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When Zellrid regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a cold, hard surface, which he immediately recognized as the stone floor of the castle, but when the arcanist struggled to sit up, he felt a sharp pain in his skull that pulsed like a second heartbeat. Every inch of his body throbbed fiercely, making it difficult to move. The world spun around him like a carnival ride gone awry. He could feel his bones grinding against each other, protesting even the slightest movement.
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While he lay there, zellrid was powerless when he saw the new state of Serana. She looked better than before, making him wonder how long he had been gone When he rose off the floor, zellrid saw her tears streaming down her cheeks. Even in her slumber, he moved closer to her body, wrapping his coat around her with his only remaining arm. He hugged her tightly.
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letting her know she was safe He desperately pondered what he could do to help her when suddenly she seized his hand in a desperate grasp and uttered a frail plea in a trembling voice, "Please end my life, for I am a threat to others. My craving is infinite and must be stopped before my desires take over again," he smiled.
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"Don't fret, Serana I'm here. You have nothing to fear. I cast a spell before offering you my hand so that you would not be repulsed by it. You don't even register the scent of blood other than mine."
Serana looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"You did what ?"
She whispered in disbelief, "You cunning fellow,
If I don't eat, I'll end up dead. Very smart of you."
Zellrid chuckled,
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"Don't worry, I'll be giving you my blood whenever you need it."
Following that, they heard a peculiar sound from outside the castle It was a sound that Zellrid had heard before—the sound of horses galloping towards the castle gates. He quickly got up from the floor, his body still aching from the recent battle, and helped Serana to her feet, holding onto her tightly as they made their way toward the window.
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Looking out, they saw a group of soldiers riding towards the castle. "Zellrid's words were laced with sarcasm while he was speaking,
"Figures. This is my life: constant trouble, and now I've got a bare-skinned vampire woman before me." Listen to me, Serana; put on the coat I gave you and come with me. Don't say anything; let me do the talking. They know who I am."
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Serana quickly put on the coat and followed Zellrid through the castle's winding corridors until they reached the main entrance. The soldiers had already dismounted their horses and were waiting at the gates. Zellrid recognized the leader of the group, a bald-bearded man with a stern expression and a scar across his cheek.
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"Zellrid, by order of King Edwin Nedin the 5th, we have come to collect you and bring you back to the kingdom," the leader spoke in a commanding voice.
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Zellrid felt his heart sink. He didn't know what they wanted from him. He said
"Leader Maro, you know this isn't the best time for that."
Maro's face twisted into a grimace. "I'm afraid I don't have a choice in the matter, Zellrid. The king's orders are absolute."
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Zellrid glanced over at Serana, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. He took a deep breath and turned back to Maro.
"Very well," he said.
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He motioned for Serana to come closer and put his arm around her, shielding her from view.
"This woman here is an apprentice of mine; I want you to take us both back together."
Maro cast an apprehensive eye toward Zellrid and Serana before eventually offering a blunt acknowledgment.
"Fine, but we will want to interrogate her too. Let's go."
As they walked past Maro, Zellrid leaned in and whispered,
"I know something is wrong—something that happened in Xeris, the capital, and that the king himself sent you to find me."
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Maro's face became serious, though he didn't speak. Zellrid went on, "I can only assume it has something to do with me." Maro sighed and looked away, abruptly steering the conversation in a different direction.
"What happened to your arm? Why is there only one?"
Zellrid replied sarcastically, "Why don't you take a look at your ass?"
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He was about to continue when Maro suddenly stopped in his tracks, his face turning pale. After a few moments of tense silence, he finally spoke.
"You don't know what happened in Xeris? You've been missing for weeks."
He looked away, unable to meet Zellrid's gaze.
"The king is dead, Zellrid. Assassinated."
Zellrid felt a chill run down his spine. The king had been a fair and just ruler, well-liked by all.
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"Who did it?"
He asked through gritted teeth. "We don't know for sure yet," Maro replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"There are rumors of a shadow organization working behind the scenes, but no one knows for sure. That's why the king was so desperate to find you. He believed you might have some insight into what was happening."
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Zellrid's heart pounded in his chest. The thought of the king being assassinated and a shadow organization, and why the king, why him He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Maro, we must journey to Xeris at once."
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they said before hopping up onto their steeds and setting off for the kingdom. Serana was thinking about what lay ahead for them while they rode, with the king's murder and the potential existence of a covert organization dominating their thoughts. As dusk fell, Zellrid led them off the main road and into a thick forest.
