Storge

Every year, a virgin disappears from the Kingdom of Valgas.

There’s no illness whatsoever, but every first time the snow touches the soil in every year, the king will announce a name — a young woman’s. Years ago, everyone in the western districts was mysteriously disappeared after a family refused to send their daughter to the castle when the king called. Ever since then, no one dares to go against the king’s will. Every year, one day, one family will lose their daughter — the locals called it the Abyssal Snow Day.

The calamitous kingdom was confined by a gigantic circular mouldy wall, and it was surrounded by farms and forest. In one of the farms, lived a family — A man and his only daughter. The man never missed his woodchopping routine every before sunset.

Thump clack clutter clutter

“Dad!”

“Hey. Where were… Anna! what were you doing!?”

“We were in the river.”

“At this weather? You will get cold! Get inside, change your clothes!”

“Alright, alright. Come on, Dave.” the young women dragged a young man along with her.

“Hi, Rob.”

The father only nodded.

Robert Hansen is a farmer and the former leader of a mercenary ranger squad. As a ranger, Rob has gone through an uncountable life-death situation due to his jobs. Lived in such a cruel world, it was hard for Rob to trust anyone. The last time he trusted someone, it ended with a total massacre of the people he supposed to protect, along with his wife.

The trauma had overwhelmed him quite severely, which was another strong reason for him to quit his old job. That’s also why Rob decided to live out of the wall — the town reminded him of his past. Now he only has one job, to protect his daughter, Annaise.

Knock Knock

Anna opened the door. Three brawny bearded gentlemen already waiting on the other side of the door. Old scar marks were apparent all over their body. The three of them staring sharply to the young woman as she looked back at them.

“Uncle Barton!”

“Anna! Look at you! All grown up!”

Rob heard the commotion and come to see her on the entrance.

“There’s the old wreck!” Said Barton. “How are you doing?”

Rob only slightly moved his head suggesting the gentlemen to enter his house.

“Still the same, eh? That father of yours.”

“Aw, you know how he is. Come in. Do you want some warm buttermilk?”

“Hoho, you know very well what your Uncle Barty likes.”

“Gingermalt. Got it.”

The three gentlemen followed Rob to the living room while Anna went the other way to the kitchen.

“Norvert is in disarray. We need you.” Said Barton.

Robert looked at his old mates, sorrowly.

“Look. I understand why you left, I know how hard it is for you, but we can’t keep being like this. You can’t keep being like this.”

“No, you don’t understand. Anna is all I have.”

“I love Anna too. But, she’s grown up. She’s twenty now. You can’t protect her forever. And stop beating yourself about Elaine. I’m pretty sure my sister wouldn’t want you to be like this because of her either.”

Rob immediately got up and attempted to walk away from his friends, but Barton caught his arm before he went far.

“One job. Can you join us just for one job? It’s only an artefact search for an aristocrat from the other town. With you, we’ll be finished within the next day.”

Robert moved his arm away, releasing Barton’s grip.

“Gingermalt, everyone?” Anna suddenly entered and slightly breaking the tension.

“Ah! Thank you, Anna. But sorry. It seems we need to go now.”

“Aw, okay. Just take a sip. I made that myself, you know?”

“Alright, thanks. Rob, think about it, okay? We’ll be near Elaine’s early morning tomorrow. See you later, little demon.” Barton gently brushed Anna’s cheek while walking out of the house.

“Bye, Uncle Barton. Come again soon.”

After her uncle disappears from her sights, Anna went back to her father, who was sitting in a daze.

“Dad, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine.”

“Are you going somewhere?”

“No. I can’t leave you alone here.”

“Dad, I’m already this big now. I know Uncle Barton asked you to went on a mission with him, didn’t he?”

Robert nodded.

“Then go. I’ll be alright. Dave’s here anyway.”

“You really think I’m going to trust him to protect you? I can break him only with a finger flick.”

