The Personal Diary of Alriik Altiim

[Vic Alriikerson]

PREFACE:

So, this is like my only RP, and I am so effing down for it right now that I decided to pretty much write a book in the form of my character's journal, doing a POV of the RP alongside other tales from his past. Alriik is long lived for an adventurer, and has many stories to tell.  With that in mind, I hope you enjoy reading The Personal Journal of Alriik Altiim.

By the way, the story picks up right before Arc 1.

[Vic Alriikerson]

Part One

Prowling through the darkness, you come across a recently put out campfire. Near it, by some rocks, lay an adventurer with pointed ears and silver hair. On his back are a series of blades of various sizes and quality of make. Though they may fetch a pretty penny, attempting to take them would be dangerous. As you consider slitting his throat in the night and taking the blades from his still-warm corpse, you spy a small bag not a far distance from the sleeping traveler.

You quietly approach and retrieve the bag, carefully moving out of earshot as you begin to shuffle around his possessions. Inside was a coin purse, and though light, you take it anyway. At least this trip was not a complete failure. The other items were barely of note: some cooking equipment, a small variety of spices, some pens, ink, and two books. When observed, the first book was fitted with a lock and chain.

You consider breaking the lock and seeing the insides, but instead give the second unlocked book a quick read. Upon flipping through the pages, it becomes clear that this was a diary. Having no more marks in the area, it may be worth a read. You were bored, and the night is long. By the moonlight, you begin to read.

'Entry 51- New Beginnings'

It seems this was the second part. Surely the first was the locked book. You read on.

‘Hello. My name is Alriik of Altiim, The Silver Blaze, Hunter of Blight and Sellsword Spellsword, Son of Blight Hunter Seras Laurey, student of Danshiro of the East, Rage Blight-Eater, and Knight-Commander Aloran Alum of the Silver Knights. If you've read my first diary, you know me well. If not, hello! While your possession of this book implies my death, I invite you to celebrate my life by reading my tale. Allow me this time to introduce myself, and prove it worthy of attention.

I was born in the Bleakwoods of Altiim, a small Elven settlement in the frontier. There I was made into one of it's warrior caste, The Silver Knights. There I trained under Exalor Alum, Knight-Commander and one of the finest warriors I have ever met. He instructed me in the capabilities of the Silver Knights, Exus Virade, which is Altiim for ‘Elemental Rainbow Weapon' (Okay, the literal translation is ‘Every Element Spectrum Sword’, but whatever). After a time I left the Altiim, and eventually found my father, and his ragtag band of warriors. In the times ahead, I trained with them, and had many merry adventures.

The Port Town Liberation, The Battle Against The Blight Warwolfpack, The Storm of Blades, The Sealing of the Horseman. However, elves tend to outlast other races in longevity, and soon I was the only one left fit for adventuring. In this time, I returned to Port Town, where I was given a new task- they had come across a dragon that was menacing the populace. It was my job to end it's menace. I was given materials and supplies, and went off to hunt the creature.

For a week we battled. It became a game of cat-and-mouse, each surviving traps set for each other- though she was many times my superior on strength, my ability to draw upon more elements and ingenuity, along with my ability to escape due to my smaller size, gave me more chances to even the score. In time, she eventually got tired of the games, and took her smaller, sapient form to pursue me into the small cave system I was using to flee. We left together as lovers. However, the call of adventure became too great, and we parted ways. Now, fresh from a new adventure I will chronicle soon, I have taken up the quill once more. Hopefully this book has many glorious adventures to come.

Entry 52- Altiim and Bleakwoods.

The Altiim do not refer to their home as the Bleakwoods. They call it ‘Altiim Exxos' or ‘The Home of the Altiim' (Lit. ‘Greater Elf All-Home’). From the outside, it seems a lush forest. This is a façade. As you go deeper and the treeline gets thicker, you’ll find more and more trees with pale bark and browned leaves. If you come across a place such as this, leave immediately. The wildlife is vicious and almost as dedicated to destroying any threats to their territory as the elves that live alongside the beasts.

