20Please respect copyright.PENANAAbYj7DLaS1
We finally open our eyes as the bright light looses its effect. The curtains start coming down. But stop before fully coming down it looses its power.20Please respect copyright.PENANAV4QiLGwI12
20Please respect copyright.PENANAvhK7HxG35B
“Come on Ronin” Warzheil says as he gets on my back again “We need to get off this bridge. Before both the colossus collapse under the bridge.”20Please respect copyright.PENANA7P8BsWm72G
20Please respect copyright.PENANAQrol9NIZ14
“What is this colossus you are talking about?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAGIqGhsOh5X
20Please respect copyright.PENANADC02J2xOih
“I will tell you as you run, we still have some way to go before we get off this bridge” he replies when suddenly the bridge trembles and a booming sound resonates in the surrounding.20Please respect copyright.PENANAOBDTdxARPw
20Please respect copyright.PENANA8LIkLTh4mH
“Start running Ronin lad!” he shouts as he bonks my heads.20Please respect copyright.PENANANCQhjonn9Y
20Please respect copyright.PENANA6PzeXgitXr
“Fine, why are you getting so restless?. Although even I know a booming sound so loud and the bridge trembling can never be good.” I say as I have an Idea of what’s happening.20Please respect copyright.PENANASXMD9kmCgV
20Please respect copyright.PENANAzRuNINwX1X
“I will guess, something was holding up this bridge and now that the bridge no longer has power, its collapsing?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAjqdAgmFAq5
20Please respect copyright.PENANAGIL63VKgBY
“That saves me a lot of explanation lad, yes, now listen closely, there are 2 to 4 colossi under that bridge, giant and more sturdier versions of Dratnir soldiers. They are the redeemers of the bridge.” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAEWg2UugHE8
20Please respect copyright.PENANAmbb10wb8UI
“Hmm?” I ask with a grunt as I run.20Please respect copyright.PENANAaqYzcbePXa
“Hmm” he gives back a short grunts as an approval “Normally, if someone succeeds in destroying the 4 Dratnir Soldiers on the bridge, which have weakened over time, the colossus under the bridge will awaken and track the one who destroyed them and hunt them, destroying the bridge in the process.”20Please respect copyright.PENANA0IuXu5iG4t
he says20Please respect copyright.PENANAaaNk9z8tY5
20Please respect copyright.PENANAMzUiM2ntss
“I would not sleep for days if something that big came for me. Wait don’t tell me that it’s going to chase us!” I ask in a voice full of fear, although that’s highly unlikely, but I don’t want to die just yet.20Please respect copyright.PENANACZtnIjkLRJ
20Please respect copyright.PENANABNgVN2MxAd
“I don’t think it will chase us because the bridge has lost all its power.” He replies and continues20Please respect copyright.PENANAtApz59gWIG
20Please respect copyright.PENANAMpVhNO0Dil
"Bridges are sacred, lad. No one's dumb enough to break them. Unless you’ve got wings, a warship, or a death wish, you’re not crossing these rivers. Although boats are only a one way travel.”20Please respect copyright.PENANARwY3fo5kli
20Please respect copyright.PENANAkBl4ErIRbC
A one way travel huh? The current of this river did seemed powerful even though that gap near the supply station.20Please respect copyright.PENANAK1wZ3E7Pgl
20Please respect copyright.PENANAv0NGaTQe4e
We have been running for hours now and now, finally, I feel like I can sleep soon.20Please respect copyright.PENANABaL0miaFvJ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAhiVJMKu1Aq
“Oh! There the exit, finally! I feel very hungry.” Warzheil says as I hear a grumbling of his stomach.20Please respect copyright.PENANAP36t87qMaG
20Please respect copyright.PENANAJLuvNUPPc9
“Oldman did you fart on me!?” I ask enraged20Please respect copyright.PENANAtADEivWIm4
20Please respect copyright.PENANAMMxbDF6HL2
“Hey, I can’t help it you know, don’t you feel the nature’s call too?” he says20Please respect copyright.PENANAkzTclSWQkw
20Please respect copyright.PENANAYgE4m3HEPK
“You going to eat food or answer the nature’s call? Do one at a time, Well now that you mention it, I also need to take a break, but first lets set up camp.” I say on which Warzheil agrees.20Please respect copyright.PENANADhcddTkoXl
20Please respect copyright.PENANAvdwkdx4pLc
We both get off the bridge and a few minutes after we witness such a massive bridge get swept by the fast flow of the Kobe river. The walls on its borders breaking, even though we are almost 2 kilometres away from the other end of the bridge I can still see it, the dine pavement age against test of time twist as the structure under it is swept away forcibly20Please respect copyright.PENANAAsY8dcmjei
20Please respect copyright.PENANALwNVFEyHwO
“First we need to do something about Drax. We can’t just take him with us, from this point forth it’s the demon lord’s area. And my forge is also there.” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANA9iAnfU8UM9
20Please respect copyright.PENANAC9bkNKThVw
“How about we cremate him? Although on Earth, that is supposed to be the child’s right,” I suggest.
