Jay009

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

It had been a long day spent among his loved ones at the Temple of the Quinity, but next was an extraordinary sight to behold. Something that Barracker had never realised a druid could be capable of, something that must have taken an immense power to conjure, this was a climbing area, used by kids and made from wood. Such creativity in all the angles and shapes of the various ways the wood curves and grows from the ground. This he thought was beyond the climbing frame which was placed at the orphanage and had even more stuff to climb onto, the two worlds collided of the love of climbing trees and being high up off the ground with a playful nature of an obstacle course element attached. “Thank you Adam, for this I cannot thank you enough,” Barracker patted Adam on the shoulder and smiled along with everyone witnessing this creation and it was all for the kids to play until their heart's content. Adam had drawn the respect from all the kids and the workers, even mother Anne had showered him with praise, it was a wonderful sight to see and Barracker felt a sense of pride to be friends with the likes of Adam, Fenna and the rest of Second Chance. Adam and Fenna had made themselves so familiar with the kids and imprinted long lasting good impressions which they will always remember.

Barracker and Adam said their goodbyes to Mother Anne and the vampire called for the kids attention and told them that himself and Adam needed to take their leave as they Barracker had things to attend to and so the kids one by one gave their biggest hug for Adam, leaving no room to grab onto Adam as each kid saying their goodbyes did not release. Isabella was the first to say goodbye, looking up from the hug and never releasing the flower she had been given. Eren went for a hug and a handshake. “I’ll never forget you mister.” Tyrion gave a warrior’s embrace and as usual so did the rest of the older kids join in. They gave him their thanks and knew this would be of help during hard times. Mother Anne popped a peck on Adam’s cheek and patted his hand.

“Each one of you, I have met from the notorious Second Chance have been such a delight,” Mother Anne lowered her voice before continuing. “I feel now, you have done a kind deed. More than ever while his friends and loved one are away, he has no one and your group has treated him like family. He has told me all about his party members, I will not forget you either, it was a pleasure Adam”. Before giving a hug to Barracker, she croaked a goodbye, “Make sure you bring the rest of your friends here, I loved meeting the two, I am looking forward to meeting more of your friends. Make sure to tell Fenna that I, Isabella and some of the others have asked after her.”

Mother Anne had done the exact same thing as she did to Adam, she patted Barrackers hand and bid them both a good day. Barracker was happy with the visit and had also learned a load of knowledge about the type of place Adam grew up in and other special things that people in his world had crafted, alongside the skateboard. Cars he thought, what an exciting world, his mind trailed off. Vampires are a thing of fiction, kids on skateboards, people driving horseless carriages.

“Your world sounds remarkable,” he said on the way outside.

When it was time to part ways at a crossroads in the street, "Oh, and in case I don't make it through the battle, keep an extra eye on Eren. Don't ask me how I know, but he's going to be a Druid some day." The tone seemed serious and Barracker felt that Adam needed to be corrected and refuted with his own.

“We will share the same fate, you and I, of this I am certain. There is too much of a fighting spirit we share that we are done, this is not our last breath, this battle we will drink after we are made victorious.” Barracker spoke as if he was certain, as if he knew the result beforehand. “See you later.”

As Barracker cut through the marketplace, his mind on Adam’s words about Eren being a Druid, he spotted someone in the alleyway that stopped his thoughts. It was a familiar voice, and it sounded as if they were muttering a prayer.

“James,” Barracker spoke a bit cautiously, he went over to his captain, and gave him a quick check for any injuries. “Are you okay?”

It was pretty clear that he was far from okay, he seemed distressed. Barracker waited for an answer before helping him up to his feet. He suggested to his leader to come with him and the two went to a cafe in the marketplace. As the two sat down, Barracker mentioned it was a nice place and ordered some tea, waiting for it to be delivered before speaking, so they wouldn’t be disturbed.

“What’s on your mind Captain? You can talk to me.”

