The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

"Okay." Arcturus cleared his throat before opening a portal he had once made in the courtyard before pointing at it and shouting. "ONWARD TO VICTORY!"

He charged in like a madman, rushing through the portal and causing a visible ripple on its surface.

"This way." Arcturus told Pearl as he pointed past a handful of trees to the cave entrance. "Elia, we're going to need you to create a light for us. I'll lead, Pearl will take back. When we're in an open space however, we'll get into a 12-4-8 formation with mysalf at 12, Pearl at 4, and Elia at 8."

Pearl should be able to handle herself, but Elia I'm not so sure. If she's at my left, I can cover her. Pearl would be more exposed though.

As he homes in on the disturbance caused by the white skinned tourist, Hamon begins to hear the man's speech. Before long, a small croud is formed around them, as evidently Hamon wasn't the only one who saw something interesting going on there.

"T-This is preposterous! How dare you come into these lands and make such vile claims about me! You know nothing! Nothing about us!" The stuttering merchant protests, suddenly turning to the audience he hadn't had moments before. "People! Please do not listen to what this man has to say!"

Hamon leans over to a bystander nearby who had been there before him. "What's going on...?" He whispers curiously.

"This foreigner thinks there's something wrong with the butcher's meat." He says sceptically. "Keeps going on about... 'The taste of forbidden flesh'."

"You will peddle your vile goods no longer!" The pale man yells in fluent Alibaic. "Citizens of Kadath, this man is not only a lying wretch, but a psychopathic killer as well! I have seen such horrid practices in the Northern reaches of Jorkun! He serves not pork, not foul, but human flesh, and he seeks to turn you all to his depravity!"

A few people from the croud gasp in horror, shocked looks all around. One young girl who had evidently eaten from that stand earlier begins to complain of illness.

"This man is lying to you!" The butcher insists. "He's a foreigner! Ignorant of our culture! He has no proof!"

"People of Kadath, is the consumption of tainted goods and the senseless murder of your fellow man a practice of your culture?" The pale man asks pleadingly, to a resounding 'no'. "Then I implore you, search the box underneath this man's stand. If he tells the truth, there is nothing to hide!"

Three men in the croud exchange curious glances, before taking it upon themselves to do as the stranger asks. To the merchant's ceaseless protest, and eventual restrainment, two of the three men look into the box spoken of, only to quickly throw it shut afterwards.

"This man speaks the truth." One says.

"See for yourselves, if you've got the guts." The other adds.

The merchant relents, his face twisting into an enraged grimace. "You bastard! You have no idea what it's like-!"

"We'll hear nothing else from you, you monster!" Yells the mother of the now vomiting girl.

"And under the eigth section of the second charter of Alibab's code of civil conduct, it is the right, nay, the duty of all citizens to execute offending parties!" The man yells, drawing his sword. "Have you not all bore witness to his transgression?"

The croud cheers out for the merchant's blood, watching intently is the pale skinned stranger steps forward and plants his blade into the merchant's chest, stepping back as he falls limp to the ground. Murmurs sweep the dissipating croud, as a man with crimson red hair approaches.

"You've done a great service to the people of Kadath, and to me as the leader of this district." Kaim says, stepping up to shake the foreigner's hand. "While I regret having been unaware of this man's grotesque dealings, I am glad to receive you and your heroic service, Belinus."

"Kaim." The man smiles, returning the shake. "You old dog! How have you been, my friend?"

"That wouldn't work." Arcturus whispered back into Pearl's ear. "You might be able to slide on ice easily, but Elia and I would be hindered far more than the werebats."

Why are you so cute when you're being stupid?

Already? They shouldn't be attacking us so early.

"It's probably just a cave goblin." Arcturus assured them as he summoned Lenna and continued down further. "However, be on your guard just in case. No competent werebat would attack someone when they're this close to the entrance."

"Yes, I meant it." Arcturus spoke as the tunnel began to grow steeper.

A lot of unprepared travelers must have died here or worse. Without a light, you wouldn't see the incline, and would trip on the little nubs of stone that dot the area. 

Soon, they came across a small clearing in the cave. Despite Elia's bright light, it seemed as if the cave swallowed it and only spat out darkness. The open area meant they were exposed.

"Elia, ready any defenses you can, Pearl, cover our right flank!" he ordered them as he shuffled into formation. "Here they come!"

The cave erupted with the sound of fluttering wings as if on cue to Arcturus' prediction.

Time to kill some of these bastards.

"Got it!" Arcturus shouted as three werebats flew into view.

Acting on instinct, he slowed the three down as one flew at him at top speeds, but Arcturus caught its head in an upwards strike, crushing its skull against the ceiling. The second one found itself in an unlucky position beneath a stalactite which prompted Arcuturus to crash Lenna into the cave floor, loosening the stone spear as he increased the gravity below it. As the blood of the second gushed out like a fountain, the third and final creature of the night snarled to summon more of its brethren before dropping to the floor to rush the group.

"Tch." Arcuturus scoffed as he opened up a portal beneath the beast along with one in front of him before reaching his arm through it and strangling it.

Age. Die as your body grows weak from lack of food. Perish along with all of those you have killed.

His gaze steeled itself as the werebat's larynx collapsed in on itself along with its neck breaking under the increased pressure. Crimson fluid flowed from its bulging eyeballs, flowing down and onto Arcturus' right hand.