CHROLLO (POV)
I sat rested on top of a large rock next to our allocated dungeon gate. That was what most people called them - gates - despite the fact they differed in shape from one another, and the one in front of me was more akin to a portcullis. However, the lingo was apparent, and everybody used the same words. That was just one of the small things about the ruins that could make you think you were in a completely different place. You could get lost here. I still remember when I was younger and I came here with my sister, I genuinely thought we had been transported to another world. Albeit, we had only entered a gala - nothing more.
“What are we waiting for?” Leo said impatiently as the rest of the group members sort of just stood about.
“Remember, we can’t enter the dungeon as we please until Professor Gillot gives us the go,” Christina explained. She glanced over in my direction and then looked away.
I felt bad. I felt as if I shouldn’t have been so cold towards her. Even though I didn't exactly do anything directly to her, for some reason I seem to always shun her away - in my mind at least. I know she means well and just wants to be friendly, but the experience I’ve had with people high on the social ladder has left me scarred. Yes, I know the trouble all too well. I even came here to escape it, perhaps that’s why I don’t want to involve myself with someone like her.
I stood up from my sitting position as the group saw Professor Gillot walking toward our area. She had said very little about what we had to do, most people were just excited to enter the dungeon that they overlooked that fact. All she had told us - and all the other teachers had said - the dungeon will guide you to its completion. I think my sister may have said more about them in the past, but my memory betrays me. And I doubt that now - just before we enter the dungeon - Professor Gillot would give us any more useful information.
“Ok, gather round.” She called out to us. “You guys are the third group to enter a dungeon today, and as I said to other groups, always stay alert. Being aware, trusting in your party members, and working together will make the difference in keeping you safe and avoiding a fatal injury.” She looked around at all of us. “By the way, who am talking to here? Who’s the leader.”
We all kind of glanced at each other with slight confusion. In our heads, we knew who the leader was, even though we never said it verbally. Leo, whether he knew it or not, had taken on the role of that leader and we established that fact when we all turned our heads toward him.
“I . . . I guess that would be me,” he replied.
“Your name?” Professor Gillot asked.
“Leo Hurston, miss.”
“Well then, Leo,” she said “is this everyone in your group?”
“Yes, miss. We’re all here and ready to go,” he said enthusiastically.
“And what of your weapons and equipment, do you have everything you need?”
“We have that too,” Leo said pointing towards a pile of wrapped-up bags bundled in the corner.
The Professor analyzed our entire group, looking at all of our members and gear once again. She was most likely one of the top ex-adventurers in the school - aside from the headmaster. According to Elex, the headmaster and his father have some history together in the ruins. However, because of that fact, no one questioned her caution when it came to inspecting our party. She most likely wanted to make sure that the success of our dungeon wasn't hindered by the lack of utensils or anything else of the like.
“Hmm. Good.” She put down the rucksack she had swung around her shoulder and pulled out a smaller bag from within. “Here. Give these to your party members, and make sure they wear them at all times from now on. These bands will distinguish your group from others when you decide to return to the Gala.” she said handing the bag to Leo.
He opened the bag and took out white wristbands with a single black diagonal stripe along their surface. “Thank you, miss.” He said while handing the bag back to us.
“Final thing.” Professor Gillot said pointing at the gate, “To open the gate, all you need to do is imbue your mana within the entryway and it will open up.” she said pointing at the surface of the door. “I hope you and your party stay safe and complete your dungeon within the year without too much trouble,” she said.
“We will try our best,” Leo said as she then left us and headed for the next group further down the cavern.
“You guys ready?” Leo said turning to face us.
“Yeah,” most of the people in the group said together, and Leo walked up to the barricaded door that would be our entry.
Most of the other dungeon gates we passed until we reached our own were all different shapes and sizes. Ours seemed to stand tall - an imposing structure that looked down on those who walked by it - and it was forged from a gleaming chic metal. Yes, the portal door was different like a grand portcullis. I had seen them before in the Vientor - the Demon Kingdom.
