Outskirts of Nortvalhm
"Come on Eryth, we are moving," a young light-skinned lady with long emerald green hair tied up in a ponytail said. She had vertical green pupils within her large eye and a pointy fang.
Eryth on the other hand was just a regular human with short dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was light-skinned and had a very visible skull figure tattooed on his neck just above his collarbone. "Please, Merilth, a more pleasant waking would be appreciated."
They both wore a dirty brown, slightly turned-up cloak. Merlith wore her cloak over a black buttoned tight blouse and black silk trousers with a sword sheathed in her belt.
Eryth wore his cloak over a plain white tunic with brown trousers and also had a long sword in his belt.
"All I said was come on!" The emerald green-haired girl exclaimed. "Perhaps next time I'd smash my foot in your groin, how's that?"
Eryth stood up on his feet and strapped a backpack around his back before using his legs to put out the fire on the ground. "Yeah, whatever."
"I smell terrible," Merilth blurted, causing the brown-haired man to turn his head to her. "You think?"
"Damn you Eryth, could you be helpful for once in this group?"
"Is it really a group if there are only two of us now?"
Merilth's expression peppered up for a split second before a smile appeared back on her face. There used to be six of them working together but after one member strode into a compartment a dragon resided in, all but Eryth and the Zholm died, massacred by the beast.
"I saw a lake back when we were coming this way last night," Eryth revealed. He saw the split-second expression on her face and knew she wasn't holding up well after the death of their companions.
"Oh really? Come on, let's head back quick before the chaotic hour."
The chaotic hour is the moment when the sun is directly above. When it happens, everyone hides indoors to save themselves from lurkers, hellhounds, and other Divgodian chaotic creatures that have crossed into the Earth realm.
They both turned and started in the direction described by Eryth. Few moments later, they arrived at the lake Eryth spoke about. The water was so fresh, that the depth could be seen. Trees were standing all around the lake, each of the trees equipped with its own type of fruit, it was a sight to behold, especially in a place like where they were.
"Wow, who would have thought something as beautiful will grow in a place like this."
Eryth cast a sidelong look at her. He couldn't help but smile as he noticed the small smile she had. She turned and the two locked eyes. The dark brown haired man held her stare for a few seconds before speaking.
"I'll let you do your thing," Eryth stated before turning away. After walking a few paces away from the Zholm, he sat on a small boulder and pulled a small knife from his boot, caressing it with his fingers. The knife had a golden hilt with tiny diamonds engraved in its scabbard. He had the weapon with him since he knew what was what, but doesn't remember who gave it to him or why it was given to him.
A few moments later, Merilth emerged from some trees, her hair was wet and it poured down her back. Everything else on her body was still the way they were but her skin was now green, the true form of her race.
Eryth's jaw dropped to the ground as he stared at the emerald green-haired woman. He managed to drag his jaw from the floor and speak. "Taking up a full Zholm now, are we?"
Zholm is a race of mortals in the Anaheym realm (Earth realm). Their skin color is mostly green and their eyes are usually vertical. Most of them are shapeshifters and they are quick with their movement.
"I can't wait to get back home once we are done with this god-forsaken mission," Merilth said while caressing her forearm with her palm. With the words they received from their late partners, the two took it upon themselves to complete the mission before returning home.
"I don't mean to offend, but I think you should reconsider going into Nortvalhm like that."
"Why? Because I'm a Zholm?"
"Yes, because you are a Zholm."
Nortvalhm is a kingdom in the mortal realm. The native people of the kingdom believe they have ascended past the mortals' grasp.
King Hrucrypt was from Nortvalhm and so they are keen on the usage of acts than other races, they believe.
The Zholms were one of the races that refused to submit to the power of the Nortvalhm king. The king trapped them on their little island for about 25 years without supply of food or any other resources and so after he let them go, every Zholm that was or is to be born never stays on the same page as a Nortvalhmian.
"What should I look like then?" The Zholm asked.
"A human. Unlike any other races, they are friendly and not at war with any other race," Eryth stated.
"Those weak-headed creatures like you? I'd rather be an earthworm in the sand."
The brown-haired man groaned and facepalmed. "I told you, I'm not just any human, I'm a mage. Plus humans could also ascend the realm," he countered but it was just breeze to her ears.
Demi-gods are beings with insane abilities almost matching that of a minor god. And when a person is said to ascend the realm, he has mastered and possesses abilities next to that of a Demi-god.
Merilth shrugged off his words before shifting, her hair turning black and silky. Ears were now large and pointy. Her eyes turned completely white with a marking under her left eye. The part of her face from her forehead down to the bottom of her nose turned black with what looked like scales. The back of her palm and her neck also grew black feathers while the rest of her body remained human-like.
"Seriously? A Raven?" Eryth acted like he was disappointed, but since he started his journey with the Zholm, he has always thought her pretty. It didn't matter what form she took.
