There is a time for peace...
There is a time for war...
If you want peace but,
preparing for war...
Whether you wanted it or not,
It will come to you.
- Excerpt from Warfare and Combat by Lord General Belzagar Silverleaf
[ ]
Idbar Continent
Unknown Kingdom
Unknown Province
Unknown District
Unknown City
Unknown Town
[Town of Healing]
.
Idbar continent is famous for one thing: Its desert.
The whole continent is hot and dry and yet, some chose to call this their home. One from those groups is what the other called demonkin. Black eyes, white pupils, wings in forms and shapes and horns. They can be said to be just beneath the elf in terms of magic power but above in terms of barehand combat prowess. Their strong physique coupled with their innate magical power helped them to rule half of the continent of Idbar where they built an empire with many kingdoms.
Mankind tried to force them out of the continent but peace came over thousands years ago thanks to one powerful individuals and who came with him. Until now...
.
It was a quiet town and nothing stands out in the town except one big building in the far end of the town which is just next to the gate that will point to the desert expanse and the true demon empire. Ancient records showed that none of the building is built but "the Sanctuary of Healing". Sanctuary of Healing is what the locals called this big building. The tale passed from the ancient days claimed that as long as you still have breath in you and you are brought in front of the obelisk-like crystal inside and mutter "Asclepius", you will be healed to perfect health. Very miraculous and magical building that caused many to come and tried to find answers. Some have tried to crack open the obelisk and tried to find ancient artifact but the crystal stands tall. Many tried and failed, dying in the process only to be healed again. Years passed and the ones that have been dying and healed never try again.
Advances in herbs and healing magic have caused the Sanctuary to be forgotten but never abandoned. Those that been healed settled down and their descendants continue to pass down the tale, even when the tale is only been dismissed as just "tale".
Up until today.
War rages again. Mankind tried to banish the demonkin and ends their rule in the continent. Many of those towns in the borders have been attacked and the demonkin civillians are driven out deeper into the deserts. The empire is too far away to send enforcement and the army of United Front marched forward to the town where everything began.
[ ]
Year 4999
Post-War Era
xth Month,
xxth Day
United Front Army
Main Command Tent
.
"Report for the Commanding General Siegmund Hoselvuz!", a shout heard from across the land where the Army rests.
A slim young man comes before the gate and shouts the same lines, "Scout from the Front is here to give a scouting report about the unnamed town 100km from here.". The guards that stood outside gives a nod and let the young man in.
The young man run towards a huge tent in the center of the camp. He notices that everyone is fully geared and ready to go. He believes in the Army and that the demons need to be driven out from the land. He ran and ran until he arrives in front of the tent and he could feel pressure from the tent. The pressure you got when you came before an experienced army general. He talked to the guards outside the tent and he comes inside the tent.
Other generals and knights can be seen discussing and laughing about the entire campaign.
"BAHAHAHAHAHAH! This is the easiest campaign I had in my entire career in the army! Look at all those demons that ran away before they fight. This is none like what those legends said.", one of the generals laughs.
"That is true. MUAHAHAHAHA. As a Tier 4 [General], this campaign is an easy one", another general replies.
The atmosphere in the command tent is festive and full of spirits.
Yet a hardened voice silence the tent, "HMPH, a good enemy is a dead enemy! NEVER put your guard down. Relay my order to the Army! Tomorrow at dawn, we will march towards the last town! The town must be captured so we can have a strategic advantage!", a general with a white-silverish hair at the end of the long table shouts an order.
At once, the generals shout, "YES SIRE" and scrambles out to the tent.
The young scout gets pushed on the side and stood now in what became an empty tent.
"A [Scout]? Did you bring any report from the front?", the silver-haired generals asks.
"Yes Sir! Here is the report!", the scout salutes and passes the report.
"Good. You are dismissed.", The silver-haired general says.
"YES GENERAL HOSELVUZ!", the scout salutes and exits the tent.
