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
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
Life inside a box was getting to Massua. The first week of being conscious has had their challenges, but she felt that she could cope with it. They only allowed her out to pee, usually in a highly securable place with nowhere to run, surrounded and watched by them all with swords ready to kill her before capturing her. That was her time to stretch and maybe have something to eat if they at all felt gracious. She needed to strengthen Zoi as much as she could while she could. She was even begging if the worst came. She hated it, but they would indeed throw a dry cracker or two in the trunk before carrying on. They gave water at the start of every day. They needed her alive, but not in the best conditions it seemed. And they weren't after money, she guessed. Whatever nefarious plot they had, she doubts she will be alive after. Or maybe they were after her brother. No, that couldn't be. He was no more valuable than her. At least, he wasn't. He was a knight now, the shield of the k
It has been a week since they had left Liontari. It was generally agreed that there will be no farewells this time, as was Celia's wish. This wish was not without a little debate, mostly from Lyse than from Edlund or the others. This came to a surprise to a few, especially Celia. Then again, much of the first night had been arguments of Lyse not wishing for her to come along, and continue her recovery. Edlund noticed him trying to take all the responsibility, as usual. He likes to take all the responsibility, but none of the credit. The two didn't talk much on the second day, more stand-offish and considering, as if anticipating what the other would say next to refute their argument, which never happened. They managed to make a lot of ground, but the only talking was among Elena, Gray, and Edlund. Lyse headed out for navigation, and Celia covered their rear and looked for anyone potentially following them. Two positions that stayed far from one another. It seemed that they will stay i
The next dawn seems to come slowly for Lyse. He was used to staying up for more than one day; he can function at his best by the third night most of the time. Gabbes once had him and few others wander around the village walls and through the forest searching for something he had hidden. That was before he learned to sense aura; otherwise, he would have found the bird egg hidden under a rock and buried about a meter deep. He did not let them rest, and they had to fill in any holes they made in their search. He slept well that night, although Massua complained he smelled like the barn animals. However, training with his mother was a whole different strain on his body; he was not quite prepared for it. At first, it was simple to handle. Channeling the pendant's power didn't get any easier, but the struggle he went through became more like a routine. Soon, he'll become better at that routine. But the power slowly sapped him of energy every time he made a seed grow into eithe
Very few people fully understood the word struggle. Many think they do. Most would point to life moments, specific challenges to overcome that could perhaps decide the very fate they tread upon. But for Damusius Concord, this struggle was minuscule in the face of what he faced for nearly a decade now. The struggle was different for the likes of him. Struggle meant more than a choice or arduous task, one that would occur once per lifetime. It didn't mean something that could only happen once or twice. No. A struggle for a plithos meant that every moment, every second spent conscious or unconscious threatened your destruction. Your soul, your body mangled beyond belief. To keep in a power that you may wish for, but is never truly yours. Your purpose is to be the container of this power, and any falter in your mind or will may very well be your demise.He doesn't remember the last time he had felt the sun. Although, that was a luxury, someone like he rarely gets to see. He had been locke
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