The king took a long sip of wine. From what one of the servants had told him, he had been here for approximately two days, nearing the third rise of the sun. To him, that will prove it all to him. Whether or not his expectations and his suspensions hold true. He sensed it, he knows he did. That same feeling, that same look, surely he can not be mistaken. Who would have thought? That the very son from those two would end up meeting him, still wearing that pendant, the accursed pendant that had caused so much. And now their son was wearing it. He couldn't help it, this all brought a bright smile to his face."Is something amusing my lord?"The wind was blistering, whistling along the lifeless branches and craggy cliffs. The trail was covered in snow, and if he stood still for too long, he too would be covered in white powder. But he didn't really mind it. He liked his wine cold. But he could not say the same fro his attendants. He has sat on the same rock, watching the entrance, lazily
Edlund felt as if every bone in his body was magically transformed into lead. Moving them was a pain, far greater than he usually gets from pulling wheat and straw all day. He hadn't realized exactly how sore he was after tussling with the man with glowing armor till he was sat on one of the physician's wooden tables that rose to his stomach. The soft wool cloth was a relief, but still, he moved like a wooden doll. Half of the large room was filled with these beds tucked as close to the walls as possible, and an opening running the length of the chamber. Near the entrance, the physician's tools hung and dangled from hooks and latest in bags, a sink permanently stained in blood, and several herbs, flowers, and roots he never saw before. The room wasn't really packed.Besides himself and Gray, about five others laid on spare tables with varying injuries. One was bandaged over his arm, kept strictly straight out with long carved sticks. Another had his left eye covered in white clothe, h
It had been years since she felt such pain in her body. Such a long time since she had seen violence or battle. Ever since she had settled herself away from life on the battlefield, tending to her children and land with her husband, she had become at least a bit of contempt with her life. After so long, she no longer worries about the threats over the wall, whether human or inhuman. But now, she feels foolish in believing that this life could remain as it was. Even as she opened her eyes, staring at a blank wooden ceiling and beams, all she could think about were those events playing back in her head.The first thing she remembered was sensing her son's presence leaving the town and move out towards the forest. Her first instinct then was immediately to run after him, the same motherly instinct that she had become accustomed to and had undoubtedly saved her children time and time again. Yet, she told herself that she should not need to worry about Lyse. He was a man now, no longer tha
That day of celebration became a blur in Lyse's head, now that he looks back on it. Even though it was just the working, the entire city was alive as if it never really stopped. Celebrations were in order, and the parade of knights and sages, squires, and soldiers alike danced, hollered, and sung throughout the streets. The main road was a bustle of dancing and music, every instrument playing whatever tune to drawn out the nearest. Instruments that Lyse had never heard of, but were all pleasant in the ongoing chaos. Many bards and poets had come to Silondras, and now finding an opportunity to showcase their talents, even if it was free, they still got silver out of it. A few songs were common in Broken Arrow; Marry and the Red Rose, Night in the Garden, The Old Spring Love. They seemed to come in every direction and every volume. The sweet aromas of perfumes as women passed by, dancing with knights, and the assorted goods from vendors staying near the outskirts lifted Lyse's spirits a
Sleep came quickly to Lyse that evening, easier than previous attempts. He still felt tired, and spending the afternoon dancing certainly did not help the ache he had in his arms and legs. So, sleep felt welcomed with him.Dreams of the past couple of nights melded together in his mind. He usually does not remember them, but they had always been horrifying, judging from the sweat he was covered in when he awoke. This dream, however, was a bit more vivid, and he doubted he would forget it soon. It was not one where he was aware, nor like the experience with the goddess. Everything felt too real, but for some reason, he could not figure out what was wrong. He was walking the forest once more, the same as he always had to clear his mind. A lantern in one hand, and a knife in the other, the only protection he took with him this time The silence of the forest was still as deafening, and his thoughts filled the void around him. The void, so comforting and easy to drift into when walking. How
Massua woke with a start, taking in a strangled breath as she immediately tried to stand up. This attempt was met with a wood slamming across the top of her head, and she stiffly sat back down in the position she had been stuck in for several weeks now. She does not know this. Not even a night has transpired for her, and she felt like she was missing something the moment her brain ached into function. She looked around to meet darkness. Nothing but confined night. All wooden and cramped. She tried to stretch her legs out and met another wall before her knees were even half bent. The room to either side was less than a hand. She traces a hand along the seems and immediately knew what she was inside of.A chest, she thought. Why am I in a chest?Along one of the longer sides of the chest was a small hole that allowed all the air she needed to flow inside. She managed to maneuver herself, tucking her legs under her just to catch a glimpse of what was outside. She could see more darkness,
