CENTRUM

  A major trade hub in the Empire, located on the southwestern peninsula of the Northeast Continent.

  Conveniently located between several prominent spots, it’s a bustling hub of commerce and information. Port of Kall is to the southwest, allowing for a steady influx of trade goods. Peace Forest is to the northwest, where resources are steadily harvested from. The Informatorium is the east, and students there often come here to kick back, blow a few gold pieces, or get useful items for their studies.

  Of course, you can’t find anything TOO objectionable here on the surface, thanks to its close proximity to the capital city of Gaiapolis. But if you know where to look, there’s always a way.

  -The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Gaia

  Unfortunately, Rex and Celeste were soon ejected from the bar– after all, it was closing. So here he was, with only one additional recruit to his glorious cause.

  I can’t be too public with my objective, otherwise the Empire will get wind and come down on my head.

  “Oh, come ON!”

  Hmph. I suppose I could go to the Sisterhood of Assassins- no, they’d laugh me out on my ear. And I can’t be seen anywhere near my REAL home, Dragonia… someone will recognize me, and then everything will-

  “Who drew this picture?!”

  Rex snapped out of his pondering at the loud bothering of Celeste. “What?! I’m trying to plot our next move-”

  Celeste, seemingly uncaring of this, pointed to a nearby pole. Upon closer inspection, Rex understood why– on the pole, there was a wanted poster, which depicted an elf laughing maniacally, with a very thin face and a long nose. The sign said “WANTED for false god worship, heresy, destruction of property– Celeste Cherie.”

  “Look at this! This is terrible!! I have a MUCH prettier face than that!!” Celeste pouted.

  Rex glared at Celeste. “What did you do?!”

  “Oh, yeah… some Empire priests were peddling their fake religious texts, in the square. I was arguing with some guy and when I was leaving I, uh… knocked over the bookshelf…”

  Rex breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, we could explain that as an accident-”

  “...onto the guy I was arguing with.”

  Dumbfounded, Rex narrowed his eyes. “What???”

  “It was an accident!! I turned around and the back end of my staff hit it!! Then he started yelling about heretics, and then the other-”

  All Rex could do was smack his forehead in sheer annoyance. “You- all right, we need to leave before you get us arrested and end this quest before it begins. We’re leaving-

  “STOP RIGHT THERE!!”

  Rex took a long, deep sigh before turning around, hoping that whoever said that was chasing after someone else. Unfortunately, today was not his lucky day.

  An Empire soldier approached the duo. A human clad in white armor, marred by various dents and dings, who didn’t look particularly friendly.

  “There’s the elf that caused all that mess earlier!! Do you know how many books were ruined because of that avalanche you caused?!”

  Rex glared at Celeste, who didn’t seem to notice. Perhaps a little bit of regal charm can get me out of this. Stay calm… stay calm…

  “Apologies, officers, there appears to be some mistake. We’ve just arrived here, perhaps you’ve mistaken her for some other elf?”

  “Rex, wha-OW!” He cut her off with a sharp elbow before she could continue. Keep your mouth shut, you airhead!! I can get you out of this if you be SILENT for five minutes!

  The soldier narrowed his eyes. “What’re you tryin’ to pull, scaleface?”

  Don’t rise to the insults…

  “You see, she just dyed her hair white recently, you see. It’s a new fashion statement in Ellmark, all the ladies are doing it!”

  Please work, please, he thought desperately, I do NOT need a public fight in the middle of a busy city street!!

  The soldier, unfortunately, was not swayed so easily. “I’m not falling for that! Now get out of the way, worm, or I’ll arrest you too!!”

  Rex’s eye twitched. “Worm?? Do you- do you know who you’re speaking to??”

  The soldier looked nonplussed. “Not really. And if you don’t get out of the way, I’m gonna stomp you like the worm you- URK!”

  That’s it.

  Before he could stop himself, he’d grabbed the fool by the neck, his scaly hand gripping him firmly. Something snapped inside of Rex. That’s IT. His rage was burning, like the fire he breathed. Face twisted into a mask of rage, he bellowed words that he’d been aching to say since the start of the encounter!

  “You DARE mock my birthright, PLEBEIAN?! I have been raised from birth to rule an ENTIRE KINGDOM! Your authority is worth less than the dust on my boots!!”

  The soldier didn’t even bother to respond, before running away, screaming his head off. Rex felt very proud of himself. Clearly SOME people know the proper order of things!!

  Unfortunately, his pride was cut short quickly by a terrible realization- that he’d just blown his cover. He turned to Celeste and barked, “We need to leave, now. He’s going to get more of his friends, and we don’t want to be here when they arrive!”

  Celeste, stunned for a second at the total shift in his demeanor, just nodded. “Yeah… yeah. Let’s!”

