Vanthea: The Rise of Alduin

It was 13th of Ruyen, 1076MDW on planet 0x408. A black-haired

woman was breathing heavily on her bed. She was wearing a

white silk dress, sewed for greater comfort during labour. Her

husband, daughter and a healer mage were standing beside her.

The mage’s task was to oversee the situation. He was wearing

traditional attire - three gold bracelets on each hand, ice-colored

face tattoos drawn in the shape of a bear’s roar, several string

necklaces with bear fangs as medallions, leather sandals and a

silk loincloth.

Her husband was wearing cream-colored royal elvish attire

engulfed by many white gold decorations.

‘Breathe, sweet Elys. Breathe!’ He said.

‘It hurts!’ She yelled.

‘You are doing great, mom!’ Her daughter shouted.

The cries of a woman during birth were nothing new to the

members of their village - ‘Vel Tissia Ke Aldu’. Those screams

belonged to the wife of the clan chief, Aeden. He was thirty-one

and she was twenty-seven. In this special moment he recalled

why he chose her as his wife. Her endurance to pain, bravery,

strength and dominant attributes made her a very fitting wife.

The villagers followed them with the utmost respect and trust.

‘It hurts! It hurts!!!’ The screams continued until they were

finally cut by a cry belonging to an entirely different entity.

The baby was finally born and its parents were absolutely thrilled

to welcome it to its new home. Its elder sister Veridia cried from

sheer excitement.

‘It’s a baby boy! Rejoice! How will you name him?’ The healer

shouted in joy.

‘His name will be Alduin. Alduin Faëli. May he grow to be

a strong fighter and bring peace to our lands!’ Aeden shouted

proudly.

‘A beautiful name for a beautiful boy!’ His wife nodded in

agreement.

‘Indeed!’ The healer said.

‘Hello brother,’ the daughter said, gently caressing the new

baby’s head and crying.

‘He is majestic. Isn’t he, Veridia?’ Elys said, smiling.

‘He is really cute, mom! I already love him!’

‘Brother! Come here quickly and welcome your new nephew!’

Aeden shouted.

‘Nephew? I must witness what you’ve brought upon this

world this time, brother!’ A tall black-haired man laughed as he

entered.

He was wearing blue royal elvish attire with a few platinum

decorations. Two long-swords were attached to his hips bearing

the symbol of their clan – a great pale bear baring golden fangs.

He had been guarding the family from intruders during this very sensitive moment. His name was Ley, the elder brother of

Aeden and the great adventure-obsessed member of their clan.

‘Are you drunk again?’ Aeden asked.

‘Am I ever not?’ He laughed hysterically.

Aeden and Veridia sighed.

‘What is his name?’ Ley asked.

‘Alduin.’ Elys replied.

‘He is beautiful! He looks just like you brother! Especially

his snow-white hair. It is so clean and pure! I see he took your

golden eyes Elys. I will teach him so many great things and

indulge him in my exploits when he comes of age!’

‘I am sure he would love that. Just don’t teach him to be a

drunken nomad like yourself.’ The parents smiled.

‘I will personally see to it!’ He burped and chuckled.

The healer coated the baby with red ribbon and handed him to

his parents. Raising him was their task now and theirs alone.

The boy was growing up to be a powerful warrior with a greater-

than-healthy sense of curiosity, courtesy of his uncle. Aeden

was very proud of his son yet found it increasingly difficult to

express it. In his eyes he too must earn the honor of wearing

their clan’s ice-colored warpaint.

We take a leap of a few years forward. Chirps and tweets

of birds were heard throughout the landscape alongside other

astonishing sounds of wildlife in the Euphatan region. His day

began at dawn with breakfast, followed by morning practice

overseen by his father. Breakfasts were the only occurrences

where the entire family sat down together. Alduin learnt to

cherish this special time because unlike his friends’, his family

was incredibly busy as clan reign was a very difficult task to

shoulder.

‘As usual you have prepared very delicious food for us, my

love,’ Aeden said with a smile on his face.