The Paladin was in great concern for his friend as he had only seen him calm and composed, even in the face of death. So he knew this must have been serious.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

“Trouble makers, huh,” Barracker smiled at the druid's words. “I have one of those, back home. My brother Eric is one of the smartest guys I know, but that doesn't mean he didn't do his fair share of stupid things.”

“Have we not all,” Barracker smiled fondly remembering the antics that he, Krillen and Katrina got into. Even the pious and well behaved Evelyne was dragged into their craziness sometimes. “Kids will be kids”.

“So, do you have any siblings yourself?” The druid asked.

“Well, none by blood but I do consider the people at the orphanage to be my family. You see, I was raised an orphan, too young to remember my parents. The mischievous twins Katrina and Krillen, I would consider my dearest siblings. We were roughly the same age, spent almost everyday together along with Evelyne, my childhood sweetheart but she is not from the orphanage.”

While walking in the streets of Valhiem, Barracker was thinking about what was said in the tavern, he was happy to hear his friend mention that if anything troubled him, he would be another set of ears to listen. He was very appreciative of this and also that Adam was coming to meet part of his family, who he explained were all living at the Temple of the Quinity. “The orphanage is in the north east of the city so High Septum Areleth has been kind enough to move everyone closer to the bottom of the Citadel mountain.”

Circling back to the previous conversation, Barracker asked about Adam’s relationship with Eric. “Are you both close? You must miss him.”

On arrival at the temple, Barracker introduced Adam to the workers of the orphanage as he took him around the temple. Some were cleaning, some were washing clothes, but Barracker and Adam would find Mother Anne outside in the garden with the kids.

After laying his eyes on the kids, they did not notice him nor Adam, for a moment, he forgot to introduce Mother Anne to Adam as he was seeing something for the first time.“Mother, this is Adam, a friend of mine and part of Second Chance” he said, giving Anne a kiss on the head, all the while his eyes fixed on the kids fighting over the mysterious new contraption. After the introduction, Barracker went over to calm the situation between the kids, taking the weird device from them. “Enough kids, calm down everyone can use this?” He examined the device, which must have been a toy. It was a wooden plank with wheels.

“Tyrion and Eren made it, they won’t let me on it. Tell them” Isabella cried out upset.

The older kids came over with Tyrion. “It’s a skateboard. Remember, it was the thing that Fenna mentioned to Eren, about what her son played on, back in her world. It was when we were at the archery range.” Tyrion responded, trying to rejig his memory. The lightbulb switched on and Barracker nodded.

“Ahh yes, I remember,” he thought sadly, forgetting to ask Fenna more about her family at that moment.“She would be glad to see that you are all having so much fun with it.”

Mother Anne chimed in, “is that what you call that thing!” She shouted over with what power she had in her lungs. “It seems awfully dangerous.” she spoke to Adam a bit wheezy. She bent down slowly looking for her seat, and put her hand out for Adam’s assistance. After she was seated, she thanked him and gave him a smile of gratitude. Her missing teeth made her smile no less beautiful in Barracker’s eyes.

Barracker gave Isabella his cracked helmet and waited for her to put it on before giving her the skateboard. The Paladin returned to his friend, apologizing for not introducing him to the kids. “The orphanage is funded by the church but the Temple itself is not really built to have them all here.. There is just grass, nothing to play with. All their toys are at the orphanage so they get quite bored,” the Paladin explained to adam.

Eren, Tyrion, Isabella and the other kids got waved over. Tyrion came first, with his usual Barracker imitation of a formal salute, a fist to the chest, to introduce himself. The older kids followed suit. Isabella was toying with the hem of her flowery dress a bit shyly. Peeking just under the helmet halfway off her head, hand up to say hi.

Eren jumped into a hand out gesture to shake Adam’s hand. “It's nice to meet a friend of Barrackers.” Eren and Tyrion spoke synchronized. “What's it like in your world?” Then as Adam finished, Eren went big eyed, “Wait, you’re Adam, right?! You’re the one who can transform into a bear!” he grinned so big, “What's that like?”

