[ Six years ago ]
The cold wind carried with it , an unrelenting rain that pounded down the scorching town below it - the rain sizzled when it came in contact with the roaring inferno . The fire had engulfed everything around bringing down the small , the air was heavy with the scent of corpses and ash . '' Kill the monster ! '' the young warrior yelled , it had claimed the live of many in a blind rage - it was not just a mere beast by a horribly mutated child , what once was a left arm , was now twisted malformed union of man and beast . The child's eyes glowed a blood curling red but his eyes never ceased to water . The boy let out a thunderous roar , rooting all too the ground - it saw their fear and dashed toward reading to end their existences .
Instantaneous his attack collided with the Raven Blade , the sword that belong to a legendary hero of Eldara , Anaya - her hazel brown afro swayed in the cold breeze . '' Mel , get them to safety ! '' she yelled , Swiftly Mel grabbed the young warriors and toke them to safety . When Anaya looked closer to the monster she noticed it , '' Why is it a - '' she thought , the monster over power her , nearly killing her . The beast came charging back at attempting to pin her down , she effortless dodged him , the exchanged last for a while . The monster would just attack and Anaya would dodge , '' Why is she doing that ? '' , Melissa asked .
'' It seems like she studying it movements and behavior '' Segast replied , as he healed those the wounded . '' But why ? '' , Mel thought .With each missed attempted the monster grew in size , it's rage was rapidly strengthening it , Anaya placed her sword back into it's sheath . Swiftly she appeared behind him and knocked the monster out . The monster's body went limp and he fell like a stone , reverting back it's human form , it was a nine year old David . She placed the child on her back and ran toward her comrades .
'' Segast , can you heal him ? '' Anaya asked , as she placed the boy before Segast . '' I do not know but I'll try '' Segast replied , he hovered his hands over the child body , faintly it glowed white and gold . More and more section of the child's body became a dark purple , the mutation was spreading rapidly until his body was engulfed with holy mana . It momentarily stop the spreading , '' My apologies , I could only do so much '' Segast said , he hung his head low . '' You did enough to stop it '' Mel said , placing her hand on his shoulder . '' Captain , we'll deal with everything here . That child needs to be at the Cathedral '' Mel , added on .
Anaya picked David up again and dashed to the forest behind them . '' Just hang in there , soon you will receive the help you need '' , Anaya whispered as she ran through the forest .
***
[ Present Day ]
'' We're not here because we want to be , if we leave without the fragment of the Map , me and my comrades will be killed . But … if you manage to ensure my men's survival I'll tell who wants the map '' Selene said , her voice ever so calm . Kroger just looked her way , not uttering a single word .
'' You expect us to believe you'll help , when you just attempted to kill one of my friends '' David replied ,
'' You are correct . But there's a greater chance of gaining your trust than facing him in battle . None of you could fathom what he is capable of . '' Her eyes drifted toward the window , '' He needs no army to find you , He sees everything , he knows everything . Your sister's death was no accident , He knew she had it , and he'll know you're after it too . '' He jabbed his blade right next to Selene's neck - giving her a tiny cut .
'' Sir Gideon ! ''
'' Bullshit , all of it is bullshit . You know nothin' about me or my sister ''
'' What if … she is telling the truth ? Gabi proclaimed . '' Why would I just ask for the Map ? She had a chance to kill me .. but she didn't '' .
"As much as I loathe to admit it, Gabi raises a valid point. If her intent were truly murderous, she would have acted by now. Besides, even with our combined strength, we wouldn't stand a chance against either of them.". '' Elara said , Selene slightly smirked , amazed at Elara's keen eyes and battle assessment .
'' But - '' David tried thinking of something to say , anything that would cement her arguments , yet he had no answer - Gabi had a point , even though he hated it , he knew that if it was an assassination attempt everyone in the room would've been declared dead by morning . Elara lowered her crossbow , with a loud sigh ."If what you claim is true, and this 'He' sees all, wouldn't that mean he's already aware of your betrayal—and perhaps even orchestrated this very situation?"'' Most definitely '' Krogar replied , before anyone noticed he drew his blade to strike Selene down , just in time she ducked underneath - his knife hitting David's blade with a sharp , metallic clang . The force reverberated through the air as sparks flew from the contact . In one swift motion , she wrapped her arms around David and slid toward the bed . Her eyes were locked on him , waiting for his next move . Before realized he was sitting next to Gabi - '' How did she - ? ' he thought , it finally dawned on how far in skill gap was between Selene and him . The illusion spell began to wear off , the light around Kroger's body began to shimmer , as if the veil was being pulled back - the light began to ripple like a pond . Different colors began to emerge as it's true form was revealed .
