Atheria cautiously stepped further into the goblin camp, her heart heavy with each passing moment. The earth itself seemed stained with blood, and the lifeless forms of goblins were scattered about like discarded dolls.Entering the center tent, Atheria was met with an even more gruesome sight. Burnt marks marred the ground, evidence of a violent confrontation. Her heart sank as she looked up and saw the lifeless bodies of villagers hanging from the tent's ceiling.“Might that be…Zory?”Among the deceased, Atheria's eyes fell upon a gray-haired woman, her features twisted in pain. Though Atheria didn't know her name, the mere sight of her lifeless form deepened the sorrow in her heart.Suddenly, Atheria felt a presence behind her, and her instincts kicked in. She swiftly turned, a gleaming dagger in her hand, poised to defend herself. Her eyes widened as she saw Lord Fregan standing there, regarding her with an air of surprise and intrigue."What are you doing here?" Atheria asked, he
Atheria listened attentively as Xander explained the significance of the black root that had caused him so much trouble in the goblin camp."You're right," she agreed. "Someone in the capital city, perhaps an alchemist or a healer, might have more knowledge about this black root. It could be the key to understanding and, hopefully, finding a way to control your powers."Xander nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Exactly. This black root seemed to suppress my powers temporarily. If we can learn more about it, it might lead to a cure or at least a way to manage my abilities."Atheria placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out. But for now, let's focus on getting to the capital city. There, we can seek the answers we need and continue to help those in need along the way."After spending a heartfelt hour with the grateful villagers, Xander and Atheria made their way to where Crazy Jack was waiting. The trusty steed had been grazing on the lush grass near
Xander scanned the immediate area, his eyes locking onto his dagger, which lay just out of arm's reach near the peacefully snoring Crazy Jack, who was buried deep in slumber, a first for the horse."Let him live his life, Gardan," the black-robed figure said to the man who had the power to transform into an eagle."Sure. Give me the fifty thousand gold coins on his head as a bounty, and I will let him live," Gardan, the bounty hunter, replied, his tone confident."Unless you have those coins on you, I suggest you stand down, Liam," Gardan continued, addressing the hooded figure by name. It was evident that these two were acquainted and had likely crossed paths before."And I know why you're here, Liam, but I'm not in the mood for your games. Back off," Gardan warned, taking a decisive step forward."Why don't you two get out of here while you still can?" Xander's voice was icy as he addressed both men, taking a step forward to emphasize his point."That's the spirit. Yes, kill them bo
As Xander and Atheria made their way toward the Diamond City, the morning sun bathed the city's marble stone walls in a radiant glow, giving it the appearance of glistening diamonds, which had earned it the name "Diamond City."Atheria gradually stirred from her slumber, her hand instinctively reaching for her neck, the lingering discomfort of the sleeping dart's impact still fresh."Where... where are we?" Atheria mumbled, disoriented but slowly regaining her senses."Easy there, boy," Xander soothed, patting Crazy Jack's head as he reined in the horse.As Crazy Jack slowed to a halt, Atheria fully awoke, taking in her surroundings. They were on a paved path that led directly to the Diamond City."My neck," she winced, her fingers gingerly tracing the spot where the dart had struck."We were ambushed last night," Xander explained as Atheria's eyes widened in surprise."Ambushed? By whom?" Atheria inquired."Bounty hunters," Xander replied, prompting another look of astonishment from
"We've heard he's pretty pricey, and you don't even have the coins to enter the kingdom. What's the plan here?" she asked.Xander responded with a confident grin. "When you're Xander, you just wing it and go with the flow. Come on, I'm certain things will work our way," he reassured her, patting Atheria on the shoulder.With newfound determination, they climbed a couple of steps and knocked on the door."Healer Mathias," Xander called out gently, rapping his knuckles on the door.Footsteps echoed from within the house, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a golden-haired man with a matching beard. His eyes scanned Xander and Atheria from head to toe, his expression marked by a deep furrowed brow."Who the hell are you two?" Mathias scoffed, his impatience evident."We were hoping you could—""Arh," Mathias cut off Xander before he could finish."My services start at a thousand coins. Pay up and state your business, or get the hell out," he demanded gruffly.Bloodhound's voice e
Xander persisted in his quest to secure a boat to ferry them to Singing Lady Island. But the moment he dared to speak the name of that dreaded place, the sailors scattered like leaves in the wind, consumed by their own fear."Now I'm genuinely curious about what's hidden on that island," Bloodhound snarled ominously within Xander's mind.As Xander scoured the docks for a boat and hope dwindled, a grizzled, white-haired figure drinking from a battered leather pouch beckoned to him."Ho there, lad. Seek passage to Singing Lady Island, do ye?" the old man's voice croaked, echoing eerily in Xander's ears. The young adventurer turned to face the wobbly figure approaching him.The pungent scent of ale wafted from the old man, enveloping him in a cloud of inebriation."I'm the only one crazy enough to take ya there," he proclaimed, wiping the ale dribbling from his chin."Ten gold coins, firm as the rocks," he added, his tone as unsteady as his gait. The astonishingly low price took Xander
Eventually, the decrepit boat reached the desolate shores of the Singing Lady Island. As Xander and Atheria prepared to disembark, Xander turned to the old man."Will you wait for us here? We might need a ride back," Xander inquired, although he had a sense of what the answer would be.The old man let out a gruff laugh, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of pity and fear. "Nah, lad, I won't be waiting here. You see, you won't be returning."Xander, though filled with trepidation, summoned a semblance of courage. "I've survived worse."The old man's response was cryptic and ominous. "Not like this," he muttered, and with a forceful push of the paddle, he steered the boat away from the cursed island, leaving Xander and Atheria to face the unknown on their own."Unleash me now, idiot. Don't come to me crying later on," Bloodhound's growl reverberated within Xander's mind."Shut up, you moron. There's no one left on this island for you to murder and drink blood," Xander responded, irr
As Xander and Atheria ascended the staircase, he continued to tell her about the eerie singing he thought he had heard."Atheria, I'm serious. I heard it. Maybe this castle's tales aren't all myths," Xander said with a nervous chuckle.Atheria, however, rolled her eyes and teased, "Xander, you're not seriously telling me you're so scared that you've started hearing songs in the air now."Xander retorted, "Even an army can be unnerved by a ghost, you know."Before Atheria could respond, she took a step forward and felt a slight depression on the floor. Her eyes widened as Xander heard a subtle click, and the hair on his neck stood on end. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a cannon fired towards Atheria. It hurtled through the air with deadly speed.But just as it seemed all was lost, a man in gleaming silver armor leaped out from the shadows. With a swift, precise strike, he cut the cannonball in half, and then landed on the floor with a heavy thud, sending echoes through the ancient castle.I