If there was one thing I could tell you for certain, it was that there wouldn’t be any more silly adventures in the foreseeable future. Let’s just say that Rheka’s parents weren’t all too happy about our little forest escapade. All four of us received a stern talking-to after they’d brought us back home safely. Not that Rheka cared much. Silly adventures were her lifeforce. Chances were she’d be up and about in a day or two. But Urs probably knew that. She was his daughter, after all.

Regardless. It was time to refocus on the important stuff. Reading. Woohoo. Now that the brats were giving me peace I had some alone time on my hands- well, limbs. Time on my limbs. Time I’d spend reading through the rest of the old man’s grand bookcase. There were plenty of pieces in there that I hadn’t gotten to yet. Some of which were in a language plain unreadable for me, though I wasn’t sure if it was Kelmic or even something else entirely. I’m sure the old man had quite a few languages under his belt, as much as he’d gotten around the world. That aside, the sheer amount of literature in his collection was nothing short of impressive. He claimed that books in general were quite rare and given the fact that I couldn’t find even a single book at Fragaria’s place, that claim might just have some merit.

But enough of that. The one book I had my eyes on at that time was “The Magician’s Handbook”, by an unknown author. I’d skimmed through it before, but back when we returned from Rhodentum Vrintas had handed the piece down to me personally. He said I could have it for myself, now that I’d overcome that “mana problem of mine”, which was a more than optimistic way of putting it considering I still couldn’t cast for shit.

Spanning maybe a good fifty pages, it was apparently quite a controversial read. According to Vrintas, back in the good old days - they’d spread these like wildfires in an attempt of fighting the Arcongress' tightening grip on all things arcane. It seems like the use of magic had been heavily regulated for some time since then. I did remember the old man briefly mentioning something about “getting in trouble” just for teaching us, so it checked out. Knowing that, the complete absence of spellcasting in public suddenly made much more sense to me. It would have been spectacular then if someone had walked in on our bout with those Eternalists the other day.

Maybe the handbook could help me find out what my issue was this time. Truth be told, I had somewhat of an idea. A theory, perhaps. In general, there were seven elements or types of magic. The old, classic elements of air, earth, fire and water and the new elements of darkness, light and energy. Now. The old ones were yeah whatever - unexpected and thrilling I know, I know. But the new ones I couldn’t quite get behind, especially the concept of “energy”. Generally, you’d use mana to shape or convert one thing into another. Then how the hell does one convert something into or shape light and darkness? Or even energy? Wasn’t mana itself just “energy”?

Luminance was supposedly a light spell, not fire like I’d assumed, and when I asked Rheka about what and how she’d been doing it, she couldn’t give me a clear answer. Of course, she had no problems casting it whatsoever. That aside, Ember - now that one was a fire spell, so I should have had no problem casting it. Why? Well, because the elements of magic that a Nekro is affine with, their Forpal (me) should also be able to work with, which quite evidently, I was not. I couldn’t cast either Luminance or Ember, and I didn't think puffs of wet farts passed for spells.

Maybe I’m a waterbender!

Or maybe! I’m just absolute rubbish with spells. That was also a theory of mine, but I didn’t want to hang my coat or rather myself that fast.

As always, there was something out of the ordinary afoot, but I didn’t want to bother the old man about it if I had the means to find a solution by myself. So, I kept on reading. With Winter long gone and Rheka’s health finally improving, I started to experiment, hoping I’d get the hang of it. Eventually though, I ran out of patience. Surprising, I know.

I was tired of waiting and I was bloody tired of those two smartass brats making fun of me.

Tavrin chuckled, busting me out of my thoughts - the only quiet safe space I had left. The trio of brats had gathered to watch me fail, sitting comfortably atop our garden’s stonewall.

Alright, keep it together man. You. Can. Do this. You can do this!

I closed my eyes. Everyone’s staring at me. Don’t you idiots have anything better to do?

Rheka?! Please?

