In a dark alleyway Adam is discharged out of his body in a somewhat honorable fashion only to be received by a female host. He assumes a new identity Eve and begins a journey of a humble dew farmer, but what will the future have in store for him/her?

Sundevil stares at Dune.

Dune swallows, trying to rope her brain back into working. 

Sundevil rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. 

"Ok grandma, what do you want to know?" 

Dune hadn't really gotten a chance to listen to Sundevil before. In the avian observatory, she had been spitting the words in anger. Dune had also been distracted. 

Now that she got to hear in the quiet, Dune realized Sundevil had traces of an accent.

She still didn't know where to begin. 

Sundevil sighed. "We can start at the beginning."

Dune nodded, finally forming a coherent thought and question. "Do you have every element?" 

"Yes." Sundevil replied simply, no change in the emotion, pitch, or tone of her voice. 

Dune blinked. She hadn't expected Sundevil to be to nonchalant. 

"Are you blessed with every different god's gift?" Dune asked. 

Sundevil smiles lazily. "I am not "gifted", darling." 

Dune made a face. "What do you mean, not gifted? How do you do all of this?" 

Sundevil shrugged. "I am not gifted. I am special." 

"Like how?" Dune asked, but Sundevil shook her head. 

"In ways you are not ready for. What is next?" 

Dune was still confused, but continued. "How are you able to heal yourself? Even the headmistress of the Academy, the strongest Phoenix ever, cannot hope to accomplish that." 

Sundevil made a thoughtful noise. "It comes naturally. I do not know the exact works of it. And our headmistress hides behind old titles to keep her safe. The old crone is wilting in her clothes." 

Sundevil seemed rather jaded on that subject, so Dune asked another question. 

"Do you want me to keep the secret?" 

Sundevil's smile disappeared in seconds. She took a threateningly step towards Dune, lowering her face until they were just inches apart. 

Dunes face drained of blood as she watched Sundevil with fear. Somehow, intertwined with the fear, was a feeling she could not describe. 

"Darling, I know you'll keep this secret, because I truly know you value the lives of everyone around you." 

Dune swallowed. "So you're threatening everyone I love for your secret."

She shook her head slowly. "You misunderstand. I wouldn't care if you told anyone, honestly, but soon that secret will travel. The Academy is practically hunting for a reason to kill me, and I will not give them one. I will be forced to kill everyone that knows." 

Dune grows brave. 

"What have you not killed me?"

Sundevil's smile slowly returned, and this time, Dune's face flushes. 

"I have a feeling that you are different."

Dune goes rigid as Sundevil steps back. She looks up at the sky, now nearly fully dark. Stars have begun to shine, bright dots on the sky. 

"Darn. Our time is up. I must leave." 

Dune swallowed again, trying to slow her racing heart. 

Sundevil and her locked eyes again. 

"If you ever wish to find me, then come here and switch bloodlines, if only for a second. I will appear shortly." 

The wind obscured Dune's vision blowing stray leaves into her line of vision, and when it faded, Sundevil was a dragon, scales glittering in the last light, and took off into the air.

When the Khanate Gods fell from the sky to their death on the Earth, their immense power was dispersed throughout the planet, sowing the lands with magic. The only side effect of their deaths was the people. The people living in the wildest, darkest corners of the Earth were given powers beyond imagine, creating the Phoenixes. The people of Earth saw this, and feared what they could not understand. They hunted and killed everyone of the Phoenixes they could find. Unknown to them, hidden deep in the woods by powerful magic, a safe haven and academy for the Phoenixes existed, harboring the last of their kind. Enter Dune, a young Phoenix with strong magic and quick thinking. Growing up here, there were no unsolved mysteries, nothing that everybody didn’t know. Except for one. Enter Sundevil, a young wily Phoenix like Dune, with magic far stronger than it ought to be and a past far more dangerous than is safe. Sundevil stays in the back, careful not to draw attention to herself, unknowingly drawing all of Dune’s attention. As they continue to train and become stronger, Dune can’t seem to shake the feeling something is seriously wrong about Sundevil, besides the fact she’s as radiant as the sun. As she attempts to unravel the mystery, will she unravel feelings as well?

Kelpie lay, swaddled in the arms of her father Captain Dune. AS she lay there, Dune watched the enchanted water spirit scrawl along the length of the new borne infant. In this world, children earned their power through rigorous training. There were many types of magic users in the world of Altai, with the exception of commoners and slaves, and very few nobility. The strongest magic users were Core Deviators. This type of cultivator separated their soul from their physical body, hiding it somewhere no one could find. They then made their core, which was formed through taking the souls of others and processing them to create their own energy. These magicians were dark and powerful beyond control. Feared and often isolated, very few existed, however those that did were older than most of the land that rose above the sea. This was partially due to the fact you couldn't kill them, nor did they age with time because of the absence of their soul. Core Formers were also like Core Deviators except they didn't take their souls out of their bodies. Their lifespans were also extended but they could die. The third most powerful were Beast Shifters. They were often grouped into species, and ran around in what you could call packs. This is what Dune and his wife Syresa were, dragon shifters were one of the most powerful classes in the shifter class. Almost none rivalled them in both land and sky. However each Beast shifter earned their beast, working hard to tame it, meld their souls into their physical body and partially meld it into their souls. It was an arduous and painful process, that most could not live through. Dune himself being a weathered sea captain had never seen a kelpie shifter in person. There were rumors that those who had shifted into kelpie form had ventured too deep into the ocean never to be seen again. The fact that their daughter had been borne with a kelpie shapeshifting form already melded into her, had raised a plethora of questions and worries of the husband and wife for their daughter. Dune hid his confusion, smiling and bellowed out to his clan "This Child is our Heir!!! Hear her name! Kelpie!" The ships which had started to become less boisterous renewed their bellowing and laughter at the announcement of the heir's name.  Each Captain greeted their King Captain Dune and rejoiced at the sight of the healthy little girl in the arms of their Queen. Each captain of the fleet introduced themselves as ritual to the small Heiress. Captain Dunes right hand man bowed down before the King and Queen. "May the sea and sky bless this small child. May she have light always in her dark nights and shade for shelter under the scorching sun. My gift to the heiress is my fealty, and this small locket." The man said in reverence. "Lester, rise please my old friend! You have served loyally under my grandfather, my father and myself. Do you not wish for peace? To rest yourself?" Lester looked up at Captain Dune "My King," he said in a tone neither loud nor quiet "I dream to see this tribe rise. To become all that it could be. I wish to see your children and your children's children succeed the throne." Lester raised his head and stared into Dune's eyes. The old man's face was dark with sun, his beard black with silver streaks running through it, his black dread locks were streaked with silver as well, and the crinkles around his eyes shown that he had a habit of smiling. he was a large man, even bowing down his presence dominated those around him. The trinket that Dune held in his hand was made of dark iron that came from the heart of a star. It was shaped as a pentagram with amethyst at its center. The chain the charm was on was also formed of dark iron. It was beautifully crafted and projected a devilish charm. Like looking into an abyss and wondering what was at the bottom. As Lester stood, Dune came forward with Kelpie. "My old friend,' Dune started "My daughter needs a guardian. Someone who would follow her anywhere. As a king and queen we will not be with her most of her life. We are the protecting power for our forces. We are the swiftest and strongest of our clan. Would you be willing to take this honor?" Although Dunes voice was low, the echoes of this question bound around the ship. Lester looked at his friend and king with much pride and emotion in his grey eyes "My liege, Nothing would make this old man happier." Dune and Syresa beamed with joy. "I shall speak with you more after the ceremonial welcoming about this matter." Dune said in a hushed tone. The next captain, the left hand man of Captain Dune came forward. "My gift to the princess shall be both my service and my sons hand in marriage if you shall allow." Captain Sean said in a pleasantly deep voice. Captain Dune gave Sean with a withering glance and looked almost angry. Dune forced a smile on his face, although it looked much to sharp and dangerous to be a smile. "My dear left lieutenant, there is no need to betroth our children so early is there? After all, freedom in marriage is something we should afford our children." Dune almost growled out. Lieutenant Sean looked up at Dune with a chagrinned face " Captain Dune, I meant no disrespect toward you or your heiress, I was simply trying to fortify our connections within our tribe through marriage. I have not but my service and that of my families to give the young Heir." Captain Dune looked down at Lieutenant Sean with distain lurking in his eyes. He had long known that this Lieutenant had been a schemer. If not for the internal strife and Lieutenant Sean's usefulness in suppressing the rogues of the tribe, Dune would have long dismissed him from his position as a left hand Lieutenant. With great mockery in his voice Captain Dune declared "I understand my dear friend. I indeed know how it is to have naught but your name and your services to give. However I will not do away with my daughters freedoms. Instead, I will take your sons services  to my daughter as a companion. He shall stay with my child and grow with her until the day she has found a husband." Dune's harsh smile turned wicked at the end of his speech. He had finally found a way to have more control of his left hand man. Dune had long worried that his left hand man had been scheming and plotting behind his back to overthrow his rein. He knew he had needed a way to ensure his and his families safety against such a man. This would do that by creating a loyalty between their children that Dune and Sean lacked. Sean Smiled up at Dune, feeling manipulated by his leader. His frustration shone in his eyes briefly, but quickly disappeared. "Very well Sire." Sean stated "Come forward Malaki." A small child, naught but 4 years old stepped out, Like his father Malaki had black hair, with yellow catlike eyes that glowed with intelligence and fierceness. He was tall for a 4 year old, and his frame showed signs of hard sea fairing work already, with olive colored skin, and a skinny frame. "Father, what is your bidding?" Malaki's small voice had a seriousness that most lacked at his age. His tone was steely, though with his childlike voice it was hard for Dune to hold his straight face. Syresa herself coughed quietly trying to hide her laugh. "Malaki, you shall be the heiress's companion from now on. I expect you will take this charge seriously my child?" Sean said gravely. Malaki only nodded in return, and quietly stepped forward to kneel before the king. "I shall do my utmost to serve the Heiress my lord." Malaki declared in his all to serious voice.  Dune nodded in acceptance. "That will do, come stand next to us Malaki." Dune smiled as the child as he made his way up the stairs. As Malaki stood next to Syresa, he peaked over at the child with curiosity gleaming in his eyes. Syresa  smiled at the child "Would you like to hold her?" Syresa asked. "Could I?" Malaki looked up into the Queen's emerald eyes. "Of course, mind her head though." Syresa said gently as she held out the child. Malaki mirrored the way Syresa held the child. His arms wrapping gently around Kelpies delicate frame. His eyes lit up as he held the child. Kelpie cooed at him smiling her toothless smile. The two children contently played under the watchful eye of the queen while the next 98 captains came to give gifts and blessings for their new Heiress. As the ceremony was ending huge fireworks exploded into the night sky as the banquet began. In the captains quarters into the wee hours of the night, Lester sat with Captain Dune speaking. "Captain what do you wish to speak privately of?" Lester asked. "Lester, we must hide Kelpies secret." "Oh, and what secret might that be?" Lester questioned. "Kelpie was borne but hours ago, yet she bears a Kelpie form already. The Kelpies have never been seen before, but the rumors are that they are a vicious and harsh race of beast. They are solitary, and live in the darkest part of the sea they can find. Far to many a brave man have been lured to their depths while trying to tame such a beast." Lester nodded his head, pondering how Kelpie could have bore a Beast form when she had just been born. " My lord, I have never heard of such a thing before. But we could seek the assistance of the Blood Shamans." Lester said. Dune nodded his head. "That's a good idea. But we can't alert others that something is wrong. We need to present as a strong front. People within the tribe have been stirring up trouble, and Sean's power has grown stronger of late. I fear they will soon try to mutiny." Dune said in a hushed tone. Lester's eyes widened at Dunes statement. "It's just a hunch right now, Lester. But my gut has yet to lead me astray." Lester looked at Dune " My lord, perhaps you could dispatch me under the eye of the other captains on a mission of secrecy? I as the legal guardian, am bound with the heiress. It would not be too shocking to have the child and her companion accompany me on the mission in a few months time." Dune nodded his head at Lester's suggestion. "That could work Lester." Syresa Opened the door quietly as Dune finished his statement. "The children are sleeping." Syresa whispered to Dune as she crossed the room. Dune and Lester quickly filled Syresa in on their discussion as she sat down. Syresa and the two men hashed out the details, throwing together a plan of action in less than thirty minutes. "Then it's finalized. We shall have Lester bring Kelpie to the Blood Shamans in two years from now." Syresa said with a finality in her tone. Both men nodded in agreement and went too rejoin the banquet.

