"... After New Year's Eve, every 15 years old all over the Empire would undergo the coming of age ceremony on the Deity Halls. Destined one could be granted the Status, while most would only be granted specific attributes to pursue. Additionally,... "
Mic picked his nose with the expression 'I don't care' written all over him. He is currently sitting together with Asmo on the latter’s bed. Alche on the other hand detailed the things he had read last night. They are currently inside Asmo's room.
*Pak!
A stick flew to Mic's head with a resounded smack.
"Ow!"
"... Listen! Carefully!", Alche stated as he brandishes the stick, "... We need to learn these things. This would be our cornerstones as we step out of this city! Remember?"
Mic glared at Alche rubbing his head, "Alright, alright. Get on with it."
"Yes! I know what I would become!" Asmo jump up and pumped his arm high, "Archer would be my pick. You all know who my father is right? He is the great... "
Mic shove Asmo's face back down, "We know already. The almighty Ranger of Meka City. The first of the first line of defence outside the city. We already heard it so many times so shut up!"
The two were about to had a rumble again when another,
*Pak! Pak!
Smack of the stick flew on their heads.
Alche cleared his throat. "Let's continue." Mic and Asmo glanced at each other. The two seemingly understood behind each one's gaze, flew towards Alche. One took the stick, the other locked Alche's hands at his back.
Numerous,
*Pak
Could be heard after.
*Pak *Pak *Pak
---
Outside Meka City.
A forest covered the whole area making the place difficult to venture. The place is only been lit by the afterglow coming from the city. Stepping inside would make one disconcerting. Blinded as everything is pitch black. With only their hearing to make their way through. Using Light magic or Fire would cause commotions on the monsters inside the forest.
Hurried footsteps and leaves fluttering as being stepped on could be heard. A silhouette could be seen frantically running towards the brightly lit end of the forest.
‘The Light! Hurry, hurry! I am close to the city.’
The white hood he is wearing is covered with grime, dust, dirt and dried blood. The pristine hood turned into a rag. His eyes glowed looking right and left. Despite the unfavorable environment he ducked, jumped and turned left or right whenever there are obstacles. He looked back, huffing and puffing.
‘Need to report this to the Mayor! The Horde, is coming!’
---
The store’s door creaked open.
“Hello there Rolly.”
Old Rolly snickered, “... Old man sent you?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Yes, and No. Let’s say I am also one of his troublemakers.”
“You are One!” The other man exclaimed as he sat down hard which made the heavy necklace he had swayed.
“Heh. Another job?”
“Sort of. There’s no harm in doing it.”
Old Rolly squinted his eyes. Then he jumped up, his hand up high, going down towards the other man swooshing as it goes by the force it carries.
The other man his hand inside his pocket slowly but surely raised it.
Old Rolly yelled and his hand stopped in front of the other man.
“Ahrg! Not again!”
“You still can't win against me Rolly! Hahaha!”
Old Rolly had a clenched fist while the other man had his palm open downwards. A game they have been playing for years.
“That’s my win free drinks for me Rolly!” The other man laughed hard.
“Yeah, I will get right to it. Just get your cart out of the store’s front, move it out back.”
“Okay, okay.”
The man went out and grab his cart. But not long after a siren blurred around the city. Old Rolly came out after. Rolly looked at the man and grinned, “Looks like your job is going well.”
“Sigh, such a hassle. I just wanted a sip of beer.”
“Nah! Go along. If you don’t go, maybe this house won't be here anymore. Or even this City.”
“Tsk! Don’t forget my drink Rolly!” The man then sprinted with the huge cart in tow.
---
“What is that?” Mic questioned.
“... it is the siren. The city is being attacked.”
“What?!” Asmo sprinted out of the room. He observed the house looking for any signs. ‘The rope I attached to the windows are intact. The paper I sneak inside the door is still there. The trapdoor on the floor is locked. The...’ One by one Asmo pointed out the entrances and exits inside.
“They are still not here!”
“Who, Asmo?” Mic and Alche came out afterwards.
“My parents!” Asmo turned towards the two, “Their job is scouting inside the Black Forest!”
Alche pondered, “... Let’s go to my mother.”
The trio busted out of the house and ran towards the library.
---
“Kolp, that’s my report.” The rag hood fell down the floor as a scarred man dumped it on the corner.
“Deus... sorry about your wife.” Kolp grabbed Deus’s shoulder. “Before anything else. What matters is that you are alive. Your wife’s sacrifice would not be in vain.” Kolp patted him twice. Deus on the other hand clenched his fist.
“Assemble the guards! Inform the Guilds! Medics at the ready! Civilians and Merchants to the City Hall! Prepare for Battle!” Kolp turned towards the city's leaders. Everyone dispersed to do their designated jobs. Deus walked behind Kolp.
“What is it Deus?”
“I want to fight!”
Kolp turned towards him and threw a bow and quiver. “Give them rain.”
Deus did not ask anything further and bowed to Kolp. He backpedaled to a shadow, and then vanished.
Kolp on the other hand returned to his walk like nothing happened.
---
Jop got summoned to the walls. As a medical expert and a high level at that, he is required in the frontlines. He was given the status as the Head of the Medical base and a responsibility to shoulder on. But... it seems to be he is taking it for granted.
Thick glasses, white robe, full-on beard and a tired face. He had a look of a beggar on the street that had an expression of ‘i don’t want to live anymore’.
“... Dad?”
Jop glance to his right. His son Alche stood there, together with his... his.. Friends? ‘Does alche has friends?’
“... What is the situation?”
Looking at his son’s calm expression, he is always reminded of his wife’s demeanor. Calm and collected. Which also means Cold and unapproachable. That goes to show how he is baffled on the idea his son got friends. But either way friends or none, nothing matters anyway. He had his wife around to raise his son.
“There is a Horde.”
He then walked towards the Medic Base and yawned. “More questions? Asked your mother.”
“Sir!”
Jop frowned, one of Alche’s friend blocked him.
“Sir! My parents are still out there in the Black Forest! Deus and Stellar is their name!”
Jop’s eyebrows rose. ‘So, this is that Thief’s Son.’
“Don’t worry about them kid.” Jop patted Asmo’s head, “You know well what they are capable of.” Then he proceeded towards his destination.
---
Guilds and guards stood atop the walls. Kolp in his armor stood tall together with his city leaders. He observed the Black Forest. At this moment Kolp’s hand raised, his eyes squinted. As a rustle burst out of the Black Forest, Kolp’s hand shot down and a light that shined brightly as a sun on this gloomy area flared towards the Black Forest.
Roars echoed as the light showed the Horde came out of the Black Forest. A Horde of Orcs. Green skinned, tall and bulky ripped muscled beings. Most of them carried armors, with their weapons of blunt and axe weapons. The earth quakes as an army of orcs run through the distance between the City and Black Forest.
“Ready!” Kolp shouted.
“Mayor!” A guard clambered to Kolp. “There is someone opening the gates!”
“What?!”
Then came a slam. The cities gates opened. Dusted floated around the gate as it slammed hard. A huge silhouette could be seen on the cloud of dust.