Interlude - The woman with no regards other than saving

Traveling and helping people is my way of life. With the blessing of the Helper's Hand I have traveled roads and terrains to extend a helping hand. along with my companion named Rose. A Fury Bull that I found on a bed of roses covered in wounds as a child. I took the poor cub and have taken care of it till it has grown big and furry.

Though I was hesitant about bringing the bull that I have gone close with by the years in my journey to help as a doctor and a specialist for curses. But even so I cannot help to leave the poor bull who is now big enough to be mounted and big enough to carry my belongings and furry enough to hide under her fur.

On my journey there were a lot of ups and downs. People who dares try to take advantage me and exploit the power I was given. Though there were unsuccessful, because before I started this journey I have trained myself as an alchemist and an age who have the power to control nature.

Though even though there were greedy people that tries to exploit me. Along the way there were people that were kind enough to lend me a hand and even encourage me to never lose hope. As so I travel distances along the continent back and forth.

Along the way people were admiring me. There were suitors and such who tries to win me over. Though I know that they were only after my beauty and power that they tried taking my heart. So in order to not be bothered anymore. I started wearing a robe and mask in order to not just hide my face and is also for the glow of my body that is sometimes be mistaken as an aura of a Valkyrie

Though the roads were full of people with different stories. A week ago I have met a peculiar man that seems to be out of this world in terms of clothing and equipment. Though that man was average in looks, His tied long hair and silver gray eyes and firmed body make him standout along with his unusual clothes.

My first meeting with the man was when I was passing through the world tree. There I saw the man call and approach me. Though the man seems to have been cursed with the language eater. I was able to successfully rid him of such terrible curse and was able to know his name.

Stian Peregrine, and like the meaning of his name he is a ''Wanderer'' and a ''Pilgrim''. Seeing the peculiar man I have grown curious on how talks and how his behavior doesn't match the culture of this continent. But at the point where I saw his left hand, I then know that this man probably doesn't belong in this continent.

After all it has been written in the Book of Blessings that the mark on his hand is the given mark of the Wanderer's Hand. A strange mark that transports its receiver to a continent in order for them to start their wandering like what their heart wished for.

Coincidentally, the one thing I was dumbfounded about being how he was able to be transported in this continent when he didn't have his blessing activated? Though it has bothered me, I decided to brush it off for the meantime since the peculiar man named Stian seems like asking about this continent and then I complied and soon told him the basics like the World tree and it's cities seedlings and the Queen of Valkyries Estella Willow and how he should always call her Queen. Then about the monsters, the holy ground.

Though when the man named Stian asked if there was a way to return home, the only thing I could answer is that he would need to find the altar of givings and how he would need to find another altar in order to give another wish.

After I have spoken things about the Altar of Givings at that moment the man named Stian was wearing a dejected face. Seeing that face, I cannot help but feel pity and decided to ask him in return of being helped to accompany me in my travels for a while.

When I said those words, the man lifted away his dejected face away and even jested about how I keep calling him ''Mr''. Soon after he agreed, we then traveled and talk about the continent and I even shared the story about my bull named Rose during the talk.

Entering the barren lands, I also have warned him about the danger of the barren lands and how even though he has his blessing, that he needs to be careful about it. In order to make a mark on him, I decided to use the most common warning that myth among the blessing users that when a blessing is used the other way, it would cause misfortune if used in the wrong way.

Even though such thing never really happens, I decided to tell him like that in order for him to remember not recklessly fight any draugr that wanders the barren lands. After telling him the details, Stian asked if everyone have blessings.

Hearing his question made me wonder about something and inwardly make me look back at the time I got my blessing. Back then I was a powerless soul who has to watch her village burn due to an infection of plaque worms and have to be eliminated before the problem spread.

Eventually I was adopted by a Meister and have been taken in as an mage and a healer. Then somewhere along the line I have been blessed by the Helper's Hand and have been encouraged further by my master to inherit her dreams of becoming a savior for those who needs the saving.

