《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
- In Serial46 Chapters
Land of Nowhere
Access Discord Here Lucian Lane, a simple, hardworking man from the southern states, may be the final barrier separating humanity from the terrifying truths that lie beyond its reach. He must acquire power, survive terrifying trials, and build an empire to prevail in the perverse Tournament of Nowhere. Lucian's potential victory is all that stands between the horrors of the Galaxy and those that he holds dear... [Welcome, Host, to the Land of Nowhere]
8 184 - In Serial7 Chapters
The Hunter Prince
The kingdom has been overthrown. Dire beasts roam the land in greater numbers than ever before. A boy who doesn't remember his past and a young woman looking to escape her own join forces with a band of Dire Hunters seeking to build a better future. Together they investigate the source of the beasts ravaging the countryside and wreaking havoc across the kingdom. What they discover will change the face of the empire. Whether its for the better is yet to be seen.
8 167 - In Serial12 Chapters
Sacrifices
Two hundred years ago, Humanity nearly wiped itself out in an apocalyptic civil war. When all was said and done, when the worlds stopped burning and the screams of the dying were finally quieted, The Terran Union staggered out of the ashes to ensure that such a conflict never took place again. Severe restrictions upon artificial inteligince, weapons, and naval production were imposed, technologies were purposefully lost, all traces were eradicated and monuments to the fallen errected. Now however, a new threat has arisen. Outnumbered and outgunned humanity faces a terrible choice, what sacrifices are they willing to make to win, and will it be enough? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Taking place through the "eyes" as it were of dozens of charachters, bear witness to the unfolding war from both sides of the trench as politicians, soldiers, and AI engauge in a no holds bar struggle for survival and political supremacy which plays out over the galactic stage.
8 122 - In Serial8 Chapters
The Knight's New Day
Succumbing to his final battle, a knight thinks that his death is the end of his story.... until he is given a chance to live again, to earn a place in paradise.
8 199 - In Serial42 Chapters
The Lone Prospect
New rules. New girl. New home. Ex-military and werewolf, Gideon Vonrothe is looking for a place to belong. His first and last hope for a pack to call his own is the Heaven’s Heathen’s Motorcycle Club. Being the new prospect isn’t going to be easy. Rebels with a cause, the members of the Heaven’s Heathens motorcycle club regularly risk life and limb to rescue those in need, all to protect their greatest secret, that they’re all werewolves. Now a new member has petitioned to join the pack… The Heaven’s Heathens are supposed to be a big bad motorcycle club, a brethren of tough as nails hard asses. Formed out of necessity after the Cascading War, the Heaven’s Heathens have the reputation of being the toughest sons of bitches in Colorado. Their membership filled with those that have little use for society’s rules and pay lip service to laws outside their own. Insular and hierarchal, a new member can throw off the entire group. And they’re Gideon VonRothe’s last hope for a life that feels familiar or else he’s resigned to go back to the family farm. He doesn’t know anything about the Heathens, or motorcycle clubs. He doesn’t even own a motorcycle. An outsider, ex-military and unsuspecting sucker, Gideon is the latest victim of the Club’s brotherhood appeal. Vice President Savannah Barker knows better. The Club is a bunch of party loving, thrill seeking adrenaline junkies with a nose for mischief. Their idea of playing hard is a good brawl and involves the words trigger happy lunatics. Her Grandfather, Brand, President of the Club is the worst of the lot. It’s the officers’ jobs to keep the rest of the world from find out that they’re more than a group that loves motorcycles and explosions. They’re werewolves. The Club is the pack and the pack is a family with siblings that squabble. Their outlet is Heaven Has Mercy, private security for hire. No wars. No assassinations. Before the new prospect can change the rankings, Brand sends the ignorant Gideon on a rescue mission under the supervision of Savannah and her team. Soon the bets are flying on if Gideon has what it takes and how long this lone prospect is going to last. The routine snag and drag turns complicated when it turns out the client lied, and an attack on their home turf makes some believe that the new Prospect is involved. The Heathen’s have a responsibility to the man they rescued and their reputation is on the line. Is this a new beginning or the beginning of the end for the Heaven’s Heathens?
8 177 - In Serial11 Chapters
Stop While You're Still Beautiful
Magic is real ok? Too bad all the witches, wizards, and magic creatures are in the shadows now after the war. Humanity prevailed, you should be happy. But that's not the case for Colin who is trying to put his life back together while recovering from a rare autoimmune disorder, Guillian-Barre Syndrome. That's about to change though as he is pulled into the wacky world of magic by a young powerful witch who's tired of hiding. The only problem is nobody really likes witches in this day and age, the only ones that are left are hunted down and eliminated by the heroic Spectral Investigators. Clad in armor and heaps of gadgets, these guys are not who you want to pick a fight with. Well, now Colin's in the middle of it all as he tries to grapple with his condition and his new found "friend".
8 210