Within Dagon City, a small independent city-state bordering the southern wilds, a young chieftain trains with his father after the recent loss of his last older brother.
I doubled over and fell to my knees. My stomach reeled with pain, and vomit was inches from my face.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Get up!
I tensed every muscle as more vomit rose to the surface.
CHIEF LEONIDES
You haven't been attending your training sessions! Get up!
I glared up at Chief Leonides, a milky white-skinned and toned gent with gray lines down his body. His head of dark grey frizzy hair, patterned with streaks of white lines, swayed in the breeze. His black eyes, with white pupils, bore down on me with disappointment.
He and I wore loose robes, his white and mine black, to allow free movement during hand combat. I struggled to my feet, and he raised his fists—I dodged out of his first swing but took a blinding jab to the face and fell back.
CHIEF LEONIDES
What the hell, Leon!
He shouted at me, but I ignored him, looking up into the blue sky from where I lay. We were in the Chief's Estate's Training Court behind the Great Study. Our Guardians trained here occasionally but were dismissed to allow the Chief to beat the living mana out of me.
CHIEF LEONIDES
You are twenty-nine years old!
What made him think I didn't know my age?
CHIEF LEONIDES
Get up!
I lifted myself into a sitting position, and the plains spun, but I held on and stood.
CHIEF LEONIDES
I can't believe you have the gall to be Chief. Two brothers before you—one can withstand the blow of my Golden Fist; the other runs faster than a mule.
LEON
And where are they now?
His anger flared a golden aura around his body, and he struck the air before me. The air rippled at me, knocking the air out of my lungs. I flung through the air, but my consciousness was lost midway through my flight.
*****
I awoke within the Clerical Study—in one of the private infirmarys that looked like one of our fantastic bedrooms—a draped white bed, cabinets and dressers, red-painted walls, and moving drawings of griffins and unicorns. The floor was made of smooth and polished silver tiles, and past the end of the bed was the only Mage in the entire city, Healer Coriando. His back was to me as he pounded away at his mixing table, cluttered with books, paper, glass vials, enchanted orbs, and plenty of other crap.
The gods know the Chief was working day and night to court Mages into the city, but none desired to stay. The quality of life here wasn't all that spectacular, and Mages tend to find better living in major cities and kingdoms. Why would anyone want to waste their talents here?
DONATELLO
You're awake.
I jumped at the sound of Don's voice. He was in the seat next to me.
LEON
For a big guy, you're pretty invisible.
If he had been standing, he would have towered seven feet tall, draped in loose-fitting white and gold clothes of the city's merchants, custom-made to fit his size. He was a strapping gent with such brawny features that none would take him for an experienced merchant. His soft pink eyes would, unfortunately tell others a different story.
He ran his hand through his bright golden hair in an attempt to get them out of his eyes, but they just fell back in place,
DONATELLO
The Chief sent me to ask you a question.
I sat up, and Coriando shouted without facing us,
HEALER CORIANDO
Hey hey! Don't move so suddenly; you have a broken rib.
Did I? But I dismissed the thought and asked,
LEON
What could this question be, I wonder?
Don's light-pink complexion deepened into dimples as his dark-orange lips parted in a smile.
DONATELLO
The Chief wanted to know if you knew what he did regarding his last attack.
I shrugged in annoyance,
LEON
I haven't got a clue.
Donatello shook his head, materialized a small note from his Inventory, and handed it to me.
LEON
What's this?
DONATELLO
You just lost me fifty puries.
I unfurled the note, which read: "I haven't got a clue."
DONATELLO
Your fa—the Chief, knows you so well.
LEON
Knowing only one thing doesn't count.
Donatello stood—it was like watching a pillar rise.
DONATELLO
Well, get rested, young Chieftain.
He took his leave but stopped at the bedpost.
DONATELLO
Ah, one more thing I nearly forgot.
He leaned against the post,
DONATELLO
I am to forgo any more studies with you.
LEON
What?
DONATELLO
Yes, the Chief wanted you to spend more time learning the ways of the fist and sword with Gate rather than the pen and paper with me.
I moaned out in response and then squinted at him,
LEON
Were you really going to forget to mention something like that?
He smiled as he stood upright.
DONATELLO
No. Simply put, I was reluctant to inform you.
LEON
Why?
DONATELLO
Because you'll be mad... Are you angry?
LEON
Frustrated—!
I grimaced in pain—there goes the rib pain.
HEALER CORIANDO
Hey!
He shouted, his back still towards us,
HEALER CORIANDO
I heard that. Stop talking and rest.
