The mine was functioning as usual with the repetitive sound of a whip cracking. The alarm for the shift change just sounded, signaling the guards to make their rounds. The prisoners dropped their tools and made their ways back to their cells so that the next shift could start their shift. The sudden flight of a metal door soaring across the pit and smashing into a wall alerted both the guards and the prisoners. No idiotic human was strong enough to do such a thing, the demons had their powers restricted, and there were no reports of beast breaking in. Plus it was a cell door. That means the cause for disturbance is an existing prisoner. This is bad news!
A new alarm that was low pitched and a higher beat sounded seconds after the door smashed into the wall. Hundreds of ogres came barreling out of their barracks within a minute of the alarm. They rushed towards the sector of the prison that the door was sent flying from. Unfortunately, some of these ogres came face to face with a formidable foe as a few of them were soon thrown over the edge of the cliff to their death at the bottom of the pit. Arbor and Gramps were standing face to face with a line of ogres.
Arbor pushed forward and extended his staff straight out, it extended quickly to ten feet, fifteen feet, twenty-five feet. It hit the first ogre in line and Arbor felt a small kick back from the rebound force of the staff making contact with the ogre. His energy surged as he pushed forward against a stack of five ogres. They quickly moved backward foot by foot as Arbor's cultivation compared to his "captors" started to show.
Arbor receded the staff back to its normal length then began his attack towards the guards. As the first contender is still in a daze from being thrusted by the staff, he was quickly disposed of with a simple kick to its side, sending it over the ledge. Arbor leapt into the air and struck down on the heads of the second and third guard with his staff, killing them instantly. He soon realized how weak these ogres are.
"ARBOR." Gramps panicked from the entrance. "They are coming from the other direction!"
Arbor turned around and found himself in a pickle. He quickly uses a spell to conjure up the maximum amount of vines he could to tangle up the nearest guards. This blocked the way from one direction, momentarily. In the three seconds it took him to get back to Gramps, those tied up guards had already broken free and were chasing after him. Arbor made some wooden spikes and sent them towards the other group of ogres. This gave Arbor just enough time to think of a plan.
Frantically, Gramps asked, "Where are we going to go?"
After looking around for a quick second, Arbor looked Gramps in the eyes as he pointed up. A group of vines cradled the old man onto Arbor's back who got into a deep squat before launching himself into the air. The cell that the two humans were assigned to is in the middle of the cliff. Thus, by jumping up Arbor knew that it would be an easier fight compared to dropping down and getting himself pinned. He quickly landed on the platform above, but was surrounded by guards on both sides. This cycle repeated a few times until he finally arrived at the top of the gorge.
He told the old man to make his way carefully toward the entrance. Gramps gave Arbor a scared look, questioning his own safety. At the same time a screech resounded in the air and startled him. Arbor winked before he turned toward the center of the camp.
After a few seconds did Arbor realize that this was not the best decision. The ogres came at the Arbor in a horde, their bellowing roars shaking the earth beneath their feet. But the staff-wielder stood tall, poised and ready for the attack. With a flick of their wrist, they sent the end of the staff cracking against the ground, sending up a cloud of dust that momentarily blinded the ogres.
Taking advantage of their temporary disorientation, Arbor leapt forward, his staff flashing through the air in a blur of motion. The first ogre swung a massive fist, but the staff-wielder ducked under the blow and brought their staff up in a sweeping arc that caught the ogre in the gut. The ogre let out a roar of pain, stumbling back as the staff-wielder pressed their attack.
The other ogres closed in, their clubs swinging in wide arcs as they tried to crush him under a wave of brute force. But Arbor was more quick and agile given his training and size compared to his foes. Dancing between the ogres with ease and striking them with swift, precise blows that sent them staggering back.
As the horde closed in, Arbor’s movements became a blur of motion. They spun and twirled, their staff whistling through the air as they landed blow after blow on the ogres. Each strike sent a shockwave rippling through the air, and the ogres staggered back under the force of Arbor’s assault.
But the ogres were relentless, and more and more of them closed in with every passing moment. The staff-wielder could feel their strength waning, his arms growing heavy as they fought to keep the horde at bay. With a fierce cry, the lonely human redoubled his efforts, the staff flashing through the air in a frenzy of strikes. They were a blur of motion, striking out at the ogres with a ferocity that left the horde reeling.
