Torrent's gallop and the cold night wind were the only sounds amidst the desert dunes, with the moonlight illuminating our path as we steadily advanced.
Looking to the side, I saw one of the greatest proofs that this was no longer my world: the twin moons high in the sky.
The larger one shone like a beacon while the smaller, darker one almost disappeared among the dark clouds.
Hm… I hope Rennala is unharmed and safe.
However, unlike the moons, I could barely see the stars, as if there were a dirty glass in the way obscuring their light.
"Hey, Alden…"
"No, you won't drink my blood anytime soon, and I swear I'll abandon you in the middle of the desert if you try to bite me again."
"Sorry, but it's hard to hold back when your scent is so close!"
"Out of curiosity, what does my scent smell like?"
Her grip on my waist tightened, and I heard her accelerated breathing. I seriously considered throwing her away, but I would end up losing my translator.
"Have you ever heard the phrase: the older and stronger the wine, the better the taste? It's something similar, but difficult to describe; you smell of powerful arts, and your blood is like a masterfully prepared drink."
Probably due to the souls I used to strengthen myself and the various spells I learned. I'm surprised nothing happened to her; who knows what's in my blood after everything I've done?
"Other vampires can smell me too?"
"Certainly, so I recommend you be careful; they aren't as gentle as I am."
I couldn't see her face, but I imagined one of her smug smiles, judging by her laugh.
"They wouldn't be the first wanting my blood."
I frowned, remembering the shameful moment when I joined the Brotherhood of Blood in the Undead Purgatory.
I never considered myself a bloodthirsty person, but several successive victories and an almost hollow mind can drive a man and his ego mad.
Nahr Alma the Blood God, Titchy Gren, Bloody Fingers, and now the vampires—why are there so many beings obsessed with blood? At least their equipment, ashes of war and incantations are extremely useful.
Then silence returned, but it didn't last long, broken again by Warfarin.
"Let's talk more, this trip is getting boring."
I couldn't agree more.
"And what would you like to talk about?"
"I don't know, do you remember any interesting stories?"
"Very well, in the far north, a city shrouded in ice rested in a deep slumber, protecting the world from a flame that corrupted everything it touched…"
-XXXXXX-
The journey continued, and although Torrent and I didn't need to rest, the same couldn't be said for my traveling companion. It was daytime, and the terrain had changed. We were in a forest within a valley carved by a river, trying to reach a smaller town where Warfarin intended to obtain equipment from an acquaintance.
After feeding of me again, she lay down under the shade of a tree, using her bag as a pillow. As for me, I was reduced to watchman, ensuring nothing happened while she slept.
Peace was welcome, and the landscape was marvelous. Living nature without anything trying to kill me was rare, whether in Drangleic or the Lands Between.
With my binoculars, I admired my surroundings from the top of the valley, spotting in the distance the city we were going to, built around the river.
Putting the object back in my bag, I sat down next to the vampire, removing a journal and a pencil from my bag.
Its contents were a mess: notes on what little I remembered of my past, detailed records of my journey mixed with my thoughts and sketches of maps, enemies, landscapes, people, and objects of interest.
I would soon need a new one, but in the meantime, I started a new chapter, this time about my arrival on Terra.
While writing, I spotted something moving near me. Putting the journal aside, I found one of the most common creatures in this world, Originium Slugs.
What was once an ordinary slug now had the mysterious mineral growing on its body due to prolonged contact.
The creature was black with a spiny carapace of a lighter shade growing on its back, emanating a yellowish light from its openings.
Slowly, it crawled towards me and I pushed it back with my staff, however, it continued trying to get closer.
"If I give you titanite, will you be able to grow it on your body?"
It wasn't as if the animal would answer, but if what I'm thinking is possible, my days of killing the same enemy repeatedly for a minuscule chance of obtaining the miraculous metal would come to an end.
"I hope you don't mind traveling with me."
I carefully held the slug by the sides and stored it in my bag.
-XXXXXX-
We stopped before the city gate at night. We weren't the only late travelers, but the guards seemed particularly uneasy with us.
