Psychographics
Chapter 3: Of Legends and Lore
Mt. Mjolnir Settlement, 14km from Prontera Castle, 25km from the Front Lines
As the war waged on in the south gate of Prontera, things were a bit more peaceful on the northern gate. Most of the citizens have evacuated to this settlement, and remained there for about nine months after the outbreak of the war.
Soldiers scurry back and forth at the issued orders from the castle, relaying it to their immediate subordinates. Mt. Mjolnir's natural noise all but disappeared. Instead of hearing the buzzing of the swarm of Dustiness within the area, it was the buzzing of people's voices that made the place quite livable.
"What did the Midnight Messenger say, Sir?" questioned a local sentry to his General who was wearing the attire built only for Champions of the Kingdom.
"I'm surprised by your curiosity, soldier… but perhaps, I should still relay the information since it is public knowledge that the Midnight Messenger does exist." The General answered sternly. "So where shall I start? Hmm…"
The soldier quickly stiffened his body and paid with utmost attention at the signal of his General.
"You see, my faithful and eager soldier, the Midnight Messenger is named like that for a reason. It always delivers its messages instantly at Midnight, anywhere in Midgard. Heavens know how long it has been doing that job for the royalties and the commoners. Everyone who expects a message of doom is to be visited by the Midnight Messenger… and it is now considered as a simple serviceman for everyone.
"So it's benign, Sir?" inquired the soldier further.
"Apparently not. There was that time when the guards of a certain noble family vacationing in Izlude tried to attack the Midnight Messenger after it delivered the message of the death of one of their family members from the City of Aldebaran… and as it turned out, the Midnight Messenger's body was made of mist or some other material that allows things to go through it. It's really weird, I must say."
"Then no weapons can puncture it?"
"As far as our Scholars have researched there is but one kind of metal that can inflict injury on it, but that material has been lost since the time when The Divider walked Midgard's streets."
"The Divider? But that is just an urban legend right?"
"Things like that exist not because of the people's wild imagination. But because there are stories… real stories behind the myth."
"So I'll assume that it's real, Sir? But tha—"
"Believe in anything you want, soldier. But if a thing like The Divider ever appears again, I'll take it down with my own fists."
"Thank you for the conversation, Sir." The soldier bowed in courtesy.
"Please see to it that the northwest and northeast gates are heavily guarded." The General replied instantly. "Who knows? Those monkeys from Morroc might make their way around the castle. We can't allow that. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir! I'll relay the orders immediately." the soldier said, turning to leave.
Standing alone at the North Garrison, the General breathed in a dose of fresh air. It was almost the same in his training grounds in the Monk's Abbey. "Ah, I can feel the excitement of my palms… my body is burning with every second I waste in here. I'd rather be in the front lines and smacking those monkey's faces and skinning them alive. But… oh well…" he gave up with a sigh.
Another local sentry came into his location a few minutes afterward. He came bearing a message for the General. After receiving the message, his smile grew into a devilish grin. "Now THIS is what I want." He told himself. After a quick break, the General packed his equipment and headed south towards the Capital with his men.
"So the Commander Hyatt… what is it this time? A duel? Another routine? Or a promotion?" he thought as he traveled the path towards the great city. It was a good thing that Grand Pecos was abundant in the north, and was very easy to domesticate. Travel was much faster these days.
"General Kier! I can see a plume of smoke up ahead on the west gate!" the scout shouted alarmingly.
"Smoke? Could have those monkeys breached the gates? But that was impossible at the current state of the barricades…" he thought. "We'll get there immediately. Send messengers to Commander Hyatt informing our little excursion." he ordered his men.
As the reserve messengers ran towards the Castle, General Kier's units were prepared for the worst. The grin that covered the General's face was too inhuman to be described. "I smell blood. Tons of it is going to spill today." were the thoughts in his mind.
Meanwhile, atop the Church of Prontera, a misty figure sat still, as if watching the events happening below.
"Humans… are so fragile. And that's what makes them beautiful when broken."
He murmured.
Two ravens arrived in the misty figure's location, each perching on both of its shoulders. The ravens whispered something inaudible to the figure's ear, and it nodded twice in agreement. It then smiled as if fascinated, and proceeded to get something out of its pocket.
"Great job, Huginn… Muninn." He told the ravens. "You have done well.. eat something for now."
After a short pause, the misty figure atop the Church of Prontera disappeared.
Prontera East Gate, 1.8km from Prontera Castle, 2.3km from Sograt Border
"Please present your passes." ordered the sentry calmly to the incoming commoners from this side of the gates. The security was tight, as expected. The southeast hills have been blockaded with multiple checkpoints to minimize the possibility of a spy coming in. Everyone had verification passes that was only available to the citizens of Prontera. The previous leader of the Desert Party knew this, as well as his other comrades who left earlier on his final orders.
