Thousands of years ago, the world was thrown into chaos. A cataclysmic disaster the likes of which Nexusia had never seen appeared.
The figure of that disaster was the Lord Of Fiend, The One Who Is Many, The Harbinger of Destruction or if Humans today call him, the Demon King.
The Lord of Fiend started out as a weak and helpless creature, only able to hide in the shadows while plotting to conquer the world that had laughed at him and not accepted him. Days passed, weeks passed and before he knew it, years had passed and the Lord of Fiend had grown stronger, his strength at the time able to attract the attention of races that were just like him, oppressed and unaccepted.
It didn't take long for the Lord of Fiend to establish his army and begin invading Nexusia as a whole. The Elven Kingdom was the first to be affected by the Lord Of Fiend's attack, followed by other kingdoms that fell under the mighty Lord Of Fiend's rule one by one. In his mission to conquer Nexusia, Lord of Fiend was indiscriminate and destroyed everything in front of him, even the temples where the Gods were worshiped.
The Gods and Goddesses who felt angry about the Lord Of Fiend's increasingly arbitrary actions, especially since many of the Champions of the Gods and Goddesses whom Lord Fiend had succeeded in killing or inciting to be on his side. Thus, down came the Gods from their realm, Jerdin Celeste.
When the God of War faced the Lord Of Fiend and his minions, he found it very difficult to face the Lord Of Fiend, especially since his army was very strong, so the Gods and Goddesses of Jerdin Celeste decided to raise the status of the Human Race and give them technology that was far more advanced than what they should have.
The alliance of the Gods and Goddesses of Jerdin Celeste and the Human Race then counterattacked the Lord Of Fiend and his army. After more than 500 years of warfare, the entire Nimoya Continent, Arafuru Islands and Aegis Continent were liberated.
But all of that was not without sacrifice, many of the Gods and Goddesses of Jerdin Celeste had to die as a result of this devastating war and some were split into dozens of pieces containing their powers, these pieces were scattered throughout Nexusia.
Now there were only two Gods and Goddesses left from Jerdin Celeste, and even then they were both battered and dying, so, the two of them retreated to Jerdin Celeste and locked themselves up. It was not a wise move, because with the two remaining Gods and Goddesses gone, Humanity had no one to guide them and advise them.
The Heavenly War had just finished, the Nexus War ensued and lasted for centuries, causing a great deal of technology, culture and knowledge to disappear. Billions of lives were lost like they were worth nothing and once again the remaining Deities of Jerdin Celeste had to intervene to take back all that the Deities of Jerdin Celeste had bestowed.
Now, Humanity is back in the age of swords and sorcery, they do not know the story of their past and their greatness when they were in the past. They knew of the Celestial War because the Deity Jerdin Celeste made thousands of inscriptions that were spread throughout Nexusia, to keep people aware of the rise of the Lord Of Fiend that would appear sometime in the future and to not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors who started the Nexusia War.
200 years before the story begins. Several groups of Empires decided to merge into one, a mighty Empire that conquered almost half of the Velandria Continent. The Eisenblut Empire has a system called the Elector Council, where each representative of the Kingdoms will elect the Emperor who will lead the Empire for the next 15 years, this system initially received a lot of opposition and in the early days of the Eisenblut Empire there were many rebellions. However, the Eisenblut Empire has stood for more than 200 years and has not been shaken at all until now, especially since each Emperor has no limit in running for Emperor.
During the time of Emperor Gustav Sternenhimmel, the Eisenblut Empire became more expansionist and often fought wars with other countries on the Velandria Continent who called themselves the Coalition of Nations. This coalition consisted of more than 30 small kingdoms or countries that did not like the vision and mission of the Eisenblut Empire which was becoming increasingly aggressive.
The Coalition War had been going on for 20 years and had produced nothing but suffering for both sides. The Coalition, which was already at its limit, finally decided to call for a ceasefire and peace was chosen, the Empire was also on the brink of crisis due to the prolonged war and was very grateful to be given room to breathe.
But this story is not about them... The story begins simply enough, in a town called Orrinshire in the Western Province of the Eisenblut Empire.
....
.......
The morning sunlight gently penetrated through the window cloth in a room, in this room also lay a young woman who was still sleeping on her bed. The young woman seemed to groan as the sunlight hit her eyes, she slowly woke up from her deep sleep. The young woman then slowly sat up.
"Mhm... It's morning again... Why does the world feel so fast." The young lady stretched a little.
After feeling a little more refreshed from stretching, the young lady opened the cloth on her window and she immediately saw the charming cityscape. Many people were already out and about, some street vendors were opening their stalls and birds were chirping. The young lady smiled gently at the sight.
