Walking out of the Forest of Illusions felt like pushing through a thin curtain, unveiling Tarkwa. It was a modest village, comprising no more than seven huts in total. Each hut was a marvel of Vol's native materials, constructed from branches, fibers, and leaves, showcasing a vibrant array of colors to the lands of Sidra around them. The bright blue leaves formed a roof that overlapped in an arrangement resembling mended armor pieces more than a traditional thatch. They were laced together with delicate yellow vines, woven into intricate braids, adorning the roof with dangling tendrils. Beneath, the roof rested upon a sturdy base of thick orange bark that had been melded onto slender rows of dark brown branches with sap. Small openings lined the tops of the circular huts, just beneath the roof, allowing moonlight to trickle inside during the night.
These huts were organized with a larger central one, flanked by six others arranged in a U shape—three on the left and three on the right. The main hut boasted a unique feature, a small chimney formed at the top, crafted from leaves, allowing the gentle swirling of smoke to escape. As the group approached, Maeve took the lead, advancing toward the entrance of the central hut. Here, instead of the customary leaf-made door, the braids had been extended, creating a makeshift door fashioned from vines and fibers, shrouding the interior from prying eyes.
Maeve spoke, "Excuse me," and instantly, she found herself encircled by twelve MoonShadow Elves, each of them materializing from the shadows, seemingly rising from the ground like smoke taking form in their pristine yorois. Initially, they held their daggers outward, poised for defense, but quickly lowered their weapons when Sukki emerged from the center hut.
Sukki greeted Maeve with a weary smile, her eyes reflecting the toll of a battle that had seemingly stretched on for longer than anyone in the group could have fathomed. "Hey, Maeve. It's been a while," she said, casting her gaze over the group, a hint of hope shimmering in her eyes. "I hope you bring good news, because I'm not sure how much longer we can hold out."
The group congregated in the central hut, where they settled down with Sukki for an urgent discussion.
Sukki recounted the grim events that had unfolded after Zero's slaying of the Emperor. It was then that more Uthol Elves began to emerge, growing increasingly interested in the caster responsible for the impenetrable barrier that entrapped their vampire foes within Centalará. Eventually, these relentless seekers uncovered the identity of the caster, though no one knew who had divulged this information. They tracked her down to her final resting place, and that's when they made a shocking revelation – the so-called Uthol Forest Elves were, in truth, Shapeshifters. This revelation set off alarms across Sidra. Not only was the imminent release of the Vampires a cause for concern, but the return of the Shapeshifter, sent shivers down the spine of all who resided in the realm.
During Fadsper's original presence, there was an incessant fear that those you knew and trusted might be impostors, concealed Shapeshifters. This collective unease rippled across Sidra, forcing the Lycans to recall all their Hunters and Adventurers from the Outer Realms. Meanwhile, the Elves retreated to their secluded villages, fortifying themselves behind protective magical barriers. This withdrawal allowed the vampires to seize control with alarming ease, a process further expedited when the enigmatic Vampire Gods appeared. Their origin remained shrouded in mystery, but they materialized on the very day that the Lycans returned. There, they ruthlessly slaughtered the returning Lycans and began to lay the foundation for their Vampire Tree.
"Zero really is a damn Immortal, isn't he?" Menelik exclaimed with a mix of awe and frustration. "That son of a bitch has the whole world descending into chaos wherever he goes. He is the harbinger of bullshit."
"I mean, Nozarg did mention he's a puppet," Idris mused. He then shifted his gaze to Maeve. "Care to fill us in on the details?"
Maeve shook her head. "I'm as in the dark as Nozarg. But," she turned to Sukki, "if you're aware that Fadsper is back, then you happen to know how it happened?"
Sukki nodded in response. "Yes, it's for the same reason we couldn't teleport back to Vol during Full Moons for so long – it's Nix."
Upon his awakening, Zero discovered himself in a dim, moist chamber, the confines of which were defined solely by damp stone. He lay on a simple pallet of hay, with a dark green blanket carelessly thrown over it, providing a modicum of comfort and separation from the prickly straw.
Rising to his feet, Zero ventured outside his chamber, quickly discerning that he was in a cellar, and he certainly wasn't alone. The narrow hallway was lined with similar chambers, each hosting two to three occupants. Many were in the embrace of sleep, while others sat listlessly against the walls. Yet, a common thread united them all – an aura of exhaustion, hunger, and unmistakable defeat weighed heavily upon each individual.
"Hey, you. You're finally awake," a voice echoed from the end of the hall, where a spiral staircase led to a figure. It was a Human Priest, garbed entirely in a pristine white gown that veiled their entire form, even concealing their hands within the long sleeves. Their skin bore a deep tan, and their bright green eyes exuded an air of playfulness, as if they were entirely detached from the world outside. The Priest's crooked nose hinted at a recent injury, yet their voice remained soft and untroubled. "My name is Aladdin, and it's a pleasure to meet you. May I have your name?"
With nimble fingers, Aladdin pulled back a portion of their turban, revealing the striking blue hair beneath. They reached inside and extracted a small white wand, poised as though they were ready to write. "Spell it for me, please."