Waking up from my wondering, I warn Stian again as we entered the barren lands and feel its coldness.

******

On our walk in the barren lands, there were a lot of questions being bombarded toward me as I enthusiastically answer them one by one. One of the topics that we discussed were the tale of how the barren lands became a cold land that even the dead walks on it.

The Draugr's are poor creatures that experience a second death and has been doomed forever to walk on their land until the day someone puts them into rest or successfully kill and burn them on a warm flame and replace the cold blue flames that dwell within them.

For even the dead deserves a rest and is worthy of being extended a hand of helping....

Eventually, due to the long walk I gradually became exhausted due to the lack of sleep as for me was traveling straight for 4 days without a rest due to my hurry in confirming things about a certain news that I have heard. Thus, in order to keep my body from danger, I decided to tuck inside my friend Rose and used her furs to keep myself from the cold and decided to sleep.

Besides being worried that my companion Rose would bite Stian, I became worried a bit about myself and started refreshing my body's fatigue using the power I have in order to heal my tired skin and muscles. After using the power of my blessing to seep through everything that might cause a problem, I felt the tiredness and slowly close my eyes and enter my dreams.

In the wake of my sleep, I was slowly bothered by a stare directed at me and was alarmed enough to take a look. Opening my eyes, what greeted me was the look of disappointment, of the man named Stian.

Seeing the disappointed expression in his face, I then ask if there was anything wrong. Hearing his reply that there was nothing wrong, I decided that since it was nothing, I would head back to sleep.

But before I was able to go back to sleep, I was interrupted by his sudden question and then told him about the City of Wodfel...

Eventually during my thoughts about the city, I by that time felt the cold aura of death walk towards us and look at the distance and saw an approaching General Draugr headed towards our way. With it's stench I then quickly go on an alarmed as I turn my head towards Stian, who seems to have been frozen in fear due to the presence of the Draugr.

Under the circumstance, I quickly call out to him as he unfroze and started coming over towards me. Then, with a sudden pull, I then pulled Stian towards me as I hide his body inside Rose's fur and took a look at the General draugr and muttered it's existence.

Taking a look at the Draugr, I then notice the rotting flesh of the Draugr and the eyes which shows the desperation of wanting death. Seeing all the signs, I then concluded that the Draugr in front of us has not reach its first death yet and can be reasoned out to be put into rest.

Thus, because of my inability to help those who need a helping hand. I dismounted off Rose as I slowly approached the Draugr as Stian followed me worriedly.

Questioning the Draugr in front of and its woes, I then felt a stab in my heart as the draugr.... no the warrior named Assel Greycloak beg for its death and say his wanting to meet his family in the afterlife. And so I did, with the power of my blessing I have determined to put this warrior to rest.

Giving him the Vikings pyre, a ritual that allows the soul to be sent to the afterlife, thus leaving only the ashes and the weapon it possessed. After finishing the ritual I have noticed the daze gaze of the man who is traveling with me right now.

And as if thunder strikes me, I then remembered that I took off my mask in order to let the warmth in the eyes of my soul to cover the poor warrior. Now that he had seen me, I decided to switch the topic towards something I have noticed.

A while later, after Stian, explain what it seems to be a tool that accurately captures the image in its mirror that it reflect like. He then took out another strange object which after he opens seems contain a strip of what it seems to be meat.

Having a taste of the meat, I puckered my lips due to the bitter sweet taste and have asked questions on about the things Stian possessed. Finally, after the eating was done, I decided to tuck away the illustration that Stian gave me and keep it near me as something to treasure upon.

******

Soon after days of travel, we have arrived at the City of Wodfel, along the journey I have been keeping myself in the distance the moment I have found some of my acquaintances on the camp near the entrance of the Mist forest. After Seeing that Stian, seems to be occupied by capturing illustrations with his tool, I decided to leave him be for a while in order for him to do what he wants.

After entering the city, I approached Stian and invited him to a good Inn that my acquaintances suggested. Arriving at the Inn I then excused myself in my room as Stian seems planning to wander around the city. In my room, I took out my journal and write some of the details that have happened for three days and then by the time I was done, the festival of norns was starting.