“I know you can. But dad, if you know him better, you’ll understand a he’s very gentle and dependable man.”

“Well, I’m still not going.”

“Uncle Barton needs you more than me now. You know how reckless he is.”

“Huft. Fine. You sure you’ll be okay?”

“I’ll be alright.”

The next morning, Robert left the house before the sunrise. He walked toward a gigantic tree not far from his farm. Despite the morning fog, he could notice that three figures were waiting for him under the tree. In the middle of them, there was a gravestone with a phrase written on top of it.

Elaine, a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend.

“I know you’d come.”

“Just this once.”

“I know.”

“Alright, brief me on the way.”

“So, we’re looking for the Sword of Leukam.”

“You mean the magic sword in the pond?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Who’s in the right mind wants to get that sword?”

“Nobody. I mean, he’s not normal per se.

“Who are we working for again?”

“Lord Margot, The Archduke of Mollenstein.”

“The Wacky Lord? Him?”

“Yes. Why do you care anyway? He gave us a decent pay, and he’s our loyal client. Technically, he owned Norvert now.”

The Sword of Leukam is an old local legend. The late King Argon wielded the sword during the war three centuries ago. The legend said the sword itself contains the soul of an angel and able to look at the hidden secret in the wielder’s deepest heart. The king used the sword’s power to abolish the old demon king, Kolrogg. Knowing the danger of the sword’s ability, the king drowned the sword into the enchanted pond so it won’t fell into the wrong hand.

Anyone has any slight evil intention walked near the pond will be devoured by the gluttonous charm inscribed in the pond. Barton was almost swallowed as it recognized his reason in searching for the sword. Robert noticed that and instinctively pulled his brother-in-law away from the vigorous spell, switched place with him. As a result, Rob accidentally plunged into the pond. Weirdly, the enchantment didn’t show any violent reaction as previously.

“Rob! Can you hear me!?”

GASP!

Robert came out of the water while holding a glistening silver sword.

“Is that…?”

“Yes! Gasp! I think it is.”

“That’s easier than I thought.”

“YOU THINK!?”

“Calm down. We finished the job anyway. Let’s get paid.”

Barton immediately left his drenched brother-in-law without giving him any chance to reply.

The four of them promptly went to the mansion of the archduke as they finished their task. The house of the lord was obviously heavily guarded, so the group wasn’t able to enter immediately. When they wait, snow began to fall and slightly wet the quartet. It reminded Rob of his daughter, and he felt a bad premonition for he left Anna alone at home. In a short while, they finally allowed to meet their benefactor.

They went inside, an eccentric slender man was waiting for them.

“Gentlemen. Welcome to Margot Manor. I presume you have completed my request.” The man was speaking calmly but at the same time threatening — warm yet chilly.

Barton took the cloth wrapped sword from Robert and hand it over to the man.

“Well done, gentlemen. Hank, give them the gold. And, open the gate” Said Margot while walking away from his guests.

The lord’s butler nodded and ask the four rangers to follow him outside, then he threw a bulgy leather pouch at Barton.

“Thanks, Hank. By the way, do you know why does he want that sword?”

Hank waved his hand and opened a magical portal instead of answering Barton’s question.

“Fine. You know where to find me.”

One by one, the rangers entered the portal and transported to somewhere else. However, Hank stopped Robert before he entered the portal. The butler handed over a parchment of paper to Rob, then let him enter the magic portal. The ranger was mobilized to the front of Elaine’s tomb.

Robert seems to be puzzled as that was the first time he was being teleported. He opened the parchment and read it.

You will return to me. I’ll help you if you do what I asked.

Rob wondered what this meant. He invited the rest of the group to follow him to his house. However, he noticed that someone lied on the dried grass near his barn. The four of them immediately run toward the body and found out that it was Dave, who was severely bleeding from his lower belly. Rob instantly realized something was wrong and rushed toward his house, while the other three were tending Dave’s wound.

