Act I
Chapter V
2nd Millennia of Pera Dunamis, Continent of Richten - 1st of Deepmoon
We gather in the dining hall of the mansion for supper, the extensive tabletop laden with dishes that look both strange and enticing. The aroma of grilled meats, fragrant herbs, and spices fills the air, mingling with the warm, golden light of the chandeliers above. Khaz sits at the head of the table, next to Aldrich, who eagerly explains each dish to us.
“This is elvanth stew,” Aldrich says, pointing to a bubbling pot of rich, dark brother filled with chunks of tender meat and vibrant vegetables. “And here we have blue root pie, a favorite in Drakenfell, made with sweet blue root vegetables and a flaky crust.”
I take a bite; the flavors exploding on my tongue. The food is a blend of savory and spicy that is entirely new, yet incredibly satisfying. Around me, the meal equally entranced the others. Serena laughs as she tries to use the unfamiliar utensils, and Trent teases her good-naturedly, demonstrating the correct technique.
“You’re a natural, Trent,” Serena quips, rolling her eyes. “Must have been a chef in another life.”
Trent grins, “Or maybe just hungry enough to learn quickly.”
Aiden joins in, his banter light and easy. Caden still keeping to himself, yet at least he looks like he’s enjoying himself, seeing him relaxed. For a moment, it feels like any other meal we’ve shared, the worries and uncertainties of our journey pushed to the background. Clad in the new attire given to us for our stay; comfortable yet elegant tunics of fine silk, each adorned with embroidery, reflecting the silver and green colors of Drakenfell. We feel almost like locals.
As the conversation lulls, I can’t shake the questions that have been gnawing at me since we arrived. I set down my fork and clear my throat. “Khaz, can I ask you something?”
He looks up, putting down his utensils and giving me his full attention. “You may.”
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I need to understand more about what happened to us. How can we get home? Why does Trent seem to know this world, and why do you keep calling me Margrave?”
The table falls silent, all eyes turning to Khaz. He leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “It’s complex, Leon,” he begins. “I believe the way you entered this world is partly my fault.” Khaz pulls out a stone with strange engravings. “This is a port stone. It can teleport the user to anywhere the user has been to. In my case, before I was ran over by your brother here,” he shoots a vengeful glare at Trent, “I was in the middle of evading King Ari’s Shadow Stalkers, while activating this stone, they caught me in a trap. My mind boggled between Drakenfell and your world, mixing the portal, and that is where you met me.”
I stare at the stone, the weight of Khaz’s words sinking in. “So, you’re saying that because of this stone and the Shadow Stalkers, our worlds collided?” Aiden adds to the conversation, leaning closely.
Khaz nods. “Precisely. The Shadow Stalkers are relentless. They use shadow magic to stalk and kill their prey, and they can travel between worlds and universes with ease. I can easily defeat a group of them, but they trapped me with numbers and strange spells. The stone’s magic was disrupted, creating a portal that linked Drakenfell to Earth.”
Upon glancing at Trent, I notice a mix of guilt and intrigue on his face. “I had no idea,” he says quietly. “I just saw Khaz appear out of nowhere, and then…”
“And then you ran him over,” Serena finishes, an innocent smile tugging at the corner of her mouth despite the gravity of the situation.
Khaz’s expression softens slightly. “Yes, well, accidents happen. But now you understand why you’re here, and why the Shadow Stalkers might still be after us.”
The realization sends a chill down my spine. “So, we’re not just looking for a way home. We’re being hunted.”
“It appears so,” Aldrich says, clasping his fingers together, his eyes gleaming doggedly. “The God-King’s reach is long, and his assassins are infamously merciless. I will inform the royal guard, as must stay vigilant and sever this connection before it’s too late.”
Everyone seems inspired and reassured by Aldrich’s words, almost everyone. Caden appears terrified, noticing that he hasn’t said a word and is trembling in his seat. “So, why do you call me Margrave, then?” I ask, wanting to steer the conversation away from impending doom.
As I sit back, processing everything Khaz has said, waiting for his response, Trent clears his throat. His face is pale, and he looks more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “Leon, there’s something else you need to know,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “Dad is alive. And so is your mom.”
I blink, stunned. “I’m sorry?”
Trent takes a deep breath, glancing around the table before focusing on me. “They’re here, in the Dunamis Realm. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, but I’ve been hearing rumors, and I followed a few leads.”
