BOOK 1 - INTERLUDE: TALVISH

INTERLUDE - TALVISH POV

How could the alliance have gotten this weak?

Talvish, a lion demi-human of rough but handsome features, sat at the dining table of his home within one of few settlements spared the Darkness. He drank away his worrisome thoughts, disguising his sullen emotions under a facade of calm he’d trained well over years of restraint.

This world is going to end…

This dreadful thought wasn’t his alone. Many others shared the same sentiment within the settlement, they, like him, simply held their tongue. Unwilling to speak the truth of the war against evil, that they were losing.

Talvish didn’t dare mention to his family what he thought of their world’s fate, or what he’d heard people he respected say about it. He was sure he didn’t need to, they had ears as well but to hear it from him…No. He wanted them to be happy, even if that meant tolerating ignorance.

Yet, he also wanted them to still live someway even if their world ended. And he’d made arrangements for such an unfortunate outcome. It was risky and he felt sick to the bone betraying their beliefs, betraying his world but he loved them far more than he cared for this world. The Loathing One’s forces understood and respected that.

His unique talents caught the eye of the Darkness’s Chosen when he first approached them. Talvish had always been capable of manipulating people’s minds, he’d never told anyone about his unique ability though, fearful greater powers would use him for their own ends. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

The Darkness’s Chosen guaranteed him the safety of his family should…when the end comes. All he had to do was help manipulate the Radiant Alliance into compromising positions as well as relay back any valuable information he came across. A task he’d been diligent and successful with, earning he and his family next to the Manipulator, the one Chosen to consume this world by the dreaded Loathing One.

The front door creaked open, dragging him away from his thoughts of sin and safety. “Dad! Mom! You’ll never guess who I got assigned to today!” It was his son, his one and only child. He hurried in, pulling off his shoes and by the sound of it, tossed his jacket somewhere in the living room as he made his way in.

“Zegarto! You’d better not leave your clothes lying around for me to pick up again!” Jana, Talvish’s beautiful wife yelled at their son from the kitchen. Oh, her sweet voice. Talvish downed his cup at the thought of its absence.

Zegarto burst into the dining room, a wide grin splitting his face. “I’ve been picked to rotate as a guard for the new champion until the Wardens come to claim him!” he announced, practically bouncing with excitement.

Talvish choked on his drink the moment he heard it, sputtering and pounding his chest as he coughed. Jana came rushing out of the kitchen, worry etched across her face as she wiped her hands dry. “I keep telling you to stop drinking! When will you listen?” she scolded, snatching the jug of beer from him and dumping it out. She refilled it with water and shoved it back into his hands. “Drink!”

“Sorry, was my news that shocking?” Zegarto chuckled, still wearing that proud grin.

Talvish chuckled between sips, carefully avoiding his wife’s stern glare. “Actually, quite a lot,” he said, setting the cup down. “I just wasn’t expecting you to land such a fortunate role so suddenly. Usually, they stick you with meager guard posts instead of real fighting. I’ve tried lobbying to get you into the arena, but they always insisted you were needed elsewhere.”

That was a lie. Talvish was once proud of his son’s achievement in rank but as the Darkness continued to scour their planet and after many forced migrations and untold number of deaths in this losing war, it became clear he needed to keep his son safe. And he did. His mind manipulation came in quite handy in keeping his son in that exact ‘meagre guard’ positions and that was just how he liked it.

Jana scoffed, her hands on her hips as she ruffled Zegarto’s hair, “It’s not that surprising, I got called in earlier to mend some of his more stubborn wounds.”

Both father and son went wide-eyed at the news. Had Talvish not already swallowed, he might’ve been choking on water too.

“Really?!” Zergarto burst out, stars practically shining in his eyes as he shook his mother. “I haven’t even had the chance to say hello yet! What’s he like?!”

Talvish, shaking his head with a chuckle, rested his chin on his propped-up arms and fixed his wife with a keen look. “Yes, yes, this is very interesting indeed. Tell us everything—how did this come about?” he said.

Zegarto slid into his seat beside him, just as eager to listen as he was to speak. His mother saw this easily and said, “No, you are first. I’ve got a meal to watch on the fire. But I am listening!” She hurried back into the kitchen, leaving Talvish in the modest dining room with his son.

