《Map to Hope》Chapter 1:The Dream
Advertisement
Rain poured mercilessly. Using my sword like a cane to support my weight, I found a cave not far from my position. Once steadied, I summoned all my strength to trod through the forest. Mud accumulated on my boots, dragging down my movements. As I entered the cave, all my strength left me and I fell. I pulled myself to an upright position and held my wound. Blood kept on gushing out.
Am I going to die?
When did I start to fear death? This question struck irony when I thought about it. How many people have I killed with my sword? Did they all feel the same way? The rain continued to pour as I hid in a cave nearby, awaiting the inevitable. My consciousness drifted, as if this was all just a dream and memories of my life started to play itself out like an old recording. My thoughts were only filled with her sharp smile and fierce, red eyes.
When did I fall so deep?
I wondered. As if possessed, I reached my hand out to hold something seemingly far away.
[Edmond]: Lucia…
I still had so many things to say. Regret lingered inside my soul. All I prayed for was to see her one more time, but was that too much to ask for? As my hand fell, I drifted out of consciousness.
* * * * *
[Alex]: YOUR MAJESTY, WAKE UP!!!!
I heard Alex screaming.
[Edmond]: I am awake. Stop screaming already.
I answered while I glared at him. He always stood behind me like a shadow.
[Edmond]: What is it?
I asked.
[Alex]: Your Majesty, it’s already afternoon. The sun will set soon. Please rest.
He answered while bowing his head. I sighed and turned my attention to the pile of papers in front of me. Perhaps, I can finish them tomorrow.
Almost 5 months have passed since I returned to the capital, yet all I did was process paperwork and reports concerning the last war. Mauritius was the largest empire in the continent, and the great city of Kohl was its capital. It was previously a small country. However, through conquest, it quickly engulfed the surrounding small countries and the cluster later united into an Empire. I was sent to the northern borders to wage war against the barbarians. I was only 18 years old, with no experience in wielding a sword or taking a life. They expected me to die in war, but I quickly learned and sharpened my skills in fighting thanks to Hawkeye.
Advertisement
* * * * *
It was 3 years ago, just before the beginning of winter. The soldiers were fortifying the camp to brace themselves for the harsh changes in climate. Hawkeye called out.
[Hawkeye]: Boy, here is your shovel. Get busy.
[Edmond]: Do I look like a farmer to you?
I was annoyed, because, in the last hunt, he made me dig out all the traps as he complained about his aging back.
[Hawkeye]: I cannot believe you are still angry about that.
His face turned apologetic as he looked at me.
[Edmond]: I prefer the warmth of the campfire.
I looked around the area and saw many knights moving about.
[Edmond]: Come. They’ve got this covered.
Hawkeye inhaled and replied.
[Hawkeye]: You are the laziest person I have ever seen.
As he sat on the opposite side of the campfire.
[Edmond]: Says the man who steals wine from the nobles to drink at night.
That’s when we both laughed. Then, the mood shifted and we sobered up.
[Hawkeye]: Winter is approaching. The barbarians have an advantage over us.
I looked down on the ground, where snow slowly gathered.
[Hawkeye]: Do you have a plan?
I turned my gaze towards Hawkeye.
[Edmond]: I thought you were the brains of the camp.
He then started laughing.
[Edmond]: I have one, but it is very dangerous.
I adjusted my posture to an upright position.
[Hawkeye]: Really, you are a funny person. Every plan of yours is dangerous.
He smiled mischievously. I continued.
[Edmond]: I will take a small platoon and attack their strongest camp.
Hawkeye was shocked for a minute, then composed himself.
[Hawkeye]: You are sending them to die. You do know that, right?
I looked at the sunset, then continued.
[Edmond]: They will leave me behind and I will kill their leader. Then, I will send you a signal to attack the base.
After a brief pause, I continued.
Advertisement
[Edmond]: You will be hiding in a nearby area.
Hawkeye’s gaze fixed onto me as he asked.
[Hawkeye]: How will you accomplish that?
[Edmond]: Leave that to me. In two days, I will launch this expedition.
We stood up together.
[Hawkeye]: Aye aye, Captain.
He mockingly saluted.
[Edmond]: Don’t fall behind, Old Man.
Meanwhile, within the capital, the queen sat in the teahouse with her son.
[Cesar]: Mother, is Edmond still alive? That worthless person, whom I call my brother, will try to take my crown.
He bitterly spat out the words.
[Elena]: Do not worry, my son. Only you will become king.
She said with a smile. Then, a maid walked in.
[Maid]: Your Majesty, sorry for interrupting you. A letter arrived for you.
Atop a silver tray, an orange envelope could be seen. Reaching out, the queen picked up the envelope, pried it open, and read the letter that was inside.
[Elena]: Mhmm... Interesting.
As she smiled satisfactorily.
[Cesar]: Mother, did something happen?
He asked in curiosity.
[Elena]: It seems your brother is either stupid or suicidal.
She started laughing.
[Elena]: A mole in the northern army reported of his plan.
Cesar, who was taught the art of war and other studies, began to laugh.
[Cesar]: Who knew one could be so stupid? Maybe the north has taken his sanity.
Then, the queen suddenly turned pensive.
[Elena]: If he manages to survive, I should send someone to assassinate him.
