“Arrrggghh”
Evan jolted awake; the memory of searing flames, the dragon’s roar, and fire, so much fire played before his eyes. Beads of sweat clung to his forehead as he gasped for breath, fear gripping him as he felt the fire across his skin. Evan screamed again as his vision cleared, the memory of the fire fading away.
Evan gulped a deep breath as he looked around. The air around him tasted different, a mixture of earthly wood—the fragrance of pine needles and the sweet aroma of wildflowers. “I died. I… I’m dead. Wait. Lily…… No. No. No. I died. Did she survive? Aha. I’m sorry, Lily, I tried. I tried. Please, I hope you survived. I promised Mother I would protect you.” Tears ran down Evan’s face as the feeling of failing settled into his heart.
Evan Wiped his face as he stumbled to his feet, noticing a figure emerge behind a tree. They had a brown cloak wrapped around them. It rippled as if an unseen wind was blowing the fabric. Only the eyes were visible. A deep blue that shone from under the hood.
The figure radiated a gentle, celestial glow around them as their voice cut across the quiet space between them. “Hello, Evan Turner. I’ve been waiting for you. Follow me. We have much to discuss.”
Evan looked around; trees surrounded him, and the canopy above him blocked the sunlight. With a sigh, he followed behind at a distance, still weary of a trap as he struggled to get himself together. “Hey, what is your name? Where are we going?”
“All will be made clear soon, follow.” came the reply, as the figure pointed to a cottage ahead.
Evan noticed the cottage was a mere silhouette against the vibrant foliage, and suddenly, it was beckoning to Evan. He felt an irresistible pull toward it like some unseen force guided his every step. “Ooh, that cottage looks strangely familiar,” said Evan as a soft rustle of leaves sounded overhead, almost as if laughing at his words.
Evan slowly walked towards the cottage, the pull getting stronger. As he passed a tree, his attention was briefly drawn to a tiny creature— a baby bird lying on the ground. Looking up, Evan spotted the nest that it had fallen from.
Kneeling, he reached down, gently picking up the bird, his movements deliberate and tender as he cradled it, worried he would hurt or startle it. A soft smile spread across his face. It felt good to help others who needed help. He gently reached up, guiding the baby bird back to the safety of its nest. “there you go, little fella, all safe again.”
Evan stopped and looked around as all the sounds around him paused momentarily as if acknowledging this simple act of kindness. The silence enveloped Evan, entering his thoughts and allowing the subtle symphony of nature to weave its melody around him, almost as if the world was trying to comfort him.
The figure nodded its head as it appeared beside him. It was pointing to the cottage again. Signing, Evan looked at the figure. “You know.” He said. “it’s rude not to tell someone your name when they ask.”
The figure ignored Evan’s comment as they began walking towards the cottage, the size growing as they made their way, weaving along a well-worn path to the cottage. As they approached, Evan saw its worn facade; each deep line in the walls revealed a history etched in the wood grains. Smoke slowly rose from the Stone chimney that poked out of the straw roof.
As Evan Reached the front door, stepping under the roof eve, he raised his hand to knock. His heart began to race. He was a heartbeat away from discovering who lived there and where he was. With a gentle knock, the door swung open, and a melodious voice enveloped him like a warm embrace.
“Welcome, Evan Turner. My name is Seraphina. Please come inside,” said a soft voice. It resonated not just in his ears but echoed through the corridors of his soul. Each word carried the weight of ancient prophecies and the whispers of forgotten tales. It wasn’t just hearing; it felt like the air around him vibrated with the power of her words.
As Evan felt the weight of Seraphina’s voice, the air around him seemed to ripple with an unspoken energy. The Goddess regarded him with a mixture of pride and seriousness, her celestial glow casting a warm hue over the rustic interior of the cottage.
“I, Seraphina, am not just a goddess,” she declared as she continued, her voice resonating through the very foundations of the cottage. “I am the embodiment of war, magic, and the intertwining dance of sexuality that weaves through the fabric of existence.”
The Goddess looked at Evan, her eyes holding a mysterious depth that hinted at the universe’s secrets. “Your accomplishment, Evan Turner, was no ordinary feat. It echoes through the corridors of time, a proclamation that hasn’t graced mortal ears in a millennium—the slaying of a dragon, a task once deemed impossible, has now come to pass.”
“Umm, sorry. What do you mean? Can you start from the beginning again? You ah, haha, lost me there.” said Evan with a nervous chuckle. “I can’t be the only person that has killed a Dragon. Wait, Wait, wait. Do you mean I killed it? Is Lily safe?”
“Warrior, magician, and lover,” said Seraphina, her words a chant that echoed through the cottage. “You carry within you the essence of these realms. The threads of fate have woven a destiny for you, and now, you must embrace it.”