"Probably tension due to a nearby conflict, and we're not exactly a common sight."
I only understood a few words the guards were saying. I supposed they were asking who we were, where we came from, where we were going, and what our intentions were.
I let Warfarin speak for me to avoid misunderstandings, and after a few moments, we finally entered the city.
"What did they say?"
"They wanted to know if we came here to cause trouble. The city is full of rowdy mercenaries, and the guards are overwhelmed."
"Were they hired by the local leader?"
"Probably not. The mercenaries must be returning or preparing for the next battle. Some may already be hired, while others may be looking for someone to offer their services to."
"Do you think they'll be a problem?"
"I'd like to say no, but you never know. Mercenaries are a bunch of thugs; they might try to kill you because they don't like your face or because they're perceived the wrong way. However, they might offer their services to you."
"And why is that?"
"You don't project the image of a humble person, you know? Your shield has a giant jewel in the center, your staff is made of silver and has an obsidian orb at the tip, the clothes you wear are adorned with bracelets, chains, and silver and gold medals, and your fingers are full of shiny rings. They'll think you're some kind of nobleman or Lord."
I nodded in understanding and stored my rings, staff, and shield in my bottomless bag, but I couldn't do anything about my clothes, as these were all I possessed besides some armor sets, and being naked wasn't an option.
"What?"
I asked Warfarin, who was now watching me with her mouth agape and a surprised expression.
"H-how?"
"Bottomless bag, now how about we look for your friend?"
"What do you mean by that?!"
"It's exactly what I said, it's a bottomless bag."
"Is this some kind of Art?"
"No, it's just bottomless, look."
I reached into my bag and pulled out a huge golden halberd, putting it away and then taking out a stone hammer and a great axe.
"Impressive, do you know where I can get one?!"
"Unfortunately not, it's been with me for as long as I can remember, but I can try to make another one if given enough time and resources."
"That would be great, it would be so much easier to carry my things! And we could sell them and get rich!"
"That is, until everyone has a nearly indestructible bottomless bag and the product is no longer in demand."
"Just raise the price and turn the bag into a luxury item! Add some fancy buckles, a nice color, a brand with a strange name, and voila, sell it as if it were the best thing in the world! Rich people love to flaunt their things!"
"Wouldn't it be better to charge a fair price instead of artificially inflating the value of something that isn't even that rare?"
"Oh, Alden, you're a great caster, but a terrible merchant. Leave the negotiations to me; you just need to create more of these miraculous artifacts."
I don't know whether I should be impressed or worried about her greed, but either way, I put that little project aside for later and kept walking.
The walk didn't take long; occasionally we encountered groups of armed people, whether guards or mercenaries, all whispering or giving us dirty looks behind our backs.
Surprisingly, Warfarin didn't bother to return the insults, probably because her victims were capable of starting a fight.
The streets grew increasingly dark as we approached the outskirts, and the houses, now with closed windows and extinguished lights, became more dilapidated.
Sometimes a menacing-looking individual would sneak through the alleys, and one even tried to rob us, but being sent flying with a punch discouraged the others.
We stopped in front of a house that looked a little better than the others, and Warfarin knocked on its door.
Seconds passed in silence, and she knocked again, harder, still to no avail.
Soon, she banged on the door as if trying to break it down while shouting something in Kazdelian. The lights in the neighboring houses shone, and the angry shouts of their inhabitants came from inside.
A second-story window opened, and a woman wearing a semi-transparent nightgown—something that made me look away in respect—shouted something in our direction.
Warfarin retorted with her own words, and the woman flushed a deep red as she clenched her teeth in fury.
A shirtless man, probably her husband, appeared at the window, joining the argument.
I was about to drag the vampire away before she caused us more trouble, however, the door of the house she was banging on opened, and a man in pajamas carrying a lamp stared at us with sleepy but irritated eyes.
They both talked, with Warfarin pointing at me and the man raising a questioning eyebrow.
I prayed they would finish soon, because the angry couple had chosen me as their target, and now there were more people complaining at the windows.
