ã€ŠRise of the Half Bloodã€‹


 Prologue

    A child knelt beside the rubble, crying uncontrollably over her dead mother. An elf, engulfed in flames, ran screaming through the chaos and accidentally set another woman ablaze as she searched for her family.

    In the midst of it all, a shadow dragged a fighter as far from the battle as she could manage, her own injuries slowing her down. She then limped over to the warrior, struggling to lift him.

    ¡°Leave me,¡± the warrior groaned, his face pale from blood loss. ¡°I¡¯m dead weight.

    A bolt of lightning struck nearby, and the shadow shouted, ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you! Now help me move you!¡±

    The warrior tried his best to shift, but his strength was fading fast. Blood loss clouded his vision, and within moments, darkness consumed him.

    In a void, the warrior slowly lifted his head from a kneeling position as a dim glow appeared beneath him. He was kneeling on what seemed to be a floor of blood, though the surface did not ripple as he moved. In front of him, droplets of blood fell from somewhere, causing faint ripples to spread across the crimson floor.

    A sword descended from the darkness above, its voice cold and familiar. ¡°Hello, bearer.¡±

    The warrior blinked, confusion clouding his mind. ¡°Am I dead?¡± he asked.

    The sword hovered before him, its blade gleaming. ¡°Not yet,¡± it replied.

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    The warrior looked around, disoriented. ¡°Where am I, then?¡±

    ¡°We are in a small domain of mine,¡± the sword said, circling him slowly. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ve pulled your spirit here to amend our contract.¡±

    The warrior¡¯s eyes narrowed as he followed the sword¡¯s movements. ¡°What contract? Who are you?¡±

    The sword stopped in front of him once more. ¡°I am the blade you wield, the one you call upon in battle.¡±

    Recognition flickered across the warrior¡¯s face. ¡°I remember now,¡± he muttered. ¡°You gave me your hatred in exchange for¡­ what? A simple bond between sword and master? You¡¯re cursed. Any deal with you will lead to my demise.¡±

    The blade hummed, the sound low and ominous. ¡°This is true.¡±

    The warrior flinched at the sword¡¯s blunt admission.

    ¡°But I can give you what you want,¡± the blade whispered. ¡°Strength. More strength than you could ever imagine, and enough power to lead your people from the suffering that¡ª¡±

    The warrior tried to push the floating sword away from him and hung his head low. ¡°And what will it cost me?¡±

    The sword¡¯s voice became darker, more insistent. ¡°You will never know true love, your freedom will be stripped from you, and not only will you have my hate but you will have the hate of the world as well¡­¡±

    The warrior stared at his reflection in the pool of blood beneath him, his lip trembling. ¡°No. I refuse.¡±

    The sword¡¯s size doubled, glowing with fierce green light. ¡°You cannot hide from me, bearer. We are bound. I can peer into your soul, and you are lying to yourself.¡±

    Tears welled in the warrior¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡ª I am.¡±

    The blade¡¯s laughter echoed, resonating deeply within the space, causing the pool of blood to ripple violently around them. ¡°You will restore my divinity yet,¡± the sword declared, and with a sudden thrust, it plunged itself into the warrior¡¯s chest, sending him doubling over.

 B1C1 - A Prince Without

    A couple years before, a young man with pointed ears ran wild through the corridors of a towering tree, his princely title was the only thing he truely held. He dashed back and forth, chasing a cat with the glee of a child until he suddenly tripped and fell flat on his face.

    ¡°Ouch, ahhh¡­¡± he groaned, rocking back and forth while holding his knee.

    A bald elf leaned over him, snapping his fingers inches from his teary eyes. ¡°Get up! You¡¯re not even bleeding,¡± he said, his tone curt and unyielding.

    ¡°Oh, stop that! You¡¯ll make him toughen up the wrong way,¡± chided an elven woman as she bent down to help the boy.

    ¡°If we did it your way, he¡¯d still be suckling from your tit,¡± he muttered.

    She shot him a withering look. ¡°He¡¯s only thirty-six! Weaning them too early is damaging,¡± she argued, her tone growing sharper.

    ¡°I slew a minotaur at his age! You coddle him like a delicate sapling!¡± he barked, frustration simmering in his voice.

    The prince held the woman¡¯s hand, his eyes darting around, searching for a way to escape the rising tension.

    She leaned close and whispered, ¡°Hush, you brute. I strike him when no one¡¯s looking,¡± her tone low but sharp.

    He mirrored her closeness, whispering back, ¡°And I¡¯ve heard what you do before you ¡®tuck him in¡¯ at night, you sly wench.¡±

    ¡°What are you two discussing so quietly? Anything I should be aware of?¡± a calm, regal voice interjected.

    Both of them jumped in surprise, immediately lowering themselves into deep bows.

    In unison, they knelt. ¡°My king, forgive us,¡± they murmured.

    The king, silver-haired and bearing an aura of quiet strength, brushed aside a lock of hair and gestured for them to stand, a warm smile easing their tension.

    ¡°Relax, both of you. I only meant to startle you for my own amusement. Please, stand,¡± he chuckled.

    They stood, exchanging a quick glare at one another, but before they could speak further, the king stepped forward, his face softening.

    ¡°I wanted to thank you both,¡± he began. ¡°You¡¯ve cared for my children through the bad and good times alike. Your loyalty will not be forgotten¡­ thank you, Chron. Thank you, Holly.¡±

    Tears welled in Holly¡¯s eyes as she flung herself onto the king¡¯s shoulder, her voice trembling. ¡°You are too kind, my lord.¡±

    Chron, raising a fist to his chest in a solemn salute, declared, ¡°My king, I will never fail you.¡±

    The king¡¯s expression darkened, his form seeming to grow, casting a shadow over them as his voice dropped. ¡°Then perhaps you can tell me¡­ where is my youngest son? The two of you are responsible for watching him.¡±

    Both of them exchanged panicked glances and then began to look down around them, only for their faces to grow in dismay.

    Meanwhile, on a lower level of the colossal tree, the boy in question¡ªElron¡ªwas busily catching bugs along the inner trunk. His favorite hunting ground was the third floor, where the light and air seemed to attract all manner of creatures.

    ¡°Create object,¡± Elron muttered, casting a small spell. A fist-sized cage of earth formed around a grasshopper. The bug thrashed inside the cage, its frantic movement making the prince chuckle in delight.

    ¡°Hey, Elron, what have you got there?¡± asked a green-eyed boy who had appeared without warning.

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    ¡°Nothing¡­¡± Elron stammered, quickly hiding the tiny cage behind his back.

    ¡°Pff, I don¡¯t care about your dumb bugs,¡± said his older brother, feigning disinterest.

    Elron glanced at him but kept the bug concealed.

    His brother walked closer, leaning in with a smirk. ¡°Come on, let me see. It must be a big one, right?¡±

    ¡°No! I remember what you did last time, you slug muncher!¡± Elron shouted before turning to run.

    But his brother was no mere elf, he was faster, stronger, and already upon him. Elron managed only a few strides before he was shoved against the vine-covered wall. His treasured bug flew from his hand as he tumbled.

    ¡°Oh, look at this beauty,¡± his brother grinned, eyeing the grasshopper.

    Elron scrambled to his feet, pleading, ¡°Please, don¡¯t, Adan.¡±

    Their eyes locked¡ªone filled with desperation, the other with a quiet, savoring grin. With a pop and crunch, Adan opened the cage and ate the grasshopper with a satisfied smirk.

    Elron''s face flushed with anger. ¡°I hate you! You¡¯re vile!¡± he shouted, pounding weakly on Adan¡¯s chest.

    With a flick of his wrist, Adan sent Elron sprawling. ¡°Come on, that was funny,¡± he sneered, throwing the remnants of the cage aside.

    ¡°Flare!¡± Elron''s voice wavered as he summoned a tiny flame in his trembling hand.

    Adan smirked, meeting his younger brother''s rebellious gaze. ¡°That little spark won¡¯t hurt me, brother. I¡¯m in a whole nother league compared to you. You¡¯ll never best me, half-breed,¡± he taunted.

    Elron gathered his resolve, focusing on the flame, and flung it past his brother¡¯s face. If Adan hadn¡¯t ducked, he would have been scorched.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re going to regret that, you little bastard!¡± Adan roared, his eyes flashing with rage.

    Elron braced himself, recalling everything his mentor, Chron had taught him about facing fear. But as Adan''s fist drew back and prepared to strike, Elron¡¯s courage crumbled.

    ¡°What¡¯s this commotion?¡± a calm, yet commanding voice intervened.

    Both boys froze, collapsing onto their backs in shock, their fight forgotten in the presence of their father.

    The king bent his knees, crouching down in front of Adan, a gentle smile easing the tension. ¡°Now, what did I tell you about hurting others? You know better.¡±

    ¡°He tried to burn me! You didn¡¯t see it!¡± Adan protested.

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± the king replied, his tone unbothered. ¡°But if I hadn¡¯t appeared just now, that punch would have landed on Elron instead of me.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°No arguments, Adan. Return to your mentors. I need a word with Elron,¡± he instructed.

    Once they were alone, the king looked down at Elron, who was studying the ground, his face sullen. The king sighed, then reached over to ruffle his hair.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go for a walk, shall we?¡±

    In the blink of an eye, they were transported to the heart of the kingdom¡¯s bustling city square. Despite the royal presence, no one seemed to notice them. The townsfolk bustled about, going from shop to shop, each store nestled within the trees in the classic elven style.

    The king gestured for Elron to sit by the large fountain at the square''s center, joining him on the edge. They sat in silence for a while, listening to the gentle sounds of water and snippets of passing conversations.

    Elron finally broke the silence. ¡°Why are we here, Father?¡± he asked, gripping the fountain''s edge.

    The king sighed, choosing his words carefully. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to talk to you about, son¡­ something important. It¡¯s about¡ª¡±

    ¡°About what? Since when do you care about anything to do with me?¡± Elron interrupted, his voice trembling with resentment.

    The king¡¯s expression softened, and he placed a hand over his heart. ¡°I¡¯ve always cared, Elron. I know it may not feel that way. The burdens of this kingdom¡­ they take much of my time, but you¡­ you are what truly matters to me.¡±

    ¡°If I mattered, then you or Mom would spend time with me! Take me places, do things with me¡ªlike everyone else!¡± Elron¡¯s voice rose as he pointed toward the dozens of families moving about in the town square.

    Around them, families laughed, gossiped, and chatted amongst themselves. Husbands, wives, children¡ªhumans, dwarves, gnomes, elves, and a slew of other races¡ªall gathered together on their day of rest, reveling in each other¡¯s company. Family was a big part for those within the kingdom. Except for Elron, who knew nothing of this closeness.

    The king met his son¡¯s gaze, his own face shadowed. ¡°You know why your mother can¡¯t be here,¡± he murmured.

    Elron¡¯s shoulders dropped. He turned, fixing his eyes on the towering tree in the distance. ¡°Just send me back Father,¡± he whispered, barely above a breath.

    The king gave a solemn nod. ¡°Anything for you, my son.¡±

    With a wave of his hand, they vanished, slipping from the square as though they¡¯d never been there at all, leaving no trace that a conversation had ever taken place.

 B1C2 - A Princeéˆ¥æªš Bargain

    Somewhere in one of the highest chambers of the elven king¡¯s treehouse lay a couple in bed.

    ¡°My love, how are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing well. I just finished securing more trade routes with our neighbors to the east. They try to haggle me to death, but I¡¯ve yet to let them get the best of me. I pray one day they¡¯ll adopt our more transparent trading practices. It would make my life a bit easier, ha.¡±

    The woman in gray turned her head, catching only her husband¡¯s cheek. ¡°You sound forced¡­ I can always tell when you''re lying. You¡¯re quite bad at it, you know?¡±

    ¡°I know, I know,¡± the King murmured, his gaze fixed on the intricate artwork above them.

    ¡°What¡¯s really on your mind?¡± she asked.

    The King paused, pointing to the left corner of the mural. ¡°Do you think life would be any different if I hadn¡¯t killed Maximus?¡±

    The woman raised her finger to the right portion of the mural and replied, ¡°No... Life would not be half as prosperous. My brother would have turned the whole forest into farmland and put everyone we know in chains to sow it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°I always am.¡±

    The King smiled, leaning up to snap his fingers at the wisps dancing near the ceiling. Only once he settled back did the creatures let darkness settle over the room.

    Silence hung between them before the King sighed deeply. ¡°It¡¯s our son. I¡¯m worried about him.¡±

    ¡°What seems to be the matter?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, exactly. I feel lost as a father. Maybe I¡¯m just getting old, or¡­¡±

    ¡°Or perhaps his mother is never there,¡± she interjected softly.

    ¡°No!¡± The King sat up, looking at her earnestly.

    She struggled to meet his gaze. ¡°It¡¯s true. Your ex-wive raised your children, and I did not. I likely never will.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re a bad mother, or that I love you any less.¡±

    ¡°Then what is it?¡±

    The King lay back, his expression distant. ¡°The boy lacks development, but he seems happy. I don¡¯t want to push him. To me, he¡¯s still a child.¡±

    ¡°If he were purely elven, that would be true. But as a human, he¡¯d be married off with children of his own by now.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s not human¡ªhe¡¯s half human.¡±

    ¡°All the more reason to start treating him as an adult, whether he¡¯s ready or not,¡± she murmured, as she creeked her neck back up to the ceiling.

    The King settled down beside her. ¡°You¡¯re right... I¡¯ll send a messenger to Holly and Chron. Some time outside the tree, making friends and furthering his class, could do him some good.¡±

    ¡°Perfect, my dear. I¡¯m sure it will do him some good. Now, please, try to get some rest.¡±

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    A few levels below the King¡¯s chambers, a blue-haired elf practically skipped through the halls, shooing a messenger bird from her shoulder as she went.

    ¡°Everything¡¯s proceeding smoothly,¡± she murmured to herself, knocking gently on the door.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± a faint, sleepy voice came from within.

    The woman cupped her hands around her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s Holly. I¡¯m here to tuck you in,¡± she called with a playful lilt.

    ¡°Oh, please come in,¡± the voice responded in relief.

    As the door opened, it was clear the bedroom belonged to royalty. High ceilings, elegant furniture, and an immaculate aura filled the space. At the end of the room was Elron, already nestled in bed.

    ¡°Are you ready for bed, my prince?¡± Holly asked, snapping her fingers discreetly behind her back as she approached him.

    Elron¡¯s feet shifted under the covers, his cheeks pink. ¡°Yes,¡± he replied, barely above a whisper.

    Holly turned away briefly, peeking out into the hallway, her eyes scanning both directions before she finally closed the door. Satisfied, she turned back, sashaying over to him with graceful deliberation.

    ¡°We need to have a talk, my Prince,¡± she said, leaning over to tuck him in.

    Elron¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What kind of talk? If this is about my brother¡­ I swear, I did nothing to provoke him,¡± he began, his words tumbling out. ¡°He¡¯s always like that, and I want nothing to do with him. Tell my Father that he¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shhh, no, it¡¯s not about that,¡± Holly interrupted, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

    Elron looked at her, confusion clouding his face. ¡°So, what do we need to talk about, then?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to be leaving the citadel more often to work on your class and meet other nobles around your age,¡± Holly explained calmly. ¡°Unfortunately, I won¡¯t be able to oversee the leveling part of your training. That will be Chron¡¯s duty¡­¡±

    Elron¡¯s expression soured, and he crossed his arms. ¡°I hate Chron almost as much as my brothers,¡± he grumbled. ¡°He¡¯s always hitting me, and Father hasn¡¯t done anything about it. You¡¯ve told him, right? Why hasn¡¯t he replaced him?¡±

    Holly sighed, sitting down at the edge of the bed. ¡°I¡¯ve told him many times,¡± she reassured, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. ¡°Your father¡¯s busy. He¡¯s searching for a replacement daily, don¡¯t you worry.¡±

    Elron¡¯s scowl softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°At least I have you.¡±

    Holly¡¯s fingers trailed to the neckline of her low-cut dress, and a teasing smile curved her lips. ¡°Aww, you¡¯ve always been so sweet. Thank you, my prince.¡±

    A brief silence settled, the air thick with unspoken tension. Elron shifted, then whispered shyly, ¡°Uh¡­ can I see them again?¡±

    ¡°Oh? You want these?¡± Holly responded as she exposed her massive breasts.

    Elron¡¯s eyes went wide, his breath hitching. ¡°Yes, please,¡± he murmured in desperation.

    With a playful grin, Holly leaned closer. ¡°Here¡¯s the thing, my prince. Snack time is on pause until you do me a little teensy tiny favor,¡±

    ¡°What?! But we¡¯ve always¡­¡± Elron¡¯s voice rose, frustration creeping in.

    ¡°One of the people you¡¯re going to meet soon is an elven woman from the Moonshadow family,¡± Holly interrupted, now serious. ¡°Her name is Marcella, and I need the blue amulet she wears around her neck.¡±

    Elron gawked at her, disbelief evident on his face. ¡°Why do you want it? I don¡¯t want to meet new people, and I especially don¡¯t want to steal from them!¡± he protested.

    Holly pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. ¡°You don¡¯t get what you want until I get what I want. Clear?¡±

    Elron slapped her hand away, anger flickering in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to let Father know about all of this, and he¡¯ll imprison you. Maybe even execute you for it,¡± he threatened, huffing as he turned away.

    Holly pursed her lips thoughtfully. ¡°You could,¡± she conceded, smirking as she adjusted her dress. ¡°But then you wouldn¡¯t get this.¡± She pressed her chest together, causing his resistance melt.

    Elron¡¯s defiance crumbled as he stared, his determination fading. ¡°Okay, I promise¡­¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Holly said with a satisfied smile, while fixing her dress and standing up.

    Elron watched as she sauntered to the door, feeling a whirlwind of angst and desire. He slid down his headboard, and the room seemed different all of a sudden. It felt much smaller, diminished, dimmed, almost as if it had lost its luster in a near-instant, yet, nothing had actually changed.

    ¡°How soon do I need to retrieve it?¡± he asked quietly.

    ¡°As soon as possible,¡± Holly replied, snapping her fingers once again. ¡°But make sure she doesn¡¯t know it was you who stole it¡ªI mean, acquired it,¡± she added.

    Elron sank deeper into his mattress, muttering under his breath, ¡°Stupid amulet¡­¡±

 B1C3 - First of Many

    Later the next day, both Holly and Chron were in Elron¡¯s room, helping him get ready for a big day.

    Chron stood on the other side of a changing screen, saying, ¡°Here, try this belt. It¡¯s the biggest one you have, so it better fit.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s probably struggling to put it on. Let me get back there and help him,¡± Holly said as she dropped a pile of clean clothes.

    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t,¡± Chron retorted, sticking his arm out to block her.

    ¡°Get that meaty appendage out of my face, or I¡¯m going to make it vanish,¡± Holly snapped back.

    ¡°You know why you¡¯re not going back there,¡± Chron replied, standing firm.

    ¡°It fits! I¡¯m ready as I¡¯m ever going to be,¡± Elron announced as he emerged from behind the screen.

    ¡°Oh my, you look so handsome in that tunic,¡± Holly complimented, her eyes shining with approval.

    Chron gave her a side-eye and said, ¡°Good enough. Now, let¡¯s move it, or we¡¯ll be late.¡±

    Soon enough, the group made their way to the trunk of the mighty tree. There lay a staircase that took them below to the tree''s main level.

    ¡°Why does this place look so ugly and musty?¡± Elron asked, wrinkling his nose.

    ¡°Do not speak ill of the elven road,¡± Chron said sternly as he led the way forward.

    Holly grabbed Elron¡¯s hand, reassuring him, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. This is the teleportation area to all the villages. It¡¯s kept in its natural state so that it may be preserved.¡±

    ¡°Huh, I guess that makes sense,¡± Elron said as he flicked a dirty root that hung from the walls.

    ¡°This is it! Get up here with me, woman,¡± Chron called out, motioning for Holly to join him.

    Holly scampered up next to Chron with a huff, ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±

    Together, they put their hands together and chanted, ¡°Oh, blessed road, we the Sylphs of old stand before you. Heed our call for a journey beyond, and receive us with merciful intent. Show us your light and allow us safe travel beyond which we cannot provide ourselves. Open!¡±

    ¡°Woah,¡± Elron exclaimed as he stumbled behind the two.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, my prince. Chron has already stepped through the portal,¡± Holly urged as she ushered him along.

    The portal in front of them was ominous, to say the least. It whipped, warped, and whirled with all sorts of colors. As it moved, it sounded like a piece of thin metal being wafted back and forth.

    ¡°Uh, I don¡¯t know about this,¡± Elron said, dragging his heels.

    Sure enough, though, all three went through to the other side, and they appeared inside a courtyard containing tall hedges and a gazebo. Under that gazebo sat a couple in black. They sipped from their teacups until the portal behind them petered out.

    ¡°Welcome to the eastern territory, my honored guests,¡± the elf said as he approached.

    Elron ran in front of his mentors, exclaiming, ¡°Hey! Your eyes look just like Chron¡¯s and Holly¡¯s. Are you all related?¡±

    He chuckled, ¡°No, we¡¯re Sylphs. That¡¯s why we have golden eyes.¡±

    ¡°Excuse the lad''s ignorance. Someone has failed to teach him the basics of our origins. I am Chron, his mentor, and to my left is Holly, his other mentor,¡± and he shot Holly a glare.

    ¡°I see. Well, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I hope the trip was simple enough,¡± the Sylph replied courteously.

    ¡°Yes, the gate treated us well,¡± Chron responded with a nod.

    ¡°Shall I show you the guest lodgings now?¡± the Sylph gestured.

    ¡°Yes, Lord¡­¡± Chron started but was interrupted.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Elron cried out as the woman in black suddenly appeared behind him.

    While crouched, she pinched his cheek and said, ¡°You have your mother¡¯s nose. Is this your first time out and about?¡±

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    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Holly stated as she stomped her foot and pulled Elron back.

    The woman burst out laughing, ¡°Well, that said it all, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Lord Moon, I am ready to move on when you are,¡± Chron said, wearing his standard frown.

    ¡°Yes, yes. Prince Elron, would you please, follow me? I would like to see you to your tree for the next week,¡± Lord Moon said as he turned to the exit.

    Elron¡¯s mouth dropped, ¡°A week?! Neither of you mentioned this,¡± he said, looking at Chron and Holly.

    Everyone except Elron laughed and began to move down a trail toward a set of elven trees. Lord Moonshadow walked in front with Chron, while the women walked together behind the prince. The men chatted, and the women remained quiet, leaving Elron to pout in the middle.

    ¡°...Was it a black wyvern or a blue one?¡± Lord Moon asked as they walked.

    ¡°It was a blue one. That¡¯s how I ended up with this scar on the side of my face,¡± Chron replied.

    ¡°Hm, what did you do with the spoils?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I had the head taxidermied,¡± Chron answered nonchalantly.

    ¡°I have a few on my wall as well, but no blue ones, yet¡­¡± Lord Moon mused.

    ¡°Nah, I didn¡¯t mount it on my wall. I just use it as a barrel to hold old training swords,¡± Chron said, shrugging.

    ¡°Ha, well, that¡¯s more practical than mounting it on a wall, I suppose,¡± Lord Moonshadow said as he stopped in front of an elven tree.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, my Lord?¡± Holly scoffed, as she looked down upon their new quarters.

    Mrs. Moonshadow turned to her, narrowed her eyes, and said, ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just so small,¡± Holly replied, trying to mask her disappointment.

    ¡°It has everything, I assure you. It¡¯s a two-story tree with all the comforts a prince could need in the evenings,¡± stated Lord Moon.

    ¡°It¡¯s more than enough, Lord Moon,¡± Elron interjected, trying to ease the tension.

    ¡°Good. Go ahead and make yourselves at home in the other two trees. Elron, come with me. I have someone you should meet at my manor,¡± Lord Moon said as he walked onto a dirt trail.

    Elron looked at his mentors and received nods before following Lord Moon.

    He gulped and asked, ¡°Who am I meeting, my Lord?¡±

    ¡°My daughter Marcella. She¡¯s really looking forward to meeting you. So don¡¯t disappoint now,¡± Lord Moon smirked.

    The prince''s mind raced. He didn¡¯t know what to expect from someone outside his home, especially a woman. The only women he really knew were Holly and his sister. And with both weighing on his mind now, a dull ache began to throb in his head.

    ¡°Are you excited to meet her? I¡¯m sure this must be a bit overwhelming for you, but I can assure you there¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡± Lord Moon said.

    ¡°Meet who? Oh... right, Marcella,¡± Elron muttered, barely catching himself.

    Lord Moon continued to walk ahead, yet glanced back at him in a brief study.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he said upon entering a treeline.

    Before them stood a rather impressive tree, roughly half the size of the one in the capital. Surrounding it were more hedges and servants tending to them with plant magic. But the real interest was who raced out the front door toward them.

    She raced forward in a blur, leaving a small dust cloud in her wake, only to skid to a sudden halt. "Hello, you must be the Prince," she called out, dropping into a swift, graceful bow.

    Elron blushed, ¡°Nice¡­ Nice to meet you.¡±

    ¡°Good to see you both acquainted,¡± Lord Moon remarked.

    Elron then said, ¡°Thank you, Lord Moon,¡± as he looked around for an elf who was no longer present.

    ¡°He does that. My dad thinks he¡¯s so mysterious-looking when he just up and disappears,¡± Marcella said with a playful smile.

    "Uh, you don¡¯t say," Elron replied, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°So, what should we do?¡± Marcella asked as she leaned into his personal space, her voice curious.

    Elron stepped back a bit, feeling his heart race. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± he said, leaning away from her.

    His blood began to rush. He found himself enamored by her, yet she looked so much different than what he was accustomed to. She was quite tan, with short hair that was as black as night.

    She giggled, her laughter light and teasing. ¡°So, what do you do on a normal day in the citadel?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Um, nothing exciting. We can do whatever you want to do,¡± Elron offered, feeling slightly embarrassed.

    ¡°No, I want to know what the capital people do. C¡¯mon, show me what fun stuff you guys do there,¡± Marcella insisted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

    Elron threw his hands up in a gesture of helplessness. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know what most people do for fun there. I usually just collect bugs,¡± he admitted.

    Marcella blinked a couple of times before laughing again. ¡°Ha, well that¡¯s different. That¡¯s stuff I do out here,¡± she said, amused.

    Elron¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You like to catch bugs too?!¡± he asked, surprised.

    ¡°Sure do! I also hunt, fish, and of course climb trees every day,¡± she claimed, striking a prideful pose.

    ¡°That sounds amazing! Can we do all that today?¡± Elron asked, his enthusiasm growing.

    ¡°We surely can try. This is probably the best time to go hunt a velorin since they¡¯re still in season, but this is your first hunt so maybe we should just try rabbits. I¡¯ll have to go grab another bow and quiver. We¡¯ll have to figure out what pull strength to set it at, hmmm. And if we leave now, then¡­¡± Marcella started to ramble, ever deep in thought.

    Suddenly, silence fell over Elron as his gaze was drawn to the blue amulet that hung from her neck.

    ¡°Elron? Hey, Elron? You there? Woohooo?¡± said Marcella as she waved her hand in front of his face.

    ¡°Apologies, I was lost in thought there for a moment,¡± Elron said, snapping out of his daze.

    ¡°That¡¯s alright. Let me go grab some stuff. Wait here,¡± Marcella said with a smile before dashing off.

 B1C4 - Trials of the Hunt and Heart

    The next day, the two were in the forest, crouched in a bush as they waited for their prey to appear.

    ¡°Look, there¡¯s one,¡± Marcella whispered, pointing out a rabbit.

    Elron knocked his bow and drew it back ever so slowly, trying to steady his shaking hands.

    ¡°Take your time, look at the target,¡± Marcella coached softly.

    With a woosh and a thud, the arrow went right into a tree instead of the rabbit. The rabbit took a second to look around before taking off, adding to Elron''s defeat.

    ¡°Welp, I knew I wasn¡¯t going to be any good at this,¡± Elron muttered, feeling dejected.

    ¡°It¡¯s your first time, don¡¯t sweat it. It¡¯s not like your class is an archer. It¡¯s not, right?¡± Marcella asked, trying to lighten the mood.

    ¡°...¡± Elron remained silent, avoiding her gaze.

    Marcella helped him out of the bush. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to pry into your status. We should head back now though,¡± she said, giving him a sympathetic smile.

    They nodded to one another and then weaved through the forest until they were back at the manor. From there, they waved each other goodbye for the evening and parted ways. It was now time for Elron to train with Chron before bed, a session he dreaded. He could already see Chron standing there in his half plate armor from a distance.

    ¡°You¡¯re late, boy,¡± Chron said gruffly, tossing some steel in the dirt.

    ¡°Pick it up.¡±

    Elron bent down to pick the sword up, but before he could even straighten up, Chron was already on him. A boot quickly engulfed his vision, sending him rolling.

    ¡°Get up,¡± Chron barked.

    This time, Elron scrambled to his feet with the sword in hand and took a shaky stance. A resounding clang echoed as he used all his energy to deflect the first blow. However, Chron followed up quickly, delivering a series of blows before cracking Elron in the face with the hilt of his sword. The prince went down in a heap.

    ¡°Where¡¯s the follow-up?!¡± Chron demanded.

    ¡°Please¡­ no more. I give up,¡± Elron groveled, his voice weak.

    ¡°No. A real foe would never quit, not untill you¡¯re dead. Now, swing at me,¡± Chron ordered, his tone merciless.

    With tears in his eyes, Elron rushed at Chron and tried to spear him.

    ¡°Give me a little more,¡± Chron taunted as he sidestepped the attack.

    Elron¡¯s voice cracked as he let out a war cry and charged the elf again. He swung his sword wildly, failing to land a single blow. Occasionally, he would get close, only to receive a punch to the face. After being hit, he would stagger and fumble briefly, just to do it all over again, and again.

    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Elron gasped as he swung and collapsed.

    Chron kicked him in the gut. ¡°You¡¯re a pathetic boy,¡± he sneered.

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    ¡°Please¡­ stop,¡± Elron begged, his voice barely a whisper.

    ¡°You¡¯re weak!¡± Chron spat, kicking him again.

    ¡°...help me,¡± Elron whimpered.

    With one last kick, Chron declared, ¡°You can sleep outside. It might harden you up for once.¡±

    The prince lay there in the dirt as the sun went down, wheezing and coughing up blood. He tried his best to remain silent, at least until he couldn¡¯t hear his mentor walking away anymore.

    Soon after, another set of footsteps approached. ¡°My prince, you poor thing. Let me help you,¡± said Holly as she carefully scooped him up.

    She took him to his elven tree and placed him on the bed.

    ¡°Greater rejuvenation,¡± she casted, her hands glowing with healing magic.

    ¡°My head hurts,¡± Elron groaned, wincing in pain.

    ¡°It looks like it. Fortunately, it doesn¡¯t look as bad as usual,¡± Holly said gently while examining him.

    Elron wheezed, ¡°I think most of my ribs are broken.¡±

    ¡°Shhh, talking will only make it worse. You will be all better in the morning,¡± she soothed as she stood over him, continuing to imbue him with a warm glow.

    The soothing warmth and relief of Holly¡¯s spell soon overtook him, and he fell asleep.

    The next morning, the front door shook. ¡°Hey Elron, you up yet? It¡¯s time to go hunting again,¡± Marcella called from outside.

    Elron sat up and groaned. ¡°Come in,¡± he managed to say.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Marcella asked, her voice shuttering in concerned.

    ¡°Yes, and please keep your voice down. My head aches,¡± Elron replied, rubbing his temples.

    Marcella walked in and slowly closed the door behind her. ¡°Why does your head hurt? You weren¡¯t drinking, were you?¡± she whispered, eyeing him suspiciously.

    ¡°Huh, no, I would never. Just a rough night in a new bed, I suppose,¡± Elron lied, trying to smile.

    She looked at him intently, then replied, ¡°If you say so.¡±

    Elron slid out of bed, wincing as he moved. ¡°Let me look for some better clothes here, and I¡¯ll be right out,¡± he said, trying to sound more energetic than he felt.

    ¡°Are you sure? If you¡¯re not feeling well, we can postpone things for tomorrow,¡± Marcella offered.

    ¡°No way. I¡¯m not going to miss a chance to get out of here,¡± Elron insisted, forcing himself to stand tall.

    ¡°Missing the forest like a true elf. Okay, I¡¯ll be right outside waiting for you,¡± Marcella stated with a small smile as she closed the door behind her.

    Elron strained to throw some clothes on and quickly made his way out the front door. He kept his head down, afraid that he might catch the eye of either Holly or Chron.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry,¡± he shuffled, trying to hide his discomfort.

    She jabbed him in the arm. "You¡¯re the slowpoke."

    "Do you normally assault royalty?" he jested.

    She gulped. "Excuse me, my prince, my sincer-"

    "Just kidding," he interrupted, shoving her as he ran ahead.

    She chased after him, laughing. "¡­you shit."

    A couple of hours later, they ran into a river crossing. It was too wide to jump, and there was no means to cross it.

    "Can you swim?" she asked, eyeing the rushing water.

    "Swim?¡± he asked. ¡°Do I look like a fish to you?" he snorted.

    "Maybe a blobfish with that nose of yours," she teased.

    He turned away from her and pushed up the mountain in a fuss. "Elron, it was just a joke. I didn¡¯t mean it¡­"

    "No, you said it. Let''s just get up this stupid mountain already," he replied, his voice tight with emotion.

    She grabbed the back of his arm, pulling him towards her. "I was kidding, sorry. It was just banter."

    Tears ran down his face as ripped his arm back from her.

    "Why does that bother you so much? C¡¯mon, I like your nose,¡± she said.

    Elron turned to her, leaning in close. "I hate my nose. It clearly makes me look like a half-blood weakling, and everyone, even my own damn brother, makes fun of me for it. That¡¯s why it bothers me." With that, he stomped back up the hill.

    She was at a loss for words. She didn¡¯t know what else to say, and instead of him following her through the sparse forest, it ended up being her following him.

    A few moments later, she pushed him under a downed tree.

    "Shhh,¡± she whispered, holding her a singular finger up to her lips.

 B1C5 - Promises

    "What?" he whispered, peering over the log.

    There in the distance, they gazed upon a large velorin bull. It was a four-legged beast with antlers and scales. Inside of a clearing, it remained oblivious to the two elves nearby. It grazed on the dewy grass and occasionally let out long streams of steam from its nostrils.

    She nudged him. "This is you, take aim."

    Elron let out a slow breath. With three fingers, he knocked an arrow and slowly stood up to draw. He looked down the shaft of his arrow. The arrowhead buzzed all over the target as he was quickly losing courage. With some regret, he winged it and let the arrow loose.

    Raaaargh!

    Marsella could hardly believe her eyes. The arrow had missed the velorin entirely and struck a hidden red bear instead. The beast immediately stood up on its hind legs, wailing at its face. It was miraculous yet terrifying that the arrow had struck it in the eye.

    "Get down. We must leave now," she whispered urgently.

    Raorrrr!

    The beast recovered slightly and charged in their direction. The two looked at each other in shock before Marsella grabbed his hand and ran. They ran hard and fast as the bear was hot on their heels. The two jumped and weaved through bushes and logs, yet it was beginning to be clear that it wasn¡¯t enough. They could feel the bear¡¯s grunts of pain in their ears as it neared them. And soon, they could even smell its putrid stink.

    "No time, we have to bail in here," she urged as they tumbled into a narrow cave entrance.

    Roaaarrrh!

    The bear slammed into the side of the mountain, nearly deafening the two as it roared into the cave. It paced and scraped around the entrance with clear determination. The two were terrified as some of the rocks and dust came down on them from the disturbance. Eventually, the bear did give up and staggered away from the opening.

    "Fuck, we¡¯re stuck here," she said, throwing her pack down in frustration.

    "It¡¯s gone. Can we not make a run for it now?" he asked, still catching his breath.

    "No, it¡¯s not a normal bear. Red bears around here hold grudges, and it¡¯s not going to leave anytime soon," she explained, shaking her head.

    Elron plopped down on a rock, sighing. "Well, I¡¯m sure someone will come find us by the morning."

    She ran her fingers through her hair one last time and said, "Okay, yeah, you¡¯re right."

    The two took a minute to destress from the chase before they put a small fire together and checked through their supplies. After an unknown amount of time, they settled in for the night. They ate some rations and stared aimlessly into their small fire. Yet neither of them could ever get too lost in their thoughts, as the bear¡¯s red irises shined through cave''s entrance every so often.

    "I¡¯m sorry about earlier," she said softly, breaking the silence.

    "Don¡¯t be, I know you didn¡¯t say it to hurt my feelings," he replied.

    She poked at the fire and said, "I know you think you¡¯re weak, but surely you¡¯re not. I mean, look at the hurt you put on the bear back there."

    "I am as weak as they come. I¡¯ll share my status with you to prove it¡­" he trailed off.

    She turned red. "That¡¯s a bit much, don¡¯t you think?"

    Before she could refuse anymore, he bit his thumb and drew blood. With that same thumb, he pressed it to hers and envisioned himself. In a flash, like a screen in their head, appeared Elron¡¯s status.

    Status

    Name: Elron Malfar

    Race: Half-elf

    Age: 36

    Class: Spellblade

    Level: 1

    Attributes:

    Strength - 9

    Dexterity - 8

    Constitution - 7

    Intelligence - 10

    Wisdom - 8

    Charisma - 7

    Racial abilities: Low light vision, minor leap, keen sense

    Class abilities: Minor blade mastery

    Spells: Create light, create object, flare.

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    "Woah, I¡¯ve never seen someone else¡¯s status before. It feels like I¡¯m peering into your soul. This is all so, much¡­¡± She stared in awe, her voice soft with wonder. Then to herself, she added, ¡°I can see why the elders don¡¯t discuss the system¡­¡±

    He blinked at her several times, wondering if she forgot his issue.

    "You see I¡¯m level one, and it hasn¡¯t gone up in years," he explained, the frustration evident in his voice.

    "Hm, well, you¡¯re a combat class like me, so you¡¯ll probably have to fight and kill things to gain levels," she reasoned, trying to sound encouraging.

    "Yeah, but I¡¯m a coward. I¡¯m no good at killing," he admitted, lowering his gaze.

    Marcella put her hand on his shoulder. "You are not a coward. I think you¡¯re a good person who just needs the right motivation."

    "Thank you," he said, his voice breaking as he teared up.

    "You know what, Marcella? You¡¯re the nicest person I think I¡¯ve ever met, which is crazy because it¡¯s only been a couple of days," he confessed, a smile tugging at his lips.

    "Aww, shucks, aren¡¯t you a charmer," she joked, blushing slightly.

    "I have a bit of a confession," he began, hesitating.

    "Oh no, what is it¡­" she replied, bracing herself.

    "My mentor is forcing me to steal that amulet from you," he admitted, as his eyes drooped down to the cave floor.

    She held it up, surprised. "This gaudy thing? It¡¯s not really worth anything as far as I know. And wait a minute¡­ What do you mean she¡¯s forcing you?"

    "Well, the thing is¡­" he stammered.

    "Out with it," she urged, her patience thinning.

    "I¡¯m having, you could say, relations with my mentor and guardian," he confessed, now rocking in place.

    "Oh, Elron¡­ That sounds all sorts of bad. It sounds like she¡¯s manipulating you," she said, her concern deepening.

    He frantically waved his hands around, trying to explain. "No, no, no. I¡¯m sure she has her reasons. I just really, really need that amulet."

    "Ugh, here," she said as she took off the amulet and handed it to him.

    "Huh?! You¡¯re just going to give it to me?" he asked, stunned.

    "Well, yeah, you¡¯re my friend, and it means nothing to me. My mother gave it to me a long time ago, and now I think it¡¯s ugly. I¡¯ll just tell her I lost it," she explained, shrugging it off.

    "Wow, thank you so much. I will¡ª" he began, but she cut him off.

    "On one condition!" she stated firmly.

    "You¡¯ll promise to distance yourself from that mentor and focus on getting stronger," she demanded, her gaze unyielding.

    He weighed her words carefully. It was important for one to keep their promises, especially when that someone was a prince. He wasn¡¯t sure if he could distance himself from his first love, but he was definitely sure that he now wanted to get stronger, much stronger.

    ¡°I promise,¡± Elron said, and he stuck out his pinky finger.

    She giggled and said, "Sure," extending her hand. They shook on it, sealing the promise with a shared smile.

    As the night went on, they laid on their cots and made idle chatter about different things they liked. They talked about everything, from bugs to plants, to the different foods they enjoyed. It took them a while to fall asleep, but in time, they did. Their bouts of sleep were short-lived; every few hours, the red bear would peer into the cave, releasing a deep, rumbling growl that sent chills through their bones, making their skin crawl.

    Rrrroaaargh!

    Just before dawn, both of them jolted awake, startled by the bear¡¯s anguished cry echoing through the cave. Grabbing their bows and nocking arrows, they crept toward the cave¡¯s entrance. Outside, Chron stood over the red bear¡¯s body, yanking his sword from its skull. Beside him were Holly and several members of the Moonshadow family, their faces lit sudden relief.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re safe!¡± Holly cried as she buried Elron¡¯s face between her bosoms.

    Lord Moon hugged his daughter, saying, ¡°I was afraid we wouldn¡¯t find you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m okay, Dad. We had that bear on the ropes,¡± Marcella replied confidently.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you did,¡± Lord Moon said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Good, we found them. Now, let''s head home. This trip ends early,¡± Chron said as he wiped the blood from his blade.

    ¡°No! I want to stay!¡± Elron protested.

    ¡°Boy, I won¡¯t argue with you. Get a move on,¡± Chron commanded, staring Elron down.

    Just as Chron¡¯s gaze bore into Elron, the young prince¡¯s heart sank. Despite narrowly escaping the jaws of a monstrous bear, he yearned to stay at the Moonshadow estate. Here, he was free¡ªno citadel walls, no harsh siblings, no constant eyes watching his every move. How could his guardians pull him away now? But he knew he had no choice.

    Resigned, he joined the group as they returned to the portal gate they had entered just days before. With quick farewells and promises to meet again, Elron¡¯s guardians activated the elven road, transporting them back to the capital. And, much to Elron¡¯s dismay, it was already bedtime upon their arrival.

    ¡°I hope you enjoyed your trip. I¡¯m sorry it had to end on such short notice, my prince,¡± Holly said, her voice warm but tinged with regret.

    ¡°Me too,¡± Elron mumbled.

    Her eyes searched his face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I don¡¯t like it when you look so down.¡±

    Elron hesitated, then murmured, ¡°Do you love me?¡±

    Sitting beside him, Holly reached out, cupping his face with a gentle hand. ¡°Of course I love you,¡± she answered, her gaze steady.

    ¡°We should run away, just the two of us. I hate it here,¡± he whispered, vulnerability in his voice.

    Her hand lingered on his cheek. ¡°In time, we will. I promise.¡±

    Elron¡¯s lips curled into a tentative smile as he reached into his pocket, retrieving the amulet. ¡°I ¡®retrieved¡¯ it for you,¡± he said, handing it over.

    Holly¡¯s eyes widened as she took the amulet, standing swiftly from the bed. Up close, the amulet''s intricate beauty became clear¡ªa vibrant blue gem encased in a circle of golden etchings, crafted in a language only the ancients could understand. Its craftsmanship was undeniably elven.

    ¡°I must go now, my princ¡ªno, my love. Wait for me,¡± she murmured, slipping out of the room in a rush.

    Left alone, Elron¡¯s smile faded as he replayed Marcella¡¯s words in his mind. I think she was right¡­ Holly is using me, he thought, a newfound bitterness settling in.

 B1C6 - Treachery and Change

    In the darkness of a crypt, cloaked figures gathered. They hid their hands in their sleeves and bowed to one another as they met. Only under a ray of concealment spells and whispers did they converse with one another.

    ¡°Our queen, we come before you,¡± said one of the men, his voice echoing slightly in the silence.

    The queen inclined her head. ¡°I trust you are both well?¡±

    The two nodded beneath their hoods.

    ¡°Then something has occurred, I presume?¡± she continued.

    ¡°Yes, the envoy failed to kill its target,¡± replied the woman to her right.

    The queen¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°I wish that half-breed and his meddling mother would just croak already. My ex-husband will be on guard now. We may not get another chance.¡±

    ¡°There is a silver lining,¡± the woman added, lowering her voice. ¡°I have him wrapped around my finger.¡±

    ¡°Excellent work on retrieving the key,¡± the queen praised with a nod of approval.

    ¡°Thank you, my queen.¡±

    A third figure stepped forward, clearing his throat. ¡°I have¡­ additional news.¡±

    ¡°Then out with it,¡± the queen demanded, her gaze sharp under her hood.

    ¡°The King has requested that we only mentor the boy upon his request. It¡¯s as if he suspects something,¡± he explained.

    The queen scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°It¡¯s not him; it¡¯s that angelic mother of his. Adhere to adhere to the order so that any suspicion may be thwarted¡ªfor now.¡±

    ¡°But what if he gains levels?¡± questioned the second figure, her tone laced with concern. ¡°If he¡¯s anything like his uncle, his class could become¡­ formidable.¡±

    A wicked smile spread across the queen¡¯s face. ¡°That will never happen. I have plans to eliminate him. All of you simply stay the course. Soon, I will claim the throne and restore us.¡±

    ¡°Yes, my queen,¡± they murmured in unison.

    ¡°Your will is my will,¡± the man whispered, bowing low.

    With their words sealed in a promise of shadows, the figures turned from each other and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Their words remained entombed within the crypt, yet the actions they set in motion would ripple through the world, casting the dice of fate and altering the course of history itself.

    A month later, the prince¡¯s life had taken a significant turn. Mentorship and guardianship were now optional, no longer forced upon him like the chains that had bound him to the citadel tree. His whole life he was terrified to leave the walls, wanted nothing to do with the outside world, yet now, he began to carve out a life a normalcy.

    ¡°Thank you, keep the change,¡± Elron said to the vendor.

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    ¡°Come again!¡± the vendor replied cheerfully.

    He now walked the bustling capital regularly, buying his own things with his modest allowance, immersing himself in the vibrant marketplace, and discovering truly new experiences. Just weeks before, he had been too afraid to interact with others, but now, he found himself observing them with curious detachment.

    As he wandered, a harsh realization took root¡ªthe world wasn¡¯t as grand as he¡¯d once imagined from within the sheltered walls of the citadel. He witnessed stark disparities between the poor and the privileged, glimpsed elves selling everything from drugs to their own bodies, and felt his nose assaulted by the appalling stench of pollution lingering in the streets. Each scene, each encounter, weighed heavily on his heart, leaving him with a sense of disillusionment that deepened with each passing day.

    A young boy snapped him from his thoughts.

    ¡°What will you be having, mister?¡± a server asked.

    He jolted in his seat. ¡°Oh.¡± He then responded, ¡°Give me your special today.¡±

    ¡°You got it,¡± the server said.

    Elron worried people might recognize him as the king¡¯s son, but thankfully, few outside the citadel had ever seen him. This anonymity suited him well¡ªany unwanted attention could lead to his guardians being reassigned to him, an outcome he was determined to avoid.

    ¡°I wonder how Marcella¡¯s doing,¡± Elron mused to himself.

    ¡°Ah!¡± he exclaimed as his trousers caught a splash of spilled beer.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry! Let me clean that up!¡± A long-haired elf hurried over, dabbing his leg with a cloth.

    ¡°Please, it¡¯s fine. It¡¯ll dry,¡± Elron tried to assure her.

    ¡°No, no. Let me buy you a beer to make up for it,¡± she insisted, ignoring his protests.

    ¡°I don¡¯t drink, really, there¡¯s no need¡ª¡±

    ¡°Can I get an ale over here?¡± she interrupted, waving down the server as she slid into the seat across from him.

    ¡°You really didn¡¯t have to¡­¡± Elron said, a bit flustered by her forwardness.

    ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do for a fellow half-elf.¡± She smiled warmly.

    The reminder of his heritage struck him; his struggles with being half-elf hadn¡¯t ended outside the citadel, he¡¯d simply found it echoed in the capital¡¯s streets. The pity, the disdain, the sideways glances were a regular occurrence, especially from elves and even some humans who disapproved of half-breeds.

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve seen you around before, haven¡¯t I?¡± she asked, studying him curiously.

    ¡°Hm, no, I don¡¯t think so,¡± he replied, trying to remain inconspicuous.

    ¡°No, you¡¯ve been staying at the old tavern next door, right?¡±

    Elron¡¯s heart raced. ¡°For a stranger, you seem to know a lot about me. How is that?¡± His mind raced, scanning for any clue that might have revealed his true identity. Did his clothes stand out too much? Were his words too formal?

    She chuckled. ¡°Alright, you got me. The truth is¡­¡± She trailed off, and his chest tightened.

    ¡®What does this woman want from me?¡¯ he thought in a panic.

    ¡°I was hoping you could help me get a job at that merchant company you work for.¡±

    He blinked as the server dropped two ales on the table with a thud. She eagerly took a drink, looking back at him expectantly.

    ¡°Oh, are you going to drink that?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Uh, no, you can have it,¡± he said, still taken aback.

    She drained his mug without a second thought. Elron marveled; he¡¯d never seen an elven woman drink like that. Perhaps it was her human side showing?

    ¡°Sure,¡± he finally replied. ¡°I¡¯ll put in a good word for you. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d be glad to hire another guard.¡±

    ¡°Perfect! Thanks. I¡¯ll meet you first thing in the morning.¡± She stood up abruptly, slamming her empty mug on the table.

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat was your name?¡± he called after her.

    ¡°Sylra,¡± she replied with a grin. ¡°And yours?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s¡­ El-ric.¡± He said, barely managed to stammer out the false name.

    ¡°Alright, good night, El-ric. See you in the morning!¡± she said with a wave before disappearing into the crowd.

    ¡®She¡¯s definitely an odd one,¡¯ he thought, watching her go, and wondered what trouble he just signed up for.

 B1C7 - Bliss

    The next morning, Elron woke up to a pounding at his door. He rubbed his eye and reached for his sword in annoyance.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡± he demanded, his voice still groggy from sleep.

    ¡°It¡¯s Sylra!¡± she called back cheerfully.

    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll be right out,¡± he replied, quickly throwing on his simple browns and greens. He strapped his sword and pouch to him and opened the door of his rented room. There in front of him stood Sylra, dressed in a simple dress that looked more like a potato sack than a proper garment.

    ¡°Um, you¡¯ll need a weapon. This is an easy job, yet it¡¯s still a guard job,¡± he said, eyeing her outfit.

    She pulled a dagger from somewhere and asked, ¡°Does this work?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, looks intimidating enough,¡± he replied with a wiry nod.

    Elron then closed and locked the door behind him, and they journeyed to the nearest gatehouse. There they found a merchant grunty who quickly dished out their jobs. With a whistle and a flash of some paperwork, they hitched a ride on a pull cart.

    ¡°Cool, so he hands us these cards and now we have jobs, just like that?¡± she asked, intrigued by the process.

    ¡°Yes and no,¡± he sighed, leaning back in the cart.

    ¡°We still have to do the job and get the signatures from the client or clients once the work is done,¡± he explained.

    ¡°Is it that hard? As long as we make sure this Rodrick¡¯s fruit stand doesn¡¯t get robbed, then surely he''ll sign? Right?¡± she asked, her brow furrowing in thought.

    Elron shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ve had a perfect day go by a couple of times where the client refused to sign.¡±

    ¡°Why?! Doesn¡¯t that make you mad to work a whole day and not get paid?¡± she exclaimed, clearly upset by the idea.

    ¡°Oh, it does¡­ It¡¯s usually an old man who thinks I¡¯m not worth the pay,¡± he replied with a resigned sigh.

    ¡°Probably a human too,¡± she muttered, her tone laced with disdain.

    ¡°Yeah, it makes me not like them¡­¡± he admitted.

    ¡°Woah,¡± called the driver.

    The cart¡¯s steed came to a halt, and the two had arrived at one of the busiest marketplaces in the center of the capital. All sorts of stalls, booths, and tents lined the area, and the crowds were massive. Thousands of people moved about like ants.

    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to watch booths C-1 through C-10,¡± stated Elron as he jumped from the cart.

    ¡°That¡¯s quite a few,¡± Sylra observed, looking around.

    ¡°Yeah, unfortunately, it is. Today may be a tough one. Remember, only stop those who attempt to steal the product from the booths. We can¡¯t concern ourselves with the assaults or typical pickpockets, well, at least not today,¡± he advised, scanning the area.

    Elron and Sylra went to approach the booth managers and introduced themselves. Most of them were pleased that someone from the agency showed up, yet some just scowled at them. Elron took up his usual position, right inbetween the booths, occasionally moving to a different spot at random. He learned it was best to look as big and intimidating as possible. It at least prevented all but the most desperate from stealing.

    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re supposed to be guarding,¡± he whispered when he noticed Sylra acting oddly.

    ¡°Shhh, I am,¡± she responded, moving amongst the crowd in front of the booths with a hood on instead of standing next to them or behind them.

