RAYCON VILLAGE
Returning to the Grungir and the iron puri mines…
I started to hear the sound of metal contacting metal. It had been a while since that sound became distinct, but it eventually became a muffled noise at the back of my head as I moved down the iron tunnels.
My ears were filled with the sound of laughter. I scowled as I approached it.
SULUR
Beo! Deloro!
Shouted Sular, a gent I promoted to be the leader of the Second Knight Miners. He obtained the Knight class and was the first to obtain a class. With him gaining a class, the idea of giving out leadership roles struck me.
SULAR
Stop fucking around in the lake!
I smiled at the comment as I stopped by the turn that led into the cave lake. The lake was filled with mountain water that poured out of a natural faucet. We'd use the faucet to fill barrels of water to drink and cook. The lake drained out from gaps deep below. Summertimes were hard on the lake, as it wouldn't rain as much, and drinking water nearly dried up.
I continued, maneuvering through a passageway connected to another wide tunnel with several splits at the end.
DES
You have to take a breath before each shot.
I heard Des, Leader of the First Knight Miners, conducting his archery training. This hall connected to the bathing tunnels and led to training rooms, three storage rooms, a meeting room, and a study room—which was always bare because who the hell likes to read other than Kratos?
DES
Stop leaning into it. Stand up straight.
I moved on, continuing through the tunnels, and made my way toward the main fork. The fork was just after the entrance, where the cave splits into four tunnels. My eyes shifted to Bruno, who sat at the entrance. I had him work the shifts, food schedules, and calculate our supplies. He'd work alongside Kratos and a few others, but Kratos was currently... Tch—probably drunk by now.
I took a breath... fucking bastard.
From behind one of the four desks in this small room overrun with tables and bookcases, Bruno noticed my breathing and turned to face me.
BRUNO
Oh! Sorry, Captain!
He stood and saluted, placing his right fist across his chest.
BRUNO
I didn't see you—
I shook my head and stopped him.
GRUNGIR
Oh! No! I was not annoyed at you, Bruno. I was in the midst of thinking.
BRUNO
I can only imagine the good things to come, Captain!
He spouted off cheerfully. Bruno was eighteen years old and was one energetic gent. I knew he didn't belong behind the desk, but he was the best with math besides Kratos.
GRUNGIR
Actually, what do you imagine, Bruno?
His pink eyes widened, and he rubbed the back of his shaggy pink hair.
BRUNO
Me? Um...
GRUNGIR
Go on.
His milky white face, designed with red ribbons forming a triangle, scrunched up in thought before he winced at me.
BRUNO
Honestly? Captain?
GRUNGIR
Go for it.
BRUNO
Gents have been wondering about the lack of...
GRUNGIR
Ladies?
I smirked.
BRUNO
Yes!
He exhaled with relief. I nodded, remembering that was something Kratos and I once discussed.
GRUNGIR
Your imagination is on target Bruno.
I praised him.
GRUNGIR
Kratos and I are working on that issue. I mean, what good are knights without ladies to feed them and care for them?
He nodded in agreement, and I took my leave.
GRUNGIR
It's good to see that I can still think ahead of my gents.
He saluted again while I continued towards the mine's exit and into the warm air of the night. The camp hasn't changed much. Tents surrounded the clearing, with a single large tent at its center—my tent. Near it were the wagons and Mare, fast asleep.
I marched into my tent to see a shirtless Kratos staring at a shoddy wooden map nailed to the girthy tent pole.
GRUNGIR
What the hell is that?
I barked, and he turned with a wide grin,
KRATOS
Our new map.
He studied me, and I eyed the spilled beer and mug on a low table near some cushions.
KRATOS
Seems like you got something on your mind.
GRUNGIR
And it seems like you had quite to drink.
I countered, and he wobbled with a grin.
Moments later, I was sitting cross-legged upon the cushions with Kratos eating our dinner of dried pork and beer.
GRUNGIR
Assigning the gents leadership roles was the best thing I could've ever done.
