As Velian rode on his majestic steed, who was barely even trying, as Velian used his skills to reduce his weight, he couldn't help but feel a heavy weight in his heart.
The once thriving villages that lined the borders of his kingdom now lay in ruin and despair. The scent of burnt wood and broken dreams lingered in the air, a somber reminder of the destruction that had befallen these lands.
"Am I too late? Looks like it's already been dealt with," Velian thought and looked at Naomi, who was protecting him from the side.
Velian dismounted near a crumbling stone wall, his eyes scanning the desolate landscape. The sun cast long shadows over the remnants of what were once humble homes and bustling marketplaces. His voice echoed through the silence as he called out, hoping to find any sign of life.
"Is anyone here? Show yourselves!" Velian's voice carried a mix of urgency and determination, eager to uncover the truth behind the devastation that had befallen his kingdom.
From the rubble emerged a weary survivor, a woman with dirt-streaked cheeks and tear-filled eyes. She approached Velian cautiously, her voice quivering with fear and grief.
"..."
"Are you bandits?" She asked in a wary tone which caused everyone to stare at her with anger for calling them that, but they understood it wasn't the time for them to act like this and decided to leave everything to their king.
"We are not, we are from the capital, we are here to help you and your people, my name is Velian Keller, the new rules of this land,"
As soon as she heard those words, her body shot up from the place she was standing and suddenly she bowed before Velian with tears coming from her eyes showing pitiful she was.
"Your Highness, it was a woman... She and her undead horde descended upon us like a plague. We fought, but... we were overwhelmed," the woman managed to say between sobs, her voice choked with pain.
Velian's jaw clenched as he listened, his eyes narrowing with resolve.
He knew the person who is responsible for this and he couldn't even believe these people were living in this ruined village for a whole week without even getting proper food.
Andriya was a formidable enemy, a necromancer whose thirst for power knew no bounds. He had crossed paths with her before, but never had he witnessed such widespread destruction caused by her dark forces.
"So much for that pitiful woman," Velian thought as he remembered Andriya, who brought all this despair upon them.
He laid a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder, his voice filled with empathy. "Fear not. I will avenge this injustice and restore what has been lost. But first, tell me, where did other people go? Do you know of their whereabouts?"
The survivor wiped away her tears, summoning the last remnants of her strength. "Only a few of us survived and the remaining... headed east, towards the other village to ask for help. It's said to be a stronghold, Your Highness. Please, be cautious," she warned, her voice a mix of desperation and concern.
Velian nodded, a fire burning in his eyes. "Thank you for the warning and advice. Your words will not go unheard. I shall rally my forces and confront them and make sure they are safe. Justice will be served, and our kingdom shall rise once more!"
With renewed determination, Velian remounted his stead and galloped towards the east, leaving behind the broken village and its resilient inhabitants.
But before that, he didn't forget to advise them, on what they should do next.
"Naomi, assign two of your members to accompany them back to the kingdom," Velian knew it won't be a huge difference even if they don't have two extra warriors, so Naomi did as he told and assigned two of her best assassins to accompany these villagers.
"My lord! I don't know how to thank you," With tears in her eyes the villager told, but his mind was set on one thing: to bring an end to parasitic cells' reign of terror and restore peace to the land he held dear.
As they neared the village, the distant cries of people in distress pierced through the air.
Anger gripped Velian's chest, and his grip on his sword tightened. He knew that time was of the essence, and innocent lives hung in the balance.
With a burst of adrenaline, Velian and his group thundered into the village, their eyes scanning the chaos before them. Buildings crumbled, fires raged, and the desperate pleas of the villagers filled the air.
"What monstrosity could have caused such devastation?" Velian muttered, his voice heavy with concern and determination.
Among the chaos, they spotted a hulking figure with crimson eyes, its grotesque form surrounded by a horde of monstrous creatures. The stench of decay and malevolence filled the air, signalling the presence of a sinister force.
"That must be it,"
Velian drew his sword, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Stand strong! We shall not let these abominations terrorize these innocent people any longer!"
His companions unsheathed their weapons, their resolve shining through their eyes. Together, they charged towards the monsters, their battle cries drowning out the sounds of destruction.
Swords clashed, arrows whizzed through the air, and spells crackled with arcane energy. Velian's blade sliced through the vile creatures, his strikes fueled by righteous fury.
"They are just normal monsters, what are they even doing here,"
Velian thought to himself.
Amidst the chaos, Velian caught sight of a terrified young woman, trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building. He fought his way towards her, his heart pounding with the need to protect her.
"Don't worry, I've got you!" Velian shouted, his voice a beacon of hope amidst the despair.
With a mighty heave, he lifted the debris, freeing the woman from her perilous prison. Her tear-streaked face held a mix of gratitude and fear as she clung to his arm.
"Thank you... thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Velian's gaze hardened, his determination unwavering. "We are not done yet. Take cover, and when the time comes, we shall drive these monsters back to the shadows where they belong."
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