《My Wife Is A Witch, And I’m Her Consort》


 Chapter 1: Manhunt

    (Unknown location)


    Kaelis''s eyes fluttered open, blurry shadows slowly sharpening into vivid clarity. He blinked several times, confusion knitting his brows together as he took in his surroundings. His head throbbed faintly, and beneath him, cold stone pressed firmly against his back. He slowly sat up, noticing the crude black sackcloth covering his body, scratchy and uncomfortable against his skin. The cool stone floor bit at his bare feet, sending shivers crawling up his spine.


    ¡®Where am I...?¡¯


    He touched his face, tracing the familiar scar on his cheek with trembling fingers. His ash-white hair fell messily into his eyes, which darted around the dimly lit chamber in growing bewilderment. Pulsating talismans floated lazily around him, each engraved with strange runes and symbols, casting a faint, eerie glow that barely illuminated the cramped space.


    ¡®Dreaming...? This has to be a dream. But... why does everything feel so real?¡¯


    He squinted, attempting to make sense of the magical inscriptions etched into the talismans as they bobbed gently through the air. Suddenly aware of an oppressive force, Kaelis tried to move again, struggling against invisible restraints that bound him firmly in place. Glancing down, he saw threads of dark magic coiled around his wrists and ankles, holding him captive in the center of the room.


    ¡®This is... oddly realistic, even for a lucid dream. Guess I''m finally getting one of those immersive dreams I''ve always wished for. Not bad¡­!¡¯


    The corner of his mouth curled into an amused smirk, matching the flicker of curiosity in his dark brown eyes. Twenty years old, divorced, and perpetually exhausted by the monotony of reality¡ªsurely he deserved this little escape, even if it was temporary.


    Before he could ponder further, the room seemed to darken even more, the faint glow of the talismans overshadowed by a looming presence. From the shadows near the doorway emerged a figure cloaked completely in darkness, only a pair of fiercely glowing crimson eyes visible. The air thickened with tension, radiating an oppressive aura that made Kaelis''s heart flutter with excitement rather than fear. He chuckled softly, fascinated by the intricacies of his own imagination.


    "You dare laugh in my presence?" Her voice echoed through the chamber, deep and commanding, infused with a dark, resonating magic that sent chills across Kaelis''s skin.


    Unable to hold back, Kaelis burst into open laughter, shaking his head slightly. Before he could fully enjoy his defiance, the shadow surged forward with unnatural speed, grabbing him fiercely by the throat and lifting him effortlessly from the ground. The strength of her grip was painfully real, cutting off his laughter and replacing it with a choking gasp. Panic surged briefly before fascination overtook him again.


    ¡®Wait... I can feel this? Pain? In a dream?!¡¯


    His hand moved instinctively, reaching out to the blurred visage of his captor. He felt skin beneath his fingertips, soft and warm, undeniably real. His touch was gentle, tracing the delicate line of her jaw in quiet awe.


    Surprised and immediately flustered, the figure stammered incoherently, her voice momentarily losing its fierce edge. She hastily released him, dropping Kaelis roughly to the floor as she stumbled back.


    ¡°AGH! My face! It¡¯s been tainted by a human hand!¡±


    Instantly, dozens of candles flared to life around the room, bathing it in a warm, flickering glow. Kaelis coughed, massaging his bruised neck, but his eyes widened in surprise as the shadowy figure came fully into view.


    She was stunningly beautiful, albeit terrifyingly intense. Glossy midnight-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, accentuating pale porcelain skin that seemed to glow in the candlelight. Her crimson eyes, once menacing, were now wide and uncertain, framed by long dark lashes. Ornate robes of black and crimson hugged her slender form, adorned with intricate ribbons, lace, and mysterious symbols that seemed to dance faintly. She paced anxiously back and forth, muttering angrily under her breath.


    "Stupid... stupid, Espen. Why can''t you do it like your mentor? This interrogation shtick is impossible..."


    Kaelis watched her, mesmerized, his lips parting slightly as he took in the sight. "You''re¡ªyou look good¡­for some evil witch person¡­¡± he murmured without thinking, his voice sincere and awed.


    She froze mid-step, eyes narrowing dangerously as she whipped around to glare at him. Her cheeks flushed vividly, embarrassment mixing with fury. "I''d rather die than be complimented by a filthy human," she spat venomously, turning her head stubbornly away.


    Before Kaelis could respond, a sudden weight settled onto his shoulder. He turned his head slowly, eyes widening in pure horror as he saw a sleek black cat perched casually there, its arrogant smile far too smug for comfort. Crimson horns protruded from its skull, and its red eyes glittered mischievously, strange crests dancing within its pupils.


    "Her name is Espen," the cat purred smugly, whiskers twitching. ¡°Your welcome.¡±


    Kaelis screamed in a decidedly unheroic manner, his voice high-pitched and panicked as he flailed wildly, rolling across the floor in an utterly undignified fashion. The cat clung on effortlessly, bemused and entirely unbothered.


    Ness rolled his eyes, ¡°Okay he¡¯s totally being dramatic.¡±


    "Ness!" Espen snarled, her embarrassment intensifying as she thrust her hand toward the cat, tendrils of dark magic surging forth and pinning the feline comedically to the wall. Breathing heavily, face flushed deep crimson, she pointed an accusing finger. "Don''t you dare speak my name in front of this dirt human!"


    Kaelis slowly sat up again, eyes darting between the pinned cat and the furious witch. A playful gleam shone in his eyes as he whispered softly, testing the name curiously. "Espen..."


    She spun sharply, hair flaring around her, cheeks still flushed as she looked pointedly away, crossing her arms defensively. "Tch. That''s not my name."


    A tense silence hung in the air as the strange trio watched each other warily, their fates now irrevocably intertwined, and their chaotic journey only just beginning.


    Kaelis sat cross-legged, rubbing his wrists as the dark magic restraints dissipated, leaving behind a faint tingling sensation. He peered up at Espen, a playful smirk tugging at his lips despite the increasingly bizarre circumstances.


    ¡°So, Espen¡ªor whatever your name isn¡¯t¡ªmind explaining what exactly is going on here?¡± Kaelis asked casually, leaning back slightly. ¡°I mean, if you''re into abducting random guys into candlelit chambers, there are probably easier ways to find a date.¡±


    Espen¡¯s eyes flashed dangerously. She pointed a slender finger menacingly at Kaelis, her cheeks flushing again. "You¡ªshut up. I¡¯m the one asking questions here. And don''t call me Espen again. My name is Master to you. And you will refer to me as such.¡±


    Kaelis shrugged, his grin widening. ¡°Fuck no, respectfully.¡±


    Espen waving her hand sharply. A surge of dark energy shot from her fingertips, and in the blink of an eye, Kaelis was transformed into a small white rabbit. He blinked in confusion, whiskers twitching, nose wriggling furiously. Ness, still pinned to the wall, burst into laughter, his feline voice shaking with amusement.


    ¡°Oh, this is rich!¡± Ness cackled. ¡°Nice going, Espen. He¡¯s somehow less intimidating now. He was kinda badass at first.¡±


    Espen shot Ness a glare, snarling. ¡°You want to be next, cat?¡±


    Kaelis hopped angrily around in circles, pausing to glare up at Espen with beady little rabbit eyes. ¡°Alright, alright! I get it! No Espen!¡± he squeaked indignantly. ¡°Now can you turn me back? This fur is itchy as hell.¡±


    With a huff, Espen waved her hand again, reluctantly restoring Kaelis to his original form. He stumbled awkwardly, patting himself down in relief.


    ¡°Next question,¡± Espen demanded, eyes narrowing suspiciously. ¡°Why exactly do you bear the Mark of Bondage? And more importantly¡ªwhy does your mark match mine? Which leads to why do I have the mark?¡±


    Kaelis blinked slowly, confusion clear on his face. He glanced down at his palm, noting the strange rune glowing faintly there and matching hers perfectly. Still believing this was purely imaginary, he smirked again, amused. ¡°Who knows? Maybe the dream gods think we¡¯d make a cute couple.¡±


    Espen¡¯s eye twitched. Without another word, she flicked her wrist, and Kaelis found himself abruptly transformed into an awkward, misshapen duck with one wing significantly larger than the other. He toppled sideways, quacking furiously.


    ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Kaelis honked, scrambling to regain his balance. ¡°I¡¯ll stop! Just¡ªjust turn me back!¡±


    Espen relented again, sighing irritably. ¡°You¡¯re annoying. Are you a demon? An imp perhaps, sent by Maela to test me?¡±


    Kaelis tilted his head to the side, still grinning smugly. ¡°A demon? Not that I know of. I mean, my ex-wife might disagree, but¡ª¡±


    This time, Espen didn¡¯t hesitate. Kaelis was immediately transformed into a tiny, excessively fluffy hamster, squeaking indignantly and scampering in panicked circles.


