Monda, 14th day of Ichigatsu, year 2314
As the sun cracked the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, the labyrinthine town of Corbis slowly emerged from the shadows. Its buildings a mix of ancient stone and worn brick, appeared to turn and twist, as if the town itself was magically alive. The narrow streets and alleyways wound and curved, disappearing into the heart of the town like a maze. Corbis' walls, weathered to a soft golden brown, rose up from the earth, their stones bearing the scars of countless battles and sieges. As the sun's rays touched the walls, the shadows danced and retreated, revealing intricate carvings and ancient runes the seemed to whisper secrets to the wind.
The gates, adorned with rusted iron hinges and heavy wooden beams, stood like sentinels, guarding the town's people and mysteries. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimneys, carrying the scent of breakfast and brewing tea, enticing travellers to enter and explore the town and its three labyrinths. Thon, his group and travelling companions approached the sound of distant chatting and the bustle of residents echoed through the air, mingling with the morning breeze. Corbis stirred, awakened from its slumber, as the sun's light spilled over its rooftops and towers, casting a warm, golden glow down upon it. Anticipation was alive in the air, Thon and his group could feel the weight of history and mystery emanating from the town, drawing the in with an otherworldly allure.
They stopped a good distance from the gates to part ways with the gruffalo herd that had brought them this far.
"Miriam why is this small fella staying behind," Katiya asked pointing to one of the gruffalos.
It was not following the others back to the grasslands.
"Miriam thinks he wants to continue travelling with us," she answered.
"Marin knows. Mister gruffalo said it's okay, it was time for him to set out and start a herd of his own. That's why he formed a bond with big sis Miriam," Marin added on.
"A gruffalo as a tamed beast is good news to me. Now, I can go back to riding Vyz," Thon remarked.
Vyz agreed with a high-toned growl and head shake.
"You certainly have yourself some remarkable companions Thon," Cesil commented.
Neena and Katiya laughed hearing those words. The group joined the line of travellers heading into town. Soon enough they reached the checkpoint at the town's gates, the guards on duty checked for their identification.
"That'll be 50 coppers for the kids and an extra for the beasts," one of the guards instructed.
"Put that on my account gentlemen," Cesil interjected handing the other guards his identification card.
His eyes grew wide as he read the card. He whispered something to his comrade, and they quickly gave way to them.
"Apologies Director Jabbok, right this way," the guard said handing Cesil back his identification card.
They were led to a small building behind the guard post that served and an office. There a clerk processed identification cards for the five children, the dog beast kin fellow worked with haste, it only took him the amount of time it would take to handle one person's card. While, Thon, Katiya, Neena, Cesil and his family waited, they were served refreshments with considerable care. One could mistake them for a company of nobles if they walked in on a whim.
"Thank you for your patience, Director. Everything is now in order. Should I inform your office of your return and have them send over an escort?" the clerk report once he was done.
"Wonderful work as always Delvin. Don't bother them for an escort, my travelling companions here are more than enough," Cesil replied.
Thon expertly guided the carriage through the streets, following Cesil's directions, showing Neena who followed behind in the wagon the way.
"Left at the fountain, then right at the blacksmith's sign creaking in the wind," Cesil voice called out from the window.
The carriage rattled and creaked, its wooden wheels navigating Corbis' cobblestone streets as they approached the vicinity of one of the town's three labyrnths, Argent's Bog.
"We're here!" Cesil informed Thon.
Before him was a tower of a mansion, its imposing structure stood over all other buildings like a colossus. As they drew to a stop before the mansion's grand entrance, butlers and handmaids spilled out to greet their master. Cesil's mansion was an over-the-top display of wealth, its sheer size and ornate design a jarring contrast to the dusty roads and labyrinthine streets of Corbis. As the butlers and handmaids fluttered around them, Thon and his company were ushered into a world of lavish comfort. The entire day was a blur of relaxation and indulgence.
They were given individual rooms, each one feeling like a small palace, and served a seemingly endless procession of gourmet food. After the stress of their flight and the violence on the road, the respite was much needed. Katiya and Neena spent the afternoon overseeing the children, making sure they bathed and were fitted with new clothes, a necessity after their ordeal. Thon, however, retreated to his room after a long, hot bath, staring out of a massive window that overlooked a manicured garden.
Later, he found Cesil and his daughter, Lyra, in a plush sitting room. Cesil was recounting his escape from the bandits to a small audience, painting Thon as a heroic savior.
