"Before the Storm" FanFic

Years ago, on a large piece of land bathed by the sea waves, afflicted by snowfall to the north and heavy sandstorms to the south…
- Hurry up, you worms! And enjoy your last day… for tomorrow you will be a beautiful example for this new kingdom we are creating!
A knight in heavy black and red armor holding a halberd escorted three prisoners dressed in torn and dirty clothes, chained by heavy iron handcuffs on their hands and feet. Next to him, another five horsemen prevent them from fleeing - or anyone coming near.
- I do not intend to see this new kingdom. Tellor, you damn rat!
A prisoner named Rose spat in the gleaming red armor. She had long, curly black hair. She was a little crooked and extremely skinny from several days in prison.
The other two prisoners look silent and head down, already tired and weakened by lack of food and sleep - and some torture - in which they have been submitted in recent days.
- I'll let this one go, young lady… but just because tomorrow is your last day and I won't risk ruining anyone's party…"
Tellor wiped the spit from his gleaming armor as the three prisoners passed through town. But it wasn't just any walk. They were not just being transported. They were being displayed… like a trophy.
Behind them, a large crowd watched them. Men, women, children and the elderly. Some looked at them with pity, others with sadness. Many didn't even have the courage to look them in the eye and kept their heads down.
- Look at them well! They are damn traitors! Watch them and say what they are!
But the crowd was not just villagers. Many soldiers were holding halberds in the crowd of unarmed villagers.
- Shout out to them what they are, or we'll consider you all as traitors as they are! - shouted Tellor
- It's all right. Call us traitors, otherwise the soldiers won't think twice about killing every last one of you. And I would never want that for my people.
One of the prisoners named Hugo spoke. He was somewhat thinner, but still retained much of his musculature — despite his age and the deprivation of food from prison.
Some villagers tried to call them traitors, but they couldn't. They opened their mouths but could not curse them. Not after all they had done for the kingdom. And even with the soldiers glaring at them…
This, however, deeply irritated Tellor, who seemed to be losing his composure and gave clear signs that he would give orders to his soldiers very soon.
The prisoners realized this, and it was time to interfere. Or there would be a bloodbath in the middle of the public square. And since the fall of the former king, there has been no mercy, whether for women, the elderly, or children.
- You who will be part of this new kingdom must be strong! Even if we are no longer with you, everyone here must find strength! This will not end like this, be sure!
The third prisoner named Resskaell moved as few inches as he could and shouted how loud he still had the strength to do so. He was tall and strong, with scars on his face and spread over his thick musculature - still covered with fresh blood from his last session of torture.
Inspired by their words, the crowd began to curse them - as tears streamed down their cheeks. And many didn't even have the strength to look at them - or even stand up…
- You´re thinking that you're so smart, don't you? Let's see if you'll find yourself so smart tomorrow. And how many weeks - or even days - these stupid villagers will take to forget you guys?
Tellor was extremely annoyed that the villagers' offensive shouts were so weak ... and mixed with weeping, tears and gnashing of teeth. But it decided only to return the prisoners to prison. After all, their big day would be just tomorrow…
Leaving the public square, with several houses of modest architecture, they headed for the prison.
Moist, fetid and quite wide. But practically empty. The other prisoners had been executed in previous days - and they would be the last. The main course among all the new ruler's disaffected.
- Enjoy and have a good night's sleep ... because it will be the last!
The knights threw the three of them into a long, spacious cell, since all the others were filthy and already inhabited by rats and cockroaches, not to mention the blood. And since they were handcuffed, their lives should be preserved - at least until tomorrow.
The guards locked the cell in which they found themselves, and beyond this other large massive solid iron door that connected to the upper floor - and the only way out.
There was also a small window that connected to the surface through which sunlight passed ... but it was a little taller, and it was impossible for anyone to pass through it. Above her, four well-armed guards were watching, and the only thing you can see from inside was a colossal-sized tree. The rest of the cell was made of pure rock.
The guards locked the cell and the iron door, while the three were left alone - after many days in jail.
- How did you get to that point? - asked Rose
- Ironic, isn't it? We have already survived a great war defending our kingdom from the invaders… then a civil war… then a great war against the beasts… we were great protective heroes of this nation… and now we are mere traitors… - said Hugo
- Damn politics! We fight with the rush of our souls and we never fear death… until that damn rat gives a coup d'etat and kills our king… I will face death without fear, but what will become of the kingdom we fight so hard to defend? - said Resskaell
- Yes my friend. The prime minister gave a coup d'état. And by your order, only your army can have weapons and gems. The rest of the population will be completely defenceless in their grip… even we, who know very well how to fight, how will we do it without weapons or gems? - said Hugo
- This situation isn't ironic, old man ... it's ridiculous. We have fought so many battles, and overnight we are seen as traitors. All because of that damn Goddess of Nature that Khanmarue started worshiping… - Rose said
- Ah, surely he has a special hatred for you and these powers of yours ... you certainly would not have such an uncertain fate among the two great generals of our former king. Maybe it would be better for you if you just desecrated the body of the dead… - Resskaell said
- I am not to blame if that retarded man worships nature as if he were a living God… moreover, do not dare to compare my elemental ability with dark magic. It gives me repulsion just thinking about such a thing… - Rose said
The sun quickly set as the weakness hit the tired body of the three. Even on the damp, cold stone floor, the three fell asleep.
At dawn, while they were still sleeping, blood trickled down the wall. Quickly and quietly, the four guards who rounded in front of the small window were killed. A person in a brown cloak, with her face covered and a bloody blade, shoved the fallen body of one of the guards and released the cell window. And she had something in her hands.
Resskaell quickly woke from his sleep after a gem was thrown into his head.
- Rose, Hugo, look at this ...
A little moonlight illuminated the cell. When they woke up, they came across handcuff keys on their arms and legs, plus a red gem and two rolled up papers.
One was given to Rose, who promptly got the message after they got rid of the handcuffs.
- That's ... Resskaell, see if you can remove the fourth stone from the third row on the floor. See if it happens to be loose… - Rose said
Resskaell searched the ground, and found the spot signaled by Rose.
- Yeah. It's loose… and inside it… I can see a piece of wood… no… wait… it's the root of a big tree… and a big one… - said Resskaell
- Outside this prison is a large tree that is said to be almost a hundred years old ... it seems that its roots have come very far… - said Hugo
- And the floor is pure stone. You guys understand what that means, don't you? - Rose said
- Yes, I saw the gem I handed you in your hand… and no wonder Khanmarue hates you so much… - Resskaell said.
- Ah, life is so precious... you can take it from someone, but no one can give it back to anyone… - Hugo said
- No, no one can give it back to anyone ... but I can transform it ... my way, of course … - Rose said
She held the red gem in one hand, and in the other held the root of the tree. Rose whispered several words, and as she concentrated her mana, the rock on the prison floor and walls took the shape of a golem.
It was not the fastest process, nor the quietest. But now there was no wall holding them back. And when it finished, the golem gained arms and legs and gained a life temporarily. On the other side, however, the large and majestic tree was completely dry. All of her vital energy had been drained into the golem.
- It's like you said, nobody creates life out of nothing, isn't it Hugo? Now come on, this other paper has a map of where we should go… - said Rose
- This time I lead. I know you are strong, but I don't think this golem will delay the soldiers for long... besides, I don't know who set us free or what your real intentions are towards us… - said Resskaell