Konrad once again found himself in that strange dream, but this time it was different it was more real. The stench of blood and decay so pungent it made him want to puke, a cold shiver runs down his spine as he notices the man staring at him seemingly moving closer after every dream. His black hair flowing in the wind, blood dripping from the falchion in his hand. His wounds visible through tears in his leather armor, wounds no man could ever survive yet he remained standing.

"Son of Icarus. Son of Haedval rise from your slumber" the strange man states his voice barely a whisper in the wind yet Konrad could hear it so clearly.

Konrad woke with a headache so fierce it would make a grown man cry. As his eyes adjusted to the light of the campfire he wiped the sleep from his eyes as he sat upright a flash of pain hitting him as he does. "Easy boy you expended a lot of mana with your last stunt you're going to feel the withdrawals for the rest of the day" Bellaris says as he sits across from Konrad on the other side of the fire. "Wha..what happened?" Konrad asks his memory vague. Suddenly he jolts to his feet as he remembers the creature that was hunting him a wave of pain hitting him from his sudden movement. "The monster. what happened to the monster?" Konrad says as a lump forms in his throat. "It's dead the real question is why it was chasing you what happened?" Bellaris says in his ever calm voice.

"I was out collecting firewood when I started hearing this whisper I ignored it at first but then it started getting louder it led me to an ancient clearing. At its center stood a twisted oak where that creature appeared and said I had to pay for my transgressions." Konrad says his hair standing on end as he remembers what happened. "What was that thing?" Konrad asks. "It was a dryad a old one at that" Bellaris says with a solemn expression.

"I thought dryads lived in the central lands whats it doing this far north?" Konrad asks unsure of himself. "Nothing good thats for sure now go back to sleep we have a long day ahead of us." Bellaris says as he makes his way to his bag a strudy bag made of a hard leather with 2 straps securing its contents inside. He takes out a small metallic ball covered in engravings before heading out to the forrest.

(Bellaris POV)

As he heads deeper into the forrest he stops at a fallen tree deeming it to be far enough he injects mana into one of the runes. As the mana flows through the orb it starts to glow albeit dimly. "Report Colonel Bellaris." A voice states from the orb. "Im returning to the Capital I found another candidate for project Evolution a dual element of metal and lightning but earlier tonight we ran into a cursed dryad in the forrest near the village of Holmstead." Bellaris says in a clear voice. "A draug that far north peculiar indeed for now return to the capital as soon as possible and keep an eye out for any other oddities things have been strange of late." The voice states before the line gets cut of no more words needed.

"Strange oh so strange." Bellaris says as he releases the breath he hadn't realized he was holding in.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The next morning they cleared the camp and set of to continue on their journey. Konrads legs where already chaffed from the countless hours of riding his tailbone sore and his feet numb fron the lack of bloodflow. "We should arrive at Holmstead by noon Severus will meet us there." Bellaris says after hours of silence his mood sour from last nights mood.

"Yes sir" Konrad responds half heartedly his thoughts occupied by the words of the man in his dream. "Who is Icarus or Haedval?" Konrad finally asks tge question thats been bothering him since last night. "Where did you hear the names of the fallen gods boy?" Bellaris says a seriousness in his tone that Konrad has never heard before. "I heard it in a dream" Konrad responds truthfully. Bellaris gives him a look of uncertainty before he finally relents "They were 2 of the 12 false gods from the Age of Gods Icarus lord of the skies and Haedval lord of earth but be warned they where no gods and the mere mention of their name is am act of heresy in the eyes of the empire I will only warn you once" Bellaris says the last bit in a non negotiable tone while looking straight in Konrads eyes to convey his seriousness.

The day went on without much happening by noon they could just see the walls of Holmstead as they approached. "We will stay in an inn for the night and continue on in the morning the Capital is only a weeks journey from Holmstead" Bellaris says as theu approach the gate two men standing gaurd their shody armor and weapons evident marking Holmstead a poorer town. "State your business" the gaurd on the left says without any interest in tge conversation. " Imperial Envoy Bellaris on his way back to the capital." Bellaris says evenly. The gaurd seems to choke on air as he realizes who he is talking too "Sorry m'lord meant no disrespect." The gaurd states before lettimg them in.

The town of Holmstead was far morw impressive than the small village he grew up in the homes made of cobbled stone and wood showing signs of deterioration and decomposition. Making their way through the streets they stop at a building two stories in height music and cheers could be heard from inside the sign reads The Drunken Mare. They make their way to the side of the building where a stable is located they pay the stable boy a copper coin before makimg their way inside.

As they make their way to the counter they hear the bard preforming the emporers grace 'The Emperor has shown his grace to men in war and prosperity doesn't matter when through trial and tribulations he claims his stead the world is his a world of men. monsters and creatures vanquished and bled for the Emperors grace will save your head kneel to him do not pray instead for the grace of the Emporer we have bled.' The crowd roars as the bard finishes his song. Konrad and Bellaris reaches the counter and speak to the man behind the bar "Two rooms and two meals" Bellaris says "That will be 4 coppers for the rooms and 2 for the meals" the inkeeper says as Bellaris hands him the coins "Your rooms are bumber 2 and 3 on the second floor. Pick a table and your food will be there shortly." The inkeeper says while handing Bellaris 2 keys.

They pick and empty table in the leftmost corner of the room as they wait for their meal. Konrad listens in to the conversation of two men at an adjacent table "You hear what happened to the village of Hofner?" The one asks "No what happened?" The other asks curiously "It got burned to the ground apparently Yulesia has made their move poor bastards couldn't even signal help".

At that moment it felt like Konrads world had ended his village the only home he has ever known burned his family dead. The sudden news made him lose his appetite so he excused himself and made his way to his room. As he walks it feels like the walls are closing in on him at that moment he knew despair...