“Hey Fenix, Think fast” Ash shouted as he tossed some of his water at his brother.  

“Wha…Damn it Ash! Stop messing around, I just want to get this done.” Fenix ignored his brother’s laughter as he shook off the liquid. 

“Ahh come on, lil bro. Just trying to keep ya on your toes. Don’t know if a coyote or some other critter pops out?” Ruffled his brother’s hair and went back to checking the crops. 

Fenix just shook his head and ignored the teasing. It was a hot day and the two were caked in grime. Dark patches of sweat stained their clothes and they gave off a pungent odor. Fenix's  eyes burned from the salty rivers trickling down his face. Every few minutes he took out the drenched rag to wipe off what he could. Unfortunately the old thing seemed to make it worse. Ringing it out, he continued onward. The old stalks crunched beneath their boots as they surveyed the fields. Bugs meeting their end as the guys swatted the mosquitoes from their skin. Yet for all the faults and hard work, it was a simple life. 

“What ya think Mom is cooking?” Fenix spoke. 

“Hopefully not soup again. Dad caught some duck this morning, crossing fingers it's that” Ash replied. 

Meat was a rare delicacy. While they could treat themselves to the scraps from slaughter, the majority was sold and shipped. Most of the time they subsisted on various soups and stews. They were hearty, but bland meals. Filled with plenty of calories to fuel their everworking bodies. Knowing that duck was a possibility, they two rushed through their chores. The sooner the work was done, the faster they’d have a full belly. Already they had combed through two fields, checking for blight and other pests. As the last bits were finished. Both brothers returned to the farmhouse, a gleam in their eye as they noticed smoke from the chimney. Before they could enter, a muffled voice yelled out. 

“Make sure to rinse off, I just swept!” Their mom called out. 

“UHHH COME ON” Ashe whined but their mom wouldn’t budge. 

The two went to the well pump and began the process of cleaning. It was quite refreshing, the cool water dripping down the hot skin. Each scrubbed off the dust and grime, with special attention to their nails and fingers. Didn’t want to taste a hard crunch of sand while they ate. As they entered the room, the smell of roasting meat overwhelmed the senses.  Ash meandered into the kitchen taking a good look at the grilled duck. He dared not to touch it or he’d feel the wrath of his mom. For such an older woman, she could hit like a brick. 

Fenix went to his room and began to water his prized collection. Unlike his brother, he spent any extra coin on exotic specimens from the trader. Over the years his room had turned into a greenhouse of colorful plants. It helped that he’d been working the farm since childhood. An intuition on what they required and how to care for them. Some days he could spend hours just observing and musing on what else was out there. He only got a quarter of the way done before Ash slammed open his door. 

“Dinners ready! Let’s go lil bro” He said while fiddling with his necklace.

He hated that still. They were no longer children anymore. He was 19 while his brother was nearing 21. Already Ash had a few prospects for marriage and his parents would be pressuring him as well. Sighing, Fenix stood up and stretched out his sore muscles. At least they would have a quality meal for dinner. Glancing out the window, he could already see the sun setting in the distance. An orange glow washed across their fields as the stalks swayed in the winds. While many in his village aspired to be kings, queens, or traveling merchants. Fenix was content with what he had. 

The four sat at the dinner table and rapidly devoured the meal. Sounds of clanking silverware, smacking lips, and the occasional cough filling the air. Talking was for after dinner. With each of them exhausted from the day, only a full belly was on the mind. 

BURRRRRRP

Ash bellowed as he leaned back on two legs of his chair. 

“Great roast Ma! Hope we have some leftovers for lunch” 

His vulgar display only earned him a smack. The impact caused him to lose balance and crash. Fenix chuckled and was quickly met with a death stare. He didn’t want to be a part of this and went back to finishing the plate. 

“Oh come on, that was a good one!” Ash mumbled as he dusted himself off. 

Almost instantly a chorus of curses left his mother’s mouth. Each hex finished with a smack. Their dad sighed and began to clean up the table. Fenix dipped from the brawl and began to wash the dishes. For being so close in age, they two were complete opposites. Ash was the older one, he should have been more responsible. 

