As the late morning sun shined across the courtyard of Oakheart Keep, Freya, clad in a pair of leather boots along with some black fitting linen pants and a black vest adorned with the Black Wardens insignia depicting a shield and broken spear, stood upon a raised platform before the assembled ranks of the Black Wardens. Her voice, usually carefree and nonchalant, now carried a hint of seriousness as she addressed her fellow wardens. "Listen well, Black Wardens," she began, her tone cutting through the hushed murmurs that had taken hold of the crowd. "The news of the evolved creatures might seem like a tale spun from the depths of myth, but I assure you, it is grim reality that now stands at our doorstep." Her piercing gaze swept across the faces of the wardens, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. "We have lost brave scouts to these creatures, and their strength is unlike anything we've faced before. But this is not a time to despair but to adapt, and to be prepared for the unexpected. Our duty to protect the kingdom has never been more vital. To that end we have requested help from the Capital and I also have another trick up my sleeve if all goes well I might find a way for us humans to transcend our limits thanks to Eldric's legacy but don't ask me about the details just yet, just know that I'll be working with Master of Arms Kormac on a way to let us beat those creatures." The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the looming threat. "That is all, everybody return to your duties".
"After everyone left the courtyard, only Kormac, Vlad, and Freya remained. "Well, that's that. That should raise their morale quite a bit." Freya joked, her voice returning to her usual carefree and easygoing tone. Vlad was flabbergasted. "It always amazes me how you can change tunes so fast, Commander..."
While Kormac added, "I'm more amazed how you didn't crack some jokes in the middle of the speech, Commander."
Freya just went along with it, "It was hard, Kormac, very hard." She smirked and then added, "But enough of that, let's go to the nearby forest. I have something amazing to show you." She said as she took Silverwind in her hand and led the way.
They walked until they reached a clearing with a small lake, surrounded by forest on all sides. Once there, Freya motioned for them to sit down. "Kormac must have an idea about what I'm about to say and do." She smirked. "But first, what do you know about that ancient civilization that's long extinct?"
Vlad said cautiously, "Once upon a time, humans wielded magical powers and sought to conquer the gods. As punishment, they were transformed into the chaotic corrupted beasts we know today. But why do you ask that, Commander?".
"What would you say if I told you that in this world, there was once a power called 'mana,' and now it has reappeared?" Asked Freya with a smirk.
Vlad continued, "Normally, I would ask you to stop jesting, but given the fact that you actually took us here in secret, I think you're about to show us something amazing, Commander."
"And you're right," said Freya delighted. "As you know, Silverwind was Eldric's weapon and his legacy. It's also the object that gave him his powers. This spear is a relic of that ancient civilization. And last night, by a stroke of luck, I happened to tap into its power. I gained some scattered bits of knowledge and the ability to gather and use mana, allowing me to surpass the physical limitations of the human body."
"That means those legends are actually true?" Kormac asked, shocked. "Did humans really have such power in the past? And are those dark creatures we fight, like the cyclops and hecantophiles really humans transformed by a curse?"
Freya shook her head. "I have no idea if gods truly exist. But what I do know is the way to train this new power and that the sky is the limit. I will proceed to train you two, but I can't guarantee you'll be able to unlock this power. But first, let me show you..." She rose to her feet while gripping Silverwind, took a stance, closed her eyes, and began to gather her mana. Soon, she was surrounded by a silver light, and she began executing her spearwork, hitting nearby trees. Unable to withstand her force, they shattered into pieces. With a spin, Freya released a wind so strong that all the dust and broken trees were swept away 10 meters from her. Both Vlad and Kormac had their jaws on the ground.
"You can close those jaws now," she lightly said, making both of them recover from their shock. Her words awakened them both and they coughed in embarrassment, "Excuse us, Commander. You have just given us a new hope, can this mana thing give us immortality as the legends say?" Asked Kormac hopefully at 47 years old he was beginning to feel the years taking a toll on him despite his physical training he could feel his body starting to decay.
"Wanting to be immortal now, are we Kormac?" Freya teased him while adding "I don't know about that Kormac, death is a decaying of our body, from what I could understand so far cultivating mana improves our body and rejuvenates it as well but I can't say for sure." And Vlad just brushed Kormac aside, "Don't mind him Commander, pfft, immortality he says. I'll be happy with us just staying alive and actually having a fighting chance against those creatures."
"Stop it, Vlad. Let's proceed Commander." Said Kormac.