The beasts found would be normal fauna, bears, wildcats, bucks and fowls, various avians, boars, snakes and lizards. However, these beasts are infused with the magics intrinsic to the Bleakwoods, and thus are much more of a danger than usual. Massive red bears that catch fire when angered, packs of ice-infused boars, purple lizards that are so poisonous a touch can render you immobile. These would be quite an issue for most people, these creatures are kept in check by the Silver Knights.

The Silver Knights are the warrior caste of the Altiim. We They alternatively spend months on end in the Bleakwoods, managing the wildlife, warding off intruders, and hunting for the village. These warriors have an almost supernatural connection with their weapons: indeed, we they require a deep connection with their weapons in order to use their powers of the Elemental Rainbow Weapon. However, when achieved, it allows the user to channel any element through using their sword as a medium, save for light and dark.

Past all of this is a large hallow surrounded by black-barked, silver leaved “evergreens”. In this hallow is the civilization of the Altiim, elves with bright red hair with buildings made of brick and silver, built around a serene silver lake. This area may seem peaceful, and indeed it is, when not facing intruders. If you have gotten this far, it is too late. You attempted to flee the wrong way, be mindful of the children as you take as many of you can down as possible before you are felled.’

You would chuckle. Not much love lost between him and his clan it seems.

‘Entry 53- Encountering Altiim

Elves of the Altiim clan are rare outside of the Bleakwoods, and those you see will never be lesser maker/worker mages. No, indeed you will see representatives of the Altiim nation, ambsssadors and the such. Altiim are known for their bright red hair, and these representatives wear ornate red and silver robes, lined with symbols. Be mindful of these markings- they denote which element they hold mastery over. No elf gets far in the Altiim culture without being a powerful mage.

These representatives will be guarded by one or more of the Silver Knights, whom you can identify via their silver hair and multicolored leather armor. These warriors will be stoic, and will never stray far from their leader. They will definitely be armed, and seeing one without a weapon is cause for alarm- their connection to it is a vital part of not only their fighting style, but their way of life. A Silver Knight deprived of their bonded weapon is erratic, emotional, and usually, violent. This is why Altiim blades are nigh-unbreakable, their strength bolstered by the magics of the silver lake. This means if you see one without a weapon, they are hiding it, or else they will be quite… Unstable.

If an altercation with an Altiim travel party becomes violent, my first suggestion is to take out the knights- while not as powerful as their leaders, they are much more experienced in combat. Good tactics to use include disarming them, or forcing them to take the defensive to protect their master. The mage will not be bothered by their defender's passing more than the fact that they no longer have someone to defend them. However, spark fear in the mage, and the battle is your's.’

You blink. He literally just gave instructions on how to kill his own people. Yet… You start to wonder. In the beginning he said he was ‘made' into a Silver Knight, not that he joined them. You make a mental note to avoid all forests with pale, black-leaved trees.

‘Entry 54- The Silver Blaze

I obtained my title, The Silver Blaze , rather recently in one of my many trips back to Port Town. The people of Port Town are hard working and simple, doing their best to process goods for much bigger settlements and delivering them between countries. This means, however, that disrupting this system can cause widespread effects. As I entered the town that took me in, I was immediately greeted with a wildfire. A mage that had worked in the Smithy had gone mad, using his great strength for such a mundane utility, and had begun to destroy the symbol of his oppression. However, this town meant too much to me to lose without a fight.

By channeling water in the blade of my great sword, I immediately began to swing it widly as I advanced, attempting to put out all of the fire that I could. Upon the way, I found the mayor and his daughter trapped beneath some rubble. After freeing them and learning of the situation, I set out to face the mage. As I approached him, he raved and ranted about the greatness he could have had if he had just been born in a city over this damned hole in a ground that he was stuck in.

When facing him, I put up my blade, and stared into his eyes. The mayor told me he hadn't killed anyone, just buildings and property. However, as the blaze spread, the chance of that were lowering every second that this would have a clean ending. He wasn't a killer, but was dangerously close to becoming one. In my desperation to save the town, I did the only thing I could think of.

I spread my arms, and challenged him. He claimed he was so powerful, but any petty arsonist could burn down a building. It was another matter entirely to use your power to kill a vaunted warrior. He hesitated, and in his eyes I saw desperation, fear, regret. I thought I had reached him. Which made his stream of flame all the more painful.

