hyuwin set up a fire pit and hung the meat over the flames. As the aroma deepened, Neros felt his mouth water and his stomach rumble in anticipation.
After having a heavy meal, Neros felt as if his tummy is going to pop as he laid down from sitting on a log, Selah chuckled gently seeing him feeling carefree.
Looking up, Neros caught sight of a flying creatures soaring overhead. He still couldn't believe he was living in a different age. Raising his right hand to shield his eyes from the sun, he recalled carefree days spent with his friends at the lab, sharing meals during their picnic.
Selah looked down at him, her hair falling softly over her face and blocking his view. With a gentle nudge, she urged him to get up so they could continue their journey toward the nearest city. As they ventured out of the forest, they finally spotted tracks that suggested people passed through regularly, indicating that civilization must be nearby.
Suddenly, a passerby riding in a carriage pulled by a majestic beast with wings and a large, red-tipped beak spotted them and asked where they were headed. Selah replied that they were on their way to the territory of Diltis Neb. The passerby paused for a moment before offering them a ride in exchange for a portion of their catch. They unanimously agreed, and he gestured for them to climb into the back of the carriage.
Neros sat on the opposite side as Selah leaned over to peek into his backpack out of curiosity.
Selah: How do you fit that large object in there?
Suddenly, the back of the carriage shook gently, and from beneath a cover, a small robot emerged, its tongue sticking out playfully. The robot dog had a sleek, black-screen face with glowing round eyes and spinning disk-like ears. Its small, retractable tongue gave it a playful, lifelike touch, while chrome details added a high-tech sheen to its compact, metallic frame.
Neros: His name is Fortis. Say hi to our new friends.
Fortis: Woof!
Selah and Hyuwin remained skeptical about Fortis, wondering what kind of creature could possess the ability to transform into various forms. They were convinced it must be some form of powerful sorcery to achieve such a feat.
When the carriage finally arrived at their destination, Hyuwin approached the driver to pay their fare. The driver narrowed his eyes at the weapon Hyuwin was carrying and asked…
Beast Tamer: Do you happen to be Ascendants by any chance?
Hyuwin: I used to be one, but then I decided to join this expedition as an apprentice.
Beast tamer: I see, that's good, you all seem capable.
Hyuwin: What do you mean?
Hyuwin sensed something was wrong, his gut feeling warned him.
Beast tamer: You see, there are some strange things happening in the country you're headed to. They've started worshipping a living figure. I stopped visiting a few months ago after being harassed by one of their inquisitors, who forced me to wear some strange artifact.
After hearing this, he added more payment for his intel, surprising the beast tamer with the rare materials laid before him. However, the tamer refused to take anything more than the value of his service and made his way.
Standing over the ravine, Hyuwin shared what he had heard with the two of them. Together, they gazed at the country beyond the trees, surrounded by imposing walls that encased a massive structure.
As they drew near, they were met with towering gates. They found it fascinating yet odd that the gates remained open without a single guard in sight. Stepping inside deepened the mystery, the townsfolk all wore uniforms of white with gray linings, adorned with artifacts resembling the sun, featuring pointy edges and a golden hue.
Hyuwin: This place is giving me the creeps.
Neros: I think I've seen something like this before.
Looking around, their eyes met rows of trade stalls lining the pathway, bustling with life. Towering structures of pale stone reinforced with metal bands rose above, adding a rugged, fortified look to the buildings.
Banners bearing the country's sunburst emblem hung from posts along the main streets. The wide cobbled avenues stretched forward toward a central tower, its walls similarly reinforced with metal, creating a stark, imposing presence against the pale stone.
Feeling hungry from the journey, Neros's stomach rumbled just as he caught a whiff of a delicious aroma wafting from one of the food stalls. Drawn in, he followed the scent eagerly, hands clasped together in anticipation, until he reached a vendor who had just finished baking warm, sweet-filled pastries. As he moved closer, he noticed a faint glow from the artifact around the vendor's neck. His silver earring tingled slightly, confirming that the artifact emitted trace amounts of Nerathis, a discovery that made him pause.