    In Elron¡¯s mind, it was an approach that was begging for trouble, and sure enough, trouble came.

    Elron pointed to the booth furthest from him, ¡°Look, get him,¡± he whispered urgently.

    There, at the end, a man cloaked in black was scoping dozens of apples into a knapsack. The crowds moved like a river, and the clerk was unaware, talking to another customer. Elron had seen this one too many times in the past week and moved to stop the man.

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    ¡°I got him, Elric, you stand there,¡± Sylra said, her eyes locked onto the thief.

    ¡°Uh, this doesn¡¯t feel right. Let me assist you,¡± he offered, feeling uneasy about the situation.

    She dashed through the crowds after the thief. Elron pursued them, even though he could barely make out where they were going. Over the sea of heads, it appeared that they were headed toward the nearest back alleyway. The whole situation quickly frustrated him, as no one yielded to him or acknowledged his urgency to get by.

    ¡°Drop the apples, you bastard,¡± Sylra commanded, cornering the thief.

    ¡°Hm, what¡¯s a pretty thing like you going to do? Stop me?¡± chuckled the man, clearly not taking her seriously.

    She pulled out her dagger and said, ¡°I¡¯ll fucking stab you. Now drop them.¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay, here,¡± he relented, dropping the goods.

    The man dropped the bag and threw both his hands up, yet instead of running down the opposite end of the alleyway, he slowly walked towards her. Slyra started to sweat. She kept threatening him with the blade, yet he kept coming. Inch by inch, he closed in. Things then took a turn for the worst and before she knew it, she was disarmed and pinned to the wall.

    ¡°My appetite has changed,¡± he sneered as he kicked her legs apart.

    ¡°Heeelp!¡± she screamed, her voice laced with panic.

    ¡°Stop squirming you or I¡¯ll kill yeahs,¡± he growled, tightening his grip.

    ¡°Flare!¡± a voice called out.

    Elron charged forward, his flare spell crackling in his hand. Before the man could even turn, Elron pressed the searing flame against the back of his skull, forcing him to the ground. The man rolled, clawing frantically at his burning scalp, but Elron was already on him, sword raised.

    With a wild swing, Elron brought his blade down. The man threw his hands up in a desperate attempt to block, but his defense was futile¡ªthe sword bit through his fingers and cleaved into his chest. Elron¡¯s strikes became erratic, the blade slamming down again and again, each blow more brutal than the last. His actions were akin to a boy learning to chop wood for the first time, yet this wood screamed.

    The world seemed to freeze for Elron as a message appeared in his mind:

    You have leveled up.

    Plus one attribute point.

    Select one new spell:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana-blade</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Earth shot</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Wind blade</li>

    </ul>

    The world froze, and Elron felt time slow to a crawl as the weight of the decision before him sank in. What should I choose? His focus sharpened as he reviewed the options laid out in his mind. Mana-blade¡ªa spell that would let him cast his magic directly into his blade. The other options were merely elemental variations of flare, but they didn¡¯t appeal to him. His choice was clear.

    Mana-blade.

    The world resumed its normal pace, and he turned his thoughts to the attribute point. Without hesitation, he placed it in strength, feeling an immediate surge in his limbs as the world snapped fully back into motion.

    "I¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have done that," Slyra stammered, trembling beside him.

    Elron stood silent, blood still dripping from his sword as he stared at the mutilated figure on the ground, his body diced up like road kill. And though he knew he should have felt something¡ªguilt, horror¡ªall he felt was a peculiar sense of relief. Why? Was it because of what the man had done? Or was it something deeper within him?

    So, this is what power feels like, he mused.

    Slyra tugged at his arm, her voice breaking with fear. "Please, let¡¯s go."

    Snapping out of his reverie, Elron finally turned away. "Yeah¡­ sure." Without another word, he headed back toward the booths.

    "Elric! We need to report this to the guards!" she pressed, following close behind him, her worry evident.

    He brushed her off with a wave of his hand. "No. I¡¯m not going back. Not ever. You can if you want."

    Slyra¡¯s jaw dropped. "You just killed someone! Shouldn¡¯t we be doing¡­ anything else besides selling melons?" Her voice was a mix of frustration and confusion.

    "No," he replied flatly, his tone brookering no debate.

    Left dumbfounded, she quickly fell in behind him as he resumed his duties at the stall, posting up like nothing had happened. Slyra glanced around nervously, then tried to mimic his rigid stance, adopting a glare that felt forced as she eyed each passerby. They stayed like that until the market emptied with the setting sun.

    When it was finally over, she turned to him with hesitant concern. "Are you¡­ alright?"

    He gripped his sword¡¯s hilt tightly, his eyes dark. "I don¡¯t know."

    She reached out, hoping to lighten the moment. "Maybe we can get the signatures and grab a drink. Forget today, just for a while?"

    He shook his head, handing over the papers without meeting her gaze. "I¡¯m turning in early. Here are the signatures I¡¯ve collected." His voice was distant, already pulling away.

    She searched his face, disappointment etched in her eyes. "Really?"

    "Yeah. Take care, Slyra. Stay out of trouble," he muttered before heading toward the tavern, leaving her standing alone in the twilight.

    Inside the noisy inn, patrons laughed, threw cards, and drank themselves into stupors. Elron ignored the chaos, heading straight to the bar, paying his dues, and retreating to his room. He stripped off his gear, tossing his belt aside, and sank into bed. The frame creaked as he settled, and soon only the distant muffled sounds of the revelry downstairs remained.

    But his thoughts wouldn¡¯t still. They circled back to that feeling, that unsettling calm that had washed over him after taking a life.

    This feeling¡­

 B1C8 - Farewell Home

    Another month went by and Elron continued to take odd jobs with his new friend Sylra. The she-elf was slow to pick up at times, but she listened and gave him an odd sense of kinship that he had never felt before.

    It had become almost a routine thing. He would wake up at the crack of dawn, eat breakfast at an empty bar, and then head off with Sylra.

    She jumped onto a stool next to Elron, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. ¡°What district do you think they¡¯ll send us to today? I hope we don¡¯t get assigned to a fish stand again. The fish, and the fisherman make me want to vomit,¡± she said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

    Elron glanced at her briefly as he blew on his hot porridge. ¡°Do you have to mention vomit while I eat?¡± he asked with a slight grimace.

    She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. ¡°Oops, I forgot you don¡¯t like that,¡± she teased.

    Elron set his spoon down, his expression turning serious. ¡°I have some big news,¡± he said, his tone leaving no room for jest.

    Sylra leaned in, her smile fading as she searched his face. "What is it?" she asked, sensing the weight behind his words.

    Elron took a breath, steadying himself. "I¡¯m leaving the capital," he said, his voice unwavering yet shadowed by a trace of regret.

    ¡°What?!¡± Sylra exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°You¡¯re leaving me? I thought we were making some pretty good money recently. Why¡ª¡±

    Elron sighed and looked away for a moment before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve realized something as of late, and I have to distance myself from this place if I want to grow as a person,¡± he explained, his tone firm but distant.

    Sylra pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. ¡°Gosh, you really do lay it down thick, don¡¯t ya?¡± she muttered, a mix of frustration and sadness in her voice. ¡°If you just had a drink once in a while, I¡¯m sure¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯d have more problems than I do now,¡± Elron interrupted sharply, cutting off any further discussion.

    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon,¡± Sylra coaxed, her voice softening as she tried to lighten the mood. ¡°You seem to have it all together. How about we spend one day just getting drunk? It¡¯ll be so much fun.¡±

    Elron shook his head slowly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m leaving the capitol,¡± he repeated, his voice more resolute this time. ¡°You can meet me tonight at the eastern gate, or this is¡ª¡±

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    ¡°After you saved me and helped me find work¡ªpff, I¡¯m not ditching you,¡± Sylra cut in, her words firm and unwavering. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at the gate tonight.¡±

    Elron nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Good. I¡¯m glad,¡± he said softly, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. ¡°Now, I must leave.¡±

    The elven prince stood and took a steadying breath before stepping through the salon doors. The idea of going back to the citadel felt strange. Moving through the busy streets, he sensed he might actually miss this place.

    It was the small things that stood out now. He wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d ever see such a vibrant city again. The variety in food, music, the intricate architecture, and the customs that surrounded him daily had left a mark, even after only two months. Whether he had liked it all or not no longer mattered though; he was leaving.

    ¡°Halt,¡± a guard ordered as he and another crossed their halberds in front of him.

    Elron pulled down his hood. ¡°May I enter?¡±

    The guards nodded, pulling back their weapons. He walked through the lush gardens encircling the grand citadel tree, skirting around staff and potential prying eyes. With growing urgency, he hurried up the spiral staircase to his room.

    By the time he reached his door, he was sweating. Pausing with his hand on the handle, he muttered, ¡°What am I doing? This is my room.¡±

    He turned the knob, slipped inside, and closed the door quickly. The room was dim, and as he rifled through his things, he noticed everything was coated with a fine layer of dust.

    ¡°Where¡¯s that extra gold? I swear I left it here¡­¡± he grumbled, frustration edging into his voice.

    ¡°Oh, you mean this gold?¡± Holly¡¯s voice chimed suddenly, holding up a small pouch of coins.

    Elron yelped, throwing his belongings everywhere in his surprise. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡±

    Holly gave a low chuckle, a sly smile forming. ¡°I told you not to use such foul language. It¡¯s unbecoming of a prince,¡± she added, tracing a finger down his chest.

    He blushed and held out his hand. ¡°The gold, please.¡±

    Holly tucked the pouch behind her back, leaning closer. ¡°Leaving so soon? And here I thought we were running away together.¡±

    He shook his head in disdain. ¡°Not happening. I no longer love you, Holly.¡±

    She put a dramatic hand over her chest. ¡°Oh, my heart, shattered,¡± she mocked.

    ¡°It¡¯s mine. Give it to me,¡± he said, darting toward her as she playfully dodged around the room.

    ¡°Hm, I want a treat before you leave me for good,¡± she murmured, her voice low and sultry. With a slow, deliberate motion, she let her dress slip from her shoulders, revealing her voluptuous figure in full.

    He swallowed hard, his eyes wavering between desire and restraint. ¡°I told you¡ªI don¡¯t want this.¡±

    She pressed herself against him, whispering, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re at the eastern gate by nightfall,¡± her hands trailing lower.

    Elron turned his head, battling the swirl of emotions rising within. ¡°How did you even¡ª¡±

    She pushed him onto the bed, a wicked smile playing on her lips. ¡°I know everything,¡± she purred, silencing him.

 B1C9 - New Horizons and Old Habits

    As the sunset painted the sky in warm hues, Elron hurriedly threw on his clothes. He packed what he could from his room while trying to shake off Holly¡¯s lingering charms He left the room, yet he knew the damage was already done. With the sun dipping low and casting long shadows, he quickened his pace toward the eastern gate, ready to embark on his new journey¡ªa journey that would take him far from the trauma that was the capitol.

    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Sylra asked, eyeing him with a smirk.

    Elron¡¯s cheeks reddened as he mumbled, ¡°Apologies, I had to get a few things.¡±

    Her gaze dropped to the unmistakable hickey on his neck. ¡°Right,¡± she said slowly.

    Elron rifled through his pack, avoiding her stare. ¡°What?¡±

    Sylra shrugged, her tone casual. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Elric. You have your vices; I have mine.¡±

    Blushing, he muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. Are you ready?¡±

    She huffed and crossed her arms. ¡°I was the one waiting on you, remember?¡±

    Elron forced a smile and called toward a merchant passing through the massive gatehouse. The merchant, steering a covered wagon pulled by a six-legged lizard, leaned down with a lantern, squinting to get a better look at the pair.

    ¡°I¡¯m headed to Bridgewoods. One gold for the ride,¡± the merchant said gruffly.

    Elron hesitated, counting the remaining coins in his pack. The price was steep, especially without future access to royal funds. Even a prince could see this was overpriced.

    Sylra muttered, ¡°You human fu¡ª¡±

    Elron clamped a hand over her mouth and quickly replied, ¡°One gold is fine. Many thanks.¡± He then flipped the coin up to the merchant and led Sylra to the back of the wagon.

    The merchant grunted in acknowledgment as they climbed into the wagon bed.

    For the next few days, the wagon rumbled along. They only stopped for brief rests, filling their canteens, or handling necessary business. Elron and Sylra spent their time eating, sleeping, and playing cards in the back. With the scenery constantly shifting outside, neither was bored for long.

    Elron leaned forward toward the driver, curious. ¡°Does the forest always look like this?¡±

    The merchant threw him a disdainful look. ¡°What? Never been outside the city or somethin?¡±

    Elron scratched his head sheepishly. ¡°Mostly, no. My friend and I know little beyond Kaltar.¡±

    ¡°A couple of elves who don¡¯t know their own forests¡ªfigures,¡± the merchant scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s sparse near the cities, but it gets denser as you go further in. And stick to the road, or else¡­¡±

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    ¡°Or else what?¡± Elron asked, frowning.

    ¡°They¡¯ll eat you!¡± Sylra teased, shoving Elron playfully.

    ¡°Hey now! Don¡¯t go busting up my merchandise!¡± the merchant shouted, trying to steer his creature.

    Before they knew it, their destination appeared. Unlike the capital, the town was a collection of towering elven trees surrounded by a sturdy stone wall.

    ¡°We¡¯re here. Now get out of my wagon,¡± the merchant grumbled, stopping abruptly.

    Sylra leaped from the cart and stuck her tongue out at him. ¡°You smell, old man.¡±

    Elron was about to scold her but stopped, and instead, he followed after her.

    They then stood in the town square, right in front of a busy message board. Elron skimmed through its posts, eyes darting over warnings, notices, directions, and the real prize¡ªjob requests.

    Sylra nudged him, ¡°You¡¯d better be looking for directions to the nearest bar.¡±

    Elron leaned up on one foot, muttering, ¡°No, I¡¯m looking for experience.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t get drunk on experience,¡± she scoffed.

    Ignoring her, he tore a note off the board. ¡°Ever tried?¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    He flattened the paper. ¡°A notice asking for kobold ears.¡±

    She was already striding toward a nearby tavern. ¡°You¡¯re buying me a drink.¡±

    Elron laughed, trailing after her. ¡°Fine, Sylra.¡±

    Inside, they rented rooms and paid for meals, drawing the usual curious glances from the locals. The next morning, after a quick breakfast, they set off to fulfill the request.

    Under one of the town¡¯s gatehouses, Elron pointed to a spot on his map. ¡°That farmer said we should start here. It¡¯s the most recent sighting.¡±

    ¡°That guy hated you. Probably setting us up for trouble,¡± Sylra scoffed.

    Elron shrugged. ¡°The barkeep also mentioned someone went missing in this area too.¡±

    ¡°So, we¡¯re rescuing people now?¡± she raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°I saved you, didn¡¯t I? Maybe it¡¯s your turn to return the favor?¡±

    ¡°Ouch,¡± she said, smirking. ¡°But seriously, why are we here? We left steady jobs for this?¡±

    ¡°As I told you, I needed to leave my old life and¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡®Grow as a person,¡¯¡± she interrupted, rolling her eyes. ¡°So, we¡¯re leveling up?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡±

    She stared at him for a moment, unreadable.

    Leveling up varied by class. Most people gained experience by performing tasks related to their abilities¡ªblacksmiths through smithing, fletchers through fletching. But for combat classes like Elron, leveling required one to do more dangerous things, such as slain monsters.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even know what class I am,¡± she said, crossing her arms.

    He stopped, surprised. ¡°I assumed you were non-combat or a low level like me, considering you applied for guard work.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Hybrid class.¡±

    ¡°And that would be?¡±

    ¡°A rogue,¡± she said with a mischievous grin.

    ¡°All right, then. You¡¯ll support me and help track these creatures,¡± Elron said, plotting their approach.

    She raised a brow, genuinely curious. ¡°What¡¯s your class?¡±

    ¡°Spellblade.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s cool! Never heard of it. Is it a hybrid too?¡±

    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t seem to be,¡± he replied.

    She looked intrigued. ¡°What was your ascension trial like?¡±

    As Elron scrunched his face in thought, a spark of realization flickered in his eyes. He turned to Sylra, a grin forming as he began recounting his ascension trial.

 B1C10 - Elronéˆ¥æªš Ascension

    Sometime after his eighteenth birthday, Elron was sparring with Chron inside the training room. Just as he was about to be thrown into a wall, time stopped. His mind slipped into darkness, and his vision loaded into a dungeon lit by torches.

    He felt strange, as if his limbs were no longer part of his body. Now that he thought of it, he had no recollection of being able to see his torso or face. It was if he had a blank in his memory. The only thing he knew for certain was that he had to walk down a corridor and enter a room. There, he found a wide range of weapons on a table and a straw dummy in the corner.

    It was clear, especially from other recorded ascension trials, that all one had to do was perform a simple feat and they snapped back to reality with a new class and abilities. In his case, he just needed to pick up his weapon of choice and swing it at the dummy. Slight things, such as which weapon he chose and how he approached the dummy, would change the class outcome slightly, but for him, it would be a combat class nonetheless.

    The thing was, when he chose a bastard sword and swung it at the dummy, the trial did not end. He stood there, whacked the dummy a few more times, and questioned himself.

    ¡®Why am I not waking up?¡¯

    A hidden door in the room opened up briefly afterwards, and he felt prompted to walk down the newly revealed corridor, which led to a similar room. The main difference in this room was that, instead of a table of weapons, there was just a brazier.

    The flames within the brazier danced and waved around, almost as if they were trying to communicate with him. He felt something there, almost as if the flames were telling him to touch it. That was crazy, though, he knew that.

    There was something he was supposed to do, and for a while, he just stood there with one hand holding a sword and the other holding his chin. Eventually, it came to him, and he placed his hand over the fire.

    ¡°Flare!¡± he called.

    And just like that, the flame from the brazier split, a small tendril of fire writhing into the palm of his hand. The rest was instinctual; he hurled the flame at the practice dummy and then drove his sword through its center. But as he completed the move, his vision blurred, and reality snapped back to something far grimmer¡ªa harsh impact with the cold, unforgiving stone wall. Surreal or not, the pain was very real.

    He finished recounting his ascension trial, letting out a weary sigh. ¡°Life back then was almost nothing but pain.¡±

    Sylra looked down at her boots, sensing his hardship, and said quietly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

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    Elron sprang back to life with a smile, trying to shake off the moment. ¡°Don¡¯t be, I¡¯m happy with the result,¡± he replied, though the awkwardness of the lie hung in the air.

    There was a brief pause before he asked, ¡°Was your trial similar?¡±

    She shrugged, glancing away. ¡°Sort of. The setting was in a kitchen, and all I had to do was pick up a dagger and climb onto the roof. From there, it ended.¡±

    ¡°A bit less dramatic, but that¡¯s to be expected from most first classes,¡± he stated, trying to lighten the mood.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± she muttered, brushing it off. ¡°Well, let¡¯s get moving. I do not want to be stuck out here in the dark.¡±

    The two navigated the dense forest. With Sylra¡¯s stealth skills and their keen senses combined, they ensured they didn¡¯t lose their way. It took days, each filled with careful steps, frequent breaks, and several returns to town for supplies. Although at last, they came upon what seemed to be the kobolds¡¯ hideout¡ªa narrow, shadowed entrance carved into the side of a rocky hill, hidden by thick underbrush.

    Elron exchanged a glance with Sylra, his grip tightening on his sword. ¡°Looks like we found it,¡± he whispered.

    Sylra pointed near the cave-like dugout and whispered, ¡°There are traps everywhere, and we can¡¯t fit in there.¡±

    ¡°There might be another way in,¡± Elron suggested, his voice low. ¡°We could wait and ambush them too?¡±

    Sylra winced at the idea, her instincts telling her something was off. ¡°Uh, we should leave. This whole area doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± she murmured, unease creeping into her tone.

    Just as the two were about to retreat, several dog-like heads popped up out of the bushes all around them. The kobolds barked at one another, closing in with a circle of stone spears. It was now a dire situation, and Elron and Sylra found themselves back to back, blades drawn.

    ¡°Thoughts?¡± Elron asked, conjuring a flare in his hand, his eyes scanning their encirclement.

    Sylra spun her dagger around, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. ¡°Maybe kill ''em all?!¡± she suggested with a panicked grin.

    Elron sidestepped a spear thrust and responded, ¡°On it,¡± as he decapitated a kobold, sending its head flying.

    From there, the scene unfolded into a chaotic frenzy as the two elves recklessly swung their blades at half a dozen bipedal dog-people. The area soon filled with barks and yelling as they fought for their lives. Outside of the initial encirclement, the kobolds didn¡¯t seem to have a sound plan¡ªat least, none that was apparent. Sylra dodged and weaved between them, landing fatal blows wherever she could. Meanwhile, Elron kept the rest at bay, swinging his fiery sword in wide arcs to hold them back.

    For better or for worse, the encounter ended as soon as it started. Their enemies fled shortly after the third death.

    Sylra pulled her blade from a kobold¡¯s neck and wrinkled her nose. ¡°Pew, they take wet dog smell to a whole other level,¡± she remarked with a grimace.

    Elron, still on alert, and asked, ¡°I guess you have no issue with killing kobolds then?¡± as he stood back to back with her once again.

    ¡°Never liked dogs, was always more of a cat lady,¡± she said, bumping into him.

    Elron nodded. ¡°You watch, I¡¯ll gather their ears,¡± he said, looking down at the grisly mess on the forest floor.

 B1C11 - Into the Shadows

    With three kobold ears now in their possession, they walked back to the town and turned in the ears to claim their reward.

    Sylra counted the coins in her hand, frowning slightly. ¡°This is chump change. We¡¯ll starve at this rate,¡± she muttered.

    Elron glanced at her, his tone reassuring. ¡°I won¡¯t let you starve,¡± he said, adding the coins to his lighter pouch.

    Sylra gave him a skeptical look. ¡°You can count, right? Five coppers is just the room for a night. Ale is three, and food is three,¡± she pointed out, her voice tinged with frustration.

    As they walked into the tavern, Elron tried to lighten the mood. ¡°So, a dozen some coppers a day, and you¡¯re sweet as a hutch fruit then?¡± he quipped, a small smile playing on his lips.

    She shrugged with mild agreement. ¡°Eh, more or less,¡± she conceded, her tone still a bit doubtful.

    They both laughed as they sat down at the bar.

    Sylra grinned and waved the bartender over. ¡°One beer, my big man,¡± she ordered with a wink, her tone flirtatious.

    ¡°And you?¡± the bartender asked, turning to Elron.

    ¡°Just milk,¡± Elron replied in his even tone.

    Sylra gulped her ale, eyeing him curiously. ¡°Why always milk? Did your mother not feed you enough or something?¡± she joked.

    Elron set his drink down a little too forcefully, his expression darkening. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about my mother,¡± he warned, his voice low and serious.

    Sylra finished the pint and sighed apologetically. ¡°It was just a joke, Elric. No need to turn into a stink bat,¡± she said, trying to diffuse the tension.

    Elron took a deep breath, calming himself. ¡°You¡¯re a lot like a friend of mine,¡± he said, his voice softening as he recalled some memories.

    Sylra raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming on her lips. ¡°You have friends?¡± she teased again.

    Elron grinned this time, a hint of playfulness returning to his eyes. ¡°Yeah, I have one. She¡¯s¡ª¡± he began, but Sylra interrupted him.

    ¡°Woah, a she? Don¡¯t tell me we¡¯re heading out here to see your love interest,¡± Sylra teased, her tone half-mocking, half serious.

    Elron waved her concerns away, shaking his head. ¡°No, just a friend. I think you two would get along quite well actually,¡± he replied.

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    She ignored him while continuing to down her ale, the conversation momentarily halted.

    He cleared his throat to get her attention and then proceeded to say, ¡°We need to clear up our strategy. We could have died if they didn''t flee,¡± he pointed out, his tone growing more serious.

    Sylra slammed the mug down and smacked her lips, ¡°Ahhh. So, what do you have in mind?¡± she asked, her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°You let me hold all their attention while you focus on taking out targets,¡± Elron suggested firmly.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what we did today?!¡± she exclaimed.

    ¡°No, unfortunately, we both ran around like idiots and only pulled off what we did out of luck. It wasn¡¯t because of strategy,¡± Elron clarified.

    ¡°Pfff, if you say so,¡± Sylra muttered, dismissing his concerns as she went upstairs to retire to her room.

    Elron wasn¡¯t going to fight her. He needed her, so he followed suit, downing his drink before crashing into his bed. A few days later, the two traversed the paths they knew to be safe, or at least paths they had already scouted days prior. Things had been different since the first encounter. The forest felt more empty, and the kobold¡¯s traps were all but gone.

    Sylra pushed Elron down in front of a bush and whispered, ¡°Look,¡± as she pointed toward a tiny clearing.

    There, inside the clearing, was a cloaked figure who appeared to be directing the kobolds. The suspicious commander pointed and whipped his staff at the much smaller minions as they produced pathetic barks. It was clear why the normal behavior of the kobolds had changed so suddenly.

    ¡°This is odd. We should go report this to the town,¡± Elron whispered, his tone cautious.

    Just as the two were about to crouch-walk away from the scene, they were ambushed again. This time, it was a couple dozen kobolds. Their demeanor was different from before. They did not speak; they did not waver in the slightest. It was clear they meant business this time.

    As the spears came closer, Sylra asked with concern, ¡°Same old plan, huh?!¡±

    A strange, singular bark then rang out, followed by someone yelling, ¡°Stop.¡±

    The two looked at one another in mild confusion before their eyes became ever focused on the cloaked man who was now in front of them.

    The figure pulled his hood back, revealing his calm demeanor. ¡°Hello. What are your names?¡± His voice was steady, as if they were meeting under normal circumstances.

    Sylra¡¯s eyes narrowed, her body tensing as she spoke. ¡°You¡¯re no monster, you¡¯re not even a man. What¡¯s an elf doing running around with kobolds?¡± Her words sharp and full of accusation.

    ¡°If you promise not to attack me or the kobolds, then I¡¯ll tell you,¡± the elf replied smoothly, his invitation firm and unwavering.

    Elron exchanged a quick look with Sylra, urging her with his eyes. They should agree now before things got worse. Lucky, in the moment, they both nodded in agreement.

    The kobolds, still holding their spears at the ready, slowly lowered their weapons as the elf gestured forward. ¡°Follow me, there¡¯s a better place to talk,¡± he suggested, his manner polite but leaving no room for refusal.

    They hesitated, glancing around nervously at the hostile creatures surrounding them. But with no other choice, they finally sheathed their weapons and followed him. The presence of so many hostile beings near them, kept them on edge, their senses heightened with every step. They knew they could be attacked at any moment, and it was clear that even together, they couldn¡¯t defeat both the elf and his kobold minions.

    As they followed the cloaked elf deeper into the dense forest, a tense silence settled over them, the shadows growing long and twisted. Every step took them further from familiar paths, and it became clear that they no longer knew where they were going.

 B1C12 - Bonds and Blood

    As they walked, an elven tree home materialized from the dense forest ahead. The elf gestured towards it. ¡°This is it. Take a seat wherever you want,¡± he offered, opening the door with an air of practiced hospitality.

    Inside, the home was typical of an elven dwelling¡ªshelves lined with books and trinkets, a neatly made bed, and a dining table with chairs that looked well-used. Despite the cozy setting, Elron couldn¡¯t shake the tension in his gut, and he could tell Sylra was equally uneasy. Still, they took their seats at the table, trying to appear calm.

    The elf sat at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair as if to show he was at ease. ¡°I¡¯m no threat to you, the town, or anyone,¡± he assured, attempting to put them at ease.

    ¡°Mr¡ª¡± Elron began, but the elf held up his hand, stopping him.

    ¡°Sunbark, Kael Sunbark. Yours?¡± Kael introduced himself, his voice carrying an air of authority.

    Elron hesitated, feeling the sweat bead on his forehead. He hadn¡¯t thought of a last name for himself and stammered, ¡°El-ric, uh¡ª¡± His words stumbled as he tried to come up with something.

    Kael sighed, lowering his head in apparent regret. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m sorry for asking. I should have known better than to ask about a half-elf¡¯s origins. Please, forgive me. It¡¯s been a stressful month for me,¡± he said.

    Sylra¡¯s frustration simmered just beneath the surface, and she struggled to keep it in check. ¡°Why are you running around with murderous kobolds?!¡± she demanded, her voice rising in anger.

    ¡°Woah now,¡± Kael said, raising his hands as if to calm them. ¡°I¡¯m not your enemy, even though it may look like it. I am¡ªor was¡ªthe Bridgewoods enchanter.¡± His calm demeanor remained, though a hint of regret colored his words.

    Elron crossed his arms, tapping his finger on his bicep, curiosity piqued. ¡°What changed?¡± he asked cautiously.

    Kael leaned forward slightly, as if to share a secret. ¡°Ah, you see¡­ I was out and about, and they captured me. Their savage group threw me in a cage, stowed me in their dungeon, nearly starved me, prodded me with their spears, you know, the works. Little did they know though, I was learning their language and convinced them that I could lead them to glory,¡± he explained, speaking as though recounting a casual tale.

    Elron and Sylra exchanged bewildered glances at each other before they both burst into laughter. The tension that had filled the room dissipated in an instant.

    ¡°You¡¯re a kooky one, aren¡¯t ya, ha!¡± Sylra said, slapping her knee as she laughed uncontrollably.

    As the laughter died down, Elron¡¯s expression shifted. He leaned in, clasping his hands and clearing his throat. ¡°Eh, mhm.¡±

    Kael looked up, the grin still lingering. ¡°Yes, Elric?¡±

    ¡°About the kobolds," Elron said, his voice carrying a newfound intensity. "I want to kill them all. Will you help make this happen?¡± There was a dark, unsettling gleam in his eyes that hadn''t been there before.

    Kael''s grin widened in response. ¡°You beat me to the goal of this conversation. I need help seeking my revenge on these fuzzy bastards.¡±

    Elron briefly glanced at the now unamused Sylra before turning back to Kael. ¡°Great, we''re in agreement. Now, how would you like to go about it?¡±

    The group then spent a couple of hours discussing their strategy to annihilate an entire tribe of kobolds in one swoop. Kael was very thorough in his thoughts and explanations. Elron picked apart Kael¡¯s initial tactics, making solid suggestions that helped craft a better plan than the original. Sylra, however, questioned the two every which way, leaving both of them wondering what they were thinking in the first place. In the end, they all came up with a sound battle plan.

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    "Bark! Buark! Bark! Bar-ah-ark! Bar-r-ah-ak!"

    Deep in a forest clearing near Bridgewoods, two elves stood in the center of dozens of kobolds. Kael stood atop a rock, wildly throwing his hands in the air and preaching in the kobold tongue. He captivated the audience of small dog-like creatures; all eyes were on Kael, except for two.

    Each time the crowd chanted back in response to Kael''s enthusiasm, a kobold went missing from the outside of the crowd. One by one, the crowd¡¯s numbers slowly dwindled. Yet, that was short-lived. It wasn¡¯t long until a kobold yelped and pointed to a cloaked woman dragging one of their slain friends into the brush.

    Kael, noticing the jig was up, quickly casted, ¡°Sleep.¡± A dozen kobolds closest to him dropped into a deep slumber. At the same time, Elron imbued his sword with flames and began swirling through the crowd. The confusion was overwhelming, yet the kobolds surprisingly didn¡¯t flee since they still had their enemies significantly outnumbered.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± Kael cried out as a spear was suddenly shoved through his calf.

    Elron leaped over to him, skewering the offending kobold. The creature''s flesh was like paper when his blade was set aflame, so much so that the chest of his foe slid down to the hilt, forcing Elron to kick the body from his blade.

    ¡°T-ah, thanks,¡± Kael gasped, his voice strained as he casted Shield on himself.

    With his new partner encased in a hard, fluid-like bubble of magic, Elron turned his attention back to the fray. Despite his poor training and limited knowledge of sword work, he leaned on his minor blade mastery. Outside of not cutting himself, the class ability intuitively assisted him in his swings. He could feel it guiding him.

    He swung his bastard sword wildly with both hands, and the fiery blade caused the kobolds to move back in fear. Every time they did, it gave him an opening to charge one of them and secure a kill. He repeated this over and over, and the kobolds never seemed to catch on. His class abilities were really coming to fruition.

    Kobolds bursted into flames, screaming, running around in panic with missing limbs. Some had their heads instantly explode from the ocaiational mana bolt, causing brain matter and gore to splatter onto their comrades. All of this chaos began to spread panic, and some fled from the clearing and back into the forest. Yet, the screams from those who fled could be heard in the distance, deep within the woods.

    Exhausted, Elron sank his sword into the dirt and leaned heavily against it.

    You have leveled up.

    Plus one attribute point.

    You have gained Weapon Bond.

    Select one new class ability:

    <ul>

    <li> Boom Blade </li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Shock Grasp </li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Shield</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Earth Shot</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Wind Blade</li>

    </ul>

    With his body teetering on the edge of collapse, Elron nearly felt relieved as he found himself in the trance that came with leveling up. His mind questioned what Weapon Bond meant, and the words materialized in his head immediately afterwards.

    Weapon Bond allows one to materialize their weapon instantly to their hand upon finishing the Weapon Bonding ritual.

    ¡®Well, that¡¯ll be useful, but what about those other three options?¡¯

    Boom Blade applies knockback to your weapon.

    Shock Grasp allows one to shock their foe with a touch.

    Shield conjures a shell of protective mana around the target.

    The three new options each held unique promise, sparking Elron''s curiosity and igniting his imagination with countless possibilities. Despite the explanations offered by the world, he still found himself wrestling with questions about how each might unfold in the ever-shifting maze of future battles and challenges.

    The level up also provided him with a another attribute point, which he promptly threw into strength once again. He was offered the other elemental types of Flare. After mulling over their utility for what felt like hours, Elron decided to chose Shield.

    He staggered to his feet, eyes wide as he felt a surge of power invigorate him. A smile spread across his face.

    Elron then looked down at his hand, clenching his fist. ¡°Hm, it seems that I really am capable of some things,¡± he muttered to himself.

    Sylra marched out of the forest with a ring of ears in her hand. ¡°You two look fucked. Let¡¯s head back to town.¡±

    ¡°What about the ears?¡± Elron asked, collapsing down to one knee in pain.

    "Neither of you will live to collect anything if we don¡¯t head back now," she said firmly, her words edged with concern. Elron¡¯s vision now began to blur, the world fading into a murky haze.

 B1C13 - A Toll

    Surprisingly, as Elron drifted in and out of consciousness, he noticed his back was littered with what appeared to be massive splinters. In reality, they were kobold spears. Though scaled to kobold hands, these makeshift weapons looked more like javelins to him. He reached to pull one from his shoulder but quickly realized he didn¡¯t have the strength for it.

    Of the three, he was in the worst shape. Sylra had only minor cuts and bruises, while Kael had a spear embedded through his calf. Neither of them could extract their injuries alone, leaving it up to Sylra to handle the task. She decided to leave the spears for removal back in town.

    Supporting her battered companions, Sylra guided them back, stopping frequently to rest, yet somehow making it before nightfall. With help from a local elf, she managed to remove one of the spears from Elron¡¯s back. ¡°Lucky none went too deep; that leather vest of yours did its job,¡± she remarked, trying to sound upbeat, though concern lingered in her eyes.

    Elron groaned, face down on the table. ¡°Ahh¡­ good to know,¡± he muttered, wincing as every movement sent jolts of pain.

    Kael, seated nearby and similarly injured, tried to cheer him up. ¡°You¡¯re already looking better,¡± he said, though the sight of Elron resembling a wounded porcupine made him wince.

    Elron flinched as another healer packed a wound with ointment. His attempt at a relaxed demeanor wasn¡¯t going well.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be a month before either of you are back to normal,¡± the healer deadpanned.

    During their recovery at the tavern, the townsfolk trickled in, bearing small gifts and tokens of gratitude for the group¡¯s efforts, especially their rescue of the town¡¯s enchanter. A few villagers even bought Sylra drinks, toasting to her bravery. What had begun as a grueling task turned out to be unexpectedly rewarding.

    Once Elron was fully healed, the trio gathered for a meeting, ready to discuss their next steps.

    "Are you really heading east?" Kael asked, a spark of curiosity in his gaze. "I mean¡­ everything you could need is right here in Bridgewood, isn¡¯t it?"

    Sylra shrugged, gesturing to Elron with a smirk. ¡°He wants to get stronger.¡±

    Kael glanced between them, contemplating. ¡°And you? Journeying for the same reason?¡±

    Sylra took a sip of her drink. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m just here for the laughs and free booze.¡±

    Elron, noticing Kael¡¯s interest, added, ¡°In a year or so, I expect we¡¯ll reach the coast.¡±

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    Kael rubbed his chin, muttering, ¡°That sounds¡­ intriguing.¡±

    Elron started to say, ¡°It could be dang¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Kael cut in decisively.

    ¡°Barkeep! Two more beers!¡± Sylra called out, grinning as she raised her pitcher in celebration.

    Elron and Kael shared a look, mildly amused by her boundless enthusiasm, but willing to indulge it. Together, the three clinked their mugs, toasting to their newfound alliance and the adventures waiting just beyond the horizon.

    A few days later, they traveled down a main road until they approached an ancient stone bridge. Thick vines covered most of the structure, and though it looked to be crumbling, a faint aura of plant magic suggested it had been reinforced.

    Kael halted just before the bridge, eyeing it warily. ¡°This thing¡­ gives me the creeps.¡±

    Elron assessed it briefly. ¡°The structure seems stable enough for all three of us to cross.¡±

    Sylra moved to the front. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s what he meant.¡±

    Before they could debate further, a massive, gnarled hand emerged from beneath the bridge. A hideous, lanky creature with long arms pulled itself into view, its grin revealing rows of dagger-like teeth.

    ¡°Hellos, elves,¡± it rumbled. ¡°Give me your golds, and you pass.¡±

    The three stood frozen, hesitation gripping each of them, but Elron swallowed hard and forced himself to step forward. He barely held his voice steady as he spoke, ¡°How about my sword instead?¡± With a slight tremble, he tossed it into the sand.

    The creature¡¯s grin widened. ¡°No sword. I smells golds. I wants gold.¡±

    Sylra scoffed. ¡°We don¡¯t have any gold, you big oaf. We spent it all!¡±

    Elron glanced at Kael, then Sylra. She probably doesn¡¯t have any gold, he thought. The pouch in his possession was nearly a hundred coins, enough to support a family for years¡ªhe wasn¡¯t about to give it up.

    ¡°Alright, alright. Here,¡± he said, holding out the pouch.

    The troll stomped over, its greedy fingers flickering above as Elron held the pouch out. In an instant, the pouch dropped from his hand, replaced by his bonded sword. With a swift, fierce motion, he drove the blade deep into the troll¡¯s eye.

    Chaos erupted, and Sylra and Kael charged in, joining the fight without hesitation.

    Elron narrowly dodged a massive swing while Kael cast Shield on Sylra and fired off mana bolts.

    ¡°Go for its ankles!¡± Elron yelled, setting his sword ablaze as he cast Shield on himself.

    Sylra darted forward, slicing cleanly behind the monster¡¯s ankle, severing the tendon.

    Kael called out, ¡°It¡¯s down! Elric, now!¡±

    Elron charged, but as he reached it, the troll¡¯s eye had already healed, steam rising where the wound once was.

    ¡°Nooo!¡± he yelled as his shield shattered under the troll¡¯s crushing grasp.

    The monster wrapped Elron in a vice-like grip, raising him toward its gaping maw. Sylra slashed furiously at its thick skin to no avail.

    ¡°Dominate!¡± Kael shouted, pressing his fingers to his temples. The troll froze, shrieking in pain. Elron seized the moment, summoning his sword and driving it up through the creature¡¯s skull, the flames crackling as they seared the troll from within.

    With one final, guttural howl, the troll slumped, its life snuffed out as Elron maintained his relentless grip on the hilt, steady until the end.

    You have leveled up.

 B1C14 - The First King

    A year before Elron''s birth, two armies stood across from one another on an open battlefield. The banners of a multitude of houses and families whipped in the wind as the air grew tense. It was a small force of elves versus a much larger army of humans. Among the elven ranks, a couple of elves seated atop majestic elks exchanged tense glances as they discussed their next course of action.

    ¡°Alaric, we should retreat. They¡¯ve tripled our numbers,¡± Chron urged, his voice tense as he leaned close to the elven king.

    King Alaric Malfar¡¯s gaze flickered to Chron, absorbing the weight of his words. His keen eyes scanned the battlefield, calculating their dwindling chances of victory against the staggering odds.

    ¡°We could save more lives by pulling back and choosing a fight on better terms,¡± Holly added, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of worry. She caught Alaric¡¯s gaze, her eyes silently pleading for caution.

    The king''s gaze shifted to meet Holly¡¯s, a flicker of concern crossed his face. His expression deepened into one of thoughtful contemplation as the gravity of the situation settled in.

    Just then, a pale woman with an otherworldly grace approached on her elk, her long hair flowing behind her. She placed a steady hand on the king¡¯s shoulder. ¡°My love, we can¡¯t delay any longer,¡± she urged, with a mix of urgency and warmth.

    Alaric¡¯s expression hardened, his resolve setting in. ¡°Yes, of course. I will meet him and attempt to settle this,¡± he declared. ¡°No one should have to die today.¡±

    In a flash, the woman conjured a heavenly tether to the king, her magic wrapping around them both. Together, they ascended into the sky above the center of the battlefield, the air shimmering with their combined power. As they rose, a figure clad in dark armor shot up from the opposite side, the air crackling with lightning as he ascended.

    The man bobbed up and down in the air with his conjured bat wings as he closed the distance, a sneer twisting on his face. ¡°Oh, looky here, the fucking king of sticks and my whore sister,¡± he spat.

    ¡°Hello, Emperor,¡± Alaric greeted him, his tone calm despite the insult. ¡°I hope your actions bear more fruit than your words do.¡±

    The emperor, Maximus, pointed his flaming sword at the king, his eyes burning with malice. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you today,¡± he growled. ¡°And then I¡¯ll put the rest of your people in chains.¡±

    The woman, her voice trembling slightly, spoke out, ¡°Maximus, please. We can send everyone home today and end this. What¡¯s the point of all this endless killing?¡±

    Maximus¡¯s eyes blazed with fury as he roared, ¡°Endless? Pointless?! It is neither of those things! It benefits me and my people greatly to take what you have...¡±

    King Alaric''s gaze dropped to the ground below, his grip tightening on his spear. His voice quivered as he asked, ¡°If I kill you¡­ Will there be peace?¡±

    Maximus¡¯s response was swift and brutal. He surged forward, his blade slashing upward as he bellowed, ¡°Big if!¡±

    Alaric barely had time to react. With the edge of his spear, he deflected the fiery blade to the right and delivered a powerful kick to Maximus''s chest. The emperor tumbled through the air like a ragdoll before catching himself and launching back into the fray. The flames from his sword blazed fiercely, singeing Alaric''s hair with every clash.

    The elven king tried to go on the offensive, but Maximus''s relentless aggression made it difficult. Dark magic emanated from the emperor as he casted debuffs and life-draining spells, each one sapping Alaric¡¯s strength.

    Below, both armies watched in awe as the three combatants battled high above them. The sky became a violent light show of spells and abilities, the sheer power on display turning the heavens into a spectacle of destruction. No one dared to move, fearing what might happen if they stood beneath such a deadly display.

    Chron''s eyes gleamed as he locked onto the aerial battle, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and dread. ¡°This must be what it¡¯s like to watch Gods kill each other,¡± he murmured, unable to tear his gaze away.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Holly replied, her tone dazed as she too was transfixed by the epic struggle unfolding above them.

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    Maximus swung his sword with a savage force, but Alaric deftly dodged, the blade slicing through the empty air. Undeterred, Maximus followed up with a wide, brutal hook. Alaric took the hit square on the chin, blood spurted from his mouth, only for the cut to instantly heal.

    ¡°Damn you, sister!¡± Maximus roared, his voice echoing through the sky as he shook his fist in frustration. ¡°Sever your connection to this twig and fight for me instead!¡± His eyes blazed with a dangerous mix of anger and desperation.

    She strained to maintain the magical link to Alaric, her face contorting from the effort. ¡°I¡¯ll never help you, you twisted¡ª¡± she began.

    ¡°Die!¡± Maximus roared, his fury spilling over as he leaned back, channeling a massive bolt of lightning that erupted from the tip of his sword, hurtling toward her.

    In the blink of an eye, Alaric flung himself in front of her, his body absorbing the full force of the lightning bolt. The entire sky flickered violently, flashing from day to night as the electric energy crackled through the air. For a brief, horrifying moment, Alaric¡¯s skin turned transparent, revealing his entire skeleton beneath. Then, as the last of the lightning dissipated, he fell, his body limp and lifeless.

    ¡°Nooo!¡± she screamed, her voice raw with anguish as she descended rapidly, her hands outstretched towards Alaric. Desperation overtook her as she tried to summon every ounce of her power to force his recovery. Her tears mingled with the sweat on her brow as she fought to bring him back.

    ¡°This is the end for you both!¡± Maximus roared, descending upon them feverishly.

    Just as the blade was about to skewer them both, she erupted with a blinding beam of light from her chest, a searing brilliance that blinded everyone on the battlefield. The surge of heat and raw power from the beam sent the Emperor flying, his screams of pain echoing through the air as he was hurled back. When the blinding whiteness faded, the battlefield lay in chaotic ruin, and it was clear that no one would leave unscathed.

    From above, both armies looked like scattered ants. What had once been neat, coordinated formations had disintegrated into disarray. Entire holes were blown in their ranks, thousands of bodies lay strewn in the mud, and distant screams of panic were carried by the rushing winds of the upper atmosphere.

    ¡°Look what you did!¡± she cried, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury as she glanced down at the devastation below.

    ¡°Ha, that¡¯s as much you as it was me,¡± Maximus sneered, as he tore his tattered chest plate from his body with a snarl.

    As Maximus prepared to engage his sister once more, Alaric rushed in from below, his spear spinning in a deadly display. His eyes were locked on Maximus with fierce determination. The brute tried his best to dodge, but the rapid, relentless attacks were too much, and cuts began to appear across his broad chest.

    ¡°This ends now,¡± Alaric stated, his voice cold and resolute as he pulled his spear back, then drove it forward with lethal precision, ripping a deep cut in the Emperor¡¯s thigh.

    Maximus fell slightly, his leg bleeding profusely after the sudden injury. Pain flashed across his face as he tried to maintain his flight, but Alaric was relentless, pressing the attack with unwavering focus.

    This was the first time Alaric had gained any real advantage in the fight. Twirling his spear above his head at blinding speeds, the air itself seemed to part before him, causing him to lift above Maximus. The sheer force of his movements made it appear as though the heavens were aiding him in a final strike.

    ¡°Come here! This isn¡¯t over!¡± Maximus groaned, his voice strained as he struggled to regain his composure.

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong! This is most certainly over!¡± Alaric bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield as he took all the momentum from his spear¡¯s rotation and hurled himself down toward the Emperor.

    Maximus, desperate to deflect the incoming blow, reached out to grab the shaft of the spear. But the force was too great¡ªhe could only manage to grip it as the power behind the strike drove him downward. The elf king¡¯s resolve was unwavering; he held his spear firm, determined to drive the spearhead all the way through his foe. Whether it happened in the air or upon the ground, it didn¡¯t matter to him. The outcome would be the same.

    As they plummeted down towards the earth, Alaric¡¯s speed increased dramatically, the wind whistling around them like a wind storm. Maximus, realizing he couldn¡¯t hold the spear off with just one hand, switched to using both, abandoning his sword as it tumbled past him to the ground. His muscles strained and his veins bulged, yet it was no use. The tip of the spearhead slowly but surely began to pierce his chest.

    With a deafening thud, they collided with the ground, a massive dust cloud erupting from the impact. The force of their descent left the earth trembling. When the dust finally settled, the scene revealed was a grim one: Alaric knelt atop the impaled Emperor of Mankind, his spear driven deep into Maximus¡¯s chest, anchoring him to the ground.

    Maximus gasped, blood bubbling from his lips as he struggled to draw a breath. His eyes, once fierce and full of life, now stared up at Alaric with a mixture of hatred and resignation. Alaric, his chest heaving from exertion, looked down at his fallen enemy with a face of steely resolve.

    ¡°It is over, Maximus,¡± Alaric whispered, his voice carrying the weight of their shared history, the pain of countless battles, and the sorrow of lives lost. ¡°For you, and your tyranny.¡±

    The battlefield, which had been filled with the sounds of clashing steel and cries of war, fell eerily silent as the soldiers on both sides bore witness to the end of a tyrant. The battle was over, but the echoes of this moment would resonate through out history for years to come.

 B1C15 - Gold and Secrets

    Plus one attribute point.

    Select one new spell:

    <ul>

    <li> Body Ward</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Elemental Absorption</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Shock Grasp </li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Boom Blade</li>

    </ul>

    He decided to tackle the list from top to bottom this time, starting by placing the attribute point in strength. With that done, he gave the first two familiar options a quick scan, then focused intently on the last two, ready to analyze them in depth.

    Body Ward grants the caster resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

    Elemental Absorption allows the caster to use an element to increase their attack damage, and grants some resistance to elemental damage.

    For Elron, the choice was anything but simple; both options had strong potential. Yet, as always, there were gaps in the details. Body Ward promised resistance to specific types of damage, but to what extent? Would it deflect a blade entirely or merely soften the blow? And if it was the latter, just how much would it lessen the harm? Meanwhile, Elemental Absorption seemed poised to amplify his flame attacks, but like Body Ward, its precise defensive benefits were vague¡ªhe knew uncertainty alone could be the difference between life and death.

    He mentally squinted, trying to pick at random between the two options. Yet, the temporary sphere that was leveling-up wasn¡¯t a realm of indecisiveness where one could simply choose at random. After a moment of consideration, he chose Elemental Absorption.

    As Elron snapped back to reality, Sylra and Kael rushed up to him.

    ¡°You did it, huzzah!¡± Kael cheered, his eyes wide in admiration.

    Sylra offered Elron a hand, helping him down from the slain beast. ¡°Thank you, that was¡ª¡± She cut him off, while still holding his hand and suddenly punched him clean across the face. ¡°Don¡¯t do that shit again,¡± she warned, though a smile tugged at her lips afterwards.

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    Elron wiped his mouth in shock, feeling the sting on his cheek. ¡°Apologies,¡± he muttered, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

    Kael took a step back, his gaze fixed on the fallen beast. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d ever see a bridge troll, let alone help kill one. We should harvest the heart and eyes. They¡¯d fetch a couple of gold in the next town over.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of gold,¡± Sylra interjected, her eyes drawn to the open bag of coins lying nearby. She walked over, scooping up the bag with a curious look. ¡°Where the hell did you get so much gold?!¡±

    Elron hesitated, trying to find the right words. ¡°I... Well...¡± he stammered, but the exhaustion weighing on him made it impossible to come up with a convincing lie on the spot. The looks Sylra and Kael were giving him made it clear that any story he concocted wouldn¡¯t be believed anyways. Sighing, Elron realized there was no use in hiding anymore and finally came clean.

    There was a heavy silence after Elron confessed his true name and origins. Sylra and Kael exchanged blank stares before turning their gazes back to him, repeating the cycle several times in disbelief.

    Kael knelt, ¡°Forgive me, I never knew.¡±

    Sylra, still holding the bag of gold, looked down at Kael in confusion and began to kneel as well, but Elron quickly spoke up.

    ¡°Please, Kael, stand up. We¡¯re friends. There¡¯s no need for that,¡± Elron insisted, waving him back to his feet.

    ¡°You¡¯re the youngest son of the Kingdom, the literal product of peace between our kingdom and the Empire of Ardune. I feel unfit to protect you,¡± Kael summarized, awe evident in his words.

    Sylra rolled her eyes at Kael¡¯s unnecessary display of servitude. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want your protection. Now, get to cutting. I don¡¯t want to stand in front of this rotting corpse any longer,¡± she said, pressing her sheathed blade into Kael¡¯s hands.

    Kael looked overwhelmed, his gaze shifting between Elron and Sylra, uncertain of what to do next.

    Elron, sensing his indecisiveness, nodded in agreement. ¡°Well, it does stink,¡± he admitted, wrinkling his nose at the pungent smell.

    Sylra tossed the pouch of gold to Elron with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re buying the drinks for now on,¡± she declared, already gathering firewood for their camp.

    Elron caught the pouch, feeling its weight in his hand as he watched Sylra and Kael work. The tension in the air eased, the group settling into their roles as they prepared to move on from the battle, stronger and more unified than before.

 B1C16 - Whispers of Ruins

    The group traveled day and night, sticking to the main road. Occasionally, a merchant or traveler would pass by, offering a few coins or a ride to the next town in exchange for an escort or pest control along the way. But it was the rumor of a job to explore unknown ruins that finally made them stop in the remote village of Evergreen.

