Chapter 15 – Fear of the Dark

After talking a little more about the town and the situation of its people Hall logged out and stretched his joints tiredly before falling into bed and sleeping for several hours.

He had lost all feeling for time and when he checked his phone after waking up, he saw it was Friday morning. Monday he had to return to class, so he had a weekend, almost three days of playing left until reality would have caught up with him.

When he checked his messages he was a little disappointed to see the lack of interest his absence generated. It seemed the scene he caused in the cafeteria caused some rumors to fly around the university but he didn’t really care.

Only three people asked how he has been and he quickly answered by telling them everything was alright.

While eating instant noodles with some cheap meat, he checked a few videos of Novus Vita.

It seemed the news of a player reaching level 100 a few days ago for the first time was false as there was evidence of others reaching greater levels already. Although those people tried to keep their achievements hidden for now.

Frank was happy reading this, as it meant it wasn’t impossible to reach higher levels faster. It probably depended on the class and the time invested in the game. Of course luck and determination also had something to do with success, just like in real life.

Now that he arrived in a major city he could finally take care of another goal he had from the beginning. Even if Bredon was a backwater kingdom, there were still hundred thousands of players residing in it with several thousands of people in the capital alone.

So he checked the official site for selling items in exchange for real money. The prices were alright. A rare level 30 sword would bring around a hundred bucks, armor and accessories a little less. Most offered items were of magic quality, but even they would fetch some decent money.

The prices for items peaked between level 50 and 90, most ambitious people seemed to be around there so the demand was high. He even saw an level 75 epic bow that would be sold soon for over a thousand dollars.

It was the standard currency that was used to trade and if you bought something, there would be no exchange fee, no matter the country you live in. Of course you could display the prices in your own currency too.

Frank did some more research and a smile appeared on his face when he thought about finally making some money, even if the stuff he sold was only magic or rare.

The currently known ranking of item quality was common, magic and rare, followed by epic and legendary. There also was talk about the artifact quality, but there was no evidence so far.

Of course an item’s worth not only depended on its quality but mostly on its level. A level 50 magic item would be better than a level 30 rare one.

And while legendary items only existed from level 100, epic ones started at level 60.

In the whole auction house there were only seven legendary items offered. The prices were ridiculous as it was mostly about the prestige of owning such a thing, not about the actual use.

He almost choked on his food as he saw a legendary sword being sold a few days ago for the staggering sum of 14.000$ and after some research he found that the first legendary item ever found, with a video as proof, was sold for almost a million.

Their worth would plummet as the game would progress and hundreds and thousands of more legendary items would be found, so in his mind it was complete insanity to pay this much.

He didn’t even want to think about the first artifact that would be found.

There was also the category of unique items. They seemed to be, as the name implied, rather special. The usually strict requirements made them useless for most people, so their value wasn’t too high, if they were sellable at all. Of course there were exceptions.

It seemed to be a category existing beside the usual ones. He read that these items were connected to quests, classes or professions and there would only exist a single one at a time. It didn’t mean they were useful, they were simply unique.

Contrary to his initial assumption he didn’t have to register his auction on the site directly, but while logged into the game.

He had to hand the item to an auctioneer in one of several towns. People could then bid ingame or on the auction site until it was sold. They could pick up the item at any auction house on the continent and the money would be directly transferred to his account as soon as the bidding ended.

So he quickly jumped into his capsule and logged in. It seemed to be early in the morning and the children, as well as Shep, still lay in deep slumber. Hall was away for a little less than eight hours in real life, so it was probably around five in the morning ingame now.

To not disturb anyone he left silently but with the intention of returning.

The sun wasn’t in the sky quite yet and only a few rays of scattered light illuminated the misty morning.

It was freezing and the heavy air carried moisture that immediately clung to his coat which Hall wrapped tightly around his shoulder to keep the damp cold away.

Without too much noise he made his way through narrow alleys and dirty roads until he reached the market place where the town hall stood tall and dominated the surrounding houses.