  The duo darted through the city streets, in a desperate attempt to vacate the premises. Celeste could still not contain herself, constantly bombarding Rex with questions while running at a brisk pace. How does she not run out of breath?? She has more hot air than most of the Empire’s soldiers!

  “Wait, you’re a prince?! Of what?? That’s so cool-”

  “I’ll tell you when we’re not currently being chased!!” Rex snapped. He dragged Celeste around a corner into a dark alley. only to run smack into another Empire soldier!

  Not that way!

  Whirling around, the soldier from earlier had caught up to them! They were sandwiched in the alley.

  “Gods damn it!!” Rex growled. This wasn’t an ideal situation to be in, and more reinforcements would probably arrive soon…

  “So, you’re the one responsible for this commotion?”

  A human with long, flowing blond hair strode around the corner. He looked far more handsome than one would expect, with nary a scar on his face. Clad in heavy-looking golden armor, he hoisted a large two-handed sword above his shoulder, surveying the scene with a trained gaze. Hmph. Someone higher on the totem pole, I’m guessing?

  The soldier Rex had scared off earlier was standing next to him, babbling frantically. “Master Bard, sir… I found the heretic, but this guy showed up and beat the hell out of me!!”

  “So he did?” The blond man turned around, his eyes narrowing. “Then I shall fight in your stead.”

  Celeste looked worried. “Uh, Rex, we should probably get out of here… this guy looks like he means business-”

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  “He has insulted my honor!! I shall not stand and let mere lapdogs of the Empire walk over me!!” Rex bellowed. “State your name, so I may know who I am about to triumph over!!”

  “Hmph. My job is to apprehend miscreants who disturb the peace, like you.” He raised his sword dramatically. “I am Bard, the Redeemer! It is my duty to find lost souls like you, and set them on the path of righteousness!”

  Rex groaned. Oh, no, it’s one of THESE people…

  “Do you REALLY think I’ll bow down and submit to your sodding empire with simple words?! I have more self-respect than that!!”

  Bard frowned. “Listen, friend. I’m just here to capture the heretic. I don’t know who you are, but as long as you hand her over, I’ll be willing to forgive your actions towards my subordinate.”

  Rex looked at Celeste for a minute. The gravity of the situation seemed to be getting to her, finally, as something resembling fear started to appear in her eyes. I could just hand her over and walk away…

  …no. Not again! I won’t run away again!!

  Rex turned his gaze back to Bard. “Apologies, but this ‘heretic’ is under my protection as a party member. If you want her, you’ll have to go through me first! And besides…” He grinned. “Anyone who’s wanted by the Empire is a friend of mine, lapdog!”

  Bard frowned, then shrugged. “So be it. Resisting arrest, aiding a known criminal…” He raised his sword. “Then, I shall have to subdue you myself, to keep the peace of this fair city!”

  He’s fighting by himself? Idiot! It’s two on one! I’ll show him not to trifle with the great Rex Brimstone!!

  Rex turned to Celeste. “You said you’re a healer? Well, now’s the time!! Back me up while I drive this FOOL into the ground he walks on!!”

  Rex rushed forward with his battleaxe, only for Bard to block it handily. They clashed furiously, trading blows at an even pace.

  Bard grinned. “You fight well, dragonborn, but against the Empire’s might, you will fall!”

  “SILENCE!!” Rex interrupted. “Your empire is built on the ruins of kingdoms! You don’t have the right to lecture ME!!”

  Rex swung again, but it bounced off Bard’s large shield, sending him reeling!

  “Such are the words of a HERETIC!” Bard raised his sword, setting it alight with a holy glow, before swinging it at Rex to unleash a wave of light energy! The force of it knocked him back, but he remained standing.

  “You’ll have to try harder than THAT, you-” Rex got cut off by Bard slamming the pommel of his sword into Rex’s gut, knocking the wind out of him!

  “And you should not leave yourself open so easily, friend.” Bard swung again, but Rex barely ducked under it!

  Rex growled. “Don’t call me that, dog of the Empire!! I’ll have you whimpering under my boot!!” Bard wordlessly continued his assault- clearly he had touched a nerve.

  I am loath to admit it, but this fool is stronger than I thought. If things keep going the way they are…

  “FOR THE GLORY OF ASTERON THE CREATOR!” Celeste’s voice rang out over the din of the battle, and all of a sudden, Rex felt rejuvenated!

  Bard frowned. “Hmph. Still on about that? The Creator is dead, heretic- no matter what you believe! Wherever your power is from, it cannot be from him!”

  Celeste pointed her staff at him, an uncharacteristically serious expression on her face. “Heretic? You’re the heretic, trying to deny His power in favor of your phony Pope!! The real creator wouldn’t want any of what your people are doing!!” She turned to Rex. “Come on, show this idiot who the REAL god is! I’ll heal any wounds you take!!”