“Yes, Drax has a daughter. And although this is supposed to be a secret only I and Drax knew, since you are his god, I will let you in on it.” he replies.20Please respect copyright.PENANAwxGccgWn2y
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0CzrXO6QUv
“What Secret? Spill it, I am not the one for cliffhangers.” I say very much interested in secret of his, expecting to get some wisdom that will help me to move forward in this world.20Please respect copyright.PENANA9Bcv3lR8Pc
20Please respect copyright.PENANABBNDcXSOgu
Warzheil sighed. "That girl doesn’t know the truth. She thinks her mother was human."20Please respect copyright.PENANALnPzr8iaFZ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAXvIg0QdbZe
Ronin raised an eyebrow. "And?"20Please respect copyright.PENANA2aJ0kKIlPP
20Please respect copyright.PENANAfLPd2XqZWS
Before Warzheil could finish, his mouth snapped shut. Like some unseen force had sealed it.20Please respect copyright.PENANA5SOQ2zScSH
20Please respect copyright.PENANAoOj9bVSCWF
“I am guessing too much but … its Ethis right?” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANA4hpb9n4Nye
20Please respect copyright.PENANAC1NuIV8urx
Warzheil nods with an angry expression, current rising on his hands.20Please respect copyright.PENANA06VOa5VZQ3
20Please respect copyright.PENANAyNPCcIPAdc
“Yes, it seems like she doesn’t want you to know.” he says when suddenly the flow of wind feels different.20Please respect copyright.PENANApHtPQJriTt
20Please respect copyright.PENANAY38nq7qVyk
We turn our heads towards the woods where a light starts to form into humanoid shape.20Please respect copyright.PENANAPecqZvFSPW
20Please respect copyright.PENANA8iN4OlH0za
“You broke your promise Warzheil!” the light speaks in a voice with a mix of distress and frustration.20Please respect copyright.PENANAcFJlyMbYbn
20Please respect copyright.PENANAACPgLvo9Qj
“Someone told me not too long ago that she had more pressing matters than to accept my request, a mortal’s request.” I say with sarcasm20Please respect copyright.PENANAPvGuzp0apR
20Please respect copyright.PENANA97aItMv8BZ
“Do not be mistaken Ronin, I came here because this dwarf broke his promise.” Ethis says20Please respect copyright.PENANArLxDd0S6mc
20Please respect copyright.PENANA1wNILUdZt8
“Goddess Ethis here fell in love with Drax. They named their child Gloria and I was there, it was a secret affair that only few knew, including Zamaba.” Warzheil says but the goddess doesn’t looks pleased.20Please respect copyright.PENANAjlkHrPPdpj
20Please respect copyright.PENANAdGeSPVGkTk
“Stop! Stop at once Dwarf” she says in a threatening voice20Please respect copyright.PENANAoPSZvPOVck
20Please respect copyright.PENANAOD1OVPJVpr
“Gloria thinks her mother was human and died when she was born.” Warzheil continues as if unbothered by Ethis’s presence.20Please respect copyright.PENANA2nRnSGJZpv
20Please respect copyright.PENANABTWDDJX4ud
“That is enough, Mortal!” This time she seem pissed off as she summons a spear of light and throws it on Warzheil.20Please respect copyright.PENANAE058t5kzHX
20Please respect copyright.PENANAMq4befxJuS
I can’t just let the Dwarf die. The divine spear hiss through the air, heat radiating like a dying star. The unseen barrier around me flared in the slightest, devouring its glow before it completely vanishes just like it appeared from Ethis’ hand.20Please respect copyright.PENANAYVFQXCbzjc
20Please respect copyright.PENANAz4V69pL7Zb
20Please respect copyright.PENANARaRMFyf6dJ
“What was that lad?” Warzheil says in wonder “I thought I was seeing things earlier but I got to ask, how did you do that?”20Please respect copyright.PENANAgpYlvCuHlJ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAgXpK8DjCKO
“Anomaly, do not stand in my way, unless you want to make enemy of us gods!” she says, her anger palpable.20Please respect copyright.PENANAw2pnRyq0eV
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0NhSvQAa2q
“Calm down both of you, Ethis, I did not expect gods to have such lack of patience, and Oldman, stop pushing your luck. What are you both? Enemies?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANABSfV6hpyy5
20Please respect copyright.PENANAF4EYRHMkIV
“You don’t know anything yet, lad, she was watching! She saw that Drax was weak, and instead of trying to save her husband, she just watched! How can I ever forgive her!” he yells at Ethis.20Please respect copyright.PENANAazinh5KqPd
20Please respect copyright.PENANA6HYMcSlCYh
The very air trembles as Ethis opposes with her voice going from low to a loud one, stirring the very wind and the ground trembles as the pebbles jump.20Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4b75vDMQo
20Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0Q6SoLjwO
“Don’t speak as if you know anything!”20Please respect copyright.PENANAftiAMPHvqO
She says then pauses as If forcing a breath.20Please respect copyright.PENANAWBas4LXeIw
20Please respect copyright.PENANA28qW8Huxze
Ethis clenched her fists. "You think I didn’t try?" Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "I… I did. But I was bound. Chained by the King of the Heavens.”20Please respect copyright.PENANAyeafETonb1
20Please respect copyright.PENANAYfEaT0ARpk
“He had plotted with Zamba, and by aiding him from the shadows, he got rid of the greatest threat to his throne. And I could do was watch."
Ethis’ voice wavered, strained as if she were holding back tears. A cold wind swept through the clearing, rustling the trees like whispered judgment. She lowered her gaze, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"I... I couldn’t do anything."