One of the few buildings that was open around the clock despite the curfew was the auction house, so Hall made his way there. He was pretty sure it was allowed to walk the streets by now. There were others doing so and he couldn’t imagine how the soldiers would enforce the curfew anyway when hundreds or even thousands of players would walk around at night.

So he entered the building that had a sign with an auctioneer’s hammer on it and approached one of the open counter windows. The clerk looked tired but was friendly when he greeted Hall and explained how it all worked.

Putting a duration of three days on his auction would cost him 3% of the sale value. One day would have been cheaper at 2% but more time allowed more bidders to make their offer. He could also choose the option of one week which would cost him 5% but he was a little too impatient to wait that long. There were also additional costs at the beginning of every auction as to prevent players from putting in every bit of loot they found.

Even with the sales of items alone Sphinx, the company behind Novus Vita, made many millions.

Beside the auctions for real money, there were also those for the ingame currency.

What came as a surprise was the announcement of the prohibition of the exchange of real money and gold.

Yet it was also to Hall’s liking because if you could easily use gold to get money he would always feel a little guilty for spending the ingame currency.

Of course it was possible to buy items with gold and sell them for real money, but along the way much of its value would be lost to the auction house, especially since the fee for selling items for gold was incredibly high due to taxation. Really good items were usually sold for money anyway.

Before leaving Hall put the two rings, the two magic swords and the rare one, all items he found in Bathory’s castle, up for auction. He also remembered the two skill books he found in the cursed tower, which he couldn’t use because of their class restrictions.

Skill books usually fetched a fair amount, especially if they were rare ones. So, when he stepped out onto the huge market place that didn’t show a trace of the bonfire festival anymore, he hoped for a decent payday.

Several voices from merchants, who sold various commodities, were hearable and a lot of players ran around, buying and selling their loot.

Because he already stocked up on all necessities he was thinking about his next step.

Shep’s words stayed with him to level up before dealing with the Cattle Hunt and he had to agree. He could probably deal with a few guards, even one or two of the elite ones at a time.

But he was up against an army of soldiers, knights and guards and even if he fought in the shadows there was bound to be some problems.

So the next option left to him was the catacombs under the city. He had high hopes for the progress of his class if he found the grimoire, though he wasn’t sure he could tackle the dungeon alone but he couldn’t ask anyone because nobody knew about him yet.

He thought about asking Himoto, well Scarlet Fire, but their difference in level would make it impossible for him to get any decent experience.

Some players already figured out that later in the game the level differences had less impact. If a level 90 player fought together with a level 100 it wasn’t that big of a deal, but a level 30 with a level 40 made all the difference.

Himoto was a lot more than only 20 levels above him so it wouldn’t be wise to ask her just yet, though he was sure a weekend of serious grinding with barely any sleep would help him to make some decent progress.

Lily agreed with his assessment and so they slowly went to the royal graveyard while taking in the scene of a city that was on the verge of waking up.

Merchants walked around with their wares and carts, forges started to heat up and the smell of freshly baked bread and cooked food spread from inns and bakeries.

The royal cemetery was lightly guarded as there was nothing to steal and the only reason for security was to protect it from vandalism or the homeless sleeping there.

Yet it was meticulously tended to by gardeners, at least at the entrance. Beautiful flowers and giant marble gravestones and statues marked the graves of the royal family. Not only from the current one but from centuries ago.

The further he went inside the cemetery, that was a lot bigger than he thought, the more trees surrounded the almost ancient graves. He searched for an hour before finding the resting place of Gantardan XVII, the grave that was supposed to lead him to the catacombs.

The guards rarely walked by these old tombs and the trees and plants gave sufficient cover for what he was about to do.

Hall infused the chains around his arms with soul energy and unfurled them. The blue glow was a lot brighter than at the beginning of his journey and the pulsating light made them look alive.

After he looked around for any disturbance, he swung his chains with full force and let them both smash onto the granite cover of the dead king’s grave.

