《Ewan story》


 Chapter 1: Just another peaceful day

    Darkness... darkness envelopes me as I tread through infinite darkness. This feeling of emptiness that seems so familiar. I am tired, but not broken.


    Just ahead I see a faint light above a steep set of stairs. Stairs? Could this be a stairway to heaven? It draws me in closer.


    This tired body of mine tells me to rest, but I know that I will not have another chance like this again. I do not want to stay in this darkness any longer, I rush the steep stairs, although slow and weary I climb with every strength I have.


    So tired... but I''m almost there.


    Finally I reach the end of the unforgiving stairs. I need to exercise more, I think to myself. Right in front of me stood a glowing door.


    I have no idea what lies beyond this lone door in a sea of darkness, but if my father taught me anything, by sweat and blood, it will all be worthit.


    I smile at the thought of what''s behind this door. As I entered, what lies inside was what I hoped it to be. A DRAGON! I frozed momentarily as the beast gazed in my direction like it was waiting for me.


    Now that I have finally come all the way here, I feel as though I am staring right at death''s door. One wrong move and my life would be over in a flash. What is this feeling?


    No, Fear is not the word I''m looking for. I feel ALIVE! I finally began to move as in no way am I going to die here.


    The dragon held back it''s head as it begins inhaling, preparing for a fire attack. I unsheath my sword and charged the beast with one thought in mind. Glory awaits.


    The dragon charged a full fire breath attack. With nothing to defend against an attack like that, I closed my eyes as I accept my fate. ''CHIRP!''. Huh? I''m pretty sure dragons dont chirp.


    Oh right, it''s slowly sinking in now. This glorious battle, this beast, this battle, this feeling... it''s all a dream.


    *Slam ''Wake up!''. Your sister Meryll shouts as she slams the door againts the wall full force.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ''Geez, cooking is hard enough, now I gotta wake you up too? Hurry up breakfast is ready'' she says annoyingly.


    ''Ok ok I''m up *Yawn'', I say still half asleep as she retreats back downstairs to the kitchen.


    She''s always like this, loud and always nagging. On the other hand, I''m always like this, sleepy and lazy.


    Our house is not that big, quite small actually. It''s two stories high but the second floor only has our bedroom. The first floor consists only of a bathroom, a dining room, and a kitchen. The grogginess is fading away from the scent of breakfast.


    Now that I''m fully awake, let me tell you about the world I live in. My name is Ewan, 19 years old. I guess you already met my sister Meryll. Don''t mind her she may be annoying but she''s actually nice.


    I currently live in a small town called Sinep. By small I mean a population of less than a hundred small. It''s a secluded village at the base of a hill with a lake at the north and surrounded by a forest.


    It wasn''t always like this, 10 years ago we used to have a lot of residents in Sinep. Many towns were valued for their resources such as lumber, stone, cloth, food, and and such.


    Our town was famous for its military. Many famous generals and commanders came from our town valuing strength, strategy, and military prowess. But not anymore, that was ten years ago. From a population of thousands, our town population dwindled. The reason for this is war.


    We are at war with a neighbouring country. Soldiers and militia were drafted again and again from our town every year or so, including our father which I fear won''t return anytime soon.


    Right now our town is peaceful as long as the kingdom''s walls stand. However, I have an awful feeling that someday my greatest fear will happen, and if the kingdom falls, so will our peaceful days.

 Chapter 2: War torn family

    Meryll''s cooking was delicious as always. Mornings such as these make Ewan appreciate how peaceful it is today, despite their rulers being at war.


    ''I had the best dream today.'' Ewan says as he chews his food.


    ''Don''t talk with your mouth full, fool. So what''s up with your dream this time?'', she says.


    ''There was this HUGE hydra, then BAM! I slayed it perfectly.'' He says with a childish smile.


    ''Slayed it with what, your looks? You sure you weren''t barbequed to death?'' She says with a smirk.


    ''Hahahahaha-No... at least I don''t snore like a hydra like you'' replied Ewan, obviously annoyed. Scenes like these are common with siblings.


    ''Well, if you have time to daydream so much, why won''t you get a real job?''. Meryll says with her mouth full, expecting an embarrased reaction from Ewan.


    ''I told you before, I''m gonna become an adventurer just like dad!'' Ewan says with a proud smile.


    *SLAM! Meryll stood up and slammed the table. Ewan quite shocked by the reaction of her sister, but he expected this to happen just like last time. Being an adventurer meant being a wandering soldier, applicable for war.


    ''Why?... I don''t get you...'' She says as tears begin forming on her round eyes.


    The recent carefree atmosphere suddenly vanished and turned akward. Something has been bothering her about her younger brother.


    ''Ever since dad left, you''ve been acting strange! Just because mom and dad are gone doesn''t mean you can do what you want. Remember, I''m the older sibling here!'' Meryll says with a hint of deep sadness.


    ''Dad didn''t leave us. He was drafted by the kingdom, you know that'', Ewan says looking down on the unfinished food of her sister.


    ''Why adventurer? It''s tiring, unforgiving, and dangerous!'' She says.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Ewan is used to his loud sister, but no matter how many times it happens, he will never get used to his sister''s crying.


    She rarely ever cries, even when they were kids. In fact, Ewan was a crybaby when he was young, relying on his older sister for comfort whenever he cries, but that was the past.


