The sun beamed down on me, and the carriage rattled, bouncing up and down. The skyline was bright and clear. The wind blew across my face as I looked out into the distance. It had almost been an entire month since I left Lumere to travel with this caravan, all so I could finally make it to the capital city, Valerion. I remembered earning the commander's and Liora's recommendation, and how it felt to get a letter saying that my application had been accepted. The way I jumped up and down, and how my stomach twisted.
In the distance, a massive wall towered, scraping the clouds. All the blood, sweat, and tears were leading up to this. The pain I endured and the struggles I overcame. My fingertips traced across my sword, a steel katana gifted to me by the commander. In three days... that's the assessment. Looking over the small railing of the wagon, I watched as we passed many other caravans that came and went. We were still a few hours from Valerion, but the road we travelled on was well made and smooth compared to others.
I sat on a rough piece of hay, my body slightly sore from the discomfort. To my right, an armoured man I had become acquainted with rode up to me on his horse and spoke.
"You sad to be leaving us, Luna?" The man asked.
"No, not really, Gary," I responded.
He slumped his shoulders, slowly riding away from my side.
Almost an entire month on this caravan, and I hadn't really connected with anyone. None of them felt like the commander or Liora. I looked out again; a massive field of beautiful green grass stretched as far as I could see in every direction but forward. As we rode along the road, we came across a forest; it was large, but the walls of the capital were still visible above the massive treeline.
I can probably run there faster, but I don't want to disrespect the group.
Sighing, my head slumped against the wooden railing. People passed by, most humans, some races that I had never seen before. Long ears, elegant blonde hair, and a tall figure; it must have been an elf! My eyes shot up.
I've never seen one in person before!
Race: Elf
Level: 12
The elf seemed to be bickering with a small bearded man who stood only three feet tall. He was heavily armoured and very bulky. I smiled.
Race: Dwarf
Level: 11
As we travelled through more cities, I realized the average level of the citizens was much higher than in Lumere. I thought that most people hadn't spent much time hunting, but I was wrong. The majority were still at quite low levels, but the more experienced people towered above me. Looking ahead, I saw a massive sphere above the path; on each side, giant stone arches connected it to the ground nearby.
Next to the ball was a large building with a spot to park carriages; from what I could tell, it was the final waystation before reaching Valerion, but it was much grander than any others I'd seen. In front of me, the caravan turned, entering the lot. From the front, the caravan's owner and the commander's friend, Darel, spoke.
"Alright everyone, use the washroom, grab some water and food; we're heading back out in an hour!"
The caravan's dozen people all scrambled towards the building. I watched the driver of my wagon, Earl, hop off as well, then walk quickly into the waystation. My eyes wandered up to the massive sphere as it pulsated; multiple complex symbols stretched across its surface, connecting. Sighing, I grabbed my katana and bag, jumping over the wagon's railing and landing silently on the floor. I walked quickly to one of the stone foundations holding up the sphere, my fingers tracing it. It had symbols too...
Vibrations appeared behind me; turning quickly, I watched as a human I'd never seen before approached me. "Hey, girl, don't touch that! Are you trying to disrupt the barrier around this place?" He pointed at the sign I'd missed that read NO TOUCHING!
Quickly taking my hand off the stone foundation, I bowed. "Sorry, sir. What do you mean, barrier?"
He grunted while pointing at the sphere. "That's a barrier array; it keeps monsters level ten and below out of the area," he said. "Now don't touch it anymore!"
The man walked away and entered the waystation. My eyes fell upon the pulsating sphere once again.
So that's a rune array...
Moving quickly, I walked into the waystation. Within the place, it was magnificent, made out of fine wood, and the smell of bark flooded my nose. Shelves went on in the distance, carrying all sorts of items. Potions, weapons, armour... And food! I pulled out my coin pouch; 3 silver left. Liora gave me ten for the trip. I walked through the aisles, my eyes falling upon a bucket of fruit. Below it read.
5 copper per fruit.
Smiling, I picked up four and brought them to the front. Putting them in front of the store clerk, they reached out their hand.
"Twenty copper, please."
Handing them a silver, they grunted before counting below their desk.
"Eighty copper is your change."
