ARN ARMUNDSON

ARN ARMUNDSON

sixteen | he/him | Human | Nord

Oh I'm not scared mother Can't you hear he calls my name Oh boy, the sky's not speaking And the wind will never learn your name Oh no you're wrong mother And the wind and I, I think we'll run away

— Finnegan Tui

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] ~Hatred

"I know it's not ideal." 

She says that every time you both set up the small little camp built out of twigs and leaves somewhere in the woods. As if it would change the situation, make it more bearable.

"I still remember the first blanket I made you." Her smile was weak, but her eyes glistened with fondness, as she tried to cushion the floor beneath your shelter, "You were so small back then, it swallowed you whole, but eventually you grew into it. You could never fall asleep without it." 

Her smile dropped then, as if realising that everything you have ever owned, every story behind it, was lost.

"I remember." Perhaps a small condolence, but for a moment her strained smile returned.

She laid out her coat on the wet wooden floor beneath the makeshift shelter, she never asked you to take off yours for the both of you to lie in. You noticed everything she had ever done, she did for you. Even if it meant, leaving everything behind. She never hesitated.

Sometimes you wonder if she regrets her decision. If she regrets having you. When will she realise that you are a mere burden to her?

"That should do it. You go in first, munchkin." 

"Where are you going?" She always leaves to make sure you are both safe. You know she barely sleeps to keep an eye on you too, you can see it in the shadows beneath her eyes. 

So far she always returned to you, you always found each other even amidst the chaos, but what if she can't find you? What if one time, she does not return?

"Don't worry." She smiles and draws a warm hand over your cheek, as if sensing your worries, "Make yourself comfortable. It won't be like this forever. Soon we'll be back in a cozy and warm bed, behind the safety of the walls and there will be no need to run anymore. I promise."

"When?" You ask despite knowing the answer.

"When we manage to have you do the proper ritual. When the God of Mountains will accept you."

"I have to perform a great hunt for that. All I do is hide."

"All when the time is right. Sleep now. I will be back shortly."

That too was something you have heard her say a lot since you both had been forced to flee into the woods. You're no longer certain that there will ever be a right time. How can you prove yourself, when she won't let you?

“You always pretend like nothing is wrong, but they took our home from us and now want to kill us. You don’t even hate them for it. Like we deserved what happened.” You scoff, not understanding how she can remain so positive despite it all not being your fault.

She halts for a moment, the smile from before is replaced with worry. “Don’t- Arn, look at me.” You begrudgingly tilt your head to meet her gaze, “We did not deserve any of it, Fate was playing against us. The people had chosen, they are afraid and think that the new ways are giving them more security, but it's not the system that is wrong. Not only.”

“So you do hate the scholar too.” 

“It’s okay to be angry, but don’t let your heart darken from it. They won, fair and just. I agreed to the rules and we would be a bad loser if we do not respect their win. So, no, I do not hate them for it. I think it was the right time for a change.”

“Why would the people like them better than us? We have been ruling over the North for generations. The scholar just arrived a few weeks prior to my coronation. It is just not fair.”

“I know the timing makes it look even worse.” She says with a tired sigh and you realise only now, that she must have been trying to appear strong for you, hiding her own frustration well, “I can’t promise you that it will all get back to how it was, that we will reclaim the throne, I think our time is over, but I can promise you, that we will no longer need to hide. That we do not need to be afraid for our lives and hide in the trees. You will sleep in safety. I will promise you that.”

You drop your head with a heavy heart. “I still hate them.” They took your big day from you, they ruined it all. How can she so easily forgive?

She hums, a sad look in her eyes. “It is your right to do so. Yet, you should try to sleep. We will discuss our options tomorrow.”

You watch as she gets up with alert eyes before disappearing into the darkness to lead any pursuers astray. She didn't even take her coat with her.

You try to do as she said. You try to make yourself comfortable, but her absence and the fear riddled with the growing hatred within your heart was making it difficult. If only you could do something to help. Make a difference yourself. But you couldn’t. You were nothing but a burden to her and powerless in a world that was ruled by power. You were only a child in the eyes of the adults around you. How can you change that?

You close your eyes, try to quiet the voices in your head. That the coat was smelling of her sweet and calm scent did help a little and soon you found yourself slowly drifting off. Afterall, it had never been about the blanket she had made for you, it was about having something of your mother close.

Even if she herself, seldom was.

[ 967 words ]

Next Part ➜

There it is!! Go have a read everyone.

Glad to be working on another great project with such an amazing author <3

itch.io

Beyond The Mist: Beginnings (Demo) by Intimidating Puffin Studios

A visual novel/interactive fiction game set in a world of magic, horror, and intrigue!