Heading my way out towards the festival with Stian, who seems to have fancied a new cloak, we then walk towards the festival and arrive just in time to witness the giving of the saps and have watched as the people glee and the city lord of wodfel having a smile plastered on his face as he gave the saps one by one towards the infants and kids.

At the time where it was the young man and woman's turn a horrifying scene happened when the city lord was suddenly pierced by an arrow in his arm as he then writhe in pain as blood flowed towards his golden robes. Seeing the scene, my body moved without thinking and decided to rush towards the city lord, but then was forced to back down as an arrow halt me from going towards the city lord.

Then, looking at the distance I witness a sinister looking man on the platform appear from the top of the branch of the trees as he quickly disposed of the two bulky men and fall into their knees like a bunch of puppets without strings.

At that time, my body shivered with anger and sadness as I watched helplessly due to the arrows being pointed at the people. Then, as my mind went blank, I felt the touch of someone, as that touch urged and convinced me to back down and sat back to the position I was in. Holding all my might to not act, I then grabbed at the arm of the one who held me back.

As If time has no meaning, I then watched blankly as I muttered words in my mouth. Though it seems the person I am holding to seems to tell me about how not act rashly. Hearing those words I decided to calm myself down in order to bring my mind into peace.

Later on, the bandit leader seems to be arguing with a thin man as they then turn violent as the awful man sliced the thin man's arm as the thin man shouted curses towards the leader of the bandit. Having enough of the thin man's nonsense, the bandit leader snapped and decapitated the man without mercy.

My mind went blank again and my body shaken as I feel the wanting to kill the man in front of me. Though extending a hand of the city lord is the priority, I also need to exact justice on the man who killed the two bulky men in cold blood.

Soon after, everyone in the location felt the rise of blood thirsty aura, I then watched the scene unfold as the bandits and guards clashed together in patience, waiting for the right time to run towards the city lord in order to extend a hand towards him.

Before long an opportunity open up as my body moved again without thinking I dashed with a resolute to save the city lord and the people here no matter what it takes. Dashing with all my might, I sensed an incoming attack and took out my wand and painted the ground with energy and summon roots to protect me from harm.

As my mind went back in thinking of only saving, there was a shout behind my back, but I ignored the shout that seems to be not the ones calling for help and arrived at the side of the city lord and used all my blessings power to closed the arrow wound and heal the city lord.

But after observing a bit, It seems that the arrow fired at the city lord seems to contain a potent poison that continually burn the flesh with its fast spreading poison. Thus, in order to let the city lord feel relief, I then cast a precise paralyzing energy towards the city lord's body in order to act as a pain reliever and to continuously heal the poison till its gone.

Noticing my lips move as if there inside my mind that helps me speak as I focus all my might in order to heal the city lord. Suddenly the captain in front of me who seems to be named Gaius then suggested something as I without thinking decided to ask the man named Stian, who possesses the wanderer's hand to help while acting pitifully in order to convince him.

As a result, the man named Stian agreed as I then relied on my mouth to reply to the conversation as I cast a shield of roots in order to cover Stian's escaped. Then wit ha dash he then disappeared quickly like a wind as he headed to call for reinforcements.

Seeing him go, I then focused all my strength and spread vines among the heavy guards that encircled the city lord as I ultimately use my other hand to control the spell that allows to make use of the roots of nature to attack and defend.

Thereafter, the scene goes on as I continued repelling all the enemies that tired to attack the city lord. Captain Gaius who was the guard captain then decided to face off against the awful man and exchanged strikes and blows.

Heal, cure, defend and gouge the enemies on the sky was the process that my mind continued to relay as I blankly focus on those commands like a puppet. By that time that I had almost cure all the poison inside the city lord.

Loud sounds of footsteps approached as they come. Then with a sound akin to a thunder resounded in the area as the loud noise disrupt my focus and made me look towards the man named Stian who seems to have been successful on the task that given to him.

