Mark's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding like a blacksmith's hammer. He was met with the faint glow of dawn creeping through the grimy windows of the tavern. The events of the previous night came flooding back – Lupin's words, the old woman's prophecy, and the screechers' haunting cries. He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the impending headache.
As he sat up, his gaze fell upon the two Kredits he had left on the bar. Lupin's words echoed in his mind: "An old hag came in the other day, mentioning something about a prophecy or some vision she had about a boy with a sword saying he was going to save the world." Mark's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shuffling footsteps. Lupin emerged from the shadows, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep.
"Morning, Mark. Or should I say, afternoon?" Lupin said with a wry smile, nodding toward the window. "You've got a long journey ahead of you. What's your plan?"
Mark hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The weight of survival settled heavy on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't stay in Heidenfeld forever, but where could he go? And what lay ahead?
.........................................
Nightmares were what haunted Fynn for years. He had managed to survive with his head intact along with two other priests. That incident had managed to scar him psychologically and physically. He would never remain the same again.
As each year passed his nightmares subsided. His demons would come back to haunt him every once in a while.
He was seventeen now, tall and ebony skinned. He was staking hay for the horses in the stable.
"So this is where you've been. I've been looking everywhere for you"
A blonde girl walked in as he was sitting on a little bench.
"What made you think I wouldn't be here?"
"Cause you've been skipping horse care for the past week" she answered exasperated.
"We're not children anymore Vyny"
"That you got right" she said with a gloomy look on her face.
"You're almost eighteen.....and you'll be asked to leave soon".
They had both grown up in that orphanage. It was in a place called Ostyx, not far from Heidenfeld.
"Where would you head to after here" Vynella asked, looking straight into Fynn's eyes.
"I dunno, probably Tinkers Island"
"You mean the Capital?"
"Yes and besides, you're not getting any younger, you'll be seventeen in two months. You'll be packing soon as well" He replied, with a mischievous smile.
She angrily hit his shoulder, pouting.
"Owww!...what was that for?!"
"Promise me you'll come visit"
"..........."
"What's taking you so long to give me an answer"
"Fine I promise, I promise"
...........................................
Ferdinand came in town. He saw a man in the distance. Ragged dark cloak, untidy long hair and a bottle in hand. He walked slowly to his direction as if trying to recognise him.
"Wait, the Stained Priest, the one who killed off all those...."
"You know who I am?"
"Course I do. You're the one who saved me from four vampires"
"Wait....." Ferdinand was observing his appearance.
"You traded your sword for the bottle"
"He who lives by the sword dies by it, haven't you heard the saying"
"Your name is Mark, right? Father Mark" He asked.
"And yours is....."
"I told you my name like four times that day" said Ferdinand.
"It's Ferdinand. I'll meet you at the Red Shaq at dusk" Ferdinand said while leaving.
"I have some information that may be useful to you. Don't be late" he added.
...........................................
"Who are you?!" Asked Fynn, terrified to his bones. He was getting the exact same chills he got from seven years ago; the church horror. He was looking down a long, dark hallway to an old lady, who he could only see her face through the sparks of lightening piercing the room.
"Who.....who the hell are you?!"
In a blip the old hag was directly before his face, no longer as distant as it once was.
"You have a rigorous journey....ahead of....you. Find him, the Stained One. Everything.....Sh...shall be....complete"
"Wake up Fynn...you're screaming" Vynella said, teary eyed and with Fynn's sweaty cheeks between her palms. Fynn woke up with a jolt. He was still sleeping in the stable, on a pile of hay. It was dusk.
"Another one of your nightmares? You scare me sometimes".
"Its nothing to worry about. Was a fierce pirate captain at sea" Fynn replied, trying to wave off her worry with a smile.
Vynella was still looking at him, intensely.
"You talk with me about everything, except your nightmares.... except that day"
"Told you it's nothing. Besides what are you doing here anyways?" Fynn was trying to change the topic.
"Ms. Maroon was calling in the everyone for dinner....and we're incomplete"
"Whose the missing person?"
"You of course, doofus" She replied with a snarl.
"You two lovebirds are sure taking your time" Lysera said from the door.
Lysera was sixteen. She had lost both parents at a young age. She was taken in by her uncle. Her uncle unfortunately died in a screecher attack. Her aunt unable to cater for her anymore, gave her up to the orphanage. She was just nine. Lysera and her aunt had not spoken since that time.
"What is it now Lysera?" Asked Vynella.
"Oh nothing, you two always seem busy with each other. Heard our pirate screaming again"
As they walked to the dining hall, Lysera teased Fynn about his "pirate captain" nightmare, making Vynella giggle. Fynn playfully rolled his eyes, but his smile faltered for a moment, revealing a glimpse of the pain he tried to hide.
Inside the dining hall, the aroma of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread filled the air. Ms. Maroon, the orphanage's matron, greeted them warmly. "Ah, Fynn, Vynella, Lysera, right on time. Take your seats, dinner is about to be served."
As they sat down, Fynn noticed a new face among the familiar ones. A boy with messy brown hair and a curious gaze, sitting across from him. "Who's the new kid?" Fynn whispered to Vynella.
