If suffering is the essence of life itself, and only Luck and Fate hold the solutions, seek direction where Silver turns to Crimson and Blue, and find your own path to the True. — From the modern Lidin translation of Daetrox's 249th discovered inscription.
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Pure white... So pristine and enchanting that I don't want to look away...
The young woman, resting her chin on her hands and leaning her elbows against the rail of the wooden ship’s outer deck, gazed dreamily at the magnificent elven architecture wrapped in winter’s pure white blanket, surveying the lands of Liubaneg, capital of Awremo'Fyrm. The voices of travelers at the harbor, guards pacing the walls, and sailors unloading goods from ships created a chatter that pierced her mind like nails, breaking her full immersion in daydreams.
The entire city—no, the entire kingdom—was surrounded by vast walls, walls so expansive and high that looking up from the streets below, seeing the sky was nearly as daunting as an ant lifting its head to see the nose of a towering figure before it. Given the heights, from her vantage point aboard one of the many moored airships, the young woman could nearly behold the entirety of this immense island kingdom.
The kingdom consisted of various islets, and the distinct sounds from each mingled into a muted cacophony, blending with the shockwaves created by passenger ships flying through the air and the shrieks of tame-looking wyverns.
She raised her gaze to the structure casting a giant X-shaped shadow on the earth, standing between her and the sun, with statues of two dragons and two goddess towering atop it.
The white walls in the east and west bore motifs of dragons, whose necks stretched forward and foreheads touched in an arch-like form, as if converging in the center. In the north and south stood statues of goddesses with waist-length hair and sharp crowns. These statues, a mixture of elegance and strength, extended one hand forward, slightly tilted upward, spouting water precisely over the dragon’s heads.
The water flowing from these hand-like fountains cascaded over the dragons’ heads, ultimately streaming into the central lake of the city. Here, the water surrounded a heroic elf statue standing atop a stone, sword raised skyward. What else could it signify if not the figure’s shared blessing by both goddesses and dragons?
Moreover, the water washed away winter’s white veil from the statue and prevented the lake—where people offered gifts and some, excessively pious, drank its waters—from freezing over in winter.
The young woman’s blue eyes, shining with a childish gleam, wandered around until they settled on the grand statue of the elf figure. Pulling her hand away from her chin, she leaned against the wooden railing, drumming a gentle rhythm on the rough surface with her fingers.
“Isn’t that the hero who played a significant role in winning the Great War, the one they say we owe victory to against demons?” she thought, squinting as she leaned forward for a better view of the statue.
One foot on a rock, the other set back, the statue struck a powerful pose that added to its splendor. The eyes, seemingly crafted from some magical material, gleamed like gold, leaving an unnatural, captivating impression on those who beheld it.
After a moment, she murmured to herself, “So majestic…”
“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” A deep, gravelly voice sounded behind her, causing her to jump in brief fright. She turned her head to see a familiar face and let out a sigh of relief. It was Bulba, the owner of the ship and an orc adventurer who is a part of the adventuring party. “Yes, truly beautiful,” she replied softly, with her usual gentle, courteous tone.
Before leaning her heavy frame on the railing beside the young woman, Bulba nudged a wooden mug toward her. The young woman glanced at the drink inside and realized it had been prepared for her—it was hot milk. She looked at Bulba with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty, a shy smile forming on her face. “I… I’ll pay you back later…” she murmured barely audibly, her slightly pointed half-elven ears tinged red with embarrassment.
The orc merely gave her a blank look before sighing. Her two eyes—one as deep green as her skin, the other clouded in a dull gray from an old scar that ran from her brow to her cheek—held a disapproving gleam as they fixed on the young half-elf’s timid and bashful gaze. Bulba knew well enough that this girl was often reserved and had a hard time fitting in. Despite traveling with them for half a year, she still behaved like this. Aenji, insecure and excessively modest, often saw herself as a burden, feeling indebted even for the smallest gestures of kindness.
This made her hesitant to ask for help in any regard...
Shaking her head, Bulba grumbled, “No, girl, I don’t want your coin,” with a scolding undertone of discontent. Then, gently and reassuringly, she placed a large hand on Aenji’s shoulder. “You said this before, and I’ll give you the same answer as then. I don’t want to hear it again. Maybe you see yourself as a burden, maybe not. I don’t care. You’re part of this crew, got it? So, try to leave this attitude behind already.”
Aenji’s eyes widened for a moment, and then she instinctively turned her gaze away, avoiding eye contact.
I wish I could...
