An Encounter or an Illusion

Perspective : Conrad Garnier

He adorned himself with a thick leather armor, sporting an eye patch, a snake symbol on his neck, a clean-shaven bald head, had a great sword strapped on to his back, and appeared to be quite intoxicated. Accompanying him were two equally dubious-looking companions. He rose from his chair and shouted.

"Quit your mindless prattle! ... let me enjoy my drink in peace."

He shouted in response to the constant praise Regina was receiving from those other adventurers, which seem to have gotten on his nerves.

Amidst that, Elkdrack asked me,

"Do you know that guy?".

I replied,

"No .... haven't seen him around here before ...".

I said while addressing his companions,

"Nor them".

Regina was an exceptional mage, she hit "S" rank in no time.

yes, that should not be as much of an impressive feat if she was a man. but the fact was, she wasn't.

Lady adventurers in general were quite rare because it was said that the constitution of mana in a female is weaker than that of a man.

Offcourse they are all theories.

And there exists counter theories, facts and evidence pointing it to be incorrect.

However, It aligned with people's beliefs and as a result, very few questioned it.

And that guy looked like a man who seemed to be a believer of such theories, he appeared sure that Regina was bluffing about her strength. As she could never be strong enough to reach "S" rank. so, he decided to call up on her farce.

Evidently,

When people are dosed in alcohol they tend to be honest.

He said,

"Don't be fooled by this woman .... a delicate flower like her only lasts in a bed ... not in a battlefield."

He said that while attempting to gently caress Regina's cheek, but Regina, on the other hand, grabbed his hand and attempted to twist it.

That bald guy let out an embarrassing noise.

While she firmly twisted his arm and held it behind his back, she gently whispered into his ear,

"Are you absolutely certain, my friend? This woman is a living contradiction to your statement ".

He shouted,

"You wench .... you harlot ... I demand to be released at once".

Regina promptly released him, while delivering a swift kick to his back.

That bald guy, while cradling his wrist responded.

"Looks like I have to show you ... your place ...".

Regina replied,

"It seems you haven't had enough".

With the use of her wind magic, Regina secretly drew her hand backward, conjuring a vibrant green mystical orb that emanated an enchanting glow. As, she extended her hand towards that bald guy, the force of her power propelled him through the air, causing him to collide forcefully with the wall, resulting in an impact.

Everyone was watching, this must have been humiliating for him. He woke up and with anger on his face marched right up to Regina.

This was bad, very bad. I knew how men like him behaved because my old country was filled with jerks like him. I had to do something.

But the thing was, I wasn't able to move, the alcohol was making me dizzy.

Like everyone else, I was too a spectator but not by choice.

Just when I thought I couldn't do anything, he stepped in, as much as I hated to believe it but, Thor Gild was always better at holding liquor than I ever was.

He tried to settle the matter with civil talking, but for men like them being humiliated by a woman is something that their pride could never stand for.

So, talking was out of the question.

With every moment the matter escalated. He kept insulting Regina and Thor Gild kept defending her.

It was getting nowhere, so I slapped myself on the cheek, temporarily snapped out of the dizziness.

I drew everyone's attention towards me and said,

"That guy is destroying our celebration, I want to enjoy my meal without any commotion, guess what? .... throw that guy out of here and I will treat you all to a round of liquor".

I shouted

"Are you up for it?".

The crowd cheered "Yes" in happiness. And that's how I had that guy and his cronies thrown out of the party. Then, I had to spend half of my earning in treating everyone with a round of Liquor.

The way of adventurers, includes one of the time-honored traditions - when someone offers to treat us to a round of drinks, we adventurers find it hard to refuse. Throughout history, adventurers have never turned down a free round of liquor. By treating them, you not only feel like a king, but your reputation and respect among your peers rises.

After such commotion, our hunger reached its peak and we couldn't wait any longer. Luckily, the boiled crab soup and meat were expertly prepared and promptly served.

I slurped the hot soup in one go, and had room for more. The juicy chrispy fried meat with beer was quite a match, with each sip, you yearn for more.

Then,

I had a fun evening with Elkdrack and my mates at the Guild hall. We shared just four mugs of beer, but it was enough to make us both a bit tipsy and have a good laugh. Afterwards, I settled my tab and feeling quite sleepy, I decided to leave without informing Regina. I didn't want anyone to misinterpret our relationship, as going back to my room with her might have seemed suspicious from an outsider's perspective. Besides, I had already experienced enough suspicion and bouts for the day.