"Uh, Xay... I mean Zero," Zero replied, his voice hesitating. "My name is Zero, and it's just, Z. E. R. O. Zero."
Aladdin spelled out Zero's name in the air, letter by letter, etching it in front of himself in yellow static. As he finished, he grabbed the 'O' with his wand, swirled it together, and flung his arm behind him. The floating name followed, racing up the stairwell out of view.
After a brief pause, Aladdin nodded and said, "There, you are all checked into my registry. Come now, let's talk."
Zero walked forward, his gaze shifting to those in the other cells. He didn't recognize any of them, but he didn't really expect to, considering he had no idea where he was. He followed the man up the stairs and into the main floor of what used to be a church, or at least it looked like one in the distant past. Not much of it remained, with the ceiling and roof mostly composed of fabric and sheets trying to keep the biting wind out. Stone and brick were scattered around every wall, pushed and rearranged by the people present. It seemed that most of this reconstruction had happened recently, with a few individuals still carrying stones to the far left wall.
The right wall bore the most significant damage, with the largest chunk of fabric covering the area. It was a patchwork of several sheets sewn together, offering a mismatched array of colors that almost gave the otherwise dull area a hint of cheer. However, the hunger and desolation etched on people's faces quickly dispelled any sense of happiness. The tables, mostly broken, had their legs propped up on stone blocks to remain upright. The red rug on the floor was heavily soiled but being diligently cleaned by the occupants. Elves and Humans worked together, each helping one another to reorganize the space, distinguishing between what was usable and what wasn't. It was a ruined area, but they were making the best of it, and it appeared they had only recently arrived when Zero did. They must have been traveling when they found him and brought him here.
Zero's mind drifted for a moment before Aladdin's calm and soothing voice brought him back to the present moment. "I know above is a little bit hectic, but if I may be so inclined to ask, would you help us?"
Zero looked up at the fabric rippling in the wind. He examined the sides where it was attached, tracing it around both sides before turning back to Aladdin. "I think we can tighten it in some spots so it won't let in as much breeze, but other than that, the ceiling is kinda fucked."
Aladdin looked at him for a moment, and then it dawned on him, and he smiled. "Oh, I said 'above,' and you thought I meant the ceiling. No, no, I meant above ground, or…" He paused as Zero's face answered his question. "You have no idea you are underground, do you?"
Zero looked directly at Aladdin and said, "Nope." He looked around. "I was wondering why I didn't recognize this place. I thought I had seen everything on Sidra." He looked back at Aladdin with a smile. "I'm glad this world can still show me new things, even after all this time."
Walking out of the Forest of Illusions felt like pushing through a thin curtain, unveiling Tarkwa. It was a modest village, comprising no more than seven huts in total. Each hut was a marvel of Vol's native materials, constructed from branches, fibers, and leaves, showcasing a vibrant array of colors to the lands of Sidra around them. The bright blue leaves formed a roof that overlapped in an arrangement resembling mended armor pieces more than a traditional thatch. They were laced together with delicate yellow vines, woven into intricate braids, adorning the roof with dangling tendrils. Beneath, the roof rested upon a sturdy base of thick orange bark that had been melded onto slender rows of dark brown branches with sap. Small openings lined the tops of the circular huts, just beneath the roof, allowing moonlight to trickle inside during the night.
These huts were organized with a larger central one, flanked by six others arranged in a U shape—three on the left and three on the right. The main hut boasted a unique feature, a small chimney formed at the top, crafted from leaves, allowing the gentle swirling of smoke to escape. As the group approached, Maeve took the lead, advancing toward the entrance of the central hut. Here, instead of the customary leaf-made door, the braids had been extended, creating a makeshift door fashioned from vines and fibers, shrouding the interior from prying eyes.
Maeve spoke, "Excuse me," and instantly, she found herself encircled by twelve MoonShadow Elves, each of them materializing from the shadows, seemingly rising from the ground like smoke taking form in their pristine yorois. Initially, they held their daggers outward, poised for defense, but quickly lowered their weapons when Sukki emerged from the center hut.
Sukki greeted Maeve with a weary smile, her eyes reflecting the toll of a battle that had seemingly stretched on for longer than anyone in the group could have fathomed. "Hey, Maeve. It's been a while," she said, casting her gaze over the group, a hint of hope shimmering in her eyes. "I hope you bring good news, because I'm not sure how much longer we can hold out."
The group congregated in the central hut, where they settled down with Sukki for an urgent discussion.
Sukki recounted the grim events that had unfolded after Zero's slaying of the Emperor. It was then that more Uthol Elves began to emerge, growing increasingly interested in the caster responsible for the impenetrable barrier that entrapped their vampire foes within Centalará. Eventually, these relentless seekers uncovered the identity of the caster, though no one knew who had divulged this information. They tracked her down to her final resting place, and that's when they made a shocking revelation – the so-called Uthol Forest Elves were, in truth, Shapeshifters. This revelation set off alarms across Sidra. Not only was the imminent release of the Vampires a cause for concern, but the return of the Shapeshifter, sent shivers down the spine of all who resided in the realm.
