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[TheHopscotch]

"A man's own worth,

Should never exceed his ambition."

2133 AC.

The Kingdom of Aen.

"The Nation which conquered the sea...

You know, I heard not even a thousand years ago? This country was once nothing more than a city of scholars! Just humble men and women wanting to improve the world... All at the behest of their Queen! They had no vast army of Dorians or fleet of ships, no need for weapons that could wipe cities from the map, instead? You had the pursuit and knowledge of magic at the front of their minds.

The sole reason Aen exists as they do today? Was because Barsburg had insisted on rampant technological advancement and expansion. Their hands sought to conquer this continent whole! Now that nation is nothing more than a note in history books of which children are taught at schools. I suppose that's human nature though, never satisfied with what you have and all that.

Aha... Also-!

Oh? Right...

My story.

When I was found by our conquerors I was placed upon the footsteps of death. I can recall a boot being planted upon my head, my face buried within the mud as they believed the exact same as the villagers which I had called family. I was a... Curse placed upon my people, they were the divine mandate sent to bring ruin to my world. Sent by heaven above to assure I was not allowed to spread further ruin and misfortune to the people of Rhoyn.

In their eyes? I had been the reason for this siege upon my own. What followed seemed more like an act of Avalon than luck alone, a man who practically irradiated power and strength beyond all comprehension. I could hardly catch a glimpse of him through the mud upon my face, I can only recall a blade being raised to the heavens above...

Only for both my shackles and that man with his boot upon my head? To be cleaved in two.

"... A man's worth should never exceed his own ambition. We are leaving with our spoils, leave the Helspawn."

His voice was like hot iron upon my mind and his presence kept my face within the mud, I was trembling at the might of one who stood above all men around me. Even though he spoke of me as little more than some monster from Hel? That nameless man saved my life in a sense, the men which had conquered my village were gone and I was freed. Left alone and with nothing more than destruction of which had followed in their wake.

... From there? I wandered until I met 'The One' that would change my life forever.

But, we'll leave that bit of the story until tomorrow night.

Come, it's exhausting to hide these things, you know?

Let's find a place to rest for the night.