You are a young adult adrift in life, suffocating under the yolk of your oppressive parents. Feeling out of sync with the rest of the world, you yearn for freedom and life beyond the bounds of your prison.

You find it in the form of a ravishing stranger and a long lost city, calling out to you across space and time. Something is beckoning underneath the ancient city's glimmering white tiles, something old and powerful. Someone.

Will you resist the call beyond the veil and the promise of belonging it brings, or will you let yourself go and embrace the path destiny has set before you?

The choice is yours. Magnustor is waiting for you.

Features

2 romance options that can either be male or female (player can choose the gender of both).

3 different romance routes; 2 monogamous ones or 1 polyamorous one  (a triad between the player and both romance options).

Romance and customization focused narrative; you can play as straight, gay, or bi and as cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary.

(4?) different endings.

Set in the same universe as The Soul Stone War.

Credits:

Filopay Illustrations for all art  @filopay

Feniks for Inline Conditions

~*~

The Ren'Py demo is live, folks!!!!

I'M SO EXCITED! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK, AND SPREAD THE WORD IF YOU CAN~

THANK YOU!!

LORNA TINKLEWALD

twenty-three | she/her | 146 cm | Dwarf | Brandurag

I cannot be bothered to be friendly And why'd you keep on calling me your baby? You ain't doing nothing to impress me So now is not the time for you to test me — Cher Loyd

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 ' [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Foreigner

"The Queen has lost!"

All conversation instantly stopped the moment the young dwarf had stormed into the Bulky Mule. Then murmurs arose and there was uncertainty in their gazes. It had been a change that they had wanted, but was it a good change?

Lorna placed the mug down she was currently drying and raised her voice above the whispers. 

"Who took her place?"

It was not difficult for her to be heard, she always had a certain confidence. With her words, the murmurs stopped around the filled tavern, everyone wanted to hear the answer.

The young dwarf by then had walked towards a table and taken one of the filled mugs to drown it in one go.

He dried his mouth with a swipe of his sleeve, before looking into the round. "Some foreigner. From the east, I believe."

"Is that a good omen?" "What if it's a dwarf!" "More likely a dragon."

"There is nothing to worry about." Lorna quiets the many questions going around, "It is a change, that's more of a chance for us than we ever hoped. We will find out more about this foreigner and see if we can get our voices heard. We need to start early however, the sooner the better, before once more it becomes common to ignore us. Show this new ruler that we are not easily silenced and don't even give the chance for us to be forgotten."

There were nods and some 'hear, hear!' The overall worries seemed to be eased and that is when Lorna waved the young dwarf that had spoken over.

One of the barmaids addressed him and escorted the confused dwarf inconspicuous through the tavern and into the back room. Lorna was already uncovering the map that was hidden beneath a simple tablecloth. It showed the whole of northern Aestricca, the north with the fortress they reside in right now, below that the harbour city, their neighbour and far in the west divided by water, lay on another land. Their once home.

Lorna however, only uncovered the eastern part, beyond pointy mountains and the vast forest of Rania, lie Bullmar. On the map, indicated by an empty region. 

Not much was known of the east that even the map was incomplete. It was always described as harsh and unwelcoming, but then again, that's what they said about the north as well. She didn't give much about rumours.

"You said this foreigner comes from the east." She points to the empty spots on the map, "We need to find out what their aim is. Why leave the east to become a ruler of the north."

Her hand drew back over to the west. "So we can finally reclaim our home and no longer be foreigners ourselves." [ words ~461 ]

AEGON MARTYNSON

twenty-six | he/him | 190 cm | half Dryad | Nord

Maybe You mean every word you say Can't help but think of yesterday And another who tied me down to lover boy rules Before this river Becomes an ocean Before you throw my heart back on the floor Oh baby I reconsider My foolish notion Well I need someone to hold me But I'll wait for something more I gotta have faith — George Michael

~ Excuse

Over time, he had gotten used to people staring at him in the streets. They had never seen a Dryad outside of Rania's forest, so it's only natural that they are curious. Even if he was only half-Dryad, his ears turned upwards instead of down.

When he was younger it had irritated him immensely at how often the children wanted to touch his ears. Yet he let them, seeing how happy it made them.

"Next one, please." He calls forward a young woman, a poncho over her shoulder, a hood above her head.

She smiles when she meets his gaze. "I've heard of the Dryad working for that unreasonable healer, but I'd never thought it to be true."

"I'm just helping out a good friend and Elora is one of the best healers I've met." He smiles too, meaning every word, "How can she help you today?"