Ignoring any caution, Neros took the sweet treat with stars practically sparkling in his eyes. He bit into it eagerly, savoring every sugary bite, and licked his fingers in pure delight, oblivious to everything else.
Selah: I don't think this is a safe place to spend the night. Danger could be lurking around every corner.
Selah looked uneasy, but Hyuwin tapped her shoulder and smiled, reassuring her that he would protect her when the time came.
After Neros finished his sweet treat, he felt something unusual in his mouth and reached in to investigate. He discovered a small piece of parchment that had been tucked away by the vendor. As he read it, he noted the words "twelve midnight" and a phrase describing the edge of the city at sunset. Neros realized it was a code, which could either be a cry for help or a cunning trap. He carefully folded the note and tucked it into his pocket.
After renting an inn, the three decided to have separate rooms from Selah, who humbly declined their offer. However, Hyuwin and Neros insisted, and she eventually acquiesced. They unpacked their belongings in their respective rooms and settled in to rest.
Despite the fatigue of their journey, Neros remained troubled by the message he had found. Glancing out the window, he noted that the sun would be setting in just a few hours. Feeling the urgency of the situation, he gathered the two for a meeting.
He discussed the anomalies he had discovered in the country, and his words visibly troubled Selah and Hyuwin. Sensing the weight of the situation, they asked Neros what his plans were. He explained that their best chance of uncovering the truth was to take the bulls by the horns, a metaphorical expression that left the two of them confused.
A couple of hours passed as darkness enveloped the city, the bustling crowd dissipating and the stalls closing for the night. The trio sneaked out of the inn, cloaked to conceal their presence in the shadows. They navigated above the structures to avoid detection, racing toward the designated meeting place.
As they moved, they noticed Neros effortlessly leaping from one building to another. When asked about his agility, he explained that Fortis had transformed into an anti-gravity boots. Normally, they would be surprised by this, but after their earlier encounters, they were growing accustomed to his peculiar methods.
While traversing, Nero's earring signaled a warning about an incoming danger.
Earring: Warning… Projectile at ten o'clock!
Soren caught the arrow mid-flight, signaling his team to be on alert. Below them, figures clad in red tunics and hooded robes lined the streets. Their black seams contrasted sharply against the vibrant fabric, and they wore partial metallic masks that protected their mouths and noses. Each figure bore a distinctive crest on their pendants as they expertly aimed crossbows at the team, unleashing a volley of bolts.
As Hyuwin sprinted along the treacherous path, a thought struck him, they hadn't been spotted by mere chance, their entry had likely been anticipated. With each nimble dodge to avoid the arrows, his worry grew, knowing they'd been separated from the others.
At the rendezvous point in the city's outskirts, a vast field of white flowers glowed softly in the darkness, illuminating the surroundings with an otherworldly light. Hyuwin paused for a moment, captivated by the scene, until his eyes caught sight of Selah standing beneath a tree, seemingly waiting for him. He quickly ran toward her.
Hyuwin: Selah, glad you're alright…
But as he drew closer, a strange scent filled the air, a subtle yet unmistakable difference. Instantly, Hyuwin realized the figure before him wasn't Selah, but an imitation.
Hyuwin: No, you're not Selah… Where is she? What did you do to her?
Without a word, the figure drew a sword. Hyuwin braced himself, knowing a fight was inevitable, but as he tried to move, he felt his body refuse to respond. In a blur, the figure vanished, only to reappear in front of him, driving a blade into his side before he could raise a defense.
As his vision fades, Hyuwin caught a glimpse of the figure shedding her disguise, transforming into a woman with teal hair cascading over her shoulder, one piercing yellow-green eye peering from beneath her flowing locks, and a white tunic.