With a panicked shriek, he gave me all of the fire left in his veins. I felt my flesh scorch, my clothes burn off. I refused to scream, and soon, I felt nothing. When the fire finished washing over me, I opened my eyes. I was naked, charred black, and numb. I looked ahead, and saw him quiver in fear and regret. As I started to March towards, he apologized. So many, many times. So many times I had the time to force 8 steps with my broken body, and delivered him forgiveness in the form of a right hook. Then… Darkness.'

[Vic Alriikerson]

Part Two

Days later you find yourself following Alriik, your sense of curiosity unfed. However, during a battle he was spirited away by some outside force. The trail goes cold until you hear from a local fence that a Honeyfarm transport is being delivered to Shiner's Bay. You passed him some extra coin to keep things mum: you didn’t need competition on this one.

You awake bright and early to begin your tail, waiting for them to reach a quiet place to rob them for all they were worth. However, on top of the usual guard, it seemed they found extra help. Mages, it seemed. You curse your luck, and prepare to just take the loss… Until you notice a certain silver-haired elf leave with them.

Serendipity.

You follow the cart at a distance. Eventually they stop, and the guard and Alriik begin a demonstration. You curse your luck, the guard he had would have been a problem, but a problem that could be dealt with. With their added numbers, it was impossible. You simply watch the match, and wait. Alriik showed his skills… But also his weakness. Fool should have stuck by his swords. After the show, they returned to the carriage and went off. You continue to follow.

As the day wound day, the group found their way to Shiner’s Bay. They made quite the ruckus in the nearby bar, but left plenty of unconscious fools with full pockets. They left without the extra weight their valuables would have added. Their captain should thank you. You trail Alriik and one of his companions to an alleyway, then to a hotel.

During the middle of the night, a restless Alriik would retreat to the roof to train. You take that opportunity to duck into his room, and after looting through his things, you find the diary you read before. You pick up where you left off..

‘Entry 55- Fire Within.

I awoke days later in a mostly-still-intact hospital, barely able to move. My body was covered in bandages and everything was pain. When a nurse realized I was still among the living, I wad almost rushed by the doctor, the mayor, his daughter… I had saved the town. There were injuries, there was damage, but… No one had died. I had known he wasn't a murderer. I just… I was lucky I was tough enough to keep it that way.

Weeks passed, and as I healed, I heard some of the others in the hospital speak of me with some reverence. “The Silver Blaze burns hotter than any fire.” I felt some pride in this, finally earning a title away from my old mentors, but… That Silver Fire? That… That wasn’t something I could take credit for. Surviving, saving the town, that I could. “Alriik The HomeSaver” is a name I feel like I earned, but…
As my body takes damage, my blood starts to heat up. My veins begin to glow with the lake's power, and both my body and magic become stronger, faster. As my body continues to heat up, and my power grows, eventually my blood will begin to escape as a silver steam from my body… And if it continues any further, it combusts. I am at my strongest. I am close to death. And if I am not slain, the fire will finish me quickly.

After I had healed, I spent a week helping repair the town, before saying goodbyes and continuing my grand adventure. I couldn’t ignore my new title, it was given to me, and thus, is now among my collection. However, something bothered me during my travel… I should be dead. Who stopped that from happening?’

A mystery. You quickly flip through the pages, hoping for an answer.

‘Entry 56- Anarchy in Aldur

Eventually my travels lead me to the town of Aldur. As I visited, I enjoyed a peaceful entrance, full of thoughts on the competition and food promised by the town… For what seemed about 10 minutes, before chaos erupted. Blighted humanoids invaded the town, and I joined whatever warriors I could find in ceasing the conflict. As I fought, I made my way East through the insanity, saving those I could, as I followed a group of stragglers out of town.

As I tracked them, the most curious thought came to my mind. I remembered Alder.

No, not the town of Aldur, but my old squadmate. Him, and Alvic and Alvorex, and… And Aldon. I remember them so well. The bad times, the good times few and far between them… The split. I wondered if any of them forgave me for that day. Most likely not. As I followed their tracks to a small forest out of town, it became dark. I am setting up camp for the night and will continue my hunt in the morning. But seeking blight in the dark is an excellent way to meet death. I can go without seeing him again for a while.

