Ch 17 The Underground sickness

Perpetual night rules in the underground city of Cadmium.

Natural sunlight does not pierce through the cold North Mountaintops. Only the light of magic and technology shines through the darkness of its underground caverns. The buildings of Cadmium were created by friendship and a merger of ideas from different people. Its landscape reminds all who live there how a society can coexist with many races under its umbrella. History and culture would tell these different races to hate their fellow neighbor who is different from them. But its people live together in contrast united under a new nation.

Cadmium is a city of peace, freedom, and law.

Why did this city function over those who could not? Why did this nation spit in the face of tradition? How was it strong enough that no other nation wishes to fight it? How could its people coexist together? The answer was that its ruler had united them all to live in harmony with one another.

Those who seek a better life gathered to the Free Nation State. Those who want a fresh start flock to its border in droves. Those who seek escape from persecution from being who they are. Various spectrums of people from all walks of life come here to live in peace together. Gathered because of one man and how he sought to save everyone.

A city comprised of many different races and ruled under a Heroic King.

The Heroic King Alastair had just been through a troubling day of news. An engagement for his niece that he worked so hard for had vanished. Even worse was news from his blood brother Scar, an Orc that he went through much trials and tribulations with. The daughter of Scar, his favorite niece was chosen by one of the Four Gods and that the war of Gods would return. Later, his son Alexander had told him of how he killed a Griffon who was one of the last remaining family members to his old companion. A noble Griffon that he once soared the skies on.

King Alastair would have thought that his pact with the God of the North was in jeopardy if not for the news his niece had brought with her.

Maude came to his Kingdom to seek his protection while bringing new information and a new fiancé. The Griffon was saved and his pact with Arcas, the God of the North would stand until his own dying breath. Her new fiancé turned out to be the mysterious son of Gregor, one of the Four Wise Men. Nero, his niece's new fiancé is an Alchemist and a particularly good one at that. Alastair listened to their adventures from crossing the Sea of Trees to traversing a sunken Elven temple and how they climbed the North Mountains to reach him. This brightened his mood and demeanor until he returned home to the Royal Estate.

King Alastair thought his luck would change with the arrival of his niece but things have gone worse than he could have predicted.

Inside the underground city of Cadmium on one of the highest levels was the Royal Estate. Built with stone, marble, and Dwarven metal into a shining example of prestige. It had many halls fit for a king and rooms large enough to house their own banquets. This was the home of the Lyon royal family of the Free Nation State. Guards cornered almost every area, silent and vigilant to protect those who live here. Servants of all races were busy finishing their duties for the day.

With all the people moving about you would think there would be much noise yet there was an eerie silence in one-half of the Royal Estate.

Just after midnight inside the Royal Estate, some hours after King Alastair held his conversations with Maude and Nero. King Alastair's guests were already directed to their own rooms and slumbered after their long journey. In the King's bedchambers and around its area there was a stillness in the air. The guards of the area held their breaths after hearing Captain Arthur tell them the grave news. Sweat dripped from their brows as they dared not to make any sound after the King entered his room.

The Queen was deathly ill.

King Alastair sat by a bedside in his chambers waiting patiently and did not move. The flickering of torchlight swept across King Alastair's face. Queen Fiona, his wife, was ensnared by a sickness that terrorized his city. It was a matter that he, the King, was supposed to look into but he thought of other things and looked outward instead of watching his own Kingdom. So Queen Fiona tried to help the people in his place and this was the result. A sickness that was driving her to the brink of death.

King Alastair was losing his mind as he watched his Elven wife slowly wasting away with every breath she took.

He used all his might not to tremble and cry like a baby from watching her in a state of distress.

"You're not supposed to die before me," King Alastair whispered to his sick wife. "Please don't leave me."

The seriousness of the situation was grave and could be seen from Alastair gazing upon the Queen.

