Fact and Fiction

The Chamael village may not have been the most comfortable of places to stay, but it did provide the group the time needed to rest and recover from the arduous battle against the Chamael's so-called monster. Uriel, in particular, enjoyed having a bed to rest on. The mattresses and pillows may have been a bit lumpy, but it felt much better than having to lie on hard ground. As much as Uriel loved sleeping on a bed, she knew better than to extend their stay. They had a job to do.

Just outside the fortress's gates, two groups prepared to leave. The Ovoo runner would return to his village with a few Chamael representatives, while Uriel's group would follow two Chamael warriors to the Shunen Grounds.

Before parting ways, Ragosh and the Ovoo runner exchanged a few words. Some words of encouragement, or advice would have helped in some way. Unfortunately, the runner had neither to share.

"Are you really sure you wish to do this?" the runner asked Ragosh.

"I told you, brother, I have made up my mind," Ragosh replied. "I am joining the Overlord to the Shunen Grounds."

"This won't settle well with your father," the runner groaned, crossing his arms. "He would be most unhinged to learn that you are traveling to that wretched place."

"I know, brother," Ragosh sighed, already imagining his father's reactions. "However, I have been chosen by the Overlord to follow her. I cannot refuse her."

"From the way you speak, you sound as if your place beside her is more important than your clan's," the runner replied frankly.

Ragosh's eyes widened, as if he had just been stabbed in the back. He nearly snarled, but restrained himself from doing so.

"You know that is not true," he retorted, sounding as if he were out of breath. He tried his hardest to stay calm. "I'm doing this all for the Ovoo."

"I will keep that in mind, brother," the runner grunted, clearly skeptical. "May the ancestors watch over you."

Ragosh growled like a stubborn child. "May they watch over you as well," he eventually responded, although sounding albeit forced.

Exchanging one last glare, the runner turned and went off. Six Chamael warriors followed behind. Ragosh quietly watched the runner leave. As soon as the runner disappeared off into the distance, Ragosh grimaced and let out the snarl that he had been trying to control.

"Well that was a most heartfelt farewell," Uriel sarcastically commented, having overheard their conversation.

"Although the Ovoo follow you, they still cling to old beliefs and times," Ragosh growled. "The only ones who go to the Shunen Grounds are either banished, or desperate for help."

"We're not that desperate," Uriel smirked. "What we do will undoubtedly cross your clan, as well as the others, but to survive, there has to be changes."

Ragosh sighed. "I know this, Lady Overlord," he scowled. "It's just difficult."

"Most things worth doing are difficult. What's important is how you approach it."

"I'm not backing down," Ragosh replied. "I want to see where you will lead us."

"There's a good lad." Uriel patted Ragosh on the back, in hopes that this would somehow provide some comfort or encouragement. She didn't receive much of a reaction, much less of a response.

Just before leaving, Sonpra approached the group for final words. "I have chosen Krin and Daku to lead you to the Shunen Grounds," he explained. "They are not my strongest warriors, but they have survived many dangers in the past. They will aid you well."

Uriel examined the two Chamael warriors. Both of them looked very much like the other Chamael in the village. Apart from a few scars and their primitive trinkets, neither of them really stood out. Uriel did find herself a little disappointed by their rather plain appearance. Fortunately, she knew that appearances did not always determine ability.

"We are grateful for their service," Uriel thanked, bowing her head as a polite gesture of acceptance.

Sonpra flexed his jaw a little and then chuckled, "I would ask the ancestors to watch over you, but it appears you already have their favor."

Uriel raised a brow. "We appreciate it?" she said, unsure how to take his words.

After a few more chuckles, the chieftain cleared his throat, and tapped his staff on the ground. "The future is vague, but what you do may forever change the clans," he declared in a more serious tone. "Fare thee well, Overlord Uriel. We await your return."

"Thank you, chieftain," Uriel said.

With those final words, they departed. The two Chamael, Krin and Daku took the first steps and led the way. They wandered into the forest, and passed by the many giant trees and foliage. They didn't take any placed track or path. The two Chamael navigated through the forest, using only their memories. Without the two, Uriel and her companions would have undoubtedly gotten lost. Fortunately, they didn't stay in the forest very long.

Soon after, they emerged from the forest's shadows and stepped into a wide and open steppe. It had many hills, making much of the land appear uneven. Few, if any, trees stood in the distance. Grass grew across the land: a few patches green, but most appeared golden brown. The most notable part of the steppe was the vast and open space. It gave so much freedom and even the temptation to just run with arms spread open.

Mountain ranges stood far in the distance, stretching as far as the eye could. Even around there, a few more beams of mysterious light shot into the sky.

Uriel stretched her arms to the side and inhaled whatever open air blew her direction. The forest was quite a fantastic sight, no doubt about that. However, Uriel did find it rather suffocating to see a wall of trees almost every direction she turned.

"Jotun, you've been around Ebonus, correct?" Uriel asked. "What do you expect to find here?"

"If it's similar to the rest of Ebonus, I can presume either more danger or some wonders," Jotun replied, as he gazed at the vast land before him.