DONATELLO
And that is my exit. Better days, young Chieftain.
*****
Hours later, I was released from the infirmary and made my way through the Great Study halls towards the main hall's second section. When I stopped at the entrance to the main hall, four Guardians were present: two at the entrance to me and two on the far side of the Great Study.
To my left was the first section, a few steps down, and to my right, the third section, a few steps up, where I knew the Chief was waiting for me.
GUARDIAN
He's looking.
I froze at the entrance and waited.
GUARDIAN
Good luck.
He whispered, and I strode through the hall in hopes of making it entirely across—
CHIEF LEONIDES
Leon!
Dammit. I looked to my right to see the Chief dressed in his more formal attire of the city's Guardians—loosely fitted white robes with black swirls down the right side. He stood tall at the top of the stairs, his arms folded in disappointment.
As I hauled myself up the narrowing stairs,
CHIEF LEONIDES
Where did you think you were going?
LEON
Merchant Study?
I mumbled, and he glared at me.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Are you saying that Donatello forgot to give you my message?
LEON
Maybe.
I walked past him and looked away. He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh.
CHIEF LEONIDES
What am I going to do with you?
He came after me,
CHIEF LEONIDES
Lying is beneath you, beneath us...
The Great Study was covered in a creamy stain-free carpet. The third section, the highest level, donned a sizable black emblem of a roaring griffin in the center of the carpet. The Chief's wooden desk was flanked at the end by two white and black flags bearing the golden roaring griffin emblem.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Gate!
He called out to Gate, Keeper of the Guards, who entered from a narrow hall to the right. He wore his usual iron puri armor and carried a long sword at his left hip.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Take him.
I frowned at the back of the Chief's head as he entered his high chair. The height of the back post disgusted me; it was almost as tall as Don.
LEON
Where am I going?
CHIEF LEONIDES
You once inquired about the brothers who came before you.
I glared at him in realization.
LEON
You can't be serious! It's dark out! Are you trying to get me killed!?
GATE
Ouch, I'm right here,
He chuckled.
GATE
Won't get killed with me.
I look over at him. With his laid-back attitude, he could not be more serious. He held his iron puri helmet under his left armpit, revealing his combed-back, short, red-gold hair, deep red pupils, and bright yellow skin spotted with short, thin red vertical lines.
GATE
Come now, before the night gets further.
Gate tugged me away, but I glared back at the Chief.
CHIEF LEONIDES
The mother of your first brother is almost ready,
He stated bluntly.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Imagine bowing down to a younger brother.
Gate finally tore my glare away from the Chief.
GATE
Use that anger,
He advised softly.
GATE
Fill your hands and swords with it.
*****
I was given my iron armor to wear, reasonably light, as it was mainly external bracing for my vitals rather than a full-encompassing suit. We rode our horses through the city's west gate and followed the road south. We passed three-gent-groups of guards patrolling the outskirts of the city. They saluted by placing two slightly bent fingers of their right hand on their chests.
LEON
Why don't we have a south gate?
I asked, and Gate laughed at my question as we trotted along the dirt road.
GATE
That is precisely the reason why you're here with me. I told you before.
LEON
Remind me.
We passed the first expansion barrier—a mile from the city fortifications. The first expansion barrier was a dug-out trench filled with spaced segments of wooden spiked barricades. Between the barricades were chest-high barriers made of layered stone where guards stood behind.
GATE
What lies directly to the south of our city?
LEON
I haven't got a clue.
Gate worriedly turned to face me in the moonlight,
GATE
Young Chieftain, you must take this seriously.
LEON
Well, I forgot, what lies—
A scratchy yip of death is followed by a ferocious screech that reverberates in the dark distance.
GATE
Remember now?
I did remember. Our city... rather, our city-state, was settled just north of the southern wilds—the place where fiends ran free. I didn't care for it not too long ago. I didn't care for anything around us. I didn't need to. The Chief and my older brothers valued that knowledge. All I sought was information about other kingdoms. One could also say we decided to settle in the middle of the wilds because we weren't officially part of any established kingdoms and were miles away from the closest one, North Star.
Yet, I knew all about North Star, the Fire Kingdom, Lightning Kingdom, Earth Kingdom, and even the eradicated Ice Kingdom that dissolved into the Lightning and North Star. But when it came to our immediate area, I hadn't a clue what types of fiends lay in wait within the Tangled Woods.
GATE
Not only fiends but the Neorine don't need access to gates either.
We came across a squad of guards who had slain a blacat, a slender, long black feline, its fur glistening like oil in the moonlight. It was skinnier than usual—starved and likely too weak to fight.
