Category: Fantasy

Vince’s dare. As we sat down for breakfast, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was more to this dare than meets the eye.

When I caught Vince glancing at me during breakfast, he would quickly return to eating his food. My favorite dish since I was a kid is dragon-steamed onigiri, which is what I had ordered. While Vince was contentedly chowing down on some cedar plank salmon, Crystal had placed an order for tortilla de patatas, which I had never heard of before. Despite being one enormous continent, Titonus was divided into various areas based on its earthly gateway. I grew up eating a lot of spiced food because I was born in the Asian region of Titonus. The Asian region of Titonus is known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. From aromatic curries to fiery stir-fries, the spiced food I grew up eating always left a lasting impression on my taste buds. Whether it was a steaming bowl of noodles or a plate of fragrant rice, every meal was a celebration of unique tastes and flavors. I chose to strike up a discussion to break the ice. “So, specifically, which region are you two from? since those dishes don’t really resemble the foods I grew up eating. The awkward silence persisted until Crystal said, “I am from the European region, which is another reason why you might not realize my meal is a vegetarian dish.” Although not infrequent, vegetarianism was not particularly widespread in Titonus, as most people simply consumed whatever they needed to survive while also incorporating their own distinct flavors. “I’m from the North American region, and this is actually one of the very few things I can eat because, unlike Crystal, on account of me being a vampire, I can only eat meat”. Being one of Titonus’ two wild territories, I was intrigued when Vince mentioned the North American region. There were no rules or kingdoms, and the land was said to rule over itself. Vince’s origins there only contributed to his aura of mystery. I was drawn to Vince’s mystery and felt a faint flush come over my face just thinking about it, even though I chose not to pursue the matter further in order to avoid raising more questions in my mind about him. As I lifted the last dragon-steamed onigiri to my mouth, Vince grabbed my wrist and prevented me from continuing. “May I try some, Augstin?” Vince’s face was gentle and intrigued when I absentmindedly gave him the onigiri. I then realized that I should have warned him about the spice-infused rice it was made of, as he was taking a bite out of it. “Wait, Vince! Your taste buds won’t be able to tolerate the spice-infused rice used to make it!” I exclaimed, hoping to save Vince from the fiery sensation that was about to engulf his mouth. However, it was too late, as he took a bite, and his face immediately turned red with a mixture of surprise and pain. Vince was a vampire, so I assumed the red liquid in his glass was animal blood. I watched as he swiftly reached for it. “Vince, I’m very sorry. I suppose I should have warned you, but I just… forgot.” I rarely had trouble remembering things, especially when they were really significant. “It’s alright, Augustin. I’m not blaming you; I should have known based on the scent of it”. While Crystal was finishing her tortilla de patatas, Vince and I were waiting because we had already finished our meals. Vince abruptly and gently pulled on my arm, attempting to get me to follow him. Since Crystal was taking her time eating, I thought it would be okay to move away from the table for a short while. Vince led me into one of the dimly lit booths that were arranged next to one another along a single wall of the inn. “All right, Augustin… About Crystal, I had a question for you.” There appeared to be a trace of jealousy in Vince’s statements. “I was wondering if you liked Crystal.” The question made my blood flow to my cheeks, making me flush. “N-no!” Why could you

a room with while they were naked. I quickly realized that the situation must have been awkward for Crystal, and I felt a pang of guilt for unintentionally invading her privacy. Hoping to ease the tension, I apologized and assured her that it was an honest mistake. “Vince also wants to travel with us.” Before Vince chose to butt in with, “How about we converse about this while at the bar?” I stared at Crystal, hoping for her response. Before heading to the bar, I noticed Crystal’s ears perking up. As soon as Crystal was out of my line of sight, Vince leaned in close to my ear and said, “Don’t worry, Augustin, I got this.” I felt a mix of relief and curiosity as Vince seemed confident in handling the situation. As we made our way to the bar, I couldn’t help but wonder how he planned to smooth things over with Crystal. “So,” Vince asked, “what do the two of you want to drink?” Even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of hard drinks, I chose to get the same thing after hearing Crystal ask for a glass of fizzler.

