1 Gaselirot: Origins - part 1

The knight standing in front of Ivan drew his sword and, with a feverish, nervous tremor all over his body, stood in an uncertain stance to parry the attacks. It seemed to Ivan as if death had already touched his scythe to his parched throat. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the blink of an eye, something slashed the air, slicing through space with a wild whistle, it was a sword. The blood, scattering in the air, formed unique pictures and sank to the ground. Drip, drip, drip ... Cheek sent pain signals to the brain. He screamed, lost his balance and crashed to the ground, holding his cheek with both hands. Never before, he had never felt such pain, everything that Ivan felt before suddenly began to seem unreal, all these games, trips to the store, nothing resembled this, real and painful shock, this pain. In fear of death, Ivan leaned his hands on the ground, got up and ran to the side at a run. Running past half-burnt buildings, corpses of hobbits, bloody objects and dumbfounded knights, Ivan stumbled. He did not turn around, he heard footsteps, but he could not lift a finger, he knew he would die. He will die and never again drink hot tea on a frosty day. He will die and never again enter his favorite game.

Emptiness took his heart, his eyes refused to open and closed their eyes even more so as not to see this horror, his legs and arms were cramping, and his chest was torn apart. There was a clash of metal. Something grabbed his hands and tied him into something with torn movements. Ivan tried to open his hands, but nothing worked. He understood: "I was detained? No, it doesn't look like the police ... How did it all happen !? Where am I? Why me ?!" All these thoughts tore the brain apart, dragged it. Feeling his body hitting every stone and each time delivering more and more scratches, he opened his eyes and turned his head towards his captor. The knight dragged Ivan, now and then looking back at him.

Here they were, most likely, on the main square of the village. In the center there was a well and around there were small wooden huts. The doors of some of the houses were underground and a small staircase led to them. The windows of the houses, sparkling from the glare of the sun, seemed so small that you couldn't even stick your hand in there. They threw him. Instantly the pain spread throughout my body. Realizing that there was not one knight, but five, he began to examine them. The three knights were no different from each other, except for some details, but he was not up to it. In the middle of this stern crowd stood, apparently, their leader. He was not wearing a helmet and Ivan examined his face carefully enough to be horrified. A green, wrinkled face gazed at the new personality with tied hands. It was a hobgoblin.

"What's going on here ?! Is this some kind of joke ?! These are the actors ?!" Interrupting his thoughts, the knight next to the leader began to speak: "Grekhodor, it seems like an overgrown hobbit, well, a freak!" Laughter rang out from all this crowd, they made fun of him. But one of them said: "Be careful, maybe he is a carrier of some kind of magic or a mutant with incredible physical strength." Everyone fell silent. This knight who stopped the laughter of his comrades was, apparently, the head of this company and stood on the right hand of the leader. Grekhodor spoke: "Perhaps you are right. Let's take him to the camp and think about what to do." The crowd of hobgoblins pulled out their weapons and Grekhodor shouted, addressing the crowd: "Disperse and stand behind the buildings, there they will not turn their horses around!" The hobgoblins scattered and left Ivan on the ground. The horses sped past him and headed towards their enemies.

The battle began somewhere between the houses. Two hobgoblins jumped on the knight and beat him with their swords with a metallic clang. The knight swung his long sword and the blade cut right into the hobgoblin's head, slicing through the head, almost to the neck. From the back, the hobgoblin thrust his sword, right between the knight's shoulder blades, and with an evil laugh made a malicious face. But to the surprise of the hobgoblin, the knight turned around and with all his might hit him with the corpse of his own comrade, they flew to the side. The sword pierced both of them on the ground. The knight's armor was not even scratched. Ivan was able to see that orc strike and how his sword did not even penetrate the armor. Another battle took place in open terrain, the knights catching up with the hobgoblins faster than they could take advantage. The swords slammed against each other. The ringing rang out all over the area. The two hobgoblins fell to the ground, a pool of crimson liquid slowly spreading from their lifeless bodies.

The remaining hobgoblins were the leader and his advisor. "Beasts! Yes, I will cut you all alone!" - shouted the leader. "Come!" - Grekhodor swung his ax and smiled. The knights, cooperating, struck with their swords on both shoulders of the enemy. The swords hit something solid. They bounced off something translucent. It was a magical barrier. The hobgoblin advisor stood in front of the leader and held one hand straight. The knights drove the horses back and one of them began to go around the enemy. Outflanking, he took the leader to ram, while the adviser fought with another knight. The battle continued for several more minutes. The hobgoblins jumped back and ran away with panting. They were wounded and could not run quickly, the knights would have easily overtook them, but the horses were exhausted, and the riders themselves ... Returning to the square, they looked at each other and jumped off the horses.

- This one is connected and does not seem to be with them.

A voice rang out directly over Ivan, but he could not see him, because he was thrown face down.

- Be careful, it might be a trap.

The knight turned Ivan in his direction and was numb. Everyone fell silent and stared at him.

-It... It's some kind of mutant!

The knights moved away from Ivan and took out their weapons.

-Y-you! Answer quickly! Who the fuck are you ?!

