The Regressed Mercenary: Machinations, Chapter 1 - The Serpent's Coil
The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows across the rough-hewn table, illuminating the grim determination etched onto Jaxon’s face. His calloused fingers traced the intricate carvings on his worn dagger, a familiar weight in his hand. He wasn’t a hero, not anymore. He was a mercenary, a shadow in the underbelly of the world, haunted by the echoes of a past he couldn't escape. But tonight, that past was about to change everything.
Jaxon wasn't just any mercenary. He was a regressed mercenary. A catastrophic magical experiment, a desperate gamble for power, had thrown him back in time—not to his childhood, but to the peak of his mercenary career, a decade earlier, before the devastating betrayal that shattered his life. He remembered the pain, the loss, the cold steel of betrayal piercing his back, leaving him for dead. Now, armed with the knowledge of his future, he was back to rewrite his story, to unravel the serpent's coil of treachery that had nearly destroyed him.
What happened to Jaxon in the past that led to his regression?
The betrayal was brutal and swift. Jaxon, at the height of his power and reputation, was double-crossed by his closest confidante, a woman named Seraphina. She'd used his trust, his loyalty, to set him up for a fatal ambush orchestrated by their shared employer, the ruthless Lord Valerius. The details remained hazy, fragments of a nightmare he couldn't fully piece together. He only knew Seraphina's smile, the glint of her dagger, and the agonizing pain before darkness claimed him. The magical regression was a desperate, last-ditch effort by a mysterious benefactor, a shadowy figure who only wished to see Jaxon use this second chance wisely.
How does Jaxon’s past knowledge affect his present actions?
Jaxon’s memories weren't just of the betrayal; they encompassed every detail of his past campaigns, every contact, every enemy. He knew the weaknesses of his adversaries, the hidden agendas of his allies, and the precise sequence of events that led to his downfall. This foreknowledge gave him an edge, a chilling precognitive ability to anticipate and manipulate events to his advantage. He’d already subtly begun to shift alliances, gathering information, and sowing seeds of discord amongst those who had once plotted his demise.
Who is Lord Valerius, and what is his role in Jaxon's story?
Lord Valerius was a cruel and ambitious warlord, the puppet master pulling strings from the shadows. Jaxon had served him faithfully, believing their shared ambitions were aligned. The truth was far more sinister. Valerius was a master manipulator, using Jaxon's abilities to further his own power grab, ultimately discarding him when he became a liability. Jaxon now aims to dismantle Valerius's empire piece by piece, using his past knowledge to expose the warlord’s corruption and undermine his authority. He plans to turn Valerius's own machinations against him.
What are Jaxon’s goals now that he’s regressed?
Jaxon's primary goal is revenge. He wants to expose Seraphina's treachery and bring her, and Lord Valerius, to justice. But his plans extend beyond mere retribution. He seeks to reclaim his honor, rebuild his reputation, and forge a new path free from the shadows that nearly consumed him. He aims to create a mercenary life based on loyalty and honor, where the brutal realities of his chosen profession are tempered by a sense of justice. This time, he won't allow himself to be manipulated or betrayed.
The candle guttered, plunging the room into near darkness. Jaxon rose, the silhouette of his figure sharp against the faint light. His past was a weapon, honed by experience and sharpened by regret. He would use it to rewrite his future, one carefully calculated step at a time. The game had begun. The serpent’s coil was about to be unraveled.