Entry 57- Silver Blight

The Altiim symbol for Blight is an empty space. Where Light is represented by a seven pointed star, if an Altiim mage wears a cloak with no symbols… You know you’re in for a bad time. The same kind of creatures, but obviously from a different source. I have been cut off from the town, from the warriors within it, but I cannot leave, for the source of the danger still rests within this wood. This was a trap crafted specifically for me. I feel the blight creatures eyes upon me even now.

But it’s not just them. Silver Knights, 3 of them, and their commanding mage. Waiting for me to get worn down. To drop my guard. Two of them are behind me right now. They think I am tired, exhausted, that I don’t have the energy to slay two hardened warriors. This is true. But the ones after me are a new batch, but children. They close in now. They may be able to make out some of these words before they fall into my trap. The ground behind me isn’t as solid as it seems. And below the façade is an arrangement of sharpened stakes that I-

And up from behind comes the flame. Prehaps it’ll teach them to stop sending children to slay a warrior.’

Brutal, you think. Your thoughts that there was no lost love between them were right on the ball. You idly try to reconcile the boisterous hero with the brutal killer. Prehaps there’s no difference.

‘Entry 58- Highs and Lows

How quickly tables turn.
Suddenly deprived of her brothers, the remaining knight became sloppy. I wonder if it was panic, or a sudden lack of time, but the two are leaving more tracks behind, the blight beasts no longer their weapon to drain me, but a shield to keep me from following. But the constant re-upping of their numbers left him weak. This was supposed to be a long, protracted execution. Well, it seems that it still was.

Weeks flew by. I kept on them. I was the pair of watching eyes as they camped. I kept them from foraging. I kept them on their toes with traps. I felt the strength and desperation grow in the last remaining knight in her attempts to defend such a weakling. This mage with such a powerful element, her better, was holding her back. I watched it unfold. It started with curt responses, before ending in long arguments, and threats from him. If she didn’t remember her place, he would remind her painfully.

Instead, she learned her place anew with a swing of her halberd. I felt so much hope that moment that I leapt from the tree I was watching from, and approached her. She held her halberd tightly, panicking, waiting for my attack. I left her some supplies and left. She was confused, but… She was no longer a threat. With that slash she chose my side. I decided to mop up whatever monsters remained and go back to civilization. But where civilization was… Was a new issue. I was lost.

As I continued through the beasts, I eventually came across a group of excellent, if not somewhat familiar warriors. Aqua, Mistress of Ice. Terra, a brawler filled with stone and fire, and elemental attacks to match. Rion, Manipulator of Light. Arne, the Knight of Wind and Thunder, with his companion dragon, the loveable Hien. And the powerful dragon known as Silver. Upon meeting them, we were suddenly beset by a blight mage and his twisted creatures.
Something must have affected Silver, for she quickly fled. The blight mage left us with his beasts, a multicolored hydra and a massive trapdoor spider. Though we slayed the spider, Aqua was injured and the dragon was too much. We fled together, and now rest at an inn. It seems they may be short a member. Perhaps I can find a way to fill that role. They really are fantastic warriors. I am so lonely.’

Information on his friends. When you eventually rob them blind, that’ll be of help. But as you read, you continue to contemplate this man. He was willing to starve out his enemies. He left traps for them, brutally killing two of their numbers. Played psychological warfare to the point that his enemies kill each other for him. But he left the survivor. You would have slit her throat. Perhaps he was a hero.

‘Entry 59- Control

As my new retinue continues our collective journey, I have made a huge mistake. In a duel with expert fencer Buck, accompanying us on the job, I admit I showed off a little. I wished to show off I was more than the weapons on my back, I actually have some skill. So… I played them down. That was a mistake.

It's never been this bad. Usually it would take hours before the pain set in. This time it seemed minutes. I worry what would happen if I was separated from another. I admit I have kept my swords close since losing my last one… Am I growing a dependency? Is it the length of time away from my Double A? Is it… My mental state?’