"Honestly, my friend, I owe you everything. You saved my daughter, my granddaughter, and me. I can't thank you enough," Cesil said, shaking Thon's hand vigorously. "Please, stay as long as you need. Trek Draught is my guest in Corbis."
"We appreciate the hospitality, Director Jabbok," Thon replied, accepting a glass of wine. "But we can't stay forever. We came here to earn some coin and training in the dungeons."
"Nonsense, Thon," Lyra interjected, her expression soft with gratitude. "You've done so much. Let us repay you. How about a tour tomorrow? There's so much to see. And if you're looking to earn coin, a good name goes a long way here. My father can make some introductions."
"We're going to Bobin eventually," Neena said as she and Katiya entered the room, the children trailing behind. "We need to save up for the voyage there."
"Then a tour it is," Thon conceded, seeing the eager faces of the children. "Tomorrow. But the day after, we begin our work."
The children, now clean and dressed in fine, if slightly ill-fitting, clothes, had their own conversations. They became fast friends with Cesil's granddaughter, Twiny.
"Big brother Thon, why are we going to Bobin?" Hael asked, crossing his arms. He still carried an air of quiet power.
"It's a large port city on Ebion's South shore," Thon answered with a shrug. "I have unfinished business there, also the south is a good place to find work. Why do you ask?"
"N-no reason! I just thought… maybe you had a grander plan," Hael stammered.
"We're grateful, Thon," Grim said, punching Hael lightly on the arm. "We didn't like the orphanage, and you saved us from even worse."
"Yeah, your fighting was really cool!" Lysandra added, her moon-like skin shimmering.
Marin and Miriam sat quietly, still shaken but feeling secure. Marin had a slightly faded bruise on her forehead from the stone bullet.
"No one is getting punished, right?" Miriam whispered, looking up at Katiya.
"No one," Katiya reassured her, stroking her fiery orange hair. "You're all safe here."
While Thon and his company settled into their temporary sanctuary, his pursuer, the 'Touch of Death, arrived at the gates of Corbis. She was stopped at the checkpoint, but didn't wait for that a minute, her ghostly voice and fearsome reputation preceded her. She had followed Thon's faint mana trail all the way. She was close, her focus unyielding.
Slipping into the town's outer ring, she bumped into Elara, a well-known dungeon guide. With a quick, silent application of force, she made the woman unconscious, stashing her away in a deserted storage closet. The assassin then quickly donned the guide's worn leather armor and adjusted the simple cloak. With a similar slender body to the original guide, the disguise was seamless enough to pass in the town's chaotic, bustling environment. She was now a guide named "Elara," ready to stalk her prey from the inside.
The next morning, Lyra, up from dawn, was ready to honour her words.
"Corbis is famous for its three Labyrinths," Lyra explained as they walked through the turning and twisting streets. "But the town itself is a maze! Let's start with some sightseeing and shopping."
They spent the day in a flurry of activity. Lyra pointed out the ancient runes on the weathered walls, described the history of the town's sieges, and helped Thon and his companions resupply their wagon. Thon bought new weapons and armor, preparing for the dangers that lay ahead, while Katiya and Neena stocked up on food and necessary supplies. The children, excited by the sheer novelty of it all, stayed close to Katiya and Neena, marveling at the bustling square.
It was amidst the clamor of the main square that the inevitable occurred.
A nobleman's gilded, horse-drawn carriage was being driven too fast down the cobbled street. The driver, oblivious to his surroundings, veered wildly, and a figure dressed in worn out leathers stumbled directly into its path.
Without thought, Thon lunged forward, his movement a blur of instinctual speed. He grabbed the woman—his disguised pursuer—by the arm and yanked her clear just as the carriage thundered past.
"Watch yourself!" Thon barked, his adrenaline was still high.
He was holding her arm, his skin against hers.
"
For a fraction of a second, an icy, subtle chill radiated from her and into him. It was the effect of a silent, imperceptible siphon of his vitality. Thon merely felt a momentary, sharp lightness, which he attributed to the narrow escape.
The fake guide, eyes narrowed for a split second before she forced a look of wide-eyed gratitude, quickly pulled her arm away.
"Oh, thank you! I… I wasn't paying attention," she gasped, her voice sounding appropriately breathless and human. "You saved my life. I'm Elara, a labyrinth guide."
"Just be more careful," Thon advised, already turning back to his companions.
