Chapter #6: Meeting the Animal-Kin Kingdom’s King Part 1

(Phil POV)

As our group continues forward along the road leading away from the Forbidden Forest, the signs of civilization become more and more apparent. The first aspect of this is the small farms that are raising animals while others appear to be growing a myriad of vegetables, grains, and fruits.

As I walk with the group of guards some of the farmers stare at me, others continue about their daily routine. We continue to walk along the dirt and cobble stone road, in the distance I see big walls. The walls seem to be similar to that of the city I came to Aredeaia, but fairly smaller.

From my current distance, they look to be about 20 feet tall. As we come closer to Keenheim, I start to see houses dotting the outskirts of the walls. The houses some seem to be made similarly to log cabins while others have a more modern aesthetic and are made of a verity of stone, wood; other material that I’m unable to recognize.

As I stare at my surroundings Jarold looks at me and says.

(Jarold) “Try not to cause any problems, Humans frequent Keenheim, some even live here but a lot of the Animal-Kin within the Kingdom hold disdain for humans. Most are associated with the Holy Kingdom and due to how the Holy Kingdom kills Animal-Kin within their borders, atomicity has risen within the Animal-Kin Kingdom.”

(Phil) “I’ll do my best, if worse comes to worse ill just shift, that should make them calm down.”

We continued to walk while talking

(Jarold) “I would be careful doing so, you already have an undiscovered class and are a new race. You should be accepted within our kingdom but who knows, some might not agree with are opinions.”

(Phil) “Being honest, I don’t really care what others think of me, if I did I would be a hell of a lot different than I am today. I thank you for the warning though.”

As we continued forward along the road, more and more people could be seen using it. As we passed them some stared, others cursed, most just didn’t say anything and kept to themselves.

Even with all of this going on I still felt the gaze’s, I had felt in the forest upon me. As I did before I just didn’t acknowledge them I felt doing so would just bring about problems, I probably couldn’t handle as of yet.

As I finished thinking I realized we were at the one of several the entrance gates to Keenheim. Surprisingly enough we didn’t need to stop, as we passed the open entrance to the gate Ahben just shouted at one of the several posted guards that the group had returned with an important guest.

The guard he shouted at looked at me, I smiled at him letting my fangs extend outward between my pursed lips. This caused the man to look away and continue dealing with the groups of people going into the city.

As we walked I allowed my claws to grow out. I thought that by doing this I would appear less human; in doing so draw less attention. It worked for the most part, but several individuals just stared harder as they saw my claws come out of my fingers and toes.

As we walked into the town, I realized it was closer to a city than a town. If I had to guess it was probably about 6 miles in wide in all directions. The walls formed a huge circle around the town and had several archer towers stationed around to keep watch on the surrounding country side.

As we continued on I noticed some people watching me as the guards, Sun, Moon; I walked. The people were all human, they all had a verity of weapons and armor. Some had spears, others had great swords, others carried long staffs with gems affixed on them. Rather than guessing who they were, I just asked Amina while pointing directly at them.

(Phil) “Any idea why those people are staring so intently at me? Do I look like a delectable treat to be sampled?”

As she turned around she noticed that my fangs and claws were out and stared at me as well.

(Amina) “They’re probably wondering who and what you are. When you walk around with a fur garment, have a human appearance yet have claws and fangs like an Animal-Kin and have a pair of huge dire wolves following you around. It draws attention, also they’re adventurers so I’m sure they’ll be informing the guild of your appearance in our Kingdom.”

As she finished I just waved at the people staring at me while continuing on my way with the guards, this surprised the group intently staring at me as they all turned around and started walking in a different direction.

(Phil) “What’s the deal Adventurers Guild? You act like their controlled by a single group of people? Shouldn’t there just be a guild master at each location that runs each guild? Or is some committee controlling them all?

(Amina) “They have a Board that controls each guild stationed throughout different kingdoms. I don’t know much about the Board other than the fact that each board member is strong enough to rival a kingdoms army.”

(Phil) “Hmmm, good to know. Thanks for the information Amina.”

As we finished talking we arrived at a castle, it wasn’t exuberant or flashy. It was more along the lines of a humble abode with several separated sections. It was still a huge building, but it did not look like your typical castle.