During Fadsper's original presence, there was an incessant fear that those you knew and trusted might be impostors, concealed Shapeshifters. This collective unease rippled across Sidra, forcing the Lycans to recall all their Hunters and Adventurers from the Outer Realms. Meanwhile, the Elves retreated to their secluded villages, fortifying themselves behind protective magical barriers. This withdrawal allowed the vampires to seize control with alarming ease, a process further expedited when the enigmatic Vampire Gods appeared. Their origin remained shrouded in mystery, but they materialized on the very day that the Lycans returned. There, they ruthlessly slaughtered the returning Lycans and began to lay the foundation for their Vampire Tree.
"Zero really is a damn Immortal, isn't he?" Menelik exclaimed with a mix of awe and frustration. "That son of a bitch has the whole world descending into chaos wherever he goes. He is the harbinger of bullshit."
"I mean, Nozarg did mention he's a puppet," Idris mused. He then shifted his gaze to Maeve. "Care to fill us in on the details?"
Maeve shook her head. "I'm as in the dark as Nozarg. But," she turned to Sukki, "if you're aware that Fadsper is back, then you happen to know how it happened?"
Sukki nodded in response. "Yes, it's for the same reason we couldn't teleport back to Vol during Full Moons for so long – it's Nix."
Upon his awakening, Zero discovered himself in a dim, moist chamber, the confines of which were defined solely by damp stone. He lay on a simple pallet of hay, with a dark green blanket carelessly thrown over it, providing a modicum of comfort and separation from the prickly straw.
Rising to his feet, Zero ventured outside his chamber, quickly discerning that he was in a cellar, and he certainly wasn't alone. The narrow hallway was lined with similar chambers, each hosting two to three occupants. Many were in the embrace of sleep, while others sat listlessly against the walls. Yet, a common thread united them all – an aura of exhaustion, hunger, and unmistakable defeat weighed heavily upon each individual.
"Hey, you. You're finally awake," a voice echoed from the end of the hall, where a spiral staircase led to a figure. It was a Human Priest, garbed entirely in a pristine white gown that veiled their entire form, even concealing their hands within the long sleeves. Their skin bore a deep tan, and their bright green eyes exuded an air of playfulness, as if they were entirely detached from the world outside. The Priest's crooked nose hinted at a recent injury, yet their voice remained soft and untroubled. "My name is Aladdin, and it's a pleasure to meet you. May I have your name?"
With nimble fingers, Aladdin pulled back a portion of their turban, revealing the striking blue hair beneath. They reached inside and extracted a small white wand, poised as though they were ready to write. "Spell it for me, please."
"Uh, Xay... I mean Zero," Zero replied, his voice hesitating. "My name is Zero, and it's just, Z. E. R. O. Zero."
Aladdin spelled out Zero's name in the air, letter by letter, etching it in front of himself in yellow static. As he finished, he grabbed the 'O' with his wand, swirled it together, and flung his arm behind him. The floating name followed, racing up the stairwell out of view.
After a brief pause, Aladdin nodded and said, "There, you are all checked into my registry. Come now, let's talk."
Zero walked forward, his gaze shifting to those in the other cells. He didn't recognize any of them, but he didn't really expect to, considering he had no idea where he was. He followed the man up the stairs and into the main floor of what used to be a church, or at least it looked like one in the distant past. Not much of it remained, with the ceiling and roof mostly composed of fabric and sheets trying to keep the biting wind out. Stone and brick were scattered around every wall, pushed and rearranged by the people present. It seemed that most of this reconstruction had happened recently, with a few individuals still carrying stones to the far left wall.
The right wall bore the most significant damage, with the largest chunk of fabric covering the area. It was a patchwork of several sheets sewn together, offering a mismatched array of colors that almost gave the otherwise dull area a hint of cheer. However, the hunger and desolation etched on people's faces quickly dispelled any sense of happiness. The tables, mostly broken, had their legs propped up on stone blocks to remain upright. The red rug on the floor was heavily soiled but being diligently cleaned by the occupants. Elves and Humans worked together, each helping one another to reorganize the space, distinguishing between what was usable and what wasn't. It was a ruined area, but they were making the best of it, and it appeared they had only recently arrived when Zero did. They must have been traveling when they found him and brought him here.
Zero's mind drifted for a moment before Aladdin's calm and soothing voice brought him back to the present moment. "I know above is a little bit hectic, but if I may be so inclined to ask, would you help us?"
Zero looked up at the fabric rippling in the wind. He examined the sides where it was attached, tracing it around both sides before turning back to Aladdin. "I think we can tighten it in some spots so it won't let in as much breeze, but other than that, the ceiling is kinda fucked."
Aladdin looked at him for a moment, and then it dawned on him, and he smiled. "Oh, I said 'above,' and you thought I meant the ceiling. No, no, I meant above ground, or…" He paused as Zero's face answered his question. "You have no idea you are underground, do you?"
Zero looked directly at Aladdin and said, "Nope." He looked around. "I was wondering why I didn't recognize this place. I thought I had seen everything on Sidra." He looked back at Aladdin with a smile. "I'm glad this world can still show me new things, even after all this time."