I tried to put all my focus on my hand – well, forelimb. I’d been trying for the better part of the afternoon, still nothing. The feeling was different. I knew that. I could definitely feel something now. But still, no real results.

My entire body began to glow. I could feel a warmth throughout my body all the way up to my claws. I opened my eyes, ready to launch a spell and then-!

With the sound of a wet fart, a puff of smoke emerged from my hand.

Rheka clapped her hands in an over-exaggeratedly quick fashion. Tavrin chose to continue laughing. And I was more than done with that.

“What? What is it?” I asked, turning towards him with a rapid spin.

“You. You’re doing that wrong, you know?” he said, jumping off the garden wall.

I could tell he was trying to hold in more laughter.

Go to hell, brat.

“Right. And how exactly would you know?”

“I just do. You’re thinking about it too much.”

Thinking about it too much? Splendid advice. How shouldn’t I when all I could conjure up were wet farts?

“Okay? Show me then. Show me how Tavrin, the great fire magician does his spellcasting. Go on.”

His joyful expression crumbled in an instant. “I cannot.”

“Ah! Of course. How so?!”

“I just can’t. It’s a... religious thing.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that one. “What. Are you a monk-in-the-making or something?”

“Monk...? Nooo! It’s more like... a rule. Its Aiventysh custom.”

Aiven-huh? That didn’t ring any bells. Probably some bloody Vannder thing I could nag the old man about once he finally came back.

I nodded. “Right, right. Of course. Meaning?”

“I can’t use my powers. I’m not allowed to.” Tavrin said.

“Says who? The wind blowing the leaves on the trees? Or maybe it’s the rainclouds peeing on your stupid head?” Zilra interjected herself into the conversation. With arms crossed and her smallish spear leaning over a shoulder, this bratty ten-year-old always knew how to deliver the snarkiest remarks with a smug face. Quite the remarkable talent.

“Be quiet. At least we don’t believe your flying lizards to rule over us, you dragon-worshiper. “

I looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

“No offense to anyone who is a dragon.”

“Why not?” Zilra asked. “Nobody could match them! They beat everyone! And they’re cool!”

“I’d rather not have you worship me, thanks.”

Rheka chuckled at that.

Zilra turned away, closing her eyes. “Don’t worry, I won't. You can’t even do a single spell.”

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“Okay? At least I know how to properly hold a spear. And I don’t even have opposable thumbs.”

Zilra jumped up. “What- what’s wrong with how I hold my spear?!”

“I see you children are having fun as per usual.” Urs said as he walked into the garden.

“Alright Zil, let’s get on with the training. And for Enk’s sake, children– stop with the magic in front of the house.”

“Father!” Rheka flung herself off the wall into his arms.

“You joining us, Rheka?”

“Mmm, I think I’ll just watch.” She shrugged.

From what I could tell, Ursus had always been keen on teaching his daughter the ways of the spear, but Rheka remained oblivious to her father’s wishes. All the girl wanted to do was explore places and fling fireballs. Can’t blame her, there wasn’t much to do here in the boonies.

And even though life in the boonies could be boring it was for the most part a life of peace. There was something joyful in living entirely without ambition. Watching kids play and bicker, watching a guardian train his ward, a mother tending to her garden crops. Of course, my mind was restless. I wanted riches. And I wanted power. But as far as I could tell, neither was going to happen anytime soon. So, this? This was also fine. Yeah. Maybe all I needed was a sense of belonging and security. The comfort of a home. A real home. And a family that lived in it.

These were the thoughts running through my mind as I sat atop our garden wall, looking across the vast fields of Dracofarn before me. There were only a handful of things that could make me tear up. That I would genuinely consider as beautiful. This landscape was one of those. It’s funny. I always remember this exact moment vividly. Unchanged. I remember it because it would be the last time I’d sit there for a long long time.

“What can we do for you?” Visla spoke to a person approaching her on the road in front of the garden. Was it one of our neighbors? Could be. If it was one of the villagers who helped rescue us the other day I'd have to give my thanks. Huh, me. Giving thanks.

