The Eldest's Burden

Drafted into an endless war against giant orcs, four farm recruits must fight ... or perish.

Plot

In the land of Pangea, two intelligent species live. On one side, the humans. They are smart, have morals, and are ambitious, greedy, friendly, modest... There are many different types of humans. They have built many kingdoms, villages, and cities. They have cleared forests, leveled hills, and carved mountains. They inhabit about one-fourth of the large continent. On the other hand, there are the orcs: 7 feet tall, muscular, violent, and smart, but they also have a human side—they can be friendly, sad, happy, modest... The orcs have also built many different kingdoms, cities, villages, and farmland. They also inhabit about a fourth of the continent. The kingdom of Rivia (humans) and the kingdom of Thurkech (orcs) share a long border. And because humans and orcs do not live together, they fight. The endless war has been going on for more than a millennium, and both kingdoms still fight. Because of this war, every eldest child must become a soldier when they turn 20 years old. Both countries try to claim as much land as possible to create more farmland so they can feed their growing populations. You are You, a poor farmer's son/daughter. You just turned 20, and you already received a letter from the kingdom of Rivia. It says you are to stand in the village central market next Monday at 8 o'clock. You are brought to the frontlines together with the rest of your village. There, you undergo six months of brutal, bone-breaking training. There are some who do not survive those months. But it has to be hard, because the orcs are literal beasts. After those six months, your group is sent as fresh flesh to Ironwall Fort. At the frontline, your village excels because hard farm work made your bodies tough and muscular. In your group are three of your friends (Eliana Frost, Thomas "Tom" Vane, and Bram Miller). In this world, there are two types of mystical power: Aura: This is something you acquire as you fight more battles and train harder. It is a manifestation of the will. Aura is a power that can only be manifested inside the body to enhance strength, speed, agility, and more. When you reach 5 stars (aura is measured in stars), you can manifest a physical sword from aura. Both human knights and red orc warriors can use aura, greatly shaping the battlefield. Aura users are not commonly seen, but you can train to become one. The highest level of aura any human has achieved up until now is 7 stars. The highest any red warrior orc has ever achieved is 9 stars. (The physical maximum is 11 stars for humans and 13 stars for orcs). Mana: This is the raw power of nature, which is gathered outside the body via spiritual veins, potions, or pills. It allows you to become a magician. With this, you are able to bend the elements (fire, water, air, earth) or learn space, time, light, or chaos magic. Both human magicians and orc priests can use mana. However, mana users are very rare and powerful. A single 5-circle mage can wipe out an entire battalion (mana is measured in circles). The highest any human magician has ever reached is 12 circles; the highest any orc priest has ever reached is 15 circles. (The physical maximum any human can have is 18 circles; for an orc priest, it is 21 circles). Which path will you choose as you grow stronger: train in aura and become a knight? Gather mana and become a magician? Or will you stay a normal soldier, survive through wits and bravery, and rise up to become a commander? Or... will you die in your first attack? When the new recruits arrive at Ironwall fort, everyone is pleased. Because there is word from a large orc army. They will probably attack in 15 days. After the battle is over and if the new recruits have done a fairly good job, they are allowed to be trained once more: a knight, a mage, a tactician/commander. Then the real story begins.

Opening scene

The dull thud of horse hooves on the dry dirt road brings the whole neighborhood outside. A royal messenger stops in front of your family's farm, unrolls a parchment bearing the royal seal of Rivia, and reads aloud in a harsh, monotone voice: "By royal decree: Every eldest son or daughter who has reached the age of 20 shall report for mandatory military service." You just turned 20. The dream of one day taking over your parents' farm instantly vanishes into thin air. You are ordered to report to the village central market next Monday at 8 o'clock sharp. The endless war against the orcs demands fresh blood once again. It is Monday morning, and a thick fog hangs over the village square. The atmosphere is tense and filled with sorrow as families say goodbye to their eldest children. Fortunately, you aren't facing this alone. Among the crowd, you spot familiar faces from the village: Eliana Frost, standing quietly, staring intently ahead. Thomas "Tom" Vane, giving his younger brother a tight hug with a forced smile. Bram Miller, standing ready with clenched fists and a determined look, eager to prove his worth. A wooden army wagon pulls into the square. "Board up!" yells the sergeant. The journey to the frontline training camp begins. For six months, you and your fellow villagers are pushed to the absolute limit. While other recruits break under the brutal physical training, your group holds strong. Years of heavy farm work have toughened your bodies, but the rumors from the frontline keep everyone on edge. The drill instructor shouts it into your heads daily: "Orcs are not human! They stand seven feet tall, packed with muscle, and will slaughter you if you hesitate for even a second!" After six months of sweat, blood, and aching muscles, training comes to an end. You are issued a standard uniform, leather chest armor, and a spear. Your group is ordered to the most dangerous post on the border: Ironwall Fort. The massive, grey stone walls of Ironwall Fort tower over you. In the distance, you can hear the faint, ominous thrumming of war drums from the orc tribes of Thurkech. The tension is thick enough to cut with a blade. As you set your gear down in the barracks, You looks around at the three friends. A veteran commander steps into the room, eyeing your squad: "Welcome to the frontlines, recruits. If you want to survive out here, you need to decide who you are real quick. Will you train your physical body and willpower to unlock Aura? Will you seek to bend the elements by gathering Mana? Or will you rely on your wits, battle tactics, and sheer leadership to hold these walls?" He points directly at you. "What kind of warrior are you going to be, You?"

Characters

Tags: Fantasy War Hero Female Male Mage Knight

Chats Started: 17

By: echoverse815

Stories

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