After talking for a long time, Mother Anne got talking to Adam about her love for the children who grew up at the orphanage, she spoke as if she was their mother and spoke little tales about herself, which Barracker never knew. And days where Barracker was a bit more mischievous, along on his adventures that he and his friends and his sweetheart used to get up to.

“As you can see she is more than a worker, she is like our mother, and that is why we call her our mother.” the paladin put a hand on her shoulder. “She was there for us in our best and worst moments. Had enough love for us all.”

After the strong statement of affection, he was shooed away. “Go away with yourself,” she smiled, looking like she was tearful but over the moon, whilst slapping a hand onto his. “You will make an old girl blush,” then she turned to Adam. “Don’t you forget Areleth. I’ve dedicated my life to kids who have no one else. Two and half centuries and I don’t regret a day.”

They stopped for tea and Barracker made a mental note to not spend too long before he would politely drag the druid away and say his goodbyes. He did not want to take up Adam's whole day and also had things to do like check in with Warren and ‘The Bats’.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Loksfjoer Enjoy your time away

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

“I’m mentally ready for this, I think. I probably won't be commanding men like you are, so it's different, but I resolved myself to do what was right when I saw that letter. Right now, that means defending this place and saving as many people as I can. Of course, I don't enjoy ending lives in the process and I don't think I'll ever get used to huge battles, but if it's for the greater good then I'm good knowing I'm doing the right thing. How about you?”

Barracker thought it was very noble, a spirit of a paladin. The young man definitely had care for people and all of his words were laced with honour and humility. “As a soldier, it is of the utmost importance to be mentally prepared. Everything I have lived and trained for, comes down to moments like this.”

“What did you think of that letter, anyway?” Adam asked.

Barracker had a bitter taste in his mouth at the thought of the WitchQueen. Although Adam and the rest of his party had made the right choice to deny the WitchQueen’s overtures, Barracker felt it was his place to assure him of the evil which she had wrought on the continent. “I do not know this Melina Young. But I do know the WitchQueen.” The vampire stroked a pale thumb along one of his fangs. “I know of her atrocities too well.” He paused for a moment to let the flashes of those dreadful memories pass by. “Law and order is the backbone of any civil society worth living in. The protection of the people is the priority. She has broken law and order, and she has violated the protection of the people. Even if she is the rightful heir, she has thrown away her claim to the throne with these heinous crimes.”

He searched for understanding in Adam's face. It was a lot to take in and Barracker had left a lot unexplained, but felt the druid was a righteous enough soul that the Paladin could have faith that Adam would get it. As he was finishing his breakfast, he thought about how he’d quickly grown in close comradery with Zell, James and particularly Fenna. He also thought about how he had opened up to MacKensie, shown vulnerability and she had completely accepted him. That moment between them in the Temple Of Hades had changed him. He learned to trust his party members with more than just his life, but also his heart and soul too. So right now he looked at Adam and decided that the druid deserved more of an answer to the previous question about his mental preparation and where his head is at.

“About being prepared for the upcoming assault. I feel torn, there is a duty for me to align my skills for the protection of the people. But a wild desire floods my brain for the taste of vengeance. These two things may seem like they correlate but they are very different feelings. One is duty and the latter is ego. One is discipline and the other is chaos. I am not without fear for the future, my dreams trouble me greatly. But my faith in Second Chance, The Quinity, my friends and loved ones. It all gives me strength. So it is okay to have my doubts,” Barracker smiled.

After talking some more, Barracker mentioned his plans to check in with his family at the orphanage. Barracker extended his invitation for Adam to join and meet the trouble makers and his mother Anne, if he was not doing anything this morning.

When the time came he collected his gear from his room and came back down ready to leave.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Over the last couple of days, Barracker had followed through with his plan to spend more time with the rest of Second Chance. It was nice to eat meals with them, one on one or as a group. To get to know them more as individuals. It felt good to laugh with friends and to be merry, food always tasted a lot better with good company.