Queen Fiona could not see her husband next to her. Darkness covered her eyes like a void of nothing. The sickness made her delicate frame look even smaller. Her white and snow-like complexion were replaced with dark blotches of blue and black. The vibrant air she once exuded was gone and she became a shell that could barely be called alive. Her shivering would not stop and some parts of her body were heating up while being icy to the touch.

This was what they called the" Underground Sickness."

"I should've looked into it," King Alastair mumbled alone. "...this sickness...."

The King looked to have aged ten times over.

The underground sickness was a plague that slowly crept into the foundation of his populace. Queen Fiona was looking into the matter that started to take the lives of her populace in their Kingdom. Healers of all kinds were dispatched to see if they could alleviate the problem but the sickness took them as well. The sickness did not discriminate between races much like the Free Nation State. It affected the old and the young, it did not matter. The only clue was that it first appeared among the poor people of the Kingdom.

No one knew how it started or why.

Many had thought it would never take them until it does.

Some have thought it to be a disease introduced by other nations. A sort of biological weapon developed by jealous countries. There was no doubt that many spies had scattered themselves across the Nation already. This was the first time in their new history to face such odds and circumstances. Yet there were no answers for them and it was nothing the people of the Free Nation State had seen before.

Death was the way of the world but no one wants to die like this. Stricken with pain and suffering while seeing nothing but darkness. Bodily functions seem to cease and you become paralyzed without being able to utter a scream.

King Alastair waited for an answer from the Gods but it would not come to him.

The King's face was grim and then he finally gathered enough conviction to call out for help.

"Guards! Send a messenger!" King Alastair called out to a door behind him. "Tell Princess Gwen to come back from the North Grove and tell her to bring help!"

Guards outside the door hurried on their orders and a commotion of steps could be heard fading away.

Princess Gwen was very reliable even under the dubious of circumstances. She was level headed and calculating with wisdom beyond her years. King Alastair trusted that his daughter would know what to do in this situation. He felt cornered and his thoughts were jumbled around. If anything were to happen to him and his wife, he knew his daughter would guide the Free Nation State to greater prosperity. He never thought about asking Nero for help at all. Not that Nero wasn't skilled but he believed that Nero simply wouldn't know what to do.

The King gazed at his Queen with a bitter-faced smile.

"Please...in the name of the Four Gods...make it back in time..."

---###---

Far to the southeast of the North Mountains in the Great Sands.

An army clad in red armor was making their way north under the moonlight. They numbered in a force of five thousand. Their heavy armor should have weighed them down in the sands but their steps were light. The creatures they rode on were not horses but giant lizards that seem to slither across the desert. They followed their leader who was looking up at the starry night sky.

The soldiers marched on with their eyes shining through the slits of their helmets. They were called the Red Army and comprised mainly of Dark Elves who live in the desert of the Great Sands. Their lands used to be one of the most plentiful and beautiful on the western continent until centuries of war and volcanic eruptions caused the lands to change into a desolate desert. Still, they kept their lust for war and battle to honor their God, the Vermillion Dragon.

The leader of the Red army did not have a helmet on as he felt the cool wind's breeze across his face.

"Commander," A woman on a lizard mount called to him.

"What is it, Helga?" The Commander said not looking at her.

"I thought we were going to the North Mountains," Helga said with a confused look.

"We are," The Commander gave a half smile as the left side of his face did not move. "Just give me some time Lieutenant."

"But it seems that we are heading towards the Kingdom of Or'Vale," Helga said as she furrowed her brow.

The Commander turned around to look at her. The woman could see the left side of his face covered in burns and scars. She looked away not wanting to stare at his disfigurement. The Commander gave her a half smile as he combed through his long dark blonde hair. His pair of sharp ears revealed his race but his demeanor was undoubtedly more like a mad man.

"Commander Finn," Helga said. "I don't think we should or else we might face the fury of the King."

"Who cares," Commander Finn said. "I'm following the voice of our God."

Helga grabbed onto the hilt of her sword.

"You are talking treason right now Commander," Helga said with a sharp look.

Finn laughed and then gave Helga a sharp look.

