The trio barely escaped after trying to steal a brute chicken egg, a desperate attempt as they’d run out of food. Their goal was to reach the kingdom of Viand, where a gem merchant hinted they’d find a valuable lead. In the cave they ducked into to evade the brute chicken, whose large body blocked it from following them, the trio finally found a moment to breathe. That evening, they started a fire and enjoyed a massive omelet together, planning their next steps once they reached Viand.
As night fell, Orvell took the first watch while Minerva and Raven slept. His thoughts drifted to Beatrice, troubled about how to break the news to their children back in Iron Hall. No one there even knew yet about Beatrice’s passing.
At dawn, the trio resumed their journey and soon entered Viand. The kingdom seemed to have an obsession with beef—every street corner had vendors, restaurants, and farms selling the finest cuts and prized cows. Raven approached a meat vendor and asked about a man named Wyatt Simmons. Directed to a nearby stall, they found Wyatt, who told them that he’d last seen the star fragment in the mouth of one of his prized bulls, which then ran off into the Hollow Voices Forest. He warned that few ventured there, as its creatures were neither quite alive nor undead.
Taking a small boat into the swampy forest, the trio searched for the bull. The waters were murky, about five feet deep. As they paddled, they heard the soft cries of what sounded like a young girl. Concerned, they steered towards the sound and found a woman, kneeling, crying. Orvell stepped off the boat and approached her, but as he reached out, she lunged at him. He quickly raised his magic shield to block her attack.
“Orvell, look out!” Minerva shouted as more figures emerged from the shadows. Minerva and Raven jumped off the boat to help Orvell fend them off. Amid the skirmish, a bright fireball shot up into the sky, catching the trio’s attention. A woman in light clothing, holding a wooden staff, approached, casting powerful spells that sent their attackers fleeing into the darkness.
She gestured for them to follow her to a nearby village, where they were introduced to the chief. “Welcome,” he said, “our shaman foretold that adventurers would come to our aid.” Though surprised, the trio listened as he explained their village’s plight. He introduced the shaman, an elderly woman adorned in creature skins, with bone piercings and blood markings. The shaman cast magical dust into the fire, revealing a vision of three heroes fighting a monstrous creature lurking in the swamp—a beast that terrorized travelers and raided the village, driving people away and stalling trade.
The chief recounted the shaman’s prophecy of three warriors: one with a sword and shield, one with a greatsword, and a witch. Raven corrected him, explaining that the one with the greatsword, Beatrice, had passed, so it couldn’t be them. The shaman approached Orvell, placed her thumb on his forehead, and chanted, pulling him into a vision. In the darkness, he saw Beatrice, alive and well. Overcome with emotion, Orvell embraced her, asking if she was alright. Beatrice reassured him, telling him he needed to help the village and mentioning a dark presence she had sensed nearby. Orvell returned to consciousness and recounted the vision to the others.
The chief offered a small pouch of coins as a reward, but the trio declined, although they were low on funds. In return, Orvell requested only shelter, food, and any information about a star fragment. The chief promised to inquire on their behalf while they took on the village’s quest.
Later that night, while Orvell was resting, the woman who had saved them earlier entered his hut with a bowl of tea. In broken English, she offered it to him, saying, “It makes you strong fighter.” Orvell drank it, finding it surprisingly sweet. Curious, he asked her name.
“I have no name,” she replied. “But my tribe calls me ‘Stardust,’ for our god crafted life from the dust of an exploding star.”
Orvell smiled, saying it was a beautiful name, and she was lucky to have it. Stardust then asked gently, “Your wife?” Orvell told her that Beatrice had passed and that he had three children waiting for him back home. Stardust teared up, apologizing for his loss and adding, “I see a white-armored knight changing your future someday.”
Surprised, Orvell asked if she could see the future. “No,” she replied, “I only speak what I already know. Someday, you will meet this white knight.” With that, she left Orvell alone in his hut, lost in thought about the only white knight he knew of—Grimstone.
The next day, as the trio prepared to depart, the village chief approached them and said, “Please, take Star with you. She could be of great help on your quest.” The trio hesitated, initially doubting Star’s ability due to her lack of armor or protection. However, they quickly reminded themselves not to judge—after all, she had saved them before. Agreeing, they set off into the depths of the forest with Star.
The forest was eerie and oppressive, shrouded in darkness despite it being broad daylight. As they ventured further, they passed the grim sight of deceased adventurers hanging from trees. Raven asked Star, “Was this the beast’s doing?”
