Tales From Idri'Aniss: Divine Ascendant

“Tempus? Don’t forget your bag!” Tempus’ mother called out from the porch, her voice carrying a familiar blend of warmth and urgency.

“I know, Mom!” he shouted back, racing down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder. They were heading into town to shop today, and he never forgot his bag. How else would he be able to help?

He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him, turning to his mother with a wide smile. She smiled back, her bright green eyes sparkling in the daylight. His mother was beautiful, her dark red hair fluttering in the wind behind her as she reached out a hand towards him. He took it, feeling the comforting warmth of her touch, and they set off towards town.

They made this trip every week. Their first stop was always the mages guild, where they dropped off the herbs and potions his mother had grown and brewed. She was an amazing potion master, providing medicines, draughts, potions, and salves to the hunter and adventurer guilds. She had been a prominent member of the mage’s guild until a year before Tempus was born. His father, a member of the hunter’s guild, was out on a mission even now. His mother had left the guild to raise him and maintain their home, a decision she never regretted. She often told him that the guild members were too stuffy and full of themselves.

Next, they headed to the market to pick up meat, vegetables, and sometimes new seeds for growing different herbs, depending on her work. Oakhaven, being the central trading hub of the eastern provinces, offered a vast array of goods. Tempus marveled at the magical items, special plants, and magical creatures on display. However, the one thing he despised was the slave market. They never ventured too close to it; it was a place filled with sorrow and despair.

After their market visit, they would stop by to see his mother’s friend, Baron Lestik, the leader of Oakhaven. Tempus didn’t care much for the Baron, but he cherished the time spent with Lestik’s daughter, Mina, his best friend since childhood.

Once their errands were complete, they would head home. His mother would prepare dinner and regale him with stories of her and his father’s adventures, tales of battling dangerous monsters and formidable foes.

But today was different. As they entered the market, a woman’s scream pierced the air. His mother’s grip tightened on his hand, pulling him close as they turned the corner. A woman stood near a man lying on the ground, blood splattered across her face. The man lay in a pool of blood on the cobblestones, his lifeless eyes staring blankly.

A group of guards rushed over, pushing back the gathering crowd and beginning their questioning.

“What happened here?” the man who appeared to be in charge asked the distraught woman.

“I… I don’t…” she stammered, tears streaming down her face. “He just… One second, he was fine, and the next he had a deep gash across his back and there was blood everywhere…”

“I saw it too!” a man shouted from the crowd. “The cut appeared out of nowhere!”

“Let’s go, dear. We won’t be shopping today.” Tempus’ mother said, her voice steady but urgent. She ushered him away from the growing chaos, back towards the safety of their home.

Just before they rounded the corner, something caught Tempus’ attention near the man on the ground. For a moment, a chill enveloped him as he stared into the strange pitch-black eyes of what looked like a man standing over the body. The figure’s eyes seemed to pierce through him, sending a shiver down his spine. Then, as quickly as he had seen it, the figure vanished into the crowd.

Later that night, as they sat down to eat, Tempus couldn’t shake the image from his mind. He finally mustered the courage to ask his mother, “Ma, did you see that person?”

“The man who was hurt?” she asked, looking up from her plate.

“No, another man, I think. He stood over the one who was hurt as we left, with a smile on his face. I don’t know, Ma. I got this odd feeling when I saw him. I felt cold all over for a moment. When I couldn’t see him anymore, the feeling was gone.”

“I didn’t see anyone near him except his wife and the guardsmen, dear. Best you put it out of your mind. You need not worry; the guard will find who did this and then everything will go back to normal. Besides, your father should be home tomorrow evening. Are you excited?”

Tempus’ face lit up. “Of course, Ma! I can’t wait.” He scarfed down his food and cleared his side of the table before rushing upstairs to sleep. He lit the candle near his bed and pulled out his journal. His father had brought it back from a hunt in the Elven empire. It would never fill up, and he would always open it to a fresh page. His father had also given him a quill that would never run dry, decorated with an elaborate purple and green feather from a griffon.