The majority of the evening was spent drinking, and I was surprised to find that I actually became drunk. I didn’t drink much, and the last thing I remembered was Vince taking me up to our shared room. When I woke up, I was in bed. Everything appeared normal, save for the fact that I was not wearing a shirt, which provided the slightest hint of a flush to my cheeks. I noticed Vince sleeping on the lower part of the bed, but he had already woken up. I hastily hid my chest to avoid seeming embarrassing. “What happened the previous evening, Vince? Furthermore, what happened to my shirt?” Vince looked at me with a smirk and said, “Well, you had a little too much to drink last night. As for your shirt, let’s just say it got caught in a hilarious dare that you couldn’t resist.” I couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and embarrassment as I wondered what exactly had transpired during my drunken state. “What was the dare?” The ideas that were circling in my head about what the dare might have been had me frazzled by this point. I noticed a smirk play across Vince’s face, causing me to gulp. I nervously shifted in my seat, hoping Vince would spill the details. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging,” I pleaded, my voice tinged with both anticipation and dread. The mischievous glint in his eyes only grew stronger as he leaned in closer, ready to reveal the outrageous dare that had led to my current predicament. I could hear Vince’s mocking tone as he said, “Well, it depends if you want to hear just about the dare or… who dared you to do it and the dare.” My heart raced as I weighed my options. Curiosity got the better of me, and I replied, “Tell me everything. I want to know who dared me and what this outrageous dare entails.” Vince’s smirk widened, knowing he had piqued my interest even further. The more I heard what the dare was, the more flushed I became, and it didn’t help that his tone had a whiff of mockery in it. “It was me who dared you, and I dared you to take your shirt off and dance on the bed.” My mind raced as I processed Vince’s words. The thought of taking my shirt off and dancing on the bed seemed both exhilarating and embarrassing. I couldn’t help but wonder what his true intentions were behind this dare. However, I made the decision to ignore it and start getting ready. I changed into my attire for the day and headed downstairs with Vince to find Crystal all dressed and prepared. “Good morning, Augustin and Vince.” Crystal greeted us with a warm smile, her eyes filled with curiosity about our conversation. I returned the greeting, trying my best to hide any lingering unease from

Once more, it’s me. I hope you appreciated the treats I left for you outside your door, and I hope I will run into you again on my travels in the future. Love Anonymous.” As I finished reading the note, a chill ran down my spine. Since I had earlier run into the man wearing a brown cloak and hood, I assumed he must be the mysterious individual. Curiosity and unease filled my mind as I wondered about the intentions of this enigmatic person. With a newfound determination, I decided to keep an eye out for any further encounters with the man in the brown cloak, eager to uncover the truth behind these mysterious notes and treats. We arrived at “The Shiny Coin” inn after a few more hours of walking. When we inquired about accommodations, the man informed us that we would both have to share a room with another customer. While growing up, Islabeth was the only one to receive a room of her own because she was the only girl in our family; as a result, I was forced to share a room with our three younger brothers. I murmured, “See you in the morning, Crystal,” as I left to find out who I would be sharing a room with. I cautiously opened the door and noticed the man seated on one of the two beds wearing a brown cloak and hood. “Your here!”. “Hello Augustin, did you get my notes?” the man asked as he stood up and approached me while grinning at me. I watched as he removed the hood from his head, exposing his facial characteristics. His skin was as pale as an owlbear’s feathers, and his eyes were as crimson as blood. His hair was as pitch-black as an empty night sky.

His presence astounded me, but I soon recovered. “So you’re the one leaving me gifts and notes?” I inquired, and my curiosity was piqued. His grin widened, revealing a set of sharp, pointed teeth. “Indeed, Augustin,” he replied cryptically. “But there is much more to our connection than mere gifts and notes. He was now just an inch away from me, which made me a little flustered and caused my cheeks to slightly flush. “I wish to help you on your journey, Augustin”. His comments gave me the chills, and I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation. I had never met somebody so mysterious, and I was really interested in the idea of their help. However, a niggling feeling of caution kept reminding me to proceed cautiously with this newfound alliance. I also couldn’t ignore how seductive he was to me. “Okay, but I don’t even know your name.” He replied, “I am Vince, Vince Gallibrium,” after chuckling. As he said his name, Vince’s eyes sparkled mischievously, adding to his enigmatic charm. His laughter echoed in the air, leaving me both captivated and intrigued. I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets lay behind that charismatic smile of his and if I was truly ready to embark on this journey with him. I made the decision to go downstairs and introduce Vince to Crystal after arranging all of my belongings in the shared room. Even though I was a boy, I discovered that I was attracted to boys—something I had never mentioned to anyone other than Islabeth. The same feeling I had when I first realized I was attracted to boys returned as I walked down the stairs with Vince. I chose not to act on this feeling, though, so that I could concentrate on finding Islabeth. As Vince and I descended the stairs, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The prospect of introducing him to Crystal added an extra layer of complexity to our already complicated journey. However, I reminded myself that my primary focus was finding Islabeth, and I needed to stay focused on that goal for now. “Crystal, this is Vince; he and I share a room.” Even though her expression remained emotionless as the words left my mouth, I could see a hint of discomfort in her eyes. “Are you okay, Crystal?” She remained silent for an uncomfortable while before saying, “I’m fine.” I simply happened to walk in on the person I share