    Evergreen was barely even a village, most would call it a hamlet. As they approached from a minor road, it was clear how isolated the place was. There were no guards, no gate¡ªjust a circular wooden wall that enclosed the village. The elves who walked the streets were primarily of the battle classes, seen hauling and butchering game animals with practiced efficiency.

    Uncertain of where to gather details about the rumored ruins, the group checked into the local inn and started there. As they booked their stay, a grimy, hooded man at a corner table caught Elron¡¯s attention.

    "Psst, you there. Come sit," the man whispered.

    Elron glanced around, but there was only the barkeep and the mysterious man to look at.

    ¡°Come here,¡± the man insisted, his whisper ever more urgent.

    Elron tried to ignore him until the man added, ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to explore the temple?¡±

    Elron exchanged glances with the others, hesitating before he walked over. He sat down at the man¡¯s table, Kael and Sylra exchanging hesitant looks before joining him.

    "So, I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve heard of the place?" the man asked, his eyes flicking around the room. ¡°Why else would outsiders be here?¡±

    Kael raised a brow, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why we¡¯re here. What do you know about it?¡±

    Sylra shoved Kael lightly, her tone annoyed. ¡°Let him talk, not you, doofus.¡±

    The man snickered, enjoying the interaction. ¡°They¡¯ve known about those ruins for ages, but something changed. A recent party went in to clear out the usual slimes, but only one returned.¡±

    Elron drummed his fingers on the table, growing impatient. ¡°And what did he say?¡±

    ¡°Quite a bit,¡± the man continued, leaning in as if sharing a secret. ¡°He came back raving about darkness, death, the end of the world.¡±

    Sylra rolled her eyes. ¡°Great, sounds totally sane.¡±

    The man¡¯s grin widened. ¡°That¡¯s not even the crazy part, lass. He mentioned there¡¯s an undiscovered opening that leads deeper into the ruins.¡±

    Kael crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Why tell us? We don¡¯t have money to pay you for this information.¡± His lie smooth and convincing.

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    The man shrugged. ¡°I want in. You could use a fourth, plus I know the way. That¡¯s worth something, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Elron looked at his two partners, his expression serious. ¡°We need a couple of minutes to discuss this,¡± he said, and the three of them stepped outside.

    Sylra was the first to speak as soon as they were out the doors. She turned around, her eyes flashing with anger. ¡°I don¡¯t like it. I don¡¯t like humans, especially shady ones like him.¡±

    Elron met her gaze with a deadpan expression. ¡°I get where you¡¯re coming from¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, you fucking don¡¯t, Elron,¡± she snapped, cutting him off.

    Kael raised his hands in a calming gesture. ¡°I don¡¯t like them either, but if he can guide us, this might be a worthwhile venture.¡±

    Sylra huffed and stormed back inside. ¡°Fine. But if he so much as looks at me wrong, he¡¯s dead.¡±

    Elron opened his mouth to reply, but Kael stopped him with a nod. ¡°Agreed.¡±

    Back in the inn, Elron ignored the tension and gave the man a curt nod. ¡°We¡¯re in.¡±

    Elron ignored the tension in the air and the obvious disgruntled look on Sylra¡¯s face, focusing instead on the thrill in man¡¯s eyes as they accepted his offer.

    The man grinned, almost halfway to the door before turning back. ¡°Oh, and the name¡¯s Silvester,¡± he said, waving the party goodnight.

    At dawn, the group assembled in the inn¡¯s common room, where Silvester was already waiting, dressed in green like many elves and with a bow slung over his shoulder. He looked every bit the scout, ready to take up the rear should danger arise. A glance between them confirmed he was the type to handle himself in a fight¡ªor at least it appeared he could.

    ¡°Oh, you guys got rid of your rags! You lot look like proper adventurers now,¡± Silvester remarked, his tone teasing but impressed.

    Elron and Sylra had both invested in black leather armor, with Sylra opting to wear hers under her cloak, while Elron wore his openly. Kael, on the other hand, opted for traditional blue robes fitting of a spellcaster, complete with the pointy hat.

    As they began to leave the village, Elron suddenly paused. ¡°Apologies, but there¡¯s one thing I almost forgot to do. I¡¯ll need a few minutes.¡±

    All three of them exchanged puzzled looks as Elron drew a circle in the dirt. He then began to carve symbols around the circle, symbols that had been granted to him by the world via his class. The prince knew nothing of their origins or how they worked, but he followed his instincts.

    With deliberate precision, Elron unsheathed his new blade and laid it across his lap as he sat cross-legged within the circle. He made a small cut on his hand, letting the blood run down the blade, and began to mumble a chant. The ritual continued for about five minutes until the circle around him briefly flashed an icy blue, and his eyes snapped open.

    ¡°It¡¯s finished. We can move on now,¡± Elron said, rising to his feet and destroying the ritual circle with a swipe of his boot.

    Silvester¡¯s eyes bulged with curiosity. ¡°What was all that?¡±

    Sylra, equally unsure, crossed her arms. ¡°None of your damn business.¡±

    ¡°That was a ritual circle, likely to bind your weapon,¡± Kael surmized.

    Elron smiled, pleased with the result. ¡°Yes it was, and I feel as if this bond is stronger than the last one.¡±

    ¡°Does that make a difference?¡± Kael asked, intrigued.

    Sylra rolled her eyes and stepped forward. ¡°Okay, magic woo-woo talk can wait. We¡¯ve got a ruin to loot.¡±

    The group all nodded in agreement, the air of mystery lingering as they set off down the road, eager to uncover whatever lay ahead.

 B1C17 - Bound by Hate

    "Kill it! Kill it with fire!" Kael shouted, as the slime erupted into a fiery, gooey mess against the stone walls.

    ¡°Man, my arrows don¡¯t do anything against these things,¡± Silvester complained, frustration etched on his face.

    Kael raised an eyebrow and shined his torch over him. ¡°Well, yeah. You¡¯ve got to strike the slime¡¯s core to kill it.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s another one. Ready yourselves,¡± Elron said as he moved slowly in front of the group, his flaming bastard sword casting flickering shadows on the dungeon walls.

    A green cubic slime oozed toward them, its translucent body revealing suspended bits of rock and bone alongside its core. Silvester aimed for the core, the gleam catching in the torchlight, but his arrow missed, passing right through the gelatinous mass.

    Kael quickly followed up, casting a mana bolt that blasted a decent-sized hole in the slime. However, the real damage wasn¡¯t done until Elron stepped forward, slashing and stepping back, over and over. With each strike, the slime began to catch fire, slowly melting into a smoldering mess.

    As the small flames flickered out, Sylra wrinkled her nose in disgust. ¡°Ew, that smells awful,¡± she muttered, pinching her nose against the stench.

    Kael, also pinching his nose, nodded. ¡°Yeah, but fire¡¯s the most effective way.¡±

    The group picked up the slime¡¯s core and carefully stepped over the slimy remnants until they reached a crossroads inside the dungeon. The dim light from the torches only allowed them to see about thirty feet ahead, making it difficult to choose a direction. Elron and Sylra paused, waiting for Silvester, their guide, and the one with the sharpest vision, to catch up.

    Sylra crouched down, peering into the right hallway. ¡°I think this way is safest,¡± she suggested.

    ¡°You want to go left,¡± Silvester countered, tossing a rock down the right hallway.

    The rock clattered against the stone floor, bouncing along normally until it disappeared into the darkness, followed by the distinct sound of a splash.

    ¡°See?¡± Silvester said, smirking. ¡°We¡¯d all be drowning if we went that way.¡±

    Sylra huffed, storming down the left hallway. ¡°Whatever,¡± she muttered, not looking back.

    Elron jogged ahead to catch up with Sylra and said, ¡°You see, we need him.¡±

    She glanced over her shoulder, her pace never slowing. ¡°I get that, but the human still bugs me.¡±

    The other two caught up as they continued navigating the dungeon, descending deeper and deeper into its depths. For nearly an hour, they traversed the dark corridors without any encounters. Eventually, they decided to rest at an intersection.

    Kael dropped to the ground with an exaggerated groan. ¡°Why am I carrying everything? This is exhausting.¡± He wiped the sweat from his brow, looking defeated.

    Silvester shot him a wiry grin and shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m the navigator. Navigators don¡¯t carry things.¡± His tone was laced with smugness as he tapped the map strapped to his belt.

    Kael¡¯s face tightened with frustration, but before he could speak, Sylra chimed in. ¡°I don¡¯t carry anything either. I need to be able to dodge, and it''s narrow enough in here without a pack slowing me down.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll carry it for a while,¡± Elron offered, scooting closer to Kael to grab the pack.

    Kael put his hand on the pack and looked up. ¡°No, my princ¡ª¡± He stopped himself quickly. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll manage.¡± He slung the pack back onto his shoulders, his pride preventing him from accepting help.

    Elron decided to break the awkward tension with a question. ¡°So, do we think we''ll find anything besides slimes in these ruins?¡±

    ¡°More than likely not,¡± Silvester replied, nonchalant. ¡°But there could be loot or something of historical value.¡±

    Kael¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°You think there¡¯s gold? Or maybe magical items?¡± He wiggled his fingers with anticipation, his enthusiasm impossible to contain.

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    Sylra shoved him lightly, her expression deadpan. ¡°Don¡¯t get all giddy for nothing, you doofus. We need you sharp.¡±

    Elron chuckled softly and stood, gripping his sword. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re ready to move again. Let¡¯s get going.¡±

    The group rose to their feet and resumed their march, forming a new order¡ªSilvester took the lead, followed by Elron, Kael, and then Sylra bringing up the rear. As they progressed, the walls began to look more worn, the signs of age undeniable. Ancient sigils carved into the stone became more prominent, and the air grew heavy with the smell of mildew.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Silvester said, running his fingers along the wall as they walked down a narrowing corridor.

    Sylra, unsettled by his actions, called out, ¡°Watch what you¡¯re touching up there!¡±

    ¡°The opening should be right here,¡± Silvester said confidently, tapping a specific spot on the wall.

    Suddenly, a loud click echoed through the corridor. Before anyone could react, a section of the wall shot out, pushing both Silvester and Elron into a hidden pocket room.

    Sylra immediately rushed forward, shoving past Kael. She started banging on the stone wall that had just closed infront of them. ¡°No! Elron!¡±

    She pounded on the stone with her fists, but it was futile.

    Inside the pocket room, Silvester stood with his arms wide open, a sly grin on his face. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re stuck, my prince. What a shame.¡±

    Elron, groggy from the impact, staggered to his feet. ¡°How did you¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Silvester delivered a swift roundhouse kick to Elron¡¯s chest, slamming him back against the wall. Bricks crumbled around him as he collapsed in a heap.

    ¡°You see, Elron,¡± Silvester said, circling him like a predator, ¡°your queen sent me to murder you.¡± He pulled out a chair and dragged it to the center of the room, the legs scraping ominously across the stone floor.

    Elron coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. He reached for his sword, but Silvester kicked it away effortlessly. ¡°You should¡¯ve listened to your friends. Now we¡¯re going to have some fun.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Elron wheezed, struggling to sit up, pain wracking his body.

    Silvester turned his back, inspecting a table filled with cruel-looking tools. ¡°Why, you ask? Because I like money and torture.¡± He picked up a large, barbed hook and examined it with relish. ¡°And when I get both, well, that¡¯s when I¡¯m happiest.¡±

    Elron¡¯s eyes darted around the room, searching for anything that could help him stall. The room was sparsely furnished¡ªjust a chair, a table, and a few candles flickering weakly in the corners. ¡°You planned this¡­ from the start,¡± he muttered, forcing himself to his feet.

    Silvester chuckled, tapping the hook against his palm. ¡°Every bit of it. The story about the ruins, the people you met, even the villagers who turned a blind eye. All of it was part of the plan.¡±

    Elron made a desperate move toward the hidden door, but Silvester was faster. He grabbed Elron and forced him into the chair, strapping him down tightly.

    ¡°Not so fast,¡± Silvester sneered, clamping a pair of pliers in front of Elron¡¯s face.

    Elron spat blood at him. ¡°You¡¯re a monster.¡±

    ¡°Monster?¡± Silvester shook his head. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m an ascendant. We¡¯re like the high elves to elves, or whatever.¡± He then clamped the pliers down onto Elron¡¯s finger and ripped off a nail with brutal precision.

    Elron screamed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. One by one, Silvester pulled each fingernail, dropping them into a cup with a sickening plink. ¡°Such a lovely sound, don¡¯t you think? Royals always scream the best.¡±

    Silvester then poured a milky pink elixir over Elron¡¯s hands, and to his surprise, the pain subsided. His fingers began to heal, the nails regrowing almost instantly. Elron looked at at him wide eyed, and jolted as an attempt to break his bonds. That¡¯s when the panic began to creep in.

    ¡°Oh, this is just the beginning, little lord,¡± Silvester taunted, reaching for another tool.

    As the torture dragged on, Elron¡¯s mind began to fray, slipping further with each agonizing minute. He yelled, and Silvester laughed¡ªhis laugh a cruel twisted sound. Elron fought to stay silent, to deny the man the pleasure of his suffering, but in the end, his resolve broke. He screamed for help, he screamed threats, he even screamed for it all to end at one point. But no matter what he screamed for, the man continued, unfazed, savoring every moment of Elron''s torment. Somewhere in the haze of all of it, as consciousness wavered, he heard a voice.

    ¡°You suffer,¡± the voice rasped.

    Elron¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Help me,¡± he begged, his voice weak.

    ¡°For a price,¡± the voice grated.

    ¡°Anything! Just save me!¡± Elron cried, his voice cracking with desperation.

    Silvester turned, amusement dancing in his eyes. ¡°Talking to yourself now? Oh, you¡¯re breaking much too soon. We¡¯ve barely started,¡± he said, running a blade along Elron¡¯s cheek.

    The voice in Elron¡¯s head grew louder. ¡°My hate will be yours,¡± it said.

    Elron screamed as Silvester cut deeper, blood trickling down his face. ¡°Hate!¡± he cried out, attempting to clutch onto anything besides the pain.

    ¡°Recite the boundment ritual,¡± the voice demanded.

    Elron, with a trickle of hope remaining, began to chant the ancient words, his voice trembling with every syllable.

    Silvester laughed, dismissing him with a wave. ¡°That won¡¯t do you any good. No weakling spell will save you.¡±

    Elron continued chanting, his voice low and steady, even as Silvester plunged a spike into his stomach.

    With one final word, Elron completed the ritual and fell unconscious.

    Silvester pulled the spike from Elron¡¯s body and shrugged, disappointed. ¡°Really? You¡¯re just going to pass out now? We were just getting to the good part.¡±

 B1C18 - Relics, Fate, and Power

    He grabbed one of the healing salves and hurled it at Elron. The glass bottle shattered on impact, spraying glass shards and the cooling fluid across his wounds. Elron unconsciously winced but felt the immediate relief as the liquid soaked into his skin.

    ¡°Now, where did I put those damn drugs? They should be¡ª¡±

    Just as Silvester picked up a round pill from the cluttered table, a flaming green sword bursted through the wall, impaling him with a violent hiss.

    ¡°F-Fuck! What is this?!¡± Silvester cried out, frantically trying to pull the searing blade from his shoulder.

    The sword seemed to respond, a low voice growling, ¡°Die,¡± as it ripped upward through his collarbone in a brutal arc, nearly severing his head from his body.

    Silvester''s body collapsed to the floor, lifeless. A pool of dark blood quickly spread beneath him, while the sword hovered in mid-air, its green flames casting an eerie glow across the room.

    ¡°Tired... must... sleep,¡± the sword murmured before clattering to the stone floor, the flames flickering out as it landed with a dull clang.

    It was then a surge of power and knowledge erupted in his mind.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    Elron''s mind buzzed as the dozens of options unfurled before him, a dizzying array of possibilities. His body, mind, and spirit worked in unison, instinctively sorting through the choices, searching for those that aligned with his deepest desires. Time seemed to stretch impossibly long. Every selection felt critical, shaping not just his power but his very future. What lasted only a few seconds in reality felt like an eternity of careful deliberation, each choice settling into place like a puzzle piece.

    Hours passed. Elron jolted awake, his breath ragged and his body aching. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room, and they soon landed on the grisly sight before him¡ªSilvester''s dismembered body sprawled across the floor, blood pooled beneath him. Elron let out a strained laugh, his mind trying to grasp the madness of what had transpired.

    With trembling hands, Elron worked at the ropes binding him, slipping free after several attempts. His body felt surprisingly intact, though phantom pains lingered in places where Silvester had tortured him. With a deep breath, he pushed the agony to the back of his mind, forcing himself to focus on the present. His gaze landed on the bloodied bastard sword lying beside the body, still and silent.

    He picked it up cautiously, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a strange awareness settled over him. The bond between him and the blade was immediate and undeniable. It pulsed through his being, stronger and more permanent than any weapon he''d ever bound before.

    But how? How had this bond formed without the usual ritual¡ªwithout a circle, without physical contact? None of it made sense. And yet, the connection felt irreversible.

    Elron swallowed hard, realizing the weight of the situation. He could throw the sword into the deepest river or canyon, and somehow, he knew it would return to him. It was his now, whether he willed it or not.

    As he held the sword up to the candlelight, its age and sinister craftsmanship became evident. The hilt, handle, and pommel were forged from a black, almost void-like material, absorbing the light around it. The blade itself appeared to be steel, but when tilted just right, an unsettling green sheen shimmered across its surface, as if the metal held something unnatural within. It exuded a malevolent aura, a weapon that had seen more death than honor.

    As captivating as the new sword was, Elron knew he had to focus. He ran his hand along the wall, searching for an escape. After a few moments of careful exploration, his fingers brushed against a loose stone. With a slight tug, the wall slid away, revealing the exit.

    ¡°Elron!¡± Slyra cried, nearly tackling him as she kissed his cheek.

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    He blushed, taken aback. ¡°Woah, now. Give me some space, I¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, she smacked him across the face. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot! Next time, listen to me.¡± She smiled, though, and her expression softened.

    Kael, sitting nearby with his spellbook, closed it and got to his feet. ¡°Glad you made it back,¡± he said, giving Elron a firm slap on the back.

    The three stood in a brief pause, Kael raising his torch to illuminate the room where Elron had been held captive. The eerie tools and malicious remnants of Silverster¡¯s work were enough to leave them speechless for a moment.

    Kael ran his hand across the table¡¯s dark instruments. ¡°I knew that human was scum,¡± he muttered.

    Slyra glanced down at Silverster¡¯s lifeless body with disgust. ¡°They all are,¡± she spat, her voice cold.

    Elron stayed silent, struggling to rebuke their words. After what had happened, he felt a small but undeniable part of himself agreeing with them. He couldn¡¯t shake the unease settling in his gut.

    Kael inspected Silverster¡¯s body after Slyra had picked it clean of valuables. He hesitated, then asked, ¡°What happened in here?¡±

    Elron bit his lip, his eyes dropping to the floor. ¡°That¡¯s a story for another time.¡±

    Slyra turned her head to Elron, her expression filled with disbelief and a tinge of pity. ¡°So, what do you want to do now?¡±

    Elron gripped his new sword tightly, its weight somehow comforting. ¡°I want to finish our exploration and leave.¡±

    Kael gave a firm nod. ¡°Good.¡±

    Slyra, however, looked at the two of them like they¡¯d gone mad. She could only imagine the horrors Elron had endured in that room. Losing their guide¡ªtreacherous or not¡ªleft her unsettled, and yet her companions seemed unfazed. Still, she said nothing, biting back her thoughts.

    Elron pointed the blade toward the partially collapsed wall. ¡°I want to see what¡¯s beyond there.¡±

    The group moved toward the damaged section. Kael bent down, examining the singed stones. ¡°These are serious burn marks,¡± he noted, plucking a piece of stone from the wall. ¡°The wall¡¯s pretty thin though. I could blast it open with a couple of mana bolts.¡±

    ¡°Go for it,¡± Elron said, stepping aside.

    With a flick of his wrist, Kael launched two bolts into the wall, blowing open a path just wide enough for a wiry elf to squeeze through. Elron ran his hand down his blade, igniting it with a soft flame before slipping through the hole.

    Slyra followed, though she quickly found herself stuck halfway through. She wriggled, trying to free herself. ¡°Damn it.¡±

    Kael raised an eyebrow, amused. ¡°You sure you¡¯re a rogue? You¡¯re supposed to be nimble.¡±

    ¡°Help me, you fuck!¡± she snapped, glaring through her hair.

    Kael chuckled and gave her a gentle push with his boot, shoving her through the hole. He followed after her, still laughing, but the mood shifted when they heard Elron¡¯s voice from the center of the room.

    ¡°Hey, you two. Come check this out.¡±

    The space they found themselves in was unlike the ruins they had just traversed. It was a natural cave, with stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites jutting from the floor. A scorched path led to the center, where several braziers surrounded an ancient stone coffin.

    Kael moved his torch over the coffin, attempting to decipher the sigils etched into its surface. ¡°This... feels like too much adventure for me.¡±

    Slyra wandered over to a stone tablet, eyeing it curiously. ¡°You get the best treasure an adventurer could want, and now you¡¯re scared? Come on.¡±

    Elron approached another raised block, his eyes catching on a twisted black staff leaning against it. ¡°Kael, there¡¯s a staff here.¡±

    Kael¡¯s excitement overcame his nerves. He hurried over, appraising the staff with wide eyes. ¡°This... this is incredible. It boosts primary stats and reduces mana overexertion.¡±

    Slyra called out from across the room, holding up a small dagger. ¡°I found something too.¡±

    Kael rushed over, practically glowing with anticipation. ¡°Oh wow, just like the staff. It boosts stats and seems to have a poison effect.¡± He paused, clearly considering something. ¡°You know, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Slyra cut him off. ¡°You can¡¯t have it.¡±

    Kael scoffed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking!¡±

    Elron¡¯s voice cut through the bickering. ¡°I want to open it.¡±

    Both Kael and Slyra turned to him. Kael¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°No way. That thing gave me the creeps the moment I walked in here.¡±

    Slyra looked from the coffin to Elron, then back to Kael. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see what¡¯s inside. What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡±

    ¡°I am not opening that,¡± Kael insisted, backing away.

    Slyra, annoyed, grabbed him by the ear and dragged him back. ¡°You¡¯re outvoted. Help us.¡±

    Kael hesitated, casting one last appraisal spell. Relief flooded his face. ¡°There¡¯s a spell on it... something way beyond my level. This thing isn¡¯t opening, no matter what we do.¡±

    Elron studied him closely. ¡°Are you sure? There could be treasure inside.¡±

    Kael shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m positive. It¡¯s sealed with powerful magic.¡±

    Slyra shrugged, satisfied with the answer. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s get out of here then.¡±

    Elron lingered for a moment longer, staring at the coffin. Eventually, he sighed. ¡°Yeah... let¡¯s go.¡±

 B1C19 - Danger Lurks

    Somewhere in the eastern province, Elron and Slyra faced each other on a grassy hill, swords clashing. With both hands, Elron heaved his sword downward, but Slyra parried the blow just enough to deflect it. In the same instant, she kneed him hard in the stomach, sending him stumbling backward. The pain was sharp, but Elron reacted swiftly. He casted Mana Step, vanishing and reappearing behind her before she could press her advantage.

    Slyra gasped, her eyes widening, but she quickly followed suit, disappearing by her own means. Confused, Elron cast Shield, only for it to shatter instantly. His eyes darted frantically as he tried to pinpoint what had happened, but it was too late¡ªSlyra¡¯s dagger tip descended from above, piercing his skull.

    The illusion dissipated, revealing a pile of dust where Elron had been standing. Slyra blinked in disbelief, then suddenly found herself on the ground, Elron¡¯s blade hovering inches from her face.

    ¡°I yield! I yield!¡± she laughed, and Elron extended a hand to help her up.

    From a distance, Kael clapped, breaking the silence. ¡°Bravo, my prince! That was impressive,¡± he called out with a grin.

    Elron scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. ¡°Ah, I wouldn¡¯t go that far, Kael.¡±

    The three began to make their way back to the town they had been staying in. Slyra, brushing some dirt off her cloak, remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve really gotten stronger. Do you think you¡¯re stronger enough yet?¡±

    Elron, sheathing his worn bastard sword while pondering her question. Before he could answer, Kael cut in with a sly grin. ¡°Satisfied? You¡¯ve got to be joking. This elf doesn¡¯t know the meaning of the word. Every time we take on something new, it¡¯s always, ¡®What can we slay next?¡¯ Maybe we should focus on slaying something else for once... like some she-elves.¡± He gave Elron a playful nudge.

    Slyra rolled her eyes and smacked Kael on the back of the head. ¡°Go be a pervert on your own time, and leave Elron out of it.¡±

    Elron chuckled at the banter as they passed through the town¡¯s gates.

    ¡°When did you two become a thing?¡± Kael muttered under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s a real buzzkill being the third wheel, you know.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not a thing!¡± Slyra snapped, her eyes narrowing. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you corrupting our party leader.¡±

    Kael raised an eyebrow. ¡°Our party leader?¡±

    Elron leaned in close, locking eyes with Kael. ¡°Is that a problem? You don¡¯t acknowledge me as your leader?¡±

    Kael stammered, his eyes wide in alarm. ¡°N-no, of course not, my prin¡ª¡±

    Elron burst out laughing and clapped Kael on the shoulder. ¡°Relax, Kael. I¡¯m only messing with you.¡±

    As they approached the small house they had rented, Kael cast Open Lock on the door, and they all began to unwind. The interior was a mess¡ªcluttered with typical elven household items, but also strewn with the group¡¯s gear, a few kegs, and a large etch board with scribbled notes.

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    Kael immediately gravitated toward the board, his brow furrowed in thought. Slyra, already heading for the kitchen, poured herself a drink. ¡°Give it a rest for today, Kael. You can overthink tomorrow.¡±

    Kael shook his head, pointing at the board. ¡°We need to act soon. If we wait any longer, this town will be overrun with monsters by the next blue moon. But¡­ now that I think about it, that might be our best chance.¡±

    Elron, struggling to remove his half-plate armor, looked over at Kael. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Kael traced a line between several notes on the board. ¡°If these shapeshifters can¡¯t maintain their disguises under a certain moon, we could expose them. We kill them, collect our reward. Simple.¡±

    Slyra sat down nearby, mug in hand. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what kind of shapeshifters we¡¯re dealing with. There are tons of creatures that could fit the bill.¡±

    Elron, finally free from his some of his armor, nodded. ¡°She¡¯s right. Even the mayor doesn¡¯t know. The villagers burned the corpse before we could figure it out.¡±

    Slyra rocked back in her chair, thoughtful. ¡°Yeah¡­ which is suspicious in itself. Someone definitely planted that idea.¡±

    Kael scratched his chin. ¡°We need more substantial leads.¡±

    Elron leaned back on the couch, exhausted. ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s split up tomorrow and see what we can find.¡±

    Kael continued to stare at the board, frustration etched on his face. Elron sighed, ¡°Go to bed, Kael. Cast Sleep on yourself if you have to.¡±

    Kael reluctantly shuffled toward his room, muttering something about needing more answers.

    Elron sprawled out on the couch, turning to Slyra. ¡°Are you going to bed soon?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she replied, as she poured herself another drink.

    Elron fluffed his pillow and pulled a blanket over himself. ¡°I¡¯m heading out early tomorrow to check the local inns and taverns.¡±

    Slyra paused, her back turned to him. ¡°You¡¯d tell me if something was wrong, right?¡±

    He hesitated. ¡°Of course. You¡¯re my teammate.¡±

    ¡°You know I can tell when you¡¯re lying, right? I can see through most lies in general.¡±

    Elron winced and sighed. ¡°Sorry. A prince shouldn¡¯t lie. It¡¯s just... things happened in the ruins. I¡¯m not entirely sure about it all yet, but there¡¯s one thing I know for certain.¡±

    Slyra turned slightly, looking at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°And that is?¡±

    He took a deep breath. ¡°The old elven queen is trying to kill me.¡±

    Slyra¡¯s eyes widened. She dumped her drink and spun around, hair flipping wildly. ¡°I knew something was wrong! Forget the shapeshifters, we need to handle this!¡±

    Elron sat up, waving his hands to calm her down. ¡°Quiet! Someone will hear you. It¡¯s not that simple. Provoking her will only lead to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Lead to your death,¡± Slyra finished for him, her voice dropping. ¡°Isn¡¯t the king your father? Can¡¯t we get him involved?¡±

    Elron stood and stepped toward her, his gaze dark. ¡°No. I want nothing to do with that man, and I don¡¯t want to hear his name again.¡±

    Slyra, taken aback by his intensity, nearly snapped at him. But instead, pity softened her expression. ¡°Fine. But you need to keep us in the loop. It¡¯s not just your life on the line.¡±

    Elron muttered in agreement, lost in thought.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to bed,¡± Slyra said as she stumbled toward the hallway. ¡°Try to get some sleep.¡±

    Just as she left, Elron noticed the puddle of spilled alcohol on the floor. ¡°Hey, are you going to clean this up?¡±

    She waved him off, already halfway down the hall. ¡°It¡¯ll dry by morning.¡±

    He shook his head, frustrated, and tried to get comfortable on the couch once more.

 B1C20 - Greedy Rats

    In the morning, Elron strolled through the streets of the town, his eyes scanning for anything that could lead him to these elusive monsters. Market stalls lined the roads, alongside the occasional beggar pleading for coin. The brick-laid streets were a relief¡ªhe didn¡¯t need to trudge through mud or deal with the stench of feces clinging to his boots.

    He entered a few inns, each time adopting the same strategy: order a drink, tip generously, and see what the barkeep might share. The first time, the elf behind the counter had given him a suspicious look, as though questioning his sanity. But once they realized he was a well-established warrior in search of information, they quickly shifted their tone.

    Unfortunately, nothing worthwhile came of it. Each lead was as thin as air, offering no insight into the dozen missing people. Elron sighed as he stepped out of yet another inn, his frustration growing with each dead-end.

    As he exited, his attention was caught by the sight of Kael being led down an alleyway by a scantily dressed gnome. Elron¡¯s brow furrowed, and he muttered under his breath, ¡°What¡¯s he up to now?¡± Curiosity piqued, he decided to follow.

    The alley led him to the shadow of the city¡¯s interior wall. Dirt and open space stretched before him¡ªempty, except for the looming elven trees. Rounding one of the trees, Elron spotted a pair of cellar doors flung wide open.

    Both of his hands instinctively rested on the hilts of his swords as he whispered, ¡°No way Kael went down there,¡± feeling a sense of disbelief. He cracked his neck, resigned, and muttered to himself, ¡°Ah, I have to stop sleeping on a couch.¡±

    With a sigh, he descended into the darkness below.

    As Elron descended the narrow steps, the air grew thick, and the distant sound of muffled voices echoed below. He quickly realized this was no ordinary cellar¡ªit was an underground den for the wicked. Just as he reached the entrance to a dimly lit bar, a burly elf stepped in front of him, shoving him back toward the stairwell.

    ¡°You don¡¯t belong here, my guy,¡± the elf said, arms crossed, blocking Elron¡¯s view of the room.

    Elron¡¯s hand instinctively moved toward his sword, but he quickly regained composure. ¡°I assure you, good sir, I belong here,¡± he said with a forced calmness.

    The elf placed a hand on Elron''s pauldron, his expression hard. ¡°If you¡¯re here to arrest someone, take it up top.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Elron pulled a few gold coins from his pouch and placed them into the elf¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m only here to gather information. No one¡¯s getting arrested today,¡± he stated flatly.

    The moment the gold hit the elf¡¯s hand, his demeanor changed. He walked away, leaving the entrance unguarded. Elron then stepped into the smoky, haze-filled room. It was larger than expected, complete with a bar, dancing poles, and the rhythmic thrum of drums and lute music. The air was almost unbearable, thick with the scent of sweat and something more pungent.

    Taking a seat at the bar, Elron signaled for the bartender, who was polishing a shot glass. ¡°What¡¯ll it be?¡± the elf asked, eyeing him warily.

    Elron removed his helm, his hair falling to his shoulders. ¡°A pitcher of milk, please.¡±

    The barkeep blinked, staring at him for a moment before realizing Elron was serious. Without a word, he left to fetch the drink. Elron barely had time to settle when a she-elf slid onto the stool beside him, her fingers instantly threading through his hair.

    ¡°Hey there, lug. What brings you here?¡± she purred.

    Elron gently brushed her hand away, keeping his gaze fixed ahead. ¡°I¡¯m here for information, nothing more.¡±

    Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the only thing covering her was a thin veil over her face, but he forced his attention back to the mug of milk the bartender set in front of him.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for some missing people. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know anything about that, would you?¡± he asked, keeping his voice steady.

    She leaned closer, her breath warm against his neck. ¡°So forward, are we? I might know something... for a price.¡±

    Elron took a sip of his drink, his eyes still on the counter. ¡°And what might that price be?¡±

    She licked her lips and pointed to a set of private booths at the far end of the room. ¡°It¡¯s slow right now. Spend some time with me over there, and I¡¯ll tell you everything you want to know.¡±

    Elron¡¯s gaze briefly flickered over her naked body before he turned back to his mug. ¡°I can¡¯t. Unfortunately¡­ I¡¯m still in love with another.¡±

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    She moved closer, her hands now massaging his neck. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why you need me. I¡¯ll give you the half-elf discount,¡± she teased. ¡°I know you guys have it rough.¡±

    Again, Elron pushed her hand away, his tone growing colder. ¡°One gold. You tell me what you know.¡±

    Before she could respond, a loud crash echoed tWe hrough the room. Both turned their heads towards the source of the noise. In an instant, Elron vanished from his seat and reappeared inside one of the private booths.

    ¡°Help!¡± Kael¡¯s desperate voice rang out as he struggled to push a small, furry woman off of him.

    Elron grabbed the woman by the nape and hurled her into the wall. As she hit the floor, it became clear they were facing a bipedal rat creature, its mouth frothing. Elron drew his sword and slashed, but the creature was too fast. Sparks flew as its claws met his blade, deflecting it up and into the ceiling.

    Before they could react, the creature shifted back into a large rat and scurried under the booth curtain, disappearing into the shadows.

    Kael, still standing on a chair with his underwear around his ankles, exclaimed, ¡°What the fuck was that?!¡±

    Elron peeked out of the room, trying to track the rat, but it was long gone. He turned back to Kael, exasperated. ¡°What happened?! I need every detail.¡±

    Kael fumbled with his garments, still panicked. ¡°Uh, well... she was¡ª¡±

    ¡°She was what?! A ratman before or after you both started to have sex?¡± Elron demanded, his voice rising.

    Kael continued to stammer, ¡°No, I mean, at some point¨C¡±

    ¡°Pull up your pants and calm down. I can not talk to you like this,¡± commanded Elron.

    Kael gathered himself and said, ¡°Eh, hm, so here I was in this chair, having the absolute time of my life with this gnome¨C¡±

    Elron put a hand up, and said, ¡°Spare me the details. Next.¡±

    ¡°She said only to throw them coppers on her, which I did, but I ran out and threw some silver. That¡¯s when her skin sizzled, and bam, ratwoman,¡± exclaimed Kael.

    ¡°So, we¡¯re dealing with wererats?¡± he asked as he pintched his temples. ¡°Were you bit?¡±

    Kael smiled and said, ¡°No, not exactly.¡±

    Elron gagged, his patience running thin. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. Now.¡±

    Both Kael and Elron quickly left the underground pleasure den, making their way back to the rental tree. As they entered, they found Slyra sitting on one of the kitchen stools, casually occupied with something in front of her.

    Kael burst in first, his excitement barely contained. ¡°Slyra! We discovered¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wererats,¡± she said flatly, not even bothering to look up as she toyed with a small object on the counter.

    Elron approached, piqued by her nonchalance. ¡°How did you find out?¡±

    She leaned back, pointing to a small metal cage on the counter. Inside, a large rat twitched and squealed in distress.

    Both Elron and Kael crowded around the cage, their curiosity sparked.

    ¡°How?!¡± they exclaimed in unison.

    Slyra poked at the rat with a silver rod, watching as it recoiled from the touch. ¡°I overheard it talking to another rat in an alleyway. So I threw my dagger at it. Surprised it¡¯s still alive, honestly.¡±

    The two men watched as the silver rod singed the rat¡¯s flesh on contact, the smell of burning fur filling the air.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got the means to kill them,¡± Kael said, scratching his head, ¡°but how are we supposed to find the rest?¡±

    Slyra chewed the inside of her cheek, her eyes still focused on the writhing rat. ¡°I¡¯m working on that¡­¡±

    Elron leaned in close, his face inches from the bars. ¡°You said it talked in this form? Doesn¡¯t look like it¡¯s going to be saying much now.¡±

    The rat layed on its side, tongue lolling, its labored breathing the only sign it was still alive. Elron rummaged through the living room, eventually finding an old healing elixir. He splashed it over the oily creature, watching as it rebounded almost instantly, standing on shaky legs.

    With a sickening rasp, the rat spat, ¡°Kill mes, you long-ears.¡±

    Slyra furrowed her brow, jabbing it again with the silver rod. ¡°I don¡¯t like your tone.¡±

    The rat hissed in pain, its skin sizzling on contact with the metal.

    Elron leaned in, his expression dark. ¡°Tell us where the rest of you are hiding.¡±

    ¡°Eat shit!¡± the rat snarled, clawing at him through the bars.

    Kael laughed, shaking his head. ¡°That went well.¡±

    Slyra shot them both a look. ¡°Shut up and think. What do wererats want most?¡±

    The two exchanged glances. Elron shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about them beyond the name.¡±

    Kael, however, paused, his brow furrowing in thought. ¡°Money. They¡¯re driven by greed,¡± he paused for a moment again and then finished with, ¡°...and lust.¡±

    Slyra smiled, clearly pleased with his deduction. ¡°Exactly. So, what¡¯s the price, you disgusting rat?¡± she said, pressing the rod into the cage again.

    The rat batted at the rod with its tiny claws, hissing in frustration. ¡°Nothing! Fuck you!¡±

    Elron, familiar with the tried and true methods, dropped a large sack of silver coins onto the countertop next to the cage. The rat immediately flung itself against the bars, desperately clawing for the bag, its eyes glinting with greed.

    Elron smirked. ¡°As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.¡±

    They all watched as the rat nearly injured itself in a frantic attempt to grab even a single coin.

    ¡°There are prettier pictures,¡± Slyra muttered, jabbing the rat once more.

    ¡°Give me the coins, and I tell you wheres!¡± the rat squealed, desperation creeping into its voice.

    Kael slammed his hand on top of the cage, his voice firm. ¡°Location first.¡±

    The rat hesitated, its eyes darting between the group and the bag of silver. Finally, after a tense silence, it whispered, ¡°The mines¡­¡±

    Elron repeated the word, skepticism lining his voice. ¡°The mines?¡±

    Kael¡¯s eyes lit up as the realization hit him. ¡°He¡¯s talking about the old copper mine just outside the town.¡±

 B1C21 - Our Alignment

    ¡°Oh yes, I remember seeing it from a distance when we first arrived,¡± Elron remarked, his voice thoughtful as he glanced around.

    Slyra turned to the caged creature and asked, ¡°How many of there are you?¡±

    ¡°Too many for yous! Now let me gos!¡± it hissed, its claws scratching against the bars of the cage as it swiped at her.

    Kael stepped up, shaking the cage with little patience as the rat-man rattled around inside. ¡°I don¡¯t think this guy is going to tell us anything more,¡± he muttered with frustration.

    Elron raised an eyebrow. ¡°What do we do with it now?¡±

    ¡°I guess we let him go,¡± Kael said, sounding almost uncertain, but nonetheless, he lifted the latch and released the rat.

    In an instant, the rat morphed back into its wererat form, snatching the bag of silver before bolting for the door. It barely made it halfway before collapsing, a dagger embedded between its shoulder blades. The beast spasmed violently, coins scattering across the floor.

    The group exchanged looks, shock and confusion thick in the air.

    ¡°What the fuck?!¡± Kael shouted, eyes wide as he whipped his head toward Slyra. ¡°Why did you kill him?!¡±

    Slyra didn¡¯t hesitate, her tone sharp as a blade. ¡°Because it¡¯s a damn shapeshifter! Why did you let it go?!¡±

    ¡°We made a deal with him!¡± Kael protested, throwing his arms in the air in disbelief.

    Elron, who had been silently watching the exchange, crossed his arms and murmured, ¡°That was a bit barbaric¡­¡±

    Slyra stepped forward, her finger jabbing toward Elron¡¯s face. ¡°You know you would have done the same thing,¡± she growled before turning her gaze back to Kael. ¡°And the deal was to give him the money, not his freedom.¡±

    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Kael stood frozen, mouth slightly agape, as Slyra casually walked over to the still-spasming wererat. Without a second thought, she pulled her dagger from its back, wiped it on her sleeve, and glanced back at the two men with a cold finality in her eyes.

    ¡°Well¡­,¡± Elron began, trying to break the tension that hung heavy in the air. ¡°Let¡¯s come up with a strategy to kill them all.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± Kael responded quickly, deliberately avoiding Slyra¡¯s gaze.

    Slyra merely smirked at the two, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she bent down to scoop up the blood-stained coins. Humming softly to herself, she made short work of it, her confidence in the situation unnerving the men.

    The next morning, the trio made their way down a narrow dirt road that led to the mines. As the entrance came into view, it was clear that the place had long since been abandoned. A rail cart lay overturned, one of its wheels missing, while the supporting pillars near the entrance had partially collapsed under their own weight. Wild overgrowth crawled across the jagged rock, but what stood out most were the smeared, fresh footprints leading toward the opening.

    Crouching low, Slyra studied the tracks with practiced ease. She pointed to a series of smudged prints in the dirt and said, ¡°They¡¯re here, alright. And judging by these tracks, I¡¯d say there¡¯s a dozen of them.¡±

    Kael rolled up his sleeves, his expression grim. ¡°That¡¯s quite a few¡­¡±

    ¡°A dozen? We can slay that and then some,¡± Elron declared confidently, gripping the hilt of his sword.

    Slyra stood and approached him, placing her hand flat against his chest, her gaze locking onto his. ¡°I know you¡¯ve gotten stronger, Elron, but you¡¯re letting it get to your head. These aren¡¯t kobolds. These are wererats¡ªfast, cunning, and dangerous beasts. This fight won¡¯t be a simple.¡±

    Kael stepped up beside her, his face just as serious. ¡°For once, I agree with her completely,¡± he said. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to conserve your mana. If you burn through too many spells early on, you¡¯ll exhaust yourself, and we¡¯ll all be done for.¡±

    Kael hesitated for a moment, his gaze steady. ¡°We need you at your best for this one, my prince.¡±

    Elron straightened up, taking in their words. He nodded firmly. ¡°Understood. I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    Kael slapped Elron¡¯s chestplate, offering a grin. ¡°Ha, you never have. I don¡¯t expect you to start now.¡±

    Slyra gestured toward the mine¡¯s entrance with a teasing smile. ¡°Don¡¯t keep us waiting, oh glorious leader.¡±

    Elron chuckled, drawing his sword. ¡°Oh, so now you¡¯re full of jokes, huh?¡± he said with a smirk before stepping forward and leading the way into the mine.

 B1C22 - Shadows in the Mine

    ¡°Hurry up! We have a deadline to meet,¡± barked one of the wererats, his voice echoing through the tunnels as they hastily moved crates onto a cart.

    Kael, crouching behind a large rock, whispered to Slyra, ¡°What are they doing?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter what they¡¯re doing?¡± she hissed back. ¡°Take the one on the left; I¡¯ve got the one on the right.¡±

    Using the shadows along the wall, Slyra crept down the tunnel toward their foes. Her movements were so silent that even the rats seemed unaware of her approach. Kael stood ready, mana bolts charged in both hands, waiting for her signal. In a swift, deadly motion, Slyra lunged from the darkness, slicing the throat of the rat carrying a crate. Before the other could even register what happened, its head exploded into bits of brain and bone, Kael¡¯s mana bolts hitting the mark.

    Elron joined them, waving a hand in front of his nose. ¡°Phew, these have to be the stinkiest things we¡¯ve ever dealt with.¡±

    Kael stuffed some cloth into his nostrils and muttered, ¡°No kidding. I think it''s their shit that stinks so bad.¡±

    Slyra, cleaning her dagger on the rat''s tattered clothes, shot him a glance. ¡°Eh, you smell just as bad most days,¡± she teased, prying open one of the crates.

    Kael gasped, keeping his voice low. ¡°I do not! How are you even putting up with this smell?¡±

    She grinned as she struggled with the crate. ¡°I was born and raised in the streets of Kaltar. Nothing but piss and shit there.¡±

    Elron stepped in to help her pry the lid open. ¡°Here, let me.¡±

    With a loud pop, the crate opened, revealing bags of white powder.

    ¡°Flour?¡± Elron asked, pulling one of the bags out. ¡°What, are they starting a bakery down here?¡±

    Kael leaned over his shoulder with a frown on his face. ¡°No, my boy, that¡¯s something else entirely.¡±

    Slyra chuckled as she examined the bag. ¡°It¡¯s snarf.¡±

    ¡°What is snarf?¡± Elron asked, his face wrinkling in confusion.

    Kael took the bag, setting it back in the crate. ¡°It¡¯s a drug. This stuff is all over the kingdom.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s... horrible,¡± Elron said, disgust lining his words.

    ¡°Yeah, every bum elf I¡¯ve seen is on the stuff. It¡¯s tragic,¡± Kael replied.

    Suddenly, they stopped talking as the light of a torch began to dance along the tunnel walls. They pulled the bodies with them into the shadows and waited. But the light didn¡¯t fade. It grew brighter.

    A group of three wererats approached the site of their fallen companions. Before they could notice anything amiss, the party struck.

    The ambush was swift, the three wererats dispatched with quick, deadly precision. However, despite the advantage of surprise, the creatures reacted faster than expected. Elron¡¯s opponent nearly deflected his strike, instinctively raising its claws to block. But Elron¡¯s sheer strength and the magic of his sword cut through the creature¡¯s defenses, ending it with a final slash to the sternum.

    Slyra stepped over the corpses and said, ¡°That wasn¡¯t exactly quiet. We need to keep moving.¡±

    They decided to pick up the pace, navigating the tunnels swiftly. Using an old, tattered map, they checked each offshoot of the mine, clearing the occasional pair of wererats they encountered. It became increasingly clear that this wasn¡¯t just a hiding place¡ªit was a smuggling operation for drugs, body parts, and other dark dealings.

    ¡°Where the hell are they all at?!¡± a deep, guttural voice bellowed from the large central cavern.

    A massive wererat loomed over several smaller rats, who cowered beneath his fury.

    The tyrant, cracking his whip, screamed, ¡°Idiots! Speak!¡±

    ¡°W-we don¡¯t know! Th-they¡¯re¨C¡±

    A loud crack silenced the rat mid-sentence, and it collapsed to the ground with a bone-chilling cry of pain. The large wererat drew a scimitar, brandishing it menacingly. ¡°You two! Find those lazy bastards and drag them back here!¡±

    The terrified wererats bolted from the cavern, running past Elron and his companions, who were hiding in the shadows.

    Elron, watching the scene unfold, murmured, ¡°That¡¯s more than a dozen¡­¡±

    Slyra winked at him and whispered, ¡°You ready?¡±

    Kael, crouched behind Elron, tapped him on the shoulder and began signing a plan with swift hand gestures. Elron nodded in agreement, his heart racing as they prepared for the assault.

    The large wererat continued pacing the cavern, overseeing the organization of vast quantities of snarf. His minions scurried to and fro, weighed down by the fear of his whip. Every so often, he¡¯d lash out, punishing one of them for even the slightest misstep.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Suddenly, with a final chant, Elron launched a fireball straight at the tyrant. The ball of fire flew with lightning speed, exploding in the center of the room. The force sent furniture, crates, and burning debris flying, and charred bodies littered the ground.

    But as the smoke cleared, the monstrous wererat remained standing, pulling his red cape away from his face.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re the hold-up,¡± he sneered, brushing off the ash.

    Elron, Slyra, and Kael gritted their teeth in frustration. The room was devastated, the goods destroyed, yet the wererat leader stood unscathed.

    ¡°That cape must be fire-resistant,¡± Kael observed.

    Slyra thrust her dagger into the throat of a dying wererat and spat, ¡°No kidding.¡±

    The wererat leader whistled sharply threw his incisors, and out of the shadows, swarms of giant rats poured into the room, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger.

    ¡°I am Gnarlfang,¡± the tyrant growled, ¡°and you will be nothing but dust beneath¨C¡±

    Before Gnarlfang could finish his taunt, Elron charged, his flaming bastard sword raised high above his head. With a roar, he brought it down on the wererat leader. Gnarlfang, with a twisted grin, raised his scimitar in response, blocking the strike with an ear-splitting clash. The two combatants stood locked in place, their blades grinding against one another as sparks flew from the impact.

    Gnarlfang sneered, "Weak elf! I''ll make you one of my slaves before the day is done!" With a flick of his wrist, the whip snapped out, striking Elron''s chest plate with a metallic ring that echoed through the cavern.

    Elron jumped back, gritting his teeth as the whip left a faint dent in his armor. Gnarlfang''s snarling minions moved in, but Kael and Slyra were already upon them. With precise, calculated strikes, the pair kept the swarming rats and wererats at bay, fighting back the tide of feral creatures with magic and steel.

    "It''s just you and me, you filthy rodent," Elron growled as he summoned the mana within him, casting Mana Step and Mirror Image in a single motion. In an instant, three illusions of Elron appeared, circling around Gnarlfang.

    The rat tyrant lashed out wildly, whipping at the images, only to strike air. His scimitar swung through the illusions, scattering them like smoke. But Elron wasn¡¯t done¡ªhis true form appeared behind the wererat, striking at Gnarlfang''s exposed legs.

    "Fuck you!" Gnarlfang roared, spinning on his heel. His tail whipped through the air, catching Elron off guard and sending him flying into the cavern wall. Elron hit the stone hard, crumpling to the ground with a groan.

    Gnarlfang stalked toward him, his scimitar dragging along the ground, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake. "Playtime''s over. I''ll throw you into my box with the rest of fun toys.

    With a swift motion, Gnarlfang''s tail shot out again, aiming for Elron''s chest. But Elron, quick as lightning, swung his sword upward, slicing the tail clean in half. Gnarlfang let out a guttural scream, stumbling back as blood spurted from the stump.

    "You bastard!" Gnarlfang snarled, whipping his scimitar in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

    Elron, ignoring the blood dripping from his wounds, steadied himself. "I''ll take more than just your tail before this is over."

    With a surge of determination, Elron pushed off the wall and charged forward, his sword burning with renewed intensity. But just as he closed the distance, Gnarlfang regained his footing and slashed his scimitar across Elron''s chest. The blow sent the prince tumbling across the rocky floor, blood seeping through the deep cut in his armor.

    "Elron!" Slyra shouted, slashing through another wererat before attempting to run to his aid. But a creature slammed into her side, sending her sprawling to the ground. She flipped onto her back, stabbed the beast through its eye socket, and yelled, ¡°Help Elron!¡±

    Kael, still busy fending off the swarm, glanced over his shoulder and shouted, "I''m a little busy here!"

    Elron staggered to his feet, gripping his sword tightly as blood trickled down his arm. His vision swam, but he forced himself to focus on Gnarlfang, who was closing in for the kill.

    "I... am not weak," Elron muttered, his voice low and determined.

    Gnarlfang laughed, raising his scimitar high above his head. "Show me your strength, elf! Or die like the rest of your pathetic kind!"

    As the scimitar came crashing down, Elron instinctively casted Shield. The magical barrier flared to life, deflecting the strike just enough to send the blade into the ground beside him. The shield shattered, leaving Elron panting and drained, but alive.

    His mana nearly depleted, Elron willed the last remnants of his energy into his sword. The blade flickered, its flames dimming as exhaustion overtook him. But then, without warning, the sword flared to life with a bright, eerie green flame. Eyes appeared along the blade, glowing with a malevolent light.

    "Fuel me," a hollow voice echoed.

    The sword swelled, growing in size and weight as it pulsed with dark energy. Gnarlfang''s eyes widened in shock as the heat from the flames singed his fur and the sheer weight of the sword pressed him down into the ground.

    "What the hell is this?!" Gnarlfang roared, his voice filled with fear.

    Elron leaped into the air, his sword raised high. "Fucking die!" he screamed as he brought the blade down with all his strength.

    Gnarlfang raised his scimitar to block, but the cursed blade sliced through his defenses like butter, embedding itself deep in his shoulder. The wererat let out a howl of pain, kicking Elron in the chest in a desperate attempt to distance himself.

    But Elron was relentless, charging forward once again. The two clashed in a frenzied exchange of blows, their blades sparking and clashing in a deadly dance. Gnarlfang swung his scimitar wildly, but Elron''s precision and speed kept him on the defensive.

    The battle raged across the cavern, their movements a blur of steel and fire. Rats and wererats alike scurried out of their way, the sheer intensity of their fight too much for them to bear. Sparks flew, and the smell of burning fur filled the air as Gnarlfang''s defenses began to crumble.

