The area was alive with the flickering light of dawn, the golden glow filtering through thick, gnarled branches overhead. Leaves rustled in the wind, and the distant calls of unseen creatures echoed from the depths of the wilderness.

But none of that mattered right now.

Kaelis crossed his arms, staring at the nervous wreck of a man tied to a tree in front of them. The guy, still trembling, had a bear's head strapped to his face like a mask. His clothes—loose and flowing, all white—looked like something a disciplined warrior would wear, but right now, he looked anything but disciplined. His entire body was stiff, his fingers twitching slightly as Ness and Hael took turns messing with him.

"Alright, first off—" Kaelis exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Who the are you? I asked a hundred times.”

The man straightened slightly, still tense. "M-my name is Ripp."

Ness raised an eyebrow. "Ripp?”

Ripp flinched. "I-I didn’t choose it!"

Hael leaned in, tilting her head. "And what’s with the bear mask? Kind of a weird fashion choice, don’t you think?"

Ripp hesitated. His fingers clenched into fists for a moment before he muttered, "It’s to hide my face."

Kaelis narrowed his eyes. "Hide it from who?"

"Everyone."

That made the group pause.

Hael, clearly unsatisfied with that answer, reached forward as if to grab the mask. "Well, now I have to see what you’re hiding—"

Before she could touch it, Espen moved.

She didn’t say a word. She didn’t make a sound.

She simply shot Hael a look.

That was all it took.

Hael’s hand froze mid-air. A tense silence followed before she slowly retracted her hand, clicking her tongue in disappointment. "Fine, fine, fine. Won’t touch the suspicious bear guy.”

Kaelis watched the exchange with mild curiosity. Espen had barely done anything, yet Hael had backed off immediately.

Ripp, meanwhile, sighed in visible relief. "I advise you never to take it off."

Kaelis wasn’t sure if that was a warning or a plea. Still, something wasn’t sitting right with him.

His gaze flickered over Ripp’s attire, then back to his bound form. Then looked at Espen, and asked "Alright, next question. Why was I in a volcano?"

Espen sighed, crossing her arms. "There are places in Kalhalla that the Apostles have forbidden anyone from entering. They claim it’s for the safety of the world, but we both know that’s bullshit."

Kaelis frowned. "Like what?"

Espen’s eyes darkened slightly. "Maela discovered them. They’re on the outskirts of the world—near the edges of Kalhalla, or directly on it."

She took a breath, then began listing them.

“The Maw of Azakar, the Abyss That Whispers. A bottomless pit lined with the jagged ruins of a forgotten civilization, where the air itself carries voices—whispers of those who were never meant to be heard. The Apostles claim it was once a prison for a nameless entity that devoured gods and demons alike, but when questioned further, they refuse to elaborate. Standing too close is said to make you hear your own soul trying to escape your body. Some return from its edge, changed, speaking a language no one understands. Others walk straight in, smiling, as if finally understanding something that was never meant for mortals to know.”

Esoen continued, “The Obsidian Bloom, the Flower That Bleeds Time. A massive black flower standing at the center of a barren wasteland, its petals taller than castles, slowly opening and closing as if breathing. The Apostles say it blooms once every thousand years and that drinking its nectar will turn someone into something beyond human comprehension. But no one knows if that means ascension or something much worse. Those who enter the wasteland never return, but sometimes, years later, they are seen again—unchanged—yet speaking of events that have not yet happened. And then there's The Hollow Reliquary, the Church of False Miracles. A sunken cathedral of unknown origin, hidden beneath the waves of a dead ocean where nothing but bones drift. The Apostles claim it was once a place of worship for something older than even the gods and that the statues inside are not statues at all—but those who prayed too long. Sometimes, ships passing over the ruins claim to see lights within the deep, as if a congregation is still inside, kneeling, waiting for their god to return. And lastly, The Ruin of Drowned Saints, where the Holy Forget Their Names. A ruined monastery deep in the marshes, where the water glows faintly red under the moonlight, as if reflecting a bloodstained sky. The Apostles claim that Saints who enter this place lose their divinity, their names erased from history itself. Even the Apostles, who once walked among them, cannot remember those who were lost here. Yet, on nights when the mist is heavy, travelers sometimes hear prayers in forgotten tongues, whispered by voices that should not exist anymore.”