    ¡°Why do you keep doing this?!¡± he squeaked, fur puffed in annoyance.


    ¡°Because your mouth is insufferably irritating,¡± Espen snapped back, folding her arms across her chest. ¡°Now, try again. Do you have ties to Maela, my mentor? Did she set you up as some sort of magical test to embarrass me?¡±


    Kaelis, now restored once more to human form, blinked innocently, leaning in with exaggerated curiosity. ¡°Wait, am I here to fight you or teach you? Because I¡¯m really not qualified for either.¡±


    Espen¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly, frustration creeping into her voice. She began pacing again, ranting to herself more than Kaelis. ¡°I mean, it makes sense that Maela would give me some challenge, right? She knows I¡¯m terrible at dark magic¡ªwell, magic in general¡ªand yet, sending a human, of all things? She knows I despise humans. Unless...¡±


    ¡°Unless?¡± Kaelis prompted, raising an eyebrow.


    Espen paused, glancing back at him suspiciously. ¡°Unless you¡¯re supposed to teach me something. But that¡¯s ridiculous because¡ªlook at you! You¡¯re clearly a human fool.¡±


    Kaelis chuckled, unfazed. ¡°Ouch. And here I was thinking we were starting to bond.¡±


    Espen scowled deeply. ¡°Name?¡±


    ¡°Kaelis,¡± he replied simply, mockingly saluting her. ¡°Nice to meet you, Esp¡ªah, mystery witch.¡±


    Espen¡¯s hand twitched, but she refrained from transforming him again¡ªfor now. ¡°Age?¡±


    ¡°Twenty,¡± Kaelis replied casually. ¡°Why, you interested?¡±


    She rolled her eyes, ignoring his teasing. ¡°Coincidence then. I''m also twenty.¡± Her lips pursed tightly before she sighed heavily, looking him directly in the eyes. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s try this another way. What''s your story? Your background? What type of Kenda do you wield?¡±


    Kaelis¡¯s expression faltered, confusion creeping into his voice. ¡°Kenda? What¡¯s that supposed to be?¡±


    Espen groaned softly, pressing her fingers to her temples. ¡°You don¡¯t even know Kenda? What kind of useless specimen did Maela send me? That¡¯s IF you¡¯re a part of her little project.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯s face softened, and he hesitated. For a brief moment, the smugness vanished. His voice dropped, suddenly serious and somber. ¡°Look, I don''t know what Kenda is, alright? But if you''re asking for my story¡ªI was married once. Briefly. It didn¡¯t work out. It was my fault, mostly. I wasn''t exactly a great husband. I made mistakes, a lot of them, and ended up divorced before I even knew it.¡± His eyes darkened, distant with sorrow. ¡°I guess that left me feeling pretty worthless. Kind of pathetic, honestly.¡±


    He stopped abruptly, a bitter laugh escaping him. ¡®Why the hell did I just say that out loud? This is supposed to be my dream, my getaway from reality. Why am I ruining it with this crap?¡¯ For a fleeting second, Kaelis desperately wanted to wake up.


    Espen was silent for a long moment, her gaze softening slightly. She averted her eyes, quietly waving her hand and fully releasing Kaelis from the lingering bindings. ¡°You... really don¡¯t know anything, do you?¡± she murmured reluctantly. ¡°I find that hard to believe, but fine. I¡¯ll keep an eye on you for now.¡±


    Kaelis rubbed his wrists again, surprised at her sudden gentleness. ¡°So you''re finally letting me go?¡±


    Espen shook her head sharply. ¡°No. You¡¯re going to help me find Maela. Only she can break this ridiculous marriage pact between us.¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Kaelis laughed again, incredulous. ¡°Yeah, this is definitely a dream. Marriage pact? Everyone knows real marriage involves, you know, mutual consent, some fancy rings, big ceremonies and all that.¡±


    Espen¡¯s face twisted in disgust. ¡°Are you playing me for a fool? Marriage pact magic is serious, binding, and powerful. It¡¯s no laughing matter, especially with a human involved. I abhor the thought of me being attached to a human that way.¡±


    Before Kaelis could retort, Ness finally stepped forward again, sniffing curiously at Kaelis¡¯s hair and clothing. He inhaled sharply, red eyes wide in surprise. ¡°Espen... He doesn''t smell familiar. Not at all. I don''t think he''s from Kalhalla. He might be from another world entirely.¡±


    Kaelis''s smirk faltered, his eyes widening slightly. "Another... world?"


    ¡®Maela always mentioned other places, but never the name. There¡¯s bigger things out there away from


    Kalhalla. Could it really be..¡¯


    Kaelis hung suspended upside-down in midair, blood rushing to his head, ash-white hair dangling awkwardly beneath him. Next to him floated Ness, who seemed entirely more irritated by the situation, red horns glinting mockingly as he tried to twist his feline body upright.


    ¡°Oh, come on!¡± Ness complained loudly, thrashing his paws in the air. ¡°I didn¡¯t even do anything this time! This is blatant abuse! Just wait until Maela hears how horribly her precious apprentice treats her beloved familiar!¡±


    Espen rolled her crimson eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. With a mere flick of her wrist, Ness was abruptly transformed into a squawking chicken.


    ¡°This is an insult!¡± Ness clucked, flapping wildly. ¡°I am a noble familiar, not poultry!¡±


    Another flick, and Ness became a tiny squealing piglet.


    "I swear by all the Spirits, Espen, when Maela returns¡ª"


    Another flick, and he became a rather disgruntled goat, bleating indignantly, his arrogant voice muffled by thick white fur.


    Kaelis, watching the spectacle, couldn¡¯t suppress his laughter. ¡°You know,¡± he teased, still upside-down, ¡°you make a great farm animal.¡±


    Ness tried to glare at him through goat¡¯s eyes and growled, ¡°Watch yourself, human. You¡¯re next!¡±


    Espen sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°Enough,¡± she muttered, finally restoring Ness to his original cat form. He dropped unceremoniously to the floor, landing gracefully despite his indignation.


    The witch turned her intense crimson gaze onto Kaelis, her voice firm and measured. ¡°You,¡± she began sternly, ¡°are coming with me and Ness to find Maela. She¡¯s the Saint of a Magic Spirit, Darkenss¡ªsomeone who did the impossible and broke free from her contract.¡±


    Kaelis tilted his head in confusion. ¡°Contract?¡±


    Espen¡¯s eyes softened slightly as she realized he truly had no knowledge of their ways. She lowered Kaelis gently, placing his feet back onto the floor. ¡°Saints,¡± she began calmly, ¡°are not gods or deities. They¡¯re chosen mortals¡ªvessels marked by Spirits from the Astral World. These Spirits are ancient, timeless entities, fragments of something older than existence itself. Saints don¡¯t ask for their powers; they¡¯re chosen, bound forever to their patron Spirit. They must obey its will, or suffer terribly.¡±


    Her voice grew quieter, almost reverent. ¡°Maela was unique. She found a way to sever the bond. She freed herself from the Spirit¡¯s grip, something nobody else had ever managed before. That¡¯s why I think she vanished¡ªI think she left to discover the truth behind the Spirits'' intentions. Maybe that or something else, I don¡¯t know. But now she¡¯s missing, leaving me alone.¡±


    Kaelis watched her carefully, seriousness flickering briefly in his eyes. ¡°So... you¡¯re her apprentice?¡±


    She scoffed softly, red eyes narrowing. ¡°Obviously. But that¡¯s beside the point.¡± She straightened her back, regaining her composure and fixing Kaelis with a stern, unwavering stare. ¡°If we¡¯re going to travel together, I have some ground rules.¡±


    Kaelis raised his eyebrows, amused at her sudden seriousness. ¡°Sure, whatever you say.¡±


    ¡°One: No getting too close,¡± Espen said firmly, stepping toward him to emphasize her point.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kaelis replied, holding back a smirk.


    ¡°Two: No touching.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    ¡°Three: No flirting, no complimenting, absolutely none.¡±


    Kaelis tilted his head innocently. ¡°No promises, but¡ªokay.¡±


    Espen¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. ¡°Four: No talking to me about anything unless it directly benefits our mission.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Mission-focused communication only.¡±


    ¡°Five: No wandering off alone. I don¡¯t trust you, and for all I know, you might plot something idiotic.¡±


    Kaelis shrugged. ¡°I mean, I probably would, so fair point.¡±


    ¡°And finally, six¡ª¡± Espen¡¯s voice dropped, the faintest hint of uncertainty creeping in. ¡°No dying. The Mark of Bondage is not a joke. It binds husband and wife completely. If you die, I die¡ªand vice versa.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯s smile faded slightly, finally sensing the seriousness beneath her words. He nodded slowly, meeting her eyes directly. ¡°Understood. No dying.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Espen murmured quietly, turning away sharply. ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡±


    She led the way out of the candlelit chamber into a shadowed corridor, Ness padding along behind her, still grumbling to himself. Kaelis trailed after them, his expression thoughtful as he considered Espen¡¯s words. He still half-believed this was all a dream, but something in her voice had felt too real, too raw to dismiss completely.