[General] Siegmund Hoselvuz, a tier-5 [General] type class. One of the highest-tiered class among the human empires. Not one of the most powerful but the one most experienced. Nobody knows his past but he definitely served for at least 3 emperors before the current emperor. Not one that shy away from challenges nor one that shows fear from any threats or magical beasts in the continents. Yet, at this moment, he looked tired and old.
General Siegmund opened the report that says, "The last town not recorded in the map is on sight. Oasis is observed on the surrounding area. Building a main campsite will benefit our campaign towards the demon empires. End".
The general stands up and walks around the table. "Those idiots at the throne. The younger they rule the bigger their greed. Don''t they forget who they are? Tsk!", General Siegmund waves his fist that holds the report around.
The general paced around the table and with a heavy sigh he sits back down on the chair at the end of the table.
"I hope he forgives me for my powerlessness", the general mutters and start to scribbles down on a parchment.
[ ]
Inside the Unnamed Town.
"QUICK! EVERYONE! PACK-UP YOUR BELONGINGS! BRING ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY!", a man with a bull-like horn wearing a leather armor runs across the town and shouts. The civilians that lives at the town are bewildered and follows the armored man until he arrives in front of the Sanctuary.
"Scouts have been seen from across the oasis. I have heard news from the town chief that everyone should evacuate and travels deeper into the deserts and into the empires. Other towns have been pillaged and razed. We should be wise to pack-up and evacuate. There is no massacre but let not make our town be the first", The horned man continues to shout.
The civilians, no matter whose tribe they are from, paled and started to discuss among themselves.
"Son! Find your mother and brother and bring them to the house. We will need to pack up immediately!", a white-horned man speaks to a small white-horned boy while the boy is frozen on the spot and getting teary eyes. "Quick! I will be with you in a second. Don''t worry okay! Now go!". The boy starts to cry but hold the tears and he ran.
"Vilin, get grandma and grandpa and starts to pack up as well. Leave that sword of your dad! It will only slows us down.", a double-horned woman speaks to her daughter.
"But Mom! It said that the sword is passed on from The Great War! We need to bring it with us!", the girl speaks up stubbornly.
"Go! NOW!", the mother said. The girl then slips from the crowd and run.
The crowd bustles about, some speaks with fear and somberly, some immediately faints and the other demonkin catch and bring those that faintsaway. Some shouts that they need to fight but after looking around where the combat-related job is only tier-0 [Town Guard] and tier-1 [Guard Captain], those that wants to fight get their words stuck and sighed audible.
"Quiet! Quiet! Go home, pack up and we should leave as soon as possible! They are com-", before the guard finishes, an old voice cut through. It sounds heavy and weak, but it commands authority.
"Torvahr, I only told you ask the villagers to get ready for evacuation. Not for you to cause panic and evacuation you bull-headed idiot!", An old man walks through the crowd. He seems average and typical old sage with a staff made of wood as a cane and long silver hair and beard. If something is to be noticed, it might be a horn that shaped like a knife in the middle of the man''s forehead.
"But Chief! The [Town Guard] reports that there is movement from across the oasis and based on what we''ve heard from other town, we might as well evacuate lest we are getting attac-", the [Guard Captain] speaks up but the old man cut the captain.
"As a tier-4 [Priest], 103th Chief of Town of Healing and 98th Keeper of Sanctuary. I command that everyone should stay calm. As long as the Sanctuary of Healing stand. We shall stand!" The black-horned elder speaks.
"This is an order. Leave your belonging and evacuate to the Sanctuary of Healing. Torvahr, open the door and let the villages move to stay below ground. We should have kept some provisions to lasts us a while. But I promise everything should end by tomorrow at noon. Go!", The elder speaks and it causes instant reaction to the villagers. The words spoken by the elder seems to contain mysterious charms that can calm the masses.