“So, to let you know. The first thing is I’ll be in and out on a shift change, with another guard that Lord Orion has me assigned with.”

“Interesting, it still doesn’t make sense though why they would want only one guard with the new champion, but who am I to complain. They never listen to my ideas.” Talvish said, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, tell me about it! Half the things I hear and see don’t make any sense. I mean, Lord Orion barely spoke to Johnny, oh, that’s the Champion’s name by the way. He just said to wait for Warden Julia and the other Wardens before bolting out. If I had a chance to talk the the Champion I wouldn’t treat him like an afterthought, he’s the savior of Nsukka! Just doesn’t make any sense.”

Talvish nodded along with his son, masking his excitement behind a thoughtful hum while he pieced together the valuable information being handed over so freely. Last he’d heard, Warden Julia—along with nearly every other Warden—was still tangled up chasing false alarms, all thanks to the guerilla tactics his role as the Manupilator’s spy had made so effective.

Now, hearing this...the Champion was exposed. Vulnerable. Unprotected. Talvish forced himself to stay composed, but inside, he was already turning over the possibilities.

“Makes little sense to me too.” Jana said as she came into the room to join plates of sweet smelling and distracting food in her hands. She began to set the table while Zegarto continued.

“Yeah, but here’s the kicker. Supposedly he has some fancy metal cart of some sort, a vehicle! Yes, it can outpace anything according to what I heard.”

“He must be some big deal” Talvish muttered.

“Yeah, he must be. He looked rough with old scars all over his body. For a human I think he might actually be some sort of fierce warrior, that would make sense right?”

“Yes, humans are said to be vicious when they want to be. What else did he look like?” Talivsh let his son continued speaking.

“Well, when they found him, he was wearing this strange full-body suit. It looked like it had been through a fire, but somehow it hadn’t burned through, just charred here and there. He wasn’t in great shape either. About as tall as me, copper glows to his hair, and has a scar running right down the middle of his forehead. But he just looks so…unsuspecting. If he were a Demi-human he’d fit right into the neighborhood without a second glance.”

Talvish looked to his wife who came out with the finally dinner setting, a pot of boiling tuber soup, the meaty flavor called to him more than his curiosity about this Champion but priorities. “And what do you think, sweetie? Of the Champion?”

“Oh him?” She hummed, already dishing out his first serving, “He’s kind, sympathetic. He doesn’t know Nsukka, he thinks there’s a reason for evil but that’ll change.”

Talvish didn’t miss the way his wife’s eyes hollowed out with each word, even as she dished out their servings and had hers. He had a gut instinct he knew what the so-called Champion had discussed with his wife, the truths about this world, about this losing war of good.

“That’s alright then, enough of this talk, let's get to eating. I’m getting too hungry to not stuff my mouthful!”

“Yeah, this looks and smells amazing, thanks mum!” Zegarto quickly concurred.

Jana giggled, the light in her eyes returning as she took her Talvish’s and their son’s hand, “Let’s pray.”

Later that evening Talvish went to go meet with his contact to report what he had learned. He told his family he had some trade to complete and wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours.

Despite all the chaos and loss, life moved on and, in this settlement, many found ways to keep alive. He strolled by barely serviced carpentry stores, the rickety butcher shop, and Jana’s favorite place, the herbalist's hut. But tonight, Talvish had no business with any of them. Cloaked in a dark hood, his feet carried him toward the one indulgence that war and resettlement still allowed—the brothel.

He greeted the bouncer, a muscle-bound cheetah Demi-human who recognized him as a regular by mere scent as he entered the building. The air was thick, heavy laced with sweat, booze and sex. A bard sung song of great men and the voluptuous women they conquered kingdoms for— a time now long past. The women, half nude and prancing like delicate marionettes greeted him in a much friendly manner. He ignored them all, pried their hands away and growled when they got too clingy. They got the message and left him alone in record time. Talvish was never here as a customer.

Talvish made a beeline for a broom closet at the back of the main attraction. The brothel was a haven for many, including sympathizers of the Darkness or rather, agents of it. A rune mark it as the one and with the key pendant he’d come along with squeezed in hand, Talvish whispered the incantation necessary.