He flinched at the crushing sound and although he expected it, he was surprised by the volume and quickly looked around if any guards noticed him.

‘Guess they are too far away, well, or they just don’t care’ Hall shrugged before putting all his strength into his swings again.

Each strike slowly chipped away at the ridiculous durable stone. It was as if it was protected by magic to remain for eternity. A thought not too farfetched as the graves of the royals were protected by ancient spells and they were only accessible with the king’s seal.

It took over two hours but finally, after countless blows, the old stone crumbled and broke apart, giving way to dusty stairs leading into the dark.

*Ding*

You have defiled a grave on the royal cemetery

Your bounty was raised to 30 gold. Because there is only little known about you the chance of detection is low, but there are more people on aware of your presence and on the lookout for you.

He could just sigh and shake his head as there was nothing he could do about it and he didn’t expect his bounty to remain low anyway.

By now the sun fully reached the sky and slowly drove off the cold air, yet it didn’t seem to penetrate more than a meter into what looked like a bottomless abyss promising nothing but darkness.

It felt like a warning to stay out and he could have sworn he heard moaning and muffled cries of sorrow coming from the grave. Asking himself what places others got to visit in this vast game he yet again ventured into another wicked hellhole.

‘I did not sign up for this… oh wait, I did… crapbaskets!’

In an attempt cheer himself up, he looked at Lily who dropped her shoulders and returned his gaze. “Hall, I want to go to the beach next.”

He chuckled and took a step down, into the darkness. “Alright, as soon as we are finished with this city I’ll take you to the ocean.”

Lily nodded and after gathering her courage, she followed him into the pitch black catacombs.

You have entered Roselake’s Forgotten Catacombs

You are the first one to discover this dungeon

+25 Fame

Experience from enemies will be doubled for one week

Item drop rate doubled for one week

‘Well, almost two more days of no sleep to use these seven to their fullest.’

Hall already took out a torch he bought in one of the stores and set fire to it while taking one step at a time. Before he was enveloped by darkness the torch in his hand lit up and flickering light illuminated the brown stones of the staircase that led deep down into the earth.

The temperature around them dropped significantly and when they finally reached the bottom of the stairs he could see his breath form clouds that rose to the low hanging ceiling.

His hair almost touched the top of the room as he looked around at the writings that were carved into the stone walls of the narrow passage that lead in a straight path further into the earth.

The letters on the walls were easily readable but he had no idea what they meant and Lily only shook her head after he asked her if she could translate.

Out of other options he followed the tunnel carefully for half an hour before he reached a fork and the way parted into two different directions.

A stone tablet was attached to the wall in front of him with runes on it that seemed to dance before his eyes. Faintly glowing they transformed and twisted and yet were hypnotic as if following a certain pattern.

Before he knew it, Hall touched the tablet and the glow became stronger, the runes began to gain structure and words he could read formed before him.

RIGHT IS NOTHING LEFT

–

LEFT IS NOTHING RIGHT

–

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

The riddle was not really a tough one. If he chose the right path he would probably walk into little resistance, yet that way he would not reach his goal.

So he turned left and headed straight into the unknown darkness barely lightened by a single torch in a sea of shadows like a lone star in the eternal pitch black universe.

The beige stone walls, that were surrounding him, separated further and further, yet he barely noticed as he walked for hours and hours and slowly he began to question his choice of way.

Even though claustrophobia was never a problem for him, he soon felt as if he was buried and lain to rest as the color of stone around him slowly became darker and finally turned into a glossy black that reflected the light of his torch and at the same time seem to add something to it.

More than once he could have sworn something moved in the walls as shadows seemed to scurry in the corner of his eyes and disappear completely as soon as he turned his head.

He tried to start a conversation with Lily, but they soon turned silent again and the tense atmosphere returned, heavier than before, making it hard to breath.

“Lily, something feels wrong.” Hall stopped, blinking and slapping himself, trying to regain his senses. His words and actions snapped them both out of what almost felt like a trance.

Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes to gather his thoughts he leaned against a wall. Then he noticed. The black stone was pulsating similar to the tablet on which the riddle was engraved.

Yet it was much more subtle, the pattern almost invisible, but it somehow influenced the reflection of the light and thus making it hypnotizing…and dangerous.

“We have to be careful, monsters seem to be not the only danger we’ll encounter down here.”

Hall nodded in agreement as Lily warned him and although they haven’t seen a single enemy yet, he knew they were here.

They had no idea how much time passed as they walked through the tunnel that dulled their senses and now that they knew the trick they kept each other from falling for the trap again.

After another hour they saw holes in the floor they had to evade. Holes they would have fallen in if they had continued to walk in trance. Holes they couldn’t even see bottom of and when they dropped down a pebble there was no echo, no sound, just a terrifying silence.

Swallowing hard they proceeded and finally they reached a large chamber.

Hall almost forgot to check for dangers as he breathed in deep because they could leave those damn tunnel behind for now.

The moment they crossed the threshold into the room, a large stone door fell from the top, closing off the entrance and their only way out. At the same time hundreds of torches lit up to their left and right, forming a path, guiding them to the center of the room.

A beam of white light emerged from the high ceiling and illuminated a pedestal right where the trail of torches ended.

It seemed to be made of dim cast iron, swallowing the light. A heavy book was placed on top of it, a view which made Hall cringe as he was reminded of his start in Novus Vita.

Yet the book gave of a different feel. Instead of an appalling feeling of disgust he felt a grave presence, heavy with sorrow and solitude. He just knew the tome was important, much more important than a simple book with a dark ebony colored cover and bright white pages.

He was sure this was the grimoire he was supposed to find, but he looked around the room suspiciously. ‘This is way too easy, so where’s the catch?’

While keeping an eye on the shadows surrounding them he followed the path marked by flames and the moment he wanted to touch the book bright light blinded him. When he could see more than blurred shapes again, the round room, was soaked in green, soothing light.

At one side of the large stone chamber, the one opposite to the entrance, a grand golden throne was visible. In a circle around him, a meter from the wall, stood seven figures looking at him with smiles on their faces.

They all looked regal, noble, like kings and emperors of tales told to kids.

One of them took a step into his direction. The tall man was clad in shining plate armor and held a large shield in front of him. His brown hair and full beard were well groomed and his blue, honest eyes looked at him with kindness and curiosity.

“Welcome mortal, you are the first one to enter our realm for a very long time and you chose to venture into these depth all alone. We are guardians of these halls, charged with the duty to only let those pass that prove themselves worthy. So to achieve your goal and to leave alive you will experience what we have to share.”

Although Hall’s Soul Perception was active he couldn’t read those around him at all. It was as if their souls were covered in thick mist, as if they would belong to another world or time.

The shield bearer stepped closer to Hall. “My name is Humitas and I will share my story with you first.”

The Seven Trials of Lives long gone

The seven guardians of the forgotten catacombs below Roselake will share their stories with you. Your actions won’t alter the past and yet they will have consequences for your future.

If you exceed the time limit of seven days to finish all stories you will be buried under the collapsing ceiling and tons of rock and earth.

Hall was a little disappointed it wasn’t a quest. He wasn’t sure how much enemies he would get to fight and as his goal was to gain some experience to level up, he was unsure of how useful these stories would be.

If he wouldn’t need the grimoire he might as well simply train his stats, although by now they were incredibly hard to raise. His speed of acquiring bonus stats has slowed down considerably as he already got a more than decent amount. So it was necessary to raise his level first before picking up additional training. That way he could increase his attribute points a bit faster.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

‘Might as well enjoy it a bit, I guess I was a little too focused on my progress and I forgot this is supposed to be a game.’

So he waited while the man who called himself Humitas began to glow and the light spread through the whole room as he looked straight at Hall.

“I told you my name, now you will see parts of my life as a second prince, a paladin and a leader… and what followed.”

His voice faded as blinding light enveloped Hall and swept away his senses.