So I left, and maybe she too didn't noticed me.

[That was the only mistake that led me to her].

The road was cloaked in darkness, accompanied by a haunting stillness, a dense fog had descended upon it, casting an icy chill on the air.

Amidst that silence of the dark night, I found myself battling a piercing ache in my stomach and a throbbing pain in my head.

Feeling disoriented, I longed to reach my home, where, I would fall a sleep upon the first sight of my bed.

Maybe I had a little too much to drink, as the urge to hurl it out, was growing stronger.

And in that moment a black shadow emerged and swiftly passed by me.

Without warning, I suddenly felt a cold sensation in my belly, and instinctively, I reached out to touch it with my hands, only to find them coated in blood. The shock of the sight jolted me out of my hazy, hangover-induced state, and without fully comprehending what had just occurred, I impulsively decided to pursue that mysterious black shadow, that I had witnessed. As I ran through the dimly lit, moonlit streets, confusion and fear clouded my thoughts, mixed with the unsettling realization that I was bleeding from my stomach. That's when a searing pain took hold of my abdomen, a sharp ache that served as a grim reminder of the severity of my wound. The initial surge of energy I felt was gone, leaving me feeling drained and weak. Blood loss had taken its toll, causing my body to grow cold, my surroundings becoming a blur with darkened edges. My ability to walk was now compromised, and I eventually succumbed, collapsing onto the soft, snowy ground below. Summoning the last ounces of strength, I managed to drag myself towards the supportive wall of a nearby building, using it as leverage to sit upright.

On that moonlight I saw the bone chilling sight of a knife plunged into my abdomen. Now, overwhelmed by the intense pain and blood loss, my entire body felt as if it was being engulfed in flames, prompting me to quickly discard my coat.

It was at that moment, that I understood the gravity of my situation, - the end was near, my life reflected before me.

I began to consider this turn of events as a manifestation of Karma, the consequences of my carefree lifestyle.

Throughout my life I had never been kind to anyone, I only indulged in my own pleasure and heedlessly disregarded the suffering of those around me.

(Oh ... what am I bitching about)

(Give me a break)

I never believed in such a thing called redemption, I only believe d in living my life on my own terms.

(And that's what I did, I should be proud of myself, regardless of the consequences).

(I did what, I had to do)

(What I was taught to do)

As someone born to royalty, I was raised with the notion that it was my duty to punish those who were beneath me.

And, so, I did just that - I mercilessly punished anyone who dared to look at me the wrong way.

(It wasn't my fault)

It was the way, I was taught to live, shaped by the teachings and lessons etched in me since my childhood.

Now faced with death, a few inches away from me, I couldn't help but feel that this was the destiny I chose, and the ending I deserved.

Dying alone in the freezing snow, was fitting of me.

(But I don't regret a bit of it).

After all, I had led an enjoyable life up until this point.

But, still like every other person out there, I feared death, not because it would be the end of me.

No, It was due to its unknown nature.

(I had no choice, but to accept it)

In various religions all around the world, death or dying were often portrayed as freedom of soul, a release from the mortal sufferings of life.

These depictions commonly involved the representation of a deity, in some beliefs these deities are depicted as gentle angels with wings, guiding lost souls towards heaven.

However, there were also depictions of a fearsome dark entity, a monster of death, wielding a Scythe to harvest souls. They couldn't have been more wrong.

"Why?" You ask.

Because before me, stood an enchanting figure,

a woman of ethereal beauty. Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, which gave her the appearance of an ephemeral doll. Her cold piercing, red eyes were staring deep into the darkest depths of my soul.

And her glistening silver hair, cascaded down like a tail of a falling star, along with that scent of ash.

she wore a dark black robe while wielding a red Scythe.

And the aura of darkness that surrounded her was nothing like I had ever seen or felt before.

In that moment, as she stood before me, I found myself questioning my own sanity.

Was this all merely a figment of my imagination, Or an illusion generated by my dying mind?

Or was it all real?

As the air around me shined with delicate, crystallized snowflakes, suspended in mid- air like a dream.

She lowered her Scythe towards my neck, it's blade was emanating a gentle golden glow, and with a precise swing it all came to an end.