Rubbing her calloused fingertips together, she managed only a soft nod. “I... thank you,” she murmured under her breath.
Before stepping back, Bulba patted her shoulder and nodded in satisfaction. “That’s what I wanted to hear. When you feel indebted, a 'thank you' is enough to settle it, alright?” She smiled gently, a warm contrast to her rough appearance. Her prominent tusks poked from each corner of her lips as she smiled, a reminder of the softer side hidden beneath her intimidating exterior.
Unlike other orc clans that lived in the tundra –like the nomadic human tribes that roamed the endless tundra on horseback– Bulba didn't fit the stereotype of a savage or barbarian. Maybe it was just a pre-judgement in the first place. Who knows...
Finally, Bulba cast one more glance over the snow-covered cityscape before pushing herself away from the railing. “Why didn’t you go with the others?” she asked, turning her gaze to Aenji as the girl’s light brown hair shimmered in the sunlight, tossed back by the cold wind. “I’m sure you’d like to see the city, too.”
As Aenji’s gaze returned to the city, her eyes filled with a subtle longing. Masking her feelings poorly, she shook her head. “Actually, I’m fine here. I can see the whole city from here.” She added quietly, “Besides, the crowds in the city… they make me a bit uncomfortable.”
I hate seeing those looks!
Though it was clear Bulba didn’t believe her excuse, she said nothing, merely sighing and nodding. “Alright then. I’ll be tidying up.” She gestured to the outer deck, where tables and chairs were arranged. Thankfully, the statues kept the snow from falling on the ship.
Turning to her, Aenji asked, “Need any help?” Ah, this girl would ever sit still?
“No, no.” Bulba raised a hand to reassure her. “No need, you just sit and enjoy your milk.” Planting her hands on her hips, she continued, “Though later, when the place is full of customers,” nodding toward her lute, which lay on a nearby table next to a leather satchel, “I might ask you to play a few tunes. That would be alright?”
When Aenji turned her gaze to her lute, Bulba could have sworn she saw a momentary sparkle in her eyes. The woman gently caressed the beige-toned surface of the lute with her fingertips. As she glanced back at the orc woman, Aenji gave a small but genuine smile, nodding subtly.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Bulba, in response, offered her a meaningful nod, glancing at her and the lute before lumbered inside with heavy steps, the wooden deck creaking beneath her, disappearing into the main deck.
With Bulba gone, Aenji stood still for a moment, then pulled a chair from the nearby table and set it up in the spot where she’d been admiring the view. She took the wooden mug resting on the railing, settling into the chair with a soft sigh. Her fingers wrapped around the mug–not its handle–allowing the warmth to seep into her chilled, paled hands.
Her eyes drifted back to the cityscape, and her mind began to wander, slowly slipping into its usual daydreamy, hazy state. Thoughts began to wrap around her like a gentle fog.
The entire country seemed to be made up of small islands connected by bridges. Here and there, people could be seen floating by on boats. But, in general, it appeared that transportation was handled on land by horses and in the skies by wyverns or floating boats.
On one side of the island, she noticed a large enclave that was unmistakably elf architecture. The island was filled with long, white buildings arranged symmetrically, adorned with brilliant domes crowned with magical jade ceramics. According to the Captain, the palace and noble district were separated from the rest of the city by a wall. The white walls, intricately decorated with fine motifs, were likely what she’d mentioned. The most prominent feature was the large gate, with a dragon statue perched atop it like a guardian, wings spread wide.
Taking a sip of her warm milk and breathing out in contentment, her eyes shifted to a glowing area just outside that wall.
This seemed to be a temple, judging by the statue resembling a goddess' figure. She remembered the Captain mentioning that the elves' primary deity was Goddess Yuji. According to her, this temple was a divine sanctuary where the goddess’s saints resided.
The statue of the Goddess at the entrance of the temple walls was captivating. One hand faced upward, emanating a magical glow from her palm, while the other rested on her slightly rounded belly. Her pointed ears were shadowed by antler-like horns that extended from either side of her head–now with birds perched on them–and she wore a gentle, maternal smile. Her eyes shone with a bright white light. Snowflakes that fell upon the statue and the temple grounds seemed to magically dissolve in mid-air, as if protecting her and temple from winter’s chill.
When she noticed people in long white robes passing through the temple courtyard’s gate, she couldn’t help but think that they appeared to be passing through her pregnant belly. Perhaps it was designed this way to signify that they considered themselves as the goddess’s children.