Cesar nodded in agreement, immediately writing a letter for a henchman to deliver this command.
The next day, Mauritius’s army prepared for battle in their northern camps.
[Hawkeye]: Boy, are you ready?
Hawkeye asked as he mounted a black horse.
[Edmond]: Go ahead and find a good vantage point.
As he was about to leave, he looked down.
[Hawkeye]: Before I forget, what is the signal?
He asked.
[Edmond]: Just go. You will know when you see it.
I spanked his horse. It raced forward in reaction.
[Hawkeye]: AAHHHHH BOY, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
The screams slowly faded away, with the army following behind him. I donned my helmet and called upon the candidates.
[Edmond]: You will escort me to the base, fight for a moment, and then retreat without me.
One of the knights raised his voice.
[Guard]: I can’t let you do that, Your Highness.
I faced him.
[Edmond]: Then, leave if you won’t take part.
I then continued.
[Edmond]: Disguise it to appear as if you betrayed me. Do you understand?
They raised their fists across their chest.
[Guards]: Yes, sir.
We galloped towards the enemy base. Though we faced opposition, we handled them swiftly. Upon reaching the base, more enemies appeared. I swung my sword at the attackers, killing one of them by completely beheading him. The knights continued to fight for a bit, then retreated as planned. One of them was hesitant
but, with a sharp glance, he turned as well. The enemy quickly overpowered me and captured me. They ushered me inside a tent, where a tall, muscular figure stood.
[Leader]: So, you are the legendary Devil of the North.
Advertisement
Life of a Core
After a disembodied voice had told him he was what amounted to an exceptionally talented rock, it had been hard to not let it go to his non-existent head. Until, random chance had decided to give him a square kick in the minerals. Which had in turn forced him to fend for himself in an unknown land, all while he attempted to make sense of his place in the world. Truthfully though, all he had really wanted to do from the start had been to bury himself a hundred feet below the ground and be left to his own devices. Yet, for one reason or another, nobody ever seemed willing to leave the dungeon-building core alone long enough to actually make one. Each chapter will average around two to three thousand words, the release schedule is still a WIP but you should expect the first six chapters to be released over the next six days. This is planned out as a dungeon building fiction, but don't expect it right off the bat! The story is a depiction of the everyday adventures (alongside an overarching plot) of what I imagine a dungeon core would experience when thrust into a random environment where everything and everyone tried to covet or eat him. I also really enjoy reading the comments and reviews people leave and would love to get some reader involvement with the story itself, likely through polls at the end of each chapter. I hope you enjoy my story! (If you feel like some of the characters seem familiar, you may have read some older work I wrote a while back under a different account. If you happen to be one of my old readers and recognize the similarities, I'm happy to have you back!)
8 104Devour The Heavens
For a thousand years the heaves have been closed. Celestial tribulation lightning no longer falls upon the evil doer. Crimes are commited with no hope for justice. A world balanced on a knife's edge between the heavens and hells, teeters over the edge and threatens to fall. To save the world and make right the injustice in the world. Nero a foreign entity to the world itself commited to a campaign 300 years in the making. With his army behind him, he turned back the forces of hell to their final strong holds. The source of the world's pain lay almost within his grasp. Can he reclaim Galatea the sword that swallows the Heavens or will the world sink forever into the burning hells? Seventeen years after the heavens were closed demon plagues ran rampant. More Ian a young man and only survivor of the Red Vine plague that consumed his village is forced at gun point to climb a mountain. Up on the peaks of the Atlas Mountain range was the Atlas sect. A group of qi experts said to accept any student who can climb to the peak of a mountain and light incense sticks. With his past burning behind him and the sheer cliff in front of him, he makes the climb. The power of the heavens left on earth are waning. Powerful qi experts that once stood against the hells themselves and battle the legendary arch demons have become frail. A great power vacuum has been opened. The only question is who will fill it. Will the humans find a way to stand as equals against the demons, or will demon kind rule over humanity?
8 106The Egg Guardian
First and foremost, I must apologize as this story is currently on an indefinite hiatus. School, my main project, and writer's block have gotten in the way. I was rather unprepared when I began posting this and kind of just did it on a whim. Thus, I shall ensure I am thoroughly prepared before posting anything else, but I plan to return to this someday to conitnue it. What better retirement plan for a scumbag than to become a demon? Whether he likes it or not, that's Berrick's only choice. Heaven thinks hell is getting a little lukewarm and Berrick is just the guy to heat things up again. Follow Berrick as he works for home and hell as one of the few Egg Guardians. Author's note: Are you looking for bad writing, terrible dialogue, short chapters, and slow releases? Then you've come to the right place! This is honestly just something I'm writing for fun and figured I'd publish while I'm working on my main project, but I always appreciate constructive criticism so I can improve. Picture obtained on google.
8 158dreams
alberu has dreams where he's in a relationship with a trashy bastard who he's never even met beforeso it's a bit awkward to have to meet himshipalberu crossman x original cale henituse
8 691 am » poetry
when you still have this tiny, tiny bit of hope inside of you that they will learn how to love you again,even if there's this bigger part that knows: they never will.© sushitae-「 highest ranking: #19 in poetry 」
8 350Shooting stars Sundrop x Moondrop
🤍 fluff ❤ smutt🖤 angst💜creator note
8 181