Land is a scarce commodity, while the seas be both vast and deep. Holding depths unknown, and creatures untold. The world is in chaos, though the lands be claimed and the seas populated. War wages constantly, the world being drained of her strength. Monsters long lurking, begin to surface, muddying the waters with blood. Follow Kelpie on her journey in life. Is she the salvation of this world, or the bane of it?

Fear drove the caravan faster. 

The guards stopped their complaints and the caravan forged on all day — stopping only for short lunches.

Nights were particularly tense as almost everyone was expecting undead to come out from the shadows. 

None did.

Tensions continued to mount with each passing hour. Even with the city in sight, the guards remained vigilant — thinking it was an illusion or worrying that undead had taken over the city.

Just how powerful was this necromancer to instill so much fear?

The gates of the city stand in front of you.

Daggerlock.

The city is surrounded by a 15-foot stone wall that spans almost 2 miles. It stands beside a lake mouth that is shaped like a blade hence its name.

The guards and other caravan folk finally relax as you cross the huge iron gates of the city.

What you expected to be a four-day trip, ended in just three — as the caravan reached the city a few hours after midday. 

"It seems all that necromancer talk was just that… talk" says Rusik.

"I'm not so sure," you reply. "The guards were pretty shaken."

Dune gets off from the carriage and heads towards you. He seems to be in high spirits — but you note a trace of anxiety in his face.

"We should go," he says, gesturing for you to follow.

You wave to the other adventurers and hurry to follow Dune.

You walk for a couple of minutes until you reach a large inn — the Bearded Moose.

It's twice as large as the Hungry Cat but the interior is more or less the same — a pub for dining below, and rooms upstairs.

"Two rooms," Dune says to the man behind the bar. He places a gold coin in front of him.

"That'll be 4 more silvers."

Dune takes out more coins.

"Top of the stairs, left hallway, the two farthest rooms," he directs as he gives Dune two keys.

"Let's go," Dune says, giving you one of the keys.

You head up the stairs and into your room.

Small but sufficient. 

The room held a narrow bed and a small table. The doors and windows could be barred from the inside — which was a more secure option than the locks on the door.

You drop your pack on the floor and change to a new set of clothes — your last one.

Someone knocks on the door just as you finish changing. 

You open the door and see Dune standing in the hallway with an impatient look.

"I know someone," he says.

"For the mage?" you ask.

"Yes." 

He heads to the stairs and you follow a few steps behind him.

The two of you leave the inn and walk for more than 20 minutes.

Dune seems to be taking a circuitous route — all the while checking if the two of you were being followed.

You weren't. 

You've been using the echoes from your footsteps to scan the surrounding area. You can only "see" up to 20 yards — but there doesn't seem to be anyone following you or acting suspiciously.

Dune stops in front of a pottery shop but hesitates to enter.

"We weren't followed," you assure him.

He nods at you before finally entering the shop.

Dune spots a young clerk behind one of the counters and approaches him. 

The clerk looks up and gasps.

"Mila-" he stops with a sharp look from Dune.

"Uh, good day sir," he stammers, glancing a look at you before turning back to Dune. "Does anything interest you?"

You grab a chair and sit facing the door. You act as if you were uninterested — but you rub your fingers in a snapping motion.

Dune and the clerk talk for a few minutes — small talk nothing important.

You see Dune hand the clerk a piece of paper. The unheard echoes from the friction of your fingers allowing you to see what's happening behind you. 

"I need to see your master," Dune says. "I need to find a mage."

The clerk pauses as if deciphering a message. 

"He won't be back until t-two weeks," he answers. "You can try the Mage Guild."

You hear footsteps and "see" Dune approaching you.

"It seems we need to talk to a few local mages."

Dune leads you to the Mage Guild, but you don't go inside. Instead, the two of you sit on a nearby bench and watch the passing mages.

It seems like Dune wants to get the information directly from the young mages. 

"This won't do," you silently declare.

He gives you a questioning look.

"We'd look too suspicious if we just start asking students about who could help us with what we're planning. They might even report us."

"Then how would you go about getting a mage?"

"We pay for the information."

"How exactly?" he asks, a little intrigued at the idea.

"We go to the source."

"The school?!?" he asks incredulously.

"No," you calm him down, "the bookshops."

Dune asks a passing mage for directions to the biggest bookshop. The young mage seems a bit irritated — but it quickly passes after he sees a silver coin.

The mage gives the location of several bookshops — the largest of which is the Arcane Vault.

"Let's go," Dune says after the mage leaves.

"Not the Arcane Vault," you advise.

"Of course," she assures you. "Arun's studies won't be carried by a reputable shop — especially one with a pretentious name."

You head to a small bookshop named Owl's Cove. It's quite small for an establishment in the city — even smaller than Everett's bookshop.

An actual owl sits in a perch behind the counter and it follows you with its eyes as you make your way towards it.

A clerk comes out from the backroom holding thins strips of meat. He gives the two of you a passing glance as he starts feeding the owl.

"What brings you to the Owl's Cove?" he asks without turning his head, all his attention on the bird.

"Information-" starts Dune.

"Books and information," you interrupt.

"What kind of books and what kind of information?"

"We're looking for," Dune hesitates, "books by the wizard Arun."

"Arun the mad?"

"Exactly."

"Those books are not easy to find…" his voice trails off. "Research unto Arun's work is frowned upon — even forbidden." 

"Yet there are still those who look into it," you interrupt.

"The books that I had have already been sold." 

"To whom?" asks Dune.

The clerk backs away, a little suspicious.

"To whom?" you smile at the clerk as you place two coins at the counter.

The clerk stares at the two coins with an incredulous look. He was about to reject the coins when he realized with a second glance that they were platinum.

He takes the coins and pockets them greedily.

"How do I know the guild didn't send you?"

Dune turns to you, "Show him your hammer."

You draw Skybreaker from your waist and let it glow bright with demonfire.

"Does the guild sanction the use of weapons like that?"

The clerk gives a curt smile.

"Raine and Adon," he starts, "two mages that are quite interested in Arun's work."

"Where can we find them?" asks Dune.

The clerk hesitates as if waiting for something.