And with that, the rest was blank. This last one was written today. You return the book to the bag, and prepare to pull out the second, locked book. You reach for your lockpicking tools… When you feel a pair of eyes upon you. You calmly return the book, and head outside. Pop Quiz time, how does one get rid of an elven super soldier? You begin to clamber down the balconies, and begin to make your way through the alley. Eyes still on you. You turn an alleyway.

Soon, from the rooftops, a chain dart filled with lightning would slam down in front of you. You quickly jump back… Before waiting for the lightning to disperse, and slamming your foot on the chain, causing your pursuer to lose grip on his weapon. You drag it with you before dropping it down a storm drain, and sprinting through another series of alleys. Once you feel your tail has been lost, you make your way out of town. You’ll catch up later. There’s a score to be had with that group. You just gotta wait until you get your shot at it.

[Vic Alriikerson]

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?



------


Entry 7- Forging

It's hard to think. I keep waking up expecting to see a different face in the mirror. Why was it Alriik's body I'm in? Why not Aljon's? Aljon was cute. Or Alona, she was tough? It's just Alriik. But I'm not him. He died in that water. But they keep calling me 'Alriik’. 'Alriik the Lesser’, I hear them laugh. I asked them why they keep calling me that. They tell me that's my name. They get annoyed when I ask them too many questions. I don't want to be hit again. So I'll just go with Alriik.

We went to the barrels to pool our blood again. I hate the color. I hate how weird I am now. And I hate that I have to fill two different barrels. No one else has two. I think they say Alriik’s mom wanted a sword too. That’s not right. But… I gotta keep filling it. They hit me when I try to hold the cut after the first barrel. I feel my blood start to bubble up and the heat by the time I’m done. Then I get sleepy…

Tomorrow’s the last day. Then we get to make our weapons. I want a sword. A hand and a half, like Exalor uses. But… there are two. They say they’re gonna make it a sabre out of my other barrel. For Alriik’s mom. It’s not fair. It’s my blood. Why does she get the sword?


------

Entry 17- The Shiro Swords

Master has been nicer lately. He's still rough, but... He can tell it's hard for me to rest still, even in this outfit. So he's taken to telling me stories. Hunts against grand beasts from the East. Whenever I ask where East, he just replies with "Far."I guess we both have things we don't like to think about. But it's still so much better than it was before.

I asked him where he got all of his swords from last night. He sat me down by the fire, and told me of a great fire that erupted in the night sky, that slammed into the Earth and shook his village. He approached where the fire landed, and once he and his family put it out, they found a massive, shining rock. It shone like crystal but acted like metal. So, Master decided to make a weapon for each member of his family.

For his Father, he forged Shirokuma, the Daikatana. Master tells me that is just a very big katana that you use on a horse. For his Mother, he forged Shironeko, the naginata. He made Shirosame and Shirokoi for his bothers, twin katanas. He made the tachi sword Shirokiba for his sister, and the tanto knife Shironomi for her husband. He made the Wakizashi knife Shirohana for his neice, and finally, Master made his own sword. Danshiro.

I asked him why he named the sword after himself, but he told me it was the other way around. He came to this land carrying all 8 weapons on his back, and that 8 names are lost to time. I don't get it, but he says I will in time. I asked where Shirokiba and Shirogato went, and he simply smiled, and told me they were at his home. With his family.

Not far from my father, he reminds me. I hope it's true. So badly. He asked where I got Double A from. I explained how I made it. He kept a strong face for his whole story but I swear he teared up by the time I got to the forging. Master needs to work on his manners. I didn't cry when I did it, he shouldn't now.

------

20- Laurey

I met my dad today. He hugged me so tight I couldn’t breathe. Then he hit me and told me I needed to train more. He told me I was his son. He told me my last name was 'Laurey’. He introduced me to his family, and told me they were mine. Then he told me he loved me. Then he hit me again. I am so confused. But it’s still better than what came before.

He tells me we are going to train more and talk more tomorrow. He better not keep hurting me. Master learned that the hard way. But they don’t seem to want to hurt me. Master stopped. He had a long talk with Dad after we met today. Master screamed a lot. I heard them argue. Then it got physical. I hope tomorrow is better. I don’t want them to hurt each other over me.