Lyse remembers his first-ever trip with his father to Balfmia, the next town over a few dozen miles into the plains. He was fifteen at the time, and had just begun more rigorous training and learning certain techniques Gabbes thought best for him. Edlund had asked, almost too excitedly, to join them, but Wilbur denied, saying that the two of them are more than enough. Protecting the grain and corn they were going to sell would only require two hands to do so. Lyse was curious because he never knew his father to ever wield a sword. Sure, he helped him practice stances, but nothing beyond that. He never looked too far into it. He never seen him even take any blade or such for protection as he went. But, he allowed Lyse to take his sword.They left that afternoon, Massua was a bit upset she wasn't allowed, but ultimately his mother told her off and put her to making bread. They got their two fastest horses, Wilbur said that they will be useful, and continued on. The purge that cleansed t
Talin has been a feature of this land since its dawn. While they are neither regularly recognized nor publicly known, they have found themselves in the underbelly of society, whether the secret catacombs and temples long forgotten or tunnels and systems adapted to house the many forces and resources they had accumulated over time. They relied on secrecy and deception to handle their problems and ultimate goals. Crafting the best of soldiers, the best warriors, mages, thieves, and assassins here. The Catacombs of Orcus. A massive system of tunnels and rooms that snake along with the mountain range of which they are named after. Or perhaps the mountains were named after these catacombs. Years have dulled this knowledge, and even the most ancient sources fail to distinguish. Either way, this was where it was all birthed, either way. A man found within these catacombs the power that they had locked away and set out to collect more and more of. Collect people, objects, and trinkets. He was
LYSE OPAL: Human. From the Liontari Kingdom within the Empire of Clans; Trained to be a knight from an early age; the Godslayer of Athena, Dionysus, and Demeter. Age 21His family:EDLUND: Human. Lyse's adoptive younger brother. Trained alongside Lyse. Age 19MASSUA: Human. Lyse's younger sister. Age 16CELIA: Thirian(LION). Lyse's mother; From the kingdom of Hath; Former Godslayer of Athena, Dionysus, and Demeter; Age 47WILBUR: Human. Lyse's Father; a Former knight who retired after the civil war; former godslayer. Age 50MAKYRA: Thirian(WOLF). From the Lykos Clan; orphaned since a kid; the guardian for Celia and her family; age 33Characters of the Empire:KING JAMES COLTON: Human. A knight and King of Liontari; the former godslayer of Apollo, Artemis, and Prometheus; Age 48NOVIA: Umani. A knight of Liontari; Paladin of Exploration; age 47LUPURIOUS: Human. A knight of Liontari; Paladin of Security; Best Friend fo James; age 48ELENA: Human. A Knight from the noble faction; Lyse's
Celia led her sons into the fortress's inner halls. Many of the nobles and staff were tending to the many preparations for the funeral of King James Colton. Lyse had already seen his body burned; usually, they burn bodies as soon as there are sufficient witnesses for it. So they prepared a high altar, where his body was set on top of and lit on fire, on the peak of Mount Silondras, so that the winds may wash away his ashes like all those who preceded him. The funeral itself would be a formal celebration, where all nobility and royalty from across the empire would attend to honor his death, every king, every queen, and their royal line, as well as any other noble family who was able. But for now, sorrow shall be the symphony of mind for the empire. And the Opal family shared in this song. But for Lyse, now was not the time for grieving over his king. Now was the time for action. Lyse wished that he had met his sister on much better terms. While it was great to see her, huggin
They were coming home. It had been two weeks of travel along the Frostlandian border. Two weeks of extended travel, though in high spirits. They could almost feel the difference in climate as soon as they passed along the Silondras Trail that directed them back southward towards the city itself. It was still late into the winter season for the empire, but they felt warmer seeing the barrier markings introducing them back into Liontari. They have had a few close encounters with a few passing armies, a small force of Frostlandian soldiers camping out about fifteen miles away from yet another Lykan outpost. They decided to take the long way around this time and cut through the very top of the Forest of Silence to avoid any further halts in their plans. Otherwise, the road was unbothered, and nature was as unruly as it ever was. Lyse felt the warm embrace better than anyone, the Pendant of Life radiation ti's infectious aura that only he could grasp. They tried a few experiments to see if