I commented as my eyes drifted. My tent had low tables, bedding, crates of dried food, and barrels of basic sour beer.
KRATOS
Though we shouldn't be lazy about it.
I eyed the map Kratos had hung. To the left of the Earth Kingdom's borders were the wilds and where Kratos began to draw out the land with the help of our scouts.
GRUNGIR
Give them an ounce of power, and it strikes them in the head.
Kratos stopped chewing and arched an eyebrow at me.
GRUNGIR
What?
KRATOS
Ya shouldn't be talking, Captain.
GRUNGIR
Hey, I'm not saying it's a bad thing.
I clarified and bit off a piece of jerky.
KRATOS
It has already been three years. Seventeen years left to—um—achieve your Kinghood.
He swallowed with a grin.
GRUNGIR
It's that fucking Murphy.
Kratos groaned as I brought Murphy up again.
KRATOS
I'm telling ya,
He took a swig from his tankard of beer before continuing.
KRATOS
He doesn't care about us. He probably assumes we're all dead by now. It's been three years, Captain. The way ya described the bastard, not once laying eyes upon ya—sounds like a gent who could not care.
This was the only reason I left Kratos to get drunk—he spoke his mind. I needed him to be honest with me.
KRATOS
I say we keep doing what we're doing. Hunt, clear out the fiends, form a road, and bit by bit, we will make a safe passage to the border.
I took a sip of beer and gave him a blank nod.
GRUNGIR
And what of Perkins?
KRATOS
Same!
He exclaimed.
We had Perkins lead three groups of five to scout the western plains. The decision came to me a year ago after realizing I had no horses to pull the wagons back to the Earth Kingdom.
The cheap horses I had long ago bought died, and we consumed them. A banquet, it was, and my stupidity was slow to catch up. Now, with no horses and crates full of raw iron puries, I had no way of getting this wealth back to the Earth Kingdom in exchange for supplies and bodies.
KRATOS
We've lost bodies. We need more.
GRUNGIR
Do ya believe we'll actually find something, a settlement out here?
KRATOS
No.
I peered closely at him, and he smiled warmly,
KRATOS
But there is a chance. History tells me this place once had several thriving City-States.
GRUNGIR
And then the Dead Zone appeared.
Kratos raised his tankard in agreement and took another swig. He did so while keeping his eyes on me.
KRATOS
How're ya still wearing that in this heat?
GRUNGIR
Never mind my armor... not even as hot as it used to be.
KRATOS
Put it in your Inventory.
GRUNGIR
I don't have the space.
He laughed silently at me, and I decided to shift the subject.
GRUNGIR
We need another white-orange beer moment.
Kratos lay down on the cushions with a satisfied sigh.
KRATOS
Another feast or banquet, I guess. Gents are always looking forward to that.
I fiddled with a piece of jerky,
GRUNGIR
I know. We just can't lose more gents to hunting.
In time, Kratos fell into a deep sleep. With his stomach growling with anger, I took him, dragged him onto a cushioned roll, and rolled him onto his stomach in order to prevent him from choking on his own vomit and to prevent him from soiling my leather cushions.
I exited the tent and bathed in the warm air.
PERKINS
The wudos come out at night.
My Petty En Hearing heard his voice whispering from the southern part of camp. He and his group were back and uttering the secretive phrase to the gents on guard.
I dashed over to them and saluted Perkins.
GRUNGIR
Good news, I hope?
He pulled down the hood of his drab green cloak revealing his black hair and a fat brown swirl on his green face. He returned the salute.
PERKINS
Yes, Captain.
He confirmed, and I gestured towards my tent.
GRUNGIR
Let us speak.
I faced the remaining scouts,
GRUNGIR
Eat and rest, you lot.
Back within my tent, Kratos snored loudly as Perkins explained the important details of the western wilds.
PERKINS
They were passive, the giafullos, moving north, paying no attention to us.
We sat before the same low table, and I offered him a beer and dried pork.
GRUNGIR
Unpredictable beasts.