As Leo approached the structure, he placed his hand on its surface and we all observed in silence as we waited for the gates to give us passage. Abruptly he stepped back, and we watched the door intently. With a slow low-pitched creaking gross, as if it were a waking beast from many years of slumber, the portal door began to stir. Its heavy chains began to convulse as they unbound the heavy structure from its rested position. Glowing symbols took form on the circumference of the gate and light began to glow. Similarly to the teleportation gates, you could find around the continent, the dungeon gate before us twirled with a flurry of flashing colors before setting its destination. As it came to a stop, the other side of the grand gate showed a forest that held tall intimidating trees that obstructed the sunlight that attempted to pierce through.
“Let’s not waste any time,” Leo said “Let’s go.”
Everyone picked up their rucksacks carrying their tents and respective equipment as they began to make their way through the gate. I lunged my own things over my should with one hand and let the other rest on the handle of my sheathed sword around my waist. I had trained with a sword the majority of my life, you could say I was quite confident in my ability. However, it was only around three years ago, when I really acknowledged the use of weapons. After all, plain weapons would seem redundant in a world where a fourteen-year boy old could shoot flames from his palm. Nevertheless, we were all equipped with steel weapons of the like and were prepared to use them when need be.
As I walked through the gate - Elex to my right - the hard rocky ground of the Gala, turned to soft grass scattered with twigs and leaves. We were submerged by a concentrated forest that held trees that loomed over us as we approached them, hugging close to one another, the stretched branches acted as if they were trying to hide something in the distance from our view. Our sense of direction was null.
“So . . . which way should we go,” Zack asked aloud. “There isn’t a direct path, so does it matter which way we head? Because if I’m being honest, I don’t exactly feel the dungeon leading me to the right path.” he scoffed as he looked around, “Or any path for that matter.”
He didn't exactly speak to anyone specifically, but shortly after he asked the question, his head turned toward Leo. Naturally seeking guidance from our appointed leader.
Leo turned his head to face Christina and Erika, “What do you guys think we should do? You are our navigators after all.” he said smiling.
The princess pulled out a compass from the side of her rucksack and adjusted herself to be facing the way she first entered the forest from the dungeon gate. “North” she mumbled to herself.
“I say we just keep walking forward.” she said. “ as soon as we came out from the gate, we were already facing north - according to this compass. I say we stay on this path and keep walking until we reach a clearing. If it seems we don't see anything for a time, we can turn around, make our way back to the portal and then take another direction from there.” she explained.
“Simple enough, but effective” Erika added.
As much as I tried to make it obvious that I didn't want to involve myself with her in the past, she wasn’t exactly a dull person. She could think for herself, she was smart, and she had a way with words. Qualities a monarch or anyone with regal blood should have. Those were attributes I could acknowledge and respect in her. I just wish that I didn’t have these preconceived notions, perhaps if I had different experiences I would be more welcoming towards her.
“Lead the way then,” Leo said, using his hands as a gesture to let them take control at the front of the group.
We walked in a double file as we followed Christina and Erika through the opaque forest. Elex and I walked shoulder to shoulder, conversing in small talk as we did so. Unlike me, Elex had told me in the past that he never practiced fighting with a weapon in hand. When he asked me to help him with the sword, he said it felt good but it just wasn't for him. Although, as he walked next to me - a double-edged spear wrapped securely around his waist and resting along his back - I could understand why he preferred the lengthy weapon. He said because he had a wind affinity arcstone, he wanted to get comfortable with a weapon he could throw at his enemies from a distance or even control with the wind itself for mid-ranged combat. With that being said, he concluded that the spear was his favored choice, and as time went by, he slowly became more familiar with the double-edged spear. Back on school grounds when we trained together, he would practice controlling a staff with his wind abilities, attempting to spar with me while he controlled the wooden stick from a distance. In short, he had a lot of practice to do if he wanted to master his idea. However, when he fought with it in his hands, his control was surprisingly good and his attacks creative. Of course, as someone who has been trained with the sword for a long time, his attacks were somewhat predictable to me, but the potential was there.
“What are you doing?” I asked him as we walked. He seemed to be raising the ground using his earth arcstone every thirty minutes or so, creating large unnatural stumps of earth.
“I'm making markers,” he replied, “just in case we somehow get lost and need to find our way back to the gate.” he explained, “What do you think we’ll find here anyway?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied. The question he asked in essence, was vain. There wasn’t much point in trying to assume what you would find in a dungeon, but one thing that could be predicted was that this place holds a story unto its own.
