MillionNovel

Font: Big Medium Small
Dark Eye-protection
MillionNovel > Worlds beyond > Khazara

Khazara

    The morning sun filtered through the trees, its light dappled and golden against the soft hum of life in the forest. I stood at the edge of the village, a small leather pouch of dried meat and water slung over my shoulder, ready to venture into a secluded clearing Grok’an had suggested for me to “do my weird human things.”


    The orcs’ village was bustling behind me—children chasing one another, blacksmiths hammering away at glowing metal, and hunters preparing for their day’s tasks. Even now, I could feel their eyes on me. Curious. Wary. Always watching.


    As I walked deeper into the woods, the noise of the village faded, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds. The clearing came into view: a peaceful, sunlit patch surrounded by towering trees. It felt secluded, almost sacred, and perfect for what I needed.


    I set down my pouch and rubbed my hands together. “Alright,” I muttered to myself. “Time to figure you out.”


    Kneeling in the grass, I closed my eyes and focused inward, feeling for the now-familiar hum of energy coursing through me. It was warm, fluid, like a river of light running beneath my skin. I’d tapped into it before—during healing, lifting, and even that little cleaning trick—but I still didn’t understand it. What was it? Where did it come from? Was it finite?


    Taking a deep breath, I reached for it, willing it to flow outward. My palms tingled as golden light began to shimmer faintly around them. I grinned. “Good start.”


    This time, instead of using the energy to heal or clean, I tried shaping it. Closing my eyes again, I pictured a small orb of light, compact and solid. The glow in my palms grew brighter, shifting and condensing into a floating sphere the size of a marble. My grin widened as I opened my eyes to see it hovering above my hand.


    “Not bad,” I whispered, carefully moving my fingers. The orb followed my movements like a loyal pet, wobbling slightly but holding its shape. Encouraged, I willed it to grow larger. The orb expanded to the size of an apple, then a melon, its light intensifying until it bathed the clearing in a soft golden hue.


    But then it wavered, flickered, and burst apart like a puff of glitter. I groaned, wiping a bead of sweat from my temple. “Okay, maybe too much too fast.”


    I sat back and watched the faint golden particles drift into the air. They seemed to mingle with something else—tiny, jellyfish-like wisps I’d seen before. The forest was alive with them, I realized, their faint glow just barely visible in the daylight. Were they connected to this energy? Or was the energy connected to them?


    I reached out to one of the wisps, willing it to come closer. To my surprise, it floated toward me, hovering inches from my palm. It was small, no bigger than my thumb, and its color shifted between green and gold like the leaves above. I focused on it, channeling a tiny thread of energy into the wisp.


    The response was immediate. The wisp flared brightly, its form expanding slightly before settling back into its original shape. It seemed... happier? Could energy be alive? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, equal parts awe and unease.


    Before I could experiment further, a rustling sound snapped me out of my thoughts. My head whipped toward the source, muscles tensing instinctively. From between the trees, a figure emerged—a young orc, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.


    She was about my height, her tank-like build offset by a surprisingly agile grace. Her green skin glowed softly in the sunlight, her shoulders broad and powerful beneath leather armor that looked like it had seen better days. Long braids hung past her shoulders; each strand adorned with small wooden beads carved into rough shapes. Her tusks jutted slightly above her lower lip, and her sharp amber eyes sparkled with a mischievous light.


    But what stood out most was her smile—wide, genuine, and absolutely contagious. It wasn’t a mocking smirk like Grok’an’s or a suspicious glare like Shorga’s. It was warm, almost playful, and caught me off guard.


    “Well, well,” she said, crossing her arms and leaning casually against a tree. “Caught the mighty traveler playing with shiny lights in the forest. Should I fetch the children to learn your great wisdom?”


    I blinked, her teasing tone pulling me out of my focused state. “Caught me red-handed,” I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Though I think the kids would appreciate it more than some of the adults back in the village.”


    She let out a deep laugh, the kind that made you want to laugh with her. “I’m Khaz’ara,” she said, pushing off the tree and stepping into the clearing. “And you’re the human everyone can’t stop whispering about.”


