The sun was nearing the peak of the mountain, its light dimming, making the sky turn red. Within the twilight, an odd procession moved along the clear, quiet plains. A carriage pulled by four steeds was being escorted by a battalion. A dozen knights and priest at the front and back, but only two sets of guards remained with the vehicle. Yet, the distance between the transport and escorts range from about fifty meters apart. It made it clear they were avoiding whatever’s within the cargo. The beast pulling it continued to whinny in defiance, fear, and panic. While both guardians seemed to dawdle, barely holding on the reins. At the very end of the line, two combatants who had survived the rigorous competition in the kingdom a few days before. “Why do we have to accept such a lowly job?” Hallor’s face was fuming. It was as if smoke was coming out of his head. And his gaze towards the soldiers was as sharp as knives. “Be thankful we have one. This will provide us with some coins w
Galford and Hallor were but a few steps away from the carriage. Swords at the ready, the youth shakily pointed it towards the door, all the while the elder reached for it. Before they can even grab the handle, the sounds of earth rumbling halted them, making them turn to where the noise came from.“Halt. What are you trying to do?”It was the commander of their escort, along with several knights behind him. The knight's sword raised, pointing at the two unsuspecting warriors.The man’s eyes had this sharp, murderous gaze towards them, looking straight at the hand that was about to touch the handle of the door.Both men were keen to withdraw, realizing their folly. They quickly kneeled before the group, as to show they do not have any kind of hostility.“We heard a noise, sir!”This was the first thing that came into Galford’s mind, as he did not hesitate to tell the truth, as there was no merit in denying the reason for their actions.Yet even with that, the glares coming from the
Within the colored space, he floated again, face to face with the giant purple sphere. Yet, there was something different with the being right now, as the glow on his rings was no longer as vivid or vibrant.“What’s the catch?”He asks.Thankfully, the entity was more talkative than before, as he found out the thing was the one who gave him those systems.The being also revealed that each orb had called upon their own champions, vying for influence within that world. Though it did not explain why.“There is none. Do what you want, as you wish, no questions asked.”Its voice hummed. Yet it sounded weaker now.“From my knowledge, dealing with beings like you, there is always some sort of complication.”He says, remembering those old stories from books, comics, and fables about such.He wanted to avoid getting caught up in some kind of trap again, or worst, do some stuff against his will.“I think you are already experiencing it, my chosen one. Your actions, your consequences.”The spher
‘Units acquired.’Clifford’s lip rose into a smile. But that disappeared in an instant, replace by a frown the minute he went in and check on them.The view of the surrounding where the two individuals where, put a sour taste in his mouth. It ruined his mood, as his supposed celebration turned awry.He remembered that place well as the unnamed village at the end of the borders of Barsted’s, where they throw those unwanted people out.He’d considered it as his starting point, cause it was the closest to the area where he got summoned. So it was impossible to forget.There wasn’t anything there but small huts, muddy roads, a few fields for crops. But now, he barely recognized it, since everything there was nothing but a pile of ash, coal, and dust.A sudden rush of rage surge through him, just thinking about what could have happened to those who live there. How many families and innocents and the reason behind it all?His focused changed when he noticed Galford and Hallor rushing back i
Both men were huffing and puffing when they got out of the opposite parts of the forest, sweating profusely from dragging several items.Once they saw each other, they somehow put on a smile, seeing that the other was okay.They throw all the things they have gathered into one gigantic pile in front of the tent they the made for the otherworlder.Even if all those requests were odd, all they could do was to follow, hoping for redemption, clinging to the chance their families were still alive.The two fell on their behinds once they were done with all of it. Fatigue taking toll on their bodies from working all day to collect the amount of stuff they needed.“What’s will he do with all these things?”Hallor grumbled before letting himself fall on the ground to lie on the cold earth.“I don’t understand myself.”Galford remained seated, throwing a confused gaze at the odd heap they have collected all throughout the forest.“Wow, you two are fast.”Clifford chuckled, seeing his companions
Red dots blink non-stop, filling the entire map. The only thing keeping them safe was the terrain.With an attack in mind, Clifford chose that location after careful consideration of its topography.The natural earth wall surrounding it, along with its heightened area. Up to the amount of resources in and out. It was a near perfect base if not for all the monster around.“There’s too many of them!”Hallor gritted his teeth with each swing.Even with his blessed weapon and his renewed strength, fending off all those creatures was taking its toll.Each strike became heavier, slower, and harder. As their blades got stained with blood, fur, and entrails.“If this continues on, they will overrun us.”Galford continued to hack one enemy after the other. Each swing took out two to three at once.But no matter how many they kill, more came, replacing the fallen. And it did not look to be stopping anytime.“Sir Clifford, what shall we do?”Hallor looked at the structure emanating the odd purpl
A small caravan made up of carriages carrying cages, using the veil of night as their shield. Each filled with several women and children, crying as they hugged one another.They marched in the shadows of the trees, slowly and with caution. A few knights with no sigil and men in dark robes guarded it.Among the group, one person stood out. A hooded individual with white light armor, claw like gauntlets, face covered by the same silken cloth, confidently riding a white steed at the head of it all.Every gaze the fellow took remained cautious, wandering each corner of that forest.“Captain, what’s wrong?”One soldiers walk closer, seeing how their leader’s shoulder tensed.Instead of a reply, the captain only raised a hand, signaling for his subordinate to keep quiet. All of them were now at the ready, sheathing their weapons in an instant.Within the dark woods, the owl’s hoot and insect chirp vanished. The wind became stale with uneasiness, along with its sudden pause.“For the kingdo
Clifford's gaze wandered through the line of people they were with. He remained agitated because several functions of his system were no longer working, not considering they can steal it.No matter how many times he’d look at them, he can’t see their level, status, or any kind of information.Luckily, most of the men there were weary and wounded, giving them an equal footing if ever something happened.Of course, it seems he was not the only one remaining cautious, as the group threw menacing glares at them.He did not blame them, considering the outfit he’d chosen for them during their travel. They all wore long black robes, light armor, and a set of masks, each having a certain expression of its own.Hallor a smily, Galford a sad, and he was the one with the poker face.To avoid any problems, they remained in the middle of the line, surrounded by all those soldiers.“I did not think you’d choose the bandits over the knights. What made you change your minds?”He whispers to the two,