A New Job

Perspective : Conrad Garnier

{ Inside Conrad's dream }

(This isn't)

(Where am I?)

I found myself on a vast snow covered field, snow and snow, as far as the eye could see.

(Yet .... I don't feel any cold)

An ethereal stillness hung in the air. That was when, the silence was broken, by the distant sound of crunching footsteps, growing steadily closer, as I turned, my eyes widened in both fear and fascination.

Emerging from the fog was a black shadow, Its figure morphed and contorted elongating in unnatural ways.

It carried a gleaming knife, with a wicked blade reflecting the moonlight, casting an eerie glow upon the snow, as I ran, the contrast between dark silhouette and luminous surroundings intensified, my sense of danger.

(The hell...)

(Leave me alone)

As, I continued to run, my heart raced and the shadow's feature became more discernible. It's hair was of an otherworldly state of Vibrant green, floated around its face creating an ominous aura.

It looked like, the hair seemed to possess a life of it's own, swirling and twisting in the frigid wind.

With each step the shadow grew closer, its speed was unparalleled, despite my running, with each step it grew closer and closer, sending shivers down my spine.

As, I kept running, the ground beneath me shattered, and I found myself tumbling down in an endless chasm, darkness enveloped me, the void stretching infinitely in every direction.

Upon a quick glance upward, I saw my mysterious assailant fade into nothingness.

I felt weightless, as if time and space had lost their grip on reality.

Then,

Within the depths of the chasm, a figure emerged from extreme darkness, donned in a robe that shimmered with flickering shadows. It's form shifting and changing resembling both familiarity and unpredictability. I was drawn to it, I felt an inexplicable connection.

While we continued to fall together, that figure extended its arms, its touch both comforting and chilling.

Its embrace carried a sense of profound acceptance, as if the shadows themselves were cradling me in their ethereal essense.

Together we descended deeper into the chasm, becoming one with the dark void.

As, I descended into that bottomless chasm, along with that enigmatic figure, something unexpected happened, a gruesome sight unfolded before us.

We landed on a hellish landscape, covered in crimson snow, a dreadful carpet of solidified blood.

Awaking amidst that heart wrenching sight, I gazed around, my eyes drawn towards the familiar figure, that had fallen with me.

Only to see, it's betraying true form, a skeletal figure, with bits of flesh and blood still attached, now a former remnant of itself. Its bones scraped against the ground, creating haunting echoes in the air.

(Don't come any closer)

(Go away)

Yet, despite its ghastly appearance, its voice resonated with a plea for release, from its torment.

It was calling me, begging me.

But before it could reach me,

In a swift motion, a blade from another scythe swung through the air. Severing the skeletal figure's head.

(This essence)

(I remember.... this scent I remember)

As, its detached skull rolled away, my attention shifted to a new figure, a comforting dark presence clad in black robe.

(Ohh .. it's you again)

With a tap of her Scythe upon the crimson snow, a ripple of white spread through the landscape, altering its hue.

The bloody snow turned pure white, illuminating the chasm with a serene radiance.

The pain in my abdomen was gone.

The dark figure approached me, extending her hand as a beacon for liberation and guidance.

However, as I reached out to grasp her hand, I caught a fleeting glimpse of her face, distorted and illusive, as if a significant part of it was missing. but, that scent of ash still lingered in my nose.

[Decipher the dream if you can]

{ Conrad woke up }

As, I opened my eyes, a wave of hunger rumbled through my stomach.

Slowly awakening from my sleep, I found myself in bed beside Regina.

Upon peering out the window, I saw the evening sky painted in a shade of orange.

As I was hungry,

I shook Regina up,

"Hey ... wake up .... hey wake up ..... let's have something to eat .... I am hungry".

She responded with a "Hmmm".

While rubbing her fluttering eyes, before opening it.

And Yawning.

She asked "What happened?".

Instead, out of curiosity I asked her,

"You were moaning and smiling in your dreams, .... what were you dreaming about?".

As, Her face and ears became a hue of red, she replied.

"Shut up ... that's none of your business".

Then, while grabbing my coin pouch, I asked her.

"Today dinner's on me .... say what do you wanna have?".

Regina with a radiant smile answered, "I want to have turtle soup along with pieces of loaf".

I confirmed her wish,

"You sure you want to have that .... I can get you something much more expensive".

She said,

"No that will do, I haven't got much of an appetite right now".

She woke up from my bed and headed towards the bathroom.

It had been a week since, we dealt with that Acheri Monster.

In return, mister Lawrence rewarded us with a huge amount of gold.

From that day, we haven't worked a bit. Life became easy.

However,

It was getting a bit mundane to be honest.