    “That’s me,” I replied, my tone light as I extended a hand. “Traveler, professional orb-maker and all-around weirdo.”


    She eyed my hand like it was a curious artifact, then clasped it firmly in her own. Her grip was strong, but there was a deliberate gentleness to it. “You’re weird, alright. But that’s not a bad thing.”


    As she released my hand, I couldn’t help but grin. There was something about her that reminded me of... someone. The easy humor, the infectious warmth it tugged at a memory I hadn’t touched in a long time. My wife used to tease me like that, back when we were younger and the world hadn’t yet fallen apart.


    “So,” Khaz’ara said, breaking the silence, “what exactly are you doing out here? Besides showing off for the wisps.”


    I chuckled, shaking off the nostalgic twinge in my chest. “Experimenting,” I said, gesturing to the clearing. “Trying to figure out how this energy—mana, as you call it—works. It’s new to me.”


    She stepped closer; her curiosity evident. “And how’s that going?”


    “Well, I haven’t blown anything up yet,” I said, smirking. “So, I’d say it’s going great.”


    Her laugh was loud and hearty, and she plopped down onto a nearby tree stump as if settling in for a show. “Mind if I watch? This might be the most entertaining thing I see all day.”


    “Sure,” I said, my grin widening. “Just don’t expect fireworks. Unless, you know, something goes terribly wrong.”


    “Oh, I’m counting on it,” she teased, leaning forward with her chin in her hands.


    As I knelt back down to resume my experiments, her presence added an unexpected lightness to the moment. For the first time in a while, I found myself slipping into my old goofy self—the version of me that cracked jokes and found humor in everything. The old idiot Is back baby


    The clearing filled with the soft hum of mana as I focused on the golden wisp hovering above my palm. Khaz’ara watched me intently from her perch on the tree stump, her expression somewhere between amused and genuinely curious.


    “Alright,” I muttered, holding the wisp steady with an effort that had my forehead already damp with sweat. “Let’s try something new.”


    “Something new? Like what?” she asked, leaning forward with an exaggerated look of interest. “Are you going to make it sing? Dance? Or is this the part where it explodes and I get to laugh at you?”


    I shot her a mock glare. “Laugh at me all you want, but you’re within blast radius. Just saying.”


    Her laughter echoed through the clearing, loud and unapologetic. “Fair enough, Traveler. Proceed with your dangerous sorcery.”The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    With a smirk, I returned my attention to the wisp, willing it to split into two smaller orbs. The energy hesitated, flickering erratically before complying. Two glowing spheres now floated before me, their movements synchronized like twin fireflies.


    “Oh, look at you,” Khaz’ara teased. “All grown up and making twins.”


    “Jealous of my progress?” I quipped, steadying the orbs as they wobbled in the air.


    “Jealous? Please.” She gestured grandly at herself. “I don’t need glowing balls of light to be impressive. I’ve got these.” She flexed her biceps, and I couldn’t help but laugh. She really was built like a tank.


    “Alright, Khaz’ara the Mighty. You’ve got me there.” I turned my attention back to the experiment, channeling energy into the orbs and guiding them to circle around each other. The movements were smoother now, like planets in orbit. “You ever work with mana before?”


    She tilted her head, watching the orbs with a mix of interest and skepticism. “Not like that. Our shamans deal with most of the magic stuff. The rest of us use strength, smarts, and a healthy dose of stubbornness to get by.”


    “Stubbornness sounds like your specialty,” I teased, earning a playful shove to the shoulder.


    “And humor’s yours,” she shot back. “But I’m starting to see why Grok’an tolerates you.”


    I grinned, the lighthearted banter making it easier to focus. I decided to push the experiment further, imagining the orbs flattening and stretching into ribbons of light. The mana resisted, trembling at the edges, but eventually morphed into two glowing, golden bands.


    Khaz’ara let out a low whistle. “Alright, that’s actually impressive. What’s next? Turning them into a glowing scarf?”