Master says him and dad kill monsters. That dad has spent so much time with monsters that sometimes he’s not good with people. To not listen too much to him, but to try and feel his spirit and not his words. I don’t know. I’m not good with that. All I know are words and how they make me feel. And they hurt. But Master thinks dad is good despite how he makes me feel. I’m going to listen to Master for now. But dad better not try to hurt me again.

------

Entry 47- Wedding Bells

It's been years since I brought out this dusty book… But today is important. I want to be able to remember today in every way possible. So, while the missus sleeps, let's just recap the day. It's been… It's been a lot. I woke up before sunrise. My groomsmen… Would begin to stir near noon. Kyle earned his title of best man by making sure his Uncle Al had the night of his life. Liquor, brawling, and finally, a whole bunch of stories around a fire. He was always my favorite nephew.

But I couldn’t sleep, unlike the others. I made sure to hydrate, and just… Keep my head in place. I couldn’t rest. There isn’t a day I feel like less than half a man, but Angel just… Has a way with words. Her sheer bluntness filled with genuine emotion. And when she looks at me, with those flaming eyes, and the dire look of seriousness that could frighten any general, and she just mutters those three words… I can't deny it. I am deeply loved by a being many times my greater. I’m just going to let this ride for as long as possible. I don’t want it to stop.

Kyle and the rest would wake as I finally seemed to get my vows straight. There was Kyle and Dave, my precious nephews, Zakk, my Master’s grandson who I managed to rope into this, and Rage, the best friend a man could ask for. When I got them all ready we all had one final drink and went off to the chapel. Same Chapel we dealt with Xaphan in… But… in a way… Dad was still there. It couldn’t be held anywhere else.

I first saw her through the windows. Massive. Elegant. Powerful. Beauty. The dealiest and sweetest thing I had ever seen in my life. And the one thing I am most desperate to keep. She’d land in front of the chapel, and an hour later she was coming down the aisle. I guess it's hard to put on a wedding dress when you’re a massive scaled beast. But she was just as beautiful in her sapient shape. Her tanned skin. Her brilliant red hair. The tone of her muscles, the sway in her hips, the fire in her eyes, the cute bit of nervousness hiding behind the smile… I never want to forget that walk. And that dress…

Most people would have gone for silk. But we’re Port Town boys. There was a white tiger causing trouble around Barton, and well… When I gave it’s body to Dave, I didn't expect this. Tiger skull tiara with veil. Tight white and black stripes hugged her form, a deep cut in the front, near the side, to show plenty of leg. Then… A lot of words were said. I… I usually really care about words. Meanings. Expressing myself. It’s… Important after what I’ve been through. But, I… I am so lucky I wrote those vows down. I barely stumbled through them. She laughed at me. Then she kissed me. And we are married.

We went to Dan’s old shack for our honeymoon, and… She just fell asleep on me. Holding me. I waited hours for her to release her grip. But I couldn’t sleep. I needed to write this down. Now… I’m going back to that woman and I am holding onto her for as long as she will feasibly let me. And probably a few moments longer before she gets annoyed with me.

[Vic Alriikerson]

[Between Arcs 5 and 6]



As the Windrunner cut across the land, Alriik's head felt heavier. Meribia was zooming closer, as were the lands that lay ahead. On the opposite side of Meribia from the Crystal Forest, in the shadow of Mt. Remorse… Was the Bleakwoods. Altiim Exxos. Where he was both born and made. And where his beloved sword awaited him. But… He would do his best to steer his new friends away from those dark lands. They had more pressing matters to deal with.



He'd take his view from the windows, and briefly look over his dear friends. Whom he had just recently embarrassed. And while it was hard to look any of them in the eye at the moment… He kept his gaze from Terra and the Captain. He had embarrassed the rest… He had failed them. He'd look down and silently beat himself up over what he had done… Before sighing. Exxos may be inevitable. Best he prepare himself.



He'd reach into his satchel, and pull out a dusty old book with a lock and latch. The book was somewhat beat up, but it was sturdy and well-made. On the front, engraved in the dark violet leather in silver font, was the title ‘The Personal Diary of Alriik Altiim’. Anyone glancing may notice the conspicuous absence of the ‘of' in the name ‘Alriik of Altiim'. He'd press his hand against the lock, causing the latch to open on it's own.