20Please respect copyright.PENANA6h6Elj8Zms
20Please respect copyright.PENANAX3uAgJfQga
Even gods fight in this accursed world huh?
20Please respect copyright.PENANAVHYIIZuE3n
“That’s some seriously messed-up family dynamics,” I say “A daughter not knowing her mother, a father that believed in some god even though he is one and that too faith in someone who might not even exist, and a mother and wife who is bound by world’s laws while her husband wasn’t?, and above all, gods who sound like they would come crying out of the skies if I started roasting them.” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAp3q7ZvBHfZ
20Please respect copyright.PENANActD1eUNofr
There is a silence, Ethis doesn’t say anything on my last comment.20Please respect copyright.PENANAqvS9owCc6Q
20Please respect copyright.PENANAUT91zmtQU5
“Drax was a mortal, hundreds of thousands of years ago. He achieved godhood by his devotion to the god he believed in so that god cannot be fake.” Ethis says.20Please respect copyright.PENANAbqhzHiwzCh
20Please respect copyright.PENANARzPs4NzONo
“What? You are telling me that god is real?” Warzheil shot back in surprise.20Please respect copyright.PENANA5fBvQ1A6Fe
20Please respect copyright.PENANAh9JjajB6ge
“I cannot answer that further, I have their eyes on me now. All I ask is the right to cremate my husband and see him off one last time.” She says turning to me.
20Please respect copyright.PENANAp0R2VEm29R
“What do I get by letting you, who ditched my devotee of whom I am supposed to be god of?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAf3K5mBAyaM
20Please respect copyright.PENANAlBINkw3crZ
“I-Right, I will tell you when your sister or her family is in danger.” She says20Please respect copyright.PENANAERjCOug5Ah
20Please respect copyright.PENANA7dIljkMblE
“You know trade. What do you say Oldman?” I ask Warzheil20Please respect copyright.PENANAbasFPXlv2z
20Please respect copyright.PENANAk8CyTGg6nG
“Suit yourselves, I am in foul mood.” He says
We decide to cremate Drax’s body in a secluded place, I could see many bright energies leaving the skeleton of this dead god who considered me his god, the simple place around him becomes full of flora as the skeleton turns into ashes.
Carefully, we gather the ashes and place them in a cloth, Ethis tries to take it but Warzheil snatches and stows it in his small space pocket.20Please respect copyright.PENANAU4drMGaqP1
“This is for Gloria not you.” He says, on which Ethis steps back under her veil of light and nods as she disappears.20Please respect copyright.PENANAN92mBlUZMk
20Please respect copyright.PENANAPh1G5GbDIX
The air felt heavier after Ethis left.
Warzheil didn’t speak.
Neither did I.
There was nothing left to say. We set up camp in silence, the river’s roar the only sound between us. Then, the old dwarf stood up, rubbing his gut.
20Please respect copyright.PENANAFEk1cGSODP
“Right. Nature calls.” He says as he walks towards the woods.20Please respect copyright.PENANAb3T5MY8CpU
20Please respect copyright.PENANAAMBTVQnwgZ
I waved him off, leaning back against a rock. Finally, a moment to breathe. Or so I thought—until the trees shook.20Please respect copyright.PENANADfadytGXjv
20Please respect copyright.PENANAarx86IbwTg
“Hey! At least leave the pocket with the things in it.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAae3EzFOspW
Warzheil throws the pocket at me, which I almost drop but manage to catch it.20Please respect copyright.PENANAUDXpQkB2Nx
20Please respect copyright.PENANAqAnw97SZB6
Minutes pass as I grow more and more concerned, Warzheil isn’t back. I was about to get up to find him but I notice the trees shake as it something was coming out of it, so I ready my spear, but instead Warzheil comes running.20Please respect copyright.PENANA2H2I4s4ltm
20Please respect copyright.PENANAfNQbT3kTeH
“You sure took your time!” I shout but he doesn’t look very happy as right behind him, a giant T-rex tears through the forest into the clearing near the shore of the river.20Please respect copyright.PENANAbO6Q2dMcs1
20Please respect copyright.PENANAUsYZrPcibM
“Is that a freaking Tyrannosaurus?” I ask as my expression distorts into the same as Warzheil.20Please respect copyright.PENANAvbi67SVdl6
20Please respect copyright.PENANAjUBx8ZzKLT
But this one seems different then what I know, it has armour like things all around its body except some parts.20Please respect copyright.PENANAjVzbgsHVxr
20Please respect copyright.PENANArQrnPkVzeN
“It has Earth element, my lighting only tickles it, sick lizard ambushed me just when I finished my stuff together!” he says20Please respect copyright.PENANA4T6K48Ptq4
20Please respect copyright.PENANAautA5xOhCZ
I almost burst into a laugh at Warzheil, but I try to control it and throw my spear, this time with its plasma tip on. It did little as it deflects from the armour around its eye, its smart, it knew where I would aim and dodged it.20Please respect copyright.PENANA48hzIPMQ8a
20Please respect copyright.PENANAVAHUsQRQru
It's eyes glow as it makes a sound as if a giant eagle was trying to compete with a lion’s roar, my ears feel itchy from its sound.20Please respect copyright.PENANArALEGSPxtT
20Please respect copyright.PENANAoF0ZjPYh0S
