Rot Heart: A LitRPG of Rot Magic in an Ancient World (Book 1 completed)

Before dawn, during a long winter night, Div and En woke up in their bed. Snuggled under their blanket, they stared at the darkness above their head.

Today was their fourteenth birthday.

If someone told them a year ago that they would be spending it in a snow-covered Lienien village, far into the Wildlands, they wouldn't have believed it.

They barely believed it now.

In the back of their minds, there was a small hope that when the sun rose and its light illuminated their room, they would find themselves back home in the acropolis.

But it wasn't to be.

The sun came, revealing the wooden beams supporting the roof of Belilamos and Carmeta's house. The tiny window helped keep out the cold, but it also made the interior dim and the air stuffy.

It was quiet. The birds had left for the winter, and the thick cover of snow blanketing the land outside dampened any noise.

They were in Camboaci.

They lingered for a few minutes before getting up. They stretched their arms, rolled their shoulders, and left their room.

When they entered the living room, Belilamos was already tending to a pot simmering over the fire.

"Morning, birthday boys! Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, you?"

"As usual," Belilamos laughed. "Are you ready for your party?"

"I guess," En said. "It's this afternoon."

Gennorina had delivered on her promise and planned their birthday party. Luckily, the date fell on a school break.

"Happy birthday!" Carmeta said as she came into the room. "Dubno, your turn!"

"Happy birthday!" The little guy strode in with a small wooden box in his hands.

He handed it to Div and En.

"Come on," Carmeta pressed. "Open it."

"Open! Open!" Dubno repeated. His antics always made them smile.

[Well, let's see what's inside.]

(I'm nervous.)

Sometimes, receiving was harder than giving.

Carefully, Div and En lifted the lid, revealing two pairs of gloves.

The first pair was made of thick leather, reinforced by iron plates and linen wraps. It was made for fighting.

The second was much more delicate. Entirely made of a plant fabric Div and En didn't recognize. It was extremely flexible.

"Try them on," Belilamos said, a sly grin on his lips.

They put one of each pair on. The combat glove was hard, solid, yet it didn't impact their mobility and was lighter than it looked. The other glove almost felt like it wasn't there; they could feel the wood of the table through their hands.

"The armored glove is for En," Carmeta said. "We know you like the spear, and we hope it will serve you well. The other one is for Div, you've been putting your hands in nasty places recently. They're made of relnur fiber, easy to wash, and they will keep your hands clean while you play with rot."

[En, they prepared gifts for us. Us two.]

(I know. This…)

"Do you like them?" Dubno asked.

"We love them," Div and En said together, holding back tears. They didn't want to show how touched they were.

"Thank you," En added.

Div imitated him.

While the people close to them knew about their condition, it was hard for them to treat Div and En as different individuals. Div and En understood; they shared the same body. They were already grateful for their acceptance.

But receiving these gifts showed how hard they were trying to acknowledge their individuality.

[We are lucky.]

(That, we are.)

The morning passed quietly as Div and En helped their hosts around the house. They played with Dubno. The little boy was always asking for their attention, and they were happy to give it to him.

Now that they'd been here for a few months, they felt comfortable there.

It wasn't quite Kheiron, but it was starting to feel like home.

As usual in the depths of winter, the weather was chilly. But, at least, it wasn't snowing.

Gennorina had invited Div and En, along with their host family, to gather at her house. So, after lunch, they went along with Belilamos, Carmeta, and Dubnonamos.

She lived on the other side of the giant tree that towered over the village, so the absence of snowfall was appreciated.

Truth be told, Div and En were a little nervous. It was their first birthday in Camboaci, and they didn't know what to expect. Back home, their parents would take them and their friends out of the city for celebrations.

But they were deep in the Wildlands now, it wasn't possible.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

[We changed a lot over the past year.]

(Our last birthday feels almost childish now.)

[It barely feels like it was us.]

It didn't take too long for them to arrive at Gennorina's house. It looked much the same as any other house in the village. Thatched roof, wooden walls, a cute cobblestone wall surrounding a small garden that had to be pretty in the spring when its flowers would bloom.

Belilamos went first, ready to knock on the door. But before he could, a man's voice shouted from inside the house.

"Genno! Your guests are here!"

The door opened in a flash, letting everyone see Genno's father, who seemed to be bursting with excitement.

"Vercinetos," Carmeta said. "You're going to startle the kids."

"Sorry, Carme. I'm just so happy to finally meet Diven! Come in."

Vercinetos moved to the side, holding the door to let the guests inside.

"Hello," Gennorina said, coming down from the stairs. "Sorry about my dad. That's just how he is. And here is my mom."

Div and En recognized her from watching her fight during the first dark day.

"Hey kid," Gennorina's mother said, coldly.

Div and En returned the greeting.

"Don't be shy," Belilamos said, laughing as he sat on a chair. "Brimeta is nice, despite her best effort to appear otherwise."

Brimeta stared at Belilamos. For a moment, Div and En thought she was going to hit the hunter.

Instead, she smiled.

"Belilamos, it seems we have some catching up to do."