While I descended the steps, the scent of ash brushed against my nose. My mind recalling that fateful encounter of many nights back. When I lay bleeding in the snow, and her presence graced me.

But in my vivid imagination, her face was a blur.

(Why?)

I started thinking about strange wierd details. Her face often washed before my eyes, and now I wasn't even able to recall it.

I, in an attempt to remember her face, recollected my memory of her, while I waited for Regina outside the bathroom.

However, before I was able to remember anything, regina interrupted me.

"The bathroom is all yours, now".

I snapped out of my day dream and went inside.

After washing my face and dawning my armour, I headed out with Regina to have a meal.

On our way we bumped into Yuna, It had already gotten quite dark.

But, the streets were lit and filled with shops, the city was still bustling.

She came towards me, holding a bottle of wine, stumbling slightly, and her face had a red hue. Yuna said,

"Oh, there you are!"

I commented,

"Isn't it a bit early to be, wasted?"

She retorted, "I'm not drunk!"

With a mischievous grin,

she added, "I can have more..."

followed by a burp.

in hopes of correcting her, I said,

"You shouldn't have more, you're having trouble maintaining your balance."

She playfully replied,

"That's not true... look, I can stand perfectly fine, see?"

She spoke with slurred words, resembling that of a drunk person.

I replied,

"No, you're not... you appear so unbalanced, as if a gentle breeze could easily topple you over."

She giggled and playfully hopped onto my back;

I could feel her lively breasts,

Her laughter echoed in my ears.

She suggested,

"If I'm truly that wasted... why don't you carry me back to my inn? Or maybe you have some other plans in mind?"

I was running out of my patience,

So I responded,

"I would gladly oblige... after all, neither of us will recall anything that happens today."

"But are you sure".

She responded while shifting herself upwards in my back, as she perfectly positioned her breasts upon my head,

"Ohh my! ... you have quite a way with your words... haven't you?".

She said that as her finger touched my nose tip.

She added,

"I like it".

I could feel Regina staring daggers into me.

Unfortunately, In a moment of extreme embarrassment, a sound escaped my stomach.

I was running out of patience, my hunger was now uncontrollable.

Yuna heard that,

and swiftly hopped off my back,

While she said,

"You poor thing ... It seems you don't have the necessary stamina required for the job".

And while I respected her gesture, that could have been phrased differently.

As Yuna left us alone,

Regina appeared pissed off, so I asked.

"What's got your horses on fire?".

She replied,

"That cow ..... You shouldn't let people like them near you".

"Not when you have ..... ".

She stopped in between her sentence so, I asked.

"When I have .... what?".

She pouted and faced the other way,

Regina said, "No .... never mind".

That felt a bit hollow, as if I missed something.

That day, we went to the guild, to have some food.

As, other inn's were packed full already.

While, we waited for our order to arrive, Guild master George came down and posted a new Job request on to the board.

He clapped twice to draw everyone's attention and said,

"We have discovered a new place that may contain treasures and artifacts beyond your wildest imaginations .... but like every other ruins out there, this too is shrouded in mystery and danger ..... the danger of the unknown ..... but Isn't it an adventurer's job to explore the unknown".

"What do you say, ohh fellow adventurers, Ohh fellow warriors, ... are you afraid or will you accept this challenge ..... earn glory and gold for yourselves ".

"Beyond the snowy caverns and mines .... lies an uncharted forest ... untouched by men for who knows how many centuries ..... it is called the weeping forest ..... we don't know what lies inside ..... It could be filled with treasures or monsters ..... or maybe a bit of both ".

Then someone interrupted the Guild master to ask,

"Isn't that the forest which is said to be haunted by an legendary monster".

The guild master then explained,

"Yes that was true .... a legendary monster called Acheri guarded the forest but ... our intel suggests that the guardian has mysteriously gone missing ....

and the forest can now be explored".

People didn't believe him, they started raising questions and accusations like,

"From whom did you get that Intel of yours?".

"This is complete bullshit ".

"I don't believe you".

"You are sending us to die".

The adventurers had varying opinions, with some believing in the challenge while others remained skeptical. Nonetheless, there were those who enthusiastically welcomed such challenges, undeterred by any potential risks involved.

The guild master went back to his office before announcing that,

"We are preparing an expedition ... those who will participate they will get 900 gold just for participating ... you will be paid seperately for your kills and findings ... the registration has started now".

After hearing about the adventure, even those adventurers who initially lacked interest became eager to join simply for the promise of gold. Regina and I were already tired of our dull routine and longed for some excitement.

Afterall a part of being an adventurer was adventuring.

Without hesitation, we decided to sign up for the task. We dedicated three days to prepare ourselves, and as the sun rose on the fourth day, our group set off from the town, embarking on an expedition to explore the intriguing "Weeping Forest.