"Yes, I can see that. Speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask this. How did you know I was in that Ovoo Village? How did you find me or even know that I, the new Overlord, was there?"

"We Blood Crows may not be many, but we have a number of skilled and unique individuals under our wing," Jotun answered. "One such companion is a sorcerer who felt… a disturbance."

"A disturbance?" Uriel repeated with concern and confusion.

"Your power, the Overlord's power, has always been something great and terrible to behold," Jotun explained. "Your presence shook Ebonus and warned our sorcerer companion that you had returned."

Uriel frowned. "You make it sound as if I'm some sort of coming disaster that others need to be aware of."

"I apologize if this offends you," Jotun replied. "However, it doesn't change the fact that your power is something for others to be wary of."

Uriel growled and then turned her attention over to Daku, the Chamael warrior with a wider mouth and a long scar that stretched across his chest. "How far is this Shunen Grounds?" she asked.

"It will take many days, Overlord," Daku answered, as he wiggled his head and grunted, as if something were jammed in nostrils. "We need to take caution. This land may look empty, but dangerous creatures roam through it."

"No arguments there," Uriel said with a nod. "Let us continue forward."

Tolerable weather graced the sky for the next several days. The sun did shine, but occasionally found its light blotted by looming clouds. The days didn't seem as bright or chirpy, but at least the group didn't find itself fighting against heavy rains or a terrible storm.

Much of the journey proved to be quiet and of little incident. They encountered a few common animals such as hare, bore and even bovine on occasion. Aside from these animals, they also stumbled upon larger and more powerful creatures that roamed the land.

On top of a hill, Uriel quietly watched a griffin feast on an ox, not too far away. It had the head, wings and feet of an eagle, but the body and tail of a lion. Without any difficulty, the griffin ripped strips of flesh from the oxen's gut, and broke the bones with its claws. The winged beast did notice Uriel, but it did not attack or approach. As long as Uriel kept her distance, then so did the griffin.

"This is the first time I've actually seen a wild griffin," Uriel sighed, as she juggled a pebble. "I always assumed that Dwarfs raised them like horses."

"They're usually found on top of the highest mountains," Mycelia remarked, as she sat beside the overlord. "I would very much suggest staying away from their nests. They can be very hostile, when it comes to their young."

"The Dark-Elf Empire is situated on high mountains like dwarfs, correct?" Uriel asked. "Does the empire raise griffins as well?"

"We don't," Mycelia replied. "The noble houses aren't too fond of riding large birds. Instead, they would prefer something that resembles a dragon, so we instead raise wyvern or saurian."

"Best not show those mounts to the Ovoo or the other clans," Uriel giggled. "They may mistake them for distant cousins."

"Well, they'll be pleased to know those distant cousins of theirs are treated like royalty," Mycelia chuckled. "Although the empire uses them as mounts, they are still fed, cleaned and even pampered very well."

Uriel smiled. Casting her sight on Mycelia, she once again noted the attractive elven features. Under the pretty face, Mycelia was over a hundred years old. No matter how many time she knew this, Uriel still couldn't absorb the fact that elves barely age. As she thought deeper about this, Uriel recalled a few of the written notes back in Nul Hunur. Those dated a century old, meaning that Mycelia must have been away from home for a long time.

"What is the Dark-Elf Empire like?" Uriel asked.

"Beg your pardon?" Mycelia replied, unsure if she heard right.

"I've never been to the Dark-Elf Empire," Uriel explained. "I've only heard things about it, but I've never really heard anything too positive about it. I've never met a Dark-Elf to ask for their opinion on their home, either."

"What exactly did you hear?" Mycelia asked with curiosity.

"Dark and frightening place, with the heads of enemies on pikes?" Uriel answered. "Evil magic constantly being practiced, bloody sacrifices to make your warriors stronger, everyone dressed in black?"

Mycelia stared for a good long while, before puffing her cheeks and then exploding with laughter. "Really, that's what humans think of us?" she chuckled, tears in her eyes. "We really ought to invite a few over once in a while."

"So, none of it is true?" Uriel asked, despite already knowing the answer.

"Of course not," Mycelia replied, letting out one last laugh. "Our city is a diamond inside the mountain. The empire's capital gleams with wondrous spires and magnificent palaces of gold and marble. Even the common folk live in homes to be proud of."

"Spell-casters, such as myself, spend more time reading and writing than we do actually practicing any magic. At times, we wouldn't even be found in public for months," she continued. "As for our clothes, we spin webs from specially cultivated spiders and make garments that are honestly more colorful and brighter than what you humans wear. If anything, your cities look darker than ours."

"What about the blood rituals?" Uriel asked. "Any truth to that?"

"The practice was outlawed after the death of the previous Overlord," Mycelia answered. "We do still keep the books and texts on such rituals, but only for study. Practice is forbidden."

"I guess you can't believe every story you hear around a campfire," Uriel said with a shrug.

"You humans come up with the strangest rumors," Mycelia grunted, as she shook her head. "Once you've gotten a firm grip of the realm, you ought to pay a visit to the empire and see how we truly live."

