Ring ring-ring a bell goes filling the air of the dark forest.
The three of us used to play a lot when we were kids. Then when we grew older, we kept playing with each other, just other games.
We always saw the gate of hell and thought it was too strong to break, even if the mighties dwarf or human would try to knock it down it wouldn’t even scratch.
We always heard how growing up in Everguard was ‘cruel’ but we always thought it was being poor that talk about.
Eyes glow in the darkness, following the sound of ringing bells, focusing on me. I can’t afford to lose, come if you dare. I’d rather kill you all, then my friends will hear my bell.
My friends who played hero with me when kids, who played the villian with me when teens, who played guardsmen keeping humanity safe when adults. Now I see that it was no less of a game than when we were kids.
We trusted each other, we loved each other, but when the walls broke down and we had to fight I couldn’t keep them safe.
Ring if you hear it, you will know I’m looking for you. Ring-ring If you hear it you know I’m well. Ring-ring why don’t you ring your bell? And let me find you?
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I jumped into the forest after you. Not without thinking but only thinking of you, not without fear but only afraid of if losing you.
The jungle, it looks infinite, it looks the same everywhere. The ground has so many footprints it’s like there is no ground. Too much of anything to go on, sounds, smell everything.
Ring Only my bell pierces the jungle, trying to reach you, to let you know I’m still looking.
I’ve survived more fights than there are stars in the sky now. Sleep when my body still moves, drink when it rains, eat when I bite my foes. Orcs, trolls, nymphs, imps. And I never have time to stop moving.
“A bell! it’s coming from the jungle! Sir! It’s coming from the jungle!” words, is this them? Struck with rage I charge forward just to end up where I began, looking at a new gate being constructed and with a dozen frightened soldiers at the ready.
“Listra, is that you?! I thought you died, you were in the jungle… What did you see?” These words and many more I could not hear excited the captains mouth, all I could say was that I couldn’t find Teller and Nadiv.
When I woke up they told me I collapsed with my sword firm in my hand, couldn’t even get it out of my hand when I was out.
My name is Listrazva, I’m the only person to survive the jungle, for one week. The only person to set foot west of Uesteroza and return. I even have a statue in my image in the town square.
Everyone says that I’m a sword women, but what I remember keeping me there was my bell. I still keep it wherever I go, if it’s sound may reach their souls let them know I’m still alive.