Realm of Monsters

“Hello, nice to meet you, I’m Stryg’s fiance, Feli. Are you priests by any chance?”

“Oh, Feli, it’s been a while,” Elm smiled. “So, the rumors of your relationship with Stryg are true.”

“Head priest? I didn’t recognize you under all the fancy regalia. It’s good to see you again,” Feli bowed her head.

“You two know each other?” Stryg asked.

“Yes, Elm is the head priest of the temple I attended when I was younger back in the commoner district. Although, after I turned seventeen I stopped going,” Feli made a half-smile.

“Nonetheless, it is nice to see you Feli. Like the other priests, I’ve dressed up for the occasion.” Elm placed his hand on his acolyte’s shoulder. “You may have met before, but this is Karen, my apprentice. This is Feli, she used to work at the Merry Crescent. Many were sad to see her go, she was quite loved, a local celebrity you might say.”

“You do seem familiar, I guess we probably saw each other around. It’s nice to officially meet you,” Karen nodded. “And it’s good to see you too, Stryg.”

“How do you two know each other?” Feli glanced at Stryg.

“She helped me when I first arrived in the city,” he said.

“Stryg is being modest. I didn’t do much. He’s the one who helped me. He saved me from a fate worse than death,” Karen smiled.

“Really? That doesn’t very much sound like Stryg,” Feli frowned. Since when had the blue goblin been modest or gallant?

“I didn’t save you, Karen, we helped each other on different occasions, nothing more,” Stryg corrected.

“And that sounds like Stryg,” Feli grinned.

“Whatever the case may be as to how we all met, I am glad you came and held up the end of your bargain, Stryg,” Elm said.

Stryg blinked. He had completely forgotten he had made a deal to visit the festival with Elm, a few months back.

“A-ah, right,” Stryg winced.

“No need to look worried, we’ll just be meeting with some other temple head-priests of the commoner district. Though none of them will be standing next to a mage,” Elm smirked.

“Hm, okay. A deal is a deal,” Stryg nodded.

“May I ask what happened, Stryg? To your arms, I mean.” Karen made a small frown.

“Nothing much, I’ll be fine in a few days,” he shrugged.

Feli held her tongue. She knew how much he had suffered, but she decided to let him keep his secrets. Besides, she was still trying to gauge this Karen person.

“I’m glad you're healing well,” Elm began. “The white magi must have done a wonderful job. Regarding today’s events, the other priests will be gathering soon, right after the high priestess’ celebration speech. In the meantime, why don’t we head over to the front of the parade, where the high priestess will make her appearance.”

“Lead the way,” Stryg gestured.

“With pleasure,” Elm bowed.

At this rate, Stryg probably wouldn’t be able to meet back up with Kithina and the rest, but it didn’t really bother him, they would be fine on their own.

Feli frowned as she came to the same conclusion, though she was a bit disappointed. She had hoped to meet Stryg’s friend Plum. From Stryg’s offhand comments, the drow girl seemed to be quite close to Stryg. Feli wanted to know exactly how close. Was she a potential friend and ally? Or would Plum be a rival for the position of principal wife in the household.

“So, Stryg, what do you think of the festival so far?” Elm asked as they walked.

“There’s lots of tasty food.”

“Yes, indeed Hollow Shade imports many delicacies from around the Realm just for today.”

“Mm,” Stryg mumbled.

They walked in silence for a few minutes.

“...Is there anything else you enjoy about the festival?” Elm fidgeted.

“Umm, no?” Stryg looked askance.

Ever since his senses began to improve, Stryg had lost the enjoyment of walking among large crowds. There was so much noise and the scent of most people bothered his nose. It was bearable, but Stryg didn’t enjoy it either. He preferred taking walks at night where few souls wandered about.

Although, there was something to be said about the many different faces that walked about. Despite the fact that many of their species did not worship the ebon gods, Stryg still saw plenty of drow, orcs, and dwarves roaming the streets. Some common, others beautiful, many haggard, and a few exotic. Stryg could have sworn he spotted a few hybrids. He didn’t know how he felt about the latter.