Star shook her head solemnly. “No, this is the work of the Maneaters, a cannibalistic cult that even devours their own.”
Horrified, the group pressed on, determined to remain vigilant. Orvell glanced around uneasily. “Why is it so dark here, even during the day?”
Star explained, “The magic of this forest, combined with the dense canopy, blocks most light. It serves to protect those who dwell within.”
When they reached their first investigation site, they found a large crater-like clearing, stained with blood and scattered with torn clothing. Star theorized, “The Maneaters must be feeding the beast with these sacrifices.” Her sharp eyes spotted tracks in the muddy ground, and she urged the group to follow her.
The trail led them to a Maneater village, now in ruins. The air reeked of death and decay, and there was no sign of life. The group searched tirelessly for clues, but the village yielded nothing beyond corpses and destruction. After spending the entire day combing through the area, they reluctantly returned to Star’s village, empty-handed. Upon their return, they learned that the chief had departed to consult with neighboring villages for information about the mysterious star fragment.
Later that night, the hunters returned triumphantly with two massive wild boars. The village decided to hold a feast to celebrate, filling the air with the sounds of singing, dancing, and laughter. The trio immersed themselves in the festivities: Minerva helped with cooking, Raven joined a drinking game with the villagers, and Orvell sat quietly, observing the lively scene.
Star approached Orvell and sat beside him. “Why don’t you dance?” she asked with a playful smile.
Orvell shook his head. “I’m not much of a dancer.”
Star insisted, but Orvell hesitated. “I… I can’t share moments like this with you,” he admitted softly. “I’m bound to Beatrice.”
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As the feast continued, Orvell’s senses—heightened by a protective spell—detected a presence nearby. He sprang to his feet, conjuring a magic shield just in time to block a sudden projectile. Panic erupted as the villagers scattered for safety. Only Orvell, Star, Minerva, and Raven remained, standing firm as glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows.
The beast stepped into view—a hulking, fur-covered monstrosity with razor-sharp claws. It unleashed a deafening roar, forcing the group to cover their ears. Without warning, it charged at Orvell, clamping its jaws around his side and hurling him into a nearby hut, reducing it to splinters.
The girls immediately sprang into action, but they were quickly surrounded by Maneaters, who appeared to worship the beast. Before the Maneaters could overwhelm them, Orvell—now in his Grimstone form—burst from the wreckage of the hut and tackled the beast, forcing it away from the girls.
Grimstone’s magical prowess gave him an edge, allowing him to wound the beast repeatedly with his enchanted blade and shield. Minerva unleashed her dark magic to hold back the Maneaters, while Raven fired relentless volleys from her enchanted muskets.
However, the beast grew more enraged, swelling in size until it towered above the trees. Undeterred, Grimstone adapted his strategy, leading the beast deeper into the forest to use the terrain to his advantage. Swift as a shadow, he darted between trees, creating afterimages that confused the beast. Frustrated, the beast slammed its massive forearms into the ground, sending shockwaves that knocked Grimstone off balance.
Seizing the opportunity, the beast pounced, pinning Grimstone beneath its claws and slashing furiously. Grimstone struggled to defend himself, his shield barely holding against the onslaught. Just as the beast prepared to deliver a killing blow, a brilliant beam of energy struck its back, forcing it to recoil.
Grimstone looked up to see Star, her hands glowing with magical energy. She launched another barrage of spell beams, drawing the beast’s attention. “Keep it distracted!” Grimstone shouted. “I’ll close in for the kill!”
Star nodded, continuing her assault from a distance while Grimstone engaged the beast up close. Together, they coordinated their attacks, whittling down the beast’s strength. Star channeled her power into a devastating spell that struck the beast’s left side, sending it crashing to the ground.
The beast lay motionless, defeated at last. Grimstone and Star stood victorious, their teamwork ensuring the village’s survival.
As Grimstone reverted to his human form, Orvell, the two made their way back to reunite with Raven and Minerva. When they arrived at the village, they found the girls had managed to capture one of the maneaters. Star acted as translator while they interrogated the creature.
“He says we’re all doomed,” Star translated grimly. “Now that the beast is defeated, its mother will come and rain fire upon the forest.”
Orvell’s brow furrowed. “Ask him who this ‘mother’ is.”
