《Rebirth of the Fallen》 Chapter 0: Prologue Tak... Tak... Tak... A series of light footsteps reverberate the throne room. The guards gave out a salute to the man who was approaching. The man slightly bowed then made a fist out of his right hand raising it where his heart located. He knelt while looking down. It is a common practice to speak before his majesty. "Your majesty, preparations has been complete. We can set out whenever you wanted your majesty." The man spoke with such dignity residing his voice. It was loud and clear voice,giving out an imposing aura.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "Finally! We can fulfill the life-long dream of our ancestors. We can summon back our lord back in this world. The prophecy will be complete. Sandro, mobilize our elite forces and hunt the child of prophecy." Sandro, the most trusted magician of the king, and the most powerful mage that walked the empire of Asra. "By your words your majesty!"
As Sandro walked outside the throne room he can''t help to remember the ancient prophecy that was passed down every generation of the royal family. ''A child will be born under the light of the blood moon at the thirtienth night in the month of beast. He whose heart will be the key to open the abyss.'' ''Finally we will once again be glorious under our lord.'' Sandro couldn''t contain his excitement. A deep evil laugh exited his mouth making the guards feel fear at him. Chapter 1: Hometown of Beginning A hunter that lived deep in the mountainous region of the great forest of Talrom decided to travel south at the city of Balian to sell his goods as well as resupply some condiments and armaments that he needed hunting at the great forest. This hunter was named Cain, a mid 40 year old man, with a muscular body due to his hard work living at the forest and a dark-brown hair. He stands around 180cm. He was quite a lonely man. Rumors had it that his former wife was attacked by a monster while gathering herbs at the forest, thus traumatized him to never love again. But these were only speculations but in truth he was abandoned by her love after meeting a nobleman that presented her gifts and some honey-coated words. EverytimeCain sold his goods, he goes directly at a small tavern near the gates of the city to take a few drinks before going back to his home. He always sat at the edge of the counter, giving him space to think about his plans. This was his favorite place within the tavern. Most of the customers recognize Cain as he was a regular here. Some of customers were fellow hunters or either an adventurer that invited Cain to join their party but was always refused. "Oh you''re back Cain, how''s business?" The tavern owner asked Cain while wiping off the freshly washed wooden drinkingcup. "It''s been a while old bone, hunt is getting harder these days. Monsters and animals were scarce, winter must be coming soon. Give the usual." "Wait a moment." The tavern owner called one of her employees. "Ailene, give Mr. Cain his usual drink." Ailene quickly rushed where Cain was sitting bringing his ordered drink. But Ailene was a little bit flustered whenever she was near Cain. Ailene had a crush on him that she secretly hid from her fellow employees but was already seen through by the tavern owner. Tavern owner William noticed Ailene''s silly action as she approach Cain. "Ohh what''s this Ailene? Why are you blushing? Hmm... It''s strange for you to act like this. Hahaha" William laughed wholeheartedly. "Hmp! Please stop teasing me tavern master. It''s just..." "It''s just what? Ahh I see, it''s because of Cain. Hahaha" "Hey Cain, do you have someone special right now?" William asked Cain loudly that everyone at the tavern heard, the customers went silent for a moment. "What the hell is that question old bone. As of now I don''t have one." Ailene covered her face from embarrassment after hearing the two talking while all the customers were direcly focused at them. "That''s more like it! How about Ailene? What do you think?" Cain and Ailene stopped and stared at each other before the look elsewhere.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Cain POV ''What the hell William is thinking saying that loud.'' Cain pondered for a moment then secretly gazed upon the embarassed Ailene. Ailene was wearing light brown dress that extended a little bit lower below her knees while covered with an apron. It was a simple outfit but it was a dress fitted to her long blonde hair paired with crystal blue eyes that filled with energy and wonder. Her lips were red as an apple and soft like a cotton. It would be surely bring out a very sweet kiss when kissed. ''Now that I think of it, she was beautiful. An energetic woman that has a light atmosphere. She was also a hardowrking person with a cheerful personality. I think she would be a great wife.'' ''Is it time for me to love again? It''s been 10 years since i have someone in my life. Our age difference must not be that much, she must be around 27 to 30.'' Cain kept pondering while William was teasing Ailene.