GATE
And when our citizens, Lady Luck forbid, are being chased down by fiends, fleeing along the walls gives our archers an easy target. Do you know why it is easier?
We passed the second expansion barrier, which was nothing but a dug-out trench.
LEON
Aiming left to right is better to avoid accidentally killing our citizens. The shadows caused by the moonlight and sun sometimes block the guard's view of the fiend. But in turn, the light can blind those who would be Archers firing on our walls.
GATE
Aha, so you have gained knowledge. The southern wall is also a diversion, forcing our enemies to flank either side. Even if it saves us a few seconds—
LEON
A few seconds is a lifetime in battle.
GATE
Yes, you're doing good.
We turned off the road towards the Tangled Woods.
LEON
We cannot go in there.
GATE
Of course we can,
He chirped.
LEON
What of the Neorine?
GATE
The Chief ordered me to scout beforehand. And, to answer your unasked question.
He stopped and craned his head to look at something in the distance.
GATE
The Chief wanted me to show you something.
We continued, and he led the way into the dark woods. Their leaves blocked out the moonlight as Gate pulled a torch from his horse's satchel and sparked it to life with flint stones.
GATE
He wanted to show you this earlier, but figured you wouldn't care.
We were moving slowly down a narrow trail. We soon took a right, and I saw the light in the distance.
GATE
Sorry, we're late.
Seven guards were standing by, two with torches, around a massive crater large enough for a tree.
GATE
So here it is,
He handed his torch to another guard and knelt at the crater's edge.
GATE
I'm sure you've heard of it.
I nodded.
LEON
What about it? Did the Chief want to boast about the strength of my late brothers?
GATE
The late young Chieftain Leo made this crater with his bare hands.
I peered off into the network of branches with my arms folded.
LEON
Well, the Chief was right—I couldn't care less.
Gate sighed and stood.
GATE
Yes, but the reason he wanted to show you this has now changed. The way the young Chieftain Leo died, are you aware of it?
I nodded and mumbled,
LEON
Crushed by a giafullo.
GATE
That caught him off guard. Despite his strength, his body was frail. This crater here—not only did the young Chieftain destroy the Neorine that sought after him, but he nearly shattered the bones in his arm.
My horse dropped to rest, annoyed because my legs were swinging—something I do without realizing. I jumped off and waited for Gate to continue.
GATE
I brought it up to the Chief, but he dismissed it, not thinking it was much of an issue. The young Chieftain Leo ignored my body-strengthening exercise, and now—
I tilted my head,
LEON
Me. Who disregards any form of combat.
Gate reluctantly nodded.
LEON
Does the Chief think this is the same? I barely know a damn thing about my brothers, and the Chief doesn't know a damn thing about me!
I clenched my jaw at the idea that the Chief insinuated I was like my brothers, despite pointing out our differences due to my weakness and lack of combat experience throughout my life. The bastard had a one-track mind. All he saw in Leo was power and strength, not his lack of defense. In Leroy, he saw nothing but his speed and agility in combat.
LEON
But the one thing I know is the difference between my brothers and me. I don't go out into the woods! I don't go out into the forests at night to prove something! That is why they're dead!
I took a deep breath and calmed down,
LEON
Gate, why do you protect the Chief?
GATE
Because it is my duty, young—
LEON
No—no—no, you told me before.
GATE
Oh... Because I respect him and he is a dear friend, as you lot are—well, your brothers were there at the time. I do this because I am a fighter. These are my people, and it is my will to protect them.
LEON
Exactly, you protect me with the blade because that is your specialty, and even you, as the Keeper of the Guards, have guards who specialize in scouting and investigating. My specialty is to protect you with my actions. Protect your family and the future of your bloodline. Offer you the most comfortable life.
He nodded with a smile.
GATE
It's not that I disagree, young Chieftain.
LEON
I know you're relaying his message—the message he is too ashamed to say to my face. I will learn the sword and the way of combat later. Right now, the city has plenty of grievances, and the Chief is lost without my touch. We are transitioning, expanding, teaching, and much more.
Gate nodded, but then he and the other guards pulled their swords, and Gate abruptly jumped in front of me. I looked around and followed their gaze to see movement within the shadows. And within the span of a few seconds—
GUARD
Protect the young Chieftain!
He shouted—Gate pushed me towards my horse—a quick-moving vampire with a twisted, scrunched face and fangs stabbed her claws into the shouting guard's stomach, piercing through his armor but missing his vitals. Another guard sliced into her back, nearly cutting her in half as I swung my legs onto my horse.
