“How's the Paragrim Stone?” Ceden kept his eyes to the dark shadows of the forest.

Walton replied, “It was still charged.”

“Damn these land creatures… Brace yourselves.” Ceden hardened his gaze.

The breaking of branches continued to echo, the Torhos stopped their stomps but the ground still felt a slight tremor. A murky red silhouette revealed the hulking bipedal creature had a slightly hunched back but still stood to nearly the height of the wagon canopy. As it was shown to the light, its large bloodshot eyes darted around the group, its mouth slowly gapping revealing huge sharp teeth - salivating at its prey.

The whole party stood speechless for a moment.

“Red troll… RED TROLL?!” Riga took immediate aim, awaiting command.

The troll did not wait any longer, it charged with its long arms flailing about - one carrying a large club, jammed with jagged rocks.

“Lighthouse Formation!” Ceden yelled, before covering Aetheric Water around himself. Coalescing in his legs he gained speed, intercepting the charging Troll.

Riga following, awaiting the strike, Walton and Zavfae gathered their power. Walton, a spark of lightning into an orb - The First Art of Levin. Zavfae invoked greater power from her Oath greater grey specks shed from the black - an Aspect of Soot.

The heavy club swung down, but Ceden didn’t slow - as it just neared his head, he changed his flow, dodging the attack. His momentum at its peak - his shield gathered Aetheric Water into a whirlpool as it connected with the creature’s stomach. A spiral force pushed the troll back and twisted the flesh on its stomach, it bent down to maintain its stance. The Troll let out a grunt before it got back upright, the wound healed as it was never there before, and then roared with great power. The whole party was unwaved by the attempt, but the Merchant and Gideon were stunned for a few seconds.

Riga retook aim and dashed to get to the side of the creature. Firing her crossbow - three clicks sounded, the arrow - empowered by Aether - fired, just barely breaking the skin, but the Troll did not care then. She circled to get out of sight, reloaded, fired, two clicks empowered then - but it did not pierce… A continuous barrage of arrows was sent, and the rapid clicks were heard - at most five clicks and none below three pierced the skin.

The troll became annoyed - angry by the arrows, the bleeding covered his body a different shade of red, while self-regeneration pushed out the intruding arrows. But it could let the morsels have their way, though Ceden preoccupied it - it looked towards the back line. Its focus turned, and before Ceden could call, the troll swung its club to dig up the ground. The clumps of dirt and rock launched towards Walton and Zavfae, as a pile of dust was kicked up - covering the Troll’s area.

Zavfae stopped and changed her focus of channel as the wave of the attack went around her. Walton - the nature of lightning, powerful but chaotic drew much of his attention, he didn’t see it before it was too late. The blow hit him all over, the orb lost its stability - exploding and knocking the man directly into the cart behind him. Falling to the ground, burned and bloodied as he struggled to stay awake.

“Walton!” Zavfae yelled as she immediately went over, pressing her hands on his most wounded parts. A brown-black smog seeped into the body as it slowly came back - beginning to heal.

Ceden blitzed through the cloud, targeting the troll as it was enamored by its attack, he heard Zavfae’s call but didn’t lose focus. The Second Art of Locxs, Aetheric Water spiraled with his warhammer - beginning to swirl to a point, he dashed, and with his might, he impaled the knee. A burst of power dug deep - sending the blood and flesh spurting, the troll screaming and down to one knee - returning attention.

Gideon got up from the ground, looking to the battle as only a few minutes passed - stuck staring at the intensity and wonder before a looming fear came over him. He began to slowly retreat backward to take cover in one of the wagons, but he soon bumped into an obstacle. Gideon just turned his head over to see the merchant looking down at him - carrying two swords.

“You ask for passage but offer nothing. A poor deal that will get you killed.” The merchant said, his eyes were cold and unwavering to the battle just beside them.

Gideon opened his mouth but no words came out as he seemingly choked on air.

The merchant raised the hilt of one of the long swords to him, “For passage, you fight if they cannot. Seek a moment to help if need be, that is the price.”

Gideon looked in the merchant’s eyes, seeing his resolve, the half-orc was strong by birth but it had nothing more to offer here. Raising his shaking hands he took the weight of the sword and held it as his own, “Deal…”

The merchant gave a smile, and the two watched - the dust settled, dodging the scraps of the ongoing battle.

