“The concept of Contrast is as simple as it is complex. It has been used throughout time from war propaganda to religious script. The clean delineation of all aspects of a struggle to two sides is fascinating. Why let your vassals struggle to understand the malicious drive behind an angel’s generosity.  Afterall, slaughtering your opponents is easier on the heart if they are ‘evil’. Who cares if your leaders got it backwards.”

-Micael De’Nostre, The Philosophy of Deceit

From beneath the protective covering of his burrow, a small white bunny emerged with a twitchy hop. The unseasonably warm morning had irritated the youngling from its slumber and forced it to face the new day. Whiskers wet from the morning dew; he reluctantly sniffed the crisp air for adventure. The old tang from the beaver that died the other week was finally gone. A crisper scent of danger wafted over the cautious critter. A few humans have passed recently. This was of grave importance. Humans were the ultimate apex predators, whose feats in bunny genocide had instilled a genetic predisposition to terror upon the scent of them. Carefully, the bunny made his way to his berry bush and began to break his morning fast. Suddenly the sounds of the forest were replaced with the breaking of branches and he regretfully realized the human scent was growing much stronger.

When the human flew through the brush, its shining metal skin torn in places to show its evil furless fur, the bunny saw the face of death and turned and ran ignoring the loud *thunk* of metal hitting wood behind it. Maybe the den had cooled down already.

“SHIITTT” 

“Hey Jason, you said this monstrosity was newly raised” accused the man as he climbed up from the base of the tree had been flung into. Trying to sit up, blood ran from scratches across his body contrasting with his pale skin until he flopped back down.

From the direction he had flown, four more figures dashed through the brush and past the downed man. In a practiced, motion they took up defensive positions while one knelt down and tended to the injured.

“It is newly raised; you just didn’t remember how to dodge” countered the robed man as he poured a small vial down the injured man’s throat. Deft fingers corking the bottle while the other hand began cleaning his wounds with a soaked bandage. A slight green glow emitted from his hands transferred to the gauze as the blood was drawn in.

“Honestly Nikolaus, it’s like you expected the beast to stop its attack and just let you stab it” jested a shorter figure keeping watch. Her short blonde hair bouncing alongside the movements of her longbow. 

“Shut up Cassandra!” retorted the blond warrior as his face grimaced in pain cheeks tinged pink at her soft jests.. 

“Done” Jason removed the bandages to reveal the soft pink hue of fresh tissue, stained with old blood yet free of any scars or markings. “Normally, I regret the pain my healing causes, but hopefully this time it’ll teach you to respect every opponent. Anyways that’s the last of my Gift, any more healing will have to be with the needles and thread you seem to hate.” Smirking, Jason began fiddled with the latch on a satchel by his side. 

Nikolaus quickly straightened himself and gathered his wits as he stood. His hand drifted to an empty sheath on his waist, sparks flickering between the armored gauntlet’s fingers. “Where?....” 

His question was cut short by a sword waved in his face by a shorter, stout member of the group. “Here. I was not ready. Wait next time” He raised his hands, a shower of gray sparks forming a rough shape around the reunited swordsman. With a grunt he stepped back, content to let his Gift finish his message.

“Dang Jorgon, you should have held off on giving him that protection. It was lucky enough we got to see him trounced. Now we will have no chance at anymore entertainment” the last member of the group teased, although disappointment clearly showed through her spectral eyes. The violet tinge racing around her iris, like horses around a track. With a sigh she put away her slingshot and took out dice worn enough to give champion dixel players pause. With a practice shake the dice flew into the air, moments before a number was called. 

Ignoring her teammate shouting die numbers, Cassandra stood, ears and eyes peering into the direction they came, one hand on the ground and the other resting on her bow. 

“Luci cut the racket. Now is not the time to be practicing” Jason admonished. He readjusted several pale vials hidden amongst the folds of his robe. Pulling out a small hunting rifle, he efficiently prepped the weapon, reloading the rounds and recharging the weapon until it tinged green.