"I think his name is Kael," she replied, nodding discreetly toward the boy. "He arrived yesterday. Ms. Maroon said he's from Heidenfeld."
Fynn's interest piqued, he turned his attention to Kael, wondering what had brought him to Ostyx and the orphanage.
...........................................
Evening came soon after. Mark came to the Red Shaq tavern, not because he valued whatever Ferdinand wanted to speak about, but because he felt he had nothing better to do.
"Two please!" Ferdinand had asked the bartender.
"That'll be four Kredits"
He took the two mugs and walked straight to his table.
"This is for you"
"How much am I supposed to pay you for this"
Mark asked.
"Drinks on me"
They both sat quietly for a little while, gently sipping the contents of the mug.
"So..."
"So..." Ferdinand interrupted.
"Met an old lady who...."
"Had a vision about a boy with some sword. Heard that a couple of times already" Mark completed.
"She said it was the Risen Blade"
Mark chuckled. Then he burst into a laugh.
"The Risen Blade? That sword is a myth"
"So were screechers and vampires till a decade ago"
Mark was quiet for a bit.
"There's also something else.....Gifted Ones have started multiplying much more recently".
It wasn't news to Mark, since he was a Gifted one himself.
"If we find some with peculiar abilities....or...or find this sword boy....you may able to track down the vamp you've been looking for"
Now Mark was interested.
He had been looking for the red haired woman and had almost given up.
"Why would you help me with this?" Mark asked.
"I'm a business man, and these kind of deals always has money in it. But I doubt you are after the money".
Ferdinand had ordered two more mugs. After it's contents we're finished, they closed off for the night.
..........................................
Morning came soon enough. All the children had wandered off to their duty posts. Kael was standing at a corner. He watched Fynn for a little while before he decided to approach him.
"What's it like.....living here?" Kael asked.
"Oh...it's not much but at least it's good enough to be home"
Kael nodded understandingly.
"I get what you mean. Moved around a lot myself"
"Anywaaay"
Fynn was curious to ask a question.
"What brought you to Ostyx? Your parents used to live here?"
"No. My parents died at Heidenfeld. It isn't safe for me there"
"Why's that?"
"They died the same way your parents did"
Fynn was curious. His eyes wide open.
"How did you know that"
"I'm being hunted by people who want to use me....my gift for their own purposes"
"You're a Gifted One" Fynn whispered. He looked around for a couple of seconds before taking Kael into the stable. They both started whispering.
"I think I might be in danger here too"
"What else do know?" Fynn asked, now eager to hear any other thing Kael had to say.
"I doubt the screecher attacks are random. They never come in hordes....or during daytime. You were told to find...."
"What are you lot chatting about. Round up. We'll be having breakfast soon". Ms. Maroon interrupted.
A lot of things and questions raced through Fynn's mind. What ability could that little boy possess.
" I doubt the screecher attacks are random"
Kael's words came echoing back. Now he actually wanted to find answers.
...........................................
"Good morrrrrni...what's that smell?" Ferdinand asked with his hand over his nose.
"You reek of booze"
"Would you shut the fuck up, it's too early in the morning".
Mark had slept on a chair whilst Ferdinand was on the bed. They had booked that room for the night.
"Heard a rumor, about a boy, Gifted, that escaped the custody of a merchant in Heidenfeld. Some say he's headed for Ostyx. He might be the key to uncovering the hag's prophecy"
"You do realise this..... prophecy, has nothing to do with me. I only followed you cuz you said you'd help me find the red haired lady. Not this fairytale adventure"
Mark was trying to be sensible. If anything, Ferdinand looked like a man who lived and survived by scheming and plotting.
"Tell you what? Why don't we find this old lady, get her to spill the deets. For all we know she's a gifted as well".
Didn't seem like a bad idea to Mark.
"Do what you must"
"Also" added Ferdinand
"Don't you think you need a sword. We might be doing some slaying on the way"
"What do mean we? You dress like a bard"
"Fair enough"
Evening came by fast. Ferdinand already piecied together the woman's location.
"How did you manage this?" Mark was curious.
"I have my sources" Ferdinand replied with his hands wide open.
"We leave at first light"
As they set out at first light, Mark notices that Ferdinand seems to know the way, leading him through winding roads and dense forests. They ride in silence, the only sound being the clinking of their gear and the rustling of leaves.
After a few hours, Ferdinand stops suddenly, looking around cautiously. "We're close," he whispers. "Stay sharp, Mark. We don't know what we're walking into."
Mark readies himself, hand on the hilt of his sword (which Ferdinand had procured for him earlier). They creep forward, entering a clearing surrounded by ancient trees. In the center stands a crooked hut, smoke billowing from the chimney...
Inside they found a lady, in her mid thirties, not quite as old as the prophetic lady.
"Umm.....hello" Ferdinand stepped into the hut without knocking.
"And why have you come here?" The lady asked suspiciously.
"We came looking for an old lady, Lyorne something was her name....."
"You mean my mother. Seems like she still has fans"
"We want to know where she is" Ferdinand chipped in. Mark had been silent the whole whole, sitting down with his head rested on his new sword.
"Wait...don't you know? She's already dead!"
"What?!!!"