Riga continued her shots and Ceden tried to get close but was thwarted by the chaotic path of the club. A glow along the wound appeared as it nearly healed in an instant - the troll abruptly get up and the party to be even warier.

“Even its healing is aggressive,” Riga said aloud.

“Do not falter, focus on the joints, and soft spots. It will run out of power quicker than a Green one.” Ceden replied, dodging another swing by the troll - knowing his tricks it didn’t allow the dwarf to come in any closer.

Walton - nearly fully healed sat up at Zavfae protest, “I’m fine the potion will do the rest. Go- cover for them.”

Zavfae took out a small vial from her robe and fed him the subtle red liquid, leaving him to rest against the cart.

The troll did not notice, preoccupied - a bitter emotion welled up from her. We will not have another ern to scatter.

The Oath came alive, her beads hummed with Divine, as she concentrated with all she had to gather the power - coalescing into a large stake. At its peak, she released and let it hurdle - impale the troll’s free arm. Screaming, the stack lost its size but so did the creature’s arm lose color and mass. Ripping the rest of the energy, it bit into its flesh, spitting it to the ground as the lingering energy turned it to dust.

Pain - the feeling of death, the troll felt the threat - looking towards the exhausted Zavfae. A glow spread to its entire arm, veins bulged from the body as the color came back and the flesh regrew. It swung its club chaotically every which way - debris and gusts carried through.

Riga came closer despite the rampage - aiming at the lost creature, she exhaled her breath and locked to the creature’s eye. Five clicks, a shot fired, and pierced through one eye - it roared in fury, pulling out the arrow, regeneration was slow if at all noticeable.

The haggard one could wait, another eye lost and it would have nothing left to gain. Digging the ground - clumps of dirt and stone attacked, as a greater field of dust rose. Riga couldn’t dodge - The Sixth Art of Wind - Aetheric Fire and Water gave to Air, creating a draft that carried the debris away.

But it left her strained, as she couldn’t handle the sudden - multiple flows of Aether. Just was not expecting it next, from the cloud of dust the troll figure charged. Sweeping its club across - there wasn’t enough time, she gathered an Aetheric Air barrier to the side before contact.

For a moment she was sent flying, her weapon lost, her arm broken before tumbling to the ground in resounding pain.

“Riga!” Ceden yelled, dashing in again when the troll continued its path.

The troll heard, knowing the man was coming it swung over and down to the dwarf. Lost in panic and with no time to change, Ceden raised his shield and bolstered his greatest whirlpool. Taking the force head-on - the whirlpool nearly exploded, his body shuddered - giving a loud grunt as the ground faltered slightly.

A malefic smile rose on the troll's face as it used its other hand for more power. As almost everything went still, a click - seven heard.

The arrow shot straight - brimming with power and whistling to the target, taking its other eye and seeping just so to its brain. Its vision went black, half of its body would not respond as it lost its grip on its club.

Ceden took his chance and hit the knee like before, sending it completely to the ground.

“Get out the way!” Walton shouted as he raised his hands. A string of lightning collected, and a massive strike of lightning shot, the flow in place, again, again… Lightning did not stop, Zavfae sent clusters of small skewers to its head - preventing it from waking.

Only when Walton was nearly out of power, did he cease - the troll was dead, its body charred to the darkest red next to black.

The battle was done, the haggard four gathered by the smoke - seeing the arrow still in the troll’s eye.

“Great shot Riga,” Walton said with a beaming smile.

“I wasn’t the one who shot it,” Riga said detected, as she was healed by Zavfae.

“Then…?” Walton looked around getting nothing out of any of them when the merchant came by.

“If you're not too busy with your victory, the child looks as though he is about to die. He’s

in the first cart.” He said before they all stopped and rushed to where Gideon was.

Crates have been moved to give space as they saw him with blood all over his garb, spewing out from nearly every orifice of his face and eyes. Veins bulging, the color of his skin fading as his body shook.

Zavfae immediately began healing with all her power.

“What’s happening?” Walton looked on, perplexed, worried.

Zavfae, “He was drained of all his Aether, and more- much more. His body couldn’t process the demand from the crossbow.”