“Wait. You didn’t answer my question. Destiny? Goddess? What do you mean to embrace it? Embrace what exactly? Just tell me, is Lily safe?”
The Goddess, still ignoring Evan’s questions, moved with a graceful wave and extended her hand toward a table adorned with ancient artifacts. “You may take anything from this collection as a reward for your efforts.”
Symbols of war, scrolls of arcane knowledge, and tokens of passion lay before Evan on the table—a tangible representation of powers that could destroy cities and countries in a simple wave. Evan looked at the items. He could feel each item’s power, and with a gulp, he turned to face the Goddess.
“Ah, look, I’m just going to leave these items here and go. I’ve never taken the easy path to power. I won’t start now, even in death.”
The Goddess nodded her head at Evan.
“You seem busy, and I am fairly sure I’m dead. I am dead, right?” said Evan as he slowly backed away from the table and the Goddess. “I need to ensure Lily is okay, so could you tell me which way I should go? I’ll get out of your hair, ok.”
The Goddess just continued to smile. Little did Evan know it had been a test.
“Well done, Evan Turner, you passed. The first one in centuries to not be tempted by the path of easy power.”
“Just Evan, ok? No need to keep saying my last name.”
The Goddess chuckled. “As you wish, Evan. You have proven yourself to be a worthy individual. Your heart is pure, and your intentions are just. I will answer your question about Lily,” she said, gesturing towards a glimmering portal that had just appeared behind her.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Evan hesitated momentarily, his eyes darting between the portal and the Goddess. “Wait, where does this lead? What are you showing me,” he asked, his heart racing.
The Goddess looked at him with her piercing gaze. “You asked to see Lily, look into the portal. I will allow you a brief glimpse of her one last time.”
Evan, his curiosity overcoming his uncertainty, approached the portal cautiously. It shimmered with an otherworldly light, and as he peered into its depths, scenes unfolded like distant memories.
Lily, safe and sound, surrounded by a serene meadow bathed in golden sunlight. Her hair blew in the wind, and Evan felt relief and warmth for the first time since they had left their village.
The Goddess spoke softly, like a gentle breeze, “She is unharmed. You have done well, Evan. Your sacrifice has ensured her safety.”
Evan’s eyes remained fixed on the vision of Lily, a bittersweet smile forming on his lips. The weight of responsibility, the dragon’s fiery demise, and the mystical encounter with Seraphina seemed to fade away as he momentarily glimpsed Lily’s tranquillity.
The Goddess, observing Evan’s silent moment, said, “Your journey is not over, Evan. There is more for you to do, and the threads of destiny weave a tapestry yet unseen. Your story is intertwined with the fate of your world still.”
With those words hanging in the air, the portal began to fade, its glow dissipating like morning mist. Evan turned to face the Goddess Seraphina, gratitude and determination in his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered. The weight of his past actions to protect Lily finally began to ease.
The Goddess nodded, her ethereal presence flickering like starlight. “Remember, Evan, your choices shape the universe around you. Your journey may only be beginning, but it can turn rotten if you are lacking. You must be filled with purpose.”
As the last traces of the portal disappeared, Evan stood rooted to the spot he was standing, some force holding him in place. The Goddess slowly walked around him, the smile gone from her face. “I have a task for you, Evan.”
“A task…” Replied Evan. “What would you have me do?”
‘Oh, it’s simple enough. All I require you to do for me is… Ah…” The Goddess seemed troubled for a second before she smiled at Evan. There was no trace of the dark expression that had been there a second ago. “Travel to my temple in your world, place your hand on the Shrine inside and chant a simple phrase.”
“Ok…. where is this temple then? “
“Ah. It is located in the lower part of the country of Mysthralia.” said the Goddess.
“…Where? I’ve never heard of Mysthralia. What is it close to?”
“Never heard… Have you heard of Drakonia?” Asked the Goddess, a look of concern on her face.
“Drakonia…. is that the same as Eldrakor?” said Evan. He shook his head slowly. What were these names? He thought. Just how far out of time was the Goddess? These might have been the names of countries centuries ago, but not any current ones he knew of.
“Ah. this might be a problem. I trust you can find out where the temple is. Look up the name in a history book; it will point you in the direction you need.” said the Goddess as she smiled at Evan.
Though he noticed the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “OK, I will have to look into this, but I can’t make any promises. I have a small problem first, though.” Said Evan as he slowly began to shake his head. “See, I am currently dead. Can’t go walking around asking questions now.”
“Yes, I am aware that you are dead. I did summon your spirit here. You proved you were the right choice when you didn’t attack Me in the robe. You also proved yourself when you saved the baby bird. I have a solution that I believe you will find acceptable to your being dead.” Said the Goddess.
“AH, not to question you, but what would you have done if You didn’t find me acceptable?” asked Evan as he nervously chuckled.
“Simple. I would have removed your presence from this and every other realm.” Said the Goddess.
