#nokstela

[kapten425]

Chapter 2 Part 1 "A Glimpse of Hope"

The golden light of the setting sky bathed the city of Nokstela. The bright sun of the Lands Between slowly gave it's place to the glimmering stars above. Their brilliance only second to the divine light of the Erdtree. Inside Master Enouch's workshop a young man was trying to put together a glintstone powered core, under the watchfull eye of his teacher. Master Enouch stroke his beard as he observed his student's work. While the young man was very talented in the use of glintstone magic, when it came to glidstone mechanism he was out of his field. A simple core was a task of 1 hour, 2 if he was an amateur. He was struggling to make it work for 5 hours, with no signs of success. The young man tried to put the core into motion. The core's outside rings started spinning, showing signs progress. The young man was about to take a deep breath when suddenly the core's operation stopped. The young man smashed his fists on the table in a feat of anger.

"Cursed pile of metal scraps."

Master Enouch placed his hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Patience young one. Glintstone Mechanisms take time to figure out."

"It's completely useless for me to learn this kind of crap. I could be practicing my glidstone phalanx spells right now instead of......"

Before he could finish his sentence an old man in blue robe, decorated with small glintstone peddles entered the workshop. He was visually agitated, indicating that he had heard the young one's insults to Master Enouch.

"Seluvis, the art of glintstone mechanisms is a sacred one. Respect is mandatory. Especially to Master Enouch, who is the best glintstone engineer in Nokstela. And a personal friend of mine."

Young Seluvis lowered his head after the man spoke. Master Enouch smiled towards his unexpected visitor.

"Lusat, you are here earlier than expected."

"I just happened to finish my duties faster than anticipated. So I came to see how my poor mannered pupil was holding up. Only to be embarrassed by his words. I apologize my friend."

He said and bowed to Enouch. Enouch smiled towards Lusat.

"No need old pal. I'm sure mister Seluvis feels very sorry about this little slip of tongue ."

Lusat gave a confused look. Before Seluvis could ask what he meant Master Enouch continued.

"Which is why he would return here tomorrow morning to finish this glintstone core."

Master Enouch turned to the clearly angry Seluvis, saying.

"No matter how much time it takes him to make it operational."

Seluvis tried to protest, but he was cut short by Master Lusat.

"I'm sure he will. Right Seluvis."

Seluvis gave a defeated look at Maste Enouch. As a confirmation he replied.

"Very well master Enouch. I'll be here tomorrow morning."

He turned to leave the workshop. As he reached for the handle he faced the masters once again.

"But heed this. The project that master Enouch wants me to do is impossible to perform. No one can make this core of garbage work."

With that final act of defiance he exited the workshop. Lusat sighted. His student's pride was going to be a problem for him in the future. He turned to his friend who was more focused on Seluvis's work on the core.

"Once again my friend, I sincerely apologize for Seluvis's reaction. I should have taught him better."

Master Enouch, still focused on the core replied.

"No need to worry. Compared to other pupils I had in the past, he was rather mild. If he ever steps out of line, I will run his ass to the ground. Protégé or not."

Lusat came closer to observe the mechanism. Despite Seluvis's crude language he had a point. The mechanism in front of him was rather complex. Normally glintstone cores were utilising the natural rotary movement of the glintstone crystal in the centre to commence it's operation. As the natural rotation takes place the surrounding rings are adjusted to create 3 layers around the crystal that rotate counter wise. That slight interaction creates a type of energy that can be utilised for powering up a larger mechanism like a marionette, like a perpetual clockwork device. This mechanism was trying to utilize the friction between the core and the mechanism by making the rings go diagonal, passing through the other rings way, colliding with each other. It looked impossible indeed. Lusat looked at Enouch. His gaze was wandering around the mechanism.

"Enouch, my friend, I don't want to judge your work....."

Enouch turned to Lusat with a questioning look on his face. Lusat continued.

"But don't you think this mechanism is a little bit advanced for my pupil?"

Enouch smiled at his friend's comment.

"Well Lusat. You see......"

