“Irene, Irene, come on! Where are you?” boomed a youthful voice, distant yet familiar. The summons shattered Irene’s slumber. She lay sprawled atop a weathered haystack, the dilapidated house in the outskirts of Orstone looming before her. Groggily, she lifted her head, surveying the desolate scene. Recognition dawned. This was the very abode that concealed their hideout, the clandestine haven of the Shadow Seekers, her erstwhile guild of thieves?
“’Ah, there you are at last! I’ve been searching for you all morning,” the voice echoed once more. Irene pivoted, her gaze fixed on the source of the sound. Her eyes widened in disbelief. It was Leo, her confidante during their tenure with the Shadow Seekers, and they had all presumed perished!
“Leo? Is it truly you?” Irene exclaimed, descending from the haystack, her face a mask of astonishment.
“Indeed it is,” Leo confirmed.
“Y-you’re alive?” Irene stammered, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.
“Yeaaaaaaah, alive and well, I believe, is something wrong with that?” Leo remarked, a hint of bewilderment in his tone.
“No, no, no, of course not! I—I didn’t intend to imply that. It’s simply that… the Seekers, the assassin, the mayor…’ Irene trailed off, her thoughts a chaotic jumble.
“Are you ill, Irene? You seem quite unwell,” Leo observed.
“I—I’m perfectly fine, truly. And I’m overjoyed to see you. How did you manage to escape? Did others survive alongside you?” Irene inquired, her voice regaining its enthusiasm.
“I confess, I’m struggling to understand a single word you’ve uttered. I know you’re not the sharpest tool in the shed, but not like that,” Leo remarked, a touch of exasperation in his tone.
“The assassin who attacked our hideout—the I departed after my quarrel with Michael,” Irene clarified, a chilling realization dawning upon her. She felt that something was wrong.
“What assassin?” Leo inquired, an eyebrow raised skeptically. Irene faltered, her gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape. Confusion began to gnaw at her. How could he be so oblivious? How could he act as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired?
“Leo, how did I come to be here, on this haystack? I don’t recall it being present before,” Irene stated, her voice laced with uncertainty.
“It has been here for nearly a month, and you started hanging out by yourself here lately, you’re acting weird today, are you sure that everything is fine?” Leo observed, his concern evident. Irene paused, her mind a whirlwind of disjointed fragments. She couldn’t piece together the events that had led to this moment.
“Actually I don’t know, just a bad dream, a nightmare,” Irene explained, her voice tinged with a tremor.
“You’re having many of them lately, maybe you need to rest more, anyway, Michael has an announcement for the seekers, he asked me to find you, and of course I found you here, again.” Leo remarked.
“Michael?” Irene echoed, a flicker of unease crossing her features.
“Indeed,” Leo confirmed, his gaze fixed upon her. “Oh come on, that’s not the first time you quarrel with him, and it looks like this announcement is very important this time.” Irene remained rooted to the spot, her mind adrift. Sensing her hesitation, Leo gently grasped her hand and urged her forward, breaking into a swift run.
“We’re already late for your weird daydreaming.” He chided playfully. Irene accompanied him, but abruptly halted, withdrawing her hand from his grasp. Leo turned to face her, eyebrows raised in inquiry.
“Come on, why did you stop now? Are you still sleeping or what?” he inquired with a hint of amusement. Irene surveyed the surroundings once more before meeting his gaze.
“I have a question,” she began.
‘And if that’s what it takes to motivate you, then go on,” Leo encouraged.
“Do you happen to know anyone named Jaxith?” Irene inquired.
“Jaxith?” Leo repeated, his expression a mixture of confusion and amusement.
“Jaxith, the monster hunter. He has silver long hair and a beard, he has strange red eyes and always wears a dark blue coat and his long black sword is always on his back, and he’s very good with it that he can cut a scarlet giant head with.” Irene described, her voice tinged with a strange intensity. Leo regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement.
“Sorry is that your prince charming or what? Cause I don’t know what a scarlet giant is but I’m sure that there is no monster hunter who can cut a giant’s head, so you better leave your dreams for bed and get back to reality, okay?” Leo declared, his tone laced with a touch of skepticism.
