Tales of Hollow; Trial Takers

By Julian Bøe

The Ogreian council has made it so that all young ogreians shall undergo trials to prove they are worthy warriors. They were given a year of intense training to prepare for these unknown trials, yet many would argue the year could be considered a trial by itself.

Unknown enemies lurk in the shadows, beasts from the mountains invade, rifts from other worlds open.

What to do when the world as they know it change with unknown magic and people of all kinds seem to pop up?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035804979

Julian Bøe

Julian Bøe is a Norwegian from Bergen, born 1996. Julian has loved the genre of fantasy since he was 10 years old when his mother gifted him a book called Phenomena. He started reading, playing games, and watching any media that had the fantasy element. He became a great fan of mythology and seeks to broaden his knowledge about the myths and legends and the people behind them.

Book preview

About the Author

Julian Bøe is a Norwegian from Bergen, born 1996.

Julian has loved the genre of fantasy since he was 10 years old when his mother gifted him a book called Phenomena.

He started reading, playing games, and watching any media that had the fantasy element.

He became a great fan of mythology and seeks to broaden his knowledge about the myths and legends and the people behind them.

Dedication

My mother, the most positive naysayer of all time.

And my grandmother who never stopped believing.

Copyright Information ©

Julian Bøe 2023

The right of Julian Bøe to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035804962 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035804979 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Austin Macauley Publishers, thank you for giving me a chance.

Chapter 1

Wild Lux Mono Storm

1.01.1011

Wild stood on the peak of a mountain, the wind sang of wonders and magic. He turned to the sound of laughter; a tall robed man stood flanked by shadow figures.

Who are you? Wild shouted.

The voices and winds mixed and turned from soft melody to the screams of torture and death, saying one phrase over and over as the man and shadows closed in on him, We are you; you are us!

He woke sweaty and panting, his eyes scanning the room, he calmed as he smelled fresh bread and boiling porridge, jumped out of bed and faced the mirror. Starmight, his mother had placed it there the day before for him to see himself in all his glory the first day of his warrior life.

He was different from other Ogreians, having parents of not pure Ogreian blood. His skin was crimson with black accents and symbols, horns protruding from his forehead like a satyr’s. He dressed in old ragged pants and a ripped, and old shirt; he cracked his neck as he pushed open the door.

Starmight stirred the porridge with her long strong tail, as she commanded the bread onto the table followed by plates, bottles of milk and glasses. Morning, love, today you must eat your fill Wildy, the trial ceremony…what fun. She said and sat.

Mother, why must I do the trials? You know how strong I am. He said pouring milk in their glasses.

She smiled and broke a piece of her bread, Chieftain Durzum wishes to see if the young are worthy.

Wild slumped down on his chair and rolled his eyes, Worthy of being an Ogreian, you mean? He looked up at her, her red face had grown redder and smoke escaped her nostrils, Stop it, Wild, this is serious.

He sighed loudly, For who!

Starmight stood with a start, her magic keeping the milk from painting the room white. Wild Lux Mono Storm, just this one time… she sat and commanded the milk back into its bottle, Try doing like the rest of them.

Last time I saw her this angry, I had fought with a trio of goblins when I was ten and earned myself a scar on my side just below the rib. Better do as she says.

He nodded, Monkey see, monkey do…right, I can do that.

She patted him between the horns, My little sweet.

Someone knocked on the door as they entered, Star, Kutu…you in? Oneye, a large grey Ogreian with long red hair and a hook for a hand looked down at them, grinning from ear to ear. His grin shrunk however when he saw that Kutukeg, Wild’s father was not present. He was out hunting with his team, as he was their leader and first command.

Oneye, how have you been? She exclaimed as she moved in for a hug.

He embraced her, his face softened as he did, I’ve been getting old, he chuckled and pulled a rope attached to a large bag, but I do bring gifts. He kneeled beside Wild, Here, lad, an elvish dagger, it never dulls nor rusts and it’s light as a feather.

It had a golden green hilt and a brown sheet. Wild looked up at the old Ogreian, Thank you.

Oneye nodded and stood, As for you, Star and Kutukeg, a greener and stronger land.

He walked out to their garden, spread his arms wide as his skin darkened and cracked into dust taken by the wind.

May Gaia welcome your flesh and Nyx your soul. Starmight said and bowed to where he had stood.

W-what happened? Storm said and pulled her sleeve. She caressed his head down to the chin, Oneye’s…last day, he returned his time back to Gaia.

He must have been very old then…old enough to be an elder even, welcome home Oneye wanderer of Hollow.

Storm entered his room and sat on his bed, he looked at the fine dagger it had elven lettering on its broadside that shone faintly. The…world…provides. He smiled and sheeted it.