"Agreed, what I'm going to do to you is the same thing Silverwind did for me. I'll circulate my mana in your body allowing you to actually feel what mana is, you on the other hand must concentrate and guide it in your body akin to how blood flows through your veins then make it gather in the middle of your chest, your Dantian, imagine it like a second heart but for mana." Began Freya to earnestly instruct them, "Kormac, you'll be the first. Sit down cross-legged and take off your shirt and leather armor. And don't make any smart comment I need to put my palms on your back and slowly insert mana into your body and skin on skin contact is the best."
Just as she finished instructing him, Vlad's could be heard saying, "Don't worry Kormac, you heard the Commander, she'll go slowly."
"Before you continue Vlad, look at those trees and think hard about what you say." Freya warned him. "Understood, Commander. I'll shut up now." Making Vlad sit quietly by the side.
"All ready? Remember the moment you start to feel it concentrate and guide it around your body!" Freya reminded him and started gathering her mana and a silver hue enveloped both her and Kormac. After about 2 hours the silver light surrounding Kormac's body began to change in color to a shade of red. And even though Freya's hands were no longer on his back the mana now red in color still persisted while his eyes were still closed in meditation she whispered to Vlad, "Well that should be a success seems like he managed to feel the flow the rest depends entirely on him, it's your turn now."
And Freya proceeded with the same procedure on Vlad as well after about 4 hours he finally managed to feel mana as well. Giving Kormac the chance to make fun of him and call him a slowpoke until Freya shut them up both and began to instruct them on what they should do from now on and how to train. "Being in close contact with nature and under the sun will facilitate your ability to gather the mana in the air. Your focus should be on assimilating the mana and circulating it within your body cleansing your organs and strengthening your muscles, that's all I know about right now, I'll let you know if I have another epiphany. When we get back, use whatever free time you have to train yourselves. Kormac when we get back have someone to patch up the training chamber and select a group of your most promising fighters, you'll be responsible for instructing them but don't awaken them like I did with you have some patience I want to see if any of them can awaken naturally. As for me I have a feeling I need to improve my strength as soon as possible I don't know why it's just a gut feeling. Because of that I'll spend most of my time training, Bryndor should have returned by now, send him here I'll update him and he'll be the one to take charge of the matters of the Wardens while I train."
After she finished her instructions and both men acknowledged her commands, they went back, excited about their new found powers. On their way back Kormac commented joyfully, "It's unbelievable, old friend. Just a glimpse of this power and I can hear, feel and see better than before, my back pain is also gone.". And Vlad casually asked him, "You had back pain?" The two men chatted joyfully while walking back. Meanwhile Bryndor was walking around in circles at the gates of Oakheart. Besides him a small figure was standing with a big straw hat covering his head and shoulders shading him from the afternoon sun.
While Vlad and Kormac were on their way back laughing and joking, Bryndor was going crazy. He returned to Oakheart just 2 hours ago together with Alaric Venomhart The Shadow Alchemist a member of the esteemed Council of Wisdom. anxious to meet Freya and relay the Council's decision, Bryndor was at a loss when he couldn't find Freya, fast forward 2 hours and the Commander still didn't appeared, even tough Alaric was seemingly calm and told him it's fine numerous times, such a breach of etiquette was making Bryndor go crazy. Amidst all this he finally sees Vlad and Kormac coming back all merry and dandy making the second in command snap.
Stolen novel; please report.
"Oh look who has finally decided to come back! Where have you all been?! Vlad, Kormac and Comm... Where is the Black Commander Freya Caerwyn?"
"Oh boy he called her by her full name and title, he's pissed." Whispered Kormac to Vlad. "You think so?" Whispered back while greeting Bryndor warmly "Bryndor, my friend we missed you, how are you?"
"Oh I'm fine, very well actually just waited for you 2 hours while keeping an esteemed Council of Wisdom waiting as well. And where pray tell is the Commander?" Asked Bryndor in a sarcastic tone.
"About that," Began to say Kormac in a serious voice, "There are some matters that will shock you, let us go to your office and speak, only the 3 of us. You'll understand then."
"Unbelievable, I do pray there is a good reason for all this. Sir Alaric, will you please give us a few minutes. I am mighty embarrassed about this situation please forgive us." Spoke Bryndor in an apologetic tone.
"Understandable, and as I said don't worry about it, I can see you have your difficulties. But I hope it's for a very good reason." said Alaric in an emotionless voice.
