Chapter Text
The elven king Naeryndam stood on the parapet of a great citadel, overlooking a massive, smoldering battlefield. "Archers! Fire on my signal! Catapults! Hold for the next wave!" He turned to give another order when a hideous shadow gargoyle leaped towards him. Naeryndam reached for his sword as a blast of light caught the gargoyle in the side, disintegrating it almost immediately. Naeryndam turned to see his second in command.
"Looked like you could use a hand, my love." Axilya said with a soft smile.
"I had it covered," was Naeryndam's response. "What's the status on the front?"
"The shadow forces are many, but they're weak." Axilya informed him. "Our front line is driving them back. I can't believe it, but we might actually win-" She was cut off by a thunderous boom, an overwhelming darkness blocking out the sun. The elves turned around, hearts sinking at the sight across the field.
"The Dreadlord." Naeryndam stated in defeat. "The madmen have actually summoned the Dreadlord!"
Axilya reached out to take Naeryndam's hand in her own. "My love, what do we do?"
Naeryndam turned to her with a stoic expression. "We fight. We die. And we pray that someday, a hero will rise to avenge us. Someday…"
2000 Years Later
"So, what happened next?" Namjoon asked eagerly, leaning over the table.
"The Dreadlord strode down the battlefield." Jungkook said dramatically. "Boom, boom, BOOM! And then-"
"We've been hearing this story for years, Jungkook." The bartender interrupted the young boy's story. "The Dreadlord attacked and destroyed the great elven empire."
Jungkook pouted. "Well yeah that's the short version…but you don't have half the flair for storytelling that I do."
Namjoon grinned at the younger male, leaning back in his seat. They were sitting at their usual table in the Crazy Pig as Jungkook told yet another one of his infamous stories. As Jungkook argued with the bartender, Namjoon thought back on how they'd come together 20 years before. He and the younger boy in front of him had been the only survivors of a massacre just outside the city of Riverbend where they now resided. Thankfully a farmer had found them and had been kind enough to take the two of them, raising them as his own sons, and giving each of them a bond that one usually only found with a sibling.
"I don't care how well you tell your tales!" The bartender yelled. "You still have to pay for the ale!"
"Barkeep…" Jungkook clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me."
"Just pay the man, Kook."
Jungkook dropped his mouth open in mock betrayal. "You too, Namjoon?! I swear, no one in this town appreciates the value of a good tale!" Namjoon couldn't help but chuckle at how cute the younger male was. "Fine, I'll pay. But we're not coming back here!"
"Yes, we are."
Jungkook was silent for a moment before a smile crept across his face. "Not tonight at least." He slapped a few coins onto the table before chugging the rest of his ale.
Grinning at the male, Namjoon went ahead and stood up from their table, heading out onto the street. Jungkook was close behind him as he stepped into the cool night air. Namjoon closed his eyes and let the scent of hay and smoke wash over him, sighing at the peaceful dullness of the city he called home. "Another night in Riverbend." He stated. "Same as any other."
"That's not true." Jungkook countered. "Some nights I manage to get us that free ale!"
Namjoon playfully shoved him. "You know what I'm-" He was cut off as he bumped into a short, scrawny man heading out of the village.
"Watch it!" The man glared at him, and Namjoon was drawn to the scar going across the man's right eye.
Namjoon tilted his head as he couldn't place the man, and he was sure he knew pretty much everyone in Riverbend. "Who are you?"
"None of your business, that's who." The stranger snapped. Namjoon looked past the man to see two familiar faces approaching.
Constable Taff clapped the stranger on the shoulder. "This here's Min Yoongi from Whitetower."
"He's a world-famous adventurer!" Isobel, the second familiar face, exclaimed.
Jungkook's eyes widened in amazement. "Really?"
"I wouldn’t say 'world famous'." Yoongi mused. "More continent famous if I'm being honest."
Namjoon had always fantasized about getting to travel the world and exploring new places, so being face to face with an actual adventurer left him in a sense of awe. "It's an honor to meet you." He said with sincerity.
"Yeah, great, nice to meet you too." Yoongi brushed him off. "Now if you don't mind, we've got some important business to get to."
"Adventurer business?" Jungkook inquired, his eyes shining. "Around here?"
Isobel nodded. "Yoongi's got a lead on a powerful ancient artifact in the elven ruins to the south. If we can get it, it'll sell for a fortune!"