“Ah…” Evan looked at her in nervous dread as he wiped the cold sweat that had formed on his forehead. “You would have wiped me from existence?”
“Yes.” Said the Goddess as she moved around the cottage, collecting random items. “Now, come along. Let me get you started.”
----------------------------------------
Lily’s heart pounded in her chest as she raced through the dense forest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The once serene meadow she had been resting in, enjoying the last of the sun’s rays, was now a distant memory as the shadow of a massive creature loomed behind her.
The ground trembled with each thunderous footstep of the pursuing menace.
She glanced over her shoulder, and terror gripped her again—the Demon Blood Wolf. One of the horrors unleashed in the current war with the Demon tribes. Its fur was ablaze with deep red flames the colour of blood. It released a bone-chilling howl that reverberated through the trees. The ground beneath Lily quivered with the intensity of the sound.
“Keep running, Lily. Don’t look back,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos. “Just run. Come on, Lily, move it.”
Lily crossed another small meadow, bathed in golden sunlight like the one in Evan’s vision. The blood wolf quickly turned the serene meadow into a nightmarish landscape. The once vibrant wildflowers were trampled and scorched beneath the Demon Blood Wolf’s Burning Paws as it hunted Lily in a relentless pursuit.
The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning foliage. Branches scratched at Lily’s face as she darted between trees, her legs burning with exertion. Panic threatened to overtake her, but the memory of Evan’s sacrifice fueled her determination. She couldn’t let his sacrifice be in vain. “Just a bit further. Come on, push Lily, push.”
A burst of fire erupted behind her, the searing heat brushing against her back. Lily stumbled over a tree root, pushing her legs hard. She quickly regained her footing, fueled by pure survival instinct.
Lily’s eyes darted around, searching for anything that could help, any semblance of shelter or escape.
She could make out what looked like a cave entrance partially concealed by overhanging vines through the trees. “Goddess Cora.” Begged Lily. “Please let this be a cave. Please.”
Lily veered toward it without a second thought, praying again that it would lead to safety. Her lungs screamed for air, and her legs threatened to give way, but she pushed herself harder, her fear transforming into a fierce determination, a will to live beyond anything she had ever experienced.
As she reached the cave entrance, she cast a fleeting glance backward. Fear gripped her again. “Shit. Shit. Shit. That thing is scary as shit.”
The Demon Blood Wolf, momentarily halted by the dense foliage, roared in rage as it unleashed another torrent of fire that consumed everything in its path. Lily dove into the mouth of the cave, the darkness surrounding her, her heart pounding, and the world outside plunged into an eerie silence as the fire burned everything.
Lily’s breath echoed off the cold, damp walls. The world outside, consumed by the Demon Blood Wolf’s fiery wrath, was replaced by an eerie silence within the cave’s depths.
The Blood Wolf’s flames illuminated the entrance, casting long shadows across the uneven cave floor. Lily pressed herself against the cool stone, her eyes wide with fear as she strained to hear the distant footsteps of the pursuing menace.
Her hands brushed against the rough surface of the cave wall as she stumbled forward. The cave’s interior stretched out before her, a maze of twisting tunnels and hidden chambers. The air hung heavy with a mixture of earthy dampness and the acrid scent of burning foliage that clung to her clothes.
Lily’s mind raced as she navigated the maze-like passages as fast as she could, her ears tuned to every sound, every rustle of unseen creatures in the shadows. The Blood Wolf’s roars echoed through the tunnels as it searched for her, each of the beasts roars sending shivers down her spine. The fear of it getting closer pushes Lily’s steps forward. “Just a little further, Lily. Just A little further, then you can rest.”
She spotted a few side passages and hidden nooks in the dim light. Desperation fueled her decisions as she ducked into a tight, narrow crevice, her heart pounding in her ears as she held her breath. She willed her heart to stop the pounding beat, fearing the blood wolf might hear it.
The sound of claws scraping against stone reverberated through the confined space, and Lily struggled as she tried to continue holding her breath, her lungs burning with the need for air, praying she remained unseen.
As the Demon Blood Wolf’s growls grew distant, Lily released the breath she had been holding. She sighed as the sounds of the blood wolf grew fainter. Lily stayed cramped in the space for what felt like hours.
There was no sound of the blood wolf as Lily cautiously emerged from her hiding place. Her footsteps echoed softly as she continued deeper into the cave, away from where she had last heard the beast, each step a dance between her need to escape, to survive, to run as fast as she could from the cave and the fear of the blood wolf waiting for her if she was stupid enough to try.
The cave seemed to stretch endlessly, an underground world untouched by sunlight. Lily’s fingers trailed along the cave walls, feeling the cool, uneven surface, her only guide along her path. The few glow worms and fungi were the only light source. The distant echoes of the Blood Wolf’s movements were a haunting reminder that escape was a fragile hope.