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2024-10-29 19:42:56A boom of footfall announced the presence of a stranger as the door swung open. "Bane, who is this?" Ragnar asked his second in command.
"This is Doctor Drake, a renowned physician from the North. His reputation precedes him, and I have brought him here to aid your wife." Ragnar turned to face the stranger, a man with a trimmed beard, glasses, and well-combed hair.
"Doctor Drake, I must thank you for your services; my wife has been incapacitated for far too long, and I am grateful for your arrival." Drake bowed slightly and introduced himself with the attitude of a man who had encountered many like Ragnar before.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ragnar. My name is Doctor Drake, and I must admit, your summons caught me off guard. You are a powerful man with many resources at your disposal; it baffles me that you have called upon my small practice for assistance." Ragnar responds, sensing a hint of judgement in Drake's words.
"My wife is everything to me, Doctor. I would move mountains for her, and if that means making a humble request of a stranger, so be it.”It's understandable, Ragnar, that you're feeling desperate. Your wife is fortunate to have such a loving husband by her side. Now, if you'll excuse us, I'll begin the examination."
As the men leave the room, leaving Drake and Ana alone, the atmosphere becomes one of intense concentration. Drake removed his coat and cap, showing his white coat. He approached Ana and began to interview her, his voice calm and steady as he examined her for signs of harm. He speaks to her in a calm tone while he works, offering words of encouragement and guidance.
"Do not be afraid, Ana; I will do everything in my power to assist you. You are fortunate to have been brought to my attention. In my years of practice, I have saved many lives. Trust me." Ana fixes his gaze on Drake.
"Thank you." Drake asked gently, "What could be the cause of this, Ana? A disease?" "I slipped and hit my head. I was unconscious for two days. My cheeks still hurt." She conceals the reality from Drake and dismisses it with humor. His eyes soften back to their usual condition as he narrows his stare. "Well, well, well."
Ragnar's mind raced with dread as he sat on a bench near his house, worrying about Ana's possible actions. With his second in command, Bane, by his side, he expressed his fears:
"Ragnar, you must calm down." Bane laid a hand on Ragnar's shoulder in an attempt to console him. "I'm afraid that if Ana finds out the truth, he'll see me as a failure of a husband, a man without honor." Ragnar crossed his fingers and looked down at the ground, sweat streaming down his face and his legs and arms shaking.
Bane then spoke soothingly, "It's alright, Ana can lie to him." Bane gently caressed Ragnar's back, making him relax and grin at him. "Thank you for trying to comfort me, my second in command, my one and only friend." Ragnar felt a sense of relief flood over him, and he knew he could count on Bane to be there for him.
Dr. Drake couldn't hide his surprise when he realized what was causing Ana's condition. A little smirk came on his face as he chuckled and touched his chest. "Ah, so that's the reason, isn't it?" he questioned, and Ana nodded.
Dr. Drake rose from his chair and stated, "I'll get the men inside," before leaving the room to notify the staff of Ana's dilemma.
Ana couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by a jumble of emotions. She wasn't sure how Ragnar would take the news. Would he be pleased or disappointed that she hadn't revealed the information sooner? She was concerned that he would believe she was hiding the pregnancy from him. As she waited for Drake to return with the guys, her thoughts were filled with confusion and worry.
Ana could feel beads of sweat forming on her brow as the men entered the room.Drake, noticing the tension in the air, attempted to relieve it with humor.
"Don't be nervous; let's get right to the point," Drake replied, his eyes mischievously twinkling. There was an audible gasp in the room as he eventually said the words. "She's pregnant," Drake declared emphatically.
Ragnar and Bane exchanged puzzled glances. There was a pregnant pause in the room, which was broken by Bane's disbelieving yell. "What? That's impossible!” He cried.
Ana's heart was pounding as she struggled to collect her thoughts. "I didn't want to tell you just yet," she mumbled.
Ragnar interrupted her before she could finish."Is it mine, Ana? I'm going to be a father!” he said, his voice brimming with emotion. Ana's eyes welled up with tears as she nodded. "Yes, it is," she said, her voice cracking.