Being teary that the chance of saving these people and city lord has grown further, I thank Stian and henceforth leave my back in the hands of Stian as I tried gouging the enemies while he uses his strange gun to keep the enemy in bay.

At the distance where captain named Gaius and the awful man was fighting, clashes of movements and blessings collides as they bring out their power in order to succeed. But at the same time, the awful man then appeared to have replicated himself as it rushes towards me.

Due to my negligence I cursed inwardly as one of the heavy guards collapse as the arrow penetrated his neck as at the same time Stian, where firing his weapon towards the enemy, I then used that chance to penetrate them with my speared roots and bring them down.

As I look back, a arrow headed towards the city lord and have rushed into the city lord to shield him. But before it can hit, a shield blocked and knocked it away and it got followed by a sword who stumbled a bandit who I then launch my spear root at to gouge him away.

Then looking at the awful man's replica come at me, I readied myself to take the blow when suddenly I saw Stian grabbed a rider who was coming for me as he slammed the rider down to the ground violently as he then faced off the bandit leader's replica and tried sheathing his weapon but was penetrated in the chest as he then struggled and kick the replica's throat as blood splattered towards me and at the same time Stian knelled in the ground as he clutch his chest in pain as he writhe in the ground.

******

Upon that scene, my body felt shiver as the blood of the man known as Stian landed on my outstretch hands. Seeing him writhe in pain, my body didn't move a bit as if shocked on what happen.

''Saved? Did I just got saved?'' as I muttered in shock due to the actions done by the man named Stian.

At that instant, I felt my whole thought process crumble.....as I tried going after him when suddenly the wyverns in the sky attacked and didn't allow me to leave the city lord alone.

Regret and feelings unknown to me have blossomed due to the shocked of being saved... After all the woman known as Ava Wondergovel has never been saved and usually the one doing the saving.

She roared desperately as she tried gouging the enemies in the skies in order to get close towards the man named Stian and save him....

But before long...something happen. The mark in his body turn black as if his whole body was being covered in thick black smoke as it completely overshadows his body then changed and became akin to a reaper as he suddenly disappeared and fired his weapon at an enemy so fast that the bandits who were fighting were instantly killed by the weapon.

Seeing the scene, the rider's in front of Ava turn their backs towards the shadowed Stian as they tried attack when suddenly like a smoke, Stian disappeared and easily finished off the riders in front of him.

The display of power and mobility were overwhelming that the bandits who have seen the way their comrades was riddled with holes then decided to run away as if afraid of the shadowed man who have seems to turn into a reaper that is after their souls.

Yet, suddenly....the shadowed Stian stopped completely... Like a statue he stand there in silence as if he was experiencing an epiphany and turn his sights towards me.

With a sound of wind being ripped apart, the shadowed Stian arrived in my back as he strangled the bandit who I didn't notice and straight up made the bandit unconscious.

All at once before I can even try to speak, the bandits who seems to be after the city lord decided to attack in unison.

Stian spoked....he suggested on something that I have missed and agonized for a bit for thinking blankly about the situation...

With a a paint of energy I rise shield roots in front of us as Stian used his ability to turn me and the city lord invisible. Then with by opening the shield roots parts, we then sneaked towards the pathway down and was about to stay when Stian urged me about the reinforcements and convinced me strongly to follow him.

Arriving at the base of the tree, I then tried approaching Stian ,but stopped when I saw Stian who have party casted off the shadows in his body as he look daze.....Backing off, I approach the city lord as I completely cured the poison inside the city lord.

After healing the city lord, Stian called out to me to ask for healing as I grimly healed the wounds on his body effectively with all my might as I also rid the poisons that inflicted within him.

Unable to find any words to say, I turn my back away from Stian and decided to wait for things to go down as the valkyries have finally arrive to solve the incident.

******

After the incident washed down because of the Valkyries chasing away the bandits, I then took the time to go back towards the top of Wodfel tree to heal all the injured guards and received their wholehearted praise. Next, I return back into the Vicar Inn and write the details on my journal like I always do.