The darkness of the entryway deepened as the energy shifted, Rift energy had a way of sending goosebumps and chills through whomever felt it and the singing bard, dancing girls and aroused customers were no exception. He walked through quickly and shut the path behind him, the less interruption he caused the better.

On the other side of the portal was a bar lounge setup for agents of the Devouring Darkness and their master, the Manipulator. The room was filled with patrons and spies gambling, drinking, and lamenting though the night. He’d made a few aquaintances among fellow spies but none were in sight today so he wasted no time finding and approaching the Dwarf seated by his lonesome at the bar, a long line of shot glasses arranged before him.

Danny.

“Danny, I have some very important news.” Talvish started, cutting right to the chase as he took a seat beside the Dwarf that acted as his mediator with the Manipulator. Not everyone got to meet the Chosen’s Darkness after all. “The Lord Manipulator will want to hear this.”

“You know the drill, Talvy.” Danny belched, his words slurring, “Everything goes through my ears first.”

Talvish scoffed, half sure his ears could even comprehend what he was about to say. But then he thought about it and smiled as he spilled the beans, “The Radiant’s Champion has arrived, a human named Johnny and my son has been given guard over him.” Satisfaction radiated through Talvish as he watched Danny instantly sober up. He sat up straight, his eyes widened and ears perked as he wiped the drool from his chin.

“Anything else?” Danny asked.

“Obviously, but he hears it from me.” Talvish smirked.

Danny rolled his eyes and scoffed as he hopped off his chair, “Alright, I’ll relay the message. Give me a few minutes.” The Dwarf went around the bar’s counter, into a room Talvish had only been in once before and would again with any luck.

Talvish sat there in silence, finished off a shot Danny left behind and suffered a restless leg while he waited for the Dwarf to return. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long as Danny came back a few minutes later. “The Manipulator wants to have an audience with you. This had better be good or…well you know.”

Talvish didn’t answer, he followed Danny around the bar’s counter and into the back room that hosted a single warbling red portal. It pulsated with Rift energies that had the hairs on his back stand. Without hesitation the two stepped through and only after he’d arrived on the other side did Talvish’s heart become arrhythmic.

They were spat out before the gates of a palace encrusted in red-purple crystals, jagged and gleaming, rising from a lake of lava nestled in a deep volcanic basin. Charred, craggy peaks ringed the molten lake, their silhouettes sharp against a sky of swirling dark clouds. Towering spires loomed outward in a wide, circular formation, and every few seconds, streaks of purple lightning split the gloom, casting an eerie glow across the infernal landscape.

Talvish swallowed hard as he took in the hellish landscape around him. Crawling along the palace walls were Rift Eaters— wolf-like abominations of void and decay—clawing and gnashing at anything they could latch onto. It wasn’t his first time here; he had come once before, when he first pledged himself to the Manipulator like every other agent. But it had been a long time since then, and no matter how much he hardened himself, sights like these were something he doubted he would ever grow used to.

“You, okay?” A drunk Danny asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Talvish snapped a tad bit defensive.

The Dwarf chuckled. “It’s alright, they won’t bite…not unless he tells them to anyway.”

The two moved through the front gates, walking down a series of winding halls and narrow corridors until they came to a pair of massive ruby-red doors. Slowly, they creaked open on their own, inviting the two inside.

Seated atop a black and red throne was the Manipulator dressed in a sharp suit of matching colors, casually fiddling with some kind of magic device. As they approached, they caught his voice, sharp and dismissive.

“…I have to go for now. I have company to address. Keep me updated on any developments regarding the subject.”

The Manipulator stood, rising from his throne with a slow, deliberate movement that sent a shiver down Talvish’s spine. His tall figure loomed over them, a mess of jet-black hair falling around a face made rougher by the scar that climbed across his left eye. When he smiled— long and razor-thin—it only made the meeting all the more unnerving.

“So, you’re the one that has information on the new…Radiant Champion?”

“Yes, Lord Chosen.” Talvish nodded, Danny stood silent by his side as well, letting him bear the spotlight of the Manipulator’s gaze.

“Interesting,” the man said, voice smooth but steeped in menace. “Tell me more about this new champion, Talvish.”

He smiled—an evil, curling grin that made Talvish's spine tighten. Any remaining belief that the Alliance stood a chance flickered dim. After what he had just seen…they were doomed.