‘Thank you, my love. Veridia helped me prepare it. You

should thank her too!’

‘Oh! Right! How could I forget?! You have become quite the amazing cook sweetheart! A most marvelous woman we have

raised, haven’t we Elys?’

‘Absolutely. She will be a very fitting wife to a very fitting

lord in the future!’

‘She also ranked exceptionally in her physical examinations!

Both caring and strong yet only seventeen years of age! I am

very proud of you, my daughter!’

Veridia blushed and continued eating.

‘What about you, my son? Did you sleep well?’ Aeden asked.

‘Yes, father,’ Alduin said.

‘Well enough for a few dozen kilometers run?’

‘Yes, father.’

‘Good. Finish your breakfast and get dressed. We leave

immediately.’

‘Yes, father,’ he said and choked from his food.

‘Don’t speak while chewing... First you must finish chewing

and then utter your words. Don’t choke needlessly... We have

talked about this Alduin... A seven-year-old should know that

by now!’

Alduin finished chewing.

‘Yes, father. Sorry father.’

‘Good. You don’t have to look so frightened dear, I only care

about your wellbeing. This is not a scolding...’

‘Mhm... Thank you. The food is very tasty, mother! I love

this combination of celery and dusk-lobster eggs!’

‘I am glad you enjoy it, Vo Zuuviet! I know it is one of your

many favorites.’

‘By the way, Ley will be arriving to the village today. His

latest adventure had just ended,’ his father said trying to excite

him.

‘Really? I must see him then!’

‘I don’t like uncle Ley, father. He always reeks of Yasa and I

never see the same woman exit his house in the morning. Why does he even wear that gold circlet of his? He doesn’t even own

any land! He is not a lord!’ Veridia said.

‘At least he is interesting and spends time with me!’

‘He is only here for a few days a month!’

‘You wouldn’t understand! All you ever experience is praise!

All I’ve ever gotten from our father was training regimes and

advice!’

‘Making you way more capable than I am! So quit whining!’

‘But what kind of life is that? Uncle cares for me...’

‘Silence children! Alduin, stop complaining about your fa-

ther! He is doing the best he can!’ Their mother shouted, eyeing

her husband for aid.

‘It is okay, my love. Listen children, my brother and I are

very different. You must learn to respect his way of life, Veridia.

He gave up on his lordship to explore the world. It is what it is.’

‘If you say so, father...’ Veridia sighed.

‘You never listen to me...’ Alduin whispered and looked

down on his plate in frustration, playing with what’s left of his

celery.

‘Did you say something, honey?’ His mother asked.

‘Nothing.’

‘Alright.’

Alduin sighed and took the last bite of his celery. The family

finished their breakfast. He rushed in his room to get ready.

His father wanted him to practice wearing combat armor in-

stead of comfortable attire so he could get accustomed to them

should the time for battle arise. He was waiting for him outside,

patiently.

‘Good. You are here. Let’s go. Fast paced running with

sprints whenever I say so. Ready?’

‘Yes, father.’

‘Zul! Go!’

Aeden chanted a Cylie spell and the pair started running to-

wards the exit of the village. Alduin had no idea where they were

heading but knew he was to simply follow. Running early in the

morning both trained his agility and woke his entire body up

ready for the new day. It was an approximately fifty-kilometers-

long run. Twenty-seven kilometers to the nearest frozen lake

and then back through one of the polar bear habitats.

His father allowed absolutely no breaks during the run as he

claimed they give a person the mentality of giving up instead of

going all-in. Alduin’s agility improved wondrously so there must

have been some ounce of truth to it. He hated how strict these

workouts were yet kept going since they served as opportunities

to hang out with his father. They had finally reached the village

after a few hours.

‘Very well son! You have improved immensely from last

week! Good job!’

‘Thank you... F-Father...’ Alduin said, finding it very hard

to speak while catching his breath.

Aeden smiled, proud of his son.

‘Father.’

‘Yes?’

‘Mother told me of an area at the southernmost forest where

a rare phenomenon occurs once every two years. Could you take

me there? Mom said I am old enough!’

