Slayers of Soltrida
Act I: The First Campaign
Day 1
A calm wave, a gentle shine. This solemn beach, a sanctuary for all. The setting sun lingered in the dimming blue skies. Several abodes, crafted from straw and wood, stood humbly on top of the smooth, sandy shores. The palm trees swayed back and forth in the distance, blown by the western wind. A rickety wooden ship with ragged, storm-torn sails bobbed, tied to an old pier. It seemed like a normal day. Simply dressed, sweaty, and dirt-ridden fishermen sat atop that pier, looking towards the horizon, playing cards, waiting for the setting of the sun to sail onwards. Their children laughed and trampled around the sand nearby, bonding together in their own way.
"Oscar, give me the ball!"
"Haha! Not like you can catch it!"
"Oh yeah?!"
A humble, simple day.
It has been five years since the skies turned black above the Capital. Since demons spawned from the ground and overwhelmed the Kingdom of Soltrida's best. Five years passed, fifty seven thousand dead. Were it not for the efforts of two unsung knights and a seer, even more blood would have been shed. But now.....
Beneath a roofed pavillion, a one-eyed, dark haired girl stood vigilantly, having stared out into the seas for what seemed like the entire day. Her sky blue armor clung onto her deep blue tunic, her hands clasping her hips. Her gaze was like a hawk, unrelenting, unblinking.....
Not too far from her is her brother-in-arms, a man in full ornate, dull-green plate armor, his chestplate, helmet, and pauldrons covered in prominent flutes. He sat on a wooden beach chair, one with a prominent, cracked hole on its top rail. His reversed-v-shaped visor and full face mask concealing all expression.
The dark haired girl sighed. "I hope help does come. Soltrida needs it," audibly frustrated, yet hopeful.
The man in green leaned against his chair and folded his arms. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Rena?," weary doubt in his voice.
She glanced to him briefly. Very briefly, before turning back to the seas. With gallant confidence, she raised her voice. Still calm, but headstrong."If we lose hope, then we will lose all. And I won't let that happen"
A strong gust of wind. Rena's hair seemed to dance under the radiant sunlight. She looked to the sky, closed her eye, and took a deep breath.
Brown, fur-lined boots dug into the warm sands. A petite, white haired girl clasped her hands over her chest. Her red eyes foggy, her smile quiet. She could hear every spray of the water, every gust of the wind. And though she could not see, she could feel it in her mind's eye. Ahead, on board wooden ships, help had finally came to the fallen kingdom. Some travel from distant lands. Others were returning to their ruined homes. Some seek glory. Fame. Gold. Honor. Trophies. Women.
Whoever they were, whatever they seek, the white haired girl was grateful. And she silently welcomed them...
...To Soltrida, the Fallen Kingdom.