Chapter 19 - A Little Break

"Try again, Thops." I told my student.

Concentrating and making effort face with sweat beading on his forehead; Thops pointed his staff towards the field outside the ruined church. 

Magic gathered at the end of the staff, and with a wave of his arm, Thops cast a perfect Soul Arrow.

CLAP!

CLAP!

CLAP!

"Congratulations Thops! You are learning, soon we'll start your learning on advanced Soul Arrows and their different types. I honestly don't understand the need for so many different versions of the same spell, but you never know when you'll need it." I said, clapping my hands as I spoke to Thops.

"Thank you very much, Teacher Alden! Your words are kind!" Thops responded, bowing down.

It's a strange feeling. Teaching someone, I mean. I think the right word for that feeling is pride, seeing the person who is learning from you grow and get better at what you teach. This makes me happy.

Smiling nervously at Thops' reaction, I told him to stand up. 

"No need to bow down to me Thops, I'm not a teacher of the academy."

"But you have what it takes to be one. Have you thought about joining the academy after the war in the Lands Between is over?" Thops asked.

I stopped to think. I never saw myself as a teacher, but I enjoy leaning and researching magic. Finding a place in a society full of sorcerers would be interesting.

However, what I've seen so far shows that Raya Lucaria's sorcerers pursue their own goals. I prefer not to live in a place where I've to watch my back constantly.

"Perhaps in the future, at the moment I've many things to do here. When I've time, I'll think about what you suggested."

"Think about what I said, Teacher Alden, it would be an honor to have you among the great sorcerers, but until then, I'm happy to learn from you."

Therefore, Thops practiced the spells I taught him, and with Thops busy, I returned to Godwyn and Rennala who watched the training.

"Congratulations on getting your first student, have you thought about pursuing a teaching career?" Godwyn congratulated me.

"Teacher? I'm barely a student. Carhillion still called me an apprentice as I neared the end of my journey in Drangleic."

"What do you want? A diploma? Show some impressive spells for the traitorous sorcerers and they'll give you a spot in the academy. Alternatively, you could teach out here. You could found your own school of magic, you could hang a blackboard on the wall of this church, some wooden benches for the students, and a table for you. Only the students would be missing, we could call Boc, Roderika..."

While Godwyn rambled on, I sat beside Rennala.

"I'm proud of you, for getting your first student. It reminds me of the first class I taught at Raya Lucaria. I was so nervous and kept stuttering." Rennala spoke haply.

"Probably due to the amount of people looking at you, I only have Thops here. Without expectant people, wanting to know what I've to teach it's become easy to speak. Do you have any advice?"

"Take it slow, one step at a time; be patient as not everyone moves at the same pace, and think about what you will teach, the less people know about certain secrets of sorcery the better." Rennala spoke the last part seriously, looking me in the eye.

"I think you're right, let's just say I know certain spells that would be dangerous for the Lands Between in general." I replied, leaning against the church wall and watching the sky.

"We both know. I can't say if it's a good thing that we have in common." Rennala replied as well, looking up.

"Well you two know how to ruin the moment, we were happy talking about schools and students until you two talked about forbidden spells." Godwyn interrupted us.

"It's not like you have forbidden knowledge stored in your mind." I replied.

Godwyn glared at me and placed an index finger on the side of his head.

"Oh! Trust me; despite my good humor and attitude, I know things no one should know, royal family secrets that would shake the Lands Between."

"Like what, for example?"

"Did you know that Serosh spits his hairballs on my father's head?" Godwyn asked with a cocky smile.

We went silent, the only noise being Thops casting spells, Godwyn and I stared at each other, until a thin smile formed on his face, I did the same under my helmet until we could no longer hold our laughter.

"HAHAHA!" 

We both laugh.

"Honey, what are you laughing at?" Rennala asked.

"Nothing, I just remembered something funny." I replied, trying to recompose myself.

"Seriously, I understand the feeling, the Lands Between have existed since before the birth of the Golden Order. Who knows what lurks in the ruins of past kingdoms?" Godwyn spoke, returning to the previous subject.

"I can say that I've experience with this."