He nodded,
PERKINS
Indeed, we had to stake out waiting for them to pass. Blindinus, blacats, and a few lagardientes toyed with us... we lost one, unfortunately.
GRUNGIR
Lagars?
PERKINS
Same thing we said—a weird season for them to be out and about. But, only two were spotted and gave us trouble.
He continued on after gathering his thoughts,
PERKINS
Compared to when we first arrived three years ago during the Summer, the fiends are few in number. Well, the aggressive ones, I must say.
He then smirked as he uttered,
PERKINS
We caught sight of an azudorn deer.
My face fluttered,
GRUNGIR
Oh, imagine catching one of those.
That would undoubtedly rally the gents, but instead of the current charring fools we had, we would need an excellent cook.
PERKINS
Bastards were as fast as the wind. But anyways, traveling further, we came across an old watch tower.
He materialized his small map and pointed along a river just northwest of where we were—it was hidden behind the mountains and hills we were digging into.
GRUNGIR
And that building we saw to the south?
I asked, placing my finger on the map.
PERKINS
A ruined watermill.
My fingers slid to a massive "X" on his map, and he hid a smile,
PERKINS
One moment Captain, before I get to that.
His finger slid east of the watchtower to a circle,
PERKINS
Plenty of game, Captain.
GRUNGIR
Really now?
PERKINS
We couldn't believe it, I tell ya.
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His finger slid further east and circled around a natural passage between hills.
PERKINS
And not a single fiend in sight and so, despite this may be a longer route. I wanted to search through these hills for a passage back to the Earth Kingdom.
I gave him a cheery shoulder clap,
GRUNGIR
You're a grade-A gent! You really are. Food and supplies are yours for the next scout.
He smiled and nodded in reassurance—Kratos was the one who told me to compliment my gents more. I wasn't accustomed to it, but maybe in time, I'll get the hang of it.
PERKINS
Now, this fat mark here is precisely what we're looking for.
GRUNGIR
A settlement?
PERKINS
A village.
He corrected, and I smiled widely in response.
GRUNGIR
Knew I could count on ya.
I sprang to my feet,
GRUNGIR
Come now, tell me more as we prepare.
He pursued me as I exited the tent.
PERKINS
Leaving now?
GRUNGIR
But of course! No worries, I know ya feet have worked. You will be riding along with me on Kratos' horse.
He nodded, and I continued,
GRUNGIR
Tell me about the village. Any walls, guards, or defenses of any sort?
He shook his head.
GRUNGIR
Impossible. Within the wilds?
PERKINS
They were settled upon a rising hill. We saw no form of walls or defenses. Guards may be present within.
I laughed,
GRUNGIR
Oh, this will be too easy.
I stopped at the Rear Guard's camp located northeast of the camp's center. I pulled open the leader's tent flap,
GRUNGIR
Squall!
What a mistake! And I reeled—backing out immediately—the image of his sweaty naked body and his relentless stroking and jerking tortured my mind. I groaned as I palmed my face.
SQUALL
Sorry Captain!
He yelled out in embarrassment. I messaged my temple while Perkins snorted. I inhaled deeply,
GRUNGIR
That's going to be stuck in my mind for a while. Squall! Get the Rear Guards in order—we're heading out west!
*****
The night had barely reached its peak by the time we reached the river. With only two horses, Perkins and I rode while the remaining twenty walked.
PERKINS
Pesky blindinus.
He mumbled next to me as we finally arrived to rest. Blindinus were dominating the plains despite their hatred for each other.
PERKINS
It would've taken three hours if we hadn't needed to defend ourselves.
I nodded and approached the river.
GRUNGIR
This the blue water?
PERKINS
It sure is, Captain.
I dismounted, and my fellow curious gents and I kneeled to inspect it. Its deep blue color sparkled in the moonlight. I cupped the cold blue water into my hands and took a sip—there was discernible purity.
GRUNGIR
Damn, that's much better than the mountain lake.
PERKINS
In time, we could set up camp here.
I nodded and stood. From where we were, I could clearly see the settlement approximately six miles away from where we were.