  Rex already felt rejuvenated, his body glowing a pale pink. Getting to his feet, he raised his axe. “Guess you’re useful after all…” Glaring at Bard, he charged, swinging wildly!

  Bard swung his sword into Rex’s shoulder, yelling in anger. “Heretics cannot stand against me!!” Rex grunted in pain, but before he knew it, the wound was healing back up, glowing white!

  Perfect. He grinned, continuing to swing wildly at Bard, forcing him on the defensive. He looked unprepared for such a relentless assault- especially when his opponent’s wounds kept healing!

  Rex bellowed imperiously, “Fool! Mere pawns cannot stand against a king! And soon it’ll be checkmate for you, lapdog!!” Rex breathed in, and belched a burst of flame onto Bard’s cape, catching the fabric into an inferno! Taking advantage of his opponent’s newfound distraction, he charged forward, slamming the butt of his axe into Bard’s chiseled face, making a great flow of blood spurt from the knight’s nose!

  Bringing the blade of his axe up to the fool’s neck, Rex glowered. “Are you ready to accept who the TRUE ruler is?! Or do I have to send you to the afterlife first??”

  Bard grinned. “Truly, you are stronger than I had anticipated, dragonborn. I will admit that. But this battle is already over.”

  An angered expression crossed Rex’s face, and he bared his teeth. “For you, it might be-”

  “REX! BEHIND YOU!!”

  Confused at Celeste’s words, Rex whirled around, only having a few seconds to glimpse a new assailant- a centaur woman, clad in silver armor- before the rearing hooves came down on his head, knocking him down!

  As he felt his consciousness fading, Rex only had one thought…

  You couldn’t… have told me sooner?!

  Celeste was reeling. The prophecy’s chosen hero, knocked out cold! This couldn’t be happening!!

  Bard’s centaur ally had leaped over Celeste’s head and clocked Rex over the head with her massive hooves, sending him down to the ground with nary a fuss. She was covered in silver armor, with a long blond ponytail coming out the back of her helmet. Her brown legs barely peeked out of the metal plates and cloth skirt covering her equine half’s back and sides. She was carrying a healer’s staff, wrought out of steel and a gold ball at the tip.

  She would be a menacing figure if she wasn’t currently busy doting over her boss.

  “Master, you need to be more careful!” The centaur quickly checked him for any signs of injury. “You’re always too reckless!”

  Bard shrugged. “If the heretic was really going to kill me, he wouldn’t have hesitated. That one was soft, not enough resolve to finish the job…”

  “That’s not the point!” She raised her staff, enveloping him in the light of healing magic. “I’m supposed to protect you, and you keep going off on your own!!”

  Celeste looked around. The other soldiers were too busy with the commotion, and seemed to be ignoring her.

  Okay, maybe I should try to get away from here. I’m sure I’ll be able to get Rex out of jail, probably, assuming Asteron smiles on me…

  Celeste prepared to run away- the other soldiers around were busy focusing on Bard at the moment. If she ran now, she could get lucky…

  But that would mean abandoning the prophecy and Asteron’s orders. I can’t do that! But if I get captured, I can’t do anything! What do I do?!

  If I heal Rex enough for him to get up, we might be able to make a break for it. Here we go-

  Unfortunately, Bard was much too alert, and spotted her ploy. “Hmph. Georgina, get the other one, please.”

  “Oh! Right! Sorry!”

  The centaur darted in front of her, swinging her staff to knock Celeste’s away! She didn’t look like a fighter, but that didn’t matter when she was bigger and faster by default.

  Without my staff, I can’t communicate with Asteron!! This is bad… what do I do?!

  Bard walked up to her, his stern expression unchanging. “Now, what I came for. Celeste Cherie, cleric of a false god. Are you going to come quietly, or do I have to use force?”

  She looked at Rex, who was still out like a light. She couldn’t abandon one of the prophecy’s heroes! “You’re not going to hurt him, right? He’s important!”

  Bard nodded. “Important, you say. Well, I give my word as a Knight of Gaia, that no harm will come to him if you surrender quietly. The prophet of a false god is far more dangerous than some washed-up royalty.”

  Oh, he knows about that. That can’t be good. As long as we stay together, it’s fine. It’s fine!

  “...fine. You don’t know what you’re doing, though! Asteron is real!”

  Bard rolled his eyes, as if he’d heard that sort of complaint a million times already. “Yes, yes. Georgina, grab her.”

  Instantly, the centaur produced a pair of handcuffs to bind her wrists with. Before long, both her and Rex were slung over her broad back, as the duo of knights made their way to the nearest jail…

  I’ll get a chance… Asteron always delivers me ways to escape danger. I just have to have faith…