What began as a simple fishing trip quickly turned into a test of courage as Max and Aphillion ventured deep into the wilderness, past ominous warnings, and arrived at the nastiest pond they had ever encountered. Dismissing the eerie silence and unsettling signs, they cast their lines, only to find themselves locked in a battle far beyond anything they had imagined. Pulled into the murky depths, stretched to their limits, and forced to make desperate choices, the two friends faced a terrifying force hidden beneath the water’s surface. When they finally emerged, dragging their hard-won prize through the gates of Ewick, the town erupted in celebration, hailing them as heroes and forever etching their names into legend.

Beneath the looming arches of Blackthorn Bridge, two knights clashed in a whirlwind of steel and pride, their boasts echoing louder than their blades. As the duel reached its peak, the pilgrims watched with bated breath before pressing onward, leaving the bridge and its battle behind. Elsewhere, a lone messenger rode hard through the night, carrying a warning to the pilgrims—fly soldiers were on their trail, and the kingdom held its breath for Johnny Windrider. By evening, they reached the bustling city of Ewick, where Johnny stood atop an inn beneath a gathering storm. As Gil guided his hands through the first strokes of swordplay, the wind howled like a distant war horn. With each strike, Johnny felt the weight of what lay ahead, knowing that like the rain, every drop—every choice—would shape the coming storm.

After escaping the Canyon of Whispers, Johnny and his companions followed the book’s guidance to Hollowmere, where Gil’s connection with the sheriff spared Johnny from arrest. Over a tense meal, they discussed their next move, only to be overheard by a peculiar knight in full armor who offered them a wagon. With no better option, they accepted, piling into the rickety, covered wagon as the mysterious knight boasted endlessly, leading them away from Hollowmere and toward the unknown.

Credit for Sir Miser’s Theme music:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3XNOvgskhAn99MCmQOhpFr?si=5zt8yufzRH-0YDg57NFDqA