    “I was thinking more of a magic lasso,” I said, trying to loop the ribbons around a nearby tree branch. The light snagged and held for a moment before dissolving into shimmering dust. “Okay, maybe not a lasso. Yet.”


    She clapped her hands slowly, her grin wide. “Points for effort, Traveler. But if this is what your experiments are like, no wonder the wisps follow you around. They probably think you’re their entertainment.”


    “Oh, they’re definitely judging me,” I said, gesturing at the floating jellyfish-like wisps around us. “But at least they’re a quiet audience. Unlike some people.”


    “Some people,” she repeated with mock offense, placing a hand over her heart. “Is that how you talk to your future allies?”


    “Future allies?” I raised an eyebrow, letting a wisp float lazily between us. “Does that mean I’ve passed whatever test the village has cooked up for me?”


    She shrugged, her expression turning serious for a moment. “You’ve impressed Grok’an. That’s no small feat. But the others... they’re harder to win over. Especially the elders.”


    I nodded, the light mood dimming slightly. “I noticed. Durzh isn’t exactly my biggest fan.”


    “Durzh doesn’t trust anyone outside the tribe,” she said, leaning back against the stump. “He’s seen too much betrayal. Too many losses.”


    The weight in her voice caught me off guard. “And you? What do you think of me?”


    Khaz’ara considered this for a moment, her amber eyes studying me carefully. “You’re strange. You’re clumsy with that magic of yours, and you talk too much.”


    I laughed. “Wow, don’t hold back.”


    “But,” she continued, a faint smile tugging at her lips, “you’re not like the others who’ve come through here. You’re... honest. And you don’t look at us like we’re something to be conquered or pitied. That’s worth something.”


    Her words hit harder than I expected. For all the banter and teasing, there was an undeniable sincerity in her tone. “Thanks, Khaz’ara. That means a lot.”


    “Don’t get mushy on me, Traveler,” she said quickly, but the warmth in her eyes betrayed her. “Now, show me something else with those magic tricks of yours. Or are you already tapped out?”


    I smirked, shaking off the sudden flood of emotions. “Tapped out? Please. I’ve got plenty left. Watch this.”


    I focused on the wisps around me again, this time pulling several closer. They shimmered in various hues—gold, green, and faint blues—and hovered like curious fireflies. I reached out, channeling mana into them one by one, watching as their colors deepened and their light grew brighter.


    Khaz’ara leaned forward, her grin returning. “Now you’re just showing off.”


    “You said you wanted a show,” I shot back, arranging the glowing wisps into a rough, floating shape of a flower. The petals flickered unevenly, but the outline was clear enough.


    She clapped enthusiastically, her laughter filling the clearing. “A flower? Really? What’s next, a glowing puppy?”


    “Don’t tempt me,” I said, laughing along with her. “I’ll figure it out eventually.”


    “You’re ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head but still smiling. “But I think I like that.”


    I felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the mana around me. Khaz’ara’s easy humor and genuine interest made this strange new world feel a little less alien. And for the first time in a while, I felt a certain warmth in my chest.


    The last of the glowing wisps faded into the air as I let out a long breath, feeling the subtle hum of mana settle back into my chest. My arms ached from the effort of channeling so much energy, and my forehead was damp with sweat. I wiped it away with the back of my hand, turning to find Khaz’ara still perched on her stump, watching me with a lopsided grin.


    “You look like you’ve just run a mile,” she said, leaning her elbows on her knees. “Not bad for a magic show, though. I’ll give it a solid seven out of ten.”


    “Seven?” I scoffed, feigning offense. “You’re a tough critic. What’s it take to get a ten around here?”


    She stood and stretched, her movements fluid despite her muscular build. “For starters, fewer glittery flowers and more explosions. Maybe throw in a fireball or two. You know, something impressive.”


    I laughed, shaking my head. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time. But for now, I think I’ve had enough of experimenting. My mana reserves—and my dignity—need a break.”