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of hope and disbelief. Abruptly, I stand to my feet; the chair scraping against the floor as I push it out, infuriated. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Taken aback by my reaction, “I didn’t have solid proof, and I didn’t want to get you involved with you being ill prepared, especially if it wasn’t true,” Trent explains. “But now that we’re here, I feel the need to tell you. Mom and Dad are alive, Leon. They’ve been living in hiding, trying to stay out of the God-King’s reach.”
The room feels like it’s spinning. This revelation is practically too much to handle as I sit back down. My mind twists between Trent’s words. “Where are they?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“I don’t know exactly,” Trent admits. “But I’ve got a few leads we can follow. We’re going to find them, Leon. I promise.”
Khaz nods in agreement. “Trent and I have been working together on this. The reason I call you Margrave is that your father is my little brother,” he points to his eyes. “Have you noticed yet? The color of your eyes.”
I look down, glimpsing my reflection off my bowl of stew with golden eyes. “How is this possible? My eyes were brown,” I say, more emotions converging into my chest.
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“I don’t know,” Khaz confesses, massaging his salt-and-pepper beard. “Only Pure-blood Margraves have gold eyes, usually born with them.”
“Then who are you?” Caden interjects, asking a plain question, his voice trembling more than mine. It never crossed my mind to ask what his identity is other than Khaz, the man Trent ran over.
Khaz sighs, his gaze fixed to his glass filled with a strange beverage. He stands to a salute, his left arm behind him, and his right fist across his chest. “I am Khaz Loya Margrave, Realm Commander of the Margrave Army and Lord Advisor to the God-King,” he says, his voice deep and resonant, as he eases back. “Formerly. Now, I am simply a captain in a rebellious movement against King Ari and his plan to take over more realms.”
“Then how do we get home, Mr. Commander?” Caden unexpectedly stands, slamming his hand onto the table, his eyes swelling. “This whole thing has been a mess. We’re transported to a different world. We’re being hunted because we’re associated with you. I just want to get back to my life,” tears trickling down his cheeks. “I just want to go back home.”
His outburst catches everyone off guard. Caden falls back to his seat. I see the fear and anxiety etched into his face, and my heart aches for him. “Caden,” I start, trying to find the right words to comfort him. The silence is deafening. He voiced what I feel like, what everyone is thinking about.
Khaz looks at Caden with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. “I understand your fear, young man. This situation is far from what any of us expected. But getting home will take time. The port stone’s magic is unstable, and we need to stabilize it if you’re to return safely.”
Caden’s shoulders slump, the gravitas of Khaz’s words heavy on him. “So, we’re stuck here,” he says, his voice barely a sniffling whisper. “And we have to survive being hunted by these Shadow Stalkers?”
“For now, yes. But we will find a way,” Aldrich says, reaching out and placing a hand on Caden’s shoulder.
“We’ll get through this. We’ll find a way home. We’ll find mom and dad. And we’re going to stay alive,” I proclaim, a fierce determination swelling in my chest.
Caden nods, wiping away his tears. “Okay,” he says quietly. “I’ll try.”
As the tension in the room eases, the attendants in the mansion start taking our plates and utensils. Trent and Aiden exchange a quick glance before moving to Caden’s side. “Come on, buddy,” Trent says softly, guiding him to his feet. “Let’s get you to your room.”
Aiden joins them, his arm around Caden’s shoulders. “We’re here for you, man. We’ll figure this out together.” They lead Caden out of the dining room, their voices fading as they head down the hallway.
Khaz and Aldrich stand up as well, their expressions serious. “We need to plan our next steps,” Khaz says, turning to Aldrich. “Let’s head to the main hall.”
Aldrich nods in agreement. “We need to be strategic. The Shadow Stalkers will be tenacious” The two of them leave, their footsteps echoing in the quiet room.
I look around the remnants of our meal, the once vibrant and lively atmosphere now subdued. The mansion’s attendants begin to clear the table, their movements efficient and respectful. Serena helps them, and without a word, I follow suit.
As we gather plates and silverware, Serena breaks the silence. “It’s all so overwhelming, isn’t it?” she says, her voice soft. “One moment, we’re having fun, living life, and enjoying our company, and next, we’re thrust into this… this otherworldly chaos.”
My gaze fixes to a half empty glass, feeling the heaviness of her words. “Yeah, it’s a lot to digest. I’m pinching myself, hoping this is just a dream.”