Ailene POV ''It was 2 years since i met Cain at the corner of the street where the market was. I was targeted by a group of thieves. Dragging me along with them, it was then that I saw him. Taking a piss beside a stack of wooden boxes. The thieves were annoyed at his action because he was blocking the way and some of his business were splashed at the arms of the thieves leader. The leader shouted at him angrily but was instantly silenced, not only the leader but all of the five members of the group were instantly beaten to a pulp. It was then that I felt like the time stopped watching him fighting. It was beautiful even I know it was only a once sided violence against them. My heart fluttered and skipped a beat when he approached me and grabbed me at my arms.'' ''I fell in love with him instantly. But after that incident I didn''t meet him again until i applied to a small tavern called Gatekeeper Inn. I was surprised that he was sitting at the corner happily chatting with tavern master. He''s a dependable person, I wish to be with him. My heart raced again reminded me of that fateful day at the market.'' Ailene asked the tavern master about Cain and discovered that he was a regular. It made her happy about her discovery. Until tavern master took advantage of her silly action that resulted into an embarassment at the tavern.
Time froze as Cain and Ailene''s eyes met, everything went silent and the lights seemed to danceand reflected a glistening sparkle that made the moment seemed last like forever. It was a pleasant feeling for both of them before they realize what was happening. The cheers whistle of the people snapped them back into reality. Now both of them were flustered, they didn''t notice that their hearts were already connected. ''Godess Elunia please give me courage to face her.'' It was a short prayer murmured by Cain before chugging down his last cup of drink. William seemed to hear it as he grinned a smile at Cain. It was late in the evening and the tavern was already closing. After cleaning up the place, Ailene decided to go home and rest her tired body. Outside the tavern there stood a man. It was Cain. "Uh... Ummm..." His mouth seemed to froze, words can''t exit his mouth properly. Ailene covered her lips and giggled. "A-- Are you go.. going home now?" Cain shly asked Ailene, scrathing his neck as if it was itchy. ''He was a pretty timid person. Aww it''s cute'' Thought Ailene. "Yes I am." "Can I walk you home?" "Am I not bothering you Mr. Cain?" "No, you''re not, i''ve decided to spend the night at a nearby inn. It''s too dangerous to traverse the path to my home at night." "Let''s go, how about we take stop to a nearby food stall around the next block? I know a shop where they serve delicious roasted meat." "Sounds like a great idea, i''m getting hungry now that you''ve said it." After walking her home, Cain stopped for a moment with a smile plastered to his lips before heading to an inn.
Cain was descending the forest more frequent now that the two are getting close everytime they met, they decided to live together. Cain decided to buy a house at the nearest town in the city. This allowed him to go hunt while shortened the travelling time to go into the city. He hunted animals and monsters horns, teeths, hides, and other things thatisuseful for everyday living. It took some time before Cain and Ailene decided to live together at the town of Pine. This was the start of their new life. Chapter 2: Child of Prophecy A year quickly came by after the couple decided to settle in. Cain and Ailene lived a simple way of life, they didn''t have a splendor lifestyle and there were also rough times that came to pass. Ailene unceasingly waited for Cain to come home everyday at the balcony, a small house with a single room and a small living room to keep the guests if there was one. At the backyard of the house there were a small garden that filled with different herbs and vegetables. But this time it was special, she wore her favorite dress and prepared herself to make herself beautiful and presentable to Cain''s eyes. Finally Ailene saw Cain''s figure walking towards their little home, she felt her heart skip a beat and got a little nervous. Cain approached her, he hugged and kissed her red blooming lips like an apple that reached its peak of ripening. "Ohh what''s happening? You wore your favorite dress today. Is there any guests?" "How about we come inside first then clean yourself up while i prepare something to eat." Cain noticed her wife''s strange actions and let it slide up. Few moments later Cain got into their dining table where Ailene was already seated. There were cake, soup, grilled meat and a pint of beer. A truly strange setting For Cain''s eyes. After they ate, they sat at a long chair that almost resembled a bed, there they cuddled when suddenly Ailene whispered something to Cain''s ears. "I''m pregnant." It was short but made Cain''s world shatter due to shock of what he just heard. "Whaaat?! Is that true Ailene?! Am I going to become a father?!" He couldn''t contain his happiness and excitement that he was becoming a father. Ailene didn''t responded but only smiled while nodding. Suddenly Cain lifted her up and her outside the house, it was already night but their small house was brimming with a light atmosphere. As they were outside Cain shouted "I''m going to become a father!!!!!" Ailene tapped his shoulders due to embarrassment. Finally their love has bore fruit. It was one of the happiest moment of their lives.