Hyuwin: Th… this can't be…
As he regained consciousness, Hyuwin found himself in a cave surrounded by figures in white tunics, just like the ones he'd seen that morning. The glow of a nearby bonfire cast flickering shadows on the walls. Instinctively, he sat up in alarm, but Selah, seated beside him, gently placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. Catching her familiar scent, he relaxed, relieved to realize it was truly her.
Selah: It's okay, they are our allies.
Hyuwin: What is going on?
A figure stepped into the firelight, clad in battered, worn-out armor scarred from countless battles. Faded engravings and partially scratched emblems traced along the rust-streaked metal plates, while thin, frayed leather straps barely held the armor together. His tarnished bronze mask, marked with faint symbols on the forehead, added to his imposing presence.
As he drew closer, he slowly removed the mask, revealing an older man with a deep scar across his left eye. His teal hair, streaked with silver, fell messily around his face. He looked at them with a mixture of steely determination and urgency before introducing himself in a deep voice.
Vaisth: My sincere apologies to have resorted to such violence to bring you here. My name is Vaisth, the leader of this resistance group.
Behind him stood the woman he had met earlier, the one he had believed had stabbed him. He instinctively reached to his side, only to realize that the wound was gone.
Hyuwin: You...
Vaisth: This is Nyliara, my daughter. She's also part of the resistance and my second-in-command. I believe you have already met her.
Vaisth cast a quick glance at his daughter, who nodded and revealed her innate ability, the power to deceive and paralyze with just a gaze. Hyuwin, however, protested, arguing that this didn't explain the stabbing or if it had even been necessary.
Hyuwin: How did you do it? I swear you stabbed me.
Vaisth: Stabbed?
Nyliara: …
Nyliara merely looked away, feigning ignorance to his protest.
Vaisth: Sigh, apologies for this. Nyliara, as you see, has... peculiar methods when it comes to executing her missions.
Selah: Where's Neros?
He went on to explain that they hadn't yet found Neros. For the search, he'd sent his most efficient hunter, he said, nodding toward a figure nearby. The hunter was a lean man with striking, spiky yellow hair, an old dark green scarf draped around his neck, and hands clad in worn gloves. His body was wrapped with layers of leather greaves, well-worn boots, and old bandages wrapped around his skin.
Vaisth then proceeded to explain their cause, detailing the resistance's mission and the deeds that had driven them into hiding. He spoke of a deep-rooted injustice that plagued the region, describing how they had risked everything to protect those oppressed by a shadowy ruling force. Their aim, he revealed, was to bring freedom and safety back to the people, even if it meant living in secrecy and constantly battling threats. Each word resonated with a resolve forged over years of hardship and sacrifice, underscoring the urgency of their struggle.
Vaisth: For years, we've watched patiently, obediently, waiting for the moment to reclaim these lands from the invaders. But now, we're powerless to even stand against them. Our last hope the one thing we thought might turn the tide has been snuffed out.
Selah: Snuffed out?
Vaisth: Yes, for millennia, we Crosents lived in harmony across these lands, divided into four sacred territories. The formidable giants of Valtych ruled with strength, the inescapable illusions of Legatha concealed and protected, the wondrous spirits of Acirys blessed the lands with life, and in Tervouje, rust and flames forged resilience. Each domain held its own power, a balance that has kept our world whole.
He explained that the balance had been shattered by outsiders who built walls to trap and enslave them, robbing them of their freedom and their very lives.
Vaisth: They stole these powers from each Erbecea they captured, using sheer force to take what was never meant for them. With each conquest, they harnessed greater power, consuming it until all four guardians were gone. Only Acirys remains a lone reminder of what we've lost. Ylvaneh, queen of that domain, managed to raise an unbreakable barrier. Guards the last of their kin, Nifri, with the ability to conjure life itself. This power is what the invaders are so desperate to claim.
Selah clutched her pendant tightly. Hyuwin glanced at her, a question forming in his mind…
Hyuwin: Could the enemy really have harnessed the same method stealing an Erbecea's soul to bind its power to themselves?