I, in all my wisdom, assumed an impassive face and pretended not to understand, acting as if it wasn't about me.
After showing the man some money, he went back inside the house and returned with several items.
A set of clothes consisting of a short red dress, a black coat, and shoes and gloves of the same color, a metal staff with a blood bag at the end connected to a thin tube, and a bag full of medical supplies, according to Warfarin.
She paid the man, who grumbled in response, and said goodbye, but not before shouting one last thing to the people watching us.
I smashed a frying pan thrown in our direction and quickened my pace, wanting to get out of here as quickly as possible.
"You say I attract a lot of attention, but you don't seem to care about causing trouble."
"HA, you're the outsider here. I know how much I can provoke a Sarkaz before they try anything, you don't."
"Does that apply to that man? He didn't seem happy to see you."
"He was my supplier of medical and art materials. He also takes custom orders, although our last meeting wasn't the best. I may have gotten carried away and made some unpleasant comments about his mother, and I may have also taken my last order without paying."
At least she had the decency to look ashamed.
"You're a troublesome young girl, aren't you?"
"Know that I'm a grown woman!"
"You don't act like one."
"Because I don't want to turn into a grumpy old hag like my grandmother! I barely reached my first century of life and she tried to marry me off to an old, decrepit vampire from another clan!"
"I'm sorry about that."
"Thank you, and you? Do you remember any family members?"
"Hm… My memories are vague, but it seems I had a wife and a son at some point, but I don't remember their names and faces, no matter how hard I try."
"Oh… Sorry for bringing it up."
"Don't worry, I'm used to it."
My words did little to comfort her. Warfarin stuck her tongue out and looked away, but soon perked up as we passed a bustling tavern.
"How about we grab something to eat? I'll pay this time."
"I thought vampires didn't need to eat food."
"And we don't need to, but I like to savor something different from time to time, but you should worry about yourself. Traveling at night must have messed up your sleep and eating habits, I've never seen you eat or sleep."
"I'm a tough man, you don't need to worry about me so much."
"Hump, male pride! I'm being kind and you still have the audacity to refuse? Let's go!"
Warfarin grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the tavern. She had surprising strength for someone so small, but now it was too late to back down; we crossed the entrance and became the center of attention.
The various mercenaries, men and women, fell silent and watched us suspiciously all the way to our table in a corner.
They were scattered throughout the establishment, carrying various weapons and armor, with little to help identify their allegiances.
The drunkenness returned as soon as we sat down, though with less excitement. Warfarin went to the counter to place our order while I tapped my fingers on the table, observing my surroundings.
A Sarkaz was playing music in a corner, with a coin box at his feet; some mercenaries were drinking until they passed out while others were gorging themselves on food.
It seems the worst of the civil war hasn't yet reached this place.
"Our food will arrive soon." Warfarin sat down across from me, swinging her legs in the air.
"I still think you shouldn't spend money on me."
"Let me repay what you've done for me, please. Traveling has become easier with you here."
"Alright, but don't expect this to become a habit."
"Great!"
Just as Warfarin said, the food arrived quickly; two plates of roast beef and a couple of large mugs of beer were placed on our table.
"It's delicious, isn't it?"
I nodded, chewing slowly, pretending to be able to taste everything I ate or drank. Eating was a futile effort when you couldn't savor it, but at least the situation was pleasant.
Then we talked, mostly about our travels, however, I adapted my story to the current situation, avoiding contradictions or sounding like a madman spouting nonsense.
"...So, I fixed his leg after the fight, but I was expelled from the village soon after and..."
I paid half-attention to the vampire's words, who, after consuming an absurd amount of alcohol for someone so small, was still standing and talking.
However, my focus shifted to the person approaching, a young mercenary wearing leather and metal armor, carrying a broadsword and a face red from being so drunk.
He stopped between us and pointed his weapon at me, demanding something I didn't fully understand.
"Stranger… Leave…"
I frowned as his breath reeking of alcohol touched my face and turned to Warfarin, expecting a response.
