The Chronicles Of Rhaxtyx

It is good to just leave your responsibilities for a while and do what you want. I was always a bit free spirited when compared to my peers. I also love to sometimes go out to see the world, see what people are doing in their day to day lives. This was such an instance as well, but with something extra.

It was a sunny day. The road to Feraz was as empty as always. I went there without knowing that everything would change. I was going there to meet with someone precious take them back with me. They were gone for a long time so it was time that they returned. I've hired mercs for that but who would trust them. I certainly don't.

I would reach Feraz, that tiny village in a day. I was riding with a kind stranger who accepted to bring me along with him. I'm surprised that he wasn't suspicious of me but I have one of those faces you know. This guy was a good guy, didn't anything bad happen to anybody. It's a shame that he died.

"What are you thinking about mate?"

"Oh. Nothing serious. I'm just a bit excited to go to Feraz."

"Why? There's nothing of interest there."

"Oh right I didn't tell you my reason."

"I was wondering and wanted to ask you that for a while now. But you were always deep in thought so I was afraid to disturb you."

"Haha. Don't worry about it friend. I'm not going to get angry because you wanted to have a little chat. As for my reason, well let's just say that I'm going to meet someone that I haven't seen for quite a long time."

"Really? I'm happy for you then! Wish I had the same opportunity. My friend from way back died two cycles ago and I only heard about it one cycle ago! Oh how I wish that I could see him again."

"I'm sorry for your loss. I know how it feels to lose someone dear. Especially when you haven't met for years."

"I'm sure you do mate. You look like a traveler so I know you know that feeling. That stinging feeling."

"Yes. It really is sharp."

"Aye."

We have been on the road together for about three days at that point but were getting along pretty well. Being a traveler really takes its toll on you and you grasp to what opportunity you have, even if it would mean to trust a stranger.

We weren't alone though. This was the first cart in a small trade caravan, comprised of three carts. They were going towards Vulca to sell fish protected by a special storage enchanted with cold system spells. Technology sure is advancing fast. There weren't anything of that sort when I was a kid.

"It's getting dark. We should camp soon. Can you tell Yorick to go ahead and find a place to rest mate?"

"Sure thing boss."

"Aii thanks for the trouble."

"Hey you're letting me ride for almost nothing! At least let me do small chores like this."

I did like I was asked. Yorick was a young boy, just turned 16 a month ago they told me. He strived to be an adventurer and he was a bundle of joy. You couldn't not laugh when he spoke. He always had a way to put a smile on everyone's face.

"Sure thing mister! I'll go immediately!" (Yorick)

"Be careful Yorick. Don't let the monsters eat you! Hahaha!"

"Oh shut up Hugh! I know these forests are clear. I've read the guide."

"He read the guide! Hahahaha! Good boy! Okay go then! Keep your eyes open for anything." (Hugh)

"I do it all the time even if you don't tell me Hugh! But don't worry! I'll find the best resting place for everybody!" (Yorick)

*Neigh!*

"I like that boy's zeal."

"Yeah. He has what we lack." (Hugh)

"A reason to live?"

"Hahah that too! He also has dreams and hope! He knows for certain what he'll be. I sometimes envy him."

"I admire him. I really wish everybody was like him."

"If everybody was like that then the world would be full of people that ran around yelling something like 'I'll be the greatest!' 'No I'll be the greatest!'. I'm not sure I like that."

"People need rivalry and conflict to get stronger. So I'm sure it would end up in a good place."

"Aye."

Yorick was waiting near the road for us with a huge smile plastered on his face. His smile would scare children away. I wonder where or how he learned to smile because it would be hard to call that one. I still think about it sometimes even today. He told excitedly about the great place to camp that he found and his tone of voice was enough to lift the spirit of everyone there and even relieve their fatigue for a bit.

We had a great dinner with a lot of talking after that. Hugh was telling a scary story about a monster that appeared near there and Yorick was trembling and covering his face in fear. Even though it was a scary story everybody was laughing thanks to Yorick once again. He was as pure as a little kid. After eating some of us went to sleep while some stayed up for night's watch.

Nothing really happened after, it was just a normal, your every day road trip. Even though Feraz was a small village in the middle of nowhere its people was really enthusiastic. They welcomed strangers, travelers and alike with a smile and even opened their houses for their visit. They would even go as far as throwing a small scale festival sometimes, and this was our case.

We could see the lights of lanterns before we got out of the forest near Feraz and we started to hear music after some point.