    Espen walked ahead silently, her thoughts drifting deep into painful territory.


    ¡®Humans¡­¡¯ she thought bitterly, memories surfacing like jagged glass beneath her skin. She remembered cold nights, curled up alone in dark corners, bruises blooming across her slender limbs. She remembered harsh voices, cruel laughter, hands that grabbed roughly, eyes that stared hungrily. Humans had been nothing but monsters to her, creatures who had tried to break her spirit, to use her magic for their selfish desires. They had taken advantage of her innocence, punished her for every small defiance, leaving scars that even magic could not erase.


    Those nights alone, Espen had sung softly to herself, whispered songs she had written into the darkness, desperate for comfort, desperate for warmth. But comfort rarely came. Instead came Maela, the Saint whose darkness matched Espen¡¯s own pain. Maela had reached out, offering not just sympathy but purpose¡ªa shared vision to take their pain and reshape it into power. Together, they''d vowed to tear down the corrupt foundations of the world, to punish those who¡¯d inflicted harm, to cast shadows over the monsters in human skin.


    And now this¡ªthis ridiculous twist of fate. How could she, of all people, find herself bound in marriage to a human? She despised this situation, hated it with every fiber of her being. Kaelis was strange, smug, irritatingly flippant¡ªexactly the kind of human she had always detested. Yet beneath his irritating confidence, there was something else¡ªsomething somber, hidden, perhaps even broken. Something real.


    Espen shook her head slightly, forcing away the troubling thoughts. ¡®No. He¡¯s just another human. He''ll betray me eventually. They always do.¡¯


    She glanced back discreetly, her crimson gaze landing briefly on Kaelis as he walked behind her, eyes wandering curiously around the corridor. For a split second, he looked up, meeting her gaze directly. Embarrassed at being caught staring, she turned away abruptly, cheeks flushing faintly. A gentle thump sounded as Ness, smug and entirely unrepentant, leaped onto Kaelis¡¯s shoulder.


    Kaelis glanced at the cat reluctantly, muttering quietly, ¡°A little warning next time? Seriously, you¡¯re going to give me a heart attack.¡±


    Ness purred arrogantly, flicking his tail against Kaelis¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it, human. Besides, annoying you is the highlight of my day.¡±


    Espen rolled her eyes at their banter, forcing herself to suppress the strange, conflicted feelings stirring within. She quickened her pace, determined to ignore any lingering doubts. Her path was clear¡ªfind Maela, break this cursed bond, and rid herself of this infuriating human once and for all.


    Yet despite her resolve, something small and uncertain echoed faintly within her chest. Something she refused to acknowledge.


    ¡®What if he¡¯s different?¡¯


    She shook the thought away fiercely, tightening her grip on her staff and pushing onward into the unknown, Kaelis and Ness following close behind. The path ahead was uncertain, tangled with shadows and unanswered questions, but Espen knew one thing for certain:


    She wouldn¡¯t let herself trust another human again.


    But as she stole one more fleeting glance back at Kaelis, a tiny whisper echoed deep inside her, quiet yet persistent:


    ¡®What if...?¡¯


    Kaelis blinked as they stepped outside, shielding his eyes briefly as bright, vibrant sunlight flooded his senses. His mouth fell open slightly in awe, a breath catching quietly in his throat as he took in the impossible beauty before him. Kalhalla was nothing short of magnificent, and utterly surreal.


    Three suns hung in the sky, each distinct and mesmerizing. One sun blazed golden like molten gold, bathing the world in warmth. Another shone a deep crimson, casting a rich, bloody glow across trees and meadows. The third sun was a tranquil sapphire blue, serene and calming, radiating an ethereal coolness. Together, they painted the sky in a swirl of ever-shifting color, like a living work of art.


    Kaelis took a slow, deep breath, savoring the fragrant aroma of exotic flowers and fresh earth. The air was crisp and invigorating, sweetened by the scent of blossoms unlike anything he had ever known. A gentle breeze rustled through the towering trees, their branches swaying gracefully in harmony with the soft whispers of the wind. The leaves shimmered in hues of violet and emerald, sparkling as if dusted with stardust.


    ¡°Damn..¡± Kaelis murmured softly, eyes wide with wonder. ¡°This is¡­ beautiful.¡±


    Ness, still perched smugly on his shoulder, purred with arrogant pride. ¡°Of course it is, human. This is Kalhalla, formed from the very bodies of fallen gods and demons. Those three suns you see? They are essential. The golden sun grants warmth and life, nourishing the plants and creatures here. The crimson sun invigorates our spirits, awakening our hidden powers, and charging us with passion and vitality. The blue sun brings tranquility, balance, and clarity. Without these suns, Kalhalla would crumble into ruin.¡±


    Kaelis listened intently, drinking in every word with fascination. His heart swelled with excitement, curiosity bubbling up inside him as he followed Espen along a winding forest trail.


    In the trees above, magnificent creatures glided gracefully through the air. They had shimmering feathered wings, translucent like stained glass, refracting the tri-colored sunlight into dazzling rainbow patterns. Their bodies were sleek and serpentine, twisting elegantly as they danced among the leaves. Ness winked knowingly. ¡°Sky Seraphs,¡± the cat said smugly, ¡°gentle and wise guardians of these forests. They sing to the trees, nurturing growth and renewal.¡±


    Alongside the path, Kaelis noticed strange plants shaped like spiraled crystal structures, their delicate petals glowing softly in shifting colors. They pulsed gently, releasing tiny motes of luminescent pollen into the air, drifting serenely around him. Fascinated, Kaelis reached out, fingers brushing softly against the petals.


    As he walked, Kaelis felt a strange blend of awe and tranquility. He breathed deeply, savoring the sweetness, the gentle warmth of sunlight on his skin, the soft whispering of leaves above him. Yet, beneath his amazement lingered the surreal sensation that none of this could possibly be real. He had wished so desperately for an escape from his mundane life, and now, he was here¡ªin a world more vivid and extraordinary than any dream he''d ever imagined.


    ¡®It feels so real,¡¯ he thought, heart racing with excitement. ¡®If this is a dream, it¡¯s perfect. I don¡¯t ever want to wake up.¡¯


    Beside him, Espen walked silently, her thoughts dark and reflective. Her crimson eyes stared ahead, unfocused.


    ¡®Maela¡­ What have you gotten me into?* Espen thought bitterly, fingers gripping her staff tightly. *You knew how much I hated humans, how much I suffered because of them. Yet here I am, bound to one by magic, forced into a marriage pact. Is this some twisted test? Did you foresee this, Maela? Do you truly believe this human has something to teach me?¡¯


    Her expression darkened, a shadow of pain flickering behind her eyes.


    ¡®Or is this my punishment? For my arrogance, my hatred, my bitterness?¡¯ Espen sighed deeply, gaze softening. ¡®I miss you, Maela. I miss your wisdom, your strength. You saved me from darkness, showed me how to wield it. But now you¡¯re gone, and I¡¯m left fumbling blindly. How can I possibly trust this Kaelis, this strange, foolish human?¡¯


    She stole another glance at Kaelis, who walked quietly at her side, eyes wide with childlike wonder. Her heart lurched strangely, and she quickly looked away, jaw tightening stubbornly.


    ¡®No. He¡¯s nothing but trouble. He¡¯ll betray me, just like all humans do. I must stay focused on finding you, Maela, and freeing myself from this ridiculous bond.¡¯


    Espen stopped abruptly, raising her staff and speaking clearly. ¡°Stand back. I¡¯m going to summon Hael, the crow we use for transportation.¡±


    Kaelis took a step back, curious, ready to witness more magic.


    But he never had a chance.


    In the blink of an eye, reality shattered.


    KATHRACK!


    A massive blade of pure, blinding white lightning exploded through Kaelis¡¯s chest, impaling him brutally and violently. Blood erupted in a visceral torrent, splattering Espen¡¯s pale face and Ness¡¯s black fur scarlet. Pain unlike anything Kaelis had ever known tore through every nerve in his body, agonizing and relentless. His vision blurred, limbs spasming uncontrollably.


    ¡°Kaelis!¡± Espen screamed in shock and horror, her crimson eyes wide with panic.


    A violent force hurled Kaelis backward, the lightning sword still piercing grotesquely through his chest. He crashed through massive trees, splinters exploding around him, wood shattering on impact. His body slammed violently into a massive rock, breaking it apart with a deafening crack. Kaelis lay crumpled amidst the rubble, coughing violently, choking on blood that bubbled up his throat, thick and metallic.