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"We'll camp here for the night,"
He said this while dismounting his horse and searching for a spot to set up camp. The others followed suit, setting up tents and starting a fire. When they got settled in for the night, Zellrid couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He scanned the surrounding forest, his senses on high alert.
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"I'll take the first watch," he said. Eventually wanted to make sure his friends were safe, but Maro had other plans.
"No," the commander said firmly. "I'll take the first watch. You get some rest, Zellrid."
He could see the reluctance in Zellrid's eyes, but he also knew that his friend was exhausted. He needed to rest, and Maro was determined to keep him safe.
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"Alright," Zellrid sighed, handing over his sword to Maro. "Wake me up if anything happens."
After Zellrid settled into his tent and closed his eyes, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. His mind was racing with thoughts of the shadow organization and what they might be capable of. Suddenly, he felt a strange energy pulsing through his body. He sat up and looked around, but everything appeared to be normal. However, when he looked up at the stars, he saw them swirling and dancing in the sky. Zellrid quickly fell asleep from exhaustion.
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But his dreams were still filled with wonder as he watched a phoenix soar through the sky alongside a storm pegasus. While he watched, the sky turned an eerie shade of red and a fierce wind picked up.
Zellrid felt his heart racing as he saw a figure cloaked in fire start to approach him. He gasped and stepped back, only to wake up with a jolt from his dream Zellrid let out a breath of relief and lay down again,
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trying to steady his beating heart. The soldiers were still in the same positions as before, and there was no indication of any impending danger Just as Zellrid stepped out of the tent, he spotted Maro sitting on a rock, gazing into the flickering orange flames of a campfire. The smoky scent of burning wood lingered in the air Zellrid approached Maro, taking a seat on the boulder next to him. They both sat in silence for a few moments, gazing into the flames as they cracked and popped.
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"You awake, commander?" Zellrid asked, breaking the silence. Maro nodded, his eyes still fixed on the fire. hold "I couldn't sleep. I have a bad feeling about what the future holds. Zellrid let out a long, frustrated sigh and slumped against the boulder. "I understand what you're saying, but why did you lie? Why'd you lead us to believe that the king was alive if he was dead? And how did he demand I come if he was already gone?"
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Maro squirmed in his seat, not taking his eyes off the flames. " his son commanded you to come; he has taken the reigns of power now. But you know Xerise is not the same as it was when you left. If the king dies and twelve others stay alive, that would be unbalanced; the gods need to be equal Zellrid furrowed his brow in thought. "Equal? What do you mean?" Maro finally turned his gaze away from the fire to look at Zellrid. "It's an old legend, one that's been passed down through generations of our people."
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Maro began.
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"The gods of our world are in constant balance. There must always be an equal number of gods for the world to function properly. If one god dies, another must take their place to maintain balance."
Zellrid frowned in confusion.
"But how does that relate to Xerise?" "Xerise is different," Maro said, a hint of fear creeping into his voice. "
The gods in our world are more than just symbolic figures or legends. They hold real power, and the
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The balance of their power is what keeps our world from falling apart. If that balance is upset, Xerise could be destroyed." Zellrid's eyes widened in shock. "Destroyed? How is that even possible?"
Maro's gaze shifted back to the fire. "I'm not sure. The legend is vague in the details.
But it's clear that if the balance is upset, the entire world will be consumed by chaos and darkness. It's something that must be avoided at all costs."
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Zellrid sat in silence for a few moments, letting Maro's words sink in. He had heard stories about the power of the gods, but never anything this dire. Suddenly, Zellrid remembered what Maro had said when they first arrived.
"You said before that King Edwin's death was mysterious; do you think it has something to do with the other gods?" Maro nodded slowly.
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"It's possible. King Edwin was a god,and his death would have upset the balance. his son now takes his place and does what he can to not upset the balance further; if not for him, we could be in real trouble.
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" Zellrid stood up, feeling a sense of urgency wash over him.
"We have to do something. We can't just sit here and let the world be destroyed."
Maro looked up at him with a flicker of hope in his eyes. "What can we do? We're just two mortals." Zellrid smiled down at Maro reassuringly. "We can't control the destiny of the world, but we can try to change it; after all, I made my own destiny. We'll find a way; I know it."
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With that, Zellrid remembered his most sage advice: "A wise man accepts what he cannot change and works diligently to improve the situation."
Tell me more about the other gods and kingdoms that you know; I am no competition for you when it comes to this knowledge Maro nodded, grateful for the distraction from his worries.