"Looks like Feraz is in high spirits again."

"What is it? Is it some kind of a festival?"

"You could say that mate. Travelling bards tour the country periodically like circuses do. They must've arrived. I hope it is today as we can do with some fun and stories right boys?!"

"Yeah!"

"Aye!"

"Amen to that boss!"

"Your employees are excited as well."

"I prefer the word 'family' actually. We've been in this business for a while now. And yeah, they love bards, especially Yorick. That boy can listen to a story anytime, anywhere."

"I noticed. Well, let's hope that the bards came today as well."

"Aye."

To our luck, they indeed arrived that day to Feraz. It was a good chance to hear from other lands. Their heroes and folk tales were so different from around here. With the long travel time, people usually never left their villages or towns. In a country as big as Kingdom of Herron, there were a lot of places like that.

My scheduled time was still a couple of days off so I decided to enjoy myself until then. I was supposed to meet with that person in Feraz to convince them to come back with me. They didn't know of my true identity just for that reason. Well, if someone knew who I really was then there would be unending troubles for me.

But there was bound to be some trouble after all, there always is. On my third day in Feraz, a couple of adventurer-like geared appeared in the village, claiming they were going to stay for a couple of days before leaving for Vulca. Then followed a party of mages and knights. There were some rangers in there as well.

"The adventurer count increased again. I don't like this."

"What's there to be anxious about mate? It's just some adventurers! They said they would leave soon anyway so enjoy yourself."

"I don't like it friend. I understand that you are carefree but heed my advice. Take your men and leave early."

"Relax mate! Nothing will happen."

"I hope you are right."

I talked like that because I recognized the badges some of the adventurers wore on their c.h.e.s.t. It was the symbol of the merc group we hired to find the person I was going to meet. They coming to this remote village in those numbers couldn't mean anything good but I couldn't say that to anyone without raising their suspicion or gaining their ridicule.

And damn my intuition as it happened right as I felt it would. After their second day of arrival, their leader showed up. It was a male magician, a powerful one in the standards of around here. He came and began wreaking havoc, starting fire to the houses left and right. His men also joined him with murdering the civilians. It was vicious, barbaric and most importantly; sickening. I did some things in my time but none were this low. This is why I don't like mercs, especially cheap ones.

I saw the begging faces of the villagers as they ran from the adventurers they welcomed with open arms. Their trust and hospitality were being betrayed. I ran around the village, helping whoever I could with what I could do with my limits. I couldn't expose myself as I was an existence that wasn't supposed to be here. As I ran, I saw Yorick being carried by the head of the caravan. He was injured and Yorick was not well off either. Left half of his face was burned and his right leg was cut off down from his knee. I rushed over to help as soon as I saw this.

The boss gave me Yorick and fell on his knees. With welled up eyes, he begged me.

"Please… Please save Yorick."

I looked at Yorick who was in my arms. He was half conscious and he was trying to oppose the idea.

"No… Mister. Take… him…"

"You shut up boy! Mate, I beg you. Take him, please. I know we don't know each other that well and… And you even warned me… I dismissed it but now! Look!"

"It's okay friend. I understand."

After that, without hesitation I ran away from the village with Yorick unconscious in my arms.

The village burned for a whole day and night. I treated Yorick's injuries and he tried to rush to the village, hoping he could save his family. But he saw that the village was no more as he supported himself with a tree. With the shock he received, he lost his consciousness again. As I was about to carry him towards the forest again, it happened.

I am still shocked by what I saw at that moment. I heard the distant voices of mercs talking with somebody. One of them was a girl and the other a boy. The situation went downhill fast as the mercs destroyed the village so the pair wanted to attack them.

The girl was repelled fast and her head to a beam. This was the turning point of the scene.

I felt a surge of mana and heard a boom. When I looked, the boy has changed his appearance. His hair white and his body transforming. His mana was berserk and he talked in a language even I couldn't understand. From what I understand this was definitely…

"A demon lord! Why is one here?! How did he go through the 'Seal of Fate'?"

After one word, this demon lord destroyed the village except for the girl behind him. The only thing that is left that reminds people of the villages existence is a single support beam.

"This is ridiculous. Wait what is he doing?"

He pointed at the girl and healed her?! With just a word?! Even I don't have that much healing power!

"Looks like I have to change my plans as well. I never expected a demon lord to descend. He can accompany her for a while."

It is time for me to return anyway.