Vaisth's voice grew heavy as he described the formidable adversaries they would soon encounter.
Vaisth: The invaders' guardians and their powerful, cunning ruler. We stand no chance against their sheer force. It's nothing short of a miracle that we've managed to survive and evade them this long.
Selah then asked how they could help and what their roles would be in this, since from the beginning they had only planned to retrieve an important artifact and leave.
Vaisth apologized for involving them in their affairs, acknowledging that outsiders shouldn't have been drawn into such matters. Then, with a serious expression, he pointed out the vital role they could play.
Vaisth: That pendant of yours holds immense power, a soul as pure as it is terrifyingly strong. It seems dormant, but it's likely tied to a uniquely powerful Erbecea, one capable of breaking the seal and releasing Nifri from her slumber.
He knelt down, as did his daughter and all the members of the resistance, to ask for their aid. Though hesitant, Selah wanted to consult Neros first for his decision. At the same time, she felt this was a matter of her own, so she stood up and nodded to affirm her assistance.
The group led Selah and Hyuwin through the depths of the forest. As they ventured deeper, the air felt as if it were thinning, and the thicket around them lost its luster, as if it had been drained of life. The once-vibrant foliage lay still and lifeless, and the atmosphere felt heavy with an eerie silence.
They arrived at a still, shallow stream, where numerous Crosents lay prostrate, their forms turned to stone, all facing an imposing, petrified giant who was cradling an egg-like barrier. Inside the barrier floated a young girl with purple hair streaked with bright lilac, dressed in purple garb, soft inner clothing, and matching boots.
Vaisth stepped forward, bowing in reverence before the stone giant and its encased figure, then turned to Selah with a nod, signaling her to begin. Selah closed her eyes, murmuring a quiet prayer to Arifea, hoping to unbind the seal. She reached out, touching the barrier, but despite her efforts, the pendant around her neck remained unresponsive.
Vaisth: I guess, there's no other way.
Suddenly, Vaisth's arm shot up, and from the shadows, the country's army began to emerge, their armored figures closing in on the clearing. Shocked, Hyuwin and Selah barely had time to react before their former allies turned against them, holding them down.
Hyuwin: What's the meaning of this? All that talk of justice was it a lie?
However, no matter what Hyuwin said, his words didn't seem to reach Vaisth. Moments later, the armored corps parted and knelt, creating a path. Three imposing figures emerged from the shadows, their arrival accompanied by the ominous sound of steel clinking and echoing through the clearing.
Three heavily armored figures approached Selah, each exuding a formidable presence. The first was clad in burnished bronze armor, his long hair cascading down his back, gripping a massive battle axe in one hand. Beside him stood a figure in crimson armor, a dark cape flowing behind, with two curved swords sheathed at his waist. The last was a knight encased in obsidian armor, a great sword perched on his back, his silent gaze locked on Selah.
Without a word, the figure in obsidian armor reached out, his gloved hand closing around Selah's pendant. With a brutal tug, he ripped the intricate chain from her neck, the pendant slipping from her grasp. The force sent her staggering backward, collapsing to the ground as she clutched her throat, coughing in shock and pain.
Hyuwin: Get your hands off her, Selah!
Upon Hyuwin's desperate plea, the figure clad in crimson armor struck him with a powerful kick to the gut, sending him reeling in pain. The obsidian-armored figure, unfazed, raised the pendant high, channeling dark energies from his own being. As he held it high, the insignia around his neck began to emanate a faint glow, while the one in his hand reacted, its light intensifying. Selah, watching in stunned silence, could only widen her eyes in disbelief
Selah: Arifea, no…
After a few moments, the insignia on the obsidian knight's artifact began to crack and tear apart, clearly overpowered by the force of Selah's pendant. With growing frustration, the figure dropped the pendant to the ground and drove his sword down upon it, attempting to crush it. However, the pendant's hard shell resisted the immense pressure, refusing to break. As the sword's tip froze from the intense force, the figure let out a roar of frustration and unleashed a powerful blast of energy aimed directly at the pendant, desperate to shatter it once and for all.
