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2024-10-29 19:42:56We stared at each other, those few seconds stretching into an eternity. A subtle shift in the man's expression marked his return to the present. His gaze swept over the scene, taking in the aftermath of our battle - the lifeless goblin bodies and the fallen chieftain. Slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Ellie," he addressed the warrior woman, his voice steady, "Collect the ears for the bounty."
"Sure thing, Alvin," Ellie's response was as swift as her sword. She approached the nearest fallen goblin and methodically severed its ear with a practiced swing.
"Eve, go through the camp and secure our belongings," Alvin directed the sorceress. Eve's gaze flitted between her task and me. It was apparent she held a wary curiosity beneath her composed demeanor.
As Eve commenced her task, Alvin approached me. His strides were deliberate, purposeful, and his presence carried a mix of gratitude and authority.
"Well met, traveler," Alvin extended a hand in greeting as he neared me, "Thank you for your timely intervention, for saving my companions and me. May I inquire about your name?"
"Hello, I'm Jordan," I responded with a nod, reciprocating his gesture. "I'm truly glad I could be of help. It was startling to stumble upon you and your friends in such a dire situation."
Alvin's demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes. "Unfortunately, we were ill-prepared for the size of this goblin village. These creatures have grown bolder recently, catching us off guard." He let out a brief sigh before continuing, "But, Jordan, your arrival turned the tide in our favor."
His curiosity piqued, Alvin ventured further. "Speaking of arrivals, can you shed some light on the phenomenon that accompanied your appearance? I have never witnessed such an extraordinary display."
Here it is, the question I was hoping to evade hangs in the air. Do I explain to him that I am from a different world, or do I lie to try and cover for myself? I have no idea where I am or even the name of the country that I landed in. I would need this information if I wanted to survive here, but how would these people feel about me being from another world? “Maybe I can tell them and not tell them at the same time,” I think to myself.
I took a moment, my gaze meeting Alvin's with a mixture of honesty and guardedness. "The light," I began slowly, "it's a result of an experiment I was conducting with magic. I was attempting to create a spell that would allow me to traverse great distances. Regrettably, during its execution, something went awry. The world around me spun, and then I found myself here, amidst this goblin encampment. But, if I may confess, I remain uncertain of my exact location. I'm far from home, that much is certain."
It was a partial truth, woven with threads of candor and discretion. As I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that my words had revealed both more and less than I'd intended.
Alvin's eyes held a mixture of understanding and intrigue as he absorbed my explanation. He nodded thoughtfully, his gaze momentarily flickering to the remnants of our battle as if assessing the alignment of events. "A mage experimenting with the fabric of reality," he mused, a discerning glint in his eyes. "Your story is both fascinating and puzzling, Jordan."
A wry smile touched his lips, hinting at a deeper curiosity. "I must admit, your timely arrival and the unconventional light that heralded it are quite the coincidence. It seems our encounter may be destined for a greater purpose."
Alvin's next words held a subtle note of skepticism, a hint that he sensed there might be more to the story than met the eye. "But, my new friend, it appears there are layers to your tale that remain shrouded. No matter, though. Every journey is bound to its mysteries. Just know that you're among allies now, and perhaps time will unveil more of your story as we venture forward."
As Alvin extended a hand in an unspoken gesture of camaraderie, I found solace in his acceptance. A shared understanding lingered between us, a silent agreement that some truths were better left unsaid, at least for the time being. With a firm handshake, we sealed our newfound connection, united by a moment that held the promise of an intertwined fate.
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I stood atop the newly built wall of ice and straw, surveying the valley that stretched before me. Aria, a once vibrant town of fifty thousand, now lay in ruins. Most of its inhabitants had fallen, and the survivors were imprisoned in Sabnock's dungeon. Nestled at the entrance of the largest valley in the region, Aria was now a critical point in our battle against the monstrous horde. Sabnock's castle, an enormous structure at the center of the plain, was surrounded by forty thousand monsters, all empowered by Sabnock's dark magic. To reach the castle, we had to fight our way through the valley and into the plain, a task that promised no shortage of challenges. “Commander!” A dwarven fighter called out to me. “Our preparations are almost complete. We need you to inspect the fortified building in the center of town that you ordered built.” “I’ll be there shortly, good dwarf,” I called back. The dwarf nodded and walked away. As I traversed the town, soldiers and fighters nodded in ack
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Truth
As I slowly regained consciousness, the dim light of a solitary lantern cast shadows on the wooden slats that enclosed the small room. A twin bed cradled my weary body, and the unfamiliar surroundings blurred the line between reality and a lingering dream. Glancing over, I found Ellie in a chair, her head rested on the edge of the bed, peaceful in her slumber. The air carried the scent of antiseptic and damp bandages, hinting at recent care. My hand instinctively moved to the bandages encircling the bite on my shoulder, a reminder of the battle with Argren. The foul smell emanating from the wound was unsettling, but I pushed aside the discomfort, my concern shifting to Ellie. Her arm, too, was swathed in bandages, and a visible cut adorned her leg. Relief washed over me; she wasn't hurt too severely. Yet, questions lingered in the still air — questions about where we were, how we arrived here, and what transpired after the chaotic clash with Argren.I gingerly shifted to awaken her, f