“Aetheric Potions? Health Potions?” Riga said with a burden.

“Give him a Health one, not Aetheric. It will do more harm than good right now.”

Ceden fed Gideon a Health Potion, his complexion got better as his skin returned to color. But trouble happened just soon after, the body started to convulse - the others in a panic had to hold him down.

“What is happening now?!” Walton said again.

“I don’t know…” Zavfae said in worry, continuing to pour more power into her healing. “Don’t give him anything else.”

Only after half an hour did he stop, the color retained, the blood stopped, and spasms ceased. Zavfae immediately collapsed, as the others laid them to rest in the other cart as they gathered the parts of the troll.

Until daylight passed, Zavfae awoke to feel just a little tired and resolved to wait for the child to awaken. They didn’t make camp that night, as the Torhos continued but slowed their speed.

***

A memory within a dream; Gideon’s heart dropped when Riga was hit, her crossbow and arrow sent towards the caravan. The creature knew no mercy, he saw the panic in Ceden’s eyes as he went in force.

He didn’t think more as he dropped his sword and rushed to pick up the weapon and arrow. A loud strike filled the air, he was frightened - a jolt came up his spine, but he felt he had to do something. The string was ready, he reloaded as he saw Riga, aiming as she did - and then the trigger.

The clicks echoed through a searing pain that flooded him in an instant - reality twisted as he heard distant screams and a bundle of emotions.

***

His eyes darted awake, breathing heavily as he began to lose the dream but the emotions lingered on.

“Awake now?” Zavfae was sitting next to him - gazing behind the open flap. It was very late at night - guarding the rear.

“What… happened?” Slowly getting up he felt hot pain all over.

Zavfae relieved Gideon of some burden with her power, “It was a fine shot. But nearly killed you in the process.”

“It hurt. A lot.” Gideon felt the pain being washed away.

“I’m sure it did.”

Gideon noticed the dark sky, “Are we not making camp?”

Zavfae shook her head, “Encountering a Red Troll, here, and with a Paragrim stone- it is a bad sign for us. We must get to Fretic as soon as possible.”

“I don’t get it.” Gideon looked confused.

“A Paragrim stone acts as a ward that fends off most creatures depending on the rank. It annoys their senses and makes them want to leave the area. Our employer has one at High-Obsidian Rank, the Red Troll is a Low-Obsidian Rank threat.”

“But couldn't it just be really hungry or angry by the thing?”

Zavfea shook her head once more, “It isn’t so simple- The more mindless a creature, the more effective it is. And a Troll, especially a Red one, should have been more affected by the stone, but it wasn't… It attacked… our safety is at jeopardy if we come across something from even a higher sub-rank.”

The conversion only continued a while longer, when Zavfae ended it with a warning about the Health Potion - telling him of what happened to him after the battle.

Though he might have just woken up, he still felt tired and went to rest late that night.

***

There was no dream, a second of darkness before he felt someone shake him gently. He opened his eyes to see Riga.

“It's time. We made it past the gate.” Riga said with a little smirk as she went out.

Gideon rubbed his eyes seeing himself tucked away behind a stack of crates and under sheets. Coming out of the wagon he saw that he was in a private storage building, the Torhos were off to the side sleeping as the group was talking in front.

“There’s the kid.” Walton sounded as Gideon came over, extending an open palm. Gideon thought for a handshake before Walton lightly swatted it away. “Pay up.”

“Huh?” Gideon confused, Walton having a hug grin - the others shook their heads.

“That Health Potion isn't cheap, especially Fair —” Riga hit him over the head “OW! I was joking!”

“Work on your jokes,” Riga replied.

A back and forth began, Ceden and Zavfae were disappointed by their comparison as they brought Gideon to a quieter spot.

Ceden, “Thank you. Things might have been different if not for that arrow.”

“It was the only thing I could do.” Gideon said shyly, “You guys were my only hope… so you know…”

“I understand. We do.” Ceden, with a smile, said. None more could be offered from a stowaway.”

Gideon returned the smile as they shook each other's hand, feeling just a fraction of the dwarf's strength quite drastic to his own.

Ceden continued, “As well. Our employer wanted to convey the message. ‘The deal is done.’”

