The sun is hot, but would likely be hotter if not for my MPU™, as it allows me the protection of shade but features being small and extremely mobile for the average travelling lifestyle.

Why am I pitching this to myself?

I wipe my brow from the sweat that streams down my face, and realize its time for a break as I feel my feet getting heavier and more sore with each step.

Making my way to the nearest tree, leaning my back against its hard surface and exhaling my pent up energy.

The sun still managing to hit me as it sneaks between the leaves of the tree’s shade, a cool breeze that reminds me that despite the heat, it is still only spring.

Letting out a yawn, as the top and bottom of my eyelids decide its a good time for a midday meetup.

What if those creatures decides its time for a snack.

How easy it would be for the beasts.

A shot of adrenaline passes through my body, as the realization of what can occur if I dare lose track of time. I must make my way to someplace safe before nightfall, or I might attract the beasts. My eyelids open once more, to the sight of the sun beginnings it descent to the horizon from it’s highest point.

Getting up and checking my surroundings for a sign of anything that would lead me to other people, or at least a safe place to rest. Within sight, all I can see is the field in which I stand and the trees slowly beginning to disperse in the path that I will be walking. The sign of the beasts on nearby trees, which worries me so.

Is this their territory, or do they make it to strike fear?

I haven’t seen any so far, so I can only hope they are nocturnal.

Useless, If I didn’t see anything while walking, I wouldn’t see anything just standing still.

I begin to walk once more, making my way to the path and towards the horizon that the sun travels as well. Picking up my previous pace, knowing that I must begin making distance or the moon will makes it appearance much sooner then I would hope.

What is that?

A strange object lies on the side of the road, and upon closer inspection appears to be made of wood. I realize it to be a sign, as I find the upturned dirt of where it once stood nearby. Likely trampled, as there is no major damage to the wood. I turn it around as I see no writing on the side it lies on.

Well... ain’t this Fantastic, I can’t read this...

Markings I have never seen before riddle this sign, the writing is block shaped with a rigidness to it. Distressing, but not anxiety inducing as this means civilization may be nearby.

Hopefully they will allow me to at least stay a night despite the language barrier.

I stand the sign upright once more, despite my time constraints urging me to just keep walking. Hopefully, this sign will help the next people that walk through here even if it didn’t do much for me. The sun inches ever closer to its horizon, and I begin walking once more.

The sign must mean I am getting close to something at the very least.

The sun closing the distance in its marathon across the sky, and an anxiety slowly building with accompanying panicked breathing, as the light slowly loosens its embrace on my surroundings. Naturally, I begin to pick up my pace and try control my breathing once more. Fainting out here in the open would just make me an easy snack, and waking up to those things might just kill me before they can even attack.

A sight peaks its head from above the path that when viewed instantly calms me.

A wall that crawls across the horizon, and approaching closer as I run as fast as I possibly can to safety. The wall is at least a couple hundred feet, and the gate is closed shut and appears to be made of metal. Something passes by me face leaving me with no time to react as I stop dead in my tracks like a spooked animal.

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“Halt, or the next one won’t miss!” A voice from above the wall says.

Multiple guards rear their head wielding weapons, and one guard in particular catches my eye as he stands above the gate dead centre with a large red feather rising from his helmet.

“Before one enters, they must pass a few checks!” He yells at me.

I understand them, which is again distressing, but luckily means I can actually speak to people for the first time since forever.

“Okay sure!” I answer with gusto.

Despite the distance, I can see another guard give him a scroll which he opens and examines it closely.

“Wonderful, for the first check!” a brief pause as he looks at the scroll

“I need to see your ears!” He demands

I don’t know how he can possibly see them from there, but I comply quickly.

Another guards goes up to the gatekeeper, likely giving him some words.

“You passed! Take off your torso rags and do a slow spin!” He demands once more

The demands makes me uncomfortable but being stuck out here would probably be much worse, so I comply for that as well as the cold evening winds stab at my body.

The same guard exchanges words to the gatekeeper.

“You passed! You may now approach the walls!”

During my approach, the gate is being opened and a few guards exit keeping a close eye on the field. The gate is only opened enough to allow the height of people to enter and exit.

The Red feathered guard awaits behind the gate.

“I apologize for the arrow, it was merely a warning shot.” the Red feathered guard says with a little remorse in his tone.

“There have been recent attacks and we are overdue a blood rage.” He follows up with, introducing a very new word for me.

“Okay, so this is probably a very stupid question to you, but what is a blood rage?” I question.

“You came from the East right? I remember that they called it the Red Mist, does that ring a bell?” he asks with a sigh.

With a blank smile on my face I begin shaking my head, and even though I can’t see his face, his frustration emanates from his helmet.

“Were you just born or something? A blood rage, is when the demonic beasts enter a rage state and in this state, release a miasma powerful enough to strangle the average person to death with just their presence alone.” He answers quickly.

“I remember that, there was an attack that fits that description. It happened just a full days travel from the direction I came.” I reply to notify him of the event.

He adjusts his helmet a smidge, with a small noise coming from him as if to signify being in thought.

“That attack, we know of it. A damn shame is what that was.” Another guard chimes in.

“Ah, I remember the one you’re referring too now.” Red feather replies to the guard.

“When are we getting a clean up crew out there to clean up that mess?” A third guard asks with a low tone and sigh accompanying.

“Do I have to remind you of the circumstances once more? Plus, I think its better left there as a message to the adventurer who thinks themselves brave.” Red feather tells the third guard.

He returns his helmet position to look at me once more.

“Look, enter the city for the night. I’d hate to have to clean the outer walls again. Sleep on the street if you have to, you'll blend in with the rest, but I would hide whatever that thing you are carrying is while you sleep.” He says with no emotion behind his voice, having no more to say to me.

I nod and make my way through the outer and inner wall.

Entering the city.