"New day, new spirit." The young lady said with a chuckle.
"Lucena! Lucena! Wake up young lady! You want to not have a partner for the rest of your life?!" An older woman's voice was heard from below the room of the young woman named Lucena.
Lucena laughed at the shout. "Yes mom! I'm already awake!"
"Oh you must really be awake, or I'll kick your ass! Come quickly young lady, it's a new day!"
Lucena hurriedly stripped off her nightclothes one by one until she was not wearing a single piece of clothing, Lucena ran her fingers through her long hair that reached her back. She then went to the corner of the room where there was a large bucket filled with water, Lucena put her hand on a fire-like carving on the bucket and slowly the water in the bucket warmed up.
Lucena took a clean cloth that was nearby and began to clean every part of her body. After finishing wiping her body with water, Lucena then walked to her wardrobe and put on her usual clothes, a white dress with some brown spots indicating that it was not washed clean.
Lucena then walked out of her room and walked down the stairs. As she descended, she saw her mother preparing a green bread and jam. Lucena walked with an occasional jump and hugged her mother.
Lucena's mother, who was hugged, was a little surprised, before she finally said. "Lucena! I swear, one day you will be the death of me!"
Lucena just chuckled at that. "Sorry mom, it's just that I always like it when I see you surprised."
"You are, you little... You really look like your father." Lucena's mother's tone softened and she stroked Lucena's head.
"Of course, I'm your father and mother's son! By the way, where is your father? I don't see him." Lucena said looking around, she had already released her bear hug on her mother.
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"Your father got a job as a miner in the South Mine, he left when it was still dark." Said Lucena's mother, who continued to clear the table.
"Dad finally got a job, eh? It's been since... Two months?" Lucena recalled.
"More or less, he was so happy to get a job that he didn't tell his own daughter." Lucena's mother chuckled, making Lucena puff out her cheeks.
"Mom! Ah never mind, I'm hungry, what's on the menu this morning?" Lucena sat on the chair.
"Slime bread and jam." Lucena's mom answered briefly.
"My favorite." Lucena then quickly ate the large bread in front of her with the green jam.
"Oh yeah, are you going to the temple again today?" Lucena's mother asked.
"Of course, why are you?" Lucena asked back.
"Nothing, it's just..." Lucena's mother bit her bottom lip.
Lucena smiled at her mother. "Someone has to pray for her every day, Mom, to make sure that she's treated well in Jerdin Celeste."
"I know Lucy, it's just... It's been over 20 years I guess? I even stopped after giving birth to you." Lucena's mother said as she clenched her hands into fists.
Lucena smiled sadly at her mother and walked over and hugged her from behind. "Oh mom... I'm sorry if it makes you sad, but you know how I am."
"Yes... You look too much like your father and it makes me a little upset." Lucena's mother laughed, her voice trembling.
Lucena smiled then released her hug to her mother and continued eating. After finishing her breakfast, Lucena picked up a brown bag and put on her shoes. "Mom, I'm leaving first!"
"Yes! Be careful on the road! And remember!"
"Don't follow strangers, mom!" Lucena walked out laughing.
Once outside, various scents immediately invaded Lucena's nose. She smelled the meat vendors were selling, the fresh fruits and the most distinctive was the bakery in front of Lucena's house. In front of the bakery was a young man with brown hair and beautiful emerald green eyes, Lucena was excited to see him.
"Gustaaf! Where are you going?" Lucena asked excitedly.
"Oh?! Lucy! Gosh you startled me a bit, I want to practice my sword at the edge of the forest, do you want to go to the temple again?" Gustaaf asked while holding his sheathed sword.
"Yes, hehehe... I'll go first, Gustaaf." Lucena smiled and was about to leave.
But suddenly Gustaaf grabbed Lucena's arm which made Lucena stop and tense up. Gustaaf reluctantly released his grip. "Ah! I-I'm sorry, Lucy! I didn't mean to..."
"I-yes hahaha... I'm just surprised that you suddenly grasped my hand quite strongly, what's wrong Gustaaf?" Asked Lucena who had regained her composure, but she looked at Gustaaf with a look that was hard to interpret.
"After you go to the Temple, can you accompany me to practice? I uhh... My mother said that I can practice as long as I bring someone who can heal my wounds and you're the only one I know who can use Healing Magic well enough, please help me this time, Lucy!" Gustaaf bowed his body slightly.
Lucena let out a long sigh before continuing. "Alright, but after the Temple, okay? I have to pay my respects first, I can't stay long either, Gustaaf."
"It's okay, I just need someone to convince my mother." Gustaaf nodded his head.
"Alright, let's go." Lucena walked to the temple with Gustaaf following close behind.