Kaelis took all of this in, his mind reeling.

"...And the volcano?" he asked.

Espen gave him a pointed look. "That one’s right here. On this continent. It’s forbidden for anyone to go near it. The Apostles don’t guard it, but people have been worried because… well, volcanos fuel the sun."

Kaelis blinked. "Come again?"

Espen sighed. "The suns exists because of the volcanos in Kalhalla. If something happens to them, the sun dies."

Kaelis ran a hand through his hair. "And you just walked into it?"

Espen scoffed. "I was investigating. I thought maybe Maela had something to do with it." Her expression shifted slightly. "And… that’s when I found you."

Kaelis frowned. "And?"

Espen hesitated. "And… the moment I saw you, the mark of bondage started forming on both of us."

That made Kaelis pause.

Espen crossed her arms. "You weren’t burning. You were just floating in the lava. So I grabbed you and pulled you out."

Kaelis exhaled slowly. That… was a lot to take in.

Espen scoffed towards Ripp. "And yet, here you are. Following me of all people when I have the highest bounty in Kalhalla. All because you just want something.”

Ripp flinched. "I-I didn’t mean to cause trouble!"

Kaelis studied him carefully. "Then why are you here?"

Ripp hesitated, shifting nervously. Then, with a deep breath, he muttered, "I might be able to help you lift that bounty… or at least put in a good word so you don’t have to keep running from Hunters."

Silence.

That caught everyone’s attention.

Espen narrowed her eyes. "Explain. Now."

Ripp gulped.

Kaelis exhaled sharply. ‘Well, this just keeps getting better and better.’

Ripp took a deep breath, stealing a glance at the gathered group before speaking.

"The King of Vjosgard—King Vraedor the Red Wolf—is trapped."

Silence.

Espen, Kaelis, Ness, and Hael all stared at him.

And then—

They burst out laughing.

Espen crossed her arms, she was the only one who didn’t laugh, but she found this amusing. Ness rolled onto his back, kicking his paws in the air, howling with laughter. Hael flapped her wings wildly, shrieking with amusement. Even Kaelis, who had no real connection to this kingdom, let out a sharp, incredulous chuckle.

Ripp blinked in confusion. "...What? Why are you laughing?"

Ness wiped a tear from his eye. "Buddy. You’re telling us that one of the kings who put that massive bounty on Espen’s head is trapped? And you want us to help him?" He snorted. "No way! The guy has an entire army at his disposal! He’s allied with all the other kingdoms, and he’s trapped?"

Hael shook her head, grinning. "And let’s not forget—Vraedor is famous. How the hell did he get himself stuck?"

Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "Famous? How?"

Hael clicked her beak, glancing at him. "You really don’t know? Oh right. You’re new here, darling.”

He shrugged. "I’ve been a little busy dealing with magic and people trying to kill me, so no, I haven’t had time for history lessons."

Hael smirked. "Alright, listen up."

She spread her wings slightly, her emerald eyes gleaming.

"Vjosgard—the Blooded Throne—is ruled by High King Vraedor the Red Wolf. He’s a warlord in every sense—brutal, ambitious, and utterly ruthless. Never lost a duel in his life. His hands are forever stained with the blood of challengers who thought they could take his throne."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Kaelis frowned. "So he’s some big-shot warrior king?"

"Not just some warrior king," Hael corrected. "Unlike most rulers, he doesn’t just sit on a throne barking orders—he leads his armies. Personally. Always at the front lines, his massive crimson axe carving through enemies like they’re nothing. He wasn’t born into royalty either—he took the throne by force, challenging the previous king in ritual combat and killing him in front of the war council. The moment he took power, he waged war against every neighboring clan until they either submitted or died. That’s how he united Vjosgard under his rule."

Kaelis nodded slowly, piecing it together. "So he's called the ‘Red Wolf’ because of all the blood he’s spilled."

"Exactly," Hael said with a grin. "The man’s a monster on the battlefield. Peace is weakness to him. If you’re a ruler who avoids war, you’re a coward in his eyes."