Only a few moments later it felt like he was racing through a brilliant white nothingness as pictures and scenes rushed past him, showing him bits and pieces of the life of a growing boy.

From early childhood, as he was tutored inside a large castle with his siblings and as he played with them afterwards. The boy would pretend to be a knight and with a wooden sword he would rescue the princess, a doll his parent’s gave one of his sisters, from the evil dragon, played by his butler.

Days he enjoyed were followed by days of sorrow as his grandparents got sick and died. It was a good way to grow up. He was taught well, his mind and body shaped by the best teachers the kingdom had to offer.

His parents loved him as they loved all their children. To prevent a dispute over the crown his father sent him to become a knight of the church. He hated it at first, cried rivers, threw tantrums and cursed his parents.

Of course in the end he gave in and became a great knight. His swordsmanship was outstanding and his sharp mind helped him climb the ranks and gain a large following among the members of the church and parts of the army.

Hall slowly became dizzy as the images kept passing by him and showed Humitas leading battalions of soldiers onto the battlefield, gaining victory after victory, increasing the number of those supporting him inside the kingdom.

After the war was over and people focused on their lives again, they noticed the miserable state the kingdom was in. Hunger and death was everywhere, no men to cultivate the fields, to hunt or fish. Despair spread and it gave birth to anger. Anger over the king, over the senseless war and over the decadent nobility.

And people remembered. Remembered the one who lead them during the war, during times of suffering. Remembered who bled beside them while their king hid behind high and heavy walls.

Humitas had no desire to be king but his elder brother grew anxious. Scared he hid in his throne room, surrounded by his men, only hearing reports and whispers of treason and rebellious thoughts.

He was afraid his younger brother would take his kingdom away. His parents dead, his family exiled and only those around him that wished to gain from the fragile state of his mind, he was convinced Humitas was planning a revolution.  

Imprisoning and executing countless citizens over a non-existent plan to overthrow his reign, he fueled the fires of rebellion and after an order to execute his brother, Humitas saw only one way to end the suffering of the kingdom’s people.

He didn’t want a battle, but he was prepared for one. He raised his banners and thousands followed his call. Farmers, Fishers and Veterans flocked to him, armed with pitchforks and hatchets.

Those who didn’t have to give up their weapons and armor after the war, sold them for a few loafs of bread or some vegetables and pieces of meat to feed their families.

The only decently armed unit was composed of defectors from the army, following their former leader or being fed up with the current one.

It wasn’t an army. It was a nation. Men, women and children, hungry and desperate, they demanded the king’s head as they marched to the castle, Humitas at the front.

He never wanted it, dressed like the ones behind him he looked like a commoner and he lost the taste for luxury long ago. He avoided the festivities after the war and never accepted the medals and lands he was supposed to receive. Yet he couldn’t ignore the suffering of his people and put himself at the tip of the rebellion.

When they arrived at the king’s palace he screamed for his brother, wanted to convince him to step down, choose exile over a fight. When the king stepped out on the balcony Humitas didn’t recognize him. Deep furrows were carved into his hollow face and lack of sleep and fear made his eyes hazy and unfocused.

His high pitched voice reached the ears of the people beneath him. “Fools, this is my kingdom, MY KINGDOM, I won’t allow you nor anyone to take it from me, not my kingdom…my kingdom…”

His voice slowly died down as he repeated himself over and over and turned around to enter the palace again. At the same moment the large palace gates opened and an army of foreign looking soldiers poured out. Dozens of archers appeared on the roofs around them and even a few cavalry troops left the stables next to the large castle.

The king used his dwindling funds to hire mercenaries from foreign countries and even gave away lands and titles to gather troops.

The people behind Humitas clenched their weapons and many trembled at the sight of the soldiers. They were only a few hundred, yet they were well armed and organized.

The atmosphere was tensed and Hall’s mind raced as he took in the scene. He heard screams and saw an arrow leave the bowstring of a soldier when time around him slowed down.