GRUNGIR
They could see us from there, couldn't they?
PERKINS
Maybe.
GRUNGIR
They should.
I noticed the plains were flat and devoid of trees when I peered off to the village's distant right and left. North ran up a series of southern-facing overhands into a dense wood at the top of hills while the south dipped out of sight, leaving a clear view of the rising ocean.
The swelling ocean made me squirm. Something about the southern area made me uneasy... I scowled as I remembered—The Dead Zone. I pushed the thoughts away and decided to tackle the situation at hand.
GRUNGIR
Their position gives them a great view of these plains.
I tore my eyes away from the south and eyed the village once more.
GRUNGIR
Preemptive strikes will not work.
After a moment's rest, we crossed the river using a natural bridge of fat round stones positioned south, a mile north of the ruined watermill.
GRUNGIR
Quite a bridge.
PERKINS
Quite the luck, I'd say.
The western clouds grew denser as we approached the roads leading up the hills toward the village.
GRUNGIR
Those damned clouds will be on us soon.
We made our way up the curved road to be met with what had to be every gent within the village armed with crude sharp metal objects. I took a quick look around—they were wise to block us on this thin slope, for behind them, the dirt road opened to a spacious lot of cheap wood and straw dwellings.
I glanced back at the gents in the rear—bains? There were bains among their group. Solid and hairy beastly-looking gents with unique hair color patterns—but their skin was always a dark gray. The majority of their gray faces were barren of hair as the growth began just before their ears and under their lips. Just above their wide jaws was another pair of eyes that seemed to react and move independently. But the pairs of their forward cat-like eyes tracked my every motion.
One of the gents stepped forward—clothed in leather armor, armed with a well-made sword in his right hand and a worn-out buckler in his left.
CHIEF ARTHUR
I am Chief Arthur of the Raycon Village,
He said, his red pupils bulging as he glared at me.
CHIEF ARTHUR
What business do you have here?
I dismounted and approached him,
GRUNGIR
I am Grungir Warsong, current Captain of the Iron Kingdom Legends and future King of the Iron Kingdom.
I towered over him, his deep blue face stripped with thin lines of pink formed into a smile. But I pulled in close to him and materialized my Iron Warhammer +2,
GRUNGIR
You will do your best to know your place.
He was not at all intimidated.
CHIEF ARTHUR
People like you come once a decade.
His accent was foreign to me.
CHIEF ARTHUR
We have been here before!
And before I could realize his raised voice was a hidden command, dozens of gents suddenly appeared atop the houses, and a rain of arrows descended upon my gents and me.
I swung at the Chief, but he Quickstepped out of the way. My gents were trapped in, and I charged forward, laying waste to the gents that stood before me with a swing of my hammer.
Their poorly armored bodies broke apart like cheap wooden sticks. The arrows stung my cheeks—too poorly made to penetrate my Lesser Hard Body.
CHIEF ARTHUR
Focus on the leader!
Clearing out space for my gents, I charged in—I resisted looking back at the number of gents I had lost—
GRUNGIR
Calamity!
—and slammed my hammer into the ground toward a house where a dozen archers fired from. The homes sunk a meter into the ground before being engulfed by hot magma and fire.
GRUNGIR
Move in close to the homes!
My gents swiftly followed my instructions. The sound of ladies screaming caught my attention, and I looked back into the homes I had destroyed—the girls and ladies were cowering inside.
GRUNGIR
Take the cows alive!
I barked,
GRUNGIR
Do not harm them!
I charged the Chief with Quickstep. He fled through his lot of gents, but I was much faster, crashing through the lot of village gents with ease, and slamming my hammer down upon the Chief's back, crushing his pathetic body like a peach.
VILLAGE GENTS
He's too strong!
I raised my bloody hammer and whipped off the excess blood.
GRUNGIR
Pathetic. All talk—
The bains came at me. The strength of one's unarmed blow slid me back a few feet.
GRUNGIR
I felt that one.