The knight who shouted wore chain mail and Ivan felt as if it was shimmering in blue.

-W... would-quickly answer!

-M-maybe he can't speak?

- Damn, stupid animal, probably some kind of magical experiment!

Ivan tried to collect all the thoughts in his head together.

-I ... I'm a man! Ivan! Yes, my name is Ivan!

-Who? Stop joking, you moron, we'll shred you quickly!

-But I'm really human ...

-Bitch, finish it!

Ivan's face turned pale. Two knights, leading a dialogue before this, stepped forward and raised their swords over their heads ...

-Stand! What, you allow yourself ?!

- That's right, commander!

Instantly standing at attention and turning to the commander, they mumbled this phrase as in the rules.

-We are sorry for this behavior!

-Apologies are accepted. Disperse!

The knights made way for their commander. The commander of the knights approached Ivan lying on the ground. He was able to make out his light pink skin and bright green eyes.

-You! Is what you said true?

-Y-yes ...

-He's lying, commander!

-Let's cut him down!

-Shut up!

The knights stood still again.

-Then repeat your name.

-I-Ivan!

Shouting his name, he looked with a frightened look at his savior.

-Are you something like a mutant or were you created? Where is your creator?

-W... What?

-Never heard the word "man", is it from somewhere far away? You're a traveler?

-Ah...

An awkward silence hung in the air, filling all the empty space.

-Um ... I just uh ...

-That "uh"?

-Well, I just appeared here nearby ...

-Is there? So you were summoned ... But whoever leaves the summoned creature without orders and immediately, after being summoned, will disappear ...

-Summon ... What is it ...

-Magic summoning certain creatures from different worlds.

"Stop, what ?! Summoning? Magic? Creatures? Is this a game? Am I somewhere in the game? No ... Wait a minute ... A game with such graphics does not exist! Damn it, you can feel pain! To hell with the game ?! This is a dream! I was drugged ?! How can all this be true !? Yes, what the hell games? So, we need to get together. I saw bodies, hobbits ... Hobgoblins ... And these .. People? No, they do not know such a word, STOP! And how do I understand them !? There was definitely no green grass in Russia! And in the neighboring countries it is unlikely ... Who are they? No, first, WHERE I am! "

-Sorry for asking, but where am I?

-Eh?

"things are bad ..."

-This is the village of hobbits "Dyrosh" in the east of the kingdom of the elves "Guardion"

"hobbits, elves, hobgoblins, kingdoms ..."

-And you?

-Ah? We are members of the elf army patrolling the area.

-Elves ...

-Is there something wrong?

"Of course, damn it, not so! You still ask! What the fuck are elves !?"

-E ... No, no, it's okay ...

"I'm not, damn it, not tied with ropes right now and I'm not lying on the ground talking to the fucking elves with bloody swords and armor!"

-Then we'll take you to town. Guys, untie it, take it and go back to Lagos!

- That's right, commander!

Having jumped on horses, the knights, together with Ivan, jump through the fields and leave for the forest.

-What is this forest?

-This forest is called "Efion" Well, it is not particularly dangerous, except that the barghests will meet, but that should still be lucky

-By the way, how did you repel that blow on the back then ... - Ivan turned to the knight to his left.

-And this ... - the knight looked at the captain.

-Yes, tell me, he has already seen it anyway.

-Yes, yes, our army has recently received enchanted armor with increased resistance to penetration.

They entered the forest. Ivan studied everything around with his meticulous gaze and stopped at one detail, three wolves with unprecedentedly long fangs and claws are moving through the forest with unimaginable speed.

-What are these animals !?

-Ha ha, smile! You seem to be in luck! These are the very individuals I was talking about! Barghests are, in fact, simple wolves with long claws and fangs, and, accordingly, they are stronger.

-It's okay that we don't leave them ...

- Don't be afraid, we have torches.

-Are they afraid of fire?

-Even more!

The commander of the detachment reached for a special bag on his horse and took out a stick wrapped in rags and then took out some kind of object in the form of a wooden stick, with some kind of bandage and symbols painted on it that Ivan had never seen before. "What is this ?, a magic wand? Something from the game again? It seems I lost my mind a long time ago ... I shouldn't have played so much fantasy" ...

The Barghests, seeing a bright flash, began to move away from the detachment.

-Here you see! They are afraid and will not even stick their heads out!

-What is this thing that you used?

-This is a staff of fire, although it is cheap, but it will do for kindling.

So they got to the city.

-Look, here is the guard post! We're at the perimeter!

A wooden structure resembling a watchtower towered in the middle of the forest, but without touching the ground, it was supported by supports attached to the trees.

-Stand! Outside this border is the city of "Lagos"! Why are you here!

An elf with a drawn bow aimed directly at them.

-This is the commander of the detachment that patrolled the village "Dyrosh" Geld!

-Show the table!

The commander took out a platinum plate with the inscription: "Geld"

-Come on in!

Ivan was surprised at how the elf generally considered this tablet from such a distance. "How did he even see this little thing !?" Ivan's dumbfounded look made the commander ask: "What happened?"