He'd place the book on his lap, and begin to read from it. He'd sigh, looking around. If they knew, perhaps they'd understand. He'd clear his throat, and begin to recite it.



---


1- My First Entry!



Hello! My name is Alriik Altiim, son of Educator Axala Altiim. Mother gave me this diary to ‘collect my thoughts’. I asked about what to write about, and mother said to write about myself. I am 9 years old, I like music, I am a mage, my best friends are Alona, Alessa and Aldon, and my favorite color is red. Oh, and I am going to be a big brother soon! Mother's belly is growing, and soon we will have another proud member of the Altiim clan.



Grandfather has been getting sick more and more lately. He keeps telling Mom that soon she'll be High Educator. That she'll learn the Great Truth, and the power it holds. But she can't learn it while pregnant. Too much stress, he says. But I'm glad grandfather will be gone soon. He was never nice. We need a nicer High Educator. That sounds mean. It isn't. Trust me.



2- Baby Exalus!



Exalus Altiim is the newest proud member of the Altiim clan. He is just born, but he is strong. I felt him grip my finger. Mother seems so happy, but sad too. People tell me that happens when people have babies. Adults are so strange. I got to hold him today, but not too often. Grandfather kept stopping me, saying I was going to hurt him. I would never. Not him.



I hate Grandfather. He is getting worse. Sicker. Meaner. He hits me when Mother is not around. He is sick and weak, and I just learned how to control my poison. He won't hit me again, or I'll stop him from moving anymore. Grandfather, I know you read this. That you made the enchanted lock. Don't hit me again. You aren't Exalus.



3- My Birthday!



Today was the best day ever. It started in the morning, when all my friends were invited to a feast. We ate and played through the afternoon, when little Exalus showed his first signs of being a Light Mage! I am so proud of my little brother. After that, Mother and I went for a walk through the woods. It was weird she didn't bring any Silver Knights with her, but she said she is much stronger than any animal in the woods.



She told me how important the future is. How important it was to protect my brother. I listened to everything. She is so smart, such a good talker. I love her so much. At Dusk, it was announced Mother would finally receive the Great Truth. After dinner, her and Grandfather went to his chambers to pass on the Great Truth. Afterwards, Mother was the High Educator and Grandfather’s heart couldn't take the passing of the truth. Today was the best day ever.



4- I'm a Hero!



Today was a great day. I don't get hit anymore. My friends are all happy. And the Argent Festival is coming up! This is going to be my first Festival, I was just an infant for the first. Um… How do I explain the Argent Festival? Well, every 10 years, the goddess Altima's strength surges from the lake, and we use that power to create the Silver Knights!



The Silver Knights are Altiim Exxos's proud protectors against the outside. Beasts, Men, Beasts that walk like Men. Monsters, Blighted and not. The Silver Knights protect us all. There is to be much celebration. Adults will drink and children will frolick as the chosen are picked. And the most exciting thing about it? Mother told me I am one of the chosen to become a Silver Knight!



5- Chosen



I was taken from Academia today. I am on my way to the Knight's Camp outside of town. There are a lot of chosen in this wagon. And it wasn't the first one. We are to prepare for our transformation into Altima's champions. The Silver Knights escorting us seem really sad. The Mages less so. I don't know what's going on. We are at camp. I will write more later.



When we reached camp, we went in one by one. When I went in, the marked all around my torso with ink, and sent me further in. I was put in a small room with a caged door with 9 other children. The Knights seem so sad. They refuse to talk to us. The other children are crying. Asking for their parents. We are going to become champions, we can't act like that… No matter how scared we are. Our preparation to become Silver Knights happens tomorrow, and the festival the day after. We just need to wait until we become heroes.



6- ITHURTS

ITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTSITHURTS



---


Alriik would take a deep breath as he read the last entry. He'd close his eyes, and shut the book, placing it back in his satchel. He'd look around to see the reactions, before looking back out of the window. Meribia was near. Which means it wasn't long before he had himself a strong drink or twelve. Altima knows he needed it.