Days become weeks and weeks become months, time flew by like a bird in the horizon. The night was cold and there was a solemn silence everywhere, the full moon is shining bright when a shout resounded at the streets of the town. "Doctor Fendrel!! Doctor Fendrel!!" Cain knocked on the door where the doctor was living but there was no answer.She carried Ailene to the doctors house. An wold woman came out. "I''m Sorry Cain, but doctor Fendrel was out of town right now, he visited a friend back at the city." Cain was already inpanic when he heard the voice of the town lord offering him to use one their carriage. The town lord came down after hearing a commotion that was happening. He didn''t hesitate to lend a carriage to Cain to his contributions to this town. Cain helped the town defend from the invading monsters a few months after they started living here. They rushed at the town lords manor and prepared the carriage to travel at the city as fast as possible, it''s a few hours trip to the city of Balian. A thunderousmultiple steps along with the panting of horses echoed towrads the road of the city.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Hiyaahh! Hiyaahh!!" "Ahhh Cain!! Stop! Stop the carriage. I''m giving birth. I can''t hold it in anymore!" Shouted by the pained Ailene. Cained stopped the carriage to a nearby river, started a fire and laid down a piece of cloth at the ground where the poor Ailene was currently lying down with a pained expression. The moon was at it peak slowly transforming it''s beautiful golden color into a terrifying blood red glow. Cain didn''t care about his surroundings and was only focused at her beloved wife. Ailene spread out her legs while Cain kneeled in front of her waiting for what would happen next. The old lady that came along guided Ailene for giving birth.Ailene gasped for air everytime she pushes forward the air towards her abdomen. "Huuuup.. Ahhhh..." It was a repeated process, Cain couldn''t help but pray for the safety of Ailene and his child. "Uwaaah! Uwaah! Uwaah!" A cry. It was not from Ailene but from the little figure she brought up through her almost endless suffering. Hearing this, the worried Cain relaxed his heart and lifted up the little one bringing it closer to it''s mother. The little one was still crying but was immediately stopped after feeding to its mother''s breast. Happiness covered the hearts of the couple. "It''s a boy." Said the old lady. "Ailene, he''s so handsome. Look, he got your blue eyes and my brown hair. Hahaha" Ailene can''t respond because of her weakened state after the ordeal. Cain noticed something wrong about the state of her wife. "Ailene... Hey Ailene what''s is wrong?" She only signaled Cain to get closer and whispered to him. "Eisen, our child''s name is Eisen a strong child like his father." With the last ounce of her hair she held her child and kissed his forehead. Tears flowed down upon Ailene and smiled. "I''m sorry my child, I can''t watch you grow or reprimand you for flipping up the skirt of girls that you like. Cain..." Ailene didn''t finish her words, her arms lost the strength and her eyes slowly closed. Cain cried deeply. Even the old lady at the carriage couldn''t help to cry at the scene unfolding before her eyes. A blinding light seared out their surroundings covered up the baby that Ailene was currently holding. Change started to occur, the baby''s hair slowly dyed with deep red along it''s eyes. After the light dissipated Cain and the old lady noticed the chang about the baby, even the red moon changed back to it''s original golden color.
Asra Empire Deep in the castles catacombs a group of mage is clamoring about the situation. Sandro silenced everyone in secret meeting at at the catacombs with a simple slam of his rod at the ground. Right after the mages went silent the door opened and the emperor walked past the kneeling mages. "Sandro." "Yes your majesty. Thes blood moon is currently happening. We already sensed the prophecied child." "Set the plans in motion. I want to accomplish the task left by our ancestors as soon as possible." "I live by your words your majesty." Sandro replied with a voice filled with respect. followed by the other mages and knights that guarded the emperor.