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"Well, there's the kingdom of Aetheria, ruled by the god Zephyrus. Their people are known for their mastery of air magic and flying beasts. Then there's Solara, ruled by Helios, god of the sun. Their people wield powerful fire magic and are known for their fierce warriors.
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" Zellrid listened intently, fascinated by the different kingdoms and their strengths.
"What about Avaloria?" "Ah, Avaloria," Maro said with a smile. "That's the kingdom of the goddess Seraphina. Her people are skilled in earth magic and are known for their beautiful gardens and massive structures."
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Zellrid nodded, taking mental notes of each kingdom and its specialties. "And what about the kingdom of Eldoria?" Maro's smile faded slightly at the mention of Eldoria. "That's the kingdom of the goddess Gaia. Her people are skilled in nature magic because of their connection with the land and its creatures. But Eldoria has been facing some troubles lately. There have been reports of strange creatures appearing and attacking their towns and villages."
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Zellrid's brow furrowed in concern. "Do you think it could be connected to God's imbalance?"
"It's possible," Maro said with a shrug. "But with so little information, it's hard to say for sure.
"Zellrid slowly stood, feeling the gravity of their discussion settle on his shoulders. "
We need to research some more and figure out what can be done," he offered before adding,
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"Maro, what else do you know about other kingdoms?" Maro tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, there's Zenithia—the city under the sea that is ruled by Syou, who is both a queen and a deity. They are known for their superior water magic and intricate underwater architecture.
"The astonishment was evident in Zellrid's eyes as he exclaimed, "A city beneath the waves? That's amazing! "Let me see what you know about Arcanterra." The corners of Maro's mouth turned up slightly as he began to tell the tale.
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"Arcanterra is governed by Meridian, the god of that realm. Their people excel in arcane magic and are renowned for their powerful spells, and it's the home of the arcanists—not quite like what I am familiar with," he concluded with a hint of sarcasm. Zellrid chuckled as he said,
"What can I say? You know I'm the one with mastery of the arcane arts." Maro laughed along with him.
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As the two of them sat in silence for a moment, Zellrid's mind raced with thoughts of the other kingdoms and their gods. "What about Lumina? I've heard they have some of the most skilled light magic users." Maro nodded in agreement.
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"Yes, Lumina is ruled by Lumos, the god of light. Their people are skilled in light magic and are known for their beautiful cities that glow like beacons in the night." Zellrid couldn't help but imagine the wondrous city from Maro's description. "And what about Astravia?"
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"Astravia is ruled by Astraeus, god of the stars," Maro replied, a look of wonder on his face. "Their people have a unique connection to the cosmos and are skilled in celestial magic. They also have access to advanced technologies powered by starlight. Additionally, I heard they have connections with a cosmic dragon called Astrlax, the celestial consort.
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Zellrid leaned forward, excitement building within him. "That's an incredible dragon; I would love to meet him . And what about Mythosia?"
"Ah, Mythosia," Maro said with a smirk. "That's the kingdom ruled by Lyra, the goddess of stories and music. Their people are known for their love of stories and are skilled in illusion magic. They weave their magic into their stories and songs, bringing them to life in a truly mesmerizing way."
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Zellrid couldn't help but feel drawn to the idea of Mythosia. "I've always loved storytelling. Maybe one day I'll travel there and learn from Lyra herself." Maro nodded with a smile on his face.
"I'm sure you would fit right in there. But for now, we must focus on our journey to the Xerise Kingdom. We have a long way to go before we can reach Xrise Kingdom."
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In a mocking tone, Zellrid said, "I'm sure Celestria is one place you would really like to visit, Maro." maro chuckled. "Oh yes, I'm sure Celestria is just a paradise for someone like me," he said, rolling his eyes. "But who knows, maybe I'll meet the 'best women of all kingdoms' that everyone talks about.
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"Zellrid smirked, knowing Maro's reputation as a ladies' man. "Or maybe you'll finally meet your match." They both laughed before settling back into a comfortable silence. Zellrid couldn't help but think of the other kingdoms they had discussed. He wondered what it would be like to explore the magical cities of Lumina, to gaze in wonder at the starry skies of Astravia, or to lose himself in the enchanting stories and music of Mythosia. But for now, he had a mission to complete and a kingdom to save.
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While the two of them sat there, watching the crackling flames of their campfire, Maro suddenly spoke up. "Speaking of gods and kings, have you ever wondered what it would be like to meet them in person?"