    With a final, desperate cry, Gnarlfang fell to the ground, his leg severed at the knee. Blood pooled beneath him as he clutched at the stump, his eyes filled with terror.

    "No! Spare me!" he begged, his voice trembling with fear.

    Elron stood over him, his chest heaving with exhaustion. A wicked smile spread across his face as he raised his sword once more. "Your strength is mine now."

    With one final thrust, Elron drove the flaming blade into Gnarlfang''s chest. The fire erupted from the wound, consuming the wererat from the inside out. His flesh melted away, leaving only a charred, smoking husk in his place.

    The cavern fell silent, save for the crackling of flames and the distant scurrying of rats. Elron stood over the fallen tyrant, his sword still blazing in his hand. He looked down at the burnt corpse, his breath ragged.

    Slyra and Kael rushed to his side, the battle behind them won. They stared at the remains of Gnarlfang, their faces a mix of awe and horror.

    "Your strength is mine now," Elron muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

 B1C23 - The Power Within

    Elron rested his head against the hilt of his slowly shrinking sword, letting the surge of newfound power ripple through him. The battle had pushed him beyond his limits, slaying a foe that by all accounts should have ended his life. Yet, here he was, savoring the victory and contemplating his next move as the essence of his strength pulsed within him.

    Plus one attribute point.

    You have gained the class ability: Mana Conduit.

    Select two new spells:

    <ul>

    <li>Mana Blast</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Gravity Well</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Mana Surge</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Energy Drain</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Thunder Slash</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Void Strike</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Flame Wave</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Frost Bloom</li>

    </ul>

    Without hesitation, Elron allocated his attribute point into strength, eager to move onto the most exciting part: the class ability, Mana Conduit. Almost instinctively, the knowledge of what the ability entailed came to him.

    Mana Conduit allows the caster to funnel mana into their spells for a limited amount of time.

    A small smile tugged at Elron''s lips. The utility of this new ability was undeniable¡ªhe could cast larger, more destructive spells or sustain illusions for longer durations. The drawback of depleting his mana faster hardly seemed to matter in the long run, especially when the stakes could be so high.

    The spell selection, however, was less thrilling. He had grown used to the world giving him new spells every time he leveled up, and while he¡¯d been given a choice this time, something about it left him wanting. Still, Elron knew better than to dwell too long on such thoughts. The system of this world likely balanced itself out, and it was better to focus on what layed before him.

    He mulled over his options. Flame Wave, Thunder Slash, and Frost Bloom all appeared to be powerful area-of-effect spells¡ªuseful in their own right, but his eyes quickly shifted toward something more intriguing: Void Strike.

    Void Strike allows the user to channel necrotic and force damage into their weapon.

    There was something enticing, almost sinister about the ability, but also a hesitation within him. The spell felt powerful, but wrong somehow. He shook off the feeling and moved to inspect the rest of the options.

    Spectral Blade summons a spectral sword to fight alongside the user, dealing independent damage.

    Mana Blast releases a powerful burst of raw mana energy, damaging enemies in a targeted area.

    Gravity Well creates a gravitational pull that drags enemies into a single location.

    Mana Surge temporarily boosts the user¡¯s mana regeneration, allowing for faster spellcasting.

    Energy Drain absorbs health or mana from an enemy and transfers it to the caster.

    Elron found himself drawn to Energy Drain almost immediately. Mana was always in short supply, and the ability to siphon it from his foes would make him a more formidable force. Paired with Void Strike, he felt the synergy between these choices would push him further along his path to greatness.

    His vision cleared as the selection process completed, and he felt his senses returning to normal. He willed his status screen forth and examined his new growth.

    Status

    Name: Elron Malfar

    Race: Half-elf

    Age: 36

    Class: Spellblade

    Level: 15

    Attributes:

    Strength - 13

    Dexterity - 8

    Constitution - 7

    Intelligence - 10

    Wisdom - 8

    Charisma - 7

    Racial abilities: Low light vision, minor leap, keen sense. Class abilities: Lessor blade mastery, mana conduit, versatile edge.

    Spells: Create light, Create object, counterspell, elemental absorption, energy drain, flare, fireball, mana step, self image, shield, thunderboom, void strike.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    As Elron reviewed his newly gained abilities, a nagging thought continued to weigh on his mind.

    ''Why did I choose those spells?''

    There was a gap in his thinking that he couldn''t quite place. He wasn¡¯t stupid¡ªhis intelligence score proved that¡ªbut there was something eluding him, and it must be from¡­

    Suddenly, Slyra¡¯s fingers snapped in front of his face, jolting him back to reality.

    "Hey! Thanks for saving the day, but could you wake up now?" She folded her arms, waiting for an explanation.

    Elron blinked, his mind still foggy from his deep contemplation.

    "You wanna explain what just happened?" she pressed, her brow furrowing.

    Before Elron could answer, Kael stepped in between them, placing his hand on Elron¡¯s armor. "Whoa, his wound is healed too."

    Elron glanced down at himself, noticing his once grievous injury had vanished. "Huh. Must have been my new spell."

    Slyra scoffed. "New spell, my ass. It''s that sword."

    Kael, ever curious, raised his hand, motioning for the blade. "Let me take a look at it."

    Reluctantly, Elron handed over the sword. "Fine, knock yourself out."

    Kael cast Appraisal, but the look on his face soured.

    "Nothing happened¡­"

    Slyra raised a brow. "What do you mean ''nothing happened?'' Did it fail?"

    Kael paced, deep in thought. "Appraisal can fail sometimes, sure. But this is different. It didn¡¯t even try to give me a result. It¡¯s way beyond my abilities."

    Slyra threw her hands up. "So, what you''re saying is, we don''t know a damn thing about this sword?"

    Kael nodded grimly. "Exactly. Well, it¡¯s clearly cursed, but to what degree, who knows." He walked off, frustration clear in his steps.

    Elron sighed, sheathing the sword. "What¡¯s the big deal?"

    Slyra turned away slightly, her tone quiet but firm. "You know why it¡¯s a big deal. That thing screams bad news. I¡¯d get rid of it if I were you."

    Before Elron could respond, a distant cry echoed through the room.

    "Heeelp!"

    All three turned their attention to the back of the chamber, noticing a series of metal cells embedded in the walls. Elron rushed forward, yanking down a torn tapestry to reveal a high elf woman trapped in rags, her gaunt figure trembling as she reached for the bars.

    "Help me¡­ please¡­" she begged.

    Kael tossed Elron a key. "Try this, it was on Stinkfang¡¯s belt."

    "Wait!" Slyra warned. "It could be a trap."

    Ignoring her, Elron unlocked the cell, and the elf crawled out, collapsing at his feet.

    "You saved me. How could I ever repay you?"

    Elron knelt to help her up. "There¡¯s no need for repayment."

    She pulled back, her expression solemn. "That won¡¯t do. I, Paladin of Ferah, Maris, pledge myself to you from this day forth." Her body then shimmered in a radiant glow.

    "Oh?" Kael muttered, amused.

    Elron, on the verge of panic, stammered, "F-Ferah? Pledge? What?"

    Slyra, convinced the woman wasn¡¯t a threat, helped her to her feet.

    "You don¡¯t see that every day," Kael quipped.

    Elron, still bewildered, asked, "Who is Ferah?"

    Kael placed a hand on Elron¡¯s head. "You serious? You really don¡¯t know? They really did lock you up in that citadel, didn¡¯t they? How can you be an elf and not know who Ferah is?"

    Maris, barely able to drink the water Slyra offered, managed to cough out, "Ferah¡­ the goddess of all elves¡­ the god of nature and fertility."

    Elron felt the weight of his ignorance. "So, what was with all that glowing light stuff?"

    Slyra slowly helped Maris sit down next to the wall and said, "The glowing? That was her pledge, genius."

    Elron shook his head, clearly still confused. "A pledge... of what?"

    Maris, weak but determined, straightened up against the wall and spoke with reverence, "As a Paladin of Ferah, I have pledged my life, my strength, and my faith to you. From now on, my power is yours to command. I will fight for you, defend you, and follow your path until my last breath."

    Kael chuckled under his breath. "Well, well, looks like you¡¯ve got yourself a holy bodyguard now, Prince."

    Slyra, however, wasn¡¯t laughing. She tilted her head and asked, "You sure about this? Pledging yourself to someone like him?"

    Elron shot her a glare. "Woah, someone like me?"

    Slyra ignored him, keeping her focus on Maris. "You¡¯ve just crawled out of a cell, half-starved, and now you''re binding yourself to someone you barely know. You¡¯ll be throwing away your freedom."

    Maris met her gaze with unwavering conviction. "It¡¯s already done, no magic can undo my pledge now. My life would have been forfeit without his intervention."

    Elron, still taken aback by the sudden display, took off his helm and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. But no more surprises. And for the record, I never asked for this."

    Kael smirked. "Seems to me the gods have a way of putting you on paths you didn¡¯t ask for."

    Slyra put her hands on her hips and said, "When did you become religious?!"

    ¡°You mistake me¡­ Could you imagine? The whores would weep from¨C¡±

    She smashed him over the head and said, ¡°The only person who¡¯s gonna weep is you, fucker.¡±

    And with that, the group eventually collected themselves and made their way back through the chamber. The tension between them lessened, but the weight of what had just transpired still hung in the air. Elron couldn''t help but feel a strange mixture of responsibility and eerie as they pressed onward towards their next adventure.

 B1C24 - Into Darkness

    Somewhere deep in the underground, two tall figures with golden eyes stomped through a narrow, pitch dark hallway. The lead figure, clad in full plate armor and hefting a massive two-handed battle axe, moved with purpose, while behind him trailed a mage in skin-tight robes, gripping a staff. Their heavy footfalls echoed through the silence until they reached a break in the stone wall.

    The woman lifted herself off the ground, hovering slightly as she casted fly. ¡°Ugh, damn you! Why didn¡¯t you say something?¡± she growled.

    "Maybe if you actually looked down for once, you¡¯d have noticed the guts on the floor. Oh wait, you can''t," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    Her expression shifted from disgust to amusement. ¡°It¡¯s a good problem to have,¡± she smirked.

    ¡°Sure," he muttered, and with a casual kick, he sent a corpse skidding into the wall with a splat.

    As she floated lazily on her staff, the woman¡¯s eyes narrowed in suspicion. ¡°So, there''s our failure... But why did he fail? So strange.¡±

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t on time. That¡¯s at least part of it,¡± the armored figure replied, noticing a narrow crevice in the wall. He twisted and ducked his way through. The mage, tried to follow him, yet found herself stuck halfway through the passage.

    "Fucker! Are you just going to stand there and watch me struggle?!¡± she snapped, wriggling in frustration.

    A laugh erupted from under the man''s helm. ¡°I think this suits you.¡±

    Fuming, she waved her fingers, and with a flick of her magic, the stone wall exploded into floating chunks around her. "Let¡¯s see how you like it!" She sent hundreds of bricks flying at him in a whirlwind of fury.

    With a smirk, he spun his battle axe in a burning arc, turning the bricks to dust mid-air.

    She floated past him, laying sideways on her staff. "No fun," she muttered, clearly dissatisfied.

    They approached the centerpiece of the room. A large stone coffin.

    "You feel that?" the man asked, staring down at the heavy stone lid.

    Her face tensed. ¡°I felt it the moment we entered. What¡¯s shocking is you can feel it¡­¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The hulking man planted his axe beside him and tried to slide the lid off. His muscles strained as he gritted his teeth, but the lid wouldn¡¯t budge.

    "Stop!" she shouted. "Are you insane?! Don¡¯t open it!"

    ¡°What ever is in here will be our new found success,¡± he stated, still struggling.

    She casted appraisal, her eyes widening in alarm. ¡°It''s sealed with a powerful spell. I think this is...¡±

    He cut her off with a smirk. ¡°So, you can¡¯t crack it?¡±

    She scoffed. ¡°I can break any spell. But this thing gives me a really bad feeling.¡±

    Hoisting his axe onto his shoulder, he replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t handle.¡±

    She glared at him. ¡°Fine. But if this goes south, I¡¯m leaving you.¡±

    ¡°This is so stupid. Can¡¯t we just hire someone else?¡± she muttered, reluctantly beginning to chant the spell.

    After several minutes of near-silent chants, the coffin began to glow with a deep purple hue. Suddenly, with a loud bang, the lid shot straight up and embedded itself into the ceiling, sending dirt and stones crashing down. But neither of them moved; their eyes were fixed on what emerged.

    The woman shakily pointed her staff at the coffin and stammered, "It''s uh... a uhh¡ª"

    "A death knight," the man interrupted, gripping his axe tightly.

    "You know my species, yet not my name. Shameful," the undead rasped.

    Before them stood a being of pure darkness, an entity that was the near pinnacle of undead martial prowess. Its bones were thick and charred black, while its armor was matte black and exuded an aura of decay. In the center of its ribcage swirled a green flame, the same eerie hue that radiated from its eye sockets.

    With a sudden clang, the man in armor turned and fled, screaming in terror as he rammed into a wall, stumbling over himself.

    "You shit, get back here!" the woman screamed after him.

    "Where is it?!" the death knight roared, his voice booming with anger.

    She began to chant under her breath and replied, "Where is what?"

    "Insultant!" the death knight snarled, conjuring a massive ball of green flames and slamming it into the ground.

    The room went white for a moment and shook violently as boulders crashed down from the ceiling. Dust filled the air, and when it cleared a bit, the chamber had transformed into a hellish landscape. The floors and walls had become gleaming obsidian, with sporadic pyres of green flames flickering here and there. The most prominent flame, however, moved steadily toward the woman, who was now badly injured and lying on her back.

    "Please, I don¡¯t know anything! Spare me!" she pleaded, her voice trembling.

    "Lies," he groaned as he gripped her face with his gauntleted hand, inhaling deeply as if taking in a breath of fresh air.

    She screamed in agony as the death knight assulted her mind, probing her spirit. The sensation was unbearable, as if her skull were being slowly split open, and all she could do was flail in helpless pain.

    The death knight let out a slow, deliberate breath. "The amulet is near it too. Interesting." With a dismissive flick, he hurled her body into the rubble, stirring up another cloud of dust.

 B1C25 - The Conflict in Peace

    Elron pushed his way through the crowded city, scowling as he repeatedly bumped into strangers and stepped into something unpleasantly soft. The stench of filth clung to the air, making him want to pinch his nose, but he kept his hands free, knowing he might need them. To make matters worse, an unwelcome companion was right on his heels.

    They reached an open square, and Elron turned to Maris, irritation evident in his voice. ¡°Must you follow me everywhere? It¡¯s our day off.¡±

    Maris easily matched his pace, her tone calm. ¡°It is of my own free will that I choose to accompany you today, my Lord.¡±

    Elron collided with someone¡¯s shoulder, sending the man sprawling into the muck. ¡°Ugh, don¡¯t call me that,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s just Elric in public.¡±

    Without changing her expression, she replied, ¡°Of course.¡±

    The drunk elf rolled around in muck, seemingly unsure of how he ended up there.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get some lunch. I think I¡¯m getting... what do they call it? Hangry.¡±

    Maris smiled. ¡°That sounds delightful, my Lor¡ªElric.¡±

    They chose a rooftop restaurant with a view of the city. As they ordered their meals, a tension Maris couldn¡¯t quite place hung in the air. She set her drink down and looked at him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Elric? Shouldn¡¯t you be enjoying yourself today?¡±

    Elron stirred his drink, watching the liquid swirl. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking.¡±

    ¡°About?¡± Maris straightened in her seat, her posture as rigid as ever.

    He sighed, resting his hand on his face. ¡°I¡¯ve been focusing so much on getting stronger, yet I feel like they¡¯re are equally important things.¡±

    Maris turned her head at him, her gaze sharp. ¡°I thought you vowed to get stronger for a friend. What could be more important than that?¡±

    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not it,¡± he said, waving his hands. ¡°It¡¯s just... I¡¯ve been blind to how messed up this country is. Crime, poverty¡ªeverywhere we go, it¡¯s our people who suffer the most.

    ¡°Our people?¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    ¡°Elves,¡± he said flatly. ¡°And the businesses? The shops? Most are run by non-elves.¡±

    His thoughts drifted for a moment.

    ¡°Do you dislike the other races?¡±

    ¡°I¡ª¡± Before he could answer, the waitress appeared with their food, placing plates before them. ¡°Dig in.¡±

    Elron stared at his food, then back at Maris. ¡°Tell me what you think.¡±

    She cut into her rabbit. ¡°I follow the teachings of Ferah, and she teaches us balance.¡±

    He raised an eyebrow, sipping his soup. ¡°Not sure how that answers my question.¡±

    Maris chewed slowly, finishing her bite before responding. ¡°You see inequality, and I agree, it exists. But it doesn¡¯t bother me because I know the balance will shift in time.¡±

    Elron downed the rest of his soup. ¡°That¡¯s... a perspective.¡±

    Her calm certainty was so foreign to him, yet he couldn¡¯t argue against it. She seemed so at peace and certain with what she said. It made him desire such peace in his own thoughts, which as of recently, seemed to rage at him in his sleep.

    ¡°Are you ready to go, Maris?¡± he asked.

    They then spent the afternoon wandering the city. Elron gathered supplies and information for their next quest as Maris followed him around. Once satisfied, he obliged Maris and helped her shop for some much-needed items. They had found her old gear in a mine, but it was in poor condition.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to buy these for me, Elric,¡± she said, now dressed in well-crafted greens and browns.

    He chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    As they made their way back to the inn, the city¡¯s wisps began to light up, casting an ethereal glow. But as beautiful as the lights were, the shadows lengthened, and the unsavory characters of the night began to emerge from the alleys. Elron wanted no part of it, at least not tonight.

    Upstairs in the door way of his room, Elron stopped short. ¡°Wait, what are you doing?¡± he asked, holding out his arm as Maris entered behind him.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep with you,¡± she said, her face as expressionless as ever.

    His eyes darted to the small single bed, his face reddening. ¡°Huh?¡±

    She walked past him, setting her tower shield down with a thud before beginning to remove her armor. ¡°I¡¯ll sleep on the floor, my Lord,¡± she said, unrolling a sleeping bag.

    Elron paled. ¡°Oh, okay...¡±

    She rummaged through her things before pausing, realization dawning on her. ¡°Oh! You thought I wanted to mate with you. Heavens, no.¡± She shook her head. ¡°No offense, my Lord, but if you¡¯d prefer, I will fetch you a bed maiden¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, no!¡± he interrupted, his voice rising in alarm. ¡°That¡¯s quite all right, thanks. Let¡¯s just... go to bed.¡±

    After helping Elron out of his armor, Maris settled into her sleeping bag. Elron then crawled into the creaky bed, snapping his fingers to extinguish the room¡¯s wisps. It felt strange, sharing a room with someone. To make matters worse, Maris snored all night.

    The next morning, they gathered in a park at the city¡¯s edge. It was odd, meeting in a box of nature amid the urban sprawl. Elves were not ones to build cities, and the idea of a park was almost foreign.

 B1C26 - Divided Paths

    ¡°Why¡¯d we choose to meet here again? It¡¯s so far from everything,¡± Kael grumbled.

    Elron folded his arms. ¡°I thought it would be quiet.¡±

    Slyra staggered into the park, flopping onto a bench with a groan. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±

    Maris looked concerned, her hand reaching out to touch Slyra¡¯s forehead. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, dear? Are you unwell?¡±

    ¡°The liquor... is so strong here...¡± Slyra mumbled, still half-dazed.

    Kael tapped his staff against the bench. ¡°Pretty sure it¡¯s illegal to be drunk in a park.¡±

    Slyra rolled over, hiccuping. ¡°I went to bed drunk and woke up drunk. Not my fault.¡±

    ¡°Poor thing,¡± Maris said softly, her hands glowing with radiant light. The warmth from the light wasn¡¯t physical, but it was palpable. It was so mesmerizing, it was hard to look away. Within moments, Slyra sat up, beaming.

    ¡°Oh my gosh! You¡¯re coming with me next time I drink!¡± she squealed, hugging Maris tightly.

    Maris awkwardly patted her back. ¡°Ah, but I don¡¯t drink.¡±

    Slyra laughed. ¡°That¡¯s fine! I¡¯ll teach you.¡±

    Elron cleared his throat loudly, drawing the group''s attention. "All right, good to see everyone¡¯s here and ready. Let¡¯s go over this week¡¯s quest."

    The group clustered around him, eyes on the scroll in his hand. Kael stood shoulder to shoulder with Elron, while Slyra struggled to peek over his arm. Maris, towering over all of them from the back, watched quietly. Their reactions were as varied as always.

    Slyra¡¯s face fell. "This isn¡¯t the kind of job you usually pick, Elron. What¡¯s going on?"

    Kael chimed in, nodding. "The she-elf¡¯s got a point. It¡¯s... interesting, but definitely off from our usual."

    Maris smiled, her eyes lighting up. "I think you chose this one with me in mind. I¡¯m thrilled."This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Elron held the scroll up for them to see. "I picked this plague investigation for three reasons: one, it¡¯s different from what we usually do; two, the pay is excellent; and three, we¡¯ll probably never get another job like this again."

    Maris¡¯s eyes sparkled. "Splendid. Where do we begin, my Lord?"

    Kael stepped forward, pulling out another map and spreading it in front of them. "We should focus on these areas," he said, pointing to several spots.

    Slyra raised an eyebrow. "That¡¯s the entire southeast side of the city. No way we¡¯re covering all of that. Also, what are we looking for?"

    Elron folded the map. "We need to figure out what¡¯s causing the plague and stop it. As Kael pointed out, the southeast side is the only part affected, so we¡¯ll start there. Look for anything suspicious."

    Slyra kicked a loose rock, frustration creeping into her voice. "That whole side of town is suspicious. You¡¯re better off shaking down the slum lords for answers."

    Kael grinned and slapped her back. "Perfect! So glad you volunteered for that. I¡¯ll check the mage¡¯s college outside the slums."

    Elron glanced at Maris, considering his next move. "The rest of us will split up and find other leads."

    Maris stiffened. "I object."

    He sighed, already weary of what was coming. "Object to what?"

    "My duty is to protect you. I must stay by your side."

    Slyra knocked on Maris¡¯s shield playfully but with a touch of unease. "You wouldn¡¯t be following your oath if you disobeyed his order, right? Just trust him."

    Maris exhaled heavily, her face troubled. After a pause, she finally relented. "Okay, fair enough."

    "Good! Then let¡¯s get moving," Elron said, nodding.

    Elron, Maris, and Slyra headed toward the seedier part of town. For those familiar with the kingdom¡¯s cities, it was no surprise how quickly the atmosphere changed between districts. This city was no different. As they made their way to the opposite side, the roads shifted from brick to dirt, and eventually to a filthy mix of mud, piss, and waste that was nearly unbearable. The houses were little more than collapsing shacks, seemingly waiting for a strong wind to topple them.

    The trio found themselves at a crossroads deep within the slums. Elven children played in the streets, oblivious to the filth. Others, strung out on various substances, lounged against walls, while a few more indulged in carnal acts within the shadows of alleyways.

    Slyra wrinkled her nose, pulling out a bundle of cloth. "Want some? Helps with the smell."

    Maris shook her head. "No thank you, I will bare it."

    "Suit yourself," Slyra muttered, stuffing the cloth into her bulbous nose.

    Elron scanned the area. "All right, we¡¯ll split up from here. Be back by nightfall. If you¡¯re not, we¡¯ll come looking for you."

    With that, they parted ways, each disappearing into the grime and decay of the slums.

 B1C27 - The Kingéˆ¥æªš Council

    Somewhere within the vast expanse of an ancient elven tree, a group of eight individuals sat around a circular table. Silence filled the room, each person waiting with idle impatience. Some toyed with their magic, others stared aimlessly or nodded off. One, of course, was picking his nose. However, the air shifted abruptly when an elf appeared at the table, seated as though he had always been there.

    ¡°Hello, I trust everyone is well today,¡± the elf said.

    In unison, the group snapped to attention, their voices synchronized. ¡°My king!¡±

    The king leaned forward, his fingers interlaced. ¡°I appreciate you all taking time from your busy schedules to meet. I know you¡¯ve been regulating the kingdom in my stead.¡±

    Nods rippled through the various races seated at the table, but no one dared to speak. The king, unfazed, continued. With a snap of his fingers, a thick stack of documents materialized before him, hundreds of pages in total. For the next few minutes, the room remained eerily silent as he flipped through them.

    After what felt like an eternity, the king broke the quiet. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the policies that have been enacted since our last meeting.¡±

    The room stayed still, faces blank, though no one dared question his claim. The king leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful frown crossing his features. ¡°You¡¯ve all been quite busy. While I know these policies were created with the country¡¯s best interests in mind, some seem... arbitrary.¡±

    A dwarf, his armor gleaming, spoke up. ¡°We would never act arbitrarily, my king.¡±

    A tigerman chimed in. ¡°Every policy we put forth was crafted to help the people.¡±

    A man with a radiant face nodded. ¡°There is evidence across the kingdom that our work has improved the nation a great deal.¡±

    The king, once silently listening, began shuffling through the pile of documents. With practiced ease, he pulled a single sheet from the middle of the stack, as if he knew its exact location. Running a finger along the lines, he read aloud, ¡°For any and all registered businesses with a current registration of over fifty years, a referral for renewal must be submitted between...¡± He paused, cleared his throat, and continued, skimming further down the text, ¡°...and a fifteen percent additional tax must be paid to the Office of Commerce based on the prior year.¡±

    A tiny humanoid, barely visible over the edge of the table, piped up, ¡°There may be some room for adjustments...¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The king set the paper down gently, his movements deliberate, before rifling through the stack once more. With another quick pull, he selected a different sheet.

    ¡°All exports of exotic woods, herbal medicines, and other restricted forestry products are to be regulated by the Council of Resources. Requests for approval must be submitted a year in advance of any sales¡­¡±

    Without missing a beat, the king grabbed yet another document, picking a random line to read aloud. ¡°All subsidized funds for festival events in the second and third quarters must be submitted and approved five years in advance before funds are allocated¡­¡±

    A black-skinned gnome with fiery eyes leaned forward and interjected, ¡°It seems you have concerns with some of these policies, Your Majesty. Perhaps you might follow up with those who chose not to attend today? They may have additional insights.¡±

    The king slumped slightly in his chair, fingers pressing against his temple in frustration. ¡°Right... I suppose it''s only fair not to hold those present solely accountable for this... Now, speaking of absentees, where are the noble houses of Moonshadow, Skyrend, and Vaelaris?¡±

    A scaly-skinned man spoke. ¡°They have refused to attend for some time now.¡±

    The room seemed to tremble as the king groaned, dust falling from the ceiling. ¡°I was unaware... This will change. From now on, I don¡¯t care if they send an envoy¡ªsomeone must represent their segments of the kingdom.¡±

    The tension in the room thickened as the king¡¯s frustration became palpable. Sweat beaded on the brows of those seated at the table, and a few trembled visibly. Before anyone could respond, the king yawned, and with a whisper of wind, a sylph appeared beside him.

    She bowed deeply. ¡°How may I assist, my king?¡±

    The king lightly tapped her head with his thumb. ¡°Take this message to the absent houses,¡± he said, though the rest of his instructions were communicated through thought. The display left the room in awe, even to those who had witnessed such magic before. Summoning a sylph across great distances and sending her elsewhere in the blink of an eye was a feat both wondrous and terrifying.

    No sooner had she vanished than she reappeared. ¡°Oh, and here¡¯s a letter I forgot to hand you.¡± She disappeared again in a puff of air.

    The king glanced at the letter, and with a flick of his hand, it burst into flames. ¡°The sovereign beast tribes to the southeast have declared war on us. They¡¯re attacking the border as we speak¡­¡±

    Gasps filled the room, the group reacting as if they hadn¡¯t known this was already happening.

    Resting his head in his hand, the king muttered, ¡°The problems around here are as plentiful as Ferah¡¯s bosoms... pardon my elvish. I must leave post haste. Please, review these documents and correct the obvious errors. Goodbye.¡±

    In an instant, he waved to them and vanished into thin air.

    The room sat in stunned silence for several moments before someone dared to speak.

    ¡°You think he knows¡ª¡±

    The dwarf silenced the gnome with a swift clobber to the head.

    ¡°Ah, what gives?!¡± the gnome yelped.

    The tigerman glared. ¡°We don¡¯t speak here. You know the rules.¡±

    The gnome rubbed his sore head, and with sly grins on their faces, the group began to file out of the room.

 B1C28 - Echoes of Decay

    Maris strode down the main street with purpose, her poise a stark contrast to the decaying surroundings. She needed to find something that would help her lord succeed in their quest, especially since much would rely on her skills. There seemed to be no obvious place to start until a group of children dashed toward a large building further down the street.

    Following the sound of their laughter, Maris found herself approaching a barn-like structure. The two-story building bore the marks of heavy use, its entrance sunk deep in muck, boards hastily thrown down to stave off the worst of the dirt, though filth still clung to every surface. Inside, she was hit by a wave of familiarity¡ªyet a sense of discomfort followed. It reminded her of the soup kitchens of the temples. Rows of weathered picnic tables filled the space, the air thick with the unpleasant blend of livestock odors and the stench of unwashed bodies seated nearby. It was an obvious breeding ground for illness, though she saw no immediate signs of the sick.

    Spotting an elderly elf shakily lifting a spoon to his lips, Maris approached him and asked, "Where are the sick?"

    The old elf sipped from his bowl, his hand trembling. He set the spoon down and met her gaze with a fleeting glimmer in his eyes before he pointed upward.

    Her heart skipped a beat, dreading the answer, but she quickly realized what he meant. The sick were in the loft above.

    "Thank you," she whispered, calming herself before heading to a worn ladder leading to the second floor.

    The sight that greeted her made her pause, her heart heavy. Elves layed side by side, coughing, wheezing, and barely conscious, sprawled out on makeshift straw beds. Clerics and priests moved among them, offering water and wiping down their fevered brows.

    A nearby she-elf, wringing out a warm rag, looked up and asked, "Are you from the church?"

    Maris straightened. "Yes. How can I help?"

    The she-elf focused back on her patient. "We need help distributing food, water, and baths..." Her eyes drifted to Maris¡¯s armor, realizing she was not the typical church member. "Perhaps you can do something more?"This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    Maris considered this and nodded. "I can cast Aura of Vitality a couple times. It won¡¯t cure their disease, but it will ease their suffering for a while."

    The she-elf stared at her wide-eyed, as if the offer was beyond her request. "That sounds incredible. Please, do it now."

    With a nod, Maris stepped into the center of the room, standing at the feet of the sick elves. She closed her eyes, allowing the ancient language of her people to flow naturally from her lips. Her voice rose, filling the loft, and soon a golden glow radiated from her, enveloping the room. Instantly, the elves stirred, their eyes fluttering open, and they began sitting up, the color returning to their faces.

    Without hesitation, Maris walked to the far end of the room and casted the spell again. As the aura faded, she saw relief wash over the faces of those around her. Several attendants rushed over, thanking her profusely, offering her small gifts, food, and even coins¡ªshe declined them all with a soft smile.

    "Is there anything else I can do for you?" a priest asked, stepping forward.

    Maris¡¯s face grew serious. "Do you know what¡¯s causing this?"

    The priest¡¯s expression darkened. "No... I''ve reached out to the larger churches outside the city for help, but they lack the resources to aid us."

    "That¡¯s terrible." Maris placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don¡¯t worry. My team has been hired to solve this."

    The priest¡¯s posture slackened. "I don¡¯t know how much longer we can hold out, to be honest..." he whispered, glancing nervously at the recovering elves.

    Maris offered a reassuring pat on his back. "Have faith," she said softly.

    He gave a fleeting smile before returning to his duties. Maris watched him go, suppressing her own frown. Something felt off, her suspicions mounting. She needed to investigate further.

    Descending to the first floor, Maris made her way to the rear of the building, where it was quieter and more isolated. Kneeling down, she closed her eyes and tapped into her divine connection, focusing her divine sense. She leaned on her connection to her goddess. Her connection, as infinitesimally small as it may be, allowed her to peer into what may be wrong within the land.

    After what felt like half an hour of deep meditation, she felt it¡ªsomething faint, but unmistakably vile. Necrotic energy, pulsing through the ground like an unseen poison, corrupting everything it touched.

    Her eyes snapped open, her jaw clenched. "Where is it coming from?" she whispered, determination settling into her bones.

    As she rose and walked out of the building, she winced, rolling back her sleeve to reveal a wound that stubbornly refused to heal.

 B1C29 - Shadows in the Alley

    A week had passed, and the group was no closer to uncovering the what, who, or why behind the plague. However, they were certain of one thing: the sickness had an external cause. And it was the external that Slyra was hunting on one particularly grim evening.

    ¡°Hey, you fucker,¡± Slyra called out.

    A man, pants around his ankles, grunted as he glanced over his shoulder. He had an elf pressed up against the wall of a filthy alley. ¡°Buzz off, tramp. Not interested.¡±

    Cloaked and dagger in hand, Slyra gritted her teeth, watching them like two pigs wallowing in the mud.

    ¡°Shit for brains! You¡¯re Al, right? Al the Buzzard?¡±

    Al grumbled, shoving the elf away before tying up his britches. ¡°What do you-ah want, missy?¡±

    The elf stumbled into the mud, scrambling to flee as the rain began to pour, but neither Al nor Slyra paid him any mind.

    She held up a rough drawing on a piece of parchment. ¡°I¡¯m looking for the brothers, Cal and Val.¡±

    Leaning against the alley wall, Al squinted at the paper. ¡°Ooof, can¡¯t help ya there.¡±

    Slyra stepped closer, eyes narrowing. ¡°How much?¡±

    Al¡¯s gaze traveled up and down her cloaked figure, clearly sizing her up. ¡°Five gold.¡±

    Before the words had fully left his mouth, he was on the ground, her dagger pressed against his throat. His smug expression vanished, replaced with an attempt at bravado, yet his trembling hands betrayed him.

    ¡°Fine! One gold, then¡ª"

    Slyra''s dagger drifted lower, pressing just above his groin. ¡°How about I cut your balls off instead? I¡¯m sure they¡¯re aching by now... I¡¯d be doing you a favor.¡±

    Al squirmed, his face contorting with fear. ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know!¡±

    Slyra smirked. ¡°C¡¯mon, I know you want to keep these,¡± she said, applying more pressure, the blade barely grazing his skin.

    ¡°Fuck! Please! I can¡¯t tell you, they¡¯ll kill me!¡± he stammered, panic rising in his voice.

    She sliced his pants open, exposing the skin beneath. ¡°Can''t be worse than bleeding out from your cock in a muddy alleyway,¡± she hissed, pressing the dagger against his flesh.

    ¡°Eeekkk! Fine, fine, I¡¯ll tell you!¡± he squealed.

    Slyra kept the blade at his groin as she interrogated him, threatening to take fingers, eyes, and everything else he held dear. The shady types in this part of town always lied, and Slyra had grown accustomed to their games during her stay in the eastern city. It was always a chore, squeezing out the truth.

    Satisfied with the information, she tilted her head side to side. ¡°Hm, yeah, this checks out. Thanks,¡± she said coolly, releasing him.

    Al scrambled to his feet and bolted down the alley, his boots splashing in the mud. He almost made it around the corner when Slyra appeared in front of him, as if materializing from the shadows. Her blade flashed, slicing his throat wide open. Al collapsed with a wet thud, choking on his last breath.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°Good riddance,¡± she muttered, wiping her blade clean before tucking it back under her cloak.

    From there, Slyra scaled one of the nearby buildings, crouching low as she reached the rooftop. Her eyes scanned the city below, honing in on her next target. With quiet, fluid motions, she leaped from roof to roof, her boots gripping the slick shingles with ease. Her destination was a rundown storehouse built against the city wall, its abandoned exterior hiding something more sinister.

    She landed softly on the roof of a neighboring building, spotting two guards posted outside the warehouse. A group of children lurked at the far end of the street, peeking around corners, keeping watch.

    ''My loose ends weren¡¯t tied up good enough, or maybe too good...'' she thought to herself, her mind working through the complication.

    Timing was key. She watched the kids shift their positions, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as their attention drifted, Slyra darted from the rooftop and sprinted toward the storehouse. Reaching the side of the building, she slipped through a broken window, landing silently inside.

    The air was thick with dampness, the musty smell of decay clinging to her nostrils. Cobwebs stretched from corner to corner, and the faintest trickle of water echoed in the distance. Without her low-light vision, the warehouse would have been a maze of impenetrable darkness, but she moved through the debris with ease, navigating the junk-filled storage room toward the main floor.

    Peeking through the door, she surveyed the scene below¡ªa dozen or more ruffians scattered throughout the warehouse, working in small groups. She wasn¡¯t interested in them. Her eyes locked on the raised office on the second floor. That¡¯s where she needed to be.

    Slyra exhaled slowly, calming her nerves. She moved like a shadow between boxes and pallets, slipping past groups of thugs too distracted to notice her. But not everyone was so oblivious. A few sharp-eyed enforcers, tasked with keeping the others in line, caught sight of her. They were dealt with quickly¡ªthroats slit and bodies stashed in crates and barrels, hidden from view.

    After a couple slit throats and few close calls, she reached the stairs, ascending silently. She entered the office and closed the door behind her, her gaze falling on a two-headed man seated at a desk, puffing on two cigars. The pungent smell of smoke filled the room.

    "Who the fuck are you?!" barked one of the heads, pulling the cigar from his mouth.

    Slyra walked up to the desk, lowering her hood to reveal her unassuming, homely face.

    The second head frowned. "We didn¡¯t order you."

    "Wait a minute, brother," said the first, his eyes narrowing. "We don¡¯t know what¡¯s underneath."

    Without a word, Slyra pulled a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed it into the desk. The blade quivered, sending a warped twang through the air. She leaned forward, plucked a cigar from the box, and lit it. While crossing her legs, she sat down across from them, exhaling smoke slowly.

    ¡°Cal and Val, huh?¡± she asked, in a calm voice.

    The two heads exchanged confused glances before both turned back to her. "Uh... yes. And you are?"

    Slyra took another drag of the cigar, still unsure if she liked it. ¡°I¡¯m the bitch you¡¯re either really gonna hate or really gonna like.¡±

    ¡°What?! Why the fuck are you here?! Where are the guards?¡± one of the heads demanded.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them.¡± She flicked the dagger embedded in the desk. ¡°I¡¯m here for information on this plague.¡±

    The conversation quickly shifted to an interrogation. Slyra offered a bit of information, a trade of sorts, but when that tactic failed, she resorted to more direct methods. Her threats grew sharper, promising to take more and more things they held dear. And eventually, they broke.

    ¡°Which cock will it be?¡± she asked coldly, pointing the dagger toward their groin.

    ¡°We told you, he¡¯s at the abandoned church! Please, just don¡¯t take my¡ª¡±

    Slyra withdrew the blade with a smirk. ¡°So nice of you fellas.¡±

    As she approached the open window, she glanced back. "Now, if you tell anyone, I¡¯ll¡ª"

    ¡°We won¡¯t!¡± they cried as they wallowed in a mess of their own making.

    "Good." With that, she leapt onto the windowsill, and a messenger bird landed smoothly on her shoulder.

    "Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, untying the note from its leg.

 B1C30 - Faces of Deception

    A few days later, Kael sat in the tower of the northern part of the city, his nose buried deep in an old tome. Page after page, he flipped frantically, searching for any scrap of information on plagues, diseases, or anything tied to the history of the city of Crest. His frustration mounted with every passing minute.

    Finally, he ripped off his enchanted monocle and slammed his hands on the table, his face twisted with fury.

    ¡°Fuck this book, fuck the plague, and fuck me!¡± he yelled, his voice echoing through the vast, quiet library.

    Heads turned. A few of the scattered souls in the library shot him bewildered or scornful looks. Kael, now red-faced with embarrassment, awkwardly waved at them and smiled. He quickly slouched back down, flipping through the books he had checked out, his fingers a little less frantic but his mind still racing.

    He needed answers. His party had already gathered some rudimentary knowledge about the plague and a few potential suspects, but they were still chasing shadows. No solid leads, no clear resolution in sight. And knowledge was Kael¡¯s domain¡ªhis responsibility. He was supposed to be the one to bring clarity to the chaos.

    But what if he failed?

    The thought of letting the group down gnawed at him. The possibility of leading them into a trap or a dead-end made his stomach churn. It wasn¡¯t that he needed much. Just a connection¡ªsomething that made sense, a single thread to tie it all together.

    Hours passed, and Kael¡¯s eyes burned from the strain. He leaned back in his chair, letting his gaze drift to the towering shelves and ornate chandeliers that lined the ceiling. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to zone out, the library''s quiet hum lulling him close to sleep.

    That was until a soft voice broke through his daze.

    ¡°That¡¯s quite the collection you¡¯ve got there.¡±

    Kael jolted upright, blinking rapidly as he turned to see a woman with large glasses, her face dotted with freckles, sitting beside him. She giggled softly, hiding her smile behind her sleeve.

    ¡°Oh, uh... yes. It is,¡± Kael stammered, still half-asleep.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Her giggle only deepened. ¡°Why are you in this place of many books?¡± she teased, her tone light but curious.

    Kael blinked at her, still adjusting. ¡°Research. Plagues,¡± he answered, almost mechanically. Then he cocked his head. ¡°And you?¡±

    She smiled wider, brushing her hand lightly against his. ¡°Oddly enough, I¡¯m researching a similar topic.¡±

    Kael¡¯s curiosity piqued, though he felt a strange undercurrent of discomfort. He watched as she produced a dark green and black book, the cover worn and strange. She licked her finger and began flipping through its pages, showing him as she went along.

    ¡°There are many forms of damage,¡± she began, her tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°Most people think of plagues as natural, but a plague is simply something that distresses, that lingers and spreads. Almost any type of energy can act as a plague¡­ yet,¡± she flipped through a few more pages and tapped the book, ¡°the most common are radiance, necrosis, and poison.¡±

    Kael furrowed his brow, leaning forward. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s likely necrotic energy. But...¡±

    ¡°But there¡¯s still the question of the source,¡± she finished for him, her voice dropping into a near-whisper. ¡°Is it a who or a what? That¡¯s the big question.¡±

    Kael rubbed his temples, exasperation creeping back in. ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s the question I¡¯ve been trying to answer since we got here. I thought it would be obvious, but... nothing.¡±

    She gave him another wide, slightly goofy grin, and suddenly produced a menacing black book from her robes. Kael¡¯s stomach churned again as she flicked through its pages. It was clear this tome didn¡¯t belong to any legitimate library, and definitely not to Crest¡¯s.

    ¡°I believe the Sect of Blall may be behind it,¡± she said, her voice carrying an unsettling certainty.

    ¡°Sect? More like a cult,¡± Kael grumbled, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Who are you, anyway?¡±

    The woman hesitated, her hand hovering over a page. ¡°I am the young lady¡ª¡±

    Kael didn¡¯t wait for her to finish. With a snap of his fingers, her illusion shattered. The image of the freckled, bespectacled girl wavered and dissolved, revealing an old woman, her features twisted and unnatural.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Kael said flatly, standing up and pushing his chair back against the wall. ¡°Not interested in an old woman dabbling in... estranged things.¡±

    As he turned to leave, her voice cut through the air, low and sharp.

    ¡°I know who you are.¡±

    Kael didn¡¯t break stride. ¡°You don¡¯t know shit,¡± he shot back over his shoulder.

    ¡°No,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet dripping with malice. ¡°I know what you are.¡±

    Kael stopped in his tracks. Slowly, he turned back toward her with a wicked look and took a seat at the table.

    ¡°Now then, let¡¯s have a more transparent conversation,¡± she said with a smile.

 B1C31 - Decent

    A couple days later, the group team stood infront of a ruined building just outside the city walls. The air was tense and the group was preparing themselves both physically and mentally before they were about to emabark on a dangerous mission. Maris took the time to do some stretches before praying. Sylra bounced around in place and sook her body. Kael went through his spellbook with adamant eyes. And Elron with his helm tucked under his arm, stared at the staircase the decessended into the depths of the unknown.

    Elron asked, ¡°Did we ever get a count of how many?¡±

    Slyra jumped over to him and said, ¡°Outside of the one, no one knows.¡±

    Kael broke from his fixed gaze and said, ¡°It¡¯s most certainly more than one. Lets just hope he¡¯s the strongest one in there.¡±

    Elron holding a serious expression, turned to Maris and asked, ¡°Any chance the church would send us aid for this particular part of the quest?¡±

    She stood up from a knelling position and said, ¡°The church nor the city government are willing to send troops in.¡±

    Slyra mumbled, ¡°Corrupt fuckers.¡±

    ¡°They posted the job. I¡¯m sure they care,¡± said Kael with doubt in his voice.

    Elron dawned his helmet, let out a heavy breath, and asked, ¡°Are we ready?¡±

    Maris joined them and said, ¡°Gather round for prayer before we enter please.¡±

    The group, now accusumsted to her religious ferver and ways of spell casting, joined in next to her. She began to chant loudly, as if she wanted those below to hear us coming. It was a short chant, yet the effects were anything but amazing. Theres bodys were bathed a radiant glow that dimmed and left them with a sense of greater strength.

    When they thought they were done, they wern¡¯t and she began to chant another spell again. Kael and Elron understood many of the words she spoke, yet not enough to cast the spells, and even if they did, they did not have the connection to any god or goddess that Maris had. Slyra on the other hand, felt slightly annoyed by having to sit through the foreign sermon for a second time. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Nearly as long the first one, the spell came and went, leaving a much different feeling. Everyone felt their bodies swell. Elron visably through his shoulders back more and stood up straighter. He felt is if he could be ran over by a horse and pop right back up.

    ¡°Boring to sit through, yet never unpleasant. Thanks Maris,¡± said Slyra.

    She smiled and placed her hand on her head and said, ¡°You¡¯re welcome child.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m twenty years old! I¡¯m no child,¡± said Slyra with a slight pout.

    Kael butted in and said, ¡°That¡¯s a child in our book, ha.¡±

    Elron forced a smile and said, ¡°Oh, stop teasing here. You both know we age differently than you two,¡± and he began to walk forwards the steps.

    As the group deceased into the darkness, they treaded lighly, taking each step with precaution. The steps were narrow and slick, yet that wasn¡¯t their only worry. They excepted the worst inside this place, and they could feel it as they went down the staircase. There was a level of manelevance that clung to them, as if it were trying to take what good they had in them away.

    Kael lit his torch and Slyra immediately made comment.

    Slyra having looked up from checking the walls for traps asked, ¡°Explain to me why we need a torch again?¡±

    He shifted to look at her up at the front and said, ¡°Magic¡¯s a bitch. There¡¯s your answer. I¡¯m not explaining it in detail again just for us to have this same stupid conversation again.¡±

    Elron who was behind her placed his hand on her should before she went berserk and said, ¡°It drains magic and can be shut off, unlike that of a torch.¡±

    Her expression instantly changed and she said, ¡°See, why can¡¯t you just explain it like that to me, Kael.¡±

    Maris who was in the very front said, ¡°I feel something sinister a head.¡±

    She planted her tower shield down infront of the group nearly covering up the whole hall that they had just moved down and the sounds of clacking became apparent. It started out as just a trickle but as soon as they saw dozens of red eyes coming down the corridor, the clacking became insidious. Before they knew it, dozens of undead skeletons armed with rusty swords, daggers, and clubs smashed into Maris¡¯s shield.

    Some were so brittle, that the impact of the rush shattered themselves on the hard shield, yet that didn¡¯t stop their persistence as they reconized the living were before them. They try to jab and swing at Maris behind the shield to no avail, yet they persisted without tire.

    Slyra and Elron, barley able to stand shoulder to shoulder, stabbed and pushed at the wave of skeltons that tried to squeeze around Mari¡¯s imposing blockade. After a few minutes the team was able to bring down enough for Maris to push he shield forward and swing her mace to deadly effect. Once she had enough room to move, the fight was over in a near instant. Nothing but shattered bone and dust laid beneath their feet.

    Maris stepped on a human skull, crushing it, and said, ¡°Truely vile things. I¡¯m glad they are returned to their proper state of being now.¡±

 B1C32 - Loss

    Elron nodded, his expression resolute. "Let¡¯s keep moving."

    The group collected themselves, advancing down the corridor with renewed focus. As they passed the side chambers, it was clear the traps had released the skeletons that attacked them earlier. Ignoring the empty chambers, they pressed on until they reached a solid metal door at the end of the hall.

    Maris stepped forward, giving the door a slight push. "It¡¯s locked," she muttered.

    Elron leaned in and whispered, "Can you break it down?"

    She matched his tone, her brow furrowed. "No, my lord. Not even I can break through solid steel."

    Slyra moved to the front, her sharp ears pressed against the cold metal. "Let me take a crack at it," she said, listening intently. "I hear movement... a couple of somethings on the other side." Without hesitation, she pulled out her tools and began picking the lock.

    The minutes dragged on until, finally, a soft click echoed through the hallway. The group tensed, ready for what lay behind the door. With weapons raised, they breached the room like clockwork¡ªMaris charged in, shield first, while Elron and Slyra flanked her, with Kael providing support from the rear.

    Maris slammed her shield into the nearest skeleton, sending it crashing against the wall where it shattered into pieces. However, while Maris made quick work of her opponent, her companions faced tougher challenges. Elron found himself evenly matched with a skilled skeleton, each of their blades locked in combat. Slyra danced around her nimble foe, equally agile.

    At the back of the room, Kael spotted something far more grotesque. With a flick of his wand, he launched a mana bolt at the abomination. "Watch out!" he yelled.

    A piercing, unnatural scream filled the room as everyone turned to face the creature. It was vaguely humanoid, its skin writhing like a mass of worms beneath the surface. Its mouth gaped open unnaturally wide, revealing jagged teeth. Though its eyes had been closed, they suddenly snapped open¡ªmilky white and glowing¡ªimmediately, they locked onto Slyra.

    The scream echoed once more before the creature¡¯s eyes closed, and Slyra dropped to the floor, frothing at the mouth.

    Elron, still locked in combat, saw her collapse and shouted, "Maris! Help Slyra now!"

    Kael, quick on his feet, conjured illusions to distract the remaining skeletons and fired off mana bolts to finish them. Fueled by desperation, Elron funneled his mana into his blade, shattering his opponent¡¯s sword and sending the skeleton sprawling. Without hesitation, he charged at the abomination, rage filling his every step.

    The creature¡¯s claws, as long as a man¡¯s forearm, met Elron¡¯s flaming sword with a screech. It clicked and hissed, as if trying to curse. Elron struggled to free his sword from its grip as the creature readied another strike. Just as the second set of claws came down, Kael unleashed a barrage of mana bolts, staggering the abomination. Seizing the moment, Elron ripped his sword free and, with a clean, swift motion, decapitated the monster.

    You have leveled up.

    Before the creature¡¯s head even hit the ground, Elron was already at Slyra¡¯s side. Her body was still, her eyes wide open, froth still clinging to her lips. Tears welled in his eyes as Maris knelt beside her, chanting a prayer. The strange sensation of time slowing, brought on by his level-up, washed over him, but Elron fought against it. He didn¡¯t care about the power, not in this moment, and somehow casted it aside.

    His tears fell onto Slyra¡¯s cold hand. "Is she going to make it?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

    Kael, still on high alert, glanced over. "Let her finish the spell. Just wait."

    Moments later, Slyra gasped loudly, her chest rising as life returned to her body. Elron pulled her into a tight embrace, relief flooding him.

    Maris gently pushed him back. "Give her a moment, my lord."

    Though Slyra had no visible wounds, her mind and heart had been badly affected by the creature¡¯s gaze. As Maris worked to heal her, Slyra looked up, dazed. "What... what happened?"

    "You had a bit of a fit," Maris replied, her tone calm. "But you¡¯re going to be fine now."

    Slyra blinked, still disoriented. "Did I... die?"

    Elron, holding her hand tightly, nodded. "It seems so. How do you feel?"The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "Horrible," she said, rubbing her forehead. "Like that time I got drunk and passed out in the park."

    "Which time?" Kael asked with a grin.

    They all smiled, even Slyra, though exhaustion weighed on her.

    Elron looked around at his companions, a deep sense of conflict brewing within him. His desire for strength had always driven him, but seeing Slyra brought back from death made him question the cost. Was it truly worth it? Would he abandon the promise he made to Marsella all those years ago? Would he regress to his old pathetic self?

    He gazed at each of them, his eyes lingering on their faces. "Do we still want to continue this quest?" He glanced down at Slyra, who was still regaining her composure. "We could all die."

    Maris spoke first, her voice steady. "I will follow you until the day I die, Elron."

    As expected, Elron nodded. He then turned to Kael. "Kael?"

    Kael¡¯s expression softened, and a grin spread across his face. "You kidding? This is the last adventure I¡¯d walk away from. I¡¯m in."

    Elron¡¯s gaze shifted back to Slyra, waiting for her answer. Slowly, she stood on her own, her strength returning. "On one condition."