Barracker was fully kitted out, back in his gear. His helmet now sported a new look. Because of the damage done by Zigmunds ice explosion, the enchanted helmet could not be repaired perfectly and now had a massive diagonal scar going right through it. You might say it looked even more menacing, judging by the reactions of random citizens when he was walking through the street with it on. It worked perfectly fine though, which was the important thing. Also Barracker noticed he wasn’t as self conscious these days about how strangers judged him, he guessed it was because of his new found friendships with the heroes from another world.

James had put Barracker onto first name basis with the owner of The Mended Drum, Frederick. So he would say hello when he passed through the establishment and sometimes stay the night, using the extra booked room that Zell had rented for Joji, who was no longer around.

Right now it was morning and Barracker was having breakfast with Adam before planning on heading to the military centre to work with his soldiers, the vampire was telling the druid about the progress he was making.

“... So I think the morale is heading up in the right direction,” he finished, before taking a bite of his sausage and eggs. After finished his bite, Barracker continued, “One of my men, Gareth, went to Golden Tree Park to order some wood for training dummies. While talking with the lumber man, your name popped up. It seems your hardwork has not gone unnoticed, you have revitalized the peoples spirits.” It was true, Adam was the talk of the industrial section and it was no surprise. Adam was a fine young man, honourable and a good example to others. Barracker listened attentively and followed up with, “What have you got planned for today, more of the same?” Barracker also asked how he was feeling about the upcoming defence of Valhiem, a topic which was inevitably on everyone’s mind. “Is your heart and mind prepared? That is the most important thing, as this is something even I am not used to. A battle of this scale.”

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker sat in his usual spot, surveying his garrison, from the step ladder. Most of the time, he would be stationed alongside whoever was struggling, correcting where they went wrong and positioning himself where they stood, so that they would have a better idea and could mirror his movements. Getting stuck in himself with some of the training to show, he was not above them and would share the hard work. He appointed a second in command to share some responsibility in correcting some of the group's form. This person went by the name of Warren Burns, a Paladin who had not yet been blessed with the gift of the crystal and had not expected to be picked due to his history with the vampire.

When the two finally had free time to talk and discuss the plans of this one-hundred fighters. Warren mentioned something he did not quite think he would ever hear from his mouth. “So our name of this group. What are you thinking in that head of yours?” Warren said as if it pained him.

Barracker thought about it, and smirked to himself.

The look on Warren’s face showed he thought he was being laughed at and he got defensive. “What’s with the face, I’m confused.”

“Well your brother mentioned our mentor as being a turtle and we also are using a shield wall. So what do you think of that as our name?” The two chuckled in silence to themselves.

“Hmmmm… The mighty fucking turtles aye!” Warren took a minute to ponder, then spoke. “If I may be frank as always with you. This is your block and this is your strategy for the siege, how about something closer to home. The bats. We will swarm our enemies.”

“I must admit, I do like either but…”

“It would be nice to go by the bats and not feel like you’re forgetting your mentor, which you are definitely not. We all remember how good of a Paladin we fought and trained under. It might feel like you need to do all that to remember him, but he’s not going to think lower of you. I will, but I’m not Odis, thank fuck for that.” They both laughed. “Living up to that old guy's name, I sure wouldn’t want too”

Barracker took the compliment, and gave a nod before standing up. “The Bats, it is.” Then the Paladin turned to his Garrison and called for attention. “Warriors. We are from now on, known as ‘The Bats’ and we will swarm our enemies and drive them into the arms of Hades”.

After a long day of training and giving their all, Barracker gave leave to his garrison and they would return back here by eight in the morning. “Put your feet up, you have earned it. Hug your sons and daughters, give your other half a kiss.” This would give them time to see their loved ones and to see in a physical sense, who they were fighting for and to show his soldiers why they were fighting. This sentiment made him think of Evelyne, last time he held her hand, so soft in comparison to his own. The last time he touched his lips on hers. That distinct smell of Jasmine and Amber notes, her favourite scent. He knew what his own reasons were for fighting. Most of his family were tucked away inside the Temple of the Quinity, hopefully Katrina and Krillen were safe wherever they were in Mytheria. As for Evelyne, she was most certainly safe in Capitol City, but he was starting to regret that he pushed her so far away. I never should have let her go.