"Ah." The woman stands on her tiptoes, since he was by far bigger than her, "What if I just came to see if the rumours are true?" She bats her eyelashes, "What if I want to invite you for a drink?"

"Then I'd be flattered." He says a bit sheepish, scratching the back of his head, "But I would have to decline, she still needs me here."

The woman pouts, "Not even if I ask very nicely?"

"Oh, well." He looks a little embarrassed now.

"I heard you give very good advice and I was hoping you could help me out with a problem of mine. It would mean alot to me." Her smiles was still bright, hopeful eyes awaiting his answer.

"I'm sure we can grab a drink after I finish-"

"Perfect!" She beams, cutting him off, "I'll meet you at the Mountain Inn, when the last sunlight vanishes behind the walls. I look forward to it."

Before he could reply, she was already skipping out of the clinic. Aegon let out a long sigh.

"You said you were done with dating."

"Ack!" He swung around, surprised to hear Elora suddenly stand behind him.

"That you wanted a break from it all." She speaks, not in the slightest bothered by his reaction.

"I- yes, I said that, but she looked so sad." He rubs the back of his head.

She stares at him. "So, you'd rather lead her on or in the end even date her, to prevent her from being unhappy?"

"I yes, I can see how you might think that…" he didnt had a good excuse, slumping his shoulders, "You're right. I'm a hopeless cause. She wanted my help, I can't possibly deny her that."

"I can see now why you've never been in a relationship longer than a week." She moves past him, collecting the papers gathered on the table next to him.

"I will explain it to her, just- I need time to think of the nicest way to do so."

She takes the pages, shifting through them. "There is no nice way to break someone's heart. It only gets worse the longer you wait."

He scatches his chin. "You seem to know alot about that."

"My mother tried to marry me off at any given moment." She turns to Aegon, "I turned them all down."

"Then you can help me! I mean, should she even ask to date me."

"It seems the whole town does. So the chances are pretty high. They see you as a price to win and you let them." Elora stares at him coldly, before turning the papers towards him. "And you forgot to fill out the records again, how do I know which tonic I gave to which patient?"

Aegons smile widened, not having heard her last words. "Then pretend to be my date and she will get the message."

"You're just looking for an excuse to not having to reject her yourself. I am busy."

"Oh, come on, Elora, you're always busy. I've been helping you by keeping the people as far away from you as possible. You don't have to speak to a single one of them. You like that, right? Can't you do me this one favour in return?"

She didn't appear moved at all, so he grabbed her arm, pouting, "What if I am not enough, doomed to forever be alone? Why not help me let her down easy, so before rejecting her, I can see if perhaps she is the right one for me. How else would I know?"

"She isn't." Elora says bluntly, ripping her arm free, "She came her on false pretense, you can't trust her."

Aegon frowns, "That's not a reason. You can't dismiss someone so quickly just because they made an excuse to see you. You need to get to know them first, spend time with them."

"I have no time and even if I did, I wouldn't want to support your frivolous pursues, because I can already tell they will quickly end."

"You make me sound like a heartbreaker." He smiles awkwardly.

She looks at him for a moment and he wonders what she was thinking, but then she just turns around.

"Wait, please. I need your help."

She looks back at him for a moment, halfway into her office. He tries his best at showing her his puppy-dog eyes and he'd been told, they work.

Then she takes a breath, an answer is nearing.

"No." And she closes the door in front of his face. He let his shoulders hang. Damn it.

[ words: yes ]

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

[ new image at the end to avoid spoilers ] Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~Choice

“No.

This is unacceptable.”

After Sael had figured out how to hang things up with the help of Aegon, the yellow glowing one came over, essence flaring.

“I told you to place the nets around the room, Aegon. The hanging decorations come last, because they each have a set place. You have to consider the angle, the size and where the chairs or standing positions are about to be, so no one gets distracted or walks right through them. How is anyone supposed to enter the room with that thing right in the doorway?”

“Sael and I chose them. It’s his first Halloween, I’m sure you can let it slide.” Sael heard Aegon rustle next to him, not quite sure what he was doing, “Besides, I did place the nets.”

He heard the yellow one groan, he vaguely remembers she called herself Elora. “I didn’t mean you should cover yourself in them.”

“Well, they are kinda sticky.” He heard Aegon move around next to him, apparently struggling with something, “Wait, Sael, can you hold that for a moment?”

Still not used to being addressed through words, Sael did not immediately react or understand what Aegon wanted from him, but luckily there was no need for it. Aegon took his hand for a split second, Aegon’s irritation and confusion rushing through Sael at the short touch, but then he already let go again and what remains was a weird and sticky texture lying in his hands. It was rather unpleasant.

“Can you pull at it? Maybe then it gets off of me.”