Suddenly the ground erupts as a pillar made of soil hits me, I imagined I would go flying but instead end up staggering. Surprisingly I don’t feel much impact from it, in fact I left a big dents on the place I stomped.20Please respect copyright.PENANAz9jZQ1dygY
20Please respect copyright.PENANAHijUu51VyH
Seeing such progressions in my strength I feel compelled to try out my power, so I sprint, and the beast takes notice of me, trying to stomp me as I try to get my spear back, but it fails, I take the spear and try cutting through it but the heat is not enough to cleave its flesh deeply.20Please respect copyright.PENANAg5s8mLNuNx
20Please respect copyright.PENANA4EeaKd60Ss
The beast tries to stomp me again but Warzheil throws his hammer which staggers the beast.20Please respect copyright.PENANAqD9o3b8qSu
20Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2F8NJIzZd
I use the chance go for its eye again. Using my agility I climb the giant beast and impale its left eye. The plasma spear does its job as fire erupts from its eye and the beast is felled.20Please respect copyright.PENANAcHZZvWKX59
20Please respect copyright.PENANAZpbZvTXpaU
Bull’s eye, no, Dino’s eye.20Please respect copyright.PENANAB5PvxhTQuB
20Please respect copyright.PENANArQDqHfUPiP
“You knew eye was its weak spot?” Warzheil heil says as he approach me.20Please respect copyright.PENANAvkvGnOmq1m
I stare at Warzheil at first, then as he gets closer I cannot control and burst into laugh.20Please respect copyright.PENANA9o66LzkKIu
“Hey lad, listen…”20Please respect copyright.PENANAvewttxxLRn
I start laughing “So, A beast fell for you just by watching you take a dump?!” I say. Only after processing the joke for a second, Warzheil starts laughing too.20Please respect copyright.PENANAWCTflYDLDt
20Please respect copyright.PENANAzMrVxx5m67
20Please respect copyright.PENANA55dERfGfwn
“*laughs* I need to note that down. *Laugh*, its been a while since I heard a good old joke.” he says laughing20Please respect copyright.PENANAFrpqLb24V1
20Please respect copyright.PENANAnuRyMYhkgd
I prepare the fire again which was extinguished by the T-rex’s movements “Now you know I wasn’t lying when I said I am old.”20Please respect copyright.PENANAwHVWrZBLAA
20Please respect copyright.PENANAxEDnO7LXyg
I had already prepared the space by making it’s ground soft using my spear’s knob and also set up the fire using its plasma, But Warzheil takes out a small tent-like thing form his pocket.20Please respect copyright.PENANA1OMgJvPpUE
20Please respect copyright.PENANADOoDCSB6S4
“How did you even fit things in that small space?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAVuAWVucTB3
20Please respect copyright.PENANAOIUlDKvjl7
“Hey, you might not know it but, these pockets are so rare I could make a new hammer out of the metals I would get out of selling even one of these” He says almost flexing something I don’t understand.20Please respect copyright.PENANA8zGaV93NBv
20Please respect copyright.PENANAgquyTRA1LP
“You do realise I have no idea of how that’s supposed to tell me its worth right?” I say giving him a stare.20Please respect copyright.PENANAxCiVx3kPyZ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAZCOMlZflbl
“*Sigh* So now I need to teach you the basics too. Fine, listen to me….” Warzheil goes on to explain the trade and commerce of this world.20Please respect copyright.PENANAlXHHtib4xR
20Please respect copyright.PENANAhurnhw2ryk
According to what I understand, this world have abundance of gold, It’s almost like dirt here, so much so that if I were to filter the water of Kobe river, I would fill up a 1 litre bottle full of gold scrapes in 5 hours.20Please respect copyright.PENANAGMWBYpQtZe
20Please respect copyright.PENANAYa4GHsbuvg
Platinum is where the normal trading starts, and silver is rarer than platinum here. The most Rich people store riches in the banks here known as Commerce guild, store riches in Adamantium, orichalcum and Uru, I find it hard that the metals from myths on Earth are real here.20Please respect copyright.PENANAtjI3cWlXKS
20Please respect copyright.PENANAJXTtkRp93A
“So your hammer is made of….” I ask but Warzheil almost immediately replies as if proud of his hammers.20Please respect copyright.PENANAIMldG3OXiQ
20Please respect copyright.PENANA76dHDNpVpU
“They are made from dark Uru, A metal so rare that if someone knew that my hammer is made of them, entire kingdoms would come after me.” Warzheil says.20Please respect copyright.PENANA5kooKdF2LJ
“So you are a rich Dwarf?” I ask almost drooling.20Please respect copyright.PENANAqAa2I6EbYE
20Please respect copyright.PENANAEg04qTeimh
20Please respect copyright.PENANA4Kpp6ULUin
“So, if I were to sell one of my pockets, I would get 2 Dark Uru ingots for them.” He says20Please respect copyright.PENANAsrUM8YhoCB
20Please respect copyright.PENANAk5v6PBtHKS
“That’s crazy.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAhe3teAyfsd
20Please respect copyright.PENANAuWhSPKuQxL
“Well your weapon is not bad as well, I think it’s made of Collosium? I can smell it.” He says20Please respect copyright.PENANAMQiJhEHss3
20Please respect copyright.PENANAhf2wipdUd9
“It’s called Titanium and wait You can smell metals?” I ask with skepticism.20Please respect copyright.PENANAmkVTNRoldQ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAjJFKyxywoS
“I am a blacksmith, of course I can smell metal. So anything else?” He asks20Please respect copyright.PENANAhq3Ph5bBUL
20Please respect copyright.PENANA6WKgeomiaL
“Wait, what about diamonds?” I ask.20Please respect copyright.PENANA6T78mndkNW
20Please respect copyright.PENANA9facgv59On
“Oh those? They are used to make mirrors, ornaments, tools, mage’s staffs and many other things.” He says as if it’s normal.20Please respect copyright.PENANA5oPoT5Cl7U
20Please respect copyright.PENANAUhSuJH3Cir
“Not in trade?” I ask, confusion evident.20Please respect copyright.PENANA31toSzFnyd
“No, they are like stones lying everywhere in dungeons, mines and mountains.” He says.20Please respect copyright.PENANAqEVURz8uRm
20Please respect copyright.PENANADS5XeTiBd8
20Please respect copyright.PENANAwYW8sF8ngA
We rest for half of the day, I try to process the ridiculousness of this world.20Please respect copyright.PENANAEvXhl77iaj
It is almost everything that Earth isn’t, full of resources, flora and fauna.20Please respect copyright.PENANAUqmnm84Xqy
20Please respect copyright.PENANAdytNWPcMeo
I remember about the book I found in the forest when I woke up and search for it but can’t find it so I ask Warzheil about it, thankfully he saw it coming out of my torn suit when I was asleep on other side of the river so he hands me the book with a curious look, but suppresses the urge to ask about it.20Please respect copyright.PENANAgWVo3gnGaU
20Please respect copyright.PENANA8Y6wxkVnZK
I open the book and this time it lets me open new pages, and it seems like I have missed some of its page.20Please respect copyright.PENANAItfuaqnFAQ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAi9wMPQrUKc
I read it for a while and realise that it’s the outline of my journey so far, to clear my suspicion I turn another page but the blur effect occurs again, I sense it more clearly now, but this time instead of going back to the previous page again, some text appears on the page.20Please respect copyright.PENANAsQ5e6g1L9c
20Please respect copyright.PENANAV4QJKICpju
“The night fall will deem the owl worthy, its prey will have no path to escape, but the night houses many threats, beware beyonder.” Is what the text says on the book.20Please respect copyright.PENANAprUKuBzXhs
20Please respect copyright.PENANAQk13mBOzad
I rub my eyes as I turn the book into a head rest and sleep, I don’t have the mood to translate some encrypted riddle. Maybe my Sanskrit has dulled over time. What does and owl have to do with being worth of night.20Please respect copyright.PENANAOkbm4x002Y
20Please respect copyright.PENANAjPEGiVL4tt
I think as I let my tiredness take over me.20Please respect copyright.PENANAsQY0cBnVHk
20Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ3oSCnDeJ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAnVqKU8u3gi
20Please respect copyright.PENANAnvXDYTb5Lh
The next sun rises, Warzheil tries to wake me up, but I feel like a sloth, and in my laziness half of that day pass, heat on its peak as the sun hangs high in the sky, I finally wake up from sweating. I may need to find a place to take a bath soon.20Please respect copyright.PENANAWDwWU2lZu0
20Please respect copyright.PENANA5zLvwEGNZP
“Oh, finally awake, huh?” Warzheil says as I get out of the small tent.20Please respect copyright.PENANAQXJend7hAk
20Please respect copyright.PENANAyHtT7Q6Ce6
“*Yawn* so, what did I miss?”20Please respect copyright.PENANAtLzxkiqgug
20Please respect copyright.PENANAYCq1gmUSB4
“The plan to get into my forge, that’s what you missed.” He says as he hits on a very good looking Talwar on his makeshift force area. But then he cools down the sword and puts out the fire by pouring water in it from a bucket near him. The fire makes a hissing sound as it dies.20Please respect copyright.PENANAh1nHPvMJFF
20Please respect copyright.PENANAt1koucbC5N
Warzheil starts to put some of those things back in his pocket.20Please respect copyright.PENANACjFrCFJozv
20Please respect copyright.PENANAetXkez0PfQ
“I can’t believe it no matter how many times I see it, no wonder it’s so expensive. How about you sell one of those and make me a dark Uru weapon too?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANA0NKiGNjKic
20Please respect copyright.PENANARGpTYuEdVZ
“You should quite talking small when you are in presence of THE legendary blacksmith, lad. How do you think I got to know Drax? I am the best blacksmith of this era. Drax also had to admit when he lost to me in weapon forging duel. I have 7 ingots of Dark Uru ingots, dozens of Uru and few hundreds of orichalcum and adamantium ingots in my forge. I may look like a smelly old dwarf but I can buy kingdoms if I want to.” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAQ61dBuxTMl
20Please respect copyright.PENANAzo7d0XLGTV
“Thats one way to flex your wealth I guess.” I say, In a flat voice.20Please respect copyright.PENANAXr5y1ELG3O
20Please respect copyright.PENANA3uDqEokGyq
“You are boring you know that, Lad, At least act to be excited. I worked my ass of to get them. Don’t you want to be rich? If it were someone else they would be out for my blood right now” Warzheil says in a plain voice too as he unfolds a big map.20Please respect copyright.PENANABGceuIaVfX
20Please respect copyright.PENANAAPCcWOszb6
