Saint's Ordeal - Chronicles of Solheim

Chapter 1- Reminiscence

My legs hurt as I run through the forest on my bare feet. I feel every curve of the earth, every rock, every shrub. Tripping over every root that's poking through the ground, Trying to navigate this endless maze of dense trees and endless undergrowth. My lungs feel like they're catching on fire, every breath I take is more strained than the last, and every breath makes my lungs hurt even further. Did I lose them? I don't dare to voice my thoughts- I have no way to know if they're here. If they're listening. Using every moment of silence I have; Knowing I barely have time to relax, I rest my hands on my knees, huffing behind some large trees to hide.

A few minutes pass, and I finally begin to straighten up. Wait... Which direction did I come from? I look around, not sure in which direction to go. But I don't have time to think. As soon as I begin moving, I see a gleaming silver light beside me. "Shit!" I manage to dock in time to avoid an arrow, aimed at my head.

And back at it again, I'm running, fast. My legs hurt, I feel some sort of sogginess as I run, and with every step I take, I feel as if I'm picking up a few dead leaves off the floor. There's no doubt in it, my feet are bleeding. Heavily. "Get him!" I hear them yell behind me. They're getting close!

I just need to find my way out of this forest, they can't follow me if I leave this forsaken place. I just need to get out!

And as if the universe is listening to my wishes- the trees get less and less dense as I move forward, and soon enough, I see a large opening in the trees. "Yes!" I manage to choke out despite my protesting limbs and organs. However- my sense of victory is cut short, when I see a group of archers stand in front of me, with their bows at the ready- half drawn. Soon- I recognize the scene standing before me.

I'm at the feasting grounds.

I ran back to the village.

I ran in circles.

I try to manifest my bow into my hands, but before I manage to even think about it- I yelp as a heavy blunt force hits the back of my head; and I collapse helplessly to the ground.

"Aww..." I hear a very familiar voice say "Your magic can't help you now, can it?" He mocked me. I manage to turn my head to the side, just to see him standing over me. His greatsword is clutched in his hands, its wolven hilt bloodied. The warm and kind eyes I once loved, are now glaring at me- cold and cruel. His greatsword shone in the pale moonlight as he swung it at my neck.

≪ °❈° ≫

Just a second before the blade slice my head off my shoulder I woke up, drenched in a cold sweat.

That night was two years ago, and ever since then, it came back to haunt me every single night. Every time returning more twisted and fucked up than the last time. I knew full well it didn't play out that way: after I dodged that arrow, I managed to run outside the forest. watching my hunters glare at me, and I remember seeing his face- lit up by a torch. I don't remember the look he had on his face though... Was it sadness?

I sneer at myself- my mind is definitely playing tricks on me, he looked at me with pure hatred and spite.

They hated me for a choice I didn't make.

Taking a deep breath, I look out of the window- the moon was glimmering in the sky, her silver aura gently caressing the land of Stros-Mira. Based on her position in the sky? I'll guess it was 2 in the morning. I sigh as I get out of bed, there's no use in trying to go back to sleep, I need to be out in 3 hours.

I stand up to stretch myself, surprisingly, I feel well-rested with barely any sleep. huh, that's new. I reach out to grab my roll of bandages from the nightstand and begin wrapping them around my lower chest, Trying my best to hide the mark decorating my body. This mark appeared on my chest the night I awakened my magic powers. The night Aluna chose me as her successor.