Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar spent a few more days in the Blood Temple but planned to leave so he could do more hunting in the forest. He wore his armor and hood, as the weather was getting cold. 'This should keep me warm. I can go sell more of my loot to Mary,' he thought.

While standing at the window, Rowena entered the room with a smile. ''Ready to leave, young master? We normally would have let you stay here, but many of the people have been getting ill because of winter,'' she said.

''I understand,'' he replied while putting on his magic bag. ''The citizens need the temple more than ever, as they'll get ill during the bitter days. I'll be leaving shortly, just going to make some bread.''

Rowena looked at him and giggled. ''Come this way. You can use the kitchen, young master,'' she offered.

Following that, they walked through the temple's halls where priestesses tended to their duties. Most greeted him with a smile, while others whispered. The older woman reassured him it was because of his white hair and red eyes.

The duo stepped into the kitchen, and Raegar wasted no time getting to work. The High Priestess watched in quiet fascination, her eyes following his every movement as he expertly kneaded the dough.

His hands moved with practiced ease, shaping dozens of perfectly round pieces before swiftly tossing them into the heated pan atop the stove. The scent of fresh bread soon filled the air, warm and inviting, as the golden crust formed.

As Raegar worked, Rowena couldn't help but comment, ''Why does such a simple dish look so delicious?''

He chuckled, reaching into his bag and pulling out a jar of honey. With a small flick of his fingers, magic melted it until it flowed like liquid gold. Carefully, he drizzled it over one of the freshly baked pieces of bread before handing it to her.

''Here, try this,'' he said with a grin. ''It's called Honey Bread. I practically live off this stuff in the forest.''

Rowena took the offering, eyeing it with curiosity before taking a hesitant bite. The moment the sweet honey blended with the warm, fluffy bread, her eyes widened in surprise as she let out a moan.

His smile grew wide just as he ate some himself and stored the rest in his bag while speaking. ''I'm going to head to the guild to sell some stuff before picking up some supplies.''

''Have you got the medical stuff I gave you?'' the Head Priestess questioned.

''Yes, it's packed away,'' he replied as the older woman led him outside.

When arriving at the entrance, the rain was battering Dreadshade City, causing Rowena to sigh as she muttered. ''I hate this time of year. It gets too cold.''

Following that, the two of them said their farewells as Raegar started making his way through the quiet streets. Some people were rushing around trying to get out of the rain, but he ignored them and continued toward the guild.

When the building appeared, adventurers were gathering outside, which caught his attention. 'What's going on here? Is it a mission?' he pondered.

He shrugged and headed inside, only to spot Mary free at the counter. When the young woman spotted him, a smile appeared. ''Raegar! I'm glad to see you're okay. I heard from Commander Cauis that you were injured in the forest.''

''I feel much better thanks to Priestess Rowena. She healed my wounds,'' he replied before asking. ''What's going on outside?''

Mary quickly answered as some guild staff rushed outside. ''A Rank C Dungeon named Greenslade is about to break and we're gathering people to fight.''

Hearing this, Raegar's mind flickered to the familiar comparisons he had heard among adventurers. 'Tier One mages can handle Rank E dungeons alone, as long as they're skilled enough. But for Rank C dungeons, they'll need at least a group of Tier Two adventurers by their side and a Tier Three to stand any real chance.'

Following that, he nodded before asking. ''How can I join this job? I want to fight monsters.''

Mary smiled at his response and slid a form toward him with a smooth motion. "Fill this out," she said, her voice firm yet professional.

''Since you're not a registered adventurer, you'll be a contractor for the guild. Payment of five gold coins will be issued once the Dungeon is stabilized and you successfully emerge from it.''

Raegar nodded and filled it out before handing it back. ''It said the Dungeon is half a day's journey south of Dreadshade. It borders the Bloodfang Swamp, correct?'' The young woman nodded.

