The search begins 2

The kingdom of Valen had a history that dated back to millennia and a half. These very lands had seen the rise of many great kings along with a fair share of tyrants. It is said that the first ruler was but a common man, a lowly and orphaned refugee fleeing from the war that plague Taaprish two thousand years ago.

The people were happy to have found a place where they were free from the scourge of ceaseless fighting that brought their homeland to ruin. However, that happiness was short-lived soon they came to discover that their worries were not over. They hungered yet the lands were uncultivated and wild. They were weary yet the land was undeveloped with no place to rest but their tattered tents. They were travel-worn, apprehensive, fearful yet the mana-beasts descended upon them without mercy eager for an easy meal.

The people despaired. What difference was this from suffering in their homeland? The death toll went up each day. Some fell to starvation. Others, driven mad, took their own lives. More still fell to the fang and claw of mana-beasts. Why did they not perish in their homeland instead of this nameless place? At least they could be put to rest on their native soil.

Alas, in the darkest of hours there arose a flicker of hope. A young lad amongst them rose up, his name was Astrus. He gathered up twenty men took up arms and ventured forth to hunt the very beasts that hunted them...seven returned. But they had been victorious returning with the corpses of two fallen beasts. It was a small accomplishment but it was the beginning of a reform a great step forward. Besides any victory was to be celebrated in this place of sorrow and death.

Soon a change began in the small settlement as more hunting parties we're created. More often than not they failed, returning with injured and sometimes dead until eventually, the status quo changed. They grew more skilled, able to bring back some prey seven out of ten times and the young man who started the movement became one of the strongest in their small settlement- they called him Astrus the Valiant.

The settlement grew better every day as more and more hunts were successful. Surprisingly agriculture was the area that developed the most as the hunters brought back edible fruit and plants they came across.

The small settlement soon became a village as refugees increasingly gathered seeking asylum after learning of the unnamed little haven. From a village came a town as the exotic fruits and materials from the hunted beasts attracted travelling merchants spurring economic growth. Thirty-seven years later there was no semblance of the quaint little settlement but a great city appeared where it once stood, one that could no longer be left nameless. And so it was named after the title of its first lord, the young man that made all this possible, Valen.

After that, all it took was a few competent leaders before Valen became the capital of a prosperous country. As to how prosperous one only had to look at the hustle and bustle in the streets or observe the level of infrastructure. Additionally, it's military might could cower any other country on Taaprish from even considering any act aggression. A great kingdom that could rock the foundations of the world!

"So how did it come to this?" Thought Edgar the third as he massaged his brows to beat back the ensuing headache.

"Like I said I need a hundred of your best knights and at least ten court magicians." A voice demanded.

"The request is not difficult however you must understand that I cannot allow this without being aware of the particulars of this excursion." The monarch replied.

"Even if its a request from me?"

"Especially since it's a request from you, Sir Diligence," Edgar replied resolutely.

After all what kind of absurd situation would call for a 'Precept' from the Church of Doctrine to personally descend to a lower realm. Even if he allowed it he would never hear the end of it from the nobles should anything unforeseen happened to the troops.

"Your majesty with all due respect this is a matter of utmost secrecy." Diligence countered.

"Even so, I insist. I cannot send my people with you while blissfully unaware of the given situation. Not to mention your goal is that hellhole in the guise of a forest...no that itself might have been acceptable but you have no idea where you're going. That wretched place takes up a third of the entire continent for righteousness sake and you want to lead my men there while providing no knowledge of your purpose!?" Edgar argued impatiently.

"Edgar Valour, 12th King of Valenthia, do you mean to deny my request?" Diligence questioned in an irritable tone.

This one sentence had caused a volatile silence to descend upon the conference room. Edgar the third considered his options or rather option for there was only one. In truth, he had no choice in the matter, 'request' was to him an order. What he had really wanted was a surety that his troops would be safe but even that wasn't given to him. It has been this way since Taaprish had been annexed by the Church of Doctrine.

Every year the kingdoms of Taaprish would have to provide tribute in the form of exotic and unique resources to the theocracy. In exchange, they were given protection from invading off-world forces. Valen, as the largest and most prosperous nation on Taaprish, served as the representative for themselves an all other kingdoms. This put them in an advantageous position when it came negotiations with other nations however, this also meant that they would be the first to be contacted in the event of unanticipated circumstances...like right now.

"Your Highness, I think it would be best if you honour Sir Diligences' request." A pudgy noble off to the side suggested all too eagerly.

Soon as if given courage by the first, a choir of voices erupted as most of the nobles present voiced their agreement.

"Very well..."

Resigning himself to the situation the monarch had no choice but to concede in the matter.

🐍

In the hollow of a moderately large tree, a snake with bright blue scales was resting. This was, of course, Azra. Luckily he found this place before sundown. It was also lucky that its previous inhabitants, a group of owl-like birds, graciously allowed him to stay (they ran away...) and even went as far as to provide him with a meal (..before being eaten...).

Lost in his thoughts Azra decided to set some goals for himself. For one he needed to get strong enough that his life wouldn't be threatened by some random beast he came across. Luckily for him, this would only be a matter of time as long as he kept his current pace. After that, the most important thing was to figure out gather the 'world fragments', it wasn't a wise idea to go against the will of whomever or whatever had put him in this situation. Whatever it was was powerful enough to bring him to an alternate reality so although he didn't like playing to someone else tune he would have to bear it for now.

Then he had to finish soul adaptation, that too, was only a matter of time. Perhaps the most important short term goal he currently had was to find some way to tell when his growth was near. He nearly died of starvation when it happened without much warning. Assuming it would happen again it was very important he had time to prepare.

"Celest is it possible to modify the status screen so it displays how close I am to a growth spurt."

The system AI didn't respond but upon opening the status screen he noticed a few changes.

[Name: Azra Hale]

[Species: Slithern-Adolescent (Faint draconic bloodline)]

[Class: Extraordinary]

[Origin: 357/400]

[Unique Skills: Draconic Vision, Babel's Tongue]

[Active Skills: Subspace Storage, Analyse, Dragon's breath]

[Passive Skills: Aqua Affinity, Storm Seeker]

[Titles: Offworlder, Last of Them]

[Soul Adaptation progress: 31%]

Nodding in satisfaction Azra closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.