that one finds in Titonus. salt-like. I looked up to see the moons that I presumed should be visible above the oceanic blue waves. But there was only one moon and it didn’t look like Titonus’ three moons. The moon was clearly dented and unlike the moons of Titonus it was a grayish color, though it was strange to me it actually seemed quite peaceful. The people of Titonus had to learn to deal with various perils, but this location was secure and quiet. Because of how tranquil it is, there have been those evenings when I’ve wished I could sleep forever. My name started to be called out in a faint voice, but I couldn’t determine where it was coming from. I concluded that the feeble voice must be emanating from reality because I was unable to locate its source. When I opened my eyes, I realized Crystal was the voice that had said, “You are quite the deep sleeper, Augustin,” proving my theory. “I’m aware. Also nice BurrowWood fashion.” BurrowWood had some specialized fashion, like most isolated communities do. Despite the simplicity of Crystal’s clothing, I was most drawn to the blood-red pendant that she wore around her neck. Nevertheless, I refrained from mentioning it. Crystal carried herself so easily in her understated dress, and I couldn’t help but notice it. Her whole appearance was made a little more enigmatic by the blood crimson jewelry, but for the time being I chose to suppress my curiosity. “I’m going to get ready so why not wait downstairs at the bar while i’m getting ready” I told Crystal, “I’m going to get ready. Why don’t you wait downstairs at the bar while I’m getting ready?” before firmly pushing her out the door and quickly closing it. When I heard a knock at my door, I was just starting to dress in my usual clothes. I opened the door expecting the obnoxious Crystal to be there, but instead I found a basket full of my favorite pastries with the note, “Dear Augustin, I discovered that you greatly appreciate these things and decided to acquire some for you. -Love Anonymous – I hope you enjoy.” Curiosity piqued, I glanced around the hallway to catch a glimpse of who might have left the thoughtful surprise. However, there was no sign of anyone nearby, leaving me intrigued and grateful for the mysterious gesture. With a smile on my face, I picked up the basket and carried it inside, savoring the anticipation of indulging in my favorite treats. Since Islabeth was a better cook than I was, many of these I hadn’t had since I had last seen her. I quickly put on the remainder of my clothing after finishing the snacks. After brushing my hair, I went downstairs to the bar, where Crystal was waiting for me.I quickly put on the remainder of my clothing after finishing the snacks. After brushing my hair, I went downstairs to the bar, where Crystal was waiting for me. I stumbled into a man wearing a brown cloak and hood as I was about to approach her. Although I couldn’t see his face, he seemed somehow familiar. I chose to ignore it, though, and continued walking over to where Crystal was already waiting for me to arrive so that we could begin our trip to BurrowWood.

Since Crystal was undoubtedly ready to begin the trek back to her town as soon as I approached her, she almost immediately rose up. We could expect to travel for two to three days. But if it meant locating anything that would lead me to Islabeth, I was willing to make the lengthy journey. As we set off on our journey, I couldn’t help but wonder why the stranger’s face had struck a chord with me. However, my determination to find Islabeth overshadowed any lingering thoughts, and I focused on the path ahead, eager to uncover any clues along the way. But the thought came back when we paused for a break after five hours of walking, and I dug into my pocket without knowing why to find another anonymous note that said, “Dear Augustin,

“Okay, quit saying the house part and just call me Augustin. In addition, it sounded like an appropriate moniker since I didn’t know what your name was.” I exhaled a long, deep, unidentified breath after I had said the last word of my statement. “I’m grateful you explained things to me, and from now on and for all future generations, I’ll just call you Augustin.” She revealed yet another trait about herself in just that one sentence, which irritated me. “I assume you want me to assist you in traveling to the Earthly Gateway as well.” How does Crystal manage to always know everything I’m thinking, even after only two and a half hours of getting to know her? Her actions don’t actually display much emotion, now that I think about it. Good thing I reserved two rooms at the bar in advance. When she finished speaking, she threw me a tiny metal key, which I just almost grabbed. I glanced down at the key, but when I looked back up, Crystal had already begun to enter the tavern. Crystal could walk very quickly for a pixie with what appeared to be undamaged, totally functional wings. She moved back to the tavern’s bar, where we had been just an hour and a half earlier, moving so quickly that I found it difficult to keep up with her. “Four shots of fizzeler and two cups of cidercloud, please.” I heard her request when I caught up to her and let out a gentle giggle. As a fizzeler is one of the stronger drinks, it also fizzes in your mouth as you’re sipping it. Cidercloud has the same effects as any alcoholic beverage, but it’s made primarily of apple cider and usually fills the empty space in the glass with a fog-like mist. Crystal turns to face me and looks me in the eye as the bartender leaves to retrieve our drinks. “I think we should try to leave by five in the morning so that we don’t get caught in the crowd of people that floods the streets of this town,” she says. Despite the fact that I was nodding in agreement with what she had stated, her expression remained expressionless. Before returning to serve someone farther down the bar wearing a brown cloak and hood, the bartender came back over to us and sat our drinks down on the bar counter. When I turned around, Crystal had already finished both of her fizzeler shots and had begun to drink her cup of cidercloud. I, on the other hand, have never really been the type of young man to partake in strong liquor, so I began to drink my cup of cidercloud. Soon enough, we were both fairly exhausted, but I was the first to go to my room to get ready for bed. I gently opened the door and paid attention to every floorboard creak, wind howl, and intoxicated person downstairs laughing.  Although it wasn’t unusual for a chamber to be nothing more than a big trap, this one felt secure enough. The room was a respectable size, the bed could accommodate a dragonling, and there was a large enough mirror by the window so that you could see your entire reflection. Before going to bed, I made the decision to check out my mirror. I don’t care if I come out as a perfectionist or whatever, but I feel fairly irritated when stuff on me is a mess. My chocolate-brown hair was a mess. Islabeth used to make fun of me by telling me that my asymmetrical horns were the reason I behaved the way I did.