You place another coin on the counter — gold this time.

He takes the offered coin and frowns as he realizes it's just gold.

"They live in the hollows. Their house lies near the end of the street. They have two black dogs guarding the house — you can't miss it."

"Thank you," Dune says earnestly.

"If there's nothing else, please leave."

You do as he suggests. 

"Should we head to the two mages?" you ask.

"It's too early, they probably won't be there."

"Let's go see the shops," you suggest, eager to see what wares and weapons were sold in a big city like Daggerlock.

The two of you head to the commercial district and enter one of the many weapons and armor shops.

Inside the shop, you find several kinds of enchanted weapons. There were swords that could burn or freeze whatever they touched — but they required prolonged contact for the magic to deal significant damage. 

Most of the enchanted weapons cost ten times the price of a regular one — costing at least 200 gold. Even the enchanted bolts and arrows cost a minimum of 20 gold each. 

Armors and shields cost almost twice the cost of the ones sold in Glenn's shop — and his wares were considered expensive in Ashford.

The next place you visit is the Arcane Vault. 

The place is huge — several times larger than the guild in Ashford. It houses several weapons and armor shops as well as potion and book shops. The larger shops are mostly dedicated to spellcasters and their needs.

Dune and you decide to meet up in the entrance in an hour before you go your separate ways. He heads to one of those shops that cater to mages while you head to one of the bookstores.

A clerk greets you immediately upon your entrance. 

You see a few people reading books beside a large wooden table and the place is lit with what you assume are lumen orbs.

You approach the counter and you see the clerk frown upon seeing your appearance.

"Is it possible to read the books her like what they're doing?" you ask the clerk.

"They're long-time customers," the clerk rebukes. "If you want to read, you'll need to pay 2 gold — and that allows you to browse the contents of several books."

"Of course, you can only browse for an hour," he adds. "After that, you can buy the books and we subtract the two gold to the cost.

You place two gold on the counter. 

"I'll need another 10 gold as a deposit, just in case you damage the books."

You frown in irritation and you give the clerk a platinum coin.

He checks to see if the coin is real and then nods at you.

"Any particular books you're looking for?" 

"Beast cores and their uses and maybe books about potions."

"I see." 

The clerk walks around the shop picking several books. He places the books on the table and offers you a seat.

"You have an hour," he reminds you. "Good reading."

The book on potions wasn't about how to make them — instead, it was a study on how potions interacted with humans and magical beasts. 

The book detailed how potions eventually become less effective if you consume them continuously. You saw this happen firsthand with Bruce and his injuries. 

A normal person could take two healing potions in one day and they would work normally — but a third would lose some of its efficacy. A full day should give the body enough rest and energy to make use of another batch of potions — but three is the most it can consume, regardless of what kind of potion was used.

Potions had a different effect on magical beasts. 

Potions weren't as effective — and beasts that consumed large amounts of potions were more likely to become feral and go on rampages.

There were several other studies that you found interesting — but not equal to the two prior. 
The second book detailed the use of and theories behind beast cores. 

Only the fiercest and strongest of beasts have magic cores. Scholars believe that the cores are accumulated world energy — similar to how mages gather mana when casting powerful spells.

Beasts, unlike mages, could store the world energy in their cores — allowing them to make use of magical abilities without the need to gather mana. 

Stored energy is one of the main uses of magical beast cores. Harvested cores are used in potion-making, enchantment, and even spellcasting.

Enchanted items that incorporate magical cores still absorb a fraction of world energy for a decade or two — allowing an item to keep its enchantment for around the same period.

You note the different uses and applications of magic cores as well as the inherent risks in using them. 

The other books more or less contained the same information as the two previous ones — although one book mentioned changes to a normal animal once it consumed several batches of potions. 

You motion to the clerk that you were leaving.

He inspects the books, smiles at you, and gives you 10 gold coins. 

You wonder why he took your platinum — but 10 gold coins is of equal worth so you let it slide.
You leave the shop and head to the entrance and you find Dune already waiting.

She nods upon seeing you.

"Let's go see the mages."

You wake up in a strange world where magic corrupts both men and beasts. You find loyal companions who would stand by your side, weapons that would break the sky, and the makings of an army that would shake the entire world. 

Updating daily.

A few days later I met with Arlie and told her to meet me at that same park. This time it was my turn to tell her about me.

We got to the park and sat in silence till Arlie spoke up.

"Hey... Mila. You know how we met that guy that knew you? He said something about you running away and how you hurt him. What did he mean by that? And whenever he mentioned... Shula was it? You'd tense up. Who was this Shula person?" She asked me.

Hmm... so she wants to know that part first... damn.

"Ah. Well, like you, I grew up without my parents too. My mother hated me, and my father was in prison. My mother would constantly beat me with her fist because I looked like my father. It's not like she wanted me anyway... I was the product of ****, the reason he was imprisoned in the first place. When I was ten, my mother sold me to a random person for $12. That's all that I worth to her... just $12. The person I was sold to was no better. They gave me to their son as a punching bag. If I swung back then I'd be kicked out. Then... like you in middle school, I hung out with the wrong crowd. We'd get into fights with other schools, beat up upperclassmen, and torment teachers. It's not like I'd fit in with normal kids anyway, they all knew my home situation and were told to stay away from me. By high school, I started to mess around with girls. I guess I needed to know what love was. Then one day, as I was walking with a girl, I met him. The guy you met earlier. His name is Dune. Now Dune was known for sleeping around and causing problems. For some reason though, we became best friends, or at least I thought so. Wherever we went, havoc was sure to follow. One day though, Dune saw me with that girl and apparently, she caught his attention. We were walking late at night, and I thought I'd see her home, we got there and she let me inside. We went to her room and Dune and a few of his friends were there. We both were shocked and confused as to how he got in, and in that confusion, they'd knocked me out and tied me up. When I woke up, Dune and his friends were raping her. All I could hear was her screaming 'MILA!! MILA PLEASE!! HELP!!' I got angry and got out of the rope they tied me up in. I beat them up but then realized that it was all a trick. She wasn't being raped at all, she invited them in. She never liked me, to begin with. She was Dune's girlfriend. They had another friend outside recording the whole thing. I was used for their enjoyment. But, what Dune said about me running away, happened not too long after that. Dune came to me and said he was sorry so I forgave him. I know, I was gullible. He offered to have a party for our being friends again so I went, only, at this party, I never expected that my mother would try to kill me. As of then, it's been years since I've seen my mother, I didn't even remember her face, but she remembered mine. She sent people, gangsters after me. They were disguised as Dune's friends and all had guns, there were a lot of casualties that night. I got shot in the leg and Dune, twice in the chest. Everyone else was dead. It... it was a homocide. The lights were still on so I saw how they all died, I thought it only happened in movies, but some people's limbs were blown off. I've never been so scared in my life. I laid there in a pool of blood when one of the gangsters that were leaving said 'she should've killed you rather than sold you'. I instantly knew that it was my mother... it was that woman that hired them to kill me. We somehow got to the hospital and I asked to be transferred to a different hospital so she couldn't find me. Dune thinks I ran away and brought those guys with me. His girlfriend hates me and wants to kill me too... so yeah. There's my past."

She sat there. Angry. I could tell she wanted to explode. She tried to keep her composure but couldn't.

"WHO SELLS SOMEONE FOR TWELVE DOLLARS!? WAIT... WHO EVEN SELLS SOMEONE!? THAT WOMAN NEEDS A BEAT DOWN! AND DUNE SHOULD BE HAPPY HE'S STILL ALIVE... And if that girl, Dune's girlfriend even tries to come near you... I'll rip her head off." She yelled.

"I... never thought that someone could've had a life similar, or worse than mine. We both have issues we need to work on, and if you let me, I want to help heal you of that mental stress, Mila. I would never trick you. I love you. If that's what you really need then I'll be sure to give you more than enough of it. If you trust me... then I'll trust you."

I... I didn't know what to do. There was never a woman I could completely trust in, well there was never really anyone I could completely trust in for that matter. I felt relief that I've never felt before. It felt amazing.

"Wow... Dune told me you'd be here, but I didn't believe him. I can't believe how lucky I am!" A woman said as she made her way towards us.

And just like that. The feeling of relief was gone.

"Mila. That's not all that happened, you're forgetting something... Something important... Remember? There was another girl you were close with. Come on, tell her the real reason you ran away. The real reason I hate you." She said as she grabbed me by my collar.

"My sister... is dead because of you... no, she was killed by you."

I stared at her, with a straight face. "I'm... not the one who killed her,-"

"ENOUGH WITH THE BULLSHIT! MY SISTER SHULA IS DEAD, AND YOU WERE THE LAST PERSON TO SEE HER ALIVE DAMN IT, DUNE SA...!" Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. IT... WAS DUNE?! That makes sense now that I think about it, he never really liked or cared about Mila, and why would you kill your best friend? That wouldn't make any sense. So... that means... Dune wanted me to hate Mila and used... me... and... my sister. Naila tried to regain her composure. "Don't... Don't try to make excuses, I... I need somewhere to put this hate." She cried as she spoke. She realized I hadn't been the one to kill her sister. I mean, how could I? We were best friends.

"Wait... Dune said I killed her!? Shula and I were best friends... what reason would I have to do that?! It doesn't make sense... but. Hm, so it was Dune. I got it now. I wish I never met him." I said to her.