"Is that so? Mind elaborating?" Godwyn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Drangleic was built on top of the ruins of many kingdoms, kingdoms come and go, one day Drangleic will fall and a new kingdom will be built on top of it, but its ruins will remain to be found, like the ancient kingdoms I visited."

"Wow! You have wisdom to share; I thought we would spend our entire adventure with me giving you advice."

"My wisdom is not much; after all, I don't remember most of my life." I shrugged.

"What? How?" Godwyn asked surprised.

"Do you remember the mark that makes me one of those who live in death?"

"Yes."

"There are downsides that come with the mark, one of them is the loss of my memories, and the oldest ones go first. Sometimes I've visions, a forest at night during a storm, a boat crossing a lake towards ruins, a tree full of luminous insects, a whirlpool of screaming souls."

"Anything else?" Godwyn asked curiously.

"A woman and a child."

That made Godwyn spit out his proverbial wine, he stared at me with wide eyes, rising to his feet and pointing at me.

"YOU ARE MARRIED?!?" Godwyn screamed.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. The face of the woman and child was long gone, melted away like wax. Were they my wife and child? My brothers? Cousins? I've no idea."

"I'm sorry about that, it must be hard, I can't imagine how I would live if I forgot my family's face."

"Don't worry too much about it, they'll soon fade from my memory and I won't have to worry about it ever again."

"Stop! Don't say that kind of thing!" Godwyn exclaimed.

"Why not?" I asked confused.

"Family is one of the most important things a person can have! My brothers and sisters, even though our relationship wasn't the best, we all loved each other! The Shattering made us enemies, but I still care for them deep down! Except for Ranni, she can burn in hell!"

"And you complain to me about ruining the moment, you gave me a motivational talk only to throw a tantrum right after."

"Hey, I'm the moralizing person here! Not you!"

"Of course, oh, Great Godwyn, Golden Prince, and Greatest Demigod of All!"

"Flattering me won't get you out of trouble, but back to the point, don't take the fading of your memories so lightly. If you forget everything, what will be left in the end?"

"A Hollow." I answered seriously.

"A what?"

"Nothing... Nothing... I think we've been here long enough, let's sort out a few things in Limgrave before heading to the Weeping Peninsula." I replied, changing the subject.

"Alden..." Godwyn said worriedly.

"I'll tell you later, but not now. It's a touchy subject."

"Okay... Tell me when you think it's best."

Then Godwyn disappeared.

"Rennala, are you ready to travel?" I asked the Queen beside me.

"Yes dear, but are you feeling well?" Rennala asked worriedly.

"Yes. Why the question?"

"You were talking to yourself for quite some time."

"Sorry about that, I've a lot on my mind at the moment; I tend to wander from time to time."

"This isn't healthy if it happens repeatedly. You should get some rest, we are going from place to place taking short breaks, but I don't see you eating or sleeping."

"Hm… I'll think about it later, let's make trip to Limgrave, I'd like to meet a certain noble."

"Oh! Friends of yours?" Rennala asked haply.

"Meh! You can say so." 

Friends? I think so. That would be nice. My old memories are fading, so maybe I should create new ones.

"Thops, you are doing great, keep practicing, but I can't stay here, I've to continue my journey."

"I understand Teacher Alden, I'll train diligently and when you return, I'll make you proud." Thops replied respectfully.

"I'll wait for it! One more thing, it would be best to avoid the academy for a while, sorcerers have betrayed the royal family. They can't be trusted." I replied seriously.

Thops looked sadly at the ground. 

"I've heard stories about that, and to think that they would betray Lady Rennala and her family. Raya Lucaria was supposed to be a place of study and development of magic, where everyone works together, but now..."

"Don't worry Thops; soon you will return to the academy, I plan to recover our beloved place of study." Rennala spoke, comforting the sorcerer.

"That's wonderful Lady Rennala, I wish you good luck and a safe journey, to you too Teacher Alden." Thops replied, waved us goodbye.

"Thank you very much Thops, until we meet again." I replied, waving too.

"Keep practicing Thops, and soon you will become a great sorcerer." Rennala spoke.

Saying goodbye to each other, we headed towards the grace and transported ourselves.