Before he could finish the inside curtain of his workshop opened and a young Elias entered the room. He was wearing a blacksmith's apron with oil stains on it. His pockets were full of tools while his hands, full of stains, were holding something wrapped in a linel cloth. He had signs of oil and dust on his face with only his greenish blue eyes and his black hair being somewhat clean. He approached master Enouch with a steady pace.

"Master Enouch I finished the rounding and polishing of the crystal you gave me. I am sure now it will fit inside the core much easier."

Master Enouch became serious as Elias handed him the modified glintstone crystal. He took it from the cloth and brought it close to his eyes. The crystal was perfectly spherical. Any imperfections that it had before were gone, and with the polishing the crystal looked more like a gem than a glintstone crystal. Lusat came closer to observe the small ord as well, with similar reactions. After the inspection master Enouch smiled towards Elias and gave him the crystal.

"Perfect work as always Elias. And in half the time I expected."

Elias smiled widely after hearing those words.

"I was just doing my job master. Nothing more."

Elias now noticed Lusat looking at him with an impressed look. Lusat decided to talk.

"Indeed impressive work my boy."

Elias realised that he hadn't paid his respects to his master's visitor.

"Oh .... I apologize for my poor manners. My name is Elias, a humble apprentice of Master Enouch. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Elias then bowed with a small movement to Master Lusat. When Lusat saw Elias's act of respect he started laughing. Not in a insulting way, but with a satisfying one.

"Hahahaha truly Seluvis can learn a thing or two from you dear boy."

Enouch seeing the happy atmosphere he grabbed Lusat by the shoulder.

"Elias let me introduce you to my old friend and one of the grand masters of the Raya Lucaria Academy, Master Lusat."

Lusat with a playful sight he stretched out his hand.

"An honour, young Elias. It's refreshing to see someone with true manners."

Elias flinched at the sound of Lusat's profession. And seeing that he stretched out his hand he offered his accordingly. By this point he had figured out why he was here.

"Then you must Seluvis's master. I presume."

"Indeed. Even though he is an excellent mage, he still has a lot to learn. And judging from Enouch's respect towards you. You must be very talented to have chosen you as his apprentice."

Elias smiled for the praise he was given by Lusat.

"I'm just doing what I know is right, under the tutelage of master Enouch. I own him a lot."

Lusat looked at Elias with a questionable look. But before he could ask what he meant, Enouch already had Elias's focus on Seluvis's project.

"Elias I need your help over here. I'm sure you are familiar with this glintstone core design."

Elias looked at the Seluvis's core. After a few seconds he sighted moving his hands to his sides.

"He didn't succeed. Didn't he."

"Correct my boy."

Elias placed one of his hands on his forehead, clearly disappointed.

"I told him, he cannot simply replicate the design and make it work. He needs to understand the reason why....."

Enouch stopped Elias from continuing by grabbing his shoulder. He then nodded his head, confirming what Elias was trying to say.

"I know my boy. But this is not why I show you this. Tell me. How much time do you need to make it work."

Elias tilted his head to the side in order to get a different view of the core. After a moment he replied.

"About 15-20 minutes tops. Do you want me to write down my steps."

Enouch smiled at Elias. Efficient as ever.

"Yes please. In the meantime me and Lusat will go a little bit outside. I need some fresh air. Call us when you finish."

Elias sat on the chair and grabbed the tools from his apron. His eyes focused on his new task.

"Right away master. Take your time."

And with that Enouch and Lusat exited the workshop. The night had already fallen on top the city. Master Enouch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Lusat looked at his with a puzzled look as he started to talk

"Enouch, you are hiding things from me. Why you never told me you had an apprentice."

Enouch reached to his pocket and took out a small smoking pipe. After putting a few dried leaves, he lighted it up with the use of a small matchstick and started smoking.

"To tell you the truth, I never thought I would ever accept one. Elias, although, is special."

"Care to explain this."

Enouch smiled.

"Elias is an orphan, Lusat. An orphan that was wondering the city 5 years ago. I saw his potential and decided to take him under my protection."

Lusat looked at his friend with a saddened look.

"Oh I'm sorry, if I knew..."