“Hey…” Nikolaus started, eyes squinted at Jason “I thought you were out of-”

“It comes back” Cass interrupted the pointless posturing, “From the woods behind, it is far stealthier than I would have thought given its strength” Pulling an arrow from her quiver she turned in the direction she indicated and knelt, drawing her bow till the ends were quivering from the stress. 

The other members quickly reacted and positioned themselves. Jason moved back towards the ranger, rifle falling in position against his shoulder. Nikolaus moved towards the edge of the forest, knees bent with his sword held at the ready. After a quick moment of concentration, Jorgon moved to Nikolaus’ side as the gray sparks reformed in front of them both. Hefting his warhammer over his shoulder, he grinned in anticipation. With a twist between a skip and trip, Luci wandered off to the side of the group casually grabbing and frowning at random glowing rocks from an assortment of belt pouches as she swung her sling shot in warmup. 

Sensing their preparations the beast decreed stealth was no longer viable and tore through the last layer of concealing brush. 

With a tribal roar promising pain to all, the monster shook its war axe over its antlers. Disgusting spittle flew through gaps in its alignment of sharp teeth, only to drizzle down its frame to its mighty hoofs.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Nikolause looked up at the towering figure, and only saw the blue blood leaking through its unhealed wounds and smiled. “Round two starts now. Prepare to meet your maker” he jeered before rushing forward sword angled low. With a stomp the beast rushed charged forward, axe raised high for a crushing blow, the light of the sun glinting off its jagged edge. The fire in its eyes roaring in delight, dancing across its dark eyes.

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Long before the struggle of man against beast, the oldest struggle raged. The internal struggle of void. If only nothing exists, what else is there to do but struggle to find something, anything. It was from this turmoil that the First came to be. Alone in a void he called home, he experienced nothing. Everything but him was void, dark and unrelenting. Eons passed before he thought, many more before he realized what his thoughts were. With concepts formed from the void, he began to see the walls of his prison. But he wanted more. Despite his newfound sentience, all he knew was void, and void only could he create. Until a flash of insight, surely if he can create void he can also destroy. And in a flash of energy, First saw the pure light of destruction and was enchanted. He began forming these flashes at whims and soon learned how to create permanent points of brightness in the inky void. While he could never reach his creations as they forced his void away, he was enchanted by them. Caught in the joy of a new experience, eons passed as he freely spread his craft. One day during his endless quest, he returned back to the first light and saw it die. It crumbled within, the light fading in one last bright pulse. Left behind was not quite the void, but not light. It was… a cold hard shell of the former warmth. Struck by the cruel fate of his first creation, he decided to give it life again. And so he created, time passed unaware as he created a new nurturing flame to warm the rock slowly forming into another person. And from the tenderness of light, the First created the Second away from the cold of his void.

From Void to Arter, the Foundation of All; History of Arter Vol. I

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Jason

Flinching at the beast’s roar, I hurried to find a shot as Niko bravely clashed steel with the humanoid elk. The grain of my rifle smooth from countless hunts, was calming as I peered down the sight. It hoisted its axe high in the air and with a brutal rage filled cry, hurtled it down towards Niko. Dodging the rusted steel, Niko rolled into and past the beasts legs, striking a short blow across the lower legs. The afflicted leg reacted and tried to kick out only to be stopped by the blue flair of Jorgon’s shield. Impeccable timing as always. 

An arrow flew through my periphery, striking into the beast’s shoulder. Cass grunted in annoyance as it appeared to miss any crucial organs. Luckily, Luci managed to land one of her marbles into the wound opened by the arrow. A slight tingle of violet preceded a small burst of flames as the shot exploded from the contact.  With a pain filled scream it recoiled, lost its footing, and we acted. Niko brutally slashed across its chest, splitting its sternum into a sea of blue.  While Jorgon crushed the right knee from behind, Cassandra had knocked and released another arrow to sink into the soft flesh of its thigh. It crumpled forward in a pool of blood, kneeling down as its roar was reduced to wet gurgling. In one last snarl, it looked up and made eye contact with me. The hatred in its gaze seemed burned into the lens. They stared me down and remained in my vision long after the corpse had fallen backwards to land headless. 