Jarold led us in through into the building on the right as we walked in he stated.

(Jarold) “This is the Armory and where you can find the Quarter-Master Harold and just about anything you’ll need. Just don’t piss the Harold off, he’s a bit eccentric and has control over who is able to get weapons and other items from the Armory.’

We continued forward through the building and eventually found a man sitting behind a desk. The man name Harold looked like some type of reptile but still had very human features. He had brownish scales covering every visible part of his skin, slits for pupils, and a tail that stuck out of clean armor.

As we walked near Harold he took his eyes off a book he had been staring at and look in our direction. His gaze immediately fell on me as he hissed. I guessed the man was inspecting me,3 so I did the same in return.

[Name: Harold Brown-Scale]

[Race: Animal-Kin, {Serpent}]

[Level: 25]

[Class: Poison Eater]

????....

As I used Inspect I noticed most of his status was unavailable, I guessed this was because of the level gap between us. I also guessed that you could get a person’s Name, Race, Level, and Class no matter what level the [Inspect] Skill was.

As I did Harold’s eyes burrowed into me, yet his face was left in a state of shock. So, I just said

(Phil) “Seems my own status is just as mystifying as your own Harold Brown-Scale.”

Harold looked at me, the shock left his face and more of an inquisitive expression formed.

(Harold) “Indeed Phillip Mauger, I’ve never seen any race like your own, nor someone who has a class that I couldn’t inspect but the fact you don’t have any magic is what surprises me the most…”

(Phil) “Hahaha, don’t get to upset, I don’t think anybody can [Inspect] my class. If you interested in my origin I would suggest you come when I explain this Elbuck and your King. Also, I was told you’ll take these. *handed over the two High Orc Horns*”

(Harold) “hmm, yes I can. Did you kill these yourself?”

(Phil) “Yes, with the help of Jarold, Amina, Ahben, Sun, and Moon. Also, they said you have different items available here. I’d appreciate it if you could bring me a real pair of pants, just take it out of what you’ll give me from what the horns are worth.”

(Harold) “I can do that, do not require a shirt, Armor, or shoes?”

(Phil) “No I’m good thanks for the offer though. Just thought an actual pair of pants would be better to meet royalty in.”

Harold didn’t reply he just walked off behind his desk into a big room, I guessed it was a part of the Armory that didn’t have expensive items or weapons. When he returned he had a pair of brown leather pants, they were short but would work for my purposes. He stated as he handed me the pants and small pouch.

(Harold) “Here the pants and what you are owed, I gave you a coin pouch because it looks like you don’t have one, it’s my gift to you.”

(Phil) “Thanks Harold, I appreciate it. Make sure to swing by if you can when I talk to the Elbuck.”

(Harold) “I’ll do my best to do so, it all depends on if I can get my replacement to cover for me.”

(Phil) “if you can’t I swing by and talk to you so don’t fret Mr. Brown-Scale.”

Amina, Ahben, and Jarold just watched the exchange in shock. Usually Harold was not talkative or friendly, but he had been both with Phillip. The group handed over their horns and Harold gave them their money and we were once again on our way.

Amina said, (Amina) “Were heading to the Barracks next, you can change there. By the way what did you do to Harold?”

(Phil) “Great, I like my kilt and all, but getting into some actual pants would be a lot more comfortable. I didn’t do anything? Is he not like that usually?”

(Amina) “After that will be heading over to Lord Elbuck, you will have to talk with him before he summons the King or has an advisor of the king come. Hahaha, no Harold usually keeps to himself so its surprising you two hit it off so well”

(Phil) “Sounds good, any advice? I was just trying to no cause problems.”

(Amina) “Just call him Lord Elbuck, he worked hard for his title and position. He’s not like most Nobles so you shouldn’t have to much trouble.”

(Phil) “That good, I’m not really a fan of entitled people so that’ll make this go more smoothly.”

We continued to walk out of the Armory and around the big central part of the castle. We eventually came to a big building on the left-hand side of the central part of the castle. The group of guards led me inside and we walked up several flights of stairs and arrived in a room, the group started to strip off they’re armor, Jarold told me.

(Jarold) “Change here then will head over to the Lord Elbucks castle.”