Gate instantly whirled—
GATE
Swallow!
His blade lit up with a golden aura as he swung it, emitting a flying golden crescent blade that collided with more charging vampires. The golden crescent sliced cleanly through them and several trees.
Gate slapped my horse's hind, and my horse galloped back through the woods. I had nearly fallen off but grabbed the reins so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. Gate galloped behind me, and we leaped out of the woods—into a horrid sight.
The city was being bombarded by the Neorine—the naked, poorly dressed, or poorly armored vampires. They created cones of fire and shot lightning from their fingertips. They fell victim to the precise arrows shot off by the guards upon the walls and the guards that charged into them from the east and west gates.
Gate led me toward the east gate. Behind me, twelve to fifteen vampires gave chase.
VAMPIRES
He's the Chief's son!
They were as fast as mules and were gaining on me.
VAMPIRES
Capture him alive!
Gate looked back and slowed his steed while I tried to speed up my mount. I heard the crackling sound of lightning echo behind me, and I turned just as an arrow exploded through the casting vampire's skull,
LEON
Kari's wing!
I swore. From such a distance!?
GATE
What a great shot! But don't rejoice yet!
The sound of arrows piercing the vampires behind me kept me at ease as we approached the walls. More guards poured out from the gates.
I abruptly lost control of my horse and skidded across the ground. I fumbled to my feet just in time to see Gate cutting down the two remaining vampires chasing us. I looked over at my horse; its hind legs were seared and blackened.
Gate grabbed me and hauled me over onto his horse. More vampires emerged from the thicket and bolted towards the south wall. Gate ran alongside me, easily keeping up with the speed of the horse's gallop.
I watched as reinforcing vampires crouched down and leaped over the high palisades. But three bolting blurs crashed into the leaping vampires, hitting them with such power that they ripped into the earth. Landing outside the fortifications were the Chief, Captain of the Guards Solomon, and Captain of the Guards Beka.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Get him inside!
His voice boomed against the night sky.
When the Chief appeared, the advancing vampires dispersed. Fear shook my core at the sight of him donned in his (Physical Affinity) Gold Steel Pugilist Spikes, Basic En Physical Damage. The pugilist spikes upon his hands were enormous spiked gauntlets. The gauntlets' tails reached past his head and doubled as a shield. Bracers protecting his feet and legs were heavy, clawed boots that ended in an outward spike at his knee.
This intimidation. Everyone stopped moving except the vampires, who retreated. Even Gate's horse came to a standstill. Is that what it meant? I stared at the Chief, questioning whether this gent was my father as he stood with the embodiment of power. His face was stern and strong. His hair wiggled in the wind, and his eyes were unblinking.
GATE
There is no need for you to soil your hands, Chief! We—
The Chief slowly shook his head,
CHIEF LEONIDES
No, he's here.
And as if it was magic at play, my eyes locked directly onto a hooded vampire leading another group of vampires out of the woods. Just how many did they have? The fleeing vampires gathered behind the cloaked vampire and awaited his order.
LEON
Who is he?
I croaked, my voice cracking out of fear.
GATE
Boradashire!
He called out, ignoring my question as Boradashire, another guard, parted from the ranks and bolted towards us in a quick blur.
GATE
Take him in!
LEON
Who is he!?
I demanded loudly for an answer as Boradashire attempted to pry me off the horse.
CHIEF LEONIDES
The Vampire Lich,
My father bellowed.
CHIEF LEONIDES
Your brother Leroy's killer, to be exact.
The hooded vampire, Lich, crackled with laughter.
LICH
It didn't have to be this way,
He hissed, his voice echoing through the night.
LICH
You should have just surrendered.
He lifted a hand and shot out scattered bolts of lightning toward me. Gate intercepted the bolts with his shield and body—both glowing with a faint golden aura.
GATE
Get him inside now, Boradashire!
Boradashire carried me upon his shoulders, but an awful feeling in my gut forced me to resist.
LICH
Not even your sons could you save,
He mocked my father aggressively.
LICH
And you call yourself a Chief?
The Chief—my father—readied his bracer-covered fists, and his body glowed with a dense golden aura—Captain Beka readied his bracers as well, and Captain Solomon his two swords, their golden auras lighting up the blue night.
CHIEF LEONIDES
I am going to show you what makes a Chief.
LICH
Yes!
He shouted eagerly, lightning exploding from his hands, ripping into the dirt and dancing into the sky.
LICH
Show me!
With blinding speed, the defenders of Dagon City charged, and as they collided, I was pulled into the safety of the city.