A blinding flash of light, a searing heat that engulfed my senses, and then… nothing. I gasped, my lungs burning as I drew in a ragged breath. I feel something wet making me look down at a small puddle engulfing my hand. I feel something drip on my forehead sending shiverd down my spine.
I lay sprawled on the damp earth, my head throbbing, I grab my head as a sharp pain runs through my skull all at once. The world swam in and out of focus. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth, decaying leaves, and something else… something acrid and metallic, like blood mixed with rust. It clung to the back of my throat, making me gag. It reminds me of the time mom left meat out by accident in 100-degree weather but much worse. so much worse.
I pushed myself up, my muscles screaming in protest. I grunt as i slowly force my legs to do what i want feeling a resistance. I look down at my legs seeing a worn dress? What is this?
The world around me was a blur of muted greens and browns, shrouded in a perpetual mist that clung to the gnarled branches of ancient trees. Towering pines and moss-covered oaks stretched towards a sky barely visible through the dense canopy. The air was heavy with humidity, and the ground beneath me was soft and spongy, sinking slightly with each movement. There were no buildings, no roads, no sounds of civilization. Just an endless expanse of tangled forest.
Panic clawed at my throat, a cold dread spreading through my limbs I felt hot tears run down my cheeks as I looked around feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Where am I?
This wasn't my world. This wasn't anywhere I recognized. The oppressive silence, broken only by the drip of water from the leaves and the rustling. My quickly turn looking at some bushes as the rustleing gets louder i run behind some old ruins.
This place felt ancient, untouched, and utterly hostile. I have to get out of here, I thought, my heart pounding so loud i feel it in my ears and chest.
"I have to find someone. Please god, let me find someone or wake up from this dream." I whimper to myself lowly almost inaudibly
As I pushed through the undergrowth, the metallic scent in the air grew stronger, almost overpowering. I wrap my arms around myself mainly my stomach as the smell hits my nose again It made my stomach churn.
I heard a rustling sound behind me, closer this time, accompanied by low, guttural growls that sent shivers down my spine.
I whirled around, my breath catching in my throat. Two pairs of glowing red eyes stared back at me from the shadows of the trees. They were set in the faces of hunched, grotesque figures, their skin a sickly grey, stretched taut over bony frames. Their bodies were scarred and twisted, some wounds fresh and oozing, others old and scabbed over.
"Hello" I half question backing up to the edge of a small hill nothing but what looks like swamp I turn my head back to look at the creatures. as one growls something to another almost like its taunting me. I tilt my head looking at them my memory betraying me.
One clutched a crudely fashioned axe, its edge chipped and stained with a dark red substance what I didn't want to think about what that is but i have a feeling I'm going to find out.
The other held a jagged piece of bone, sharpened to a point. They moved with a jerky, unsettling gait, their growls turning into snarls as they advanced, saliva dripping from their fanged mouths.
Darkspawn. The word echoed in my mind, a chilling realization. I'm not just lost. I'm going to die here. My legs felt like lead, and I could barely breathe. I wanted to run, but my body wouldn't respond, frozen with terror.
The darkspawn snarled, taking another step closer, the one with the axe raising it above its head. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact.
But it never came.
Instead, I heard a clang of steel, a guttural roar that was not darkspawn, and the sickening thud of something heavy hitting the ground. I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim light. One of the darkspawn lay sprawled on the forest floor, an arrow protruding from its neck. The other turned, snarling at a new figure that had appeared.
He was tall and imposing, clad in dark leather armor, a longsword held firmly in his hand. His face was grim, his eyes narrowed with focused intensity. He moved with a practiced grace, deflecting the darkspawn's clumsy attacks with ease. A few quick strikes, and the second darkspawn joined its companion on the ground.
The man lowered his sword, his gaze turning to me. He approached cautiously, his expression softening slightly as he took in my disheveled appearance. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice firm but concerned. If i speak now i will sobb i must try and control myself.
I could only nod, my voice caught in my throat. Tears welled up in my eyes, relief washing over me in a dizzying wave. I was alive.
He offered me a hand, and I took it gratefully, pulling myself to my feet.
"My name is Duncan," he said. "Of the Grey Wardens." He looked around at the fallen darkspawn, then back at me. "
What are you doing out here, alone?" I look at the darkspawn then back at him hoping my eyes don't betray me and send the begging puppy emotion I'm feeling.
I shook my head, still trying to process what had just happened. "I… I don't know," I stammered "Truthfully i don't remember anything" gestured vaguely at the forest, then at the dead darkspawn. "They… they attacked me."
Duncan's brow furrowed. his gaze thoughtful. He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Come," he said. "It's not safe here. We'll talk more at the camp."
He turned and started walking back the way he had come, and after a moment of hesitation, I followed him. The forest still felt hostile and threatening, but with Duncan by my side, I felt a flicker of hope for the first time since I'd arrived in this strange, terrifying world.
After walking in silence for a few minutes, the question that had been nagging at me finally escaped my lips. "What… what's a Grey Warden?" I asked, my voice still shaky.
Duncan glanced back at me, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We are an order of warriors," he explained, "dedicated to fighting the darkspawn and stopping the Blight."
