21 021 – Lost and Frost – Part 1 –
Uriel looked on with disbelief as the body of the man tilted awkwardly until it was in an unnatural state.
Time seemed to speed up and the body of the bandit split in two, a geyser of blood erupted upwards and came falling down in a red rain hitting Uriel.
Then the body fell to the earth splitting in two at the chest.
'How?' Uriel questioned looking around in confusion, but there was no one else present he had no idea what was happening as he turned his eyes to Zeresha he found that she was perfectly fine the only blood on her was on her hoof, and what was currently raining down.
On the ground Uriel noticed a glint of light and found the sword of the bandit, only there was a problem the sword was cut in half, the top end was on the ground while the lower part was still held in the hand of the dead bandit.
It was only then that Uriel felt the distinct sensation of power coursing through him, the power of Eldrin.
Uriel looked at his sword and noticed something peculiar about it, his eldrin was flowing into the blade coating it in a strange mist, but the most strange thing of all was the fact that the dull edge of the blade was as sharp if not sharper than any blade he had ever seen.
"Was it me?" he muttered with worry, and no sooner than he realized the truth did his power flowing through the blade stop and before his eyes, the blade lost its sharpened edge and returned to its dull state.
Uriel fell down not sure what to feel, for he had killed a man.
It was different from last night, during the night he had little control over what he had done, the world was simply responding to his power, but now he had cut the man down with his own two hands.
He looked down at his hands which had no small amount of blood on them and started to cry, he never wanted to become a killer or a warrior, he was happy with his life as a farmer and someone who would live a simple life.
The only reason he had picked up the blade the night before was because he wanted to protect his family and nothing more, but now…
He knew that it was kill or be killed, he only killed the man to protect himself and Zeresha, but it left a nasty feeling in his heart.
As he slumped down in thoughts of guilt he felt the mare come close and sit down then she rested her long neck on his lap offering him some comfort in this dark moment.
Uriel absentmindedly began to stroke her long mane with dull eyes, as he couldn't help but wonder if this was what his life was going to be now.
Yes, he wanted revenge on the killers of his family on the slaughters of his village but there was more to life than just revenge, than pointless killing.
His eyes turned up to the skies above with a plea, within in them a plea to the most powerful of all beings, though he knew not the name of such a god.
"Help me!" he cried softly not knowing what to do next, not knowing how to go about his life anymore, everything that he knew was gone burnt to ashes.
As he sunk down against the neck of Zeresha he noticed an incessant flickering of light in the corner of his eye.
As he turned to look he found 'The Mandate of the gods' flickering across his eyes.
Everyone could see the mandate though it was only really used by those of greatness, the great heroes that existed throughout the stories.
Needing something to occupy his mind Uriel decided to give it a look.
---
[You have leveled up]
Name: Uriel
Level 2
Focuses: None
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Strength: 15
Dexterity: 11
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Physical Fortitude: 13
Mental Fortitude: 12
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Charisma: 20
Faith: 0
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Available State Points: 2
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Skills:
Eldrin – you are a holder of the mystical power that pervades the realms of existence, capable of changing and giving shape to most things in existence.
Farming – you possess the knowledge to sow the land and grow crops.
Animal Handling – you are good with animals and know how to win their loyalty.
---
Uriel felt the urge to vomit as the only reason he could think of that would allow him to level up was the people he had killed.
Most people would go their entire lives without ever leveling up once and that was true for everyone in Old Meadow that he knew, and he couldn't help but feel a degree of disgust to the gods for rewarding such actions.
As he looked at the two stat points he gained he chose not to assign them to anything he didn't know what would be best for him and decided to wait until he had more information.
Uriel wondered if there was perhaps a just god out there, one who abhorred this system, the stories spoke of there being many gods more than he could ever count.
From city to city nation to nation there were all kinds of different gods that people worshipped, and those that waged war against the holy gods.
He couldn't understand how the gods themselves who had such power would allow the soldiers to commit such an atrocity to his people, to the kind and caring people of Old Meadow but if there was a god that opposed them he felt that they must be a good god.
Because had the gods he and his people worshipped been true and good then surely they would have helped, surely they would have answered the prayers of all those who wept and died.
"Perhaps there is a true god of justice, I only do not know their name," Uriel muttered to himself and turned his head to the sky above.
"One worthy of veneration one who is true to their promise, if you are there then please let me hear your name so I might be guided," he muttered.
There were a hundred thoughts going through his head at the moment, all he wanted to do was rest his head against Zeresha and never move again.
But he couldn't do that, his body and heart refused to die even if he wanted to, as he sat in silence he suddenly recalled something that the bandits had said to him.
They said that the soldiers were willing to pay for every person dead or alive, and that the ones taken alive would be made into slaves.
If that was the case then it was possible that many of the villagers had been taken captive.
Uriel's eyes shrunk as he thought of Cass, she was alive he was certain of it, but if she had been taken captive then who knew what they would do with her?
She was very beautiful, he knew that better than anyone, and he heard stories of what happens to beautiful slaves in the cities.
Uriel gritted his teeth as he tried to think of what to do next, trying to take on the soldiers by himself was a suicide mission, he'd die before he could help anyone.
'Maybe if I can get to the neighboring villagers I will have a chance to warn them about the soldiers and we can put up a proper fight against them,' he thought.
He forced out a small smile as he thought of battling the soldiers on even ground then he could take back Cass and one day the two of them would be able to get married.
Uriel felt that if he could just get her back then everything would be okay, the thought gave him a sense of comfort and eased his mind to a degree, as it let him believe that after all this hell perhaps there would be something good at the end.
"Perhaps there is a god out there who will help me," he said aloud hoping that he would be heard.
Little did he realize that within 'The Mandate' a change had already occurred.
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[Faith: 0 -->1]
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Uriel climbed to his feet and pulled Zeresha along with him, they now had a task to get done.
As he looked around he briefly considered heading back, but by now it would surprise him if the rest of the bandits hadn't reached the farm, and he didn't want to risk another confrontation with them.
He considered returning to the road but that would be a little too dangerous, that's where the bandits were likely to be on the lookout, and possibly the soldiers as well.
As he continued to survey his surroundings he realized a very big problem, even if he wanted to go back he had no clue on how to do so.
"Girl I think that we are lost," he muttered and stroked Zeresha's head.
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