Sael was uncertain how to operate further, trying to get rid of that weird thing in his hands, but no matter how he turned his hand, it stuck to him. He slowly starts to understand where Aegon’s irritation was coming from – he too felt it now.

“Now you are covering him in it too. I can’t even watch. Aegon, stop spinning.”

He heard Aegon make unpleasant noises. “Ugh, I think it’s in my mouth.”

“Because you won’t stop turning, would you just-”

“Is it someone's birthday?” They get interrupted as another member joins in on their conversation and Sael sees a purple essence floating about merrily.

“This is not the set decoration, Lorna, so don’t get attached to it.” Elora explains, a sigh somewhere hidden behind her words.

“Oh, we will keep it.” Aegon counters.

“This one is blocking the entrance and you are hanging up birthday decorations, Aegon.” Elora says, “We are not throwing a birthday party in case you forgot.”

“Well, I like them both the way they are.”

It seems eventually everyone was gathering closer and Sael had difficulty to keep them apart when they stand so close to another. There was the other brighter one among them, he saw the pink essence shine brightest among the gathered. It was easy to focus on them.

“The Seeress is right. We’re the ones having to look at it until the end of the month.”

“That’s news to me.” Lorna snorted, “Didn’t know you live here, your highness.”

“I don’t want to be the one asked all night, who’s birthday it is.” The pink one explains, “Blocking the entrance however, good choice.”

“Oh, because they have to walk through it like a haunted house. See how many dare to do so.” Ralof said, he was the red one Sael remembers.

“I was about to say it keeps the number of attendees to a good minimum, but your point makes the same statement, so I agree.”

“That means more booze for me, so I’m fine with that.” Lorna says.

“Oh, what no. We want people to come, don’t we? We put so much effort into it.” Ralof says.

“Well, some of us did, other’s just stood around looking pretty.” Lorna complains. “Even Sael picked something up and he can’t even see. What’s your excuse?”

“I arranged the celebration for the whole city. I have chosen enough decorations.”

“Show-off.”

After that, their voices mixed as did all of their essence as they moved closer. The volume was at the highest, the arguments starting again. It seems to be a common occurrence and Sael wonders why they favoured closeness if that is the outcome. Perhaps it was part of this celebration they keep mentioning.

“Hey, don’t worry about them.” Aegon says, stepping next to him, “It’s a celebration for everyone, isn’t it? I think it’s important that each of us sets up something of their own.

I mean you do want to celebrate it with us, right? It’s not a must, there are other things we could do too. I’m sure Nul has prepared some events throughout the city that are interesting too.”

It was a question, perhaps directed at Sael, perhaps not. He wasn’t certain about questions yet. Only that it made Aegon stop talking and awaiting for Sael to do so instead. He wanted him to speak – to answer.

“You-?” He wasn’t even sure how to ask back, what it was, that Aegon wanted from him. Which words, he wanted to hear.

He could see Aegons essence nudge to one side in confusion.

Letting out a frustrated breath, Sael wrecked his brain for anything else he had observed that would help him communicate with him better. He remembers that one of them, often used many and other times very few words. The yellow one, yes, Elora. Sometimes she speaks a lot, other times, she just says one word. That seems to satisfy and stop further questions almost always. Perhaps that could help.

Sael cleared his throat, trying to familiarise himself with using his voice. Then he spoke: “No.”

Aegon’s essence quirk up surprised for a moment and it made Sael wonder if that one word might only work for Elora.

“Wait, you- you don’t want to celebrate with us?” Then he let out a nervous laugh, “I mean of course you don’t have to. I was just surprised. I just thought- ah, never mind.”

“See, even Sael doesn’t want to come any more.” It was Ralof that spoke, “We should stop arguing about whoever is coming inside or not, because I say, everyone currently present, is certainly invited.”

“I can’t.” It was Nul and everyone seems to turn towards them, “I have to oversee the festivities in the city. You’d be surprised at how many go up in flames.”

“Ask the Commander to do that for you. We need you!” Ralof tried to convince them.

“I won’t miss them.” Lorna says.

“It’s Sael’s very first celebration ever. And-” It was Aegon talking into the room, but then he seems to address Sael directly, “We’d love to have you celebrate it with us. If you want to keep it small, we can do that, if you like it big or go all out and about in town, just let us know and we do that instead. However you like to celebrate it, we’re with you. If you have us.”

There seems to be a murmur of agreement going through the group and Sael was slowly but surely understanding what they were asking of him. They wanted to be with him and everyone else to a set time and event. A promise, a choice. They wanted him to make it. To choose to be with them.

How very strange these people behave. Sael was certain he would never stop learning about them.

