2023-07-14 22:57:57Over the next year, life fell into a steady rhythm for Jason. He split his time between medical studies with Elena, combat training with the mercenaries, and lending a helping hand around Rockhaven. His skills grew formidable, though he tried to use them only for good.
During a visit to The Gold Fox one busy night, Ralph sat down next to Jason with a serious look. "Friend, have you ever wondered why you were granted such powers here?"
Jason shrugged and took a swig of ale. "Destiny or fate, I guess. That's what you told me."
Ralph nodded. "Aye. But part of discovering that fate is seeking out adventure, putting your skills to use beyond this little town. Perhaps it's time you ventured out and found a real quest."
Stroking his stubble, Jason admitted he had been feeling restless. He was ready for a new challenge, but had gotten comfortable in Rockhaven.
Ralph stood up. "Come with me. I have something to show you."
He led Jason upstairs to a room filled with weapons, armor and other equipment. "I've had a feeling you'd be leaving us before long, so I've gathered some supplies for your travels."
Ralph handed Jason a new set of light leather armor, a sturdy cloak, and a rucksack stocked with food, rope, and healing tonics. After Jason geared up, Ralph said, "One of the traders mentioned rumors of some trouble happening in the capital city of Theron. Strange disappearances that the city guard hasn't been able to solve. Could be the kind of quest you're meant for."
Jason felt a surge of adrenaline at the prospect. After expressing his thanks, he set out the next morning for Theron. Daphne met him at the gates with a bundle of bread and treats for his journey.
"Be safe out there," she said. "Hurry back once you've found adventure." She kissed him on the cheek.
Jason's face flushed. "I'll be back before you know it." Then he turned and marched down the road leading away from the only home he could remember in this world. Onward to his destiny.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 22
On the northern plains, Jason and Daphne saved a caravan from a stampede of raging bulettes drawn by strange screams from a distant castle. Fighting their way inside, they discovered the deranged lord was using a cursed artifact to control the burrowing monsters. The hungry bulettes turned on their master when Daphne dispelled the artifact's power, allowing the heroes to escape the collapsing castle. Seeking respite in coastal towns, the duo kept encountering nobles obsessed with exploiting a rare sea cucumber's supposed mystical properties for eternal youth. Following the rumors offshore, Jason and Daphne found a reef where humans harvested the creatures, breaking an ancient truce with the reef spirit who now churned up deadly storms in retribution. To make peace, Daphne repaired the spirit's damaged physical form with animating coral while Jason freed caged sea cucumbers. The spirit was placated and the storms abated. Hearing cries for help on a wooded hunting trip, the pair dis
Chapter 21
Venturing east through forests and meadows, Jason and Daphne came across increasing numbers of refugees fleeing some ominous threat. Questioning the bedraggled travelers revealed they came from a mining town called Stonevale now haunted by a "dark terror" lurking in the depths that killed those bold enough to investigate.Intrigued, the heroes altered course toward embattled Stonevale. They reached the remote town and found it half deserted and many buildings damaged by quakes. Only guards and a few stubborn souls remained. The captain of the watch confirmed they were plagued by unknown terrors from the mines that caused tremors and snatched away explorers.Jason and Daphne descended into the cavernous mines with magical illumination. The distant echo of falling rocks and eerie shrieks set their nerves on edge. In a deep chasm, they came upon several human corpses...and were then confronted by their killer! A hulking insectoid horror with four scything arms.Jason's sword barely fazed
Chapter 20
Returning at last to Rockhaven after their years-long odyssey across Phantasma, Jason and Daphne were welcomed as celebrities made good on the promise of adventure. Even Walter, the kindly fisherman who had ferried a confused Jason into town so long ago, tearfully embraced them upon hearing of their exploits. Among the crowds greeting them was Ralph, proprietor of The Gold Fox. "It seems only yesterday you two were sitting in my tavern, eager to explore beyond our little town," the robust innkeeper proclaimed. "Now Jason is a warrior of renown and Daphne a mistress of the elements! But no matter how you've changed, you'll always have a place here." Despite the hospitality, as Jason and Daphne settled back into Rockhaven, both privately felt something lacking. After experiencing so much beyond this rustic town's borders, normal life seemed trivial and dull. They yearned for purpose. Fortune soon provided. One night, Ralph burst into The Gold Fox with an urgent summons: "To the sout
Chapter 19
On a remote island, Jason and Daphne found a village held in thrall by a hag coven. The crones controlled the islanders by magically trapping their souls in bizarre spirit cages. After scouting the coven's twisted tree temple, Daphne cast a risky spell to project her consciousness inward so she could find the captive souls. Meanwhile Jason stood guard over her body, fending off patrolling hag sentries. Within the dark temple, Daphne's spirit followed faint cries of anguish to a grove of ghostly spirit cages hanging from the trees. Studying the arcane locks, she thought she could unseal them. But freeing one soul caused alarming psychic ripples. She would have to work swiftly. Back outside, Jason grew weary battling more hags arriving to stop the intrusion. He hacked down a couple crones, but a hurled hex blotted out his vision. The blinded hero could only flail desperately as the screeching hags moved in for the kill. At that instant, Daphne's consciousness emerged from the templ
Chapter 18
Passing through a remote village on their long road home, Jason and Daphne learned of a deadly plague that had struck without warning, leaving the inhabitants weak and bedridden. This seemed no normal illness. They went to the village healer's hut to offer their assistance. But the healer only glared suspiciously when they entered. "You must leave immediately!" she declared. "By law of the baron, no magic wielders are allowed here." Puzzled, Jason and Daphne pressed for answers. The healer explained that the nearby Lord Ashthorn had banned magic and its practitioners from his lands after his own daughter, born with talent for sorcery, had fallen prey to dark powers and fled rather than face punishment. In his grief, the baron had blamed all magic for corrupting his child. Daphne attempted to reason with the healer, saying their gifts could help end the plague. But the healer refused to defy the baron's edict, saying only true prayer could deliver the village now. That night, Jason
Chapter 17
After months of crossing scorching deserts and storm-lashed seas, Jason and Daphne reached fabled Acadia, a realm isolated from the rest of Phantasma by impassable boundary mountains. The brush-choked landscape showed no signs of human habitation, but the legends insisted a great kingdom awaited discovery somewhere within. On the fifth day, Daphne used a scrying orb and spotted ruins buried beneath vines in a nearby valley. They trekked to the site and found crumbling structures almost swallowed by the jungle after ages of neglect. Following clues and Daphne's divining magicks, they descended into a hidden complex beneath the ruins. In the depths, they entered a massive chamber with a shimmering mirror-like gate sealing off the far end. Strange energies pulsed from the gate, hinting at a portal to someplace or somewhen else entirely. Was this the legendary kingdom's location? Daphne deciphered the runes along the gate's frame. "It's locked...but these glyphs indicate four relics ar
You may also like
The Hero of Vengeance
DovahKean15.0K viewsThe Billionaire's Revenge
Unique12.4K viewsThe Chronicles of a Mage God
Benjamin_Jnr60.5K viewsThe Least Common Denominator
MokouFriedChicken24.4K viewsCultivation God's Blood
KHOMAIROH 319 viewsFantasy Realm Portal
Rose Ndungu606 viewsDevil's Enthronement
Royal phoenix1.8K viewsThe King's Last Heir
Lillington2.4K views