“Stryg?” Karen whispered.

“I for one am loving the festival,” Feli interrupted Stryg’s thoughts.

“Oh, pray tell,” Elm said in relief.

“Well, for one, the stalls and decorations are so colorful. I love the vibrant reds and blues, especially the warm yellows. It’s nothing like the trade district’s dull greys. Then there was the parade with the music and dancers. I’ve never seen anything like that! And like Stryg said, the food is amazing as well. You know the first time I came here it looked nothing like this. I thought the district was cold, vacant of any real life. I would never have thought it could be this lively, I love it,” Feli recounted with a warm smile on her face.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Elm stroked his beard. “The majority of the year the central district is only used to house the government buildings. Not many people come here. It’s also the smallest district. I can understand why it may seem empty of life outside of festival season. But, the central district is the most important district in the entire city.”

“Because the government buildings?” Stryg asked out of genuine curiosity.

“Well, the city council’s hall is in the district, so in a sense, yes, I suppose,” Elm nodded. “But, what I was referring to was something else entirely. The city of Hollow Shade is famous for many reasons, like the trade district or the trade ports directly connected to the Dire River.”

“So I’ve been told many times,” Stryg said.

The trade district was the largest of the seven districts, everyone knew it was the great city’s main source of income.

“I believe you, but how much do you know of Hollow Shade’s twin enigmas?” Elm asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“I’m not familiar with them,” he admitted.

“Well, everyone here is familiar with at least one of them. Hollow Shade’s magical wall,” Elm pointed to the great black walls in the distance.

“I learned about it back at the academy. A logic-defying magestone wall, created by the ebon lords over 300 years ago,” Stryg recited.

“Quite right, it’s how our great city got its name. No one knows how the ebon lords created the wall or how it works for that matter. What we do know is that in the city’s early days there was only the wall. There were no districts. No people. But, that didn’t last long,” Elm explained.

“Stryg, did you know that the wall forms a perfect circle? An incredible feat of craftsmanship for such a large structure. At the very center of these walls resides Hollow Shade’s other enigma,” Elm pointed upwards.

Stryg looked up at the large looming structure in the sky. A black tower that rose high above the city. It was shaped like a blade, with curved sharp edges. The tower was split into two sides as if a titanic giant had cleaved the tower in half. Two enormous half-circles dotted each of the inner sides of the tower.

Stryg had seen the tower from far off in the distance plenty of times during his stay in the city, but he had never seen it from this close up. It was intimidating and emitted an air of prestige and power.

“It’s beautiful,” Feli said in awe.

“Yeah, it really is,” Karen agreed.

“The Ebon Tower,” Elm said respectfully. “The second and last structure the ebon lords left behind. The central district was built around the mystical tower. Unlike the wall, the tower isn’t made from magestone. In fact, no one knows what it’s made from and just like the wall, it’s covered in cryptic symbols that not even the magi can read, or so I’m told. The only piece of knowledge we have is from the city’s ancient records.”

“Which is?” Stryg asked.

“That the tower represents a nameless promise between the ebon lords and the gods. The tower is a monument of sorts to the ebon gods,” Elm explained. “Which is why the festival of the gods is held right here in the central district and it’s why we are making our way to the tower right now.”

“I’ve always wanted to see the Ebon Tower up close,” Feli said with a skip to her step.

Once the parade ended, the four of them finished making their way to the tower. A line of heavily armored guards encircled the base of the tower, blocking anyone from coming nearer. A few men and women, most of them priests, judging from their ceremonial regalia, conversed within the circle of guards. Stryg even spotted a few of the others wearing the iconic black robes of magi.

“Good, we made it just in time,” Elm said.

The crowds began to cheer when an ornate silver carriage rolled up. A tall woman strode out. She was dressed in the most ornate of regalia.

Her rich brown skin was veiled in a long billowing white robe, with a gold belt, studded in gems. Her wrists were covered in golden bracelets as were her ankles. A necklace of rubies hung from her neck. Her black hair was elaborately weaved within silver strings and pearls.