    Everyone watched her, curiosity piqued.

    "I want a barrel of my favorite ale," she said flatly, "and Maris has to drink it with me."

    Elron chuckled. "Done."

    Maris stammered. "But I don¡¯t¡ª"

    "Drink for the dead girl!" Kael interrupted, giving her a playful smack on the back.

    Maris frowned, but didn¡¯t protest further.

    After taking a short rest, the group prepared to continue their journey. They ate, drank, bandaged up, and shared a few laughs under the dim light, the camaraderie momentarily making them forget the grim reality of their surroundings. If it weren¡¯t for their protective spells, their surroundings would have likely been debilitating or at least nearly unbearable.

    As they readied themselves to descend the staircase, Maris addressed the group. "Just so we''re clear, I can only revive someone who has died within a few minutes. Death is often final, and it¡¯s not something to take lightly."

    Kael rolled his eyes. "We know that."

    Maris fixed him with a stern look. "You might, but some of the younger members may not fully understand the weight of it." She glanced at the half-elves.

    Elron bit his lip, ready to respond, but Slyra stepped in front of him. "I won¡¯t take you for granted, my friend," she said, meeting Maris¡¯s gaze.

    After a brief pause, Maris nodded, smiling softly. "Good. Now, let¡¯s go slay some cultists."

    The group descended the stairs cautiously. Though the steps weren¡¯t as slick as those above, they showed even greater signs of decay. Whether from age or something more sinister, it was hard to tell. They moved carefully, alert for traps or enemies. The hallway ahead stretched into the an uninviting darkness.

    As Maris led the way, her shield brushed aside cobwebs and debris. The passage hadn¡¯t been disturbed in a long time. This brought them more questions than answers.

    Slyra crushed a spider with the hilt of her dagger and muttered, "If they get any bigger, I¡¯m going to shit."

    They reached another metal door, and the team fell into their routine. Slyra picked the lock, and they breached the room¡ªonly to find an empty space, save for a lone, vacant coffin.

    Elron raised his hand. "I know we just rested, but let¡¯s take another break."

    There were no objections. Everyone knew each encounter in this place would be grueling at the least. So, they all slumped against the walls, taking swigs from their flasks. As they tried to relax, Elron broke the silence. "Have any of you ever... heard of pushing a level-up away?"

    Slyra furrowed her brow. "What? No. Is that why you stopped us earlier?"

    Kael hesitated, scratching his head. "That¡¯s a tricky one. No, I¡¯ve never heard of that before."

    Maris pondered the question deeply. "No, but I like to think Ferah guides my choices."

    Elron went quiet, lost in thought. Something had been bothering him, and his most recent level-up had only amplified the feeling. He hadn¡¯t been compelled to choose anything, yet he was sure a decision on his status was made. It left him, unsettled. Closing his eyes, he pulled up his status within his mind.

    Status

    Name: Elron Malfar

    Race: Half-elf

    Age: 36

    Class: Spellblade

    Level: 16

    Attributes:

    Strength - 13

    Dexterity - 8

    Constitution - 7

    Intelligence - 10

    Wisdom - 8

    Charisma - 7

    Racial abilities: Low light vision, minor leap, keen sense.

    Class abilities: Lessor blade mastery, mana conduit, versatile edge.

    Spells: Create light, Create object, counterspell, elemental absorption, energy drain, flare, fireball, mana step, self image, shield, thunderboom, void strike.

    He was bewildered. Nothing had changed since the last time he had checked his status. How could that be? A part of him burned to ask, but it was deeply taboo to discuss an elf''s status. The subject of levels and leveling was almost never talked about outside of immediate family or among sages. This was due to a combination of things: elven modesty, cultural pride, and an air of mysticism that surrounded the system itself. He thought about confiding in his party members¡ªno matter how close they were, the words refused to form. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to continue the conversation.

    With a heavy sigh, he pushed the matter from his mind, stood up, and said, "Let¡¯s move out, everyone."

 B1C33 - Sacrifice

    On the second floor of the plague-ridden dungeon, another metal door stood in their way, its surface oozing with boiling green pus. The group had fought relentlessly through the level, their enemies shifting to creatures of rot and decay¡ªzombies and worse. Hours had passed, and though they had resisted the worst effects of the plague-infested environment so far, fatigue was creeping in. They were now so close to the source.

    Maris glanced back at the party, her face showing little sign of ailment. ¡°I think this is the last room. Are we ready for this?¡±

    The group, though weary, nodded with iron resolve. With determined hearts, they breached the next room¡ªbut everything went wrong almost instantly. The usual strategy fell apart as everyone, except Maris, froze in place. Tentacles snaked out, wrapping around her, hoisting her into the air.

    Elron¡¯s sword felt like lead in his hands. He couldn¡¯t lift it, not even with both arms. His gaze locked onto one of the walls, composed of solid black, as if it were a void pulling him in. The oppressive darkness paralyzed him, until he heard maniacal laughter that broke his trance.

    In the center of the room, standing amidst a sea of writhing green flesh, was a mage. His crazed laughter echoed as he lashed Maris through the air with summoned tendrils. Elron strained to look around¡ªhe couldn¡¯t see Kael or Slyra. His neck barely moved, but he caught sight of Slyra, her dagger slowly lowering toward her thigh.

    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Elron shouted, his voice filled with desperation. ¡°We need to break free now!¡±

    The mage cackled, ¡°Oh, how wonderful! I¡¯ve never had guests before. So, tell me, who ratted me out?¡±

    From the back, Kael¡¯s voice was barely an audible croak. ¡°F-fuck¡­you¡­¡±

    The plague mage ignored him, launching acidic bolts of mana at Maris, each hit splattering her with searing pain. The acid ate away at her flesh as he treated her like a puppet, jerking her through the air for his amusement. She screamed, her voice raw with agony.

    Elron gritted his teeth at the sound of her cries. He tried to cast counterspell, but stopped short¡ªrealizing this wasn¡¯t a spell that bound them. It was raw fear.

    ¡°It¡¯s not magic! It¡¯s fear! Just move, damn it!¡± Elron roared, his feet shifting ever so slightly in the acidic muck beneath him.

    Kael began chanting behind him, his voice trembling but gaining strength. Elron recognized the spell but couldn¡¯t warn him fast enough.

    ¡°You really think that¡¯ll work?¡± the plague mage sneered, eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. ¡°It¡¯ll end horribly for you.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    At that moment, Slyra drove her dagger into her thigh. The excruciating pain broke the paralyzing fear, and with a burst of speed, she charged the mage. She leaped across the room, dodging the harmful landscape, and appeared before him, poised to strike¡ªonly for Maris¡¯ body to be flung into her path. The collision sent her crashing into a wall.

    Slyra spat blood onto the floor, wiping her mouth. ¡°Sick bastard, using her as a weapon.¡±

    The tentacle swung back, still holding Maris, preparing to hurl her like a club once again. But just as the mage was about to laugh and fling her again, he suddenly doubled over, clutching his head in pain.

    ¡°You¡­ You won¡¯t win, you stupid elf!¡± the mage growled, his eyes locking onto Kael.

    Kael¡¯s face twisted in agony, his mental battle with the mage taking a visible toll. Slyra tried to press her advantage, striking at the mage, but every time she closed in, the tentacle swung Maris like a shield, forcing Slyra to pull back to avoid harming her.

    ¡°Fight me, you coward!¡± Elron bellowed, his voice trembling with rage as he stood locked into place.

    The mage smirked, and Kael collapsed to the floor, screaming in agony as his mind began to crumble. Maris¡¯ wails echoed throughout the room as the acid continued to eat away at her body. It was all too much. Elron¡¯s rage boiled over, and with a sudden surge of power, his sword erupted into green flames. He launched himself at the mage.

    His blade came down in a deadly arc, but the mage glided away at the last second. Elron followed, using mana step to keep pace, while swinging his sword with wild fury. The mage¡¯s expression shifted as he was forced to defend himself, flinging spell after spell at Elron, who seemed unstoppable in his fury.

    Amidst the chaos, Slyra managed to sever the base of the tentacle holding Maris, dragging her toward the door. Kael, blood dripping from his nose and ears, staggered to his feet, visibly pained.

    ¡°Take her and go,¡± he muttered, handing Slyra a scroll.

    Slyra looked back at him, eyes filled with concern. ¡°We¡¯re not leaving you guys here to die!¡±

    They both turned their attention to Elron, who was locked in a desperate battle with the mage. Though Elron pressed the attack over and over, his armor was melting, and his body was beginning to falter. He couldn¡¯t keep this frantic level of fighting up much longer.

    Maris, barely conscious, whispered, ¡°Where¡­ is my lord?¡±

    The mage, floating above the room, sneered. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve had enough fun,¡± he said, casting a spell that sent Elron crashing into the wall with a deafening boom.

    Kael, slumping forward, met the mage¡¯s gaze. ¡°Let me be your new plaything.¡±

    The mage laughed. ¡°You? How pitiful¡ª¡±

    ¡°Leave, creature,¡± echoed a deep, chilling voice that filled the room.

    In an instant, the mage vanished, and the wall of black dissolved, revealing a towering death knight surrounded by floating crystals. The knight exuded an aura of death with every step, his presence commanding absolute dread. He approached Kael, lifting him effortlessly with his skeletal hand.

    Kael powerless, whimpered, ¡°Run¡­ Save yourselves¡­¡±

    The death knight tightened his grip, slowly crushing Kael. ¡°Mhm¡­¡±

    Without hesitation, Slyra unraveled the scroll. The scripture on the parchment glowed bright blue, and with a burst of magic, Slyra, Maris, and Elron vanished from the dungeon, leaving Kael behind. The trio reappeared in a pool of acid in the town square of Crest.

 B1C34 - The Ultimate Price

    Elron, still caught in his rage, pounded the cobblestones with his fists repeatedly. The rest of the group watched in a mix of concern and exhaustion as he created a scene in front of the public fountain.

    ¡°I need more strength! It wasn¡¯t enough!¡± the prince bellowed, frustration clear in his voice.

    Slyra, busy trying to bandage herself and keep Maris conscious, snapped at him, ¡°Shut up and help me!¡±

    Ignoring her, Elron dug his hands into the street, dislodging one of the cobblestones and flinging it aside. His hands tore into the road, pulling more stones free as his anger grew. The ground beneath them suddenly began to tremble, shaking violently. The once curious onlookers started to panic, screaming as they stumbled, trying to keep their balance.

    ¡°Earthquake!¡± a passerby shouted, fear gripping the crowd as they scattered.

    The fountain behind Elron erupted in a violent explosion, hurling stone, water, and debris into the air. In its place, a gaping hole formed as an undead monstrosity clawed its way out, gripping the edges of the stones with gauntlets that glistened with decay.

    ¡°Give me my sword!¡± the death knight howled, its voice echoing like thunder.

    Elron looked up, locking eyes with the creature''s cold, dead stare. He smirked, ¡°Here,¡± and, with his blade ablaze, he hurled himself at the death knight.

    Just as his sword was about to strike, a gust of wind slammed him to the ground. Dazed, he looked up to see a dark-haired elf standing in front of him, locked in combat with the knight.

    Elron¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Lord Moon?¡± he gasped.

    Lord Moon strained as he clashed with the knight¡¯s wicked blade, his face twisted with effort. ¡°Get out of here! Now!¡± he ordered.

    Elron tried to move but realized, to his horror, that his legs wouldn¡¯t respond. His bones were shattered, and the jagged edges of broken bone pierced through his skin. Panic flooded his mind as he glanced around, desperate for help, but all he saw was chaos.

    Around him, homes were burning, people were fleeing in terror, and the sky itself seemed to darken with impending doom. Time seemed to both slow and speed up, and Elron could do nothing but watch. He watched as Lord Moon and his wife fought fiercely, their gleaming blades clashing against the nightmarish creature.

    Their battle was unlike anything Elron had ever seen. They moved with near blinding speed, their silver swords flashing as they clashed against the death knight¡¯s dark steel. Spells of immense power erupted from their hands, filling the air with lightning, fire, and crackling black energies. Every strike sent shockwaves through the battlefield, leaving destruction in its wake.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    A child knelt beside the rubble, crying uncontrollably over her dead mother. An elf, engulfed in flames, ran screaming through the chaos and accidentally set another woman ablaze as she searched for her family. The scene was pure mayhem.

    In the midst of it all, Slyra dragged Maris as far from the battle as she could manage, her own injuries slowing her down. She limped over to Elron, struggling to lift him.

    ¡°Leave me,¡± Elron groaned, his face pale from blood loss. ¡°I¡¯m dead weight.¡±

    A bolt of lightning struck nearby, and Slyra shouted, ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you! Now help me move you!¡±

    Elron tried his best to shift, but his strength was fading fast. Blood loss clouded his vision, and within moments, darkness consumed him.

    In a void, Elron slowly lifted his head from a kneeling position as a dim glow appeared beneath him. He was kneeling on what seemed to be a floor of blood, though the surface did not ripple as he moved. In front of him, droplets of blood fell from somewhere, causing faint ripples to spread across the crimson pool.

    A sword descended from the darkness, its voice cold and familiar. ¡°Hello, Elron.¡±

    Elron blinked, confusion clouding his mind. ¡°Am I dead?¡± he asked.

    The sword hovered before him, its blade gleaming. ¡°Not yet,¡± it replied.

    Elron looked around, disoriented. ¡°Where am I, then?¡±

    ¡°We are in a small domain of mine,¡± the sword said, circling him slowly. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ve pulled your spirit here to amend our contract.¡±

    Elron¡¯s eyes narrowed as he followed the sword¡¯s movements. ¡°What contract? Who are you?¡±

    The sword stopped in front of him once more. ¡°I am Balmer, the sword you wield.¡±

    Recognition flickered across Elron¡¯s face. ¡°I remember now,¡± he muttered. ¡°You gave me your hatred in exchange for¡­ what? A simple bond between sword and master? You¡¯re cursed. Any deal with you will lead to my demise.¡±

    Balmer hummed, the sound low and ominous. ¡°This is true.¡±

    Elron flinched at the sword¡¯s blunt admission.

    ¡°But I can give you what you want,¡± Balmer whispered. ¡°Strength. More strength than you could ever imagine, and enough power to lead your people from the suffering that¡ª¡±

    Elron tried to push the floating sword away from him and hung his head low. ¡°And what will it cost me?¡±

    Balmer¡¯s voice became darker, more insistent. ¡°You will never know true love, your freedom will be stripped from you, and not only will you have my hate but you will have the hate of the world as well¡­¡±

    Elron stared at his reflection in the pool of blood beneath him, his lip trembling. ¡°No. I refuse.¡±

    The sword¡¯s size doubled, glowing with fierce green light. ¡°You cannot hide from me, Elron. We are bound. I can peer into your soul, and you are lying to yourself.¡±

    Tears welled in Elron¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡ª I am.¡±

    Balmer¡¯s laughter echoed, resonating deeply within the space, causing the pool of blood to ripple violently around them. ¡°You will restore my divinity yet,¡± the sword declared, and with a sudden thrust, it plunged itself into Elron¡¯s chest, sending him doubling over.

 B1C35 - By Chance

    Elron slowly came to, and as he blinked several times, trying to comprehend his surroundings, he noticed that everything was still very much the same¨CThe screaming, the crackling of buildings burning, and the constant clash of steel that resounded throughout the town.

    He looked over at the the giant hole in the city square and noticed he had been dragged a bit further, and to much of his surprise, his legs were back to normal. The prince wigled his toes ever so slightly, watching the leather bulge in his boots. That¡¯s when he noticed that a black haired woman had been laying next him in a puddle of blood. It was the late Mrs. Moonshadow.

    Things were not looking good, as not only was Mrs. Moonshadow down, a slew of other guards were dead too, their bodies littered the streets.

    There in the middle of the city still, was Lord Moon and the death knight going to toe to toe with one another. Both of them had noticeable signs of damage. The knight had a missing arm and missing pieces of armor. The slyph¡¯s green clothes was drenched in blood. Unfortunately for Lord Moon, it was clear he was beginning to tire in comparison to how he first started fighting, and the death knight was not showing signs of fatigue at all.

    It was only a matter of time before the city fell, and to make matters worse. Some of the fallen citizens started to rise up as zombies and wander the burning city.

    In the corner of his eye, he saw something that made him think he had really died this time. It was Kael. He was completly fine, not a scratch on him, as he flung a bolt of mana at a zombie.

    Elron tried to yell out to Kael, yet he didn¡¯t seem to hear him out of all the commotion. As Kael pushed his way down the main street, he struck down the occasional zombie and pushed on. That¡¯s when Elron noticed his true intentions.

    The prince cried out, ¡°Get away from there!¡±

    Kael didn¡¯t hear him, and he continued to strut to the zone where Lord Moon and the death knight tried to strike each other down over and over. Kael began to conjure a barrage of mana bolts and flung them at the death knight. They formed all around him, like small spears of blue light and homed in the mass of death. All of them struck true, yet it only made the knight pause for a brief moment in annoyance.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    It deflected Lord Moons blow, and sent him flying into a house, sending debris and dust everywhere. It then charged Kael.

    Elron grabed his sword, and bolted for Kael, and screamed, ¡°Run, Kael!¡±

    He wasn¡¯t going to make it. The knight was going to turn his best friend into a paste before his eyes, and there was nothing he was going to be able to do about it. That¡¯s when the knight stopped dead in its tracks and turned to Elron.

    ¡°Give it to me,¡± it rasped.

    Elron steeled himself and pointed his sword at him. The sword then began to flicker in a red light, and before anyone knew a stream of red fog seeped out from the tip of the blade. It lingered and wisped it¡¯s way over to the death knight. Everyone was so intranced by the sight, even the undead creature was puzzled. However, it¡¯s intrigue was quickly washed away as the red fog manifested into a solid form and wrapped itself around the knight.

    ¡°Agh! Release me!¡± it yelled.

    ¡°No,¡± echoed Balmer.

    And with like a string wrapping around a spool, the death knight was encased inside of the red transparent fog and slowly dragged towards the edge of the sword. It pushed against the force, and it caused Elron to grib onto the hilt with two hands. To him, it felt like he lassoed a large bull and was deperaly holding on.

    The death knight continued to wail unfrogetable sounds of agony as it was pulled ever closer to the swords edge. It sunk it¡¯s feet into the earth, leaving dredge marks in the road as it was finally pulled right infront of Elron. With a wooshing sound, the knight was lifted up into the air and compressed into a thin line before entering the tip of the sword. As it¡¯s body thinned out and diespeared into the sword, it¡¯s screamed were contored and bent, making it seem so ever distant. Eventually the knight disappeared entirely with a pop, and Elron collapsed onto his rear in shock. Between his legs bounced a rather familiar looking amulet which he seized.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

 B1C36 - Trials and Choice

    Later that evening a father and daughter whispered to one another in the room for the wounded.

    Marcella wiped a tear from her face and asked, "What''s happening? Will they make it?"

    Lord Moon paced at the foot of the beds, his voice calm but firm. "Yes, my dear, I¡¯m sure they will. Right now, they¡¯re likely going through one of the biggest moments of their lives."

    "What can I do?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

    Lord Moon offered a gentle smile. "The best thing you can do is let them rest."

    Marcella glanced at Elron, lying unconscious before her, then sighed. "Hmm, let''s go see Mother for a bit."

    The two left, allowing the four adventurers to rest, though their minds were far from at peace.

    Racial change to a Half-High Elf.

    Ascension has commenced.

    Elron found himself standing before a dark temple nestled in the heart of a jungle. Dusk approached, and the only light was the flickering torches that lined the stone staircase leading to the top of a massive pyramid. Much like the trial he faced long ago, he felt compelled to move forward, as if something was pushing him onward.

    With determination, he placed one foot in front of the other and began ascending the steps. As he passed each torch, they snuffed out behind him, leaving a trail of darkness in his wake. Crows circled overhead, cawing as he neared the summit. When he reached the top, the jungle had vanished, replaced by a void that swallowed everything beyond the pyramid.

    "Hello, Elron," came a familiar voice. It was Balmer, resting on a pedestal before him.

    Elron picked up the sword, strapping it to his waist. "Of course you¡¯re here. I figured you would join me in this."

    "We are bound," Balmer replied.

    Elron¡¯s gaze shifted to the staircase leading down into the pyramid. "What do you think awaits us?"

    Balmer chuckled darkly. "Only Tahar knows."

    Elron smirked, pretending to recognize the name. He began his descent down the spiral staircase. It wasn¡¯t long before the stairs ended, leading him into a long hallway with a swirling panel of purple miasma blocking the way forward. Elron stopped in front of it, scanning for a way around, but found none.

    "Now what?" he muttered. "I¡¯m not walking through that."

    "It¡¯s part of the trial," Balmer said. "I believe you must."

    Elron huffed, straightening his posture. "Alright then." Without hesitation, he walked through the transparent goo.

    Instantly, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. "Ugh... I feel so weak... What¡¯s happening?"

    Balmer groaned. "It¡¯s all part of the trial."

    Elron struggled to his feet. "I can¡¯t fight like this. I¡¯ll die."

    "Then you¡¯ll repeat the trial until you figure it out," Balmer responded bluntly.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    The thought of dying over and over made Elron gulp. He forced himself to move down the hallway, his body aching with every step. Turning a corner, he found a room with a single skeleton, which charged at him the moment it saw him. Elron panicked but managed to draw his sword just as the skeleton tackled him to the ground.

    The weight of the curse and the crushing force of the skeleton bore down on him. He grabbed the skeleton by the neck, doing everything he could to stop it from biting him. It lunged, snapping at his face. With no other option, he thrust his forearm into its mouth, gritting his teeth as blood trickled down his arm. He used the pain to fuel his strength, lifting his sword and driving it through the skeleton¡¯s skull.

    Elron rolled onto his back, breathing heavily. "Why didn¡¯t you help me?!"

    "I am merely a sword in this domain," Balmer replied coldly.

    Elron groaned, forcing himself to his feet. "This is going to be tough."

    Several floors down, Elron had finished clearing a room, his body racked with fatigue. He realized that while his physical abilities were severely hampered, his magic remained as strong as ever. Room after room, he blasted the undead with fire and thunder. When enemies surrounded him, he mana-stepped away or conjured self-images, buying enough time to cast more spells.

    But as he entered the next room, there were no enemies. His head throbbed from the strain of casting too much magic, and his body ached with exhaustion.

    The room was different¡ªmore ornate, like a king¡¯s reception hall. A long red carpet stretched before him, flanked by towering pillars. At the far end, a beautiful woman was trapped inside a cage, clutching the bars and crying out. She pointed desperately toward two pedestals, each holding an open book.

    Elron approached the books. The first, a dark purple tome with white-on-black text, read,  dispel curse. The other, an all-white book with green text, read, dispel lock.

    His heart raced. The sound of clicking and grinding gears filled the room. Two massive hourglasses embedded in the walls began to trickle sand as the top of the cage slowly descended towards the woman.

    "Damn it... I have to decide," he muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

    The woman wailed, pointing frantically at the green book. Elron paced, looking between the books and the hourglasses. There was no time to do both¡ªhe could only cast one spell.

    With a tear forming in his eye, he stood before the purple book. "I¡¯m sorry."

    He began to chant the spell, avoiding the woman¡¯s desperate gaze. As he chanted, he watched from the corner of his eye as the top of the cage pressed down on her. She screamed, trying in vain to push against the descending wall. Her cries became blood-curdling as the cage crushed her, her skull cracking with a sickening pop.

    Elron felt the curse lift from his body, but the machine finished its work, and the room was painted in red. Blood and matter splattered across his face and filled the air with a foul stench.

    "Do you think she was real?" Elron asked quietly.

    "Hard to say," Balmer replied.

    Elron stared at the woman¡¯s remains, his heart heavy. A door rumbled open, signaling the next stage of the trial. Without another glance at the cage, Elron jogged into the darkness.

    The darkness didn¡¯t last long though, as he found himself in a maze of mirrors. He proceeded with caution, his flaming sword drawn, but no enemies came. Minutes passed as he wandered, and still, nothing attacked him. Eventually, he stopped and gazed at his reflection.

    He frowned and spat at the mirror.

    He trailed on a bit longer, and to his surprise the maze didn¡¯t end up to being a maze at all. It was baffling. He asked himself, ¡®what was the point of that?¡¯

    "This seems to be the end," Balmer said as they entered a chamber devoid of mirrors.

    Before him stood a throne room, with a grand seat on a raised platform. Two chalices sat on the throne¡¯s arms, one containing a dark, menacing flame, the other a bright white flare.

    Elron approached the chalice with the soft flame. It reminded him of his mother, and so he reached for it.

    "I think not," Balmer interjected, preventing Elron from grasping the chalice.

    "What is this?!" Elron strained to move his fingers.

    "Your choices are not always yours to make now," Balmer replied.

    Elron tried to move but found himself paralyzed. "Damn you!"

    The dark flame from the other chalice snaked through the air, entering his mouth and nostrils. His body froze as the substance filled him, and soon, the chalice was emptied. Elron then collapsed at the base of the throne.

    New Class Unlocked: Hexblade.

 B1C37 - Blood and Shadow

    An elderly elven woman hurled an urn at the wall of the mausoleum, her voice trembling with fury. "Insolence!"

    An elf knelt before her, his head bowed low. "We will make amends for this, my queen."

    The queen shot him a fierce look, her eyes blazing. She was seething, kicking at the air and throwing anything within reach, even though there was little to destroy in the chamber.

    Another woman, kneeing nearby, cautiously spoke up. "My queen, we will come up with a better¡ª"

    "Silence, you harlot!" the queen snapped, her finger jabbing accusingly. "You''re the reason we¡¯re in this mess." She stopped her foot. ¡°And to make matters worse, that monster stole the amulet¡­¡±

    The kneeling elf cleared his throat, keeping his eyes down. "It was my fault, my queen. But I assure you, we will find another way to eliminate the target."

    The queen''s voice dripped with venom. "Eliminate the target? I''m starting to believe you¡¯re only good for bashing and killing!"

    Suddenly, a baby¡¯s cry pierced the air, and the kneeling woman quickly tried to soothe the infant in her arms.

    The queen¡¯s fury turned on her, and with a swift motion, she slapped the woman across the face. "Must you really bring your children to our gatherings?"

    "I had no choice," the woman murmured, trembling. "Both my wet nurses are ill."

    With a dismissive sigh, the queen turned back to the male elf. "Where are we with the western nobles?"

    His confidence swelled as he replied, "They are in our pocket. I am certain they will back your claim when the time comes."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    The queen nodded, then shifted her attention to the woman, still nursing her child. "And the northern nobles?"

    The woman stammered, "The north... they will only support you if you purge the other races from the kingdom¡ªparticularly the humans."

    The queen tapped her chin thoughtfully, pacing. "Hm, that could be arranged... to an extent. But once we win over the southern nobles with this war, the north may not matter."

    With a flourish, she pulled a drape off a large, glowing metal cage.

    Her two subordinates exchanged puzzled glances, craning their necks to look inside.

    "Is this your new house cat?" the male elf joked.

    The queen chuckled, a dangerous gleam in her eye. "Stand up, both of you, and come take a closer look."

    They obeyed, rising to inspect the cage. Inside, a large black panther sat on a stool, its arms crossed over its broad chest. His eyes suddenly opened, glowing with a fierce red light.

    The nursing woman gasped, "That¡¯s no house cat."

    The queen smirked. "You may introduce yourself."

    The panther took a deep breath, his voice low and rough. "I am Orox, champion of the fighting pits of Beshard. No beastman holds a claw to mine own."

    The male elf raised an eyebrow, impressed. "I like him. What¡¯s the plan here, my queen?"

    "You will train him and prop him up to lead the southern beast tribes in their rebellion."

    The nursing woman smiled. "That will push everything else along quite nicely."

    The queen''s smirk widened. "Indeed it will. But your task is to ensure Orox stays the course."

    The male elf nodded, but hesitated. "I understand what to do if he doesn¡¯t... but what¡¯s keeping him loyal in the first place?"

    Orox interjected, lifting his arm to reveal a glowing seal burned into his wrist. "My freedom is earned when the war is won. That¡¯s the agreement."

    The queen gave a satisfied nod. "Yes, and you two will help him achieve that." She turned away, winking with a cruel smile.

    With grins exchanged across the room, the queen flicked her fingers, and the glowing cage vanished. Orox stepped out, and loomed with the others. Then, with a single, sharp pop, they all disappeared, teleported away to a far distant land.

 B1C38 - A Princes Resolve

    Elron blinked slowly, his vision blurred as he opened his eyes. Instinctively, he brought his hands to his face, flipping them over, inspecting them. Something felt off. He pushed himself up from the bed, and the first face he saw after all this time was one he hadn¡¯t seen in over a year.

    ¡°Marcella?¡± he asked, surprised.

    Throwing the covers aside, Elron walked over to her and hugged her. As he pulled back, he said with a playful grin, ¡°When did you get so short?¡±

    Marcella smiled back, teasingly. ¡°Long time no see, friend. I¡¯m not short¡ªyou¡¯re a High Elf now.¡±

    Elron clenched his fist, feeling the strength surge through him. ¡°Oh, yeah. I can feel it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve grown so strong since the last time I saw you,¡± she said, marveling. ¡°It¡¯s incredible.¡±

    Elron looked around the room, noticing Slyra, Kael, and Maris in their own beds, resting. They all looked a little different, yet still so familiar.

    Just then, Lord Moon entered the room, gesturing for Elron. ¡°Glad to see you awake. If you¡¯re feeling up to it, we should talk in the next room.¡±

    Elron nodded, taking one last glance at his resting comrades before following Lord Moon and Marcella to a small office. Marcella and Elron sat across from Lord Moon, who perched atop his desk with a sharp and serious gaze.

    ¡°I know a lot has happened,¡± Lord Moon began, his tone grave. ¡°First, let me thank you for saving one of my major cities. The people here will remember your name for generations.¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t even know how it all happened,¡± Elron admitted. ¡°It was¡ª¡±

    Lord Moon raised his hand, cutting him off gently. ¡°The details don¡¯t matter. Not now. What does matter is this¡­¡± He paused, his eyes darkening. ¡°I believe someone is trying to kill you, my prince.¡±

    Elron frowned. ¡°Yes, I know.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Marcella bursted out, incredulously. ¡°You say that like you¡¯ve known for a while!¡±

    Lord Moon tapped his daughter¡¯s head with a finger to quiet her, then turned to Elron. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you told anyone? This is a serious matter¡ªyou could be the next heir to the kingdom.¡±

    Elron shrugged, nonchalantly. ¡°I never felt like bringing it up to my father, and after the first attempt, the attacks seemed to stop.¡±

    ¡°Arrogance!¡± Lord Moon barked, his frustration evident. He exhaled slowly, calming himself. ¡°Listen... there have been several attempts on your life already, and those are just the ones I know about.¡±

    Elron¡¯s expression hardened as he looked to Marcella for confirmation. The grief in her eyes told him it was true. Turning away, he bit the inside of his cheek.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want my father¡¯s help,¡± Elron said flatly.

    Lord Moon¡¯s face tightened, annoyance creeping into his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve sent word to the king about this multiple times. Lately, I¡¯m not sure what actually reaches his ear. I may have to go and speak with him directly.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Elron sat up abruptly. ¡°Don¡¯t! He¡¯ll lock me up in the citadel, and I¡¯ll lose the life I¡¯ve worked so hard to build.¡±

    Lord Moon puffed out his cheeks in frustration. ¡°That might be best for you¡­¡± He paused, then nodded, conceding. ¡°But I support you, my prince. If that¡¯s what you wish, then so be it.¡±

    Marcella jumped from her seat, protesting. ¡°Dad, you can¡¯t just let him go like that!¡±

    Her father remained calm, turning to Elron. ¡°Would you consider another option?¡±

    Elron tilted his head. ¡°What are you suggesting?¡±

    ¡°Leave the kingdom,¡± Lord Moon proposed. ¡°Take a new name. The old queen has half the kingdom in her pocket, but the northern empire? They hold no such sway. Even the city-states to the south would be safer.¡±

    Elron scratched his head, thinking. The situation was dire, and it was clear the assassination attempts wouldn¡¯t stop. He needed to act, and suddenly an idea struck him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll enlist as a nobody,¡± Elron declared.

    Lord Moon chuckled, impressed, while Marcella shook her head in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself killed,¡± she warned.

    Elron met her gaze with great resolve. ¡°It¡¯s the only way forward. I¡¯ll grow stronger without worrying about a knife in my back.¡±

    Lord Moon nodded. ¡°It may work, at least for a time, until things settle down.¡±

    Elron grinned. ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so.¡± He clasped his hands together while looking at the floor, then added, ¡°I do have some questions about my status, though, before I leave.¡±

    Lord Moon¡¯s expression turned stern. ¡°Marcella, step out for a bit please.¡±

    ¡°What? Why?¡± she asked, surprised.

    Lord Moon shot her a sharp look. ¡°You know counsel like this is meant only for an elder and¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elron interrupted. ¡°I¡¯ve never cared for those traditional customs.¡±

    Lord Moon raised an eyebrow, tightening his folded arms. ¡°Very well. What¡¯s your question?¡±

    Elron bit his thumb and extended it to Lord Moon. The elder knew what he was asking. He pressed his thumb to Elron¡¯s, and their spirits connected briefly, revealing Elron¡¯s status to the both of them.

    Status

    Name: Elron Malfar

    Race: Half-High Elf

    Age: 36

    Class: Spellblade - level 20, Hexblade - level 5

    Level: 25

    Attributes:

    Strength - 18

    Dexterity - 13

    Constitution - 12

    Intelligence - 15

    Wisdom - 13

    Charisma - 12

    Racial abilities: Dark vision, lessor leap, lessor restoration, keen sense, minor resistance to elemental damage, minor resistance to poisons.

    Class abilities: Lessor blade mastery, mana conduit, minor resistance to curses, swing surge, versatile edge.

    Spells: Chain lightning, Create light, Create object, counterspell, curse of agony, curse of slowness, curse of vulnerability, elemental absorption, energy drain, haste, flare, fireball, mana step, self image, shield, thunderboom, void strike.

    Lord Moon scrunched his face before pulling his thumb away. ¡°Your attributes are normal for a High Elf, and your abilities seem appropriate. I¡¯m not sure what your question is.¡±

    Elron crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. ¡°You know what I¡¯m asking.¡±

    Lord Moon¡¯s eyes flicked to the door, and he gestured at Marcella.

    ¡°No way, you said I could stay!¡± she protested.

    ¡°Not for this conversation. Leave,¡± he said firmly.

    Reluctantly, Marcella left the room, her lips pursed into a pout. As she shut the door behind her, she caught a glimpse of Elron drawing his sword while her father examined it coldly. The door closed with a soft click as Lord Moon waved his hand.

    ¡°No fair,¡± she muttered under her breath.

 B1C39 - Bonds and Battles Ahead

    A week later, at the Moonshadow estate, Elron and Maris walked down the dimly lit hallway. Both were heading to their chambers when they passed Slyra¡¯s room. Her door creaked open.

    ¡°Elron, come here,¡± she said.

    He turned back in the hallway, his eyebrows raised, and stepped toward her door. As he approached, Slyra extended her arm, pulling him inside the room. Maris instinctively moved to follow, but Slyra stopped her with a firm hand in her face.

    ¡°We need a moment alone,¡± Slyra said coldly.

    Maris, unfazed, kept her usual flat expression. ¡°I¡¯ll wait here,¡± she replied.

    Slyra gave her a small, satisfied smile before shutting the door behind Elron.

    Elron, confused and somewhat annoyed, crossed his arms. ¡°What could we possibly need to talk about that can¡¯t wait until morning?¡±

    Before he could finish the thought, it clicked. The gears turned in his head as Slyra removed the towel covering her bare chest. His eyes widened slightly.

    She leaned in, her voice soft but firm. ¡°I don¡¯t want any regrets.¡± Her hand trailed slowly to his chest. ¡°You understand, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Outside, Maris stood with her ear pressed against the door. After a few moments, she had enough and retreated to her room, which, unfortunately for her, was right next door.

    The next morning, she found Kael, and together, they made their way to Slyra¡¯s room. As they approached, Elron and Slyra stepped out into the hallway, both looking calm, if not slightly sheepish.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± Maris greeted with a smile.

    Elron cleared his throat. ¡°Are we ready for our big day?¡±

    Kael¡¯s eyes went wide, glancing between the two. ¡°Wait, are we just going to pretend like nothing¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± Slyra interjected, bumping into Kael¡¯s shoulder as she moved past him.

    The group descended the stairs into the main dining hall, where breakfast was already being served. The table was laden with a feast¡ªboar, eggs, and fresh fruits spread across it. Everyone quickly sat and ate heartily, their hunger evident as they devoured the food.

    As breakfast quickly neared its end, Elron wiped his face with a cloth. He then cleared his throat to get their attention. ¡°I want to thank all of you,¡± he began. But his words seemed to drift over them as they continued eating. Feeling the weight of their indifference, he cleared his throat again, louder this time. ¡°You all mean a lot to me, and there is no¡ª¡±

    Kael interrupted, pointing at one of the sausages on Elron''s plate. ¡°Are you going to eat that?¡±

    Elron blinked. ¡°Uh, no, here.¡± He handed the sausage over, watching as Kael immediately shoved it into his mouth.

    Elron sighed, then asked, ¡°I know a year isn¡¯t much time for us elves, but I¡¯ve been wondering... why did you all stick with me? Going to war isn¡¯t something you just agree to on a whim.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Maris, ever composed, met his gaze. ¡°I am bound by an oath to protect you. If you choose war, I will follow.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true, you goody,¡± Slyra cut in with a smirk. ¡°He said you¡¯re free of that oath.¡±

    Maris narrowed her eyes but remained calm. ¡°True, but I gave my word to my goddess. That cannot be broken.¡±

    Kael leaned back, rubbing his full belly with satisfaction. He stared at the chandelier overhead. ¡°You know, the first hundred years of my life were boring. All I did was read book after book¡­¡± He looked at Elron, dazed from overeating. ¡°Now, I need something exciting enough to write about for one my own books.¡±

    All eyes turned to Slyra, who was downing another mug. She set it down with a satisfied smack of her lips, noticing their stares.

    ¡°Oh. Well, it¡¯s obvious why I¡¯m going,¡± she said, wiping her mouth. ¡°Not on a whim, that¡¯s for sure.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± Maris asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Nope,¡± Slyra replied.

    Kael leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°Is it because of your love for¡ª¡±

    ¡°Beer,¡± Slyra interrupted, reaching for yet another full mug.

    The group burst into laughter, faces turning red with amusement. Slyra, even more confused, watched them, wondering what the joke was.

    ¡°You guys have no idea how many drinks I¡¯ve tried,¡± she said defensively. ¡°The capital can¡¯t have them all.¡±

    Kael wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. ¡°Ha! Maybe your other half was a dwarf.¡±

    With a loud crash, Slyra vaulted over the table and smashed her mug over Kael''s head, shattering it. Elron and Maris, noticing her sudden shift in mood, leaped in to pull her off of him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t joke about my other half again,¡± she growled coldly before storming out of the room.

    As she exited, Marcella entered, catching sight of the mess. ¡°What happened here?¡±

    Elron scratched the back of his head, trying to explain. ¡°Eh, apologies. Sometimes, those two just set each other off.¡±

    Kael, still being helped up by Maris, muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t know how you tamed her, my prince. She¡¯s truly wild.¡±

    Elron smirked slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve never tamed her... or anyone for that matter.¡±

    Turning to Marcella, he asked, ¡°Are you here to see us off?¡±

    Marcella blinked a few times, then replied, ¡°Yes. But, will you take a walk with me first?¡±

    Elron glanced at his companions. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you both at the spot later.¡±

    They nodded in agreement, and Elron followed Marcella down an old dirt path toward a familiar grove of elven trees.

    As they approached the lodgings, Elron''s gaze fell upon a patch of dirt where he had once been beaten by Chron. He stared at the spot, lost in thought.

    Marcella snapped her fingers in front of his face. ¡°Elron? You there? Hello? What are we¡ª¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± he muttered, still gazing at the ground.

    Marcella tried to catch his eyes, searching for some recognition. ¡°I want you to know... I¡¯m rooting for you.¡±

    Elron finally snapped out of his daze. ¡°Me too.¡±

    She playfully slugged him in the arm. ¡°Well, I hope so! Just... don¡¯t go too far with all this, okay?¡± She paused, then added, ¡°The important thing is to live a long, fulfilling life. Even if you¡¯re only half-elf, there¡¯s no point in rushing anything.¡±

    Elron looked at her as if seeing through her. ¡°You really believe that?¡±

    She smiled softly. ¡°Ha, yeah. Most elves believe in that. What¡¯s shocking is that you don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°If you say so,¡± he replied, glancing up at the sky. ¡°I should start heading to the next town.¡±

    Marcella''s face softened. ¡°I know you have a noble heart... or at least you did.¡±

    Elron frowned slightly. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t owe me anything,¡± she said gently.

    ¡°I... I know.¡±

    Elron, lost in his own thoughts once more, looked down the path. ¡°I really must go,¡± he said, turning to leave.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re still holding onto that promise. You don¡¯t have to anymore,¡± Marcella called after him.

    He paused for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s not about that anymore,¡± he replied before disappearing with a mana step.

 B1C40 - Enlist This

    In a town just south of Crest, four high elves, cloaked and hooded, walked into a tent posted outside the town¡¯s walls. They ducked their heads as they entered, their hoods still drawn as they approached a gnome seated under their shadows.

    The gnome dipped his quill in ink, barely looking up. ¡°What do you people want? We don¡¯t take criminals¡­¡±

    Elron pulled back his hood, revealing a dark full helm. ¡°We are no criminals, just old adventurers looking to aid our country.¡±

    The gnome adjusted his glasses, squinting at Elron''s helmet. He couldn¡¯t see anything through the helm¡¯s narrow slits. Without hesitation, the gnome stepped down from his chair and scrutinized each party member carefully.

    After a moment, he returned to his desk with a grin. ¡°High elves, huh? That¡¯s a rare treat. And four of you at that.¡±

    Elron glanced at his companions before turning back to the gnome. ¡°Will you allow us to join?¡±

    The gnome leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as if in deep thought. ¡°Oh, yeah, you can join. I¡¯d lose my job if I turned you four away. However¡­¡±

    ¡°However, what?¡± Elron asked.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The gnome opened one eye, peering up. ¡°There are no officer positions available. You¡¯ll have to join as grunts. I hope that¡¯s not a blow to your noble egos.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Elron replied without hesitation.

    The gnome let his chair fall back to the grass floor, leaning forward with narrowed eyes. ¡°There¡¯s only vanguard positions open.¡±

    ¡°No problem. We accept,¡± Elron said.

    The gnome twitched, clearly surprised. ¡°It¡¯s fifteen silver a month, and you¡¯ll need to have your status inspected by a spiritualist or priest.¡±

    Slyra muttered, ¡°That¡¯s robbery.¡±

    ¡°Shh,¡± Maris hissed, elbowing her.

    ¡°Understood,¡± Elron said, ignoring Slyra¡¯s comment. ¡°Where do we sign?¡±

    The gnome snatched the quill back quickly. ¡°Now, wait just a moment! Why would a bunch of high elves come to this dump of a town to sign up for a war like this? I have to know.¡±

    Elron chuckled darkly, leaning in close enough to cast a deep shadow over the gnome. ¡°That¡¯s a bit nosy, even for a gnome.¡±

    The gnome gulped and hurriedly pulled out four slips of paper. ¡°Sign here, please,¡± he said, his hand trembling as he handed the quill back to Elron.

    Elron¡¯s eyes glinted from behind the slit of his helm. ¡°How thoughtful. Do I sign on this line here?¡±

    The gnome nodded quickly, pointing shakily at the bottom of the page. ¡°Y-yes. That line there.¡±

    Each member of the group signed their documents in silence before leaving the tent in a single file.

    As they walked out, Elron waved back at the wide-eyed gnome. ¡°Many thanks. Goodbye.¡±

 B1C41 - Curses

    Elron awoke to the sounds of alarms and yelling. Still, despite the commotion and literal wake up call, the morning brought him a rare sense of peace.

    He layed there for a moment, contemplating his status. His new class as a Hexblade had given him access to a set of curses¡ªthree in total. Each one was powerful, but limited to single targets. The Curse of Agony caused slow, lingering pain. The Curse of Vulnerability weakened the target''s constitution, making them more susceptible to damage. The Curse of Slowness hindered the target¡¯s dexterity, slowing them down considerably. While useful in small skirmishes, he feared they would be nearly useless in the large-scale battles that loomed ahead.

    ¡°Get up, ya big oaf! We¡¯ve got to move!¡± a gruff voice called from the tent flap. It was a dwarf, peering into Elron¡¯s small, cramped space.

    Elron slowly rose from his stomach, but the dwarf was already losing patience. ¡°Hurry up, you lazy elf!¡± the dwarf barked, hurling a tin pitcher of water at him.

    The pitcher clanged against the back of Elron¡¯s head, soaking him. He growled, glaring at the retreating dwarf, who had already moved on to harass the next tent.

    ¡°If I don¡¯t get to kill something soon, I¡¯m going to lose it,¡± Elron muttered to himself, wiping his face.

    With a long exhale, he pulled himself together, donning his armor piece by piece before stepping out into the muddy camp.

    The officers were busy organizing the troops into a new formation¡ªlining them up in rows instead of columns. Elron¡¯s lack of training was painfully obvious. He bumped into fellow elves, earning sharp rebukes and stern orders about where to stand and how to move.

    After some trial and error, he managed to get into position without drawing further ire. To his surprise, a familiar figure was standing next to him.

    ¡°How¡¯s the marching treating you, my lord?¡± whispered Maris.

    ¡°It makes me anxious¡­¡± Elron admitted, his eyes scanning the weary faces around them. ¡°Are they trying to march us to exhaustion?¡±

    Maris followed his gaze. The faces of their fellow soldiers were drawn and tired, many with deep bags under their eyes. The thirty-mile treks through the forest were taking their toll, especially on the elves who had never seen battle. Quiet whispers circulated each night, stories of beastmen who feasted on their enemies alive adding to the growing tension.

    ¡°Attention!¡± barked an officer atop an elk.

    The line straightened up, and an elf dressed in noble blues rode into view.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Elron¡¯s entire demeanor changed, his body going rigid. Maris noticed immediately. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°That¡¯s my brother,¡± Elron murmured, a note of bitterness in his voice.

    ¡°I am Prince Adan, first of his name and heir to the throne,¡± the elf on the elk announced with authority.

    ¡°I hate him,¡± Elron growled through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Calm yourself, my lord,¡± Maris cautioned.

    Adan continued, oblivious to the quiet mutterings in the ranks. ¡°We¡¯ve marched long and hard, but after today, we rest. Tomorrow, our army of twelve thousand strong will enter the beast nation...¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯m taking orders from him,¡± Elron muttered darkly.

    Adan¡¯s voice rose. ¡°We will show them what happens when you sack and pillage our villages!¡±

    The soldiers briefly came to life, banging their weapons against their shields and armor, but the officers quickly signaled for them to quiet down. Orders were issued, and before long, they were back on the march.

    ¡°That was incredibly lame,¡± Elron grumbled, falling into step with the others.

    Later that evening, the army made camp. As the soldiers prepared to rest, a group of four gathered around a fire, the flames crackling and popping in the quiet of the night.

    Elron¡¯s eyes fixated on the swirling flames. ¡°Anyone have anything exciting to say?¡± he asked, breaking the silence.

    Kael leaned back against a log, shaking his head. ¡°Nope. Fairly uneventful.¡±

    Slyra, who was poking at the fire with a stick, glanced over her shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s a horde not far from here.¡±

    Maris shot her a concerned look. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell us sooner?¡±

    Slyra shrugged. ¡°I just got back from reporting it. They would¡¯ve told you in the morning anyway.¡±

    Elron¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°How many?¡±

    ¡°Rough estimate? Six thousand,¡± Slyra replied nonchalantly.

    ¡°We¡¯ll smash through them,¡± Elron declared.

    Kael glanced at him from the corner of his eye. ¡°Careful now. I¡¯ve read that the Bovaryn are pretty tough.¡±

    ¡°What are they?¡± Maris asked, intrigued.

    ¡°They¡¯re bipedal cow people,¡± Slyra explained. ¡°Unruly, from what I saw.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s putting it mildly,¡± Kael added. ¡°Their history is full of rebellion and conflict, especially after centuries of human enslavement.¡±

    Elron frowned, staring into the fire. ¡°With so much in common, it¡¯s a shame we have to fight them.¡±

    ¡°Oi! You lot, hit the sack! We attack at dawn!¡± a dwarf called out, marching past their fire.

    Elron¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched the dwarf go. ¡°Does anyone else really dislike their commanding officer?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Slyra muttered, a cold edge to her voice. ¡°I might kill mine.¡±

    Kael sat up, alarmed. ¡°That¡¯s a bit much, even for you.¡±

    Maris chimed in, her voice calm. ¡°Please, this is a big change for all of us. We¡¯ve been used to doing whatever we please. Now, we follow orders. Of course we won¡¯t like it.¡±

    Elron sighed, resting his chin on his hand. ¡°There¡¯s truth in that. I suppose we¡¯ll have to fall in line for now.¡±

    Even Maris seemed unsettled by the reality. They were just cogs in a massive killing machine¡ªan army that didn¡¯t care about them or anything outside of their sole mission. With a long day tomorrow, the group headed to bed.

 B1C42 - The Tide of Battle

    The two armies faced each other on the hilly plains, tensions rising as they stood across from one another. The elves were organized, forming eight rows deep with archers ready at the back. Their enemies, the Bovaryn, had no real formation¡ªjust a scattered line of figures snarling and huffing, their chaotic presence clear as the sky. Behind the elves, the forest stretched a mile away, while the Bovaryn tepee huts stood scattered behind their lines.

    The elven cavalry, five hundred strong, peeled off to the right, positioning themselves for a flanking maneuver. As the two forces waited, a single Bovaryn warrior stomped into the center of the field. The massive figure, adorned in full plate armor, brandished a double-sided battle axe. His long, twisted horns gleamed in the sunlight, and his body bore the scars of countless battles. As he roared, only a few dozen yards from the elven vanguard, some of the elves trembled.

    A human on horseback approached Prince Adan. ¡°My prince, they¡¯ve sent a champion forward. Who will you send to face him?¡±

    Adan grinned, his eyes never leaving the snarling Bovaryn. ¡°Send no one.¡±

    ¡°My lord?¡± The human hesitated. ¡°Send no one?¡±

    The prince¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Ready the archers.¡±

    A command rang out behind Elron, followed by the raising of a specific flag.

    ¡°Archers! Nock!¡± cried the officers down the line.

    ¡°Draw! Loose!¡±

    Over a thousand arrows darkened the sky, a deadly wave arching over the battlefield. Elron, despite being in the thick of the army, couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the sight. The arrows sailed through the air, and as they reached their peak, the Bovaryn champion dropped his axe, staring up at the impending death with disbelief. Whether he was a regular Bovaryn or something akin to a high elf among his kind, it didn¡¯t matter. He stood no chance. The arrows rained down, turning him into a pincushion.

    The Bovaryn army, enraged, surged forward in a chaotic charge.

    Elron, standing in the frontmost line, watched as they approached. A strange mix of disappointment and excitement coursed through him. He felt the familiar thrill of battle rising in his chest.

    ¡°Hold! Steady!¡± the officers behind him shouted as the ground trembled beneath the Bovaryn onslaught.

    Elron dropped the spear and shield he had been assigned and unsheathed his bastard sword. Glancing left and right, he saw terror etched on the faces of his fellow elves. Then, just as he turned his gaze forward, the enemy was upon them.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Massive, bull-like creatures slammed into the elven line, sending soldiers flying. Some Bovaryn broke through, but with a flurry of spear thrusts, they were brought down.

    Elron, no longer sure where his front line had gone, hacked and slashed at anything that came near. Clubs, axes, spears¡ªnone of it mattered. His sword cut through their crude weapons and armor with ease. To maintain his disguise, he imbued his blade with the wind element instead of fire, cloaking it in a near-invisible aura of sharp wind. The effect was devastating. His sword sliced through leather and flesh like butter.

    After cutting through several enemies, Elron had to leap over the bodies piling up before him. He glanced behind, spotting the remnants of his original rank and file. ¡°Come on!¡± he shouted, waving them forward.

    A small part of the elven line surged ahead with Elron, taking advantage of the chaos. At the same time, the sound of hooves and bugles filled the air¡ªthe elven cavalry had smashed into the rear of the Bovaryn, their impact shaking the ground.

    Elron sidestepped a wild swing and prepared to strike down yet another foe, but a lance from the cavalry pierced the Bovaryn¡¯s skull before he could. Elron found himself pushing forward, his blade cutting through fewer and fewer enemies as the Bovaryn began to flee. The battle was over.

    Elron sat atop a fallen Bovaryn, wiping the blood from his blade. It had been weeks since he¡¯d felt anything beyond winded. Now, with the thrill of combat still lingering, he felt almost euphoric.