So a choice he made, trying himself at another short word that he had picked up on the go, that best conveys the feelings he would usually share directly:

“Neat.”

[ ~ 1250 words ]

AEGON

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

~ Weapon

Aegon had never been a fighter but he can respect a good made weapon if he sees one. Perhaps it was that or sheer curiosity that brought him down towards the lower district where it was said, the best blacksmith of all Skaeld resided.

Surprising enough, the people still looked up to stare at him, but that could also be because of his well-made clothes Elora had provided for him. And as quickly as they had looked up, they were looking elsewhere again.

He was starting to like it down here. Why does everyone always say to avoid this place? The market was held down here too. Everyone seemed to enjoy that.

Then suddenly someone bumped into him, due to his tall frame it barely made him stumble, but the moment he wanted to see if the person was alright, they already vanished into the next alley.

They seem very hurried down here. He thought.

"The weapon you described is expensive. I usually only add embellishments for the crown."

"Not a problem. That is why I brought…" it wasn't there, he was sure he put his purse right inside his inner vest pocket, but it was empty. Just in case, he checked the other side but there was also nothing to be found. 

Looking a bit embarasses he met the blacksmiths solemn face. "I must have dropped it. I am sure I put it in here."

"Robbed." He said, snifling once, before continuing hammering on his anvil.

"What?!" Aegon had to shout over the loud noise the man was making.

"You were most likely robbed. Happens." They shrug like its the most common occurance.

"Oh, I didn't notice." Then he remembers the person running into him, it must have happened then. He let his shoulders hang, that were all the earnings he has gotten from Elora. Now it was all gone. 

"I'm afraid I have to come back another time for my request. Is there anything you can tell me to prevent it from happening again?"

The man mumbles something under his breath, before meeting Aegons gaze beneath bushy eyebrows. "Eyes sharp. Weapon at the ready. You're tall also. Keep valuable things high up where they can't easily reach."

That makes sense. "Thank you. You are a very kind soul, sir. I shall recommend you to my friends. Then I will come back to pay you for your good services."

The man just huffs as an answer. Not much a conversationalist, but Aegon didn't mind that.

"I heard there are other things that one can do to entertain oneself here. Any suggestions?"

The man hummed and Aegon understood it as the sign for the man thinking.

"My son likes to go to the market often. Helps them out. Othertimes he visits the dwarven tavern at the very outskirts of the district. Its cheap. But I wouldn't recommend you going there. They eat you alive."

Aegon blinks at the vivid image the man was painting for him. "Then if I were to go there would your previous advise apply to it too?"

"Absolutley not!"

Aegon raised both eyebrows surprised about the mans sudden outburst.

"If you show up with a weapon into the dwarven district, you better know how to use it. Because you will need to use it."

"Oh." Aegon scatches his chin in thought, "You said your son would go there often. What would he say about inviting a few other people over."

The mans steely gaze suddenly turned ten times more darker, if that were even possible and Aegon shivered underneath it.

"Listen here, rich boy." He lifted the smeltering hot iron and Aegon takes a careful step back, "You came here to make business with me. Don't ever drag my boy into your affairs, treat me all you like, but leave him out of it."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I will drop it, never going to mention it again."

The man huffs again, seemingly a common way of dismissing Aegons words.

"Why do you want to go anyway? Don't you have enough stuff up at your own fancy district?"

"Well, a dwarven tavern sounds like a good time."

"Not if it costs your life."

"Then, do you know where I could possibly learn to wield that weapon you are going to craft for me?" Aegon smiles, hoping to not having bothered the man too much yet. He was just the only one willing to talk to him down here.

"Once you pay me. I ain't working for free."

"Yes, of course." Aegon nods.

"Well, then." He seems to be thinking, "The guards around the walls are still recruiting. They can teach you."

Aegon frowns, before lowering his voice, "Aren't they awfully violent?"

The man looks at him, his patience visibly running thin.

"Never mind." Aegon waves the question off. "I already have a job anyway. Can't really leave it. I'll figure out how that weapon will work another way. Thank you for your patience, good man. You will hear from me again when I have earned back the money I lost."

"Stolen."

"Well, we don't know that for certain."

"I do."

Aegon presses his lips together at the stubborness of this man. He doesn't even seem to like to humour a different mindset, a possibly more creative conclusion. How to know anything at all, right? Maybe they are all just guessing.

Yet, he kept his phylosophics to himself, knowing he had taken up enough of this mans time already. "I will see you again in good time for my weapon."

With that he bids his farewell. He truly did not know why so many avoid this place. There hadn't been one person asking to touch his ears since he was here.

He felt a little bit lighter.