REALM OF WANDERING BLADES — EPISODE I
CHAPTER 3 — THE MEETING WITH ROCKY 🪨🌲🦌🔥
The sun hung low over the jagged peaks of the Astrales Mountains, casting long shadows over Altharia. The snow sparkled faintly under the golden light, and a cold wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scents of pine and frost. Inside the modest stone cottage, Arden Moonveil paced anxiously. Beside him, Erik Stahl sat on a wooden bench, still recovering from the shock of his sudden arrival in this strange, magical world.
The two had spent hours talking, bridging the impossible gap between worlds. Arden explained the basics of Aetherion—the mountains, the magical creatures, and the unseen currents of energy that flowed through the land 🌌✨. Erik, still gripping his Gewehr 43, tried to understand it all, his military mind struggling to reconcile what he had experienced in war-torn Belarus with the serene, mystical peaks around him ❄️🪖.
Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the cottage.
"Who's there?" Erik's voice was cautious, hand inching toward his rifle.
Arden turned, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's Rocky. Don't worry… he's friendly."
Before Erik could respond, Arden swung the door open. Outside, the figure of a massive stone golem filled the doorway. Towering nearly four meters tall, the creature carried a bundle of firewood in one hand and a freshly hunted deer in the other 🪵🦌. Snowflakes clung to his rugged, rock-like skin, giving him an almost sacred aura.
Erik froze, eyes widening. "Th-what… what is that?! A monster?!" His fingers gripped the rifle tighter.
Arden stepped forward and rested a reassuring hand on Erik's shoulder. "Relax… he's not a monster. This is Rocky. He's been my protector since I was a child. Some say a human soul resides inside his stone body. He's… more alive than you might think."
Rocky's deep, gravelly voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I am here to help," he said simply, nodding toward Erik.
Erik's jaw dropped, slowly lowering his rifle. "So… he can think… speak… reason?"
Arden nodded, eyes shining. "He's more than just stone. He's family. And now… yours, if you choose to stay."
For a moment, the three stood in silence. The firelight from the hearth reflected off Rocky's rugged form, and the faint hum of magical energy in the cottage seemed to pulse like a heartbeat ✨🛡️.
The conversation was interrupted by Arden's stomach growling. He chuckled, a warm sound that filled the space. "Well, speaking of family… our food supplies are low. Rocky brought us meat, but we need something fresh. Would you like to join me in gathering some vegetables and fruits in the forest? It's… safer to forage with company."
Erik blinked. "You… forage? You mean… go out into the wild… voluntarily?" His voice carried a hint of disbelief, mixing his soldier's pragmatism with fascination.
"Yes," Arden replied, grinning. "Aetherion may be peaceful, but it's still wild. You'll see for yourself. And besides, hunting for herbs and mushrooms can be… enlightening." 🌿🍄
The two set out, walking toward the towering peaks of the Astrales Mountains, the snow crunching softly beneath their boots. Erik couldn't help but glance up at the clear blue sky, the sunlight glinting off the distant snowcaps. "Look at this sky… it's nothing like the battlefields of Earth. So… alive. So… calm." ❄️🌌
Arden smiled faintly. "Peace here is precious. We must protect it. Just as you fought for survival in your world, we fight in ours—against enemies seen and unseen."
As they moved deeper into the forest, Arden led Erik to patches of wild chili peppers, bright red mountain peppers, and clusters of edible mushrooms. Here and there, onions grew from the rocky soil, their green shoots standing proud against the snow 🥬🌶️🧅🍄. Arden explained each plant, detailing which were medicinal, which could enhance magic, and which were dangerous.
Erik listened intently, absorbing every detail. "Everything here… even the plants… feels alive. Like the forest knows we're here."
Suddenly, the underbrush trembled. A massive brown bear emerged from the treeline, its eyes glinting with hunger and curiosity 🐻. Erik froze, instinctively raising his Gewehr 43. Arden, however, stood calm, hand hovering over his staff.
"Stay calm… and follow my lead," Arden whispered, voice steady but firm.
Erik swallowed, nodding. "Right… calm."
He fired a few warning shots into the air. The sound of gunfire echoed through the trees. The bear paused, ears flicking, sniffing the air, uncertain. The magical aura surrounding Arden seemed to thrum louder, a subtle hum of protection and warning ⚡🪄. Slowly, the bear backed away, disappearing into the shadows.
Before they could exhale, the earth trembled beneath their feet. From the trees, a familiar, rhythmic thudding announced Rocky's approach. With calculated steps, he appeared, moving with surprising swiftness for his massive stone body 🪨💨. He intercepted them, gently gathering the harvested vegetables and checking the deer for spoilage.
Back at the cottage, Rocky set the fire ablaze with careful precision 🔥. Arden and Erik worked together to prepare the meal. Arden's staff rested against the table, faint blue runes glowing softly, illuminating the room with a calming light ✨.
"You… have powerful tools," Arden said, watching Erik clean and ready his rifle. "Almost like magic… or at least, like a warrior's blessing."
Erik smiled faintly, a mixture of humility and pride. "In my world, this is just survival. But seeing your magic… it's… different. Respectable. Humbling, even."
Arden nodded, then gestured toward the glowing runes. "That's my grandfather's staff. He was a wise and kind mage… one of the best in Altharia. But he… died mysteriously. Some say his soul merged with the land, guiding those who follow him 🌿💫."
The aroma of cooking filled the cottage as the trio prepared a hearty mushroom and venison stew 🍲🫕. Erik inhaled deeply, savoring the smell. It was a warmth he hadn't felt since leaving his frozen battlefield, a simple comfort that felt like home for the first time in weeks.
Rocky, seated silently nearby, received his share of coal chunks—a favorite treat—and grunted with satisfaction. "Thank you…" His voice rumbled warmly, almost human in its simplicity.
The evening grew long, and the three shared stories of vastly different worlds. Erik spoke of the snow-choked battlefields of Earth, the cold camaraderie of soldiers, and the sheer randomness of survival in war 🌍❄️🪖. Arden recounted tales of the Astrales Mountains, of magical beasts, spirits of the forest, and the unseen currents that wove the land together 🌌🪄.
As night deepened, the cottage glowed with the warmth of fire and shared friendship. Rocky's massive hands rested on the table edge, steady and calm, while Erik, for the first time in weeks, allowed himself to relax. Arden, standing between them, felt the faint pull of destiny, a whisper of challenges yet to come.
The bond of friendship, once fragile, now took root. Here, in the shadow of the Astrales Mountains, a soldier from another world, a young mage, and a stone golem with a human soul had formed an unbreakable alliance 🪄🛡️🌲. Together, they would face dangers neither could yet imagine.
Outside, the wind howled, carrying faint echoes of creatures lurking in the mountains. Somewhere, far above, the spirits of Arden's grandfather and ancestors watched, as if blessing the fledgling trio. Somewhere else, dark omens of Firethorn's threat began stirring in the distance, preparing the stage for trials that would test courage, magic, and heart 🔥👹.
The night settled, quiet but alive, and in the soft glow of the hearth, three figures sat—different, yet united. The Realm of Wandering Blades had begun its tale, not with war, but with friendship forged in fire, frost, and the mysterious pulse of magic 🌌💫🗡️.
Every glance, every shared story, every silent moment by the fire strengthened their bond. This was no ordinary companionship; this was the beginning of a saga, one that would stretch across mountains, forests, and worlds, touching lives, shaping destinies, and igniting legends that would echo through the ages.
And thus, as the snow fell softly outside, the first chapter of their adventure closed—not with battle, but with unity, courage, and the promise of trials yet to come 🪨🛡️🔥.