“Don’t get me wrong, I have always liked money, it makes life much easier. Maybe I should earn lot of money and then retire somewhere peaceful? But you and I both know I can’t, not right now at least. I have 2 contracts to fulfil, one is Geolard’s and another is Drax’s.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANA30ayhe5jBt
20Please respect copyright.PENANAlg1x9Dwaox
“So, even my riches cannot bring out your greedy side huh?” he says20Please respect copyright.PENANAHc04QzAKrY
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0sCwalSJ5g
“Nice try, Oldman, but you don’t know me enough just yet, I wouldn’t be THE legendary Hitman on Earth if I succumbed to greed. Smart people die winning, wise are those who win against life’s baffling choices.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAIuVqWR20Jm
20Please respect copyright.PENANAF78fOU1Eoi
“Ok, enough philosophy, now look here.” Warzheil says pointing in the map.20Please respect copyright.PENANAqFbGA4YVyp
20Please respect copyright.PENANAz4AgupbpzX
“This right here is the Northern Kobe Forest” he says pointing to the top centre of the map with a sketch of a forest.20Please respect copyright.PENANAOymrIW9QeT
20Please respect copyright.PENANA18EDlOmcQm
“We are now in the southern Kobe Forest, where the Demon Lord have Goblins as their allied forces.” He says sliding his finger to the right of the map across the sketch of the river into another forest on the other side of the map and stops his finger on some kind of hammer and anvil that is drawn over the map manually.20Please respect copyright.PENANADIgKHjd3O9
20Please respect copyright.PENANAfdTyGhKw4s
“And this right here is my old forge, not many days ago I was almost captured by the goblins.” He said20Please respect copyright.PENANA3T32kqk2W4
20Please respect copyright.PENANAp3UMhdiVTh
“Why?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAoeiEfKP8yy
20Please respect copyright.PENANA3r99s9jC0u
“That’s what they are, wandering tribes of ever polluting green shits. The demon lord wanted me to work under him to make weapons for his generals and armies, but thanks to Drax’s letter I prepared to leave just when the goblins started their capture on my forge, maybe he knew it was going to happen so he sent me the letter on the right time. But I ended up screwing up big time and the goblins chased me for days.” Warzheil explains.20Please respect copyright.PENANAdBL0zxrmO0
20Please respect copyright.PENANAKkbQEGb0mQ
“I am starting to understand your struggle now. So, what’s your plan?” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAXqRd5reVAB
20Please respect copyright.PENANAEJ0XODSPTy
“You said you were an assassin didn’t you? Make a plan, Unless you suggest going with me, head-on against hundreds of goblins, mage goblins, hob goblins, champions and their King. Who knows, maybe even the lich is there.” He says20Please respect copyright.PENANAcVUr8hIrTL
20Please respect copyright.PENANALvwokMKrwS
“Speak of the devil.” I say as I see the lich approach on a smaller dragon, a wyvern to be exact.20Please respect copyright.PENANATdI9F39aco
20Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ5Tb7OOou
The lich sees Ronin and Warzheil “I feel like ripping the very flesh off their face, but that damned Dratnir soldier was Insanely strong, so much so that it destroyed my army, even wounding my mana core with his light and cosmic attacks, I tried to claim it as my own minion, it exploded, I am in no shape to fight these two monster, especially this Dwarf, he is cunning fox, hiding his powers of lighting authority.” Lich thinks20Please respect copyright.PENANApvWjmPGMZh
20Please respect copyright.PENANArOu0YNdGea
“I must alert the goblins of their arrival.” As he passes near ronin and Warzheil he gives them a menacing look. Which doesn’t bother them in the slightest20Please respect copyright.PENANAyUQiH0Fmy7
20Please respect copyright.PENANAjFAnlPsyjF
“Hey, Bone head, what happened to all that confidence? Fear we may kick your ass without the help of your army huh? Or did that Dratnir Soldier do it for us?” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAD1KkszfMZT
20Please respect copyright.PENANAz6lQo7SDQv
“It won’t be long before your head hangs on my dragon’s tail, mortals, we will meet soon.” The lich replies in a domineering voice, but we both know he is just scared.20Please respect copyright.PENANAkaeRWPcFK0
20Please respect copyright.PENANAO9cpTWeERt
“The Dratnir must have given him a run for his money, I guess he had to abandon his army on the bridge to find a wyvern in the forest to fly all the way back here.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAP1NcrDAkX5
20Please respect copyright.PENANAjUABDZ78Uf
“Or maybe that wasn’t his complete army.” Warzheil speculates which raises more questions in my mind.20Please respect copyright.PENANAMGfUEhoQD0
20Please respect copyright.PENANAuK3Ixdzx7Q
“You said that the goblins are under the demon lord, which means….” It clicks in both our minds at the same time.20Please respect copyright.PENANA9oJgmXOYCk
20Please respect copyright.PENANAgEB4igefca
“Shit!, he is going to alert those green vessels of filth.” Warzheil says with impatience evident in his expressions as his eyebrows curl inward, tensed.20Please respect copyright.PENANAimBq4Cqefy