The strange feeling was gone. He rejoined his group and continued his day, unaware that the touch of death had just stolen a piece of him and was now only one step behind.
That evening, under the pretense of scouting a safe labyrinth, Thon quietly slipped out of Cesil's mansion. He was looking for a low-level dungeon to assess his skills and, more importantly, earn some quick, low-risk gold. The most beginner-friendly was the Whispering Warren, a labyrinth famous for its abundance of ground and aerial rodent monsters, perfect for novice adventurers.
The entrance to the Whispering Warren was a massive stone archway found in the quieter, eastern section of Corbis. A small crowd of adventurers milled about—some battered and tired, leaving for the night, others fresh and eager to enter.
Thon approached the entrance, and a familiar figure detached herself from the wall. It was the guide he had saved earlier.
"Excuse me, is it you? The gentleman from this morning?" she asked, a genuine-sounding warmth in her voice. "I still owe you, my thanks. I'm starting my shift now, and I'm looking for a partner."
"I'm Thon. Just looking to scout," he replied.
"I know this dungeon like the back of my hand," she continued, stepping closer. "The Warren is easy, but the lower floors are still a maze. As a thank you for saving me, I'll offer you my services for a day at a heavily discounted rate. I can get you to the best hunting spots fast."
It was too enticing to pass up.
"Alright, guide me, then, Elara," Thon agreed, unknowingly falling into the trap. "Lead the way, then," she said with a small, victorious smile he didn't catch, and they entered the dungeon.
The Whispering Warren's first floor was a series of naturally formed limestone caverns with low ceilings. The air was damp and smelled of earth and moss. The ground was littered with small, smooth stones and patches of phosphorescent fungi that cast a dim, eerie glow. The main threats were skittering Dire Rats and small, jumping Cave Moles.
Elara was an exceptional guide. She pointed out hidden traps, predicted the movements of the monsters, and directed Thon to the densest clusters of prey.
"The rats hate the light, so stick to the glowing patches," she advised, her knowledge unnervingly precise. "And the moles burrow straight down after a jump, so hit them in mid-air."
Thon, using his bone magus, tore through the monsters with brutal efficiency, his free-form exchanges shattering bone and pulverizing rodent flesh. It quickly showed she wasn't just pretending to be a good guide; she was intimately familiar with Warren and Corbis for that matter.
"You're good, Elara. With your skill, you must be a well-renowed guide," Thon remarked as they passed into the stone archway leading down.
"I've had a lot of practice," she replied, her eyes glittering in the dim light.
The second floor was a sudden shift to an open, vast subterranean forest. Massive, petrified tree trunks formed a canopy, and twisted, thorny vines covered the ground. The threat level at once increased. Here, the monsters were larger, more aggressive Tunnel Boars and swarms of flying Screech Bats.
Thon was focused, his movements sharpening, clearing the path as Elara followed closely behind, never drawing a weapon. He engaged in a particularly large screach bat-most probably a matriarch. He plunged his hand, shaped like a bone tipped spearhead, into its chest cavity, ripping out its heart with a savage roar.
He stashed the heart in a small magic pouch on his hip, the kill adrenaline spiking. He paused for a brief, fatal second, his guard down, and that was all the time she needed.
".
Elara vanished from his periphery and reappeared directly in front of him, an unnerving silence surrounding her move. It was a flawless assassin quick-step magus technique. A cold stiletto, pulled from a hidden sheath, plunged deep into Thon's gut.
Thon's eyes went wide with shock and pain. He stumbled back, his mouth opening in a choked gasp, his blood already blooming on the front of his armor.
Elara dropped her disguise—the guide's persona evaporating like mist. She was now a picture of cold, ruthless power.
"You made it just too easy, Thon," she hissed, pulling the knife free with a sickening sound.
Thon fell to his knees, clutching his wound. "Who… are you?" he managed, his voice weak.
"Me? I am called the 'Touch of Death', it's tasteless but correct," she purred, her ghostly voice sending a shiver of true dread through him. "Franco sent me. You stole five halflings from him, and thought you could just walk away? I am here to retrieve his property, ending you is a bonus."
She loomed over him, her face a mask of scorn. "You played right into my hands saving me this morning. I can't say you're strong, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to get my life-drain magus to activate."
Thon tried to rise, a bone shard forming on his forearm, but the pain was too immense. He was bleeding out rapidly.
"The… kids…" he protested, his voice a hoarse whisper, his limb shaking.