“No, you idiot, I’m not dreaming and that lunatic for sure isn’t my prince charming, he’s nearly twice my age, and he’s an idiot too, well…., he’s kind although.” Irene conceded, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. Leo observed her with a mixture of amusement and disbelief before sighing.
“Well I don’t know him for, real Irene, but if you’re sure that you know him maybe asking Michael is the right choice not me, what do you say?” Leo suggested.
“I believe you’re correct,” Irene acknowledged.
“Then I think we’re done here, can we move now.” Leo inquired.
“Y-yes, of course. Let us go,” Irene agreed, and together they made their way towards the house. Leo opened the door, ushering Irene inside.
“Jaxith, come on wake up, Jaxith, Jax, Jax, how do you want to be a knight while you’re a heavy sleeper like that?” a youthful voice chided. This voice, however, differed markedly from the previous one. It was considerably younger, belonging to a child, perhaps no older than eight. The voice resonated with a familiar cadence, jolting Jaxith awake. He blinked, adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings. His gaze drifted towards the ceiling, a comforting familiarity washing over him. Then, he turned his head, his eyes landing upon a young girl with hazel eyes as deep and captivating as the forest and hair the color of rich earth. Her face, a picture of youthful innocence, was etched with concern.
“Finally, I thought you weren’t going to wake up, you need to stop practicing late with that wooden sword dad made for you, mom says that makes you tired and then you wake up hard like that.” The girl admonished, her tone gentle yet firm. Jaxith regarded her with a mixture of fear and bewilderment. His gaze then swept across the room, a wave of disorientation washing over him.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you have a nightmare? But you always tell me that you’re brave and that’s why you don’t have nightmares and I should be like you, then how you had one? Or you were just lying to me? Mom always says that we should never lie, Jax.” The young girl chided, her brow furrowed in concern. Jaxith, startled by her astute observations, managed a weak smile and hastily brushed away a solitary tear that threatened to escape.
“Lena, my dearest, how are you? H-how is it that you are seated before me? Shouldn’t you be d…” Jaxith’s voice trailed off as a searing pain erupted within his skull. He clenched his teeth, his right hand instinctively rising to cradle his throbbing forehead.
“Ahhhhh!” he groaned, the agony momentarily blinding him. The pain subsided as quickly as it had arrived, leaving him gasping for breath.
“Are you unwell, Jaxith? You look pale,” Lena observed, her concern evident in her voice. She gently placed her hand upon his shoulder, her touch surprisingly comforting. Jaxith, steadied by her presence, sat upright in bed, his gaze fixed upon her.
“I am fine, sister. It is simply that… I have not seen you in an eternity, save for fleeting glimpses within the confines of my dreams,” Jaxith confessed, his voice a mere whisper. Lena, her brow furrowed in confusion, regarded him with a mixture of concern and bewilderment.
Suddenly, the doorway was filled by the imposing figure of a woman. Clad in a flowing blue gown, her raven hair cascading down her back, and her eyes as dark as the abyss, she exuded an aura of quiet strength.
“You’re awake, finally, I knew Lena would be the one able to wake you up, now get up and hurry, there’s a load of silver and iron ores coming to your father and he needs help in getting it to his shop.” The woman in blue declared, her voice firm. Jaxith stared at her, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched across his features. He blinked rapidly, as if attempting to dispel the illusion, and shook his head vigorously, desperately seeking confirmation of her reality. This was the same woman who had haunted his hallucinations within the Mayor’s mansion.
“Is something amiss, Jaxith? Your complexion is pale.” The woman inquired, her voice laced with concern.
“Jax doesn’t look good, mom, he was in pain just a moment before you came in, and he’s speaking nonsense also, that’s not Jax that I know.” Lena interjected, her voice filled with worry. Jaxith, startled by her astute observation, regarded her with a mixture of surprise and apprehension.
“Oh, my dear, are you feverish?” the woman inquired, her gaze filled with maternal concern. She moved closer to the bed, her hand gently resting upon his forehead to assess his temperature.