"I assure you that this town, that stood for thousands of years will still stand. To that end, I will ask for assistance from [Grand Archbishop].", The elder speaks. The crowd burst into an uproar instantly.
"After all this years? Hundreds of years passed since this town saw him.", one of the demonkin whispers.
"He is still alive?", another demonkin murmurs.
The crowd continued to discuss with fervor hoping for miracle to happen. Many looked hopeful and many have bright face.
"It''s been very late and we have enough excitement for today. Follow Torvahr and the rest of the guards down the basement of the Sanctuary. We will see peace tomorrow, as always. I shall go and prepare to summon for assistance.", The elder speaks and walks through the crowd the same way he came.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"OKAY! FOLLOW ME! IF YOUR FAMILY IS NOT HERE YET, FIND THE AND MEET US AT THE SANCTUARY. DO NOT BRING YOUR BELONGINGS. LISTEN TO THE CHIEF. GRAND ARCBISHOP WILL SAVE US! VOHLR AND TORRAD! ROUND UP THE VILLAGERS. JARS, RYZ, FARLEN AND DHAR! FOLLOW ME AND HELP KEEPING THE ORDER. WHYS AND IRGAR, KEEP ON THE LOOKOUT. ONCE THE NIGHT DESCENDS, JOIN US AT THE SANCTUARY. FOLLOW ME!", Torvahr shouts and move to the edge of the town where the Sanctuary is located. The villagers seems to be nervous but all in all seems very hopeful.
While the rest of the guards did the jobs they assigned to, the Chief walks toward a building located at the outskirts of the town.
There is nothing seems to be out of place from this building, it is a 3-floor building and seems to be a very luxurious and grand house in the past. But, other people might stay away because of the glum atmosphere of the building. No color but black is found in the surrounding area. Even plants planted in the pot is black. But a tier-5 [Master Carpenter] should notice the wood used to build it is not of this continent and are hardy variant of trees. In addition, even tier-0 [Initiate] should be able to tell that when you are near the house, you can feel the aura of life surging forth. Nobody can tell that this house is where the [Grand Arcbishop] lives for the past hundreds of years.
The elder walked towards the door and the door immediately responded by opening. The elder looked surprised but he continues walking inside the house. Surprisingly, the interior of the house is white. Pure white everywhere. A contrast to the glum and sorrowful colour outside.
The elder continues to walk the towards a staircase near the entrance door and walking up the stairs. In the second floor, nothing stands out except a black door, in the middle of white interior. The elder ignored that and continues to walk on the third floor. In the third floor, the opposite happens, there is only one white door in black interior. The elder walked towards the door and just as his hand hovered to knock, the door opened.
Surprisingly, the interior of the room is white. There is only simple bed, table and chair in the corner of the room while the corner is a simple wooden wardrobe. In the far end of the room, what seems to be a man in black clothes is standing facing the window.
"How long has it been since I have taught you my art of healing?", the man speaks calmly.
"It''s exactly 331 years tomorrow Master.", the elder replies respectfully.
"And how long have you held this position from your predecessors?", the man asks again.
"It''s exactly 131 years tomorrow Master.", the elder replies.
"And It''s been almost 5000 years since I arrived in this continent. A century after The Great War I think? How time passed.", The man paused for a while and the elder remains silent
"And here I am. When my liege decided to seclude himself from the world, I felt lost but this is what he said, ''Find your freedom, my friend.'', and here we are. The teaching that I got from him and our travel are what I am passing on to you and your predecessors while waiting for his return.", the man pauses and continue, "But I know why you are here. I will do what I can but I will not kill. That days have been my past and my sword stays sheathed as long as he is. I am sorry.".
There is silence for a while and the elder speaks, "I understand Master. I shall leave you then". The elder then turns away and walked out before a voice called him out, "But he is not. My sword spoke and I know he has returned.", the man turns from the window and walks toward the elder.