‘Sorry son. I must rush to the great court for a certain con-

flict between two noblemen. Maybe next time...’ His father

replied, patting his son on the head.

‘You always say that!’

Aeden wore a disappointed look on his face.

‘I’m sorry father...’

‘I must go now. Have a nice day, my son.’

‘Thank you. You too,’ he frowned.

His uncle had overheard their conversation from behind one

of the houses. He was flirting with two women but decided to

leave them abruptly. Ley was considered quite the womanizer

of the village but this controversial reputation didn’t seem to

bother him not one bit. He approached them just before they

had parted ways.

‘Did I hear you correctly, Alduin? You would like to go to the

grand ceremony?’

‘Yes!’

‘Indeed, brother. Sadly, I am very busy at the moment.

Could you take him instead?’

‘I would love to! When would you,' he burped, 'like to leave?’

‘As soon as possible, uncle!’

‘Then we shall depart right after lunch and one liter of Yasa.

It is most beautiful in the evening anyways!’

‘Thank you, uncle!’

‘Gladly!’

Aeden patted on his brother’s back in gratitude and left. As

lunchtime was over Alduin and Ley began their journey south.

The forest was located between a human town named Emer-

ald Dawn and a Snow Elf village named Vel Alis’a Resnem. They

stopped for elvish Mer and stories of his uncle’s adventures out

in the wide, wide world.

‘I will now tell you the story of how I met a very strange indi-

vidual. At first he looked like a regular lost child but eventually I

discovered he was about to acquire the title of Ruler of The Deep,

leader of all Katheticans.’

‘What are Katheticans?’

‘Long ago when the magi-[Hiccup]-cal races have just sprouted

out of Godfrid’s seed, one of them was named Mitori. He fell

in love with a few women in a planet named Enceladus which

had led to the creation of a special kind of hybrid – a Kathetican.

It is a being that looks just like a human but has the ability to

breathe underwater and communicate with wild sealife.’

‘Why was he only about to become their king?’

‘A few hundred years after Han was born, Mitori decided to

conduct an alchemy experiment using Enceladus as material.

He tried to turn himself into a god but it didn’t work and the

Kathetican race was erased. [Hiccup]. This act got him the nick-

name The Greedy Alchemist. I met Han before this had happened

and aided him in his journey throughout our Sala’

‘Was he able to speak our tongue? How did you comprehend

his words?’

‘Yes. He was extremely intelligent. Even more than our

clan’s elders. I’m sure of it.’

‘That is amazing!’

‘It is.} He burped, 'Would you like to drink a bit of my Yasa? It

seems I poured myself way too much again,’ Ley laughed.

‘Sorry, uncle, but dad said I shouldn’t be drinking yet. And

Veridia says you are an irresponsible alcoholic.’

‘I always liked your sister. It is a shame she has such vile

thoughts about me!’ He laughed.

Alduin shrugged and sipped from his cup of Mer. He was

always fascinated by the stories of his uncle.

‘Which places did you visit together?’

‘We traversed between different Tanlas craving to witness

different cultures and species of creatures. We explored a few

Neylas in our Sala. He taught me a thing he called Science and

I taught him about Snow Elf magic and different cultures I’ve

stumbled upon.’

‘Could you teach me Snow Elf magic as well?’

‘Sure! Maybe tonight... We’ll see...’ He burped.

Alduin smiled broadly.

‘Anyways... This person’s name was Han Oridawn. To tell

you the truth, I have no clue regarding his whereabouts or well-

being but I hope he is fine. We went hiking on mountains and

traversed through extremely vast landscapes of deserts, beaches,

savanna and so forth. His knowledge in science allowed us to

survive a lot of dangers like starvation, plagues or even torna-

does! This one time we were ambushed by a sudden Heelisa

and he just immediately combined ice magic with what he called

a Gun to unleash a tall ice-wall to keep it away. I could have died

many times if it weren’t for him!’

‘This person sounds very talented.’

‘He really is’ He smiled and blushed.