20Please respect copyright.PENANAKRtbKTqEGV
“Do you have any other way we can get inside the forge?” I ask Warzheil
“The owl… the owl is worthy of night.” I say as a though drifts into my mind. Maybe that riddle has something to do with our next step.20Please respect copyright.PENANAXLxkrihH8N
20Please respect copyright.PENANAa6YFHwq6gZ
“What do you mean by owl? We don’t have time for this Ronin, take this seriously.” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAX9g7lJPJqb
20Please respect copyright.PENANAKgPyIoH2bb
I run back into the tent and bring out the book, tossing it on the table, opening the page that contains the text.20Please respect copyright.PENANALwPUdLujeN
20Please respect copyright.PENANAoKP0GiPcHl
“See here” I slide my finger over the text “The night fall will deem the owl worthy--its prey will have no path to escape--but the night houses many threats--beware beyonder” I say which confuses Warzheil.20Please respect copyright.PENANAzBEH3RESsH
20Please respect copyright.PENANAfDDSKTRHpU
“Owl worthy of night, which means that an owl can only hunt at night.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAc3Jn0OQxLN
20Please respect copyright.PENANAkzj4YvyxW9
“Well, you aren’t wrong, goblins see less at night, if that’s what you are implementing.” Warzheil explains.20Please respect copyright.PENANAXEGS27K5Dl
20Please respect copyright.PENANAo6gi4PR366
“That’s great…now” I slide my finger further on the text in the page “The night houses threats--beware beyonder. Which means it’s referring to me, as I am beyond this world. And the night houses threats, which means that even though night is our chance to strike, it might still be risky.”20Please respect copyright.PENANA9IkBIzKiLS
20Please respect copyright.PENANAETiAVoQzNG
“W-wait, I don’t understand. What you say makes some sense but, why are you sliding your finger on an empty page? Is this a habit of yours I should be aware of?” Warzheil says, which turns my excited expression to a confused expression.20Please respect copyright.PENANAWArmOJKjPM
20Please respect copyright.PENANAD8DkIiThpQ
I close my left eye and then the text starts to disappear from the page as my right eye focuses.20Please respect copyright.PENANAtFD4NR2KNt
20Please respect copyright.PENANACDkPwEJwKg
“This book is not normal.” I say as I slowly let this discovery settle. “Or maybe I am not normal.”20Please respect copyright.PENANADkIB1yTho6
20Please respect copyright.PENANAZnpohEM0jd
“Lets get you examined later, but first, I have an idea.” Warzheil continues20Please respect copyright.PENANAPcpOoqWArX
20Please respect copyright.PENANAaq94PbS3w5
“There is a secret passage under my forge” Warzheil continues “Its gates are made of adamantium, it can only be unlocked from inside. but I think your spear can melt it in a few minutes, we can carve a way in. but we need to start now as at night your blade will be visible.” Warzheil says.20Please respect copyright.PENANAia9FKuxHi3
20Please respect copyright.PENANAFXyLENoeaz
“That’s the best plan I have heard in a while.” I say “Why stand here then? We have riches to retrieve, lets go.”20Please respect copyright.PENANA5rrtvpKLw3
20Please respect copyright.PENANA6o0bM7zp93
“Ok, I will do this, whatever you find there, you can keep it, I don’t plan to come back here anyway.” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAmTtuJvg6mX
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0R6aq1Uij3
“You speak as if we will go our separate ways after that.” I ask20Please respect copyright.PENANAAkirHAViBh
20Please respect copyright.PENANAkk1vhfXWjd
“It’s your loss if you don’t want that stuff, I have a strong feeling that we will not be going our own ways anytime soon.”20Please respect copyright.PENANAHwHC412KDB
20Please respect copyright.PENANAQM9j52Bek1
And so We prepare to infiltrate the forge.20Please respect copyright.PENANAzwfpeR3XTV
20Please respect copyright.PENANAQzAkfnnmJf
We move through the forest after finishing packing our camp. As we go deeper, a fog starts blocking our vision.20Please respect copyright.PENANAPKDiZUTp2C
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0qZaSuXHnu
“Don’t worry about me, I know all corners of this forest, I have been here for a while.” Warzheil said20Please respect copyright.PENANABeMKOIAn6A
20Please respect copyright.PENANAgfAZXw75jK
“Thankfully I won’t need to hold hands with you since I can see the path with my left eye.” I say20Please respect copyright.PENANAqhdTXPuBey
20Please respect copyright.PENANAcawRZdYwuB
My eye is very convenient, although it feels very uncomfortable seeing things I don’t want to, the wobbly energies in the air makes me feel nauseous, but I need to get used to it soon. I can see the outlines of everything in my line of sight even in this fog. I was seeing normally when we were not in the forest, which must mean I only see different according to situations and see mana when it is dense or unless I want to see it. I don’t understand how this even works but as long it keeps me alive, its an ability.20Please respect copyright.PENANAsOUOUmhByh
20Please respect copyright.PENANARaDMolOyhD
Nestled into the side of a rocky hill is Warzheil’s forge. The building is surrounded by goblins and hobgoblins.