    ¡°G-Gah...!¡± he gasped desperately, tears streaming down his trembling face, body convulsing in agony. Every breath was torture, like shards of glass scraping through his lungs. He reached weakly for the sword embedded brutally in his chest, but the lightning crackled viciously, scorching his hand, searing through flesh. Blood poured freely from the new wound, staining the soil beneath him a deep crimson.


    Kaelis¡¯s eyes widened in horror and realization, his mind screaming in disbelief, terror flooding his veins.


    ¡®This¡­ this isn¡¯t a dream,¡¯ he thought, heart thundering desperately. ¡®This pain is real. This blood¡­ real. Everything¡­ it¡¯s all real!¡¯


    Agony surged again, tearing another cry from his throat. Images flashed violently through his mind¡ªblurred memories of happiness, of laughter, of warm arms wrapped lovingly around him. He saw his ex-wife¡¯s gentle smile, felt the tender brush of her lips against his own, the warmth of her embrace. He saw himself again, younger, happier; he saw hope and love, trust and passion.


    Then darkness flooded the memories, bleeding into cold isolation. He saw the fights, the tears, the loneliness. He saw divorce papers, felt the crushing weight of abandonment, of failure. He saw himself alone in shadows, empty bottles scattered around him, cold steel in trembling hands, moments when despair nearly won.


    Kaelis sobbed quietly, choking weakly on blood, his body convulsing in relentless pain. His vision darkened slowly, panic fluttering desperately in his chest.


    ¡®Has it all caught up with me?¡¯ he thought brokenly, despair overwhelming him. ¡®I wished for death so many times. Begged for it. Wanted to end my pain. But now¡­ now that it¡¯s here, now that I¡¯m dying¡­¡¯


    His breath rattled weakly, tears blinding him.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to die. Not like this. Not alone. Not in agony. How¡­ how did I even get here? Did I die before? Is this punishment?¡¯


    Kaelis¡¯s body twitched, eyes flickering shut as darkness closed in around him, agony fading into numbness.


    ¡®Why¡­ why is this happening?!¡¯


    His thoughts drifted into darkness, broken and raw, drowning in regret, fear, and sorrow¡ªa desperate, terrified soul lost in the abyss.


    The pain faded, leaving only silence.


    Kaelis lay trembling in the rubble, the massive blade of blazing white lightning still impaled grotesquely through his chest. Blood filled his mouth, bitter and choking, drowning his desperate attempts to breathe. Tears blurred his vision, mixing with streams of crimson pouring from his lips. His mind screamed in agony, reality spinning around him.


    ¡®Wake up... please... wake up¡­!¡¯


    He tried to speak, but the words refused to come, blocked by the thick, metallic taste of blood. His throat constricted, panic rising in his chest as he fought to force the words out, desperation clawing at his fading consciousness.


    ¡°I¡­ want¡­ to wake¡­ up¡­¡± Kaelis choked out weakly, voice gurgling and strained. But even as he said it, he knew in the deepest pit of his soul¡ªthis was no dream. This agony, this terror, this despair¡ªthis was real.


    Suddenly, a shadow blurred into existence beside Kaelis, a towering figure dressed in strange armor of obsidian and silver, marked with jagged crimson war paint. The Hunter raised a clawed gauntlet crackling violently with white lightning, preparing a finishing blow, his growl echoing beneath a metallic mask.


    ¡°Her head will fetch me a fortune, outsider,¡± he snarled coldly.


    Kaelis closed his eyes, bracing for the end. But death never came¡ªonly a deafening, bone-crunching impact.


    In an instant, Ness appeared, now towering in a muscular humanoid form with his familiar feline head, sharp crimson horns gleaming fiercely. Ness''s fist slammed brutally into the Hunter''s masked face, shattering bone and sending him hurtling backward. The Hunter''s body crashed violently into a distant mountain wall, exploding into a gruesome splatter of blood and shattered armor.


    Kaelis stared at Ness in stunned disbelief. The feline familiar¡¯s muscular body was pierced gruesomely with half a dozen swords forged from the same blistering white lightning, sizzling violently in his flesh. Blood poured freely from the wounds, soaking into dark fur and staining his hardened muscles crimson.


    ¡°N-Ness¡­?¡± Kaelis gasped weakly, vision flickering in and out of clarity. ¡°What¡­ the fuck¡­ is going on?¡±


    Ness leaned down, carefully lifting Kaelis onto his broad back, his breathing labored, eyes weary yet determined. "Hunters," Ness growled bitterly, his voice strained and tired. "This world is full of Adventurers and Hunters. Adventurers explore, gather resources, and take contracts for exploration. Hunters are different¡ªbrutal killers paid by kings and nobles to hunt targets down. Whether animal, beast-kin, mythical creature, or human, they bring their heads back as trophies."


    He paused, wincing as lightning crackled painfully through him. "Espen is a witch, Kaelis. Powerful, infamous, dangerous. She has a bounty of ten thousand gold coins¡ªenough for any Hunter or Adventurer to retire comfortably. We¡¯re surrounded, Kaelis. Hunters everywhere. If we linger here, we''ll both die."


    A sudden, painful memory flashed through Ness''s mind¡ªa cold field of snow, blood soaking through his fur, his tiny kittens crying weakly as he dragged them desperately through the storm, clawing at survival. Ness shook his head fiercely, banishing the haunting images.


    ¡®Here..now? That damned memory..¡¯


    Kaelis coughed violently, blood dripping from his lips. "Espen¡­ where¡­ where is she?"


    Ness¡¯s blood-red eyes darkened. "She¡¯s holding them off like a badass. We need to hurry."


    ¡­


    Espen stood rigidly in the clearing, knuckles white around her staff, heart hammering violently against her ribs. Around her, silent as phantoms, stood Hunters¡ªterrifying and merciless. Their armor shimmered with lightning-infused Kenda, weapons crackling dangerously, illuminating the shadows beneath the towering trees in ghostly, flickering light.


    Fear clawed at Espen¡¯s throat, but she forced it down. Her grip tightened, dark magic swirling violently around her staff, blazing black and crimson. Her eyes bled into pitch-black voids, darkness spilling down her cheeks in rivulets of shadow. Her body trembled slightly, struggling to keep control of her volatile magic.


    ¡®Maela¡­¡¯ Her thoughts echoed desperately, dark magic surging painfully through her veins. ¡®You always protected me. Always stood between me and danger. Now you¡¯re gone, and I¡¯m alone. Can I really do this without you?¡¯


    A vivid, fleeting image flashed across her mind¡ªMaela¡¯s gentle smile, her pale hand reaching out patiently, reassuringly. Espen¡¯s jaw tightened fiercely, determination surging. She raised her head defiantly, addressing the woman standing boldly in front of the gathered Hunters.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be damned if I let you bastards take my head for some measly human coins.¡±


    The leader of the Hunters stepped forward slowly, her presence chilling and commanding. She wore a flowing black gown of silken darkness, trailing gracefully about her feet. A thin black veil covered her head, red gloves encasing her delicate hands. Her blindfold was wrapped in black silk, glowing white runes pulsing softly across the fabric. Beneath it, Espen could sense eyes that saw far more than mere mortal sight.


    The woman smiled coldly beneath her veil, voice silky yet venomous. "Espen, Witch Apprentice of Maela. Your bounty grows each day, my dear. The Apostles themselves have decreed that whoever brings your head will also ascend, becoming one of their own. Riches, power, immortality¡ªours for the taking."


    She moved a graceful step forward, red gloves clasped elegantly before her. "In this continent of Yarfan, you have nowhere left to run. The three kingdoms¡ªVjosgard, Indreth, and Varnhalin¡ªhave grown impatient. Soon they will have Saints against you. Surrender now, and perhaps your death will be swift."


    Espen¡¯s dark eyes narrowed dangerously, magic swirling violently around her, crests of red and black forming in layers, rune after rune painstakingly etched into existence. Blood trickled from her nostrils, her body trembling visibly from the immense strain.


    ¡°Your threats mean nothing to me,¡± Espen spat defiantly. ¡°And your greed will be your end.¡±


    The Hunters around her slowly drew blades, lightning-infused weapons humming hungrily, eager for blood. The woman smiled coldly, stepping back slightly, allowing her warriors to prepare.


    Espen¡¯s heartbeat quickened. She¡¯d never fought so many enemies at once. Her magic was unpredictable, unstable¡ªyet she had no choice. Memories of childhood torment flooded her senses, humans laughing cruelly, hands clawing at her innocence. Anger surged violently, dark magic exploding furiously around her, whipping her hair wildly about her face.


    She raised her staff, its intricate carvings blazing with raw, chaotic magic. Her voice trembled with rage and desperation, yet held iron resolve.


    ¡°I won¡¯t show any mercy.¡±


    The woman¡¯s smile widened beneath her veil, cold and final. "Neither will we."


    Espen¡¯s vision blurred briefly, Maela¡¯s voice whispering softly, urgently, within her mind.