‘Do you think I’ll ever have the chance to meet him?’

‘I-I don’t know. I hope not...’

‘Why? Didn’t you like him?’

‘No, it’s not that. Pfft... It’s more complicated than that.

Let’s drop the subject please,’ he sighed.

‘Okay.’

‘Well... Time to go now. You wanted to witness the cere-

mony, didn’t you?’ He sighed again.

‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’

‘Let us depart then!’ He said and let out a strong exhale.

Ley’s exhale put out the fire.

‘How did you do that???’

‘You will learn in due time! Let’s go!’

They continued running towards the forest, fighting off any

hostile wildlife that stood in their way. Ley taught his nephew a

simple iceball spell that can knock out animals as big as a deer.

The chant was ‘Senkel u Uli’. After a few days they had finally

reached their destination and Alduin’s jaw immediately dropped

to the ground. It seemed they had arrived just in time to witness the beauty of the ceremony. It was performed by some of the

magical reindeer that inhabit the forest. They all stood in a circle

and sang in what sounded like strange Elvish. Maybe a unique

dialect? Every now and then strong light beams in different

colors were shot off to the sky and made an explosion sound. It

was beautiful. It was remarkably beautiful.

‘Are they celebrating something?’

‘Yes. They are celebrating a new year.’

‘Wasn’t new-years’s eve a few weeks ago?’

‘Every species has their own concept of time. So yes, but

also no.’

‘Ah.’

‘Would you like to know how I call them?’

‘Absolutely!’

‘I call [hiccup] them ‘Rainbowers’, because of the color of

their antlers and hooves,’ he burped.

‘Ah, very original!’

‘Yes!’

‘They are so pretty!!!’

‘They are,’ he shed a tear.

Alduin’s smile grew even larger. He was mesmerised by the lights

and their colorfulness. It was a good day. When they got back to

the village his uncle gave him a long hug and went on yet another

journey. His uncle would visit them every once in a while. Each

time with a new story to tell. Of new magic. Of new species

of creatures. Of new races. He also kept appearing wearing

entirely new outfits, probably native to the lands he had explored.

Despite the vast differences in culture and appearance, all of

these outfits had one ongoing theme - looseness and adventure-

seeking. One of his most cherished moments with his uncle

happened when he was approximately ten years old.

He woke up early to eat his breakfast before attending to his

morning practice with his father. His mother prepared some

cheese for them alongside some tuna fish, fresh bread and a

bunch of cooked algae. Wheat could not normally be planted in these harsh snowy mountains but the clan elders knew enough

about magic to bypass that. Agriculture in the village was lim-

ited by its variety but it did in fact exist to a satisfying extent.

He finished his breakfast, kissed his sister and mother on the

cheeks and departed. His father was waiting for him outside,

per usual. That day’s agenda was cardio, archery practice and

then a bit of battle tactics.

‘Are you ready, son?’

‘Always.’

‘Follow me. Don’t fall behind!’

‘Yes, father.’

It was their usual route but a bit longer, sixty kilometers instead

of fifty. Fast paced running to the nearest lake and then back

through some Dorynie habitats, gigantic wolf-like creatures na-

tive to their land. The purpose of going through these predator

territories was to force him to learn to adapt, improvise and over-

come sudden enemy attacks. Wild beasts are highly predictable

and are going to be his main foes until the day he becomes a

Hekket – an ancient name given for a clan lord’s bodyguard dur-

ing the first era of the Snow Elves, thousands of years ago. They

were specially trained in combat, magic and battle tactics, the

‘Special Forces’ if you will. During their way back, Aeden an-

nounced that his target practice begins now. It was explained

simply, but as these things usually go, they are easily said than

done.

The task was to take down at least five Dorynies stealthily

using a bow. The added pressure was that his father would act

as their beastmaster and guard them with his own bow. So, not

to attract any attention from wild and gigantic predators, hunt

them using a bow in complete silence and also not get hit by the

arrows of an elvish clan chief... Yes, now it sounds complicated

doesn’t it? Alduin would take one side and his father the other.