“I guess . . . the only thing I can say is that ruins aren't completely random. Not in the sense you would think anyway.”
He glanced over at me, a puzzled look on his face, “What do you mean?”
“Don’t get me wrong, as soon as we opened the dungeon gate doors, the things we're destined to face could differ heavily in comparison to what the group of people go through in the dungeon next to ours. That part at least is random.” I elaborated, “However, I mean that the things we will experience within the dungeon won't necessarily be a randomized pile of obstacles we have to get through. In that book you let me read, when you get to the chapter that talks more about the Arcadiann ruins, it mentions how almost every dungeon has its own backstory. Like, instead of you entering a dungeon to face random challenges, it's more akin to entering a new world to solve a problem resulting from whatever that place or area may suffer from.” I explained.
“Hmm,” he said, “could you imagine . . . if they were truly different worlds? Imagine if, at this very moment, we were walking through the forest of a foreign land.” He said.
“I mean, it could be.” I replied, “The Arcadian ruins are such a strange phenomenon that even the top scholars don't know what it is - according to that book anyway.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen statements like that all over the book. Many theories seem interesting, but are then cut short by a statement such as ‘Scholars can't explain what this is.’ It just makes the book feel . . . disappointing.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I get what you mean.” I agreed, “But you have to give them some merit. After all, one thing that almost all scholars can agree on, is that a huge part of our continent's history has been lost through the ages. For example, no one even knows how the four races came to be, the only thing they can say is that we come from a common ancestor since we can reproduce with one another.”
“Quatsapiens,” Elex said, “It is strange. I don't understand how we all could have come from the same group of people, but all turn out soo . . . different.”
“Some things, we will never know,” Leo said, intruding into our conversation. “Maybe, because we were just unfortunate enough to be born in an era where our origins were lost? Or perhaps, something is stopping us from knowing. Something powerful. Sentient.” He said with a smile.
“Don’t tell me you’ve turned to religion. After all those grand speeches of why you think it's impractical for our creation to come from a big man up in the sky.” Elex said with a smirk.
“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately.” Leo replied jokingly, “And I’ve had many revelations. I think that religion is my true calling.”
A small chuckle escaped from the three of us as we continued to trot through the forest. It seemed that we had been walking on a steeper slope for some time now. Normally, with the circulation of mana through my body, the effect of fatigue would greatly be dulled. However, my sister would tell me to train my body without the reliant use of mana. That was a rule I had used when training for a long time now and only since last year - when Elex and I started training together - had he started doing it too. We were most likely the only ones in our group who were currently not using mana to aid ourselves.
As the wind got colder and the air thinner, Leo had been telling us how he felt we should turn around. He said he feared that we may be traveling up a hill or perhaps a small mountain and that it would make sense for us to find something useful at the bottom, not the top. However, just as he was about to head back up to the front of the group to tell the girls, our walking came to a sudden halt.
“What's going on?” Leo said.
“We found a clearing!” A voice said from the front of the group.
We made our way to where the forest stopped, and I saw the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my entire life. We all stood in awe as we gazed at the magnificent structure built atop this smooth gras-filled mountain. In front of us, an intimidating unfinished tower rested at the summit of the isolated mountain we had been climbing. Its immense proportions radiated an aura of mystery and conjecture. Despite it being perched up on the peak of the mountain, its volume spread wide and claimed the space for itself. It loomed over the rest of the world with its multitude of tiers overlapping one another, progressively getting narrower and more menacing near the top until it abruptly stops - Incomplete.
“By Arcinose,” Zack gasped.
Leo walked out in front of us and felt the ground below. “Let's stay here for the night,” he proposed. “It seems to be at least another fifteen-minute walk until we reach the entrance of that giant building - not long, I know - but we have been traveling for quite some time now. I say we set up camp here and begin tomorrow. The ground is soft and we can take wood from the forest to make a fire.”
“Agreed, my legs are aching from walking uphill that long,” Zack complained.
“But it's freezing up here,” Emily moaned as she stood there slightly shivering,
“We’ll make a big fire,” Leo replied with a smile.
“I mean, why don't we just take camp within the forest? This place is above cloud level” she said pointing far into the distance, “ If we camp in the forest, the trees will block most of the wind and it would be less noisy as we sleep.” She insisted.