    ¡®Fight, Espen. Protect yourself at all costs. Trust your darkness.¡¯


    Espen¡¯s heart surged, and she smiled grimly, magic erupting violently. Black and crimson runes exploded outward in waves, shadows screaming through the air, ripping into nearby Hunters. The clearing erupted into chaos, lightning and darkness colliding in blinding fury.


    Espen stood at the storm¡¯s center, eyes blazing black, dark magic surging violently through her veins as she fought for her life, for revenge, and for survival.


    ¡®Damn human¡­you better be alive!¡±

 Chapter 2: Primal

    Ness surged forward with explosive speed, plunging headfirst into the chaos of battle. Kaelis clung desperately to the massive feline''s muscular back, consciousness flickering violently, his vision swimming as blood poured from his wounds, leaving a crimson trail in their wake. Around them sprawled the grotesque remains of fantastical creatures, their vibrant beauty shattered by merciless lightning-infused blades: Sky Seraphs lay lifeless, translucent wings cracked and shredded, their once radiant bodies dimmed and splintered. Crystal bloom plants were scorched, their delicate spiraled petals now brittle, blackened husks scattered across the blood-slicked earth. Kaelis gasped weakly, struggling to stay awake even as darkness threatened to suffocate him. Ness, sensing this, forced a fierce smile, his voice strained yet arrogantly defiant.


    ¡°Come onnnnn, little human, stay awake¡ªno passing out now, or I''ll leave you to the vultures. And trust me, vultures here are nastier than you can imagine.¡± But the joke fell flat, Kaelis fading in and out of painful lucidity, his breathing shallow, labored, desperate.


    ¡°Okay that usually gets people.¡± Ness smirked. ¡°Am I getting rusty? You better not die, human. If you die, then Espen will brutally explode.¡±


    Hunters surged from every side, their presence relentless, overwhelming. Lightning crackled violently around their weapons, each warrior wielding uncanny and terrifying forms of lightning Kenda. One Hunter swung a serrated whip of crackling violet lightning, each lash violently searing the air, leaving arcs of scorched ozone behind. Another wielded twin daggers pulsing with ghostly pale lightning, which bent and twisted unnaturally, seeking prey like living serpents. Their movements were precise, flawless, disciplined¡ªa stark contrast to Ness''s primal fury.


    ¡°Form ranks!¡± shouted a Hunter in ornate jade-green armor, eyes narrowed intensely. ¡°Box him in, overwhelm him in numbers. The witch cannot escape without him!¡±


    Ness growled ferociously, darkness erupting around his feline form in thick, consuming waves. His claws extended, razor-sharp, slicing the air violently with each swipe, unleashing devastating arcs of red and black energy that cleaved through Hunters with merciless precision. Bodies shattered, armor splintered, limbs severed in grotesque explosions of blood and lightning. Still, the Hunters pressed their assault, blades lunging and parrying in synchronized harmony, each strike threatening to end Ness and Kaelis in an instant.


    Ness vaulted skyward, spinning into a seamless, intricate somersault as bolts of violet and white lightning slammed into the ground beneath him, shattering earth and tree roots in explosive devastation. His tail lashed outward, elongating into a deadly, spiked whip of shadow, carving through two Hunters in a single brutal sweep, their screams cut violently short as they collapsed lifelessly. Landing, Ness twisted acrobatically, narrowly evading a barrage of lightning-infused arrows that pierced through the air with celestial speed, embedding themselves deep into nearby trees that exploded violently into shards of flaming timber.


    ¡®Close!¡¯


    He lunged forward again, claws slashing furiously, cleaving another Hunter¡¯s blade cleanly in half before piercing through armor and flesh, blood erupting like a geyser. ¡°Hold him back!¡± a voice shouted, desperate now, cracking under the strain of battle. ¡°Do not falter! Our reward will grant us divinity! We will be one with the gods!¡±


    Ness grinned savagely, slamming his fists downward in a titanic blow, crushing another Hunter beneath him, bones splintering audibly, armor shattering into fragments. Yet still, they came. Ness spun violently, unleashing a volley of shadowy slashes that decimated everything they touched, trees collapsing in ruinous heaps, armored warriors hurled backward in ragged, broken heaps. Kaelis''s bloodied hands gripped Ness''s fur weakly, his consciousness flickering violently, reality slipping away into darkness.


    ¡°¡­.I need help¡­a doctor¡­something¡­¡± Kaelis struggled to say. ¡°Fuck¡­you guys don¡¯t have doctors here¡­¡±


    ¡°What''s a doctor?¡±


    Ness sensed his fading strength and growled sharply, voice trembling with frantic urgency masked by false bravado.


    ¡®Craaaaap. This is bad. Of course the White Brigade was tracking us all the way here. We were careless.¡¯


    ¡°Hey, human, you better not give up yet! I haven''t finished making fun of how soft and pathetic you humans are!¡± Kaelis coughed, blood dripping from his lips, vision hazy. Ness''s jokes rang hollow now, drowned by the relentless, brutal chaos surrounding them. ¡°I stole that joke from Espen..though I don¡¯t know if that was a joke or not. I mean, I laughed when she said it.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡­wasn¡¯t funny. Sorry¡­¡±


    Lightning flared brightly, Hunters coordinating precise assaults with uncanny discipline, their lightning Kenda crackling hungrily, weapons infused with volatile energies eager to pierce and carve through flesh.


    A massive Hunter, clad in obsidian armor etched with glowing crimson runes, lunged forward, wielding a colossal double-edged greatsword pulsing violently with black lightning. Ness ducked beneath a ferocious swipe, spinning fluidly into a low, graceful twist, his spiked tail shattering armor and tearing through flesh in an explosive, ruthless counterattack. Blood sprayed violently, coating Ness''s fur in thick crimson, yet he surged forward relentlessly, driven by raw fury and desperation to protect Kaelis. Another Hunter hurled a spear engulfed in blinding white lightning, the weapon shattering the air itself. Ness twisted sharply, narrowly avoiding the strike, his body carved brutally across the shoulder, blood erupting from the wound. But he retaliated instantly, claws igniting in swirling shadows and slashing through the Hunter¡¯s chest, leaving a ragged, smoking crater where armor and flesh once stood.


    The battle intensified violently, Hunters swarming from every direction, desperation and greed driving their relentless assault. Ness moved with godlike agility, each movement precise yet chaotic, a devastating dance of violence and grace. He somersaulted over lightning whips, vaulted beneath arcs of crackling energy, spinning and cleaving through enemies with primal wrath. Blood and lightning painted the forest floor, bodies and armor littering the ground in grotesque heaps.


    A Hunter shouted urgently, voice trembling with fear: ¡°He¡¯s a demon! No bounty is worth this!¡±


    Yet, another voice barked harshly, rallying courage: ¡°Stand your ground! Riches await us! Glory and Ascension!¡±


    Ness smirked savagely, dark shadows swirling violently around him, eyes blazing crimson. ¡°You greedy weirdos..you¡¯ll all just die here anyway!¡± He roared, claws smiting downward in a brutal, shattering strike that carved through armor and bone alike.


    Kaelis, barely conscious, managed a weak whisper, voice trembling painfully. ¡°Ness¡­ why¡­ are you protecting me¡­?¡± Ness paused briefly, breathing heavily, voice suddenly somber beneath arrogant bravado. ¡°Because, human, if you die, Espen dies. And Espen¡­ she¡¯s everything to me. Maela enhanced me a little, enhanced me for her when I needed help.. from shadow and blood. From that day, I swore I''d always protect her, even from herself.¡± Ness¡¯s eyes darkened with haunted memory, pain flickering briefly across his feline features, quickly suppressed beneath determination. ¡°So hold on, human. I won''t let you both die here. It¡¯s not like I give a damn about you, it¡¯s just you need to live.¡±


    Kaelis weakly nodded, heart thundering painfully, the desperate sincerity in Ness''s voice grounding him, anchoring him to consciousness even as death clawed at his senses.


    ¡®How long do I have¡­? Visions getting super damn blurry¡­¡¯


    Yet more Hunters surged forward, some screaming defiantly, others trembling visibly with fear and doubt. Lightning crackled violently, blades raised, desperation and hunger in every strike. Ness growled fiercely, preparing for another brutal clash. Kaelis''s heart thumped violently in his chest, pain and adrenaline surging through him. And in that precise moment, a shadowy vision flared vividly in his mind¡ªan enormous throne cast in deep, impenetrable darkness. Upon it sat a shadowy figure, eyes blazing crimson, a sinister smile curling slowly upward. Kaelis felt a strange sensation ripple through him, his teeth lengthening slowly, becoming sharp, predatory. His eyes widened in shock and confusion, breath catching painfully, reality shifting violently around him.