"If you think you can take my head, the chosen one by the Vermillion Dragon, then go right ahead,"

Finn leaned toward Helga and revealed the nape of his neck to her.

"But be wary that the King and the God of the South will cut you down," Finn said with a sinister looking smile.

Helga withdrew her arm as sweat dripped down her forehead.

"Good choice," Commander Finn said. "We are going to Or'Vale to cause a little disturbance with those humans and then we will head to the North Mountains."

"What for?" Helga questioned as she didn't know the details that her commander planned.

"To start a war," Commander Finn said with a mischievous grin. "A little nudge is needed."

Commander Finn shrieked with laughter under the moonlight. Helga could not help but be weary of his terrifying appearance. The cold winds drifted the sands around and covered the tracks the army made. They carried on their march toward the Kingdom of Or'Vale with the stench of death surrounding them.

---###---

The following day in the Royal Estate.

Nero and Maude just heard the news about the Queen and were quickly escorted out of the Royal Estate. The manor which housed the Royal family was in lock down and under quarantine. King Alastair made sure the rest of his family was safe and out of the danger from infection. Prince Alexander was being housed with a friend while the servants and guards were told to stay away. A number of soldiers in the Royal guard only secured the outer perimeter of the Royal Estate and they were nervous about being so close. Only the King and Queen were inside the Royal Estate for now.

"How could this happen!?" Maude said as she walked around in circles.

Nero and Maude were only outside the gates of the Royal Estate.

"Can we go see the Queen?" Nero said ruffling his hair.

"No," Maude said with a sigh. "Uncle doesn't want anyone else to get infected."

Nero began to ponder something as he looked at Maude with worry.

"Then what about him?" Nero asked. "Is the disease infectious?"

No one knew if the disease was actually infectious but they took precautions nevertheless.

Maude was in low spirits as her gaze went to the Royal Estate.

"He doesn't care if it is," Maude said with a grim face. "He's the type of man who'd willingly die with auntie."

"Pii," the amber spider on Maude's shoulder chimed in.

Maude was a little distraught and Nero was contemplating something else.

"Do you know what's causing it?" Maude asked wondering if Nero had the answers she sought.

Maude expected Nero to be able to solve any kind of predicament. She trusted his mysterious wealth of knowledge.

"I don't know," Nero said blankly. "I never heard of it before."

Maude's expression worsened as she believed that Nero might have known something. Though Nero was given the same information as Maude, he still wouldn't have known what it was unless he saw it firsthand. Many of the old books in the Ivory Tower had listed various diseases but there was no way of discerning which it was. None of the people in Cadmium knew what the sickness was either.

So while Nero could only guess and predict what it was, it would be better for him to see it in person and determine its exact cause.

"We should do something and help," Nero said affirming his courage. "My father always said I should pay back the kindness of others and the King was very kind to me."

The King's kindness extended to Nero was giving him free room and board. Nero took quite a liking to the food made in Cadmium. He was also given some books to read from the King's own library. It wasn't much kindness but it meant the world to Nero who had little interaction with the open world.

Maude smiled under her veil and gave Nero a nod back.

"But first, where did Kogar and Bal go?" Maude scanned their surroundings. "I haven't seen them all morning."

"Your brother and that wolf pup that was with him?" A grizzled Knight said as he walked over to the pair. "They went over to the military quarters earlier to do some training."

Maude recognized the man immediately.

"Captain Arthur!" Maude said.

"Good to see you, Maude," Captain Arthur gave the Orc girl a smile. "And this boy must be Nero?"

The Captain of the Royal Guard looked over the young man who the King gushed about before the occurrence. Captain Arthur would've only thought Nero to be a young man and nothing more. Nero didn't look like anything special besides his obvious foreign features. If the King hadn't told him about Nero's specialty as an Alchemist, the Captain would've never guessed it.

"So you're really looking to help?" The Captain said as he gave the pair a stern expression.

Nero and Maude returned his expression with a confident affirmation.

"Yeah," Nero said.

