Subterra: Dark Relm

Part 10: Frostland: Echos Of Conflict

Frostland City - The Capital of Drakara Kingdom

(Frostland, the jewel of Drakara, stood at the peak of its grandeur. King Theron ruled from its heart, a thriving hub where trade, tourism, and opportunity intertwined. The city's streets were alive with the hum of countless souls—merchants, artisans, and warriors who had come for the grand tournament. The tournament's arrival had swelled the city’s population, and it was said that not a single inn had a vacant room.)

(At the city’s main gate, Galen passed through it to the stadium. Damon, Zev, and Locos entered closely behind by walking amd and leave Galen on his own.)

Locos:  How are we supposed to find your contact in a city this big, with all these people?

Zev:  He said to ask for the Hidden Haven Inn. Locals should point us in the right direction.

Locos:  He’s that well-known, huh? Maybe we should ask the guards.

Zev: They might know... but they might not. They won't obey us either.

(Damon, scanning the crowd, sensed something off. His eyes darted to the rooftops, but he couldn’t see the source of his unease.)

Zev: What’s wrong?

Damon: I need to check something out. It’s Hidden Haven Inn, right? I’ll find you later. Don’t follow me.

Zev: But

Locos: Let him go. Damon’s not one to be messed with. Besides, I overheard him mention Vorath to Orin. He’s got a lot on his mind.

(Galen found himself among a crowd of fierce-looking warriors at the tournament registry.)

(The accommodations were lavish. Galen, Milo, and Krelan had share one room, and the servants were ready to fulfill their every request. For some, that meant food; for others, entertainment. Some warriors even asked for women to warm their beds, but Galen, ever the pragmatist, only asked for a feast of meats.)

Krelan:  Mind if I join you for dinner? The food smells better here than anything we’ve had in weeks.

Galen: Be my guest. I’ve been craving real food for days.

(Meanwhile, Milo sat in a window with a rare bottle of wine, quietly observing the fightng stadium.)

(Damon slipped into a dimly lit tavern on the outskirts of the city, taking a seat at the bar. The room was full, but the atmosphere was tense. He flagged down the barkeep.)

Damon: I heard two communities are fighting. What’s the story?

(The bartender glanced around before leaning in.)

Bartender:  It’s about bloodlines. Pure humans against the mixed-bloods human. You know, those with monster or giant ancestry. Mixed-bloods are powerful, but the purebloods aren’t weak either due to evolution here.

Damon:   That sounds like trouble. Could lead to a full-blown war.

Bartender:   That’s what everyone’s afraid of. No one knows who sparked it, but it’s only getting worse.

Damon:   What about the Hidden Haven Inn? Where is it?

Bartender:   Opposite end of the city. You’ll want a ride—it’s too far to walk, especially with the tournament blocking the center of the city.

Damon:   Got it. I’ll find my way.

(As Damon left the tavern and climbed into a carriage, a shadowy figure watched from a nearby rooftop. Vorath’s eyes followed him, his lips curling into a grin.)

Vorath:  I underestimated you. I am sensing your power.

King Theron’s Castle

(In the royal chambers, King Theron poured himself another glass of wine as his son, Prince Kael, entered.)

Theron: How’s the tournament shaping up?

Kael:  Better than ever. More fighters than we’ve seen in years. Varek’s managing everything since his father fell ill.

Theron: Good. And is that one joining again?

Kael: Of course. Half the fighters are here just to try to take him down.

Theron: I can’t blame them. He’s left quite the trail of bodies. What about you and Varek? Fancy a duel?

Kael (smirking):  You know how that would end.

Theron (laughing): No one likes a draw.

(Kael’s expression grew serious.)

Kael:  Father, we should consider expanding our kingdom. Eldoria, Caravyn, and Sylvara are vulnerable. If we act now, we could take them without much resistance.

Theron:  Forget about expansion. Focus on Queen Selene. She’s unpredictable, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already made her move.

Kael: She’s just after that graveyard. We can handle her.

Theron: She won’t take a pebble of our land. Stay focused on the task at hand and don’t get greedy.

Kael:  As you wish, father.

(Kael bowed and left, leaving the king alone with his thoughts.)

(He found himself walking through a blood-soaked battlefield. Dead bodies—those of his old comrades, the Renegades—lay scattered across the ground. Their blood pooled at his feet.)

(Suddenly, one of the bodies reached out, grabbing his wrist.)

Rebel (whispering):   Subterra... he’s from Subterra.

(Damon jolted awake, gasping for breath, his heart racing. He was in his room at the Hidden Haven Inn, the morning light filtering through the window.)