Realm Of The Befallen

Chapter Three: A Fresh Start

The Sun rose from the Eastern Valley, shining for a new day. The Ruins became devastated from the chaos of last night, as piles of bricks and debris are scattered everywhere. It seems that the souls that inhabit the Ruins has finally put to rest as they leave the premises with joy and salvation.

Stones and a few bricks fell off from the pile, and Anthone emerged, gasping for air and coughing roughly. He saw it was morning, the Ravaged Ruins were no longer recognizable as it became completely destroyed. He immediately came out and took out his equipment, including the journal, in haste. Treating his wounds with olive oil and a pint of spirit before wrapping them in bandages before getting ready for an investigation.

Ancient texts and symbols are written on every pillar of the Ruins, indicating the aftermath after the Ancient Elders sealed the corrupted souls. The souls emit a powerful energy, an energy that became too much that the life force of the Elders were drained away, leaving their bodies to become empty shells.

While observing for more information, he noticed a trail of soot, leading him to a chamber. The chamber has an altar inside, where he found the body of the burnt elf. He went near to it and held her wrist, checking for a pulse. In his surprise, the elf was alive and breathing, only unconscious. He took off his hood and draped it over her body before he left and closed the door.

After all, the ruins are surrounded by a forest, so he won't be away too long. He went out looking for some firewood, collecting some herbs and spices. Not far from where he is standing, a lake can be seen from afar. The water is crystal clear as it seems the plague haven't reached this place. He dipped his hands on the rushing waters and drank from it, greeting it with pleasure from savoring its freshness. He filled his gourds through siphoning, heading back to the chamber before dawn. The elf seems to be asleep upon on his arrival, he set some gourds near her before starting a fire on the floor. He isn't a professional in treating the sick, but he is skillful when it comes to cookery, Sir Patriche would share recipes with him since the patients love to eat soup in the hospital. He took a small pot from the pantry, underneath the altar where jars of organs, eyeballs, and teeth are stored with preservatives in them. Furthermore, he knew there was a dark truth in every story they told in the kingdom, he is sickened to what he had witnessed with the very thought.

The elf opened her eyes, watching at the candles from the altar beside her. She looked on the other side and observed the doctor helping himself to preparing something. She tried to get up, but her burns and bruises felt painful, unable to move. Likewise, she clenched her fists and saw the bandages wrapped around her from head to toe. She didn't have the foggiest idea of what happened, but she knew she attacked someone from last night and injured him. She stared at him for a moment and hesitated.

"Was this the man that freed me?", she thought.

"Ah! You're awake. Don't get up yet, you need some rest to regain your strength. Here, take this." Anthone offered her a bowl of mushroom stew, since he found some mushrooms on his way back. She took his offer and ate a few bites while observing his actions. "Who are you?", she asked.

"Is that a way to say thanks?" he replied.

She fell silent from embarrassment of what she had blurted out, clearing her throat and took a deep breath.

"I, Albina Morfir, Guardian of the Wild Elves, plead for your forgiveness, dear sire. I bestow my life on upon your hands."

"I'm Sir Anthone III, a rookie doctor from the woods...eheh..." He felt uneasiness as he knew he might be killed right in front of her sight if he mentioned the kingdom of Terraconia. "May I suggest you to reduce the formalities?"

"Why is that?" she asked.

"I'm not really someone famous, strong, good-looking, or having powers. So I might suggest you to call me Anthony since I'm nothing more but just a commoner."

"Very well, Anthony, I thank you for freeing me from that obnoxious nightmare. It's been awhile since I've been trapped here for years."

"How did you happen to be possessed? I mean, Ravaged Ruins is just Northwest of Meru, why would you travel all the way from the South to Northwest? Isn't this placed known to be cursed?"

"I haven't known such things going on here. My duty is to guard our homelands from bandits and raiders, since their intent is to steal the Sphere of Light. I fought one of their leaders, and it cast a spell on me. My memory seems to blur whenever I try to remember the past, I apologize for my lack of reliability."

"Do you remember the name of their clan? It might help us figure it out."

"No... I'm afraid I have nothing more to say. I am not fit for my entitlement, rather... I have become an outcast. Not only that, but I swore an oath not to kill, and yet I have tainted myself with bloodshed. I'm no longer worthy to be called a Guardian."

He took off his mask and look at her in pity as he felt her helplessness in harsh times. He cleared his throat and tried to enlighten her. "Hey, at least we get to live another day. I know that title means so much to you, but it's not about you on the outside, it is about you in the inside." He pointed his finger to her chest, without realizing he just crossed the line, she grabbed his hand and pinned him down.

"Just as I expected, you are filthy as ever could be," she whispered in his ear, letting out a soft giggle. "But be not afraid, you are allowed since I now bestowed you my life. You can do whatever you have in mind~"

"Ummmm, I didn't mean any of that... I-I was just expressing something... that's all."

He began to shiver and blush as he never experienced a woman would come up close to him face to face. His heart began to race while his mind blew up, leaving him fainted while the mischievous elf laughed at him. "So young yet so innocent, no wonder you can't find a mate of yours."

Helpless of himself, he became unconscious as he laid on his back on the floor. She watched him closely and sat up, leaning on the wall and combed his hair, watching the fire ablaze and thought, "Humans are so curious, I'm glad I've met someone like him.... I thought I will be some slave in their hands, but I was spared and became a friend. I guess there is some light in this cruel world......"

The Doctor and the Elf fell asleep in peace under the coldest of the night. As our two adventurers are now at rest, there lies more danger ahead and challenges to meet. The Ruins are no longer a curse, but a sanctuary for those who seek shelter and safety. Meanwhile, the forest seems to be watching them. It is not an animal nor a being, but rather the trees seems to have eyes ; gazing on the chamber as it seems it wants to intrude the duo.