    ¡®What was that¡­?¡¯


    The Hunters closed in rapidly, shouting encouragement and threats, lightning swirling ferociously around them. ¡°Kill them both!¡± roared a Hunter desperately, greed and fear blending chaotically in his voice.


    Ness braced himself, snarling violently, claws erupting in shadowy flame. Kaelis gasped weakly, eyes blazing crimson, heart pounding violently. The shadowy figure in his mind smiled wider, voice echoing softly, darkly amused. ¡°You are special. Bring war..Kaelis.¡±


    Kaelis trembled violently, pain, confusion, and fear surging fiercely. Yet something else stirred within him¡ªdark, powerful, primal, and terrifying. His teeth sharpened further, heart racing violently, as darkness consumed him from within, ready to awaken.


    ¡­


    Espen''s heartbeat thundered in her chest, adrenaline flooding her veins like molten fire. The world slowed to a crawl as Hunters surged forward, their bodies crackling with unique, destructive lightning Kenda. Espen spun her staff ferociously, carving intricate arcs of black and crimson through the air. She vaulted upward, somersaulting gracefully over a Hunter¡¯s brutal lunging strike, then landed fluidly, twisting her body as she retaliated with a fierce sweep of Shacklebrand. The staff grazed the Hunter¡¯s arm, instantly branding him with blazing dark tendrils. Yet, before she could savor the minor victory, Espen felt a sharp sting¡ªher own Shacklebrand surged wildly, tendrils wrapping around her wrists and burning deep into her flesh.


    Espen bit back a scream, clenching her teeth as agony surged through her nerves. ¡®I was careless! Damn it! Shacklebrand is too volatile¡ªif I don¡¯t control it precisely, it''ll turn against me!¡¯ She staggered, barely dodging a second enemy''s devastating strike, a clawed gauntlet of lightning shattering the ground beneath her feet into white-hot embers. She grasped desperately at her burning wrists, just managing to release the tendrils before they crushed her bones.


    ¡°Pathetic,¡± Orenn, the veiled woman who was the head of this group of Hunters, mocked coldly from afar, arms folded elegantly beneath her veil. "Is this truly Maela''s prot¨¦g¨¦? The woman whose madness could shatter kingdoms and terrify Apostles? Pitiful."


    Espen¡¯s breath came ragged, her vision blurred as another attacker lunged, his fists encased in celestial white lightning blazing with destructive heat. She braced herself, twisting again, flipping backward seamlessly through a spinning somersault to evade. But a second Hunter intercepted her mid-air, his lightning-infused hands gripping her ankle ferociously. Espen cried out in agony as the brutal lightning surged violently through her, frying her nerves and shattering her concentration. She twisted desperately, kicking him in the jaw and breaking free, tumbling violently onto the forest floor.


    She rolled aside, narrowly avoiding a crushing, explosive strike that splintered the earth, hurling burning debris into the air. Espen coughed violently, thoughts racing desperately. ¡®They¡¯re too disciplined, too precise. Their lightning Kenda isn¡¯t just destructive¡ªit¡¯s adaptive, explosive on contact, creating localized devastation. I can''t fight them head-on. I need to predict their momentum, anticipate their moves, use their aggression against them! If I can¡­ but my power betrays me..this sucks.¡¯


    She staggered upright, raising her staff shakily. ¡°Thornborn Crest..¡± she shouted, spinning the staff and carving blazing crimson circles into the air. Jagged black spikes erupted at lightning speed, piercing one Hunter¡¯s chest brutally, impaling another¡¯s thigh. But before Espen could celebrate, agony exploded through her¡ªone spike burst violently from beneath her own feet, piercing through her calf. She screamed, tears streaming down her face as she collapsed forward, blood pooling beneath her.


    ¡®No! I lost focus again¡ªmy Kenda keeps backfiring. I¡¯m losing control. If I don¡¯t regain composure now, I¡¯ll die here! I won¡¯t lose at all, fuck that!¡¯


    Espen pushed herself up painfully, barely evading another Hunter¡¯s devastating lightning-imbued fists. She twisted desperately away from his relentless assault, spinning, rolling, narrowly parrying brutal strikes with her staff, each blow rattling through her bones. His lightning surged through the metal, burning her palms severely, sending tremors of agony through her limbs. She gasped sharply, staggering away.


    Orenn laughed contemptuously, voice dripping with venomous mockery. "So weak, Espen. Did Maela truly waste her time on a fragile child like you? She was a woman feared by Apostles¡ªa woman who broke the very chains of Spirits. And you? You can barely stand."


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Espen¡¯s shoulders heaved, shame burning fiercely in her chest. ¡®She¡¯s right. I¡¯m nothing compared to Maela. My skills are chaotic, uncontrollable. But chaos¡­ chaos is my strength. If I can¡¯t match their precision, then I¡¯ll drown them in my instability! My magic..Please just work for once¡­! I¡¯m begging you, please.¡¯


    She raised her staff defiantly, blood streaming down her face, mixing with tears of fury. ¡°Bloodletting Pyre..¡± Espen whispered, absorbing every ounce of pain and wound; Her injuries burst open violently, black and red Kenda-infused blood boiling forth, igniting explosively into living flames. The fire roared around her, volatile and untamed, singeing nearby Hunters, melting armor, charring flesh. Two Hunters screamed, their bodies consumed by the uncontrollable inferno.


    But again, Espen¡¯s triumph was fleeting. The flames began devouring her own body, blistering her flesh violently. Her vision wavered, agony overwhelming her senses. She collapsed forward, retching blood and smoke, trembling violently.


    ¡°AGHHH!¡± She screamed.


    Hunters seized their advantage, overwhelming her brutally. ¡°Now! Send that damn witch brat to Hell!¡±


    One spun forward, brutally cleaving downward with lightning-infused fists. Espen barely managed to brace herself, staff shattering violently beneath his strike. Another lunged from behind, his lightning-enveloped hands gripping her shoulders, sending destructive arcs searing through her bones. She screamed in raw agony, collapsing helplessly to her knees, vision darkening.


    Espen¡¯s heart sank, despair flooding her veins. ¡®Is this¡­ is this all I am? A failure? A pathetic imitation of Maela''s legacy?¡¯ She hated herself for a split second, humiliation searing deeper than any physical pain. ¡®I can''t¡­ I can''t let it end like this! I refuse!¡¯


    She clawed desperately at the earth, pulling herself up weakly, bloodied hands gripping her shattered staff. Her body trembled violently, muscles screaming with exhaustion, pain, and raw determination. She swayed precariously, barely standing.


    Orenn approached slowly, her voice calm, ice-cold, and mocking. "Did Maela truly abandon reason by taking you as her apprentice? You wouldn¡¯t have run far, Espen. Those without Kenda have heightened strength, speed, senses¡ªall to compensate for their lack of magic. You never stood a chance."


    Espen glared defiantly, spitting blood fiercely into Orenn¡¯s veiled face. "Bitch..," she snarled weakly. ¡°Come at me..¡±


    Orenn smiled coldly beneath her veil, lightning sparking violently through Espen¡¯s spittle. An explosive force blasted Espen backward, her broken body rolling brutally across the blood-soaked earth. Yet even then, even as agony consumed her, Espen clawed painfully to her feet once more. Her legs shook uncontrollably, blood streaming from countless wounds, but still she stood¡ªdefiant, stubborn, unbreakable.


    Her heart beat wildly, every nerve aflame, raw determination burning brighter than ever. ¡®I won¡¯t surrender. I refuse to die here, mocked and defeated. Maela¡­ I will surpass this. Even if my magic fails me, even if my body breaks apart, I will fight until my last breath. I¡¯ll prove myself worthy. Even if my power betrays me, I¡¯m not betraying my fucking self..¡¯


    Espen¡¯s vision blurred, tears mixing with blood, yet she stood tall, facing Orenn as darkness swirled violently around her. Her voice was ragged, but her words echoed with unyielding resolve.


    ¡°I¡­ am not¡­ finished yet.¡±


    Espen barely had time to register Orenn''s movement¡ªone moment the veiled woman stood at a distance, and the next, she vanished in a blur of lightning-infused speed. She appeared directly in front of Espen, her slender finger crackling violently with white-hot energy aimed precisely at Espen''s forehead. Espen''s eyes widened in shock, fear gripping her heart as she realized, too late, that she wasn''t fast enough to retaliate.


    ¡®No!¡¯ Espen''s mind screamed desperately, her muscles frozen in panic. ¡®She¡¯s  too fast¡ªI can''t move!¡¯


    Orenn''s voice was cold, triumphant, dripping with mocking finality as her fingertip surged towards Espen''s skull. "Yes you are, dear. You are finished now.¡±


    But at the last possible second, a shadow blurred in front of Espen, shoving her violently aside. Espen gasped, tumbling backward and skidding painfully across the blood-soaked ground. Her vision spun, and she twisted around frantically¡ªjust in time to see Kaelis standing in her place, taking the full force of Orenn''s devastating lightning strike directly into his shoulder.