Kaelis let out a low whistle. "And this guy is trapped?"

Espen smirked, arms still crossed. "Pathetic."

She turned back to Ripp, who was shifting uncomfortably under their amused stares. "Alright, nervous wreck," she said snobbishly. "Where exactly is this warlord trapped?"

Ripp swallowed. "E-Everyone knows about the remnants of the gods scattered through Kalhalla, right?"

Kaelis furrowed his brows. "Like the Well Spring?"

"Exactly," Ripp nodded. "Some of their bodies, their power—it lingers, just… sitting in places like it’s nothing."

Espen’s eyes narrowed. "...Where?"

Ripp hesitated, then finally admitted, "The King is trapped within the Hand of a God."

Kaelis’s brows shot up. "The what?"

Ripp nodded quickly. "It’s exactly what it sounds like. A massive, divine hand emerging from the ground, frozen in time, fingers curled like it was reaching for something."

Espen scoffed. "And now it’s holding the King of Vjosgard hostage?"

"Thousands of warriors and Hunters are outside of it, trying to get him out," Ripp added, rubbing his arm nervously. "But they can’t."

Kaelis exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "This just keeps getting weirder."

Espen raised an eyebrow. "And why, exactly, do you think I can get him out?"

Ripp hesitated again. "...Because you’re Maela’s apprentice."

Espen’s eyes darkened instantly.

"I heard Maela could do some pretty wicked things," Ripp continued quickly. "She could break out of spirit contracts, manipulate magic in ways that shouldn’t be possible. So I figured… maybe you could do something like that too." He shifted uneasily. "I kind of… did this on a whim."

Espen narrowed her eyes. "You thought I could help? That’s your reason? You expect me to deal with a force I don’t fully understand?”

Ripp nodded quickly. "...Yes?"

Espen exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "Disgusting."

She turned her head, her sharp gaze locking onto Kaelis. Without warning, she grabbed his wrist.

Kaelis blinked. "Uh—?"

Espen yanked him to the side, dragging him away from the group. "Ness, Hael—keep the human occupied."

Ness and Hael’s grins widened in unison.

"With *pleasure*," Ness purred.

Kaelis groaned.

Espen ignored him, pulling him farther away from the others.

Meanwhile, Ness and Hael turned to Ripp, who was still tied to the tree, looking like a cornered rabbit.

"So," Ness grinned, stretching his claws. "Where should we start?"

Hael flapped her wings, smirking. "I vote we poke him again."

Ripp paled. "W-wait, wait—!"

Kaelis leaned against a thick tree trunk, arms crossed as he watched Espen pace in front of him. Her movements were sharp, calculated, her m eyes narrowed in clear frustration. Unlike before, when she had been all smug arrogance and snobbish disdain, she was serious now.

So was he.

"I don’t trust him," Espen muttered, stopping mid-step to look at Kaelis. "That human. He’s too nervous, too jittery. He knows too much, yet says too little."

Kaelis raised an eyebrow, waiting for the inevitable.

Espen’s expression hardened.

"I’m going to kill him."

Kaelis exhaled through his nose. "Hold up."

Espen scoffed, folding her arms. "You’re too damn trusting. You do remember I have a bounty on my head, right?"

Kaelis shrugged. "Yeah. Kind of hard to forget when we’re getting hunted daily."

"Then why are you even considering helping him?" Espen’s voice carried irritation, but beneath it, something else—something more guarded.

Kaelis pushed off the tree, stepping toward her. "Think about it. Ripp’s been following you for a while now, yeah? If he really wanted to sell you out, he could’ve done it easily."

Espen’s gaze sharpened. "Or he already did."

Kaelis tilted his head. "What?"

"The White Brigade," Espen muttered. "They ambushed us yesterday."

Kaelis went quiet for a moment, rolling that over in his head. "...Shit. Could’ve been him."

Espen gave him a pointed look. "Exactly."

Kaelis sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Alright, let’s assume it was him. That means this could all be a setup. He could be lying about the king, lying about helping us. Hell, maybe the moment we get close, a hundred Hunters will be waiting."

Espen nodded. "Glad you’re finally catching up."

