Chapter Text
He knew it was coming.
The weather was raging above the summit where the Dragon stood watching its persecutor approach. Clothed in his robe and long sword his executioner approaches with heavy steps, the sword feels heavy in his hands, gripped with purpose as if to drag the hilt against the ground to drag the dirt to show its sharpness. The sky is red, the world is very much tearing itself apart as the dragon raises its body up and roars so loud it breaks the clouds away as its wings flapped aggressively in preparation.
The sword lifts up.
They fight for the fate of the end of the world as the sword came down with a sharp slice-
–
“AH!”
Ren gasps awake, his body shooting up as he feels himself scrambling to his chest, his breathing is rapid as he's looking for. Well. He's not really sure what he was meant to be looking for after a few seconds of checking his body over. Nothing was wrong physically like he assumed but something felt wrong, he was so sure that his chest was in pain. His heart slowed down at the silly assumption as Ren took one last deep breath to calm down as he slouched against the wall…
Taking that brief moment of respite, Ren began to take notice of his situation and realised a few things. The first thing was he had no clue where he was, it was a room for sure, it didn't seem personal enough to be his. Just a simple single bed illuminated by a lantern hanging to the side with a wooden shelf beside and a table on the other side of the room messy with ink stains. Perhaps this was an Inn? There was a bag on the corner of the room as he scrambled up to grab it as his second issue came to mind: Ren had no recollection of anything.
No memories of what he was doing before, no clue of where he came from or what he was meant to be doing. Ren felt like he should be panicking more but the drive to inspect his bag was more pressing, there was something in the back of his mind nagging at him that he had something that needed prioritising. Opening his bag he ruffled through to find a leathered notebook sealed up, some pens and a flask. When he took the flask he gave it a small shake and a small sip. Ok, it was water.
Standing up, Ren abandoned the bag to open his book as instantly he was met with some very rough sketched drawings of what seemed to be a mountain, it was elaborate in its design with small words written all over, but one that stood out to Ren was the text below:
GET TO THE SUMMIT.
Seemed a bit random. There weren't really any more clues or anything to explain what was the point. Yet, as Ren frowned at his book in deep thought, he was starting to tune into the sounds below him. Voices of what seemed to be a tavern underneath him from the sounds of merry men laughing or the clincks of drinks yelling for another round. Ren would’ve ignored it had he not felt a pang of hunger hit him, when did he last eat? Grabbing his bag he rummaged for any money as he found some gold in his bag as he quietly counted it, surely that would be enough.
Before Ren left he tucked the book into his pocket along with some coins and shoved his bag underneath his bed. There was a key on the table he noticed as he slipped it into his other pocket and took a deep breath. Get some food, talk to the locals to figure out where he was and maybe ask around about this mountain. With that plan in mind he opened the door to see a low lit hallway with what seemed to be 4 other rooms all bolted shut, the stairs just at the end as he walked past hating the creaking of the wooden floor boards.
When he descended down the stairs he was met with a lot of people. As predicted Ren found himself at what seemed to be a popular tavern, apart of him couldn't help but muse on how lucky he must've been to secure a room. Point one to his past self he supposed. However it did make finding a place to sit rather awkward with nearly every table crowded by drunk paterons. Perhaps asking questions at this time of night was going to be complicated.
Oh right, food first.
Ren awkwardly fought his way towards the bar avoiding arms or drinks being waved around with no care. With a sigh of relief he slouched down on an available stool, his hand patting his pocket to ensure his coins and book were still there and no jerk tried to pickpocket him. Fumbling in his pocket his shoulders slouched when both were accounted for as he took the coins out and placed it down on the counter. The lights in the tavern was dim from the small lanterns scattered around but he saw one of the bartenders approach him staring at Ren up and down and to his coins.
“Just whatever food I can afford please.”
The bartender grunted in confirmation, taking the coins and walking off back. Not even a while later a plate slid his way as Ren found himself leaning in eagerly. It wasn't anything fancy, it seems he had enough to get just a side dish but it was enough to curb his appetite.
Right. Food, sorted.
Book time.
Opening a new page Ren titled it: Things to figure out. It seemed smart to start it with “Who am I?” Not once during this time did any moment of clarity hit him of what was going on, he mused asking a staff member the next day when the tavern wasn't so busy and loud. The second was to figure out what summit this book was on and why it was so urgent for him to go.
Oh, and figure out how to earn coins so he could still get food and stay comfortably here, that's also important. He needed to figure out how long he booked this Inn for.
It felt like a lot…But Ren felt like he wasn't the kind of guy to just back down. His hand absentmindedly playing with the plats in his hair as he gave a glance around the room. At some point the sounds of drunk laughter became a louder noise of cheering and glasses being tipped over. Ren frowned, sitting up straight seeing a crowd gathering around a single table. What was going on over there? A sound of a swift smack caused the men to laugh and sneer as Ren let the curiosity get the better of him, he shoved the book back in his pocket with his change and carefully snuck through the crowd to see what they were circling.
“You stupid bard, Don't think I didn't notice you cheating!”
A larger man sneered that Ren saw above the crowd as he shoved his way to the front.
“Oh please, I know poker is a game of careful thinking but I would've liked this game to end before the world did”
That got a few laughs Ren noticed as it was a rather large table. Cards scattered around with what originally had money in the centre but it was collected by the other people at the table. In the centre was a large muscle man painted in tattoos and pointed ears slamming down what seemed to be a shorter yet chubbier man face down on the wooden surface. The shorter man looked like he was grinning despite his predicament, Ren couldn't help but be drawn to him staring silently. Blonde hair messed up from the rough handling and piercing blue eyes that nearly glowed in the low light. His arms were forcibly held at an awkward angle. In his hands were a card that must've been what he cheated with.
Now itd be smart to just walk away and let this foolish bard take the punishment he got. But..Something was nagging at Ren that this man was important;
“Hey!”
Why he called out was beyond Ren, this was a dumb idea but hey, everyone's eyes were on him so time to be brave he guesed.
“I'm sure what this bard has done was annoying but nothing a free drink cant solve gentlemen?”
He had a few coins left…A shame to waste but it was a smart bargaining chip. The taller man stared at Ren with a judgemental look giving him a look over before slamming the bard down and let go. He walked up to Ren easily towering him as he spoke, but not to Ren.
“Be lucky your friend here is so generous Martyn. I catch you around again and your face will be meeting a wall next”
“mhm, got it all clear boss”
Martyn grinned with a thumbs up standing up wobbily to sort himself out. The other patrons at the table scoffed at Martyn and followed the man as Ren reluctantly handed over his last coins over as the crowd dispersed. Once it seemed safe to, Ren sat down beside the bard with a sigh;
“Well. Im broke now”
Martyn hummed as he sat down leaning over to grab his drink that didn't spill. “Ah I wouldn't mind too much about that, moneys not gonna matter in a month.” He turned to Ren “Now can I get a name to thank you and perhaps buy you a drink-” He started turning to see Ren better but froze for a split second. His eyes widened as Ren watched Martyn take a second before scowling “Oh no. You just want a free song out of the bard don't you, well you can forget it my services aren't for free! Just slam me back on the table and be gone”
“What?” Ren spoke confused but shook his head. “N-No id never! and what's this about in a month?”
Martyn seemed to relax when Ren wasn't going to make a fool out of him and took out a few coins to count casually; “End of the world duh, did you forget how long we had left?”
Right, Martyn said that before didn't he?
“You uh, want to elaborate my dude why you think that?”
Martyn just looked up to Ren with an eyebrow raised yet the confused look on his face was enough for Martyn to falter as he sighed while taking a sip of his drink.
“You must be living under a rock mate. But, I'm a kind man. I can give you the short version. In a month's time the seal on the mountain's top will break and with it, it'll break the seal keeping back a ferocious dragon that was said to be over 100 years old and is prophesied to end the world when it's summoned.”
That-
“That's uh a lot to take in…” Ren started with an awkward laugh “But Magic? Really my dude? That's a bit hard to believe.”
Martyn stared at Ren and barked out a laugh. “Oh man you really ARE clueless wow. Ok uh that's cool I can work with that. Let me see…” He hummed in thought before starting:
“Ok, so starters, yes magic is a thing. Its what breathes life into this land- here. Look at my eyes” He gently grabbed Ren to face him as Ren was met with those glowing blue eyes again.
“I'll let you in on a secret. I'm not JUST a bard- I know, shocking stuff. Magic works in a number of ways here. Whether you study it, you're born with it, or you're cursed.” He explained as he made Ren’s eyes follow his hand, holding it up and pointing it to the glass as a soft blue glue enveloped it and lifted it up much to Ren's surprise. It hovered just a few feet off the table to not gather too much attention as Martyn brought the glass to his hand and took a sip, not breaking eye contact with Ren.
“Some people are more obvious about it while others like to keep it subtle.” he said with a gentle sigh of downing the drink and leaned back on his chair relaxed. Ren just stared at him with a slightly delayed head tilt.
“Ok…Makes sense. Which one are you then?”
“Ah. Gotta buy me a few drinks before I go spilling that secret” Martyn chuckled, cutting him off as he glanced at the window standing up. “But hey, come back to me tomorrow morning at this table and I'll tell you what you need to know about that mountain.” He hummed, slipping a few coins on the table for Ren. Ren's eyes widened, that was so much money! Ren felt nervous taking it as he looked up to thank the bard in earnest but realised he was already gone.
It was still busy enough for his new friend to slip away without Ren noticing where he left. He took the coins glancing at them before putting them in his pouch and glanced out just like Martyn did. It was definitely beyond late from the small rays of light coming from the lanterns. It didn't seem like anyone else was in any urge to move, the sounds of glasses clinking the table or roars of laughter was quite a lot for Ren. It'd be smart to rest up and see if the bard shows up again he thought standing up taking a small glance to his bag.
He should show Martyn his book tomorrow.