Gideon was surprised by the relayed gesture.

“The employer covered for you- perhaps as a reward for your contribution, but if guards were to find a corroborating Merchant passing a stowaway many repercussions would be done,” Zavfae said.

“I guess it's lucky I did my part.” Finding more confidence in himself.

“Best if you continue to find that luck. We wish you well.” Zavfae said Ceden agreed.

Gideon said a final goodbye to Walton and Riga, as he followed Ceden to a back way to the building. Checking his belongings to be in order, the dwarf handed him three pieces of silver.

“Something for your help, we cannot offer more,” Ceden said with an unwavering face.

“I didn’t think of anything, this is more than enough,” Gideon said with a smile, gaining one in return.

There he went to the back door of the building into a dark alley. Looming buildings gave little space to the slope of patched stone, he looked to his sides before his choice to ascend.

***

Buildings of stone and wood made the paths - aged and crooked, their heavy doors shut and bore few windows. Alleys twisted and turned to empty streets, dead ends plenty, as were stairs leading - descending every which way.

Out of breath, the sun reached noon, before hearing the sounds of a crowd.

Gideon turned the final corner to be awestruck by the mass amount of people - though many were covered by hoods and capes. Humans littered the streets, Gnomes, few Half-orcs, barely any Dwarves, like others he wouldn't know - Hobgoblins, were few, and Goblins, a plenty.

Half of those he saw carried weapons, and armor. The rest, those who wore grab as those at Fesr mingled through.

The world felt bigger, but hesitation - an uneasiness filled his emotions... Nothing’s going to happen unless I make it happen. Find something! Do something!

“Excuse me? Could you point me to…” He went out, trying to talk to someone that went by - for only a glance, he was ignored.

He felt a little disparaged. It's just talking. It's just talking…

He went up to another, “Hello?”

The figure brushed him aside with a slow, but heavyweight - marching onward.

The heart of this city began to show, one after another he darted and went along the street. Trying to speak, asking anything he could in the small bit of time… there was nothing - minding their way or having themselves within a group.

Nothing gained after moving for an hour, his stomach ached - a faint smell awakened himself, but surged his hunger.

Seeing the crowd slowly becoming thinner, he went his way towards the smell. To his dismay and poor luck he only found dead ends and a lost smell over again. Only after rummaging through just about every path did he find himself near the edge of the Fifth Quarter, and the Food Court settled there.

Wow… Gideon walked along with the court - his gaze circling.

Open stalls and restaurants, cooking for their guests as long lines began to form. A Bakery, Spices, Herbs, and Butcher shops were near - many coming to and thro as they purchased their goods.

Gideon looked at the signs that hung on some of the stalls, Sixteen copper for a meal?!

“Varmets! Let me go! Let, Me, GO! I did nothing to the Keler name!” Distant shouts overpowered the chatter, with the faint sound of metal trailing the voice.

The crowd parted down the middle of the street, creating a spectacle, as two armed guards - clad in heavy grey and moss green, bore an insignia of a split rock on their shoulders and over their hearts. Dragging the defiant human man, bleeding and bruised, wearing little but old tattered robe. The man tried to wriggle his way out, shouting at them as he could but their hands clamped on his arms.

The noises completely faded soon after - before the crowd went about their way like it never happened. His mind was stuck on the scene, the crowd quickly moved around him - not a hint of notable care. As before long, he realized he knew nothing and there was just as much he could have done.

After searching for a while for a suitable meal, he bought two skewers of meat and vegetables for nine copper. Further along, a set of arranged tables were set but there was nothing open - save for a single chair that had a feast fit for five. The half-plated armored man had a large frame, a sword to his side, a mix of blue-grey skin, and a topknot of dark hair - a Hobgoblin. When he sat down, the man showed surprise before scrunching his hard face in displeasure, but Gideon didn’t care - tired, the guards, the people, his next steps…

The plague of thoughts ignored everything else, looking out into the crowd - he didn’t see the man coming up behind him.

Gideon felt the airlift from his hair, and a slight snort came from behind that took him out of focus and nearly out of his chair.

