Feralium – The Bone Breaker Tavern

  Isaac pushed through the heavy wooden doors. The tavern hit him like a wall — loud voices, the thick smell of sweat, roasted meat, and cheap ale. Beast-kin of all kinds filled the room: bear-kin laughing loudly, wolf-kin arm-wrestling, fox-kin flirting at the tables.

  He walked straight to the bar and sat on a sticky stool. The bartender, a burly bear-kin with thick arms, wiped a mug with a dirty rag.

  “Drink, sir?”

  “The house special,” Isaac said, eyes scanning the crowded room.

  “Okay… the most requested. Vodka.”

  Isaac blinked, surprised. Vodka? Here?

  The bartender slammed a glass of clear liquid in front of him. Isaac took a sip. It burned pleasantly down his throat — cheap, but unmistakably vodka.

  “I need information,” Isaac said, setting the glass down.

  “Sure. For a fair price… I can provide almost anything.”

  “I’m looking for Adrian. An Elf.”

  The bartender paused. He glanced left and right, then lowered his voice.

  “He’s upstairs… with some girls. But be careful… he’s a renegade. Not the friendly type.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  Isaac finished the drink in one gulp — liquid courage — and headed for the stairs.

  Upstairs, the hallway was dimly lit. He scanned the balcony and spotted an Elf with sharp features sitting at a corner table, laughing with a woman on his lap. Isaac checked for watchful eyes, then approached quietly.

  “Are you Adrian?”

  The Elf stopped laughing. His eyes narrowed, scanning Isaac from head to toe.

  “Yes… who’s asking?”

  “I was told you know where to find a specific mage.”

  Adrian’s expression shifted from amusement to wariness. He looked at the woman on his lap.

  “Honey… why don’t you go get me another drink?”

  “Of course, handsome.”

  She left, swaying her hips. Adrian stood up immediately, his demeanor changing completely.

  “Come… let’s talk somewhere else.”

  They slipped into the shadows of the hallway.

  Olympia – The Temple of Lyra - The High Guardian’s Bath

  Steam filled the marble chamber. Freya, the High Guardian of Olympia, stepped out of the hot water. Her body was a masterpiece of scars and muscle, honed by years of battle. She tied her long hair up and sank back into the pool, sighing deeply.

  Her eyes were tired. Dark circles marked her face.

  Suddenly, the door opened. A servant rushed in and fell to her knees.

  “Excuse me, High Guardian… The Supreme calls for you in the meeting room.”

  “Ah…” Freya groaned, tilting her head back. “Seriously? Does Rogier have to disturb my rest?”

  “He said it was very important, My Lady.”

  “Did he say what it was regarding?”

  “Yes, My Lady… he said the subject is the return of an ancient King.”

  Freya froze. The water went still. She looked at the servant with sudden intensity.

  “What King?”

  “The name is… Isaac.”

  Freya stood up abruptly, water cascading off her skin. She didn’t care that the servant saw her naked. Her heart was pounding.

  Isaac is alive…?

  The Meeting Room

  Minutes later, Freya stormed into the room, wrapped only in a silk robe. Rogier, the Supreme Guardian, was writing at his desk.

  “I see you already know of the current event,” Rogier said without looking up.

  “Is Isaac alive?” Freya asked, her voice trembling.

  “Yes… and he is being hunted. He has become a Level A Wanted Target across the continent.”

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  “What? That is impossible…”

  “We received this warning from neighboring provinces. He is alive and apparently without memories.”

  “We need to help him!” Freya slammed her hands on the desk. “He is our King!”

  “No, Freya.” Rogier finally looked up, his eyes cold. “Lyra has forbidden it.”

  Freya recoiled as if slapped. “What? What do you mean?”

  “We received orders from Lyra not to get involved in the affairs of neighboring provinces.”

  “Our King is without memory… probably hurt and chased like a rat… and you want to follow unfounded rules?” Freya hissed.

  “Be very careful with your tongue, Freya.”

  The two powerful guardians stared each other down. The air crackled with magical tension.

  “Olympia is now ruled by Lyra,” Rogier stated firmly. “That Fallen King will not survive for long, Freya. It is better to leave it be. Lyra never liked him… and as Supreme Guardian of this temple… everyone, including you, will follow her orders. Whether you like it or not.”

  Freya glared at him. Then, without another word, she turned and walked toward the door.

  “I will be away for some time.”

  Rogier watched her back.

  “You’re going after him, aren’t you?” he sighed.

  “No,” Freya lied, her hand on the doorknob. “I am merely going to the mountains of Feralium… I need to gather some ingredients.”

  “I have only one thing to tell you, Freya,” Rogier warned, his voice low. “Before you leave for this ‘supposed’ journey… if it is discovered that you had any involvement with this Fallen King… you will be punished. You will be arrested for treason. Do you understand?”

  Freya didn’t answer. She opened the door and walked out.

  The Ritual Chamber

  Rogier knelt before the altar. He sliced his palm with a ceremonial dagger, letting the blood drip into a golden bowl.

  A blinding light erupted from the ceiling. Lyra descended, her wings spreading majestically. Everyone in the room fell to their knees.

  “Rogier… my Supreme Guardian,” her voice echoed, beautiful and terrifying. “Why have you summoned me? Where is Freya?”

  “Freya has gone after the Fallen King…” Rogier confessed, head bowed.

  “WHAT?” Lyra’s fury shook the temple walls.

  “She intends to help him regain his lost memories and retake Olympia.”