The man is young for a demonkin. He has black short hair and a very sharp-looking slim horn, one side is black-coloured and the other side is white. The demonkin has a high cheekbone and angular face. The mean wore a body fitting black clothes with white striped through the middle and a picture of staff encircled with wolf-like serpend in the chest area.
"I shall do what I can to uphold the peace in this continent. His own race should know better than to try to break the thousands-years peace.", The man speaks with fervour and fury.
The elder kneeled down and replied, "We are thankful for your assistance, Master.".
A magic circle appears in the floor surrounding the man and the elder. And the man says, "[Berserker Ceremony]. Fury shall gives you power and passion shall give you strength! The weak shall be made strong and the strong that torment the weak shall be washed with RAGE! I bestowed upon you power to defend and to uphold peace. Rise now as a [Berserker]!".
If the villagers see this scene, they will be flabbergasted and shocked. The frail looking elder stands up and transforms slowly from a wiry old man to a lean middle-aged man. The beard and hair receeded and neatly trimmed. The wrinkles disappears and only a tan-chiseled face remains. The previously slightly hunched back is straight and exuded a aura akin to a mountain. The elder that now became a middle-aged man is shocked seeing his transformation.
"This... Master.... what.... happened?", the middle-aged man asks hesitantly.
"The power that comes by is always alluring especially to a demonkin. This is what I saw in your early predecessors. The tier-8 skill [Berserker Ceremony] is an Origin Skill used for an instant rank-up. I see your diligence and passion. I deemed you worthy because of that and hence the Ceremony, I expected that much from you, as someone that bear my Name, ''Darkfang''", the man explains.
"In case you have not noticed, your rank-up took the whole night and the sun is already up. And I am sure you can feel the army marching to this town.", the man speaks calmly. The man then proceeds to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, there is only 1 piece of the same clothing and one black robe and few old trinkets. However, the trinkets exude an incredible magical presence when touched. The man takes out the trinkets and wear them: 2 rings, black and white on each middle finger and one pouch which he ties on his waist. He then touches the clothing which then disappears and wear the black robe.
The middle-aged man gasps and asks in surprise, "Is that the legendary spatial treasure Master?? it was last seen just before The Great War and you are in possession of 3 of them!".
"These are my personal arms.", The man speaks and suddenly a staff of wood appeared. “but THIS will be your personal arm.”. It looks like an ordinary wood but if you see it closely, the wood vein sparkles, throbbed and flows with white aura.
“I am sure you know how to use it.", the man then gives the staff to the middle-aged man.
"Master! I will never be able to repay you!", the middle-aged man kneels down and speaks humbly.
"Tier-6 [Bishop] and Tier-6 [Berserker], I don''t think anyone in this continent can stop you. Even without that staff you hold.", The man speaks with a hint of smile in his face.
"There is still you. Please don''t tease me. I am older than 300-years old now not some 80-years old youngling like before.", The middle-aged replied.
"Hahaha. You grew up quick.", and then the man turns serious, "I will go to the Sanctuary of Healing. I will take [Asclepius] with me. My Master will definitely looked for us and he definitely needs our assistance.”. The man stops and whispers, ”Or at least we would like to think so.".
"But Master, then the Crystal Obelisk-.", The middle-aged man asks nervously before being cut off. Yet the man put a hand up to silence the middle-aged man.
"[Asclepius] is necessary for my travels I am afraid. But do remember whom that staff is from.", the man smiles.
“I understand!", the middle-aged man''s eyes light up with understanding.
"This is it then.", the man then disappeared and soon after that a muffled crash is heard from the other side of the town.
Then suddenly, after the middle-aged man sighs sorrowfully and turns to left the house, the man''s voice rang across the room, across the village and traveled across the continent.
"Now go! Prove to me and my master your worth. Prove to us that you are worthy to hold the [Legendary] arms forged by the only [Supreme Smith] in history.".
And the army marching to the town is frozen when the voice reached them.