His sight became blurry as he was pulled into the image before the arrow struck a woman’s neck, causing a bloodbath to unfold.

Before Hall could realize what had happened, he was in the middle of the battle. A large kitchen knife in his right hand and what looked like the back of a chair as an improvised shield in his left, he stood among the men and women who were attacked by the foreign mercenaries.

Confused he looked around. He saw scenes that were gruesome to behold. So far he witnessed several battles and killed his fair share of monsters, yet it was different now.

Children riddled with arrows, women chopped to pieces and men crying for their parents. And just so much blood. He felt helpless. His arms and legs trembled, clinging to his makeshift weapons. Lily wasn’t by his side and he had no power to speak of.

That’s when he heard it. A blasting roar rolled over the forces in front of the palace and caused everyone to pause for a moment, even in midst of all the bloodshed.

Humitas stood among several mercenary corpses and his imposing figure shone like a beacon of hope for the desperate masses.

“Do not falter! Do not fall! Raise your arms and fight for your families, for your friends, for your country. I will give my life for you here and now and I ask of you, join me in this battle to free our homes and to release you from despair.”

Those words seemed to inspire the ones around him. Their backs a little straighter, their eyes a little brighter, they now faced their enemies with new hope.

Even Hall seemed to be a little inspired by it, maybe he just needed something to shake him out of his confusion.

At that moment he saw a flash out of the corner of his eyes and when he yanked up his left arm an arrow pierced the piece of wood he held and almost penetrated his shoulder.

Throwing away his improvised shield he ran up to a mercenary who’s sword was about to stab a woman that lay on the ground with an arrow stuck in her leg.

With precise movements he sliced his throat and rammed the knife in his hand into the soldier’s heart.

Scenes similar to Hall’s were happening all over and surprised screams of the enemies were music to his ears as they were surprised by the sudden resistance.

After he quickly confirmed that the woman was alive, he grabbed the sword of the man he just killed and looked around for more opponents. His cheap knife was useless as the handle broke off after it was lunged into the enemy’s chest.

Although it turned from a slaughter into a battle, they were still inferior to the mercenaries. If they managed to push them back, arrows were sent flying, breaking their advance and crippling their assault.

The pattern repeated itself and made it impossible for them to win the battle.

So Hall made a decision. He ran past dozens of fighting men and women, slashing and stabbing left and right, killing or wounding several foes.

Even if he couldn’t use his skills and he dearly missed his chains, he was not defenseless. Running into an alley it looked like he was fleeing, just as several others already did, yet he turned around and climbed the roof of a large building beside the place in front of the palace.

The wooden roof was creaking under the feet of half a dozen bowmen that fired into the crowd. Without delay Hall sneaked up at them from behind and slit their throats silently as to not alert the others.

They weren’t wearing armor and their level was low, a critical hit with the multiplier from a sneak attack instantly dropped them.

His experience increased significantly as he jumped from roof to roof, slaying dozens of archers. Only after he was discovered he had to slow down and evade several arrows.

Still, his interference caused the arrows, which killed so many of the unarmored people, to stop falling from the sky and the few archers that were left now focused on him.

Instead of confronting them on the open roof he dropped down into the alleys and appeared behind them, killed one or two and dropped down again before any arrow could pierce his skin.

The mercenaries tried to stop him, but now, without the support from higher grounds, they were pushed back by the desperately fighting men and women under Humitas’ command.

Hall was tired sooner than he liked. He killed over thirty mercenaries by himself and his stamina almost hit rock bottom as he was weaker than usually by far.

Yet the battle was not over. So he jumped from a roof after killing the last archer and ran to the men that fought by Humitas’ side. Together they sliced through the enemies and picked up several of their own people that were struggling and close to being overwhelmed.

Their forces grew and they now formed a real formation, pushing back the mercenaries and overwhelming them with sheer numbers. The tides of battle changed with the death of the archers and in the end, victory was theirs.

Soon enough the remaining enemies and the king, as well as several nobles, were dragged out of the palace and were executed on the spot as they were crying, screaming and cursing. It was unsightly, yet nobody bat an eye.