"The Blight?" I repeated, the word sounding ominous.
"A recurring plague," Duncan said, his tone grim, "that sweeps across the land, bringing with it the darkspawn The Grey Wardens are the only ones who can truly stop it." He paused, looking at me intently. "We are… what stands between the world and utter destruction."
I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, yet the dead darkspawn lying back in the forest were starkly real. "do... you think I can help with that?" I asked, gesturing vaguely towards myself.
Duncan stopped walking and turned to face me fully. "I don't know," he admitted. "But you survived an encounter with darkspawn, alone and unarmed. That suggests a certain… resilience. And perhaps, something more." He looked at me, a searching look in his eyes. "We'll see." He then resumed walking.
"No," I countered quickly, shaking my head. "You saved me. If you hadn't shown up…" I trailed off, unable to finish the thought. "I'm nothing special. I just got lucky."
Duncan placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. "Luck had nothing to do with it," he said, his voice firm. "You have a strength inside you, I saw it. And the Grey Wardens could use someone like you."
Me?
As We entered the bustling Grey Warden camp at what duncan has called Ostagar? I think. Duncan led me to a small tent set aside for recruits. "Rest here," he said, indicating a simple cot. "We'll speak more later."
I nodded, still feeling dazed and overwhelmed. Before he left, I finally found my voice. "Wait," I said. "You… you don't even know my name."
Duncan turned back, a slight smile on his lips. "You're right," he said. "My apologies. I am Duncan. And you are…?"
"Gwenet," I replied, finally giving him my name.
"Gwenet," Duncan repeated, the name sounding foreign on his tongue. "A good name. Rest now, Gwenet. You've had a long day."
He exited the tent, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Nothing feels real i pinch my wrist pain surging though me. Its real but how does this man expect me to fight for him? Maybe if i sleep i will wake up from this nightmare.
I take a moment to look around. The tent is small and sparsely furnished, containing only a simple cot, a small table, and a few crates. It wasn't much, but after wandering lost and terrified in the wilds, it felt like a palace. I sank onto the cot, my muscles aching, my mind still reeling from the events of the day.
A few minutes later, the tent flap opened again, and a young man entered. He was dressed in similar leather armor to Duncan, though his was cleaner and less worn. He had a friendly, if slightly nervous, smile on his face.
"Oh, hello," he said, his voice hesitant. "Duncan said there was a new recruit. I'm Allistair." He offered a hand, and I shook it. His grip was firm, but his hand was surprisingly warm.
"Gwenet," I replied, still feeling a little dazed.
"So," Allistair said, looking around the tent awkwardly. "Welcome to Ostagar. It's… well, it's not exactly a resort, but it's home for now." He chuckled nervously. "Have you… uh… have you met the other recruits yet?"
I shook my head. "No. Duncan just brought me here. I… I was attacked by… those creatures. In the forest."
Allistair's expression turned serious. "Darkspawn," he said grimly. "They're becoming more active. It's… worrying." He paused, then his expression softened. "But you're safe now. The Wardens will protect you."
"Wardens?" I repeated. "Duncan said he was one, but… what exactly does that mean?"
Allistair looked surprised. "You don't know about the Grey Wardens?" He paused, thinking for a moment. "Well, in short, we're an order of warriors dedicated to fighting the darkspawn and stopping the Blight. We're… well, we're kind of the last line of defense."
"Last line?" I mutter as Allistair starts to ramble.
He gestured vaguely towards the forest. "Those creatures… they're not natural. They come from underground, led by powerful, monstrous beings called archdemons. When an archdemon awakens, it triggers a Blight—a massive darkspawn invasion that threatens to overrun the entire world."
"The Grey Wardens are the only ones who can truly stop a Blight," Allistair continued. "We have a… special connection to the darkspawn. It's called the Joining." He hesitated, a shadow crossing his face. "It's a ritual… that binds us to them. It allows us to sense their presence, to track them, and most importantly, to slay the archdemons."
He paused, looking at me intently. "It's a dangerous task. Many Wardens die in battle, or during the Joining itself. But it's a necessary one. Without the Grey Wardens, the world would fall to the Blight.
As Allistair finished his explanation, a thought struck me. "Duncan said I was… special," I said, remembering his words in the forest. "Because I survived the darkspawn attack. but i think it was luck"
He then gave me a reassuring smile. "But don't worry too much about that now. We'll be going through the Joining together, whatever that means. We'll face it together."
I blinked at that, a small smile tugging at my lips for the first time since I woke up in this strange world. I let out a small giggle. "You're telling me we're going through this… Joining… together," I said, a playful tone entering my voice, "and you haven't even gone through it yourself?"
Allistair's smile faltered slightly, a sheepish look crossing his face. "Well… no," he admitted. "But Duncan explained it to me. And… well, it's better to face these things with someone else, right?"
I hesitated, considering his words. He seemed sincere, and he certainly seemed to know what he was talking about. Besides… how bad could it really be? right? Right?
Famous last words, a small voice whispered in the back of my mind, but I pushed it aside. "I suppose you're right," I said, giving him a small nod. "It's… good to have someone." In general i let my mind finish as i stare at the dummy in front of me he's seriously obsessed with the wardens.