“ANNA!!! ANNA!!! ANSWER ME!!!”

There was no reply. Rob was in distraught as he realized his daughter was gone. He urgently rushed back toward the wounded Dave and grabbed his collar.

“WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER!?”

“Rob! Calm down! He’ll die if you do that!”

Whack!

Rob gave a quick strike at Barton and jumped toward his brother-in-law.

“THIS IS YOUR FAULT! IF I HADN’T LEAVE HER ALONE, SHE WON’T BE GONE!”

The other two rangers immediately grabbed Rob’s arms and slightly dragged him away from Barton.

“Calm down.” Barton wiped the blood from his lips. “You won’t find her if you’re acting like this.”

“Shadow Knights…” Dave struggled to speak

“What?”

“The Shadow Knights took Anna.”

The Shadow Knight is the king’s personal guards — their coming means Anna was taken by the king. While everyone was frantically worried, a magic portal opened right in front of them. Margot and his butler came out from the portal, carrying the sword which the rangers retrieved earlier.

“Hello again, gentlemen. Ooh, someone injured.”

Margot pointed his arm toward Dave, and the wound was magically healed instantly.

“You’ve read my letter, yes, Ranger Hansen?”

Robert nodded.

“I’ll get to the point. You work for me, I’ll help you to get your daughter back.”

“I’ll do anything.”

“Good. Now, there’s something you don’t know about the king. In short, he’s actually a mere servant — of a demon to be exact.”

“Demon?”

“Yes. Demon. You’ve heard about Kolrogg, yes?”

“Kolrogg was dead, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, but you don’t think there’s only one demon, right? The master of the king is the brother, Bolrogg.”

“So the reason he took my daughter was…”

“A sacrifice for Bolrogg.”

Robert’s face was turning red, burned by his rage. Margot took the sword from his butler and handed it over to Rob.

“What should I do with this?”

“Well, my ancestor defeated Kolrogg with this very sword, I figure you could defeat his brother with this too.”

“Your ancestor was — King Argon? If that’s true, then you’re the one who supposed to abolish the demon.”

“You see, the sword’s power can only be controlled by a strong emotion. King Argon was able to draw the sword’s power because he wanted to save his wife, who was kidnapped by Kolrogg. I think Bolrogg asked for virgin because he doesn’t want to repeat his brother mistake, the vengeance of the lover.”

Robert was lost for words.

“Rob. Give it to Dave.” Barton holds Robert’s shoulder.

It was hard for Robert to accept, even if he was holding the ultimate weapon, he still have to depend on someone to save his daughter.

“Come on, Rob. You heard what Lord Margot said.”

With a lot of hesitation, Robert finally decided to give the sword to Dave. The young men unsheathed the sword, and the blade was suddenly gleaming while letting out some kind of white smoke.

“Excellent. Now, off we go.”

The group immediately rushed toward the castle where the Shadow Knights were already waiting for them on the gate. They were obviously overwhelmed with the number, seven people would never be enough to pass through that barricades. In the other hand, they have no choice but to went through them if they want to take Anna back. Suddenly, Hank the butler waved both his hands to his side — tens of portals suddenly appeared behind them. Then, rangers, Rob’s old subordinates, came out from the portal.

“CHARGE!!!”

Both armies clashed in the middle. Dave was surprisingly good in fighting since he was borrowing the sword’s power. However, as the battle goes, they realized that they don’t have much time to spend. Margot raised his hand and muttered a spell. Suddenly a pillar of light shot out from the hand, bashing through the centre of the knight’s line, opening a way for Robert and Dave.

“GO! Save her!”

Rob and Dave nodded and rushed to the inside. It was dark, but both of them can see the silhouette of the king, waiting for them in front of the altar. Anna was sleeping behind him, beautiful but seems to be soulless.

“Give me back my daughter!”

