When the Moth Tribe still flourished under the shadow of the Pale King, they were known as a passive species, focused on light, dreams, and tranquility. But one moth, named Markoth, was different. He saw the world not through soft glow, but through the sharp gleam of a weapon.
Markoth was one of the very few among his kind to take up a Nail, dedicating himself to the ways of the warrior. This choice isolated him. Though another moth, Thistlewind, also wielded a weapon, Markoth's path led him to a solitary quest.
Markoth became obsessed with finding a "truth long forgotten." He traveled far, past the crumbling heart of Hallownest, to the wild, desolate reaches of the Kingdom's Edge. There, in a lone cave, far from the influence of gods and kings, he found his seclusion.
He did not seek glory; he sought meditation and isolation. Anyone who wandered into his remote sanctuary, regardless of their intentions, was met with his fierce, unyielding defense. He fought and killed all who dared to interrupt his solitary vigil.
In that remote, forgotten cave, at the very limit of the kingdom, Markoth eventually died. His remains were left to rest, untouched by time, his bones draped with the unique, swirling shield and nails he used in life.
Yet, his fierce dedication meant that his spirit did not simply fade. His soul became a Warrior Dream—a powerful, lingering memory of combat that lived on in the Dream Realm. When I found him, his spectral form floats above his corpse, surrounded by the swirling energy of his belief.
Markoth speaks with the arrogance of an undefeated champion:
"You have come a long way, just to die here at the edge of the world. No, do not speak. I have heard thousands and thousands of empty words from those like you... Raise your weapon then, and die like those who came before you."
In the dream battle that follows, Markoth fights with fierce precision, summoning phantom nails and spinning his ethereal shield, convinced he is still alive, still the undefeated warrior of the Kingdom's Edge.
When I finally strike him down, the powerful spirit pauses. He suddenly sees the truth: the silent, dust-covered corpse lying nearby.
"Never... have I been defeated in combat. I can... see myself there, still sleeping. How long have I been hidden here? Here at the edge of the world, no one could find me... except you."
In his final moments, the warrior realizes that I wasn't just another foe, but the very force that has come to claim him, the only power capable of ending his fierce, lonely vigil:
"Warriors, knights, kings, even time itself... they have no power over me. Only you. You are the darkness... come to consume me."
With that final acknowledgement of his end, Markoth's dream shatters, leaving behind the rich Essence of his warrior spirit. He was a moth who chose the path of the sword, a fierce fighter who remained a warrior to the very end, even after death.
"Hey, Allen." Loki's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"What are you going to choose for your development skill?"
"What are the choices?"
"Spirit Healing, Mystery, Luck, and Escape"
"...Explain."
"Spirit Healing increases the rate at which the Mind regenerates. Mystery allows for the creation of unique, almost miraculous items, such as magical tools and artifacts. Luck increases the probability of fortunate events. And Escape Improves one's ability to flee from danger and disengage from combat."
'I think I'll go with mystery, maybe I will be able to upgrade my items like crystal heart, Shade Cloak, and Monarch Wings.'
'Spirit healing, I'm not sure if it's because Markoth, but I know there's a reward the system can give to solve this problem.'
'Escape and Luck are good, but don't need them.'
"I'll go with mystery."
"Good choice."
(3 minutes later)
"Aaand done, be happy you're level 2 now."
"Now we have two people who have a mystery skill."
I put my clothes on, then turned to her.
"Who's the other person?"
Hearing my question, she smirked.
"Guess, Papa."
"Just tell me."
"Hehe, Of course, whenever there is Papa, there's Mama, right?"
-Bonk-
"Ouch"
"Don't call me that."
'So Riveria has it.'
"Sorry, hehe."
"Riveria, it's my turn now."
"Do you see me a game you can hit?"
"Here."
"..."
Loki was silent in a situation that was happening right now.
"Now Loki Riveria may be gentle for hitting you, but when it comes to me, there's no such thing as going soft to your goddess."
"Can I ask for forgiveness?"
"You can, but with a catch."
"Really, what is it?"
"For letting me hit you."
"ISN'T THAT THE SAME?!"
-Bonk-
"Yep."
-Bonk-
-Bonk-
-Bonk-
Finn and the others looked terrified about what was happening.
"Hey, man, I think you got her." Gareth said.
I stopped looking at him while Loki, on the ground, looked at Gareth with hope for me to stop.
"You want what she's having?" I asked
"No" Gareth said, making Loki feel betrayed.
"That's what I thought."
"Wait, Allen, I'm so-"
-Bonk-
"Too late"
-Bonk-
From the other side of the room, Finn and Riveria saw what was happening.
"Riveria, I don't think you should give him your staff again." Finn said, thinking if it's a good thing to hit your own god.
"If I don't give it to him, he will bring something worse to hit." Riveria said with a smile.
"... You're enjoying this, don't you?"
"Maybe"
I stopped, looking at them, curious what they were talking about.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing"
"Finn was thinking about taking my staff from you."
"Riveria! Why?"
"Oh, I see so you want a beating as well."
"no"
"I will come for you, but I will finish with the goddess, then come back for you."
I turned back to see that Loki had disappeared.
"Where did she go?" I asked, looking at others who were shaking their head, not knowing where she had gone.
"She had gone this way, then left, and maybe she went right next."
To everyone's surprise, the little Ais just snitched on the goddess.
"Thanks, Ais, for this. I will take you out to eat what you want for this day, and maybe I will give you a gift for being a good girl." I said, looking at Ais, who has a smile on her face.
'CUTE'
[Host, focus]
'Oh, right.'
I went where Ais told me to go.
"What I did was a bad thing?" Ais asked while looking at others.
"No, Ais, you did well." Riveria said with a smile.
'Maybe I should be careful around Allen.' Finn thought.
"AAAAAH!" Loki's shout came to everyone's ears.
"He found her."
"Gareth, bring some Ice."
"On it."
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