The interview with Lord Hypnos was very informative. We talked all night about various things, some unimportant, others very important. Once finished Rico got me out of the cabin and I didn't see him again. 3 days now that we lived together in a cabin in a wood not far from the Sidimian rampart. According to Rico's instructions we had to wait for Lord Cailum and Annabelle to return. The journey from the capital to Sidimian takes about 8 hours by train, it shouldn't be that long to come back. Which implies that whatever he intended to do there, something held him back. During this time I occupied myself by studying the map that Lord Hypnos made for me. I understand now why he was the pilot of the expedition, his map is very detailed, a bit like he had observed the place from the sky.
-It's your turn. Chantal told me.
Apart from that I played chess with Chantal. I wasn't very good at it, but neither was she, so it gave me a bit of an ego boost when I won.
-I'll try it.
-Raaaah dammit. She screamed.
-You should focus more on how to defeat the king, not how to eliminate every pawn you come across.
-One more game.
-No thanks, I'm sticking with my last victory. I said with a silly smile.
In the courtyard just behind, Sieur de Metz was training with his sword. His muscles showed through his clothes. He was built like a wardrobe with a mirror, he would certainly crush any of Athletes I know. Rico, for some reason, had gone into the woods. And the little girl... Tuli, she was sitting in the background without saying a word. I went over to her to say a few words, but her dog started to growl at me savagely and I froze immediately.
-Ahem... Can you tell him I don't mean you any harm?
She looked at me in amazement. Oh yes, it's true that she doesn't speak Inglrs. And my Jeritza is very rudimentary. But hey, it's better to try.
-Me... Want. Discuss... You...
She gave me a cold look, did I pronounce it wrong? That said, she waved her hand and her dog moved away. I took the opportunity to get closer but as I was about to sit down, she pulled a rifle out from under her cloak and pointed it at me. I raised my hands out of reflex. Damn, I'm not used to being threatened with weapons and this is starting to be a lot. I took a few steps back and sat down on a rock right next to her.
-How old are you ?
I asked without much hope of an answer, after all she didn't seem very talkative.
-I am... How to say 26.
I tried to show it with my fingers but it made the trick more complicated.
-At a guess I'd say you're around 18. Very young to find yourself in a situation like this.
I saw her grip her rifle tightly as she heard my words. It seemed like I had hit a nerve.
-Tell me, do you know where we are?
I saw her stare at me blankly, she clearly didn't understand. I tried to rephrase in Elysian.
-Do you know where we are?
I saw her turn her head to say no. As if she understood a little. Inglesien and Elysien are a little similar I hope I won't confuse her too much in my choice of words.
-Here we are at the edge of the known world. I used to live here with my brothers and sister. I said, pointing at the wall. It used to be a beautiful place, the countryside as far as the eye could see, the fields, the birds singing and all that. Then the gate opened, monsters landed on the other side and we were chased away.
I don't know if she still understood me, but she was now looking at me attentively.
-I lost my mother in this tragedy but the rest of the family was able to escape unscathed. Officially it was an epidemic that ravaged the region and my brothers are too young to really remember it. But me...
I clenched my fist.
-I remember. All those people who died trampled, devoured or dismembered. It can't be just a nightmare. It was real, IT'S REAL. I insisted. And all the expeditions I led across the world, all these discoveries, all these studies were not for nothing. I will prove it here and now.
I glanced at her and saw her watching me with intent eyes while blinking.
-Ah sorry. Looks like I lost you.
Suddenly she stood up abruptly. Her gesture worried me, I looked around me, De Metz had stopped training. A disturbing silence had just settled in this forest, an abnormal silence. I saw the little girl close one eye and keep the other open, it was as if she was trying to see better.
-What is... What is...
A shrill cry echoed through the woods. I looked up and saw a raven in the sky. It was flying in a circle around us, when it was suddenly grabbed by another flying creature. The flying beast had a woman's body, wings, claws and talons. Its plumage oscillated between green and blue. Its head seemed human but you could see fangs in its mouth.
-Good God. A HARPY.
She devoured the crow in one bloody mouthful, I then saw young Tuli staggering so I approached to help her but her dog growled at me.
-Little one, are you okay?
Suddenly a giant wolf leapt out of the woods. My God, it was a Wolfen. With a light step De Metz moved to the side, letting the beast pass, then grabbed his blade from behind. With a quick movement he cut it in two and the upper part of the beast crashed at my feet.
-It's... It's... IT'S REAL. I shouted enthusiastically.
-Get down, you moron. Chantal shouted.
As I turned I saw a monster this time Biped, it looked like a human except that it was all blue and its hair was made of ice spikes. The creature armed with an axe tried to split my skull but Chantal grabbed its arm with a whip then dragged it to her before crushing its torso under her boot. She finished it off with a pistol shot to the head.
-That's a good thing done. She said proudly.
-No. I yelled. The noise will attract the Harpy.
-What ?