"But," Kaelis continued, "your bounty’s not just your problem anymore."

Espen’s eyes narrowed slightly. "...What?"

Kaelis crossed his arms again, serious. "You think the bounty on your head is just gonna affect you forever? Eventually, it’s gonna get all of us killed. If we can figure out Ripp’s position in the kingdom—since he’s talking about putting in a good word—maybe we can lift the damn thing."

Espen had a curious question. "Why do you care about my bounty?"

Kaelis paused. "...Because it’s a massive pain in my ass."

Espen raised an eyebrow. "You could leave, you know. Go off on your own. Live freely."

Kaelis nodded. "Yeah. I could."

Espen waited for him to elaborate.

Kaelis smirked slightly. "But let’s be real. You wouldn’t let me out of your sight."

Espen’s expression twitched, but she said nothing.

"And besides," Kaelis muttered, glancing off to the side, "I’ve thought about leaving. A lot."

Espen blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone.

Kaelis exhaled, rubbing his neck. "Mostly because of… this." He gestured vaguely to himself. "I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. That berserk state? I don’t control it fully. If I stick around too long, I could end up killing you. Killing all of you. And that’s just more crap I’d have to deal with."

Espen studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.

"But," Kaelis said, shaking his head, "if we can figure out what Ripp’s deal is—if he’s actually got some role in the kingdom—trying to lift your bounty would be worth it."

Espen’s jaw clenched slightly. "And what if we get there and can’t free the king? Then what?"

Kaelis hesitated.

Espen exhaled sharply, her fingers curling into fists. "...I’m not ready to fight."

Kaelis looked at her.

Espen’s voice was quieter now. "If things go sideways, I’m just gonna look like some… some *

damsel in distress again." Her fists clenched tighter. "I swore I’d never let that happen again."

Kaelis didn’t say anything.

She took a slow breath, composing herself. "Yes, lifting my bounty would make searching for Maela easier. But what if the Apostles are waiting for me?"

Kaelis noticed the subtle shift in her posture—the way her shoulders tensed, the way her breath had briefly hitched.

She was afraid.

She hid it well, but it was there.

Kaelis sighed, running a hand down his face. ‘I didn’t think this through. Did I really consider taking the deal without any sound plan? But how can we come up with a good plan if we’re dealing with things we don’t fully get?’

He cursed himself internally.

Then, before he could regret it further, he muttered, "Let me go with him then."

Espen’s eyes widened slightly. "What?"

Kaelis looked at her, his expression firm. "I’ll go with him. Alone."

Espen immediately shook her head. "No."

Kaelis smirked. "Aw, you worried about me?"

Espen scowled. "You’re not going anywhere without me."

Kaelis shrugged. "I don’t have a bounty on my head. I hope. So I’ll go with Ripp, figure out if he’s legit, and see if we can actually lift this bounty."

Espen’s expression darkened. "There’s no guarantee you’ll survive. There’s no guarantee you’ll even be able to help. This entire plan is built on what ifs and whims. Did you forget that our souls are connected now because of this Mark?”

Kaelis nodded. "Yeah. I know."

Espen’s eyes flickered with frustration.

Kaelis sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Look. You saw that weird dark star crest on me, right? You had said something about it.”

Espen hesitated. "...Yeah."

Kaelis crossed his arms. "You said you saw it before. During Maela’s rituals, when she was contacting Hell."

Espen’s expression tightened. "Yes."

Kaelis exhaled. "The war years ago—when the gods and demons fought—that shaped Kalhalla, right?"

Espen nodded slowly.

Kaelis tilted his head. "What if I’m involved in that somehow?"

Espen gave him a sharp look.

Kaelis shrugged. "I don’t know how. I don’t know why. But if I have any connection to Hell, since I guess demons are from there, the Hand of God might react to me.”

Espen didn’t respond immediately.

Kaelis sighed. "Sounds like a super non organized plan, but…This bounty needs to be lifted."

Espen frowned deeply. "...It’s still no guarantee you’ll live."

Kaelis smirked. "Yeah. But we don’t really have a set plan here. We’re dealing with crap we don’t really understand. What type of sound plan could we possibly come up with?”

