The Bitter Consequences

The bar bustled with people, it was a busy day. Loud voices could be heard, obnoxious conversations of people who were intoxicated by the sweet smell of the alcohol, entranced by its mood.

Riven stepped out from his room, although he had gracefully accepted Gordian's graces, there was no need to impose for too long. The kind bartender did not need the added pressure of caring for another, and neither did he need the pressure of ensuring he did not cause problems.

There was one major problem, though. Riven looked out the window, There was no sun today. This was the least of his concerns; the effect his father's death caused on the world was taking its toll. He had sheltered the town as well, not only his home. 

There had been a giant shield, protecting those who lived within from the threats of the outside. Only a select few were privy to this information; most were unaware. Unaware of the protector who had been sacrificing parts of himself to keep them safe.

Slowly outside, a giant circle, translucent, was fading, the protection dimming. It wouldn't be long before it would vanish completely, all traces removed. These supernatural forces that Riven had witnessed would soon become common knowledge, and fear would strike the hearts of the people.

"Had a good night's sleep?" Gordian the bartender, stood, grinning brightly with a depressing backdrop behind that did not match his flamboyant attitude.

Riven gave a curt nod. 

"What is to become of the town? I noticed a great barrier losing its strength."

"Karn paid a great deal to establish such peace for us townsfolk, even though most have no idea. I imagine we will be forced to join the outside factions, or we will be slaughtered by the animals out there."

"Animals? Do you mean the people or the beasts?"

Gordian winked, "Take it how you will, either works. Oftentimes the people can be worse than beasts, especially in this damning world of ours. So prepare. Ignore the others and focus on gaining strength and power, it will be much needed in the days to come."

"How?"

"Simple, you need to become an inker; abandon part of yourself and gain power. Well, simple enough for those who have an artist to help, on your own, you will find it nearly impossible to become one. 

"That is what made Karn so special. However, if we can hold out until spring, we may yet have hope."

***

Spring. The people had to last until spring, which meant there was almost half a year until help would be available, if at all. Surviving the cold, desolate winters in which nothing lived and evil thrived, they would have to endure. The barrier would not last much longer, nor would the people stay calm for much longer. The more time it remained visible, the more the people worried about the supernatural and the effects it might bring to their not-so-peaceful lives.

The tailor next door paled; it seemed their peace was almost over. Chunks of the barrier began actively falling, dissolving before touching the Earth, but the spectacle dismayed the villagers. At this rate, there would be no longer than a week before they would be left to fend for themselves, against the bitter truth of the world.

The outside world slowly became less and less filtered, and the outside could be seen more clearly. No longer was the sky the illusion formed by the dome, and what they were to see would only serve to spread fear.

Gordian appeared next to Riven, staring up at the sky beside him.

"I am an inker as well, though I am fairly weak; that is how I knew your father. We became one together."

Riven's eyes widened; here Gordian was, practically admitting to his power. This humble bartender was much more than he seemed. Riven opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted, Gordian placed one hand on his mouth as he said, "Stay your questions. They will be answered in time."

Reluctantly, Riven agreed. Most likely, these answers would prove necessary, and he could wait.

Riven heard a whisper of a voice creep down his neck, sending shivers down his back. 

"Follow me." 

It was Mallory. The reason she had decided to stay hidden was not yet known to him, only that she wanted to. To avoid the people, he concluded, she did seem like the type to prefer solitude. 

Following her outside, he shuddered. Her strange dichotomous personality was bound to attract attention, but it also provided a sense of uneasiness. There was no other explanation besides her wanting to hide something, there must have been something, anything, that he did not know, or was otherwise unaware of.

"Forget what you heard. Joining our world will bring nothing but pain and suffering to you. Run away, as far as you can, you lack the correct disposition to handle battle."

"What?"

"I am saying abandon all hope of surviving in direct battle. Live like a cockroach, lingering along on the remains of what is left behind from those before you." Mallory grumbled, "I shouldn't have to take care of you."

"So that's what this is about? Are you scared of my incompetence?"

"Yes."

"I will have you know that I have been practicing my spearmanship recently, and have gotten pretty good if I say so myself."

"Then prove it. Take up your spear and fight me." She said with a curved smile.

I'll show you!

Riven's eyes glinted with a strange fire, as if his desire to fight was higher than his desire to flee.