Rather than reply back I just nodded and striped out of my fur kilt and put my pants that I had gotten from Harold on. They were well made leather pants, they only came down just past my shin’s and had a drawstring around each leg and the waist. After getting into my pants I put my coin pouch around my waist with a leather cord Harold had given me, I also strapped my quiver and bow onto my back and readied myself to meet Lord Elbuck.

After I finished I walked outside the room to give the group some more privacy while Sun; Moon accompanied me. We sat by the stair waiting, it only took about 5 min then the group came out completely changed. They all had a different set of armor on and clean clothing.

Rather than talk we continued on in silence, we walked down the stairs and back to the big central building that made up the castle. When we walked in the building was not like I expected it was more like a hunter’s cabin. There were a plethora of huge animals and magic tainted monsters mounted on the walls.

Some I couldn’t recognize others just seemed like huge versions of animals from earth. What stuck out to me was the giant wolfs head. Its head was easily as big as a couch, the sight of this caused Sun; Moon to emit a low growl.

I turned to them and rubbed they’re heads while trying to comfort them, I couldn’t blame them, that was one of their own mounted on the wall as a trophy, but I understood it.

We continued through the big castle until we arrived at a room. The group knocked on the door and a voice echoed “Come in”

A huge man sat on a chair within the back of the room. It was not decorated like the rest of the house it was fairly fancy and had a long table at its center. I guessed this was where Lord Elbuck had meeting or talked to guests.

The man facing us had huge antlers coming from his head. He also had brown fur covering most of his body but had the general appearance of a human. I guessed this was Lord Elbuck. He continued forward and sat down at the table and waved his hand for us to do the same while looking at the group of guards and me, then began to speak.

(Elbuck) “Jarold, why does your group escort this man and a pair of dire wolves into my castle?”

(Jaorld) “We found him coming out of the Forbidden Forest my Lord, the rest would be best explained by him”

Elbuck raised an eyebrow he didn’t expect this group to act as they did. They were one of the best scouting units in his garrison and rarely ever made him deal with people brought into the Animal-Kin Kingdom.

(Elbuck) “Well if that’s the case so be it. What is it that’s you need to meet me in person?” he asked looking at me.

(Phil) “I need to meet you to meet your king, plain and simple. I also thought It would be in my best interest to introduce myself to the lord of this land.” before I could finish Elbuck cut me off

(Elbuck) “hahaha, why do you need to meet the king?” he said half laughing half being serious

(Phil) “I need to meet your king, because I’m an almost extinct race. My name is Phillip Mauger the only Homo-Sapien on Aredeaia”

This caused Elbuck to look at me more directly I guessed he was inspecting me. So, I just started talking while he was doing.

(Phil) “look I’m not a being created by your gods, someone brought me here before I could die on my own world. I’m not a fan of dying, but I’m also not a fan of denying death what its owed… when I say death I’m not talking about your god Necrosis. I’m talking about a rule an unspoken law. Death claims all that is alive at one point or another, that’s a simple fact.”

(Phil) “But that’s not why I’m here talking to you or why your guards thought I should meet your king. I’m here because I’m not human, nor am I an Animal-Kin, but in all honesty, I’m closer to you as a race than humans, due to my class. Your guards figured that getting me here was in the best interest of the Animal-Kin Kingdom. I’d wager that your kingdom would want some unknown race on its side rather than fighting against it. From what they have told me your kingdom seems to be a fair place, more so than the Holy Kingdom of Illengard. So rather than going to a Kingdom or race that I have no connection with I thought It would be a safer bet to accompany your guards and come introduce myself to you and your king.”

Elbuck didn’t say anything he just sat and stared at me, it looked like he was lost in my status or just trying to figure out what to do next. Suddenly he called out.

(Elbuck) “Rina teleport to your master and tell him and the king, they need to come to my lands quickly. If, they ask why just tell them something has come up and I need there advisement immediately.

A flash of blue light was all that I saw as the woman named Rina teleported away.

(POV Conrad, King of the Animal-Kin Kingdom)

As I sit on my throne I thought about how my kingdom could win the coming war with the Holy Kingdom. I knew that after their last defeat the Holy Kingdom of Illengard would not stay silent for long. Their champion was strong, but he lacked the ability to lead the army under his charge. He had been too young and lacked experience, yet they still made him go to war. On top of this he had seemed to appear out of nowhere.