"Mila... I blamed you for everything and I'm sorry. The one that I hate now is Dune. It should've been him I hated from the beginning." She said as she stared into my eyes.

"Um... hold up! Don't you think you're moving too fast? You literally just hated him like a minute ago, and now you want him to forgive you? Wow... you... are the most fickle woman I've ever seen." Arlie remarked while getting defensive.

"First off. My name isn't you. It's Naila." She retorted. "Well...? Mila. Can we be friends again? Please?!" She asked me as sincerely as she could.

I see no problem with it. I don't mind. I thought. "Sure. Let's be friends Naila!" I said.

She cried again, said thank you, and left.

"Well... at least that's one thing taken care of. I don't think we'll get along though." Arlie said.

"Right. All that's left is to take care of Dune and find her sister's killer. Oh, and at least try to get along with her, please Arlie? She needs female friends, and you're perfect."

"Hm?! I'm what?" I'm perfect? I'm... perfect? "Um... could... could you repeat that? I... I don't think I heard right."

"Haha. I said... Arlie, you're perfect."

Arlie's face went from happy to down in an instant. "Mila... you, you said you met someone who knew me right?" She asked in a slightly nervous but serious tone.

"Yeah. I did." I replied.

She started breathing really heavily and grabbed my hand tightly. "They... they're coming after me again. I mean, it makes sense. I beat most of them up, but... how did they find me? How?!" She said as she hyperventilated.

"ARLIE!" I screamed.

"Calm down! I've got you. You're safe." I said as a reassurance.

She was still breathing kind of heavily. I held onto her tightly and spoke. "If they do come after you, we'll beat them together. You're not alone now, remember that." As I said that, she gradually calmed down. Finally back to normal, we walked to her house.

The next morning I went to pick her up for school. "Morning gorgeous! How's it hangin'?"

"It's good!!! Morning!! Let's head to school before we're late!" She said as she closed the door behind her. Hm. I wonder what today will bring! she thought as they walked to school.

"Oho? Would you look at that? Hi, Mila!!! I missed you, so I transferred here!" Naila said.

I SHOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT THAT!!! Arlie thought. "W... WHY...! WHY IS SHE HERE?!? Wait... transfer?! D... did you transfer here just for Mila?!?!"

"Um... yeah! Why else would I transfer? Mila is all I need! Why? Did you think I transferred here for you?!"

"WHAT?!"

I saw Arlie making a fist and thinking of something to say in response, so I went behind her, covered her mouth, picked her up, and ran away. I can't say we didn't look weird.

"MMMF! MMF! MMMMMMMFFFF!" Arlie was trying to speak but to no avail.

As we ran, the danger that was Naila, followed. I was still covering her mouth while running when she bit me.

"Oww! You bit me?! Why'd you bite me?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you want your girlfriend to die? AND WHY IS SHE CHASING US?" She said and asked. Well, since I'm over his shoulder now, I guess the only thing I could do is... THROW THINGS!!! TAKE THIS!!!

She dug in her bag and pulled out some pens and pencils. I'm gonna hurt you well today! She thought.

She threw a few pencils at Naila's face but she kept chasing.

"AGH!! YOU'RE LIKE A FRIGGIN' ZOMBIE! WHY WON'T YOU FALL?!"

I got tired and ended up falling, when I got up and looked at Naila, I saw a few pencils stuck in her hair, and a pen sticking out her forehead. I looked down and saw a path of writing utensils and other objects on the ground... honestly I didn't know what to think.

"I finally caught up to you!! Yay!! I was worried you'd get away."

THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT?! I thought as I kept staring at the pen stuck in her forehead.

"But on a serious note." She said as she pulled the pen out of her forehead. "I think Dune is planning something, and if you're planning on fighting against him... I want to help. I'll pay him back for everything he did to me... and my sister."

"You said 'on a serious note' but there's a rainbow of blood gushing from your forehead. How do I take you seriously while watching that?" Arlie said. I tried to hold in my laughter, but I couldn't. Arlie saw me struggling and decided to add oil to the flame.

"Not only were you a unicorn zombie but now you're--a-ah! A double bloody rainbow!" She said as she laughed. I laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe.

"Come on. I'll take you to the nurse's office." Naila and I were shocked that Arlie would even offer to take her anywhere for that matter.

"HEY! DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!! I could be nice if I want to be!"

"Yeah. But we just never thought you'd want to be. It's cute seeing this side of you." I said, knowing how'd she react.

Her eyes widened from embarrassment. "Sh-shut up! Naila, we've got to get you to the nurse right? Come on! Let's go!"

She said as she dragged Naila with her.

When they were far enough away, I sat down and started to think. According to Naila, Dune is gonna start something soon. I don't know if I should confront him first, or wait it out. I do know though, that those two can't get hurt again. That absolutely can't happen. I don't know what I'd do if it did. Oh, but then there's mother too... what do I do about her? It feels like she knows where I am. I got lost in thought while contemplating how to deal with Mother and Dune. I didn't even realize that the girls had come back already.

"We're back!!!" Arlie said. I looked up to see someone I didn't recognize.

"Um... Arlie... who's that behind you?"

I said as I pointed.

"Huh? It's Naila stupid! How could you not recognize her?!"

HOW COULD I RECOGNIZE HER WITH HER FACE COVERED IN TOO MANY BANDAGES?! I thought. "O-oh. Okay then." Is all I could say.

I checked my phone and saw that it was almost time for class.

"Hey! Let's get going. The class is starting." Luckily, we were all in the art department. More specifically, Naila and I were in the animation field, while Arlie was in the acting field.

"Ok. Let's go! See you guys after class! And Naila... if you try to do anything to Mila... I'll give you a reason to have your face bandaged like that."

Wow... what an amazing woman, to say all that with a smile on her face. Well... least I know why her face is like that now.

I tried... I really did, but no matter how far I ran, the past always catches up... all I want is a normal college life. Is that too much to ask for?! How do you live peacefully when the past always haunts you? Arlie and Mila Have circumstances that one doesn't always come across, wanting to escape and live peacefully has never been harder for them. Especially when they both have different circumstances to get over.

A week had past since Dune collapsed, his wound reopened after he used that weird power and we all wanted an explanation. The king was told of what happened at the end of the battle, his court was torn  even men who were on the battlefield were skeptical of what they saw. 
"What you men speak only sound like fantasy, madness induced by the sheer hopelessness of the situation." King Cheai said 
"But how do you" came flying from someone in the crown before being interrupted by the king.
"Yes it does sound like madness but the claim should be investigated and that can only happen when Dune awakens." 
He was right, every question we had could only be answered by Dune, so all we could do is wait. As a hero, Dune's treatment was of the highest priority with doctors checking on his condition constantly, so him waking up early than expected was welcomed. "He's awake, he's awake." coasted through the streets by guards posted at his room, leading the military and citizens to crowd the medical building. A few of the men that saw the battle, the king and his court entered his room and saw him standing by the back baloney, the sun beaming his face and scar. The site was like a painting, leaving every person in the room speechless until he turned and noticed us.
"Your highness." he said dropping to his knees "I'm sorry for failing our last mission."
Even with all he did, saving his men from an ambush while injured he was still humble. The display moved the men in the room deeply enough that they also dropped to their knees and apologized to the king.
"Rise your heads, all of you did all you could and then some." he said "None of you are to blame."

Dune rose to his feet and greeted the king, after he was finished we swarmed him to celebrate his recovery. Before we got to rowdy, the king interjected.
"I know you all are happy to see Dune alright but some questions need to be answered."
He was right and we wanted to know what it was that give Dune the strength to save us. 
"Its quite hard to explain but I'll do my best to make it understandable."  he said "The power that helped me came from a god called Athena."
All the faces in the room had a confused look on them after hearing Dune's claim.
"I know it sounds weird but I'm telling the truth." he said "She came to me after our first battle and told me about battle strategies."
"Do you understand how preposterous that sounds Dune?" the king exclaimed 
All the men had a similar thought and Dune could sense it. 
"I understand, I'll just have to show you." he said 
The air started to swirl at his back and a figure started to emerge, forming itself out of light into the shape of a woman. The woman was tall and slightly muscular, carrying a spear and shield but she was also beautiful, even more beautiful than the queen who's beauty was known throughout the continent.
 "I am Athena, goddess of Wisdom and War." she said in a booming voice
"Thank you for answering my call over such a small matter." Dune said with a calm demeanor
"Can you lower your voice, you scaring my compatriots."
"Certainly." she said in a lower voice "I'll do all that's within my power for the champion I have chosen." 
We were all still confused as too what was happening, we had Aldi as our only god and most of us didn't believe but learning that they are real and more than we thought would change everything. 
"Mortals, I shall grant you three questions." she said
The existentialism set in and we most of the men couldn't talk but the king kept his composure and asked "Are there more of you?"
"Yes, I am but one god out of many gods and heroes in one pantheon out of many."
"I never asked but why me? asked Dune 
" This is not the only way but I chose you because I'm most embodied my ideals."
We were on the last question but we didn't have enough information so no one could pose a question until "is this something our enemies have access too?" came from within the group. 
"Yes."
The men started whispering about the upcoming conflict knowing ours are as strong or even stronger than Dune.
"As I said before, there are many gods and heroes from different pantheons that will inhabit and assist many of your enemies." she added "Gods have ways of influencing the outcomes of battles and you will learn them in due time."
Athena disappeared and Dune dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, but was soon back to his feet after a minute. The information she gave us entirely valuable in the next few fights but we needed to end this conflict before we lose our advantage but as we would see it soon it was alright lost.