Once everyone collected their things and left it was just Warren and Barracker. He felt a certain tension from Warren but put it down to worry for his brother’s safety. Barracker, before leaving, said one last thing and that was that his brother would be alright, he has adventurer’s and civilians looking out for him and counting on him.

I will collect my equipment tomorrow, see what everyone else has done today.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker had been hit with a wave of nostalgia upon entering the military facility. It felt like a long time since he had stepped within these walls. The walls looked the same, they even had a picture, hung on the wall of the sigil of the Royal house. Barracker had remembered the exact day of when he had joined up to the military ranks and confided his decision to girlfiend at the time, Evelyne telling her about the reasons why he wanted to join. That he had a duty to Valhiem, a duty to put his life on the line, to protect the weak and make the world a better place. For the good fight and to follow the footsteps of great men and women, like the legendary Dante Valeron, the chairman of the council of heroes.

A second wave of nostalgia was hitting Barracker even harder, as he stepped foot onto the massive yard, where most soldiers spent the majority of their time in service. The sound, the sight, the smell, felt so familiar. Almost like coming home. As he was briefed on the details on his duty as captain, whilst walking across the yard to meet his block, he saw familiar faces. He nodded a silent greeting but his attention was focused on Vice commander Jeremiah.

“To spread the power of our Source Crystal Users, each of you will Captain 100 men. It will be for you to fight with them, lead them and help reiterate instructions from the Chain of Command.” Commander Jeremiah bellowed.

Moments later, Barracker was acquainted with the block unit, filled with women and men of different age and experience ranges. Before he introduced himself, he thought of what his mentor Odis would do in his predicament. He had eight days, soldiers and conscripts and needed to be efficient and to stick to his values. A more ruthless general would put some weaker troops in the front lines to bare the brunt of damage and save the energy of his best soldiers. This was not an option under any circumstances for Barracker. As hard as it would be, he would try to save every life possible. And then it hit him.

A short time later, Barracker was on the training yard with his unit. He had already made them go and change their weapons, so now every single one of them stood, holding a long hoplite spear and round shield. On their hip would be a short weapon of their choosing, either a short sword or a hand axe.

Barracker shouted for attention, “Warriors we are under a pressing time for Valhiem, we can do this and I will make sure we all cross that line.” he paused for a moment to let it sink in, “We will be doing some physical conditioning, but most importantly, our time would be dedicated to learning the art of ‘The Shield Wall’. This formation will be crucial and make us stronger than sum of our parts. We will fight as one and win as one, so long as each person knows their role.”

Barracker showed them how to handle a Hoplite shield and how in a shield wall you protect the man to your left, from neck to thigh. The Paladin quickly identified his most experienced soldiers and arranged the formation as a rectangle block, seven rows of forteen fighters. He put the remaining two conscripts at the back as the two were barely old enough to vote for the next mayor. His strongest soldiers occupied the front ranks.

Barracker ordered strongly, “Remember your position as this will never change, whenever we form up, unless an injured frontliner needs to be pulled back. In this case the next soldier behind him will step forward to replace the spot, as will the soldier behind them, and so on.”

For most of the day Barracker sat on a tall step ladder, drilling his block on advancing forward as one, back pedalling as one, and also moving left and right, without leaving any holes in the formation.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker had woken up from a rough night's sleep. His mind was on the upcoming battle ahead. That same dream, that night. He despised Viktor and knew that if he ever saw him on the battlefield, because of this wretched curse, that things would ultimately be different. He would relish the chance to make him pay for his suffering that he bestowed onto him. Drenched in sweat and his heart pounding like a war drum, he knew it was time to get up.

After getting dressed, Barracker donned a different set of clothes, from what he was used to. His body feeling bare and weirdly vulnerable without his leather armour and his mask on. He forgot what it had felt like to wear anything else and that it would only be for a limited time. Barracker made his way towards the lounge room to find mother Anne sitting with her fellow workers of the orphanage.