"Yes, it's better than twiddling our thumbs outside," Maude said as she crossed her arms.

Captain Arthur gave out a sigh.

"The King told me to look after you guys and I wouldn't want you snooping around for no reason," Captain Arthur said with a somewhat bitter statement. "I'll be your chaperone."

Nero's eyes lit up.

"Then you'll take us where we need to go?" Nero said.

"Where DO we need to go?" Maude said.

"It can't be helped," Captain Arthur shrugged. "I'll take you to the medical ward."

A medical ward was dedicated to the outbreak of the sickness but it quickly became overwhelmed. Streams of people filled up its rooms and then its corridors. Physicians and medical specialists were on call but they could only lessen the pain. More people were getting infected and it seemed to spread overnight. It was a state of national emergency as even the Queen had been infected.

"What about Kogar?" Nero said.

"We should get that idiot beforehand," Maude became a little agitated. "Who knows what trouble he might get into under this emergency."

"Right," Captain Arthur said. "Follow me."

Captain Arthur led the pair down the road to where the military quarters were.

The once vibrant city became considerably desolate as everyone feared the worst.

The streets were nearly empty as only a few people wandered outside. Nero wouldn't have noticed as he only admired the architecture of the city. They had pressing matters at hand but Nero couldn't help but be intrigued from looking at Cadmium. He had only read about cities before in books and hadn't been in one. Southscale couldn't compare itself in size and population to Cadmium even with a sickness spreading.

So while they were walking towards their destination, Nero couldn't help but admire the city.

What Nero was really interested in was if he could get a glimpse of Dwarven runes. Nero knew about the uses of runes which imbued magic onto items. Much like the simple runes Nero used before to make ordinary rocks gain magical properties. Dwarven runes go much further and place multiple magic spells on mundane items. These runes were often used on Dwarven weapons and armor. An old tale in a book once talked about an ancient Dwarven city which covered its buildings with these same runes. Nero just wanted to know if there was any truth to the tale and if these runes were still used in a city like Cadmium.

As they neared the military quarters a commotion could be heard.

The military quarters of Cadmium was a section dedicated solely to the military and its training. It had nearly the same necessities as the Fortress above the North Mountains but there was a training ground housed here. Nero and Maude entered with Captain Arthur only to see numerous soldiers huddled around in a large circle. Captain Arthur and Maude sighed as they could guess what was happening.

"Gahahahaha, you need more than that!" A voice cried out from within the circle. "Come on!!"

Screams and shouts of fighting emanated from the soldiers and guards.

Nero went over to the crowded area to see a stout red Orc in black armor fighting trainees in the middle of the circle.

"Don't let them off easy Kogar!" A soldier snickered.

"These young bucks obviously didn't know who they were messing with!"

"I have you finishing them off in two minutes Kogar! Don't let me down!"

"Come on trainees! And you want to be soldiers?"

Veteran soldiers and knights were watching the spectacle on display.

"If you can't face Kogar, how can you face any Orc?"

There were few if any Orcs that lived in Cadmium since it was so close to their home country of origin. The Free Nation State welcomed all races into its arms and echoed peace and neutrality. Orcs, however, liked to fight, wage war, and train themselves to be better. The United Empire of Doragoth was an Orc nation built on top of smaller tribes under the unity of one powerful Orc. They only recognized the powerful and while King Alastair was a great Hero even he would be no match for their Emperor Grimgar.

Orcs were always ready to fight and Kogar was no different.

The stout Orc had come earlier to the training grounds to practice himself and had gotten into a little dispute with trainees. He had told them to quit the military being that they were so weak. The rest of the veteran soldiers kept their mouths shut as they expected what would happen. The trainees had taken offense to his words and Kogar opted to fight them with a wooden sword. He only asked if they could last a bout with him and that they all could attack him together if they dared.

The trainees rushed together to attack Kogar but the Orc didn't dodge their attacks.

Kogar gave off a violent roar and with a wave of his wooden sword, blew the trainees with a burst of wind.

