Slight panic appeared on Lyle’s face hearing the wolf howls, looking around quickly, ‘Okay, okay. Let me think. Let me think.’ Bending down to get closer inspection on the forest floor shows everything dead. ‘It’s almost as if the life energy was pulled from this forest in bulk.’ Seeing the entire plant life withered yet, no dead animals makes him lose himself in thought. The eerie silence surrounding the forest with a slight fog covering the forest floor. The complete lack of life in plants, animals, or even insects confuses Lyle. Before he can make sense of it all, another wolf howl followed by more. The sound was much closer this time seemingly able to bounce off the trees all around him. Giving up on trying to deduce where his current location is. Lyle focuses on the more pressing matter that sounds like it has sharp teeth. Picking a random direction to go into that is away from where the first howl sounds from.

Waiting for the next howl to help dictate which direction he should keep fleeing towards. Shortly after heading the opposite of the first howl a next howl goes off. This time coming from his left appearing just out of sight. Followed by the rest of the howls each one in a full circle around him. Picking what he believes is the biggest gap between two of the howls. He starts running in that direction, while keeping his eyes on alert trying to fight the panic from setting in.

Soon a game of cat and mouse was played in this dead forest. After a couple minutes the howls would sound again with the lead always in a different spot. The biggest gap between the howls would also always be in different spot. The spots would never be in totally different direction though. Always veering in a slight direction.

The only sounds that Lyle can hear is the sound of his own breathing and steps echoing in the forest. The slight fog covering the floor seems to have a mind of its own at times. Seemingly able to form shapes of animals or people for a split second before dissolving into mist. Seeing dense fogs in certain directions of the forest. Yet, still being only slight fog in the direction he is heading makes Lyle knit his brows. The wolf howl goes off once again seeming to correct the direction he is heading into. Lyle murmurs to himself, “Why do I feel like I’m being led somewhere?” Slowing down his running speed, he tries once to make sense of it all. Whether this is a trap of some sort in the first place crosses his mind. While debating with himself on whether to try is luck going in a random direction to see if he gets attacked. He is drawn out of his thoughts suddenly by the sound of loud rapid footsteps behind him. Followed by the sound of wolf howling coming from the rapid footsteps. Hearing the howl this close seems to freeze the blood in his body. Throwing caution and suspicion to the wind. He increases his running speed heading in the direction the wolfs seem to be leading him to.

After a few minutes of running the wolf is still right behind him. This confirms the suspicion that the wolfs are pushing him somewhere rather than trying to kill him. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches glimpses of large shadows in the dense fogs running alongside him. Looking around him in the fog he sees that he is surrounded by them except in front of him. Up ahead he can see the forest thinning with a clearing up ahead. ‘What am I going to face in the place they are leading me too?’ Worry sprouts in his heart at what he may face when he reaches his destination.

Busting through the edge of the trees, he can see what appears to be a small town ahead. Lyle slows down coming to a stop two hundred feet away, not hearing the animals giving chase. Turning around Lyle’s eyes widen at what he can vaguely see being glad he didn’t stop to fight the animals.

Large shadows line the edge of the forest. The shadows appear to be in shape of a wolf. Standing at two meters tall and what he can guess to be five feet wide with large yellow eyes. Seeing a dozen pairs of eyes all staring at him makes a shiver run down Lyle’s spine. What made him even more nervous was the fact they didn’t make any noise other than howling. After couple seconds, all the large shadows turn around and go back into the forest without making a sound. Seeing the large shadows turn around. Lyle makes a rough guess on them being about thirteen feet in length. The fog intensifies and swallows the shadows when they turn around dissolving into the fog. Wiping the slight sweat on his forehead, he proceeds to head to the town close by while on edge.

Heading to the little town, Lyle inspects it upon getting closer. Looking at the small town that by rough estimate would house anywhere between thousand and four thousand people. There isn’t a single light source that can be seen on the walls. The walls that surround this town were roughly forty feet tall and eighteen feet thick. With several towers that spanned the entire wall around the city. The gates were open with no sign of life that can be seen.

Walking through the gates Lyle feels uneasy at the lack of life in the city. Lyle looked at the sky hoping to get some sort of indication on time of day. Only to be disappointed with only being able to see that it’s cloudy to the point where the sun is blocked. The sound of his footsteps echoing is the only noise that he can be heard bouncing off the buildings. Holding his quarterstaff at the ready he moves forward murmuring to himself, “Great, first a dead forest now a ghost town. What’s next I wonder?”

