Villtaren was no ordinary, quiet village. It lay on the route of roads connecting two cities, making it a frequent stopping point for many traders and travelers. With over 100 inhabitants, there was no central authority or official offices; the village was governed by the laws of the city of Bengalen.
At the "Under the Burning Corpse" inn, guests sat with their noses buried in a mug of beer. Cleaners wiped dried mud from the floor, and barmaids bustled about the hall with a tray full of liquors. Life in the village was slowly awakening from its deep lethargy.
No one paid much attention to the arrivals; a variety of figures lingered here, from valiant paladins to wretched rogues. A tall woman with long brown hair stood at the counter, the only one who stood out from the other guests. Her impeccable figure, despite being covered in studded leather armor, attracted the attention of the intoxicated patrons. A long, one-and-a-half sword was strapped to her back, and a slightly shorter one was clipped to her belt. As she crossed the hall toward the innkeeper, her hair waved slightly, and suddenly all the male eyes focused on her perfectly shaped hips. With each step, a faint scent of perfume wafted through the air; it was undeniably the most pleasant scent in the place.
"Do you know where the merchant is staying?" the woman whispered.
"Mrs. Karen, I can't help you; the merchant isn't arriving until tomorrow. I've done my best." He replied bluntly, demonstrating that he had no time for further conversation.
"Tomorrow? Tomorrow I'm supposed to be gone. This is important; I need to find a decent merchant. I asked you to arrange this.
" "I'm sorry.
" "You're sorry?! Yes!" Karen's voice rose from a calm whisper to an angry shout.
"Calm down, ma'am." The innkeeper tried to smooth things over.
"How can I be calm if..." She didn't finish the sentence, as if she wanted to hide something. "...if you didn't do what I asked. Now only a sorcerer can save me, is there someone like that staying with you?
" "Hmm." The innkeeper scratched his beard, trying to remember. "Yes. There is someone like that. Room 12." With those words, the woman started up the stairs.
"But ma'am..." He tried to say something, but she had already disappeared into the shadows.
"I haven't introduced myself yet, my name is Rob Gut. I won't ask you for your name anymore, because elves are mysterious creatures, after all."
They continued walking through the dense forest. The oppressive fog, which had previously prevented a proper view, was slowly losing its grip, whipped by the wind.
"Rob, I hope we're going in the right direction?" he asked to be sure, but he knew it was the right direction. He felt a strange energy.
"But yes! I always know where to go."
"Yes? And who got lost in the forest and hid in a cave?" The words dripped with sarcasm.
"That was a different situation." He tried to evade it. "You saw how foggy it was."
Suddenly, the elf stopped, dropped slightly to his knees, holding his temples. He looked focused, but couldn't hide the slight grimace of pain on his face.
"Is something wrong?" Rob asked, confused.
A sharp knock on room number 12 echoed through the inn. Karen didn't wait long, as no one answered or bothered to lock the door. She entered. She found a man dressed in strange robes, wearing a magnifying glass, fiddling with something on a small device. He was so focused he didn't even notice the visitor.
"Hello!" she shouted. The sorcerer spun around, knocking the object of his interest off the table.
"No, no, no…! What did she do?!" I told that half-wit I don't accept anyone!
"I'm not a Nobody. I guarantee you won't regret being here. I have something that's sure to be a real treat for a scientist like you.
" "Yes?! And what could that be?! You just broke my timepiece, which I was trying to get back into working order. Such a marvel costs 1,000 gold crowns." He looked thoroughly indignant.
Karen pulled out a metal container, as if to smooth things over. She opened the lid, and through the glass, the magician saw a black stone the size of a fist. He clutched his head in pain, and a force knocked him to the ground.
It took him a few moments to recover.
"Do you know what this is?!" he shouted.
"I know, and I want to sell it," she replied calmly.
"I don't know where you got it? And I don't even want to know. One thing is certain: whoever secured it must have had tremendous power to be able to filter magic."
"That's irrelevant." The shell won't hold for long anyway. Only someone with magic can sustain it.
"How much do you want for this marvel?
" "5,000 gold crowns.
" "Cheap. Very cheap." His face showed surprise. Karen showed no emotion.
"I know, I'm pressed for time.
" "I'll definitely take it. Come after dark, and I'll have the full amount."
She slammed the lid of the box shut and left.
The sorcerer couldn't calm his thoughts for a long time after the incident. He only smiled at the corner of his mouth. He felt a surge of excitement.
"What happened?" Rob tried to find out what was wrong with the mage, but he simply removed his hands from his head and moved faster toward the village. "Is something wrong?
" "No, but we should hurry."