I mumbled, shaking my numbed armed. With the death of their Chief, the kinans lost all will to fight and turned tail. Leaving the three bains, their red contracted eyes showed no signs of fear. Their thick muscle-bound hands, tipped with gray claws, gripped their crude weapons or were balled into fists.
The unarmed one who had struck me once came again. I ignited my hammer as I swung into him. The explosion sent him bouncing along the road, but he quickly recovered, and he and another rushed at me. I smiled and took them on.
Their might was limitless, but I could out-pace them with my speed.
PERKINS
Captain!?
Perkins and my gents had secured the city and took care of those who had no will to fight.
GRUNGIR
Stay out of this!
I wasn't in any trouble. I wasn't even serious. This was my first time going against bains, and I was enjoying myself. The way they fought, their instincts coupled with their intelligence, was something new and refreshing.
They would swipe at me with both their hands and massive feet. The way they flipped around me and leaped at me from above was thrilling. I have never fought creatures or kinans with such thought-out randomness. Every part of their body was used as a weapon—knee, head, teeth, elbow, wrists, and palms.
They re-emerged each time I smacked them with my hammer as if they could disregard the agony. I wondered if they could. How far would that go? To test that, I added a bit of power into one of my downward swings, crushing the head of a bain into the ground.
I Quickstepped out of the way as the remaining two charged at me. As I fended them off, I spotted the one I had crushed, attempting to get back up. Thin strands of golden energy seeped out from his body as he struggled.
GRUNGIR
You have to be kidding me.
I muttered. If they were to use that, I might end up in a bit of trouble. I Quickstepped several meters away from them and readied my war hammer in one hand.
GRUNGIR
Ten Gongs!
Moving faster than they could see, I struck each of them with the power of three one-handed strikes to their torsos. Their bodies could not withstand the blows, and blood-splattered craters filled their torsos.
I exhaled and fell to my knees. My right hand trembled— Ten Gongs was my signature meant for a single enemy. Splitting up between three took a lot out of me.
PERKINS
Captain? You okay?
I stood and endured my lightheadedness.
GRUNGIR
I'm fine.
I huffed as I eyed the dead bains. I then studied the scenery. My gents had stormed the homes slaying any hiding gents. The archers upon the houses were all dealt with.
GRUNGIR
Capture the rest alive!
I shouted out suddenly after noticing my gents were nearly wiping them all out. We needed a few slaves to work for us. And with that, the squabble barely lasted five minutes. Squall and Perkins rounded up the remaining gents within the area.
My jaws clenched as I laid eyes upon Mare. It was lying down on the curved road, arrows lodged into its body. Its sad beady eyes looked up at me as I approached and kneeled down at its head.
PERKINS
Sorry, Captain.
I looked over at him, a few arrows stuck in his leather armor, but besides that, he looked perfectly fine.
PERKINS
I tried to protect him.
I exhaled and rose above Perkins,
GRUNGIR
Stupid,
I smiled subtly.
GRUNGIR
Don't ever risk your life for an animal.
PERKINS
Yes, Captain.
I returned to the broader area and counted seventeen gents and plenty of cows huddled in the middle at the center. I doubled back—ylguens!? Their soft caramel skin and crystallized eyes that looked like uniquely colored diamonds took me in. Their white hair, tainted with a hint of brown, was thick, frizzled, and tied back.
Few hid their daughters and sons from me, but I couldn't take my eyes off them. The daughters, the sons, and even the single gent I saw brought out the three years of suppressed lust within me.
GRUNGIR
Squall,
I forced myself out of their enticing trance. I swung around and approached Squall. He averted his eyes momentarily, and the squinty thought of him naked killed my lust,
SQUALL
Yes Captain.
GRUNGIR
Find ways to detain them.
He nodded, and I called out to Perkins,
GRUNGIR
Perkins with me!
I led the way up the road, following it around a bend through what seemed to be a place of community. Continuing on towards the hill of the village, the road spaced out, and at the center of the hilltop was a fat well. Stone structures surrounded the clearing, and a large marble house that exuded riches sat in front at the back of the clearing.