The Hobgoblin was curious, his large flat nose contorted to the smells - the air was not of sewage or old wood but grass and dirt. He returned to his seat, continuing to eat, but seeing the expression of Gideon’s bewilderment he scoffed a bit.

“A wander? Sly enough to get into this city, but so weak as to be felled by a single Wulu Scout.” The Hobgoblin said with hesitation.

Gideon showed surprise, but in a blink returned as he was before. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He stopped and a knowing look, “Not from me will you get away with that load of shit.”

Gideon was getting up to move, the cold-sharp gaze of the man-made him shutter.

“Relax Greenhorn. Not like I’d care what you do, just don’t take my food.”

Gideon slowly returned to his seat, taking a bite of his skewer. “Who are you?”

“Norvc, Adventurer.”

“...Gideon…” He didn’t have anything as he fumbled about thinking about something more.

“What are you doing?” Chewing his food, he looked at the bumbling kid.

“Can I be your apprentice?”

Norvc started to choke, as he got his canteen out to drink and clear his throat - he laughed, hard. Some looked at him with a hint of worry, others just took a glance, but Gideon felt it was exaggerated - showing a flat face. When Norvc did calm down he went back to his food, it wasn’t until he gave a brief look at the deadpan kid that he felt bewildered.

“You serious?” Norvc replied with his mouth slightly agape and a momentary pause in his meal.

“It's worth a try, so why not?”

“How much do you know about this city?”

Gideon shrugged, “All I know is its name…”

Norvc shook his head as he took a bite of his food, “You’re a walking dead man.”

Startled, “What- What do you mean by that?”

“This is not a place for leisure, this is a way stop for Adventures. Do you not understand what that means? Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of those stronger- battling out in the wilds and in the city… because there are great chances here. But people like you,” Pointing and waving his utiles at Gideon. “Shouldn’t be here, they are just counting the days.”

“This was the only option I had,” Gideon replied displeased.

“Then what more do you want?” returning to eat.

“I want to be an Adventurer.”

Norvc was unsure, “Why? What is your point? Do you even have one?”

“Before I came I met a group of Adventurers… they weren’t anything like I thought… I thought they were like the stories,” stories that had passed by the word of common people. “But they weren’t like that, they were just escorts.”

Norvc nodded, “That's the way for most to travel.”

“Yeah, but they hit a snag- a great creature blocked their path. I was helpless, scared for a while as they stood up to something that wanted them gone. I want to be like that… I stand for myself, and see if I can live through some of my wonders.”

“You talk big,” Norvc responded as Gideon smiled sheepishly. “That isn’t a compliment. You're going to get yourself killed.”

“You said I was dead before even that.” Gideon countered, feeling unfairly rebuked.

“It's just a quicker road to death.”

“What am I supposed to do? Will you make me an apprentice or not?”

“No, I have my worries. And no one’s going to take you for the same reason, there are consequences and loss for one taking that road. Not only by the Guild but also to yourself, do you think those even willing, can handle being the cause of someone else's death? In this city?”

Gideon did not reply as he dropped his head down to a memory, “...no…”

“There you have it, make it till you can be on your own or find something else other than an Adventurer.”

“Is there anything else left?” Gideon felt a blow to his dreams as he looked back at Norvc.

Seeing the kid had nothing but a shallow hope and uneasiness brewed within himself. That giving something, but silence would do for a kid that wasn’t bothered to share a table with a Hobgoblin… “In Quarter 4, there is an inn - Irron’s Inn, a bit high in price but the area is safe and honest enough. You could find something, but at least you would be able to sleep at night...”

Throughout his meal, Norvc gave Gideon more than most - an introduction to Fretic City.

Separated into nine Quarters - three high and six low, the Quarters made up the sights of Fretic City. The three high - isolated by interior walls, made up the high class - those of nobility, wealthy, powerful, and the guards of the Houses and city. None that he knew went there, and the only thing to gain would only be retained by those who had a lot of Coin and Power. Surrounding the inter, the six others worked as their own, where one starts and another would end - exists a long road that would reach the heavy walls surrounding the city.

Norcv pointed to just over a building to see the top layer of the walls breaching over, telling where they were - the Fifth Quarter, the Fourth, and Sixth were next to this Quarter.