Spirits of legends and stories from different worlds are inhabiting warriors of fearsome conflict. Who will be victorious?

Alex smirked at the way the guy responded obediently. Duna noticed that a lot of people were looking at a particular place, he followed their gaze and he landed on Alex. He saw that Alex had a smirk on his face and his attention was on one of the people that came out of the cave after the phenomenon.

Alex noticed Dune's gaze and he stared right back at him. They made eye contact and stayed like that for a while. Alex's confidence startled Dune a little bit.

'Was he the culprit? Did he cheat or something? No, if he did master Argus would have found out and taken care of it.'

He made probe into Alex's core.

'Just a rank-6 origin realm cultivator, he shouldn't be capable of something significant.' He analyzed.

Alex could feel and Dune's consciousness invading his core. "A rude one," Alex uttered.

What Alex said made dune's eyebrows raise. "Huh. Hahaha!" He laughed. "A confident or an incompetent one," Dune said in reply to Alex's comment.

"Confident, not incompetent Mr. Nirvana realm cultivator." Alex retorted.

"So you know my cultivation realm and you still speak to me the same way. The pride before the fall."

"Is your cultivation realm meant to mean anything to me?" This made Dune angry. He was ready to attack Alex but chose to use the QI around to suppress him and bring him to his.

'Attacking him will be losing too much face. I will embarrass him without moving a finger, just a mere origin realm kid.'

A few seconds had passed by without any of them saying anything. Alex could feel the QI around him trying to suppress his movements. Unfortunately for Dune, his plan didn't work. Alex smirk only got wider as he stared at Dune.

"I wouldn't say anything about it, if you love your face you shouldn't say anything about it too."

"What!?" Camron exclaimed. "What are you talking about Alex?" He shoved his shoulder. "It's none of your business Camron."

['You should stop this bluff now before you completely enrage him. We can't fight against a nirvana realm cultivator'] Xander quickly advised.

"Alex eh? I will remember your name." Dune said. "Hello everyone, my name is Kawataro Dune."

"Kawataro, that's the name of the Class-3 ancient bloodline family. A water elemental from the ancient beast Kappa." Whispers from the crowd could be heard. Dune smiled at the commotion his name had caused. He looked at Alex to see if he was intimidated by his family name. Just as he was disappointed the first time, he got disappointed again. Alex wasn't even listening to what he had said. He was speaking to Camron.

Dune felt insulted by Alex's actions. 'You will pay for this.' He made a mental note, Alex noticed him staring again and he still made eye contact with him – he smiled, challenging him. "I have been tasked with the duty of guiding this year's new pupils. I am very sure that you are all wondering where the school's ground is. To answer that, this is part of the school's territory." Dune pointed at the ground, where he was standing.

"From the foot of the mountain that you entered, that is where the school's territory starts from, and where it ends. Well, it's a bit hard to specify, but all the students say that its territory ends at the foot of the snow-covered mountain. Why? You will find that out once you've spent enough time in the Severance academy. Now follow me, I will take you all, to where you can check which element you have an affinity with."

Everyone followed behind Duna as he took them through the forest. "Most of the grounds of the school are covered by forestry. Between where your classes will hold and to your dorms, there is a forest, to the library, or the martial skill pavilion there is a forest. Fret not, because there are no unmonitored monsters or beasts on the school ground. The dorms for boys and girls are the same, a male might share a room with a female, vice versa."

Some individuals in the crowd gave a sinister whistle. Some laughed.

"But you are not allowed to invade anybody's privacy nor are you allowed to force yourself on anyone. If you are caught or reported along with significant evidence then you will be punished then expelled. The only way you can get a private room for yourself is to earn it. You can use MP – merit points to obtain a private room or you can use ECs. With merits and ECs, a lot of things in this school is possible." Dune explained.

['It's a good thing I'm loaded. I can't imagine myself sharing a room with any of these strangers'] Alex rejoiced.

['Now can you see the use of money, imagine if you had burnt all of our money when you were cultivating, you would have spent your days in this school with stinking strangers.'] Al stated. He was trying to coarse Alex to change his mind about using ECs as cultivation resources.

['yeah, yeah. I know what you are trying to do Al, it's not going to work.']

['I swear you don't deserve money.']

"Alex, are you going to get a private room?" Camron tapped him on his shoulder.

"Yeah. Do you want one too?" Alex smirked as he glanced at Camron.

['You bastard, why are you asking him if he wants one? If he does then it's our money you are going to use to sponsor him. Are you insane? The ECs are not unlimited. Ahhh!'] Al started to cry.

['You only get emotional when money is involved.']

"If I said yes, would you get one for me?" He jokingly asked. "Yeah definitely, ECs are not my problem." Alex shrugged his shoulders as he gave his reply.

"You are a spendthrift aren't you?" He smiled at his friend. He felt happy that Alex would do that for him. "What are friends for?" Alex said.

"You are also not allowed to leave the school's premises without permission until the session has ended. You are not allowed to kill a fellow student on school grounds less it is in the Arena of retribution. Disrespecting a school staff will help to lose merit points. Disobeying minor rules of the school will also have you losing MP, absence from class without a suitable reason will have you losing MP.
The moment you have minus 10,000 merit points to your name, you will be expelled from the school. If you want to earn MP then you will have to get stronger and go for missions. These are just some of the rules of the school. The rest you will learn on your own." Duna briefly listed some of the dos and don'ts of the academy.

Soon they came out of the forest, and the first thing that caught their attention was the architecture of the building not too far away from them.

"That my juniors -- is the Martial skill pavilion." Dune pointed at the building. The building stood at 10 stories high and looked like it was made of glass, clear glass. But they couldn't see the insides.

"The reason you can't see the insides is because the glass of the building has rune inscriptions on it that creates illusions."

['Runes are useful. Can't wait to learn more about it.'] Alex thought in excitement.

They walked past the martial skill pavilion and entered another forest that was behind the pavilion. They continued like that for 15 minutes, then they exited the forest. The buildings they saw this time also caught their attention, but they were not mesmerized by its beauty but repulsed by its deformity and stench. The small huts here, are made of wood that had started to rot, and there was open sewage in the corner.

"This is where students with minus MP stay. Since everything in the school is influenced by MP, you not having MP means that you have no value."

They continued walking and they entered another forest. This time it took them 20 minutes to reach their destination. They stopped at an open place that only has 7 huge pillars with some inscriptions on them, and then a small pillar standing in front of the 7 huge ones.

They took in the scenery of their surroundings. After looking for a while they heard Duna speak.

"Alright line up according to the following;

Origin realm cultivators on a straight line.

Nascent realm cultivators on a line of their own.

Early-stage Disaster realm.

Late-stage Disaster realm."

Duna finished announcing. He searched the crowd for Alex. As if Alex knew that he was searching for him, he raised his hand, indicating his position. Duna found him as soon as he did that, he stared at Alex with a frown whilst stared at him with a grin on his face.

['Why do you keep on frustrating the guy!?'] Al shouted. ['Can't you understand when we say that we can't take him on? sure he can't kill us in the school's ground but he can embarrass and tarnish my reputation.'] Al started to rant.

Alex ignored his rants and smirked at Duna.

Alexander a young assassin at the top of the food chain gets summoned into another galaxy. A Galaxy full of cultivators, a Galaxy full of mysteries, demons and mythical beasts. A Galaxy with bloodlines that contains Unimaginable powers.

Alex was bestowed special bloodlines by his summoners. But he doesn't want it, he felt that his only purpose in life was to destroy those that caused him grief, pain and suffering.
Now that he had been summoned to a new Galaxy with no way back, He felt depressed and dejected.

With new powers and a new Galaxy, Alex decided that his new purpose in life is to find a purpose in life..

Watch as he gets stronger, fights through his enemies and tribulations and finds out what this Galaxy could offer him.



Note: Just going to put this out here so that you don't get disappointed when you start reading it. My MC has DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, in other words, multiple personalities.) It might be a turn off for you, but trust me, it makes the plot better.



DISCLAIMER: THE COVER OF MY BOOK IS NOT MINE. IT WAS BORROWED.

