Plummet forth, aspirant for the newly birthed world of Nevatora.

“Oh, where am I?” Her voice was weak and croaky and she struggled to lift herself with her cane.

She was surrounded by darkness, seeing nothing beyond that. The only sense she had now was hearing, hearing the deep echoing voice of…Someone.

You are one of many who were chosen to be sent to this new world, to find new aspirants and find the ones that may inherit great treasures that lie at the end of this world.

“I’m sorry dear sir, but I prefer to return to the market, i just want to buy ingredients for a new cookie recipe I came up with.” The voice started to laugh maniacally.

If you best the trials of this world, and beat those who cross swords with you, you will gain the ingredients of this recipe. Nay, not only that but you shall be able to create the best cookies known to all!

“Hmm, I guess I do need to walk more, these legs are starting to become weak from sitting on the chair and knitting shawls,” The voice exhaled in satisfaction.

Then it shall be, may you survive to the end, and gain what you wish from this new world!

In an instant, the darkness tore apart and rapidly revealed a new world around Sevasta.

A realm filled to the brim with destruction, carnage, and the lingering smell of ash. Fires burned any nearby trees, the path she was on was made up of sand, distorted and no longer leading towards the intended path.

The sky above was a dark grey. But looking further beyond, she spotted a massive building enveloped in black.

“What an odd man that person was, and a weirder building over there,” Sevasta spoke to herself. She took a breath and immediately felt her lungs get assaulted by the smoke. The only thing she was left with now was a shawl, her clothes, a cane, and a basket filled with a few fruits and vegetables.

“For a new world, it is rather dark and destroyed…But as they say, beauty is born from destruction.” She took one step, and although her body was severely weakened from age, she could still hold herself up with the support of the cane.

“Now how will a crone like me find a market to buy these ingredients…Maybe there are people nearby to ask.” Without fear nor a care in this new world, Sevasta walked down the destroyed path, now in pursuit of the ingredients and create that so-called best cookie known to all.

She entered a forest of burning trees, their bark turned pitch black and many had already fallen.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“What a sad sight, they must have been very beautiful before…” She pitifully tried fanning away the flames on a particularly small burning tree but to little success.

“If I find water maybe I can put out these fires, where are the fire watchers of this place? Actually…Where are those other people he spoke of?”

From behind, a series of weak sneers and grumbling revealed a small group of goblins, emerging from one of the trees holding short blades.

“Bad idea to enter forest.” One of the goblins snarled.

“Oh, you remind me of monsters I read from children’s stories!” Without fear, she kindly introduced herself to the goblins, who looked confused.

“What trickery does hag use?” One of them angrily shouted. After a moment, a low grumbling emanated from one of the goblin’s stomachs, alerting Sevasta.

“Oh, you poor things are hungry…Your size also reminds me of children i cared for in the army barracks way back then.” She plunged her hand in the large basket, taking out a few apples and tossing it towards the goblins.

They immediately lunged down on the apples, gorging them as if it were their last.

“Thank you, kind stranger.” One of them spoke up, his tone much nicer than earlier.

“I can’t stand seeing anyone starving. I should go on my way now, i need to find those so-called ingredients.”

“Wait!” One of the goblins yelled.

“Path ahead dangerous. Need help to go through without death. Also as thanks for food.” It continued.

“Well, a bit of company is always nice. Loneliness is the worst fate for anyone. I’m just here to find some ingredients for cookies. Maybe I can make some for you all if we get the ingredients, along with some plates and utensils.” Their eyes lit up brightly upon hearing the word cookie.

They immediately surrounded her, lowering their weapons.

“We join for food.”

“Ok then, you really want to eat, I shouldn’t keep you all waiting. Says here the first ingredient is flour.”

The goblins all turned straight ahead, one pointing onwards.

“Flour, flour found in village ahead.”

“Why thank you, dearie. We should start moving now, the fire is starting to hurt.” With a new band of friends in tow, Sevasta made her way through the forest.

As she went further down, the fires seemed to get stronger, and she began to notice wreckages on the side of the path, carts, wagons, and wooden boxes littered the area with no signs of people.

“Hmph, what a messy place this is.” She muttered.

“Past people, left, killed, or died. Now village empty.” One of the goblins explained, even through its odd speech, Sevasta managed to understand it well enough.

—--

The goblins stepped in front of her upon reaching the village.

Just like the rest of the area it was a wreck, houses lay crumbled and decimated, some burning brightly. Broken stalls lay at the center. And still, no sign of any inhabitants.

But the goblins took out their crude weapons.

“Villages full of monster, monster or other person not as kind as you. Stay close,” The goblin warned.

“Where would someone even find flour, this place is a pigsty.” The place felt like an eyesore to her. She fought the urge to find a broom or try cleaning it up or atleast clean out the buildings like she did before.

“Flour, white bread powder. In large house there.” One of them pointed at a somehow still standing wooden building at the end of the village.

“Looks like a common granary, they should have flour. I hope.” Along with the goblins, they cautiously walked towards the granary.