“The trees are too close together for us to safely create a fire in, we wouldn't want to risk burning down the forest now, would we? Plus, the density will also make it hard for us to set up our tents close to one another. If something were to happen to someone, we don't want any stupid reasons such as that to be the cause for an accident.”
She may also be the brains of the group along with Leo, but her knowledge was more valuable when it came to theoretical work or problem-solving. Although Leo was adept in that as well, he also had the practical knowledge of survival skills.
“Alright, let’s get to it.” He said, “We’ll put up our tents in a line, and then set up a fire pit and eat before we sleep.”
HARRISON SAUNDONT (POV)
I was never one for politics, not one bit. In fact, even when I received help from Lord Kelting to get my job as the headmaster of Haulburn Academy, it was only after a grueling five years in my new position that I really saw the impact I could make on the social status of certain houses with the graduation of students. However, I still never had a liking for it. Politics. In essence, it’s just powerful people fighting amongst themselves and looking for ways to fool the public into giving them more control over their lives. I still remember the poverty-driven life I used to lead. Living my days amongst the city rats of Fortica. It's the hard times I go through now, the stressful times, where people look to me for help or people conspire against me to ruin my image where I wish I could go back to those days. Running around with my friends in Fortica. However, it all changed when I met Raja. He was the one who I looked up to. I wanted to be just like him, my yearning to have his image was so powerful that it turned into envy, and I knew that if I kept up those feelings towards him, it would corrupt into jealousy. Thankfully, that never happened. It never could happen, he was just too kind, too thoughtful, he was caring, like the older brother I wish I had. Perhaps that's why Olivia fell for him.
The door to the king's council room opened slowly, and the guard who stood duty in front of me let me pass. My heart began to race in my chest as I stood before the Senary head council and the monarch himself.
“Ahh, you made it.” King Solomon exclaimed as he got up to greet me, “I had feared you had not received the message I sent out.”
“My apologies, your grace.” I said lowering my head, “I had trouble leaving the School grounds.”
“I hope it was nothing that will affect you in the future?”
“Not anymore, your grace.”
“Good,” he said, moving his hefty figure back to his chair. “Take a seat, Harrison.” he pointed to a chair in between Lord Kelting and Lord Haugh.
“Yes, of course,” I said taking my seat at the round furbished marble table.
“Now, Lord Kadmin, please address the topics for today,” he said boldly.
The air in the room was . . . to simply put it, terrifying. The Senary Head Council members were people to be feared. Holding power that would put the common noble to shame, and as I’ve heard, they all have interesting personalities.
Lord Kadmin stood, “Of course, your grace,” the dark-haired man said. His features were sharp, and his clothing astute. He stood with the posture of someone in control of his life and in control of many others. He spoke with a sophisticated accent, his voice slightly echoing in the wide chamber causing a chill to crown over my body.
“Another attack has been reported at a smaller fishing village in the west of the Kingdom. The people who survived the attack insisted that it was a cult who ransacked the place and slaughtered innocents, but the inspector who provided me with this report claimed that the casualties and damage dealt differed from previous reports where the cult that has been causing trouble in the continent was actually present. He believes that it could be a group of bandits using the cult's name as a way to cover up their tracks.”
“Does it really matter?” Lord Kelting interjected, “Whether they are bandits or not, if they claim to be a part of this cult, we should send across a force from the royal guard to deal with them and interrogate those we capture.”
“Oh please, Gatman. What is it with your obsession with these people? You insist we take action so often and act as if you have forgotten that they are not the only problem this council has to worry about,” Lord Lucintroph said while gulping down a glass of wine. The pudgy councilor sat comfortably in his chair, his voice was thick and his clothing tight. He helped himself to another treat that was provided on the table in front of him while attempting to pour himself another glass.
“Perhaps my obsession comes from the fact that these cultists are terrorizing our people and that it’s only a matter of time before they move onto bigger places. So far, within the past two years, they have only attacked small villages, how much longer should we wait until they decide to attack a city?” Lord Kelting argued.
Lord Lucintroph scoffed the biscuits in his hand into his mouth and washed it down with wine, “My friend, you forget, we are running a Kingdom. The entire continent is being targeted by these cultists, we aren't special. I tell you this now, they are nothing more than a plague. They have come, and they will surely go. All we need to do is make sure we continue to run our Kingdom and outwait this disease. Of course, damage will be done, that is how plagues work. But as long as we keep ourselves safe, the Kingdom can live on.”