As expected of a Goddess of fertility and life. she thought, staring dreamily at the statue.
She took another sip of warm milk, breathing out a faint mist in the air. Closing her eyes, she let the sounds around her wash over her, forming a faint mental image in her mind.
“Aye, Kolan, lend me a hand an’ get this blasted box down, will ya? I ain’t got all day, ya know!”
A shrill voice, crackly and dry, suggesting the speaker’s age, likely a woman in her late forties or early fifties asking another sailor for help. Or maybe an elderly passenger asking - demandingly - a friend to help carry her belongings. Judging by the accent, probably someone from a rural area—or is she? She imagined grey hair, a freckled, sunburned, wrinkled face, a big nose, a plump face, and perhaps even a stooped back.
When she opened her eyes slightly and glanced toward the source of the voice, she realized how far off her imagination had been. Clinging to a wooden crate was a thin, short—really short—young man (or he is a boy?). No, not just a young man, maybe a... dwarf? Or...
A... Hmm... He is a halfling? I didn’t know they lived in the big cities. Or they're here just for work or something?
She sighed lightly and turned her gaze back to the island clusters. Either way, it wasn’t a matter that concerned her.
As far as she could see, some islands were surrounded by lush forests and wetlands, covering large mountains. Waterfalls flowed down from the tall mountains, streaming directly into rivers that filled the long valleys. The vast forest seemed to harbor not only the fae and wood elves but also a myriad of magical mysteries.
I'm sure there are some strange creatures there.
Another islet, on the other hand, was adorned with entirely different architecture. It featured a unique mix of small wooden shacks to grand stone buildings. The area was bustling with vibrant colors and people of various races, adorned in colorful attire, creating a chaotic mix of sound and color. The lively market areas, inns, and guild halls contrasted starkly with the elves’ elegant architecture and their serene way of life. But it was more lively and cheerful—at least, that much was evident.
Wherever Aenji looked, she felt more speechless and dizzy, as if the island were truly beyond beautiful. It was a paradise! A place she might even dream of living… although perhaps a bit too extravagant for her own taste.
I should draw a picture of this!
Without getting up from the wooden chair, she turned to the table where her lute and leather bag were. But oddly, her bag wasn’t there. “It wasn't... just here?” she muttered to herself in confusion, standing up and looking under and around the table.
“Looking for this, sweetheart?” A smooth and melodic male voice interrupted her, catching her attention. She turned to see a man holding a leather bag with his usual shit-eating smirk. This was Zeero. His ash-grey skin was almost the same color as his leather armor, a blend of black and gray. His crimson eyes glinted mischievously under the hooded cloak he wore. With multiple daggers and a few pouches hanging from his belt, clinking with each move, he looked every bit the rogue. Thankfully, he had the added advantage of a handsome face that set him apart from a common bandit.
Aenji looked at him for a moment before averting her gaze. “Um... I need that... So if you could please give it to me, Zeero,” she murmured as politely as she could muster, her voice barely more than a whisper. Ah, I hate myself for this!
Zeero’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned forward. “Can’t hear you, sweetheart. Mind speaking a little louder?” he teased, gently tilting her chin to make her look at him.
Aenji couldn’t stop the warmth spreading across her cheeks, quickly climbing up to her slightly pointed ears. Her social anxiety wouldn’t allow her to relax.
“I-I...,” she stammered, barely able to speak as her gaze shifted away. Her palms were sweaty, and despite her efforts, tears began to well up. “I just... wanted my bag...” she said, holding her breath.
“Oh?” Zeero murmured with amusement, his eyes gleaming as he took in her expression. He was aware of his mischief but couldn’t help himself. The desire to provoke or pick at others’ insecurities wasn’t a habit he easily overcame. “So, what will you give me in return, beauty, hmm?” he whispered, leaning in closer. “Maybe... a kiss?” His voice held a faint, teasing tone.
“I... just... um...” I just want to draw, damn it!
“Hey, Zeero, stop teasing her.” Bulba emerged from the inner deck, her deep, strong voice cutting through. When Zeero turned his mischievous gaze toward her, he saw the famous innkeeper dressed in a white apron over loose brown leather pants, carrying two stools from the ship’s interior. She was heading directly for the lower deck. "Don’t you see? If this keeps up, she’ll forget to breathe from the stress," she scolded, pulling a cloth from her apron pocket and beginning to wipe down a table. Her sharp eyes darted toward the drow, lips slightly puckered as thick, long fangs protruding from both sides of her mouth.
