Land Without Hope

Chapter 1 - Bonds

Cracked cobblestones echoed with the laughter of children as brittle twigs snapped beneath their boots. The chill of the Graybarrow air nipped at their faces, but Rozeree and Daglan barely noticed, lost in their game. The village, with its weathered stone cottages and rickety wooden shacks, sprawled beneath the shadow of towering walls. Beyond those walls lay danger— the kind of danger that kept the villagers' smiles nervous and their eyes always watchful.

"Yield, foul beast!" Rozeree shouted, brandishing her makeshift sword — a sturdy branch stripped of its bark. Her jet-black hair danced in the wind, framing her sharp blue eyes. She lunged at Daglan, whose gray eyes glinted with playful defiance.

"Never, mighty ascendent!" Daglan retorted, parrying her strike with his own stick. His movements were swift, but Rozeree's were relentless, driving him back with every blow.

"Daglan! Rozeree! Lunchtime!" came Silvas's sharp call from the cottage.

Rozeree's shoulders stiffened, her expression darkening at the sound of her aunt's voice. "Come on, let's go." She tossed her stick aside, stomping toward the small, smoke-streaked home. Daglan trailed after her, his grin undimmed.

Inside, the warmth of the hearth was a welcome contrast to the brisk air. Silvas stood over a bubbling pot, her piercing blue eyes darting toward them as they entered. Her muscular frame and black robes gave her an imposing presence, accentuated by her stern expression.

"What were you playing?" she asked brusquely, ladling stew into chipped bowls.

"Monsters," Rozeree muttered, slumping into a chair. Daglan, ever the optimist, eagerly reached for his bowl.

"We're going to be ascendents like you and Koshu!" he declared, earning a sharp glare from Rozeree.

Silvas's spoon clattered against the pot as she turned to face them. "Where did you hear that?"

Daglan's enthusiasm faltered, his gaze dropping to the table. "We found Koshu's journals," he admitted quietly. Rozeree froze, her eyes widening as she stared at her brother.

To their surprise, Silvas's expression softened. "I see," she said, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Koshu and I... we've made sacrifices to keep this town safe. Those journals... they're not meant for children." She sighed, ruffling Daglan's hair. "I'll talk to him about sharing some stories, but you two need to focus on your training."

After the meal, Rozeree and Daglan slipped back outside. "Thanks for covering for me," Rozeree said, her tone begrudging.

Daglan grinned. "That's what brothers are for. One day, we'll prove ourselves and leave this place together."

Rozeree's gaze drifted to the towering walls that surrounded Graybarrow. "If they let us," she muttered under her breath. Daglan sighed as he looked up at the walls that surrounded the town, protecting them from the monsters outside. Rozeree grinned cunningly.

"Why don't we go see dad?"

"I don't know, Rozeree. We probably shouldn't. They are getting ready, and we aren't aloud." Daglan hesitated, but excitement glinted in his eyes.

"It'll be fine, come on!" Rozeree grabbed his hand, yanking him down the road.

They ran down cobblestone streets, dodging occasional passersby. The air seemed to grow heavier as they approached their destination. Finally, the tall wall of stone, wood, and metal loomed into view, dotted with battle scars and old repairs.

Rozeree pressed a finger to her lips, peering around the tavern walls. There next to the wall, the hunting party were finishing up getting ready for their weekly hunt. They were dressed head to toe in armour made from living crystals. A material harder than metals, that healed as if alive, and could even be bonded to the skin and organs.