“Your temperature seems normal. Do you feel any chills, Jaxith?” she asked, her voice soft and reassuring. Jaxith, still reeling from the unsettling encounter, gradually regained his composure.
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“No, no, I am perfectly fine. Reassured, even. And I am overjoyed to see you both. Where is Father? I have missed him dearly." Jaxith replied, his voice steady.
“He is outside, preparing the carriage for your journey. However, you do not appear entirely well, my son. What troubles you so deeply?” his mother inquired, her gaze filled with concern.
“I cannot explain it precisely. It feels as though an eternity has passed since I last saw you both. And… and something feels amiss, out of sync.” Jaxith trailed off, a sudden, jarring neigh echoing within his mind. He closed his eyes, attempting to pinpoint the source of the sound, but his mother’s gentle hand upon his lap interrupted his concentration.
“Do not dwell on such matters, son. Focus your attention on the present moment.” His mother advised, her voice soothing. Jaxith regarded her with a hint of suspicion before a genuine smile graced his lips.
“You are undoubtedly correct, Mother.” He acknowledged. His mother returned his smile, a touch of pride in her eyes.
“There is my Jaxith. Now, arise! Your father awaits.” She declared, turning to leave the room. However, she paused at the doorway, her gaze lingering upon him.
“And remember, Jaxith, whatever challenges you may face, know that your family stands beside you. Is that not all you have ever truly desired?” she asked, her voice filled with unwavering support. Jaxith met her gaze, a warm smile blooming on his face.
“Yes, Mother.” Jaxith replied, his voice a mere whisper. His mother finally departed, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
“Come on, I’ve not watered the flowers yet and dad’s carriage is blocking the way to them, and if they die I’ll get mad at you.” Lena declared, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Jaxith chuckled, his gaze fixed upon her.
“Very well, Lena. I shall arise immediately. Just… do not be overly displeased with me, will you?” he pleaded.
“You better do, and don’t worry, I’m kidding with you, I’ll never get mad at you.” Lena assured him, her innocence radiating from her. Jaxith, however, was stunned. These words… he had heard them before. Heard them just moments ago, before he… before he… He focused his attention on Lena, a wave of apprehension washing over him. Then suddenly.
“JAXITH! HELP ME!” Lena’s shriek echoed through his mind, accompanied by a terrifying cacophony of crackling flames. Jaxith’s eyes widened in terror as he looked at Lena again.
“JAXITH!” Shouted Lena to attract Jaxith’s attention. He wasn’t focusing again.
“Sorry, Lena, I just remembered something important.” Jaxith stammered, his mind still reeling from the unsettling vision. He rose to his feet, Lena mirroring his movements. They began to walk towards the door, but Jaxith halted abruptly.
“I have a… a small request, Lena,” he began, his voice trembling slightly.
“If it’s something wrong then I won’t do it, mom hates when I make mistakes, especially when I play in the kitchen.” Lena declared, her brow furrowed in concern.
“No, no, nothing of that sort, sister. I just… I require a hug. A proper hug from my beloved sibling. I have missed you terribly.” Jaxith pleaded, his voice tinged with longing. Lena, surprised by his request, regarded him with wide eyes.
“Of course, Jaxith.” She agreed, and Jaxith knelt before her. Lena embraced him, her initial touch tentative. However, as Jaxith’s eyes welled up, he returned the embrace with an unexpected intensity, his arms tightening around her. He quickly regained his composure, pulling away from her with a shaky breath.
“Are you… crying, Jaxith?” Lena inquired, her gaze fixed upon his face.
“No, no. Just… something in my eyes. You know your brother is not one for tears.” Jaxith replied, hastily brushing away the lingering moisture.
“Very well,” Lena conceded, though her eyes betrayed a lingering skepticism. Jaxith, determined to dispel her doubts, offered her a reassuring smile.
“Now, let us be off.” He declared, and together they exited the house, venturing into the warm embrace of the day.