Thousands of corpses surrounded them. Their rebellion was successful, yet the price they paid was a grave one.

Again Hall was pulled from his body and he saw several days pass by in a few flashes and when he was back in the body he just fought in, he was in a throne room, standing in front of Humitas.

Around him he saw several others he remembered from the battle.

They stood on the same stairs as him and down in the room were hundreds of well-dressed people applauding.

Humitas gave them a warm smile as he stood in front of a throne on top of the stairs, a meter away from Hall. “Thank you for your service, without you, all of you, we would not be stranding here as free men today. So as a reward for your service, I will grant you titles and land you can call your own. But remember, protect your people with the same passion you used in the battle.”

While more applause was audible from the ranks of nobles and most of the ones being rewarded smiled happy, Hall could just sigh. He had no interest in titles and he wanted to get on with the story to get to the grimoire.

“I am grateful for this reward, yet I have to decline, I hope you understand.”

Most of the people in the room stared at him in shock and incomprehension.

Humitas was the only one smiling. “I understand and for showing not only showing smart tactics and a great fighting ability, but also modesty you will be one of my closest guards from now on and my acting right hand.”

Hall was surprised to say the least, he had not expected this development but before he could react, he was pulled out of his body again and was thrown back into snow white surroundings.

More pictures raced past him as he saw the passing of time. The man he was possessing, Hall couldn’t think of a better word, remained at Humitas’ side through several years.

The kingdom seemed to have a bright future with the new leader, the harvests were plentiful and the people happy. Yet over time, people seemed to be alienated as their savior disappeared from their sight and further melted into the distant figure of a king.

The nobles that wanted Humitas off the throne tried to gain more influence and with enough bribes and lies they slowly managed to stir up some people.

A few members of the royal family returned after their eldest brother was killed and tried to consult the new king, who became more and more stubborn during his years of leadership.

The empty treasury and the question of legitimate lordship gnawed on his mind. Several smaller conflicts erupted on the borders, many of them instigated by rich nobles who wanted to weaken the king and other nobles.

After over fifteen years Humitas’ youngest brother, barely twenty, tried to take the crown, yet Hall’s counterpart in this world killed him and suffocated any thoughts of rebellion.

All these events took their toll on the king’s mental health.

He became paranoid and isolated, surrounding himself with his guards and Hall’s body remained by his side always.

Yet he saw the look in Humitas’ eyes when his alter ego turned his back to him. He didn’t trust him, almost expected betrayal.

So the years passed and the situation worsened. Droughts caused hunger and hunger caused despair.

Some might find a sense of irony in the events unfolding, but Hall could not laugh as schemes to replace the king were formed and whispers of treason were shared behind closed doors.

Over two decades passed and Humitas had aged considerably, his face hollow, his eyes unfocused, sometimes confused, but always scared. Hall remembered this look, the same look he saw on the king’s brother.

As history likes to, it repeated itself. Now Humitas stood on the same balcony he screamed at so many years ago, looking down at his people with twitching eyes and a high pitched voice.

“Fools, I was the one who saved you from tyranny and you want to take my kingdom away from me now? Never, I won’t allow it, it’s mine, MINE, MY KINGDOM…my kingdom.”

The saddened Hall looked at his counterpart who had nothing left in his eyes but pain over seeing his old friend, the king he believed in, in this state.

Overlooking the crowd in front of the palace he saw thousands of men, women and children. Hungry, dirty, many unarmed. They were rebelling with torches and shovels.

Hall could only shake his head. The moment the gates opened and he saw hundreds of soldiers leave the palace, he was forced into the same body as before.

A sense of dread overcame him as he had to witness the king’s army approach the terrified people. He didn’t want to see a scene like last time. Never.

So with a heavy heart he raised his sword and rammed it into the king’s back, piercing his heart, as the man turned to leave.

Humitas’ eyes filled with surprise and hate as he moved his lips without voicing any words.