Destrudia Kingdom "Call the king immediately!" A panicked shout echoed around the magicians tower. The mages were in disarray about the blood moon event, some were scared, some were excited about the event. High Mage Hexoram, the current court magician and the current head of the magicians tower awaited in the top of the tower for the king, they were intrigued by a vision given to the old priestess of the kingdom. As the king arrived at the tower''s top floor the panicking mages started to calm down and bowed their heads rasing their palms towards their heart as a sign of respect for their king. "My king, priestess Hildegard had a vision." "What is it? Tell me Hexoram. Why are your fellow mages were scared?" "Darkness once again embraced the land. The great evil will return and destroy everyting under it''s lordship." "What?! What do you mean Hexoram? Great evil? Don''t tell me it''s..." "We also suspect that your majesty." "Hand down an order at every city and towns to gather talented individuals specially with magic and train them at the capital. We should prepare our assets to protect this kingdom to an impending danger that we may face in the future." "It shall be done my king." Hexoram bowed once again along the others at the order of the king.
Somewhere deep in the abyss Groowll... The creature started to move and started to send out a terrifying aura to it''s surrounding bringing death to those who are weak willed creatures. It''s eyes glowed in crimson with a majestic feeling to it. Standing 30 metres tall and wings that span about 40-metres wide. Pitch black scales covered it''s skin with streaks of red line in every cracks of its body. It was like an obsidian with traces of molten rocks. It started to fly going back to it''s domainafter conquering a new piece of land to expand it''s territory. There it landed to a giant crater devoid of life. ''Finally.'' Chapter 3: Growth 1 Balian city, a city located near the great forest of Talrom, one of the major cities of Destrudia kingdom. Houses are majorly made with bricks and stones with a medieval feel to it. At night magical devices light up the streets. A magic stone engraved with different set of symbols encased in a glass with metal frame on it, the device gathers magical energy at it''s surroundings that converts it into light, giving the city a magical scenery every night. The city is ruled by duke Wyke Glandial, the undisputed ruler of the city. They ruled the city for more the eight generations giving them a stable position at most of the nobility in Destrudia kingdom. The morning hustle and bustle of city streets is starting to unfold as sun rise into the sky. One by one windows are opening after the other signaling the start of a new day. 5 years came to pass as if it was like yesterday. Cain started to live at the capital after that fateful evening that changed his life forever. Now solely focused raising Ailene''s only legacy, their son Eisen. Cain decided to work as a gatekeeper near the Gatekeepers tavern. Whenever he goes to work he left Eisen at the tavern, it was like a second home for them. "Good morning Eisen, come here my boy let''s eat. I will leave early today for my duty. Stay with uncle William for the rest of the day. I will pick you up later." Eisen nodded as he understood his father while chugging down the fried eggs in his plate. "And don''t forget to drink your milk." After they ate they headed directly at the Gatekeepers tavern, Cain greeted William and the workers as he left Eisen with them. "What did you eat today Eisen? I think you''ve grown a little bit." William lifted up Eisen then tickled him a little. "It''s bread and eggs and... Ummm, yes milk." William felt light heartedly at the cuteness displayed by the little boy. She remembered Ailene her former worker as Eisen resembled her so much. They soon entered the shop and started preparing to open the tavern. Hungry patrons filled the tavern to fill their empty stomachs early in the morning. It was a little rowdy because of the brawny men that argued what kind of work they should do for the day. Eisen ran around the shop and played with some other kids that the custmers brought. They were fascinatedby the little boy''s seemingly endless energy to play around. He was well known around the city gates because of his peculiar blood red hair and eyes. Such a sweet little boy brought happiness to the weary adventurers whoever saw him. Another two years has passed like a dream.
