I Accidently Selected Hard Mode: Against the Tides of Heaven
Author: Grand_Magus© WebNovel
Chapter 1: Strangeness of Andivor Creek
It was 1132 and everything in life had come to a head. The city was on fire and the once comfortable inhabitants fled in a panic as the city was pillaged.
But none would have deduced that the sacking of the city was an assassination plot on the Thorne family. As the blazing fires of carnage scorched the city and ships sank to the bottom of the harbor, Darius Thorne II slipped out of the city unnoticed.
Crawling from the blackened pits of the city swears, Darius silently cursed the Daqian Dynasty, Cannis Reave and the House of Reave, the Blue Sky Royal family, and the Blue Sky Academy. He cursed them all for what they had taken from him.
There were many things he had regretted that night, bounding through the woods, hiding in the shrubs, under heavy pursuit by his enemies. Soon his body couldn't stop aching and he began to falter. He sighed heavily as he leaned against a tree.
"Why..." he breathed.
"What went wrong?" He asked himself, think of all the goodness and loyalty he had and in a moment's notice, everything withered, and the thorns meant to protect the flower that was his life had turned on him.
His fist balled tightly and he struck the tree with a muffled pop.
"If only…If only…" Tears rolled down his dirty face, he sniffled and choked down the sorrows.
The howling of wolves and grumbling of men could be heard in the wind and he had no choice but to push forward. It wasn't long before Darius rested on the bank of Andivor Creek. It was a common place riddled with local legends.
But oddly enough, Darius couldn't recognize this part of the creek, but he knew Andivor creek was the only creek within miles of Hellfiend city.
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It wasn't like they said it would be. Whom, prey tell. Everyone. The voice in your head, that ballad in the tavern and show in the playhouse, the ancient men and women with their tall tales of midnight restlessness…
The going tale was that Andivor Creek was haunted and mysterious. A place people venture to in order to confront their past and seize their future. I was desperate. With the family slaughtered and the business destroyed. I had nothing and only revenge could satiate. But if revenge was out of reach, I had to find a way to continue living. Andivor Creek was supposed to help with that. Not to mention, I had to shake the wolves and the creek could spread my scent further and faster, confusing them…
Instead, the sky turned red with blood, stars fell, and the moon swallowed the sun and the world went black. When the sun had returned, I was still beside Andivor Creek, but something was different. I could feel it. Then I realized it. The wolves and men giving chase had vanished.
I stayed by the creek for a while, Cleaned myself and then had the nagging feeling of returning home. So I did. I returned to Hellfiend City. I was prepared to start from scratch and suffer to rebuild. I would learn martial arts to protect myself and rule by fist and coin.
But much to my surprise, the city was in stellar shape, the business was still running and thriving. I rushed to the harbor and found a lively place. Searching my hidden cache location, I found nothing.
Confused, I returned home and immediately things were not right.
Mr. Silver and Mrs. Lang were tending to the guards and housekeepers. They should have been dead. Suddenly the scent of Lavender in Bloom, my mother's favorite, had swept across my nose. She had passed and the garden left to die.
"Young Lord." someone spoke
My body tensed and I turned around.
"Shelly…" I looked at her in horror.
She reached out and I stepped back.
"How?" I asked.
Shelly had perished with my mother in the summer of 1123 BS. Could this really be happening? Was I dreaming?
My confusion only deepened when she said: The future miss and her father are almost here. You've been missing all morning, your mother is worried sick and father is annoyed to hell. And still, you aren't dressed. Come here, now!
The courtyard went silent. Shelly was the only servant that could talk to me in such a way. She is more like an aunt really. She and my mother grew up together.
I could only sigh and follow behind her. All the while I couldn't help thinking about those stories. All the insane things people said about Andivor Creek. All of which had nothing to do with time travel. But the moment I arrived at my room and the servants began to strip me, wash me, and dress me, It was painfully clear that I wasn't as aged as I had remembered.
Seeing my mother and father was another obvious sign of time travel. I was then convinced entirely when I saw the red banner of the rosefinch. A banner I had only seen twice in my life.
Think back on it, It was because of this banner that my mother died. Partly. If I'm being honest, I also played my part.
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In the manor's meeting, my eyes fluttered open and I looked my father in the face. That stern and chiseled face, ashen hair, sand skin, full bearded and dark eyes. To think this man would fall so low in a mere ten years. It was his presence that pulled me from my thoughts.
"Darius," he said, "As the only Thorne, you have duties…"
I remember this conversation. It was a bad one.
"Part of those duties are assuring…"
"The legacy of the Thorne family continues." I interjected.
My father's eyes narrowed.
"Same song, different day." I shrugged.
"Pa," I began. I wanted to try something new. To be different tUbar I remembered myself.
"I understand. The Ubar family has been friends for many years. And with mutual support, both families can expand."
My father hummed, taking a long look at me.
"What is it?" I asked
"It seems you weren't simply missing all morning. Have you reflected?"
"I have. Taking a wife is my duty. I wonder how different things would have been if I had… never mind."
I took a deep breath and centered myself.
"I'm ready." I told him
"Mmm, we'll see. With the trade fair coming it's the most profitable time to announce and hold this marriage."