"Gahahahaha!" Kogar bellowed.

The trainees had never seen such a fierce opponent much less an Orc like Kogar. Another trainee faced Kogar head on and was given a love tap for his aggressiveness. While it might seem like a gentle blow from Kogar, it sent the aggressor flying across the field. Kogar gave out a toothy smile to everyone and waited for the next opponent.

"I-I concede!" One trainee cried out.

"I give up!" Another said.

"You win!" A trainee threw his sword on the ground.

More trainees gave up after witnessing Kogar's strength.

Yet Kogar was saddened as he couldn't fight any more of them.

"What's wrong with you lot!? And you want to be soldiers!?" Kogar was scratching his head. "Train harder, be better, so we can fight again!"

Cheers and laughter erupted from the veterans as they praised Kogar while some went to console the trainees. Kogar only crossed his arms in a huff as he couldn't get any more action. The trainees cried out in bitter disappointment after having to face a monster like Kogar. Had they known of his exceptional strength, they would not have faced him.

Kogar looked over to the crowd and caught sight of Nero only to wave happily to him.

"Oh! Nero! Have you come to train as well?" Kogar trotted over to Nero in anticipation.

"Uh, no, Kogar, we were actually looking for you," Nero said a little afraid after witnessing Kogar's battle prowess.

"You idiot brother!" Maude yelled out. "What do you think you're doing to these new recruits?"

Maude gave her brother a kick which didn't seem to faze him.

"Ah! Little sister, just a little fun, and games, " Kogar laughed not realizing he probably caused some of them to quit outright.

"I see your strength has gotten better," Captain Arthur said as he came closer to the red Orc.

"Captain Arthur!" Kogar said as his eyes gleamed. "Do you want to fight?"

"Maybe some other time," Captain Arthur held up his hands in peace.

The sparkle in Kogar's eyes disappeared instantly.

"There are other things we should be worried about right now," Maude said as she was still mad at her brother for causing a ruckus.

"Like what?" Kogar scratched his head.

Maude became even more infuriated by her brother's ignorance.

"There's a sickness going around," Nero said. "Captain Arthur was going to take us to the Medical ward to see if we could help."

"Sickness?" Kogar said a little confused. "Well, I don't get sick."

Kogar puffed up his chest.

"Yeah, idiots have a tough time getting sick," Maude said shaking her head.

Nero scanned the training area and found something to be amiss.

"Where's Bal?" Nero said not finding the King Wolf pup in sight.

"Oh? He was playing with something earlier," Kogar said. "It kept squeaking, so I left him alone."

"Bal! Come here!" Nero yelled out.

Suddenly the King Wolf pup appeared around the corner and it came quickly to Nero and the others. Something furry was clamped tightly in its mouth. Nero couldn't quite figure out what it was but it looked to be a furry ball with a mess of blue and orange. Bal dropped the object in front of Nero and barked quite happily. The furry object squeaked a little and rolled over to reveal a furry like creature.

The squeaking noise was actually shrieks of terror to anyone else's ears.

"A rabbit?" Maude said as she poked the furry ball.

"Oh!? Food!?" Kogar was salivating.

"Hiiiiieeeee!!!" The small ball cried out.

"A Fao girl?!" Captain Arthur said.

Nero uncovered the mess of furry hair to see that it was indeed a Fao girl. He knew they were a race of small bunny-like humanoids. The girl got up from a daze as she looked around the people only to focus on Bal again. The image of the King Wolf pup as a terrible predator popped in her mind and she quickly clung onto Nero. Bal's drool covered the Fao girl and Piii the amber spider crawled down from Maude's shoulder to look at the girl. The Fao girl saw the amber spider approach and curled herself into a furry ball in defense as she thought she was going to be eaten at any time.

"Help me! Save me from these beasts!" The Fao girl screamed.

"Pii!" The amber spider cried out and ran over to Maude.

The familiar was scared from the Fao girl's shrieks of terror.

Nero patted the small girl on what he thought was her head.

