Bridging Worlds

"Grim Wastes," Davhil and Eowyn found themselves confined within the dark bane cage

or their chosen champions. The atmosphere was charged with exciteme

ice carrying above the uproar. "The two who will compete today are Akru

nzy of cheers, making the entire pla

, shook her brother, Davhil, awake. "H

stood up, rubbing his eyes. "What

asked, "How can you sleep so

eplied, "I was just reall

Look at them," she pointed out. "We should

, voiced his concern, "But how can we

int in her eye, responded co

ful precision, she used the hairpin to cut the rope binding her hands, leaving her brother Davhil in

creetly to snatch the keys from a nearby table while their guard's attention was diverted. With

, with a click, unlocked it using the purloined keys. With their newfound freedom, Eowyn summoned

a gentle hand. Together, they moved with utmost stealth, slipping pas

ent. The Grim Wastes had more secrets than they'd imagined. The darkbanes turned their heads in their direction, their sinister gazes l

night. Unbeknownst to them, the elderly man who had kindly welcomed them was none other than Sylvanus Ironforge, a legendary figure in

s, who was already preparing the morning repast. She yawned and stretched, then addre

read and savoring it. "This is deli

odding appreciatively. Between bites,

s nodded in understanding. Then, he asked about their wo

we only met him yesterday," Rosche discl

tinued to eat, Rosche found herself unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

e, and replied with

out you, Master Sylvanus, in Crystalpeak, and I've read t

d for a steaming cup of tea. "Oh, reall

d, savoring the taste while trying to gather her thoughts. Sylvanus, meanwhile, co

nto the mysteries of the Darkbanes, the Verdant Spire, and the Twelve, but she wasn't sure how to proceed. She was a

nt angle. "I heard the Darkbanes also attacked the nearby villages of Celest

ven if they did, they wouldn't see this place. My home

h this part of the forest multiple times. "But I heard the Darkbanes have grown in n

them formidable," Sylvanus said cr

ked, "What do you me

"How do you think those barbarians managed to

and she shook her

dentbane Arrow," Sylva

. What is that?" Rosche

by an ancient and malevolent mage who later chose to worship the dark entity. The material used

a place she was not only familiar with but had personally

because they were numerous or had capable mages. It's because they possess a multitude of ancient artifacts from the Verdant Spire." His voice

come a backdrop to a much larger, more intricate tapestry of danger, intrigue, and ancient magic. Sylvanus Ironf

icament had grown even more dire after the unforeseen energy barrier had

lp but succumb to a sense of hopelessness. The darkbanes appeared to be well-prep

sked, his voice tinged with worry.

to believe that we can't break free," she responded. "We've

ng, diverting their attention from the captives. Eowyn knew t

on. They understood that the darkbanes, armed with their magical abilit

contain her curiosity and asked,

a sense of knowing. "From the ancient artifact to the deaths of ea

ecy?" Rosch

nded. "The dark entity's twelve seals signify the souls of the twelve kings, wh

e admitted. "The twelve kings are so selfless to

ed them to those seals is not their selflessness but their greedin

've spent most of my life in Crystalpeak, reading countless books, and t

when it comes to the real truth that all of you know. If it wasn't for those twelve kings, the A

w what to say and

world will come to know the tr

coming from the wounded young man's room. They immediately rushed to his

ling?" Rosche as

mained quiet, as

ed him a bowl of med

e bowl but hesitated,

id. "If I wanted to harm you, I could h

-conscious and didn't remember," Ro

th and drank the medicine in one go, p

at's your name?

yes harboring a sense of distrust.

sche, and this is Master Sylvanus. He

fragile thing. "Thank you," he said,

to help," R

Your kind tends to have similar behavior. You're a pyro

e near his bed and put

re indeed ruthless

darkbanes," K

sche looked surprise

demon," Ki

kbane, and the special poison from that dagger is from Umbralith.

e's daggers are custom-made, but the darkbane recruits different kinds of mages. Maybe one of them knew

yo exchanged p

t to the Council of Tw

led. "Do you really t

" Rosche

ter Sylvanus replied. "Perhaps some of them alre

ning closely while Rosche wa

sation shifted when Eamon and Geran arriv

k," Geran

iverted its course

us exclaimed as he hurrie

er to her brother, Geran, her thoughts still linger

groups, gathering in front of their tents as if organizing something. Murmurs could

e going to get out of

sed on their actions, it seems like

members. "Yeah," he said as he followed

n a straw bed and

" Davhil asked, puzzled. "A

rveillance," Eowyn explained with her eyes still closed and her hands resting above her hea

and Rosche sat side by side. Master Sylvanus, curious a

village, but our village was attacked by demons.

Sylvanus inquired, "Wha

for someone, and we're set

.. that's in the land of Tempora, right? If you're headed to Tempora, you

separately," Kiryo suggested,

remarked, "Coming from someone who

d Eamon, sayi

explained, "but I think it would be better to tra

s for us. We just met you. Although we're all strangers, I think it's better to ha

, still unsure

e in the fireplace, Eamo

thinly veiled, couldn't help but interject, "So, what's your deal?

replied, "It's not about fear. I wo

e tension, chimed in, "Eamon,

, "We should be looking out for one anot

n by the practicality of sticking together. Kiryo's reluctan

ll set. You should all leave before sunse

ed. "You're also alone here. If you come wi

aces in this realm. Maybe it's safer here. Plus, my wine cellar is here; I can't