The next house was quite a distance away, so he must’ve been walking for a while. Just the thought was enough to make my feet hurt.

No. I’d never seen the bloke before. We rarely got any visitors, and our house wasn’t exactly on the main road to Rhodentum either. He wore white armor beneath his clothes. A soldier, perhaps?

“Get off me, you brute!” Visla screamed. The supposed soldier had taken hold of her. He gripped both her shoulders tightly while he let out what I could only describe as a loud moan. It sounded like he was crying in agony, shouting even. But his screams of pain were muffled by his helmet. And what a weird texture it had. Almost like... like bone.

“Visla!” Urs dashed forward, launching his spear with full force. Not a thought too late. It hit the soldier but didn’t stick, knocking him back instead. Away from Visla, but nowhere near as far as you’d expect. Despite his injuries it was still Ursus we were talking about here. And a spear thrown by him should blast you all the way to Rhodentum. Yet the soldier had given almost no ground. Urs might as well have thrown his spear against a rock.

The soldier flailed about, clawing away at his rugged helmet. Screaming. Moaning. It was horrible to listen to. How the hell could a human even make sounds like these? Everyone covered their ears, but to no avail. Those screams just pierced right through.

Urs retrieved his spear before he thrusted it into the soldier’s torso with all his strength. With a loud crushing sound, the tip of the spear shattered. How. It was a training spear with a blunt edge - sure, but this? This was ridiculous. Urs seemed shocked but regained his composure quickly enough. In an instant he began grappling with the soldier.

That was the moment the kids decided to step in, but Visla held out her arm to stop them. I didn’t move an inch. Not because I was scared. Well. Not only because I was scared. But because I knew there was no point. The person Urs was fighting, was no person at all. It wasn’t human. At least not anymore. And it wasn’t wearing any armor. That was its skin. Bleach like bone. Somehow this man had mutated into something else, with skin as tough as rock. Doomed to suffer in eternal pain.

The sound of rocks crushing broke me from my thoughts. I was zoning out. In a moment like this. But what was I supposed to do? Urs barraged the guy’s face with fists, and nothing. As if he’d punched a plate of solid steel. An unbreakable shield. What do we do here? This thing was like a bloody turtle. Slow, sure, but good luck piercing through that stone skin. Urs will tire out for sure before he gets to deal any damage. Maybe...

“Push him!” Tavrin cried out. “Push him to the ground!” The kid beat me to it, but yeah. With that pile of hardened flesh struggling on the ground, we could win some time.

Urs twisted his foot into the earth and began to push. His opponent gave ground. Slowly. And steadily. Yet he clawed himself into Urs’ arms. Stood fast. Like a mountain. It was clear that we needed more force to make him trip.

I looked over to Rheka. Of everyone’s faces hers portrayed the least amount of anxiety. None, actually. That girl was as always, calmness impersonated. She caught me looking and threw a smile my way. Whatever plan I’d come up with, Rheka was ready. And I had just the plan for her.

After a quick briefing I stormed forward. I hated it. Throwing myself before the enemy was always the last thing I wanted to do. Yet somehow it always came down to it. Somehow, we always ended up right in the middle. Though this time, I passed my foe’s defenses unnoticed. Positioned behind him, I braced myself.

“Get down! Rheka! Now!” Thank goodness, Urs had understood the assignment. With a heavy grunt he shoved the man once more before ducking. A blast of wind rushed through the air. You couldn’t quite see it, but you could definitely hear it. Splash – A low tier water spell Rheka had been practicing for a while now. According to Vrintas it didn’t pack the punch of the more advanced ones but combined with Urs’ force and me as an obstacle to fall over it was worth a try. And thank whatever god you would thank here, we did it. He fell. Not without sparing me pain, of course, but what was a bit of pain in the face of victory?

“Is it... is it done? Zilra edged closer to us. The others right behind her.