''Yes, you're correct. The caravan will depart soon, so go buy some food, water, and other supplies,'' she suggested.

''Thanks, Mary,'' he responded before turning around.

''Be careful out there. Dungeon Breaks are dangerous and the monsters can be unpredictable,'' she warned with a sweet smile.

Raegar nodded in agreement as he left the guild while heading toward the General Store to pick up some supplies. Half an hour later, he was making his way back to the caravan that groups of adventurers from Dreadshade gathered.

He pulled out a piece of bread, tearing off a chunk as he watched the guild staff bustle around, loading supplies into a nearby carriage. The clatter of crates filled the air, but everything paused as a giant of a man stepped forward.

'Must be the group's leader,' he mused while staying out of the way.

His broad shoulders and towering frame made him impossible to miss, even among the adventurers. Long brown hair cascaded down his back, and his glowing green eyes seemed to pulse with Aether, setting him apart from the rest of the crowd.

There was a certain intensity in his gaze, a fire that reflected both wisdom and battle-worn experience. Raegar watched as the man scanned the gathered crowd with a stern gaze before his deep voice boomed, cutting through the noise.

''I'm Theodore, the leader of this mission. We're heading to the Greenslade Dungeon, south of here,'' he declared, his words carrying the weight of authority. ''Get ready to move. Let's hit the road!''

With a collective nod, the adventurers gathered their gear, the sound of armor clanking and weapons shifting filling the air. They moved with a silent understanding passing between them as they made their way toward the Southern Gate.

The anticipation in the air was obvious, each of them mentally preparing for the fight that awaited them beyond the city's walls. The massive gates creaked open, revealing the wild unknown beyond.

Raegar hung back, keeping a steady pace behind the caravan, leisurely munching on his bread as the group moved forward. The road was long and dusty, and the steady rhythm of their footsteps created a comforting, almost meditative backdrop.

But despite the calm, a sharp ache pulsed in his arm, a lingering reminder of the battle he'd fought earlier. He clenched his teeth and ignored it, his mind more focused on the journey ahead.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his daggers. They materialized in his hands with a soft shimmer, though now they were covered with mud from the crocodile attack back in the forest.

''Lucky that old man put the Runes on it,'' he muttered just before noticing two adventurers approaching him.

They were wolf demi-humans, their distinct features marking them immediately among the adventurers. The man stood tall and imposing, his dark blue hair slightly unkempt, and his piercing yellow eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence.

A jagged scar ran down his face, a testament to battles hard-fought. His posture and the way he carried himself spoke of a seasoned warrior, someone accustomed to life on the front lines.

Beside him, the woman's chestnut-brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her ears twitching slightly as her blue eyes sparkled with knowledge. To Raegar, she appeared to be a skilled mage.

In her hands, a finely crafted staff shimmered, its crystal tip pulsing with Aether. Moments later, the man spoke with a friendly smile. ''Are you alone, boy? Why aren't you a part of a party?''

''I prefer to work alone,'' he answered.

The wolfman laughed before extending his hand in introduction. ''I'm Lycaon Valdyrsson, and this is my wife, Nymeria. We are adventurers in the Iron Fang Guild.''

Raegar clasped his hand firmly. ''Raegar Blackwood,'' he replied.

''Why don't you stick with us? We could use a speedster to help in the dungeon,'' Lycaon suggested.

The woman nodded in agreement, causing Raegar to agree. ''Okay.''

Following that, the wolf couple started walking next to him and he noticed Nymeria looking at him, causing him to question. ''What's wrong?''

She shook her head before answering. ''It's not every day you see a white-haired person down south.''

Raegar was confused, but shrugged as he responded. ''It's a family trait. My mother has white hair while my father has blue.''

''Interesting,'' Nymeria said with a fascinated expression. ''Much like our daughter, who has the Valdyrsson's dark blue hair.''

Following that, the three of them continued to speak while they traveled down the southern road that would lead the caravan to the dungeon.

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