    ¡°Fool!¡± Espen snarled.


    A horrific explosion of electrified energy erupted around Kaelis, sparks and arcs of lightning ripping through the clearing, carving deep, molten scars into the earth and shattering nearby trees. Espen''s breath caught violently in her throat, horror flooding her veins as Kaelis''s torso exploded grotesquely, blood and gore splattering violently across the battlefield. Yet, impossibly, Kaelis did not fall. He stood tall, motionless, seemingly unaffected by the catastrophic injury.


    Espen''s heart thundered wildly, disbelief overwhelming her senses. ¡°Kaelis¡­? How¡ªhow is he still standing?¡±


    Slowly, the air around Kaelis began to distort, shadowy tendrils of red and black magic swirling violently around him. His torn flesh knitted itself back together rapidly, muscles reforming, bones snapping into place with sickening cracks. Espen felt a chill surge down her spine, a primal fear unlike anything she''d ever known. Upon Kaelis¡¯s head appeared a single swirling horn, red and black, pulsing with sinister energy. Dark veins spread across his pale skin, writhing like serpents beneath the surface.


    Kaelis lifted his head, a malicious, unnatural smile spreading slowly across his lips. His eyes glowed deep, unnatural crimson, and from his lips came words in a language older than stars themselves, a distorted, ancient tongue resonating with dark, runic power:


    "???? ????? ??? ????????, ???????? ?????????."


    Orenn gasped sharply, her arrogant composure shattered utterly as she stared, horrified, into Kaelis''s crimson eyes.


    ¡®That dark presence¡­it¡¯s evil¡­that witch has to be using her magic on him! Right?!¡¯


    Reflected there, within Kaelis¡¯ irises, she glimpsed a shadowy throne, upon which sat a demon-like king wreathed in shadows¡ªa being of immense, terrifying power. Her lips parted in stunned disbelief, her voice trembling in shock and terror.


    "You¡­ What¡ªwhat are you¡­?"


    Espen lay frozen, her heart hammering painfully in her chest, her mind screaming desperately in disbelief.


    ¡®No¡­ that''s impossible. This aura¡­ this presence¡­ it feels demonic, ancient. The same feeling during Maela¡¯s rituals..Kaelis is no ordinary human. What power lies dormant within him?¡¯


    Ness, battered and bloodied, stood frozen beside her, muscular feline body trembling visibly. His eyes widened in shock, breath catching sharply in his throat. ¡°This magic¡­ this darkness¡­ It''s beyond anything I''ve ever sensed before. Who¡ªor what¡ªdid the hell came into our world?¡±


    Kaelis moved with terrifying, unnatural grace, extending his right arm slowly. From his clenched fist erupted a blade of pure shadow and crimson, swirling with smoky grey tendrils. With a speed beyond comprehension, he lunged forward, driving the blade directly into Orenn''s open mouth, piercing brutally through her skull and erupting grotesquely from the back of her head, leaving Espen and Orenn to gasp.


    A malicious grin twisted Kaelis''s lips as he planted one foot firmly against Orenn''s chest, kicking off violently. Her body flew backward, violently severed from her head, spraying blood and viscera across the battlefield. Kaelis stood motionless, holding Orenn''s severed head impaled grotesquely upon his shadowy blade, blood dripping steadily onto the scorched earth beneath him.


    Slowly, Kaelis turned toward Espen and Ness, crimson eyes blazing fiercely, his smile unwavering and malicious. He stepped toward them, movements jerking oddly, his head twitching and glitching unnaturally, as if reality struggled to contain the horrifying presence that now inhabited his body.


    Espen''s body shook uncontrollably, dread pooling coldly in her stomach, every nerve screaming desperately to flee. Yet she stayed frozen, unable to tear her gaze from Kaelis''s terrifying approach, heart pounding violently in her chest.


    ¡®Kaelis what have you become? Is he even in his right mind?!¡¯


    "???????? ??? ????????," Kaelis whispered again, voice echoing with ancient, corrupted power.


    He stepped closer, and closer, each footfall resonating heavily, his sinister smile never wavering, eyes locked unblinkingly upon Espen as shadows danced violently around him.


    Espen could only stare helplessly, horror gripping her heart, as Kaelis moved ever nearer, the severed head of Orenn still grotesquely impaled upon his dark blade.


    ¡°Kaelis¡­wake the hell up! Whatever is going on with you, it¡¯s resonating with me. I can feel it¡­it¡¯s dark. Snap out of it! I¡¯m not planning on losing to you either.¡±


    In Kaelis¡¯ mind..he was falling.


    Darkness surrounded him, thick and suffocating. There was no wind, no rush of air against his skin, no sensation of momentum¡ªjust an endless, silent plunge into the void. It was a fall without end, without beginning, without direction. He wasn''t even sure if he still had a body; he felt like a disembodied consciousness, tumbling forever through a cold, empty nothingness.


    His mind flickered desperately, grasping at memories, at fragments of consciousness, trying to make sense of what was happening. Images flashed before him¡ªEspen''s terrified eyes, Ness''s stunned expression, Orenn''s severed head impaled on a blade of darkness. Each memory was distant, surreal, as if viewed through shattered glass.


    He felt confusion, numbness¡ªand beneath it all, a slow-boiling rage. But this wasn''t the kind of anger he could scream out, wasn''t the kind that could explode into fists or shouts. This rage was quieter, deeper, like a smoldering ember buried beneath layers of shame, self-doubt, and despair. It was a rage aimed inward, a rage at himself¡ªat his own weakness, his own inadequacy, his own existence.


    Kaelis felt his throat tighten, though he had no throat. He felt tears welling, though he had no eyes. He felt a familiar ache within him¡ªthe same hollow, gnawing emptiness he''d felt countless nights alone in his empty apartment, staring at empty bottles, divorce papers, unanswered messages. It was the same feeling he''d experienced in those dark moments when he''d contemplated the worst, when he''d stared into his own reflection and seen nothing but a broken man.


    ¡®How did I end up like this again?¡¯ He thought bitterly, helplessly. ¡®For a second, I  thought I escaped this. For a second I thought this world¡ªthis beautiful, surreal place¡ªcould finally give me purpose, finally make me feel alive again. But here I am, falling back into the same damn emptiness.¡¯


    Flashes of his pathetic attempts at bravery came back to him¡ªhis smug jokes, his casual teasing, the arrogant facade he''d shown Espen and Ness. He had desperately wanted them to see someone confident, someone brave. And even if he did think this was a dream before, he tried to bring his reality to it unknowingly. But he wasn''t brave. He was scared, weak, fragile. He''d always been those things, hiding his insecurities behind smirks and sarcasm. He''d always been falling, even when he appeared to stand tall.


    ¡®Am I a failure?¡¯ Kaelis admitted silently, a wave of humiliation washing over him. ¡®I always have been. Even here, even in this world of magic and wonder.¡¯


    The darkness pressed closer, colder, heavier. Kaelis''s thoughts blurred, despair pulling him deeper into the void. He wondered if this emptiness was permanent, if he''d finally lost himself for good¡ªif he''d ever truly been found at all.


    ¡®Maybe I belong here¡¯, he thought bitterly.


    ¡®I want to go home. I¡¯m damn afraid.¡¯


    Suddenly, a presence stirred in the darkness. Kaelis felt it before he saw it¡ªa vast, overwhelming power, ancient and unfathomable. He struggled to focus, and slowly, a shadowy figure took shape before him. A dark throne emerged from the void, carved from shadows and whispers, and upon it sat the same demonic king he''d glimpsed in his own reflection. Eyes of crimson fire burned through the murky darkness, piercing into Kaelis''s very soul.


    ¡®The same guy¡­from before..?¡¯


    Kaelis trembled inwardly, unable to look away, fear and awe mingling in his chest. A massive shadowy hand formed above him, its fingers elongated, its palm vast and impossibly large. The hand descended slowly, inexorably, reaching for him.


    Kaelis tried to scream, but no sound came. He tried to move, but he was paralyzed, frozen in place by the sheer magnitude of the being before him.


    Then the shadowy hand closed around him, cold and unyielding, wrapping him in an unbreakable grip. The demonic king leaned forward slowly, eyes blazing with ancient, dark power. His voice resonated through Kaelis''s entire existence, deep and commanding:


    ¡°You are my avatar of Uuen.¡±


    Kaelis felt himself being pulled inexorably towards the throne, towards the darkness, towards a destiny he could not yet understand.


    Back outside, Kaelis approached slowly, footsteps heavy against the blood-soaked earth, the severed head of Orenn still grotesquely impaled upon his shadowy blade. Espen''s breath came ragged, her body trembling violently as she struggled to stand. Ness, battered and bleeding heavily, snarled softly, stepping boldly in front of Espen despite his own grievous wounds.


