Change in Destiny

Unusual disaster

Years after this incident, far away from Bridgeguard, deep in the forest of Shaph, a young kingdom called Xadia had stood for 120,000 years. Its people were generous and majestic. It was known as the youngest yet 3rd strongest kingdom in the entire world. Its nickname was the Kingdom of Saints, since they worship the Seven Saints of Verdon.

In this kingdom, they celebrated the Saints' week. It was that time of the year where young Newvance got picked to show their potential. This year, the young Newvance were to hunt within Shaph and kill a game much stronger than they were. The Saints watched the weekly game from the skies.

The tournament had begun 30 minutes ago.

Kitan, a young Newvance, leaped from one tree to another like a monkey. He landed on a Baobab tree near the blue line stream. He took out an arrow from his arrow bag and inserted it into the bow, drew it, and waited. He was so still to the extent that he became almost invisible to the eye.

A few moments later, a herd of duables appeared. They were buffaloes, but even larger — almost as big as an average elephant. They had two heads and six legs with white fur.

Kitan waited till they settled near the river. Some of them leaned to drink from the stream. Then _"Shhuw"_, he released the arrow.

The arrow impaled a duable right in its weak spot, between the two heads. It fell to the ground flat. The others stampeded, but another fell with two arrows, each on both heads.

Kitan moved, jumping into another tree across the river, since the stampede was moving toward his old location. Then _"Shhuw"_ again, and two more fell.

He was about to shoot again, but he had run out of arrows. But four duables were enough to get him a higher point. He brought out his sling ring and wore it. A status screen appeared in front of him. He was a Level 1 upper, and the duables were Level 3 lower creatures. He had 104 points, and the duables 1000 each. The sling ring recorded it.

Now all he had to do was get out of the forest before the moon chased the sun away — that is, before sunset.

He set off 6 hours before sunset, as he was getting to the border of Grand Berger. He was descending a hill when suddenly a landslide occurred. He skipped on trees at a very great speed. He spotted a nearby cave and made his way there. But he didn't think it through, and the moment he entered, the entrance got sealed by the falling sand, soil, and rocks.

It was dark. He lit a match, then brought out an arrow and wrapped the head with a wet cloth. It had been soaked in oil. He made a torch out of it. He made his way into the cave to find another way out.

Kitan walked 2km into the cave. Soon he was walking on a smooth surface. He brought the torch down to inspect it. He was walking on a marble floor. It went around the cave from bottom to top, and then forward, deeper into the cave. He followed the marbled floor until it split into two. One to the left, the other still going forward.

Then he heard, _"Take the left tunnel."_

_"Who said that?"_ Kitan asked.

And a man in ash robes came from nowhere and said, _"I did. I am a spirit that guides the lost out of here."_

_"You actually look like a saint to me,"_ Kitan said, folding his arms.

_"I don't care what you think, Nam. The sooner you're out of here, the sooner my job will be done. So take your left, young man!"_ the spirit said.

Kitan stayed calm and took the left tunnel. As soon as he went in, the entrance shut and locked. His torch went off at the same time. Then blue flame torches lit up — one on the left side of the tunnel wall, and another on the right. Then they lined up through the forest tunnel.

The spirit appeared again, frightening Kitan by just appearing.

_"Yes, I gave you a heart attack,"_ the spirit said.

Kitan wanted to yell at him, but he didn't even feel bothered by it.

_"Go on, move before the sun sets and you lose the contest,"_ he said, and moved forward.

Kitan was freaked out, but it seemed to be the only option. He followed it.