Ch 4: Affinity Stone

If a Vilefang is near death, it will try to play dead because it can't stay invisible while gravely injured.

Sometimes it's easier to kill a Vilefang accidentally than to see it alive.

That's what Markus was thinking of, right then,

The last remaining Vilefang attacked from the right side of Markus as he was busy assaulting the other Vilefang!

Two sunken eyes study their surroundings from their wide sockets. A narrow nose rests below, but it's the giant mouth below that takes all the attention. A creepy smile reveals rows of broken teeth and a large tongue.

Its long brawny body stands straight. Two lean arms dangle at its sides and end in narrow hands with thick fingers, each with sharp nails.

Its legs are muscular and stand straight, each ending in large feet.

Its body is covered in smooth brownish skin and its shoulders are narrower than its pelvis.

More sword strikes came with incredible might; each capable of slaying the likes of Vilefang like butter. They also became increasingly stronger and stacked on top of each slash.

A direct thrust piercing the heart of the last Vilefang ended the fight. Vilefangs are creatures who die happily as the creepy smile doesn't fade even if they are dead.

Markus then cautiously split the bodies of Vilefang into two halves, confirming they remain dead.

After he effectively abolished them, he took a deep breath. His wildly beating heart slowly calmed down. The effects of the Nilreb concoction still remain, which makes him feel dizzy when the effect starts to wear off.

It's been three days since Markus had that conversation with Galen. To brew a Nilreb concoction, he had gathered the ingredients and followed the steps with absolute precision. Gathering ingredients for the concoction wasn't hard as it only takes commonly found herbs like Bitter Dill, Wild Sorrel, and Queen's Thyme. But it takes an extended period of time to brew this particular concoction.

That's one of the reasons why he is here exterminating monsters so late.

After that, he started heading back. It was nighttime. The modest, spongy wet cobblestone street is full of faded market stalls.

The Edia is an uncommon, tall tree and can be found only in a very specific spot. It blooms twice a year, for a week.

It has small, triangular leaves, which are usually dark green. It also grows decent-sized flowers, which can be dark blue, brown, and white. They can be used as a hallucinogen.

Markus saw the Edia tree and walked towards it. He came across a boulder of huge proportion there. The boulder seems to be hidden in the shade of the Edia.

Affinity Stone,

It seemed to be made from unknown material, already existing at the start of the world. The structure itself looked regular and untouched by time. However, The stone alone commanded respect and reverence even though he has yet to activate its power, not that he can. Only a mage can do that.

The Edia tree only grows alongside the Affinity Stone, like a servant following its master.

"Why must you resist me?" The stone pulled Markus in without warning, not his body but his mind.

"Why not?" Markus said flatly.

"Why not? Haha, well said." The stone laughed after hearing the reason.

"What would you do if there is a possibility of you being manipulated to do something you're not willing to do?" the stone then asked.

"That's an interesting scenario. It depends on The 'why'. Why should I be unwilling?"

"..."

"You can still return to me willingly. I will accept you even after what you've become. Future Awaits" Markus returned at this point. He could still hear the last bit 'Future Awaits', echoing in his brain. It felt like some kind of warning bell.

The eyes of Markus narrowed as he looked at the affinity stone again.

Whenever a mage activates an affinity stone, they can establish a connection with the gods. Whether or not they reply, depends on the gods. But sometimes gods use the affinity stone to contact people who are not magic users.

The Bleak Barrens

Cities came and went, rulers change, and rules change yet the desert remained in this place, unmoved.

The one constant in this desert was its unbearable heat and sandstorms.

The city of Golddune. Built upon the endurance, leadership, and darker times of its past, this place is now among the most needed region in its corner of the world.

Its sustainability, literacy, and natural resources are among its current greatest strengths. Unfortunately, they lack a little discipline and there are very few patriotic citizens.

The people of Golddune are delighted. They live honest lives and while discipline might be lacking, their strong trade industry helps relieve most of their issues.

Golddune is a plutocratic state. There are no opposing groups against the current leadership, but this is a fairly recent development.

However, the current greatest threat to the city is a conflict with a neighboring country, but the current leadership is alone in trying to solve this issue.

Religion holds a fair deal of importance in their lives and, if anything, has made them more helpful. The people of Golddune are extremely spiritual as well and they have intriguing rites of passage and an interesting way of life.

Every 2 years the Festival of Word is celebrated with much creativity. It's a holiday with mysterious roots, but today it is mostly associated with holiday-related drinks, exchanging gifts, traditional hair styling, truth, and dare games.

It is officially celebrated for five days, but the climax of the celebrations is in the final hours and is what everybody looks forward to. Cause that's when the magic fireworks show happens.

It is again that time today. Time for the festival to happen.

So many decorations can be seen on the both side of the road. People have decorated their houses for this festival.

Black, long hair hangs over a thin, sad face. Shuttered hazel eyes, set delicately within their sockets, watch heartily over the families they've worshipped for so long.

Fair skin gorgeously compliments his cheekbones and leaves a bittersweet memory of his fortunate survival.

There's something enthralling about him, perhaps it's a feeling of regret, or perhaps it's simply a feeling of arrogance. But nonetheless, people tend to socialize with him, while trying to avoid him.

As time passed, he still sat there without uttering a single word. His existence didn't affect the shop in the slightest. The only audible noise was the clamoring of happy people together with their loved ones.