However, perhaps this isn’t the best moment to consider the past. I don’t need much time once I’m in bed to nod off and begin dreaming. The identical dreams that Islabeth and I used to share persisted for a whole week after Islabeth’s disappearance. I tried to get Islabeth to tell me what had happened and where she had gone for the entire week, but she continuously seemed to try to distract my attention with something else. However, when we finished talking about our dreams, I began to dream about a location that was unquestionably not Titonus. Tonight was no different; in the dream, I awoke on a beach, but the sand was yellow instead of the usual black

I saw that several people were looking at my veiled face as soon as I entered the Eclipse Moon Tavern. But I noticed more than just that. Since I can remember, the Eclipse Moon Tavern has had a wall completely covered in posters for wanted people. Islabeth Myrth has the highest bounty at the moment. “Oi! Augustin Myrth! Where’s your sister? I didn’t even bother to turn around to see who had made the comment. Islabeth and I are twins, but it has been four years since anyone has seen her. I heard a glass cup being thrown above my head as it struck. The Eclipse Moon’s recently waxed wooden floors, so I dove out of the way. I go to the bar and take a seat next to a pixie with white hair who appears to be a year younger than me. I noticed the pixie giving the bartender a look as he approached to ask what I would like to drink, causing him to back away and leave to serve another patron.

“Your sister is still alive and well, Augustin of House Myrth.” The moment the pixie’s soft words left her mouth, my heart seemed to stop. I looked around to check if anyone at the bar or in the tavern had heard. Although it appeared that everyone was still acting normally, but in the Titonus world that I and generations before had been born into, one could never be certain. I swiftly dragged the pixie onto the empty streets in front of The Eclipse Moon Tavern as she whimpered as I grabbed her arm. Even a speckled crow-eyed beetle has no room to maneuver in the streets, which are typically so packed throughout the day. This evening, pleasant sounds permeated the streets. Islabeth and I both appreciated the quiet of the streets at night when we were younger, but that period has long vanished, replaced by the whirl of a Titonus night accompanied by the spin of an autumn breeze. “All right, lass, you’re gonna tell me how you learned that information…” A portion of my navy green mask had slipped off, exposing my chin hairs and what appeared to be a little button nose. I could tell by the look on her face that she liked the elven markings that have been on my cheeks ever since I was born. Islabeth had markings on her cheeks exactly like me, but instead of stars her markings were two big crescent moons that took up most of her cheeks.  “Four years ago, my community was informed that one of the seven Earthly Gateways had been triggered by a child of house Myrth, which is how I learned about Islabeth of house Myrth,” the pixie said. How was it possible for her to learn of one of the Earthly Gateways? Given that the Earthly Gateways have been dormant for many generations, it baffles me even more how this pixie’s entire village could have been notified. “I was born in and raised in BurrowWood, Augustin of house Myrth, also I am telling you this for you looked to be in a confused state”.

This pixie’s habit of referring to me as “of house Myrth ” whenever she addresses me or brings up Islabeth is starting to irritate me a little. But that can wait; it does make more sense now. Burrowwood was one of those places where you would really like to create a family and raise your kids, but you just can’t. I realize that this nickname is somewhat lengthy, but it was also known as The Village of the European Earthly Gateway. “What’s your name, Pixie?” The pixie seemed a little perplexed by the moniker I gave her at the end of my question, “My name is Crystal of house Aerinsfin; also, why did you address me as “pixie,” Augustin of house Myrth?”