Chapter Text
Long ago, where magic ran throughout the world, forming strange beans and creatures. Many were able to make peace with Werewolves, Witches, Elves and Meif'wa, but not many weren’t able to befriend the Wyverns, for they were the most powerful creatures. Many saw them as a threat, and they tried to kill them, but one woman didn’t fear these creatures. Befriending the Elder Wyvern, and learning these creatures' behavior to understand them more, her name was Irene. But where there's light, there is darkness, the darkest of magic formed in a different realm, the nether. A twisted, dark place that barely any life formed, till a bean was formed from this dark magic, the Shadow Lord. The Shadow Lord saw the humans as weak creatures, but he also saw that they would have some good use in them as well. He was able to manipulate those who despised many of the creatures and the friendships they formed with the human, claiming that he’ll help them become stronger and become the dominant species of this world, that is if they sell their souls to him. Promising them immortality in return for them doing his bidding, the humans, Magic Users, Werewolves and Meif’wa that followed the Shadow Lord had become hollow shells of themselves, only having darkness in the place of their heart, becoming his servants, becoming his army, becoming Shadow Knights. Despite growing an army, the Shadow Lord still wasn’t pleased, he clenched for more, but humanity was in the way in his eyes. So, the Shadow Lord went to the Wyverns, killing the Elder and his Knights tricked them by making them believe that the Humans were behind it. Believing that their so-called allies did something like this to their leader, the Wyverns went into War with the humans as the Shadow Lord watched the blood shed for his pleasure. However, as the Shadow Lord was admiring himself in his pride, Irene faced him. Curious in the woman, he allowed her to approach him, but instead of meeting fear, he saw anger and calmness in her eyes, for this was one of the few humans to face a powerful being such as the lord himself with no fear in their body. Irene then pulled a sword, challenging for a battle to end this war, entertained by her foolishness, the Shadow Lord agreed with the challenge, he had his Shadow Knights by his side as Irene approached the powerful being. However, Irene was gifted a strange relic from the Wyverns, claiming that it will protect those with the purest of hearts who possessed it to gain its strength. Surprised to see his army fall down after one swing from the sword, the Shadow Lord charged at Irene, the two battled for what seemed like centuries in the short period of time, Irene was able to beat the Shadow Lord after plunging the sword into his cold heart. Once weakened, four figures join Irene, opening a portal, sending the Shadow Lord and his remaining Shadow Knights back into the Nether, banishing them for centuries. Once peace was back into the world, the Wyverns came to Irene, to ask her one last favor. It was time for them to leave this world as well, for they knew that they were no longer safe in this world, for many had died in battle and many believed that killing a Wyvern would give them immortal strength. Irene agreed to assist the Wyverns, and helped the new Elder Wyvern open another portal for a world that the Wyverns could call their home. The Elder Wyvern thanked her and wished her luck for if the Shadow Lord ever returned.
Many years passed, a young woman walked around a forest, reading a book about the legend of Lady Irene. She didn’t own it, she woke up next to it, it grabbed her attention right away, and she decided to look through it as she wandered around the woods, her name was Aphmau.
The book: “ Lady Irene was known to have different powers that were gifted to her for the relic, one of her most powerful gifts though was healing, able to heal just about any wound on a person or even animal, the other was the ability to create and enter different dimensions.”
Aphmau: “ Wow, Lady Irene was amazing. Able to take down an army by herself? That’s both crazy and incredible. But I should really find the owner of this book, they’re probably looking for it.”
While putting the book away, a twig snapped, Aphmau looked up, it seemed like there was no one there.
Aphmau: “ Uhhh… Hello? Is someone there?”
No response. Aphmau shook her head a bit.
Aphmau: “ I guess it was nothing. I wonder whose book this belongs to anyways, and why would they leave it behind? Wait, why or how did they leave it with me? I mean sure I’m not from here and did know a lot about Lady Irene till now I guess, but how did I not notice that someone came over to me while sleeping, placed a book next to me and left? It doesn’t really make sense. Nevermind the book, I have to find some kind of shelter, maybe a nice little hole or…”
While talking to herself, Aphmua didn’t notice that someone was in the trees, watching her.
The figure: “ You know if people find you talking to yourself like this, they’re going to think you're crazy.”
Aphmau whipped around and looked up, there on a large branch was a hooded man, his hair was covering one of his eyes and had a scarf around his neck, covering part of his mouth.
Aphmau: “ Oh, there you are. You scared me for a moment. And I was thinking out loud, it's something I do once in a while. Sorry, let's start over, I’m Aphmuu and I’m a bit lost, do you know…”
Right before she could finish, the man hopped down from the tree and dashed off.
Aphmau: “ Hey! Wait! Where are you going?!”
Aphmau chased after the strange man, he was much faster than Aphmau and he even jumped on some trees and ran on their branches.
Aphmua’s thoughts: “ Who the heck is this guy? How is he even doing that?”
Aphmau: “ Hey, wait up!!”
While chasing the man, two men were near the area, talking about a situation that they’re trying to deal with.
One of the men: “ What are we going to do? Ever since the Lord’s passing, the whole village is going crazy.”
The other men: “ I know, but if we’re able to get into contact with the other villages, they might be able to lend us a…”
The two stopped when they heard screaming, which came from Aphmau, who wasn’t paying attention to where she was going or the things in front of her.
Aphmau: “ WWWWWWWAAAAAIIITTT!!”
When the two men turned around, Aphmau rammed into one of them, causing the two of them to fall to the ground.
The man who’s standing: “ What the…”
Aphmau: “ Ow.. Ah! Oh Irene! I am so sorry! I didn’t see you a-a-and I wasn’t paying attention and I was distracted with this guy in the…”
Aphmau looked around, trying to spot the man in the trees, but he was gone.
Aphmau quietly: “ Where’d he go?”
The man who fell to the ground with Aphmau got up, rubbing his head a bit, Aphmua turned around and instead of meeting face to face with the man, she was met with a metal helmet. The other man came over to the two.
The other man: “ Garroth, are you alright?”
The man with the helmet turned his head, who was named Garroth.
Garroth: “ I’m fine Zenix. But are you alright, m’lady?”
Aphmau nodded, the other man named Zenix reached over for his sword.
Zenix: “ Who are you?”
Garroth: “ Zenix! Forgive my friend, we’re a bit on edge right now.”
Aphmau: “ If you don’t mind me asking, why? Is something wrong?”
Zenix: “ You’re new around here, aren’t you?”
Aphmau nodded.
Garroth: “ The Lord of our village recently died. And we haven’t been doing well since.”
Aphmau: “ Really? I'm sorry. What happened?”
Zenix: “ It’s none of your business, Traveler. We have work to do and it’s time for you to leave.”
Garroth: “ Zenix! Don’t mind Zenix, he’s just tried and isn’t in much of a good mood.”
Zenix: “ Because the rest of the guards are useless!”
Aphmau: “ Oh, you guys are guards? I mean, I didn’t know you were guards, but I should have known it because you have armor. I’m sorry, let’s start over, my brain is a bit all over the place. I’m Aphmau.”
Garroth: “ *laughs* A pressure to meet you, Miss Aphmau. My name is Garroth, I’m the captain of the Guard of Phoenix Drop. And that nice gentleman who is a bit in a bad mood is Zenix, our second in command. Where are you from if you don’t mind me asking?”
Aphmau: “ Oh, here’s the thing, I’m not actually from here and I was sorta wandering around for a while till I ran into you guys.”
Garroth: “ So you're on your own?”
Aphmau: “ Yeah, pretty much. But don’t worry about me, I’m able to take care of myself.”
Garroth: “ Heh, seems like it. You know what, why do you come with us?”
Zenix: “ WHAT!?! Garroth, we already have to worry about everyone in the village, we don’t need another mouth to worry about.”
Garroth: “ Zenix, I’m sure she won't get in the way, and maybe even help us a bit. Right?”
Aphmau: “ Right. I won’t cause any trouble. Maybe I can even help you around in your village.”
Zenix rolled his eyes a bit.
Garroth: “ Alright, follow us.”
As Aphmau left with the two guards, the man in the trees watched them while hiding on a high branch. He smirked before jumping off and leaving the area. When the three arrived at the village, Garroth showed Aphmau around a bit.
Garroth: “ Well, here we are. Welcome to Phoenix Drop. It’s not in its best right now, but it’s home.”
Aphmau looked around and stumbled a bit after tripping over some holes.
Garroth: “ Oh, I would watch your step a bit. Like I said, this place isn’t in its best right now.”
Aphmau: “ I can see that. You said that there were other guards, where are they? “
Garroth: “ Well..”
Before Garroth could continue, a blonde-haired woman came over.
The woman: “ Garroth, Zenix! It happened again.”
Zenix: “ Oh for the love of Irene!”
Aphmau: “ What happened again?”
Garroth: “ *sigh* You’ll see.”
The three followed the woman and in front of them, they saw a few people trapped in a well and the few who were outside tried to help them out.
Zenix: “ Dale!! You’re Supposed To Cover The Well! Why Is It Still Open And Nearly Everyone Is In It Again?!”
A guard tried to climb out of the well, who was also a guard named Dale and gave them a nervous grin.
Dale: “ My bad. I slipped and the others sorta followed behind.”
A female guard: “ Dale over did it with his alcohol again, and he fell in with Molly when he grabbed her arm. He then pulled all the others in when they tried to get them out.”
Zenix: “ Dale!”
Garroth: “ Dang it Dale, that’s the third time this week. Wait here Miss Aphmau, we’re going to try and get everyone out. You can wander around and introduce yourself if you want, because this could take a while.”
Aphmau looked over at the well, Zenix was still yelling at Dale as a few others tried to help everyone who Dale dragged into the well with him, she nodded slightly before Garroth join the female guard get everyone out.