-How did he see the table from such a distance?

-And this, because the elves have always seen vigilantly and far away, our racial feature, after all!

The commander proudly pushed his chest forward and made a solemn face.

-It's clear - Ivan muttered in a low voice.

Passing the guard post, they reached the city, there were houses in the trees here and there. The houses were located on the tops of large trees and stairs led to them. But one house stood out among all, a huge tree in the center of the city had a large staircase leading to a huge palace.

-Is this a palace?

-Yes, this is the palace of the lord of this city.

Ivan opened his mouth in surprise. "So this is real greatness ..." They stopped the horses and lowered Ivan to the ground. Walking along the streets of the city, Ivan felt how the gaze of everyone passing by, a resident drills him. Here they are at the main gate of the palace. Two guards, seeing the commander, opened the huge doors. Inside there was a luxurious corridor with statues of gold on the sides.

-What are these statues?

- These are the statues of the great heroes of our kingdom.

-And what are they doing here? They're all made of gold ...

-Any elven city is rich enough to afford such statues.

-Eh ...

"And I can't even buy a rug for a year now."

They came to a huge room with a fancy table. Right behind this wooden art, sat a tall old man.

-Your Excellency, I ask you to excuse us for distracting from important matters.

Everyone bowed their knees, Ivan tried not to stand out and did so too.

-Oh, not worth it. Call me Cestorius. I am not such a formidable lord who would execute, for such trifles.

-Thank you very much, Lord Cestorius.

-I see, you brought me a little animal?

-Please forgive me, but I'm not an animal! - Ivan shouted, seething with anger.

-Yes, this beast also took it into his head ?!

The guards brought Ivan to the lord

-Who are you to be so rude to me?

-I am Ivan, man!

-Person? Ivan? And you are a lot of jokes!

-I am not kidding!

- For this behavior, even I can get angry! Get out of my sight!

-Geld! Tell him!

Geld and his allies bowed their heads in silence. The guards lifted Ivan up and threw him out of the palace.

- Damn upstart ... - Ivan filtered through his teeth.

-Get out of here, trash! - shouted the guard, looking menacingly at Ivan.

-I will do so. - Ivan whispered angrily.

And so he again walked through the streets of this city, but now he was alone, and no one would help him if he was attacked.

"Now I'm an outcast. I'm nobody. But as always ... I never even spoke to people outside the house ... I'm a loser ... Damn."

He left the city, or rather he was thrown out ...

Now he was alone in a dark and impenetrable forest, rustles in the distance pressed on him, he was nervous and depressed. Crunch. Something crunched under Ivan's feet. Trembling, panic, horror. Ivan rushed through the forest with a roar, without looking back, he was afraid that there would be monsters, someone who would torture him, then finish him off or eat him with giblets, he could not hold back his gagging and all the contents of his stomach poured out on the ground. He didn't understand what was happening around, he didn't know if anyone was here, he didn't want to know it, he didn't want to suffer, he just wanted to go home, lie in his bed, hug his pillow and never leave the house again. ...

the contents of his stomach poured out on the ground. He didn't understand what was happening around, he didn't know if anyone was here, he didn't want to know it, he didn't want to suffer, he just wanted to go home, lie in his bed, hug his pillow and never leave the house again. ...

Someone jumped with a growl and pressed him to the ground, his body sagging under the weight of the one who was on top. He opened his eyes. "Wolf!?" The huge carcass, which had piled with all its body on Ivan, growled and snapped its teeth. He was about to move his hands, but then a sharp pain pierced him, he looked around. Blood was everywhere, his hands covered in blood were damaged by the claws of the beast. "This is the end !? I haven't even managed to do anything in my life yet! I hope no one will find my collections under the bed, I don't want someone to ignite my erotic games!" Ivan, with an inhuman roar, tried to roll over, he knocked the beast on its side with one powerful push and it quieted down. "What was that ?! Who is that ?! Wolf? No ... Barghest!"

The bloody body of the Barghest lay, impaled on a sharp spear, stuck in the ground. He was incredibly lucky. It was luck ... He took small steps to the corpse of the animal, and only now, he began to realize what was happening. "Did I kill him ?! I flunked this brute ?! I, I, I won and survived ..."

"I have to find a weapon ... I have to defend myself with something ... I can't always hope for luck ..."

He looked at the Barghest and a thought occurred to him. Picking up a branch from the ground, he poked several times at the corpse and made sure that he was dead. Exhaling and sighing several times, he picked up the carcass and turned it over. Every muscle on his body shuddered and now the spear was sticking out so that it could be taken. Armed with a bloody spear, he became more confident. "This thing poked him through! I can defend myself with it." He looked around and, making sure that no one was around, turned to the corpse. "I have to spend the night somewhere ..." Remembering how some man from the Internet survived, he cut open the wolf's belly and pulled out the insides. Several times he turned away and cleared his stomach, but through the pain and stench, he did it. The body was still warm, and he climbed into the carcass of the barghest he had killed. He threw the insides away so that they would not interfere with his sleep with their stench.

So his first day passed, in this world full of uncertainty.