“Are you insane?” Lord Kelting raised his voice.
“That's enough, Lord Kelting,” King Solomon said with his hand raised. “ Although your concern for the people is admirable, we shall speak no further of the matter. As Lord Lucintroph has stated, these losses we have taken are unfortunate, yes, however, they are expendable. The lives of those who have been affected will be compensated, and the soldiers posted in the fishing village will look further into the matter, however, I am sure there are more pressing matters considering these people at hand.” He finished.
“Yes, your grace, forgive me.” Lord Kelting said, slightly annoyed.
"Lord Kadmin, If you will” The King said hinting for him to continue.
“With the recent passing of King Omuri Troziz and his eldest son, Kran Troziz, his youngest, Amon, has taken the throne and his coronation will be held in two months time.”
The King looked down and sighed, he seemed genuinely concerned. In comparison to the news of innocence in his own kingdom dying at the hand of thieves and terrorists, he seemed more distraught at the fact that the monarch of another kingdom had passed. However, it is well known that the two monarchs of the Demon Kingdon and the Human Kingdom have close connections. I’m sure that must also have a part to play in his reaction.
The table sat in silence as we waited for the king to respond, “How old is the boy now?” He finally asked.
“He just turned eighteen, your grace.” Lord Haugh said sitting on my right, leaning in as he spoke.
“By Arcinose,” the King exclaimed, “The burden of a king shouldn’t fall on someone soo young,” He said. “I still remember when I held him in my arms as a babe . . ." He sat in silence for an entire minute. The rest of the council members waiting for him to leave his thoughts and propose what to do. "In two months you say?” he asked”
“Yes, your grace,” Lord Kadmin confirmed.
“Shall we have a gift prepared and sent, your grace?” Lady Peirce asked. She was the only woman who sat amongst the Kingdoms councilors and for good reason. The brown-haired woman was beyond beautiful, slightly unnerving even. Her dress was filled appropriately with a well-endowed youthful chest, and a figure that curved in the right places. Her features were accented with jewelry that hung from her earlobes and rested around her neck. Despite her maiden-like appearance, she sat with one leg over the other and with a posture that exerted dominance. She was not one to be trifled with, not by any woman or man. In a patriarchy-driven society, she had made her way to find a seat on the kings council - a feat most men could only dream of - and even as she sat there, wine glass in hand, head up high, she still held her confidence in the prescence of powerful men.
“Yes, please do.” King Solomon replied, “and send out a letter arranging a meeting with him and his advisors.”
“Your grace,” Lord Haugh spoke, leaning in when he did so. His voice was sly and nasal driven, and the thin man had an air about him that felt dishonest. He leaned in a bit closer to the King when He spoke. “Perhaps, now that Omuri has passed, and the Kingdom of Vientor - prosperous as it is - has been left in the hands of a mere child. Maybe this could be our chance to- ”
“Whatever you're hinting at, Lord Haugh, I suggest you watch it,” Lord Kelting interrupted, “The Troziz family and the Porlovs have been close friends since the times of war against the Elven Kindom. How could you possibly suggest that we take it from the hands of our brethren simply because it rests the palm of a youthful monarch?”
“If a remark similar to that comes from your mouth again, Lord Haugh, you will be punished severly. What would the continent think of me? King Solomon, a conqueror who takes his kingdoms from the hands of children. Do you plan to make me into a fool?” The King shouted.
“N . . . No, your grace, I had your benefit only in mind." He defended himself, "The kingdom of Vientor cannot be trusted to be looked after by a child or even the advisors who watch over him. After all, they have no real experience running a Kingdom like you do, your grace.” he said, "I was merely suggesting that we take advantage of the fact that the resourses within the Demon Kingdom could be to our benifit. Perhaps we make a deal with the niave boy to bring our kingdoms closer, while we also gain some benifit. At least before another kingdom attempts to do the same."
“And that is why I will mentor him myself.” King Solomon said, “His ancestors saved my family's Kingdom in a time of need. And since then, we have lived in harmony with one another. Omuri was my friend, he was like a brother to me. And so, I see Amon as my nephew. I will take him under my tutelage and help him run the Kingdom that his father and his father before him worked so hard to maintain. The fruits he bears are his for the taking. And as our ally, any benefit his Kingdom makes is a benefit in our eyes too, and vice versa.”
