Spring. With the start of a new season, fresh hopes, new stories, and new adventures arise. A tale that began to shape itself since the beginning of the Great Purge, one that would end only at a point known solely by Yhra, the Queen of Time.
As with any good beginning, the stories of some are always forged from a great event, something that alters their fates permanently, once and for all. For better or worse, something must happen to break inertia, to awaken consciousness, and to refocus attention on what truly matters.
Seated and resting after a long journey, various groups gather in a local tavern in Bilgaragz: The Lost Flame. As the name suggests, many of its patrons are individuals who, at some point, had a grand journey but who, for now, find themselves tired and weighed down.
Yet, not everyone there shares this feeling; some are simply visiting one of the city's liveliest spots, looking for some entertainment in difficult times. Others simply want to rest from their long travels along the coast of the Great Sea, journeys filled with intensity and, above all, fatigue.
Among these groups, one in particular looked especially worn out from the moment they arrived. Its members spoke little, and anyone observing them might conclude that they weren't as close as some of the other groups at the tavern. They sit down and order any cheap drink the establishment has to offer, searching for some comfort. The group would have gone unnoticed if not for Ouros, the great Grogna, standing among the other three.
Fortunately for that group, The Lost Flame was used to hosting travelers and visitors from other regions of Mugrov. The entrance was wide and arched, like the entryway to a temple, allowing even the largest individuals to pass through without difficulty.
noisy breathing sounds
While they waited, Ouros emitted a deep, raspy sound befitting his stature. Normally, it might have gone unnoticed; however, his companions didn't seem to be in the best mood at the moment.
"Ugh, I can't take it anymore! Can't you breathe a little more politely? Can't you see we're exhausted?" protested Livy, an Ilicyne beside him, irritated, squirming, and casting an angry glare upward.
Ouros looked at her for a moment, but seemed to dismiss her words, which to him were merely murmurs in the midst of the crowd. The Lost Flame was filling up more and more as lunchtime approached.
"Calm down, Livy… It's just his nature; he doesn't seem to be doing it on purpose," said Baldar, a Mihail slightly taller than her, seated across from her.
"BUT HE'S BEEN LIKE THIS THE WHOLE TRIP, WE…" – Livy continued to complain to Baldar, who now listened to her with patience and attention.
This peculiar group had formed in a village not too far off, near the border with the Nazenese Empire. All of them were headed to the city of Bilgaragz, and, due to uncertain times and the dangers along the roads of the Principality of Flagon, they ended up traveling together.
One of the tavern's attendants approached, excused herself, and handed out the drinks they had ordered. Dukken, a quieter Pagwyn, observed the others as they began drinking, ignoring Livy's complaints. He seemed visibly uncomfortable with the situation and, among them, was the one showing the greatest sense of detachment.
"Soon it will be time for us to part ways… I'll wait until the end of the day to say my goodbyes. Elise isn't expecting me in the city today, so I still have some time," thought Dukken, while the argument continued in the background.
After Livy tired of complaining and relaxed a bit with the arrival of the drinks, everyone grew more lethargic under the influence of alcohol—except for Dukken, the only one not drinking anything.
The Lost Flame was a cozy place; the owner seemed to have invested a lot into the establishment, which occupied the center of a city block. Everyone passing nearby noticed the lively movement inside, and due to the wide entrances designed for larger races, it was common for people to peek in to see what was happening. Even militia soldiers could be seen among the locals, taking advantage of their rest shifts.
Although the atmosphere was comfortable, everyone in the group had other matters on their minds, considering where they would head after this brief farewell gathering.
"Baldar, Dukken, will you two be staying long in the city?" asked Livy.
They looked at each other, waiting to see who would answer first, until Baldar broke the silence.
"Well, more or less... I need to head to Dradesum before the end of the month. I have to meet with my lord to report updates and receive a new mission," he replied.
Both turned their gaze toward Dukken, who looked as if he wished the question would be forgotten. Realizing he was the focus, he began to answer.
"I still don't know. It depends a lot on what my superiors decide," he said.
"Hm, well, at least you both have a destination for now," commented Livy, glancing at Ouros while she drank. "For now, I'm stuck with this big guy until someone useful comes along. You don't know anyone around here who could help me with that, do you?"
Baldar shook his head, and Dukken, after a thoughtful pause, did the same.
Tired sigh
"Well... I'll find someone eventually."
Livy was looking for help with a recent case of amnesia. Although she remembered everything about her past life, including her birthplace and personal history, she felt a small, recent fragment was missing. In this forgotten period, her younger sister seemed to have been erased, and Livy believed the girl might be missing. For her peace of mind, she wanted to find someone who could help her recover her memory and, if her sister truly was lost, locate her.
***
After drinking and paying their tab a bit after lunch, the four decided to leave the tavern. The streets were busy, though not overcrowded, as the district they were in wasn't central and lay on the edges of the commercial area.
"Okay, so I guess this is where we say our goodbyes…" Livy began, only to be interrupted by a militia soldier hurrying past them.
"You there! Have any of you seen someone suspicious running around here?" asked the soldier, addressing the group.