[ ]
".... THE ONLY [SUPREME SMITH] IN HISTORY.", the voice rang in the ears of those with job of tier-4 and above.
"Sire! Did you hear that? Who in the world have such powerful voice and aura in this land far from from the nearest demon empires?, one of the generals that is marching in front speaks up with hint of fear in his voice.
"Don''t worry. This might be just a trick of that villagers. There must be one or two artifacts that can do that surely.", one of the other generals replies.
"True that! Do not fear! Our soldiers must not know this despite they are being shaken from that aura alone. We should just tell them about the magic array that is being triggered in this demon-infested continent.", another general replies.
"Don''t tell me that [Supreme Smith] is-!" General Siegmund mutters under his breath, "...but that is impossible! Surely!"
"Yes General?", one of the generals that spoke earlier turns to face General Siegmund.
"No....", General Siegmund inhales and speaks aloud, "Beware of Traps and ready to slows!"
The army marches onwards in the middle of the heat and to be expected of elite army, none looks exhausted even after 100 km march.
But then, suddenly.
In the middle of the rocky deserts, in a hill, just before the oasis, a man with a black robe stands while holding what it seems like...
"A STICK? ARE WE A DOG THAT HE COMES AT US WITH STICKS?", the generals felt both fury and annoyance at the same time.
The man walks towards the army and stopped just a few tens of meters ahead of them and he speaks, "I am here to uphold the peace of my kind that been since The Great War. I shall stop this war and end before it started. I heard and listened to the story. Be a wise commander and spare these men under your commands."
The sun hangs overhead and the cloud seems to dispersed that now the army front can see who the man is. He is a middle-aged man with a robe and a wooden staff that seems to exude a mysterious area.
"WHO ARE YOU TO STAND BEFORE US! KNOW YOUR PLACE DEMON! YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE!", one of the more hot-headed general spurs his horse and draws his sword before [General] Siegmund can say a word.
The middle-aged man stands still, seemingly ignorant of the death that will come.
The general arrived shortly after and swings his sword with full force, "You shall be honoured to die under my sword and killed with my famous skill, [MAGIC EDGE]!", the general shouts.
The general anticipating the feeling of tearing a flesh, but he frowned when he did not feel it. In fact, the middle-aged man suddenly becoming far away from him and he also saw his horse in front of the middle-aged man. His brain can''t catch up with his body when he crashed headfirst into the army and his white eyes rolled.
One of the captains marches forward, kneels down and checks upon the fainted general, "Gen-general Horvur fainted Sir!", the captain says in surprise.
This causes whispering discussion across the army especially the liutenants, captains and other generals at the forefront.
"HUMPH! What is there to fear? A greenhorn that only became a general by the influence of his family is sure to lose! SUCH A DISGRACE", other general speaks derisively.
"As tier-4 [General], I will show him that he can''t look down on us, human, just because of one trash!". The statement brought unhappy murmur from other part of the army but it quieted down when this general spur his horse forward and stops few meters before the middle-aged man.
"My name is General Earl Gleron Vursk, a tier-4 [General] that hails from the mighty noble House of Vursk of Valuean Empire. Introduce yourself commoner!", the general speaks aloud.
"I do not have a name, but my Master taught me the art of greatsword-wielding and he gave me his Noble Name. The honorable named Svard Darkfang.", the middle-aged man replied calmly.
"And yet you use a fragile shepherd stick. And such asinine name! That alone is enough to cause your death. Are you ready to die?", the general speaks condescendingly and draws his swords but at that moment, the middle aged suddenly disappears and only his voice rang in the general''s ears , "I hope you are!"
What the army, the captains, the liutenants and most of the generals saw are the general and the man spoke for a while, the man disappears and the general flown back to the army for unknown reason.
The same captain checks General Vursk and says with a look of fear, "Si... Sir-r-e. General Vursk is unconscious and his ribs are smashed. I-I-I... am afraid that without at least [High-grade] potion, h-he will be disab-ab-led. S-Sir!".
