Embersteel: Legend of the Warrior BlackSmith

Chapter 29: Boundaries of the Land

The Obsidian Woodlands sprawled across the western edge of Axina, a realm where nature, magic, and civilization intertwined. The forest's vastness was both a blessing and a curse. It held life within its thick canopy—villages of rugged cultivators, ancient cities cloaked by trees older than memory, and countless pathways winding through dark underbrush. Unlike typical forests, the Obsidian Woodlands was a world of its own, with a layered society forged by the raw strength of its people and the mystical connection they shared with the land.

To the outside observer, the Woodlands appeared impenetrable, with its tall, darkened trees standing as solemn sentries. Within the forest, villagers and city dwellers coexisted with the land's dangers, facing beasts capable of cultivation and shadowy forces that lurked in the night. Yet, the Woodlands offered unmatched benefits. The dense flora provided rare herbs, essential for alchemy and enhancing cultivation practices, and its concealed paths protected those who wished to evade the attention of the larger world.

However, the thickness of the trees that provided safety also acted as a limitation. Farming and building were constrained by the ever-present canopy, thus massive protective formations were needed separate the cities from the ever growing trees. Travelers from other lands often struggled with navigation, the very isolation that kept it safe also slowed its growth and weakened its ties to the broader territories of Axina, but large families had over time found a way to make it work and progress forward.

The land of Axina, shaped by diverse and powerful regions, extended far beyond the shadowy confines of the Obsidian Woodlands. To the north lay the "Azure Peaks", a mountain range towering so high that even in the heart of summer, snow dusted its highest summits. The Azure Peaks was famed for its natural fortifications and was home to a society shaped by the rugged mountain life. Towns were built into the rock itself, with narrow stairways and cliffside dwellings overlooking chasms that stretched to the sky.

Cultivators there learned to harness the wind, channeling energy from the towering peaks. Its advantage lay in its security, for any attempt to breach the Azure Peaks required traversing treacherous paths and freezing temperatures that would freeze the life out of unprepared travelers. However, the isolated nature of mountain life hindered trade with the lowlands, making resources from other regions scarce and costly but present nonetheless.

To the south sprawled the "Golden Steppe", a vast, rolling grassland kissed by perpetual sunshine. Known for its fertile soil, the Golden Steppe was a prosperous land, dotted with cities that gleamed with prosperity. The region's cultivators, harnessing the energy of the sun and the earth, were famed for their resilience and strength. The flat expanse allowed easy trade routes, fostering commerce between the Steppe and neighboring lands.

However, the open plains made it vulnerable to incursions, as any force could march across the grassland unhindered. Defensive structures were scarce, and while the people were strong, they were often stretched thin to defend against raiders, thus the leaders of the Golden Steppe had to undertake large construction of defensive walls fortified by formations. But any like any other formations, it cost man power to maintain and resources to maintain.

To the east, close to the center of Axina, lay the "Mirage Delta", a land of wetlands and winding rivers. The people of Mirage Delta built their cities on sturdy platforms, elevated above the waters, creating a labyrinthine metropolis of bridges and canals. This unique geography allowed for unparalleled control over water cultivation techniques, giving rise to powerful cultivators who could manipulate water with precision.

The Delta's waterways provided abundant fish and vegetation, ensuring food security. However, the waterways that brought life also brought danger. During the rainy season, floods were common, and the land's soggy foundation made building complex structures difficult. This is also one reason why its leaders employed formation master to create safe guards for its people, and blacksmiths to create and maintain the massive metal platform they use as land. Moreover, the thick mists that cloaked the Delta often served as cover for bandits and mysterious figures, slipping in and out of the region unnoticed.

Each of these lands, the Obsidian Woodlands, the Azure Peaks, the Golden Steppe, and the Mirage Delta, contributed to the diversity and mystique of Axina. Each region shaped its people uniquely, but together they formed an intricate balance of cultures and strengths. This balance, however, was threatened by an unseen force moving in the shadows.

Within the depths of the Obsidian Woodlands, a rumor had started to spread. Villagers whispered of figures draped in black, moving with unnatural silence through the trees. At first, it was dismissed as one of the many tales born from the Woodlands' natural mysteries. But soon, the presence of the Celestial Shadow Church became undeniable. Known for its ruthless pursuit of power, the Celestial Shadow Church was infamous across Axina for preying on the vulnerable and converting the weak-hearted to their doctrines of darkness.

At first, it was just a fleeting glimpse—a black-robed figure seen from the corner of the eye. But then, the signs began to multiply. Livestock vanished from farms near the outskirts, and villagers felt an eerie chill in the air, even during the warmest days. It became evident that the Celestial Shadow Church had begun a slow, insidious encroachment on the Obsidian Woodlands.

A sense of dread blanketed the forest, as elders and cultivators alike prepared to defend their homes. Unknown to them, however, the Shadow Church had plans that reached beyond mere intimidation. Their leaders were looking for something—something hidden deep within the Woodlands. And as night fell, the people of the Obsidian Woodlands braced themselves, knowing that a confrontation was inevitable. The Church was closing in, and the tranquil darkness of the forest would soon be shattered by the coming storm.

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Poor Man's Corner, with all its broken structures and rough-edged inhabitants, was their only hope for a safe route to escape the encroaching Shadow Church. Poor Man's Corner loomed on the edge of the horizon as they drew closer, its dark, jagged shapes piercing the sky. Even from a distance, they could make out the skeletal frames of buildings, leaning against one another as if to keep themselves from collapsing.

Lin Moyi remembered the old stories about the place, a refuge for those too broken or unwanted to find a home elsewhere. In times of desperation, though, even the most desolate places could become sanctuaries. And now, the inhabitants of Lin village clung to the hope that this forsaken corner of Axina would grant them safe passage.

Lin Rou glanced at his father. "Will the people there help us, Father? I've heard they have no love for strangers."

Lin Moyi's face remained stern, his voice low. "Perhaps not. But Poor Man's Corner is a place where survival means more than loyalty. If we offer them something to gain, they'll turn a blind eye to us passing through. They won't risk crossing the Shadow Church, but they may yet allow us safe passage."

The march continued, but the unease that had settled over the group grew thicker with each step. The forest around them grew darker, the shadows lengthening as though in anticipation. They had felt the presence trailing them for some time now—an unseen force pressing down upon them, lurking at the edge of their senses. Lin Moyi's grip on his staff tightened as he glanced over his shoulder. Somewhere behind them, hidden in the thick mist and towering trees, the Shadow Church drew closer. And at its head was a figure that had haunted his people.

Jin Wu of the Celestial Shadow Church.