“Yes, forgive me, your grace,” Lord Haugh said with a lowered head.
“Additionally, despite the young boy's age, I’ve heard he is quite the talented warrior,” Lady Peirce added. “Since the boy never expected to become king in the first place, he spent most of his time training or venturing through dungeons within the Arcadian Ruins.”
“Yes, I have heard the rumors too,” Lord Ardon added, “people say that the boys arcin gifts were soo great, that even the Ten Saxum considered adding him to their ranks.” The old man smiled to himself, “Some of the extremists believe that the spirit or life force of Crucious Vayne had been reincarnated within him when he was born. A speculation for the common folk to beleive. However, word of his talents are undeniably remarkable . He could be the most powerful monarch this continent has ever seen within the last three centuries. It is only unfortunate that he has been left alone in this world.”
“Well, I will make sure that he knows he isn’t alone, Lord Ardon,” King Solomon said, “Lady Peirce, have the gift prepared before the end of the month and show it to me in advance.”
“Yes, your grace.” she replied.
“Lord Kadmin, Please” The king commanded.
Lord Kadmin continued to mention topics surrounding the financial status of the kingdom and what to do with the money they had made and what Lords to reward and invest in for the future. The air held between them was truly something to experience. I simply sat there and observed as they conversed over the future of the Kingdom as if planning an outing between friends.
“Finally, the trouble with adventurers in the outer city of Hualburn.” Lord Kadmin said, “Reports have been raised that a small gang of adventures have been causing havoc and have been attacking government warehouses stored within the outer city. It started off as petty theft, but has now grown to the level of murders being committed and large supplies of weapons and food being stolen.” he said.
King Solomon turned to look at me, “Well, what do you think?”
“I’m sorry, your grace, what does this have to do with me?”
“Well, this is the main reason as to why you have been invited here today,” Lord Kadmin said. “These adventurers or ex-adventurers or whatever you wish to call them, have been moving in ways that the soldiers stationed within the outer city cannot handle or predict.“
“So, then why not send the royal guard out there to deal with them?” I asked.
“Because the last time the royal guard were sent to the outer city, other problems were caused, and the people of the outer city don’t feel safe when the royal guard patrols their streets.” He said.
“To be a king, I must understand that they are also people, and I should respect their wishes and make them feel as comfortable as possible within my kingdom - let alone my home city.” The king added. "These ex-adventureres are destroying the peace and sense of comofrt we maintain within Haulburn. It is past due that they come to a stop."
“I agree, your majesty, but why me? What matter do I have in all of this?”
“Mr Saundont,” Lord Kadmin said, “The inspector who filed this report, claimed that the adventures who seemed to be running this entire fiasco are ex-members of the guild called the Yellow Vanguard,” he said.
My eyes widened in disbelief. That was a name I had not heard in a long time. As I heard the words escape from his lips, memories of the past rose up to my mind, and I cringed at the thought of the past. The person I was during those times was not something I am proud of. I wasn’t exactly a bad person, but it was the thoughts I had, the things I did. It’s a part of my life that I'm glad is over.
“Does that name ring any bells?”
“Yes, it does.” I sighed.
“Harrison, our goal is to avoid conflict at all costs. These people have ignored our bribes and messages of peace, they aren't looking to compromise and we need to know why. Of course, we could storm them down and take them in by force. However, that is not how I want my city to be run. I am begging for you to help us with the problem.”
He formed his sentence in a way that seemed like he was asking a question, but did I really have a choice? When the King calls, his servant answers, and right now I was in no position to decline his call. It was a silent ultimatum. “Do this or we will do this,” no alternative. Whatever they would threaten me with, I'm sure it wouldn't be worth the trouble. As much as I wanted to leave that of my life in the past, it seemed it had somehow found its way to crawl back to the present.
“If only I had Raja here to help me,” I thought, “What would he do in times like this.” I scoffed to myself, Raja would have never gotten himself in a situation like this. To be reliant on others is the biggest weakness a man could have. A saying he would always tell me when we were younger. It seems I should have listened more.
“So, will you help?”
“Of course, your grace.”