• Outskirts of Nortvalhm
"Come on Eryth, we are moving," a young light-skinned lady with long emerald green hair tied up in a ponytail said. She had vertical green pupils within her large eye and a pointy fang, Merilth, as she went by.
Eryth on the other hand was just as every regular human with short dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was light-skinned and had a very visible skull figure tattooed on his neck just above his collarbone.
He squirmed and turned on his bedding. "Please, Merilth, a more pleasant waking would be appreciated."
They both wore a dirty brown, slightly turned-up cloak.
Merlith wore her cloak over a black buttoned tight blouse and black silk trousers with a sword sheathed in her belt.
Eryth wore his cloak over a plain white tunic with brown trousers and also had a long sword in his belt.
"All I said was come on!" She exclaimed. "Perhaps next time I'd smash my foot in your groin, how's that?"
Eryth stood up on his feet and strapped his backpack around his back below his cloak before using his legs to put out the fire on the ground.
"Yeah, whatever."
Merilth also packed her things into her backpack. As she did, her keen senses caught the smell she exuded, causing her to recoil, her face twisting.
"Ugh, I reek like a wyvern's ass."
Eryth turned to her. "Are you only now realising?"
"Damn you Eryth, could you be helpful for once in this group?"
He shrugged. "Is it really a group if there are only two of us now?"
Merilth's expression peppered for a split second before a small smile masked her face.
There used to be six of them working together but after one member, a demon with infatuation for gold, strode into a cave. A cave a dragon resided in. All but Eryth and the Zholm died, massacred by the beast.
"I saw a lake back when we were coming this way last night," Eryth revealed. He saw the split-second expression on her face and knew she wasn't holding up well after the death of their companions. Especially because her sister was one of the deceased.
"Oh really? Come on, let's head back quick before the chaotic hour."
The Chaotic Hour. The moment when the sun is directly above, at its peak. A period of the day cursed by the broken veil. A moment when reeks of Black Energy and chaotic creatures from the Divgodian Realm, Lurkers, Hellhounds, and much more.
No one dares to step foot during this period. They all remain indoors, to hide from these creatures, but even indoors, they are not completely safe.
The two turned and started in the direction described by Eryth. A few moments later, they arrived at the lake Eryth spoke about. The water was so clear, that the depth could be seen. Trees were standing all around the lake, each of the trees equipped with its own type of fruit, it was a sight to behold, especially in a place like where they were.
"Wow, who would have thought something as beautiful would grow in a place like this."
Eryth cast a sidelong look at her. He couldn't help but smile as he noticed the smile she had. She turned and the two locked eyes. Eryth held her stare for a few seconds before speaking.
"I'll let you do your thing," Eryth stated before turning away.
After walking a few paces away from the Zholm, he sat on a small boulder and pulled a small dagger from his boot, caressing it with his fingers. The knife had a golden handle with tiny diamonds engraved in its scabbard. He had the weapon with him since he knew what was what, but doesn't remember who gave it to him or why it was given to him.
After a while, Merilth emerged from behind the trees, her hair was wet and it poured down her back. Everything else on her body was still the way they were but her skin was now green, the true form of her race.
Eryth's jaw dropped to the ground as he stared at her. He managed to drag his jaw from the floor and speak.
"Taking up a full Zholm now, are we?"
Zholm is a race of mortals in Anaheym. Their skin color is mostly green and their eyes are usually vertical. Most of them are shapeshifters and they are quick with their movement.
"I can't wait to get back home once we are done with this god-forsaken mission," Merilth said while caressing her forearm with her palm.
With the words they received from their late partners, the two took it upon themselves to complete the quest before returning home. After all, they've lost, they cussed upon the thought of returning home without completing the quest.
"I don't say this to come off racist, but I think you should reconsider going into Nortvalhm like that."
"Why? Because I'm a Zholm?"
"Yes, because you are a Zholm."
The citizens of Nortvalhm believed life began in their Kingdom. And they believe so because the all-powerful, King Hrucrypt was born in, and led Nortvalhm to great victories.
The native people of the kingdom believe they have ascended past mortals' grasp, and have achieved a state much higher than this Realm can contain.
The Zholms were one of the races that refused to submit to the power of the Nortvalhmilian king. The king trapped them on their little island for about 25 years without the supply of food or any other resources, making them starve and refusing to accept any letter of plea or surrender.
Even after his death, and after his son took power and freed them, every Zholm that was or is to be born never stays on the same page as a Nortvalhmilian.
"What form should I take then?" She asked.
"A human," Eryth replied. He slipped his dagger back into his boot and rose to his feet.
"Unlike any other races, they are friendly and not at war with any other race," he stated.
"Those weak-headed creatures like you? I'd rather be an earthworm in the sand."
Eryth groaned and facepalmed. "I told you, I'm not just any human, I'm a mage. Plus humans could also ascend the realm," he countered, but it was just breeze to her ears.
When a being is said to "ascend the realm", they have honed their skills and achieved a state on par with a Demi-god.
Demi-gods are beings with insane abilities almost matching that of a minor god; beings that have taken upon themselves the task of serving the gods, angels, put simply, 'Servant of the gods' as many refer to them.
Merilth shrugged off his words before shifting, her hair turning black and silky. Ears were now large and pointy. Her eyes turned completely white with a marking under her left eye. The part of her face from her forehead down to the bottom of her nose turned black with what looked like scales. The back of her palm and her neck also grew black feathers while the rest of her body remained human-like.