"I'll keep that in mind," Uriel chuckled.

Before their discussion could carry on, Jotun approached with a rather concerned look on his face. "Something is approaching us fast," he said, as he pointed out at the distance.

Not too far away, a giant figure of darkness approached. Its eyes looked like dimming lights, while its teeth gaped from its mouth. Two long arms drooped down, almost touch the ground. It took slow and large steps forward, but its feet made naught a sound. It wailed and howled in a deep and breathless voice. An impending sense of dread and suffering began to fill the air, as it drew closer and closer.

"That is one of the monsters that roams this land!" Krin declared, his spear shaking in his hands.

"I hoped we'd never come across these things," Daku sneered, as he gulped with frustration.

Uriel squinted and focused her sights on the creature. Looking a bit more carefully, she noticed it to be partly transparent. She had no idea what the creature was, but for some reason, Uriel found herself sweating and her heart aching. She quivered in her boots. Her feet wanted to run, but found herself unable to do so. This had never happened before.

"What is that?" Uriel hissed, as a single sweat slid down the side of her face.

"A revenant," Mycelia snarled, her voice also shaky. "It is a cursed spirit that roams aimlessly, whilst carrying nothing but the anger, sorrow and despair from when it was alive."

"A spirit?" Jotun chuckled nervously. "So, none of our weapons will affect it. Good thing we have your magic to protect us, right?"

Mycelia grimaced, as she closed her fist into a palm. "I have only one spell that can banish it, but it will take too much time," she growled. "It's too close, I won't be able to cast it before it reaches us."

"Do we run?" Uriel suggested.

"If you can tolerate its growing influence," Mycelia wheezed, feeling her chest tightening. "I can cast a spell to keep us out of its sight, but you must stay perfectly still."

Uriel felt the dark and terrible pressure erode her senses and strangle her heart. There wasn't really any options available. "Do it," she commanded with a nod.

Using whatever strength she could pull, Mycelia struck her palms together. White light coursed over her body, reaching out and covering the party. The group felt a portion of their strength return, but not completely.

"Now, STAY STILL," Mycelia commanded, gritting her teeth together. "Step out of place, and you will lose the spell's protection."

A moment soon after, the revenant arrived. It lumbered forth, whilst huff and groaned in a deep voice, as if trying to gasp for air.

Despite the magic's protection, the group still found themselves very much overwhelmed with the revenant's dark and ghastly presence. From a distance, the revenant's presence fell upon them like the depths of an ocean press upon them. However, up close, they felt something entirely. With the revenant just beside them, the entire group felt as if countless bugs crawled around their body. Hundreds of small and pointed feet scuttling about, tempting the party to move.

The longest few seconds passed. Just when it appeared ready to pass them, the revenant came to a sudden stop. Slowly, it turned its head and kneeled down to one particular individual.

Uriel tightened her chest and sucked up what little air she could. Soon, she found herself gazing right into the eyes of this malicious spirit. Nothing reflected, nothing sparkled. Only despair and pain filled those hollow eyes. Uriel twitched and bit her lip. Her lungs quickly ran out of air. She could breathe through her nostrils, but felt intimidated to do so. She wanted to scream, but forced her heart to suffer a little longer.

The revenant spared one final glance, before standing back up and walking away. Nobody moved, until the revenant was far away. They heard a low howl, followed by a shriek, and then followed by more howling. Slowly, the presence faded. Eventually, it disappeared.

Mycelia dropped to her knees, shaking like a leaf. She panted heavily, as she twisted her arm to calm her nerves. "I have never been that close to a revenant," she wheezed. Sweat ran down her face and nourished the grass. "I don't think I ever want to again."

"It's been a long while since I worked up a cold sweat," Jotun chuckled a bit nervously. "Not a great feeling, but does make you realize just how alive you are."

"Are there more of those things out there?" Ragosh asked. The two Chamael turned to one another, and simultaneously answered with a single nod. "How can any of the banished even live out here, with those things loose?!"

"We'll just need to be more alert," Mycelia groaned, as she got back to her feet, and combed her hair back. "My lady, are you okay?"

"I-I am," Uriel replied, as she took a moment to collect her senses. "Why did that revenant even stare at me?!"

"The spell I cast was meant to hide our presence," Mycelia answered. "However, your raw power as the Overlord must have been so great that it began to break out of my magic."

"So apparently my power is a double-edged sword," Uriel groaned. "That's terrific. So I'm the biggest target out here?"

"We'll just have to be more careful," Mycelia repeated herself, as she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face.

"I don't think we have much of a choice on the matter," Uriel sighed.

Parts of her still quivered. Although the revenant left, traces of fears still resided. Uriel squeezed her neck and tried to relax her muscles. After a few more breaths, she fixed her posture and turned around.

The encounter with the revenant was great, but dangerous. Uriel counted herself fortunate to still be alive. Sadly, she couldn't say the same about the griffin, which now lay dried and plucked of life, next to the bison corpse it feasted just a while ago.