"Mama?" Nox turned his attention away from the book and towards his mother. Of whom had paused in the telling of the Ageless's past self in order to contemplate what she had just read. For everything before her very eyes contradicted what the God King now stood for. Though, he does tend to slaughter Humans, the children are more or less transformed into a separate race.

However, seeing the apathy his past self exuded when such concerns about the Human children arose, gave way to feelings of unease. Especially if this story continued to progress with all of the darkness that was the Ageless, and none of the light he gave off at this time.

"Mama," yowled the little hybrid, who had grown impatient due to the other's lack of speech. Of which caused him to crawl up her chest in order to butt his small head against her snout. Thus bringing her back to the present with a shock.

"Wha-?" she began, then noticed her son giving her an expression which combined his impatience with a pout, "Oh, sorry Nox. I'll get back to the story, okay?"

"Okay, Mama," he closed his eyes to give her a beaming smile, as his small body slid down her dress and onto her lap. Whereupon he did snuggle against her abdomen as she lifted the old and yellowed book once more.

*****

In the end, what became of the Human children were as ordered by Karastak. For the female servants under him, though disliked such orders, were helpless when it came to such directions given by he who was their God. Yes. Karastak was still viewed as a God, but did not use such divinities, as he was quite upset in losing his world of Terra.

For the time being, however, most of the Undying in his service were ordered to scour the mountain in search of others, and bring only those who could make the journey. Which also meant that any who fought back, or did not wish to leave, were to be slaughtered where they stood as the rest were forced to move. Of which would exceed more than two moons to fulfill, and in that time, others were finding their way into Azzarath.

More importantly, three individuals found themselves within the empire of Metronome. A land filled with music, life, and light, keeping out the darkness which did its best to squeeze such a city as it hid behind its protective walls of sand and stone. For this city was situated deep within a great, blue Dragon's territory, and was a stain upon the creature's honour. Who tried its best to lash out against such a city with nightly raids and great battles. All the while, the rest of the city simply slept at relative ease whilst the powerful magicks that were laid against the structures kept such creatures out forevermore.

It is here, with the sun high above the city, that these three come together after being six moons away from one another in order to complete their own tutorials. Whereupon they returned with grand tales of battle and glory, as well as new abilities and titles.

The first was a grizzled, male Human of one hundred and eighty five centimetres in height, who wore full platemail of bruised iron, and carried with him an equally dented kite shield upon his back, and an iron longsword strapped to his left hip. This one, once the standard helmet was removed, revealed a scarred face with a peppered scruff upon what should be a clean shavened chin and cheeks. Of which were accompanied by a pair of steely blue eyes which, although appearing to be worn and tired, gave off a piercing gaze which was able to pierced through even the most brilliant of facades.

Accompanied with him was a smaller female Human of one hundred and sixty five centimetres, and wore a white and gold robe with a twenty pointed start sewn into the garment that took up the whole of her chest. Within her grasp was a Holy Writ that contained a multitude of prayers and incantations necessary to be a Cleric of Light. Whereas upon her right hip was a balled mace, of which denoted her to be a Warrior Cleric. One in which focused primarily upon fighting upon the front lines with other Warriors, rather than standing in the background whilst running support.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As to her own features? Besides the calloused hands and short cropped hair, her form appeared to most as though she was more mousey than anything else. One which was more suitable to tending to books in a library, than fighting upon the front lines of a war or skirmish. More than likely, she desired such a thing, but was already accompanying the one before her.

For they were father and daughter, and desired to meet up with their remaining family member who had come to this land. Of which was an aloof and apathetic Mage who was to be wearing an endarkened robe of satin, despite being in the middle of the desert, and would be meeting them within an inn called 'The Dragon's Scorn'.

The pair arrived by way of the south gate, and knew that the inn was within the central structure of the marketplace. Trouble was, it was midday, and the streets themselves were already crowded with bodies of every stature, as well as laden and empty carts with varying beasts pulling them upon sand slick stone. However, although such obstacles would have detoured many, these two pressed on whilst keeping close so as to not become lost. For although the girl was capable in handling herself, the other would not be taking such risks as to lose his child within the crowd.

"Dad," she cried out, being pulled up from the ground for the second time, as lithe male in tan leathers hurried past them with a stern look, "I can meet you two there. You don't have to be slowed down by me."

To which the other grimaced and simply shook his head, "No, Aclara, we're going together, not separately, understand?" The girl simply nodded as they moved forwards, as more people appeared to go about their day.

No. The streets themselves were not narrow in the slightest. In fact, they were as wide as four carts, whilst the alleyways could allow a single one to enter with a pair of beasts pulling it. However, this was due to the fact that there was a large amount of visitors from a new world called Earth, and allowed many of its people to enter their world of Azzarath. In turn, this city welcomed them as well.

Unfortunately, the city itself had an issue. For within only a few short moon turns, the land itself was barren of life, even for a desert which was supposed to be just the same. However, there was an ecosystem which allowed many desert creatures to thrive, but since the advent of these new beings, such creatures within two kilometres had vanish. Either they were captured and sold off as pets or entertainment, or were slaughtered for their properties. Of which was another reason why the Dragon wanted such a place gone.

In any case, at the rate the pair was making, they would not reach the marketplace until after an hour had passed, by their measurement of time. Of which opened up to a little more room for them to move about, as the area reserved for trade and the hawking of wares took up the central portion of the city. Whereas in the centre was a large fountain of crystal clear water that was magickally fortified to keep poisons, diseases, and all manner of tricks from occurring within the water. This was simply to allow any and all to come and take what they needed without worry, whilst the water continued to flow from an ocean well deep below the city.

All along the fountain's edge, though, were peddlers sitting upon multicoloured cloths, selling what they can. Whereas in the outer ring of the market, and well within the shade of many buildings, were the merchants who hawked their wares to any and all within earshot. However, once such merchants and peddlers turned towards the pair in the hopes of them perusing their merchandise, they stopped, stared at the symbols emblazoned upon their persons, and turned away.

For although the male was without such a symbol to cause their disdain or fear, the other had one which denoted her to be of the Church of Life and Light. One that could, and often did, abused their authority to do whatever it was that they wished. That is, so long as they had a reason for doing so, which could be as petty as, "Because his smell offended me."

"Look, Dad," the Cleric pointed at a large and weathered structure of wood and stone. Of which held a freshly painted sign of a poorly drawn dragon's head with a haughty expression upon its features, "That's the inn he's at."

Which led to the other to nod twice before moving off in that direction, and towards the family member which was tucked away somewhere inside.