Belilamos audibly gulped. But Brimeta didn't continue, she moved her gaze back to her daughter.

"So, why did they have to come early?" She asked, as her husband was fawning over little Dubno. The boy was more than happy to play with Vercinetos as the man's energy matched well with hyperactive kids.

[Are we early?]

(No, this is the time Genno gave us.)

Gennorina moved closer to Div and En and whispered in their ear, "I thought this would be a good time for you to tell my parents about you two."

"What? But…"

[Betrayal, how could she do that to us!]

(Wait, Div. Let's hear her out. She must have a good reason.)

"Div, En, one day you will separate. You have to tell people. It doesn't have to be everyone at once, but you can trust my parents."

(See, it makes sense.)

[She could have told us before putting us on the spot.]

(It's just a little push.)

[Why are you so open to it all of a sudden? Weird…]

(I don't know what you're talking about. It went well last time, I'm sure we can believe in Genno today.)

[Fine.]

Div and En coughed.

"Um…"

It was harder than expected.

How did you tell someone you just met that you were actually two minds sharing one body?

"Um…"

"Mom, Dad, Diven has something to tell you," Gennorina came to their rescue.

"We're listening!" Vercinetos said. "I'm so curious, you can tell us anything!"

"I…" They began, before pausing. They knew what to say. But some things were hard to let out.

[Let's not drag this on.]

Div and En had already decided they would. In a situation like that, there was no point in torturing themselves with hesitation. They took a deep breath, counted to three, and blurted out the truth.

Gennorina's mom shrugged.

Her dad's face fell.

(Is he angry?)

"That's it?" Vercinetos asked, his voice dropping. "I expected something more exciting."

"What?" Gennorina asked.

"Never mind. Don't worry, Div, En, we have no issue with your condition. Being Evolved Rank, we're older than we look. We've seen weirder things."

For a moment, the conversation devolved into another discussion about how Div and En functioned together. They didn't mind too much. After all, they were trying to understand themselves to evolve Sundered Mind. Outside perspective was always welcome.

Still, it was their birthday. They would prefer doing something else. But Vercinetos was a man of many questions; answering one would prompt him to ask several more.

Div and En were saved by a knock on the door.

It wasn't loud. In fact, only Belilamos heard it, the sound drowned out by the unending words coming from Genno's dad's mouth.

"Lugsellos!" Vercinetos exclaimed, his attention shifting to the newcomer. "It's been a while. You've grown so much, how's it going…"

Div and En shared a glance with Lug as he suffered under the unending torrent of words.

[Sorry, Lug. We need a break.]

Thankfully, more people arrived, quickly relieving Lug as Vercinetos switched to new targets.

"Your father is a handful," Div and En told Gennorina.

"Believe me, he's behaving today," she answered.

"You'll get used to it," Lug added, coming to greet Div, En, and Genno.

In the meantime, Segorix and Ambisenna had arrived. Then came Brigaseta, Theaphilia, and Vedovessa.

[Everyone who knows about us is here.]

It was thoughtful of Gennorina. Had she invited other people, they would have had to hide. But for their birthday, they could be themselves.

One by one, they all congratulated Div and En.

Even at the best of times in Kheiron, they never had this many people care for them.

[Can you believe how far we've come, En?]

(One year ago, we hadn't awakened. Now we sit at the cusp of evolution.)

[I'm glad. We've turned our exile into a blessing.]

Div and En looked at Lug, Seg, Ambi, Dubno, Belilamos, and Carmeta, who had almost become their adoptive family. All the others.

And Gennorina.

(In a way, it did.)

Their thoughts were interrupted by Theaphilia, who approached them.

"Happy birthday, Div and En, I have good news for you."

"Really?" En asked, wondering what it was.

"In about a month, as soon as the ice blocking the river melts, your class will travel south to the village of Bavacium. One of the larger Lienien settlements in the upper reaches of the Lien."

"Is it what Vedovessa talked about earlier?" Div asked. Their teacher had mentioned an exchange with youth from nearby villages.

"Probably," Theaphilia nodded. "But the scale of the event has been increased. There will likely be representatives from all over the Lien."

(All over the Lien? Does that mean Kheiron is included?)

En conveyed his question to the new Ascended Rank.

"I don't know, En. This is but a pretext for the leadership of all the villages to discuss important matters. Kheiron doesn't usually interfere but…"

"But?"

"But Camboaci is the northernmost settlement. We are isolated by the freezing river and dark days, more severe than down south. Communication is scarce, something could have changed. If anything, Bavacium hosts many Kheironite merchants in the spring, we're sure to meet some."

"We?"

"Of course, I'm coming with you."

"And so are we!" Vercinetos cut in, laughing. "Brim and I aren't about to let our only daughter travel alone."

"Dad! The others don't have their parents tagging along! Stop embarrassing me."

"The others' parents are not among the best Evolved Rank warriors of the village. Of course, they're not coming, Genno."

"Still…" Genno pouted.

Vercinetos continued, "You know we go every year. We are usually in charge of the delegation, but not anymore thanks to Theaphilia. It will be fun!"

[At least, with him, the trip is sure to be lively.]