Star relayed the question, and the maneater’s chilling reply echoed through the tense air. “Centurigon will come. She will feel the absence of her child and unleash her fiery breath. The entire forest will burn, and no one will survive.”
Panic rippled through the villagers as they released the maneater, allowing it to warn its kin. The group anxiously awaited the return of the village chief. When he arrived, they informed him of the dire news. The chief, though shaken, revealed another startling truth: the star fragment they sought was hidden within the heart of a dragon. However, he had no further information about which dragon it could be. For now, the greater threat was Centurigon.
Unable to stand by while the forest faced destruction, the trio assisted the villagers in relocating to a nearby cave for safety. As Orvell, Minerva, and Star planned their next move, the chief added a grim warning. “Centurigon is no ordinary dragon. She exists in the realm of folklore. If she wants to be found, she will appear. Otherwise, she’ll find you.”
The next morning, Raven received troubling news from her crewmates. They had encountered rival pirates, also in search of the star fragment, leading them to believe that Behem was expanding his hunt to the seas. Reluctantly, Raven decided to rejoin her crew, leaving Orvell and Minerva to face Centurigon without her.
As Orvell and Minerva packed their supplies, Star entered their tent, declaring, “I’m coming with you. It’s my fate to be with you, Orvell.”
A heavy silence filled the room. Orvell, his voice steady but firm, replied, “I’m sorry, Star. My heart belongs to Beatrice. It always will. We made a vow when we married, and nothing will change that.”
Despite Orvell’s refusal, Star insisted, and he reluctantly allowed her to join them. The trio ventured deeper into the forest, encountering unsettling sights—scattered bones of animals and humans alike. Minerva whispered, “What could have done this?”
Star answered solemnly, “The maneaters do this to ward off intruders. It’s meant to intimidate both monsters and humans.”
They stumbled upon an abandoned maneater village. The eerie silence was punctuated only by the crunch of their footsteps. As they searched the area, they found no signs of life—only the dead. Orvell speculated it might have been a raid, but Star corrected him. “This is the work of Centurigon.”
Following a trail of footprints, they arrived at a cave. Inside, they discovered more bodies and scattered bones. Deeper within, they encountered a figure—a woman with draconic features.
“I’ve been expecting you, Orvell Uriah,” she said, her voice a mixture of silk and menace. The trio assumed battle stances, but Centurigon smiled wickedly. “No need for that. The moment you entered this cave, you fell under my spell.”
Darkness engulfed Orvell. Alone, he saw Beatrice, her silhouette glowing in the void. She was unclothed, her back to him. “Bea!” he cried, running toward her. But no matter how fast he ran, she remained out of reach.
When Beatrice finally turned to face him, Orvell recoiled in horror. Her face was disfigured, torn and decaying. “What happened to you, my love?” he whispered.
Beatrice extended her arm, summoning her greatsword from the ground. Without hesitation, she charged at him. Orvell raised his shield, barely managing to block her strikes.
“Beatrice, it’s me—your husband, your king!” he pleaded. But her attacks only grew more erratic and deadly.
Orvell, tears streaming down his face, disarmed her with a desperate move and struck her down. As his blade pierced her torso, he sobbed, “You left me no choice.”
Beatrice smiled maliciously, pulling the sword from her chest. Her voice distorted into a horrifying scream.
“Beatrice, please. Break free from her spell and find peace!” he begged.
But her attacks continued. With a heavy heart, Orvell fought back, each strike breaking him further. When he delivered the final blow, her image dissolved, and Centurigon’s voice echoed through the void.
“Oh, Orvell,” she purred. “You don’t need her. You need someone strong—someone like me. Be my king, and together we’ll conquer the weak.”
Back in the cave, Orvell knelt, his resolve shattered. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, and a familiar voice whispered, “Fight for me, my love. Protect those you hold dear.”
Strength renewed, Orvell rose and chanted a spell, enchanting his sword with light magic. With a single swing, he severed the dream and shattered the darkness. Reality returned, and he found Minerva and Star unconscious nearby.
Centurigon sat on her throne of human bones. “I see your potential, Orvell. Join me, and we’ll rule together.”
Orvell tightened his grip on his sword. “I’d rather die than serve you.”
Centurigon smiled, sprinkling magic dust onto the floor. From the shadows rose a replica of Orvell himself, identical in every way but with glowing blue eyes.
“Fetch me his soul, Darkvell,” she commanded.
The shadow figure charged, and the battle began.