"That's why I brought you outside. I knew you would ask what he meant. He is a good kid and I wish to help him as much as I can. After all I own this to his parents."

"Did you knew them?"

"No, and neither he. But his foster parents were albinaurics. They found him bundled up in a linel clothing off the western sea coast of Liurnia as a baby. They raised him to the albinauric village south of here. But after their deaths, Elias was left all alone. I'm sure you can understand how they died."

Lusat continued with a sad movement.

"The albinauric curse I presume."

Enouch nodded. He continued while he was smoking his small pipe.

" After a while he came to Nokstela and I stumbled across him. He showed me his potential for machineries and I decided to take him in. I taught him everything I know about my art, and he accepted them without a moment's hesitation. Then I saw it. His spark for creation. He worked on my workshop day and night. Never complaining, never stopping. And most importantly he elevated even my own knowledge upon glintstone motors. You already saw his work."

Enouch pointed at his back.

"The motor Seluvis was trying to make it work, was Elias's design."

Lusat looked bewildered. Enouch was talking about Elias, as he was talking about a grand master. He tried to clear his throat.

"Come on now Enouch. He can't be that good."

Enouch chuckled at his friend's comment.

"You know me too well, Lusat. I would never joke about this kind of things."

He then looked at the night sky of Nokstela. His eyes fixed on the constellations above.

"I tell you, Lusat. No matter how difficult a task is Elias would bring it to fruition. When it comes down to his capabilities. Elias, at one point, he will be able to bring anything back to life, mechanical or not."

Lusat looked at Enouch.

"Anything?"

"Anything....."

[kapten425]

Chapter 1 Rise up Tarnished

The Greater Will. The force that governs the very world, has risen the Tarnished Warriors of the old. For conflict to take hold of the Lands Between, and return it back to thy Will. The Will controls the risen, but not who is risen. And so the Will rose the one who never should be risen. A man from no lineage, that has neither strength nor immortality. A man who followed and served The Queen of Death. A man whose name is synonymous to heresy.

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Elias rose from the stone coffin. The musk of the old tomb entered heavy in his nose. He looked around him, scanning the room to understand his situation. He tried to stepped out of his coffin on to the stone floor almost losing his balance. It must have been years since his death. He then focused on his hand. The small ember of life in his hand flickered. His face changed to a mild smile.

"Poor little thing. You must be very desperate to rise me..."

He grasped his hand tight. Smothering the ember into his hand.

"Or very foolish."

He raised his head towards the ceiling.

"No matter. I am awake and soon even you will pay for what you did. I will have my revenge."

He looked at his coffin. On it's side a sword was placed. As he picked it up he looked at its blade. The sword was made out of a silver alloy. A fine piece of Nox craftsmanship. The engraved words shinned across his face. -Humilis Artifex Cordis-(Humble Craftsman of my Heart). The reflection made Elias eyes to water up. This was not simply a sword made for him but also a gift from her. He place its blade on his forehead and close his eyes.

"I'll find you my love. Rest assured. And when I do, together we shall free this world from its cruel bonds."

And with that he sheathed his sword around his waist. He then turned to the door of his tomb and pushed it open. With a loud creek the door opened wide. As he walked outside he saw what he missed the most. His beloved city, Nokstela. But something was off. The city was in ruins. The buildings around him looked broken, filled with cracks and moss. The broken stone pieces in front of him looked burned, but not recently. Signs that the city was torched long ago. Even in ruins though the city still hold a glimpse of its former glory. Seeing this state in front of him, his heart skipped a beat. He looked to the sky only to be met with the ceiling of a cave. The stalactites shinned like stars on the lapis lazuli ceiling. It looked like the night sky, but only as a pale imitation of it. It became apparent to him. His beloved city, the jewel of the Lands Between was now trapped under the surface of the land. A mixture of pain and anger took hold of him. His right fist tightened as a reflex.

"How much were you willing to take from me."