"Damn the Gods, Isobel!" Constable Taff grumbled. "Keep it down! You want everyone in this town to hear about it?"
Jungkook tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You mean to the north? There's no ruins to the south."
Yoongi shot the constable a glare, and the constable shrugged in response. "Yes, to the north! That's what she meant!"
"Wait," Namjoon spoke up. "There's a powerful ancient relic somewhere around here and you're going on an expedition to get it?"
"I got a tip, okay?" Yoongi snapped. "A good one. From someone willing to pay a whole lot of gold." Yoongi used his head to gesture to his companions. "Taff and Isobel here are going to help me claim it. Now if you don't mind-"
"Can we come?"
"Namjoon!" Jungkook turned to the older male in shock.
"What?" Namjoon asked, smiling down at Jungkook. "It's the chance of a lifetime!"
Yoongi looked Namjoon over before sighing wearily. "No. This is dangerous ancient crypt business. I can't have some rookie bumbling things up."
Namjoon gave the man a hard stare. "I'm not a rookie."
"Really?" Yoongi scoffed. "Ever pried a jewel from the hands of a cursed skeleton, knowing one wrong move would bring the whole room down on your head?"
Namjoon deflated a bit. "Not technically-"
"Ever stabbed a snarling croctopus through the eye on the deck of a burning ship?"
"I don't…" Namjoon sighed. "I don't know what that is."
Yoongi let out a condescending laugh. "You ever killed a man? Or even been in a real fight?"
Namjoon looked down at the ground. "No."
"That's what I thought." Yoongi stepped back. "I like your hustle, I do. But I don't have time for some kit who's still wet behind the ears."
Namjoon looked up in confusion at the term Yoongi had just used. "Kit?"
"It's a term for new adventurers." Jungkook explained to him. "You know, like an apprentice."
"See?" Yoongi gestured to Jungkook. "You don't even know the terms. Which means you've got a long way to go. Get out there, have some adventures of your own, learn some skills, then come find me. We'll talk." Yoongi stalked off toward the town gate while Taff and Isobel stayed behind to laugh at a fuming Namjoon.
"Well," Jungkook sighed, "that was a thing that happened."
"He's wrong." Namjoon stated with determination. "I could've done it. I'm twice the adventurer Isobel is! And Taff is an old drunk who can barely stay on his feet half the time!" Namjoon scoffed. "'Learn some skills'. I've already got plenty of skills!"
Jungkook blinked. "Like what?"
"Archery," Namjoon pointed out, as he was usually the one who would go out to hunt for meat for their meals when needed. "And I have loads of charisma! I've got skills, I'm not useless."
"That Yoongi guy really got under your skin, didn't he?"
"I don't know." Namjoon sighed. "Maybe I'm mostly jealous. I want to go on great adventures and find ancient relics-"
"And get fabulously rich."
Namjoon chuckled. "That too."
"Don't be hard on Riverbend." Jungkook told him. "This town's been good to us! Not every human village would take in a pair of orphans abandoned on the roadside."
"I know!" Namjoon exclaimed. "And it'll always be my home, I just…I want to experience something more. And it's not like a great adventure is just going to drop itself into my lap."
Jungkook regarded the older male before patting him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, brother. We'll experience it all together. But for now, all we've got is Riverbend, so where do you want to start tonight?"
Namjoon thought it over before saying, "Let's stop by the night market."
Jungkook blinked. "Did you miss the part about not having any coins?"
"And you think I'm going to let that stop me?" Namjoon snorted. "You know me better than that."
The two brothers weaved through the bustling night market, eyeing the various vendors set up to sell fruits, meats, fish, and even silks from the capital. One of the fruitmongers looked up and smile at the familiar faces. "If it isn't my two favorite customers. Two copper will get you the finest pears we have."
Namjoon shot Jungkook a sly wink before approaching the stand. "We don't have any money, but we do have an exciting opportunity to invest in your future."
"And how's that?"
"By staying on our good side!" Namjoon explained, gesturing to himself and Jungkook. "I mean, look at us. Jungkook and I are young, confident, and capable. We're the future of this town. We're going places. Show us kindness now and you're sure to be rewarded for it later."
The fruitmonger grinned at Namjoon's words, shaking her head slightly. "You're a rascal, Namjoon. And you're damn lucky I like you." She tossed him two fresh pears, waving goodbye as Namjoon bit into the juicy fruit.