They shook their heads, and the guard, looking frustrated with the wasted time, resumed his sprint.
"Thanks anyway…!" he called out, rushing toward the corner.
The group watched him in silence, also glancing in the direction he came from and noticing several guards gathered at the corner of the next street, parallel to the tavern.
Ouros began moving toward them when Dukken spoke up loudly.
"Where are you going? The guard just came from that direction."
The stone giant paused briefly, turning his head slightly back.
"I'm going to see if they need any help…" he replied, continuing toward the guards.
The group hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances until Baldar shrugged, as if to say, "Why not?" Before being mere travelers, each of them was well-acquainted through their profession. Each had skills in a different area, and they could offer assistance to the militia in exchange for some reward. After all, they were adventurers from distant lands seeking new opportunities.
***
"Alright, hold on for a bit; let's wait for a report before going up. Looks like things got bad up there. Depending on what happened, we may need some backup," commented a militia soldier to his subordinate, standing in front of a house in the middle of the street.
The second-floor window of the house was open, with a blood-stained, scorched curtain billowing out, leaving a trail of droplets down to the street below. Three soldiers stood posted in front of the house, but they seemed uncertain about what to do next. The local townsfolk watched the scene, disturbed by the bloodstains, while a blood-soaked staircase at the entrance drew everyone's attention—a classic crime scene.
The four adventurers observed from a distance, but Ouros, a bit more curious, approached the soldiers.
"Can I help?" asked the giant innocently and casually.
The group was startled by his offer, and Baldar and Livy moved closer, intending to pull him back. To their surprise, the guard gave an unexpected response.
"Yes, are these other three with you?" the soldier asked.
"Well, we were just passing by…" Livy began, trying to slip away from the situation.
"Yes," Ouros replied confidently, leaving his companions visibly confused and uneasy.
"We're short on time here. Some soldiers went up into this house earlier to interrogate a resident who had been acting suspiciously, but things dragged on, and a neighbor reported sounds of a struggle. When we arrived, we found… this," the soldier gestured at the scene. "It seems the suspect has already fled, but we're hesitant to go up, as one of our men went up and hasn't responded since." The soldier's face showed his frustration and concern over the situation.
"If you could check upstairs, you'd be doing the city a huge favor. I'll personally inform Helik of your help," he added.
Though still uncertain, Livy flashed a determined smile and stepped forward beside Ouros.
"I don't think the big guy here can fit inside, but he could keep watch at the window, right?" she said, patting his calf. Ouros nodded in agreement.
Baldar, though less certain, took a deep breath and remarked, "Let's go. I hope this Helik gives us a hand afterward…" He joined Livy.
Dukken took in the situation, watching as the others looked back, waiting to see his reaction. Reluctant, but moved by his companions' choices, he clenched his fists, summoning a faint green aura that covered his arms with roots and thorns as he moved forward.
They paused briefly, observing the blood dripping down the staircase. A metallic scent filled the air, making them queasy as they drew closer. Livy, breaking the hesitation, led the way up the stairs. Though the ascent was short, they advanced slowly toward the second floor of the house.
At the top, they took in the state of the main room. The initial space, a kind of living room and kitchen, was in shambles, with overturned furniture and body parts strewn across the floor.
It didn't take long for them to realize the bodies were soldiers, identified by their armor and crests, identical to the guards outside.
Surveying the scene, they noticed signs of a recent fire. The room reeked of smoke. Moving closer, Livy noticed her palm glowing a soft blue as she passed it over a specific area, the center of the burn marks. After a few moments, she detected traces of magical energy.
"A spellcaster was here—stay alert. There might be traps," Livy announced loud and clear.
"I was about to ask… Either that, or he practiced a lot to blow up an oil barrel in here," Baldar joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Dukken, sensing something amiss, recalled the soldier who had arrived after the others. Searching the room, he found a figure lying on its back, more intact than the other victims of the magic. He moved closer to check if the man was alive, turning him over and discovering multiple wounds across his body, with a knife embedded in his abdomen. The soldier's hand was still clutching the knife, attempting to stem the bleeding.
Meanwhile, Baldar noticed a closed door in one of the rooms and approached it, signaling Livy. Gripping a dagger, he advanced cautiously, alert to his surroundings. Inside, the room was in disarray; few items remained intact: a few kitchen utensils, a coat rack with a long coat near the door, and a broken bookshelf.
Livy, while observing Baldar, notices a desk that appears to have once been a study area. Curiously, all the papers and writing materials are burnt. She finds it odd, as the distance between the burned areas and the center of the magic was considerable. With no bodies nearby, it seemed that the fire had been deliberate. Livy begins sifting through the charred papers, hoping to find clues, and discovers something partially burned in a nearby trash bin.
Meanwhile, Dukken tries to assess the state of the wounded soldier and finds that he's still breathing. As Dukken attempts to stop the bleeding, the soldier lets out a groan of pain. Startled, Dukken hesitates momentarily, only to hear the man trying to speak. Dukken leans closer, putting his ear near the soldier's lips.