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Zellrid furrowed his brow in thought. "I suppose I have, but it's not like we mortals can just waltz up to the gods and ask for an audience." Maro grinned and looked down at his feet. "You don't have to," he said quietly. "I've been serving King Edwin of Xrise for over fifteen years now, but I've never met him once." He glanced back up at Zellrid with a twinkle in his eye.
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"But you know what they say—sometimes we don't all have happy endings. Maro lifted his brow in surprise as he saw Serana slumbering inside the Zellrid tenet. "What can you tell me about her, Zellrid?" Zellrid shifted his gaze towards the tent, a lingering feeling of hesitation weighing on him.
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"Serana...she's not like anyone I've ever met before," he said slowly. Maro raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "What do you mean?" Zellrid took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "She's a vampire," he said finally, watching as Maro's expression shifted to one of surprise. "A vampire?" Maro repeated, clearly taken aback. "How did you come to meet her?" As Zellrid gazed upon the void where his arm once resided, memories of his encounters with Serana flooded back to him.
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"She tried to kill me multiple times," he admitted. "But eventually, we formed a sort of alliance." Maro raised an eyebrow. "An alliance with a vampire? That's certainly unconventional." Zellrid nodded, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "She's not like the stories portray vampires to be. She's...different. I don't fully understand her yet, but I know that I can trust her."
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Maro leaned back, deep in thought. "Interesting. And what about your arm? What happened there?" Zellrid's face froze for a moment as he remembered the pain of Serana's fangs piercing through his flesh. "She attacked me," he said slowly. "But then something strange happened. An unknown energy engulfed me like a shield of flames, rescuing me from inevitable destruction." Maro leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "A shield of flames?" Zellrid nodded. "It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I barely know where it came from or what it was, but it saved my life." Maro stroked his chin.
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Thoughtfully. "There's certainly more to this vampire than meets the eye. I think we should keep a close eye on her." Zellrid nodded in agreement, still unable to shake off the memory of Serana's fangs sinking into his skin. He couldn't deny the fact that he was drawn to her, despite the danger she posed.
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As the two continued their discussion, Zellrid couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Serana could hide Out of nowhere, Zellrid noticed a single blue light. He hurriedly told Maro to prepare for the worst, warning him that Zalobnyk usually attacks in large numbers and that they would both be in serious danger if they were caught.
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Maro spoke, his voice a question: "Zalo what?" zellrid with a manner of immediateness, rushed to explain, "Zalobnyk! It's a creature that feeds on souls. Its master, known as the sorroweaver, feeds on the souls that the zalo catches. "In addition, he mutilates his victim's emotions."
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Maro's face paled as he grabbed his sword. "We must be careful then. Do you know where it is?" zellrid shouted, "Hand me back the sword I gave you earlier; be quick!" Maro handed Zellrid the sword, and Zellrid said, "I will wake up Serana so she can protect the soldiers and the camp." Maro has watched nervously since Zellrid entered the tent and kneeled beside Serana, shaking her shoulder gently.
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Her red eyes fluttered open, filled with confusion and fear at being woken up so suddenly. Zellrid spoke softly to her, his words carrying an air of urgency. "Serana, I need your help. There's a creature called Zalabnyk that's coming, and it's dangerous. We need you to protect the soldiers and the camp."
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Serana quickly got up from her bed and followed Zellrid outside the tent, where Maro was waiting for them. They could see the blue light growing brighter in the distance shortly after they stepped out. Zellrid and Maro took up defensive positions, while Serana stood in the center, her eyes scanning the area.
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The blue light grew brighter and brighter until it was blinding, and the sound of whistling filled the air. Unexpectedly, more than fifty Zolabnyk appeared, and Serana bared her sharp fangs; her eyes were redder than the blood itself. Maro noticed this and said to Zellrid, "I hope you know what you are doing. She is more frightening than any zalobnyk." Zellrid answered, "Oh yeah, wait until you see the Sorrowweaver Maro. I will draw them out of the camp. and Serana can protect them, okay?"