The sun blazed overhead, casting a warm glow over the idyllic village. A sense of tranquility permeated the air as Jaxith surveyed his surroundings. In the distance, he spotted his mother conversing with a man beside the carriage. The man possessed a mane of medium brown hair, and his gaze soon fell upon Jaxith.
“HEY, JAX! HURRY OVER HERE, SON!” his father’s voice boomed across the distance. Jaxith began to walk towards them, his gait purposeful. Lena, however, surged ahead, her youthful energy propelling her forward. She reached them first, her face alight with excitement.
“How’re you feeling now? Your mother has just told me about your sickness, we can delay this shipment for now and check your health first before anything.” His father inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern. Jaxith, standing before them, stared at his father, his eyes widening in disbelief. This was the third time he had witnessed this peculiar phenomenon, and with each occurrence, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
“He’s at it again, just like that, ever since he awakened.” His mother remarked, her voice tinged with apprehension.
“What troubles you, son?” his father inquired, his voice laced with concern. Jaxith closed his eyes, the vibrant hues of the village momentarily fading from his vision. He reopened them slowly, his gaze sweeping across the familiar landscape. Silence descended, broken only by the rhythmic thud of his own heartbeat. Then, it came again – a cacophony of panicked horse neighs, echoing through his mind.
“I… I am fine, Father. It is simply that… I am overjoyed to see you all together like this. I have missed this sight immensely.” Jaxith replied, his voice trembling slightly, a desperate attempt to hold back the tide of emotions threatening to engulf him.
“Oh, my dear, you are such a thoughtful lad. Yet, I detect a hint of sorrow beneath your words.” His mother observed, her voice filled with maternal intuition. She moved towards him, her hand outstretched, but Jaxith instinctively recoiled, raising a hand to deter her approach.
“Do you hear that? Those… those frantic horse sounds? As if they are terrified of something.” Jaxith exclaimed, his voice laced with urgency. Lena, his father, and his mother exchanged bewildered glances.
“Jaxith, there are no such sounds. Our horse stands quietly at the rear of the carriage, and the village is remarkably peaceful. Are you certain you are not… imagining things?” his father inquired, his voice tinged with a touch of doubt.
“Please, Jaxith, you must banish these unsettling thoughts from your mind. Your place is here with us.” His mother urged, her voice laced with concern.
Jaxith hesitated, his gaze fixed upon the ground. He closed his eyes once more, attempting to regain his composure. Then, it erupted – a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of the village. The same terrifying sound that had echoed through his nightmare about Irene, the sound that had instilled such profound fear within him. He opened his eyes, his gaze darting frantically from one face to the next, his pupils dilated with terror. And then, he saw it – a magnificent black Legnican stallion, its coat gleaming in the sunlight. The sight of the creature triggered a cascade of forgotten memories.
“Irene!” The name escaped his lips, a strangled cry.
“I still can’t believe I’m riding a horse for real.” He remembered those words, uttered with such youthful exuberance. He began to recall the source of those terrifying neighs and the image of the magnificent steed. The floodgates of memory burst open, washing over him in a torrent of disorienting recollections. He sank to his knees, his right hand instinctively clutching his throbbing head. His mother and Lena rushed to his side, their faces etched with alarm. His father followed close behind, his brow furrowed in concern.
“We are taking you to the doctor immediately, young man. There will be no further delays.” His mother declared, her voice firm, as she gently supported him.
“Jaxith, I have an idea to test his intelligence…”
The image of the magnificent black stallion triggered a surge of unsettling memories.
“Mother, there is no need for such measures.” Jaxith interjected, raising his head to meet her gaze. His mother’s hand, roughened by years of toil, gently caressed his cheek.
“Sweetie, why are you behaving so strangely? You need our help, now more than ever. If you cannot confide in your own family, then who will you turn to in times of need?” his mother inquired, her voice laced with apprehension.
“I… I cannot.” Jaxith confessed, his gaze fixed upon the ground, the weight of his unspoken words heavy upon his chest.
“Why not, Jaxith?” his mother pressed, her voice filled with a mixture of concern and bewilderment.