Tempus spent the next ten minutes in a trance-like state, never taking his eyes off the paper as he drew the man he had seen. The more he drew, the less human and more monstrous the figure appeared. He still remembered the chill as he drew, the cold, dark eyes that felt as if they stared into his soul. It had been a mere moment that he had seen the man, but it left an indelible impression on his mind. Whatever that man or creature was, he would not forget it.

The next evening, Tempus’ father returned home. They celebrated with an elaborate meal at Baron Lestik’s home. The dining hall was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Tempus enjoyed the feast, but he was most excited about the hunt they had planned for the next day.

After the meal, Tempus found his friend Mina in the garden. She was sitting on a stone bench, her blonde hair catching the light of the lanterns.

“Mina, you won’t believe what happened in the market yesterday,” Tempus said, sitting down beside her.

“What happened?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“There was a man who got hurt, but that’s not the strange part. Just before we left, I saw someone standing over him. He had these pitch-black eyes and a smile that gave me chills. It was like he wasn’t human.”

Mina shivered. “That sounds terrifying. Did your mom see him too?”

“No, she didn’t. She thinks I imagined it, but I know what I saw. It felt so real, and I can’t get it out of my head.”

“Maybe it was a ghost or a dark spirit,” Mina suggested, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Maybe,” Tempus replied, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. “I just hope we don’t see him again.”

The next morning, Tempus and his father set out on their hunt. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. They moved quietly, tracking a deer through the underbrush. The path was rugged, with roots and rocks jutting out, making each step a careful calculation. The air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of pine and damp soil. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

After a few hours, they finally caught sight of their quarry. Tempus’ father signaled for him to stay still as he drew his bow. With a swift, practiced motion, he released the arrow, striking the deer cleanly. The deer fell, and they approached it with reverence, respecting the life they had taken.

They took the deer to the butcher and then climbed a ridge overlooking the valley where their town was nestled. The view was breathtaking, the town’s rooftops glinting in the sunlight. The journey up the ridge was steep, their boots crunching on the gravel path, but the sight at the top made it all worthwhile.

As they sat on the ridge, Tempus’ father began to recount his most recent hunts. “We tracked a pack of dire wolves near the northern border. They were causing trouble for the local farmers. It took us three days, but we finally managed to drive them off.”

Tempus listened intently, his mind momentarily distracted from the unsettling events in the market. He loved these moments with his father, hearing tales of bravery and adventure.

“Dad, have you ever seen someone with pitch-black eyes?” Tempus asked suddenly, the memory of the market scene resurfacing.

His father looked at him, puzzled. “Pitch-black eyes? What do you mean?”

Tempus hesitated, then told his father about the man he had seen in the market. His father listened carefully, his expression growing more confused.

“Tempus, I’ve never heard of anyone with eyes like that. Are you sure you weren’t imagining things? It sounds like something out of a myth or a story.”

Tempus nodded, feeling a mix of fear and determination.

“Don’t worry, son. I’m sure it was just a trick of the light. Now, let me tell you about the job I did recently…” his father began, launching into an elaborate story about his latest adventure.

“You should have seen the look on the Baron of Heathron’s face when I showed him its head. The man sputtered out his gratitude before puking on his fancy shirt. HA! I couldn’t contain my laughter.” He chuckled heartily.

“That is funny,” Tempus giggled, feeling a bit more at ease.

“So, seventeen. I can barely remember when I came of age. You know, your mother won’t be happy she’s going to lose her helper. You still plan on joining the hunter’s guild?”

“Of course I do! I can’t wait to explore the world and hunt monsters and magical beasts. It’s all I can think of most of the time.”

“Good man. I have a few things for you, but you’ll have to wait until your birthday for them. This, however…” He pulled a small satchel out from his bag. “…you can have now.” He handed it to Tempus.

“What is it?” Tempus asked as he took the satchel from his father.

“Open it up.”

Tempus looked down at the small bag before pulling the mouth open. Inside was a small orb, no bigger than the palm of his hand, that felt lighter than air as he held it in front of his face.

“A glass ball?” he questioned.

“No. Well, okay, technically it is, but that’s not all it is. You see that little lip there?” His father pointed to the base of the sphere, and Tempus saw an almost imperceptible line in a perfect circle, no bigger than the tip of a finger.