"I have no weapon."

Mallory grinned, pearly whites flashing as light soared through the air, illuminating the dim sky. Passersby stared in wonder as the dazzling woman stood there, having appeared from nowhere, sheathed in an array of light. 

Hundreds of mirror-like crystals formed, taking the rough shape of a spear, glistening in the sky. No light reflected off of it, but it still dazzled all its spectators. Mallory handed the crude weapon to Riven and materialized her own, a weapon made for murder. She glanced over at Riven, staring at the weapon in amazement, and without a second thought, lunged straight for his throat.

Riven stood there, dismayed, blinded by the flashing of her weapon. 

"W—" He had no time to beg her to give up on this duel; his fate was set in stone. Lacking another choice, he brought his spear up to meet her stiletto.

CLANG!!

Furious sparks rang out as metal clashed. Although these weapons were not made of metal, they behaved exactly the same, most people would never tell the difference. Neither could Riven, he had only ever used a training spear, his father had forbidden it.

An onlooker nearby shouted something at Riven, but there was no time to pay attention. He ducked, the whistle of the blade sounded just a hair above his head, Mallory did not seem to mind if she were to accidentally kill Riven.

Swinging his spear in a furious arc, he clenched his teeth, furiously staying his resolve. In a voice too low to hear, he whispered, "I will not give in!" With a grunt, he pushed her off and slashed at her, which she parried just in time, saving herself from a deadly slash.

"How is that for combat ability?" He smirked with indignation and proceeded to jump forward, jabbing the spear as he did so. Mallory attempted to parry, but his slash curved, right around the blade, causing a small nick on her pointer finger. 

Her face turned cold, it was unbelievable that he would be able to wound her; even a small gash was a task accomplished by few in her life. Well, if those few were not inkers. Inkers presented a different challenge for Mallory entirely. 

"Y-You!" She gave a hoarse shout and jumped at him, but as soon as Riven made the move to block her attempt, she ducked, avoiding contact. 

Unbalanced by the thrust, Riven stumbled forward, and as quickly as the duel had begun, Mallory stepped to the side and brought the dagger up to his neck, sneering as she declared the end of the fight.

"I made no mistake. You are most definitely not ready." She grinned, "Become an inker and grow stronger than your father, it is the only way you will survive in this world. It is more cruel out there than you could imagine."

Riven felt his heart beat faster and faster; this gave him hope.

"Becoming equal to my father is already an unconquerable task. This was a test."

"You have one week until this village is exposed to the horrors of the outside world. Prepare and get ready for it."

As suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished, straight into thin air. Without warning, the people around Riven immediately bombarded him with questions. "Who was that?" one asked, "Why did you fight?" said another. 

He heard another voice beside him, 

"What a spar!" Riven turned around briskly, but breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was Gordian.

"You saw?"

"Aye, and a finer job you couldn't have done. She's a professional, you know, it is an honor for you to have wounded her, be proud of yourself. Though it was naught but a nick, it is quite the achievement."

"I wanted to win. And desperately at that," he groaned, visibly displeased with the result. "I've been practicing for a while now. But, it seems as though there is more to her than meets the eye."

"That there is!" He said, "Even I know little about her, but what I do know shouldn't be divulged without her attention. That one has a sensitive past, y'know." Gordian smiled and nodded off, humming as he went.

***

Riven had done well, but there was just one thing he was missing: a spear, tailored for him. He glanced in at the dark room, lit only by fire in the corner. There, a man sat, red marks streaking down his arms as he hammered the bright orange steel.

His muscles glistened and tightened with every strike, forging a new weapon, tempering steel. Riven watched, entranced by what he was doing, admiring his work. But he did not utter a single sound, for fear of disturbing his craft. Finally, after staring in wait for nearly an hour, the man groaned and got up. The blacksmith towered over Riven, a hulk of a man.

He rumbled in a deep, ancient voice, "How may I be of service?"

Riven stared a moment longer, snapping himself out of the trance, "I need a spear."

"Of course! A man should have his own weapon!" His mouth widened, a crooked grin emerging, "Return in a week, a mighty fine weapon you will get." But then his voice dropped to a faint whisper, "There will be a price to pay." He immediately brightened, "But don't worry about that for now, that time will come."