    Ewan has admired his father since he was a kid, but Meryll on the other hand being the older one got left with all the responsibilities and felt abandoned. However, now that they are the only family left Meryll fears that Ewan will just leave her, just like her dad.


    ''I''ve been thinking a lot about it and I have decided, you can''t stop me. I want to do something with my life. We have to move on and do what we want, and I want to be an advent.'' says Ewan.


    Meryll knew that someday his burden of a brother would leave her, but being alone would be a hundred times heavier a burden on her weak heart. ''Dreaming about it is one thing but... *sigh you''re right'' she says softly.


    Meryll takes a deep breath, reaches in her pocket and says '' I knew this day would come. Here, this letter arrived yesterday.''


    Ewan observed the letter. The brown envelope had a wax crest from the kingdom, sealing the letter.


    ''Oh my Asgard! This is from the kingdom!'' Ewan says.


    Meryll had no words for she has been quite guilty since she hid the letter that came in yesterday, but replied with ''Yeah''.


    Knowing that her time with her only family Ewan would be cut short, fills her with fear and despair, but at the same time seeing her annoying crybaby little bro smile makes her weak heart at peace.


    Meryll faces her fear, allowing him to follow his dreams, because she deeply loves what remains of her war torn family, Ewan.

 Chapter 3: Red hood

    Ok time for a bit of history lesson. In this world there are four big time kingdoms that rule the continents.


    The kingdom of Anigav, consisting mostly of humans. The kingdom of Nekros, also known as the land of the dead. Kingdom of Orgoth, like zoot*pia is inhabited mainly of beastmen. Lastly, the kingdom of heavenly beings such as fairies, pixies, and elves called Ellen.


    At present, the most feared and powerful is the kingdom of Nekros, known widely for their army of skeleton soldiers and twisted way of turning the bodies of enemies they have slain into zombies, making them a very formidable foe.


    Orgoth made up mostly of beastmen are very territorial and trade oriented. Their economy is efficient and sustainable, relying on trade of raw materials from neighboring kingdoms.


    The kingdom of Ellen however, is by far the oldest known kingdom. Everyone has heard of Ellen in legends, songs, and children stories. However, only a handful of people has seen the land of Ellen as it is a pacifist kingdom. Legends of old say that it is an island floating in the sky, silently watching over us.


    Finally, there is Anigav the kingdom of humans. Unlike other kingdoms, Anigav allows the immigration of foreign races. However, not all creatures want to join Anigav since it is presently the weakest of the four kingdoms. Add the reason that it is currently at war with Nekros, makes joining Anigav seem a crazy thought.


    Nekros and Anigav has been at war for over ten years now, leading many to expect Anigav''s annihilation, but amazingly Anigav is barely withstanding the attacks of Nekros. The cause of this is none other than the ''Advent Guild'' that originated from Ewan''s town, Sinep.


    The quality of Sinep''s soldiers are of top demand, especially now that the kingdom is at war with currently the most powerful kingdom Nekros.


    Moving on with the story -----


    Ewan finally got a recruitement letter from the palace. The letter reeks an aura of nobility.


    At the center is a wax crest with an image of a shield and two swords, a coat of arms.


    Ewan excited but nervous at the same time, opens the letter, reading it aloud for his sister Meryll to hear.


    "This letter is proof of recruitment to the ''Advent Guild''.


    You are now applicable for rank:Rookie status. However, please be advised that in order to ensure survivability, there will be tests and trials. Passing will ensure a permanent membership of the guild.


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


    Due to sudden events, tomorrow we will send a member from the guild to proctor the trials in the comfort of your own town. Please be guided accordingly and goodluck!


    --Advent Admin "


    Ewan still processing the information, silently read it once more and stood in shock.


    ''This is TODAY!!''


    Realizing that since Meryll hid the letter yesterday, it means that the trials will be held later in the afternoon, one hour from now.


    ''Today!?'' Meryll says equally startled.


    ''Hurry! Where''s my armor?!'' He says panicking.


    ''Wa-wait watch out for---''


    *crack


    ''OOUCH! MY FOOT! DAMN TABLE''


    Chaos ensued.


    Meanwhile at the capital of Anigav, on the terrace of the palace stands an old man gazing out the plains outside his castle walls.


    "This peace, how long will it last?" he murmurs to himself.


    It has been 3 months since the last attack from Nekros. Which only makes the king more worried, revealing his wrinkles.


    A moment later, a messenger appeared behind him. Kneeling down, he delivers his message.


    "My king, another army from Nekros are heading towards the palace. They may reach us within two days time."


    The palace is surrounded by three layers of thick wall with ballistas along every five meter along the wall totaling of around twenty five thousand meters and harboring over a hundred thousand guards, making it nearly impenetrable.


    However, he does not want to underestimate a threat to his capital.


    " We should probably set up an ambush. Hmmm, but charging my impenetrable Capital head on only makes it look like a trap.


    Gather the Generals, and inform the Advent guild." Commands the king with a cold voice.


    "Excuse me your highness, but Advent? Won''t they overdo it like last time?"


    "Yes, to underestimate a foe is to be a fool. I am no fool. I will not risk giving them a chance to invade the palace. Now do as I say " he says impatiently.


    "Yes my king"


    Back to the town of Sinep. A lone carriage being pulled along by a horse approaches. Inside sitting comfortably is a girl with brown hair, wearing a leather vest and a red hood.


    "Looks like I''ll be having fun today" she says mischeviously.