I dumped the copper coins into my pouch. I put the fruit in my bag, then headed back outside. Pulling myself back onto the wagon, I opened my bag and began munching on the fruit. The sweetness flooded my mouth. I chewed slowly; Roderic finally taught me to enjoy the food I ate. Sitting on the wagon, enjoying the fruit, I traced my eyes around the area. They fell upon the stone foundation once more. From within a forest, a person appeared holding a massive axe; they were hooded, and I couldn't even see their face.
I continued chewing as they approached the stone foundation; to my surprise, he raised his axe and swung at it. My eyes widened as he buried the axe deep into the stone; the axe head vibrated, and runes glowed across it. I watched the sphere above lose its colour and stop pulsating. The man left his axe in the stone and dashed into the forest. Looking at the waystation, I watched as the man who scolded me earlier ran out.
"Get back here!"
Taking the final bite out of the last fruit, I threw its core on the ground before hopping out of the wagon and stepping onto the ground. As I did, the vibrations of more than two dozen moving things appeared. My eyes fell upon the forest; I drew my sword from its sheath and prepared.
The man chased after the saboteur.
"Wait, stop!" I yelled out, trying to reach him.
From the forest, an arrow whirled out. I jumped and pushed the man out of the way; the arrow missed him just slightly. I looked towards the forest as growls sounded. Ten creatures, followed by ten humans, appeared.
Race: Dire Wolf
Level: 7
There were ten of them, ranging from level four to seven, and most of the humans ranged from Level five to eight.
I gritted my teeth while standing up.
"Thank you!" The man shouted before standing up and running away. Quickly, he made his way into the Waystation, and a bell began to ring. Half a dozen guards rushed out of the Waystation along with the caravan's own four personal security, including Gary, who appeared beside me.
"Eleven against twenty," Gary said, his hands slightly shaky. "You sure you're ready for this?" he asked me.
"Yeah. Gary, I am. Are you?"
He laughed. "As ready as I can be."
The human in the middle of the enemy group whistled, causing the Dire Wolves to dash forward. Dashing forward, I drew mana in and coated my blade in Hellflame. Using the mana, I ensured that the metal was not affected by the flame. Looking forward, in front of me, a weaker level four wolf growled.
The Dire Wolf lunged at me, but I quickly stepped around it, delivering a slash to its neck, severing its head completely.
Acquired, 40 EXP
To my sides, the wolves clashed against the guards, breaking out into a fierce battle. Looking forward, a human yelled out, brandishing his sword. Focusing on him, our blades collided, but with my increased weight and the flames burning upon my blade, his sword faltered. Stepping quickly, I thrust the blade into his stomach, then twisted it and pulled it out. He screamed out before toppling to the floor, where one clean follow-up ended the fight.
Acquired, 80 EXP
My eyes darted up to the arrow that had just been driven through my shoulder; I reacted to the impact and stumbled back a few feet. Pulling the arrow out, I saw that its tip had completely dissolved. Smiling, I tossed it to the ground, then dashed forward, blood dripping from my wound. In front of me, two men blocked my path, one with a spear, the other with two knives.
An arrow darted in between them, striking me in the thigh. I pulled it out, watching as the wound healed quickly. The faces of the two in front of me faltered for a moment, but they charged in. Striking at me, I parried, backing up to maintain distance. I shifted my weight and tilted my arm as if I were about to strike from the right, then abruptly reversed the motion. I aimed for the knife-wielder's head, only to be halted as I narrowly avoided another arrow directed towards my neck.
I can't break through with that archer back there!
Bursting back, I smiled. Drawing in mana, a large red glowing portal formed behind the two of them. They turned to face the portal as a horrifying growl appeared from within. The portal completed, turning fully black. Dark black appendages pulled their way through, chains of pure abyss embedded within them. The creature snarled, fully dragging itself out of the abyss. Its multiple eyes searched the area, examining what it had just been dropped into.
Race: Fleshweaver
Level: 5
"You levelled up again! Nice work!" I yelled out as I checked its level.
It purred slightly at my compliment, turning to face me.
"Now go get that archer!" I yelled, pointing at the man standing in the back.
The Fleshweaver snarled, its head splitting open to reveal its fangs and main eye. Charging forward, it leaped at the man.
"What the fuck! Get off! No! Ahhh!"
The archer screamed in the back, and the two in front of me tried to run to help. I burst forward at astounding speed, my sword raised to strike.