Her face was painted a pallid blue and her high cheekbones were marked with a black dot each, as were her forehead and lips. Four black dots, for the four ebon gods. Even through the ceremonial makeup, Stryg could see her elegant beauty.

Her cold scarlet eyes surveyed the crowd. She smiled with pearly whites fangs. The crowd's cheers soared.

“She’s a vampire,” Stryg muttered in realization.

“Indeed. She is Calantha of the Great House Ashe. She is famous for being blessed by the goddess Bellum herself. Lady Ashe is a favored child of the gods in the flesh. She sits on the city council as the high priestess, leader of all Hollow Shade’s temples,” Elm said reverently.

Lady Ashe walked up the steps at the base of the tower. She faced the crowd and spoke in a loud clear voice, “Welcome to the festival of the gods! We thank the ebon gods for this magnificent year. It has been a fruitful one for our people, our trade district has bustled with life, and the harvests of the Valley have been plentiful. But! Do not let our successes blind you from the troubles that lay in our future. And make no mistake, there will be troubles to come.”

“The warlords stir in Dusk Valley, eager to plunder what is ours. Yet, we do not fear their pathetic armies. For the ebon gods will protect this city and her people as they have for the last 300 years!”

The crowds cheered with shouts of approval.

Lady Ashe continued, “This day is a special occasion, for it is said the gods are closer to us today then they are the rest of the year. Now, let us pray to the ebon gods so that their divine essences may touch our lives and bless us in the days to come.”

The crowds bowed their heads in prayer. Stryg watched them with indifference. He was unsure if the gods even existed. He had long stopped praying to goblin-kind’s patron goddess, Lunae, for guidance. Still, he bowed his head, so as to not stand out. He hoped this wouldn’t last long.

Feli closed her eyes tightly in prayer. She asked for Bellum, goddess of war and guardian of the Realm, to protect Stryg’s life, to keep him safe in the academy. She asked Lunae, watcher of the Realm and goddess of the moon, to watch over them both in the upcoming year.

She even tentatively asked Caligo, patron of none, to spare Stryg and her from any potential disasters and to bless them with luck. Lastly, she asked her own patron of mankind, Stjerne, the traveler, to grant her the wisdom of his journeys, and to guide her on her own journey forward.

“Oh great Stjerne, please bless this mere human with your divine essence in the upcoming year,” Feli whispered.

Stryg leaned towards her. “Do you feel any essence yet?” He whispered impatiently. His leg was beginning to hurt from standing so long.

Feli continued, “Even just a small sliver-”

“How long is this whole prayer thing gonna last?” Stryg interrupted.

“Shh.”

“Did you really just shush me?”

She ignored him and continued, “Even just a small sliver of your essence would be enough-”

“How about I give you my essence when we get home,” he taunted.

Feli frowned but kept her eyes closed and silently whispered the rest.

Stryg sighed and wrapped his arm around Feli’s waist, “You're not just a mere human.”

Feli opened her eyes, “Huh?”

“Earlier you said you were just a mere human. You’re not. Of all the humans I’ve met, I like you the most,” Stryg glanced at the crowd.

“That’s because you like my boobs,” Feli grinned wryly.

“No, it’s because you never once cared that I was a hybrid,” Stryg mumbled.

Feli froze at the words. He had never mentioned anything of the sort. He always liked to show a cold and strong appearance in front of others. Feli knew he truly was both these things, but she also knew that he was an emotionally stunted individual, who couldn’t seem to express himself very well.

Feli wondered how hard it must have been for him to have admitted those words. She kissed his cheek and stepped a little closer, content to be in his company.

After a few minutes Lady Ashe raised her head and opened her eyes, “Now, I bid you all to enjoy our wonderful city’s festival of the gods!”

The people cheered, the cacophony of loud voices strained Stryg’s sensitive ears.

He grimaced and turned to Elm, “Okay, let’s go meet those other head priests.”

“But the celebrations are just starting.”

“Now or never,” Stryg said through grit teeth. The sooner he could leave this echoing courtyard of voices and sit down to rest, the better.

“I understand.” Elm adjusted his robes, “Let’s go show off to those stuck up bastards shall we?”

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