It's neat really, a spectacle. There a boy was, only a few years ago, I believe, his starstruck face dazzled by the warriors who called themselves adventurers and thus was inspired to be just like them. It's truly awe-inspiring how quickly someone can latch onto something, and make their lives revolve around it.
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Fuck, that was close! A boulder slammed into a deep crimson wall, some stone the color of drying blood, only by a hairsbreadth missing the tunic-wearing lithe frame standing beside it, hunched in an athletic crouch and ready to pounce, protecting a much smaller individual behind them. The offender would be a 45-foot-long, and 20-ton behemoth of a lizard, its scaled spine covered in scraggly patches of bony thorns and spikes, a lengthy and thin tail equipped with a needle-like point, and its garish maw start the boy down with flaming opal eyes.
"Come on you big ole' bastard!" Their voice rang out, bouncing around the cavernous space, and almost immediately was snuffed out by a roar of challenge from the beast, its sound akin to a thousand lions. Not good, nooootttt good. A flicker of light came and went before the boy, covering his form for a moment, and at its dissipation, the tunic was covered by a billowing basalt cape.
"Hey, kid! Cover your eyes, and count to 20!" He glanced over his shoulder at the cowering figure, who nodded and went to cover their eyes. I don't like showing too much violence, ughhhh, why'd they have to appear here?
Once their eyes were covered the boy disappeared, a blur of motion coming to rest atop the lizard's head, already a gleaming blade was embedded in its skull, but it just roared and shook him off.
4. He landed by its front left leg, slicing at the tendon before dashing beneath its body.
7. As he ran, his sword was angled upward. he stabbed at a fold in the softer, yet too damn tough tissue, aiming right in the crease, it connected.
12. The beast bellowed and flattened its body. Again a blur of motion, back to its first position, ripping the blade from its skull. Just keel over already! Another flash of light and a dull ripping sound emanated from inside the creature's body, a second later the tip of a sword poked through the thin slit in the scales.
18, I'm getting better. "Alright, we're good, let's get out of this hell hole, what do ya say?" He stood atop the lizard's lifeless body, tunic and cloak tattered and grimy, but uninjured.
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> It was chance, I think? To be honest, it very well could've been planned, I mean, really, how often do dieties appear to grace our presence, to ask a favor from a petty mortal...
>
> Anyways, I was returning to the outer gates, I'd had a good hunt, and the bell was about to sound, I'd rather not camp outside if its avoidable, so I made my way towards them, but just before I could leave the treeline someone stopped me. They wore some out of place and fancy dress, they kind you'd see at a kings court, not forest wear at all. They told me, "You know your way around this world well, how would you like to cut a deal?" And I kinda just looked at her, wondering if one of us had gone crazy, no way that some girl was offering deals in the forest wearing that getup, right?
>
> If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
>
> "I see you are confused, I am Astrinar, Patron diety of life, death, and incarnation, I am in search of guides for those I send to this world." And I remember just thinking, are you crazy? Pretending to be a goddess in a forest, really? And whether she read my mind or I spoke my thoughts on accident, the next few moments are hazy, there was a lot of light, and a bit of pain, but oh god she wasn't joking, that I know for sure, I must've begged for forgiveness at least a hundred times.
>
> She restated her question, but gave some elusive answers when I asked "Why me?" So finally, she told me the benefits, maybe to get me to shut up, probably. "You can become my immortal saint, only unnatural deaths will be your end, you'll never age, and you'll become a being of power and reverence, so, what do you say, human?" It's a no-brainer, all I remember of her after that is, saying, "Very well," with the slightest of smirks, before vanishing.
These words have been lost to time, their sentiment is forgotten by the few who heard, and through the erosion of time taking its toll, the existence of the "madman's" ramblings were removed from what little history they may have impacted as if they were never said. Never thought. And yet, despite this being the accepted and most realistic occurrence, there are still those who do remember, those unbothered by the toll of time. those who said, and those who were told.
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Jace kept his eyes and head on a swivel, right up until the pair, himself and a much smaller child, nervously clinging to his side, passed through the stone archway, marking the entrance to a location of (relative) safety and comfort. "See, told you we'd make it!" He flashed a smile at the kid and was met with a meek grin in response. "Come on, the building I told you about is only a little further, are your legs bothering you?" The kid shook their head and began walking. Alrighty then. Jace smiled to himself and walked as well, not wanting to get dragged. I'm glad they're fine, but what the hell, this is not right. His eyes momentarily flickered to the sky, then back to the road at hand.
"I bet there's some great food on the way." Hu glanced at the kid again and didn't miss the look of excitement on their face. "Liiikkkkeee, that place!" He guided them to a small stand, rolls of bread on display. Weaving his way through the sea of people going every which way, Jace purchased two, then returned to the road, moving as they ate.
"Good right? They make some of the best jelly rolls in this city, remember that!" He weaved some sarcasm into the stern ending, and kept on going, leading his charge to a double-story brick and glass building, about 50 feet long.
It blended in relatively well with its surroundings, but the large panes and well-laid brickwork provided some sense of importance and status not quite evoked by its neighbors. "And off we go! These guys will take great care of you, and remember what I gave you, if you are ever in danger or need, don't be afraid to use it, ok?" The kid nodded, muttering something indecipherable with a slight smile. Oh boy, this is where it gets hard...
Walking through the doors the attendees at the far wall desk gave a knowing nod and beckoned the pair forward. "You never cease to amaze me, just when we think you're done, boom. Hey there little one, it's good to see you in good health" A tall and slender man smirks as he speaks to the pair, turning his attention to the shy kid in the end.
"Yeah, seriously Jace, you have a stupid good track record." His coworker, a woman just slightly shorter than the man chimed in.
"What can I say? I'm lucky, nothin' to it." Jace, it it is now clear, smiled back, then turned his attention to his kid companion. "Alright, these guys are gonna take care of you, they'll do a lot better than me right now, but don't forget what I told you, alright? If you need a guide, feel free to use it." The kid used their free hand and clutched a necklace of some sort, hesitantly letting go of Jace. "You be good now, I wish you all the best!" Jace made his way back to the door, god, the young ones are so damn difficult. Already the counter attendees were making the kid feel at ease, Jace left, struggling to not look back.
Ahhhh, another one found, so, what's next, Astrinar? He looked up at the sky, the bright sun still high above. Guess I'll eat, then get some hunting in. What a day. So he set off, back towards the stand and gate, back into his vast and open world.