Bryndor bowed to him once again and entered the office together with Kormac and Vlad where he got updated on the situation, Freya's newfound powers and him being in charge. Calming down Bryndor at least a little it also made him send Vlad to bring back Freya as soon as possible while he would entertain Alaric. After he got out of the office he went to find Alaric who was in the castle's library, reading upon a book titled "Various corrupted herbs and plants" written by an alchemist of the wardens named Thistlewood, about 3 centuries ago. "Sir Alaric, it seems the Warden Commander had something important to resolve, we sent word and she'll come back in an hour. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Understood, well you know where to find me when your Commander comes back." Answered the alchemist without turning his gaze away from the book, "Your library holds very interesting books they will keep me company in the meantime.".
"It does indeed, well then I'll be back soon with the Commander." Bryndor bowed and left.
Meanwhile at the forest lake, Freya was circulating her mana between her and Silverwind trying to learn more information but with little success, all she could perceive was a feeling that she needs to breakthrough and improve her strength except she had no idea how. "This won't do, let's call it a night. I'm just wasting time." And she started making her way back.
Walking through the dark forest her eyes could see as well as day even though there was no moonlight. Halfway to Oakheart she met up with Vlad who filled her in on the situation. "Poor Bryndor, let's pick up the pace then." Said Freya as she started running using her newfound power while Vlad could only struggle to keep up. In 10 minutes she was already at Oakheart with Vlad following behind her.
She immediately went to meet with Bryndor, while he gave her an earful and kept nagging at her all the way to the library. "Commander Freya, how could you leave the keep in broad daylight? I understand your reasoning since Vlad and Kormac told me but even still, missing for a whole day is not a behavior fit for the commander of the Black Wardens."
In the midst of his speech Freya cut him off, "Bryndor, we're at the library and thank you for securing the Crown's help for us. You've worked hard, go get some rest."
Hearing this Bryndor's anger deflated like a popped balloon, defeated, he replied back tired, "I've only done my duty, Commander. Have a good night." and he went back to his office, preparing for the day ahead.
After Bryndor left, Freya pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into the dimly lit library. The scent of ancient books and the mustiness of time filled the air, creating an atmosphere steeped in knowledge and history. As her eyes adjusted to the subdued light, they fell upon an old, petite man with a mane of grey hair, his gaze absorbed by the pages of a leather-bound tome. Around him, shelves upon shelves of books reached toward the ceiling, the repository of the Black Wardens' accumulated wisdom. The insignia of the Black Wardens, a shield bearing a broken spear, was prominently displayed on the wall, along with the Black Wardens motto: "In shadows we defend, in death we protect."
She called out to him, "Sir Alaric Venomhart, the Shadow Alchemist. What a pleasant surprise and please forgive us for the poor welcome, are you here as a representative of the Council?"
The man's striking white eyes looked at her before his mouth curled up in a smile, "Freya Caerwyn, Black Warden Commander. We finally meet, rest assured I'm not on official business here I'm just an alchemist that got bored in his lab and wanted to get a breath of fresh air, I hope I won't be an inconvenience."
And Freya smiled delighted while shaking his hand, "You could never be an inconvenience sir. Your potions have saved our soldiers countless times and for that I thank you but why would you come here at Oakheart especially in these unsure times?"
"Well, your lady it's exactly that what brings me here. Many know me for my potions but I have another domain which I research which could be very useful for your Wardens. And that is poison. I can't experiment as I would like in the capital, many don't share my enthusiasm for this type of research. If you could provide me with some test subjects, like corrupted animals or beings I believe I could invent some useful things for your wardens to fight against them. What do you think?" He asked with excitement in his voice.
"Well you're welcome to stay but I don't think we can help you with your research too much. You see we can't exactly capture those creatures, the corruption spreads as long as they are alive and it's a deadly poison for us humans, we also can't bring corrupted creatures past the gates, Eldric himself warned us against it. It's believed that as long as one creature gets past the wall, the powers preventing the corruption from going past the walls will stop working. We don't know how much truth there is to it but I for one am not willing to test it." Answered Freya truthfully.
Alaric was disappointed, "Well that's not what I expected... Is there no other way?"
"Well..." Freya began to say unsure, "We plan an expedition in the near future to try and expand beyond the walls but... I can't really afford to endanger an esteemed member of the Council, especially when we can't even guarantee our own safety."
"I see, well then, miss Freya, can I stick around until then, I'll start my research in your library?"
"Please call me, Freya, and yes you're free to stay as long as you don't use my soldiers as test subjects." Answered Freya in a relaxed manner catching Alaric off guard, "I... What... I never did experiments on humans.".
After exchanging some pleasantries and arranging a room for Alaric to stay in, Freya went back to her room to get some sleep, even with the nourishment of her mana the fatigue from 2 days of not sleeping started to accumulate.