As Altleno traversed the harsh landscapes, from the biting winter chill to the toxic beauty of the Paradise of Nothing, his strength and experience were all he could rely on. The air here shimmered with serene beauty, yet beneath that facade, deadly toxins lingered, capable of killing any unwary traveler.
His aura—an automatic defensive shield—flared to life, encasing him in a shimmering glow that pushed the toxins away. Though it created a safe, breathable bubble around him, every second it stayed active drained him bit by bit, reminding him of the cost of his power.
As he slogged through the toxic wasteland, bitterness stirred within him. Did the villagers who sent him on this mission truly expect him to die here? His thoughts lingered on their intentions, but he shoved the resentment aside, focusing on each step forward.
Further into his journey, Altleno entered the Darkness of Wonder, a stark contrast to the toxic landscape. The air was breathable, and though the silence was unnerving, the eerie calm gave no immediate danger. It felt like a brief reprieve, a test of his resolve before the next trial.
Soon, he stumbled upon the Infinite Earth Paradise, an area even more dangerous. A malevolent energy radiated from the ground, seeping into his very bones. Instincts screamed at him to avoid it, and he moved on with renewed focus.
Seeking shelter, Altleno rested briefly, tracing the hilt of the sword given to him by the villagers. Its weight reminded him of his purpose. The Infernal Citadel loomed ahead, its name a cruel promise of torment. Was he truly ready for what lay beyond?
That night, exhaustion pulled at him, and he succumbed to a deep, dreamless sleep. The following morning, the citadel was in sight—a hellish place of endless torment. The ground was scarred with pits of acid, and the air was thick with the wails of suffering souls. As Altleno pressed deeper into this nightmare, a scream split the silence. He rushed toward it, carefully dodging traps, until he found a woman trapped under a massive rock, surrounded by zombified demons.
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Without hesitation, he dove into battle, his sword flashing and his aura flaring to shield him from the demons' claws. One by one, they fell, leaving Altleno standing amidst the carnage.
He freed the woman from the rubble, and she thanked him with strained breath. Altleno, ever composed, found himself stuttering nervously—a rare feeling of discomfort. The woman grimaced in pain, revealing a twisted ankle. She spoke of a healing aura she couldn't use on herself.
Seeing his awkwardness, she introduced herself as Bow, a Paladin serving both the church and the royal army. Altleno stammered his introduction in response, a brief comedic moment in the grim environment.
As he tended to her injury, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him. Bow's mannerisms, her voice, even her smile reminded him of someone he once loved. The only difference was her figure, which distracted him more than he liked.
Noticing his lingering gaze, Bow quickly covered herself, snapping him out of his daze. She tried to stand, but stumbled again. Altleno, feeling awkward but determined, offered to carry her to safety. She hesitated but accepted, knowing she could not walk. She gave him directions to the Royal Capital, Uelai.
"Uelai?" Altleno asked, confused. "I've never heard of it. Which way?"
"Follow the path straight until you see the artillery," she instructed, still flustered.
As they traveled, Altleno realized the dangerous lands he'd passed earlier were gone. Confused, he asked about them, and Bow's face hardened in disbelief.
"What do you mean, those lands are banned?" she asked, alarmed. "Who sent you through them?"
"The people in my village," Altleno replied. "They said it would be quicker."
Fury flashed across Bow's face. "That's inhumane! I'm reporting this to the king. They must be punished. Did they send you on other dangerous missions too?"
Altleno nodded, recounting the labyrinth north of his village. Bow's resolve stiffened.
"You need to stay in the capital. Once we gather evidence, we'll make sure they pay for this," she said, her tone cold with determination.
Upon reaching the gates of Uelai, Bow directed him to take her to the church for treatment and to report the villagers' crimes. As they entered, Altleno noticed the gossiping glances. His discomfort grew, and he rushed inside, eager to escape the attention.
Once inside, the church women took notice of him. One leaned in, whispering with flirtatious intent, "Hey, handsome. What's a strong man like you doing with a loner like Bow? Come spend some time with someone who can make all your problems disappear."
Another woman boldly touched his arm, but before Altleno could react, Bow shouted from across the room, "Leave him alone! Can't you see he's been through enough?"
The women quickly backed off, leaving Altleno embarrassed and flustered, silently wishing for the ordeal to end.