As I thought this a flash of blue light appeared next to Amir my court mage. Amir didn’t move so I assumed he knew who had teleported into the throne room. What came from the blue portal of light was Rina his student.

She had learned all the magic she knew from Amir and admired him greatly. She couldn’t master all the magic he had acquired over the years but became very adept in teleportation magic and this was the reason he proposed her becoming the Elbucks court mage.

As she came out of the portal her face was pale, she just said.

(Rina) “Lord Elbuck requires both of your assistance in his land. He needs your advisement on an issue that has just come about immediately.”

(Amir) “What is wrong Rina?”

(Rina) “It’s not Holy Kingdom that’s all I can say. I would advise you both to come now!” she blurted out.

(Conrad) “So be it, let us go Amir, your student wouldn’t come here unless she agreed with Lord Elbuck.”

A flash of blue light appeared again, and we had set off. Both Amir and myself were confused but we knew something weird was going on. When we arrived in Keenheim castle, Elbuck, a group of his guards and a man with two dire wolves and only a pair of pants on was seated in his meeting chamber.

(Conrad) “What is this about Elbuck?”

Elbuck and the guards immediately kneeled before me. The man with only pants on just stayed seated while smiling at me. Elbuck looked at me a said.

(Elbuck) “I asked Rina to bring both of you here because of Phillip Mauger. It would be better for him to explain...

I noticed Amir start using telepathy on the man sitting down but the man stood up and pointed at Amir and calmly stated.

(Phil) “This will make things go easier but if you try to root around in my memories, I will have to kill you.”

Amir was taken back by this. I stated

(Conrad) “Don’t threaten my court mage or you will regret it.” The man didn’t even look at me. he just looked at Amir as his skin started to rip and he let out a low growl that did not match his human appearance. The wolves sat up off the ground behind the man and started to growl along with him

Amir just nodded, as it looked like he started to see things from the man’s memories. The man sat back down and closed his eyes. the wolves both matched the man and sat back down on either side of him.

Amir’s face shifted and struggled to keep up with what the man was showing him. His face paled and his face looked like it saw unspeakable horrors. This exchange happened for several minutes before Amir just looked at the man in utter silence unable to speak. The man opened his eyes and looked at me and spoke.

(Phil) “My name is Phillip Mauger, everything I’m going to tell you your court mage can corroborate but what I said still stands. I’m sorry our introduction has to be like this but there are things in my mind that will only destroy Aredeaia. I showed your court mage what happened to my own world when this knowledge was widely known and accepted by my race. After what he saw I’m sure he won’t repeat certain things I showed him, he knows what wars looked like where I’m from and how different it is from your own on this world.”

Amir blurted out

(Amir) “I will, I promise you that. *his body shuttered as he recalled the horrible images he was shown*.

(Conrad) “What did he show you Amir?”

(Amir) “He showed me what war without magic looks like…. Magic can kill hundreds even thousands but that’s nothing compared to what he showed me Conrad, nothing at all! Whole sections of continents were destroyed, millions of people killed in an instant...”

(Phil) “Don’t worry Amir, I don’t know how to make those weapon’s, nor do I ever want to. I do know how to make others that are still dangerous to your world, but that’s not why I came here I didn’t come to threaten you. I came to introduce myself and tell you how I got to Aredeaia.”

(Conrad) “What do you mean got to Aredeaia?!”

(Phil) “use the [inspect] skill on me that should clue you in.”

I used the [inspect] skill and was surprised be on all belief. The man who sat before me was not human.

His race was Homo-Sapien, he had an undiscovered class that I couldn’t inspect, had no magic at all; on top of all of that had a strange title that alluded to him not being created by any gods.

I just stayed silent looking over the man Phillip Mauger in front of me.

(Phillip) “Look I’m sorry that our introduction to one another has gotten off on the wrong foot but understand I mean you no harm. I’m going summarize how I got to Aredeaia.”

(Phillip) “I was attacked and dying in my world earth. I’d been gravely injured, but a pair of golden hands drug me into a portal of golden light. I was brought through the portal too the Holy Kingdom. As I laid dying in their throne room, I was given a class. My class allowed me to heal my wounds but also transformed me, because of this I was attacked by the Holy Kingdom of Illengard because I was not human. They pursued me to the Forbidden Forest; I eventually made my way to your kingdom where I met up with a group of scouts and was brought to Keenheim. That about sums it up.”