“Because I have already failed you all.” He whispered, the confession escaping his lips like a breath of air. His mother, her face a mask of shock, remained silent, struggling to comprehend the meaning behind his cryptic words.
“Mother, will Jaxith be alright? I fear something terrible may happen to him.” Lena whispered, her voice trembling, as she stood behind her mother, her gaze fixed upon Jaxith with a mixture of fear and apprehension. Jaxith, sensing her distress, raised his head and offered her a reassuring smile, though the pain that gnawed at his heart was evident in his eyes.
“There is a young girl, Lena. Her name is Irene. She possesses a kindness that mirrors your own. Upon meeting her, I felt a profound urge to assist her, to protect her. We embarked on a journey, traversing a dense forest, when suddenly, an eerie mist materialized from thin air. The next thing I knew, I awoke to find myself here, within the familiar walls of our house. She needs me, Lena, I must wake up “ Jaxith explained, his voice calm despite the turmoil within him. A faint smile played upon his lips.
“But I am overjoyed to have seen you again, Lena.” He added softly.
“Are you… leaving us, Jaxith?” Lena inquired, her voice choked with emotion.
“This… this is not reality, Lena. An illusion. I have glimpsed the true reality, witnessed the… the suffering and the pain of everyone I once knew. I apologize.” Jaxith confessed, his voice trailing off. As he spoke, a familiar sensation, a cold metallic weight, materialized in his hand. He averted his gaze to find his sword lying within his grasp. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he began to stir, slowly awakening from this perplexing dream.
“What are you doing, Jaxith?” his mother exclaimed, her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and alarm.
“Son, where did you acquire that weapon?” his father demanded, his voice laced with apprehension. Jaxith gently dislodged his mother’s hand from his face and rose to his feet, his movements deliberate.
“Do not fret, Father. I know what must be done.” He declared, his voice firm. “Forgive me for failing to assist you.”
“Son, regardless of your actions, you remain an integral part of this family. Nothing can alter that undeniable fact. And never forget this: you are a formidable young man, a warrior at heart.” His father assured him, his voice filled with unwavering pride. Jaxith met his father’s gaze, a flicker of gratitude passing through his eyes.
“Thank you, Father.” He acknowledged, his voice subdued.
“Now, I have a single request,” Jaxith announced, his gaze sweeping across their faces. “I beseech you, close your eyes for a brief moment. I wish to offer you a… a token of my appreciation.”
The three of them exchanged bewildered glances, intrigued by his unusual request.
“Very well, my dear. Surprise us.” His mother acquiesced, and the three of them dutifully closed their eyes. Jaxith, his gaze fixed upon the gleaming blade of his sword, surveyed the idyllic village. The tranquility was shattered by a cacophony of memories – agonizing screams, the crackling of flames, the stench of smoke. He gripped the sword tighter, his knuckles white.
“Are you finished, son?” his father inquired, his voice laced with a hint of impatience.
“One moment.” Jaxith replied, his voice barely a whisper. He raised the sword, the cold steel pressing against his throat. He closed his eyes, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek.
“I apologize for failing to be the son, the brother, you deserved.” He murmured, his voice so faint it was nearly lost to the silence.
Then, with a swift, decisive motion, the blade sliced through the air.
Jaxith awoke with a gasp, his lungs burning, his heart pounding against his ribs. He lay sprawled upon the forest floor, the chilling mist swirling around him. The black stallion, its eyes wide with alarm, stood close by, its agitated neighs echoing through the eerie silence. He looked around frantically, his gaze searching for any sign of Irene, but she was nowhere to be found.
“Well done, brave steed. You were the one in that dream, striving to awaken me. Thank you for your aid.” Jaxith soothed, stroking the horse’s neck gently.
“Now, we must locate Irene, and swiftly. We are confronting one of the rarest creatures, not a demon, but incredibly cunning and elusive. If I am not mistaken, this is an Onohly." Jaxith declared, unsheathing his sword and assuming a battle-ready stance.
A sudden movement within the swirling mist caught his attention. The creature was approaching, its presence heralded by a guttural groan that echoed through the trees, a chilling prelude to the impending battle.