20 minutes passed and the two of them finally arrived at the Temple outside Orrinshire, this Temple was where people used to worship the Goddess Floryn the Goddess of Healing, Fertility, Nature and Growth. Goddess Floryn used to be a figure worshipped by the inhabitants of the Western Province of the Eisenblut Empire, but since the new Religion came from the Desert in the East, the Gods and Goddesses of Jerdin Celeste began to be forgotten by the people, even Orrinshire which used to be the center of worship of Goddess Floryn in the Western Province of the Eisenblut Empire has also abandoned the teaching and chose the Church of Sol.
The condition of the Temple was very poor, it could be seen that it had been abandoned for many years. Gustaaf saw some attempted repairs to the Temple, but it didn't help. He said. "Are you trying to repair this Temple? Alone?"
"Yes, I am trying to show my dedication to the Goddess Floryn, because of her I can use the power of healing. Yes, even if I can't fix all of this in the end." Lucena laughed in embarrassment.
"This Lucy... You can ask me and my father for help in fixing this place... This place... I'm guessing it can only last until at least the beginning of Endember, I'm sorry Lucy." Gustaaf said badly.
Lucena smiled sadly. "It's okay Gustaaf, I understand... Oh yes! You said you're going to be traveling at the end of the month, right?"
"Hahaha Yes, I'm going to pursue my dream of becoming an adventurer!" Gustaaf said excitedly.
"You seem very happy." Lucena said with a sweet laugh.
"Of course Lucy, this is my childhood dream, you should know." Gustaaf said as he clenched his fists and looked up at the sky.
"Yes, every day you keep saying it until I memorize what you're going to say and the basic knowledge of Adventurers, after all, isn't the Adventurer's Guild going to open a branch in Orrinshire? Why bother leaving the city?" Lucena asked curiously.
"Ah those rumors, according to the information I heard while eavesdropping on the conversations of some merchants and travelers, they say the Adventurer's Guild will only open next year, probably during the month of Gustavary... You know I can't wait that long, Lucy." Gustaaf said with a wry smile.
"Is that so? Alright, but watch out you leave without telling me, I'll kick your ass." Lucena said, pinching Gustaaf's arm.
"Ouch! That pinch hurts!" Gustaaf winced in pain.
"You're going to be an Adventurer, you have to get used to pain." Lucena said as she poked Gustaaf in the left ribs.
"Hey stop it!"
Lucena stopped and walked over to the Altar at the Temple of the Goddess Floryn. Gustaaf looked on from a distance while holding his ribs that had been punched by Lucena.
Lucena then knelt before the statue of the Goddess Floryn which was already covered in moss and out of shape, but its humanoid form could still be clearly seen. A few minutes passed before Lucena stood back up, wiping the tears from her eyes before walking back to the waiting Gustaaf.
"Sorry it took so long." Lucena said briefly.
"It's okay, I know this is important to you, just like I want to be an Adventurer. Shall we?" Gustaaf held out his hand.
Lucena smiled at that and took Gustaaf's hand, they then walked together to the place where Gustaaf used to train against several types of monsters that roamed.
The end of the month came very quickly, coinciding with the day of Gustaaf's departure to the Western Province Capital, Orrinshire City held a massive festival to commemorate the birthday of their beloved city. Hundreds of merchants both from outside and local merchants opened their wares in almost all places, but the majority were centered in the town square, near the Governor's Mansion.
Lucena, who was wearing a long white dress with a brown apron, was seen carrying a tray with a pile of bread, she smiled at the few adventurers in the town square and said. "Good afternoon, adventurers! May I offer you some bread?"
One of the adventurers who was a woman in a cloak replied. "Oh of course, how much is one slice?"
"Oh no, it's free, the owner of this bakery shop always gives away their bread for free during this festival." Lucena said.
"Then I'll take six." Said the female adventurer in the cloak.
Lucena then put six slices of bread into a brown paper bag and gave it to the adventuress. Before the woman left, Lucena called out to her.
"Uhm, Miss Adventurer? Can I ask you a few questions?" Lucena asked embarrassedly.
"Oh? Of course! But don't call me Miss Adventurer, just call me Delilah." Said the female adventurer named Delilah.
"Then, Delilah, I'd like to ask you about... How high is the probability of an Adventurer dying on their first mission?" Lucena asked seriously.
"Such things are relative, Miss, but all the adventurers I know have a good start, because our average mission is collecting herbs for medicine or fighting low-class monsters." Delilah replied.
"I see... Ah! I'm sorry, my name is Lucena!" Lucena blushed.
"Hahaha it's okay, I was also wrong not to ask your name. So, any more questions?" Delilah smiled gently.