“My son mentioned he wears a fire-resistant suit, and…he arrived in a strange metal vehicle, faster than anything alive. His name was Johnny. Johnny Vict…Vin…uh, maybe it was Vis—”

“Victoris.”

The Manipulator’s voice cut through him like a blade. His glare sharpened, the name hanging in the air like a curse. “But it couldn’t be him. Could it?”

He fell silent, thinking, then gave a shake of his head and, with a flick of his wrist, summoned a roll of parchment from violet flame. A map unfurled in his hand, shimmering with enchantments.

“Talvish, was it? You’re the one with the minor mind manipulation. Yes… I remember you.”

Talvish straightened, a cold sweat clinging to his skin. The Manipulator’s eyes never left the map as he continued, “I have a plan. One that requires little effort on our part—if you do yours. Lure the champion northeast of the settlement. There’s a canyon, thirty miles out. Make sure he’s there by noon tomorrow. I’ll handle the rest. We’ll end this… Johnny Victoris.”

Another flick of the wrist, and a small, purple gemstone appeared in his palm. He tossed it to Talvish, who caught it with a tremble.

“That’s an Essence Gem,” the Exploiter said. “It’ll enhance your weak little ability to something more…useful. Use it. Succeed. Or don’t bother coming back.”

Talvish’s hands trembled as he turned the gem over in his fingers. Power pulsed through it, into him— his ability already humming at the edges of control. He could hardly stand, his mind swimming.

Danny steadied him, his voice steady, practiced. “Thank you, my lord. It’s good to serve the Manipulator.”

The Manipulator’s eyes narrowed. “Make sure your friend holds it together. If he can’t do the job, I’ll find another way, one you won’t like.”

“Don’t worry,” Danny said. “I’ll spike his drink with something strong when we get back to the bar. That’ll clear his head.”

They left the palace behind, but Talvish couldn’t stop himself from looking back one last time at the looming structure of crystal and ash.

Back at the lounge, Danny poured a drink into his hands, and Talvish downed it with a shaking grip.

Tomorrow was going to be hell.

Talvish laid awake the whole night in a panic. He avoided questions from Jana and his son, giving one permittable excuse or the other for the insomnia. When dawn broke Talvish still wondered how he was going to lure the champion away from his son. He didn’t want to use his powers against his son, he had in the past, when times called for it but then his powers were merely minor. With the gem he’d been given…he worried about unseen consequences.

Sleep had long since abandoned him. Talvish gave up trying, climbing out of bed and slipping into the cool night air. The settlement was quiet, but his nerves were nothing but. Danny would’ve left instructions by now.

He kept to the shadows, scanning the neighborhood for any prying eyes. A moment passed. Nothing stirred—no lamps, no footsteps.

He moved quickly toward the old wall on the edge of their property, the one with the loose brick. Sliding it free, he found the note exactly where it always appeared, inked in magic only his eyes could read.

The message was short. Cold.

Meet at the forest gorge by noon. Make sure no one follows you. I have what you need. There will be twenty men waiting at the site. Be careful not to get yourself hurt—I've set traps in the area. And Talvish... don’t fail me. Or else.

Talvish stared at the last line a second longer than the rest. His fingers trembled slightly as he slid the note back and returned the brick to its place. The chill in the air had nothing on the cold sinking into his gut.He tried to brush off what he was going to do and head back inside to have breakfast with his family.

“Still, having stress from last night dad?” Zegarto asked as he entered the dining room. He took a generous bite out of his ham, dancing in place at its deliciousness.

Talvish managed a chuckle at the mere sight but nodded, “Yeah, it was pretty bad last night.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I could introduce you to the new champion. If you want.” Talvish blinked at his son, inwardly questioning whether he’d already used his ability without knowing. “They gave me the day shifts, I think I could sneak you in for a meet!” Zegarto offered, moving to pick up a drumstick.

Jana meanwhile shook her head at her son, “You two should certainly spend the day together, can’t only be family at mealtime you know!”

“Exactly! Plus, I’ll be a lot more confident speaking with the Champion if you were there.”

“That would be lovely. Maybe it would help me get my mind off things.” Talivsh said, a grateful smile gracing his lips. Despite the support, he remained silent for the rest of breakfast.