"I just hope that they'll make it inside on the west gate…" he thought to himself. "As long as Seventh leads them… well… Now I'm not so sure." He continued thinking until he was now face to face with the sentry.
"Your pass, Sir" requested the sentry politely.
"A moment please… err, anyway, can I ask you something first?" the "adventurer" answered back.
"Make it quick, Sir… there are others behind you who are still waiting."
"My… pass… you see, it's quite old. I have no idea if it's acceptable. I heard that the current Commander issued an order for renewal…"
"Oh, that… that's quite alright sir, those will still be effective despite the renewal. The commander was lenient enough to give the citizens three months to renew their passes. Yesterday was the allotted deadline, though."
"Well, you see… I kind of missed the deadline…"
"May I just check your pass, Sir?" the sentry replied in agitation.
"Here it is…" Red answered, changing his tone of voice comparable to a noble.
"B-but this is… a premium pass! Pardon me sir, but premium passes are exempted from the renewal as of now. Please, go ahead… please excuse us for the trouble."
"No worries, my good man, I shall report immediately to your general to give you a promotion because of your great service."
"P-promotion?"
Bewildered by the strange attitude of the Premium Traveler, the sentry continued to filter the incoming citizens from the east gate. Unbeknownst to him and the other sentries, they have just been smacked in their faces by one of the oldest tactics known to men when it comes to security. Theft.
"Such weak defenses…" Red, the Premium Traveler thought. "This wig and Premium card I had just stolen from earlier did the trick." he thought even further. Earlier, he had sacked a noble and dumped his body on the sea surrounding the border of Izlude and Prontera. He was just done disposing the body when a group of Ferus and Gryphons passed by. It carried a gorgeous, female Master Smith who looked extremely familiar to him, within the convoy of Rune Knights and Royal Guards. The Master Smith's apparent companion, a High Wizard, was gagged with a piece of fabric, yet still moving despite the shackles he was bound into.
They were carrying a huge package sealed inside the Master Smith's cart, which made him wonder what the contents of it were. "It could be pillaged loot, for all I know." Red thought further. "But that felt… really weird. There was a strange force that he felt within that baggage the platoon was carrying."
"That could be an artifact… but anyway, I must proceed with the mission." He whispered to himself. He now made his way towards the nearest tavern, in order to gather information and rest for the night. As his skin felt more irritated, he noticed the growing patch of black marks on his left arm. "It's just an allergy, Red… it's not diabetes." he assured himself.
20 minutes earlier, the Eastern Hills of Prontera
After fetching Cornelia and her "excess baggage" from the border of Sograt Desert, Onnie and his men departed for the castle of the Capital, riding their ferus and gryphons with breakneck speed. The convoy slowed down as they approached the eatern hills of Prontera. Ahead of them was a man dressed like a common adventurer, waving at them, as if signaling for help.
The convoy stopped to aid the commoner, asking him questions.
"Well, what happened, Sir?" questioned the Knights.
"Thank goodness! You have no idea how you saved my life out here."
"Out with it, Sir… we're in a hurry."
"No, please, listen to me, kind Knight…" the commoner went on. "Th-there's this creepy guy following me! I think he wants to kill me! Please! Take me with you!"
"What's the hold up?" questioned a female Master Smith at the back of the convoy. "If it's an emergency, we can help. Hyatt can wait…"
"We are under strict orders; my lady…" answered a neatly-combed and masked Arch Bishop. "We have no time for trivial matters."
"Then why stop in the first place? You're so stuck up at times, Onnie…" answered the Master Smith, who was now going down her mount to meet the commoner in distress. "The citizens are important."
"I know that, Cornelia… but still…" Onnie went on.
"Just let me handle this. Besides, if this guy is far from Malchuz's attitude, then I can easily handle him."
"By thy way… where is your friend, anyway?"
"He's at the back. I "silenced" him for the moment. I can't rest with his blabbering mouth going berserk."
"It must be a pain to have a guy like that with you."
"Not that I can handle. I always get what I want."
"Men should be like you, missy."
"Is that a compliment, or an insult?"
"Don't think about it missy. If anything goes wrong… call me immediately."
"Alright, Onnie. Can I borrow some of your men?"
"Sure. Just tell them that you are to be followed as well. You are our guest tonight, missy."
"Stop calling me, missy… it makes me sound weak."
"But only idiots would think of Cornelia, the Backbreaker, as a weakling.
"It would seem that way… anyway, I'll go ahead and meet this commoner."
As Cornelia drew closer with her company of soldiers to the commoner being interrogated by the Royal Guards, she noticed something weird in the commoner's features.
