The Need for Exploration

  It's been ages since I’ve been outside—busy streets, loud voices, and the bright blue sky. The smell of sulfur hits my nose. Such a horrid smell, but yet so relieving. Colrodus, home to me. Vorvic, a novice alchemist, I’ve been itching to explore the world and discover new things. I've spent hours cooped up in my room doing research and experimenting with magic—not the best, but it will do for now. I walk to the town’s job board in hopes of finding some work to make money while going out. One job requires some copper wire and the life stone of a Krypic for a handheld telescope, a spyglass. Doesn’t sound too bad. I grab the notice and stuff it in my pocket.

  I walk around the corner from the job board to the blacksmith. “Hey, Tim,” I shout as he hammers what looks like a longsword to me. “Vorvic, I haven’t seen you in ages. What would you like?”

  “You have a weapon I can buy—something quick, easy, and gets the job done?” Tim glances at Vorvic. “A shortsword would do the trick for you. It’s copper, so it’s not very durable, but it’ll get the job done as long as you have technique. Why do you need it, anyway?”

  I take out the piece of paper in my pocket. Tim skims through it. “Looks simple enough. I’m sure you can handle it. Here—the sword’s on the house. I need to get rid of some copper anyway. Take this holster while you’re at it.”

  Vorvic grabs the holster, attaches it to his left side, and slides the sword into it. “Thanks, Tim. I’ll be back before nightfall.”

  Vorvic walks toward the town cartographer to get a map of the local area. He knocks on the door, hoping someone is home. He glances to his right and sees a small sign that says, “Out for the day. Looking for maps. Here are some spares—take one.” Vorvic shrugs and grabs an old map. It looks water-damaged, but since it was free, he can’t really complain.

  Following the map’s directions, he heads toward a dark, creepy cave crawling with bugs and echoing noises. Vorvic spots a small glowing diamond-shaped stone inside what appears to be a hollowed-out body. He slides down the steep stone wall, barely landing on his feet with a loud thump. The hollowed creature turns to look at Vorvic and begins walking toward him, bones cracking and jaws crackling.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Vorvic stumbles and, in a panic, reaches for his blade. The sword reflects the sun, causing the creature to cover its face. Seizing the opportunity, Vorvic dashes forward and strikes with his sword. The head of the reanimated corpse snaps back, falls off its shoulders, and the body drops to its knees.

  Vorvic lowers his guard, reaches for the stone, but the creature grabs his hand. Vorvic shouts, struggling to free himself. The stone pulsates with a faint green light, almost like it’s signaling power. The head begins to roll toward the Krypic slowly.

  “The stone is the source—it's the heart,” Vorvic whispers. He drops his sword and extends his hand toward the creature’s chest. The creature’s head rolls faster. Vorvic grabs the stone and begins to pull. With great force, he rips it out of the creature’s chest, and the creature disintegrates into dust. Vorvic falls on his back, gasping for air as if he’s suffocating underwater. He looks at the stone; it continues humming and then stops, and the bright green hue fades.

  Vorvic heads home to search through his old equipment. He kneels and opens a box labeled, “Unused items that could probably be useful.” He smirks. “Well, let’s hope I’m not wrong.” After rummaging through the box for a while, he touches what feels like tiny metal bristles. He pulls out an orange-colored wire. “Yes! Finally.”

  He places the copper wire into his pocket and begins walking toward the address on the note: 16 TokNon. He looks at the street sign and glances to the right, where a building that looks almost like a church stands. An old lady sits outside.

  “Hey, were you looking for the copper wire and Krypic stone?”

  She glances over at Vorvic. “Yes. Bring them here, please.”

  Vorvic walks up to her, reaches out with the items in his hands, and hands them over. She nods and grabs a spyglass, placing it in Vorvic’s hand.

  “Thank you, young man. Your work is very appreciated. May the gods bless your next journey.”

  Vorvic smiles, nods, and walks away.

  He then heads back toward the job board. Glancing around, he searches for a simple job that can help him afford his alchemy supplies. He pulls out a torn, crumpled piece of paper listing the items needed for his alchemy set.

  “This is going to take a long time,” he mutters. Vorvic puts the paper back in his pocket and scans the board for the next easy job that might reward him with more tools for his next adventure.