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Serana nodded, watching Zellrid speed toward the monsters with one arm. She questioned how he could possibly protect himself with merely one hand. Maro jolted his soldiers awake with an angry tone. "Rise up, you scoundrels! We have monsters to fight; we can't rely on a woman and a defenseless Arcanist."While the soldiers scrambled to their feet,
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Serana studied their faces, noticing the fear etched in every one of them. She knew that they were not ready for this battle, but that didn't matter now. They needed her protection, and she wouldn't let them down. The Zalabnyk were coming closer, and Zellrid shouted for them to follow him, grumbling under his breath, "I can't stand these creatures; fallow me, Zaloshit. I remember the grandmaster talking about "
"Zalobnyk—a creature who towered over the land with its bony frame; it glowed with blue light, and veins illuminated from within its skin. Its face was distorted and twisted, with eyes aglow in an azure sheen, while its robes moved like underwater seaweed. With it came closer, melodic whispers were trapping those nearby. The dazzling blue glow of this spectral being lures people in and leads them toward misery and despair; if one is caught by it, the last thing they will hear is a faint whisper. Ugh, I feel like I'm talking just like him now."
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Serana observed the way Zellrid took the Zalobnyk away from their encampment, along with
Maro followed along after shouting, "I got you, Zellrid!"
Serana sat by while Zellrid and Maro led the Zalobnyk deep into the woods. She knew that Zellrid was a skilled arcanist, but she couldn't help but worry about his one arm. However, it seemed that he wasn't letting his injury hold him back as he deftly dodged Zalobnyk's attacks with his lightning-fast movements. Maro was no slouch either, as he used his swordsmanship to deliver deadly strikes at the creatures.
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Although they continued to fight, Serana's attention was drawn to the soldiers behind her. They were trembling with fear, and some of them had even dropped their weapons. Serana knew that they were not prepared for this kind of battle, but she couldn't let them break down now. She turned around to face them and shouted, "Stand your ground! Fight with honor or die with shame!"
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The soldiers looked at Serana, and for a moment, their fear seemed to subside as they saw the determination in her eyes. They picked up their weapons and prepared to face the Zalobnyk crowd.
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Serana knew she had to do something to lend them a hand. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and felt the power within her as it coursed through her veins like a rushing river. When she opened her eyes again, a burning light enveloped her while blood magick sparked around her fingertips. She raised her hands and released a searing beam of blood toward the Zalobnyk, forcing them to scream in discomfort and fear.
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At this point, Zellrid and Maro took advantage of the diversion and kept fighting. Zellrid declared to Maro, "The one who kills more will be the victor". Maro accepted the challenge, although he wasn't in much of a joking mood. They both began slaying the group of Zalobnyk, Maro with his sword, and Zellrid with fast thrusts and lightning-quick strikes.
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Once Zellrid had slain the last of the Zalobnyk, he warned Maro that the true challenge was yet to come: the Sorrowweaver It was then that they heard the mournful wails and cries coming from deep within the forest. The sound filled their hearts with a cold dread, as they knew what lay ahead. With determination etched on their faces, they continued their journey into the heart of the forest.
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While going deeper into the woods, the air grew thick with the stench of decay and the foreboding feeling of impending danger. Zellrid and Maro clutched their weapons tightly, ready for whatever lay ahead.
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In a flash, a figure emerged from the darkness ahead. The Sorrowweaver stood in the distance. Its body was burnt and charred, and its white hair was matted and tangled with bits and pieces of flesh.
His white hair falls over his shoulders in long, uneven strands, like a stream of scarlet veins.
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The mournful creature stood before them, its body a cross-collaboration of bodies fused together, its gigantic eyes a piercing blue, and its head held high. Its body was tall and thin, standing a good twenty feet tall, with long and bony ends ending in hainlongs with long fingers. The creature exuded a cold, unearthly aura, a godliness that made the two feel as if they were nothing but bugs. "I can't believe it," Maro said to Zellrid. "You weren't joking around. "That ugly thing is huge."
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Zellrid shook his head. "It's not as bad as it seems. He's still young."
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"What are his weaknesses?" Maro folded his arms
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Zellrid explained. "Unfortunately, he doesn't have any."
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The two friends were thrown into a moment of tension, not sure how to go on now that the conversation had become so unpleasant. The Sorroweaver said to them, "You are too weak to defeat us; we are one." The flesh screamed in terror. "
zellrid replied "We! Is your mother joining us?" Maro gave Zellrid a stern look. "Now is certainly not the time for jokes, Zellrid." Zellrid raised his eyebrow. "I'm just trying to lighten the mood here," he said. "We're facing a giant monster that feeds on sadness, and I thought a little humor would help us all." Maro shook his head. "This isn't funny, Zellrid. Look at that thing. It's horrifying."
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The Sorroweaver let out a deafening roar, causing the ground to shake beneath their feet. "You cannot defeat us," it repeated. Maro inhaled deeply and took a step forward. "We may not be able to take you on by our lonesome, but we have something that you don't—an insane one-armed arcanistand who's ready for this fight."
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