"Don't worry," Nero said. "He won't eat you...I think..."

Nero looked at Bal to ponder if he really wanted to eat the Fao girl.

Bal stuck out his tongue having played his fill with the Fao girl.

"What's your name?" Maude came over to look at the Fao girl.

The girl unfurled herself to peek through her hair.

"Nooooo!!!! Don't eat me!!!!" The Fao girl yelled having noticed Maude as an Orc.

Maude became irritated that the Fao girl would suggest such a thing.

"I'm not going to eat you!" Maude stomped her feet.

"You aren't?" The Fao girl said as she peeked at Maude again with tears in her eyes.

"No! I'm mad that you would even think that!" Maude said in a huff.

Nero tried to calm them both down.

"Settle down," Nero said. "Who are you?"

"My name is Chi," the Fao girl sniffled. "I'm just looking for my friend Kogar! I was told a red Orc came here but when I arrived at the entrance a beast attacked me!"

"You know Kogar?" Nero said as he tried to console the crying girl.

Chi nodded her head oblivious to the fact Kogar was standing close by.

Everyone else looked at Kogar who only shrugged his shoulders.

"I've never seen her before...I think," Kogar said trying to process his thoughts.

Chi finally noticed she was in a shadow of a black armored Orc.

"Kogar!" Chi ran over to Kogar and clung onto his leg now. "I finally found you! Please help me!"

Kogar only scratched his head as he couldn't figure out where she knew him from.

"Who are you again?" Kogar said.

Chi after hearing Kogar looked to have been broke from all the past trauma and started to cry again.

"R-Right," Chi said squatting on the floor "You wouldn't remember me. I'm so weak and slow. I'm a pathetic merchant. I'm poor. I can't help feed my brothers and sisters. I should've died in that winter storm!"

A light bulb went off in Kogar's head.

"Oh! You're that white rabbit in the winter storm years ago!" Kogar grinned. "How are you?"

Kogar picked up Chi from the back of her collared shirt and started to sniff her.

"Yeah! I remember! I thought you smelled delicious!" Kogar said with a toothy smile.

Chi started to quiver in fear when she heard his words.

"You were going to eat me!?" Chi said.

"Well, I thought about it until you spoke," Kogar said like a matter of fact. "Voriff always told me not to eat anything that speaks to me. So I brought you over to the fortress!"

Kogar nodded his head proud of himself.

The others looked at Kogar with disdain.

"You're fine now Chi," Maude said. "What is it that you need?"

Chi wiped her tears dry.

"I heard Kogar is the nephew of the King," Chi said. "I just wanted to see if he could help me peddle my wares."

The others looked at each other with blank faces.

"I don't think Kogar could help any merchant much less count," Maude sighed.

"How rude!" Kogar said. "I can count to three!"

Kogar patted himself on the chest as he sought praise.

Maude's evaluation of her brother dropped even lower.

"I'll help you!" Kogar said. "I'll show my sister that I can!"

Chi perked up as she couldn't contain her excitement.

"You will!? Thank you! Thank you!" Chi said as she prostrated herself before the red Orc.

The others could only imagine Kogar's pride increasing.

"Alright! Alright!" Maude said. "But first, we need to go to the Medical ward and see about this sickness."

"No problem!" Chi said gleefully. "As long as Kogar can help me! I'll follow him anywhere!"

"Gahahaha!" Kogar laughed.

Maude rubbed her temple while Nero only ruffled his hair.

Captain Arthur sighed as he knew he made the right choice to be beside Nero and the others.

The group left the military quarters and headed towards the Medical ward but there seemed to be something amiss again. More people were being carried and carted over towards their destination. The group could not help but notice the terrible atmosphere. The demeanor of the people on the streets was gloomy.

"This is terrible," Maude said as she was afraid for the well being of her aunt.

"I don't know if you guys can do anything about this but we shouldn't stay too long in the infected area," Captain Arthur commented.

Nero looked over to Maude and balled his hands into a fist even more determined to solve the problem at hand.