The person moaned. Then screamed. Flailing about in an attempt to get up. We had gained some time.

“Okay, now what?” I asked.

“Now we burn him! Zilra shouted.

“Burn him?! He’s still a human being, you nitwit!” I said that, yet I wasn’t entirely sure about my own words. Could there still be a person in there? Somewhere?

“So what? He tried to kill us! I say we kill him first.”

“To me it looked more like him trying to kill himself. Or getting us to do it for him.”

I interjected. He was in agony after all. With not a single coherent thought remaining in his head, probably. I know I’d wish to die if I looked like that. Damn.

Tavrin continued the argument. “We don’t even know-”

“Alright enough! Before Urs put an end to it.

“We need clear thinking now. Does anyone have an actual proposal?”

“Maybe we could try and help him?” Visla said as she reached towards our foe on the ground.

A small firebolt flew past her, almost hitting her hand.

“What in Enk’s name?” Urs said as everyone turned around. On the other end of the road approached a man on horseback, with three more horses in tow.

Urs raised his fists. That colossus of masculinity was ready for any fight any day. But to our luck, there wouldn’t be any more for now. The man on horseback was Vrintas. Convenient as always, he showed up just at the right time.

I was eager to find out what Vrintas had been up to. Especially now as he’d been gone for much longer than usual. He’d fallen back into that old pattern of his; leave for long and talk little. Although this wasn’t exactly the best time for a casual chat.

Whatever scenario I’d made up in my mind, it turned out to be much much worse.

“We need to leave, now!” Vrintas shouted.

“Leave?! Why? And to where?” Urs shouted in return.

“We’re leaving. There’s no time for this! I’ll explain everything in detail later. Come on now!

“No. I will not forsake my home because of some... some invader." Urs slowly walked up to his father’s horse.

That scuffle earlier must have done in him. I’d almost entirely forgotten, but now that the adrenaline was wearing off, I could tell. Despite his efforts, and all the time that had passed, I could tell that his injury was still giving him trouble. His legs were shaking, his breathing fast. But he had to keep it together now. Put a foot down and stand his ground, I guess. Personally? I agreed with him. What the old man proposed here wasn’t exactly my cup of tea either. I’m not the bravest individual, but abandoning your home seemed wrong even to a coward like myself.

“We must. This place is doomed. I don’t know when exactly, but sooner or later the entire village will be gone.” Vrintas spoke without emotion on his face, but I knew deep down he was torn, he must have been. And frankly, so was I. As much as I hated to admit, looking at that thing - he might have a point.

Urs had already turned around, ready to end the conversation before Vrintas raised his voice again. “For the good of this family, we-”

“For the good of this family!” Urs laughed in a mocking tone. In one swift move he turned around to point straight at his father face.

“All you’ve ever done-” he paused, slowly burying his face in his hand.

“There’s more of them coming, I think!” Visla shouted.

“Let them come. I will fight to protect my home.”

Vrintas rode up to his son. “If you believe with all your heart that I abandoned my family – that I abandoned you, then don’t repeat the mistakes that I have made. Put your kin above all else. We cannot beat this by ourselves.”

Urs looked straight ahead. Though it seemed he wasn’t listening, his head must have been racing with conflicting thoughts.

“Father? If you fight, I will fight too.” Rheka placed herself at his side.

“Urs...” Visla reached around her husband from behind. A minute passed as they both closed their eyes. I could still hear the moans growing louder.

As our would-be opponents drew closer, Urs made his decision with a heavy sigh.

“Do what you will. There’s no stopping you anyway.” he said, going for one of the horses.

And with that the rest of the gang followed suit. Zilra hopped on a horse with Visla. Rheka, Tavrin and I shared another. And off we went. I must say I wasn’t a big fan of this plan either but what else were we supposed to do here? It took all we had, just to shove one of these fleshpiles to the ground. How was one to go about killing them?

As I looked back at our once-home swarmed by foreigners I couldn’t help but think that things...

...were about to change.