"What are the requirements to be an Adventurer? Lately I've become a little interested in the world of Adventurers." Lucena said with an embarrassed laugh.
"You're interested in becoming an Adventurer too? Hey, that's a pretty good but dangerous thing, Miss Lucena, especially since you're a girl." Delilah frowned slightly.
"But you became an Adventurer and you are a girl." Lucena also looked a little annoyed and insulted at that.
"Not to insult Miss Lucena, indeed the status of women has been higher than in recent decades, but still discrimination against women in the Adventurer's Guild often occurs, I'm lucky to have a Party like them who accepts me regardless of gender." Delilah said while gesturing to her friends who were eating Orrinshire specialties.
"I see... But I still want to be an adventurer, I've always wanted to go exploring outside of this city. It's not that I don't like this city, it's just that I've lived here for more than 18 years, boredom and saturation must have arisen, you should know, Miss Delilah." Lucena said seriously.
Delilah gave a small hum. "That's right... Well, if you really want to become an Adventurer, I'll tell you some of the most important requirements to apply. First of all, you must be good at Reading and Writing."
"Reading and Writing? I can do that, it just so happens that I went to school for only two years, hehehe..." Lucena smiled embarrassedly.
"Secondly, you must have special skills such as fighting, understanding basic things about Medical Science and magic power. The last one is optional, like one of my party members who doesn't have much magic power, but he outsmarts it with his extraordinary physical strength." Delilah said pointing to her friend who was quite large and wrapped in armor.
"I see, is there anything else?" Lucena asked after thinking about what Delilah had said.
"I think that's all, the Guild is always flexible in their recruitment anyway and the entrance exam changes all the time, it's done so that Adventurers can adapt to various unpredictable situations." Delilah said.
"I see... Thank you for the information, Miss Delilah! Enjoy the Festival!" Lucena said excitedly while bowing her body.
"You're welcome, Lucena.... See you in the wild." Delilah left while waving her hand to Lucena.
Lucena waved back before letting out a long sigh, she then walked back to Gustaaf's parents' bakery. There, Gustaaf's mother was arranging the chairs.
"Ms. Eva, come let me help you." Lucena said, rushing over to Gustaaf's mother.
"Ah Lucy, it's okay son, let me help you... You're an adult, you shouldn't be here to help, but looking for a partner out there." Mrs. Eva said while holding both of Lucena's hands.
"But Ms. Eva... I want to help, and with Gustaaf leaving, who else is going to help you?" Lucena had a sad face.
Mrs. Evan hugged Lucena gently. "We'll miss him, Lucy, but this is the cycle of life... We won't always be together, but honestly I will miss Gustaaf a lot, your mom is lucky to have you Lucy."
"Hehehe... By the way, where is Gustaaf? He didn't leave without telling me, did he? I'm really going to beat him up." Said Lucena who let go of Mrs. Eva's hug and snapped her fingers, ready to hit someone.
"Hehehe of course not Lucy, he's too cowardly for that... He's currently getting a blessing from Sol Church, he should be home soon." Just as Ms. Eva said that, Gustaaf walked in with his father, Mr. Eric.
"Lucy?! Why are you here?" Gustaaf looked shocked.
"Making sure you didn't leave without telling me, silly. So how did you prepare?" Lucena asked, crossing her arms.
Gustaaf sighed before smiling. "Everything is ready, I just need to leave in the afternoon."
"Why not wait until morning, Gustaaf? Isn't it safer to leave in the morning?" Lucena asked in surprise.
Mr. Eric, Gustaaf's father then spoke up. "He'll be riding Governor Wilson's car, it just so happens that his son and daughter are going to the Academy in the capital too, so he suggested that Gustaaf take a ride with them."
Lucena then gave Gustaaf a slightly annoyed look. "You're going to take the car before me? I'm jealous, Gustaaf."
"Hey! This is the Governor offering it to me and Dad, how could we refuse?!" Gustaaf looked a little reluctant.
"Hmph." Lucena puffed out her cheeks, still upset.
Mr. Eric and Mrs. Eva just laughed at the dynamic between their son and their best friend's daughter. Mrs. Eva then tapped Lucena on the shoulder. "Lucy, here's your pay today, you can go home early today."
"How come Ms. Eva, it's only three in the afternoon?" Lucena looked surprised.
"Never mind, go have fun, come to the Governor's Mansion at four in the afternoon for Gustaaf's departure." Mrs. Eva said gently.
"Alright... See you later, Ms. Eva, Mr. Eric and Gustaaf!" Lucena walked out of the shop. She decided to go to the bar where she worked to kill some time.
TBC.