“What…” Tempus began as he rubbed it with his finger. As soon as he touched it, the orb began to glow, and he felt a strange sensation that scared the life out of him. It was the same cold feeling he had gotten when the man died in the square the other day.

“It’s a mana stone. I can’t afford for you to go to the basin, so hopefully we can get the guild to help with a ritual to integrate it so you can use your magic…” His father stopped when he noticed the look on his son’s face. “What’s wrong, son?”

“I… I’m sorry, Da. I can’t take this.” Tempus said as he placed the stone back into the satchel and handed it to his father.

“Why not?” his father replied, his tone deepening with concern.

“I just can’t, okay?” Tempus snapped back. The chill was gone, but he still shivered.

“Son…” His father started, but before he could say any more, Tempus had stood and run off toward the trail. Whatever that was, he wanted to be as far away from it as he could.

He made it home before his father and went straight to his room. Later in the evening, he heard his mother and father speaking a little loudly downstairs and tried to ignore it but couldn’t.

“…just don’t understand what was wrong with it.”

“It’s alright, dear, maybe he just doesn’t want to do it that way.”

“How else is he going to be able to use magic? We can’t afford the Basin.”

“I know, but he might just want to try for himself, dear. Maybe he wants to try to save the money from his hunts and use that to gain access himself.”

“It costs a hundred Emprins, love. You can’t earn that much hunting. I barely make a hundred silver per hunt. It would take him ten years to get even half of that with endless hunts. He would never get a break and in the meantime, he will fall behind hunters who took the same route I’m trying to offer him.”

“I know, dear. I know, but…”

They grew quieter, and he could no longer hear their conversation. It wasn’t that he wanted to work for the money to get into the Basin. In fact, this was exactly what he had wanted, but he couldn’t help what he had felt. The man and the stone gave the same feeling, and there was something downright wrong about it. No, it wasn’t right. He would have to find a different way to unlock his power.

A month later, they celebrated his birthday. His father had calmed down and apologized to Tempus, saying he didn’t mean to upset him. To calm his father, Tempus apologized as well and told him he would take the stone and think about it. He didn’t actually want to take it, but he knew his father would be upset.

It wasn’t surprising that his friend Mina wouldn’t be at the party. Being the daughter of Baron Lestik, she was considered nobility, and it wasn’t customary for nobles to attend the birthdays of commoners, even if they were close friends. It was one of the many unspoken rules of their society that Tempus found frustrating. Despite this, he knew Mina would have wished him well and probably had a gift waiting for him the next time they met. In Idri’Aniss, seventeen was the legal age for all things, including drinking wine. This meant Tempus could fully participate in the celebrations.

The night of his birthday, they celebrated with an elaborate cake that his mother had bought from the best bakery in town, known for its exquisite pastries and cakes. They drank wine and laughed together over dinner and then the cake.

His father left for a moment and returned with a travel pack made of the nicest red leather Tempus had ever seen. Inside was a searching stone for finding sources of water, a magical compass that would track whatever you thought of, and a journal prefilled.

“That is my monster and magical creature journal. It’s filled with all sorts of notes about the weaknesses and strengths of every creature I have ever hunted or discovered, and some I haven’t but learned about from other hunters. I hope it serves you well. Oh! Also…” He stepped into the next room for a moment and returned with three items.

A sword with a beautiful sheath made of the same red leather and fastened to a belt, a bow made from the white core of a plenth tree, and a quiver filled with elven arrows.

“I hope they serve you well, son,” he said, handing them over.

Tempus was beyond excited and rushed outside to practice with the equipment he had received. His father and mother watched him from the porch as he ran through the practice forms his father had taught him with the sword. He then tried out the bow and put a few new holes in the oak they always used for practice. He pulled the arrows free and ran back to his father, slamming into him with a hug so forceful they fell over and laughed.

“Thank you, Da,” he said with a tear in his eye.

“Of course, my little dragon,” his father replied with a warm tone and a large smile on his face.

His mother then stepped forward with a gift of her own. She handed him a beautifully bound book with intricate designs on the cover. “This is my herbal remedy and potion log. It contains all the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years about healing herbs and potion-making. I thought it might help you on your journey to becoming a potion master and healer.”