At the same time, Baldar opens a door, and three bodies fall out, piled together. This time, they aren't soldiers. He instinctively steps back, pressing against the wall to avoid them.
Livy finds a letter that seems to be addressed to someone of higher authority than the author. As she reads, several fragments catch her attention:
"... according to the operation, everything seems to be under control, the garrison isn't too suspicious..." "... plans have already been taken to the embassy in Nazir; I just need to gather everything and leave here as soon as possible..."
One word rings in her mind as she reads: "... a spy?" Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the bodies dropping next to Baldar.
For a moment, everyone turns toward the fallen bodies. Baldar, stunned, stares at the ground.
"He... is STILL HERE!" the fallen soldier shouts with his last ounce of strength, as Dukken, startled, turns to him. In that instant, Baldar feels something pressing against his back. Focusing, he notices a semi-transparent, partially hidden figure.
In a split second, the figure removes the cloak concealing him, revealing a hooded man with graying hair at the edges, his face obscured by a mask. He pushes Baldar's back, forcefully slamming him against the wall. The impact throws Baldar, breaking part of the wood.
The figure races toward Livy, but Dukken raises his hands, summoning vines and roots from the floor to try and hold him. The intruder leaps toward Livy, pulling out a dagger. With a swift movement, he twists, appearing to aim for Livy's hand.
"Quick, dodge!" Dukken shouts, tense. Livy dodges at the last second but realizes that his true target was the charred paper in her hand. The dagger pierces the paper, and the intruder runs toward the window, preparing to jump.
Outside, Ouros observes the scene and readies himself to strike the fleeing figure. Seeing him at the window, Livy points her wand and casts a spell:
"Ignus!" she shouts, firing a burst of flames. The intruder, surprised, tries to protect himself but gets his hand burned, destroying the rest of the paper. Livy feels a brief moment of victory, only to notice the mocking grin on his face as he realizes the document has been destroyed. He launches himself through the window.
Between him and the street, Ouros, the stone giant, is already in position, ready to strike with his hammer. The blow lands, but instead of stopping him, it sends the intruder flying, allowing him to escape quickly, avoiding both the soldiers and Ouros.
Inside the house, Livy and Dukken prepare to descend, and Baldar, still distracted, is startled by Dukken's words:
"Hurry! We can still catch him if we follow!"
Baldar regains his composure and hurries down the stairs with his companions.
"It's safe upstairs now; there's one of yours up there in critical condition! The one responsible for all this just jumped through the window; we're going after him, send reinforcements!" Dukken quickly explains to the soldiers, who nod affirmatively. Wasting no time, the group resumes the chase.
Livy leads the sprint, both driven and furious at the intruder's audacity. The image of his smug face as he burned the paper made this chase personal for her, and, without realizing it, she distances herself from the others. Upon reaching a crossroads, she faces two choices: a street leading to the market and another toward the alleys near the tavern they had come from.
"Aghr... Did you lose sight of him?" Baldar asks, breathless as he catches up with Ouros.
"Yes... I'll go this way. You all keep going that way; the main square isn't far from here, see you there..." Livy says, choosing the path to the market. Her voice echoes as she distances herself, while Ouros follows behind, ready to intervene if things go wrong.
In the streets, city guards run in various directions, shaking the town with their mobilization. After several corners and detours, the group finally reunites in the main square of Bilgaragz, though not with the expected success.
"Phew… Phew… Nothing…" Baldar mutters, catching his breath after running through the alleys alongside Dukken.
"The soldiers are still doing their part," Ouros points out, indicating guards rushing in opposite directions down the side streets.
"But it seems like they're going the wrong way…" Livy says, visibly exhausted.
"Just like us…" Dukken adds, frustrated.
As the group recovers, the soldiers from the house arrive, equally exhausted from the chase.
"There you are… Any leads?" the soldier asks, still panting. Livy and Baldar shake their heads, which only makes him more irritated.
"Damn, he was so close… What was an assassin doing in that house in the middle of the commercial district?" the guard wonders aloud.
"Well, I found a paper suggesting he was a spy," Livy says in a casual tone.
The soldier looks at her for a moment, intrigued.
"And the paper?"
"It burned during the fight..." Livy responds, signaling humility with a hand gesture, apologizing.
The guard takes a deep breath, clearly frustrated. He places his hand on his face and mutters:
"Great... Helik is going to chew me out alive at the barracks..."
Another soldier runs up, and after catching his breath, speaks urgently:
"Sir...! Excuse me, but we have an emergency!"
"Spit it out, boy! What happened?" the officer replies.
"Helik is calling everyone to the square; we're all heading to the wall afterward. It seems that..." He starts delivering a report, but Livy, who had been listening attentively, diverts her attention upon noticing a figure emerging from an alley and running toward the south gate of the city. It was the target.
"THERE!" Livy exclaims, already starting to run. Her allies are momentarily surprised, as the officer had just said something concerning. Still, they rush after her.
Before they can follow, the officer shouts to everyone:
"Once you're done, find shelter, looks like it's gonna get ugly..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a massive stone ball, engulfed in flames, suddenly appears out of nowhere, crushing the soldier completely.
The city's invasion had begun.