Wandering the town, he sees that every house is dark with no light or signs of life. The buildings and walls appear to be maintained. But there is no sign of people to maintain them.

As he keeps wandering for a few minutes he notices catches a glimpse of smoke rising in the air. Lyle sighs in relief with the thought of at least not being only person in the entire town. Moving towards that direction still on guard for any sort of threat. As he crosses an alley the place that has smoke rising from comes into view. The building turns out to be an inn that you could find in any town. There is light that can be seen from the outside. ‘I need to find a way to leave soon as possible I really have a bad feeling about this place.’ Walking up to the inn Lyle listens closely for signs of life. While he doesn’t hear the loud rambunctious noise that is typical in an inn. He does here the sounds of eating and drinking.

Clenching his staff tightly, he cautiously opens door, walking slowly inside. The smell of rot, death, and decay seems to weirdly end at the threshold of the inn door. The inn doesn’t seem to have any sort of smell besides of alcohol and the food being cooked. What comes in sight while stepping inside the inn. Is a mixture of individuals ranging from nobles each from different kingdoms to farmers all quietly eating. The lack of talking among the patrons is along with the mixture of company is beyond strange. All of the patrons have pale faces each varying from the other. People who have occupations that deal function around having endurance are less pale. Compared to the ones who are nobles who are sheet white in the face. Seeing no one looking in his direction as he walks in makes him knit his brows. Lyle closes the door behind him before looking closer at everyone. All of the patrons seem to have a dull expression on their faces. Even calling out to one varies from one looking at you then going back to eating or ignoring you altogether. Lyle puts a hand to his chin to try and figure out what it means before a voice interrupts his thoughts.

“Can I get you anything?” A monotone voice comes from behind the bar. Looking in that direction reveals a later twenties burly man rubbing a glass with a rag slowly. He appears to be the palest out of all that are in the inn almost looking like vampire. Walking up to the counter Lyle responds, “Yes, but can I ask you a couple questions first?” The man slowly nods his head motioning for him to go on.

“Can you tell me where I am at?”

“...No”

“Can you tell me what the name of this town is?”

The man stops rubbing the glass appearing to think about it, “…No. I don’t... remember.” Before going back to cleaning the glass.

Frowning at what the man said, “Where is the rest of the townsmen? There appears to be only twenty or so people in here.” Motioning towards the patrons inside the inn.

“…This is the entire town.”

“…. Why are there different nobles from different kingdoms here?”

“…No idea. They just… showed up.”

“From the forest?”

The bartender slowly nods his head.

“Where do you come from? You’re the bartender so you been in this town the longest right?”

He stops rubbing the glass again thinking deeply about it, “…I… don’t remember. …I think so.”

“Do you know your own name?”

The man frowns, “…I’m… I’m…. I... don’t remember.”

“Do you know where the road that heads out of town goes too?”

“…The lord’s castle.”

“Has anyone tried to go there?

“…Yes” slowly nodding his head.

“Do they come back?”

“…No” slowly shaking his head.

“Why is everyone pale?”

“…I don’t know. …The longer you stay the paler you get.”

Lyle’s face darkens, “Do you care if I try to heal you and see if it helps? I am a healer.” Using his hand to motion towards his traveling priest robes.

The man slowly shrugs in response.

Lyle grabs his book from his bag then begins casting a healing spell on him. Feeling something off with his healing spell Lyle frowns. Then he notices that the spell is much weaker than usual. Not to mention taking near double the amount of mana to cast.

As the bartender receives the healing spell his face becomes a little less pale. Adding a little bit of life in his facial expression and eyes.

“Do you remember your name now?”

“I’m… Dale. Yes. My name is Dale.”

Lyle smiles, “Hi, Dale. My name is Lyle. Since you remember your name now. Can you tell me what is going on in this town.”

Dale shakes his head normally in response, “No, everyone showed up in the forest. They spend their time here before sleeping in the vacant houses.”

“Can you tell me of anything that may have information about the town? Like town mayor’s house, church, or anything that stands out as weird in the town.”

“No, we do have a church, but no one runs it.”

“Of what deity?”

“Don’t know. It’s always been closed.”

“Thanks Dales. Can I get a room and food for the night?”

“Sure.  Pick any room upstairs. You can always sleep in a house. Just leave the ones locked alone since that’s where someone has already claimed it.”

Lyle’s face convulses in confusion before shaking his head, “Alright how much for the food and room?”

“No charge. We don’t charge here.”