"Seriously? A Raven?"
Eryth acted like he was disappointed, but since he started his journey with the Zholm, he has always thought her pretty. It didn't matter what form she took.
"Yes," she posed.
"They are hot, and they are loved by everyone."
"Uh— let's go before it starts."
The duo continued into the outer town of the kingdom of Nortvalhm. On the outside, the kingdom seemed like a normal 'everyone-friendly' kingdom because of the different races of people walking around.
A loud bell suddenly began pounding from the top of a tower in the middle of the town. Eryth looked up at the sky in surprise.
"It's already time, we need to find an inn to stay for the moment."
Everyone around started to disperse and the shop owners around packed up and made their way home. It had arrived— the Chaotic Hour.
The duo entered into an inn and shut the door behind them.
The inn was damp, the air thick and heavy with the smell of cigarettes and alcohol. People scattered everywhere, Knights, scholars, family men, and priest, for that one moment, they all were not bitter, they were trying to survive a threat alike.
Eryth and Merilth slowly walked up to the counter where they met a huge, about seven-foot-tall man, monstrous looking, twisted and scary face, not the kind known to own an inn.
He stared down at the two, chewing the unknown. "What can I get ya for?"
"We just need a room for two for a few hours."
"Room? Aren't we staying until the ungodly hour is over?" Merilth questioned softly.
"Just relax," Eryth turned back to the man.
"I see." The man leaned over the table. "Not the first time someone has walked in here with a Raven. They are truly a fine specimen."
"What?" Merilth choked.
Eryth immediately got what the man spoke about and threw his head back, laughing. "They are indeed."
"We are not…"
"I like to pick the best available," he cut Merilth short, leaning towards the man's joke.
The man nodded before sighing. "But unfortunately we've got no decent room left so yar have to make do with the bad ones, sorry mate." The man dropped the keys on the counter.
Eryth shrugged and picked up the keys.
"It doesn't matter." He turned to leave but the man called them back.
"Yet to pay mate. What'ya think this is? Charity? Pay up."
Merilth slipped her hand into her pocket to bring out the payment but Eryth beat her to it. He placed a well-shaped rock on the counter and locked eyes with the man. "Did I forget to introduce myself?"
"Yar with the Guild are ya?" The man narrowed his eyes at the two. "Well, I wish ya a good stay. Hope she doesn't disappoint."
Eryth smiled and picked back his rock. "I cover for whatever disappointment my woman brings to the bed."
The man nodded before pointing down the direction to the room.
The Xyxtherous guild members are a group of people trained and honed in the ways of their Acts. The guild was created years ago after the fall of the veil, its sole purpose is to protect the Earth realm and fix the broken veil, an ever-ongoing task, and also as an intermediary between the Earth Realm and the Divgodian Realms. Because of their duties to society, most kingdoms do not bill or question the integrity of anyone who carries the insignia.
"I could have paid." Merilth pointed out as they entered the room.
"Oh please, we risk our lives for them, the least they can do is let us stay here."
She shook her head before taking off her cloak. "You said it yourself, Nortvalhm is not like other kingdoms. While others will appreciate us, this place might not."
She then took off her shirt, leaving a small sleeveless top. She groaned out of tiredness and threw herself on the small mattress that was kept in one corner of the room, allowing herself to take back her normal form.
Eryth also took off his cloak and his sword before sitting on the ground next to the door. "What was that guy saying? This place is not bad."
Merilth stood up straight to get a better view of her partner. "Since we left for our mission, this is the first time the two of us have stayed in an enclosed room, right?"
Eryth nodded. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"No, definitely not. But I just realized I know nothing about you, I don't even know how your abilities work, you're like the only mage in the guild, right?"
"Sadly. It's why I don't show unless there's a quest on the board all the other noobs can't complete and it becomes the talk of the town," he revealed.
"So… are you gonna show me how your act works?" She asked softly.
Eryth was quiet for a couple of moments before drawing a breath. "It's simple, just like every other mage's act."
"That's the thing," she mumbled. "You're the only mage I know."
"You probably met a lot but can't tell they are mages because a lot of Acts are classified under the mage Act," he revealed.
"For instance, there's the Necromancy Act, the Act of Summoning, Blood Act, Enchantment Act, Elemental Act, life and Death Act, Rune Act, Cosmic Act, and finally Alterations and Transmutation Act. All are classified as mages. I'm sure you've met one."
"True. But which one are you?"
Eryth pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Rune act"
"I see." She smiled.
"Why were you trying to hide it?"
"Because Rune Act is so boring. I wish I was something like a Cosmic Act user."
"I think you are underestimating your abilities. Rune Act sounds like a very powerful Act."
Eryth scoffed and shook his head. "At the moment all I can do is this." He outstretched his hand and a blue rune markings appeared around his palm. Merilth exclaimed as a small fire popped out of his hand.
"You can perform the Elemental Act?"
"Not only that." He picked up his sword and pulled it out of its scabbard. The sword then starts to glow blue with the rune marking around his wrist.
"Eryth, that's insane. Do you realize you just did the Elemental and Enchantment Act?"
"Meh," he shrugged. "What about you? What is the limit of your ability?"
A soft knock on the door made the two shut quietly. It was then they realized how quiet everywhere was.
Eryth picked up his sword and held it in his hand before holding the doorknob with the other.
….
ns216.73.216.12da2