And then, with one final, mighty blow, the staff-wielder sent the largest ogre tumbling to the ground, its massive frame crashing to the earth with a deafening thud. The horde let out a bellow of rage, but the staff-wielder stood tall, their staff at the ready.
For a moment, the two sides faced off, the staff-wielder and the horde of ogres locked in a tense standoff. And then, with a roar a newcomer appeared. A bright ball came arching over the herd towards Arbor, who slammed his staff into the ground. A burst of glowing leaves flowed out towards the ball of energy. Each leaf that sliced by the sphere cut a small amount of energy off from the attack. Hundreds of leaves flashed by in seconds. In the same amount of time the energy ball was dispersed.
“You fat fucks think you can kill me? We are born of different worlds; you won't have a chance to lay a finger on me.” Angry growls erupted from those left standing opposite of Arbor.
“Dumb human. We killed all of your kind decades ago. What's one more? Its thousands against one.” A hooded elder walked through the crowd like a shark in a school of fish.
“For starters,” Arbor smiled, “I am not alone.”
A horse sized silhouette sped past Arbor straight for the robed figure. Before it could even raise its hand halfway to attack again, its head was rolling on the floor. Eos kept trotting as Arbor suddenly started to fly into the air. A vine wrapped around Eos neck that Arbor held on to. Suddenly Arbor was yanked into the air like a parasail. Within seconds Arbor and Eos had broken free from the encirclement with the pack of ogres behind them.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Half a minute went by before our two heroes were at the entrance to the camp. By this point Arbor had disconnected the rope and was gliding through the air with a set of wings made from leaves. The flying figure is currently analyzing the area and current path of the robust tribe in tow. Soon enough Arbor landed on the ground a few hundred yards outside of the mining facility.
With Eos at his side, the two waited for the enemy to catch up with a worry in their hearts. While standing there Eos was restless to fight. He was pawing and stomping at the ground excitedly. First a few ogres made their way through the gate, then a hundred started piling through. Arbor estimated that most if not all would be in front of him in less than 5 seconds.
He started counting backwards “5…4…3…2…” he smirked before he said one. All the while, Eos was appearing to get ready to launch like a rocket into the crowd. A snap of his finger was followed by fireworks show in front of them. Seventy percent of the weapons being held by the ogres explode in a domino effect from the closest to Arbor to the furthest away. A dust of black smoke started to form above the encampment. Half a minute into the light show an earth-shaking explosion went off from the direction of the factory.
Arbor looked at Eos and said, “What's that look for? Do you think I wanted to fight all of them? Work smarter not harder.” Eos creased his brows and quickly shook his head in dissatisfaction. A mental message from Eos stated that he was in the mood to slaughter. He let out a deep caw before dashing into the aftermath of the bombardment.
“Over here young one!” Gramps called out from the tree line.
“Gramps are you ready to go find more humans? It's about time to start turning things around in this realm.”
Sometime later the young adolescence and the old man were walking through a dense forest. As the sun's golden rays filtered through the lush canopy, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor, two figures emerged, stepping gently on the moss-covered path. They embarked on a journey through nature's verdant embrace, their presence harmonizing with the tranquil symphony of rustling leaves. Walking beside them was a companion, a larger figure with a brown coat of feathers. This creature stands at a height of seven feet tall with the head of an eagle.
“Where are we going exactly?” the old man turned toward Arbor.
“There were some ruins I got chased out of a while back that I want to check out. Something appeared off to me.” Arbor continued, “I can't imagine that there wouldn't be some sort of secret that would lead to a group of fugitives.”
“That makes sense. While having the smaller population they couldn't have been dumb enough to not have a back up plan. Right? “ Added the old man.
“That is exactly my train of thought. Hopefully we can find some clues.” Arbor finished.
In the heart of a forgotten realm, nestled within the embrace of nature's grip, lies an ancient city of ruins. This once majestic metropolis now stands as a testament to the distant past, a hallowed ground of lost civilizations and untold stories.