"Brown hair… but with tint of red? Is that even natural? Maybe it's tinted to be that way, but anyway…" she continued thinking and appraising the commoner, looking for anything suspicious.
"I tell you! That guy is following me! He's going to kill me! See these marks on my arm? He's been trying to burn me since the last time! Please, take me with you!" wailed the commoner, visibly in distress.
"That story can be invented by anyone, good Sir." The Master Smith intervened at the interrogation. "That mark on your arm could be easily dismissed as a birthmark."
"Then would you like to examine the difference?"
"Ugh… you're just like that stupid jerk I met before, and he didn't even pay his debt… You both talk as if you're the only believable person on earth."
"Well, that's clearly not the point of this conversation… I just wanted protection from that insane man who has been following me!"
"I'm sorry Sir, but I'm not in the mood to entertain guests… I'd rather be entertained myself." Cornelia sighed, turning around and leaving the commoner alone. The guards followed her shortly, leaving the commoner who was now silent as a goat while eating grass.
"Let's go. Commander Hyatt awaits." ordered the neatly-combed Arch Bishop.
A few minutes after the entire convoy left, the commoner who was left alone on the side street was now chuckling to himself. He reached for something in his pocket and examined the contents.
"Jackpot…" he murmured. Examining the details in the loot he had just gained, the commoner picked one that stood out within the pile of colored cards that he held in his hands.
"Premiums pass, huh? This will do the trick."
The commoner then fixed his wig and suit a bit, and headed towards the East Gates of Prontera. "Humans… have slow reaction times… my hands are indeed faster than their eyes." whispered the commoner on his way down the hills. "And now… time for another sucker…" he smiled more… then immediately frowned at the sight of the Castle's Rooftop.
Morroc Castle Basement, 147km from Prontera Castle
Amidst the darkness of the deepest basement in Morroc Castle, four flickering lights were visible. Each held by presences that cannot be described without the aid of light. The candles only reveal that they wore hooded robes, hiding their facial features.
The four presences formed a circle within the basement, their feet stepping upon a seal that was left here millennia ago.
"This… is the seal of Satan Morroc, isn't it?" inquired one presence. Its voice was that of a male… but with this presence's robes, its gender is currently indistinguishable.
"It is… the original seal that Thanatos used when he fought the Great Demon" answered another presence, its voice audibly older than the previous one, yet sounded feminine.
"According to The Testament, the seal, once broken shall unleash hell's fury for all we know." added another presence, its voice echoing throughout the void. "While it is a fact that The Original Great Demon, Morroc, was really killed and sealed by Thanatos, the spirit of the Great Demon was able to puncture through…"
The fourth presence withheld to say anything, curiously looking at the cracks on the dimly lit floor.
"What is the matter? Lord Marcus?" questioned the presence with the masculine voice. "What is it that bothers you?" it pressed on.
"The spirit of Morroc… who bears The Criteria…" he slowly stated. "…is resealed in every generation among the strongest of body, mind, and spirit among our people. To be specific, anyone among the guild in Pharos Beacon can suffice… that is, we choose the best among them."
"I heard that they we're able to bypass the Sograt Border this afternoon." mentioned the presence with an echoing voice. "It's only a matter of time before they will be able to finish their assigned mission."
"Indeed, yes… time is of the essence for this war to end. We have wasted much of our resources. They our but a cheap option, but still…" added the presence with a feminine voice. "One of the current spies hold the Criteria, am I correct, Lord Marcus?"
"The bearer of the Criteria had been personally trained by me in the past. I know he can handle it perfectly."
The other three presences nodded in agreement. Having placed their candles on the floor, Lord Marcus made his candle sit on the very center of the seal. The melted wax soon covered the cracks of the seal, leaving only the burning wick flickering amidst the three other candles.
"I request the other Lords to leave me here for now. I wish to concentrate." said Lord Marcus, unveiling his hood.
"Take care, then, Lord Marcus. May Odin bless you." The three Lords answered in unison. "We shall leave you for now."
After the other Lords have left, Lord Marcus was now sitting in front of the candles. After killing the light of the three other candles, he proceeded to watch the last candle, his own, flicker… and eventually die out.
"I don't need the god's blessing… you idiots…" he whispered to himself.
The Lord's features were still indistinguishable at the total darkness of the Castle's Basement. After a while, he took a book that was tucked in his robes. He opened the book, and began to read… in total darkness.
"The Criteria… so delicate and fragile… is but a tool for me. I will bend it's will to follow my orders… and then…"
A sickly chuckle was heard within the confines of the basement, the only sign that there was anyone inside the dark cavern.