It only made him more jittery now. He would have to figure out something now. At least figuring out how to meet the new champion had been solved without blowing his cover. He didn’t want to pull through with the next part of his plan. Persuading his own son and the champion both to be under his control.

The family finished breakfast and went there separate ways with their jobs. Talvish and Zegarto walked together. The Alliance’s camp was a fair distance from their home so there was still time for Talvish to make his move and yet…

“Dad, you are really beginning to worry me.” His son said, breaking the silence that persisted since breakfast. “Seriously, how bad was the attack? And where? If the cultists attack again, I need to alert the others. Actually, I’ll need to report about this too so talk to me.”

Talvish grunted in confusion before remembering he’d told his son and wife that he’d been attacked by a cultist on the way home last night. A fair and understandable excuse for his off mood no doubt, but one that had seen its end now. He sighed and pulled his son into a convenient alleyway between two rundown buildings.

“Huh, what’s wrong?”

“There never was an attack. For everything I’ve done for them. Making me be their sacrificial lamb wasn’t what I wanted. Still, this is better than suffering an existence of knowing we can live in peace when the world ends.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?” His son questioned his father, now even more concerned.

“I need your cooperation, son, this is for our good. For our family…” He smiled painfully, a tear rolling down his cheek as his son gaped in confusion. He pulled out the Rift Essence gem, its glow and power sending shivers of fear through his son.

“Dad, what are you doing?” His son yelled, backing away slowly only to find there was nowhere to escape to. His back literally forced against the wall.

“This will only take a second.” His father said using the gem. It glowed with dark power enhancing his magic. The effect was instant with his son’s eyes glowing dark for a breath second before turning back to normal. He stopped struggling with his father getting off of him.

“Now you will take me to this champion and make sure no one knows of what I am about to do.”

“Yes father.” He said getting back up in a trance-like state.

The two walked out of the alleyway with Zegarto surprised no one heard their scuffle. They made their way to where Johnny was being housed.

The two of them walked in with Talvish giving introductions. “Hey, Johnny, I wanted you to meet my father. He just happened to have the day off and wanted to meet the new champion of the people.”

“Oh, hey Zegarto, and…”Johnny paused not getting his name.

“Oh, where are my manners? My name is Talvish. I’m a local merchant in this settlement.” He smiled at Johnny. Giving him a handshake

“Pleasures all mine.”

“So, Zegarto here tells me much about you, you’re the Champion of the Radiant One, the saviour of our world. It really is amazing to meet you.” Zegarto said, looking around the room. It was a modest luxury. He went on before Johnny could say anything and asked, “My son is shy, he’s been talking my ear off about a vehicle that can outpace any mere mortal being and…we’d both really like to see this with our own eyes.”

“The Voyager? Huh, well, I suppose it is faster than everything on this planet and on mine. Yeah, I wouldn’t mind showing you at all! But, in exchange you two must show me around this place, haven’t really been able to get my bearings. If you’re really interested, I can tell you all about the history of the Voyager, what it was sort of built for— derby racing. A dangerous sport to say the least.”

Talvish could only imagine what horrors he went through in the name of sport but none of that concerned him enough to deter him from ending the Champion as the Manipulator commands.

“Yes! I mean, yes please, sir…Champion.” His son cleared his throat and made an effort of standing up straight. “I would, I mean, we would love to hear about that, and we’ll show you around, certainly. I do happen to know a good spot that is flat and has some hilly terrain if you want to try.” Zegarto said with a nervous smile, mixing in his father’s words with his own expertly.

Talvish shivered at the power of the Rift Essence gemstone. He could never manipulate someone’s mind so smoothly before, it was as if he’d made a puppet of his own son and was merely using him as a mouthpiece. What a father I am…

“I’m not sure I’m supposed to leave. Orion did say to stay within the settlement.” Johnny muttered, unsure of the offer.

“Oh, where is your sense of adventure Champion? My son and I will be with you. He can let the guards know where we plan to go. Right son?” Talvish said smiling at his son

“Yes, indeed father. It is up to the lead guard though.” He responded.

“If we get permission, can you show us?” Talvish asked, already confident in his power to force that.

“I guess. Why not! I’ve been out there anyway.” Johnny remarked, scratching the back of his head.

Indeed. Why not indeed.