"Yeah, they are hot, and they are loved by everyone."
"Let's just go before it starts."
The duo continued into the first town in the kingdom of Nortvalhm. On the outside, the kingdom seemed like a normal everyone-friendly kingdom because of the different races of people walking around.
A loud bell suddenly began sounding from the top of a tower in the middle of the town. Eryth looked up at the sky in shock. "It's already time, we need to find an inn to stay for the moment."
Everyone around started to disperse and the shop owners around packed up and made their way home.
The duo entered into an inn and shut the door behind them. The place was filled with a lot of people, knights included, some even standing.
Eryth and Merilth walked up to a counter where they met a huge, about seven-foot-tall man. He stared down at the two. "What can I get you for?"
"We just need a room for two for a few hours."
"Room? Aren't we staying until the ungodly hour is over?" The shifter questioned softly.
"Just relax."
"I see. Not the first time someone has walked in here with a Raven. They are truly a fine specimen." The man said.
"What?" Merilth choked.
Eryth immediately got what the man spoke about and threw his head back, laughing. "They are indeed."
"We are not…"
"I like to pick the best from the market," the brown-haired man cut her short.
The man nodded before sighing. "But unfortunately we've got no decent room left so you'll have to make do with the bad ones, sorry mate." The man dropped the keys on the counter.
Eryth shrugged and picked up the keys. "It doesn't matter." He turned to leave but the man called them back.
"Yet to pay mate. What'ya think this is? Charity? Pay up."
Merilth slipped her hand into her pocket to bring out the payment but the brown-haired man beat her to it. He placed a well-shaped rock on the counter and locked eyes with the man. "Did I forget to introduce myself?"
"You're with the Guild are ya?" The man narrowed his eyes at the two. "Well, I wish ya a good stay. Hope she doesn't disappoint."
Eryth smiled and picked back his rock. "I cover for whatever disappointment my woman brings to the bed."
The man nodded before pointing down the direction to the room.
The Xyxterous guild members are a group of people trained to use acts. The guild was created years ago after the fall of the veil, it's solely purpose to protect the earth realm and fix the broken veil, sometimes as an intermediary between the earth realm and the Divgodian realms. Because of their duties to society, most kingdoms do not bill or question the integrity of anyone who carries the insignia.
"I could have paid," Merilth pointed out as they entered the room.
"Oh please, we risk our lives for them, the least they can do is let us stay here."
She shook her head before taking off her cloak. "You said it yourself, Nortvalhm is not like other kingdoms. While others might appreciate us, this place might not."
She then took off her shirt, leaving a small sleeveless top. She groaned out of tiredness and threw herself on the small mattress that was kept in one corner of the room. Her skin turned back to her normal Zholm form.
Eryth also takes off his cloak and his sword before sitting on the ground next to the door. "What was that guy saying? This place is cool."
Merilth stood up straight to get a better view of the dark brown-haired man. "Since we left for our mission, this is the first time the two of us have stayed in an enclosed room, right?"
Eryth nodded. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"No, definitely not. But I just realized I know nothing about you, I don't even know how your abilities work, you're like the only mage in the guild right?"
"Sadly. It's why I don't show unless there's a mission on the board," he revealed.
"So… are you gonna show me how your act works?" She asked softly.
Eryth was quiet for a couple of moments before drawing a breath. "It's simple, just like every other mage's act."
"That's the thing," the emerald green-haired girl mumbled. "You're the only mage I know."
"You probably met a lot but can't tell they are mages because a lot of acts are classified under the mage act," he stated. "For instance, there's the Necromancy Act, the Act of Summoning, Blood Act, Enchantment Act, Elemental Act, life and Death Act, Rune Act, Cosmic Act, and finally Alterations and Transmutation Act. All are classified as mages. I'm sure you've met one."
"True. But which one are you?"
Eryth pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Rune act"
"Oh, that's cool. Why were you trying to hide it?"
"That's cause Rune Act is so boring. I wish I was something like a Cosmic Act user."
"I think you are underestimating your abilities. Rune Act sounds like a very powerful act."
Eryth shrugged and shook his head. "At the moment all I can do is this." He outstretched his hand and a blue rune markings appeared around his palm. Merilth exclaimed as a small fire popped out of his hand.
"You can perform the elemental act?"
"Not only that." He picked up his sword and pulled it out of its scabbard. The sword then starts to glow blue with the rune marking around his wrist.
"Eryth, that's insane. Do you realize you just did the Elemental and Enchantment Act?"
"Meh," the brown-haired man shrugged. "What about you? What is the limit of your ability?"
A soft knock on the door made the two stay quiet. It was then they realized how quiet everywhere was.
Eryth picked up his sword and held it in his hand before holding the doorknob with the other.
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