It took Ameri over an hour to reset the trap. It may have been able to kill a baby Dune Trap but, to accomplish that feat, it was overly cumbersome to build and reset. Very few with the desire to hunt beasts would see this as a worthwhile tradeoff.
During that time Kaleb was able to work out most of his stiffness. Though his body still hurt, it was at least manageable. He saw Ameri jump off the platform and stare thoughtfully at the Dune Trap's corpse, still partially buried beneath the platform.
"So, how are we going to transport it back to town?" Kaleb asked as he walked over to the edge of the platform.
Ameri looked up at him with a sheepish grin. "Well actually, I haven't figured that out yet." He replied truthfully.
"What did you do with the last one you caught?" Kaleb asked with a perplexed look.
"Actually, this is the first one I've caught." Ameri said, looking even more sheepish. "You see, I saw a baby Dune Trap hunting a Shelled Hog in the distance while I was going to an oasis to get Mumbi fruit. The idea for the trap came from watching it hunt so clumsily and, well, sometimes my enthusiasm gets me ahead of myself. So, I built the trap only to realize that I didn't have a way to lure the Dune Trap into it. I mean, I'm not stupid enough use myself as bait..." he trailed off awkwardly.
"Which is when I showed up, solving the problem of someone stupid enough to be the bait?" Kaleb asked blandly.
"That's not how I meant it!" Ameri said quickly, waving his arms for emphasis. "It was just sort of lucky that you led one here. I mean not lucky, it's obviously bad that you were being chased and you were injured and all, but it did help solve my problem and you were saved from the Dune Trap too. So, it kind of worked out for both of us." He concluded his rambling explanation with a bright smile, feeling satisfied that he had smoothed over the situation.
Kaleb shook his head as he smiled slightly. 'This kid is a handful' he thought. The two of them seemed to almost be opposites. Kaleb was collected and analytical while Ameri was scattered and enthusiastic. 'He's what I would imagine a young Anthony would have been like.' Kaleb reminisced for a moment 'Fiery and intelligent, but hasn't refined that energy just yet.'
"Do you have any rope?" Kaleb asked, as there only seemed to be one, miserable, solution.
The early afternoon saw Kaleb and Ameri moving across the desert with the Dune Trap in tow. Kaleb was now wearing a light brown poncho and a head wrap that he had gotten from Ameri, to protect him from the sun. The young man was very prepared to be out in the wilds for long periods of time, and was well previsioned with everything one might need. A quality that Kaleb could appreciate. 
They had dug the Dune Trap out of the sand and used ropes to make a harness that connected them to it like a team of horses. Kaleb's solution had been simple, the Dune Trap's body was made to move smoothly through the sand so it should be even easier to move it across the surface. While this limited the friction it did not eliminate the weight. Kaleb was originally worried they would not even be able to make it budge but it turned out to be deceptively light for its size. It was still a struggle, and both Kaleb and Ameri were bent forward against the weight.
 Their pace was slow and Kaleb required frequent breaks, due to his low stamina. To top it off they couldn't pull the Dune Trap up a dune, so they were forced to take a winding route through the valleys of the desert, further lengthening their journey. They still found time to get to know each other better during their breaks and Kaleb used these breaks to find out more about the humans in the world that he had been pulled into.
"There are three main factions." Ameri explained during one of their rests. "These are the Omniscient Church, the Guilds and the Conglomerates. The Church are the guides of our world, they act as the judges and enforcers, but all of the factions were created for the same purpose, to create warriors who can gain an advanced status."
"Advanced status?" Kaleb asked.
"You don't even remember what an advanced status is?" Ameri asked surprised. "I mean status is what our world is built on. I guess I thought you would remember something so fundamental." He continued thoughtfully. Ameri took his time to gather his thoughts during their next march.
During their next break he told Kaleb. "Status is what determines everything about your life, what you can be, where you can go and even who you can marry. Your original status is determined by your birth but, thanks to the grace of the Gods, you can change your status by preforming acts for the Church. For example, the lowest thing you can be is a serf. Which means that you are bound to one town and to a particular occupation. But, a serf can accept missions from the Church and prove their value. They can then gain an advancement in status to Worthy. Once you are a Worthy you are no longer bound to the land or an occupation."
"What are the missions like?" Kaleb asked curiously.
"The missions to become Worthy are almost all the same. You just have to bring a certain number of beast cores to the Church. If you have higher level ones you don't need as many! Though, there are also missions to participate in den clearings or other stuff like that, and the missions to advance above Worthy are way more difficult!" Ameri's interest and enthusiasm for this subject was obvious on his face.
"Wait, so a serf can leave the town and go out to hunt beasts? I thought they were bound to the land?" Kaleb asked skeptically wondering if he had picked the best source of information.
"Well actually they don't have to leave town to get these cores, they can trade for them too. What the first mission proves is that someone has the initiative to obtain them. But, yes, of course serfs can leave the town, most of them are farmers after all. What being bound to a town means is that you can't enter another town. There is only one town a serf can do business or reside in. Once you are Worthy though you can enter, do business and even live in any town you want to!" Ameri explained as he tied on the harness to continue their journey.
The sun was starting to set, as they both collapsed on the ground, soaked in sweat. Kaleb's curiosity had depleted drastically after their long day. He still had one question left that he felt was important to know for their immediate predicament.
"Are you a serf?"
Ameri looked at him for a moment before looking away, his face serious for the first time since Kaleb had met him.
"No. My parents were both serfs who had earned their advancement to Worthy. Because of that I was born Worthy." he said evenly looking up at the blue sky his eyes far away.
"Were?" Kaleb asked, not failing to notice the past phrasing.
"They both died, in the Mountain Tomb, when I was 8. It's because of them that I want to become a great adventurer... to make them proud." Ameri didn't proclaim his conviction to the world as he had before. In fact, he said it so quietly that Kaleb had to focus to hear what he said. But, the conviction that Kaleb felt from those words was far greater than Ameri's previous claims to glory. Kaleb saw his young friend in a new light after that.
"We should get going." Ameri said breaking the silence that had formed between them. "We can still make another push before the sun sets."
They continued their journey in relative silence from then on. Whether from their mutual exhaustion or distracted by personal thoughts, Kaleb couldn't tell.

Torn from his comfortable life, his love and even his World; Kaleb is forced to a dangerous reality due to his lineage of Dragon's blood. 

In this new World where magic and power reign supreme, Kaleb is thrown into a society of dark truths, where the strong prey on the weak and the Dragons and their decedants are hunted even by the Gods.

I opened my eyes. There was a wooden ceiling above: my vision was a little blurry. A soft wheat like scent drifted in the air. I tried to move around and surprisingly my body didn't hurt. Most of my wounds were sealed and even my bones felt better. I was wearing my pants but I didn't have any shirt. My upper body was covered in bandages. How long was I out? I looked around and wondered why I was still alive. Was I saved by that voice? 
The room was rather neat and clean. Although not spacious, having things tidied gave the room a good impression at least to me. There wasn't much in there though. A bed, a table and a self for clothes. 
"Oh! You are awake!" said a feminine voice. And soon a mature but young looking lady entered the room. I'd say she was a few years older than me.
"Are you the one who saved me?" I asked as I stared at the lady. 
She had gentle eyes and a smile.
Her clothes gave a vintage vibe. "Yes. I am the one who healed you, but…"
"He's already awake!?" A young man's voice reached me from outside the room. Afterwards he came inside. He was tall and muscular. But probably the same age as me or maybe younger. With broad shoulders and a robust figure he struck me as the hard working type. Unlike me. 
"I believe he just woke up," the lady said.
The man touched his chin. "I see." 
The young lady introduced the man. "This is the man who rescued you. He is my little brother."
My chest felt warm. I'd been saved. "Thank you."
There were a lot of things I wanted to ask. But I couldn't ignore the fact that I'd been saved. The first thing I needed to do was thank them.
"How were you still alive? You had broken bones! And you also had the devil's poison," the man said.
How'd they know I had broken bones? The house and their clothes clearly stated that this was a village. Probably the same one Misrael talked about. If magic was real than my rapid recovery wasn't farfetched.
"I don't know myself, to be honest. What's the devil's poison?" With a little awkward laughter I tried to calm him down.
"In rare cases, undead goblins have venom. We call that venom, the devils poison," the lady explained. 
Misrael had said the same thing about the poison. So not every goblin had venom… That's actually a fitting name though; considering how hellish that day was.
"Oh! That's right we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I am Milai. This is my younger brother Dune. And that little girl that's been peeking from outside the door is Sheila." As the lady introduced herself, I understood that another set of eyes were spying on me. She stood by the door silently poking her head in. She couldn't be any more than twelve.
"I am Daarc Green. Nice to, meet you. And you have my most sincere gratitude."
"This guy is funny sis." Dune laughed.
I didn't get if they found my name funny or maybe my gratitude. It kind of made me feel annoyed. What's so funny about that? 
Maybe he got the hint. He continued. "Don't worry this is only natural. It's only common courtesy to save someone in danger. For the time being please rest. Dinner will be ready soon."
So it's almost night time.
"But still I must thank you." I wasn't going to not show my gratitude. They deserved that much.
Dune laughed. "Ha haha." I couldn't get if he was just being sarcastic or he laughed like that. Honestly, I didn't even want to know.
With a little laugh both of them left. The young one didn't even come close to me. I still wondered if people were really that nice in such a cruel world. Why would they save me for no reason at all? Humanity? 
I closed my eyes, wondered and soon fell asleep. After some time, a small voice called me. My sleep ended in failure as I almost had a girlfriend in dreamland.
"Hey, you…hey!"
"It's Daarc…"
The little girl that spied on me before came in the room with a ladle. She pointed it toward me and gasped. "I don't care if it's too dark for you. Get, your ass moving!"
"Shouldn't you let injured people sleep?" I asked, still groggy.
"I'm already treating you better than I'd treat any other free loader," she mumbled.
Hard to imagine this is the same girl who was so afraid before. Wait, was she afraid? I felt a sinking feeling that the girl might have only weary at the time, not afraid.
I got out of bed and it turned out I was in fact on the 2nd floor of a large wooden house. The wood creaked as I walked. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. 
"It wouldn't break down would it?"
"Just keep walking!"
What the hell…. I held my head. My whole body was heavy.
I was almost fully healed yet felt rather uneasy as a walked. My chest felt tight. But it didn't hurt.
"How is this even possible?" I wondered as I came down. The stairway didn't squeak as much. The wood on the walls seemed somewhat old and the house lacked decorations, yet it was rather tidy and clean. In reality there wasn't even a speck of dust anywhere. The air gradually became sweeter. I could almost taste it.
There was grand total of seven people at the dinner table including me and the little brat. Upon getting closer to the wooden table I felt intimidated by the pressure set on my by the old man who was glaring at me. It was crystal clear that he didn't like me. The sweet aroma in the air put mind at somewhat of an ease though. 
"How are you feeling now?" Dune asked.
"Not bad. They are?" I said.
"This is my aunt and these two are my grandparents." Dune talked with a smile. His parents weren't here. I couldn't bring myself to ask about it.
Soon Milai brought the main dish. It was a soup with some meat and wild mushrooms. Just from the smell I could say that it was beyond any dishes you would find on typical fancy restaurants.
"I see. It is a pleasure to meet you three. And thank you for having me here." I tried to talk with a smile as well.
"Stop wasting time. Eat your fill and leave by morning. We don't need another mouth to feed!" the old man stated in a straightforward way.
"Grandpa!" 
Honestly I was relieved to hear that! At least they were upfront. I for once wouldn't want to leech on a family that saved my life. And besides, when someone starts behaving all nice and benevolent without any reason at all, isn't that too suspicious?
"Don't mind that jerk lad. You're welcome to stay as long as you like," The old women said. She was good with words and seemed rather understanding. I could understand how she could put up with such a brusque old man.  
"What are you saying? He's a… freeloader!" The old man wasn't going down easy.
"Please stay quite dad. Or you might end up having another attack," Dune's aunt looked at me, "Don't worry dear, take a seat and enjoy your meal," It was clear that this family was genuinely kind. 
"How did you do it?" she added. 
I couldn't understand what she'd meant. I had tons of questions but when she asked me something, I was just lost. "Excuse me?"
"I mean what where you doing out there and how did you survive such wounds? And how it that your body's healing is so remarkable?"
I answered as best as I could without giving much details. It would be stupid to tell them everything, even if they are my saviors.  
"You see… I don't have much memory… I was travelling…"
I only gave them facts such as I was a traveller who lost his memories and was attacked my goblins outside. I could tell them about me not being from that world but I had yet to decide whether that was something I should tell someone.
I lied in there face. But somehow they seemed to become even more compassionate. Deep down, I felt guilty. 
"Five goblins in total!? And you even survived that forest! You must be one heck of an adventurer, huh?" Dune said. 
I was just lucky.  I didn't tell them about the angel. They didn't ask anything about it either. They were a little shocked when I told them about how I was saved by stray arrows, but they had no idea as well. Adventures occasionally travel around and kill monsters in the field- at least that's what they told me.
"But I almost did die though," I said.
"Yeah, you were rather lucky. Fortunately my sister right here is a priestess. I'm a guard of the wall. When I heard your scream and saw you covered in blood, I informed her," Dune said.
So you did hear? Talk about a heart attack! 
"I see. You have my gratitude."
Dune forced me down. "Don't worry about it. And sit down already!" 
"Right!" 
I couldn't ask any questions. I sat down and enjoyed the meal with the family. It was nice to get something to eat after all that. As I ate I got a lot of eyeballing form the old man. He might have really hated me. Well, I am a freeloader after all…
Despite all that, I ate almost three times more than normal. They weren't surprised to see that though. During dinner it was rude to talk. Even so they indulged with me quite mercifully. Nevertheless I'd never forget their debt.
"Looks like you were quite hungry, huh?" dune asked.
"Yeah, I felt a little too hungry. How long was I out?"
"Three days."
My eyes twitched. I couldn't believe it but I had to say something. "I see."
After finishing dinner I was told to spend the night in the room I woke up in. the people of that house were really nice. 
 