Before Espen could retort, a loud yelp echoed from behind them.

They both turned their heads slightly, listening.

"Y-you don’t have to keep poking me!" Ripp’s nervous voice whined.

"Yes, we do," Ness purred.

Hael cackled. "It’s entertainment."

Kaelis exhaled. "They’re having way too much fun with that."

Espen scoffed. "Disgusting."

Kaelis smirked, shaking his head. "So? What’s it gonna be, Princess? We doing this or not?"

Espen shot him a glare. "Call me that again, and I’ll kill you."

***

Kaelis and Espen stepped back into the clearing, the tension between them still lingering but settled—for now. Ness and Hael immediately perked up, their eyes gleaming with mischief, while Ripp, still bound to the tree, looked as nervous as ever.

Kaelis cracked his neck before looking at Ripp. "What’s your position in the kingdom?"

Ripp shifted uncomfortably in his binds. "I’m… a knight in training."

Kaelis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Interesting. And you think the king’s actually gonna listen to a knight in training?" He crossed his arms. "What about the Apostles? They’re the ones who want Espen dead."

Ripp hesitated before shaking his head. "The Apostles may want her dead, yeah, but if they really wanted her gone, they’d have done it themselves."

Espen scoffed. "Not reassuring."

Ripp continued quickly. "L-Look… I’m saying they’ve got something else going on. Some weird agenda. We barely see them anymore. The last time anyone saw an Apostle was a month ago."

"That doesn’t mean they’re not watching," Espen muttered, arms crossed.

Kaelis exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Either way, I’m going with Ripp to help the king."

Espen’s jaw tightened slightly.

Kaelis shot her a look. "Hunters are tracking us way too easily. If this keeps up, we’re gonna get cornered eventually."

Ripp nodded. "Exactly. And if Hunters can track you this easily, then the Apostles would’ve found you by now. The fact that they haven’t means they’re dealing with something else."

A beat of silence passed as that reality settled over them.

Ness flicked his tail, his gaze thoughtful. "Or maybe… they’re tracking Maela instead."

Espen’s head snapped toward him.

Ness grinned, though his expression was sharp. "Think about it. If they want Maela, but they can’t find her, then sanctioning a bounty on you would be the next best thing. They kill two birds with one stone—draw you out, and maybe she shows up."

Espen’s hands curled into fists, but she said nothing.

‘He’s right..’

Kaelis clicked his tongue. "Yeah, well, that’s not exactly comforting."

Ripp looked at them all carefully before shaking in nervousness. "It’s fine! It’s fine, really! If you don’t trust me, then let him come with me. That way, you’ll know I’m not up to anything shady."

Espen narrowed her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She turned on her heel, looking at Ripp with her usual cold disdain. "You stay in those binds until further notice."

Ripp gulped. "O-Okay..."

Espen then turned to Kaelis, her stare lingering on him for a moment longer than usual. "...You better not die."

Kaelis smirked. "You gonna miss me?"

Espen scoffed, rolling her eyes. She wanted to say thank you, but the words never left her lips. Instead, she hardened her expression again, keeping whatever gratitude she felt buried deep.

"You’re annoying," she muttered instead. “Please die.”

Kaelis grinned. "You’re welcome."

Espen’s eye twitched. "I didn’t say thank you."

"Yeah, but I heard it."

Espen let out a long sigh. "You're going crazy. That berserk state of yours might be affecting your delusions.”

Kaelis chuckled. "You’re warming up to me, Princess."

"I will end you."

Before Espen could strangle him, Ness suddenly hopped onto Kaelis’s shoulder, curling his tail around Kaelis’s neck. "Good luck, brat."

Kaelis chuckled. "Appreciate it, rat."

Hael, on the other hand, grinned mischievously and slid up beside Kaelis, draping herself against him. "I could always give you a farewell gift before you go," she purred, running her fingers along his arm.

Kaelis’s entire body stiffened in visible disgust. "NO.”

Before Hael could push it further, Espen grabbed her by the wing, yanked her back, and launched her into the air.

Hael flipped through the sky, cackling as she disappeared into the trees. "WORTH IT!"

Espen dusted off her hands as if nothing had happened. "Hmph.”