The harpy had spotted us. I saw De Metz put himself on guard by swinging his blade upside down. Chantal pointed her weapon in his direction and fired a few shots. The Harpy avoided them with a quick flap of its wings and continued its descent. Just when I thought it was time to flee, a gunshot rang out and I covered my ears. The Harpy was hit in the heart and crashed violently to the ground. The shooter was none other than this girl, Tuli.
-Woooow. whistle chantal. Pretty little girl.
Gunshots rang out in the forest, putting everyone on alert. But rather than see one of these monstrosities appear, Rico came out of the woods holding an axe in his hand and covered in blue blood.
-Calm down. I took care of it. And I see you haven't been idle either.
As I caught my breath, the sound of a vehicle approaching was heard in the distance. A black sedan pulled up and pulled over to the side. Two people quickly got out, Lord Cailum and Annabelle. Lord C was dressed in the same attire as the day before we met, Ana on the other hand had been shopping, a leather coat, a snow hat and climbing boots. A true adventurer.
-Wow wow. She hissed. You didn't seem to be bored.
I saw Rico salute the Lord Commander and I froze, wondering if I should do the same. But he put his hand on his subordinate's shoulder and indicated that this had no place here. He was surprisingly more flexible than the man under his command. Also I saw Chantal go to Anna. She started yelling at her about how monsters weren't part of the deal, but Anna whispered something in her ear and she became surprisingly docile.
-Well, time is running out. Lord C remarked. In view of recent events, we can no longer afford to delay the expedition. I would have liked to gather more people, but this story caught me off guard, forcing me to act in a small group.
-Says the man who gathered a battalion in the middle of Lunden. Anna remark in an Accerb voice.
Lord C continues insensitive to provocation. At least on the surface.
-According to my personal consultant, the longer this portal remains open, the more demons will continue to flow from the other side. It is possible that our world will merge with that of the Aesir.
-Wow wow wow. Chantal said. Merge? What's this crazy thing. Garcia what is even happenning ?
Despite her complaint, Chantal seemed half surprised. As if she was used to rubbing shoulders with the supernatural.
-Oh the merger would take a good half century, don't worry. Cailum said nonchalantly. Which leaves us with about 30 years ahead of us if we decide to do nothing.
-What, just 30? Chantal wondered.
-The portal has been open for almost 19 years now. I replied.
-Personally, I intend to live until I'm 90. Lord Cailum declared. So we jump to Sidimian's domain, find the flute of Orpheus and close the portal.
it was so simple.
-Any questions? No? Perfect. Let's go.
As I turned around I saw that young Tuli had disappeared. I hadn't even noticed. Shortly after packing our things we went to the wall. Our convoy consisted of two jeeps and a motorcycle. The rear jeep contained the equipment and supplies driven by Rico with De Metz as a passenger Tuli and his dog in the back. Besides I think it's actually a wolf. Chantal was closing the way with the motorcycle. In the lead jeep there was me sitting as a passenger, Annabelle at the wheel and Lord C sitting just behind. I couldn't tell if his presence in the back reassured me or frightened me. Despite his nonchalant air it seemed like he was ready to jump on us at any moment.
-Here we go, we pass the checkpoint.
19 years, almost 20 years since I last set foot here. This is the place where I was born and I spent the first 7 years of my life there. Years that are still engraved in me to this day. As our little convoy crossed the border I felt a slight shiver run down my spine. I don't know what it was like for the others but I felt nostalgic. Well it didn't last long.
-Well, it's not so bad. Said Lord C. I was expecting something close to Berserk eclipse.
By the time we got to the other side the sky was overcast. It wasn't dark but rather gray, everything around us was austere. The air was dry, it was suddenly cold like when the ghosts attacked the train, but the sounds were clearer.
-So Ed? Anna said. Is it like you remember?
I saw Lord Cailum mime a microphone and reach out to me.
-So, Mr. Monde. How does it feel to set foot in such a place again after so many years? He asked enthusiastically.
-Oh yes Mr. Monde, a comment for the Gazette added Anna who followed him in his play.
I looked at the vegetation around me. It didn't look any more damaged than it should be, on the contrary it seemed to have prospered a lot in 20 years. The fact of the disappearance of humans you might say.
-Well let's just say it has a bit more of an exotic touch. I replied sarcastically. I'll ask the Jotun who their interior decorator is.
-Oh you're holding up surprisingly well, Anna was surprised.
-Well, I'm disappointed. Said Lord Cailum. I was hoping for a little fantasy, a little more exoticism.
-It's true that my lord likes thrills. Said Anna.
-No, he's right. I expected it to be different too, but it's almost like the day I left. I explained. Minus the bodies.
-The monsters must have eaten them all. Said Lord C. Either way, we need to reach your family's castle before nightfall.
-Yes, you're right.
Annabelle pressed the accelerator. After all, there was no traffic, no obstacles, except for the roads that had seen grass growing everywhere and tree debris here and there. The convoy continued on its way for about half a day before finally arriving at the village of Izeult.