Chapter 2

Forest Champion

He placed his dagger sideways on his belt, on his backside and put on an old coat reaching his knees. Before he walked outside and saw his friends standing by the fence.

Wildy, why walk around in that? Starmight said standing with her arms akimbo.

Why dress fancy for the forest? I am no noble after all. He smirked as he exaggerated the pointing of his little finger.

Starmight chuckled and shook her head, You, goofball, go have fun with your friends.

Uloth, the tiny Ogreian with silver hair and red eyes balanced on her hands doing press-ups on the fence as he approached. Wanna do something fun before the trials? She said and flipped to standing.

Pigs-kin, a tall and muscular Ogreian with a light pink tint to his skin, and a shiny hairless head leaned on the fence. He smirked as he held a book towards Wild, Thank you, it was a good read.

That all you got? It barely tickles! Diro said to his twin brother Doro, and grabbed his arm to throw him over his head. They were short, green skinned Ogreians with large hands and mouths, their hair lay tight against their scalps and made a path down their backs. Doro laughed and caught the roof of Diro’s mouth and pulled him with him to the ground.

Wild jumped over the fence, picked them up as they laughed in unison, Uloth followed and looked down the path where a group of noble Ogreians walked towards them. Damn it, it’s Zlog and crew. She said.

Let’s leave, Wild said and led them through the bushes, hearing the noise of chasing voices.

They ran through the forest to a clearing, Wild, we could take them. Diro said leaning on a tree. Wild sat cross-legged, We only have hours before the ceremony, do you want to listen to some old fool’s japing?

Let’s do boar-racing then. Uloth said as she did cartwheels around them.

B-boar-racing! No! Anything else, please! Pigs-kin said flailing his arms like a tree in a twister.

Wild chuckled, What is wrong, Pigs-kin?

Pigs-kin turned to him and thrusted his head towards him, Whenever we try anything with wildlife, I end up as bait.

Diro and Doro bawled with laughter, T-take it…as a compliment… Diro shook his head and walked away. Doro took a deep breath, You look like a treat!

Pigs-kin moved with surprising speed and held Doro above ground, Are you trying to make me violent? His face was red and his nose flared like a bull.

Wild grabbed Pigs-kin shoulder gently and smiled, No problem, Pigs-kin, I can bring the boars.

Pigs-kin put Doro down, scratched his head, and turned to Wild face softened, N-no, sorry…I shall do it.

Pigs-kin cracked his neck, nodded to his friends before he ran over the hill shouting and clapping. Uloth snickered as she found a place on a branch above the beaten path. Diro and Doro formed the ground into a heap they could both share, standing on either side giggling.

Wild had just taken his spot behind a tree when they heard a loud scream, followed by roars and thumping of heavy hooves. By the gods! Every damn herd must be hot on his tail, Wild! Uloth said looking through her spyglass.

More to choose from. Wild said and chuckled, and walked out onto the path. Pigs-kin came into sight followed by large brown boars with curved spiked tusks with front legs like a gorilla’s arms fitted with a tiger’s claws.

Uloth, that’s royal boars…Run! Wild said.

Pigs-kin passed him, his whole body wet with sweat, and dirt. Wild roared louder than any beast, as he ran at the herd head held low just like in the sports they played as children and speared his shoulder into the leading boar.

Wild, what are you doing? Uloth shouted from the trees as she pointed out the best route back for the others.

I told you to run! was all he could say before a blood curdling snarl reached him, he stood from the royal boar he had wrestled to the ground to see a massive beast coming over the hill, ‘The Champion Boar’ it was bigger and more muscular than the other boars, it had two sets of tusks and its mouth held rows of teeth both sharp and blunt in between. It bellowed at him and gestured for him to follow.

Go home to the village. He said with his teeth together, looking up at Uloth who hanged in a tree. She stared at him, then at the champion. That looked like a challenge. She whispered. He nodded as he walked after the boars.

They led him to a blood red clearing with carcasses and bones spread around like décor the champion stood in the middle of the clearing, growling at him. The other boars surrounded the clearing and sat anticipating their next action.

You are challenging me? He chuckled, and looked up at the sky, Seriously? What did I do?

The boar dashed at him, he rolled to the side and pounced at its side. It roared and swiped its tusks, slamming into him sending him sprawling through the air to land in a bloody pit, he forced himself to all fours and held his side, ribs broken. The boars around him sounded like laughing and stomped the ground waiting their next meal. He grunted and stood, hunched over like an old beggar. He raised his hand to the champion, Come on, I’m still breathing…you walking dinner.