Kaelis shook his head, turning back to Ripp, who was still awkwardly walking while trapped in his binds.

Ripp glanced at him, still nervous. "...You ready?"

Kaelis inhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah."

…

Kaelis adjusted the strap on his shoulder, glancing up at the sky as he and Ripp began their walk into the unknown. The morning mist was still clinging to the air, rolling over the landscape like a slow-moving tide, soft and eerie in its quiet presence. The sun had barely broken through the thick, grey clouds, leaving the world cast in a dull, muted light.

Before he could take another step, Hael appeared in front of him, her usual playful smirk replaced with something more thoughtful. She reached toward him, pressing something into his hand.

A single, black feather.

Kaelis blinked, looking down at it.

"It’s part of me," Hael said, her voice lighter than usual. "As long as you hold onto it, I’ll be able to track you. So don’t go getting yourself lost, alright? Espen reminded me to give this to you.”

Espen whispered to Hael, “Pfft. Stop exposing my name.”

Kaelis scoffed, flicking the feather between his fingers. "Thanks.”

Hael squirmed with a grin of her beak, “You said thanks to me..does that mean you like me or…”

“Alright bye.”

Hael stepped back, folding her wings behind her. Ness stood beside her, arms crossed, tail flicking lazily against the ground.

Kaelis exhaled and turned to Ripp, who was still fidgeting in his binds. "Alright, let’s move."

And with that, they walked.

The field stretched far and wide, a vast expanse of dark grey grass rolling endlessly toward the horizon. The wind was still. No birds. No rustling leaves. No sound at all.

Just silence.

Kaelis didn’t like it.

Something about walking through a place so dead made his skin crawl. It wasn’t like the usual forests or ruined landscapes where something lived—whether it be beasts, bandits, or things lurking beneath the surface.

No, this place felt like a pause.

Like the world forgot to breathe.

Kaelis clenched his fists, his mind restless.

*What the hell am I doing?*

He didn’t owe Espen anything. He didn’t owe anyone anything. He could’ve walked away at any point. Hell, he should’ve. But here he was, following some masked nervous wreck to help a king who had a hand in putting a bounty on Espen’s head.

It was stupid.

And yet…

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play here.

Something just out of reach.

His thoughts spiraled, twisting and unraveling in his head, but before he could sink too deep into them, he noticed something in his peripheral vision.

A shadow moving beside him.

Kaelis blinked.

Espen was walking next to him.

She didn’t say anything. Didn’t look at him.

Just walked.

Kaelis didn’t look at her either.

For a few moments, the only sound was their footsteps crunching against the dry grass.

Finally, without turning his head, Kaelis muttered, "What are you doing?"

Espen kept walking, her arms loosely folded, her gaze set on something distant.

"Don’t worry about it," she replied smoothly.

Kaelis clicked his tongue, shaking his head slightly.

‘Okay….’

The silence stretched between them again, neither one pushing the conversation further.

A few paces back, Ness and Hael walked side by side, watching the scene unfold.

Ness’s tail flicked. "Any idea why she’s trying to go with him?"

Hael crossed her wings behind her head, shrugging. "No clue."

They watched as Espen continued walking beside Kaelis, her expression unreadable.

Kaelis, in the meantime, was trying to make sense of it himself.

Why was she following him?

She had no reason to. Espen wasn’t the type to do things without purpose. Every move she made, every word she spoke—it was always calculated, always intentional.

But this? This was different. She wasn’t telling him to leave. She wasn’t mocking him. She was just… there. And, for some reason, that unsettled him more than if she had been yelling at him. The silence between them wasn’t tense. It wasn’t heavy.

It was just…quiet.

Like if he acknowledged it too much, it would become something he wasn’t ready for.

Then—

Espen stopped.

Kaelis slowed just enough to glance back.

Ness’s tail was wrapped around Espen’s wrist, holding her back.

Espen didn’t resist.

She didn’t fight it.

She just stood there, her gaze still locked ahead, watching as Kaelis walked further and further away.

Kaelis held her stare for a second longer.

Then he turned and kept walking.

The silence remained.

But now, it felt different.

Like something had just been left behind.