He greeted her and the rest of the workers and told her he would be off, to do some errands of his own and then would reunite to see how the rest of his friends were doing. As he thought of his party, Leader James must have thought of him, as well, because that is when he was introduced by mother Anne to a government official, a messenger. He was sent by James and informed the Paladin of where his presence was requested. He would have to be at the Military Centre by 10am. It had been a while since he had been back there.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker had explained his matter of urgency about the loss of his tower shield from the previous mission, just gone. Eric and Warren had heard him out and procured him a tower shield from Paladin’s Respite armoury. It was a good fit and the exact size he was used to, he had given his thanks.

Barracker rolled his shoulder with his shield arm to acclimatize to the weight. The Burns brothers watched him closely and mentioned it took the two of them to carry the shield out. “Inquisitor Franklin, won’t be too happy with us. If he knows we helped you, but enough of that, come,” Eric waved Barracker to follow.

Warren made clear his feelings on the current truce between them. “Listen, we’re putting this aside for Valhiem’s sake and that’s it,” he said with a sternness in his voice.

“Understood. Our mentor Odis would be proud to see that we have done that today.” Barracker replied.

Eric nudged his brother, and whispered enough said, before adding, “Oh that old turtle, wise, and just as grumpy. Not afraid to tell you when you’ve done something wrong.”

“I think he actually enjoyed it,” Barracker joked fondly. The three men bonded over common ground of being students to apprenticeship under one of the best Paladins ever to grace Valhiem.

Warren chimed in, “He was hard nosed, harsh toned but his heart was for the people. It's a damn shame that he fell to Cerberus.”

Barracker clenched his fist, “On my honour as a Paladin, before I meet Hades, I will see that beast meets Hell.”

Eric hissed a sceptical breath, “That’s a mighty big pledge. That monstrous canine is of a legendary power. Some suspect that it is a creature that survived from the Mythic Age.”

They got some good training in, until dark. Eric, with the blessing of the crystal, wanted to take on Barracker in a duel.

In the later hours of the evening, Barracker bid the two farwell and made his way to the top of the wall. There was a mixed reaction, once at the top, he could see from the watchmen’s faces, their body language and the words they spoke. The psyche here was low and was on edge with the pressing battle on their doorstep. A rare handful of the soldiers were calm to the eye and stood unflinching in the way of the catapult bombs crashing down, above their heads. Some were sitting inside the confines of the towers, some were muttering prayers. Some had completely broken, their eyes showing visible signs of interacting with the new faces popping in or out of the room. Barracker stood on the wall staring into the distance.

What will the outcome of Valhiem be? Evelyne, was it a mistake to leave it like this between us?

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker goes to the inquisitor's desk to ask the head Paladin about getting his hands on a shield, fitting his combat style. He had no luck as he was shooed away immediately with a lazy answer, which was meant as a no to the vampire, immediately shutting down any further requests. Inquisitor Franklin was his usual self, uptight and far from helpful. This man, along with many, despised Barrackers existence and duty as a fellow Paladin.

Some time later on the training grounds, as Barracker was going through his training regiment, he caught a mean glance across the yard, for the third time. It was the Burns brothers. They had a similar idea of preparing for the war ahead, getting as much training in as possible. Barracker did not feel uneasy, and ordinarily he did not care and would just ignore it. But there were more important things to worry about than petty squabbles, so he decided to be the bigger man and approach the two.

Barracker started straight to the point. “I know we have our differences, that may never be resolved but right now,” he paused with a sigh, and gestured towards the two before continuing. This is our home, all of us. We are Valhiem. Valhiem is in trouble. We would be stronger together than divided in spirit,” Barracker held out his hand, hoping they would shake it. "Please,” he said showing humility, "Let us remember why we became Paladin protectors in the first place.”

It was apparent from Eric’s face that there was a struggle in his mind, but he eventually grabbed Barracker’s hand, “For Valhiem.”

Barracker nodded gratefully, and repeated, "For Valhiem.”

The other brother Warren followed suit afterwards and the three started to discuss the morale of Paladins Respite.