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- Earlier That Day -
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Kael Thorne stumbled through the dense forest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to keep moving. The forest goddesses had been chasing him relentlessly for hours, her form flitting through the trees, never far behind. Each step felt heavier than the last, exhaustion threatening to overtake him.
He paused briefly, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. His heart pounded in his chest, and his muscles screamed for rest. The forest seemed to close around him, the shadows growing deeper and more oppressive.
Suddenly, a twig snapped to his left. Kael's eyes darted in the direction of the sound, and he saw a wolf padding silently through the underbrush, its eyes fixed on him with a predatory gleam. The wolf was circling him, its movements careful and calculated.
"Fuck," Kael whispered under his breath, gripping his broken staff tightly. He didn't have much mana left, but he had to try. Summoning the last of his strength, he cast a fireball between himself and the wolf, creating a smokescreen. The sudden burst of flames startled the wolf, and it hesitated, giving Kael a precious few seconds.
Without wasting any time, Kael turned and sprinted through the bush, the smoke providing a temporary cover. The forest seemed endless, a sea of trees with no clear path to safety. His legs burned with every step, and his vision blurred with fatigue. He pushed himself forward, driven by sheer willpower and the instinct to survive.
The sounds of pursuit faded slightly, but Kael knew he couldn't afford to stop again. The Forest beasts were relentless as well, and he could feel their presence pressing in on him. Each step felt like a battle, his body crying out for rest. He stumbled over roots and rocks, barely staying on his feet.
Just when he thought he couldn't go any further, he burst into a small clearing. In the centre of the clearing stood an ancient tree, its massive trunk and twisted branches reaching skyward. Kael recognized it immediately—it was a tree of refuge, a place of sanctuary protected by ancient magic.
He staggered towards the tree, his vision swimming. The air around the tree shimmered with a soft, protective glow. Kael reached out, placing his hand on the trunk, and felt a surge of warmth and energy flow through him. The tree's magic enveloped him, offering a brief respite from his pursuers.
Kael collapsed at the tree's base, his body trembling with exhaustion. The forest around him seemed to quiet, the shadows retreating slightly. He took deep, calming breaths, allowing the tree's magic to soothe his weary mind and body. The protective glow from the ancient tree wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, easing the tension in his muscles and the ache in his bones.
As his breathing steadied, Kael's thoughts began to clear. The past few hours had been a blur of desperate flight and constant fear. The goddess of the forest, angered by some unseen offense, had chased him relentlessly. He had barely escaped her grasp as well as the normal beast in these woods, his magic depleted and his body pushed to its limits.
The tree's magic seeped into him, its ancient roots providing a sanctuary from the wrath of the forest. Kael closed his eyes, allowing the natural magic to mend his spirit as he rested in little peace.
Memories of his past flooded back to him. Once a revered guardian, he had dedicated his life to protecting the natural world. The twin gods of water, Nymrion and Thalriss, had been his allies. Together, they had maintained the delicate balance of the elements of water. But that was before the corruption.
The twin gods, once benevolent and just, had turned dark. Their waters, once clear and life-giving, had become murky and malevolent. The corruption spread like a disease, infecting the land and its creatures. Kael had fought to stop it, but the twin gods' power was immense, and he had been forced to flee his village and safely camp.
And then the quest he received, to find a frozen tear of the gods was his last hope. Ancient lore spoke of these tears, imbued with the power to cleanse and restore. Hidden away and protected by fierce guardians and ancient magic, they were Kael's only chance to lift the curse and restore balance to the twin gods.
Gathering what little more of his strength he could, Kael pushed himself to his feet. The tree had given him some respite, but he could not linger. The forest goddesses would not rest until she caught him, and he could not afford to be caught. With a final, grateful touch to the tree, he set off again.
Setting off into the woods once more, Kael walked with measured steps, trying to conserve his strength in case something started to chase him again. The forest was a maze of shadows and whispers, every rustle of leaves and crack of branches keeping his senses on high alert. He clutched his broken staff tightly, a remnant of his once formidable magic now reduced to a simple walking stick.
The forest canopy grew denser, blocking out much of the daylight. Kael relied on his instincts to guide him through the darkness, his mind a whirl of thoughts about the goddesses and what had provoked their wrath. The memory of their relentless pursuit was etched into his mind, a constant reminder of the danger he was still in.
He came upon a small stream, its water sparkling faintly in the dim light. Kneeling by its edge, he cupped his hands and drank deeply, the cool water soothing his parched throat. As he rested, he noticed a cluster of weeping flowers growing along the bank. Their delicate leaves and vibrant flowers hinted at their magical properties. However, several of the plants bore signs of recent harvesting, the stems cut cleanly and the surrounding earth disturbed. Kael frowned, sensing that someone else had been here, possibly searching for the same resources. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, listening to the gentle flow of the stream. It was a brief respite, but it gave him the strength to carry on.