They were to begin at dawn. He crouched and started walking

around, hidden away behind tall snow or rocks.

He used a spell his father taught him, ‘Kentri Dorynie’,

animal detection magic that was invented by the Wood Elves.

Immediately into his sight appeared glowing red flames, sig-

naling where each and every Dorynie was in the radius of half

a kilometer. He climbed slowly on top of a small snow hill and

scanned his surroundings. He recognized a lone one guarding

the entrance to a tiny fishing spot. He kneeled, loaded his bow

and aimed towards the beast. When he believed his aim was

true he immediately shot seven arrows directing the head, one

after the other at an incredible reloading speed. Six of them hit

their mark and the seventh hit the neck. Nevertheless, it was

slain. The next task was completely changing his position as his

father could pick up on it rather easily using ballistics.

He swiftly escaped to another hiding spot, planning his next

kill. It was a pair of two Dorynies sleeping around two hundred

meters from the rest of the pack. Should be simple enough,

the only necessity was to reload swiftly enough. He prepared

his bow and peeked again, letting his head out into the open.

Suddenly, he heard the howling of arrows and instantly took

cover. His father had found him and shot about fifteen arrows at

his direction, as a warning perhaps. Alduin thought hard about

his next move but ultimately decided to try out magic. Ley had

taught him a rather useful spell. Snow Elf magic that turns one

invisible while also spawning a replica of your body.

Alduin was not proficient enough and so decided to focus

no nothing but the head, to make it seem like he was peeking

again. If his father were to realize the rest of the body was fake

it would already be too late. He activated it and ran to another

hiding spot. He tried again to take down the sleeping targets.

Twelve or thirteen arrows should suffice. He kneeled again and

shot one after the other with great success.

‘Two left,’ he thought to himself.

He managed to kill another but was caught by his father while

aiming towards the last one. He lifted him in the air from his

jacket and punched him in the chest. It was not a strong punch

though, it was that of respect between men. A punch of acknowl-

edgement.

‘That was impressive, son. Well done.’

‘Thank you father.’

‘We should escape now, these beasts have an incredible

sense of smell and sight.’

‘Mhm.’

They sprinted back to the village and shared a few laughs.

‘Your mother told me I am too strict with you. I hope you

know I only do this for your own good. A man needs to be strong

in this world. To protect those who are important to him. Do

you get it? Nevertheless I will try my best to be a little warmer.’

‘It’s alright father. I have grown used to it.’

His father nodded, not knowing how to respond correctly. They

got back home just in time for lunch. Aeden winked to his wife,

she understood what he meant and smiled. She approached

them and gave them both a kiss. They sat down to eat lunch.

Suddenly, Ley barged in and asked to join them. Elys accepted

of course, Ley was family. Something was off though. He was

wearing thick black robes that covered his body and head com-

pletely. Odd and unfitting. He always used to wear more "fun"

and "vibrant" outfits. He also appeared paler than usual.

‘Hey! I just came back from the Interstellar Travel portal. I

don’t think I’ll ever get used to the irritating feeling I get when

I use it! It’s like someone is putting my intestines in a pot and

stirring it with all of their might. Oh, Elys, you’ve made food?

Could I join you?’ Ley said.

‘Of course!’ Elys said and smiled.

‘Oh, Ley! Your skin is as pale as the snow! What has hap-

pened to you?!’ Veridia asked.

‘Yes, you look ill. Are you alright? Would you like me to fetch

some herbs? Or maybe some warm soup?’ Elys said.

‘I’m perfectly fine, don’t worry. Just tired, that’s all. This

adventure has taken quite the toll on me. I’d like to have what

my favorite nephew is having.’

Alduin smiled and blushed and Veridia rolled her eyes.

‘Why are you dressed like this? What happened to your

sense of style? You never wore anything this dark before! Are

you sure you’re not sick, uncle?’ Veridia said.

‘I am just trying out a new style! Is it not to your liking?’ He

laughed.

‘If you say so...’ She rolled her eyes again as her suspicion

grew stronger.

