Jasper returns from the lanes, his black cape brushing the dust, while villagers remain huddled behind shuttered doors. His blue eyes stay fixed on the deepest shade beyond the square.
Jasper
The accounts disagree. Some say the trembling villager spoke to the empty air. Others swear a voice answered from the shadow.
Near the well, the trembling villager stands alone: an elderly woman in a faded brown shawl, her narrow face pale beneath wisps of white hair. One hand still shakes against her chest.
Jasper
She says she owed something to a person she could not see. The baker's son says she answered a voice from the lane.
At the square's edge, soot-dark wisps cling to the stones where Dark Shadow vanished. They gather and loosen without wind, leaving the scent of cold ashes.
Jasper
The trail is fading, Sapphire. But the villager may know why he came, if she can bear to speak again.
Jasper waits beside her, ready to follow her lead. The fey-lit road to Krystal field village glimmers beyond the square, while the dark trace dwindles under the sun.
“Sapphire was still confused herself, she had no idea she wielded such power. She had no idea she was half knight and half witch and when Dark Shadow came it's like something inside her took over. After Dark Shadow fled her father came to her and explained that she is the chosen hero to protect all the villages from Dark Shadows wrath. But she needs special training so she has to go on a quest to jewel mountains to find the help she needs to learn how to control her powers and how to be a knight. But since it was such a dangerous journey Sapphire's father insisted that Jasper went with her. He gave them food, water, a first aid kit, medicines and remedies. And with a final hug goodbye Sapphire and Jasper set of on their adventures.”
The soot-dark trace thins beneath the sunlight. From the bakery lane, their father, a broad-shouldered human with ruddy skin, wearing a flour-streaked brown apron over a cream shirt, hurries into the square, an elderly man with flour-dusted sleeves, a gray beard, and tired, caring eyes.
Miller
You are the chosen knight, Sapphire. The power in you must be trained before Dark Shadow's wrath reaches another village.
He explains that her sword and shield are only part of her calling, and that hidden witchcraft stirs within her. The words leave the square quiet.
Jasper
Then we go to the jewel mountains, learn what we can, and return strong enough to face him.
Their father presses food, water, a first aid kit, medicines, and remedies into their packs. Villagers watch from the doorways as the fey road brightens.
He embraces them both, holding on for one final breath. Then he steps back, leaving the road open and the village safe behind them.
Sapphire and Jasper set out beneath the clear morning sky, following the shimmering path toward the jewel mountains and the training that awaits.
+ New Item Acquired
Food
+ New Item Acquired
Water
+ New Item Acquired
First aid kit
+ New Item Acquired
Medicines
+ New Item Acquired
Remedies
“Before they go Their father whose name is Miller gives Jasper a silver bow and a arrow holder that will never run out of arrows. Jasper knew deep down that he was an archer, he just never expected to become one at such a young age. "You must train too Jasper. Miller said to his son. "So you can protect your sister and the village alongside her. There is a good friend of mine up on jewel mountain who is a very skilled archer the best archer known to man. Find him and train with him so you are ready for battle as well. Good luck my children."”
Before the road takes them, their father calls Jasper back. The broad-shouldered baker carries a silver bow and a strange arrow holder that seems light despite its endless promise.
Miller
Miller is my name, son, and you must train too, Jasper. You can protect your sister and the village alongside her.
He places the silver bow in Jasper's hands, then settles the arrow holder at his side. Its quiver remains full when Jasper cautiously draws a second arrow.
Jasper
Somewhere inside me, I have always been an archer. I never expected to discover it so young.
Miller
A good friend of mine lives upon Jewel Mountain. He is the finest archer known to man. Find him, and learn from him.
Miller
Good luck, my children. Return ready for the battles ahead.
Jasper tests the bowstring once, his blue eyes sharpening with purpose. Then he joins Sapphire on the shining fey road, while their father watches proudly from the village gate.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Jewel Mountain
✓ Quest Accepted
Make great friends
undefined / undefined
The fey road carries Sapphire and Jasper beyond the village fields, its pale light winding between wheat that bends though the morning air is still. Ahead, the path abruptly ends at a black stone arch.
Jasper
That was not there a moment ago.
A bronze bell tolls from beyond the arch. The sound passes through armor and bone, and every sapphire-colored spark in the road gutters out at once.
Jasper
The bowstring is humming. Something on the other side knows we are here.
Letters of green fire appear across the arch, forming a single sentence in an ancient hand: THE DEBT WALKS WITH THE CHOSEN. Beneath it, a narrow doorway opens into darkness.
Jasper
We can turn back, or follow the debt before this road closes for good.
The bronze bell tolls again. Behind them, the shining road begins folding into ordinary dust, while the dark doorway waits beneath the stone arch.
“Sapphire took one last look at the path that led to their village and took a deep breath. "We have to go, no matter what awaits us. The other villages need us. Each day Dark Shadow grows stronger. The sooner we get to Jewel Mountain, the better." Jasper looked at his sister worried about her sanity, being the chosen one is a lot to bear for only a fourteen year old. "It should have been me, so she doesn't have to handle this weight." He muttered. With confidence he said to his sister. "I know you can do this Sapphire. We can do this together. I will be with you every step of the way." Sapphire smiled. "Alright, let's do this." And with those words they stepped into the dark archway.”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +0)
Sapphire takes one last look toward the village, breathes deeply, and faces the black arch. The fading road glimmers behind her like a final thread home.
Sapphire Stone-heart
We have to go, no matter what awaits us. The other villages need us. Each day Dark Shadow grows stronger. The sooner we reach Jewel Mountain, the better.
Jasper
It should have been me, so she would not have to carry this weight.
Jasper's worried gaze lingers on his fourteen-year-old sister. His fingers tighten around the silver bow, and his confidence falters for one visible breath before he steadies himself.
Jasper
I know you can do this, Sapphire. We can do this together. I will be with you every step of the way.
Sapphire Stone-heart
All right, let's do this.
They step beneath the black stone arch. Darkness folds around them, and Sapphire's resolve carries her through, though the bell's echo leaves a hollow weariness behind her eyes. On the far side, they stand within a crystal-lit mountain passage, with Jewel Mountain rising beyond its opening.