-Here we are. I said.
It was a village big enough to be mistaken for a small town. It was just upstream from our fiefdom. My family's castle was a few kilometers away. From the hill we could see it, tall and majestic with fewer stones. The sun was about to set and we had to find a place to camp. The convoy stopped, De Metz and Rico dismounted and approached.
-Go make sure the place is safe. Lord C ordered. And be careful, we don't know what awaits us there.
As they drove to Izeult I got out of the vehicle to stretch my legs. I put one knee on the ground and stroked the grass.
-It's cold.
I looked at the landscape around me, it seemed unreal. But I recognized the place, there was a swamp not far away, and an abandoned well on the nearby hill. At the time a horde of demons had chased us from our home, but there... It's empty. To tell the truth I expected to be attacked from all sides, but it's as if there had never been one. I observed the surroundings once again, the wall was visible in the distance. This wall, it has protected the secret of my family for generations and even today it continues to do so. I took out of my inner pocket the map and the compass that Hypnos had given me. The compass in question was strange as if it had been demagnetized, according to him it was supposed to show me the way once inside the dungeon. But there it doesn't even show me the north, the needle goes in all directions.
-Let's pray he doesn't make fun of me.
I approached Tuli to reassure her a little. Her pet was no longer barking at me, just glaring, there is progress. The young girl held her rifle close to her and did not say a word, yet I felt a look of worry in her face.
-Don't worry, they'll be back soon. And that guy Rico is tough.
Oh shit I spoke Ingleisan. Did she understand my intentions at least? Apparently yes since she let go of me. I turned my head towards the city and saw the other two coming back. I couldn't help but laugh given the difference in size between Rico and Sieur De Metz. It was like the ancient myth of David and Goliath. While they were still far away the fog seemed to suddenly lift. I looked around, this fog was covering the surroundings very quickly. Abnormally quickly. This mist was not natural... I got into the Jeep, while the dog got out and gritted his teeth, going on alert. Young Tuli had also armed her rifle and was observing the surroundings. I dived into the the gods diary in the volume dedicated to supernatural phenomena.
Diary Volume 3: The mist is a phenomenon controlled by the goddess Hecate in order to hide from mortals the sight of a god, a monster or a titan.
I doubt that we find a god around here, and a titan would make a deafening racket. Although...
-HAAAAAAA.
I let out a huge scream and I heard the sound spread. However, according to the notebook, Hecate's mist does not allow sounds to travel. Tuli here has just covered her ears, which means she can hear me. I decided to search for an explanation. I'm sure I've already heard of it. A creature that uses the mist to hide and approach. As I searched my volume, I heard the young girl ask her animal to calm down. I didn't understand the language well, but I guess that's it.
-OHEY. Can you hear me? Lord C yelled through the fog. What was that scream?
-DON'T MOVE. I shouted.
-What is....
-I SAID DON'T MOVE.
The best solution in our situation is to stay still. If and I mean If what is written in the book is true it will not do anything to us as long as we stay still.
-NOBODY MOVE ANYMORE. RICO, FROM METZ STAY WHERE YOU ARE. AND YOU TOO CAILUM.
In the best case scenario it will pass and the fog too. As I stood still I heard a dull growl, the earth vibrating under my boots, the dog stopped barking and curled up on itself. That's what I thought, we were dealing with the Tarasque, an ancient creature that you don't come across often. From what I've read it tends to kidnap children and old people at the edge of a swamp. The swamp is 2 miles from here, where does it come all the way here to hunt? And if we proceed by Age Tuli is the youngest and she looks like a child. No the Tarasque is not violent by nature. As long as we stand still. Please make sure the other two don't do anything stupid.
-Pitiiiié....
The sound of the cracking seemed to fade away and with it the fog. Visibility slowly returned and I saw that the other two had not taken a step from their initial position. I let out a sigh as I saw Lord Cailum staring at me through his glasses.
-What was that creature? he asked?
-A Tarasque. It's a long story but let's say it's non-violent if you don't attack it or show any hostility.
-Oooh. I see.
His reaction disappointed me a little. I mean, nothing surprises this guy, it's crazy. Lord C is hard to impress. After this event we continued our journey. The car stopped at the entrance to the family castle. Well I say castle, it was mostly a huge manor. The place had aged, you could feel the weight of the years. The fountain had dried up, the grass was dead, the entire garden was gone, plants of all kinds had proliferated in the walls. To tell the truth, this place oscillated between the unrecognizable and the old. I was as much nostalgic as horrified. The stone crane that our grandfather had brought back from Akilonia was intact. We got out of our vehicles, each on our guard. Everyone was tense except me.
-Be careful there might be demons around. Rico said.
But I didn't care. I just walked towards the door and opened it calmly. It was clearly still working. Strangely enough, this gesture had the effect of calming everyone down. I looked at them with a big smile and said to them.
-Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Manoire des Monde.
End of chapter