"I'm your opponent!"
The spearman turned quickly enough, blocking my attack at the cost of his weapon. My sword cut through the spear's shaft, sending the man toppling backwards. Dashing forth towards him, I rolled under the knife wielder's slash, sweeping the spearman's legs before quickly slashing him, leaving the knife wielder alone.
Acquired, 40 EXP
Turning quickly toward the knife wielder, I formed a small dagger of flesh in my hand before tossing it at the woman. She didn't react in time; the decayed dagger pierced her thigh. I watched as the decay took action, blackening her flesh. She tried to pull it out, but the tendrils latched onto her body.
I can create things much faster; they last longer and are more durable. Good luck pulling that out.
The woman tried to take a step forward before toppling to the ground. She began to cough violently, black blood soaking the floor at her feet. Approaching her slowly, I thrust quickly, ending the fight.
Acquired, 80 EXP
Walking past the two who stood in front of me, I found the archer incapacitated, several small creatures crawling around him before quickly withering beneath the sunlight.
I frowned at the Fleshweaver.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Your babies can't survive here. Just finish the fight—don't drag it out."
The Fleshweaver snarled before approaching the crumpled archer, piercing his head with one of its talons. It headbutted me before moving to my side.
Acquired, 160 EXP
I patted its head, but turned quickly as a set of vibrations appeared behind me. The Fleshweaver turned as well. My eyes fell upon a frenzied Dire Wolf. It was level seven; it snarled and dashed forward. I created multiple decayed daggers and tossed them at the wolf as it ran. It leaped from side to side, avoiding each one.
"Tsk."
I raised my sword and readied myself. It lunged, and I burst to the side, avoiding the attack. Its neck strained; it landed and jumped again. I blocked, its claws bouncing off my sword's edge. It snarled as the Hellflame charred its fur. I struck out, but it leaped backwards, avoiding my strike. The Fleshweaver bit at it, digging its fangs into its leg. It roared out, kicking the Fleshweaver off. I charged it and struck again. It tried to avoid me, but its injured leg made it falter. My sword drove into its shoulder, and it howled. I pushed deeper, the flame burning as I cut.
It bit at me; my sword was stuck in it, so I let go and stepped back, avoiding its bite. I focused, absorbing the ambient mana, generating a decayed Katana within my hands; it cried out, trying to pull my sword that was within it out of its shoulder. Quickly stepping to the side, I slashed down, the decayed katana planting itself in the wolf's neck. Decay engulfed the creature's flesh as it crumpled to the ground. I watched as the decayed katana broke apart quickly.
Coughing into my arm, I breathed out heavily. My vision slightly blurred.
I can barely make the Katana last for more than five seconds... It took a toll on me, but at least it worked.
Acquired, 320 EXP
Pulling my metal katana out of the wolf's body, I extinguished the Hellflame. I walked over to the Fleshweaver and patted it on its head.
"Good job."
It purred slightly.
Looking around, I saw the rest of the enemies had been dealt with; from what I could tell, we'd only lost two waystation guards.
"You can go home now," I told the Fleshweaver.
It headbutted before the chains in its body glowed and a new portal opened. It closed its face and hummed as it was pulled back into the portal.
I looked at the corpses around me.
I want to devour them! But I'll get caught if I try... I guess no blood or skills today.
I slumped my shoulders as I walked back to my wagon. Gary appeared behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"We only lost two people; it's better than most of us were expecting. Don't be hard on yourself!" He paused. "You were amazing out there, you know; a bunch of the guys were impressed."
I looked at him. My eyebrow raised. "Oh yeah, I won't be. And thank you."
Hopping back into the wagon, I watched as the four remaining waystation guards moved the bodies to the side of the station. I felt some vibrations, so I turned my head. The man whom I saved was running towards me, holding a bag. He reached me quickly, heaving and out of breath.
"Thank you so much!" He yelled out. "Here, take this, on the house!"
Grabbing the bag, I opened it, curious to see what was within. My eyes sparkled when I saw it was full of unique fruits. I smiled, my eyes bright.
"You're welcome," I said politely. "Thank you for the fruits! I will enjoy these!"
The man nodded before heading over to look at the axe embedded inside the stone foundation. I watched him fidget with it for a while before Darel returned.