The family finished their lunch and thanked Elys and Veridia

for preparing it. Alduin had never known what his sister was

doing during the day, he was curious but not enough to ask. His

mother mentioned healing magic and sword practice from time

to time but he had never delved too deep into it.

‘Alduin,’ Ley said.

‘Yes, uncle?’

‘Let’s go to the market today! I’d like to buy a few things and

I’d appreciate your assistance in holding everything.’

‘Ley needing help with lifting heavy things? You really are

sick!’ Veridia shouted.

‘Veridia... Manners... Don’t pry,’ Elys said calmly.

‘Sorry, mother.’

‘Apologize to your uncle, not to me.’

‘I’m sorry, uncle.’

‘It’s quite alright, no worries. Would you like anything Elys?

Veridia?’

‘No, thank you,’ Elys answererd.

‘Get me a necklace so I can practice enchanting on it!’

‘You got it!’

Veridia hugged her uncle and saw the pair out. Alduin seemed

worried but refused to bother his uncle with further questions.

He followed him to the big market in the village. Despite being

located in the middle of a snowy wasteland, it was full of life. The sheer amount of stores, smells and children’s laughter would

have surely made you smile! Houses were mainly made of wood

and stone, not that you could see any of it since they were all

covered by snow during almost the entire year.

The market had fishermen stalls, butchers, herb collectors,

blacksmiths, cooks, bakers et cetera. Alduin loved the market.

It was brimming with life and modernism. So many people to

talk with. So many wonderful delicacies to taste! He loved food

and shiny things. The market had both food and candlelit stores,

imagine how beautiful it was at night! Anyways, he helped his

uncle pick a necklace for Veridia. They chose a leather amulet

with a blue gem attached to it. Not too expensive, about sixteen

‘Samarices’. Ley bought himself a bunch of healing herbs and

then sat down to eat dinner with his nephew. They decided to

go for walrus soup with greens and potatoes.

Ley ordered two servings for himself alongside a liter of

Yasa in a wooden flask. Alduin had to refuse three whole times

before he would stop offering him to taste it. They reminisced

about the past and finished with a quick story told by Ley. When

they exited the store Ley stopped midstep, facing a jewelry store.

‘Would you like anything?’ His uncle asked.

‘You already paid for my meal, it’s fine.’

‘Come on, it’s on me.’

‘Fine, fine. Let me see what they have.’

Alduin approached the merchant’s stall.

‘Everything’s for sale! A bit of this and a bit of that! Jew-

elry for all ages!’ The merchant was yelling out for potential

customers.

‘Excuse me.’

‘Hello, child. How can I help you?’

‘Do you sell bracelets?’

‘Just the ones I have on display.’

‘Ah. Hmm...’

Alduin looked closely and observed each and every option until

he had set his eyes on a silver bracelet that had a sign on it. It

read ‘15S for a custom engraving’.

‘Well, Alduin, see anything you like?"’ Ley approached them

and asked.

‘Yes, I’d like this one please. Could you engrave something

on it for me?’

‘Sure! What would you like to be written?’

‘Uhm... ‘To Alduin, from the best uncle in the world!’. Thank

you.’

‘How cute! Is he the mentioned uncle?’

‘Guilty as charged,’ he chuckled.

‘That will be one hundred and thirty-five Samarices please.’

‘Expensive! Let’s call it one hundred!’

‘Preposterous, the price is what I say it is.’

‘One hundred and ten!’

‘No.’

‘One hundred and fifteen.’

‘No!’

‘One hundred and twenty then!’

‘Fine! Hand them over.’

‘Here you go!’ He said, laughing.

Ley took out his wallet and paid. The merchant chanted some-

thing unfamiliar to Alduin which had made his pointing figure

glow in the color of red. He used it to engrave on the bracelet

and then handed it to them.

‘Thank you, uncle.’

‘Gladly. Can we go now?’

‘Yes.’

Alduin waved the merchant goodbye and followed him back

home.

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Author's note - I hope to get reviews and feedback. Thank you :)