Letter 1.
YEAR 985...
On a rainy afternoon outside the kingdom of Averford, at the edge of the great forest of Threnafell, a group of young recruits prepared their horses to ride, despite the downpour. "I wonder how others are doing" Claire said, her face etched with concern. "I hope everything's going well for them. "I am especially worried about Marth" her friend replied, trying to reassure her, though she too felt the same unease.
Both young women were visibly nervous, and for good reason. They were amid one of the most difficult tests to become a Legionnaire of Averford. A man in his forties approached. Despite his age, he did not look at it. His long hair fell to his shoulders, framing a bearded face with a piercing gaze. "Are you ready?" asked the man, Joel Montecristo. "Yes, sir, but may I ask something?" Claire said, her voice tinged with nerves. "Go ahead" Montecristo replied. "I've heard that Threnafell is extremely dangerous. Is that true?" she asked. Montecristo studied her, sensing her worry.
"You fear for your brother" he stated. Claire looked down, grabbing her arm with her left hand, embarrassed. "Yes, sir. He is my younger brother. Since our training began, I have always watched over him. This is the first time we are away from each other" she admitted. "Threnafell is indeed dangerous but rest assured. These trials are taking place in an area monitored by our most experienced hunters" Montecristo said confidently.
Claire regained her composure. "Thank you, General" she said, a little calmer.
Montecristo stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Compose yourself and finish readying your horse" he instructed. Claire, realizing she had not saddled her horse, hurried off with her friend Sakura to complete the task. They were next to depart, along with another group of recruits, heading to a small moor within Threnafell. "Claire, we need to stay calm. The General is right. Besides, they are with the hunters. They are strong and experienced" Sakura said. "I know... it's just the story about this forest that always terrifies me" Claire admitted. "I've heard some frightening things, especially about the Necromancer supposedly hiding there" Sakura added. "That doesn't help at all!" Claire snapped. "Sorry" Sakura replied with an apologetic smile.
The conversation was suddenly interrupted by their teammate, a striking young woman named Margott. "Girls, what's going on? Are your mounts ready?" she asked. The two suddenly realized everyone else was prepared while they were distracted. "How did that happen?" Claire exclaimed. "We need to hurry, Claire!" Sakura urged.
Montecristo, now visibly annoyed, approached them. "Recruits, let me make one thing very clear, and I hope I won't have to repeat it. Listen carefully," he said firmly. Other groups of recruits gathered to listen.
"You know why you're here. You are undergoing this training to survive in this world, and that alone is no easy task. Five years ago, all kingdoms were at war. But now... something else has returned from the darkness of the earth" Montecristo said gravely.
The recruits exchanged anxious glances. "The beasts we face are nothing compared to our true executioners. That's why we train you—to fight the real enemy: the Scarlets."
A recruit named Alfgen spoke up. "I've heard of them. Horrible, deadly creatures." Montecristo nodded. "Indeed. So lethal that a hundred of them nearly wiped out my King's Legion a few years ago." He turned to Sakura and Claire.
"And if you behave like these two, rest assured those dragons will devour you," he warned.
Sakura and Claire turned pale, frozen in place. "Permission to finish preparing my horse, General," Claire said, standing at attention. "Do it. Now," Montecristo ordered.
Claire and Sakura rushed to saddle their horses while Margott watched. "You let fear distract you. This mission is important," Margott said. Claire frowned. "And you? You act like you're not scared at all." "You do seem awfully calm," Sakura added.
"I trust the General. And even more, I trust Hunters. They know Threnafell—it is their domain. We will be fine," Margott said with conviction.
The hunters then summoned the recruits to a cart filled with swords, bows, and crossbow equipment from the Hunters' Guild. The last group to enter Threnafell was being led by Master Hunter Kristoff, who handed out weapons to supplement their spells. Sakura chose a sword. Margott selected a bow with sharp edges. Claire declined; she already wielded her mother's sword.
"Why a bow?" Claire asked. "I've been training my spells with a bow. I think I have gotten the hang of them" Margott replied. "You're brave," Sakura said. "It's all about practice," Margott replied, admiring her sleek black bow.