Ragnar's face lit up with delight, and he let out a joyful cry. "I'm going to be a father! he cried, his voice full of joy. Ragnar's excitement was contagious, and soon everyone was cheering and congratulating him.
Ana couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with thankfulness in the midst of it all. She had been keeping this secret for months, and it was finally revealed. She felt a wave of relief sweep over her, and she felt truly joyful for the first time in a long time.
The wheels spun like the cogs of time as the horses rushed across the rocky landscape, each creak and groan marking another step closer to their objective.The carriage, decked with flowers and gems that represented beauty and royalty, moved as if the horses knew where they were going.
Zach Smith, a young lad with wide eyes, looked out the window, excited to see what awaited them at the end of their voyage.
They had been gone for days, but they were still nowhere near their target. Zach pondered when they would eventually see the Eastern Lands, and his patience dwindled like a river after a storm.
Mr. Smith, his father, who was in charge of the trip, pointed outside the window just as he was ready to express his concerns."Look there!" he exclaimed, his voice full of excitement. "The Tree of Melody."
Zach leaned forward, his gaze fixated on the amazing sight before him. The Tree of Melody was awe-inspiring, towering over the Realm of Air itself. Its leaves were a riot of color, dropping like a shower of stars to the earth. Zach was captivated by its splendor, experiencing awe and wonder at its beauty.
"It's wonderful!" he exclaimed, feeling like a tiny boy again as he took in the scene.
The voyage was long and difficult, but the prize was well worth it because he had never seen anything like the Tree of Melody before.
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Atonement's Path Chapter_3: Celebration
The farm was filled with crowds that were wild with excitement as Lady Ana's pregnancy was announced. Cheers and applause erupted from every corner of the land as people celebrated the news with tears of joy. The air was filled with a sense of pure happiness as Lady Ana's husband, Ragnar, held her close and whispered sweet nothings into her ear. "You will finally have the father that you've always dreamed of, my dear," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "And I will become the man I've always wanted to be— A Man of Honor. I will no longer be a bandit, but rather a protector of our child. I will do whatever it takes to keep our child safe." It was an incredibly touching moment, as both Lady Ana and Ragnar were overcome with joy and happiness. The sound of bards singing filled the air as the couple danced gracefully across the land. It was a beautiful sight to behold, as the couple's love for one another was apparent to all who watched. They were truly a match made in heaven as they
Atonement's Path Chapter_4: Argument
The silence filled the room as Mr. Smith descended from the carriage, and the tension was palpable. Ragnar's gaze was fixed on the ground as he tried not to show his fear. Then, a young man who could only be Zach Smith stepped out with his silvery hair and striking features, and the crowd held their breath. "I-It's been a long time, Mr. Smith," Ragnar stuttered, his voice trembling. "Why did you do that to my daughter?" Mr. Smith kicked Ragnar hard, and the noise of flesh hitting flesh echoed throughout the courtyard. Blood oozing from Ragnar's nose only intensified the fear and horror that permeated the air. But the tension exploded when Zach spoke up, his face a mask of worry. "Father, you must stop!" His words were like a spark in a dark room, and for a moment, the crowd held its breath, their gazes locked on Zach. It felt as though time itself had stopped, and all of history rested on his words. The silence that followed was heavy with the weight of emotions; the fear and desperat
Atonement's Path Chapter_5: Father
The air was still, and the crowds were speechless, their breath catching in their throats as they watched this play out before them. In that moment, not an ounce of noise was to be heard, save for the rustling of the trees as the wind blew through them. "You foolish daughter! I am your father, your only father. You are my daughter, my only daughter. Do not treat me like a stranger in front of a crowd. I took care of you and protected you, yet you treat me like this!" Mr. Smith shouted and pointed at his daughter with such a bad temper.Tears streamed down her eyes, tightening her fist. "You are right, but I want you to treat my husband like you treat me. He also protected me and took care of me."Ragnar, disappointed in himself, still kneeled at Mr. Smith. His face was still covered in blood, and his nose was broken.Zach was shocked by what happened in front of him. "Sister, treat your father better. He was just worried about you." He's worried about what might happen next. Another v