Eisen is now seven years old, he still hanged out at the tavern whenever his father is out working. He now fully understand his father who spent most of his time away, at first he was lonely that they rarely spent the time together. Sometimes Cain will be drafted as a scout or one of the guards that guarded the count. He was almost away for a week sometimes, and in some cases about two to three weeks of not coming home. "May I take your orders Mr. Rowan?" Rowan, the leader of a party of five adventurers known as Rum Barrels party. They got this title as they were always drunk everytime they got paid at the job they took. "Five cups of freshly brewed beer, you know, the usual and three pieces of nice grilled razor beak birds." "Coming right away." "And Eisen don''t forget the lemon." Eisen is now helping at tavern. Though tavern master Willian is against it, he couldn''t do anything at the conviction of the boy to help. He left it aside as Cain also granted a permission about it. Sometimes he collects the dishes, cleans the tables and take the orders of the customers. He was never bored and enjoyed this type of work, he felt happy watching this scene even there are some cases that the customers almost fought inside the shop.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. In this particular day in the evening a group of ten people entered the tavern, wearing heavy armors, with spears, swords and shields along them. Led by a large stature man that stood two metres high that is around his twent-nine to thirty-four years of age. He wore a beautifull ornamented armor along with his gold hilted blade strapped in his waist, with a red cape on its back. Everyone at the tavern stopped and watched the group enter the shop. Eisen who didn''t notice the group as he delivers an ordered drink to a customer bumped into the leader of the group. He got outbalanced and spilled the drink that was to be delivered to the legs of the groups leader. The leader instantly flared with anger. "You little shit! You dare dirty my precious armor with your stinking beer and your dirty hands!" He grabbed Eisen at his shirts collar and raised him into the air. The little boy''s body that seemed weightless was thrown at a nearby table making a loud thud at the tavern. "Blaag!!" Eisen smashed into the table making the table and chairs turned upside down with the force of impact that it received. Everyone at the tavern went silent. Williams eyes grew larger at the scene that unfolded before his eyes. Those eyes were instantly replaced by a sharp gaze along with the gnashing of his teeth due to extreme anger. Some of the regular customers picked up Eisen who laid unconscious under the flipped table. Rowan who just arrived at the tavern doors stopped at the strange atmosphere at the shop, his eyes wandered for a moment then stopped where Eisen was located unconcsious. Now he understood what is happening. Suddenly a surge of killing intent along with a deadly magical energy covered the shop making the normal customers to flee the scene. Rowan who understood the situation, quickly closed the door and made his men to standby at the door to prevent anyone to enter or leave after the customers left the tavern. Tavern workers took Eisen at the innermost of the shop. "What is the meaning of this?! Huh?! Dirty fucking old man!" Old man William just walked outside the counter while removing top clothes. Revealing a battle-hardened body that still have lustrous look of a physically fit young man. Reeking with deathly aura some of the armored went were agitated that told their instincts to run away. "Do you want to oppose us?! Don''t you know who we..." The leader of the group didn''t even have the chance to finish his words as he was already slammed into tavern walls. Left and right of the walls were smashed one after the other. The armored men didn''t even realize what is happening when suddenly Rowan punched and kicked them one by one. Some of the customers who stayed at the tavern started to join the fray and started attacking the armored men. The old man is still not satisfied beating the leader and kept him slamming into the different parts of the tavern. He grabbed his arms, legs, neck. Whatever part of the body he grabbed he will just slam and slam and slam him. Before the man lost his conciousness he saw the old man charge his right hand with mana(magical energy) before punching him in his solar plexus making his beatiful armor shatterd into thousand into pieces making him nude before he slammed into the roof walls and was thrown outside the tavern. Rowan and the others just finished rounding up the armored men leaving some of them unconscious or moaning with great deal of pain. The street was disturbed at the noises coming from the tavern before someone flew outside, naked and unconscious. Guards of the city started to pour where the commotion is happening. Everyone was shocked in disbelief of what they had saw. Commotions like this almost never happened in this area because of the flock of the guards that mantained the area. "What is happening here?!" Asked by the leader of the guards. It was corps leader Zane, with all of his unit. "They started this. They hurted Cain''s son." "Cain? You mean Cain under my unit?" "Yes, his son is still unconcious, and his father went on a scouting mission." Rowan was the one who answered. Some of the citizens murmured at the event. ''Tch! They deserve that for hurting that little boy.'' "We need to investigate this matter, for now come with us to clear the situation." Everyone who participated the one-sided beating left to go into city guard''s headquarters. "What the was that old man?! Damn! I never thought that you have that monstrous strength under that old bones of yours! hahaha" "I better behave at your shop or else i might taste that horrifying shit." Rowan joked. The injured assailants were brought to the healing center and stayed there for one day before heading into the headquarters.