Zeero lingered on the half-elf’s flushed, averted face a moment longer before letting her go. “Fine, fine,” he said, lifting his hands in surrender, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he handed her bag back to Aenji. Oh, and he didn’t miss the chance to wink at her before turning toward Bulba, of course.
Aenji quickly took her bag back from Zeero, giving him a brief glance before sitting down and pulling out her drawing paper and pencil. Her breath was shallow and tired, and her heart was racing. With one hand pressing against her chest, she thought,
You’re always doing this, acting like you don’t know how uncomfortable it makes me! You’re such a jerk, Zeero!
As she began sketching a quick outline of the city, Zeero moved with light steps toward Bulba. Bulba’s expression was a mix of disapproval and resignation, an arched brow suggesting that she’d seen Zeero’s antics too many times to be surprised anymore.
“But come on now, you know as well as I do,” he started, pointing to the sign above the ship’s main deck door. Like many of the other ships docking in the harbor—ships from distant lands, some traders, some travelers, or even explorers—this ship wasn’t quite the same. It was, in fact, an inn, as the sign reading ‘Bulba’s Traveling Inn’ indicated. “That unlike you, most of us - I - don’t have two weeks of endless things to keep us - Me - busy.” he said with a dramatic sigh, he threw himself into a chair, crossing one leg over the other and pressing his fingers to his temples like someone wrestling with a headache.
“Ohh, Fyr darling is gone, and so are Gapal and Kharla. What on earth am I supposed to do with myself for two weeks?” He’d have gone into the city for some fun if he weren’t a drow—oh, how easy it would be to find a few amusements—if he weren’t a drow, that is. He’d probably try sneaking in anyway if he were sure he wouldn’t get caught by the guards, but he’d learned the hard way just how fortified the damn city was when he ended up in their dungeon, likely eight years back. Pulling his hood further over his head, he wondered,
Why are the elves still so uptight against the drow about some ancient event that even I don’t know or remember? At least Fyr darling isn’t like them.
Bulba just clicked her tongue and shook her head at Zeero’s theatrics. Tossing her rag onto the table in front of Zeero, she said, “If you’re looking for something to keep you busy, why don’t you help me get the inn in shape? We don’t have all the time in the world if we’re going to be here for two weeks.”
Huh?
The dramatic mask on Zeero’s face dropped as his fingers slid down from his temples. “Ah, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on that, darling. You know if—”
BOOOM!!!
Before he could finish, a huge explosion erupted in the city, breaking his sentence with shock and the screams that echoed from the streets.
“What the…?!” he shouted as his feet slipped out from under him, landing on his rear. Aenji wasn’t much better off. She nearly tumbled over the wooden railing of the main deck in fright, letting out a shriek as her drawing papers, pencils, and mug of warm milk scattered around her. “Eeeek!! What’s happening?!”
Bulba, her large frame steadier than the others, remained the only one still standing, her breath catching as she stared toward the source of the blast.
The explosion, powerful enough to feel from their location, echoed in their ears, and its origin was unmistakable: the palace! The jade dome had been shattered, with a sinister smoke—a mix of dark purple and black—billowing into the sky from its broken parts.
“Captain wasn't there?!” Aenji’s voice trembled with fear and worry, her words catching as she refused to complete the thought. "What if… What if…"
Bulba leaned against the railing, gazing out over the city where people were scrambling in terror, pushing and trampling each other as they tried to escape amidst the screams.
BOOOOM!!!!
Before the shock of the first explosion had even faded, another one struck, followed by yet another thunderous wave of screams and a tremor that shook the ground.
“Eeeeek!!! Fuck!!”
“Ahhhh!! Run!! Run!!!”
“Elva, get over here!! Damn it, where are you?!”
“We’re all going to die!!”
"What the hell’s going on?!” This time, Aenji and Zeero managed to steady themselves, the first grabbing Bulba and the second clutching onto the deck’s railing for dear life. Even Bulba couldn’t hide her anxiety.
The second explosion had come from over the sea, from a structure resembling a tower or castle. It was none other than the Mage Academy, and a dark smoke, tinged with deep greens and blacks, swirled ominously above it.
Both Aenji and Zeero finally held their ground, clutching the railings beside Bulba, staring wide-eyed at the city. A heavy sense of dread and fear filled them, the anticipation of yet another explosion tightening in their chests. The half-elf’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at what she had just thought of as a paradise, only to witness its sudden descent into chaos and terror, breaking her heart.
This is truly a paradise or...
...hell itself?
*