Atonement's Path Chapter_6: Turning Point
Mr. Smith was paralyzed with shock and disbelief, staring into Ragnar's dark, emotionless eyes. His words had shaken him, leaving him speechless and questioning the sanity of the man sitting across from him. "Is he crazy?" he wondered. "What's with the sheer confidence?" He was unsure what to do next, the confusion and uncertainty palpable in the air. Everyone was speechless, with shock and disbelief on their faces. "Ragnar, what happened to you?" Ana pleaded as she shook Ragnar's shoulders, tears in her eyes. But Ragnar did not speak in response. Instead, he remained quiet and still, as if he could not hear her pleas."Ragnar!" Ana cried, tears streaming down her face. "Please respond to me!" She was shocked and in disbelief; her eyes filled with tears. Ana tightly gripped her hands. “Please, just please.” Ana’s voice was like a whisper. SLAP! Ana slapped Ragnar just to snap him out, but he was still emotionless. Another slap and another, yet he’s still not responding. Ana let go of
Atonement's Path Chapter_7: The Birth
7 Months LaterAna yelled, "AHHH!" as she prepared to give birth to a newborn child—hopefully a lovely one. “AHHH! I think I’m about to die!” Ana screamed as she felt the pain more. “Just stay calm,” Drake told her while he was operating on her. “Calm? How am I supposed to be calm like this?” Ana questioned him arrogantly. The screams can be heard outside of the room—loud and clear. Two men sat on the bench next to the room. Ragnar sat and began to think deeply. “Stop overthinking this,” Bane said as he rubbed his hand on Ragnar’s back. Ragnar said with a worried look, “It’s just that Ana will leave after this.” He began to think more deeply. His thoughts were getting the best of him; he was overthinking. Questions filled his thoughts, like, “What do I do after she leaves?" and “Am I going to raise that baby alone? He was also feeling motivated because of the people that trusted him, but that would make him more overwhelmed by his thought, “What if I failed? ”, questions began to pop
Atonement's Path Chapter_8: Committed
The snow fell, and the flowers were covered. “It was beautiful, Ana. Is your dad coming?” Ragnar stood up from the rock, and he stretched his legs and arms. “Yes, they might be here in minutes,” said Ana while she held the baby in her arms. “I won’t see you grow up, Thors.” Ana looked at the cheerful and handsome little baby in her arms, and she smiled. It was not a smile of sadness, but a smile of happiness at seeing her son one last time. “It was fun while it lasted. I’m surprised I didn’t hate Ragnar when he said to let my father take me. Is it because we were couples? Or is it that I don’t even hate him a bit? I have been living with him, and I couldn’t find a reason to hate him. Even when he thought that he was a coward. It has been seven months since something happened to us, and he has changed,” Ana thought while looking at Ragnar. While the snow continued to fall, a familiar-looking carriage got closer. The designs were gems that represented royalty and flowers that represent
Atonement's Path Chapter_9: Change
The harsh weather slowed down, and the strong flow of the wind also slowed down. Ragnar took one last step, and both of them arrived at the village. Frostbite covered his fingers, and he was covered by cold snow. Bane and the other bandits rushed to Ragnar. “I’ll get the baby, and all you do is assist him to the bar!” Bane rushed to get the baby in Ragnar’s hands. He looked at the baby carefully. “How is this kid safe?” Bane continued to rush to the bar. “Go away! Fast!” A bandit said to the villagers eating on the huge table, then they carefully placed Ragnar on it. “Call Drake!” Bane proceeded to look at Ragnar’s body; he was extremely injured and could die any moment now. Ragnar opened his eyes and said, “How is my son?” He’s more worried about his son than him; he really changed; he was really committed. “He’s safe, don’t worry. Just lie down.” Half of the Bandits rushed to get Drake, while the other half took care of him. A lady looked down at Ragnar; her eyes were only gazing a
Atonement's Path Chapter_10: New Beginning
15 years later... “Faster, boy.” More than twenty men walked to the “Monte Ruins” in the west. The men wore chainmail chestplates and leather pants, and some of them carried weapons like bows and daggers. A boy with short brown hair, wearing leather clothing. In front of the boy was a tall and huge masculine man; both his hair and beard were as long as one foot. The tall man carried a huge claymore and a huge iron shield. “Zaly, you shouldn’t have come with us; it's dangerous for a young boy like you to come in a ruin hunting.” Bane’s dark hair was tied because it was too long, and his beard was shaved to a stubble. “It was the right choice; this kid needs to see the other side of the world. We need this kid to be mature at such a young age,” Ragnar said with a cold and quiet tone; he was rather creepy. His eyes were too tired, his eyebags were darker, and more wrinkles showed up in his temple. And on the left side of his cheeks was a huge scar. The boy tripped on the root of a tr
