Vladimir looked at the dead, elderly married couple lying on the ground.No matter how hardened he was, he couldn't just leave them there he had to bury them.He carried the bodies outside the house and buried them beneath a walnut tree near a church.Standing before the graves, he thrust the shovel into the soil and stared at the mound for a while.As the sun slowly began to set on the horizon, he looked toward the other graves on his left.There, a blonde and beautiful girl seemed to be praying beside a grave.
The girl looked at Vladimir. They exchanged glances for a moment before she slowly began walking toward him.When she reached his side, she looked down at the two graves and placed one of the flowers in her hand upon the soil.Vladimir noticed tears forming in her emerald-green eyes and was surprised.While she stared at the graves, the girl said softly,"Your family? My condolences. I'm so sorry."
Vladimir looked at the tears in her eyes and replied,"No, I didn't know them. When I arrived, they'd already been killed by a Kharzul."
The girl's face turned pale in shock."A Kharzul? Here? But such creatures never appear in this place…" she said.
Vladimir didn't respond. He simply turned around and started walking away.The girl called after him,"If you wish, you can stay here for a while."
Vladimir turned toward her and nodded silently in approval.The girl smiled faintly and wiped the tears from her eyes."I live in the church. I'm sure they'll welcome you kindly." she said.
Vladimir followed her into the church.It wasn't grand or luxurious, but it had a peaceful atmosphere.The symbols of the gods on the ceiling and the floor were beautifully crafted.The soft glow of candles gently illuminated the paintings on the walls.
The girl walked to the front of the altar, where a priest was standing."I found a traveler, Father," she said. "Would it be a problem if he stayed here for a while?"
The priest looked at Vladimir, scanning him from head to toe."This is a church, my son. We have enough space and food for anyone in need," he said.
The priest stepped down from the altar and approached Vladimir.Up close, his eyes caught the glimmer of the pendant around Vladimir's neck.It was framed in silver, with a faint orange light burning at its center.Above the stone, a small golden symbol gleamed faintly.
The priest frowned slightly."Where did you find that pendant?" he asked.
"I didn't find it anywhere," Vladimir replied. "I've worn it since I was a child."
The priest stared at him in disbelief."That's a royal insignia… King Valamir had it made for his son. Don't tell me you're the prince?"
Vladimir took the pendant in his hand and studied it."How do I know you're telling the truth, Father?" he asked.
"I once served King Valamir," the priest said softly. "I was a priest at the royal cathedral before it fell."
Vladimir looked at him, eyes filled with confusion."What happened to the old kingdom?"
The priest sighed deeply."It's a long story. You should eat and rest first. I'll tell you everything tomorrow."
Vladimir said nothing and walked through the right door of the church, climbing the stairs.He entered a pleasantly scented room.
"This is usually my room," the girl said from behind him, her voice calm and warm."But you can stay here tonight. Guests are always important in this place."
"My name is Elara, by the way," she added with a shy smile."I never asked yours sorry."
Vladimir turned to her."My name is Vladimir," he said simply.
He stepped further into the room.The flowers by the window gave off a soft, sweet fragrance.There was a clean, simple bed across from him and a wooden wardrobe on the left, made of oak.
He placed his belongings down and looked out the window.Night had fallen; the pale light of the moon filled the room.
From the door, Elara's voice called out,"Dinner will be ready soon. I'll be downstairs join us when you're ready."
As he descended the stairs, the echo of his footsteps filled the stone hallway.After a moment of silence, he went down to the dining room.
In the center of the table sat a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth.The priest poured wine into a goblet and handed it to Vladimir.He accepted it and sat down at the table.
While they ate, the priest looked at Vladimir's hands, then set down his fork."Your nails… did they torture you?" he asked quietly.
Vladimir remained silent. They continued eating.
When Elara cleared the table, Vladimir stood, pushed his chair back in place, and said,"Thank you for the meal."
The priest wiped his mouth and smiled."You're welcome, young man."
Vladimir climbed the stone stairs back to his room.He walked through the dark corridor, entered the flower scented room, and lay down on the bed, falling asleep.
He found himself in a pitch-black chamber.Chains hung from the walls, and skeletal remains lay scattered across the floor.The blue torches on the walls gave off a faint, ghostly light.On the ground were a moldy piece of bread half-bitten and a small bowl of filthy water.
The door creaked open.A shadow like figure entered tall, formless.As it approached, the red glow in its eyes grew brighter, terrifying.
Vladimir pressed himself against the wall.The figure's red eyes gleamed in the dark as it lunged forward, grabbing his throat and slamming him to the ground.It was hard even to breathe.His long black hair fell across his face as he stared at the filthy stone floor.The sound of whips and screams echoed through the walls, splitting the silence apart.
The blows kept coming again and again until pain itself became nothing but a memory.
Vladimir jolted awake in the early hours of dawn, just before sunrise.He dressed quickly, slipped quietly down the corridor, descended the stone steps, and left the church.
He sat silently before the grave, when he heard footsteps behind him.The priest approached slowly, looking down at the grave.
"I knew your father," he said softly. "He was a good man… a good king."
Vladimir kept his gaze on the ground."What happened to him?"
The priest took a deep breath."Once, peace and harmony ruled the seven kingdoms.Your father sought unity among all races.His greatest dream was for humans and elves to live together in peace but he failed."
"One day, King Valamir's son was born.To honor his birth, the elves blessed the child, granting him the mana's divine grace before the gods.The pendant around your neck was forged by dwarves its glow is proof of that blessing."
"Everything was perfect then.Humans and elves had finally made peace.But on a stormy night, the kingdom's most trusted guards the Nerath Brothers led a rebellion.The king left the castle to protect his son, but was slain on the way."
Vladimir turned to the priest."The man I keep seeing in my dreams… that was my father, wasn't it?"
The priest placed a hand on his shoulder."Your father came from a divine bloodline, blessed by the gods themselves, my son.He was the only one who could slay the demons seeping up from the underworld.You must find his sword. I fear no one else can save this world now."
Vladimir frowned."Where is this sword, then?"
The priest exhaled slowly."I don't know, my son. I'm sorry.But I may know someone who does.It will be a difficult journey. The one you seek lives far away, hidden within the Dwarven Mountains.There, you'll face many trials creatures, traps, and tests of the mind."
"He is a powerful seer a wizard.He will test you.You must prove yourself worthy of the power you seek.That's all I can tell you.Go whenever you're ready."
Vladimir tightened his grip on his bag."And this seer what is his name?"
The priest stroked his beard."His name is Merlin," he said. "The greatest wizard the kingdom has ever known."