Ignoring the commotion behind, Fenix focused on his task. Carefully washing down the pots and pans, hanging them out to dry, and moving onto countertops. Glancing out, he noticed something in the distance. A faint orange light in the night sky. A sense of dread overcame him, that was where the village was. No festivals or gatherings were planned…

“Dad, come look at this!” He called out. 

Instantly, the infighting stopped and his family crowded around the window. The air tense as each watched the glow intensify. He could feel his parents shift, a darker personality arising. There was always something different about his parents. They rarely talked about their past, but in these moments he knew there were many secrets to uncover. 

“Raiders…” His mom whispered. 

“Boys, you know the drill. We will be back shortly, keep hidden and head to the cellar” His dad quickly added. 

“I’m coming too!” Ash tried to put on his boots but was shoved away. 

“Ash, you are a farmer, not a fighter. Just keep your brother safe” His dad said, a strange glow passing his eyes. 

Ash sighed, his muscles relaxing as he settled into defeat. Marching passed Fenix, he grabbed the keys to the bunker. Fenix quickly followed and the two rapidly crossed the farmlands. Birds retreated as the raging inferno filled the air. The two stood at the entrance and glanced back. Both watched as their parents began heading towards the village on horseback. A flicker of steel reflecting the faint light.

“When did Mom get a sword…” Fenix muttered

“Pssh, must be something else. Now get in I still need to lock it up” 

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

As the door closed, they waited in silence. 

And waited…

And waited…

And waited…

But they never returned. Panic set in and Ash broke the tension.

“Should we…”

“No! What could we do Ash? We don’t even have a weapon” Fenix interrupted. 

“We can’t just leave them!” 

“I know that but what can we do Ash? You think I just want to sit here too?” 

“I’m going out. Just a peak” Ash reached for his keys

“Ash, don't go out there! What if they find us, we are as good as dead!”

“I have to know Fenix!” he shoved his brother aside. 

“ASH!” He screamed out 

“WELL LOOKS LIKE WE GOT SOME RATS.” An unknown voice called out. 

The brothers froze, a cold sweat rippling across the skin as the footsteps intensified. 

BANG

The door shook as something pounded the otherside. 

“Let’s make this easy now, open the door and I’ll make it quick.” But they couldn’t. 

BANG

The wooden door began to break from the force. Piece of wood cracking off and bouncing across the dirt surface. 

BANG

This was the end, Ash went to the side and went flat against the wall. Fenix hunkered behind one of the shelves and crouched. 

BANG

The door slammed onto the ground and the raider took two steps in. Ash quickly jumped towards the man only to be met with a fist. 

“Come now, you think that would work? I’m insulted” He grabbed Ash by the wrist and tossed him outside. 

“I see you, let’s go. Might make some use out of you.”

Fenix didn’t fight, he was a pacifist at heart and carefully left his hiding spot. As he crossed the threshold, His eyes went wide. Their precious land was burning. A conflagration sweeping across the fields and destroying months of work. Shifting his head, he saw the raiders loading their horses with their belongings. After the last one left, he tossed a torch inside. 

“Please no…” he whispered. 

His soul shattered as his home went up in flames. His entire world burning before him. The flickers flickering across his iris as he stared at the destruction. Tears streamed down his cheeks as the weight of life hit. It was over, it was all over. Everything he had done was gone. His daze broke as the man pushed him forward. 

“Check 'em for valuables. Might as well keep em alive for work. I know a baron or two that could use some grunts”

Fenix didn’t even respond as grubby hands violated his body. The men reached into his pockets and pulled out gifts from his mother. Old trinkets of silver and gold she shared for luck. He didn’t care about the value of the metals, only the memories attached to them. He could feel them prying back his fingers as he instinctually clenched the final ring. 

“Don’t make me break em!” The disgruntled man commanded. 

Fenix got the message and relaxed, that final memory stolen from him. However Ash refused to give. 