Jungkook gawked at Namjoon as they walked away. "How did that possibly work?"
"What can I say?" Namjoon shrugged a bit. "My charm is second to none."
They wandered back to the town square as they enjoyed their treat. "You see? Riverbend isn't so bad. They've taken good care of us." Jungkook pointed out to Namjoon.
"You're right." Namjoon agreed. "I just wish-" He was cut off by a shout coming from the town gates.
"HELP! PLEASE HELP!"
A young man in priest robes sprinted into the town square, crashing into Namjoon. He quickly grabbed onto Namjoon's arms to prevent himself from falling, looking up at him with worry. "You need to help me! Please!"
"What's wrong?"
The man composed himself, brushing off his robes. "I am Park Jimin, a priest of the Light. My mentor and I are on a pilgrimage, but we were attacked by an owlbear on the road! I managed to escape while he distracted the beast, but he needs help! Now!"
Namjoon's eyes lit up as he realized this could be the start of an adventure he craved so much. He stood up straight and bowed slightly. "Have no fear, young priest. We are brave adventurers!"
Jungkook slightly rolled his eyes at the older. "Are you serious?"
Namjoon subtly smacked the younger. "Don't mess this up!" He whispered to him.
Jimin smiled gratefully at Namjoon. "Thank you so much! Please come now! He's just down the road." Jimin took off running and, with a shared hesitant glance, the two brothers took off after him, only stopping long enough for Namjoon to grab his bow from their home.
Namjoon sprinted through the woods after Jimin, heart racing as a shriek cut through the night. They reached the crest of a hill, looking down it to see a vicious owlbear circling an older man trapped on a boulder. "Stay back!" The man was threatening the creature before his stature weakened. "Please?" The old man waved his staff at the beast, but the owlbear remained unfazed as it rose up on tis hind legs, beak opening wide in another piercing shriek.
"Stand back." Namjoon told Jimin and Jungkook. "I got this." He pulled his bow off his back and grabbed an arrow from his quiver. He carefully aimed at the distracted creature before firing. "Back off, now!" He yelled at the creature as the arrow pierced the owlbear's haunch.
The owlbear howled in pain and lurched away from the man on the boulder. It turned around and fixed its yellow eyed glare on Namjoon, screaming in fury. The creature pounced, but Namjoon quickly dodged, remaining unharmed.
"Yes!" Jungkook cheered. "Two points Namjoon, zero points owlbear!"
The owlbear was thrown off-balance, causing it to crash into a tree. It staggered backwards, shaking its head as it tried to regain its composure. It turned back around to Namjoon, pawing at the ground.
"Watch out!" Jimin called out, watching the fight in concern. "It's going to charge!"
Namjoon thought back on everything he knew about owlbears from Jungkook's stories, recalling how the creature had a great fear of fire. Gaze landing on the torch in Jimin's hand, Namjoon sprinted over to him and snatched the object, waving it towards the beast. "Back away! Now!"
The owlbear snorted, nostrils flaring as it glared at Namjoon, but it still backed away. "Is it leaving?" Jungkook asked in disbelief. The creature continued to stalk backward into the forest, its eyes glittering in the darkness. With one final angry squawk, it vanished into the night.
"That's what I thought." Namjoon said as he relaxed a bit, feeling sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Yeah!" Jungkook cheered. "Get out of here, owlbear! And don't show your beaky face ever again!"
Jimin stared at Namjoon in amazement. "You really fought it off!" He breathed out. "That was amazing!" He looked ready to hug the taller male, but stopped himself and backed away, cheeks flushing a bit. "I mean, I am very grateful for your service."
"My pleasure." Namjoon responded sincerely. "If I had it my way, fighting off owlbears would be part of an average day's work.
The old man climbed down from the boulder and approached them. "Thank you, kind stranger. I would've been a goner without your help."
"It was really no trouble." Namjoon insisted, glancing over at Jimin to see him smiling at him, eyes full of wonder.
"Maybe for you it wasn't," the young priest stated, "but we didn't stand a chance on our own. We are in your debt."
Jimin's mentor nodded in agreement. "The Light blesses those who help travelers in need. It will shine upon you two."
"It's not a sack of coins, but I'll take it." Jungkook beamed.