Continuing his journey through the forest, the afternoon sun slowly sinking, Kael's keen eyes caught sight of movement ahead. As he cautiously approached, the outlines of a massive clearing began to take shape through the trees. He spotted the faint remnants of a recent campsite, the warmth of a dying fire still evident in the midday light. Sunbeams filtered through the dense canopy, casting a serene glow over the clearing, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.
His curiosity once again prevailed. Kael moved cautiously, ensuring he stayed concealed behind the trees and underbrush. As he approached, the small clearing came into sharper focus. The lingering scent of recently cooked food hung in the air, stirring hunger in his stomach.
He observed the area for a moment, trying to gauge if anyone was still around. The campsite seemed recently abandoned, the fire pit still smouldering, and a few scattered belongings left behind. Gathering his courage, Kael stepped out of the shadows, his broken staff ready in case he needed to defend himself.
He approached the fire pit and knelt, relishing the warmth emanating from the embers. It was clear whoever had been here hadn't left long ago. Kael's eyes scanned the clearing, keen for any signs of movement. Beside the tent, he noticed a crate containing a few plants, he saw some weeping flowers and a few he knew of.
Frowning, Kael sensed that someone else had recently been here, possibly searching for the same resources. The sight of the campsite stirred both hope and unease within him. The presence of another person meant potential companionship or danger.
As he deliberated his next move, Kael's mind raced with possibilities. Should he reveal himself and try to communicate with the stranger? Or would it be safer to remain hidden and observe their intentions from afar?
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Dorian felt a numb, chilling coldness creeping up his spine as he slowly turned around. In the distance, he saw two vivid, unsettling green eyes staring directly at him.
A low, sinister hiss filled the air.
Dorian's instincts screamed at him to run, but he knew he had to move cautiously. He started to back up slowly, his eyes flickering to the corners of his vision to ensure he wouldn't trip over anything. The shadows seemed to deepen around him, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made his heart race faster.
The eyes remained fixed on him, unblinking and menacing.
Dorian's breath came in shallow, controlled bursts as he maintained his slow retreat. The green eyes followed his every movement, their malevolent gaze never wavering. He knew he had to keep his wits about him, but the oppressive silence and the eerie glow of those eyes made it increasingly difficult.
As he edged backward, his mind raced with possibilities. What could be watching him? He had heard legends of forest spirits and creatures that roamed these woods, but he had never encountered anything like this. The hiss came again, louder this time, and Dorian felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.
He reached into his pack with one hand, trying to find something he could use as a weapon. His fingers closed around the hilt of his rusk knife, and he drew it out slowly, not wanting to provoke whatever was watching him. He held the knife in front of him, the blade catching the faint light filtering through the trees.
Then, without warning, Dorian felt a sudden sense of danger, an instinctual warning that made him leap to the left. Just in time, a massive snake's body slammed into the thick tree where he had been standing moments before. Its teeth bit cleanly through the trunk, splintering the wood with terrifying ease.
The hissing and smell of dead wood whooshed across the clearing as the snake slowly turned to look at Dorian, its vivid green eyes locking onto him with predatory intent. The massive serpent's scales glistened with an unnatural sheen, and the air around it seemed to vibrate with menacing energy.
Sensing the danger again, Dorian leaped to the right, crashing into a nearby building just as he felt the rush of air from the snake's rapid strike. The serpent's body whipped past him, missing him by mere inches. The sound of splintering wood and the creature's hiss filled the air, heightening Dorian's fear and adrenaline. He scrambled to his feet inside the building, gripping his knife tightly, his mind racing for a plan.
He quickly scanned the room, looking for anything he could use to his advantage. The interior was dimly lit, filled with dusty old furniture and forgotten relics. His eyes settled on a heavy wooden beam lying on the floor, half-buried under debris. With a surge of desperation, he rushed over and hefted the beam, positioning it between himself and the doorway.
The snake, recovering from its missed strike, slithered back towards the entrance, its eyes locking onto Dorian once more. Its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air as it prepared to attack again. Dorian's heart pounded in his chest as he braced himself, hoping the beam would hold against the creature's immense strength.
The serpent lunged, and Dorian shoved the beam forward with all his might. The snake collided with the makeshift barrier, the impact shaking the entire building. For a moment, it seemed as though the beam would hold, but the creature's relentless force began to splinter the wood.
Thinking quickly, Dorian grabbed an old broken lantern from a nearby shelf. He smashed it on the ground, creating a small pool of oil between himself and the snake. The slick, glistening liquid caused the serpent to hesitate, its eyes narrowing as it assessed the situation.
Using the distraction to his advantage, Dorian backed further into the building, searching for an escape route. He spotted a small window at the back, just big enough for him to squeeze through. With no time to waste, he made his way to the window and clambered out, feeling the rough edges of the frame scrape against his skin.