Serena pauses, looking at me with concern. “And now we find out that your parents are alive… do you really think we’ll find them?”
Despite limited memories of my dad and believing my mom is deceased, meeting them, if only for a moment, is something I can’t let go of. “I need to believe we will,” I say, my voice filled with a sense of purpose.
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. We continue cleaning, the simple task grounding us amidst the chaos. The attendants quietly express their gratitude as we work, their presence comforting us and reminding us that even in this strange world, normalcy still exists.
After we clear the last of the dishes and wipe down the table, Serena and I take a moment, enjoying the now quiet and peaceful room. I notice the night sky filled with stars. “Let’s go outside. I bet the courtyard is out of this world.”
Stepping outside into the courtyard behind the guest mansion, I feel refreshed by the cool evening air after the warmth inside. I take a deep breath, letting the scents of the garden fill my senses; roses, jasmine, and a hint of mint and honey. The courtyard looks like an oasis of tranquility, a stark contrast to the uncertainty of our journey.
The courtyard is spacious, bordered by high stone walls covered in climbing ivy and dotted with blooming flowers. In the center, there’s a large fountain, its waters sparkling in the moonlight. The gentle sound of water cascading over stone creates a soothing background melody. The courtyard scatters stone benches and small tables throughout, inviting visitors to enjoy the peacefulness.
Lanterns hang from the wrought iron posts, their soft glow casting dancing shadows across the cobblestone paths. I leisurely stroll, admiring the manicured hedges and vibrant flowerbeds that line the paths. The flowers here are unlike any I’ve seen back home; some glow faintly in the dark, others have petals that seem to shimmer and change color with the light.
I find a bench near the fountain and sit down, letting the serenity wash over me. The weight of the day’s revelations still presses on my mind, but here, in this gorgeous courtyard, it feels a little easier to bear. Three moons fly high in the sky, casting their silver sheen over the landscape, and the stars twinkle like distant gems.
As I sit, I notice the minor details that of the way the ivy climbs the walls in intricate patterns, the delicate design of the wrought iron lanterns, and meticulous care that must go into the maintaining the flowerbeds. It’s clear that someone cherishes this courtyard, a place of refuge and reflection.
I hear the faint rustle of leaves and turn to see Serena walking towards me. Her bright eyes and faint smile puts the courtyard to shame. The way the shadows frolic around her as the leaves and bits of grass escort her. Her green eyes meet mine, a shy smile spreading across my face as my heart beats a tad faster. “It’s beautiful out here,” she says, looking around with wide eyes.
“Yeah, yeah it is,” I agree, still gawking at her face, looking away as she turns her attention to me.
We sit in companionable silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the night. Crickets chirp, and somewhere in the distance, a bird hoots gently. “This place is peaceful,” I say finally, breaking the quietness. “If a place like this exists, then maybe we can bring some of this back to our own lives.”
Serena nods, her expression reflective. “That sounds good, Leon. You know, I never had the chance to be alone like this with you. It’s nice.”
Blushing, my heart pounds out of my chest as I fidget next to her. I’m not sure how long we have been here, but it’s the perfect time to say what’s been on my mind for so long.
“Serena,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. She turns to look at me, her eyes reflecting the dim light. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
Her head tilts, with a hint of curiosity and something else in her gaze. “What might that be?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “I just… I needed you to know that…” her eyes widen slightly, glimpsing flickering emotion across her face. But before I can finish, a sudden, overwhelming sensation burns behind my eyes. Noticing gold lights reflecting off Serena’s eyes. My vision blurs, and the courtyard fades away, replaced by a vivid, nightmarish scene. I envision Serena, right where she’s sitting now, but a hooded figure looming behind her, a dagger poised to strike.
I snap back to reality, the vision leaving me shaken but filled with urgency. “Serena, move!” I shout, grabbing her arm and pulling her off the bench just as a shadowy figure lunges from the darkness.
The sound of the assassin’s blade echoes in my ears, a sharp, metallic ring that seems to reverberate through the entire courtyard. A split second later, I hear the sickening sound of blood splattering across the flowers. My vision blurs, and a searing pain shoots through my side. I stagger, realizing with a jolt of horror that it’s my blood staining the delicate petals.
I clutch my side, feeling the warm, runny blood seep through my fingers. The pain is intense, almost unbearable. I grit my teeth and force myself to stay upright. I take a quick glance back to see Serena’s face swimming into view, her eyes wide with terror and disbelief.
“Leon!” she cries.