Fredigar''s POV After thetiring mission that we received at the adventurers guild we decided to take a detour to a nearby city. I planned to eat at the closest tavern without paying using my family''s name. I bet these lowly commoners will cower when they heard my name and grovel at my feet for attention. As we entered a tavern, they gazed at us especially me. That''s right lowly scumbags behold my prestigous aura and be captivated by this extremely expensive armor that you will never ever wear even once in your pathetic life! A child bumped at Fredigar. This little piece of shit dare to sully this expensive armor! I should teach him a lesson he will never forget. He then grabbed and thrown the child in front of him. Suddenly a violent killing aura along a deathly magical energy surged the area Fredigar gulped in his throat, he wasn''t thirsty but he felt his throat dried up from the pressure coming from the old man walking towards him. "What is the meaning of this?! Huh?! Dirty fucking old man!" "Do you want to oppose us?! Don''t you know who we..." "Blaag!" What happened?! Ughh... Pained coursed his entire body while coughed some blood. Everything went hazy after that. Fredigar''s body couldn''t even keep up from what is happenning making him disoriented and couldn''t process what just occured. This old man. Shit! I shouldn''t have come here! This can''t be happening to me. Im the first heir to the house of Eginhardt at the capital! Mana manipulation? What the hell is happening?! This old man could even use mana?! Bang! A loud explosion then destroyed the taverns walls sending Fredigars''s naked body outside the shop. Chapter 4: Growth 2 Clang! Clang! Clang! Rythmic ringing of the bells echoed throughout the city along with the bustling noise of the streets. The ringing of the bells signalled the people that it was already noon, some prayed at the Goddess Elunia they believed in, some took a break from doing their work, but for William and Rowan along the other five men it was the start of their trial. Rowan and his companions were a bit nervous about the situation they were in while William calmly observed the surroundings. It was his first time entering the Judgement Hall of the city of Balian. This is where they hand out the punishment for different crimes that occured in their territory. It was located near the house of the city lord, the reason for this is for the lord to access the hall whenever he was needed. The hall was large enough to handle about a hundred people at once, at the center of the hall there stood a platform where important personality were seated. The opposing partieswere located at the left and right side of the hall facing each other to prevent unneccessary actions like brawling. Fifteen guards were situated inside the hall along with two mages to prevent certain actions of the participants in the trial. ''Damn, this might be my last time seeing the outside world.'' ''Are we gonna get imprisoned?'' ''Ahh I already miss the smell of freedom.'' Cold sweat ran thru the spines of Rowan and others after they learned that they messed up a son of a noble from the capital. "Old man why are you so silent today? Don''t tell me that you are also scared?" "I know we screwed up big time. But it''s strange for you to be like this." William did not respond at Rowan. Rowan then started to become restless and started to squabble along the others. Fredigar started to glare accross the hall with such hatred within his eyes especially at the old man who sat there comfortably without paying attention to him. They were all fully healed after spending a day at the healing center of the city. Even broken bones were mended as if it was never broken. This is one of the wonders of having a talent in mana manipulation. "Just you wait! I will make sure you will taste hell after this!" Fredigar spat out words not befitting a noble due to his hatred against the old man. The other ten were seated behind the angry Fredigar. ''This stupid noble.'' ''Ignorant fool.'' ''I shouldn''t have joined this man. If not only for money I would have abandoned him before we were dragged because of his foolish action.'' But such thoughts were just kept at the back of their minds, even they scorned him so much. "Fuck!" Fredigar punched of his men. "Rise! Count Wyke Glandias is entering the judgement hall." Everyone rose to their seats waiting for the count to signal them to be seated. "Be seated." "We will now start the trial." Count Wyke initiated the trial. "As investigated, the group of Mr. Fredigar Eginhardt entered the tavern called Gatekeepers Tavern near the eastern city gates in