“Don’t you need money to bu…. Wait, where do you get your food and drink? I didn’t see any animals or crops on the way into town”

“Just shows up in the kitchen and cellar so I don’t know.”

“Okay…. I’ll just take a room then. I’ll eat my own food. I mean no offense, Dale.”

Dale waves it off, “Pick a room all of them are unlocked since no one stays here after the first day. They would rather pick a house.”

Lyle nods his head slowly at the response slightly confused before heading towards the stairs, ‘After one day they move into houses. Why? I need to get out of here and fast but. I need to first figure out just where here is exactly. Then I can figure out how to leave.’

Right when he gets to the stairs the sounds of bells tolling loudly rang. Looking back at Dale he sees everyone getting up heading outside, Lyle raises a question.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“What does that bell mean?”

“Means nighttime. It’s the only bell that rings all day. It comes from the church as well.”

“I thought you said no one runs the church.”

“No one runs the church.”

“Then how does the bell toll?”

“I don’t know.” Shrugging before starting to clean up the inn.

Lyle looks confused at him, “Don’t you find that strange?”

Dale stops then looks at him just as confused as Lyle does, “Why would I? Its always been like that.” Before going back to cleaning up.

Going back into thought Lyle turns back and goes upstairs occupying the first room. Closing and locking the door he goes into his bag pulling out some dried rations. ‘Tomorrow I need to investigate that church to see if I can get some information. Then figure out how to get out of here.’ Lyle takes off his mask, laying it down on the night stand.

“But, for now let’s sleep after eating.”

The next day Lyle wakes up unable to tell the time of day but gets up anyways. Feeling exhausted even though he just woke up causes him to recall what Dale said yesterday, “Don’t know, the longer you stay the paler you get.” ‘It should be fine it’s just one day.’ Lyle thought to himself before gathering his gear together and putting on the mask. Walking out of his room and heading downstairs. Coming down the stairs, Lyle sees people trailing slowly into the inn some already sitting down eating food. Everyone seems duller and paler than yesterday.

Looking around the inn, he sees Dale delivering food and drinks to people’s tables. ‘Hm should be fine to get some food and drink before I head to the church.’ Looking at Dale’s face, he notices it’s just as pale and dull when he first met him. Sitting down at an empty table he notices everyone eating the same meal Lyle nods to himself, ‘Looks good let’s try and ask for it when I see Dale next.’ When he sees Dale coming out kitchen with two plates of food he raises his hand to place his order. Dale heads in his direction and before Lyle can speak places a plate on his table. A monotone voice sounds out, “Here’s your food. I’ll bring drink out in a second.” Lyle nods his head staring at the food.

Typical eggs and sausage with a hard biscuit, but still nice so Lyle digs in. After he takes first bite, he starts spacing out not even realizing his drink was placed on his table. After he finished eating and drinking. He starts reminiscing about his life from when he showed up at orphanage all way to meeting Dinkleberg.

After an unknown amount of time passes, Lyle reaches the point in his memories of coming here. While thinking that things are slightly weird here, but that’s about it. When his memories reach the point where he heals Dale and he gains some life in his eyes. ‘Oh yeah, I should probably heal myself. Well, I feel fine so maybe I shouldn’t. …I’ll do it just in case I guess.’ As he grabs his book and casts heal on himself. His mind starts to sharpen back up while feeling less lethargic. His eyes widen in horror at all that just happened since he woke up. ‘Why didn’t I question why everyone is eating the exact same meal!? Why didn’t I question that I didn’t even order?! Yet my food and drink were brought to me without question!?! Why did I only think things are slightly weird when it’s obvious it’s worse than slightly!?! Worst of all I didn’t question eating with everyone here with my face and took it for as being fine.’ Shuddering to himself at realizing all of that, ‘I need to get out of here today and if not leave a note to force myself to heal myself tomorrow. I need to head to the church NOW!’ Getting up from his table, he looks to Dale who is behind the counter. Also noticing that everyone else is just sitting at their table staring blankly off into space. “Dale how much time have passed since sitting here?”

Dale looks at him responding in a monotone voice, “I don’t know.”

“Which direction is the church Dale?”

“Follow the road.” Slowly lifting his hand pointing in a direction before going back to standing there.

Lyle stands up putting on his mask and backpack heading straight out the door with long strides. ‘This place is dangerous. Let’s get to the church get the information then figure out how to leave.’ Heading in the direction Dale pointed and following the main road. He eventually comes to a massive building with a bell tower right at the edge of town. Getting closer where he can get a better look at the church. He notices its design is totally foreign then any church he has ever seen before. Above the big double doors at the entrance is a mural with ten warriors with their arms spread radiating light.