Elias felt his blood boil in his veins. His mind full of anger and hate. He will make him pay for this action tenfold, or die trying. He started breathing slowly in an effort to calm himself. He now needed a plan but that could wait until he finds a way out. He took the staircase to the small bridge, gazing at the ruins of his city. As he descended the stairs to bridge a large boulder materialised at the start of the bridge. The boulder started rolling towards him, but Elias remained calm. He raised his and showed his right hand's back to the boulder. The jewel on his right hand flickered and the boulder stopped mere inches from his hand, disappearing into thin air. Elias smiled.

"At least the defenses are still operational."

He then walked to the bridge, looking for any sign of life among the ruins. At the end of the bridge he saw a large door. As he approached he heard footsteps. His heart started beating rapidly. There was still someone alive. He rushed to the corridor only to be met with a duo of nox priests. As they heard him they faced him brandishing their hammers. Elias focused on their eyes, hiding behind a veil. They were black and hollow, devoid of any sign of life. This image made him lose hope. His subjects, the people he vowed to protect, were no more. All that remained were mindless husks, aimlessly roaming his beloved city. His thought was interrupted by a flying hammer falling to his right shoulder. At the last minute he sidestepped to the left having the hammer hitting the stone floor with a loud impact. He started realising that he had no choice. He turned to the priests.

"I'm sorry, my precious subjects. I should never have left you."

He then grabbed his sword and raising it, pointing it at them.

"It falls to the monarch of this city. To release it residents from this cruel and inhumane fate. Worry not, for I'll make it swift and painless."

With that he took a step forward. The priests brought their hammers down on him, but this time Elias was focused. Dashing through the hammers he dodge them with a turn to the right. As the first priest started to retract his hammer Elias's blade striked him across the neck, decapitating him on the spot. A gush of black blood spilled from the place where the priest's head was. The final priest started shivering. Elias's blade, still coated in blood, danced through the wind. The priest tried to hit Elias with a perfumers igniting cocktail only for his hand to stop in place. As Elias grabbed the priest's hand he twisted it making him feel pain. Elias finally plunged his sword into the priest's heart ending the fight. The lifeless bodies of the priests laid broken on the cold floor. This was too much for Elias. Not only his city was destroyed, but now he was forced to kill his people. He looked at his sword, still coated with the blood of his subjects. He never thought the blade he vowed to protect his city with, will one day end the lives of its people. He was about to leave through the door when he was stopped by a faint sound.

"My ...... Lord ..."

He turned to see one of the priests was still alive. He rushed to his side, dropping his sword to the ground. The priest tried to raise his head towards Elias. As Elias supported his head he made a sudden discovery. The priests eyes return to a normal blue behind the veil he was wearing.

"My Lord..... is that ........you"

Elias smiled with tears flooding his eyes.

"Yes my child. It's me."

"Did ......... I"

"Don't worry. You were not in your right mind."

A faint chuckle escaped the priests mouth.

"Quite a disgrace I must be........to strike....my king."

He rised his hand and pointed at the two nearby coffins.

"We ..... kept them.....safe......for your... return....your…....…"

Without finishing his phrase, the last of his strength vanished. The priests body became heavy in Elias's hands. He left the body slowly on the ground. His eyes fixated on his fellow subject. He raised the veil revealing his face. He then realised that he was not a man, but a woman. A pale girl with scarred skin. He wondered how many fights she and her companion must have endured. And all that for protecting these two coffins. Curiosity got the better of him and Elias decided to open them. After removing the large stone cover, the sight gave him a hopefull smile. Inside the coffin laid one of his original dolls, the Nox Swordstress. The doll's clothes were still in good condition. On its sides were the Nox flowsword and a pack of perfumers igniting cocktails. All laid ready for the doll to use when operational. He cupped the cheek of the doll in front of him with his hand. The doll's cold porcelain skin shinned under the faded light of the tomb. He reminessenced the hours of work he put into making them.

"My beautiful creations. You are a sight for sore eyes.... If only I could....."

His eyes light up with the spark of hope. He looked at the two priests on the floor and then the doll again. A solution popped in his head. A desperate one, but a solution none the less. He rised his sword from the ground and rushed to the corridor. He had to be fast.

"My beautiful city. My inspiration. Please have the materials I need to save these two. Help me save even a fraction of your glory."

And with that he rushed outside to gather the materials he needed.