The pace set by the elf soon brought them to their destination. A rather large crowd had gathered in the square. Rob, curious about what the onlookers were seeing, ran over, pushing past them and standing on tiptoe to try and see. The mage didn't react with any enthusiasm, continuing forward. After a few arguments, Rob noticed the object of the crowd's attention. The cruel sight of two men tormenting a she-wolf infuriated him.
"What are they doing?!" he exclaimed. "Why are they beating her?" he nervously asked a nearby peasant.
"I don't know, but I think a pack of wolves is eating their cattle.
" "But this is a lone female!" he replied, indignant.
"Sir, leave me alone."
The peasants continued to beat the she-wolf with a stick. One blow landed near her eye, the force of the blows causing her skin to crack. Thick blood flowed from the wounds, and her green-brown eyes seemed to be filled with tears. The boy, clinging to his mother's chest, sobbed, unable to bear the sight of the cruel murder. Rob wanted to do something, but he couldn't, not now. Even though it was hard for him to control himself, he had to find another solution.
"Get up, get up, you mutt!" the man shouted.
The drunken crowd laughed at the wolf's caricatured movements. She shook in convulsions of pain. No one bothered to help; only occasional shouts of "Give it a rest, Gustav!" and "You'll beat her to death, give it up!" could be heard. However, these quiet, meaningless protests made no impression on Gustav and his equally cruel friend.
"Get up, you stupid scum!" he yelled and spat on her fur.
The wolf, with the last of her strength, rose to her feet, trembling. She swayed and couldn't take a step.
"Are you so smart now? Run! Go!"
He didn't give her a chance. A powerful kick to the chest knocked her to the ground. She was dying. She looked as if she were about to release her wolf soul with her last breath. She wouldn't give up. She was strong.
"Stop!" Rob shouted, panting.
"What do you want?! You can leave now, and if you want payment, you have it." The elf threw two golden crowns at his feet.
"No! I don't want money! Help me, stop two thugs who want to beat the she-wolves to death.
" "What do I care! I have other more important matters; I won't interfere in human affairs.
" "Don't be heartless." The mage turned and looked into his eyes. He noticed that one of them was a different color. He'd heard of such things. Mutations like that happen, but they're very rare.
"Heartless? What does that mean?"
When he tried to leave, Rob wouldn't give up, tugging at his robe and urging him to help.
"Don't torment me, human.
" "You're just an egoist!" You are not interested in the fate of others!
"I'm not interested in the fate of people who fight each other in fratricidal battles just to gain power. I'm not interested in your fate, because you're the stupidest of races, bent on exterminating the others at all costs. So don't blame me for not caring about some gang of sadists who find amusement in torturing animals. Besides, I don't want to be conspicuous.
" "Maybe you're not interested in the fate of people, but what was the young she-wolf's fault?
" "Nothing! I can help, okay! But don't let you regret it later. You miserable human."
The mage pushed the crowd apart and glared defiantly at the attackers. The she-wolf lay on the ground, breathing heavily. The next kicks would be her last.
"Leave her, you miserable humans!" All eyes now turned to him.
"Because what will you do to us, a dark vampire?! You skinny guy!" he retorted, baring his rotten teeth in a wide grin.
"You fools!" The elf only laughed mockingly.
The first of the thugs charged. The mage whispered strange words in an incomprehensible language. "Akilos manus lopurius." A small yellow spark flashed from his finger, which suddenly widened in diameter and transformed into a powerful beam, striking the attacker's forehead. The top of the skull exploded. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air. One of the drunkards was quick to regurgitate his dinner. The people spread out, creating a circular arena. The second man with a baton swung, trying to surprise him from a greater distance. He threw, but missed, and the stick flew into the group of people.
He had no time to escape. The whispering of another spell aroused the interest of the onlookers. Now everyone was looking at the elf's hands to see what would appear next. "Guromp winderis," he said, gesturing with both hands. A powerful boom shattered the silence. A powerful gust of wind erupted from his hand, striking the next attacker directly. It threw him four meters, striking the wall. A terrifying crack of breaking bones rang out. He was dead. His neck had broken. The people, also thrown to the ground with less force, were now getting up and dusting themselves off. The mage turned and left. No one spoke, and the silence lasted for a long time until the people dispersed, commenting as they went. Rob took the she-wolf in his arms. He covered her with his cloak and set off on his own path.
Evening came unexpectedly early. The sun had disappeared below the horizon before the approaching billows of black clouds. The first lightning bolt pierced the black sky, dividing it into small, luminous spiderweb-like eyes. The thunder startled the people, who were now fleeing for their homes. They had probably heard various superstitions about the wrath of the gods, which is why they reacted so timidly. The elf stood unmoved. Large raindrops lashed painfully against his exposed face. Lost in meditation, he stared at the swinging sign of the "Under the Burning Corpse" inn. He waited for a trigger.