The next morning was blissful. Instead of getting breakfast I was thinking of how to get out of the house unnoticed. The least I could do was to get out of their hair. I tiptoed out. Millai and her aunt were in the kitchen. The old man and Dune wasn't there. I couldn't see anyone else, so I succeeded.
I went outside that house and found myself in a breathtaking village. Being a city folk, I never got to see such scenery before. Dune had given me a shirt. It looked dull and felt weird to wear, but it was better than nothing. 
Clear streaming pond was the heart of that village. Greenery was soothing my eyes. People didn't seem paranoid about what was outside the walls. People walked by the road, like nothing was wrong at all.
There was a clear rule in the village that no one was to leave the village walls or so Dune had told me. The village itself was one of many in those regions. Most of the villagers were self-sufficient, having enough to live by.  
I was immediately stopped by Dune just outside the house. Just when I thought I wouldn't get caught! 
He tossed a piece of bread at me. "Come with me."  
I put the bread in my mouth and followed him. We went around the village. He showed me shops, houses, and even the church. It was really a village. There was no such thing as modern technology there. I saw children and elderly a lot but something felt a little off. There weren't many adults.
Most of the houses were wooden but some were made from stones. However when we passed through the church, something caught my eye. The backyard of the church had strange trees perfectly aligned. 
"What are those?"
He didn't look at me. He didn't say anything. He just walked on.
I didn't press him. I didn't have the luxury to.
We went into a weapons shop. For some reason Dune insisted that I take up a sword. 
"Please, Daarc! Every night our casualties increase. Lately the undead have become restless. We just can't keep up with the roaming undead. Besides, we…" 
He paused.
I couldn't stand his silence. Something was clearly wrong. "What's wrong?"
His expression changed. He grinded his teeth, made a fist and glared at me. "They're dead…. The villagers are mostly dead. All the people who could fight are dead. Only seven of the guards are still alive. And three of us are injured. If we can't protect the wall, everyone will die."
He didn't scream. But his words pierced my soul. His eyes shimmered.
"So the trees behind the church…"
His voice deepened. "Those were the graves…"
"…"
"As long as you plan to stay here, please lend us a hand! Just an extra pair of hands-"
I knew where that was going. But a good deed deserves payment. I needed to return the favor. 
"I don't plan to stay here long. There is something which I must do, somewhere I must go," I said.
I still had to find out why I came to this world and how to return to mine.
"That is okay! Just, please help me defend the village. And when you're ready you can leave, I won't stop you." 
Dune was very persuasive and he was almost insane. The gravity of his words was heavy. 
I guess I should return the favor. I picked up the sword. It was heavy. I didn't have to pay. I didn't even know if money was a thing in this world or not. So being a college freshman didn't really help.
"I'd be blunt with you. I have no idea how to use this thing…" 
"To be honest I can't use it properly either. However I know the basics and I'd be happy to share. You're more of a knife person, right?"
That doesn't sound very convincing. How the hell have you people been surviving? "Sounds good to me. Well I can kind of use knives. Just kind of." I used to cook for myself a lot, so I did know how to handle a knife. But to fight with it? that was a different story.
 
Dune told me sleep the whole day. I couldn't necessarily sleep but lied down on the bed anyway. I didn't want to return to their home but I couldn't say no to Dune. 
I hated my house, my family. I had all the right reasons to. I'm pretty sure they hated me as well. A lot had happened to for them to literally hate me but it was true. So I didn't really like the idea of playing family in another world.
"You up?"
Sounds like it's finally time.
I looked out the window. It was evening. I didn't even notice how time had flown.
"Yeah."
"Time to move out. Grab your sword," Dune said, just outside the door.
 
Training begun at night. It was more like me running around with an iron rod. I couldn't even properly lift the damn thing. It was heavier than the sword from the undead. Besides, my body was still heavy.
"Are you sure you killed five goblins?" His sarcastic tone bothered me, but still he tried his best to teach me.
"Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are… but aren't we supposed to protect the wall?" I said.
Although it was well past evening, no undead had come near the wall.
"As long as the fire's burning, there's no need to worry."
"I've been meaning to ask, how come they're afraid of fire?"
"You see all living things fear fire. Even after death they think it might harm them. In reality it does, so maybe that's why?" Dune explained.
So you don't know either? Hey, wait! People are afraid of a lot more things than just fire.
"But-"
"No more buts now focus!"
He swung his sword at me, I tried to block. It didn't work. I fell on my back. 
Strength really was his strong suit. He didn't give me a break. But I still knew nothing about this world.
He sighed. "Get up."
Somebody started shouting. "Dune the other side!"
I got up. The fire was about to go out in the other side. We took a torch and ran for it, barely making it at the last moment. There were basically just five of us. 
The whole training combined with the relentless pursuit of the undead, was brutal. I already felt faint.
"Tired already," Dune smirked.
"That ain't funny!" I breathed heavily and panted.
"But that just shows what happens everyday. But honestly these last few days were the worst. So I'm glad you're here."
But why?
I still didn't know how to kill those things apart from using sunlight. "Oh and we chased them away but how do we kill-"
"We don't. Only a priest can purify them or someone who has holy powers. We can cleave them with proper swords but they'd still move around. Although they won't be harmful that way. Or just burn them. That seems most effective, honestly. And I prefer that too. You won't believe how well they burn!" his eyes showcased his passion for burning. There were these types of people in my world as well. These people just loved to burn stuff.
"Sometimes I wonder who the bad guy is." My voice was barely a whisper.
"Did you say something?"
"Nope!"
It went on like that for the whole night. I couldn't even move my arms anymore. That guy's training was as brutal as a bite from the damn goblins. But when morning light peeked through the eastern horizon, I felt at ease. My heart fluttered and I knew it was over- at least for tonight.
 