Did they build this? I asked myself.
GRUNGIR
Gather a few Rear Guards,
I spotted a cow accidentally looking through the glass windows.
GRUNGIR
And with Squall, tie up as many as we can take with us.
PERKINS
We're leaving some here, no doubt?
GRUNGIR
Ya, along with a few of our own. Any newborns off their cow's milk, keep them safe as possible.
After doing my rounds of the village to ensure no glory-seeking villagers were hiding about, we camped out at the village, ransacking through their belongings and food supplies.
PERKINS
They have tons of food compared to us,
He came to my side as I sat in the Chief's chair within the Manor.
PERKINS
Quite insulting.
GRUNGIR
This place may do well as a post.
I leaned forward, the vibe of this area reminding me heavily of Murphy's domain—marble pillars, smooth stone walls, hanging Lighting Crystals, artistically designed wooden chairs and benches—basic paintings, though. None of these paintings were moving, but...
GRUNGIR
How the fuck do these bastards have such wealth.
I growled.
PERKINS
Beyond my knowledge Captain.
I stood with a growl of annoyance,
GRUNGIR
Well, let us be going.
Outside, I looked up at the moon, it was still bright, and the clouds were at its edges. I blinked in surprise as something swooped across the silvery sky.
It zipped around and sped toward me. I materialized my Iron Warhammer +2 and swung at it—my warhammer went through!? The flying creature continued on and collided with my torso.
PERKINS
Captain!
The feeling of someone staring at me washed over me before black smoke arose from my body. A cloudy sensation echoed at the back of my mind, begging me to relax. I couldn't withstand it and mistakenly obeyed. The smoke lifted my free arm, slowly converging into a black ball of feathers before parting its wings and landing on my arm— a black hawk? I tried to move my arm but couldn't.
GRUNGIR
What the fuck is this?
Perkins merely stared at it, his mind and face as blank as mine.
I stared back at the black hawk that perched on my arm, its eyes staring into my own... as my eyes stared back into me... staring back into it.. in a never-ending loop. The loop accelerated, and my senses fell into the hawk's mind.
I blinked, finding myself in a pitch-black void with nowhere to turn or look but the top of Murphy's golden head that pierced through the shadows. He was looking down apparently, and before I could ponder why I was seeing this—
MURPHY
You're alive, it seems, if you're seeing this message.
I tried to respond but couldn't.
MURPHY
Don't want to insult your knowledge, but in case you have never seen one. This is a Black Hawk, and I have a proposal for you. I need you to kill a gent for me.
He was extremely blunt and carefree that it sounded like a joke.
MURPHY
He should be arriving within the wilds. A dumb gent named Oralath.
The name sounded familiar before a brief image of him appeared before my eyes.
MURPHY
Why? Well... we had a bet. If he dies. I win this bet. Simple. Reveal his dead body to the Black Hawk. Don't worry—Black Hawks are easy to use. They respond to your mind's wishes. So, yes, reveal his body, and I will reward you with resources and bodies worth five hundred thousand puries.
He paused, turning his head to the left.
MURPHY
That is all.
His head turned back to the right, and I pondered how to exit this void.
MURPHY
Oh, wait. When this Black Hawk finds you. I will know you have been alive throughout these years. No matter. You may have your own reasons.
He paused again.
MURPHY
That is all.
And I was forced out of the Black Hawk's mind.
I shook my head in a daze,
GRUNGIR
How long was I... gone? Or standing here?
Perkins frowned,
PERKINS
This hawk formed, and you froze for a second.
Time stood still during that conversation—I could feel it. And my head was slightly pounding with Murphy's message.
PERKINS
You okay, Captain?
The Black Hawk crept back into my body as it slowly turned into smoke. I could feel it lingering within me.
I smiled,
GRUNGIR
I'm fine.
PERKINS
What was that?
GRUNGIR
That was a Black Hawk. It gave me a message from Murphy.
I beckoned him along,
GRUNGIR
We have someone to find and kill.