    A skinny elf, covered in blood, approached him cautiously. ¡°Hello¡­¡±

    Elron looked up, then back at his sword, struggling to clean the thick, red goo from it.

    ¡°I wanted to thank you,¡± the elf muttered. ¡°You saved my life back there.¡±

    Elron cocked his head and replied, ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ sure. You¡¯re welcome.¡±

    The elf stood a little taller. ¡°Would you¡­ would you teach me? I don¡¯t want to die like this, not out here.¡±

    Elron stood slowly, eyeing the elf¡¯s frail body. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m nobody. I¡¯m in no position to teach anyone.¡±

    The elf rubbed his face and muttered, ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± before moving along.

    Out of the haze, Slyra approached Elron, her expression lighthearted. ¡°You could¡¯ve trained that guy, you know?¡±

    Elron chuckled. ¡°Nice to see you too. But no. I need to stay as inconspicuous as possible.¡±

    Slyra swung her legs playfully as she sat next to him. ¡°Inconspicuous? How many did you kill just now?¡±

    He looked at her, confused. ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe a dozen or so?¡±

    Slyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, tone it down a bit. If you keep that up, someone¡¯s going to notice.¡±

    Elron sighed, frustration creeping in as he spotted an injured Bovaryn nearby. He stood, walked over, and drove his sword into the creature. ¡°That¡¯s going to be difficult.¡±

    Around them, the elven soldiers moved through the battlefield, finishing off the wounded. A quick spear to the heart ended the suffering of the Bovaryn stragglers. Few resisted in their final moments.

    As the field was cleared, the army pushed forward into the makeshift village beyond. It was nothing more than a collection of tepees and wooden chests. The few valuables were quickly claimed by the chain of command, but the most surprising find was the hundred or so newborn orphans. All those capable of wielding a weapon had been sent to fight, regardless of age or sex.

    The orphans were sent back to the kingdom with an envoy. The battle was over, but the carnage remained.

 B1C43 - A Shift Arises

    The prince tossed and turned inside his tent, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, he sat on the chest of a man, relentlessly pounding his fists into the figure''s face until it was nothing but a bloody pulp. He paused for a brief moment, only to spot yet another figure. Without hesitation, he leaped onto the next man, repeating the brutal process. After what felt like an endless cycle of fists to faces, he gained a fleeting moment of reprieve. In that brief silence, he noticed his knuckles¡ªno longer covered in skin, only bone remained.

    ¡°Wake the fock up! This is the last time I¡¯m telling ya!¡± shouted a dwarf, shaking Elron awake.

    Elron''s eyes snapped open, bulging with fury, and without thinking, he kicked his commanding officer out of the tent, sending him flying onto his back with a thud. The young elf didn¡¯t miss a beat. He leaped out of the tent, half-naked, sword in hand, adrenaline surging through his veins.

    ¡°Ye don¡¯t wanna do that,¡± the dwarf grumbled as he pulled his battle axe from his back.

    Elron cracked his neck, eyes gleaming with a dangerous edge. ¡°It¡¯s been over a month since I¡¯ve had a chance to kill something. Maybe I do,¡± he growled, drawing his blade.

    A crowd of nearly a hundred soldiers gathered around, whispering amongst themselves, placing bets in secret. Tension hung in the air, thick and volatile.

    ¡°Stand down, you twig, or I¡¯ll whoop your ass and court-martial you,¡± the dwarf shouted, pointing his axe at Elron.

    Elron¡¯s patience snapped. ¡°Go for it, you stump of a man.¡±

    Before the words left his lips, the dwarf charged, swinging wildly. He spun and hacked at Elron with reckless overhead strikes, but the elf was too fast, moving like a shadow, practically running circles around his opponent.

    Once Elron found the rhythm of the fight, he decided to add a little extra. With a flick of his hand, he casted curse after curse on the dwarf. The result was immediate¡ªthe dwarf buckled, crying out in pain.

    ¡°What... what is this?!¡± the dwarf winced, using his axe to prop himself up.

    Elron had poured a significant amount of mana into each of his curses, but the payoff was minimal. Still, it was satisfying to see the effect it had on his opponent, even if it didn¡¯t scale well.

    The dwarf swung again, slower this time, and Elron deflected the blow effortlessly. With a swift move, he pinned the dwarf¡¯s axe into the mud and delivered a powerful sidekick that sent the dwarf tumbling into the crowd.

    Unseen by the others, Elron had infused wind magic into his blade. The air around him crackled with energy as he trudged toward the fallen officer, his intent clear. The crowd parted, sensing the shift in his demeanor.

    He stood over the dwarf, his blade gleaming as it hovered near the officer¡¯s cheek, leaving a sharp gash. ¡°You will tell whoever needs to hear it that you resign and want to go home,¡± Elron spat.

    The dwarf tried to screen the mud from his beard and growled, ¡°They won¡¯t allow that, you fool!¡±

    Elron nicked him again, deeper this time. ¡°Then flee. Go rogue. I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m done with you.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Terrified, the dwarf scrambled to his feet and fled, scrambling into the distance.

    Elron sheathed his sword, glancing up at the crowd. Many of the faces staring back were elves, their expressions a mix of shock, fear, and uncertainty. Some were pleased, others were stoic, but most were terrified. What had started as a simple brawl with some casual betting had gone too far, but Elron couldn¡¯t read the scene properly.

    Without another word, he turned and began walking back toward his tent. Before he could get far, a human officer strode through the dispersing crowd to meet him.

    ¡°That was malicious and highly reprimandable,¡± the man said, falling into step beside Elron.

    Barely paying him any attention, Elron muttered, ¡°Write me up. Do whatever. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    The officer smirked, watching as Elron crawled back into his tent. ¡°I¡¯m making you the new squad leader,¡± he announced.

    Elron stopped, halfway through removing his boots. ¡°What? What about the dwarf?¡±

    The officer gestured out into the field. ¡°He¡¯s way over there, leaving. That means I need a new squad leader¡ªand you¡¯re it.¡±

    ¡°I refuse,¡± Elron said flatly.

    The officer grinned. ¡°You can sleep in as long as you want, and do as you please.¡±

    Elron narrowed his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°Oh, nothing much. I just need you to train your squad. If even a tenth of our spearhead becomes half as good as you, I might get that raise yet,¡± the officer said with a sly grin.

    Elron considered the offer for a moment. ¡°Fine, move the soldier known as Maris to my squad, and it¡¯s a deal.¡±

    ¡°Done,¡± the officer agreed, shaking his hand with a victorious smirk.

    The next morning, Elron sat at a camp fire cooking his breakfast at midday. He pushed some rabbit around on a hot pan in his comfy clothes. He looked around as he cooked, and all he could see were the endless rolling hills.

    He murmured to himself, ¡°How much longer are we going to push?¡±

    ¡°Sir Squardleader. What is our directive today?¡± said a random elf who approached the fire.

    Nearly forgetting his role, Elron said, ¡°Um, training.¡±

    ¡°What will you be training us to do?¡± he asked.

    Elron finally looked up at him and relized it was not just one but ten elves all dressed in their leather amor, with spears and shields in hand. They were ready for battle.

    The prince blinked a few times, slapped the puldron of Maris and said, ¡°This fine maiden here will be conducting your training today.¡±

    Maris did a double take and said, ¡°I am? Oh, I am.¡±

    The elves smiled and oozzed great determination as they stared at Maris who was dawned in full plate armor. She then asked, ¡°How do you wish for me to train them?¡±

    ¡°How ever you see fit,¡± replied Elron as he pulled his rabbit off the fire.

    Maris became giddy and said, ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll start them off with a one hour secssion of prayer.¡±

    One of the soldiers spoke up. ¡°Um, I¡¯m not relgious.¡±

    ¡°You are now,¡± said Elron as he shoved a rabbit leg in his mouth.

    As the group peeled off, Elron continued eating, his gaze fixed on the nearest hill. A nagging feeling gnawed at him, something that didn¡¯t sit right. He needed to investigate. With a borrowed bow and quiver from one of his elves, he headed up the incline, his eyes scanning the horizon. As much as he had hoped for more rabbit, he was after something more critical¡ªinformation.

    Elron couldn¡¯t shake the oddity of it all. They had been marching for a while now without encountering even a scouting party from the enemy. The silence was unnerving. On top of that, the hills were disorienting, an endless maze of slopes and valleys. If it weren¡¯t for the small detachment of mages that could fly up and survey the area, they would have been lost.

    The hills themselves presented a tactical nightmare too. Many were so narrow that the army was forced to camp at their bases, squeezing them between multiple hills. It felt like a disaster waiting to happen. Elron''s instincts screamed that something was off.

    And then he heard it¡ªthe alarms ringing out from the camp below. His heart sank.

 B1C44 - The Climb of Blood and Steel

    A high elf rushed out from the camp, one of the last to join the ranks. He pushed his way to the front, offering hurried apologies as he squeezed past others. His presence drew uneasy stares from his fellow soldiers, yet he kept moving, determined. Eventually, he reached the group of eleven soldiers standing front and center in the line.

    Elron stood firm, whispering, ¡°Maris, what¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s been an enemy sighting. They¡¯re repositioning us,¡± she replied.

    A horn sounded, and the army began moving again. This time, however, they marched for only an hour before it became abundantly clear where they were heading. In the distance sat an enemy force, seemingly the same size as the one they had defeated once before. However, the exact makeup of the forces was still unclear, leaving a sense of unease in the air.

    Elron¡¯s squad relaxed for a brief moment, believing they would camp atop their own position. But the horn blared again, and new orders came down. They were instructed to abandon their defensive position and head for the encampment above them. Elron couldn¡¯t believe the sheer foolishness, and neither could those around him. Their disbelief was written all over their faces.

    Ascending a steep incline toward a well-rested and likely well-prepared enemy encampment felt like madness, but they had no choice. Elron summoned his shield spell, pouring as much mana as possible into it, and led the wedge formation up the hill. Then, faint whistling noises filled the air, followed by the cracking sound of rocks hitting shields and bodies. Cries of pain echoed around them as the enemy rained slung stones down from above. While many of the stones clattered harmlessly off the shields, others found their mark, smashing into faces and dropping soldiers instantly. Their bodies were left behind, trampled by those still marching, now reduced to mere casualties to be collected later.

    The barrage of rocks eventually ceased as they neared, and the enemy revealed themselves¡ªdog-like creatures, yet clearly not kobolds. These beings radiated intelligence and resolve, far more formidable than simple beasts. As the lines drew closer, Elron caught the scent of wet dog fur and saw the tips of their spears poking from behind crude wicker shields. At the last possible moment, the enemy charged downhill, meeting the elven line with fierce determination.

    The force of the impact pushed the elven soldiers back several paces, turning the front line into a frenzy of chaos. Elron imbued his sword with sharp wind magic, slicing through any weapon that came too close. He chopped spearheads to pieces and smirked inwardly as some of the dog-men tried to fight him with little more than broken sticks. Still, he ignored the weaker foes and focused on those who posed a real threat.

    This enemy was different¡ªthey were organized, disciplined. As Elron cut down their weapons and injured them, they seamlessly rotated out wounded or fatigued soldiers for fresh fighters. It was a far cry from the disorganized rabble he had faced before, and it left him frustrated.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Elron¡¯s frustration grew as he fought. Every dog-man he faced seemed to be his equal, dodging and parrying his attacks with relative ease. He feinted, slashed, even swung at enemies he wasn¡¯t directly facing, but they dodged at the last possible moment, leaving him more aggravated.

    Suddenly, a new horn blast cut through the battlefield, its high-pitched wail echoing over the shouts and howls. Half of the army broke away, rushing downhill to support thee cavalry, which had engaged another tribe of beastmen. Elron¡¯s line was starting to falter. He could see his comrades struggling to maintain their ground.

    He couldn¡¯t hold back any longer.

    ¡°Balmer, it¡¯s time for you to uphold your end of the deal!¡± Elron shouted, his voice filled with determination.

    Without a word, the cursed sword in his hand grew to twice its size, erupting in vivid green flames. Elron stepped back, raised the massive blade high above his head, and bellowed, ¡°Void Slash!¡±

    A dark purple arc of energy manifested as the sword completed its downward swing, slicing through the wolf-like warrior standing directly in front of Elron, splitting him nearly in half. The warriors behind him were either missing limbs or layed dead. For a brief moment, the enemy line wavered, but the gap was quickly filled by more dog-men eager to fight.

    Elron smiled, pleased by the challenge. He stomped the ground, casting thunderboom. Arcs of lightning shot out in a cone in front of him, knocking several enemies off balance. He wasted no time and hacked away at them, slashing relentlessly as they struggled to regain their footing and sense.

    The battle was devolving into complete chaos. The tight formations were gone, replaced by scattered individual skirmishes. With the larger, more powerful version of his sword in hand, Elron swung in wide arcs, cleaving through any beastman who dared stand in his way. Those unlucky enough to block his attack were cut in half, while others scrambled to dodge the deadly blade.

    As Elron continued to fight, he noticed something peculiar¡ªthe enemy had brought everyone to the battlefield, not just combatants. Whether they were combat classes or not, they fought, standing shoulder to shoulder with their more experienced warriors. It didn¡¯t matter if they were strong; without combat class abilities or spells, they were no match for him. Elron grinned at the discovery.

    With a roar, Elron mana-stepped into the air and unleashed a fireball into the enemy¡¯s rear ranks. The explosion rocked the battlefield, and as he descended, a wave of dizziness hit him. He had overexerted himself with spells, and the mana exhaustion was taking its toll. His head spun, his vision blurred, but he gritted his teeth and kept swinging his sword.

    By the time Elron found himself leaning on the hilt of his sword atop the hill, his body trembled with fatigue. His eyelids drooped, his vision barely clearing the fog of exhaustion, but around him, the elves were cheering. They had done it¡ªagainst all odds, they had pushed their way to the top, defeating and capturing their enemies, winning a literal uphill battle.

 B1C45 - Shadows Beneath the Surface

    Elron found himself in one of his haunting dreams again. He wandered aimlessly through a dark, ravaged camp, the fires smoldering around him. His newly gained dark vision revealed the world in shades of grey and black, but tonight, everything was bathed in red. His jaw clenched so hard he could hear the creaking of his teeth, teetering on the verge of shattering. Rage boiled within him, desperately searching for an outlet. An outlet in which he found.

    He crouched down into someone¡¯s tent, his breath heavy and uneven. Inside, an elven woman lay, almost completely naked. His body moved on its own, leaping onto her, his hands wrapping tightly around her thin neck. Foam dripped from his mouth onto her reddening face as she struggled, clawing at him until her fingers bled. But it didn¡¯t matter. Her face turned a dark shade of purple as she went still.

    You have leveled up.

    Elron¡¯s grip loosened, and he stared at his hands in disbelief. The imprint of his fingers remained on her throat. As the trickle of power flowed into him, a sickening realization hit him¡ªthis wasn¡¯t a dream. Before him lay a comrade in arms, a woman he had just murdered with his own hands.

    Panic set in, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of what had happened. The dreams were supposed to be just that¡ªdreams. They weren¡¯t meant to spill into reality.

    Swallowing his fear, Elron forced himself to stay calm. He needed help from someone who wouldn¡¯t ask too many questions. That¡¯s when a light with off in his head.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Where are we going?¡± Slyra asked, her tone irritable.

    ¡°I have a problem, and I need your help,¡± Elron muttered, pulling her along.

    ¡°Can¡¯t it wait till morning? This is killing my buzz,¡± she grumbled, dragging her feet.

    Elron opened the flap of the tent, revealing the scene inside. Slyra bit her lip, her eyes narrowing in anger.

    She slapped him across the face. ¡°Who the fuck is she?¡±

    Elron rubbed his face, confusion clouding his thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think.¡±

    Slyra shot him a piercing look before stepping into the tent. After a brief inspection, she came back out, her expression cold. ¡°She¡¯s dead. So what?¡±

    Elron threw up his arms in frustration. ¡°I killed her! Help me!¡±

    Slyra shook her head, unbothered. ¡°You should¡¯ve called Maris. She could¡¯ve resurrected her.¡±

    Elron crouched down, overwhelmed. ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    Slyra folded her arms, glancing at the body. ¡°I don¡¯t get why this is such a big deal. We¡¯ve killed plenty of people.¡±

    ¡°Those were bad people,¡± Elron muttered. ¡°I can¡¯t justify this¡­¡±

    ¡°Then don¡¯t,¡± Slyra shrugged. She looked at his frowning face and sighed. ¡°You¡¯ve been struggling, I know¡­ Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll just get rid of her.¡±

    Elron glanced up, defeated. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll toss her in the river,¡± she said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    Elron sighed, giving up internally.

    Slyra grabbed the body by the feet, dragging it out of the tent. ¡°Grab the other end. Let¡¯s go.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    They wrapped the body up in a blanket and carried it through the camp. Luckily, most of the army was asleep, and there were few onlookers. Any soldiers on night watch were easily avoided thanks to Slyra¡¯s keen skills and know how. When they reached the riverbank, they dropped the body onto the rocks.

    Elron stared at the corpse. ¡°Maris would have said something¡­ some words.¡±

    Slyra shrugged. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m not Maris,¡± she said, shoving the body into the slow-moving waters with her boot.

    Elron watched the body drift away, disappearing down the river. As much as he felt he should reflect on what he¡¯d done, all he could think about was getting caught. It sickened him¡ªyet what sickened him even more was how all he could think about was his lack of a level-up selection. Usually, a level-up came with some boon: a spell, a class ability, an attribute point¡ªsomething. But nothing had appeared. All if bothered him.

    Slyra broke his thoughts with a kiss. ¡°Try to get some actual sleep. Alright?¡±

    He blushed and nodded. ¡°I will,¡± he whispered as she disappeared into the night like a shadow of a wisp.

    Elron stared at the river a while longer before deciding to take a stroll along the bank, his mind racing. As he leaned against a tree to gather his thoughts, a strange sound caught his attention¡ªa loud, grotesque munching.

    Creeping through the bushes, Elron rubbed his eyes, struggling to believe what he saw. Hidden among the trees was Kael, devouring a man whole. His body was split down the middle, revealing a gaping maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. The victim was being torn to shreds as blood sprayed everywhere.

    Elron gulped, covering his mouth to stifle a gasp.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± came a gravelly voice.

    Elron bolted, but before he could escape, Kael¡¯s arm stretched like rubber, wrapping around his ankle and dragging him back. Terrified, Elron couldn¡¯t scream¡ªhe couldn¡¯t even make a sound. He clawed at the dirt, his nails scraping against the rocks as he was pulled through the bushes.

    Kael finished his meal, his monstrous maw closing. Suddenly, it was like Elron was speaking to the Kael he knew again.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have seen that, my friend,¡± Kael said, his eyes narrowing at Elron.

    Elron reached for his sword, drawing it halfway before Kael¡¯s elastic arms wrapped around his neck. The prince struggled, gasping for air as Kael lifted him onto his feet.

    ¡°I have no intention of killing you,¡± Kael said calmly, releasing his grip. ¡°Walk with me for a moment, my glorious leader¡­¡±

    Elron, still gasping for breath, looked around frantically. Could he escape? Could he fight?

    ¡°If you try anything,¡± Kael continued, ¡°the Kael you know will cease to be.¡±

    Resigned, Elron began walking with the monster. They walked for several minutes in silence, Elron¡¯s mind raced. How long had Kael been like this? Would he survive this encounter? Could he kill this creature if he had to? What should he do if¨C

    ¡°I am a doppelganger,¡± Kael finally said, breaking the silence. ¡°Normally, when discovered, we take the form of the deceased. It¡¯s a typical strategy. But you¡¯re¡­ a special case.¡±

    Elron¡¯s heart pounded. ¡°Have you always been¡­ Kael?¡±

    ¡°For the last fifty years, yes. I consumed the original Kael long before we met.¡±

    Elron found a strange comfort in that, but it didn¡¯t erase his unease.

    Kael turned to him. ¡°I want us to continue as we are. Tell no one of my true nature.¡±

    Elron hesitated, overwhelmed. ¡°This is¡­¡±

    Kael raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that a problem?¡±

    Elron sighed. ¡°Apologies¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ tonight has been a lot.¡±

    Kael nodded, understandingly. ¡°I¡¯ll be blunt. My plan is for you to rise in status and help me secure my place in the higher echelons of this kingdom.¡±

    Elron looked at him, finally recognizing something familiar. ¡°You want more strength?¡±

    Kael smiled. ¡°In a way, yes. I desire strength through security. I achieve that by positioning myself in society¡¯s upper circles. And what¡¯s higher than standing beside royalty?¡±

    ¡°Hm. Why¨C Why not just kill me and take my place?¡± Elron asked hesitantly.

    Kael shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s an option, but I¡¯m not sure I could pull it off. This path seems easier, with less risk.¡±

    Elron let out a slow breath, turning his gaze back to the river. ¡°We¡¯re all chasing something it seems,¡± he said quietly, as he lost himself in deep thought. Even though his mind wandered, he could still feel the weight of the night pressing down on him, the weight of secrets and danger ever more present now.

    Kael¡¯s voice came low, almost a whisper, as he stepped away into the shadows. ¡°One day, we¡¯ll succeed in our chase, my prince.¡±

    Elron didn¡¯t respond. He simply watched the dark waters flow, knowing that something had shifted between them¡ªsomething that could never be undone. With a final glance at Kael, he turned away, the night swallowing them both in silence.

 B1C46 - The Weight of Command

    ¡°Kael, I don¡¯t want to hear one of your jokes,¡± Elron grumbled, poking the fire with a stick, his face set in a tired scowl.

    Maris, seated between them on a log, flashed a teasing smile. ¡°Oh please, do tell. I love a good joke.¡±

    Kael''s eyes gleamed as he leaned in. ¡°So, there was this northern elf, okay? His wife had left to the village to sell their leftover crops from the summer¡­¡±

    Slyra rolled her eyes, cutting in with a warning. ¡°Your holy ears will bleed, sister. You don¡¯t want to hear this.¡±

    Kael ignored her and carried on. ¡°He was a shepherd, right? So one day, early in the fall, he took his flock up into the mountains to graze...¡±

    Elron stared into the flames, the hollow gaze masking his thoughts. How can he be so chipper after eating a man?

    ¡°It started getting cold,¡± Kael continued, ¡°so naturally, he did what any of us would do¡ªhe huddled with the sheep.¡±

    Maris, fully engaged now, asked, ¡°What happened next?¡±

    Kael grinned. ¡°Well, he got a little too warm between the sheep, so he took his favorite one to the edge of a cliff...¡±

    Slyra groaned, shaking her head. ¡°I already know where this is going.¡±

    ¡°He glances over his shoulder, just to make sure his wife isn¡¯t around, because what he¡¯s about to do... well, no one should see it,¡± Kael said with a mischievous smirk.

    Elron¡¯s mind wandered again. How could someone who just revealed himself to be a shapeshifting monster tell a joke so casually?

    Maris, intrigued, asked, ¡°Does he... murder the sheep?¡±

    Kael shook his head. ¡°Worse. He has his way with the sheep! Pushes right up against it, and they do this awkward dance on the cliff edge, one wrong move, and it''s game over.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s disgusting, Kael,¡± Sylra spat, wrinkling her nose. ¡°How is that even a joke?¡±

    ¡°Wait, wait, the best part¡¯s coming,¡± Kael said, barely holding back laughter. ¡°As he¡¯s in the middle of it, his wife shows up, sees what¡¯s going on, and yells, ¡®You stupid elf, get behind the sheep, not on the edge of the cliff!¡¯¡±

    The group fell silent for a moment before Kael delivered the punchline with a gleam in his eye. ¡°And out of sheer panic, the elf leaps straight off the cliff.¡±

    Elron, lost in his own thoughts, let out an unexpected chuckle. The sound of it made Kael light up.

    ¡°See? My best bud gets it! He always has my back,¡± Kael said, patting Elron on the shoulder with a triumphant grin.

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t even listening, and that ¡®joke¡¯ was just an insult to northern elves,¡± Slyra said with a frown.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Maris shrugged, ¡°Yeah, that was rather crude.¡±

    Kael waved them off dismissively, ¡°Bah, you two just don¡¯t appreciate good humor. That¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll teach you the ways of it.¡±

    As Slyra was about to snap back, however, she stopped as she noticed a dwarf with ashen grey skin approaching the group. His gait was unusually graceful for a dwarf, and Elron immediately sensed his strong presence.

    ¡°You there, high elf with the sword. I need a word with you,¡± said the dwarf, his voice gravelly but firm.

    Elron turned toward him, his eyes tired and ringed with dark circles. ¡°My commanding officer said our squad could take our time in the mornings.¡±

    The dwarf let out a low hum, his expression unreadable beneath his thick beard. ¡°Your commanding officer has gone missing. You¡¯ll take his position until he¡¯s found.¡±

    Elron groaned, rubbing his temples. ¡°Until then, what?¡±

    ¡°Until I say so,¡± the dwarf grumbled, clearly uninterested in further discussion.

    Too exhausted to argue, Elron nodded in reluctant agreement and turned his attention back to the fire. The dwarf lingered for a moment, seeming to assess Elron, before sauntering off, apparently satisfied.

    Kael clapped. ¡°Well, look at that! You¡¯re a sergeant now!¡±

    Slyra teased, ¡°Oh, look at you! Big shot in the woods.¡±

    Elron sighed and turned to Maris, ¡°How many soldiers does this add to our group?¡±

    Maris tapped her chin thoughtfully, ¡°Roughly ninety.¡±

    Elron groaned louder this time. ¡°Gather them up, Maris. Send them all out hunting.¡±

    Maris stood up without hesitation and went to collect the troops for the hunting expedition. After the last battle, the army had lost many of their pack mules. With so many dead, they had no way to carry essential supplies. The army was now forced to hunt for food more frequently just to survive. The whole situation made no sense to Elron. Why hadn¡¯t they retreated back to the kingdom? Instead, they kept pushing further into enemy territory, seemingly without end.

    ¡°Does anyone know where we¡¯re even going?¡± Elron asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

    Kael chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re the leader now, you should know.¡±

    Slyra smirked, ¡°Since you¡¯re so important now, maybe you should attend their officer meetings and find out.¡±

    Elron groaned internally at the thought. The last thing he wanted was to sit through meetings and, worse, potentially hear from his brother. No way was he dealing with that. As he mulled over the idea, three other sergeants¡ªtwo fighters and a barbarian¡ªapproached while he slouched on his log.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re the new guy, huh?¡± one of the humans said, sizing him up.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look so tough,¡± sneered another.

    ¡°Oh, what do we have here?¡± said the third as he pulled Elron¡¯s sword from its sheath.

    Elron barely glanced at him, saying nothing.

    The man held the sword up to the sun, admiring its dark, gleaming edge. ¡°This thing looks wild. I think I¡¯ll keep it.¡±

    Elron smirked and said, ¡°Go for it.¡±

    One of the sergeants stepped up, clearly annoyed, ¡°What¡¯s with that smile?¡±

    Before Elron could answer, the man holding the sword screamed as eerie, green flames ignited around his hands. He dropped the sword, scrambling to put out the magical fire, which stubbornly clung to his skin longer than it should have.

    Elron couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he summoned the sword back to his hand in an instant.

    ¡°Damn you! What the hell was that?¡± the man growled, clutching his burnt hands to his chest.

    Elron sheathed the sword with a smirk. ¡°It clearly wasn¡¯t yours to touch.¡± He stepped closer, his broad chest almost brushing against the sergeant¡¯s. The tension in the air grew thick as the three exchanged uncertain glances. They hadn¡¯t come here looking for a real fight.

    One of the humans jabbed a finger into Elron¡¯s chest, ¡°You¡¯d better watch your back, stick.¡±

    Elron chuckled again, ¡°Will do.¡± He waved them off dismissively.

    Slyra sauntered over, hands on her hips. ¡°You sure have a way of making friends.¡±

    Elron scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m usually the nice guy! Everyone around here keeps testing me for some reason¡­¡±

 B1C47 - The Battle of Yubo Bridge

    Maris stood beside Elron, whispering, ¡°If you need any help, my lord, I¡¯m here for you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ll handle this,¡± he replied, forcing a smile as he turned toward the large tent.

    He raised his arm to push the flap aside and ducked inside. The room was sparsely decorated, with a table and a few chests scattered about. As he sat down at the table, he ignored the ten other faces staring daggers at him.

    Jerok, the dwarf he''d come to know, began to speak. ¡°Let¡¯s get straight to it. We need to take this bridge, here.¡± He pointed to a brown line on the map in front of them.

    The tension in the room thickened, and after a long silence, one of the men spoke up, ¡°How many forces are holding the bridge?¡±

    Jerok hummed, seemingly pleased by the question. ¡°The knives say a hundred.¡± He paused for effect, then added, ¡°One of yees will lead the attack. There¡¯s only so much room on the bridge.¡±

    The sergeants exchanged grim looks, then subtle grins spread across their faces as they all turned to Elron, who sat near the end of the table.

    ¡°The new guy should do it,¡± one of them suggested, and the others nodded in agreement, their eyes locking onto Elron.

    Elron met their conniving gazes and then looked at Jerok, whose expression was unreadable. ¡°Is that an order?¡± Elron asked.

    Jerok let out a long sigh. ¡°You and yee men are best suited for the job... Don¡¯t make me¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Elron interrupted, folding his arms. ¡°But I have a question.¡±

    Jerok leaned in. ¡°Speak.¡±

    ¡°Why is our company always ahead of the regiment? We¡¯ve barely had time to rest, gather supplies, or even eat. How long do you plan for us to keep this up?¡±

    Jerok leaned back in his chair, studying Elron for a moment. ¡°This stays in this room, lads.¡± He lowered his voice. ¡°We¡¯re being pursued by a large force. It¡¯s crucial we take that bridge and the town next to it.¡±

    A murmur of surprise swept through the room, and the sergeants began whispering to each other.

    ¡°Quiet!¡± Jerok slammed his fist on the table, silencing the room. The only sound left was the slow trickle of liquid from a spilled cup.

    ¡°There will be no talk of this outside. You¡¯re all dismissed,¡± Jerok commanded.

    A few hours later, a force of one thousand soldiers emerged from a sparse forest, marching with purpose toward the Yubo River. The water rushed rapidly, cutting through the land of the beastmen tribes. A single covered bridge spanned the river, and at its far end, a wall of shields blocked the way.

    Elron''s platoon, one hundred soldiers strong, marched forward under his command. Shields raised in anticipation of arrows or stones, they halted just out of range. But no projectiles came.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Halt!¡± Elron ordered, raising his fist. The soldiers lowered their shields, staring across the river at the enemy: frogmen, standing silent and still, like an immovable wall.

    Elron was impressed. For a tribal people, this was a cut above the rest. ¡°Who¡¯s in command here? Step forward!¡± he called out, walking into the space between the two forces.

    The shield wall parted, and a yellow-skinned frogman, clad in scale armor, approached. ¡°Greetings. I am Grand Chief Flop-Wop. And you, ribbit?¡±

    Elron blinked, slightly taken aback. ¡°I am a sergeant of the northern kingdom. My name doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°Your purpose, ribbit?¡± the frogman asked, standing firm with a peculiar helmet under his arm.

    Elron studied the chief and replied, ¡°We want you to pull back from the bridge.¡±

    ¡°No, ribbit!¡± Flop-Wop croaked. ¡°We Flowcroaks have guarded these waters for centuries. You will not pass, ribbit!¡±

    Elron could sense the strength of the creature before him. ¡°We outnumber you ten to one. Even if I fall, you will all die...¡±

    ¡°Maybe, ribbit.¡± Flop-Wop donned his helmet and returned to his lines.

    Elron stormed back to his troops, shouting, ¡°Prepare yourselves! Push!¡±

    The soldiers raised their shields and advanced. As they neared the enemy line, a deafening croak erupted from the frogmen, echoing across the battlefield. Elron acted quickly, casting Chain Lightning. A bright blue arc of electricity shot into the front line, jumping between a dozen frogs and leaving them convulsing.

    The frogmen retaliated, charging with a force that caught the elves off guard. The shield walls collided, and several elves were knocked to the ground as the frogmen smashed into them with surprising strength.

    Elron, realizing this would be no easy fight, unleashed Thunderbooms and Void Strikes to thin the enemy ranks. Each stomp sent arcs of lightning, disorienting the frogmen long enough for the elves to strike with their spears. The enemies caught in the path of his Void Strikes were left mangled or dead, but the frogmen continued to fight with relentless determination.

    Elron watched as an elf beside him had his throat slashed, blood spraying as the soldier collapsed. ¡°Maris! We need to end this now!¡± he shouted.

    Maris smashed a frogman¡¯s skull with her mace. ¡°On it!¡± she yelled, leading a charge through the left flank with her tower shield. The elves behind her seized the opportunity, cutting down the frogmen as they toppled over behind her.

    Meanwhile, Elron found himself face-to-face with Flop-Wop. The two clashed, swords ringing against each other. When Elron tried to overpower him, he realized the chief was stronger than expected. He reached out, using Energy Drain, sapping the chief¡¯s strength through his elbow.

    ¡°Trickery, ribbit!¡± Flop-Wop croaked, visibly weakened.

    Elron, sensing the tide turning, cast his curses on the chief. Flop-Wop buckled, nearly collapsing under the weight of the magic. Elron¡¯s sword glowed with a menacing purple hue as he prepared his finishing move. ¡°Void Strike!¡± he roared, sending an immense amount of mana in form of dark energy at the frog chief.

    Two frogmen leaped in the way, sacrificing themselves. One was split in half, and the other had his head cleaved in two, leaving Flop-Wop with a minor wound to his shoulder.

    Elron winced in frustration. The attack should have ended the battle. But the fight raged on, and Elron¡¯s mind throbbed with exhaustion. He had pushed his body and mana to the limit.

    Flop-Wop, somehow resisting the curses, croaked loudly, rallying his troops. The frogmen then fought harder, forcing the elves back.

    ¡°You die here and now! Balmer, here me!¡± Elron shouted, and his sword blazed with power.

    Elron crouched low, then launched himself toward Flop-Wop, his massive sword crashing down. The chief blocked with his shield, but the sword¡¯s fiery energy melted through it, and soon, through the chief himself. In seconds, Flop-Wop was reduced to a pile of melted flesh and ooze.

    Elron barely registered the retreat of the remaining frogmen, who splashed into the river in desperation. His men cheered, huddling around him in victory. As Elron leaned on one of his men, he began to hear the entire regiment behind him cheer as well.

 B1C48 - Shifting Tides

    ¡°How do I look, Nayla?¡± asked the Elf King.

    She glanced him over, ledger in hand, and said, ¡°Majestic as always, my King.¡±

    He checked his blue robes, brushing off some imagined dust. ¡°Are you sure? I need to look my best for this meeting.¡±

    Nayla tilted her head, then with slight hesitation, parted the King¡¯s long silver hair at the front. ¡°I think this looks better, my King.¡±

    He turned away, exhaling softly in relief. ¡°Excellent. Let¡¯s get this done,¡± he said, knocking on the large door.

    The door creaked open immediately, revealing a lavish room filled with marvels of gnomish invention. Gears, wires, and contraptions gleamed in the light. The Elf King couldn¡¯t help but let out a quiet ¡°ooh¡± and ¡°ah¡± as he surveyed the wonders around him.

    ¡°Welcome, Your Highness! It¡¯s an honor to finally meet you,¡± said a gnome wearing a golden hat, reaching up to shake the King¡¯s hand.

    The Elf King knelt slightly to return the courtesy, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mr. President. I¡¯m thrilled to be here.¡±

    ¡°I''m glad! Let me show you around. We¡¯ve prepared this display room especially for you.¡±

    The trio walked along a plush carpet, stopping at various inventions encased behind ropes and glass boxes.

    The gnomish president opened one of the displays and pointed to a metal box. ¡°This is what we call a fridge. It keeps items cold indefinitely.¡±

    ¡°Remarkable,¡± said the King, intrigued. ¡°Could every family in the kingdom afford one?¡±

    The gnome shut the refrigerator and replied, ¡°Of course, for ten gold coins per unit, all thirty million residents of your kingdom could have one within a few years.¡±

    ¡°Ten gold coins...¡± the King mused. ¡°Nayla, what does that equate to for the average family?¡±

    Nayla flipped through her ledger hurriedly, then looked up. ¡°That¡¯s about ten years'' worth of income for most families.¡±

    The King nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Certainly a luxury item. What¡¯s next?¡±

    They moved further along the display until they reached another invention. The gnome picked up a cup and twisted a knob on a barrel-shaped device with coils inside.

    ¡°This,¡± the gnome said, handing the King a cup of water, ¡°is a condenser. It makes water from thin air, no magic required.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    The King drank from the cup, smacking his lips. ¡°Absolutely refreshing. This could ease many hardships in the south. How much?¡±

    ¡°Thirty gold coins per unit,¡± the gnome said with a smile.

    The King glanced at Nayla, who stared blankly at him, lost in his purple eyes. He gestured for her to take notes, and she snapped to attention, scribbling the details into her ledger.

    ¡°The next item,¡± the gnome continued, unveiling another box, ¡°is called a washer.¡±

    The King lifted the lid and peered inside. ¡°It washes... clothes?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. You catch on quickly,¡± the gnome replied with a grin.

    The King let the lid drop with a clang. ¡°Should I even ask the price?¡±

    The gnome bowed slightly. ¡°This one is fifty gold coins.¡±

    Sensing the King¡¯s growing discomfort, the president gestured to a set of chairs. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡±

    The two leaders sat at a small round table. The King ran a hand through his hair, straightening up. ¡°I want to bring these goods to my people. Is there any way to make them more affordable?¡±

    The gnome stroked his large nose thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ll be transparent with you, Your Highness¡ªno, Alaric.¡±

    The King raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

    ¡°Our republic is too far from your kingdom to ship these goods at a reasonable price. Before, we could¡¯ve moved them through the beastman lands, but the situation there is treacherous,¡± the president explained.

    The King¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Hm. There have been so many domestic issues lately. I¡¯m not fully briefed on the southwestern border conflict. Nayla?¡±

    Nayla sifted through the massive book she carried, visibly flustered. ¡°I, uh...¡±

    Alaric¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°I value honesty, Nayla. Out with it. Whatever you say to me, you can say to Rindle.¡±

    She hesitated for a moment before blurting out, ¡°The first regiment is currently laying siege to the settlement known as Hornreach. Most of the border skirmishes have ceased.¡±

    Rindle, the gnome president, frowned. ¡°I thought you were fighting a defensive war, Alaric.¡±

    The Elf King folded his arms, deep in thought. ¡°I thought so too. It must be my son...¡±

    He tapped his fingers against his arm, then turned sharply to Nayla. ¡°I want him back.¡±

    ¡°When, my King?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Today.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll inform his guardian Sylphs immediately,¡± she replied as she closed her eyes to concentrate.

    Rindle spoke up and said, ¡°I hate to add more stress to your plate, however, I must urge you. If a resolution is not brought soon, I¡¯ll have to accept another contract with the city states to the east.¡±

    With a focused gaze the Alaric asked, ¡°How much time can you spare?¡±

    ¡°Till the end of next month¡­¡±

    Alaric frowned and shattered the arm to his chair. He looked down at the mess of wood and spinters on the floor, and said, ¡°Appologies¡­¡± He then gazed up at Rindle.

    ¡°I understand your position. For you gnomes, time is money.¡± He then stood up and shook his hand again and stated, ¡°I must leave now, and I shall have your answer soon.¡±

    Rindle smiled widely, receiving his shake with both hands and said, ¡°I look forward to it!¡±

    As the two cleared the room and the door shut behind them, the king pressed his thumb to Nayla¡¯s head for a breif moment.

    Her eyes went wide and she said, ¡°Understood, but why summon them?¡±

    He turned his back away from her and said, ¡°There¡¯s something a stir, and the kingdom may be turned upside down in the process. I need everyone present.¡±

 B1C49 - The Siege of Hornreach

    ¡°Heave! Ho!¡± Jerok¡¯s voice rang out as the ram slammed against the town¡¯s heavy gates. Troops strained to pull the massive log back as arrows, rocks, and all manner of debris rained down on them from the walls above.

    Jerok himself pulled with everything he had. ¡°Put yer backs into it!¡± he shouted, urging the men forward. The ram swung once more, crashing into the wooden gates with a loud crack.

    ¡°You sissies! Again¨C¡± Jerok¡¯s words cut off as his head exploded, sending a spray of blood over the nearby soldiers.

    Elron, watching from under the cover of his troops¡¯ shields, saw the sudden gap on the ram. Without hesitation, he rushed forward. Casting Shield around himself, he grabbed hold of the ram and joined the effort. As they heaved it back, he glanced down, catching a glimpse of Jerok¡¯s lifeless body. Their captain was gone, and now hundreds of men who had been under his command were leaderless.

    Elron took a deep breath and, tightening his grip on the ram, yelled, ¡°Heave! Ho!¡±

    They hammered the gate repeatedly, but the progress was slow. Too slow. The cries of the wounded and dying began to weigh on Elron as he realized that brute force wouldn¡¯t be enough. He needed something more¡ªsomething drastic.

    ¡°Pull the ram back! Fall back to the ranks!¡± he shouted, pushing his voice to its limit.

    The soldiers obeyed immediately, retreating to their positions under the cover of shields and magical barriers. Elron stood still for a moment, raising his hand, and began to chant softly, blocking out the chaos around him. His focus sharpened, and soon a small orb of swirling fire formed in his palm.

    ¡°It¡¯s not enough...¡± he muttered.

    He brought his other hand over the fireball, closing his eyes once more and pouring more mana into the spell. His body strained under the pressure, but he persisted. When he opened his eyes again, the battlefield¡¯s noise returned¡ªthe shouting, the rain of projectiles, and the beastly cries from above. In his hands now blazed a massive fireball, brimming with energy.

    Elron glanced up, spotting a minotaur hurling a rock in his direction. The stone crashed against the wall beside him, and Elron bolted from his position, aware of the many eyes locking onto him. But they were too slow. With a mana step, he vanished and reappeared directly in front of the gatehouse. Without hesitation, he hurled the fireball toward the gates.

    Mana bolts fired from the walls tried to intercept it, and an attempt to dispel the spell fizzled against the overwhelming energy. The fireball collided with the gates, detonating in a hellish inferno. The explosion sent the beasts flying through the air, and shards of burning wood and metal rained down across the battlefield, clattering off the shields of the advancing army.

    Elron drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the fiery light, and pointed it toward the enemy. ¡°Charge!¡± he commanded.

    A thunderous war cry erupted from the troops as they surged forward, pouring through the gap in the wall. The minotaurs, though strong, were vastly outnumbered. Those that remained on the walls were quickly picked off by archers from both sides, tumbling to their deaths.

    Inside the city, chaos unfolded. Elron¡¯s soldiers swept through the huts, looting and cutting down any resistance they found. But Elron ignored the pillaging. He strode down the main path, moving with purpose, until he reached the town square. There, as he expected, stood a massive minotaur wielding a colossal two-handed greatsword.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    The beast exuded a palpable aura of might, the air around him thick with an overwhelming presence. A level of presence Elron hadn¡¯t felt since the beginning of the campaign. Hundreds of soldiers stood frozen, their fear keeping them at bay.

    Elron pushed his way through the crowd and stopped before the towering minotaur.

    The minotaur held his sword upright, sniffed the air, and growled, "There''s something foul about you."

    Elron grinned. "Your senses are sharp," he replied, leaning into the energies granted to him by Balmer. His sword erupted in green flames as he gripped it with both hands. Without hesitation, he lunged at the beast.

    The minotaur snorted a gust of steam through his nostrils and deflected the strike, sending Elron stumbling forward. The prince barely had time to react before a powerful hoof slammed into his chest plate, hurling him through the air and crashing him into a nearby house.

    Dust engulfed the crumbling building, and the minotaur waited, eyes fixed on the swirling cloud. He gripped the hilt of his sword with tempered patience, muscles tensing as he anticipated Elron''s next move. His vigilance paid off when Elron mana-stepped directly in front of him, delivering a charged swing. Their blades clashed with a loud clang before they disengaged and retreated a few paces.

    The minotaur smirked, "Did you not feel my kick?"

    Elron glanced down at the caved-in chest plate and wiped the blood from his mouth. "Oh, I felt it," he replied, a hint of defiance in his voice.

    Feigning attention to his wounds, Elron mana-stepped again, this time appearing behind the minotaur. His blade struck true, carving a gash into the beast''s side. Blood spattered onto the dirt. The minotaur grimaced, clutching the wound, but then made a surprising decision. He took his still-hot blade from the previous clash and pressed it to the gash, cauterizing the flesh almost instantly.

    Elron smirked. "Oh? So you''re clever, too, huh?"

    With his wound sealed, the minotaur roared and charged, winding up for a powerful strike. Elron cast thunderboom, causing the ground to tremble. Yet the minotaur barreled through, unfazed, forcing Elron to dodge the swing and counter with a chain lightning spell.

    Blue arcs of energy surged from his fingertips, crackling as they zapped the minotaur. Elron poured nearly all his mana into the spell, using the prolonged casting as a final push to finish the fight. He closed the distance, his sword descending in a deadly arc aimed between the beast''s horns. But at the last moment, time seemed to slow¡ªthe minotaur twisted, and the blade sliced through his arm instead of his skull, severing it with a sickening thud.

    Drained and burning with fatigue, Elron pressed the attack while his opponent struggled with one arm. The minotaur fought back, swinging his massive sword with a fierce desperation, even as his strength waned. His blood poured onto the ground, leaving a dark trail as he staggered about. Yet he showed no sign of surrender, swinging with relentless fury.

    The clang of metal rang out as Elron''s sword was knocked from his grasp, spinning off into the rubble. The minotaur wobbled but managed to level his blade at the exhausted prince. "A shame," he growled, his voice rough and filled with ragged breath. "To kill such a warrior¡­"

    As the minotaur prepared to strike, his expression suddenly froze. His eyes widened, and his sword fell to the ground with a dull thud. Elron laughed as the beast clutched at his neck, feeling the wound that had appeared there.

    "It would have been a shame," the prince chuckled.

    The minotaur¡¯s head was barely attached, hanging by a strip of skin. With a final, futile grasp, his body collapsed to the earth, lifeless.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    Elron collapsed onto his back, exhaling a heavy sigh of relief. The surge of power that flooded his body brought a moment of ease, though the absence of the usual level-up selection left him uneasy. He extended his hand, and the sword slid out from the minotaur''s neck, clattering into his grip almost of its own accord.

    The prince gazed up at the reddening sky and rasped, "You''ve been taking control of my level selection... haven''t you?"

    "I have," Balmer''s deep, hollow voice answered, echoing in his mind.

    Elron''s tongue darted out to wet his dry lips. "I suppose that''s fair," he murmured.

    "Fair?" Balmer scoffed. "No. It is far from fair. But that is your fate."

    Elron''s eyelids grew heavy, and the world around him began to blur. Teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, he managed to whisper, "What fate?"

    "Exactly..." Balmer''s voice faded into the darkness, leaving Elron to drift into uneasy slumber, the answer as elusive as the power he sought.

 B1C50 - Fractured Masks

    The next morning, Elron sat inside one of the occupied houses, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. The cabin was normal enough, but everything was oversized. The tables, the chairs, even the plates were massive. It felt off, like he was a child sitting in an adult¡¯s world. He absently picked at his food while receiving healing from Maris.

    Kael, sitting across from him, shoveled eggs into his mouth and said, ¡°Killing a stonehide is no joke, you know.¡±

    Slyra stood nearby, arms crossed, her eyes sharp with frustration. ¡°That was fucking stupid. It¡¯s like you¡¯re trying to die.¡±

    Elron winced as Maris touched one of his deeper wounds. ¡°Ouch.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, my lord. Almost done,¡± Maris said, the glow of her magic intensifying.

    Elron took another bite, meeting Slyra¡¯s angry gaze. ¡°Yeah, it was probably a little reckless, but what a thrill¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Slyra grabbed his oversized plate and flung it against the wall, shattering it into pieces. She stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door behind her.

    Elron sighed, setting down his utensils. ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯m done with breakfast.¡±

    Kael smirked, chuckling as he wiped his mouth. ¡°You really messed that one up.¡±

    Maris, still healing his wounds, looked at him seriously. ¡°My lord, if you don¡¯t go after her and apologize, she¡¯ll hold this against you.¡±

    Elron groaned, standing up. ¡°I will, after the ceremony.¡±

    Kael¡¯s eyes darted to the window. ¡°Speaking of, you¡¯re going to be late if you don¡¯t leave now.¡±

    Elron hopped out of the chair, throwing his baldric over his shoulder. ¡°Of course, of course.¡±

    He paced behind a large tent, his nerves buzzing as he prepared for the ceremony. His stomach churned, and he waved his arms to shake off the anxious energy, but the burning sensation in his head wouldn¡¯t go away.

    The announcer''s voice echoed through the crowd: ¡°Last but not least, we would like to honor our new captain of the first brigade...¡±

    Elron took a deep breath, running up the steps and through the drape opening. The sight of hundreds of people milling about, eating and chatting below the stage, made him pause. It was overwhelming.

    The major gestured him over, snapping him out of his daze. ¡°Over here, come forward.¡±

    That¡¯s when Elron found himself standing face to face with his brother, Adan, who held a pendant in his palm. Adan raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Have we met before? Your voice sounds familiar.¡±

    Elron¡¯s heart raced. He silently questioned how well Kael¡¯s illusion spell was holding up as Adan moved closer. ¡°No,¡± he replied, a wave of unease washing over him.

    Adan''s sneer faded, and he gave a slight nod. ¡°No matter. From what I hear, you¡¯re the slayer of beasts. Is that true?¡±

    ¡°I suppose so,¡± Elron muttered, eager to get through the ceremony.

    Adan clasped a hand on Elron¡¯s back as they both turned to face the crowd. Elron tensed under his brother¡¯s touch, resisting the urge to remove his arm.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    As Adan pinned the pendant to Elron¡¯s collar, he leaned in and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re not much of a looker with that nose and all, but I could find you a decent¡ª¡±

    Without thinking, Elron shoved Adan, sending him stumbling. Gasps echoed through the crowd.

    Years of pain, humiliation, and childhood mockery battered his psyche, yet no longer did they crash and breakapart. It all spilled out.

    ¡°My nose, huh?! Is it really that hard to look at?!¡± Elron yelled, his voice shaking with fury.

    The major stepped forward, trying to calm him. ¡°Let¡¯s take it easy¡ª¡±

    Elron''s gaze burned into him, and with a flick of his hand, the major stepped back without a single touch. Elron¡¯s hand suddenly held a knife, seemingly appearing from nowhere.

    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± warned a crouched Sylph, materializing in front of Adan with a dagger drawn.

    Elron ignored him, turning to the crowd. His voice, now filled with venom, rang out. ¡°This nose bothers you all so much?! Fine. Here¡ªtake it!¡±

    In one swift motion, he raised the blade to the bottom of his nose and sliced it off. Blood splattered across his face as he hurled the severed piece into the crowd.

    ¡°Here! All yours! Get rid of it for me!¡± he snarled, his voice raw with madness.

    The crowd recoiled in horror. The bloody nose landed on a fat man¡¯s plate with a sickening plop. The man, wearing a bib and holding silverware, screamed, falling to the floor in panic. He nearly took the entire table with him.

    A heavy silence fell over the hall, broken only by Elron¡¯s ragged breathing.

    ¡°Um, we¡¯re leaving,¡± Slyra suddenly appeared, dragging Elron out of the back door. ¡°He¡¯s had a bit of a day.¡±

    She yanked him through the alleys, pulling him until they were far enough from the ceremony. Then, she spun him around and hissed, ¡°What the absolute fuck is going on in your head?¡±

    Elron spat blood, stumbling over his words. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know! I was holding it together, and then... I just¡­ I wasn¡¯t.¡±

    Slyra watched him pace back and forth, her expression softening with pity. She sighed heavily. ¡°I¡¯m with you, all the way, but if you don¡¯t start talking to me, I can¡¯t help you.¡±

    Elron stopped pacing and approached her, his eyes wild. ¡°You want to help me?! Then find me something to kill because that¡¯s the only time I feel any peace. I don¡¯t enjoy sleeping, I don¡¯t enjoy peace and quiet¡ªnothing brings me joy anymore...¡±

    Slyra¡¯s face fell, her voice small. ¡°Not even me?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± he murmured.

    She scratched her head, and looked at him with caustion. ¡°You weren¡¯t like this before. What changed after your ascension?¡±

    ¡°First off, I¡¯m not crazy. Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± he snapped. ¡°And the change happened before the ascension.¡±

    ¡°What change exactly?¡± she asked, her eyes narrowing.

    Elron looked away, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°I made a deal with Balmer.¡±

    ¡°The sword that fucking talks?¡± Slyra asked, incredulously.