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Beneath the mask of what was taught to be human , emerged a corpse twisted by grotesque mutations - it's skin was layered rotting flesh , scales akin to that of a serpent , and thick labyrinth of veins , radiating dark mana . The one side of his resembled the man Selene consider her brother , though it was horribly deformed . Across it's face was twisted smiles , riddled with the grotesque amalgamations of various beastly features ; a maw filled with razor - sharp fangs . It starred at David with its glowing red eyes , piercing his soul . The feeling dread filled the room , they could all feel it's killing intent .The beast launched itself toward David with a terrifying speed , its eyes filled with blood lust and a desire for carnage - its massive beast-like arm pulled back for a devastating blow . With a thunderous boom the monster flew through the wooden wall behind the bed , pieces of the wall flew everywhere - from the hole arose smokes and the loud roar of a hungry beast .No harm was done to Gabi or David - thanks to Selene's lightning fast reflexes and reactions .'' We need to leave ! '' , Selene yelled .They wanted to process what they had just saw but there was no time they had to run or be ripped to shreds .
They ran onto the long corridor outside the room , but when they taught had escaped one monster outside were greeted a few more , the corpses of the assassins that Elara killed came back to life and they too became nightmarish creatures . The monsters were feasting on the flesh of the maids , '' Did you bring these monsters on purpose ? ''David asked Selene , '' He must be the one behind all of this '' she replied , with her cat-like agility she leapt toward them and swiftly cut them down , creating a clearing for them . David had fallen behind , the injury placed him a world of unfathomable pain , with each the step pain became greater but he had no time to stop , Krogar busted through the wall onto the corridor . The beast salivated at the mouth , when it laid eyes on David , "Take a right—now!" Elara yelled , David heart started beating faster , but the pain was starting slow him down - his body was at its limit , one of his ribs broke again .
The monsters rapid footsteps grow louder and louder , his stomach was turned into a million knot , with an insane speed the monster hurled itself at him , reading to rip into David flesh . Right before the monster could sink it's teeth into him , Gabi pulled into the room - once more the monster crashed into another wall , '' Barricade the door right now ! '' Selene yelled as they pushed every heavy object in the room in front of the door . David fell to one knees , his on the area on pain , Selene extended her hand to him . He gritted his teeth , he wanted to reject her offer , but they needed to leave immediately and that he needed all the help he could get . She lifted him , placing his arm over her shoulder . he room they were in was her grandfather's study - a massive room , each corner was filled with all sorts of books ranging from world history of all manor of literature . '' Where is it ? '' she aid , frantically pulled different books from the shelf . '' What are you doing ?! '' Selene yelled , pushing a clock toward a door . '' Looking for a way out !!" She yelled . They could hear the monster risen form the rumble it found itself . '' His gettin' up , hurry up Elara !!'' David . The monster continuously rammed against the wall , luckily the walls was made from the strongest wood in all of Eldara , Mammoth Oak . The room was originally made as an panic room with a secrecy tunnel leading outside the manor . Continuously the monster rammed against the walls , shaking the very foundation of the house . '' Please hurry , Miss Elara '' Gabi said , her voice riddled with fear .
"I've got it." Elara said , she pull the massive book from the rack , the wall full of books moved forward revealing the passage .One by one they all ran through the barely lit passage way . '' Where does it lead too ? '' Gabi asked , '' That I don't know but I just want to be anywhere but here '' she replied . Everyone except Selene was visible shaken up , by now such monsters had become a norm to her . The long trek made David reflect on what Selene revealed to him , his mind started to fill with questions : what if she spoke the truth ? , why would Anaya hide something like that from me ? , Did she not trust me ? Can i even get strong enough to bring her back ? '' They reached a old rusty lady , what they presume led upward to a safe haven , far from the 'it' , the hatch opened to somewhere deep in the dense forest . '' You think the monster followed us ? '' David asked , ''We should be beyond its reach now ''Elara replied , leaving just Gabi as the last to reach the surface .
. ''I'm so glad we escaped that thing .'' Gabi said , being the last to climb out . Whats she didn't not notice was emerging black smoke rising from where the manor was , Elara's heart sunk . That was just not any old building it was one where she spent her whole life , the best days and the worst . Gabi had noticed how distraught she looked , even though there was nothing she could say to make her feel better , she couldn't they only met a day ago . David placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her soft smiled painted in pain and anguish .