20Please respect copyright.PENANAdSvhJOkyVs
“Hey, won’t they detect your mana?” I ask Warzheil20Please respect copyright.PENANA77ihSFxmoE
20Please respect copyright.PENANAm9aM9sKN9X
“Don’t underestimate me, lad. Only the Demon Lord can detect me no as I have supressed my mana.” He says20Please respect copyright.PENANARqAVhijUpG
20Please respect copyright.PENANA4EM6yhER7Y
“That’s reassuring….hmm” I say but I make a questioning face as I think about possible scenarios where the plan can break down, or succeed. Thank fully Warzheil also had a map of his forge so I have a raw Idea of what I can do once we are in. spear won’t be an option in there.20Please respect copyright.PENANAgBWpoumq4I
20Please respect copyright.PENANArS9qf7yTyy
We talk amidst the guttural voices of goblin-kind carrying faintly through the air. Fires burn in large pits outside, with goblins working tirelessly on crude weapons and Armor.20Please respect copyright.PENANAa3CKdQ4Jgi
20Please respect copyright.PENANARm4pQWQQW1
20Please respect copyright.PENANAFttbGNpADD
But that’s not all, I see some skeletons as well, which means that they are alert now. But something feels off, the security should be tighter, then why isn’t.20Please respect copyright.PENANA1sjOX2T1uQ
20Please respect copyright.PENANAGJfBjUPMUN
“Hey, Is the Goblin King friends with the Lich?” I ask Warzheil as we are in the bushes.20Please respect copyright.PENANAeLwogxXtDT
20Please respect copyright.PENANA0i75WGlnlH
“As far as I know, the demon lord’s generals don’t get along with the lich, he is like an outcast to them, even though he is the most loyal to the Demon Lord” Warzheil says20Please respect copyright.PENANAIXWgsvWTfh
20Please respect copyright.PENANAUimQVSZVxz
“That must be it. I don’t see any prominent figure here. Which must mean that the king with his champions must be in an argument with the lich. I have seen this happen in my field a lot, even when I disguised myself.” I say “Even if that’s not the case, we cannot afford loosing sunlight, we need a way in by night.”20Please respect copyright.PENANAjd4CidGKYp
20Please respect copyright.PENANAIUv8ljmJ0Q
“You are right. Lets go, there’s our ticket in.” He points to a large pipe beneath the forge, its bars glinting faintly in the sunlight. “It’s a water outlet I built as an escape route, but like I said, it opens only from the inside. Let’s hope your spear can cut through the bars.”
We approach the gate but suddenly I see 2 goblins coming our way so I yank Warzheil against the wall.20Please respect copyright.PENANAc5T35b5UFz
20Please respect copyright.PENANAmQxl8sfi1X
Warzheil looks like he would cuss me out anytime but I signal him to keep it down. I pick up a pebble slowly and throw it in the opposite direction of the goblins over their head which distracts them.20Please respect copyright.PENANAyflT45usSH
20Please respect copyright.PENANArGYCxmeL9m
It’s a good thing that goblins are idiots. I take the chance and kill both the Goblins using my plasma spear which cuts though their tiny necks, is it me or do the spear feel small in my hands? I normally don’t miss with my spear but even back when I fought the T-rex, it felt uncomfortable. It looks like I have grown in size too.20Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ak0opNCfg
20Please respect copyright.PENANAkQaIFMJeSt
“Idiot, we need to get those two into the sewer too, the goblins may detect their blood.” Warzheil says.20Please respect copyright.PENANAeo1NcYcooM
20Please respect copyright.PENANALWvYdWT9iX
I kneel by the pipe as I put the goblins near me, and activate the plasma blade of my spear. The bars are tougher than I expect, made from a mixture of copper and adamantite. It takes a few minutes to cut through them.
“Hard, isn’t it?” Warzheil says with a smirk. “I debated using adamantite for a water outlet, but it’s proven useful.”
“Just keep quiet, old man. You’ll get us caught,” I hiss as we slip into the dark, narrow tunnel.
“Don’t boss me around like my mom. Show some respect for your elders,” he retorts in a low whisper.
I roll my eyes. “Did you finally go senile?”
“You little—”20Please respect copyright.PENANAlck9kr8Ni0
20Please respect copyright.PENANABAstbRx4yn
“Shhh…” I cut him off as we hear faint footsteps echoing through the tunnel. We finally got in, I put the goblin’s body in the sewer water and slowly head toward the voice that’s getting louder.
Two goblins appear, their torches casting flickering shadows on the walls. Moving swiftly, I dart ahead, my spear slicing through the air. The goblins barely have time to react before they collapse, lifeless.
“You really are an assassin through and through, huh?” Warzheil asks under his breath, impressed but unnerved.20Please respect copyright.PENANAwlcKM3jBYq
20Please respect copyright.PENANAzHWwQoWtvg
“This is the most crude I can be as an assassin. You haven’t seen me in action just yet oldman.” I say, trying to flex20Please respect copyright.PENANAfhEPXqAdey
20Please respect copyright.PENANAxRq2b87dJ9
“Hoo? I will be watching then.” he says with sarcasm.
For every 1000 views, one bonus chapter along with weekly release.
Dear Reader, be kind enough to leave a comment in the chapter about it, as it inspires me to keep improving and doing better. And like if you enjoyed this chapter.20Please respect copyright.PENANAkgx6XMDgXH
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.20Please respect copyright.PENANAxEnE6qUR9F
;)