Then, a lady in a silver robe with silver and blue seams descended from the sky. When she landed, the impact on the still water was so gentle that it caused only the faintest ripples, the stream glowing softly blue from her mere presence. She seemed to float effortlessly, her toes barely touching the surface of the water.
As she removed her robe, it revealed a stunning lady, her long, pointed ears and silver hair cascading gracefully. Her delicate, long eyelashes framed her striking eyes, which shimmered with soft hues of blue and pink, blending in an ethereal way. She wore a white inner dress with silver lining, a flowing skirt, and boots that matched the elegance of her attire. Two sickles hung from her waist, glinting in the dim light. Her gaze slowly shifted to the pendant, and for a brief moment, everything around her seemed to pause as if acknowledging her connection to it.
With a soft voice, she spoke, and as she did, another gentle ripple spread from where she stood.
Enigmatic lady: աɦǟȶ ɖօ ʏօʊ ȶɦɨռӄ ʏօʊ'ʀɛ ɖօɨռɢ?
In an instant, she appeared next to the obsidian figure. Without raising a hand, a powerful blast erupted from the air, sending him flying and crashing into the nearby thicket.
Vaisth and the other Crosents were filled with terror as they sensed and visualized the immense presence standing before them. Some of them, overcome with fear, took a step back, unable to stand their ground in the face of such power.
Upon witnessing the display, the bronze and crimson knights attempted to intervene, but with just a single gaze, both were sent flying. One of them crashed into the horde of red-hooded soldiers, while the other was knocked back, helpless against the overwhelming force.
Before she could even reach the pendant, the lady in the silver robe sensed the incoming danger. In an instant, she drew one of her sickles, blocking a fierce strike from above. The knight clad in bronze armor retaliated, swinging his battle axe downward with incredible force. The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, echoing through the air.
Taking advantage of an opening, Vaisth and his crew lunged at the enigmatic lady, leaving Hyuwin free from their restraint. He quickly rushed to Selah, scooped her into his arms, and carried her away, watching the battle unfold from a distance.
She swiftly drew her other sickle with a fluid motion. Her eyes narrowed, and with a soft, almost imperceptible whisper, she began to chant under her breath.
Enigmatic lady: ֆքɛƈȶʀǟʟ ǟʀȶֆ, ֆքɨʀɨȶ ʀǟքȶʊʀɛ…
Each of the attackers halted mid-action and collapsed, as if struck by an invisible force that permeated the air. Only Nyliara and Vaisth managed to withstand the pressure, their bodies tottering but refusing to yield. They clung to their consciousness, before they could lose their resolve, Nyliara's voice faltered, a soft plea escaping her lips.
Nyliara: S... save us, please.
Vaisth looked at her one last time, his eyes filled with regret and sorrow, before his injuries overwhelmed him completely. Unable to resist any longer, he collapsed face down onto the ground, succumbing to the violent attack that had struck them both.
Turning her attention back to the bronze-armored figure, she skillfully redirected the force before striking him with another slash. However, the bronze knight managed to perceive the invisible force and, at the last moment, bent his body to dodge the attack, which surprised her.
The air was filled with the intense exchange of blows, as the bronze figure proved formidable with immense agility, seemingly anticipating her attacks. As their fight carried on, he finally landed a blow of his own, kicking her. Fortunately, she was able to block it with her sickle.
Kahtiaze: I am Kahtiaze, the King's Lethal Axe. Your attacks are no longer effective against me!
As tension mounted, the figures in crimson and obsidian armor joined him, channeling an energy akin to that of the slain Erbecea. Their armor, engraved with unique symbols of the Erbecea's power, molded and transformed, shifting the tide of battle.