Lyle frowns to himself, ‘I don’t know this deity. Maybe they worship a pantheon, but that still doesn’t help me recognize them. Going based on the them radiating light, I assume they are good gods though.’ Walking up to the doors, he pushes to realize they are heavy and not enchanted. Putting the staff on his back he puts both hands on one of the doors. Pushing with all his might as the door slowly groans opening a slight gap he can squeeze through. Murmuring to himself as he slips through the gap, “I now realize how thankful I am for having enchanted doors or, can just make smaller doors.”

Stepping inside the church what stood out the most was the ten statues all wearing different armor and weapons standing in a mixture of poses. Looking away from the statues to above them. There is a giant mural that spans the entire wall. Looking at the murals, they start off depicting the ten gods descending from the sky in glorious light. From there shows the gods standing in front of people while attacking other people. Next shows six different beings each talking to a god with a scroll in hand. Then shows those different beings talking to each other shaking hands. Lastly seems to show the gods talking to different beings. Ranging from wolves walking on two legs, dragons, people with upper half above water. Some with pointy ears, some abnormally tall, and some abnormally short. Next scene shows all those beings battling alongside a god against a variety of monsters. One coming from weird blob monstrosities appearing to corrupt what they touch. Another coming from skull figures. One more coming from a battlefield full of all races fighting against dark figures with horns, tails, and wings. With the last being some dark portal underwater with massive dark figures flowing out in mass. Each mural with the gods fighting the monsters. Each one shows either a portal, a lake, a ship, and a city behind the gods army appearing to be defending it. With the last mural showing the ten gods cheering with the different races but, above them is many figures in the clouds watching them.

“Hm, I’ve never heard of any of this in history or church for that matter. I wonder what they are talking about exactly. I can speculate some of this, but not all. Though, If the Reapers find this church they will instantly destroy it for blasphemy. I’m confused though, if these are gods then in the last scene are the ones watching them other gods or higher gods?”

While pondering over the scenes the murals he walks forward to inspect the statues. Each statue standing at fifteen feet tall.

Getting closer to the deity statues, Lyle sees that each one seems to have a name and title.

The leftist most statue is a sculpture of a middle-aged man. Holding a halberd in hand and wearing full plate armor with helmet in the other hand. With a calm and slight smile on his face. In lettering below the statue says, ‘Andrew the Wise’.

Next to him was image of a young elf man wearing leather armor holding two daggers. He appears to be playing with his daggers while wearing a hood. Unable to see his facial expressions under the hood and can only barely make out the elf ears. In lettering below the statue says, ‘Gunnar The Quick’.

Next to him was image of a young elf woman wearing leather armor holding a bow. Her face is expressionless, but her eyes seem to gaze straight through you. In lettering below the statue says, ‘Lily the Quiet’.

Next to her was image of a young man wearing chainmail armor with mace in one hand and shield in the other. He appeared to be staring at the woman named Lily with face full of affection. In lettering below the statue says, ‘Emond the Gentle’.

A woman wearing very little clothing except for covering the bare necessity wielding a two-handed axe. On her face is a look of defiance on her face and gleam of a hunter in her eyes. In lettering below the statue says, ‘Brekshna The Strong’.

Standing next to her was a woman wearing robes with glasses on. Holding a book in her arms with a cold look on her face. Seemingly disinterested in anything not worth her time. Below the statue the words, ‘Amethyst the Cold’ were engraved below.

Standing in the center next to her was a man wearing full plate armor. Holding a two-handed axe on his shoulder with one hand another on his waist. With his face, roaring upwards in laughter. As if laughing at all who are foolish enough to block his path. Engraved below were the words, ‘Deasel the Brave’.

One of the few who was the only one of his kind was standing next to Deasel. A statue of a man with bird like wings on his back wearing full plate armor. Holding sword and shield in his hands with a helmet on his face engraved with wings as well. The words, ‘Michael the Righteous’ were engraved below his statue.

Second to last from the right is a man wearing leather armor while holding a bow in one hand. With shoulder length hair and a smile on his face as if enjoying himself. ‘Talib the Elegant’ is engraved below the statue.

The very last statue is of a man wearing robes. With shoulder length hair, holding a quarter staff in one hand and, a book in the other. A pondering expression is etched on his face. ‘Maximus the Cunning’ are the words engraved on the last statue.