-XXXXXX-

We arrived at the island with the dead dragon.

"What place is this?" Rennala asked, looking around.

"An old dragon communion church, I'm here to get a new incantation." I replied, removing the dragon heart from my bag and approaching the altar.

Devouring the heart, I didn't feel anything different, until the hunger came again, and this time bigger. I grabbed the altar so I won't fall on the ground, and held my stomach when I felt it growl furiously. 

Therefore, this was hunger. I don't like that feeling. Nevertheless, the hunger screamed, screamed for more dragon hearts. Come on Alden! That isn't the worst thing you've ever faced!

Fighting the hunger, I got up, and with trembling knees, walked away from the altar. I felt an absurd pain in my right arm, holding it, I screamed when its muscles suddenly grew.

"Dear!" Rennala screamed, approaching me.

"No! Don't approach!" I screamed back.

"AAAHHH!" 

With a final scream, my arm mutated with an explosion of blood, and in its place was a large, scaly arm with claws for fingers.

I slammed that arm against the ground in an attempt to stop what was happening and with that, generated a powerful shock wave that shook the island.

Trying to keep myself upright and breathing heavily, my arm slowly returned to normal. Not being able to stand up anymore, I fell forward, but felt someone holding me.

Looking up, I saw Rennala looking at me worriedly.

"What was that?" Rennala asked.

"The new incantation I acquired."

"I've heard about the dragon's communion, those who consume dragon hearts are cursed by a maddening hunger, and some even become gigantic monsters. Promise me you won't do that again."

"Fine..." I mumbled.

"Promise it!"

"I promise!" I sighed.

"Please take better care of yourself."

"I'm going to try."

With those final words, Rennala helped me to my feet and I saw the big hole left in the center of the island. 

As Rennala walked away from me, I saw crystals coming out where she stepped and saw a ring of crystals surrounding the island, its tips sticking out of the water.

That was risky; I almost worsened Rennala's condition. Who knows what will happen next time? It's as she said, maybe I should take better care of myself.

Going towards grace, we transport ourselves to a different place. 

-XXXXXX-

We walked out of the grace next to Bernahl's shack, but strangely, there was no one there.

Leaving the shack, I heard the sounds of a fight; I quickly hid behind the wall of the shack and waited.

"Honey, what are..."

I didn't let Rennala finish, I pulled her to my side, hiding her too. 

Looking at the night landscape, I saw flashes of red glowing in the distance. Using my binoculars, I saw the Pursuer fighting an Invader with a floating sword.

The two exchanged blows fiercely, the pursuer's sword glowing blue in contrast to the invader's sword. 

Well, I won't stay here to find out whom the winner will be.

"Rennala, let's go." I whispered to her.

"Why?"

I handed her my binoculars and pointed towards the fight.

"Oh! Let's go." Rennala replied.

Then we returned to the grace and transported ourselves to Fort Haight.

-XXXXXX-

Looking around, we saw several people staring at us in surprise, some of them wore light armor made of leather and metal, they held swords, spears, shields, and bows.

Others dressed like normal people, men, women, and children, using old and dirty clothes.

Looking out of the fort, we saw more of these people arriving in a large procession escorted by soldiers. I saw the light of distant torches accompanied by the sound of wagons and the neighing of horses.

Arriving at the top of the fort, we met Kenneth Haight watching the people approaching the fort. 

"Hey, Kenneth!" I called the noble.

Kenneth turned and looked at me confused; his eyes strayed to the person next to me. 

Kenneth's reaction changed when he saw Rennala, his eyes widened, and his mouth opened, immediately Kenneth adjusted his posture and approached the Queen.

"Lady Rennala! What an honor to be graced with your presence! To what do I owe your wonderful visit?" Kenneth asked, bowing slightly.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" Rennala asked confused and a little scared by Kenneth's display.

"Oh! How rude of me! Allow me to introduce myself; I am Kenneth Haight, a member of the true order and next in line as the possible rightful ruler of Limgrave!" Kenneth replied, puffing out his chest.

"I never heard of you." Rennala replied dryly.

Kenneth ego deflated, the man looked dejected at the floor.