    Elron finally met her gaze, his hands trembling. ¡°He¡¯s no ordinary sword. I¡¯ve made a pact that I can¡¯t go back on.¡±

    Slyra threw her hands up in frustration. ¡°What?! Talk to Maris! Maybe she can help remove¡ª¡±

    Elron shook his head, his voice low but firm. ¡°If you really want to help me, then be ready when I need you. I¡¯ll need help soon. A lot of help.¡±

    Slyra started to respond, but Kael and Maris jogged over, their eyes wide.

    ¡°Yikes. What the hell happened to your face?¡± Kael grimaced, eyeing the wound.

    ¡°Let me heal you!¡± Maris exclaimed, her hands glowing as she reached for him.

    Slyra rubbed her face and said, ¡°He decided to cut off his beautiful nose. Idiot.¡±

    Kael examined him, shaking his head. ¡°Our glorious leader has finally lost it. Yet here we all stand,¡± and he looked at the girls with a smirk.

    Suddenly, the sound of marching boots interrupted them. Two fully-armored guards from the royal guard approached, grabbing Elron by the arms. Instinctively, Elron¡¯s party drew their weapons.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elron said, going limp in their grip. ¡°Let them take me.¡±

    The group reluctantly lowered their weapons, though their faces remained tense.

    ¡°He¡¯s done nothing wrong,¡± Slyra said, stepping forward.

    One of the guards raised a hand, halting her approach. ¡°At ease. He¡¯s just wanted for questioning by the Major.¡± They then hauled Elron away, his body sagging between them.

    Maris stepped up beside Slyra, her voice tight with worry. ¡°I hope they don¡¯t try to charge him.¡±

    Slyra watched him go, her face clouded with concern. ¡°Me too...¡±

 B1C51 - The Beastbanes Challenge

    ¡°Welcome, Captain¡­ what¡¯s your name again?¡± asked the Major.

    Elron shifted uncomfortably in his chair, the shackles clinking against the table. ¡°My name doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    The Major flipped through the report in front of him, barely looking up. ¡°Well, good thing you¡¯ve got plenty of nicknames. You can call me Garethil.¡±

    Elron gave a dry smile. ¡°Pleasure, Garethil.¡± He glanced at the guards on either side of him and asked, ¡°Any chance we could lose the chains?¡±

    With a simple hand signal from the Major, the guards stepped forward, unbinding Elron before silently exiting the room. Garethil leaned in with a grin and whispered, ¡°Sorry about that. Formalities, you know how it is.¡±

    Elron rubbed his sore wrists, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Formalities, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ you see, the prince wanted you discharged for that, uh, let¡¯s call it a ¡®stunt,¡¯¡± Garethil continued.

    Elron folded his arms, voice sharp. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. I didn¡¯t harm anyone.¡±

    The Major let out a long breath, clearly stalling. ¡°Right¡­ true, no real crime was committed. But the prince and the acting general¨C¡±

    ¡°Fuck the prince,¡± Elron interrupted with a flat tone.

    Garethil¡¯s mouth hung open for a second before he blinked and locked eyes with the disgruntled elf. ¡°I vouched for you.¡±

    Elron¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°It means I put my neck on the line for you. Call it kindness or a gut feeling, I¡¯m not sure which yet,¡± Garethil said, his tone more serious now. ¡°You¡¯re staying, oh, sir beastbane.¡±

    Elron¡¯s face hardened. ¡°I¡¯m not a knight, and that¡¯s not my name.¡±

    The Major chuckled softly. ¡°That¡¯s what they¡¯re calling you. Well, some call you less flattering things¡­¡±

    Elron raised an eyebrow. ¡°Like what?¡±

    Garethil smirked. ¡°I think the prince called you ¡®mad dog,¡¯ or something along those lines.¡±

    Elron¡¯s jaw clenched, his fists tightening. Garethil raised his hands in a calming gesture. ¡°Whoa, easy there. His words, not mine. Look, I suggested we dub you ¡®Champion¡¯ instead. You¡¯ve certainly earned it. Every time your regiment leads the front, we break through and then some. So, take it as an honor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just an honorary meat shield then,¡± Elron muttered.

    The Major bit his lip and leaned in. ¡°It¡¯s this, or¨C¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± Elron cut him off. ¡°I accept the title and whatever comes with it.¡±

    Garethil¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Excellent. We¡¯ve got a large army on the horizon. Scouts say they¡¯ll be here tomorrow. I¡¯ll need you front and center when it happens.¡±

    Elron¡¯s lips twitched, barely containing a grin. ¡°How many? Any of them strong?¡±

    ¡°About ten thousand,¡± Garethil replied with a casual shrug. ¡°Mostly unarmed feline beastkin.¡±

    Elron couldn¡¯t hide the grin now. ¡°We¡¯re going to slaughter them.¡±

    Garethil allowed himself a smile too. ¡°It seems so. Just be sure you attend the morning briefing.¡±

    Elron¡¯s face immediately soured.

    ¡°Or at least send someone in your place,¡± the Major added quickly.

    ¡°Is that all?¡± Elron asked, standing up.

    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re dismissed. Thank you.¡±

    Elron grabbed his gear from the table and headed for the door. Just as he was about to leave, Garethil called after him. ¡°Beastbane, do yourself a favor. Stay out of the prince¡¯s sight.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Elron paused in the doorway, not bothering to look back. ¡°No promises,¡± he said, then walked out.

    The following day, an army of bipedal cats stretched out in the distance, their bodies moving in unison as they warmed up for the fight ahead. It was an unusual sight for anyone unfamiliar with the diverse fighting styles of the beastman tribes. Every tribe had proven unique in battle, and today would be no different.

    A horn blared, and the city gates creaked open. The enemy army finished their stretches and snapped to attention, waiting patiently for the next move.

    Elron donned his helmet in front of the half-haphazardly repaired gate and strode out beyond the walls. As the gates closed behind him, he found himself standing in the middle of the field, well beyond the range of any supporting arrow fire. He took in the scene¡ªthe beastman force spanned across the field, a formidable force. Drawing his sword, he pointed it toward the sky and shouted, ¡°Come die by my hand, you kitty cats!¡±

    Cheers erupted from the army behind him, their voices rising in support of their champion. It didn¡¯t take long for a figure to emerge from the ranks¡ªa tiger-striped beastman, sprinted out on all fours before shifting to two legs as he neared Elron. Though the army had appeared unarmed at first, Elron could now see the long, bladed claws attached to the tiger¡¯s forearms. The beast wore little else beyond gold earrings and a pair of leather pants.

    ¡°I thought elves were too cowardly to face us one-on-one,¡± the tiger growled, staring Elron down with hunter-like eyes.

    Elron smirked. ¡°Most are.¡± He paused, tightening his grip on his sword. ¡°Not me though.¡±

    The tiger took a stance Elron had never seen before and sneered, ¡°By the end of this, you¡¯ll be my pet,¡± and he spun in the air and scratched his Elron¡¯s helmet with his back foot as he landed behind him.

    Elron staggered but quickly created some distance. ¡°Pet?! I¡¯ll make a fucking rug out of you!¡± he shouted, swinging his blade.

    Both sides roared in approval as the two warriors clashed. The sound of steel meeting steel echoed across the battlefield, their movements a near blur of blades and claws. The tiger fought like a whirlwind, bouncing and spinning with such unpredictability that Elron struggled to land a solid hit. He muttered a string of curses under his breath, his focus sharpening as he cast his dark magic at the foe. Slowly, the tiger¡¯s wild energy began to wane, his movements growing more manageable.

    ¡°Void strike!¡± Elron yelled, swiping his blade and sending a wave of dark energy hurtling toward his opponent.

    The tiger grinned, slashing down at the wave with a radiant glow, splitting it in two. The blast carved into the earth behind him, sending dust and debris flying. Elron, enraged, charged once more, his blade slicing through the air, but the beastman was always one step ahead, dodging or deflecting with his claws.

    Finally, Elron grazed the tiger with a touch of his casting hand. The effect was immediate¡ªan energy drain that caused the tiger to wince in pain. Now slightly slower, the tiger found it harder to avoid Elron¡¯s strikes, his defense weakening with every blow.

    Just as Elron was gaining the upper hand, the tiger feigned fatigue and trapped Elron in an arm bar, slamming him to the ground. Elron writhed and struggled, but the beastman¡¯s hold was too strong.

    ¡°Yield, my pet!¡± the tiger roared.

    Elron¡¯s fingers sparked with electricity as he growled through his gritted teeth, ¡°Fuck you, rug!¡± Casting chain lightning, the spell surged through both of them, their bodies convulsing as electric shock coursed through their veins. For a moment, onlookers swore they saw the outlines of their skeletons, but still, the tiger held on. It wasn¡¯t until Elron cast haste on himself that he finally slipped free.

    Panting and fatigued, Elron stood across from the tiger, who merely dusted himself off and said, ¡°That was dirty.¡±

    Elron ignored the remark, his breath heavy, eyes fixed on his opponent. Several illusionary duplicates of Elron suddenly materialized around the tiger, and the beastman spun in confusion.

    The duplicates charged, but with a flurry of kicks and jabs, the tiger dispelled them, one by one. As the final illusion vanished, the tiger¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of the real Elron. Slamming his free hand into the ground, Elron shouted, ¡°Shadow Chains!¡± Black tendrils of energy shot up from the earth, wrapping around the tiger, binding him in place.

    Charging his sword with dark energy, Elron unleashed a devastating blow. The tiger struggled and thrashed, but the chains held firm, wrapping around his arms, legs, and neck. He couldn¡¯t even raise a claw as the arc of cursed energy cleaved him in two. The force of the strike, combined with the taut chains, tore the beast¡¯s body apart, entrails spilling onto the blood-soaked ground.

    You have leveled up.

    Drenched in sweat, Elron staggered toward the scene and looked over the mangled remains. ¡°Not much left for a rug now,¡± he muttered.

    His army roared in approval, but the battle was far from over. The enemy forces began charging toward the gates, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Thousands of beastkin hurtled toward the town, and Elron stood his ground, sword clenched tightly, eyes burning with determination.

    ¡°You fucking idiot! Get back here!¡± Slyra¡¯s voice called from the wall.

    Elron snapped back to reality, lowering his sword. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing his friends waving and shouting from the safety of the battlements. He looked once more at the oncoming horde before mana-stepping multiple times until he was back on top of the wall.

    Slyra embraced him fiercely. ¡°Stop doing that!¡± she scolded, nearly knocking them both off the wall.

    ¡°Hey now, careful, or we¡¯ll fall off,¡± Elron replied with a chuckle.

    Garethil approached, placing a hand on Elron¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That was quite a show, Beastbane.¡± He then turned to the others and said, ¡°Prepare yourselves. The real fight has only just begun.¡± And a volley of arrows rained down from the walls, signaling the start of the next battle.

 B1C52 - The Princes Gambit

    As the arrows shifted from volleys to fire-at-will, chaos erupted. Thousands of feline beastmen scattered around the circular walls of the city, their agility unmatched as they began scaling the defenses. The army atop the walls had been prepared for this, but the sheer numbers threatened to overwhelm them.

    The first wave of felines was met with swift resistance. Spears thrust downward, piercing into the faces of the climbing beastmen. Some clung to the walls with one paw, swatting at the spearheads with their claws, but more often than not, the spears found their mark, sinking deep into eye sockets and sending bodies plummeting to the ground below. Others that made it over the walls were quickly dispatched with short swords.

    But the army hadn''t expected what came next. The beastmen formed living chains, linking their bodies and spinning into a coordinated, terrifying ball and chain. Dozens of these living slingshots flung their comrades over the walls in waves, catapulting warriors into the heart of the settlement. Panic set in as catmen rained down, landing among the soldiers, who struggled to shoot them mid-air or regroup to combat the sudden invasion inside the fort. With so much focus on the walls, the inner defenses began to crumble.

    Elron plunged his sword between an enemy¡¯s collarbone, the blade sinking deep. He yanked it free and turned to his group, yelling, ¡°We need to get off the wall!¡±

    His seasoned team responded instinctively, cutting through enemies as they made their way to the stairs. Once on the ground, Elron spoke again, ¡°They¡¯re launching the tougher sub-species over the wall. We need to find and kill them before they group up.¡±

    His group nodded in agreement and moved swiftly, hunting through houses and alleyways, dispatching isolated enemies before they could form squads. Though, it wasn¡¯t long before they stumbled upon one of those very squads.

    ¡°Slyra, protect Kael!¡± Elron shouted, clashing with a massive white-furred catman.

    Maris raised her mace, summoning a soft glow that enveloped the group before she leaped into the fray, smashing her weapon into a spotted feline¡¯s skull.

    Just as Elron swung at his opponent, Kael invaded the beastman¡¯s mind, dropping the cat to its knees. Elron¡¯s blade cleaved through its neck, sending the head flying.

    From above, a new attacker pounced from the rooftops, but Slyra¡¯s throwing knives found their mark, sinking into the beast mid-air and saving Elron from the ambush.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± he yelled, returning to the battle against yet another foe.

    The skirmishes were relentless. The group fought from alley to alley until, suddenly, they froze, captivated by the aura of three combatants moving at blinding speed. Despite the chaos around them, they couldn¡¯t tear their eyes away from the scene. It was like watching an echo of the legendary battle they had witnessed in the city of Crest.

    The three combatants paused for a brief moment, and Elron finally recognized them. A rogue and a fencer, both Sylphs, were locked in combat with a black-furred beastman. The fencer¡¯s blade moved with blinding speed, thrusting so rapidly that it seemed impossible that any creature could dodge it. Yet the catman danced around the point of the blade, slipping through every strike with inhuman agility.

    When the fencer¡¯s attacks failed, the rogue struck from behind, but the catman was too quick, grabbing the rogue¡¯s arm and slicing through it with his razor-sharp claws. Blood sprayed the ground, and the rogue fell back, clutching his stump.

    The cat smirked. ¡°You two won¡¯t get in my way. Die!¡± And with that, the beast charged at them again.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Elron watched closely now, finally able to follow some of the movements. The cat wasn¡¯t blocking all the attacks¡ªhe was dodging them, absorbing minor hits here and there. The Sylphs¡¯ strikes landed time to time, but they were superficial at best.

    Without warning, the fencer jumped back as the catman pulled his arm free from the rogue¡¯s throat, licking the blood from his fingers. ¡°Mmm, rich blood. You¡¯ll make a fine broth,¡± the catman taunted, lunging at the fencer once more.

    ¡°We have to bring that monster down,¡± Elron muttered.

    ¡°You¡¯ll die if you go in there,¡± Slyra warned.

    Maris added, ¡°If we assist now, retreat won¡¯t be possible, my lord.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going in!¡± Elron declared, charging forward.

    Kael, grinning, chimed in, ¡°Fuck it, let¡¯s help him.¡±

    The cat kicked the fencer aside and noticed Elron¡¯s approach. ¡°Oh?¡± With a fluid flip, the beastman dodged Kael¡¯s mana bolt and Slyra¡¯s throwing knife.

    ¡°Go away, little cubs. Let the adults play,¡± the cat growled, eyes locking onto Elron with a predatory gaze.

    Elron¡¯s sword flared green as he leaned into his external powers. ¡°I think not.¡±

    The fencer staggered back to his feet, joining the group. ¡°You four should get the prince to safety,¡± he suggested, nodding toward the unconscious elf on the ground.

    Elron¡¯s mind raced as the fencer and catman re-engaged. But now, Elron could see the movements with greater clarity, and he joined the fight, his blows striking in tandem with the fencer¡¯s.

    The catman dodged most of Elron¡¯s strikes effortlessly, treating him like an afterthought. Frustrated, Elron unleashed a flurry of spells¡ªvoid strikes, arcs of lightning, bursts of energy¡ªbut none of it landed effectively. His magic tore through the town, leveling buildings but barely inconveniencing the beast.

    Then, a spell backfired. Mana exploded in Elron¡¯s hand, and he collapsed to his knees, staring at his smoldering fingers. He had drained himself completely. Rage and adrenaline were the only things keeping him conscious as he rose again, watching helplessly as the catman drove his claws into the fencer¡¯s chest, flinging him aside like a broken doll.

    Elron¡¯s fury boiled over. His sword trembled in his grip as he readied for another attack. The catman was panting now, his body covered in shallow wounds, his breath ragged.

    ¡°You¡¯re in my way!¡± the cat snarled, kicking Maris into a nearby building.

    Elron saw the swing coming and braced himself, but before he could react, Slyra leaped in, aiming for the back of the cat¡¯s knee. The move might have worked on a lesser opponent, but the catman was too fast. He caught Slyra by the throat, lifting her into the air.

    ¡°Annoying female. Go¨C¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± Elron cried, sinking his sword into the ground. ¡°Please¡­ spare her.¡±

    The cat glanced at Elron, squeezing harder as Slyra¡¯s face turned red. ¡°You have nothing to offer.¡±

    Tears dripped from Elron¡¯s face. ¡°Name your price!¡±

    The cat growled. ¡°Can you end this war, elf? I didn¡¯t think so!¡± Slyra¡¯s face began to turn purple.

    Kael, hiding in the shadows, prepared a spell, but Elron signaled him to stop. He stepped forward, unarmed, and looked the catman dead in the eye. ¡°Release her, and the war ends today.¡±

    ¡°You bluff¡­¡± the cat sneered.

    Elron slammed his fist into his chest plate, dispelling the illusion over his face. ¡°I am Elron Malfar, second prince of the elven kingdom and captain of this army. I will end this war¡ªtoday.¡±

    The cat narrowed his eyes, looking Elron over.

    ¡°If you kill her,¡± Elron said through clenched teeth, ¡°I will hunt you and your kind down to extinction.¡±

    With a final growl, the catman dropped Slyra to the ground. She coughed and gasped for breath as the color slowly returned to her face.

    ¡°Put it here, oh prince of elves,¡± the beastman said, extending his arm. Elron grasped his forearm, sealing the truce.

    Kael, wide-eyed, removed his pointed hat. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m ending the war,¡± Elron replied, striding over to his unconscious brother, Adan. He ripped the horns from Adan¡¯s belt and blew them.

    The sound echoed across the battlefield, unfamiliar yet unmistakable. The fighting ceased, and the clatter of weapons and shields hitting the ground filled the air. The elven army surrendered, and the city fell silent. Everyone was now a prisoner.

 B1C53 - A Brokered Peace

    Elron watched Maris approach and said, ¡°Take him somewhere. Make sure no one sees him or talks to him.¡±

    She strapped her shield to her back, scooped up the prince, and replied, ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±

    Elron turned back to the streets, watching as hundreds of his soldiers were corralled into groups. They were down sat confused, some even frustrated. He couldn¡¯t help but pity them.

    Slyra rose to her feet and asked, ¡°Why did you do that? We were winning.¡±

    ¡°The army was,¡± Elron replied. ¡°You were not.¡±

    A soft smile tugged at Slyra¡¯s lips as she looked away. ¡°Thank you¡­ but what now?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll go with Maris. I need to handle things here,¡± Elron said.

    Slyra smirked, circling him with an amused glint in her eye. ¡°So commanding. Should I fetch you a cold drink while I¡¯m at it?¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°Ha, don¡¯t mock me now.¡±

    ¡°The war¡¯s not over, Prince Elron,¡± a low growl interrupted them. The black-furred beastman, approached with a menacing aura.

    Elron frowned. ¡°You agreed, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    He lifted his wrist, displaying the glowing seal. ¡°It¡¯s still here,¡± he growled.

    Kael poked in, examined the seal while scratching his chin. ¡°Oh, an enslavement seal¡ªhaven¡¯t seen one of these in decades. A strong one too.¡±

    He turned to him, curious. ¡°Who are you, and who did you anger to get slapped with that?¡±

    ¡°I am Orox, and my mission was to end this war¡­,¡± the beastman said, but his voice faltered, leaving the rest unsaid.

    Kael turned to Elron. ¡°I assume ending the war is the condition for breaking the seal. We should gather the parties and formalize it.¡±

    Elron nodded. ¡°Right. Guess that¡¯s my job then?¡±

    Kael laughed. ¡°Well, you are in charge now, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Elron sighed. ¡°Let me talk to the Major.¡±

    Elron entered a dimly lit room, its walls riddled with holes. His eyes fell on Major Garethil, who froze mid-pace, then offered a stiff bow. ¡°I knew you seemed familiar from the begining, Prince Elron.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Good to see you,¡± Elron said, gesturing to a chair. ¡°Sit.¡±

    The Major swallowed nervously before taking a seat. Elron remained standing.

    ¡°As you know, this fight is over. Soon, the war will be too,¡± Elron began, cutting off Garethil¡¯s attempt to interject with a sharp glance. ¡°Once it''s all settled, you will gather the army and head home.¡±

    Garethil leaned forward, hands clasped. ¡°With all respect, my prince, the nation¡¯s council and court will never approve of this. You¡¯re not the acting general either¡ªthat¡¯s Prince Adan.¡± He paused for a moment in thought, and then asked, ¡°Where is he?¡±

    Elron leaned in, hands pressing down against the table. ¡°My brother is my concern, and my concern alone. As for the acting general, I¡¯m it, for now.¡±

    The Major stiffened, then bowed his head. ¡°Understood, General Elron. No offense intended. Military protocol is ingrained in me after decades of service. I hope you understand¡­¡±

    Elron relaxed, a smile tugging at his lips. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re perfect for what¡¯s to come.¡±

    Kael barged into the room, scattering documents across the table. ¡°Here¡¯s the contracts. It¡¯s been a while, but I should have everything we need.¡±

    The Major glanced at one particular parchment, eyes widening. ¡°This paper, this ink... where did you get the materials for a magical contract?¡±

    Kael grinned and nonchalantly said, ¡°I used to do this for a living. Where¡¯s the other party?¡±

    ¡°Orox is tending to his troops,¡± Elron replied. ¡°He¡¯ll be here soon.¡±

    Kael pulled out a quill and ink. ¡°Good. I thought I was running late.¡±

    Moments later, Orox entered with a few beastmen warriors, their stern expressions matching their battle-hardened demeanor. The Major stood to greet them. ¡°Welcome. Please, have a seat.¡±

    Though the chairs were clearly foreign to them, the beastmen sat down. Kael began to read aloud from the contract.

    ¡°...From this day forward, all conflict will cease between the beastkin tribes and the kingdom of Aethoria. Below are two signatures, one from each party, with a representative to confirm their validity.¡±

    Kael handed the quill to Elron, who scribbled his signature half-heartedly onto the dotted line. Garethil followed suit, signing his name in neat elvish script before slowly pushing the quill and ink across the table.

    Orox folded his arms. ¡°I can¡¯t read this continent''s language,¡± he growled.

    Elron met his gaze. ¡°You think I would deceive you now?¡±

    A white-furred beastman beside Orox leaned in, examining the document. ¡°Commander, the text is sound,¡± he confirmed before dipping his paw in ink and stamping the paper.

    Orox glanced at his subordinate, then back at Elron. With a nod, he stamped his paw as well.

    As soon as the ink touched the parchment, it glowed briefly before fading. In the same instant, the seal on Orox¡¯s wrist shimmered, its ancient runes lifting into the air before disintegrating into fine dust.

    A grin spread across Orox¡¯s face, followed by laughter. ¡°I¡¯m free. I never thought I¡¯d be rid of that woman.¡±

    Elron¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What woman?¡±

    Orox¡¯s laughter died out. ¡°The elven queen. I think she wanted you dead.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s treason,¡± muttered Garethil.

    Kael shrugged. ¡°Eh, it adds up.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not the queen,¡± Elron growled, clearly annoyed.

    Orox stood, stretching. ¡°Maybe not yet. But she¡¯s going to take over your kingdom soon enough. Not my problem though.¡±

    Elron rushed forward. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®take over?¡¯¡±

    Orox spilled everything he had overheard. Garethil¡¯s face twisted in shock, while Kael¡¯s grin only widened. Elron stood silently, absorbing the implications, his mind racing with the weight of what he had just learned.

 B1C54 - Brotherly Betrayal

    ¡°How is he?¡± Elron asked as he approached a shack at the edge of Hornreach.

    Maris''s face darkened. ¡°He cursed and babbled absurdities, things that made me pray for him.¡±

    Elron sighed. ¡°I''m not surprised. Where¡¯s Slyra? She should be with you.¡±

    Maris pointed to the door behind her with her thumb. ¡°She¡¯s in there, keeping an eye on him.¡±

    Elron smirked. ¡°That can''t be good.¡±

    Maris tilted her head. ¡°Why do you say that, my lord?¡±

    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°You''ve been around her long enough. I think you know.¡± With that, he opened the door.

    Inside, Prince Adan was tied to a post, stripped down to his underwear, and gagged. He squirmed in panic as Slyra attached a clothespin to his nipple, her face alight with mischief.

    Elron stifled a laugh. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Slyra hastily hid the other clothespin behind her back. ¡°Nothing.¡±

    Elron shook his head. ¡°Yeah, right. You¡¯ve had your fun.¡± He removed the gag from Adan¡¯s mouth.

    Adan spat and snarled. ¡°Get your bitch away from me, brother, and untie me this instant!¡±

    Elron planted a heavy boot into Adan¡¯s chest, sending him wheezing. He bent down, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°What was that?¡±

    Adan coughed, gasping for air, and murmured, ¡°Fuck you...¡±

    Elron straightened, his voice icy. ¡°I¡¯ll take it from here.¡± He began untying his brother.

    Slyra, puzzled, crossed her arms. ¡°You get all the fun.¡±

    Elron glanced back at her. ¡°We¡¯re just going to have a little chat. It will be far from ¡®fun¡¯¡± He then yanked Adan to his feet and dragged him out of the shack.

    Adan screamed for help, but Elron punched him clean across the mouth, silencing him.

    ¡°Can you two go help Garethil?¡± Elron asked.

    Slyra shrugged. ¡°Sure, but what are you going to do with him?¡±

    Elron¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°We¡¯re going to have a little brotherly bonding time.¡± He mana-stepped a few times, teleporting them to the edge of the woods beyond the settlement.

    Once there, Elron shoved Adan to the ground. ¡°How long have you been conspiring to take over the kingdom?¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t! That¡¯s our mother¡¯s plan, not mine!¡± Adan pleaded.

    Elron backhanded him, fury bubbling beneath his calm demeanor. ¡°Lies! And she¡¯s your mother, not mine!¡±

    Adan scrambled to his feet, panic in his eyes. ¡°Okay, fine! Yes, it¡¯s true, but it was her idea. I just... agreed to it.¡±

    ¡°Shameful,¡± Elron muttered, drawing his secondary blade and tossing it to Adan. ¡°Pick it up.¡±

    Adan stared at the sword, his lip trembling. ¡°Brother, surely you understand. Anyone would seize the chance to be king. You would have done the same.¡±

    Elron gritted his teeth. ¡°I never wanted the throne. You always saw me as a threat, but all I ever wanted was to live in peace. You ruined that. You and your mother... Now, pick it up!¡±

    Adan hesitated, then slowly bent over to pick up the blade. ¡°We¡¯re the same, Elron. We both want power because it guarantees us a better life.¡±

    Elron pointed his sword at him, eyes burning. ¡°I never sought power, only strength.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re the same!¡± Adan cried. ¡°Let¡¯s return and forget this¡ª¡±

    Elron¡¯s blade flashed, slicing a shallow cut across Adan¡¯s cheek. Blood dripped down his face.

    Adan touched the wound, his eyes wide with fear. Without another word, he turned and bolted into the woods.

    Elron sighed, watching his brother flee, then calmly mana-stepped after him, cutting the distance. When he caught up, he kicked Adan¡¯s legs out from under him, sending him sprawling into the dirt. Adan clutched his sword, pointing it shakily at Elron.

    Elron batted the weapon aside with ease. ¡°She poisoned you, didn¡¯t she? Too bad... I wanted to prove that I¡¯m stronger now.¡±

    ¡°Spare me, please!¡± Adan whimpered.

    Elron pressed the tip of his sword under Adan¡¯s chin. ¡°Do you remember Mittens?¡±

    Adan blinked, confused. ¡°Who?!¡±

    ¡°My best friend, Mittens! My cat,¡± Elron snarled, pressing harder.

    Adan¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°No! I don¡¯t remember!¡±

    Elron¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°You put Mittens in a bag and set him on fire.¡±

    Adan¡¯s face contorted in realization. ¡°Oh... that cat. I¡¯ll get you a new one! A hundred cats, if you want. We¡¯ll make it right as rain.¡±

    Elron¡¯s expression grew distant, his voice soft. ¡°I can still hear him. His cries haunt me in my sleep.¡±

    ¡°Look, I¡ª¡± Adan¡¯s words were cut off as Elron drove his sword into his armpit. With a scream of pain, Adan bolted, blood splattering across the forest floor as he ran.

    But this time, he didn¡¯t get far. Leaning against a tree, bleeding profusely, Adan rasped, ¡°Just kill me and be done with it. You¡¯ll die soon enough anyway.¡±

    Elron stepped over a fallen log and loomed over his brother. ¡°The only one dying today is you. You¡¯re part of the rot in this kingdom.¡±

    Adan swung his sword in desperation, but Elron dodged it effortlessly, kicking his legs out from under him.

    ¡°I always thought I was the coward. But you...¡±

    Elron paused. ¡°Do you remember when I was too scared to bob for apples?¡±

    Adan, delirious from blood loss, nodded weakly. ¡°Yes...¡±

    ¡°You held me down. Nearly drowned me.¡±

    ¡°It was a joke,¡± Adan croaked. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡±

    Elron¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    Adan¡¯s eyes darted around, searching for an escape. ¡°Brother, please... there must be another way.¡±

    Elron¡¯s blade pierced Adan¡¯s heart, pinning him to the tree. Adan¡¯s hands weakly grasped the sword as blood dripped down its length. His eyes fluttered shut, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°I... I loved you, brother.¡±

    Elron yanked the sword free, letting the body slump to the ground. ¡°In your own twisted way, I believe that.¡±

    He stared down at his brother¡¯s lifeless form, then muttered, ¡°May you never find peace,¡± and turned back toward the clearing, leaving the forest in silence behind him.

 B1C55 - The Night of Reckoning

    Later that night, several dozen high elves gathered in a large assembly hall. The air buzzed with murmurs as they exchanged glances and whispered to each other about the sudden summons. Each elf in the room was familiar to the others¡ªthey were the fiercest, most respected combatants of the vanguard and the first regiment. Every one of them radiated strength and confidence, earned through a long and brutal campaign. Yet what happened next would surprise even them.

    A high elf in black armor strode onto the wooden stage before them, and immediately, they snapped to attention. His figure was familiar, but something about his face seemed off. It wasn¡¯t until three more familiar figures joined him on the stage that the realization hit them¡ªthis was their captain, Beastbane, the Slayer of Beasts.

    He stood for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the troops, filled with a powerful zeal. They returned his stare with equal intensity, recognizing the long, blonde-haired elf in his dark armor. The mysterious, dark sword gleamed at his hip. Their captain was unmistakable now.

    With a firm nod, Elron finally spoke. ¡°Thank you all for coming, my dearest battle brothers. Many of you know me as your captain, but my true identity is Prince Elron.¡±

    He paused, watching for their reactions. ¡°This campaign has been long and exhausting. We have carved through these tribes with great vigor, but that must come to an end. Tomorrow, our great army heads home.¡±

    Elron began pacing the stage, his eyes never leaving the soldiers. ¡°I will be completely transparent with you all. What I¡¯m about to ask of you is treason of the highest order. Any of you are free to leave without facing repercussions.¡±

    He stopped and looked down at them. ¡°There¡¯s something deeply wrong with our kingdom. From what I¡¯ve learned, it¡¯s been in sharp decline since the war with the empire. To make matters worse, the late queen has plans to overthrow our nation¡ªif she hasn¡¯t already done so.¡±

    The elves exchanged silent glances, some disgruntled, others with frowns, but their eyes soon returned to Elron.

    ¡°Tonight, we will cleanse this army of its rot. Every human, dwarf, and non-elf will be put to the sword or placed in chains,¡± Elron declared, watching their reactions closely.

    No one moved. No one¡¯s gaze wavered. It was as though they had been expecting his words.

    An older high elf, his face lined with scars from many battles, stepped forward. ¡°Permission to speak?¡±

    Elron gestured for him to continue.Stolen novel; please report.

    The old elf glanced at his comrades before turning back. ¡°As a veteran of the last great war, your words ring true. I stand with you till the end, Prince Elron,¡± he said, drawing his sword and kneeling. Several others followed suit.

    Many remained standing, whispering among themselves, some beginning to argue. Then, an high elf, a head higher than the rest, stepped forward.

    ¡°With all due respect, Prince Elron, what is the reward for risking our lives and integrity?¡±

    Elron welcomed the question with a smile. ¡°You will be part of something that values strength above all else. No more bowing to those weaker than you. The upper echelons are corrupt, bought out, and ignorant of our people. We will remove them and create something worth passing on to the next generation!¡±

    The tall elf¡¯s frown melted into a stoic expression. ¡°Then let it be so!¡± he declared, drawing his sword and kneeling as even more elves joined him.

    Elron¡¯s eyes narrowed on those who still stood, whispering to each other.

    ¡°I gave you my word,¡± he said, pointing to the door. ¡°No one will be harmed if you wish to leave. If you want no part of this, feel free to go.¡±

    A young elf with a missing eye broke from the group and asked, ¡°What will happen to the elves who refuse this regime change?¡±

    Elron sighed. ¡°They will need to be re-educated and assimilated.¡±

    The young elf and his group exchanged disgusted looks and turned toward the door.

    Elron¡¯s voice softened as he addressed them. ¡°I know you care deeply about your fellow elves. I do too. If you truly want what¡¯s best for them, they will join us. There¡¯s no future¡ªno happiness¡ªin being second-class citizens in your own lands.¡±

    The elf hesitated, his gaze softening. He looked back at his companions before turning to Elron. ¡°I am yours to command, my prince, but I don¡¯t have the heart to kill my fellow elves.¡± He drew his sword and knelt.

    Elron placed a hand on his heart. ¡°Understood. Your place among our leadership will be invaluable. Now all of you, rise!¡±

    The elves stood as one, their eyes gleaming with hope for a great future, their bodies filled with admiration for their newfound order.

    Clearing his throat, Elron declared, ¡°Now go! You all know what must be done. Tomorrow, we leave with a new army!¡±

    As the group hurried out, Elron¡¯s original party remained on the stage, facing each other.

    Maris¡¯s expression was stern as she said, ¡°My lord, there¡¯s no turning back from this. You will be branded a traitor of the kingdom.¡±

    ¡°I think he knows that,¡± Kael interjected.

    Slyra, with a wild grin, added, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the whole ¡®purge the humans¡¯ speech.¡±

    Elron stared at the moon through a hole in the roof, while in deep thought. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯ve learned so much about our land these past two years. It¡¯s hard to imagine how things have gone on like this for so long¡­¡±

    Suddenly, their attention snapped to the front doors, which had been left wide open. The sounds of screams and fighting drifted in. It was clear that the infighting had already begun, and further action would soon be needed.

    ¡°We have a long evening ahead of us,¡± Elron said, drawing his sword as he stepped into the night.

 B1C56 - Night of Betrayal

    The night began with the entirety of the army being sent to bed early. With the war officially over, few questioned the lack of sentries being posted. Everyone expected a straight march back to the border, where the troops would disperse to return home to their villages. However, as darkness settled, screams pierced the silence, and infighting erupted.

    At first, many soldiers merely turned over in their beds, dismissing the sounds as another rowdy gambling session. Scuffles in the night were not uncommon, and the worst they expected was someone losing a finger over cheating. But tonight was different. The shouting only grew more violent. A coup was underway¡ªbloody and vicious one at that.

    In tent after tent, cries echoed through the night. Elves hovered over their sleeping human and dwarven squadmates, blades glinting in the dim light as they silently slit their throats. The killings were quick and calculated¡ªat first. Soon though, some victims stirred, grabbing weapons just in time to meet their attackers. Squads scrambled to rally, only to find half their numbers already gone.

    A human soldier looked to a dwarf and asked, ¡°Where are the others?¡± Only to see the rest of their squad turning the corner with blood-soaked swords in hand.

    ¡°Back-stabbing traitors,¡± the human murmured as he braced himself and charged.

    Elron, leading one of the groups, met the charging blade with ease, parrying the strike before slicing the man open from balls to brains. The dwarf beside him was quickly impaled by another elf''s spear from behind. The dwarf gasped his last breath, yet tried to pull the spear out. His defiance was only met with more spears, and he turned to a pin coushion.

    ¡°Check inside,¡± Elron commanded as pointed to a group of tents.

    Elron turned, entering into an adjacent tent and said, ¡°What the hell is going on in here?!¡±

    Inside, an elf was cornered, fending off several others with his sword. ¡°Stop this madness! There''s no need to kill each other!¡± he cried out in desperation.

    Elron sheathed his sword and shoved through the crowd. He stood face to face with the trembling elf, the tip of the blade shakily pressing against his chest plate.

    ¡°There¡¯s every reason for this,¡± Elron said coldly. ¡°Now, join us, or¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, the elf feigned lowering his sword, using the downward motion to his advantage and swiftly slashing at Elron. The prince dodged effortlessly, as if anticipating the strike, and delivered a gut-wrenching punch to the elf''s abdomen. The defiant elf crumpled to the ground, his sword clattering from his grasp.

    ¡°Take him to the hall. Tie him up,¡± Elron ordered, watching as his men bound the elf and dragged him away.

    Suddenly, the prince heard a woman''s scream, sending a chill down his spine. Rushing out of the tent, Elron spotted the house where the sound came from. Kicking the door open, he was met with a horrific sight¡ªseveral elves crowded around a naked woman pinned to a table. She screamed, writhing in terror as one of the elves forced him self upon her. The others laughed, oblivious to Elron''s presence until they noticed his dark expression.

    Without a word, Elron stormed over to the offending elf. The others scattered to the edges of the room, fear gripping them. Elron grabbed the man by the throat and bent him over, reaching for his testicles with his gauntlet. ¡°You dare call yourself an elf?¡± he growled before ripping the man''s testicles from his body with one brutal motion.

    The elf collapsed, his scream of agony cutting through the air, silencing the woman and the room. Elron tossed the bloody remnants at one of the onlookers, hitting him square in the face. ¡°If you''re this disgraceful, you don¡¯t deserve to reproduce¡ªlet alone commit such atrocities,¡± he spat.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    The woman, seizing the opportunity, fled past Elron. He paid her no mind, staring down at the bleeding elf on the floor. His fists trembled, barely containing his rage as he looked up at the remaining half naked soldiers. ¡°What the hell are you standing around for? Get him a healer!¡± he barked before storming out.

    Outside, the night was alight with torches, mobs of soldiers moving through the settlement. Shadows shifted and danced in the flames, stopping only for brief skirmishes or to receive new orders.

    Just then one of those shadows appeared behind him, and Elron spun, sword drawn, stopping just in time.

    ¡°Whoa, edgy much?¡± Slyra¡¯s smirking face materialized in the darkness.

    Elron sheathed his sword, sighing. ¡°Apologies, it¡¯s just one thing after another.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it''s a shit show out here,¡± Slyra said, looking out over the camp. ¡°Good news though, they¡¯re almost done mopping up.¡±

    His expression still tense, Elron asked, ¡°What are the numbers?¡±

    Kael sauntered up with a rope in hand, dragging something behind him. ¡°A few hundred,¡± he said.

    ¡°A few hundred what?!¡± Elron snapped.

    Kael grinned, yanking the rope hard. ¡°A few hundred elves killed, a few hundred captured.¡±

    Slyra leaned in, curious. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Oh, this?¡± Kael said, pulling the rope taut, causing a bound man to stumble into the mud at their feet. ¡°This is Jenkins¡ªmy new slave.¡±

    Elron huffed. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be overseeing the captives?¡±

    Kael waved him off. ¡°Ah, my mages have it covered. Figured I¡¯d take my new pet for a midnight stroll.¡±

    Slyra crouched down, observing the man struggling to his feet. She glanced up at Elron. ¡°Do we really need slaves? Can¡¯t we just kill them and be done with it?¡±

    Still fixated on the camp below, Elron answered flatly, ¡°I don¡¯t like it either, but killing them outright serves no purpose.¡±

    Slyra shrugged. ¡°As long as I don¡¯t have to own one, I guess I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Kael, yanking Jenkins by the rope, asked, ¡°How many slaves can we own, oh glorious leader?¡±

    Distracted, Elron muttered, ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t know. You figure that out,¡± before running off toward another fight.

    Elron''s sword blazed as he charged through the camp. He passed soldiers hauling bodies onto pyres, elves cheering and drinking, and slaves being corralled into chains. His destination soon came into view¡ªa building surrounded by his troops.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± he asked the first soldier he recognized.

    Maris turned, her expression grim. ¡°The last of the resistance is holed up inside.¡±

    ¡°How many?¡±

    ¡°Maybe fifty. Mostly humans,¡± Maris replied, as arrows whizzed through the windows.

    Elron cast a shield spell just in time to deflect an incoming arrow. ¡°Any elves inside?¡±

    ¡°Some, my lord,¡± she confirmed.

    He stared at the building, deep in thought.

    Maris spoke up again, ¡°If we kill everyone inside, many might turn against you.¡±

    ¡°I know...¡± Elron muttered, arms crossed.

    Suddenly, a white flag appeared in one of the windows.

    ¡°We want terms!¡± a voice shouted.

    Elron stepped forward, yelling back, ¡°Then come out!¡±

    An ascended human emerged, his aura dense with power. ¡°We wish to die like men.¡±

    Elron nodded firmly. ¡°Understood. Anything else?¡±

    The man hesitated. ¡°Some of the women don¡¯t want to die.¡±

    Elron¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Someone will take them. Their fate may be grim.¡±

    The man stepped closer. ¡°Then you take them. I know they¡¯ll be safe with you, Sir Beastbane.¡±

    Elron straightened. ¡°If that¡¯s your dying wish, I¡¯ll honor it.¡±

    ¡°It was a pleasure serving,¡± the man said, shaking Elron¡¯s hand before retreating into the house.

    Three unarmed women ran out, cowering behind Elron as he moved back behind the ranks. Maris watched him closely until he nodded. She raised her hand, signaling the mages.

    Elron rested his hand on Maris¡¯s shoulder, giving it a firm pat before walking away. As his mages released their fireballs, they screamed through the air, obliterating the house in a fiery explosion. When the flames died down, not a trace of the building¡ªor its occupants¡ªremained.

 B1C57 - March of Purpose

    The late morning sun bathed the settlement as the remaining troops sluggishly prepared for the day''s march. Squads that once numbered in the tens were now down to seven or eight soldiers each¡ªevery single one of them an elf. Their faces bore the exhaustion and weariness from the night before, yet there was a newfound resolve in their eyes, a hard-earned sense of purpose.

    As Elron walked through the settlement, inspecting the troops, he was greeted with stiff salutes and respectful bows from the elves who noticed his presence. He acknowledged them with a curt nod but kept his focus ahead, his mind wandering. When he reached a towering funeral pyre, the bitter stench of charred flesh hit him hard, making him instinctively raise his hand to pinch his nonexistent nose. Instead, he waved his hand in front of his face in disgust.

    Gazing at the smoldering pile of bodies, Elron murmured to himself, "If only it looked as bad as it smells. Pew."

    Unfortunately, this wasn¡¯t the ideal place to collect his thoughts. He needed solitude, somewhere to gather himself before the speech. As he turned to leave, he collided with one of the three women who had been following him relentlessly since the purge. The woman stumbled and fell to the ground, quickly scooting back in fear, her wide eyes locked onto him.

    Elron sighed in frustration. ¡°You don¡¯t have to follow me. Go somewhere else, please.¡±

    The three women exchanged nervous glances. They looked around as if surrounded by sharks. Finally, the woman who had fallen gathered enough courage to speak. ¡°We can¡¯t leave you¡­¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Elron grumbled under his breath before raising his voice. ¡°Maris! Get over here!¡±

    In an instant, Maris appeared, sprinting toward him with a trail of dust in her wake. She skidded to a halt before him and snapped to attention. ¡°Yes, my lord, what would you have of me?¡±

    Elron exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. ¡°I can''t have these women trailing me around like lost puppies. Take them under your wing.¡±

    Maris eyed the dirty, frightened women, her expression conflicted. ¡°I... I do not like having slaves, my lord.¡±

    Elron groaned, pressing the heel of his hand into his forehead. ¡°Doesn''t the Goddess Ferah advocate for balance or something? Wouldn¡¯t she want you to take them on for the sake of maintaining order?¡±

    Maris¡¯s gaze hardened as she studied the tear-streaked faces of the women. After a long pause, she finally said, ¡°Well¡­ Ferah might see it as part of the natural order...¡±

    ¡°There you go!¡± Elron interjected, brightening. ¡°A natural order¡ªlike ants tending to their aphid colonies.¡±

    Maris¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion, glancing from the women to Elron. ¡°Ants and aphids, my lord?¡± she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. ¡°Sure¡­ I suppose.¡±

    Elron nodded with satisfaction. ¡°Good. Do you know when the troops will be ready to move?¡±

    ¡°At any time, my lord,¡± Maris replied, though a bit perplexed. ¡°However at this rate, we won¡¯t make it far before dark.¡±

    ¡°Why does it matter if night falls? We¡¯re an army of elves. We can see in the dark better than most. There''s no reason to be worried about marching through the night.¡±

    Maris blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°I... hadn¡¯t considered that. You¡¯re right, my lord.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Elron hummed with satisfaction, clasping his hands behind his back. ¡°Good. You¡¯re learning. Now, sound the horn, Maris. It¡¯s time.¡±

    With a smile and a nod, Maris and her new attendants moved swiftly, and not much later, the deep bellow of a horn echoed through the camp. Elron strode toward the front gates, his steps measured, watching as soldiers disassembled and packed their things. Typically, specific companies would have been preselected for this task, but the usual order had been disrupted. Now, every elf seemed to be rolling up their own bags, tents, and supplies¡ªexcept for the few who had acquired slaves and delegated the work to them.

    As Elron passed through the front gates and stepped onto the open field, the wind carried the scent of fresh grass, a faint relief to the tension that contantly gnawed at his mind. His gaze wandered over the landscape, desperately trying to focus on anything other than the daunting task ahead¡ªaddressing his soldiers. The weight of leadership, combined with the fatigue of restless nights, bore down on him. Even with his superior athleticism, his sleeplessness dulled his senses. He turned to watch as his troops began filing out of the settlement. The foot soldiers came first, followed by the archers, then the mage company, and finally, the cavalry and supply wagons. The usual din of orders and shouting faded, and all that remained was the low murmur of a disciplined army preparing for its next march.

    He snapped his fingers, catching what he assumed to be Kael¡¯s nod of approval from the distance. A moment later, he felt the familiar tug of levitation magic lifting him off the ground, granting him a full view of his army¡ªthousands of elves, all standing in formation, ready to follow him into the unknown.

    A nervous knot twisted in his gut as he looked over the sea of faces. This was the moment. A moment he had never dared to dream of, yet here it was, waiting for him to seize it. His voice, bolstered by a voice enhancement spell, boomed across the field.

    "Hello, my fellow elves! My brothers and sisters in arms!"

    The amplification startled him slightly, but he recovered quickly, forcing the unease away.

    ¡°It was not long ago that I adventured across our great nation. I¡¯ve seen the state of the country at large, from the tiniest of villages to our largest of cities, and it¡¯s grim. Our people are being poisoned, cast aside, and hurt in more ways than can be imagined. But today, we change that."

    He paused, letting the words settle among them, his eyes scanning their figures.

    "Today, we mark the beginning of a new era¡ªan era where the strong rule and might makes right."

    Another pause. Elron swallowed, his nerves still nagging, but he pushed through.

    "We march to the border from here. And when we arrive, you will have a choice. Those who wish to return to their homes, to their villages and their families, may do so with honor. But those who wish to change the fate of our kingdom¡ªthose who wish to bring the strength of elves back to its rightful place¡ªwill join me. We will march to the capital, and we will take what is ours."

    A wave of murmurs and nods spread through the ranks. Elron knew his army was already with him, but his next words needed to solidify their resolve. He needed them to believe that their cause was not just necessary but righteous.

    "Under the trees of our homeland, we will carve out a future built on strength and pride. No more will we bow to the weak and the corrupted. Our time has come."

    He looked out over them, feeling the weight of their anticipation, their loyalty, and the magnitude of the task ahead. They were ready¡ªhe could see it.

    Elron took a deep breath, his voice calm but forceful as he yelled, "For Aethoria! For our blood! For our future!"

    A thunderous cheer erupted from the soldiers, shaking the very ground beneath them. Elron lowered himself back to the earth, his heart still racing as he prepared to lead them toward their final destination¡ªthe capital, and the crown that awaited him. He knew the path ahead was fraught with challenge, but he was ready. They were all ready.

    As the echoes of the cheers faded, Elron¡¯s mind raced ahead, contemplating the next steps. He turned to Kael, who had been watching nearby with a smile.

    "Let¡¯s make sure everything is in order," Elron said quietly, his tone betraying a hint of exhaustion.

    Kael nodded with smug expression. "Your speech did the trick, my friend. The army is with you... all the way to Kaltar."

    Elron smirked. "Then let¡¯s not waste time. The queen won¡¯t wait for us."

    Together, they began their march, the distant trees of Kaltar looming in their future¡ªa city that would soon tremble beneath the power of the righteous elves.

 B1C58 - A New Queen

    In the throne room of Kaltar¡¯s citadel sat a gray-haired elf, a slim crown of gold upon her head. The grand chamber was filled with nobles, court attendants, and diplomats, all crowded shoulder to shoulder, whispering and conspiring amongst themselves.

    A Sylph knelt between the crowds and the steps leading up to the throne. "My queen, I come bearing news."

    The queen¡¯s head shook in anticipation. "Well, out with it, then."

    Still staring at the polished wooden floors, the Sylph spoke, "The first army is returning, reporting that they have ended the war."

    "Fantastic, a queen who delivers," a southern noble said, emerging from the crowd with a bow.

    The queen leaned forward, wide-eyed. "Why, of course, Lord Eserant..." Her gaze darted around the room, trying to assess how such news had reached her. She leaned in further, voice tight, "Any additional information?"

    "No, the reports from their command have been vague," the Sylph replied.

    Holly, a the shadow at the queen¡¯s side, leaned over and whispered in her ear. "My spy tells me Prince Elron leads the army home."

    The queen''s eyes went wide again. She glanced at the crowd, then back at Holly, before bending to whisper. "He¡¯s culled part of his army... and he¡¯s heading straight here."

    Grabbing Holly by the hair, the queen yanked her ear closer. "What about my son?"

    Chron cleared his throat from the other side, and leaned in as well. "I think the best course of action would be to lure them in, like a moth to a flame, my queen."

    The queen shoved their faces away with both hands and addressed the crowd. "Court will only remain open for a short time, given this sudden news. Please, let the last few supplicants step forward."

    A young human boy stepped forward, clutching a tattered straw hat. He gave a slight bow but struggled to find his voice.

    The queen, resting her head in her hand, averted her eyes from the dirty boy. "Use your words,¡± she insisted.

    The boy stammered, "My village is¡ªmy parents are gone." Tears welled up, splashing onto the floor before he broke down completely. "I have nowhere to go!"

    The queen looked at him, her expression cold, before turning to one of her advisors. "Likely a remnant from the beastman attacks."

    The boy shouted, "It wasn¡¯t beasts! It was elves!"

    The whispers and murmurs in the room erupted into full-blown gossip. Reckless rumors stirred around the room chamber like a wild fire.

    "Silence!" the queen shouted, slamming her hand on the armrest of her throne. She exhaled sharply and gestured to the guards. "See to the boy is cared for. Next."

    The boy was ushered away, and a female elf in transparent white robes stepped forward, moving with a grace that turned heads. She bowed slightly, her eyes closed. "My queen, first of her order. It pleases me to stand before you."

    The queen clenched her teeth, her lips pressed tight. "What brings a sister of the northern sect here?"

    The elf rested a hand on her swollen belly and smiled. "Thank you for having me. I come with a proposal."

    The queen waved her hand. "Go on."

    "We believe it would be prudent for our sect to have representation in your court and your council."

    The queen¡¯s teeth ground audibly as she spat, "Absolutely not. Your people are polygamists and sex addicts. You¡¯re lucky you''re not branded as cultists!"

    A Sylph from the crowd stepped forward. "With all due respect, my queen, my cousin is not a cultist. I could have sworn you promised to include¡ª"

    "I made no such promises, Lord Skyrend!" The queen gestured sharply to the door. "Thank you for your petition, but there¡¯s the exit. Who¡¯s next?"

    As the elf gracefully left the room, the court snickered, laughed, and stared through her robes. When they finally died down, everyone began to look around for the last petitioner.

    The queen sat up. "Well, it appears that will conclu¡ª"If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    A hunched elf stumbled onto the red carpet, nearly tripping as he emerged from the crowd. All eyes turned to him as he nervously cradled something covered in his hands.

    The queen sighed. "Come forth."

    The elf darted glances left and right, avoiding the stares. Eventually, he reached the bottom of the throne''s steps.

