Pffeww... gosh. This art is... a lot to unfold !
It was a very big shock when i won the raffle prize of ArixO , never expected that, and to be honnest i really didn't know what to propose at that moment xD
... So i wen't with the first idea that came to mind, "Arix is down, and Aeryl needs to protect him", just to mix up what went usually on his arts, where Arix is the one doing the saving usually. Plus it'd be funny to see a muscle montain needing help from a skinny adventurer !
With this basic idea, Lerion did an amazing work, for a very powerful and epic looking art, with so much to see and understand on it !

And so, based on the picture we got, we expended on that idea, again and again, to understand why it happened, what happened, and how. So much that i ended up wanting to do justice to Arix's character and this setting, and write my own story for it. This is the result, with lots of idea exchanges with Arix of course, and a proof reading of his own.
It was... really nice for me to write that, so i really hope you'll enjoy (or already have) reading it ! It's the first time i write such a big story here, so there's probably lots to be said about and improve honestly, so don't hesitate to give any form of criticism, as long as it's respectful it's always welcomed !

Also stay tuned for his "point of view" version of the story, coming up to his page soon, with his own much more experienced writing ! ;p (or maybe it's already posted when you see this !)

Arix belongs to  ArixO , huge thanks to him for his raffle, patience and all his help to write this ! If not already done, go see his page !

Art made by  Lerion , go see this incredible artist's page, it was a huge discovery for me !

Now if you want to check out, here goes for the story ^^
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"I need your help with a quest of the utmost importance."

That's how it had started, with a simple message... although. That alone was strange. It was a mental message, communicated directly into my mind. It was literally impossible to ignore, these words cutting through my own thoughts, and carried on as if in some sort of echo, giving me a headache…

"What the... huh ?" I cried out, loudly in midair, with no one to hear me but the sound of the wind.

As if to answer me, a new message settled in my mind, telling me some particular coordinates... not far from where I was. I thought about it for a moment, what could it be? A mental message projected from so far away could only be the work of an already experienced mage...

This situation made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but curiosity just got the best out of me… I decided to follow the coordinates, for the moment from far enough away, to have a clear enough view of it. “Just a little view can’t hurt, i’ll just go if there’s any risks !” I thought.
It was only a stopover inn, near a crossroad between a plain and a forest. Really nothing unusual in itself, and we could see a few people around so it was not abandoned either.

In the end, after a few moments of deliberation (and some wing cramps that helped) I decided to land not far away, before getting closer to the inn, my right hand on my satchel, just in case.
It didn't take long before I observed an old fox waving in my direction, sitting on a table, dressed in a simple long worn gray coat. I slowly move closer as he looks at me patiently, before starting to talk.
"... Who are you ?"

He still looks at me smiling, taking a long breath before answering.
"A simple old man who means well. Relax, our companion should be here any minute."

I looked around, right to left, watching each person with little masked concern. Heavy footsteps made me turn around, watching as a dragon with a more than imposing build and covered in thick armor approached, before sitting down beside us. I looked at him with eyes bigger than a plate, keeping silent at the moment.

"It was you who called me, wasn't it ? I see I'm not the only one."

The old man nodded, before speaking up. "My name is Herizal, a simple old druid seeking to help his fellow man as best he can. And I ask for your help in getting to the Plain of the Forgotten."

“... Oh dear, what am I in for ?” I thought to myself.
There was a moment of silence before the old man continued his story.

"You must have heard about it before. There was a time when many people who went there disappeared one after the other before its reputation scared off most travelers. However, a number of onlookers and survivors have described strange phenomena and aggressive roaming spirits. If this is the case, I believe I have the skills to conjure the spirits, and bring peace to the environment. However, I need an escort, an experienced explorer who can lead the way... and a brave and experienced warrior who can protect me on the way. Are you ready to follow me ? Of course, you will be rewarded accordingly."

The great dragon took a deep breath, looking thoughtful and crossing his arms. Before extending his hand to the druid.

"I certainly have nothing better to do this afternoon. You’ve got yourself a warrior !"

... A bead of sweat visible at my forehead when my turn came to answer. “I can’t leave it here now, right ?... This seems like a good thing to do…” I swallowed slowly, collecting my thoughts before extending my hand in turn.
"My name is Aeryl... I-I am not the greatest of warriors, but I will do my best to guide and protect you."

---

From the air, the plain stretched as far as the eye could see. A few dark shapes were moving around, but the darkness made it difficult to distinguish, even for my wind dragon eyes !
I go back down and land near Arix and Herizal. Signaling to them that we are in the right direction, and that we are getting closer to the place.

A few more steps later, some "shadows" appeared in front of us. I took a back step, taken by surprise by this sudden appearance, but still Arix and I stood on guard, ready to defend ourselves if necessary, before Arix raised his voice.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here ! Are you serving someone ?"

... We received only silence for answers. As we turned around, it became clear that we didn't have much choice left. We were surrounded. I felt my breath quickening, I tried to keep my position and my purpose here in mind, we should be good enough to hold them !