I was spent. So I slept till noon. Who cared about breakfast anyway?
"Oi!"
"Hey!"
"YOU!"
I woke up. Something or one was screaming in my ears. It was a high pitched voice. My ears rang.
"Argh…" I groaned. 
I looked around. It was the little brat again. "What?"
"Lunch is ready, they want you down."
They want me down? you almost sound like a mass murderer. I was disappointed. I wanted to sleep some more. It felt like one those days when I accidently got too excited over a book or movie that I spent the whole night on that. Actually it probably was. "Huh? Already?"
I gasped, grabbed my head and sat down. My head hurt. The little brat led me to the place with water.
I washed my face outside the home and went to the designated place: the fated dinner table. Dune was as bright as I last saw him. How tough was the guy? But the geezer was there too. And as usual, he greeted me with his solid glare.
I ate lunch. I couldn't talk much. 
"You look sick…" Milai said.
And I totally was. "Back where I'm from, that's a compliment."
They all laughed.
I could barely keep my eyes opened. Once finished I thanked them, went upstairs and slept for another two good hours. I woke up in the afternoon and went outside the house. Sheila followed me. How the hell did she knew I was going out?
"What?" I asked.
"Let's go fishing."
I never liked fishing. Patience was never my strong suit. Why would I even want to sit down for hours with little hope of actually catching something good? "Huh? Why?"
"You're eating our food, the least you could do is make up for it, right?"
Aren't I doing enough already?
The way she talked indicated that she might have been older than she looked. "Wait, how old are you?"
"Thirteen."
You don't say… 
"You don't look a day over ten." I wasn't convinced. She was too much of a brat.
"I'm THIRTEEN!"
I sighed in resignation. I had got myself into troublesome shit once again. "Yeah, sure, sure. Lead the way."
She ran back home.
I was left there thunderstruck. What just happened?


Although the group initially split in three groups at the beginning, somehow, Canna and Amanda's group meet-up again halfway when their path meet up, while encountering some traps and obstacles. They seemed to have taken the long path, given that they haven't encountered anyone else yet. 

Then again, anyone who'll be in this place will think that this place is needlessly huge, and somehow, although the path is very few, the direction it goes is very random.

Sometimes it'll go left, and sometimes the path will suddenly become steep, or turn right, it's to the point anyone barely kept their sense of direction anymore. 

"How long is this path!?" Canna complained as she ran alongside Amanda, followed by the rest of the group running behind them. The path is still lit by lamps, but the path has led them to lose her sense of direction but kept going straight. 

"..We better hurry.." Amanda replied, but her face had traces of nervousness and impatience in them. Her lips are dry as she exert effort as she sped up, while the rest of the group also matched her pace as well. 

But the rush is obviously taking a toll on the group as they started to manage their breathing and sweat as they move. But none of them are even sure anymore if they are going to the correct direction, except Amanda. 

The path they are running on is slowly changing in scenery as the dimly lit tunnels showed more traces of purple hue as they move forward. 

-----


The pond where the kids are glowed with an ominous purple light, and as this happens, the children lost their consciousness all of a sudden, including Zeian and Wisteria, as their small bodies float on the pond.

The air suddenly seemed to become heavy as the whole place seemed to started to shake. 

"!!-..Y-you witch! What are you doing!" The man named Brute called out in panic at the sudden occurence of the anomaly, which wasn't they expected when they threw the children in the pond. The other robed people also backed away and took distance from the pond as the whole place started to tremble.

"I have my own plans, muscle head! Tell your leader the deal is off! " Halle laughed histerically as the water of the pond started to whirl, the children's body also moved along with its current,and the transparent water started to be less clear. The purple flames under the water started to mix with the liquid, sharing its light and color to the pond itself.

"Don't think you'll get away with this! Surround this traitor!" he shouted while the rest also mobilised and ran towards her. 

"Measly mobs!" 

BAMM! CRASH!! BAMM!!

"""UAHHH!!"""

Halle seemed to be proficient in magic as well as she raised her hand and blew away some of them where her hand was directed to, while leaving some fiery purple traces and strong gust of wind. 

BANGG! CRASHHH! 

Halle's attention suddenly got attracted to the sudden sound that seemed to have come from the side like something blasted the wall open. 

---


"....." Oliphym stand still in a stance with his sword in hand as he glared silently in place, looking at the opposite party they were confronting. 

"..Brother.." Dune barely called out to him, who was behind him as they stopped in the middle in a wider part of the tunnel. 

Standing across them is the robed person who wielded a pair of Scimitar, and a handful more of them behind him. Needless to say, the people that took the kids away. 

This means enemies, and this means they meant ill-intent and harm. 

"..Who are you youngins? You don't look like the city guards. Are you the cause of this mess..?" the robed leader inquired with a threatening tone as he approached them. 

Both sides knew this question no longer needed an answer. The robed leader just encountered the very culprits of the unexpected chaos they encountered today. 

"..Dune.. Make a mess and delay them. We'll keep running.." he suddenly said to Dune without taking his eyes off the culprits as he took a step back. 

He didn't replied to the leading robed person but he delivered himself at him and lunged straight as he raised his sword and swing it.

The opponent didn't idle as he raised his own weapons to block his attack. 

DANG!! KA-KLANG!! 

Oliphym's sword strike was heavy as he struck the leader's block with all his might, not sure to take into consideration of it being blocked or not. 

He decided to become reckless as he swung his sword more, trying to become faster than the enemy could block, nor even counter. His attacks were relentless as if to attempt to overwhelm the opponent immediately. 

DANG DANG! KA-KLANG! DANG DANG DA-DANG! 

Experiencing Oliphym's attacks, the robed leader immediately gauged his opponent's ability and started to easily fend off his attacks with less effort than the last. 

Anyway, Oliphym is just buying time. He tried to take the enemy by surprise by making a hard feint and swung his sword from below-

STAB-!.. CLANG... BOOM! 

-but Oliphym's left hand was pierced by the enemy's counter. Only for a breath, both sides did not move, but the stabbing pain screamed in Oliphym's mind as his hand trembled and bled out. The movement of the sword also made it bleed more and spread the cut. He growled as his body let go of the sword in reflex, and tried to kick the culprit as it hit the ground.

It was futile. 

His kick was caught with less effort, and for some reason, not sure if by a kick or magic, Oliphym was hit by a heavy force and was sent flying, his back hitting the wall next to Dune. 

His back hit the wall before he rolled on the ground further. Oliphym held his bleeding hand as he try to manage the screaming pain in his mind and suppress his blurring focus. 

"..Ahh-Shit! Dune, break it!" 

Without a delay, the robed people's group felt a moment of repulsing force supressing them in place only for a moment, before the walls of the tunnel started to shake and crumble, starting to collapse. 

The robed person was startled by this so he threw a knife towards Dune, and it luckily missed her, but this interrupted her focus, resulting to only half the tunnel breaking and some two or four people of the enemy being buried alive. 

"Ah-!"

"Let's go!" without thinking nor looking back, he pulled Dune with his other hand as they ran towards a tunnel in random.

"CHASE THEM!" the leader roared as he ran after them, followed by the rest of his subordinates. Looking at it, it's really a close pursuit. 

Since they are running, without Dune's complete focus, she was only able to make small distractions to them like breaking the ground they pass on, making it uneven, or leaving sharp obstacles behind them, making the robed people have to move around it. 

But due to her lack in power, she can only slow them down and not block them. 

With luck, a wooden door with metal hinges with iron bars came into sight. Oliphym and Dune suddenly paced up their sprint. 

Knowing there is no time to deal with lock and knobs, Oliphym decided to rely on Dune to break the door, which she is already aware of. 

Her irises glowed with yellow light as the door started caving in, making crashing and crumbling sounds. The progress was slow since Dune is running, thus her focus is not completely whole. 

Without stopping, Oliphym charged in with a reckless mind as he ram the door open with his body, taking some part of the wall with it, making it collapse. 

BANGG! CRASHHH! 

Luckily, the hinges already came off with Dune's power before Oliphym hit the door down. 

"What is that??"

"What happened!?" 

More voices reached Oliphym's ears, which seemed to have come from the people on the other side of the door. 

"Brother! Can you stand?" Dune asked as she came to his side and helped him up. 

As he looked up, he noticed the Halle, the pond and the kids, and some more robed people not afar. At a glance, it seems he came in from the side door of some sort of a make-shift cathedral. The dark place and purple flames only added to the place's dark atmosphere.

"It's Zeian!" first thing Oliphym heard from Dune when she saw the place they ended up in. 

The other people in the place also met their eyes. Among them, the woman with Lavender hair, was the first to get furious. 

"You! Who the hell are you!? You dare interrupt!" she growled with her voice raised as the air in the place seemed to become more heavy. 

Oliphym sweated more feeling nervous but he grin with a fearless smile, while holding onto his bleeding hand that doesn't seem to stop. 

"The Hero of the story!"

Oliphym got stranded in another world with incomplete identity, experience, and memories. Oliphym will continue to experience flashbacks, recover memories, and make more as if he is putting together many pieces of puzzles. 


This story would involve many past, numerous lives, and the future. How all in existence came from one single root of origin, the time of creation. Accompany Oliphym as he unveils the truth of his identity, and what his past has prepared for him until he got into another world. 



-
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2020 by _ArchKingLynis_

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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