At this moment,
"Challenge me all you want but none may speak of insult of my Master''s Noble name.", The middle-aged man''s voice have a certain edge that anyone who hears it has shivers across their bodies. And it silences the desert. Suddenly, General Siegmund gets down from his ride, and disappears and appears at the exact spot the previous general stand, even before the rest of the generals can protest.
"Are your Master, by any chance, Blade Darkfang, The Raging Healer?", General Siegmund speaks to break the silence.
"That he was. And who might you be?", Svard asks.
"My name is General Grand Duke Siegmund Hoselvuz, Tier-5 [General] and General Commander from the United Human Empire of Idbar hailing from the humble House of Hoselvuz and serves as [Grand Duke] of Hoselvuz Empire.", General Siegmund replies.
"I am not sure if your Master spoke to you about me. It''s been a long time and I am but a tier-1 [Foot Soldiers] during The Great War. He taught me [Knight] skill that allowed me to survive and increase in tier. I shall never forget his grace. But you said, he was, is he....", General Siegmund speaks hesitatingly.
Svard stays silent for a while and speaks, "To answer your questions, My Master has left searching for his Master and he is even stronger now than you can remember. But be that as it may. I stand here to uphold the peace upon this land. ".
General Siegmund is very surprised, "His Master? Are you sure?".
"I am not sure whom you refer to but if you knew of my Master''s Master, that is what he said before he disappeared from my sight hours ago.", Svard says,
"Then this is a world-changing news indeed.", General Siegmund ponders for a while and turns to Svard.
"My army and I shall leave, there is bigger play afoot and I am sure those idiots would like to know.", the general disappears and re-appears in front of the army and speaks his next order.
"THE WAR IS OVER. I HEARD DISTURBING AND SURPRISING INFORMATION THAT ALLY EMPIRE NEEDS TO HEAR! ONWARDS TO HOSELVUZ EMPIRE! MARCH ON!".
The other generals are confused but obey the order. They spur their horse to the front while speaking orders for the captains and lieutenants to listen.
General Siegmund turns to Svard and says, "Hopefully we can meet again under different circumstances.", the general draws his sword and point to the sky.
Svard stayed silent for a while but then he mutters, "All things cured, all things died". The staff then turns into a white particle and the particles transforms into greyish black 2-meter great sword. Svard holds it and points to the sky, "and I oblige". A blink later and Svard is gone
General Siegmund is amazed to see that and muttered something before he ride his horse and chase after the army.
"[Alter Weapon], only HE can make such weapon. It seems that he is ALIVE after all this time."
[ ]
Thousands of kilometres away, Blade Darkfang is unhurriedly walking, seemingly aimlessly. He seems to notice something because suddenly he speeds up and disappear.
Blade is now at a sandy hill overlooking one of thousands desert city belonging to Yurus Kingdom, one of the 81 Kingdom of Demon Empire but he stops just a few meter from the precipice.
He is not alone.
With the back facing Blade, a figure can be seen standing on the edge of the hill.
Unmoved.
Stable.
The winds are howling around the cliff but the figure seems to be able resist the howling wind.
The figure wears black outfit covered with a robe that fluttered in the wind. Yet, even though black clothing in brown sandy hill is as conspicuous as torch in a dark cave, the figure seems to blends into the surrounding hills.
For an untrained eye, it will seems like the hill is devoid of any living being.
Time passes and not a word is spoken.
Although, the silence is not uncomtortable at all.
It seems like a meeting between old friends.
Time passes silently and Blade inches forward step by step until he stands just few feet away.
Finally, the figure turns to Blade and speaks, “Blade Darkfang. It’s been a long time. Almost 5,000 years. How is life my friend?” a pair of weapon strapped in the waist.
Blade seeminly unsurprised but whispers, “Is that you?”