Once outside, Dorian took a deep breath, the cool night air chilling his lungs as adrenaline pulsed through his veins. The village behind him echoed with the hissing and thrashing of the snake inside the building. He knew staying there was not an option; he had to keep moving. Gripping his knife tightly, he darted into the shadows, heart pounding, and rounded a corner where he was suddenly confronted by another pair of eyes—this time, they gleamed a striking light blue against the darkness.
"Hiss, hide in the cave, it's a mile outside the village gate," the snake whispered urgently to Dorian, its gaze flickering towards the chaos of its sibling rampaging within the village.
Dorian stared in astonishment. "You... you can talk?" he stammered, incredulous at the notion of conversing with a serpent.
"Hiss, yes. Now go, human, before my brother tries to eat you again," the snake replied, slithering closer to Dorian and deftly covering his tracks to mask his escape.
As Dorian reached the village gate, he cast a quick glance back at the chaos unfolding behind him. Buildings crumbled under the weight of the monstrous snake's wrath, its hisses reverberating through the night air like a harbinger of doom. He knew instinctively that his own strength and his simple knife would not be enough to face such a formidable foe.
Pushing himself beyond the village's edge, he stumbled upon a nearby cave entrance. Its yawning darkness offered a stark contrast to the fiery turmoil left behind. The cool, damp walls seemed to embrace him as he pressed his back against them, seeking refuge from the nightmare outside. Every nerve in his body tingled with the adrenaline of survival, heightened by the lingering scent of smoke and the distant echoes of desperate cries.
Despite his fear and exhaustion, Dorian's mind raced with questions about the talking snake with the piercing blue eyes. What had driven it to warn him? And why did it seem to possess knowledge beyond its serpentine form?
Sitting on the cave floor, he tried to steady his breathing, the rhythmic inhales and exhales a stark contrast to the chaos just beyond the entrance. He listened intently, the sounds of screams and hisses blending together in an eerie symphony that spoke of imminent danger. Each echo seemed to draw the monstrous serpent closer, reminding him of the peril lurking in the darkness outside.
Hours had passed since Dorian found refuge in the cave, his exhaustion finally catching up with him as he drifted into an uneasy sleep. When he woke, disoriented and still shaken from the events of the evening, he noticed a small snake with light blue eyes staring at him. Its scales shimmered faintly in the dim light filtering through the cave entrance, and a small smirk seemed to curl its lips.
Dorian blinked, unsure if he was still dreaming as he rubbed his eyes. The snake's eyes held a curious intelligence, unlike any creature he had encountered before. His hand instinctively went to his knife, but the snake made no move towards him.
"You're finally awake," it said, its voice a soft whisper that echoed in the cave.
"Who are you? Where did you come from? And how can you talk?" Dorian asked, his mind feeling too tired to fully process everything.
"My name is Thalriss. Remember, I told you to come to this cave," it said, tilting its head at him.
"I'm still the same snake you spoke with earlier. I've split a fragment of myself so I could talk to you, while my main body deals with my brother," it explained, coiling around itself to get comfortable.
"You're the massive whitish snake that helped me," Dorian muttered more to himself than to Thalriss.
The snake nodded slowly, its head tilting slightly as it regarded Dorian with a thoughtful expression.
"Why did you save me?" Dorian asked again, his voice barely above a whisper, a mix of curiosity and cautious hope in his eyes.
The snake's gaze held steady on him, its light blue eyes glinting in the dim cave light. "Because," it began, its voice a soft, almost melodic whisper, "I need your help to heal my brother, or stop him if need be. Besides, you have the scent of something unique on you."
Dorian's brow furrowed in confusion. "Unique? What do you mean?"
The snake slithered closer, its movements graceful yet purposeful. "I am but a fragment of my true self," it continued, its voice carrying a weight of ancient wisdom. "Our knowledge has faded over centuries, eroded by the corruption that afflicts my brother. Even my true essence is succumbing to this decay," it explained, its light blue eyes holding Dorian's gaze. "So I ask for your help, human, before it's too late."
Then, a quest window appeared before Dorian, outlining his next steps in this unexpected alliance with Thalriss.
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Quest: Find Knowledge for Thalriss
Description:
Thalriss seeks Dorian's help to restore harmony and heal its corrupted twin brother. To succeed, must uncover ancient knowledge that can counteract the corruption threatening the twin gods of water before it's too late.
Objectives:
1. Find hidden knowledge on the corruption affecting the twin gods.
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Quest Reward:
Upon completing the quest "Find Knowledge for Thalriss,"
100 Ink Points: These points can be used to unlock new abilities, enhance existing skills, or acquire rare items in subsequent quests or interactions.
Access to Water-Based Magic Path: gain the ability to pursue a path focused on water-based magic. This path grants him knowledge of spells and abilities related to water manipulation, healing, and elemental balance, unlocking new potential in his magical abilities.
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"My name is Dorian, and I will help you Thalriss," Dorian said firmly as the snake coiled itself around his arm.
"But first, we need to head back to my camp and devise a plan".