  Lyra turned her back to him, pacing, her divine aura flaring with anger.

  “Where is she?”

  “Likely Feralium.”

  Lyra stopped. A cruel smile touched her lips.

  “Hmm… Let her find him. As soon as she succeeds… I will bring her back to the Temple. She will be imprisoned for treason.” She laughed softly. “And I will also release my latest creation… For now, let things play out.”

  “Yes, My Queen.”

  Lyra vanished in a pillar of light, reappearing instantly on her throne in Paradise.

  Suddenly, a young woman ran into the throne room.

  “Mother… is it true? Is Isaac alive?”

  Calindra looked at her mother with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “Enough, Calindra!” Lyra snapped. “Get out. Do not involve yourself in this… understand? I have matters to attend to.”

  Calindra watched her mother walk away, her expression falling into sadness and suspicion.

  Lyra descended into the deepest dungeon of Paradise. She stood before a massive cage and smiled.

  “Hello, General…”

  In the shadows, a grotesque creature stirred. It was a patchwork of body parts — different limbs sewn together in a mockery of life. It turned its mismatched eyes toward her.

  “My… Queen…” it rasped.

  “The time for your revenge has come, my servant,” Lyra whispered. “You will go after Isaac. You will kill him and bring me his head. If you succeed… I will make you my son.”

  The General threw his head back and laughed — a wet, guttural sound that echoed in the dark.

  Feralium – The Inn Room

  Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, counting his fingers nervously.

  “Okay, okay… you want to know about Gwyn?”

  “Yes,” Isaac said, leaning against the wall. “Where is he?”

  “Look… I need to know about my payment first. You know… business is business, my friend.”

  “What were the terms?”

  “One million Dracnas,” Adrian lied smoothly. “Only half was paid. And as you can see… these Feralium whores have always been very expensive.”

  “Give me the information first.”

  Adrian laughed, shaking his head.

  “Man… I’m risking my neck here. That Mage is a Level B Wanted Target by the Elf Provinces, and they run the show around here. I need an incentive.”

  Isaac rummaged through the leather bag Dev had given him. He counted the coins.

  “I only have fifty thousand Dracnas.”

  Adrian stood up and snatched the bag greedily.

  “Hmm… this works for now. You can give me the rest later… because we are friends.” He winked.

  Isaac stared at him coldly.

  “I am not your friend, you imbecile.”

  “Relax… very well. Your little wizard friend was seen at the border of Hell. Rumor has it there was a battle there, and that is why Hell has been closed to visitors. They believe he is hiding in that borderlands.”

  “Where is Hell?”

  “Take this map… as a courtesy.” Adrian tossed a scroll. “Hell is a few miles from here.”

  Isaac caught the map and turned to leave.

  “Not even a ‘thank you’? Have a good trip? You Elves are a bunch of assholes…”

  CRASH.

  The window shattered. A smoke bomb rolled across the floor and exploded, filling the room with thick gray haze.

  “What is this?” Isaac coughed.

  A shadow moved. Someone grabbed Isaac from behind, locking his arms. The smoke cleared slowly to reveal Isaac and Adrian held at knifepoint by two women in masks.

  “Hello, Adrian…” one of them purred. “Seems you made new friends.”

  “Hello, big guy,” the other whispered in Isaac’s ear.

  “What is this, Adrian?” Isaac growled.

  “July and Judy…” Adrian stammered, sweating. “Twin bounty hunters… they’re after me. I owe a powerful crime lord in the city…”

  “WHAT?” Isaac roared.

  “Man… I told you… the whores and drinks in Feralium are too expensive to maintain!”

  July and Judy laughed.

  “There has been a misunderstanding,” Isaac said calmly. “I am nothing to this man. Let me go.”

  “Honey… we are professionals,” Judy replied, tightening her grip. “We can’t leave witnesses. If your friend there doesn’t pay his debt now… we will cut off both your heads and take them to our boss.”

  The twins giggled.

  “Judy, take off his hood and mask,” July ordered. “I want to see if I know him.”

  “No…” Isaac warned.

  Judy reached for his hood. Isaac moved. He grabbed her wrist. The strength was unexpected. He shoved her back effortlessly.

  However, in the scuffle, his hood fell back.

  Silence filled the room.

  “What?” July gasped. “Those ears… He’s not an Elf.”

  “What race is this guy?” Judy asked, confused.

  Isaac pulled his hood back up. July lunged at him with dual daggers.

  Isaac didn’t dodge. He caught her by the throat mid-air.

  “I already said… I am not the one you are looking for.”

  “Sister! Let her go!”

  Judy charged, screaming. Isaac swung his arm, throwing July like a ragdoll into Judy. The two sisters crashed into the wall with tremendous force, smashing through the plaster and collapsing in a heap of dust and unconscious limbs.

  Isaac looked at his hands, impressed.

  “Wow…” Adrian whistled, stepping out from behind the bed. “You are strong. Thank you very much… those two were a pain in the ass. Anyway… I’m out of here.”

  Isaac’s hand clamped onto Adrian’s shoulder like a vice.

  “Fifty thousand Dracnas… please.”

  Adrian froze. He looked at Isaac’s glowing blue eyes.

  “Hmm… Sure, Sure… after all… I owe you my life, right?” he laughed nervously.

  Adrian handed the bag back. Isaac took it and walked out the door without looking back.

  “Bastard!” Adrian muttered.

  Then, he looked at the unconscious twins on the floor. A greedy smile spread across his face. He began to loot their pockets.

  “Time to make some easy money…”