Suddenly, a chilling mist began to rise from the trees. Low-ranking hunters noticed it and alerted Montecristo.
"General!" Zen, a young Legionnaire, ran in, panicked. "What's going on?" Montecristo asked, stepping from his tent. "Sir, something's happening in the forest. A dark mist is rising," Zen said, visibly shaking.
Montecristo rushed to the forest's edge, followed by Legionnaires and recruits. Claire and the others felt their anxiety surge. "What's going on? Where are we going?" asked Sakura. "And why are we running?" Margott added.
Montecristo stopped at the tree line, his eyes widening. "Throme… no. Not again," he muttered.
He had seen this mist before.
(FLASHBACK)
During a massive battle between Eircloft and Averford, Montecristo fought alongside King Thud Bright, father of the current queen. King Thud's army was ambushed by a horde of Scarlets. The battlefield became a massacre. As Averford's forces faltered and Eircloft's army was decimated, Thud launched a desperate attack, drawing the Scarlets' attention.
"Fall back!" Thud shouted. But the Legionnaires could hardly retreat.
"We're finished, Thud!" Montecristo shouted, bloodied.
Thud gripped his spear, its blade glowing red with mystical energy. "What are you doing?" Montecristo asked. But Thud gave no reply. Suddenly, a thick mist swept across the battlefield, veiling everything but the glowing eyes of the Scarlets.
"What's happening?" Thud asked, frozen.
"Thud, look!" Montecristo pointed.
In the mist, a new figure emerged. A Legionnaire engulfed in dark, flame-like purple energy.
"You…" Montecristo gasped.
Throme, where are you? Thud wondered.
(END OF FLASHBACK)
Montecristo snapped back to reality. "Legionnaires, weapons out!" he commanded. Swords were drawn. "Take crescent formation facing the forest!"
As soldiers formed up, the recruits were led to safety. Claire's fear mounted.
"What's happening?" she asked. "Trouble," Margott replied. "Where?" "In the forest!"
Claire bolted toward the trees but was stopped by Kristoff. "Where do you think you're going?!" he yelled.
"Where are the others? Where is my brother?!" Claire cried, struggling.
"Stay with the group! The other squads have not returned yet!"
Movement stirred in the trees. Zen called out, "Something's coming, sir!"
Suddenly, Alistar and Esgard's unit burst out, horses frantic, swords slick with dark blue blood. Everyone rushed to help.
"Alistar, what happened?!" Montecristo demanded.
"We were ambushed! There were too many—we could not stop them!"
"Scarlets?!"
"Yes! Their attack was… coordinated. Precise," Alistar said, shaken.
"Many died recruits and Legionnaires alike."
Claire rushed forward. "My brother?!"
Alistar hesitated. "I lost sight of him… and Elle. The last thing I saw, four Scarlets were closing in. We barely escaped."
Montecristo clenched his fists. "We have to retreat—now!"
"No!" Alistar objected.
"What did you say?!"
"We must return—for the survivors!"
"I won't send more to their deaths!"
Before they could argue further, a scream rang out.
Sakura struggled to hold Claire back. Claire had mounted her horse and was galloping straight into Threnafell.
"Claire, don't!"
Montecristo and Alistar ran after her—but it was too late. She vanished into the mist.
"Damn it!" Montecristo yelled, hurling a rock.
"What now?" Alistar asked.
Montecristo took a breath. "Legionnaires, prepare for incursion!"
"WITH HONOR, WE MARCH TOWARD THE SUN!" the soldiers shouted, rallying.
"This is a rescue mission! The rest of you—take the recruits back to Averford. Report to High Command!"
They obeyed the General's orders. "Move out!" Alistar commanded.
Montecristo, Alistar, and their warriors disappeared into the ghostly woods.
Meanwhile, in Averford…
A striking woman entered a disordered chamber, parchment in hand. She was none other than the Queen of Averford.
(TO BE CONTINUED...)