OMAKE (BONUS)
7 hours ago, Payon Forest
"Come on Cornelia, admit it…we're lost!" Malchuz screamed at his friend.
"Shut up, will you, Malchuz? I know the way!" Cornelia answered back.
"But we've been through this clearing about ten times already… and the Bigfoots around here are increasing as well…"
"Quiet! I know that! Now would you please… just shut up? I'm thinking!"
"Now that's something new! Cornelia? Thinking? Heavens know the world will end tomorrow!"
"Just carry that cart. I didn't tell you to talk."
"Ooh… scary."
Their bickering was disturbed by a grunting voice coming from behind. Looking back, the duo found a bear… a large bear with rough yellowish fur with brown stripes on its body. It was standing upright like most Bigfoots, but this one was entirely different. It held a smoking pipe in its hands and began to talk to them.
"You're both noisy; you have just disturbed my resting time… and no one… I repeat… no one disturbs an old bear while sleeping." the giant bear scowled.
"Oh shi—" Malchuz repeated while stepping back. "What the heck is Eddga doing here?"
"Of course we're still in Payon Forest, you idiot!" Cornelia scolded her friend. "Now get my equipment there and I'll finish this old geezer!"
"Ho ho… you're a tough cookie, aren't you, missy?" replied Eddga. "I could use you as a toothpick or an ingredient in my smoking pipe… Humans are quite a rare delicacy…"
"Let's see you try!" Cornelia challenged the giant smoking bear. Now holding her precious axe, Cornelia prepared to take a slice out of Eddga.
But before she could land a strike, Malchuz yelled behind her. Something else was standing in front of his friend… and it was holding a giant cleaver.
"Who in the— A-Atroce?" Cornelia exclaimed, but remained her composure. "What the heck did you do, Malchuz? WHAT DID YOU DO?"
"I… I stepped on this blood-covered branch you see… and then… this happened." Malchuz explained pathetically while pointing at the summoned werewolf.
"Hey, Atroce… long time no see, my friend." Eddga called out to the summoned monster. "These two disturbed my sleeping time, and no on dares to do that… so I'm going to eat 'em. What do you say?"
"Beats me, Edd… But I could use a snack…" replied the giant brown werewolf who was now licking his cleaver. "Humans are rare in my area back in Arunafeltz."
"Oh… ok. So how about we share the kill? I'll take the juicy smith, and you take that flimsy looking dork as a toothpick? Deal?" the giant bear said.
"Hmm… oh well. If I don't like his taste, then I'll let the Galions do the eating." replied Atroce.
The duo was now cornered by two giant creatures. Cornelia will have no problem in beating these bosses into pulp, but she has to worry about Malchuz. "Damn it, he's freaking useless!" she told herself. Preparing to strike while glaring at the incoming bosses, a loud shot was heard from the other side of the clearing. It was recognizable that the shot came from a large gun barrel.
"Hunters?" Eddga wondered. "More food for me then."
"Just give some souvenirs, Edd, I hate walking over there." suggested the big, bad wolf.
BANG!
Another shot was heard from the other side of the forest. This time, Eddga keeled over and looked at his arm. "Dang it… this will take more than royal jelly to cure" he grumbled at the gash he just received from the previous shot.
BANG!
Yet another shot was fired, and it hit Atroce square on the shoulders. The werewolf screamed in pain. "Figures… humans can use projectiles."
As Cornelia and Malchuz watched in amazement, a little girl, about the height of a twelve year-old, was coming in from the treetops and jumping at the giant branches… and firing multiple bulltes form her shotgun.
"Who… who in Midgard is that?" wondered the duo, their eyes fixated by the lightning fast action that was happening right in front of them. More shots were heard and fired, both Eddga and Atroce was bleeding profusely at their joints. With another shot, the bosses dropped in exhaustion, only to leave to cure their wounds, and grumbling at the tenacity of humans to hurt "endangered wildlife".
"T-thank you… miss. But who are you?" Cornelia questioned the girl, who was wearing a crimson scarf in her neck, and carrying a basket… full of bullets.
"Little Red Riding Hood, at your service!" the girl replied, then immediately leapt to the nearest branch and disappeared.
"L-Little Red Riding Hood… has a shotgun?" Malchuz squealed. Seconds later, a clank was heard within the clearing. As the noise settled, the only things visible in the clearing were broken trees and an imprint of a grinning face in the ground.
"You idiot. At least cast some spells." Cornelia grumbled.
"I can't do that… my hands are not made for—oof!" cried Malchuz, stopped halfway by a punch at the ribcage.
"We're almost out of the forest. Sograt Border is up ahead. Let's set up camp there when the sun sets in the horizon." Cornelia said, a smile beaming on her face.