"You will get used to his attitude." I said to Rennala.

"Excuse me, but who are you to be accompanying the great Queen of the Full Moon?" Kenneth asked irritably.

"It's me Kenneth, Alden." I responded, removing my helmet.

"Alden! My loyal servant! I haven't seen you for a long time! Glad to see you in good health! Tell me, what have you been up to? Last time I saw you, you roamed Limgrave, but now you travel with royalty." Kenneth asked surprised as he led Rennala and me into a room inside the fort.

We found ourselves at a large banquet table with chairs around it, golden chandeliers hanged from the ceiling as guards stood still in the corners, watching us.

The walls were adorned with armors and old paintings as the windows let the moonlight in, illuminating the room.

"Please have a seat; the food will be ready soon." Kenneth spoke, taking a seat in a large chair on the other side of the table.

Two servants entered the room and pulled out chairs for us, in Rennala's case her chair was bigger.

As we sat down, Kenneth sighed heavily and his noble facade disappeared, showing a tired face with a nervous smile.

"I suppose you've seen the sorry state of my fort? Ah, indeed it is a foul fate for a land to be without a ruler. It is necessary to find him, in a hurry. Moreover, not that Terrible Godrick. However, a true and stalwart Lord of the proper bloodline to take the reins of Limgrave. I'm sorry to get your hopes up... Nevertheless, I don't have the authority to knight you as things stand. The Great Kenneth Haight issues his most sincere apologies. But now, I must begin my post-hurry quest, for a true and stalwart Lord of the proper lineage to take the reins of Limgrave."

"I realized when I got to the fort. Who are all these people outside?" I asked Kenneth.

"War refugees, coming from the Peninsula and Liurnia, now that Godrick and that terrible dragon have been defeated by you, Limgrave has become the safest place to live at the moment, I'm doing my best, but food is scarce and my men are few, I don't know how long I can avoid a riot."

"I understand your distress, Liurnia is also devastated, Raya Lucaria's sorcerers betrayed me and few of my knights are still alive, I gave the order for them to gather in a specific location, but I don't know how many will appear." Rennala spoke sadly.

"That is the weight we members of the nobility have to bear on our shoulders." Kenneth replied.

"Is there anything we can do?" I asked.

"The food problem can be solved by hunting some animals, what concerns me are Godrick's men on the peninsula bridge making it difficult for the refugees to pass. As if that wasn't enough, the demi-humans have rioted and are killing everyone they come across, unfortunately, this occurred before I could initiate diplomatic actions."

"Maybe we can help; we're heading to the peninsula anyway." Rennala replied.

"That would be wonderful, my young servant Alden. Would you be willing to perform one more service on my behalf?" Kenneth asked hopefully.

"Yes, no problem, we'll go to the peninsula, it wouldn't hurt to help. But if you don't mind, I'll help with the current problems." I replied.

"What do you mean?" Kenneth asked.

"I'll get you some food. Rennala, are you coming?" I responded, getting up and putting on my helmet.

"No, I would like to discuss with Kenneth the status of our lands. I believe we can reach a compromise." Rennala replied.

"Then I'll let you talk, I'll be right back." I said, leaving the room and walking through the fort.

When I got outside, people stared at me again. I saw fear, doubt, and distrust in their eyes, but there was also admiration. Passing through the crowd, I left the fort and called Torrent. Stroking the steed and making him neigh with happiness, I rode away.

"Where are we going?" Godwyn asked.

"To the woods to hunt some bears." I answered.

"Bears?" Godwyn raised e eyebrow.

"Yes."

We arrived at the forest and I didn't have to walk far until I found what I was looking for. I left Torrent and without hiding my presence, I approached the gigantic bears ahead.

There were three bears in total. Seeing me, the bears stopped sharpening their claws on the trees and came towards me. 

I held my chime and cast Dragon Claw. Pulling my arm back, the limb mutated in a jet of blood, and pushing it forward, I punched the first bear in the face, sending it away.

The other two bears stopped and looked at me in fright. I held Godrick's Ax in one hand and lit my flame in the other.

"Well, which one of you will be next?" I asked, approaching the bears.