The old man lowered himself into a deep bow before Namjoon. "I am Scholar Alistair Provost, High Priest of the Light." He introduced himself before gesturing to Jimin. "I see you've already met my apprentice, Jimin."
"I'm sorry, Scholar." Jimin looked down in shame. "I tried to use the Light to ward off the owlbear, but the magic wasn't powerful enough."
"No need to apologize, my child." Alistair assured him. "You are still a novice and have never had to use battle magic in a real scenario. You did what you could."
"Woah, woah, woah," Jungkook cut in, staring at Jimin in shock. "You can use magic? I've never met a mage before!"
Alistair regarded Jimin with pride. "One day, Jimin will be a great priest. Healing the sick, protecting the weak, holding at bay the darkness of the world. For now, though he's still training. We're on a pilgrimage to visit all of the temples of Light throughout the kingdom. Is there one in your village?"
"Not since we've lived here." Jungkook answered honestly. "I don't think anyone follows that faith anymore.
"There might be one person…" Namjoon thought out loud. "That lady who lives in the cave by the river?"
Jungkook shook his head. "She worships the Great Beetle."
"What a shame." Alistair shook his head in disappointment. "The decline of the faithful…In any case, we're seeking the Temple of Ellara which is supposed to be right around here."
"The Temple of Ellara?!" Jungkook once again exclaimed in shock. "That old ruin? I haven't been there myself but it's about a day's walk from town."
Alistair's eyes lit up. "That's most wonderful news! Jimin, we must journey at once-"
"But are you sure it's safe?" Jimin asked, worry filling his features. "What if we encounter another owlbear? Or worse?"
"Fortunately, the Light has blessed us with these fine, strapping, young adventurers to protect us!"
Jungkook and Namjoon shared a look. "Uh…we aren't-"
Alistair interrupted Jungkook. "We can't offer you much, but if you'd accompany us to the temple and fend off any other…mishaps, I could pay you 30 gold."
Namjoon's eyes widened. "30 gold? Can you give us a moment to talk it over?" Namjoon grabbed Jungkook's arm and pulled him just out of earshot.
"I don't know." Jungkook said, glancing over at Alistair and Jimin. "Scaring off one owlbear is fine, but there's no telling what's out by those ruins."
"Come on!" Namjoon pleaded. "It's just an old temple, and I'm sure there's a ton of useful knowledge in that head of yours…"
Jungkook began to waver. "I do know a lot about ancient temples…"
"Besides we could really use the money." Namjoon knew that would definitely sway Jungkook. "We can barely afford a night out at the tavern. Wouldn't it be great to cover our bills for a change?" He could tell that Jungkook was almost completely sold. "And we could use some of it to pay back the townsfolk who've taken care of us all these years."
Jungkook sighed. "It'll be awfully hard to pay them back if we're lying dead in a ditch somewhere."
"How do you always jump to the worst scenario?" Namjoon shook his head.
"It's called self-preservation." Jungkook retorted. "You should try it sometime."
Namjoon sighed. "Look, let's just take them to this temple and head back after, okay? We'll be 30 gold richer and you'll have a great new story to tell at the tavern."
Jungkook shook his head in defeat as a grin spread across his face. "Fine, I can't deny you an adventure that fell right into your lap."
Namjoon clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit!" Namjoon kept his arm around Jungkook's shoulders as they walked back to the travelers who had started setting up camp for the night. "We're in. We can take you to the Ellara temple ruins then bring you back to Riverbend."
Jimin smiled up at Namjoon. "That's wonderful news!"
"Thank you, kind strangers." Alistair bowed his head towards them.
Namjoon decided it was probably time they properly introduce themselves. "I'm Namjoon and this is my brother Jungkook. Don't worry, if he starts talking your ear off, I'll just clobber him over the head."
Jimin giggled a bit. "I feel so much better having protection." He looked around the forest. "It's too dark to keep traveling tonight. We'll camp here and continue on in the morning. Though I must admit I'm not much for setting up camp…"
"Don't worry, the outdoors are basically my playground." Namjoon smiled down at the young priest. "Sit back and allow me."
Before long, Namjoon had a fire and shelter set up for the four of them. "You really know what you're doing." Jimin commented as they warmed up by the fire. "I'm so glad I ran into you, Namjoon." Namjoon shared a smile with the shorter male.