I couldn't help lingering on his words. It was the first time my father had voiced such a thought. I began to wonder what motives he was hiding under that thick mane of onyx and alabaster.
My father straightened my suit, a military uniform, rankless and without pins or medals . I had recently turned thirteen. Not only was I now of marriageable age, but I was at the cusp of manhood. With it, came husbandry, fatherhood, business management, and military service.
As the son of a countess, I was required to serve within the family's role as logistics officer. An unassuming role that I gladly sold off a year after my mother passed.
It was all I could do at the time to keep the family business afloat. A choice that seemed plausible at the time.
My father gave me a strong nod. We then left the room and ventured out to meet my mother at the front gates. It wasn't long before the House of Ubar had arrived at the House of Thorne flying banners of blazing crimson with golden rosefinch adorned clutching a sword and heart.
An overbearing emblem derived from a past of forgotten glory. Still there current standing couldn' be overlooked. With Ubar carriage came an escort of ten horses and twenty warriors on foot.
"Maintain your composure. Remember etiquette. The contract is not set, you must do well to begin on good terms or as neutral as possible." My father whispered discreetly.
It was finally happening. The trigger that caused the landslide of my life. It was during this time that I met a woman who was headstrong and ambitious. And most of all, she was heart throbbingly beautiful. For the past ten years, it was hard to recall her face, but the lingering sensation that every woman I crossed couldn't amount to her was ever present.
Annalisa Ubar was two years my senior. But the boy I was at this age was simply of the wrong mind to see the dire straits that my life was in. I had many questions about my life. Playing the game while only knowing half the rules and a quarter of the situation.
"The Viscount House of Ubar has arrived!"
The grand carriage arrived and a man as tall and rugged as my father stepped out. His hair flailing red with golden highlights. At his side was a stunning woman of olive skin and silver eyes. Finally, she stepped out.
Annalisa Ubar. She had her mothers eyes and olive skin, her father's hair and bearing. And contrary to the dainty petite woman of high society, Annalisa was well trained in the ways of a noble lady and her busty features generated a sensual air of maturity. But, I never noticed how dim her vibrant eyes were.
"Darius!" the red haired man shouted, arms spread.
My father laughed happily as he embraced him. My father was the first of his name and I the second. I guess it made him feel more noble. After pawning said nobility, it was an oddity amongst commoners.
"Bernard!" my father replied, "It's been a long while. You look good."
"Too long," said Bernard, finally breaking the embrace.
Bernard gestured to his family, "You remember my wife, Luna and daughter Annalisa."
"Of course." my father then motioned for us.
My mother and I approached as he introduced us.
"This is Marie Kent, my wife and my son Darius the second." My father spoke with so much pride. I just didn't know who he took pride in, me or my distant mother.
"Haha the second. You've taken well to nobility." Bernard laughed.
He then stepped forward and greeted my mother, "Countess."
My brow went askew. I understood that my mother was the reason that we held nobility. However, the way Viscount Ubar spoke. It was as if her status was more than the heir of a dying earldom.
"Viscount Ubar." she replied.
The parents dissolved into conversation. It was my father and Bernard who were connected. My mother only came about after the two separated. Now they have much to talk about. All the while I stood still, staring at Annalisa Ubar. As far as I could remember, she knew full well why she and her family had come to the House of Thorne.
As such, she nor I took the initiative to speak. Instead I silently compared what I remembered of this day to what was happening. I remember clearly that I originally caused trouble and went off to be the son of a rice merchant. The image of him was foggy. Together we set out and spent money on anything worth buying. At the time it felt like I was at the highest point of life. How misguided I was.
The next day, I would voice my opposition and display my ignorance. As a result, the Ubar family would stay with us for a week before departing, only to be ambushed on the road home. My mother would begin investigating until her death a year from now in 1123.
It would be years before my father would succumb to illness and tell me of how I was to be married into the Ubar family to save our family from the invasion of the Daqian Dynasty. I was supposed to leave during that trip and die with the Ubars. Which is why my mother investigated and got herself killed.
I couldn't help but sigh. I took a longing look at my mother. So far, I have been holding myself together. But to see her again and behave as if nothing I experienced was real was a taxing job. I wanted to break down and hug her. Cry until the wells of my eyes went dry. Alas, I was still at war. The time I came from was the end, but the time I now occupied was the beginning.
For now, All I could do is investigate discreetly and try to maneuver these two families to survival. With a deep breath, I decided to change the future. Starting today.
I cleared my throat audibly and the adults looked back at me. I even had Annalisa's attention. I couldn't stumble.
"Earl Thorne, Countess Kent, it is getting late." I began, "I have a meeting with Sir Lair in the city…"
"You know…"
"I was wondering!" I spoke over my father, "If the young miss could accompany me while you four get acquainted in the manor, comfortably."
My father narrowed his gaze. I could tell he was more confused than anything. My mother, however, was always the better politician. She gave a discreet gesture to Shelly, and she stepped forward.
Bernard then chuckled. He signaled for a silvered hair man with an eye patch and spear on his back.
"Let the young ones go, Darius. We have our own dealings, eh?" He spoke.
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