    Chron drew his sword. "Slowly, remove the cover."

    With regal poise, the queen raised a hand dismissively. "At ease. He¡¯s already been screened."

    Sweat dripped from the trembling elf¡¯s brow as he stammered, "Y-yes, sir, I mean, my highness," and cast off the small drape.

    The queen squinted. "What in the world is that?"

    The elf straightened slightly, his voice swelling with pride. "Why, it¡¯s my new invention that will revolutionize the kingdom, my queen!"

    The court erupted into laughter. The device, a few metal rings and tubes, looked as insignificant as a snake-oil cure for ailments. Undeterred, the elf hoisted the contraption above his head with great effort.

    "This is a butt cleaner!" he declared.

    The room, already snickering, burst into uncontrollable laughter. The elf panicked, shrinking under the weight of his invention.

    "Quiet!" the queen snapped, though a few giggles still echoed from the back.

    "Give me one reason why I shouldn¡¯t jail you for this foolery. Did you come here just to waste the court¡¯s time?"

    The elf shook his head desperately. "My queen, this device will eliminate the need for leaves. It uses water! It cleans better than even paper!"

    The queen rested her head in her palm, her patience worn thin. "Send him to the dungeon. Get him out of my sight."

    The elf¡¯s lip quivered as he was hauled away. "But my queen! I swear by it! My ass knows no chaf¡ª"

    The queen stood abruptly, cutting him off. "Court is over. You are all dismissed." Without another glance, she swept toward the exit.

    She flung her fox scarf to the floor in disgust as she stormed down the hall. "Ugh, I should have known better. There was a reason they were all at the end of the docket..."

    Chron quickly scooped up the discarded scarf, hurrying after her. "My queen, you''re going the wrong way. You have a meeting with¡ª"

    "Reschedule it, I don¡¯t care," she snapped, not breaking her stride as her heels clicked one in front of the other.

    "Will do," Holly chimed in, floating behind them, scribbling notes without missing a beat.

    After a long stretch of walking, they reached a circular section of the floor. The queen stomped her foot, frustration bubbling over as she snapped her fingers. "Hello?! Send us up."

    Holly, tearing her eyes from the calendar, hastily cast fly on them. With barely a whisper of wind, they floated upwards through a series of circular openings in the ceiling. After rising through many floors, they came to a stop near the top of the tree and stepped off onto one of the highest platforms.

    Holly pulled out her wand, her voice quieter now. "My queen... Are we going to see her?"

    The queen remained silent, her footsteps growing louder as they approached a door¡ªmassive and foreboding. Dark mist seeped from the seams, quickly evaporating but leaving an oppressive unease in the air.

    Chron gulped. "Is there a reason for coming here? It''s not like we can enter."

    "Hush!" The queen hissed, raising her hand toward the crystalline doorknob.

    With a single index finger, she pressed into the cold surface. In an instant, her flesh began to rot, and her finger decayed before her eyes, the skin falling away and leaving bone exposed to the air.

    The old queen stared in shock at her hand, frozen in place. Before she could scream, a green glow enveloped her injury.

    "My queen, please warn me next time before you try something so reckless!" Holly exclaimed, as she mended the queen''s rotted finger.

    The queen winced, struggling to hold her finger steady against Holly¡¯s magic. "I want to see that bitch, just once..."

    Holly exchanged a wary glance with Chron.

    "I¡¯m not touching that door," Chron stated, crossing his arms in defiance.

    Holly sighed. "I can¡¯t open it with magic, and I¡¯m certainly not touching it. This one¡¯s all yours."

    Chron grumbled under his breath before positioning himself in front of the door, pulling his fist back. He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, then exhaled, his hand hovering just outside the cursed miasma. With a powerful punch, he sent a shockwave that split the door in half, the wood groaning as it revealed the room beyond.

    The queen stepped forward, taking Chron¡¯s place as she peered into the dimly lit chamber. A bedridden woman lay motionless, her faint halo glowing above her head. She was covered to the chin, her frail body unmoved by the sudden intrusion. She didn¡¯t open her eyes or stir in the slightest.

    "I know you¡¯re still alive in there," the queen spat. "Otherwise, this cursed energy would be gone, you whore."

    Holly leaned over the queen¡¯s shoulder. "I think she¡¯s moving!"

    "It appears so!" Chron added, leaning in as well.

    Slowly, the bedridden woman uncurled her wrinkled hand, revealing a long, gnarled middle finger aimed directly at the queen.

    "I¡¯ll kill her!" the queen screamed, lunging forward, only to be held back by Chron and Holly.

    "Your Highness, please don¡¯t! You''ll die if you go in there!" Chron pleaded, straining to keep her from charging through the threshold.

    "The kingdom will be lost without you!" Holly echoed.

    After a few moments, the queen relented, stepping back and brushing off her gown as though dusting off her frustration. "If only we had that amulet... we could get in and end her once and for all."

    A wicked grin slowly spread across her face. "But that amulet is coming to us, isn¡¯t it?"

    Holly¡¯s smile mirrored hers. "Why yes, yes it is."

    The three turned and walked away, laughter echoing down the hallway, growing more manic with each step.

 B1C59 - Marked by Fire

    An army, several thousand strong, marched in an unbroken column down the dusty road, the rhythmic thump of drumbeats and the clattering of armor reverberating across the landscape. The column did not slow as it approached the village ahead; it marched straight through the singular gates, a serpent winding its way into the heart of the settlement.

    Two guards stood by the gate, their gazes flickering nervously over the troops. They wanted to offer a welcoming smile, perhaps a salute, but the atmosphere made it clear such gestures would go unnoticed. These were not retiring warriors returning home with pride; these were soldiers whose work was not yet done, their faces showing that of unfinished purpose.

    The army coiled into the village center, forming tightly packed rows. Elron, riding at its front, dismounted his elk with deliberate grace and strode toward an elderly elf leaning on a cane, his beard long and white.

    ¡°Are you the head of this quaint village?¡± Elron asked, bowing slightly, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority.

    The elder squinted, barely able to keep his eyes open, his voice a dry rasp. ¡°Aye. Who might you be?¡±

    Leaning in close, Elron whispered in his ear, ¡°I am Prince Elron, leader of this army.¡± He glanced around the village, lowering his voice further. ¡°Tell me, who all lives here?¡±

    A crowd began to gather, families trickling out of their homes, clutching their children close, unsure of what was about to unfold.

    The elder chuckled, though his jovialness did little to hide his unease. ¡°Are you seeking someone in particular? This is a simple place. No one of note lives here, and certainly no one worthy of the elven army¡¯s attention.¡±

    Elron straightened, his expression hardening. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m looking for any strong humans, ascendants, or even celestials.¡±

    The elder stroked his beard, deep in thought. ¡°There are no strong ones here. A few High Elves, maybe, but nothing else.¡±

    ¡°Kael, the document,¡± Elron ordered with a flick of his hand.

    Kael approached, rummaging through his satchel before pulling out a scroll. ¡°Here, this should be the right one.¡±

    Elron snatched the scroll, unrolling it with practiced ease. He began to read, but his eyes narrowed in confusion as the words rolled out of his mouth. ¡°By decree and sovereign law of Aethoria, all women must wear short, pink mini skirts...¡±

    He paused, his gaze lifting to the elder¡¯s now wide, toothless grin.

    ¡°What the fuck is this?¡± Elron spat, hurling the scroll into Kael¡¯s face.

    Kael flushed, fumbling with the scroll. ¡°Ah, wrong one. I was saving that for a, uh, different proposal¡ª¡±

    Elron¡¯s eyes blazed with fury. The air around him seemed to thicken with tension. ¡°The right document, now.¡±

    Kael scrambled, nearly tripping over himself as he retrieved another scroll. ¡°Here, here¡ªthis one!¡±

    Elron let out a sharp breath, smoothing the scroll before reading aloud. ¡°...all those of non-elvish heritage under your domain shall forfeit their assets, titles, and selves immediately.¡±

    At that, a horn blasted through the air, and the army of elves moved like a wave, crashing through the village. Elves entered every home, corralling families into the streets. Those not of elven blood were immediately placed in chains. Cries of resistance rang out, but they were swiftly silenced by squads of soldiers who pulled no punches.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    The elder poked his cane into the center of Elron¡¯s chest plate, the small ding of metal ringing out as he snarled, ¡°The king would never allow this! We were meant to all live in harmony.¡±

    Elron¡¯s cold gaze shifted to a human being dragged into the street in chains. ¡°Harmony?!¡± he sneered, pointing at the man. ¡°It¡¯s because of them that our country is in disarray. You¡¯re too blind to see it.¡±

    Screams echoed from the village¡¯s outskirts as elves descended upon the more extravagant homes¡ªwooden structures built by non-elves from the forest¡¯s bounty. Slyra emerged, dragging a human woman by her hair, the woman clawing at her scalp to avoid losing clumps of it.

    ¡°Do you want us to separate the children too?¡± Slyra asked as she covered a yawn.

    ¡°Please!¡± the elder cried, his voice cracking. ¡°Leave my villagers alone!¡±

    Elron sighed, though it carried little compassion. ¡°I¡¯ll make you a deal. We¡¯ll leave the women and children¡ªbut only if they are kept as slaves.¡±

    The elder¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°Slaves?! We¡¯ve returned to the days of old...¡± He looked around helplessly.

    His shoulders sagged. ¡°I have no choice but to agree...¡±

    Inside one of the larger trees of the village, a makeshift command center had been set up. A handful of High Elves stood around a long horizontal table, their expressions grim. Outside, lines of women were being held by soldiers, forced to wait their turn.

    Elron stood behind the gathered High Elves, arms crossed. ¡°So, how will this work, Kael? I¡¯m trusting you¡¯ve thought this through.¡±

    Kael smirked, a cocky gleam in his eye. ¡°Pff, I¡¯m a Bindmancer now. This is child¡¯s play.¡± He reached for a glowing iron rod from the fire place and held it up. ¡°I¡¯ve imbued a rod with each individual¡¯s mana signature. As long as the subject''s willpower is low enough, the seal will take hold.¡±

    Elron leaned in to examine the glowing end of the rod, its symbol pulsing with arcane energy. ¡°Hm, even the emblem is different.¡±

    "Well, yeah, how else would the magically ill-inclined know who¡¯s owned by who?" Kael smirked.

    Elron gave a low hum of approval, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. "Well done, my friend. Now, get this started so we can move out."

    One of the high elves, standing nearby, hesitated before stepping forward. "My prince," she stammered, her voice betraying her unease.

    Elron¡¯s expression softened as he turned toward her, noticing the worry etched into her face. "What¡¯s the matter?" he asked, his voice measured.

    She glanced briefly at the weeping woman seated in front of her, then back to Elron. "We elves... we are a peaceful people. We do not wish to take slaves. Please, reconsider this," she implored, her voice trembling.

    Elron held her gaze, his features hardening. "I understand your reluctance, but our race can no longer afford to be peaceful. If we allow them to go unchecked, they will exploit us until there''s nothing left." His voice dropped, colder now. "Our prosperity requires strength."

    With a firm hand, he pulled a glowing, scalding-hot branding iron from the fire and extended it toward her. "I swear, as your prince and your future king, this is the right path forward." The branding iron hovered between them, a symbol of his command and her compliance.

    Her hand trembled as she accepted the iron, its heat radiating through the air. She looked down at the woman''s bare wrist, and a deep, shuddering breath escaped her lips. Her eyes flicked back to Elron one last time, searching for any hint of mercy. But his firm nod was all the reassurance she would receive.

    She raised the branding iron high, hesitating for only a moment before slamming it down onto the woman¡¯s flesh. A shriek tore through the room, the human woman jolting violently as guards held her in place. The acrid smell of burnt flesh filled the air, and as the iron lifted, a glowing band of archaic symbols formed around the woman¡¯s wrist, with a unique emblem marking her as chattel.

    The branded woman clutched her arm, tears streaming down her face as she was quickly ushered out of the room. Another human woman stepped forward, her eyes wide with terror, visibly sweating as the next iron was heating up for her turn.

    The room soon echoed with the wails of the enslaved, each cry of agony punctuated by the hiss of the branding irons striking flesh. The air grew thick with the overwhelming stench of charred skin, and Elron¡¯s vision blurred. His head spun, the weight of the act pressing in on him. He couldn¡¯t bear to stay any longer.

    With a sharp turn, he strode out of the room, his jaw clenched. As he passed his soldiers, he shouted, "Rest while you can! We have a hard march ahead of us!"

 B1C60 - The Weight of Submission

    The army moved at a steady jog, the ground rumbling beneath their feet as rhythmic breaths synced with the ever clanging armor. Elron, watching a couple of soldiers collapse face-first into the dirt. He then barked, "Halt! Everyone, stop! Rest at once!"

    A horn blared in response, signaling the army to stop. Elron dismounted alongside Maris, grumbling, "We''ve pushed harder than this before. What''s their issue?"

    Maris, panting slightly as she tried to match her leader¡¯s pace, replied, "My lord, you forget, the vast majority of your army are just normal elves.¡±

    Elron cast his gaze over his troops, nearly the entire column dropping to the ground in unison, gulping down water from their canteens. The sudden shift in the wind brought the smell of sweat and musk crashing into his face holes. "Ugh, fine," he muttered.

    His eyes traveled up the road to the next village. "We could have been there already if we had pushed ten more minutes."

    Maris scanned the exhausted soldiers and offered, "You could dismount the riders and take the High Elves ahead. They would be enough¡ª"

    Elron grabbed her shoulders, shaking her lightly. "Maris, you¡¯re a genius! Muster them immediately!" He spun on his heel, already heading toward the village.

    Hundreds of soldiers gathered behind him, their posture rigid and eyes sharp, trailing Elron as he led them toward the village gates. Upon arriving, they found no guards, no greetings, just a crowd gathered in the center, focused on a commotion. So engrossed were the villagers in their squabbles that they didn''t even notice the soldiers slipping through the gates, encircling them like wolves.

    Elron gestured left and right, and his troops grinned as they began to wrap around. Before anyone could grasp what was happening, Elron mana-stepped into the heart of the gathering.

    "What¡¯s going on here?" he asked, his voice carrying across the square.

    Two men, previously locked in a shouting match, paused only for a heartbeat to glance at him before resuming their bickering.

    A flicker of anger flashed across Elron¡¯s mind. His hand went to his blade, drawing it with a sharp ring of steel. "Excuse me!"

    The men froze, lowering their hammers. One, a human, turned to Elron with wild eyes. "Is it true?! Are we all forfeiting our lives?"

    Elron¡¯s gaze narrowed. "Word travels fast." He scanned the crowd, his voice turning cold. "Stop this foolish fighting and bring me your village elder. I need to speak with him."

    The High Elf infront of him bowed slightly, his face still drawn. "My lord, the elder went missing soon after the new law reached our village."

    Elron''s brow furrowed. "Hm, suspicious." His eyes darted around, searching for any signs of deceit. "Then by general rule, the next eldest elf assumes the role. Until that person is determined, I will be your elder."Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    A murmur rippled through the crowd, their faces shifting between confusion and fear. Whispers spread like wildfire as they speculated about their pending fates.

    Suddenly, the human leapt past the High Elf, charging at Elron with his hammer raised high. "I won¡¯t die like a dog!" he screamed, bringing the hammer down with all his might.

    But the prince was gone in an instant, sidestepping the blow with ease. The man stumbled forward, crashing face-first into the ground. Elron then delivered a sharp kick to the man¡¯s ribs, sending him sprawling, a boot print embedded in his apron.

    Elron rested his sword on his shoulder, eyeing the man as he gasped for air. "Oh, so you are an ascendant, I see. Most men would be done after that."

    The man, eyes blazing with fury, jumped to his feet, swinging the hammer wildly. He aimed to knock Elron¡¯s head clean from his shoulders in one furious motion.

    However, In a fluid-like blur, Elron ducked under the blow and drove his blade into the man¡¯s gut. As the man bent over, Elron leaned in, whispering, "You were strong, but strength means nothing without skill." With a swift motion, he dragged his sword across the man¡¯s stomach.

    The body hit the ground with a wet thud, organs spilling out like twisted ropes, painting the dirt in red. A stunned silence followed, but it was brief. The villagers erupted, throwing those who resisted into the center of the ring, forcing them to kneel before the prince.

    As Elron stood amid the chaos, the screams of the wounded and the sobs of the helpless filled the air. The world seemed to tilt as he spun on his heels, searching for threats that did not appear. His mind buzzed, trying to comprehend how everything had fallen into place as it did.

    Maris touched his back, her voice soft. "The people are waiting for your next command, my lord."

    Elron blinked, shook his head, and wiped the sweat from his brow. He scanned the kneeling humans, their eyes wide with fear. "Too easy..." he muttered.

    A voice rose from the crowd. "My prince, we have complied!"

    Elron began pacing around the kneeling humans, his fingers brushing their shoulders and arms as though weighing their worth through touch alone. "I¡¯m not satisfied," he mused, his voice carrying an unsettling calm.

    He continued his path, locking eyes with each person until one man caught his attention¡ªa richly dressed merchant, his face turning away, refusing to meet Elron''s gaze.

    "You," Elron growled, grabbing the man by the arm and yanking him to his feet. After a quick pat-down, Elron pulled a heavy coin pouch from the man¡¯s belt, shaking it in the air. "And what is this?"

    The merchant¡¯s voice cracked, "Give that back!"

    Elron backhanded him with his gauntlet, the crack echoing through the square. The man fell to his knees, blood trickling from his lip. Elron held the pouch overhead, letting its contents spill to the ground¡ªgold coins raining down like worthless treasures.

    "See this?" Elron barked to the crowd. "This is what humans care about¡ªnot you. They live short, meaningless lives chasing after shiny metal. And for what? Nothing that we elves value. They destroy our forests, pillage our resources, all in the name of greed."

    Without warning, Elron¡¯s thumbs pressed into the merchant¡¯s eyes, the man shrieking in agony. The prince leaned in, his breath hot against the merchant¡¯s face, "Let this be a lesson." He twisted his thumbs harder, the sickening sound of a pop giving way as blood streamed from the man¡¯s ruined sockets.

    The merchant collapsed, hands trembling as they reached for his face, now a mass of mangled flesh. The knelling humans were horrified into silence, their breath stolen by fear.

    Elron stood tall, wiping the blood from his hands. "Let this be a lesson to those who value greed over their own kind." He turned and walked through the crowd, his voice cold and final. "From this day forth, may your village prosper.¡±

 B1C61 - Veils

    ¡°You look so, um, young for an elder,¡± said Elron, his gaze lingering a little too long on the red-haired elf seated before him.

    Viona blushed, a playful snicker escaping her lips. ¡°You flatter me, but I¡¯m four hundred and two this year, my lord.¡±

    Elron carefully aligned the stack of papers in front of him, every edge perfectly straight. ¡°Ha, well, I suppose the years don¡¯t truly show until after five hundred. And there''s no need to call me ''lord,'' Viona. We can speak as equals here,¡± he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of respect as he felt the potent magic she wielded. It was almost tangible in the air around her.

    She crossed her legs slowly, her eyes locking on his. ¡°Well, thank you.¡± Viona tapped her cheek thoughtfully before continuing. ¡°verything you have presented is sound, and whoever wrote it up is well versed. However¡­¡±

    ¡°However, what?¡± Elron¡¯s tone sharpened, his curiosity piqued.

    ¡°There are some underlying issues. Take the two who fought in the village center yesterday. Once the human knew he was going to lose his shop and everything he held dear to the other blacksmith, he lashed out, attacking you. Now, imagine that scenario playing out across the kingdom¡ªmillions facing the same fate, in a land that takes half a year to traverse by elkback.¡±

    Elron¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°There are some clear issues with implementing some of the changes, most definitely.¡±

    Viona smiled at him, though there was something almost condescending in her gaze. ¡°That¡¯s putting it mildly.¡± She ran a finger absently in a circle on the table. ¡°There is so much you just don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°I understand¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do you know how your father became the first king of the elves?¡± she interrupted, leaning forward, her chin resting in her palm.

    Elron blinked, momentarily thrown back by the simple question. ¡°Well, he won the war against the humans to the north, and the people crowned him king.¡±

    Viona chuckled softly, shaking her head. ¡°No, no. The king was not crowned by the people. These lands, where elves lived wild and free, had no king, no kingdom, for tens of thousands of years.¡± She flipped her hair out of her face, her voice lowering. ¡°The idea of a king¡ªthat¡¯s such a human concept.¡±

    Elron¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°So, how did he become king, then?¡±

    She smirked, reclining in her chair. ¡°That is a secret passed down from elder to elder, something I cannot share.¡±

    His face twisted in frustration. ¡°You claim to support me, yet withhold such knowledge?¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Viona burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the chamber. ¡°That¡¯s tradition for you. Besides, knowing wouldn¡¯t change a thing. You could do everything perfectly, rise to power, and still wind up dead the next day.¡±

    Elron slammed his hands down on the table. ¡°You¡¯re toying with me. Just help me and my army teleport to the capital already!¡±

    Raising an eyebrow, Viona said calmly, ¡°Oh, I will. But not before you sit through my lectures.¡± Her voice was both playful and commanding.

    Reluctantly, Elron settled back into his seat, waiting for her to continue.

    She studied him, her expression darkening. ¡°You will need support from the major elven houses. If you walk into the capital and kill the queen without a backing, you will end up like her¡ªjust a brief note in the long annals of elven history.¡±

    Elron opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him with a flick to his forehead. ¡°Hush.¡±

    Her voice turned grave, her eyes narrowing. ¡°I can sense the dark mana within you, prince. It nearly consumes you. If you do manage to seize the throne, you must be careful. Put the right people in power. I believe you can change this kingdom, but I fear you won¡¯t be able to sustain it. Do you understand?¡±

    Elron rubbed his forehead, his confusion evident. ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t make sense. Why help me if you doubt my ability to maintain the kingdom?¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± she said softly, her tone sincere, ¡°I know you care for the people. Truly.¡± She reached beneath the table, revealing a crystal ball, glowing faintly.

    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a witch, not a mage?¡±

    She snorted. ¡°I¡¯m a spiritualist, thank you very much. I see things others cannot.¡±

    Viona held her hands out to him, palms facing up, inviting him to touch the glowing sphere. Elron hesitated before placing his hands on the crystal ball. In an instant, Viona slapped her hands over his, pressing them firmly onto the surface.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening¡± Elron cried, as his eyes rolled back, leaving only the whites visible.

    Viona¡¯s voice echoed in the silence, her eyes also white. ¡°Can you see it, my prince?¡±

    A vision unfurled within the crystal and their minds¡ªa vision of Elron, standing before a braided, vine-like archway, chanting and gesturing wildly.

    Elron¡¯s jaw dropped as he recognized himself in the vision. ¡°Is that... me? Opening the Elven Road? But how?¡±

    A voice whispered in his mind: You have learned Song of the Webway.

    Elron watched his future self leap through the portal, leading an army into battle. ¡°Whose forces are those? Where is this? When¡ª?¡± he rattled.

    The vision popped like a bubble, the image collapsing into darkness. His eyes snapped back into focus, and he gasped, gripping the table.

    ¡°What was that?! The future? And what in the hell is the Webway?¡± he demanded, still reeling.

    Viona giggled. ¡°I may have... exaggerated my abilities. I can¡¯t open the Elven Road. But I knew you could learn how.¡±

    Elron now grinned ear to ear, his heart racing with newfound determination. ¡°Thank you!¡± He extended his hand, which Viona shook lightly.

    With a nod, he turned to leave. ¡°Take care, Viona.¡±

    Viona stood abruptly. ¡°You don¡¯t even know where the nearest gate is.¡±

    Elron froze mid-step, his face falling. ¡°Right...¡±

    Shaking her head, Viona smiled warmly. ¡°There¡¯s a grove just north of here. Head there.¡±

    Elron saluted her with a grin, then marched out of the room.

    As Viona watched him disappear through the doorway, she whispered to herself, ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can handle your futures to come, Prince Elron.¡±

 B1C62 - Thy Mother

    An army lined up before a grand archway in a grove of sparse trees, their armor gleaming under the dappled sunlight. The elves at the front stood tall, their confidence exuding from their rigid postures. As colorful leaves lazily drifted down from the trees above, one elf at the front clapped his hands together, invoking a long string of ancient words in a language lost to time. Each syllable felt like it carried weight, a forgotten power that made even the wind grow still in reverence.

    Behind him,a group of mages formed a wedge, hands resting on one another¡¯s backs as they channeled their mana in unison. The air thickened with raw magic, humming with invisible energies that swirled around them. As the archway began to hum in response, a portal started to take shape, the very fabric of reality warping and twisting as if resisting the ancient call. The sound of warped energy filled the grove, like a piece of thin metal being rapidly bent to its limits.

    Slowly, a vortex of swirling light and shadow burst into existence within the archway, a chaotic blend of colors and distorted shapes beyond. The mages faltered behind their leader, collapsing onto the ground, drained from their efforts. But at the front, Elron stood tall, barely showing any sign of fatigue. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, the blade catching the unnatural light of the portal as he raised it high above his head.

    The final syllable rolled off his tongue as he turned to face his soldiers, their eyes now locked onto him, with unwavering focus. ¡°Today, we make history! Follow me!¡± His voice echoed through the clearing, filled with the promise of glory and conquest.

    Without hesitation, Elron stepped through the archway, the swirling portal engulfing him. On the other side, he found himself in the familiar subterranean chamber beneath the elven capital. The vast, empty space stretched out before him, unchanged since the last time he had stood here. No one guarded the gate, no alarms sounded, no resistance awaited. It was eerily silent, as though the capital had forgotten this place existed.

    As his army poured through the portal behind him, Elron¡¯s gaze swept across the vast chamber, taking in every detail. His soldiers quickly fell back into formation, their discipline unshaken by the odd stillness of the space.

    Without a word, Elron moved toward the spiral staircase leading to the upper levels of the grand tree. More and more troops emerged from the portal, the sound of their boots and armor echoing in the otherwise silent chamber. Elron tore himself from them and ascended the steps slowly, savoring each moment as he drew closer to what he knew would be a pivotal confrontation. This was the moment he had been preparing for. Much of what he had fought for led to this.

    He reached one of the highest floors in the tree, stepping onto a small platform that had always held a strange allure for him. It was here, as a child, he had stood many times, staring at a door he had never dared enter. Now, as he approached, he saw the door that had once been filled with ominous cracks and dark energy was gone. The entrance stood open, revealing his mother, lying in bed.

    Elron¡¯s heart tightened as he crossed the threshold. The oppressive miasma that had once surrounded the room still lingered in the air, its dark tendrils coiling around him as if testing his resolve. His hand instinctively reached for the amulet under his armor, its dark radiance shining up at him as if reacting to the power of the room.

    ¡°So, this is why they wanted it so badly,¡± Elron muttered, pulling the amulet free by its chain. Slowly, with measured steps, he entered the room.

    Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the very air inside the chamber pressed down on him, sapping his strength. His skin flushed a deep red, as though burned by the oppressive energy that surrounded him. Yet none of it mattered. His mother laid before him, her frail body nearly swallowed by the thick layers of dust and cobwebs that covered the room.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Elron sheathed his sword, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he approached her bedside. ¡°You look... so at peace.¡±

    Her eyes creaked open, her dry, cracked lips barely moving as she whispered, ¡°I am not gone yet, my child.¡±

    Tears welled in Elron¡¯s eyes as he knelt beside her, reaching for her fragile hand. ¡°I¡¯m so glad... so glad to finally meet you.¡±

    A weak smile formed on her lips as she coughed softly. ¡°I remember it like it was yesterday... the day you were born.¡±

    Elron¡¯s voice trembled as he asked, ¡°Who did this to you? Who cursed you? I¡¯ll find them. I¡¯ll kill them and free you.¡±

    Her bony hand reached out, brushing lightly against his. ¡°Do not worry... about that now.¡±

    ¡°How can I not?¡± Elron whispered, gripping her hand gently. ¡°I¡¯ve come all this way to save you, to save this kingdom.¡±

    ¡°There is no time,¡± she rasped, her voice barely audible. ¡°Promise me something, my son...¡±

    ¡°Anything,¡± Elron said, his voice thick with emotion as he picked a stray cobweb from her gray, brittle hair.

    ¡°Spare your sister... even if you think she¡¯s undeserving,¡± she wheezed, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts.

    Elron¡¯s grip tightened on her hand. ¡°She¡¯s no better than Adan... How can I?¡±

    ¡°You will need her... in the time to come,¡± his mother whispered. ¡°If she meets the same fate as your brother... you will be doomed.¡±

    Elron¡¯s jaw clenched as he looked away, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. ¡°How did you know... about Adan?¡±

    ¡°I am an angel,¡± she whispered, coughing violently. ¡°I... I know.¡±

    Elron gently stroked her hand, his heart aching with every word. ¡°Easy now. Don¡¯t overdo it. I need you. You can still be saved.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she murmured, her voice growing weaker. ¡°There is no saving me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll find a cure,¡± Elron insisted, his voice filled with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll have you out of here soon. Then you can help me rule. We¡¯ll make the kingdom a better place together.¡±

    Her trembling hand slowly rose, her fingers brushing against his cheek. ¡°Finish me.¡±

    Elron¡¯s heart shattered. ¡°No... I can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t live long enough to see the future,¡± she said softly. ¡°Use my strength... meet your destiny.¡±

    Tears streamed down Elron¡¯s face as he slammed his fist into the bed¡¯s frame. ¡°It¡¯s not fair!¡± His foot lashed out, kicking the base of the bed with enough force to re-angle the bed.

    ¡°It¡¯s you... or the God Null,¡± his mother whispered, her lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°I choose you... every time.¡±

    The distant sound of clashing steel and shouting echoed down the hallway and into their room.

    Elron stood, his body shaking with emotion. His hand reached for his sword, the weight of the blade feeling heavier than ever. ¡°Is there no other way?¡± he asked, his voice trembling as tears fell onto the dusty floor.

    His mother smiled once more, her eyes closing as her hands rested gently over her heart.

    ¡°I love you,¡± Elron whispered, lifting his sword above her.

    With a heart full of sorrow and pain, Elron plunged the blade into her chest. She made no sound, her expression more peaceful than ever, as Elron collapsed over the hilt, his body wracked with uncontrollable sobs.

    Elron continued to lean over his mother¡¯s still form. He sobbed and sobbed, until a mass of energy struck him, and he collapsed ontop of her.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    You have leveled up.

    ¡­

 B1C63 - Slyphan Accession

    Racial change to a Half-Sylph.

    Ascension has commenced.

    Elron pushed himself off the ground, clutching his head. As he stumbled to his feet, he rubbed his eyes and murmured, ¡°Where¡¯s mother?¡± But a frown quickly followed as he realized he was far from his world. His spirit now walked a different plane.

    His body felt lighter, almost weightless. ¡°These ascension trials are strange,¡± he muttered.

    He looked around and found himself high in a mountain range. There was no green in sight, nothing within reach but rock and dirt. This place was unlike anywhere in the kingdom. If he looked hard enough, he could see a distant cherry blossom tree stubbornly clinging to life in the high altitude.

    After taking in the landscape, he felt the familiar sensation he always experienced upon entering these worlds¡ªthe urge to push forward.

    Before him stretched a winding gravel path carved into the rock. He took a deep breath, pulling in as much of the thin atmosphere as he could, and moved forward. It didn¡¯t take long to spot the first trial awaiting him. Ascension trials typically demanded physical, mental, and spiritual effort, but this time, it was clear the physical challenge would come first.

    Ahead lay a large boulder next to a familiar sword. As he approached, he extended his hand, and the sword flew into his grip. ¡°Balmer,¡± he said with a flat tone.

    ¡°Elron, my bearer,¡± said Balmer.

    He attached the sword to his belt and said, ¡°So, what¡¯s the challenge this time, you think?¡±

    Balmer raked his voice and said, ¡°That is for you to figure out.¡±

    ¡°I could have sworn you are suppose to help me¡­ that was the deal,¡± Elron said looking down at the sword in disdain.

    ¡°I have helped¡ªmore than you know. This is your trial, not mine,¡± Balmer hissed.

    Elron huffed. ¡°Well, it¡¯s got something to do with this thing,¡± he said, kicking the nearly perfectly round boulder.

    He hopped on one foot in pain, cursing, ¡°Damn, this rock is solid.¡±

    Looking around, he noticed the gravel path continued beyond the boulder, winding up to a plateau.

    Leaning against the massive stone, he groaned, ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡±

    He then asked, ¡°Can I fail this?¡±

    ¡°Fail? No. Fall short? Yes,¡± Balmer replied.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Elron asked.

    ¡°At this rate, you¡¯ll end up a tier-three being with a farmer¡¯s class,¡± Balmer sneered.

    Elron put both hands on the boulder, and with all his might, he slowly began to roll it forward. ¡°Well, I refuse to be a king of farming,¡± he muttered.

    As he pushed the stone initially he feared for the worse, his body ached just to roll it a few inches forward, yet he didn¡¯t give up. He strained his muscles, using every ounce of strength in his leggs, his back, and his arms to move it. Fortunately, as oddly spherical as the object was, it was incredibly rough and textured, preventing his sweaty hands from slipping.

    With every foot placed infront of the other, things became easier, even with the incline becoming sharper and sharper. However, he eventually pulled his head up from looking at the ground and saw a stone statue along the way.

    He stopped and asked, ¡°Who is that? I feel like I have seen him from somewhere before¡­¡±

    Balmer chuckled darkly. ¡°That¡¯s the first man you ever killed.¡±

    A flash of memory hit Elron. The statue was a near-perfect replica of the man he had run through with his sword. The craftsmanship was so lifelike, it seemed as if the statue was watching him.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I have no regrets about killing him,¡± Elron muttered, looking back at the ground.

    Balmer hummed in acknowledgment, and Elron returned to pushing the boulder. Since he stopped the ball was no longer in motion and it became many times more difficult to put it back into motion, yet after persevering, it began to move again. Step after step, he put one foot forward, sinking his feet deep into the gravel before heaving the bulder forward, whilst moving his hands downward.

    Eventually, the incline became so steep he was forced to switch tactics. He began to use his shoulder and chest, in conjunction with his arms to push the boulder up hill. His whole body ached, but stopping now would mean starting over. He looked down and to the right, and whistled. ¡°That¡¯s a long a way down¡­¡±

    In his moment of looking over, he couldn¡¯t help but slow down to look at another statue along the path.

    Clicking his tongue, he muttered, ¡°Damn, who was he again?¡±

    ¡°It all blurs together, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Balmer teased.

    ¡°Who is he?!¡± Elron snapped.

    Balmer laughed. ¡°That¡¯s Flop-wop, the chieftain you burned alive beneath his shield.¡±

    As Elron gritted his teeth, he relealized that he had slowled down too much and could no longer push the boulder forward. His body and muscles strained, his veins bulded to the point where he could feel them throbbing in his face, yet it just as he was giving it his all, it wasn¡¯t enough. The boulder pushed him backwards, crushing him as it rolled back down the path from wince it came. Almost as if magically aligned on a track, it rolled all the way back down the hill and stopped in it¡¯s original position.

    That¡¯s when Elron found himself chest flat on the ground from wince he started.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± he shouted, kicking up stones as he stood.

    ¡°Sucks to suck,¡± Balmer said mockingly.

    In a fit of rage, Elron tore the sword from his belt and flung it over the side of the mountain. His breathing steadied for a moment, but it didn¡¯t last¡ªthe sword reappeared at his waist with a pop.

    ¡°You¡¯re stuck with me, remember?¡± Balmer reminded him.

    Elron, still in a foul mood, ignored the sword and went back to placing his hands onto the rock. Like before, he used his entire body to roll the stone along, making sure to place his hands in the center or toward the bottom with ever push. With more drive this time, he quickly reached the previous point on the slope where he had to switch to using his chest and shoulders to move the boulder along. Albeit, this time, he made sure to look at the ground and focus on his foot work. Step by step, piece by piece, he found himself at the top of the plateau.

    Once he acknowledged the ground was flat, he steadied the stone and collapsed, drenched in sweat.

    ¡°Bah, that was nothing,¡± he said, wiping his brow.

    ¡°Had me fooled,¡± Balmer replied dryly.

    Before Elron could retort, a cracking sound filled the air. His gaze snapped to the boulder, which began splitting apart like an egg. He scrambled to his feet, sword drawn, ready for whatever was inside.

    As the boulder split open, both halves toppled over, revealing two figures. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Before him stood his brother, Adan, strangling none other than Elron¡¯s younger self.

    Without hesitation, Elron charged. Adan didn¡¯t react until the last second, just before Elron¡¯s blade severed his head. The head tumbled down the mountainside, and Adan¡¯s body collapsed, blood spurting from the stump.

    ¡°Get up, me,¡± Elron said, extending a hand to his younger self.

    He stared at the younger version of himself, unsettled. He wasn¡¯t even a high elf yet. The clone didn¡¯t speak, only smiled and shook Elron¡¯s hand with both of his.

    But Elron¡¯s smile faded as he realized this wasn¡¯t a plateau¡ªit was a volcano. When he started the trial, the world gave him little to no internal prompt. It didn¡¯t force him to do anything but allude to him his next task. This was different though, the prompt was now screaming at him, and it was readily apparent at what he was supposed to do next.

    He looked down at the bubbling lava from within and then peered over down the cliff side of the mountain and saw a town. The lava quickly rose and started to pop and sizzle violently. He needed to make a decision, someone needed to go into the volcano to stop it, otherwise it would destroy the town below.

    Elron sat down and tried to breath. He told himself over and over that nothing was real in the plane of existence, yet as he told himself that it became hard and hard to believe. Here, he felt pain, he felt clarity like that not his actual world. It scare him. He needed to make a decision. Standing, he looked into the volcano, then back at the town.

    Biting his lip, he turned to his former self and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Grabbing him by the waist, Elron tossed him into the volcano.

    As his former self flew into the depths of the volcano, he did not scream, yet the shock and terror on his face was unmistakable. As he plummeted to his death, he raised his hand out as if someone was going to reach out and grab him before he fell, yet that never happened. He hit the lava below, like water striking a hot pan, bouncing several times before exploding into a mess of fiery bits and gore.

    With ragged breaths Elron watched, and after several moments the lava began to lower inside of the volcano.

    ¡°You did that all on your own, that time,¡± said Balmer.

    Elron dropped to his knees, exhausted, and muttered, ¡°Fuck you.¡±

    New Class Unlocked: Doomblade.

 B1C64 - Siege of Kaltar

    Elron slowly awoke, pushing himself up from the top of the bed. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, his heart clenched at the sight before him¡ªhis mother was dematerializing before his very eyes. Her body, flake by flake, dissolved into faint, golden particles that drifted through the air. The sword that still impaled her chest filled him with unease, and without thinking, he yanked it free. To his shock, there was no blood on the blade.

    He focused on her, watching as more and more of her essence faded into a fine dust. But he couldn¡¯t stay frozen forever¡ªvoices came from behind him.

    ¡°You there! State your purpose!¡±

    Elron turned sharply, recognizing the approaching soldiers. These troops were not his own. Instincts took over as he flung himself at them with feral intent. The first elf, panicked, swished his short sword around wildly, but missed. Elron closed the gap and snapped the elf¡¯s neck with a swift, brutal motion. The second guard charged, thrusting his blade forward in a desperate attempt to impale Elron. But Elron, with a cold grin, used the corpse of the first guard as a shield, catching the sword in the dead man¡¯s body before hurling them both aside.

    His eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure. Before the second elf could flee, Elron seized him by the throat, lifting him into the air with one hand. The soldier kicked and clawed in a futile attempt to escape the prince¡¯s iron grip. Elron only squeezed tighter, grinning as the elf¡¯s windpipe collapsed with a sickening crack. He dropped the lifeless body to the ground like sack of wet meat.

    Breathing heavily, Elron glanced down at his hands, marveling at his newfound strength. It wasn¡¯t just his grip strength that had changed¡ªhis entire physique had grown. His chest had broadened, his muscles bulged beneath his skin, and the armor that once fit snugly now hung awkwardly on his massive frame. With a few well-placed tugs, he tore the ill-fitting gear from his body, letting it clatter to the floor.

    ¡°This is... strange,¡± he murmured, running his hands over his chest and arms, feeling the power coursing through him. He wasn¡¯t just stronger¡ªhe felt lighter, faster, and deadlier than ever.

    But there was no time to reveal in it. Shouts echoed from the stairwell, reminding him of where he needed to go next. Grabbing his sword, Elron bolted down the nearest set of stairs. As he descended, he encountered both friend and foe, slipping past his own soldiers and ruthlessly dispatching those who stood in his way.

    Reaching one of the lower floors, he found over a hundred of his high elves gathered, struggling to force open a pair of massive double doors.

    ¡°What¡¯s our status?!¡± Elron barked.

    Maris, pushing through the crowd, replied, ¡°They didn¡¯t see us coming! We¡¯ve secured the citadel, but we can¡¯t seem to get into the throne room.¡±

    Elron sheathed his sword and strode toward the front. ¡°Let¡¯s change that.¡±

    His soldiers heaved in unison, straining with every push, but the doors barely budged, held by some unseen force. As Elron took his place at the center, he placed a hand on each door, feeling the resistance on the other side. His men followed his lead.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Give it everything you have!¡± Elron shouted.

    With a tremendous shove, the doors gave way slightly, revealing a crack wide enough to see through. Elron glimpsed soldiers on the other side, bracing the doors with their bodies, desperate to keep them closed.

    ¡°Heave! Ho!¡± Elron commanded, and his soldiers pushed again, widening the gap. Seizing the opportunity, they jammed beams into the opening, prying the doors further apart. Then, to his surprise, a pair of large glowing blue hands appeared above him¡ªmage hands, aiding in the effort.

    With the doors pried open, Elron drew his sword and began slashing through the shields of the enemy soldiers on the other side. Imbuing his blade with wind and electricity, his strikes became blindingly fast, arcs of lightning crackling with each blow. Skulls, helmets, and shields were split asunder as he unleashed his pent up energy. It wasn¡¯t long before Elron and his troops flooded into the throne room, engaging the defenders in fierce combat.

    Amid the chaos, Elron¡¯s bloodlust surged as he locked eyes with a familiar figure¡ªChron.

    ¡°You¡¯ve grown, boy,¡± Chron sneered, locking blades with Elron.

    Elron spat in his face, snarling, ¡°Fucking die!¡±

    He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one more vicious than the last, but his frustration mounted. The confined space made it impossible to fight as freely as he wanted¡ªunleashing his full power here could kill his own men. And then, things went from bad to worse. Sylphs descended from the ceiling, spinning like whirlwinds of death.

    Elron cast a fireball toward them, but Chron¡¯s relentless attacks forced him to cast it recklessly, missing his targets. The assassins landed in the thick of the fight, their blades carving through both friend and foe alike. Elron, realizing he was surrounded, drew upon every ounce of power at his disposal. His sword crackled with all the elements he could summon as he became a whirlwind of destruction, fending off his enemies with wild abandon.

    But then, nothing.

    His mana step failed, and chance to dodge was gone.

    Glancing around, he spotted Holly, her hand glowing faintly. She had dispelled his magic.

    In the next moment, the Sylphs were upon him. He blocked a few of the strikes, and dodge some of the rest, yet it was too much. Blades stabbed into his body, and he slumped to the ground, bleeding from multiple wounds. They then dragged him to the far side of the throne room, barely able to stand.

    A cloaked figure stepped forward, amplifying their voice with magic. ¡°We have your commander! Surrender now, or he dies!¡±

    Elron¡¯s soldiers, seeing their prince held at knifepoint, hesitated. One by one, they dropped their weapons. The surrender spread like wildfire through the room, as Elron¡¯s entire force threw down their arms and raised their hands up in defeat.

    Dragged to the front of the throne room, Elron knelt, his body trembling and blood pouring from his wounds. He glared at the figures before him¡ªhis hated foes, the late queen, and his former mentors.

    Vomiting blood onto the floor, Elron rasped, ¡°You¡¯re all... poison.¡±

    Then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward. Elron¡¯s heart stopped.

    ¡°Slyra? What are you doing here?¡± he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

    Slyra glanced at Holly before replying coldly, ¡°She¡¯s my mother, Elron. You would have done the same.¡±

    Betrayal sank into his bones like an incurable wound. ¡°You lied to me. To all of us,¡± he murmured.

    Slyra avoided his gaze. ¡°Me spying on you didn¡¯t cause this. Your end was always coming.¡±

    The queen approached, gripping Elron¡¯s chin and forcing him to meet her gaze. ¡°Betrayal¡¯s a bitch, isn¡¯t it?¡± she mocked. ¡°I¡¯ll let you live, but there¡¯s something you need to do first.¡±

 B1C65 - The Shadow Council

    Before Elron could retort, a dozen robed figures entered the room, their presence only now being noticed.

    The queen¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡±

    With a resounding boom that reverberated through the room, a voice bellowed, ¡°Silence! Everyone, submit!¡±

    To the shock of all present, the command forced everyone to the ground. Many were flattened to their chests, unable to move, while a few of the stronger individuals managed to stay on all fours, trembling from the unseen pressure holding them down.

    The figure turned to the hundreds of soldiers behind him, slamming the butt of his staff onto the floor. ¡°Return to your homes and forget everything you have heard and seen here!¡±

    At once, the soldiers¡¯ expressions turned blank, and they began filing out of the room without a word. The mage watched as nearly everyone left, before turning back to gaze at the few who remained kneeling, struggling under the weight of his spell.

    Once the doors shut, the mage removed his purple hood, revealing a stern and weathered face. ¡°What a mess this is. Where¡¯s Alaric?!¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± groaned one of the Sylphs, still crushed under the immense force.

    The elf frowned, his brow furrowing. ¡°That goody-two-shoes you call a King. Where is he?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s halfway across the world,¡± the queen spat, straining as she desperately tried to move, her cheek pressed hard against the cold floor.

    The elf stroked his long beard as his figures began to heal the wounded. Elron, who moments ago had been on the verge of death from dozens of deep stab wounds, suddenly felt rejuvenated. Despite the lingering poisons and toxins, his body felt almost as though it had never been touched by harm.

    The mage¡¯s voice cut through the room like a knife. ¡°Let me start by saying, I¡¯m not happy about being forced to come here. I think you¡¯re all a bunch of idiotic children who are better off killing one another. If it weren¡¯t for the summons, I¡¯d be up in my tree reading my favorite book. But no, I¡¯m stuck here, cleaning up this nonsense.¡±

    The queen, still struggling to meet his gaze, gasped, ¡°Who... who are you?¡±

    ¡°Silence! You¡¯re a vase now.¡± With a snap of his fingers and a puff of magic, the queen was transformed into a simple red planter.

    A hollow, faint scream emitted from the vase, barely audible. Sweat dripped from the brows of those still kneeling, their fear palpable.

    ¡°I will be asking the questions here,¡± the mage declared, his voice sharp. ¡°As for my name, you may all call me Zaro the Wizard.¡± He stopped for a moment, his attention pulled else where as he dug into his ear with his pinky finger. ¡°Mhmm.¡±

    Zaro removed his finger from his ear and then stood over Elron, rolling the prince over with his foot. ¡°Ah, you must be him. You Alaric¡¯s son, Elron?¡±

    Elron gulped, suddenly terrified of his fate. ¡°Yes... Sir Zaro the Wizard.¡±

    Zaro rolled his eyes and extended a hand, pulling Elron to his feet. ¡°Don¡¯t try anything, boy, or I¡¯ll kill yeah. Now, take a seat,¡± and he gestured to the throne.

    Elron hesitated, one foot on the first step leading to the throne. ¡°Is this a trick?¡±

    ¡°Boy, if you don¡¯t sit down right now, I¡¯ll turn you into a pile of dung. Sit!¡± Zaro barked.

    Elron scrambled up the steps, quickly seating himself on the throne. His heart pounded in his chest, everything feeling surreal. His mind raced with confusion, but a burning question clawed its way to the surface. ¡°May I ask a question?¡±

    Zaro smacked his lips, irritated. ¡°You just did. But fine, one question.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Elron paused, gathering his thoughts. ¡°Why do you look so much like my father?¡±

    Zaro sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°We share a resemblance because we¡¯re the same race. That¡¯s it.¡± He noticed Elron¡¯s continued confusion and groaned. ¡°We are Eldar. If it hasn¡¯t dawned on you yet, our council decides who rules the elven lands.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the room, though no one could utter an actual word.

    Zaro waved dismissively. ¡°Alright, everyone, switch to kneeling.¡±

    Groans echoed as the remaining individuals in the chamber shifted into kneeling positions, facing Elron. Even the vase that was once the queen somehow swiveled to face him. Elron looked at their faces, frowning deeply at them.

    Zaro pointed at his own purple-robed company. ¡°You guys too. If I don¡¯t make this official, they¡¯ll drag me back here to do it again.¡±

    The mages glanced at one another before complying, kneeling along with the others. Zaro snagged the crown off the top of the vase and tossed it onto Elron¡¯s head like a frisbee. Elron caught it and adjusted it, his fingers tracing the arms of the throne in disbelief. This was the moment he had pushed for since his brother¡¯s death, but now, sitting on the throne, the weight of it felt almost unnatural.

    Zaro cleared his throat with an exaggerated hawking sound, spitting a glob of slime onto the floor. ¡°Ah, much better. Now, by the power of yadda yadda yadda, I, Zaro of the Council of Old, proclaim you, Elron, first of your name, King of Algoria.¡±

    Elron blinked. ¡°You mean Aethoria?¡±

    Zaro pointed lazily. ¡°Yeah, that one. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯m out of here.¡± He turned on his heel to leave.

    Elron reached out, his hand trembling. ¡°Is that it?!¡±

    Zaro huddled with his entourage, muttering, ¡°Oh, and I was told to leave this one with you.¡± He shoved one of his companions toward Elron.

    The Eldar warrior growled in frustration but did nothing as Zaro slammed his staff into the ground, vanishing along with the rest of his group.

    With Zaro gone, the spell lifted, and everyone in the room slowly rose to their feet, disoriented. Slyra burst into tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry... please...¡±

    Elron, his earlier elation fading, snapped, ¡°I do not want to hear it! You there!¡± He pointed at a group of Sylphs he didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°Where does your loyalty lie? With me, your king, or with that thing?¡± He then pointed to the still-screaming vase.

    The Sylphs stiffened, saluting with fists to their chests. ¡°My King!¡± they declared in unison.

    Holly swiveled on her heels, sauntering up the steps toward Elron. ¡°Now, my King, remember how¡ª¡±

    ¡°Seize her,¡± Elron commanded coldly.

    Half a dozen Sylphs tackled Holly to the floor, binding her hands as she tried to cast a spell. Elron flicked his fingers, countering her magic effortlessly. Holly began chanting, but Elron once again nullified her spell with a wave of his hand.

    ¡°Give it up, Holly. Your time of reckoning has come,¡± Elron said with finality.

    Holly batted her eyelashes, pleading. ¡°Oh, my prince, who will keep you company if you throw me away?¡±

    ¡°I am no longer a prince. You and your daughter will rot in the dungeon together,¡± Elron snarled. ¡°Take them both.¡±

    As the guards dragged Holly and Slyra away, Holly screamed, ¡°She¡¯s your daughter! Spare her!¡±

    ¡°Lies,¡± Elron growled.

    ¡°Look at her!¡± Holly cried.

    Slyra sniffled, ¡°What?¡±

    The room turned to look at her, then back at Elron. Their faces contorted in shock.

    Elron stood tall, addressing them all. ¡°This woman raised her hand against your king and continues to spout lies. Do not believe her!¡±

    The guards hesitated. Holly spoke again. ¡°I deserve the worst for what I¡¯ve done. But please... spare our daughter.¡±

    The room fell silent, all eyes on Elron. His rage boiled over as he stood atop the throne, shaking with anger. Holly whispered something, and Slyra broke free from the guards, running from the room in tears.

    ¡°Let her go!¡± Elron shouted.

    The door slammed behind her, leaving an eerie silence. Elron ran his fingers through his hair, exasperated. ¡°Ugh, what in the world is going on around here?¡±

    The guards looked at him expectantly, while Holly continued to struggle. Elron roared, ¡°Why are you still here?! Muzzle her and throw her in the deepest cell. Now!¡±

    As the guards hauled Holly away, the remaining soldiers brought Chron to the foot of the throne. Elron stood over him, his stare cold and unforgiving.

    Drawing his sword, Elron planted it in front of Chron¡¯s face. ¡°I want to kill you,¡± Elron hissed.

    Chron bowed his head. ¡°Then please, do it.¡±

    Elron raised his sword high but hesitated. With a snarl, he slammed it into the floor beside Chron¡¯s head. ¡°Killing you would be a waste. For your crimes, I banish you. Go to the Republic of Gnomes and conquer it in my name. Do not return until you have succeeded.¡±

    Chron looked up, his eyes glossy. ¡°A death sentence in it¡¯s own right, my king¡­ thank you¡­¡±

    Elron turned and sat on the throne, exhaling deeply as the room emptied. He whispered to himself, ¡°Just one last thing to do.¡±