The remainder of the journey to Sharwood was, thankfully, uneventful in terms of further encounters with hostile creatures. The immediate threat of the wolves had passed, leaving behind a lingering unease, a heightened awareness of the dangers lurking within Tallenwood Forest. This unease, however, was tempered by the growing anticipation of safety, of respite from the constant vigilance required for survival in the wild. William leaned heavily on the makeshift crutch Edward had provided, each step feeling like a battle against the painful throb in his leg, a fiery reminder of the wolf's attack and his own vulnerability. The discomfort became a strange sort of clock, marking the passage of time and distance.

  As they walked, William seized the opportunity to learn more about this strange new world. His mind, still reeling from the encounter with the wolves and the blatant display of magic, was a whirlwind of questions, a chaotic jumble of curiosity and apprehension. Here he was, a man of data and logic, now adrift in a reality that defied all the rules he held dear. “I probably should’ve paid more attention during my fantasy novels about how to survive in a world like this,” he thought wryly.

  Julia and Edward, though weary themselves, patiently answered his inquiries, their words painting a picture of a kingdom under siege, a land teetering on the brink of collapse.

  “This kingdom... it's called Aver?” William asked, testing the unfamiliar name on his tongue, trying to anchor himself to this new reality with the tangible weight of words.

  “Yes,” Julia confirmed, her voice soft but firm, carrying a hint of pride, a subtle resonance of belonging. “The Kingdom of Aver. For centuries, we have lived in peace, under the wise and just rule of King Bartam Aver the Third. Our land was prosperous, our people content. Our fields yielded bountiful harvests, our artisans crafted works of beauty, and our scholars pursued knowledge and wisdom. But...” Her voice trailed off, a shadow of sadness crossing her face. The weight of her calm exterior hinted at pain beneath. “Peace can breed complacency. It can lull you into a false sense of security, blind you to the dangers that gather on the horizon.”

  Edward snorted, bitterness colouring his tone. “We were soft. Fat and happy, like prize hogs ripe for the slaughter. We neglected our defences, allowed the weeds of darkness to take root in the neglected corners of our realm, to fester and grow strong in the shadows.”

  “The Dark Lord Neverus,” William said, the name sounding ominous even to his own ears, a foreign word that carried the weight of untold suffering and unimaginable power. “He’s been building his strength for a long time?”

  “In secret, yes,” Julia explained, her gaze distant as if looking through the mists of time, recalling the gradual, insidious encroachment of darkness. “For years, there were rumours, whispers of growing unrest in the north, of monsters becoming bolder and villages disappearing without a trace. But most dismissed them as isolated incidents, the usual skirmishes that happen on the fringes of civilization. No one wanted to believe that a true threat was rising, that a storm could engulf us all. Complacency is a dangerous luxury, one we could ill afford.”

  “Until two years ago,” Edward interjected, his voice hardening with barely suppressed rage, a cold fury that burned beneath his stoic exterior. “When Neverus attacked Shendek. A city on the far northwestern edge of Tallenwood Forest, the very forest where you found yourself.” He spat on the ground, a gesture of disgust, contempt for the enemy, a physical manifestation of his hatred. “He overwhelmed them with an army of undead and monsters, a tide of horrors crashing against their walls like a relentless wave. They slaughtered those who resisted and enslaved the rest to serve his twisted will. That’s when everyone finally woke up, the comfortable illusion of peace shattered, revealing the brutal reality of the threat we faced. But by then, it was almost too late.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  William absorbed this information, his mind racing. The implications twisted his stomach. A kingdom caught unprepared, a powerful enemy on the rise, and a desperate struggle for survival. It felt like the plots of his beloved fantasy novels, tales of epic battles between good and evil, now playing out in frighteningly tangible detail. “You’d think they would’ve seen it coming,” he mused, a dry chuckle escaping him despite the gravity of the situation. “You don’t need a data analyst to notice when undead hordes are involved.”

  “And Aver... has been fighting back?” he asked, needing to hear some reassurance as the darkness loomed closer.

  “We’ve been trying,” Julia said, the weight of the conflict pressing down on her, a burden she carried with quiet dignity. “King Bartam has rallied the troops, conscripted soldiers from every corner of the kingdom, and poured resources into rebuilding our military, a desperate attempt to make up for lost time, for years of neglect. We’ve also heavily invested in the Adventurers Guild, fostering talent, seeking out individuals with unique skills and the courage and will to fight back, individuals who can become the heroes we desperately need.”

  “We’ve held them back,” Edward added, his voice laced with grim satisfaction. A warrior's pride flickered beneath his words. “The north and west have fallen, vast swathes of our kingdom swallowed by darkness, but the Dark Legion hasn’t yet broken through to the heart of Aver. It’s a stalemate, for now, a precarious balance of power. But they’re constantly growing stronger, raising more undead from the fallen, breeding more monsters in their foul lairs, and replenishing their ranks with their very victims. We’re holding on by a thread, fighting a war of attrition we can’t possibly win in the long run.” He clenched his fist, his knuckles white, the tension in his body barely contained.

  “You’re both... adventurers?” William asked, realizing the significance of their affiliation, understanding the crucial roles they played in this desperate struggle.

  “We are,” Julia confirmed, a hint of pride in her voice. “We were tasked with scouting the Tallenwood, investigating reports of increased goblin activity, to gauge the extent of the Dark Legion’s influence—seeing how far their tendrils had reached into the heart of our kingdom. It’s dangerous work but necessary. We are the eyes and ears of the resistance, gathering intelligence, disrupting enemy movements, striking where we can.”

  Edward grimaced, a flicker of dark humour in his eyes. “We found a small band of them before we found you. Dispatched most of them, sent them screaming back to whatever hellhole spawned them, but one got away. Probably the one that attacked you, the miserable cur. They're getting bolder, venturing further from their usual haunts, a sign that the Dark Legion's strength is growing, that their control is spreading.”

  William felt a surge of gratitude, realizing the danger they'd faced, the risk they'd taken to help him, a stranger in a strange land. “I... I'm really glad you found me,” he said, emotion thickening his voice, the words inadequate to express the depth of relief he felt. “I wouldn't have lasted much longer on my own. I owe you my life.”

  “We do what we can,” Julia said, a small, reassuring smile lighting her face, a flicker of warmth in the encroaching darkness, a symbol of the enduring human spirit. “These are dark times. We must help each other if we are to survive. We are all in this together.”

  William felt a heavy sense of duty from Edward and Julia in these desperate times, leaving a profound impression on him. He didn’t know how he could help, but he wanted to contribute. Perhaps he could find a way to share his skills. After all, survival wasn’t just about brute strength, it was also about knowledge, tactics, and the resolve to stand against the darkness.