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Chapter 39: Rabbits in Battlefield
Five months have passed since his rampage and the loss of his father, and Zaly remained unfazed by the joint forces of the Empire and the Royalty. His mind has become accustomed to taking innocent lives, and his gaze remains as unyielding as a diamond. Strangely, instead of remorse, a twisted sense of satisfaction fills him with each life he snuffs out.Despite numerous battles, the soldiers continue to suffer defeat at the hands of a single man. His reputation has instilled fear in the hearts of the people, and even the most well-planned strategies have proven ineffective against him. He remains immovable, impervious to any attempts to subdue him.The soldiers engaged in yet another battle, their hearts filled with fear and fury as they cried out their battle cries.Despite the injuries sustained, including lost limbs and eyes, they continued to rage with unrelenting determination.“Don’t ever let one thought destroy our goal as humans! Kill him, and he shall
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Chapter 38: Northern Styles
In the distant lands of the northern region of the Realm of Air, a village lies on top of a mountain. The beauty of the village is represented by the green, lush trees that surround the village’s atmosphere; a river formed by the purest water streamed down the mountain, creating a waterfall out of clear water. Koi fish swam through the rivers, and the pandas lived by the bamboos.An old man with local attire held a slumbering young boy at his back, heading towards Fuku Village.With each step taken by the old man, the boy slumbered more in a soothing, serene rhythm. The aerial beings flew past them as the wind grew fiercer.“So refreshing it is.”The old man inhaled deeply while gazing at the different structures of mountains in the distance.After walking for a few minutes, he came across the ritual shrine dedicated to Luca in the village. The presence of the shrine served as a symbolic confirmation that he had reached his destination. It stood as a tangible marker, signifying the en
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Chapter 37: Lone Monster
Hundreds of soldiers from the empire and the royalty had surrounded a lone figure. The person stood their ground, brandishing an axe, and was ready to face every single one of the soldiers.Both the royalty and the empire had agreed to compact and to hunt the single demon that committed the massacres all over the realm. The King of the Realm, King Caesar the Second, and the Emperor of the Empire, Emperor Aurelius, have shaken hands and signed a treaty after being hostile to one another for almost 20 years.And both nations have signed a peace treaty just for that one person—the person they’ve believed could rule and destroy humanity.‘Kill them one by one. Kill them with the most brutal way possible.’Zaly remained silent in response to the DEVIL's words. Without a hint of emotion on his face, he simply obeyed the DEVIL's command.After murdering innocent lives, Zaly’s attitude has changed, including his appearance. His straight hazel hair is now frizzy, with each strand getting filth
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Chapter 36: Etherane
Fraser found himself back on the 2nd floor after successfully delivering the documents to Titania. Exhausted from his work in the castle, he leaned against the wall for support. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Fraser reached into his pockets and retrieved the coins he had earned that day. With a sly smile of relief, he opened his hand to reveal the fruits of his labor. "One metherack coin and five silver coins," he murmured to himself. "That's quite a sum of money. I must use it wisely." Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Fraser decided it was time to head home. However, before he could make his way out, a deep voice echoed from his right. It was a middle-class demon, easily recognizable by his sharp teeth and two horns on his forehead. “Are you tired, Fraser?” “Not really, but I’ll rest; don’t worry.” Fraser glanced at the demon and smiled slightly. “You sure need to. Also, there’s not a lot of demons now; they’ve left because the Etherane will be extinguished in the next
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Chapter 35: Titania's Castle