Arix lunged at them, sword in hand, slashing at the enemy with a powerful blow that cut through an entire row!
... Once the smoke cleared, they were still there. A tremor was felt before Arix was thrown to the ground by a powerful shock wave !
"Hrng... I can't reach them... !"

The shadows approach, threatening, always more numerous. Pressure felt rising again and again as they came closer… ! In a desperate move I send a burst of wind all around, pushing the creatures back and making some of them disappear!
I look around, incredulous, before looking at my own hands.
"... My magic works on them! I can push them away ! Step forward, I-... I'll cover you !"

Arix stood up, carrying his shield forward and moving closer to Herizal. The latter signaled to keep moving while I was at the front, pushing away as many creatures as I could.
"We shouldn't be too far now, an underground recess should be in that direction!"
More and more creatures appeared in front of us, as we ran furiously, my magic pushing back as many Shadows as possible, and Arix outpacing the attacks directed at the old man, pushing back an energy ball with an impressive hand gesture with his shield.

Shadows of different shapes and sizes continued to appear over and over again, each spell tiring me out a bit more, struggling to fend off more than a few ones in the end and regularly getting me cornered head-on.
"... I'm going to have a hard time holding on much longer- !"

"We're not far away now, hold on!" Said the old man, releasing his hands and preparing to cast a spell of his own. Luminous symbols appeared on the ground, a little further on, a piece of earth rising up and revealing a passageway rushing underground.
"It's this way, come in!"

“Finally, we’re so close-... oh… gosh- !” I felt so much relief seeing our destination, but it ended quickly… A Shadow almost twice the size of the others landed in front, blocking the passage. I lost a heartbeat in the process, stopping for a moment, tired… “N-no… i need to go, i’m the only one able to affect it- ! Please, focus !” I move forward as much as I can in front of it, charging my magic, before unleashing a large gust of wind pushing it back. Leaving the field clear as I fell from exhaustion. "Hh-... go in without me..."

Arix popped up behind me, grabbing me by surprise with a strong arm as he pulled the old man with him. "Not a chance, little guy !"

The old man used his magic to close the passageway behind us, and immediately the silence fell.

---

We all sighed intensely, exhausted by the ordeal that had been established on our path. My legs relax as I sit against the wall, bathed in the strange light illuminating the cave. I took a few inspirations, tired from too many emotions… Looking left and right instinctively, all were so calm in this small place… Wait…
"... Why aren't we being attacked here ?"

The old man looked around restlessly, as if in a trance, a form of nostalgia bathing his eyes.
"The shadows were probably trying to protect something present here, to attack us here would be to take the risk of causing their own destruction."

Three stone tablets were silhouetted as the old fox approached them... tombs. Arix approached them, silently.
"So, this was what the shadows were trying to protect wasn't it ? Who are they ?"

"... No." Herizal dug his worn claws without hesitation into the earth behind the wall... and pulled out a golden orb, set with red and blue jewels. Stamped with detailed crests on its surface.
"This... is the seal of my family. This is the object of my quest."

I move with difficulty closer to the scene, to observe the orb more closely, fascinated by it. "But... what do you mean?"

Runes lit up the entire cave, and spiraled around the orb, faster and faster. The old man looked at the illuminated sphere with satisfaction.

"I am the last heir of an ancient noble family, the Daryans. We were respected and feared, perhaps belittled, but our county was among the most prosperous. Until the day when some peasants, tired of their treatment, joined forces with our servants and burned our home. I was the only one to escape alive, taking with me the bodies of my parents and my older sister, as well as the family emblem.
That day, I swore that I would take revenge and bring my family back to life. And so my... experiences began. Of which the Shadows are the result... I ordered them to guard this tomb at all costs."
… My face distorted in disbelief of what I was hearing, what was all this ? It was like… I just missed something capital… The sphere lit up even more intensely, becoming almost blinding to watch.
"But... in my old age... I came to regret my decisions. The peasants and servants were only rebelling against our treatment, the real culprits... were us. And I had more blood on my hands than any of the people I hated. That's why I decided to come back here, and reverse my curse, and for that... I needed help, because of my intentions the Shadows would have targeted me."

I look around, trying to take in all the information that has been revealed.
"But... wait... the disappearances started a while ago..."

Herizal finally let go of the seal with his eyes, and directed his vision towards me and Arix.
"Over three hundred years ago."

As soon as these words were spoken, the runes disappeared, as if absorbed by the orb, which gradually faded away. A soft green light began to envelop the old man, as a light cloud of dust escaped from him, sitting on the ground.
"Thank you for helping me so far... I could never have done what was necessary without you. I have not forgotten my promise... your reward is the seal of my family, it is now just a golden orb, but you should be able to get a good price for it. Do not repeat my mistakes... revenge is always futile." The more he spoke, the more transparent his body became, but his face still smiling.
The shock of the moment paralyzed me, unable to speak or move, as I saw the events unfold…
"Goodbye, Arix and Aeryl, may the future smile upon you."

With those last words, his body disappeared, and with a simple thud, the golden orb fell to the ground, in front of us both. An old gray coat laying next to it…