Thorns of Blood

Chapter 3: Garnida Thornn

Six months had passed since Yeon had joined the Ki Fighting Club. Time in Vellanis moved differently for him now—a blur of training, bruises, and quiet nights spent piecing together fragments of his past. Though he had grown stronger and more adept at using his Ki, the questions about Atarria and his place in its legacy lingered like shadows he couldn't shake.

One evening, after an especially grueling day of training, Yeon wandered the streets of Vellanis, hoping to drown his thoughts in the city's vibrant nightlife. The streets were alive, lanterns casting a soft blue glow as they swayed in the crisp evening breeze. Conversations and laughter filled the air, mingling with the scent of roasted meats and spiced wine. Eventually, he found himself standing before a tavern nestled at the edge of the bustling marketplace. Its sign, adorned with a carved pigeon—the symbol of Vellanis' peace—beckoned him inside.

The warmth of the tavern wrapped around him as he entered. Blue banners draped the walls, and pigeon statues perched on high shelves, their stone eyes watching over the patrons. The hum of voices and the clinking of glasses created a lively yet calming atmosphere. Yeon ordered a drink and settled into a corner, the flickering lantern light reflecting in his crimson eyes as he let his hood fall back.

Nearby, an old man and woman sat together at a table, their conversation drawing Yeon's attention.

"Do you remember the attack from Atarria all those years ago?" the old man asked, his voice trembling slightly. "They swept through the villages like a storm. No warning, no mercy. Burned homes, killed families. They shattered the peace."

The old woman nodded, her wrinkled face hardening. "They call it glory, their strength, but it's nothing but destruction. Those red-cloaked monsters... they destroy everything they touch."

Yeon's grip tightened around his glass. The words hit him like a physical blow, stirring something deep and uneasy inside him. Is this who Atarria really is? Was Garnida's vision of power built on these atrocities? Was my father sacrificed for their cruelty?

He lowered his eyes, the drink burning down his throat as he tried to drown the turmoil. These people aren't the villains Aunt Garnida described. They aren't monsters. But what if... Atarria is?

The peaceful murmur of the tavern was shattered as the door burst open with a deafening crack. The heavy wooden planks splintered, and silence fell over the room. Conversations died mid-sentence, and all eyes snapped toward the entrance.

Two figures stepped through the wreckage.

One was a hulking man clad in a blood-red uniform, the insignia of Atarria's army unmistakable on his chest. His broad shoulders and cold expression made it clear he was no ordinary soldier—he was a bodyguard, trained to enforce Atarria's will.

But it was the second figure who truly froze the room. She was smaller but far more terrifying, draped in a long red robe with broad shoulders that made her presence impossible to ignore. A golden mask shaped like a skull obscured her face, its hollow eyes gleaming in the dim light. She moved with deliberate grace, her very steps radiating authority.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, and panic set in. Chairs toppled, drinks spilled, and people scrambled to escape. "Atarria!" someone screamed. "How did they get in?"

Yeon's breath caught in his throat as he sat frozen in place, his crimson eyes locked on the figures. His mind raced. This can't be happening. How did they breach Vellanis?

The robed figure raised a hand, commanding silence without a word. Slowly, she reached up, removing the golden mask. Her face was revealed, sharp and unyielding, her dark skin glistening under the lantern light. Her braided white hair cascaded over her shoulders like a crown of frost.