Inside the inverted castle, a home of royalty and a home of the Titans, the frame of the skeleton remained in his position with the same look glared at Fraser. Slowly, his fingers pointed directly at Fraser's body."May the angels guide you to your destiny." A constant beam of light from the floor shone through the entire room.And that same beam of light vanished in an instant; not even the people outside the castle noticed the unexpected ray of light. And with the beam of light, Fraser disappeared too.Skullen sat on his throne without breaking a sweat and only showed a hint of annoyance. His mouth did not open, and no words were uttered."Master, are you disappointed?" A rough-voiced figure appeared beside the throne.The red-skinned devil stood in front of Skullen, and before kneeling, he fixed his glasses."Please accept my apologies for the minor inconvenience," the red-skinned devil said, kneeling and stretching his arms to offer Skullen a book."Is it the Evangelical Visiona
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Chapter 34: Inverted World
In the realm cloaked in shadows, the world twists and fractures, where light and hope surrender to the depths of thunder. This inverted domain, where chaos claims its throne, is known as the upside down, where darkness reigns supreme.Within this accursed land, demons roam freely, their presence oozing with malevolence. They prowl in the darkness, driven by insatiable hunger and twisted delight.This forsaken realm, a place of eternal darkness and despair,Where lost souls wander, trapped in the clutches of fear."Forgive us!" One of the souls wept."O Demons, free us!" Another one cried.Lost souls wept for they were thrashed down in this cursed land by the DEVIL himself, to the blasphemy and sins they've committed."Oh Luca, save us!" One cried as he was punished to feel suffering forever, he will forever feel pain, but not only physical pain, he is already destroyed mentally and he is punished to cry for eternity."You shall not say his name, he had already betrayed his men! He is a
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Chapter 33: Transmuted Soul
Even though Zaly knows he killed his father, his leg trembles, and his lips widen into a frightening smile."You have succeeded. You genuinely are this world's salvation."With so much pain in his mind, Zaly felt the essence of the darkness circle him quickly.In an instant, thousands of ideas flooded Zaly's mind. These thoughts represented not only Ragnar's moments of melancholy and hopelessness but also his suffering following Ana's departure.Indeed, that was the moment when Ragnar gave up all of humanity for his son. With his head fully covered by his bloody hands, Zaly shouted at the DEVIL, "What is this!"'Just Memories. The recollections of your father. Those are your father's final thoughts.'Behind him emerged a shadow with two horns on its head and claws as sharp as a soldier's broadsword.Grieving, Zaly said, "Memories? When did this happen to him!?""Find that yourself!"After uttering those words, the DEVIL's shadow vanished. 'How are such memories allowed to come back?
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Chapter 32: Sky
Ragnar’s in a state of shock and dread. His mouth was wide open as he was about to call for help; his whole face was covered in sweat from fear, and he raised his arms to defend himself from Zaly.But before he could yell for help, a familiar shadow hid behind Zaly. Though the anomaly was nothing but darkness, his smile can still be seen. “The devil! Why are you here? Don’t try to use my son! Don’t use my son!”Ragnar crawled backwards, despite the pain he’s feeling. “You really don’t learn, Ragnar," the DEVIL said as he took a step forward. “Go on, Zaly! Kill him.” The mischievous tone of the DEVIL returned, ordering Zaly to kill his own father.“Zaly! I raised you! I am y–” Ragnar stopped, realizing something. In a state of grief, Ragnar said, “I may not be the father you wanted, but I am your father! I will always be your father! My blood runs inside you; I am still inside you, even if you kill me. My remains will always be inside you, Zaly.”Zaly slowly walked forward, as if he we
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Chapter 31: Savior
Zaly’s footsteps reverberated throughout the whole house. As he walked to his father’s room, a large wave of aura surrounded him, which made some of his men uncomfortable. While he hid the knife in his pockets.After heading to his father’s room for a whole minute, he finally arrived. One of his father’s men assisted him to the room and was by his side the whole minute."We are here, Zaly; your father said you would be talking to him privately, so I will stand guard until you are finished." The man slowly opened the door as Zaly entered. In the room was his father, who lied on his mattress, which was on the floor.“I hope you have a great conversation with your father.” The man left while closing the door.Zaly looked at the door one last time as his father called his name. “Zaly.” Zaly quickly glanced over to his father’s lifeless body. “Sit here, next to me.” Zaly’s expression was obviously annoyed, but he still followed his father’s order.“I failed myself as a father.” Unexpected