the afternoon. After entering the tavern Mr. Fredigar threw a child thus started the commotion." "I would like to hear the opinion of the tavern owner." "Yes my lord. Mr. Fredigar threw a child which was staying at our tavern after his father left him for work. I was agitated at the scene before my eyes and took action to protect the child." "How about the others?" "We also felt the same way as William my lord." Rowan replied with a freezing voice because of fear. "Thank you Mr. William." "Now I would like to hear the opinion of Mr. Fredigar Eginhardt." "Yes count Wyke. That is not true! I just merely gave the child a light tap. It was them who sullied my expensive armor! I think they purposely sent that child to humiliate me!" "Didn''t you know that im the heir to the Eginhardt house at the capital?! Huh?!" "Even torture will not be enough to pay for the crimes that you did to me! You humiliated me in everyones ones!" Fredigar shouted inside the hall making the city lord to touch his forehead. "Silence." It was a normal tone but carried a lot of weight. Fredigar immediately went silent before going back to his seat. "True that you suffered humiliations caused by the people from the tavern. But you will not be the one to decide the punishment!" Rowan and the others frowned at the shocking news that their enemy was a heir from a noble family. Now the seeds of fear grew into panic in their hearts. The crowd went into silence.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "I will now hand out the punishment for this trial." "My lord may I be permitted to present something in this hall?" William asked the city lord. The count just waved his hand in agreement. "Thank you my lord." William then brought out a golden necklace embeded by twelve different gems of different colors. Engraved with different symbols that only high ranking inviduals know of its value. The city lord frowned at object William presented before him. He panicked for a while and stood from where he was seated making chair to go down. He immediately kneeled before William. The audience and the guards were shocked at the city lord''s actions. "What is the meaning of this?!" Fredigar shouted. "You ignorant fool! This is the crest of the twelve heroes! Given by the king! Just by it''s appearance it was the king itself!" Count Wyke shouted while in nobles kneeling position. Everyone panicked then kneeled one after the other, even the companions of Fredigar immediately knelt before the crest. "Mr. Fredigar of Eginhardt, you dare to feign ignorance after what you did at Eisen? Who we treated like a member of a family. My lord, I think I have spoken too much. I believe that you still have to hand down the judgement for this trial." Count Wyke immediately stood up and faced the kneeling Fredigar. "Mr. Fredigar Eginhardt you are guilty for hurting a child and destroying a private property and disturbing public order in my city. Therefore I sentence you to pay all the damage incurred within the city and pay up for the repairs for the tavern. You are also banned to enter the city for five years." "Wha..?!" Fredigar stopped his words and bit his tongue due to frustration. ''FUCK! I didn''t expected that crest of heroes! Your time will come too! I''ll make sure for you to pay for it!'' "As for you William and the others you are now free to go." "Thank you my lord." "Whoohoooo!! Yeah!!" Rowan and the others were so happy that they wouldn''t be imprisoned anymore. The trial ended immediately and everyone went back to their usual business. There''s still much work to do, they will have to rebuild the tavern. "You won''t ask me why I have those?" Asked William to Rowan and the others. "No, I''m interested but I do respect the secrets of other''s and I know you will tell us at a different time. I think you owe us a drink." "Ha ha ha" William laughed, he was back at his old self. Not a trace of angered William remained in his face, rather it was an innocent look of an ordinary old man.
Count Wyke POV "Bring me some tea at my room." He ordered one of his servants. ''I still couldn''t believe it. For me to lay eyes to such a relic. What is his connection to the twelve heroes?'' Endless thoughts pestered the city lord after the trial. Knock Knock "My lord, the tea is her." "Come in, place it in the table then you can leave." The servant bowed at the lord. While sipping his tea, he suddenly remembered something. "William... William... Ahhhhh Don''t tell me?! He''s the mad master William!" He dropped the cup of tea he was holding. ''Who would have thought that one of the legendary twelve heroes would reside in my city.''