Eventually, my thoughts boggled down on one particular subject. That was Stian, soon after I got back at the base he already have return towards the Inn and seems to have locked himself inside his room. At that time, I never got to talk to him about the events, so I decided to to check upon him.

Upon nearing his room, I heard the sound of wailing and crying. As if something broke inside the man named Stian. Without being able to step any further, I walk back towards my room in order to think about what I did..

During that time in the tree, weren't I so focus on saving that I relied and ignore all the warnings and rushed forward recklessly?

Didn't also because of me that Stian was stabbed in chest for saving me?

Even though I promised myself to not be weak anymore, I even let him do something like that. What kind of use am I if I can't even help those all who tried on saving me?

Also what am I suppose to do? During the trip here with him, there were not talks about anything and was just him asking for information. And like the empty husk I am, I answered diligently because It might help him. Even with all the talks aren't I too puppet like too him?

So what right do I have to go in there now and comfort him? Not even once I thought that I possess a silver tongue.

There is no way I can find any comforting words

After all my only reason to be here is to extend a hand towards those who need it.

As long as everyone is safe and alive then isn't that an ideal conclusion?

So as long as he lives, It doesn't matter if he hates me for involving him to my own farces.

That's right... my job here is done. I need to hurry towards the Magistrate Forest and extend my hand towards them...

Taking all my belongings and packing them up towards my companion named Rose. I woke up early and decided to head towards Highgate in order to confirmed the news on whats happening towards the Magistrate Forest.

Soon after, I look behind my back and turn my thoughts away without saying anything towards Mr Stian. After all on what he experienced I should keep my self away from him.

Walking on the roads along with Rose, I reminisce my master who have taught me in the ways of being a healer. She once said that it doesn't matter if people hated you for helping them even though they refused it. After all if no tries to extend them a hand because of that stubbornness then who will?

Being hated because of it

Being given looks because of it

Being seen as a freak because of it

It doesn't matter as long everyone is safe.

Before long, a voice called out to me

"Already leaving?"

As I look back I saw the figure of the man who I refused to see because of guilt.......guilt? Why?

'Yes, it seems that you have found us...'' I answered meekly .

''I see, well I am here to give you guys a farewell.''

As he said frankly, of course. What did I expect?

That reminds me this kind of event seems to be fairly something I am used to now...

''I am sorry for dragging you in this mess, Though I did planned on saying my goodbye's but since you were ...crying in your room that I didn't dare.'' as I apologized.

Expecting nothing I said and apologized, yet...

''You heard me huh, hahahaha''

Why are you laughing? Did I said something to jest him?

''Mr Stian, due to my selfishness, I have involved you into a horrible incident. That's why I wont involve you any longer in my farces''

I said frankly.

Looking at him I saw an annoyed face. That's right, that should be the face your making towards me.

''Don't worry about it, though I am now suffering my own demons because of what I did, but since you are safe then it's alright, please don't blame it all on yourself. It's partially my own fault for agreeing with you in the first place. So please, let us forget about this incident and move on now.'' I said in a slightly motivating tone.

''But since you are safe then it's alright, please don't blame it all on yourself. ''

I see, it seems I really don't know enough about this man.

At that moment I called out to him weakly....But yet he rebuke me by using ''Mr'' and how he jest about my nickname..

I dont really understand but when asked a question...I answered.

And then the thoughts of the magistrate forest entered my mind.

I need to go now.

So I said my goodbye.

But yet...

'' ''Oh come now, were friends right? Don't say it like that, ''See you later!'' would do just fine ''

He didn't , what a peculiar man indeed. See you later huh....

Despite all the goodbyes,I never heard of a remark like that.....

I see....

I worried too much, So I jested back towards the man named Stian. I then said my farewells in hope that the next time we meet such incident wouldn't happen and the time we would meet I'll be more worthy to be called a friend.....an empty husk like me who has no desires other than saving..

Inside my mask, my lips turned as I look forward to the future..where we would meet again..