The king turned toward the two gentlemen. Then, he unsheathed two swords and wield them in each of his hands, challenging his guests to fight. Rob and Dave charged toward the king, and the fight started. The sound of metal clashes was echoing throughout the hall for a while. Even if the king was fighting two people at once, he was able to overwhelm them quite easily in the beginning, since he was borrowing the power of the demon. But finally, Rob was able to strike a severe wound at the king’s lower ribs.

The king was fallen, but that wasn’t the end of the fight. Black smokes emerged from the king’s body and transform him into a burned black cloud. Then, a dark, frightening figure came out from the cloud.

“Useless.” Said the monster with his thunderous voice

“Bolrogg. Finally, you have shown yourself.”

Bolrogg looked at the two gentlemen, then waved his arm. Immense energy suddenly blew them away from their stance — enough to throw them toward the pillar behind them. The demon noticed that Dave was holding the sword that destroyed his brother. He pointed his hand towards the young man, and Dave was pulled toward the demon’s hand.

“So, this blade killed my brother? A lover? Pathetic.”

Bolrogg strengthened his grip on Dave. Rob could hear the boy’s bone being crushed along with Dave’s cry of a cruciating pain. Dave finally released the sword from his grip as he lost his consciousness. Bolrogg also released Dave and dropped him on the floor, then he walked toward Anna.

Rob chased Bolrogg and attempted to stab the demon with his sword, but a slight slap was enough to throw Rob away and landed him right beside the dying Dave. Rob was injured and exhausted, but he got no choice other than trying his best to save his daughter. As he crawled, his feet accidentally touched the Sword of Leukam which Dave dropped earlier.

Rob grabbed the sword, and the blade was gleaming brighter than ever, even more than when Dave holds the sword previously. The sword emitted potent energy and even healed all of Rob’s wounds and fatigue. He hurriedly runs toward the demon who has nearly consumed his daughter. But, Bolrogg noticed the assailant’s movement and launched a counter-attack.

A glimpse of shadow stroke and ripped Rob’s abdomen as the demon waved his hand. However, Rob managed to throw the sword at his enemy and stabbed him right in his vital spot. Bolrogg was scorched and slowly absorbed into the blade. The Sword of Leukam dropped unto the ground after it swallowed the demon completely. Rob lost his consciousness after making sure Bolrogg was eliminated.

“Dad! Dad!”

Robert slowly opened his eyes.

“Anna. Where are we? Are you okay?” He said weakly.

“Yes, daddy. Thanks to you.” the daughter wiped her tears.

“How’s Dave?”

“He’s in the other room. Lord Margot healed his wound. But he still needs some rest.”

“How’s my new knight doing!?” Margot suddenly entered the room.

“New what?”

“New knight. You’ll work for me, remember?”

“Yes, sure. But, knight?”

“Oh, yes. I’m gonna be the king now. After all, I’m King Argon’s descendant. Of course, you won’t get the Leukam Sword, that sword is mine. But, you’ll be my right-hand man.”

“Very well. I promised you to do anything for your help. But, how come the sword gave me its power? I thought it only the lover can do that.”

“I never said only the lover can control the sword. I said the person with strong emotion. You wanted to save your daughter. I believe there is no greater love compared to the love of a father to his daughter.”

“Thank you, dad.” Anna hugged her father.

“Anna. Dave is a great man.”

“That’s sudden. Where’s this came from?”

“I mean, he’s still useless. But I see he truly loves you. He almost died to save you too. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, I trust him.”

Anna lightly kissed Rob cheek.

“That reminds me, I need to check on the boy too. I’ll let you two alone. Anna, take care of your father. Ranger Hansen, rest well.”

Margot left the room. While he walked, he smirked without anyone noticing. It’s a slightly weird smile, a snake-like smile. He took out the Leukam Sword from under his cape and whispered to it.

That’s two, one to go.

Then he disappeared into the dark.

The End (?)

More at augustravin.com
Author Instagram: @augravin
Personal Instagram: @revisikribo