Chapter 5 - Those who walk the lands

 After stepping into the barren lands , the three figures walking in the cold land have been moving for about 2 hours now. Though the land is plain and there were no signs of danger. The three figure can be seen moving with a faster pace. The reason for such pace is simply because the lands they walk upon has no protection of any kind. The only thing that could be seen were the ruins of the old and the white sand that reeks of coldness.

 Stian look at the ruins in wonder and casually asked. ''Ava,  though these ruin have their own stories?''

Ava turn her head towards her new acquaintance and replied. '' Yes , these lands once belong to a warrior tribe and was once known for their might in land and sea. There was a time when rivers flow towards these lands. And those rivers were once connected towards the ocean. When those tribe of warriors arrive on this lands they were using the connected rivers to travel distances and harvest food. The rivers were also used in cultivating plots of lands and was use in farms. They were once a great tribe that has ruled for years on these land''

''So what happen?'' 

'' They tried to take the lands all for themselves and turn greedy. When they got their power and forces, they tried invading the holy tree and to take it as their own . When the Queen of Valkyrie's heard of their plot. The Queen was angered and burn with anger... the Queen and her army flew towards them and war started. The warrior tribes were no pushovers, they were able to fend off the army of the Queen. After all among the warriors stands also stand the Unspoken King. They battled for days and nights and when both armies were in a stalemate. The Unspoken King made a mistake.

''Made a mistake?'' as Stian immediately asked.

'' The Unspoken King tried to burn the holy grounds.... The action was akin to declaring war against the beings that protects the world tree. The tree was angered by the cruel actions of the King. Though the Unspoken King have obviously never heard of such taboo, he continued his actions. When the Queen of Valkyries saw the actions of the King of the warrior tribe. She was angered, and as if the tree were using the Queen as their vessel for protection. The flames that were spread on the holy grounds suddenly halt and gathered towards the Queen of Valkyries Sword.. And as she flew towards the tribe's land the red flames that burn the holy grounds that gathered towards her sword turn blue. Then the Queen pointed her sword towards the land and as if there were a rain of fire...the lands burn in blueish flame. The Unspoken King and his army look towards their land and hurried to save their kin's.''

''Did they make it?''

'' No they didn't. They were too late to save everyone. No matter what the Unspoken King and his army do the flames didn't extinguish for days. The ashes that was burn by the bluish flames stick unto their skin as they desperately tried to save their lands. Though no matter what they do the flame didn't burn them and only turn them into pale blue creatures that are now called Draugr's . They lost their minds in anguish and turn mindless as they see the green lands that once is home to their tribes burn and the waters that the river provided were boiled to the sky and none was left. And thus these lands became cursed..''

''I see...so these lands were cursed..'' as Stian look grim at the lands and thought. '' So what happen to the Unspoken King and his army?''

'' They still live, they say that within these lands lays the grave throne of the Unspoken King.  And within these lands his army walk endlessly in circle. After all these lands were their graves. The moment they died they didn't  sleep and rise again and walk a lifeless life. So that's why when we see any of them please try not to do anything that can cause them to attack us. Though hundreds of year passed and the army was slowly killed and put to rest. The are still among them who walks and they cannot be underestimated. After all these warriors once fend off a an army of Valkyries and during their times of life they possessed enough strength that is unrivaled in history. Now that they are the living dead, the restrictions that holds them down has been lifted and their strength has doubled since then.''

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

'' I see....'' as i gulped in fear.

 After all who wouldn't gulp in fear after hearing that? Even with my guns i don't feel safe at all. But i can understand now why Ava is being careful when walking this lands. I too wouldn't like pissing off a dead warrior that has a strength that even Valkyries fear. So Stian asked.

''So what if we encounter a Draugr?''

'Then please steer away and let them mourn in peace. They only hunger towards those who break their mourning. These pitiful warriors are doomed to walk forever till the day they are slaughtered by someone.'' Ava gently answered.

 ''I see, i guess I'll remember that.'' as Stian made a mental note in his head.

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 As we were walking  onward, Ava gradually felt exhaustion and have ridden her friend bull and buried herself inside its furs. Though its actually kinda funny seeing her head stick out in the fur. I refrain from saying that probably because her Bull friend seems like hate the smell of my coat and is gnashing at me.

 Having no choice i took a step back from gnashing beast and took out my camera and surveyed the barren lands. Though it does look grim it also emits a strong impression on me. I took a shot and then look at the screen of my camera. Seeing the beautiful picture made me smile a bit and then by pushing a lock i attached a printing part and press print.

 Then seconds later a small picture came out of the attach piece and then slowly grabbing the picture i started waving and shaking the picture till image were clear. Then taking out a piece of journal in my backpack i put the picture in the journal and then write off some details about the picture and where it was taken.

 Though i did the same thing and also printed out a picture of the world tree and marked it as where my journey started. Looking at the blank pages i feel a bit of nostalgia. In my family our grandfathers have always ordered us to bring a new journal when we travel on a different country and only use that journal on that specific country. Though i never did write anything when i ventured towards those huge forest's before i came into this world. After all i wouldn't write when knowing that i might get tucked suddenly.

 Any way i started writing on this journal and have use two pages, one for the details on the world tree and one for the details on the barren land.

 After finishing my writing, i put back my journal back into my backpack and then tuck away my camera inside the left front pocket of my backpack. Looking back at my actions i then reminded that i was traveling with someone right now who doesn't know what a camera is and take a glance at that someone's direction.

 Looking at her i feel disappointed. This woman really knows how to sleep and miss all the actions i did... Ad i even prepared a rush explanation...oh now im being self conscious by my thoughts.

 As if sensing anything wrong. Ava open her eyes and asked ''Is there anything wrong Stian?''

''N-nothing really''

''I see''

Seeing that she would go back to taking a rest i quickly inquired about something that i have not asked since then. ''Where are we heading off to Ms Ava? Though you said nothing but ask me to travel with you for a while, but it would help if i know the location we are heading to.''

Ava look at me and as if she finally noticed..answered. ''Oh my it seems i have forgotten to tell your our destination. didn't i ? ''

''Yes, you forgot.'' as i smiled wryly.

'' Yes, after we passed  these lands we will then enter the mist forest and head towards Wodfel City.''

''Wodfel city?''

''Yes, we will be visiting Wodfel city, a city that lies inside the mist forest. A city built upon one of the seedlings of the world tree.''

''Oh. seems interesting'' i replied with a bit of excitement.

''Yes, it is an interesting city in a way..'' Ava smiled gently at her own words, and then she suddenly froze up  and look at a direction.

 Seeing her frozen and scared face, i hurriedly turn my head towards the location and saw a pale blue being walking in the distance. Seeing the deathly pale blue tone of its skin and the corpse like stature of the being. I know for one thing that this being is none other than a Draugr, the well known being that walk these barren lands even in their death.