SLAM

His older brother was thrown to the ground with a knee in his back. He was screaming at the raiders, cursing their bloodlines, and thrashing along the ground. It took a few good kicks to the side before he curled up in pain. Blood dripped from his mouth as he tried to hold onto the silver necklace from his father. Since they were kids, His dad always said to keep it on him. That it would keep the two safe from harm. It was a silly little thing engraved with unknown symbols. He always promised Ash he’d teach him the meaning. But as the years went on, they cared less and less. 

“Please not that!” He whimpered as he grasped at the chain. The knuckles white as he held on with a death grip. 

“LET…GO!” The brutish man screamed as he smashed in Ash’s face. A tooth launching from his mouth and rolling along the ground. 

But Ash didn’t. Only after a hard yank did the chain snap with a deafening. 

CRACK

Time halted and the bright flames were extinguished. A cold haze descended upon the lands while an ominous mist filled the air. Strange scents filled his lungs, the sensations rapidly shifting each second. In the distance, Fenix saw a group of four circling his brother. One kneeling down and staring at Ash’s face.

“Hmm this one isn’t Roland?” And the group disappeared…taking his older brother with them. 

 Realizing something was wrong, the captain called out. 

“Leave them! We retreat” The group hopped onto their horses but an ethereal voice called out. 

“Excuse me Sir. But we must remember etiquette. What be your name?”

“Ignore it and es…” 

Before the leader could finish the sound of screams echoed out. His body contorting from an invisible force before disappearing into the mists. Fenix tried to back away and felt a thick droplet on his arm. It was a tar-like substance that slithered down his skin. Before he could identify it, he saw hands reach out from the black puddles of growing filth. One of the raiders stumbled too close and was dragged into the inky depths. The phenomenon leaving alongside him. 

“MOVE BUDDY” A voice called out and Fenix stepped to the side. 

A chariot rushed past and smashed into another man, the two figures fading in the mists. His brain began to hurt, he was witnessing something he shouldn’t. All around he heard the terrified screams of the raiders, each subjected to a different horror. Yet…it never came for him. In the span of minutes, it was over. The magical phenomenon retreating and the mists revealing the smoldering wreckage of their land. He was alone in the darkness. Everything taken in a single night. 

As Fenix returned to the wreckage of his childhood home, he had no more tears to cry. Their prized family portrait now ash. His old toys that his mom kept on the shelves charred blobs–only the iron pots remained. He could feel the various splinters stabbing into the palms as he moved the wreckage, But he didn’t care. He just needed something, anything to help with the horror. 

Crunch

He froze. The sounds of movement caught his attention and he turned. Within the rubble a single piece of wood shifted. Fenix cautiously walked over, it had to be an animal of some kind. With care, he pulled up the debris and nearly fainted. 

It was the strangest thing he’d ever seen. A small creature, no bigger than his hand holding out the bright red berry he’d ever seen. The…thing was a twist of vines and twigs. It stood on two “legs” and vaguely resembled a human shape. It’s arms bobbing up and down indicating the object in hand. It was the cutest thing he’d ever seen and Fenix couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. 

He was in hysterics. His family was dead, his life was gone, and there was nothing left to live on. Now he was staring at something he’d never seen or heard of holding out a berry. This had to be a hallucination. His mind shattered from the experience and now makes up imaginary creatures. But the thing wasn’t happy with the response. 

The living twig stomped its little “feet” in anger and threw the berry at his shin. Walking away, Fenix realized his error and squatted down.

“Ok sorry, I get it you are trying to help” he apologized to the strange creature. Holding out his hand, the little thing picked up the fruit and handed it off. 

With care, he inspected the exotic berry. He gave it a few sniffs and squeezes–just to make sure it was real. It didn’t seem poisonous…

As he brought the fruit to his lips, the little thing watched on with great intent. Something pricked his brain, should he do this? What if it was some kind of trap? But at this point he really didn’t care. If he died, he died. Biting down, a flood of sweetness filled his maw. It was something he’d never tasted before. As he chewed and swallowed the fruit, the voice of the world echoed in his skull. 

All classes and levels removed

New Class Obtained – [[Nature’s Friend - Level 1]] 

Companion Obtained – [[Mote of Earth]] 

And Fenix passed out.