She laughed, a chilling, joyless sound. "Oh, don't you worry, 'guardian'. I'll take particularly safe care of them. They are Franco's property, after all. You may have saved them then, but you certainly can't now."
She grabbed his shirt and began dragging him across the cavern floor with ease, a trail of blood marking their path. She pulled him toward a circular glyph intricately carved into the stone floor, hidden beneath a curtain of thorny vines. It was a pre-set magic circle.
Thon weakly flailed, his body protesting. "NO!"
She threw his body down onto the cold stone center of the glyph. Then channeled her mana into the circle. It flared with a violent, gloomy light, and with a terrible shhhhnk of teleportation magic, Thon's body vanished.
He reappeared, in a far from haven, he was now in the deepest depths of the Whispering Warren. The air was thick and fetid. He was in an enormous, claustrophobic chamber—the legendary Rat Queen's Nest—its walls entirely built up from hardened filth, bone, and compacted rodent fur. He was surrounded by the stench of decay and horrifying, high-pitched chittering.
Before he could even register his surroundings, a large, sickly-grey humanoid rodent monster with razor-sharp teeth—a Rat-Man—picked him up with unsettling care. Thon felt his consciousness slipping away as the Rat-Man carried him toward a side passage.
The Rat-Man shoved him through a low doorway into a damp, dark, separate chamber. It was filled with dead or dying monsters, a grisly collection of corpses and barely clinging life forms, all stacked like supplies. It was the Rat Queen's gruesome larder. Thon, barely conscious, realized he was nothing more than another piece of food.
The chamber door slowly slammed shut, plunging the room into absolute darkness. He could feel the last threads of his life energy fraying, the cold drain from the 'Touch of Death' coupled with the hemorrhaging wound being too much for his meager reserves.
Fryda, 16th day of Ichigatsu, year 2314
Thon's eyes fluttered closed, a final, ragged breath escaping his lips. In that moment, his spirit was taken from the physical plane.
He was no longer cold or in pain. He was weightless and seated on a belt of stars, suspended in a boundless void. This was not the dark, suffocating larder; this was a celestial garden.
The scenery was a tapestry of impossible grandeur. Above him, a canopy of velvet darkness was studded with galaxies that shimmered like dewdrops on silk. The "ground" beneath him was a flowing river of starlight and nebulae, with ancient, crystalline trees that branched into constellations. The very air was silent, yet vibrated with the slow, deep thrum of cosmic energy. Massive, silent meteors drifted past, their surfaces glowing with the quiet fire of creation.
Before this astonishing backdrop, the light shifted, coalescing into a single, breathtaking figure whose identity was cloaked in a masking shadow. Only its eyes were clear and sparkling.
"Rejoice! For your goddess has smiled upon you with favour," a star announced.
Her form had an outline like that of a chimaera, one on a celestial and terrifying scale. She intentionally hides in a fusion of the night sky itself: her body was a sprawling constellation of black, fur-like smoke, anchored by four serpentine limbs that faded into streaks of cosmic light. Her head was crowned with spiraling horns of pure, crystallized mana, and her eyes were two enormous, swirling galaxies that held the wisdom of ages.
She lowered her monumental head, and a voice that was both the roar of a thousand beasts and the gentle whisper of distant worlds echoed within Thon's mind.
"Thon, son of a northerner family. Your existence has been brought to my attention by an old god who saw a flicker of potential in you."
Her gaze was immense and penetrating, settling on the core of his spirit.
"The Dragon races and the Beast Kin—my children, through blood or bond—live in wickedness. Many of them are consumed by war, prejudice, slavery, greed, and all other forms of malice. Their lives reel of corruption. They need an anchor; a child who walks among them yet is bound to me by purpose."
The celestial figure leaned closer, her breath smelling of ozone and creation.
"Become my child, accept my covenant, and dedicate your struggle to halting this spiral of wicked living... and I will heal your body, restore your drained vitality, and grant you a single drop from my mana pool to bind your spirit to this sacred task."
Thon, floating in the presence of a true deity, felt the weight of her path of ceaseless challenge, impossible expectations, and deep complications. He knew the life he had looked like it was over. Yet, the memory of the children, the cold betrayal, and the Rat Queen's Nest was still fresh. To accept was to live to refuse was to be forgotten food.
He bowed his head in the river of stars.
Then replied, "I accept, my goddess. I will be your child."