In room twelve, the light from a small oil lamp revealed the darkness. Through the shutters, the mage could see two shadowy figures crossing the center of the room. The rain continued, only intensifying, creating a muddy river on the narrow path. The elf calmly crossed to the other side. The door opened with a clatter, carving a deep groove in the wooden floor. He sat at the table, head bowed. He knew what to expect. The hall was empty due to the bad weather.
The rhythmic patter of feet on the stairs echoed. Another clap of thunder shattered the dead silence, illuminating the room. The mage had already risen. Two figures emerged from behind the door, one of them familiar to him. Karen stopped and with a confident gesture, stopped her contractor. She looked into the elf's pale face and smiled faintly.
"It's too late. You're late, Draconis.
" "So you think so. Give me the stone." He held out his open hand.
"You've got to be kidding me. I didn't rob you and defeat you just to give you back my prize.
" "You did? I'm still alive? You're talking about that embarrassing nighttime intrusion and drugging me with some drug.
" "Be glad I spared you. Sending some scout after me was more embarrassing. Tell that mercenary of yours that if it weren't for my haste, I would have prevailed in the fight." Drakonis, surprised, didn't remember seeking help. Could it be Rob?
"The stone will go to that gentleman right away, and he'll pay me a considerable sum.
" "I... I don't want that crystal anymore..." he stammered, his gaze never leaving the elf's face. He was afraid, and his whole body was shaking. "...I'll go now." He walked out, pacing nervously.
"What a loser!
" "Give me the stone now." Her demonic laugh was answer enough.
She pulled out the box and opened the lid. Drakonis only managed to cast a protective spell.
"Stupid!"
Karen screamed, unlocking the glass shell. The black stone glowed faintly and fell to the floor with a thud. It rolled freely in all directions until it finally stopped, making a strange noise. It was searching for prey. It rose upwards and with great speed struck the woman's leather armor. Apparently, it wasn't enough protection. Heated and with great force, it smashed through the feeble obstacle. The transformation stone slowly began its work. The
woman screamed in pain. Falling to the ground, she desperately tried to pull the stone out, tearing with her fingernails until blood appeared on her hands. She only looked pleadingly at the mage, as if to say, "Help! What have I done? I didn't know this would happen." The crystal had already torn the skin on her stomach. Burgundy blood leaked from the cracks in the armor. Drakonis didn't want to watch her agony, but he had to. The power of chaos paralyzed him. Now all he had to do was fear the effect.
Its once graceful legs were now powerful limbs covered in chitinous, brown armor. Its face wasn't as beautiful as it once was; thick fur slowly grew from beneath its skin, and its eye sockets transformed into large green eyes. Its arms appeared to be torn in half. Mucus leaked from the wounds, and a moment later, its short arms transformed into long, disgusting, insect-like pincers. The sight was horrifying. A groan, a roar mixed with a piercing cry of pain, echoed off the walls of the room. The creature rose, revealing all its ghastly ugliness. The stone had finished its work.
The beast spread its wings and charged toward Drakonis. The brown spikes failed to penetrate the magical shield, injuring itself painfully. The cacophony of sounds reverberated through the room again, a piercing hissing sound striking the elf's sensitive ears, causing a painful throbbing in his temples. The beast left the inn and, with a single flap of its wings, rose into the air.
The mage freed himself from the crystal's power. He thought the mutation couldn't last very long, but long enough for the creature to kill him. Drakonis began his fight. With a gesture, he aimed his open hands directly at a small brown spot in the black vault of the sky, which was growing larger with time. He didn't have much time; he uttered a hasty spell. A purple lightning bolt shot out, leaving a bright trail behind it. It struck the creature's head accurately. It fell to the ground with great force, the thud that accompanied it certain that its bones had been shattered. The invincible beast tried to rise, the elf preparing for a fatal blow. The stone's intervention, however, was stronger and prevented the incantation from being uttered. The beast, regaining some strength, crawled into a dark alley, waiting for its body to regenerate. It wheezed and panted loudly, only to fall silent a moment later. Drakonis recovered from the shock of the intense magic. He cautiously approached the fallen body.
He didn't see the same creature, incinerated by lightning. He couldn't believe what he saw. The beast's head was missing, and three arrows were embedded in its chest. He knew one thing: he hadn't killed this creature of chaos. The stone had shrunk in size, no longer possessed any power, and was useless
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