Eight days passed after the incident. Everything is back to normal. Eisen lively helped out at the tavern. A familiar figure entered the tavern. "Eisen you in here? Where are you my boy?" "I''m here pops." "Whaa.." "Old bone! What happened to my sweet innocent child?!" "Ha ha ha I don''t know." "Bring me a cup of booze." William and Cain talked about what happened while he was gone, at first he was mad but immediately calmed down. "I''m sorry for bringing you trouble." "Don''t be, we are happy that we are taking care of Eisen. He''s like a grandson to me." Cain stayed for another two days before going back to his duty, he isalways assigned as a scout because he was a former hunter. "Gramps I''ll stroll at the plaza for a bit." "Be careful, be sure to be back before dinner." Eisen walked towards the plaza taking the shortest route possible by going into the corners of the streets, he first strolled at the market where merchants of different nations gathered. A dark skinned man, buffed up dwarf, different type of demi humans also mixed in. From meat, herbs, weapons, armors, artifacts to scrolls everything converge their products here hoping for a good day sale. "Whoa! What a big sword! I would like to use that one time!" His eyes glistened at the items displayed at market. He often visited the weapon and armor shop at these area especially the skill scroll area. Skill scroll, a scroll contained a single skill that can be engraved to a person to use, but the scroll is quite expensive especially rare to epic grade skills. Mostly nobles and royalty could own scrolls like these. Eisen day-dreamed as he dazed around the scrolls imagining himself fighting monsters wearing armors, swords and using magic. The shop owner noticed Eisen and scowled at him. "Shoo! Shoo!" "Get out of here poor brat! You will ruin my business! Go home and steal somewhere else!" This usually happens whenever he stand in front of the shops. But he wasn''t disheartened by this kind of words. "Someday, I will be." He then heared screams and cheers at the plaza. Intrigued, he rushed at where the plaza is. There he saw a parade, people cleared the streets. All the citizens were line up at the sidewalks. Cheers became louder and louder as the group of three people came riding a dark walker horse. It is a horse lived at the shadow valley, they feed on magical energy to sustain their life. It is said that it was very hard to tame a dark walker, most of the tamers died by attempting to tame one. Only high levelled adventurers are able to tame this wild one. Majestic black fur, smoke rising to it''s feet, eyes as red as an apple. Truly a sight to behold but there is than the horse. It is the riders of the dark walker. At the center a very handsome man with well groomed brown hair, a pair of hazel eyes and a sharp chin. He wore a full plate armor fitted his beautifully carved body. Beautiful emerald broadsword strapped at his back and long red cape with a dragon drawn within it. The other two were slightly behind him, a male and a female. The male wore leather armor with a bow at his back, he wore a hood and covered half of his face. The female wore a robe but it doesn''t look like a robe because of its design, it was fitted against her, outlining the feminine figure of her body and supple round chests that shook at every step of the dark walker. She had a short blonde hair paired with beautiful green eyes. "Hooray! Its the Hero Prince!" "Prince Lysander please look at me!" "High Mage Leena please wave this way!" "Bow Master Redge is so cool!" Countless cheers filled up the plaza. Some of the people started praying at Goddess Elunia, others were crying at the scene. It was a very rare scene to see the party of the hero prince so the people were very happy at this moment. Eisen who crawled at the feet of the people just to the heroes stopped at the moment he laid his eyes in the street. Everything paused for a moment, he felt a surging unexplainable feeling in his heart. It was very hot, a burning sensation that stayed in chest. ''I know what I will be in the future!'' "I will become a hero! Admired by all like the prince." That night he couldn''t get even a wink of sleep.
City lord''s house "Count Wyke, we have received your reports. We decided to check upon it before we proceed to our next mission. Strange things are already happening all around the kingdom. The king is worried about so he quickly dispatched us and the other elites to ivestigate this kind of matter." "I thank you for your quick response Prince Lysander. It was pretty alarming, it started three months ago when some of the citizensthat went outside suddenly vanished. After a few days we sent a search party at a nearby forest then found the mutilated bodies of the citizens." "Last month a caravan was also attacked but the bodies were left behind, I am worried for the safety of my citizens. The attacks are becoming more frequent these days. Around 100 people were already killed." "Leave it to us Count Wyke. We will depart at dawn and start investigating nearby villages." "Thank you Prince Lysander. Please have some rest I feel that you must be tired from the journey." "Okay Count Wyke I will be retiring for now. Goodnight." "Goodnight Prince Lysander."
The sleepless Eisen decided to sneak outside the tavern after packing up some meat jerky and water. He planned to wait for the hero''s party to depart and intended to follow them. He hid into a nearby wagon and waited patiently, looking around, inspecting the area for signs of the hero''s party. His patience bore fruit as he saw the silhouette of the hero followed by two more people. He waited before they passed outside the gate before sneaking out to follow them. Prince Lysander noticed the presence of the child, he wanted to stop the child but abandoned the idea because the child might be heading to a different village. Thus the first adventure of Eisen outside the city walls started.