"Everyone, we're leaving! That barrier is down, and I'm not waiting around to find out if there's a second attack. We need to reach Valerion within four hours!"
Earl, the wagon driver, hopped on, and the wagon began to move. I was at the very back of the caravan; a few carriages were in front of me. I rested my head on the railing again, munching on my fruit slowly.
The sun had reached its peak when we made it out of the forest; my fruit was gone, and I lay on the railing. The city was much closer, massive towers visible behind the great wall now. Upon that wall were hundreds of tiny slits, as well as massive symbols that pulsed. Around the road we were on lay an endless hilly plain; as we got closer, we came upon a crossroad.
We continued straight, but after a moment another carriage appeared behind us; it was a beautiful carriage, a massive leaf crest at its helm. It was a boxed carriage, made of elegant wood with golden outlines, with large green banners draped down its sides. Four armed knights rode alongside it on pure white horses. I looked at the knights, fully armoured, with large swords at their waists.
Race: Human
Level: ???
I can't see their levels!? They're way above me... maybe even around the commander's level.
Looking at the small escort, I gulped.
"That's the Vaelmont family; their heirs must be here for Crownspire Academy as well," Earl said while we slowly moved forward.
I watched as the Vaelmonts' carriage bounced slightly after hitting a bump. My eyes followed past their escort to another carriage that appeared behind them—a pure white carriage with icy outlines and golden streaks. Four guards rode it, dressed in ice-like armour with blue blades. They rode massive wolves with blue fur and icy fangs. Their crest was a white castle surrounded by snow.
Race: Frost Wolf
Level: ???
A frost wolf? And I can't see its level either... These people are crazy.
"What family is that?" I asked Earl.
He glanced back. "House Wintermere, one of the great northern houses." He breathed out, "It seems like this year's candidates are stacked... I even heard the Arclight heiress is a candidate."
"Arclight?" I asked.
He sighed, "You see those massive towers on the other side of the wall?"
I nodded.
"That's the Arclight estate," he said, pointing toward the towers.
"You see all this open land between here and the wall?"
I nodded even faster.
"Arclight territory. Every bit of it."
My eyes widened, squinting into the distance.
All of this!?
"How can a single family own so much?" I asked.
"Other than the royal family themselves, the Arclights have the most sway among the nobles; rumours say some people respect them more than the royals!" he said, huffing slightly. "I wish I had one percent of their wealth."
I looked across the massive field of grass and rested my head against the wooden railing again. I watched as the walls grew closer, and as we approached a massive gate. Suddenly, a gust of wind sent my hair flying; the grass wavered as a massive shadow blocked the sun. My eyes looked up, shocked to see a creature flying through the sky: large wings, a massive maw, and green scales. Massive banners bearing great green leaves hung from the beast.
Race: Young Nature Dragon
Level: ???
It roared as it soared over the wall and into the city. It disappeared behind the wall. My eyes widened as the story the commander had told me about Stormgate being reduced to ash by a fire dragon flashed in my mind.
Following the Nature Dragon, a dragon around the same size followed; this time, it was an ice dragon. Castle-crested banners trailed behind it.
Earl laughed aloud. "Those must be the parents of those houses," he said while pointing back at the Vaelmont and Wintermere carriages.
"They have dragons?!" I shouted.
"Ha! Yeah, they do. Those dragons have been with those families for generations, I'm pretty sure."
My eyes locked on the carriages behind me.
Crazy...
In front of us, the massive gate opened, letting us in. The sight beyond it stunned me. Buildings towered high into the sky. The streets were massive, with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people walking upon them. Even with all the foot traffic, there was enough room for six carriages to go side by side.
On the left were massive towers that pierced the sky; they were made of pure marble, accented by gold. At the center of the towers stood a grand building that stretched far into the city. Hundreds of windows lined its walls, with dozens of balconies. It sat above the street on a massive hill; between the buildings and the street was another wall, which many soldiers patrolled wearing golden armour. From the towers and wall, massive white-and-gold banners hung. At its center was a crest; a beacon.
Looking upon the building, my mouth fell open.
"That's... That's the Arclight estate?"
"Yep!" Earl laughed.
I examined the building more, and then thought about the dragons that I had just seen.
These are the people I'm going to be facing!?
I laughed aloud.
No...
I will be accepted into Crownspire Academy no matter what.