The Champion Boar roared as it rushed him, Wild clenched his fist, and waited the one beast stampede. He swung his arm with great strength and great abandon as it came within range, Please connect… he whispered as his eyes closed.

They both roared in unison as they fell to the ground next to each other, Wild coughed harshly giving the crimson ground fresh blood, and strained his eyes to look at his opponent.

‘The Champion Boar’ stood crooked and snarled as it turned to look at him, its left side was tusk free, jaw hanging loose like a tavern sign in the wind.

He laughed as he pushed himself off the ground, reached under his coat and drew his dagger. He held it tight, hilt pressed against his chest, You…would make history books…had you attacked a city, thank you for choosing me instead.

The boar was not finished, it remembered his words and gargled a roar as it rushed him once more. Wild thrusted the dagger at air, screaming, By my mother! Suddenly, the dagger pulsated and grew into a long thick needle that caught the boar in the eye, two large roots sprouted up from the ground and caught its body. They started tangling around its throat and squeezed. What on Gaia’s back is this? Wild said, just before falling as tall as he was in front of the dead boar, too tired to even consider the other boars around him.

Wild came to in the shade, two boars sat beside him, looking at him like they were puppies or kittens. He had been given a blanket and a bowl of water stood beside him on a ribcage. You beat champion, you great warrior. A dark shadow figure said, its body was translucent and flowing like liquid smoke, its face barren of features, only a glowing light serving as its eye stared at him. Spirit of Boar, lead horde away, this yours now.

What do you mean, mine? I don’t want this.

Right by victory, power and land. The spirit said with a sharp nod, and whistled the boars into formation. They moved with great speed and purpose out of sight and soon only the echo of their feet could be heard.

Wild ripped off the blanket, and stood with ease. He raised his brows and patted his side and flexed his arms, opening and closing his hands. He chuckled and looked after the boars, Healed completely, how great magic you possess, Spirit of Boars.

He walked around in the land he had won, the boars had places for sleep, places for food and places for shit. Maybe in another timeline, we would be friends. Wild said to the bird that stood on his horn that seemed to had grown since that morning. He sniffed the air, and smirked, I am here, Uloth, you can calm down now. He looked to the forest leading back to the village, Uloth stood in a tree fire in her eyes and bared her fangs. She dropped down and ran to him, You big… Uloth gaped looking up at him, How did you get bigger so fast? And please put on a shirt!

Wild looked puzzled at her, Bigger, what do you mean?

She rummaged in her pocket and found a folded mirror, Look, even your horns have grown, you’re almost as tall as Zlog and he is two meters tall.

He looked in the mirror and studied his horns, Damn, I am handsome. He chuckled and pushed her gently, Relax, this is good, is it not?

Uloth pushed him, her arms buckled and sent her into his arms, Careful, floor is messy, just a moment, then we’ll leave. He walked over to the champion’s corpse; his dagger still imbedded in its skull. He grasped the handle; it was smaller than before. He shook his head and pulled it out, a spray of crimson hit his face. He wiped it off as he laughed, Defiant even in death.

The roots crawled back into the ground and the dagger blade shrunk to original, Too bad, it won’t fit my…weapons be damned. It shifted and grew to fit his hand perfectly, now with a better grip, pommel and guard, even the blade looked sharper. He sheeted it and turned to Uloth with a grin, Would you please help me carry this beast home? You get first pick of the meat.

She flexed her arms, Let’s do this! she walked over to the corpse like a constipated wrestler and grabbed around its gorilla arm. What you laughing at? Let’s go!

He chuckled and grabbed its back and side, to lift it onto his shoulder. He tilted his head past its paw, Could you take the other tusks? I would appreciate it.

Don’t you be condescending, goofball! she said and jabbed a finger at him.

I’m genuine, please take the tusks. He nodded and started the trek home.

They saw the village from the outskirts of the forest, Wild smirked and looked over his shoulder, Uloth heaved for air leaning on the largest tusk like it was a cane. Next time, send for a damn horse, ’cause this some shite. She said finally letting her face retain colour.

He laughed, I thank you all the same, and I will keep my promise. He winked and walked toward the village, Wildy, you live that way. She pointed to the right forked path.

Yeah, but Pigs-kin lives this way.

She shrugged her shoulders, took the tusks and followed with great effort not to make a face.

Pigs-kin lived with his grandfather, they lived a very practical life with many tools and reused what could be reused and what they needed they made. Wild smiled as they entered their garden, it had two rows of vegetables, potatoes and carrots, a tiny spade and rake and a weed cutter. The rest barren and dead for space when they train or work with bigger projects. Pigs-kin, Grandkin…you in? He said as he dropped the large beast.

Grandkin was an old Ogreian, he could go as a council elder if he wanted,