(Amir) “He is not lying my King he showed me this.”

(Conrad) “The Holy Kingdom brought you to Aredeaia? How did they do this?”

(Phil) “I don’t know, I’d guess with magic but who knows you have gods in your world, maybe Illengard helped them.”

As he finished speaking a Pair of golden hands shot out from the ceiling, they wrapped around Phillips throat and lifted him off the ground. I womanly voice yelled in anger throughout the room.

(Illengard) “YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT QUIET MORTAL!”

(Phil) “HAHAHA, so you finally show yourself you damned wench! I’ve felt your disgusting gaze upon me since I left your shitty Kingdom. I hope you know you just fucked yourself by coming here! Now these people and the other gods watching me know what you did.” Phillip yelled out

(Illengard) “YOU FAILED YOUR PURPOSE, YOU CALL ME A WENCH, AND THREATEN ME! I SHALL MAKE SURE YOUR SOUL IS DESTORYED FOR SUCH MOCKERY MORTAL!”

(Phil) “My soul? HAHAHA, GOOD LUCK YOU TAVERN WENCH!”

(Phil POV)

As I sat lifted off the ground staring at the hands that brought me to this world I just started to laugh uncontrollably. I then felt something cold on my throat, it then became freezing I felt like the life was draining from my body. I thought this was Illengard doing, but she soon started yelling in pain.

(Illengard) “WHAT ARE YOU DOING AHHHHHHHHHHH!!’

She soon let go of my body and I fell to the floor and smacked my head onto the ground. The freezing sensation kept persisting only growing more and more. I felt like my body was beginning to freeze over. As I laid on the ground I started to hear something, at first it sounded like a whisper, it then formed into a horrid cacophony on laughter and screaming.

I then heard the voice of the system in my head [YOU HAVE BEEN MARKED BY DEATH], [Gained titles: The One Who Escaped Death, Death’s Hound] [Skill [Claw; Fang Growth] has changed to [Claw; Fangs of Death]

The screaming and laughter became distorted as a voice echoed throughout the room. A black body came from out of the ground. It grabbed me off the floor with its right hand and lifted me to eye level. As I looked at it I noticed it wasn’t black it was the same color as Outer-space, its body had stars floating within it. it then began to speak.

[DEATH] “Interesting, A world where someone uses my power without my consent… You have been marked child of Nature. You escaped me and were brought to this world where god’s mettle with things they do not fully comprehend or understand. Show them their mistake show them why you fear and respect me.”

As the figured finished talking it dropped me and disappeared into nothing.

I just sat on the ground breathing heavy trying to come to terms with what just happened. I couldn’t believe Death just saved me, it was also hard to believe that it was sentient. I just assumed it was law, not a being of some kind, but I guess I was wrong about that.

I also thought about how it had hurt Illengard a god! I guessed that had something to do with what death was, I guessed it wasn’t a god but something completely different, something older, something that had been around since the beginning of time.

I then looked around the room and saw everyone in the room was staring at me with their mouths agape. I just started talking in between my heavy breaths.

(Phil) I think that shows you who brought me here, it also looks like DEATH isn’t too happy Necrosis is using his powers.”

I then looked at up at the ceiling and shouted to the gods.

(Phil) “YOU STUPID TAVERN WENCH, I WAS GOING TO LEAVE YOU AND YOUR KINGDOM ALONE, NOW IM COMING FOR YOU! I DON’T CARE IF I HAVE TO RIP APART YOUR KINGDOM, I WILL MAKE YOU PAY! THEN AFTER I KILL YOU I’LL GIVE YOUR CORPSE AND SOUL TO DEATH! *Deep Breath* I ADVISE THE REST OF YOU GODS TO STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY! THE WENCH BROUGHT ME HERE, THEN TRIED TO KILL ME, THIS IS HER MESS NOT YOURS!”

I then stood up and sat back down at the table. Trying to control the rage that fumed within me. I grabbed my emotions swirling around in my head and shoved them deep into my stomach and just sat breathing trying to calm down.