Silondras. Named after the mountain range of which it sits. Surviving millennia of progress and wars, desolation, and having been rebuilt twice in its history, this site has obvious importance to the heritage of the Liontarian people. The clans' first emperor was said to have been born on the peak of Mount Silondras, his kin being the first royals of each clan. Even in his demise, the clans cling to their idea of being an empire, despite no man ever reclaiming that sacred throne. The throne of Silondras. It was a beacon, never folding to any threat that had ever come to it, surviving every single attempt of siege. And when James came into possession of this treasure, he vowed to allow it to stand for another ten thousand years. That was his promise, his duty as the last Colton. And over the centuries, they made sure that any attack would be easy enough to defend against. The position was highly defensible. Not only were they surrounded by natural barriers, but with the impossibly high
Elena escorted Massua to her temporary rooms. Quite a few royals were roaming the halls at this hour, most she was rather familiar with. Even though it has been nearly half a year since the Trial of Knights, some residual excitement was still echoing in the halls here and there. The most they could pick up was wondering where The four record-breakers had disappeared so suddenly, barely celebrating such a monumental achievement. Of course, any such person would have the right to carry their praise and accomplishments to the highest tiers of heaven. But no, nothing but silence. So seeing two of them was a surprise all in itself. Thankfully they weren't swarming the three of them or any of the sort; Massua seemed already trying to hide in Elena's shadows, avoiding even glancing at those who passed them by."Thought this place will be a bit busier," Gray said."I'm sure many nobles have taken back to their estates," Elena said, then turned back to Massua, who nervously looked like a group
17 years ago"This is where you were born?"Wilbur helped his pregnant wife down from the small coach. It was late in the summer days. It was quite beautiful, the skies bright blue and the fields an untamed vibrance that spoke of mystical forces. The forest of Silence was strangely comforting, contrary to its innate intentions. She could feel that power resonating off of her own pendant that now laid upon her breast. It looked the same as when she first touched it when Wilbur had bound her under vows, and her fate turned into that of strife. Even, after all, they have achieved, the dismantlement of Talin, and the end of the civil war, they felt even more greatly the cost. Two of the godslayers were missing, and only one of their pendants was retrieved. Torlak, Hath, and The Clans, sister nations who have prospered along with one another, find themselves in a delicate state of tension due to the sheer intensity of the fighting that cost the lives in all three parties. Their friend, Rem
Lyse felt like he was dead. That was the first thought. Even though he knew that this world was immaterial, the pain in all of his extremities was blaring and obvious once realized. The last he remembered, Hephaestus was blown to dust. They had won. He had no opportunity to build a new body, no time to resurrect his brethren in some glorious crusade in heaven. He, a simple man, had done him in. It was a powerful feeling, a massive relief. But this relief was also so brief. Because he realized quite quickly that this was not the end. He looked around at the expanse of sky that surrounded him. It had been a while, but this ever-present feeling of raw power and aura was unmistakable. The forever dawn of a nonexistent sun dotted with long and narrow clouds and the clear water-like surface reflecting the picturesque view. He was back in heaven, the apparent meeting destination for him and the gods from now on. And he was not surprised to see the proud and tall visage of the goddess looking
The forest was quite enchanting and terrifying. When they left the village, Massua actually had to take some time to compose herself. Not just emotionally but mentally. That awakening realization of who she was was a massive shake to her mind. Coupled with the intense emotions that bubbled beneath her, composure was hard to maintain then. She really felt like a child comforted by her mother in front of two knights, but the more she tried to hold it in, the more uncontrollable it became, as if her emotions were fighting her to be freed. By the time her sobbing stopped, they were already deep within the Forest of Silence, the very heart of their kingdom.She remembers far back into her childhood, as far as she could at least, being told not to wander off into the forest. That was one of the first things that she learned, really. Don't go out at night. Stay away from the monsters. Stay with an adult. Never venture outside the walls. Truth be told, she violated each of these doctrines at
The cold wind stripped away the sounds of hundred of beaten breaths, still as intense as the days that came before. It was miraculous to Lyse that no man refused to move back, despite the display laid before them. But he got the feeling that their loyalty to this woman was obviously above such dread they could derive from the encounters forced upon them so far. Besides, their priority was to protect their captain, nothing else. And if she was going into battle, it will be backed by a hundred swords and a hundred guns. But also, they seem somewhatas amiable towards Lyse as well, almost sympathetic. Many were his seniors, veterans in this life he now treads filled with danger. They must have sensed the impact of his failures. And for that he is thankful. Because he has one last thing to ask for them, and he is afraid that their lives will be far more in danger than before.Once he had heard that there were metal creatures that roamed these lands, he knew it had some connection t