Perhaps it was animal anger or a mistake of instinct, but the two bears moved forward. 

I think the people of the fort will have a nice dinner tonight.

-XXXXXX-

I returned to the fort and saw that a camp had been set up outside. The number of arriving refugees seemed to have dwindled, tents of cloth and wood had been grouped in circles with a large fire in the center. 

Wagons and carriages had been positioned in such a way that would serve as protection in case of enemy attack.

I walked through the group of people, still receiving strange looks, probably because my armor was different from Kenneth's men. 

I approached where the largest number of refugees was, but I was stopped by a man who placed himself in front of me, probably the leader of the refugees.

"What do you want?" The man asked.

"I came here to help. I brought food." I replied quickly.

"Sorry, but this is hard to believe, a noble sheltering us in his fort seems impossible. Now an unknown knight offers us food. Even though Haight lets you come and go, the people here have suffered too much at the hands of men in armor, so sorry if you don't seem welcome." The man answered angrily.

"I see… Then I'll leave the food here." I replied, reaching into my bag and pulling out the three dead rune bears.

The three animals fell to the ground with a small tremor and a loud crash. The people all backed up and looked at me in surprise with wide eyes and open mouths.

"Here's the food, now if you'll excuse me, I need to go." I replied, walking towards the fort, but before I could continue, a child stopped me.

"You killed those bears?" The child asked amazedly.

"Yes."

"Wow! You are strong like the mysterious warrior!" The boy exclaimed, circling me with shining eyes.

"The mysterious warrior, I've heard stories about him. Could you tell me more?" I asked curiously.

"Of course, I can also show you my dolls! Come!" The boy answered, grabbing my right hand and pulling me towards a group of carriages.

Upon arriving there, we found a group of worried men and women talking with.

"Mother! Mother! This knight is very strong! He killed three bears and brought us loads of food!" The boy screamed.

One of the women looked over at us, and upon seeing me, she gave us a startled look.

"Alden!" The woman screamed.

Wait?!? What?!? Alden?!?

The woman pulled the boy away from me and scolded him.

"Alden! Don't bother the knights! They are working hard to help us; the least we can do is let them rest. Now apologize to the knight."

The woman bowed to me, saying a thousand apologies, but I didn't hear any of it. Alden? Why does this boy have my name?

"Your son has done nothing wrong, miss; I had free time at the moment. But do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Ask." The woman looked at me suspiciously

"Why did you give this name to your son?"

"My husband and I named him after the mysterious warrior. His name is one of the few things about him that is recorded in the story of the Lands Between…" The woman sighed relieved.

"…And how he faced dragons and demigods!" The boy continued happily.

He walked towards a carriage and removed a small trunk from inside, approaching me and opening the trunk, he showed me a series of wooden dolls.

"Each of these dolls was made from the stories of the mysterious warrior! This is from when he faced Malenia and Godrick in a duel, ending in a draw between Malenia and him!"

The boy showed me a doll wearing orange clothes, with red hair, yellow eyes, an orange painted hand, and the doll held a staff and sword.

"Seriously? Why a draw?" I asked the boy, sitting on the floor and the boy did the same.

"Because he disappeared before a victor was declared, Malenia and he unleashed their final attacks, but the mysterious warrior disappeared soon after. However, thanks to the great fireball cast by him, Malenia was prevented from releasing her scarlet rot. Limgrave didn't end up like Caelid, but the warrior became known as the first person to force Malenia to use her rot!"

"Hm… Impressive..."

"Is it not?!?" The boy asked excitedly.

This time he showed me a second doll, this doll wore blue and silver armor, holding a large dark sword and a shield adorned with an orange jewel.

"This is the mystery warrior doll from when he appeared in Caelid in the middle of Malenia's duel against Radahn. It is said that the battle there was legendary and the mysterious warrior showed all his power, casting spheres as dark as night, pillars of scorching lava, lightning that rent the sky, and spells that made the demigods feel pain like never before!"

By the gods! What have I gotten myself into?

"And finally, this is the doll of when the mysterious warrior appeared in the capital during Gransax's attack, giving his spear capable of piercing dragon scales to Prince Godwyn, the warrior didn't participate in the fight, he just handed the weapon to Godwyn and disappeared soon after!"

