Lost In The Callallis Maze

chapter 4

"..it was presumed that having the same appearance as you, or your family will be more conven̢̗̲̞͉̞ient in future scenarios." The creature said.

White hair and unusually pale skin, that was the characteristic of our bloodline. Scarlet eyes that showed "murderous intent" as few people from the village said.

"Change into someone different. I ORDER YOU" I said with a stern bloodcurdling voice.

"...granted" he said as his flesh and skin started tearing off his body and reappearing.

His new appearance looked similar to my great-grandfather, he possessed the power of immortality but it was only against old age and was slain by a hunter of a different faction,

White hair silkier than the finest fibers, a big scar that ran down from his eye to his chest and a muscular and tall body... I will admit that I miss my great-grandfather.

I remember seeing him when I was five... but soon after,

"Change into one of these soldier's clothes, armour and put on that cloak, you've gotten wet and dirty. This party might merely be the advance, the main group is probably heading here" he said.

"I'll check if my clothes are burnt or not first.. and how do you know if there are more than one group attacking" I said as I got up and stood.

"There was a communication device in the carriage that human of higher status was in" he said as he threw out stuff from a wagon and put in bags of vegetables.

"Alright.. I'll go quickly change" I said as I picked up the cloak and walked out the village centre.

"Don't Forget To Put On Armour" he shouted from a distance.

Walking to our house, the time felt still. I was still in shock, every person in the village slaughtered in a matter of hours. I was still in denial but the raindrops brought me back.

The house was mostly burnt down and destroyed but I could still get in, thankfully my clothes weren't affected. I hastily wore one of my better clothing and grabbed a bag to put my clothes in.

Coming out of the house, the rain was starting to dissipate once again. My cheeks were starting to get swollen and cold.

"Put on one of the soldier's armour. It's a necessity." He said, wearing uncle A'hil's hose and father's leather armour with a shirt tucked in covered by a short cloak.

"Why did you tear off the end portions of the cloak?" I asked.

"Movement's easier. I've done the same with yours as well." He said as he gestured me to give him my bag.

The barbarian's armour was made of metal, they were sturdy. Though because I was thin, not many pieces fitted me. Having never worn them before made me feel suffocated, however, I tolerated it.

"I've got a question, how did you paint the armour pieces black?" I asked as the barbarians wore white silver armour.

"Dried blood solidified into the metal. I can control organic material, we're in a hurry therefore I'll explain my existence on the way." it said.

I stood in the centre of the village, the rain-soaked ground squelching under my feet. The armor was a grim mosaic of twisted metal and darkened hues, almost appearing as though it had been born from the depths of some ancient forge.

The pieces, though sturdy, were adorned with detailed engravings and motifs, remnants of the barbarian soldiers who had once worn them with many dents and scratches

"Hey, don't you think people would recognise this armour even if it's colour is different?" I asked him

"It's decently fancy to call it self-made. Have you not noticed that some of the soldier's armour are different from others? They were probably mercenaries." He said as he finished tucking in foods in the wagon.

As I fastened the chest plate, its cold, heavy weight pressed down on me. It was suffocating me a little. The pauldrons, adorned with swirling designs, rested heavily on my shoulders. The gauntlets, though slightly too large for my hands, were masterfully crafted. each finger joint articulated to allow for great mobility despite being bulky.

The leggings were particularly imposing. Its darkened steel exterior was accentuated by rivulets of dried blood, now blackened and hardened, giving it an almost organic texture. With red textures within the rough plates around the knees.

The short cloak hung from my shoulders like a shroud. Its fabric was coarse but durable, it's entire ensemble felt alien on my body, a stark contrast to the simple, familiar clothes I had.

"Since you're done. I'll explain why I created that hound" he said as he helped me put on the short cloak.

"..The slaughtering of these soldiers will be put on the hound, While we escape." He explained as he helped me get on the wagon.

"However, the grounds muddy. Trails of us will remain?" I said.

"If we follow the path by which the soldiers came from, there will be a cobblestone path leading to the kingdom of Evnlye." He said.

"How do you know.. the paths when even I don't" I asked him

"I'll explain later, our priority is escaping for now." He said.

"We'll bury the bodies of father, brother, grandpa and uncle A'hil first" I said.

"..Alright" He said as he headed to look for their bodies.

Soon after, he came back,

There were no words, he dug holes to bury them. The few raindrops that rarely touched me now wielding a heavy impact.

The armour clanged as I dropped on my knees, I couldn't even cry. What followed was a moment of emptiness, minutes passed and then I gave my goodbyes to them as I got up.

The walk to the wagon felt heavy, leaving the village as if leaving myself behind. Each step the more suffocating, the sound of the armour as I walked driving me insane.

We reached the village centre where the wagon was, and he helped me get on the wagon.

He then directed the horse to move, though it, as it was a witness to the hell unleashed here. It was petrified beyond point to move.

"..."

"..."

We both were baffled

"Should I kill and command this hunk of flesh..?" He said with a maddened smile.

"I don't think that's a... Good idea.. what if some people recognise that it's dead..?" I said a bit terrified.

He then got down the wagon and gently touche the horse.

"Will it calm down by caressing i-"

"NEIIIIAAHHHH" the horse shouted as it collapsed.

"Wh-what're you doing" I said, startled.

In a second, it then got up. It's eyes looking dead.

"I've killed and rearranged it's brain. It'll appear alive." He said as he got up the wagon.

"What...? I didn't understand any.. of what you said and did." I said, severely confused by what just happened.

He then once again commanded the horse to move and, it did. We were headed towards the kingdom of Evnlye, well, one of cities nearest to our village.

The wagon was slightly damaged and was creaky. Leaving the village with a trail of wheels, the numerous markings that were left by the barbarian soldiers' wagons masked them.

I never went out of the village so seeing the path down the mountain was new to me, the syunthy mountain just besides the path as we left.