As you step into the remnants of this age-old urban landscape, a sense of awe and reverence washes over you. Massive stone structures, weathered by centuries of wind and rain, rise from the earth like sentinels guarding the secrets of the past. Intricate carvings and faded murals hint at the artistic prowess and cultural richness that once flourished within these walls.
The city's architecture, a blend of grandeur and sophistication, showcases the ingenuity of ancient craftsmanship. Colossal temples and palaces, their marble facades eroded by time, bear witness to the devotion and reverence of a bygone era. Streets paved with uneven cobblestones wind through the city, leading to crumbling marketplaces and forgotten squares that once buzzed with vibrant trade and community gatherings.
As you delve deeper into the city, you encounter the remnants of ancient infrastructure. Aqueducts, their stone arches still standing defiantly, once carried life-giving water to every corner of the city. Dilapidated bridges, their spans broken, hint at a once thriving river that flowed beneath, binding the city together.
The whispers of history echo through the empty streets. Broken pottery shards, weathered tools, and fragments of ancient manuscripts lie scattered, offering glimpses into the daily lives of the long-forgotten inhabitants. Temples and shrines, though now in ruins, still emanate an aura of sanctity, and you can almost hear the faint echoes of prayers that once reverberated within their hallowed halls.
Nature, relentless in its reclamation, has woven itself into the very fabric of the city. Vines and moss cascade down weathered walls, breathing life into the abandoned structures. Ancient trees rise tall, their gnarled roots bursting through stone foundations, asserting their dominion over the man-made creations.
Walking amidst the ancient ruins, you can't help but feel the weight of time and the fleeting nature of human existence. The whispers of the past brush against your senses, urging you to uncover the stories locked within the stones. It is a city frozen in time, a canvas for imagination and contemplation, inviting you to explore the mysteries of an ancient civilization long lost to history.
"Back in the realm I was originally born in, there were ruins just like this one here. Secret passages hidden behind trip levers, or seemingly immovable objects." Arbor was shifting through the crevices of the hall. Of the few murals left on the walls, none were complete. Fall stones and pillars blocked the passageways of the side chambers.
"Does Eos always just run off by himself?"
"Back in the higher realm we didn't have much time to go out and explore. From our connection, I can tell that he is just curious. Afterall he is just a pup."
"Plus he's probably just hungry. That's how the beasts grow. Luckily its that easy for him."
"What do you mean from your connection?"
"He's my spiritual beast. We have a mental connection. I can feel in a general direction where he is at all times and and his general mood. For the most part he just hungry and wants to fight."
Arbor almost completely rearranged the main hall minus the outside walls and the remaining pillars holding the puzzled ceiling.
"Do you think they would make it so close to the main city?"
Arbor palmed himself in the face. "That's the only reasonable explanation. Do you happen to know the direction of the headquarters of the demons and the ogres?"
"Um...let me think." Gramps stopped and thought. "To the south and the west of here. The demons are to the south and the ogres are to the west."
"We're heading north towards that mountain range."
The temperature steadily declined as the mountains got larger. The trees started to become sparse. This moment the old man was laying on the back of Eos with a thick blanket of leaves. The mountain peak was still above the clouds and the world was quiet. Only the buzzing of the wind was audible. Arbor had made snowshoes out of wood.
A visible distance in front of the group a small figure flashed past a group of rocks. Without a second thought Arbor went full predator mode and tailed the figure. As fast as he could muster, the now barefoot Arbor conjured footholds of wood under each of his strides. Unfortunately, Arbor was not able to catch up to the figure before he lost it in a rock face.
"Where the hell did that thing go?" Arbor stood with his hands on his hips. No hole, no crevice, no easily identifiable lever to pull, nothing.
"Should we just wait here until it comes out?" Arbor asked Eos as he checked on the sleeping grampa.
Quickly enough a small hut formed in front of the rocks housing the three. Arbor dropped a couple of sticks in the center and used a few fire ruins to ignite a source of heat. Arbor cooked some meat from some wild animal that Eos had caught on their trek from the city. Arbor and Gramps chatted for a while before they called it a night. The next morning Arbor woke up and discovered writing on the cliff face in a language he had never seen before.