The final puppet was a knight wearing black armor with a red cape and holding a large spear with a cross-shaped tip.

I think Godwyn mentioned the warrior's appearance during the assault on the capital.

"Although the mysterious warrior isn't liked by everyone, many dislike him for challenging demigods and for trying to poison Queen Marika and Lord Radagon during the Night of Black Knives, but I don't believe this story, I believe he was trying to save Godwyn, but he didn't make it in time!"

"Well, that's quite a story, thanks for telling me about the mystery warrior, Alden." I responded, petting the boy's head.

"HAHA! It tickles!" Alden laughed.

"Is there anything more you can tell me?"

"Well, the mysterious warrior is known to always appear wearing different equipment, probably not to be recognized, nobody knows how he stays alive for so long. Maybe he is immortal or demigod. Or maybe the mysterious warrior is a title passed down from person to person?"

"I think that's enough Alden." Alden's mother spoke.

"You look worried, miss. Something happened?" I asked, getting up.

"We had many injuries during our escape, and no one here knows healing incantations. I don't know how long our wounded will survive." Alden's mother answered sadly, looking towards a tent.

"Maybe I can help? I know some healing miracles." I responded holding my chime.

"You mean incantations?" Alden's mother asked confused.

"Yes… Incantations…"

"Well, better than nothing, I guess." Alden's mother answered hesitantly.

Alden's mother led us to a large tent with clothes laid out on the ground and injured people lying on top of it. Cuts, arrow wounds, and what appeared to be bites. Nothing a miracle can't fix. 

I stopped in the middle of the wounded group and cast Bountiful Sunlight. A golden sigil in the shape of the sun appeared on the ground, enveloping all the wounded.

The scream of pain gave away to words of wonder and relief.

In addition, the result was immediate, with this powerful healing miracle; it was as if these people had never been hurt.

"So, anyone else?" I asked Alden's mother.

She stared at me with her mouth open; I snapped my fingers in front of her face, taking her out of her stupor.

"Y-yes, follow me, please." Alden's mother stuttered.

Alden's mother guided me from tent to tent, where I used my miracles to heal the many wounded, meanwhile, Alden told me stories about the mysterious warrior.

-XXXXXX-

When my work was done, we found ourselves in front of the fire where the refugees were talking and eating, happy with the meat of the bears I brought.

The refugees thanked me profusely. I don't know how it happened, but I suddenly found myself sitting on a rock with a piece of meat on a plate in my hands.

I honestly didn't know what to do, fortunately, I was interrupted by the same man who questioned me at the camp, he was accompanying Alden's mother, and Alden. 

I he must be his father.

Alden's father stared at me sheepishly, until Alden's mother elbowed him in the side, making the man flinch and walk towards me.

"Listen... I... I'm sorry about how I treated you earlier and I just..." The man stuttered.

I raised my hand, making him stop.

"I understand. A lot happened and you've a family to take care of, enjoy your time together while you can, I don't want to take your time."

Alden's father understood what I meant and nodded, walking away and joining the other refugees, Alden's mother and Alden waved to me as they walked away.

"You grew up." Godwyn spoke, appearing at my side.

"I'm sure I'm still the same height." I answered biting the meat, tasteless as always.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." Godwyn smiled cockily.

"Godwyn, was that a family?" I asked, staring the people talking in the distance.

"Yes." Godwyn replied, watching them with a nostalgic gaze.

"Sounds good to have one." I replied, looking at the stars.

"You can bet." Godwyn responded, looking at the stars too.

"Godwyn, these people, do they have anywhere to go?"

"Probably not, without an Elden Lord, the war goes on, it would take someone to take the throne and put everything in order and keep the Lands Between safe."

Elden Lord... I don't wish to be one... It's just that the more I look at the situation in the Lands Between...

Well… I think I grew up...

Turning my attention to the refugees, I saw something in the fire roasting bear meat, a single red eye watching me.

You're always watching, aren't you Aldia?

It doesn't matter, do what you want, today I'll just enjoy the moment.

END OF CHAPTER