The Fifth; housed its wealthier commoners, and most of the independent merchants, The Fourth; was the dominion of the Adventurers Guild and Mercantile House, The Sixth; another housing Quarter but is also associated with the Makers and most of the independent craftsmen.

When Norvc finished his meal he left two warnings. The Sixth and Eighth Quarter were more daring places - finding many willing to go against Adventures, Guards, and the hidden armaments. The ninth Quarter… the slums, if at all else he was to find himself here - don’t stay in one place for more than a breath. As the low Quarters might be hard or a weary place to move - but there - it can be a ghastly sight.

The man left, Gideon finished his meal long before he looked out to the setting sun. People were moving, shops were closing - the knowledge stewed in his head, as he went through it over again.

Wait… where is… Irrion’s Inn anyway? Which way is Quarter Four? He shifted his head around seeing, for anyone - remembering… the small-time before Norvc.

Somewhere to go, but no direction - he picked his way through the streets as the sun set - the moons rose. When he saw the great wall becoming bigger he didn’t believe that he was getting any closer.

I’m lost… Relenting to much of the same sights, though the builds appeared to be more worn than before.

A noise of pitter-patter and creaking wood came from behind, Gideon whipped his head - there was nothing there, but it was close. On the other side of the street slowly came around to see the alley, in the dark nothing should have shown - red eyes swarmed around the area, along the ground, up on the walls.

He inhaled deeply - almost in response, the eyes turned, the things in the dark stopped and stared at him. Neither moved for a moment, then Gideon took a step out of sight - they moved. Immediately they all went, coming into the moonlight - bugs coming to his ankles and larger than his forearm. Their carapace was smooth and segmented - a shimmer in the light, tail showed with two sharp spikes on the end.

Gideon gave everything to his first step, as the bugs pursued - their many legs scurried across the stone. In a full sprint, he looked back - they were catching up before he saw the leaders stop momentarily and open their mandibles - revealing their serrated teeth, a high-pitched noise rang in his ears. Gideon stumbled, nearly falling to the group by their collective attack - the followers went around and continued. His vision was becoming blurry - the looming fear of pitter-patter and pulse in his head gave another rush. Bearing his head to the ground, hands over his ears he ran without care.

Stone, Stone, Run, Run, Stone… Pushing himself at every turn, he hit the side of a few buildings - nearly knocking him on his butt as he kept pace into the night…

The noises were lost and as was he, not knowing the bugs gave up their pursuit a while ago. Tired, his vision still not quite right, he looked to the red on his hands - blood leaked from his ears.

Hugging the walls down isolated steps he looked to see a distant light - torches at the bottom of the way.

The sound of deafened footsteps echoed in his ears - he turned to return but the same sight was descending.

Until they were just a couple of meters away, six in total, and under heavy cloaks, Gideon couldn’t tell anything but their height - half tall, half small.

“Leave — ev— you — hav—...” A one down spoke and stepped forward, but halted, raising his torch towards Gideon more. “Blo—... — bu-s?!”

The man was a bit spooked as he saw the others flinch slightly as they looked around.

“Lea— hi—. Sacri—. Perfe— cover fo— ourselves.” His hearing slowly returned, along with the sound of quick feet.

Turning just in time to see, a small figure with greenish hands and unkempt nails slamming his head with a small club. Knocking him out and sending the body tumbling down a few steps, leaving to take all the coin the boy had from his sack.

The others were stunned, nearly speaking up to ridicule his action, as their livelihood was in danger of unforeseen strength - hidden in the city of Adventurers.

Quickly they gathered the loose body, not bothering to carry it far - the risk of being caught by the Night Guard, Adventurers, or the Wulu. Seeing the signs of those bugs, they took him just a few streets away, to a tight, barren, dead-end alley, where they dropped off the prey.

When the scent of blood was in the air, the Wulu would hound their kill. Paralyzing their victims, pick their flesh and bone clean - leaving nothing behind. It was this hope that the crew left with a spring in their step over tonight’s few but hefty collections, and the deeds they left behind to only raise their infamy.

In the dead of night, distant screams and sounds of battle did not wake the broken boy. Bleeding from his wounds he would remember the world as it was, as he was - merciless, naive. A lesson learned, another chance given - a life of bleak survival and hope to see the next day sunrise.