DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter Shrouded Realities
After a few hours of travel, the harsh reality of the Grim Waste unveiled itself to Rosche as she awoke to find herself confined within a cage. Her wrists were bound, and the unforgiving landscape stretched before her. The Darkbane tribe, infamous in her time as barbarians and bloodthirsty warriors, now appeared in a surprising light. They were huddled in quiet contemplation, tending to wounds with solemnity and burying their fallen comrades.
The unexpected scene left Rosche perplexed. The eerie stillness of the Darkbane tribe contradicted the brutal image she had held of them. Her initial expectations of hostility and aggression were replaced with an unsettling calmness, challenging the stereotypes she had carried.
As she observed the tribe’s mournful rituals, Rosche couldn’t help but wonder about the complex layers of the Darkbanes concealed from her. The reality before her introduced a dimension of the Darkbanes that went beyond the one-dimensional narrative she had known.
Rojan, a member of the tribe, approached Rosche and inquired about her identity. Wary, she decided to provide a fake name, adopting her friend Eowyn’s identity. Rojan, sensing her unease, offered her a bun as a gesture of goodwill. Rosche, though still distrustful, acknowledged her hunger and accepted the food.
Between bites, Rosche asked about their leader’s whereabouts. Unaware of the sensitivity of his response, Rojan replied, “He’s talking to his brother.” This revelation surprised Rosche.
“I didn’t know the leader of the Darkbane has a brother,” she remarked.
Rojan clarified that Vernit not only had a brother but a twin.
Intrigued, Rosche hesitated before inquiring, “Why are you always waging war against Eclipsarians?”
Rojan paused, choosing his words carefully. “We didn’t. It was an internal conflict within the Darkbane tribe. Vernit is a good man; he didn’t want war, but his brother has a different perspective.”
Observing Rojan’s admiration for Vernit, Rosche remarked, “It seems like you are close with the Darkbane leader.”
Rojan opened up, revealing, “I was a young orphan when Vernit took me in. He basically raised me, and since then, I’ve pledged loyalty to him.”
Dumbfounded, Rosche realized the stark differences between this timeline’s Darkbanes and the ones she knew.
As Rosche continued her meal, Rojan seemed willing to share more about the dynamics within the Darkbane tribe. Trying to keep the conversation light, Rosche asked, “So, does Vernit’s brother have a name, or is he just known as the ‘other twin’?”
Rojan chuckled, “His name is Elysum. He’s quite the character, fiercely independent and always ready for a fight. It’s no wonder conflicts arise between them.”
Curiosity piqued, Rosche probed further, “What’s the source of their disagreement? It seems intense if it led to internal conflict.”
Rojan sighed, “It’s a clash of ideologies. Vernit believes in peace, cooperation, and avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. Elysum, on the other hand, thinks that strength is measured through dominance and instilling fear. Their conflicting views have created tension within the tribe.”
Rosche nodded, absorbing the information. “It’s tough when family members have such opposing perspectives.”
Rojan agreed, “Indeed. Vernit has always tried to keep the tribe together, but Elysum’s desire for dominance often puts them on a collision course.”
As their conversation unfolded, Rosche couldn’t help but wonder about the alternate reality she found herself in, where the Darkbanes were not the relentless aggressors she knew. The harsh winds of the Grim Waste carried with them the complexities and nuances of a tribe grappling with internal strife and conflicting ideals.