"Looks like we're not welcome here anymore, Alden."
The mercenary's friends stood up and tried to pull him away, but he struggled while yelling, eventually saying something that made his companions stop.
"Kill… Fortress…"
The rest of the tavern fell silent and stared at us as Warfarin immediately stood up, knocking her chair to the floor.
"We need to go, now!"
No further words were needed; I closed the distance between us, holding her in my arms. Simultaneously, several weapons were drawn and the mercenaries advanced towards us.
I lit my flame and conjured Acid Mist, filling the area with a yellow and black cloud, blinding my enemies and destroying their equipment.
I kicked the tavern door off its hinges immediately afterward, summoning Torrent and riding away.
I heard the furious screams of those I left behind fading into the distance, and it wasn't long before we crossed the city gate, leaving it behind.
"What just happened?!"
"It seems some of the people there were connected to the warlord's mercenaries you killed, and you fit the description of the person who ruined everything! Congratulations, Alden, you're famous now!"
"I should have left you in that prison!"
"HAHAHA!"
-XXXXXX-
It was getting cold, a sign that we were approached the capital, however, the closer we got, the more destruction caused by the civil war we saw.
We circled a distant plain, using my binoculars to observe two armies killing each other. Arts, arrows, and crossbow bolts tore through the air, mixed with cries of war and death and the crack of steel against steel.
We left the red-stained grass behind, finding a fortress under siege by an army dressed in gray and gold.
Explosions echoed in the distance, catapults and ballistas bombarded the attackers and defenders, and when the ladders were placed on the walls, it was all over.
The next event took place on a river, with an army making its last stand against the current. A classic strategy when victory was impossible, they would fight to the last man or drown.
We also found what was left behind during these conflicts: cities, towns, and fortifications reduced to ruins and ashes, littered with burned and dismembered bodies.
Some served as warnings: hanged or impaled bodies, dressed in rags and with signs hanging from their bodies bearing insults ranging from traitor, murderer, thief, and others.
Occasionally we encountered groups of refugees, people who had escaped with only the bare necessities before it was too late, now having to cross wild lands to survive.
Most were dirty, wounded, sick, hungry, and hopeless. I could only offer money, healing, and repairs; not all accepted, after all, why should they? I would clearly demand something from them, wouldn't I?
But the few who did couldn't be more grateful; I saw a glimmer of hope in their eyes and prayed that they would find a new home.
"It's awful, isn't it?"
I murmured yes, too tired to reply.
"Everyone participating in this war hopes to unify and rebuild Kazdel, but this blinds them to the fact that they are contributing to its destruction."
"Shouldn't the king do something about it?"
"I suppose so, if he isn't a puppet of the other nobles or doesn't need to appease his supporters to avoid being assassinated."
"And resources are limited; you can only extend your forces so far before your defenses become too thin, I suppose."
"Correct, the king could try to restore order, but does he have what it takes?"
I remained silent, pondering her words as we crossed an abandoned battlefield, with dried-out bodies and discarded weapons left behind.
"Warfarin, how good are you in combat?"
"Terrible, I've never had formal training. I prefer to use my arts to help allies rather than fight on the front lines."
"The destruction caused in your cell says otherwise."
"I was hungry and furious, but that doesn't mean I enjoy fighting. I'm not a brute like the rest of my race, I'm a lady."
"You know we're being watched, don't you?"
"Of course I do, I smelled them from miles away."
"Then take this."
I removed a pair of blood-stained serrated daggers, Reduvia, from my bag and handed them to Warfarin.
"What is this disgusting thing?"
"Reduvia, they don't require high attributes to use. It's better to have them nearby if the worst happens than to fight empty-handed."
"What a gentleman."
A hooded figure awaited us ahead, and it wasn't long before more jumped to their feet, removing their corpse disguises.
The hooded figure said something that seemed to unsettle Warfarin, causing her to respond in an agitated tone. The figure then removed its hood, revealing a pair of red eyes and pointed ears.
The others around us did the same, demonstrating that they were vampires just like my companion.
END OF CHAPTER