Lyle stares with a frown on his face as he passes each statue, ‘I don’t recognize them as any gods I know of. Considering that their names don’t sound like gods, then exactly what are they? Demigods?’

Going back to the first statue, Lyle digs into his backpack pulling out a parchment and pen. Lyle begins to describe the murals on paper from beginning to end. Then he begins writing the name of each person with along with a brief description. Getting to the last statue he etches the name down then rolls up the parchment after drying it. Placing the paper in his pack before exploring to try to find any sort of documents.

After scouring the entire church, he finds no documents in any room what so ever. He does find what appears to scorch marks in what should have been the room that stored historical documents for the church. Believing that someone burned the information for some reason. He started heading back to the inn with more questions and still no idea on how to get back.

Entering the inn, he goes back straight to his room ignoring all the patrons and Dale. Pulling out some food he takes off his mask then begins eating while thinking over what happened today.  After a little while of not being able to come up with any ideas. He decides to try to go towards the Lord’s castle tomorrow. ‘I can’t think of anything else I can do considering there is somehow no one in charge of this town. There is only the Lord’s castle that is away from this city which is odd in the first place. Why not just build the town around the castle? Maybe the castle was built after the town but, I’m out of options on where to look next.’ Lyle makes up his mind to give it a shot and head back if things get dangerous. Pulling out a piece of parchment and writing a note for himself for tomorrow before putting it on the nightstand.

Losing himself in thought about how to get out of this situation while laying down, he barely registers hearing the church bell toll. Before he even realizes it, he falls asleep. Almost like he was forced to fall asleep.

In a pitch-black room, Lyle is standing with nothing around him. A light off in the distance appears. Lyle tilts his head in confusion at the small light before it rapidly comes closer to him. The light doesn’t seem to hurt his eyes getting closer. Stopping right in front of him it begins to expand and get brighter causing Lyle to cover his eyes with a hand. After he moves his hand he sees that the light turned into screen depicting scenes. The scene changes quicker than the eye can keep up with in front of Lyle. Sounds of talking, laughter, crying, violence, and screams pass through his hear. All words being illegible of understanding. Lyle flinches at some of the noises he hears. A neutral gender tone voice speaks but, is only vaguely heard amongst the noise, “Who are you?”

Suddenly, voices start pouring nonstop in his ears some of them shouting, some cursing, some in friendly tone, some in affectionate tone, and some in crying tone. All of them have one word in common, they all say the words Max.

“Who are you?” The voice repeats itself.

Lyle unable to even hear the voice crouches down and covers his ears from the noise blaring in his ears. Closing his eyes, he still hears the screams, shouts, and such all in his ears. Fear slowly creeps inside of him grabbing him tightly in its hold.

“Who are you?” The voice says again except much louder.

Clenching his eyes shut, Lyle shakes his head back and forth to deny all the voices, “Lyle.”

The voices in his ears get louder now sounding like they are directly in his head, screaming the word Max at him.

The neutral gender tone voice speaks once again now yelling the question at him, “Who are you!?”

Lyle grits his teeth while keeping his ears covered then opens his eyes and glares at the emptiness yelling, “LYLE!” Desperately trying to shake off the fear and panic, to transform it into anger.

The voices are starting to make his head feel likes it’s on fire now all chanting the same name. The chanting seems to be able to instantly destroy the anger he was trying to form. The voices chant in an accusing sort of way as if to overpower his denial.

“WHO ARE YOU!?!” The question vibrates inside his entire being demanding an answer from him. Both questions tear apart his anger and feelings. Each question destroying any thoughts in his head hammering away at his consciousness. Almost as if threatening him to answer the question or they will break his mind. He is no longer able to crouch. Lyle begins sitting on the floor with his knees to his chest with hands covering his ears. Going back to closing his eyes while muttering, “I am Lyle. I am Lyle. I am Lyle.”

The voices start meshing together in his head, yelling the name. The voices yell so loudly that blood starts trickling down from his nose, mouth, and ears. The gender-neutral voice starts yelling the same question every time after he says, “I am Lyle.”

After an unknown amount of time Lyle starts losing himself and feeling his psyche fading. Terrified of the feeling he finally caves in screaming the name, “I AM MAX!!!” While breaking down into sobs muttering the words defeatedly, “I am Max…*sob* I am Max… *sob* I am Max...”

All the voices in his head goes silent at those words. The gender-neutral voice speaks once more, “Then show me how you will struggle Max.”