“Hell yeah!” Nikolaus cheered from ahead.

I pulled my rifle from its perch on my shoulder and rested it back against my side. “See what happens when you don’t try to solo the monster?” I jest.

“Yeah we don’t get to see a flying jester!” Luci laughed as Niko crimsoned at the memory. We all burst out laughing in response to his feeble protests. Even Jorgon muttered a short chuckle. 

Anxious to change the subject, Niko stepped up to the beast and wiped his sword across its loincloth, somewhat cleaning it. “Hey Jason” he started. “What do you think of this axe?” he asked, holding up the barbaric weapon. Looking at it closer now that the threat was dealt with, I saw its crude construction, shoddy edge, and bloodstained hilt. Yet despite that, it gave off a weird feeling as I took it from his hands. It felt dependable. 

“We can probably sell it in town for silver. It's in rough shape, but the craftsmanship is quite good for a new dungeon” I answer to my questioning friends. 

“Ugh I pity anyone who buys that, it gives me the creeps” Luci shuddered. “Wait, you think it came from a dungeon now? I thought we determined it was a lone spawned? Maybe even a wandering beast?”

“It did not run” Cassandra replied before Ii could. She silently stepped over to the fallen and began examining its clothing. “Its cloth is far from perfect. It looks rough and worn, but it is actually just dyed. The threadings themselves show no sign of wear”

“And why does that matter?” Nikolaus started, looking up as he finished looting the corpse of its meager coin and rewards.

“Because a dungeon has to make the equipment for its summons. And while it does that instantly, it usually is copying an example. Typically they create old and worn items, as its fairly difficult to get access or to create brand new parts.  Unless it is a super strong dungeon, then it is possible it simply creates an ideal form of equipment for its creations. Lone spawns however, are gifted with their equipment upon creation and it will always start in perfect shape. Plus when it was hurt, it did even attempt to run. It knew that it would be remade in the dungeon and so was not afraid of death.” I quietly state. The implication that we would have to clear this dungeon was clear hanging in the air. Dungeons were much more dangerous than simple beast hunts. What rotten luck for us to run into one on the last day of our patrol. Silence reigned as everyone contemplated the future delve.

“Now we kill it twice. Easy” Jorgon thundered as he broke into a self satisfied grin. “It must be young” his words relit our movements. I grinned and unloaded my spent cartridge before thumbing a new round through the input. The cold metal round eagerly awaiting its chance, a chance it would soon receive. 

“Lets go, I want to clear it before dark or setting up camp after is going to be Hell. Leads head back to where we first spotted the beast, hopefully Cat can find some tracks for us to follow from there” I command,  nodding towards Cat. After a second, I sent a pointed look at Luci. Her gift was wildly unpredictable, but in situations like these could be helpful. Grumbling, Luci got up and flipped a coin. The landing of heads was accompanied by a small glimmer of violet and Luci nodding confirmation of my thoughts. 

“Alright don’t forget if we can nab the core before we destroy, well be able to grab a nice bonus reward from the guild!” I emphasize. The resounding cheers from everyone proved the motivation of good ole coin. I know I just need a few more gold before I can finally purchase a new set of sutures I have my eyes on. They let you suture while applying any alchemical potion! This is gonna change how I practice healing! I already have in mind some new potions to whip up.

And off we ventured, ready for the dungeon. Afterall,  this wasn't our first dungeon. I remind myself, trying to ignore the kernel of dark thoughts always present when we adventure. Thankfully everyone else is busy retracing our path to notice my hesitation.

“Hey careful guys, there could be more constructs wandering about. Jason I want you on point with Cass. Luci… please stop juggling those elemental stones, we are in a very flammable forest!” I shout rushing to catch up