    Khaz’ara smirked, stepping closer and slinging her hands behind her head. “So, what now, Traveler? Back to the village for another round of suspicious stares and grumpy elders?”


    “Actually,” I said, glancing toward the forest trail, “how about a walk instead? I could use some fresh air, and you seem like the perfect guide. You know, if you’re not busy with... whatever it is warrior-tank-orc types do.”


    She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Warrior-tank-orc types? You really know how to flatter a girl.”


    “It’s a gift,” I said with a wink. “Come on, show me the forest. Unless you’re scared I’ll outpace you.”


    Khaz’ara barked a laugh, already heading for the trail. “Outpace me? You’re on, human.”


    We walked side by side, the forest alive with the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. The sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden streaks, casting shifting patterns on the ground. It was peaceful, the kind of quiet that made you forget the world could be cruel.


    “So,” I began, breaking the silence. “You’ve got to tell me—how does someone like you end up in this village? You seem like you’d fit right in leading an army or, I don’t know, wrestling bears.”


    She snorted, shaking her head. “Wrestling bears? Really? That’s your best guess?”


    “Just saying,” I replied, grinning. “You’ve got the build for it.”


    “Flattery will get you nowhere, Traveler,” she said, though her smile softened her words. “But if you must know, I grew up here. Born and raised in this village.”


    “Ah,” I said, nodding. “And what about all the hints I keep getting about your tribe? The rebellion, the fights against the wizards... everyone talks around it like it’s some big secret.”


    Khaz’ara’s smile faded slightly, her gaze turning to the path ahead. For a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, she sighed, her voice quieter than before. “It’s not a secret. Just... a wound that hasn’t healed.”


    I slowed my pace, glancing at her. “Do you want to talk about it? I’m good at listening. It’s kind of my thing.”


    She gave a half-laugh, half-sigh, her amber eyes glinting in the dappled light. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. Fine. You want to know about the rebellion? Here it is.”


    Khaz’ara stopped walking and leaned against a tree, her arms crossed. “The wizards created us—orcs and goblins—as slaves. Tools for their wars and labor. They made us strong, durable, obedient. For generations, we were nothing more than weapons they pointed at their enemies.”


    Her voice grew sharper, her tusks flashing as she spoke. “But we’re not weapons. We’re people. And one day, someone finally stood up and said, ‘No more.’ That someone was Grok’an.”


    I blinked, surprised. “Grok’an? Your Grok’an?”


    “The same,” she said, a faint smile returning. “He led the rebellion that freed us. It wasn’t easy—hundreds died, and the wizards retaliated with everything they had. But we won. We drove them out of this land, destroyed their stronghold, and claimed our freedom.”


    Her expression darkened again. “But not all of us were so lucky. Many of our kin are still enslaved by other wizarding factions, scattered across the world. That’s why the village watches you so closely. They’ve seen too many outsiders bring pain.”


    I let her words sink in, the weight of them pressing against my chest. “That’s... a lot,” I said finally, my voice quieter. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”


    Khaz’ara shrugged, but there was no humor in the gesture. “It’s not about imagining. It’s about remembering. We have to. Otherwise, we risk falling back into the same chains.”


    I nodded, feeling a newfound respect for the orcs and their resilience. “And what about you? What do you think about all this? About me?”


    Her eyes softened, and for a moment, the playful glint returned. “You? You’re strange, Traveler. But I think you mean well. And maybe... just maybe... you’ll be the kind of strange that helps us.”


    I smiled, her words lifting some of the heaviness that had settled over the conversation. “Well, I’ll try not to disappoint. But fair warning—I’m new to this whole multiverse-hero thing.”


    Khaz’ara laughed, the sound bright and unrestrained. “You’re doing fine so far. Just don’t blow yourself up with those glowing orbs of yours, and we’ll call it a win.”


    “Deal,” I said, chuckling as we continued down the trail
『Add To Library for easy reading』
Popular recommendations
A Ruthless Proposition Wired (Buchanan-Renard #13) Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways #1) The Wandering Calamity Married By Morning (The Hathaways #4) A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland Saga #1)