Tempus took the book, his eyes wide with gratitude. “Thank you, Ma. This means so much to me.”

“You’re welcome, my dear. I know you’ll make great use of it,” she said, hugging him tightly.

With these gifts, Tempus felt more prepared than ever to embark on his journey. He had the tools and knowledge to start his path as a hunter and healer, and the support of his loving family.

A week before his birthday, Tempus and his father had gone into town to visit the local smith. His father had saved up enough money to get Tempus fitted for a set of leather armor, a crucial step in preparing him for his future as a hunter. As they entered the smithy, Tempus was immediately captivated by the process. The rhythmic clanging of hammer on metal, the heat of the forge, and the smell of molten iron filled the air.

The smith, a burly man with a thick beard and kind eyes, greeted them warmly. “Ah, Tempus! Ready to get fitted for your armor?”

Tempus nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir!”

The smith measured him carefully, explaining each step of the process. Tempus watched in awe as the smith worked, his fascination with the craft growing with each passing moment. The way the smith shaped the leather, reinforced it with metal studs, and tailored it to fit perfectly was mesmerizing. This visit sparked a new interest in Tempus, one that would stay with him for years to come.

The very next day, Tempus rose with the sun and donned his new leather armor. He grabbed his gear and said goodbye to his parents as he left. He practically raced into town to the Hunter guild hall. Stepping inside, he was overwhelmed with an iron smell and the strong odor of onions. However, the hall was empty. Confused, he walked over to the counter and looked around. Behind the counter was a wall of cubbies filled with scrolls and empty parchment. To the right of the cubbies was a door that he knew from coming in with his father led to the hall master’s office. He stepped around the counter to knock when his foot slipped a little in something.

He looked down and saw it was blood. The same chill from the market covered him like a blanket of snow as he saw Lenna, the woman who metered out contracts to the hunters, lying on the floor behind the counter in what could only be her blood, covered in gashes. As he took a step back, a figure stepped out of thin air and Tempus gasped. This was it. The thing he had seen that day.

“What the hell are you?” he said, his throat so dry he barely got the words out.

The thing that stood before him looked like a man, but his eyes were pitch black and he had small horns protruding from his forehead. Blood dripped from his clawed hands and he smiled a pointy-toothed grin at Tempus.

“You can see me?” it asked.

“Of course I can. What are you?” he replied, his voice raised and a little more confident this time. He drew his blade and pointed it at the creature.

“Come now, there’s no need for that. Besides, do you really think you could do anything?”

“I…” Just then, the door to the hall master’s office slammed open.

“What the hell is going on here?” a tall burly man shouted. His long braided and grey beard shook as he spoke. He looked at Tempus, then his gaze moved to Lenna.

“Tempus… Did you… What…” he stammered before falling to his knees and grabbing her in a fierce hug. It was like he didn’t even see the man.

“Darren, I… do you not see him?” Tempus asked, his sword still raised and pointing at the creature.

“See who, child? Why do you have your sword out? Did… no… tell me you didn’t do this?” The man growled at him.

“NO! I… why would I…” Just as the words came out, the man-thing smiled wider unnaturally and swung his clawed hand as he stepped towards Darren. Tempus tried to react, but as his foot lifted into the air, the beast had already removed Darren’s head with a swift, brutal swipe. Blood sprayed across the room, painting the walls in a gruesome display.

Tempus stood stark still, frozen in place by what he had just seen. He felt sweat cover his body as the chill intensified. Darren’s head smacked to the floor and rolled toward him, the angry look stuck on his face.

The creature turned its gaze back to Tempus, its eyes gleaming with malevolent delight. It moved with terrifying speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Tempus barely had time to raise his sword before the beast’s clawed hand slashed across his chest, tearing through his armor like paper. Pain exploded through his body as he felt the savage cut rip open his flesh.

He saw blood fly out of his body and the beast was before him, its clawed fingers raised. It had attacked before he even knew what happened. What felt like an eternity passed as his vision blurred and he felt the air rush past him as he fell to the floor. The last thing he saw was the creature laughing, its abnormally long and pointed teeth clacking together as it did. Just before he fell unconscious, the creature said;

“I am a Demon. Soon, the world will remember us and the horror we bring.”