The king’s level was pretty high, but it seemed like he was severely affected by his mental state and Hall’s body was a lot stronger than he remembered, probably even significantly stronger than his original one.

So it only took him a single strike to immobilize his lord. With the next one he decapitated him and through a mighty roar, filled with sorrow and anger, he stopped all movement below.  

Everyone looked at him as he stood in complete silence, the king’s head raised high for all to see.

It seemed like nobody had the desire to sacrifice himself for a dead king, so they all just looked up to Hall, expecting him to act.

But he simply dropped the severed head on the tiled balcony, painting the white, polished marble in a deep red tone and raised his voice.

“This kingdom is yours, do with it whatever you want, I don’t want it.” Breathing in deeply, he turned his back on the thousands below him and stepped into the palace or he planned to as he was yanked back and his mind left the borrowed body.

This time there was complete darkness instead of the white light and only slowly did his vision come back.

He had returned to the torch-lit room in the catacombs below Roselake. His heart pounded and while breathing franticly, he made sure he was in his own body again and Lily was beside him.

After confirming everything was alright, he looked at the man in front of him. Only now he noticed the faint line on his neck where he had cut him with his sword. ‘Was that scar there before?’

Humitas’ eyes were harder than he remembered and Hall could not read them at all.

“So you made your choice mortal. Tell me, why did you not take the crown?”

Shrugging with his shoulders, he thought for a moment. “I have no desire to be king, no desire to rule and no desire to have others bow to me.”

With unmoving eyes, the man he just killed in another world or another time or maybe both, taxed him unsatisfied. “Yes, but we all have our roles to play in this world. I always thought of myself as the puppeteer, deciding the lives of others, yet at the end I was the one dangling from strings others pulled. Was it humans? Gods? Fate? Who knows! But what about you?”

This time Hall thought about it longer before answering with a stern look on his face.

“I won’t allow anyone to make me his puppet and I have no desire to play with the fate of others. You can see me as the one who cuts the strings, just as I cut yours.”

The tall man, who still held on to his shield, nodded. “Interesting answer, we’ll see how you will fare with it, but remember one thing.

I was a good man once, as was my brother, but we were afraid. Afraid of losing our power, afraid of what lurked in the shadows.

It was fear that clouded my mind and it was fear that drove me into the darkness, so if you want to learn something from my story, don’t be afraid and keep fear at bay.”

At those words Hall could just shake his head, saddened by Humitas’ lack of understanding. “Even after centuries you are not more prudent than the moment I took your head, if that’s what happened to you back then. It was not fear that killed you, it was the way you faced it.

Fear is not an enemy we have to fight, but it may be an obstacle we have to overcome.

It is something that can control us, overwhelm us and destroy us. Something that breeds cruelty and hatred.

Yet it is also something that can guide us, help us on our way to become stronger, to become wiser and in the end, to become kinder.

And I for my part refuse to be ruled by it.”

He wasn’t sure it was the smart thing to go against these guardians, but he had no idea what to do anyway.

A story was not the kind of trial he expected and he couldn’t do anything against it, so he simply followed his instincts.

Again Humitas didn’t look pleased when he directed his words at him. “Very well, the second guardian will take my place now.”

He stepped back and the light surrounding his body dimmed while the figure next to him became brighter and placed himself before Hall.

PREVIOUS CHAPTERNEXT CHAPTER

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Author’s Note:

Took me some time, sorry for that, been really busy this last month, but not to worry, I am still continuing my story

:grin:

So I hope you like the new chapter

Next one will be out in a week (almost sure^^)

I know seven stories seems like a lot, but it was a choice I made for a reason.

The other stories will be much shorter than this one and I will probably finish the trials next chapter, so if you wait for more progress, a little more patience please ;)

Thank you for all your comments last chapter, it is really encouraging to see so many people take an interest in this story and are even thinking about how to make it better

So please continue to tell me your opinions, suggestions and point out any mistakes you find, I really appreciate your support

:bye: