In the land of darkness, Ashviel[1] lies a small ogre town to the right of the continent named Bourland[2]. The residents of the small town live a well peaceful life of solitude. The sweet breeze as leaves danced with the wind. An interesting adventure was about to begin.
"Morning Lucas!" An incredibly lively ogre said as he walked through the town.
This was Aedis, a relatively energic and lively male ogre. Most people in the village already knew of him, he wasn't a trouble maker or anything of the sort. Just a guy who you could find around most of the time. He'd help out the villagers and all sort of other activities to help the villagers.
"Morning! Aedis, see your as energetic as always." Lucas replied.
"Come on am I really as energetic as you all make me out to be?" Aedis asked.
"Of course you are! Honestly, don't you have a dream beyond just helping out our small village?" Lucas said in response.
Those words were the first spark of his true desire.
"A dream? I never really thought about that." Aedis sheepishly replied with his finger scratching his chin.
"Huh? Were ya really just planning to live ya entire life helping us folks out?!" Lucas said surprised.
"Well... I was just raised to help others in need and you all are practically family so I just try my best to help out whenever I can. The thought of my own dream never crossed my mind." Aedis explained.
Aedis was raised by his mother and father both of which were very kind. The villagers enjoyed their presences when they were around. Unfortunately, they were involved in an accident which took both of their lives leaving Aedis all by himself. However, through the pain Aedis grew up to be a strong yet still kind young man.
An elderly ogre walking by stopped as she saw the two talking.
"Aedis? Oh indeed is you!" The elderly ogre said.
"G-Gran-Orichi? Where have you been all this time? The Villagers been worried sick!" Aedis asked worriedly.
"Oh, you see I was invited by an old friend of mines to the capital. Nothing major sonny." Gran-Orichi replied.
"Glad to hear it Gran." Lucas said.
"What were you young lads, speaking about?" Gran-Orichi asked.
"Aedis's dreams in life. The boy says he had never given it a thought." Lucas answered.
"Is that so? I always imagined him following in his father's footstep? Guess I was wrong?" Gran-Orichi said.
"My fathers footstep? Oh! As an adventurer?" Aedis added.
Aedis's father was the best adventurer in their town. In fact there were even some rumors about him being invited by a Demon General[3] to become a soldier of the Dark Lord[4]. His mother was the maiden of the village and often prayed to the dark lord.
"I guess I always had a thing for exploring everywhere as a kid didn't I." Aedis said ending it with a chuckle.
"Come on kid, your a full adult you should chase something at the very least. You've been training with your sword no? Why not try to aim to be an adventurer or maybe even one of the dark lord's soldier?" Lucas said.
"I guess I should shouldn't I? Well then I've made up my mind! I'm going to explore everything in the world and become the best adventurer I can become!" Aedis responded.
"That's the spirit sonny!" Gran-Orichi added.
"I'm leaving the village in 2 days, to start this grand dream of mines." Aedis said.
The moment those words were uttered Gran-Orichi and Lucas was left shocked.
"THAT SOON KID?! Don't ya think that's too hasty?" Lucas remarked.
"Not at all. I've had thoughts about leaving this town for a while, to head to capital to become a merchant to help this town out a bit more. However since this discussion had finally brought about a dream for myself. That's exactly what I shall do!" Aedis said with fierce determination.
"I-I see... well I hope you all the luck in your adventurers. We'll have a going away party for your departure when the time comes." Gran-Orichi said.
"H-Huh!? No, No, you really don't have to! A simple goodbye from everyone would be fine Gran." Aedis protested.
"There ya go again kid. You've helped everyone so much, so the least we could do is do that much so don't fight against it ok?" Lucas explained.
"I-I, Alright. Just try to keep it tame, I'm really not all that special." Aedis added.
"You got it kid. You should probably start packing if your gonna leave in two days." Lucas continued.
"OH RIGHT! Alright, goodbye you two see you guys around I need to start packing!" Aedis said in a rush heading towards his house.
"That boy has lots to learn about this world doesn't he Gran." Lucas said.
"Indeed, he does. Somehow, though I feel he'll be just fine. Should we ask him to check with the fortune teller just to be sure though?" Gran-Orichi replied.
"Maybe we should. Either way, I feel like that kid will make headlines in the history books anyways." Lucas continued.
"Aedis Atticus" your adventure is about to start kid. Don't let the world forge your story in blood. Alright kid?
"Whether you believe in the dark lord as your god or someone else, remember these words son. You alone can decide what to do with your talents and strength and when you decide your morals. Follow it to the ends of the earth even if you to die for it. Me and your mother believe you will always have a good cause and we'll be by your side whether in the physical or spiritual realm."
"Dad, I'm going to follow in your footsteps. I'll discover everything about this world. This fleeting crumbling world and return it back to it beautiful prosperous glory. If the dark lord wishes to plunge the world into chaos and destruction I have no interest of praying to such being. I hope your watching dad and mom, I'll make you proud I can promise that much for you raising me can't I." Aedis said with tears in his eyes before swiftly wiping them away.
2 days of preparation. Only 2 days before my adventure of a lifetime, I wonder what sort of people I will meet.
The next day wasn't anything special. I practiced my swordsmanship further and built my body a bit more. I wonder if I'll get a girlfriend outside of Ashviel. So many questions. Though I think I'll wait until I leave to answer them shouldn't I journal. Signing off. Aedis wrote before putting down his inked feather.
"Tomorrow I leave this small village I've grown up so dearly in. I'll dearly miss them. Hopefully I can still support them even when I leave that would be great. Do adventurers even get paid. Still so many questions and yet so little answers." Aedis thought to himself as he sat on the training ground floor which was made of hardened earth and scattered patches of dry grass, pebbles and roots poked through the surface.
"Ah! Aedis! See your still hard at training even when your due to leave. I like that bout you lad." A muscular ogre said as he neared Aedis.
"Oh! Hey, Orthis. Y'know me, I still have to be strong you know. How's your wife doing?" Aedis replied.
"She's doin alright. You doin ok bud? Don't stress yourself with this adventurer of your if it's gonna crush ya alright lad?" Orthis said.
"Ha, I'll make sure to keep that in mind Orthis. Is your wife Mitelthia still in? I'd love to get her reading before I leave tomorrow." Aedis asked with his head to the side.
"Yup. You should probably go quickly though, she's going to close up soon." Orthis replied.
"H-huh!? Oh shoot, well I'll see you later then Orthis!" Aedis said grabbing his wooden sword before hurrying to the fortune booth.
Orthis only smiled as the scene unfolded before his eyes. "That boy, he's sure to have many adventures and friends." he said before sighing.
After a short while he had made it to the booth, before Mitelthia had closed it up for the day.
"I'M HERE! WAIT!" Aedis said huffing and puffing.
Mitelthia turned around to see who had rushed over here for just a reading.
"Oh dear, Aedis! Why did you rush over here? If you wanted a reading you know I would've given you one even if I had closed up." Mitelthia said in a loving motherly tone.
"Y-You would? Phew... Give me a sec, I haven't trained in speed endurance in quite some time." Aedis responded.
"Please do take a seat and do take a sip of some water." Mitelthia said.
"T-Thank you ma'am." Aedis replied.
"So that reading, what exactly did you want to see?" Mitelthia asked.
After taking a few more breaths and drinking the water that was near him he finally started speaking again.
"I want to know about my present and future if you would ma'am." He asked.
"Alrighty, I suppose the thought of leaving us all behind is wanning heavy on your mind, lets see if this brings you some peace of mind." Mitelthia said grabbing some cards.
"An otherworlder, I once met taught me how to use these things. These are called tarot cards you see." She explained before placing a card. "Shuffle the cards will you?" She said before handing it over to Aedis.
Aedis nodded and shuffled the cards as he was asked, feeling a bit anxious now. When he was done he then handed it right back to Mitelthia.
"Perfect!" She said before placing a card down on its back. "This card represents your present, meaning something that is to happen very soon." She said before placing down a second card on its back. "This is represents your future. I have a feeling I know what your present card is but lets see shall we? You ready?" She said waiting for his confirmation.
Aedis sighed, calming his mind before letting out a confident. "Yea, I'm ready."
She then flipped the first card revealing The Page of Wands. "Huh, I guess that make sense." she said out loud. "What's that mean?" Aedis asked hesitantly. "Nothing bad, it just means you have youthful energy with that energy a new beginning full of curiosity and messages are to happen. That's the best way I can put it anyways." she explained.
"Oh I see. Thank the divine beings." Aedis said before breathing a sigh of relief.
"Next your future." She said about to pull the card. "Here it is!" She says fully revealing the card now. "The Sun." She said.
"I-Is that one bad?" He asked anxious again.
"Not at all child, this simply means all of the wandering, the struggles, the leaps of faiths, all of it will all leads to your understanding, joy, and in the end you will have a life fully lived." She explained.
"Oh, so I can expect not to be eaten by a Hithon-Panther[5] when I leave the village right?" Aedis joked.
"Indeed." She said giving him a warm smile. "Was that all?" She continued.
"Yes ma'am." Aedis replied.
"Is that all? I can tell your hiding something." She pressed.
"I guess nothing gets past you, ok, ok you got me. I planned to get everyone presents before I left." Aedis admitted.
Mitelthia then let out a sigh.
"You don't need me to tell you what I'm about to say do you? Most of the villagers have said the same thing. Your a good kid, but were doing something for you for once. So you just relax and accept it. There's absolutely no need to give us gifts alright? You in it of yourself are a gift." Mitelthia said.
Aedis sighed before speaking as well. "I know... I'll try to try harder to restrain myself from over exerting myself before my big day." He said.
"Good. Now run along home, before it gets too late." She said patting him on the head before standing up to finally close up.
Aedis stood up and said his goodbyes before he starting walking home thinking of the day to come.
Tomorrow is the day. I don't know how to feel, I'm excited and so ready to learn about the world yet I feel like I'm leaving a part of myself behind. I hope they don't suddenly need help when I'm gone. That would break my heart. Tomorrow will be my final act in this village of mines. May the hands of fate bring me blessings along my adventures. Aedis wrote before closing his journal before moving his attention to a box in his closet.
"The box I was supposed to open when I was "ready"." I guess this would be the time wouldn't it." Aedis said.
As he slowly opened the box, the inside shined with new vigor. After fully opening it a shining Aetherite[6] Sword was inside, bearing his family's symbol. The middle of the hilt there lied a majestic looking butterfly, what his family believed to be their symbol and their good luck charm.
Aedis was shocked, tears slowly forming in his eyes before he started to wipe them away.
"T-Thank you Dad. I will make you proud, if it's the last thing I do!" Aedis said with tears still overflowing no matter how much he tried to stop them.
The very next day, the celebration to show the villagers appreciation was held. It was an amazing celebration, Aedis talked to all the villagers he knew and even some who had recently arrived. Knowing this would be his last chance to see them for a while. Hugs were given, games were played, all was good.
After the party, he headed towards the entrance of the village where everyone had gathered to wave goodbye. Truly the last beautiful scene to his eyes before he left to the unknown. That day right after his night of tears, he cried again as he waved back. As he left them with only one sentence. "I'll come back to you all with a life of prosperity for everyone of you!"
His journey was just beginning and yet it seemed as if the ending was already set.
[1] The land previously known as Siltgrave reined by a god now deceased that was turned and is now ruled by the Lord of Darkness.
[2] One of many small ogre villages in Ashviel, this one however lies to the very right in Ashviel. It is also one of the few small ogre villages that produces beings of high potential.
[3] The seventh in the hierarchy in Ashviel. Right above Demon/Shadow Soldiers. (Whether your demon or of another race this is the placement a soldier is placed into.)
The next rank after Demon/Shadow Generals is the Demon/Shadow Warlords.
[4] Another title of The Lord of Darkness.
[5] A B- Monster capable of ripping a A rank in half easily if your not careful. It's a body is that of a panther it's color is normally either black or white and it's tail can morph into three creatures: A serpent, mosquito, and lastly a spider it can also turn the tail invisible making it harder to deal with.
[6] World's 4th strongest ore, a really valuable material that is hard to find especially out in Ashviel.