    "I won''t let you hurt her, kid. I know I know you¡¯re both like, married and all, but I can¡¯t just let you attack her.¡± Ness growled fiercely, eyes locked defiantly upon the corrupted Kaelis. His muscular feline form trembled visibly from exhaustion, lightning wounds still smoking painfully. Espen''s heart twisted bitterly in her chest, humiliation and shame surging fiercely within her.


    "Stop," she hissed weakly to Ness, forcing herself upright despite her shaking limbs. "I don''t¡­ need your help." Her voice wavered, quiet yet filled with stubborn pride; anger at herself for being seen this weak, this vulnerable, scorched through her veins. She hated the pity, the fear, the helplessness consuming her now. ¡°I am Maela''s apprentice. I am a witch of darkness. How did I allow myself to fall this low?¡±


    Ness glanced back briefly, eyes softening slightly with understanding, yet his stance did not waver. "Espen¡­ I don''t know what''s happening with Kaelis, but whatever it is, we can''t lose him," Ness murmured, voice heavy with concern. "No matter how much you dislike him, we can''t let him die. Something powerful has awakened within him¡ªsomething we need to understand. Right? Damn I sound cool and heroic.¡±


    Before Espen could respond, the remaining Hunters suddenly emerged from the shadows, their bodies crackling violently with unique, unstable lightning Kenda. Their eyes blazed fiercely, some shouting encouragement to one another, others grinning savagely, bloodlust shining hungrily in their eyes.


    "Come on, brothers!" one Hunter roared, pounding his chest violently. "With Orenn gone, her share is ours! Kill the witch, and we''ll live like kings!"


    Another, more cautious and calculating, nodded grimly. "The bounty grows higher every day. Even if we fail, more Hunters will come. She''ll never know rest¡ªonly endless fear and battle until she breaks."


    Ness snarled angrily, stepping forward defiantly. "Cowards! You White Brigade Guild Hunters disgrace your own name, chasing after coin like beasts in a frenzy. Have you no honor left?"


    A Hunter laughed coldly, lightning sparking dangerously at his fingertips. "Honor doesn''t fill our bellies, beast. The Apostles reward strength, not foolish ideals. Espen''s head means riches, power¡ªeverything we''ve dreamed of. That¡¯s what Hunters in this world revolve around. If we just overwhelm you all while you¡¯re all in this state of exhaustion, we have the advantage!¡±


    Espen stood frozen, heart hammering painfully in her chest, fear coiling tightly within her stomach. She wanted desperately to fight, to unleash her chaos upon these Hunters, but terror rooted her to the ground. Her magic felt unstable, uncontrollable¡ªdangerous even to herself. ¡®What if I lose control again? What if I fail?¡¯ Dread washed over her, but she gripped her broken staff tightly, refusing to let her fear show.


    The Hunters lunged forward, lightning crackling explosively around them. Before Espen or Ness could react, Kaelis¡ªstill grinning maliciously, still holding Orenn''s severed head¡ªleapt violently over them, landing directly amidst the charging foes. His body moved with terrifying, primal fluidity, his bladed fist carving brutal arcs through flesh and bone, Orenn''s head a grotesque, improvised weapon swung mercilessly, shattering skulls and crushing limbs.


    ¡°HAHAHAHAH!¡± Kaelis laughed.


    Kaelis vaulted acrobatically, dodging lightning-infused strikes effortlessly, his body contorting impossibly as he twisted, spun, and somersaulted through the chaos. A dark star crest¡ªdeep red and smoky grey¡ªswirled violently behind him, pulsating with sinister, ancient power. Even as lightning seared his flesh, his wounds healed instantly, muscles and bones knitting seamlessly back together. Kaelis laughed softly, eyes blazing crimson, his smile never faltering as he carved a merciless path of destruction.


    Yet beneath that horrific smile, Kaelis''s mind screamed desperately, horror flooding every fiber of his being. He watched helplessly, feeling his own body move, his muscles contracting, his limbs striking mercilessly, blood spraying grotesquely across his skin. ¡®No¡­Stop! This isn''t me! I don''t want this!¡¯ His thoughts quaked violently, terror and disgust overwhelming him. He saw the life fade from his victims'' eyes, felt the sickening crunch of bone beneath his strikes, his heart wrenching painfully with every kill.


    Kaelis''s body twisted violently, flipping through the air and landing atop a Hunter''s shoulders, driving his bladed fist deep into the man''s heart, Orenn''s severed head swung brutally into another Hunter''s face, shattering his jaw. Kaelis¡¯s movements were fluid, primal, relentless¡ªexactly like a predator stalking wounded prey. He vaulted off the dying Hunter, spinning through the air and cleaving through two more Hunters mid-flight, landing gracefully as their bodies fell broken and bloody to the ground.


    Internally, Kaelis sobbed bitterly, panic and despair surging through him. ¡®I can¡¯t stop myself!¡¯ He pleaded desperately, but his body refused to listen, moving with relentless speed and savagery. ¡®I¡¯ve never taken a life before¡ªthis isn''t me. Someone, help me stop..¡¯


    Kaelis ducked beneath a Hunter''s ferocious strike, spinning around violently, driving Orenn''s head brutally into the Hunter''s temple, sending him sprawling lifeless to the ground. A second Hunter lunged from behind, lightning blazing destructively, but Kaelis twisted effortlessly, impaling the attacker mercilessly upon his shadowy blade. Blood splattered Kaelis¡¯s face, but his smile remained hauntingly unwavering, his eyes glowing fiercely as he turned to face his final opponent.


    The last Hunter backed away desperately, lightning crackling weakly around him, eyes wide with terror.


    ¡°You demon! Y-You¡¯re the type of bastrd the Apostles warn us about¡ª!¡±


    Kaelis lunged forward, primal and unstoppable, ripping the Hunter apart in a grotesque display of violence. Kaelis landed softly, the forest clearing now eerily silent, broken bodies strewn grotesquely around him.


    Slowly, Kaelis dropped heavily to his knees, breath coming in ragged gasps, horror flooding through every nerve. His body trembled violently, tears streaming unchecked down his blood-smeared face. The dark star crest faded slowly behind him, the swirling horn disappearing, black veins receding from his skin. He stared blankly at the carnage surrounding him, mind numb with disbelief, despair, and self-loathing.


    ¡°What¡­ have I done? This¡­ this was all me. I''m a monster. I killed them¡ªI slaughtered them all¡­¡± Kaelis''s hands shook violently, his vision blurred with tears of anguish, confusion, and overwhelming guilt. Espen and Ness stood frozen, eyes wide with shock and fear, as Kaelis knelt brokenly in the blood-soaked earth, utterly lost, devastated, and shattered.


    The silence stretched painfully around them, the weight of what had happened pressing heavily upon each of their souls. Kaelis, sobbing softly, could only whisper brokenly into the silence:


    "What¡­ am I?"

 Chapter 3: Blood Bath

    The clearing was silent. Heavy, suffocating silence enveloped them all, punctuated only by the soft, uneven breathing of three battered souls. Kaelis knelt amidst the blood and ruin, his gaze hollow, haunted by the horrors he''d seen himself commit; Espen stood stiffly, battered and bloodied, her pride wounded far deeper than her physical scars. Slightly embarrassed because she lost the fight against Orenn. Handling the defeat in her mind basically tormented her.


    ¡®Making me look like some damsel in distress, waiting to be saved. What a joke..¡¯


    Ness¡ªstill towering protectively in his muscular feline form¡ªlooked between them anxiously, ears flattened, tail flicking nervously.


    Slowly, the hulking feline shrunk back into his familiar small cat form, shaking his dark fur as if to brush off the tension. He leaped gracefully between Espen and Kaelis, glancing from one grim face to another, whiskers twitching nervously.


    "Well," Ness began awkwardly, voice overly cheerful and forced, "at least we won''t have to deal with Orenn''s annoying ass anymore, right? I mean, seriously, can you imagine having to hear her pretentious lectures again?"


    He paused, grinning hopefully. Silence greeted him.


    "Ah, come on you two," Ness persisted stubbornly, his tail swishing in exaggerated excitement. "Look at the bright side¡ªno more White Brigade Guild chasing us endlessly through the woods! No more Hunters constantly spoiling our good moods. Ha, right? Kaelis did us a favor..right?"


    Still, only silence. Kaelis¡¯ hands were shaking, and he didn¡¯t blink. His mind lost within the events that just fucked him up.


    Ness cleared his throat loudly, puffing up his fur dramatically. "Fine, you gloomy bastards¡ªat least now we don¡¯t have to listen to Orenn drone on and on about Apostles and ascending to godhood. You¡¯ve got to admit, listening to her was worse than being tortured."


    Kaelis snorted softly, a faint smirk twitching reluctantly at his lips. Espen quickly turned her head away, but Ness caught the briefest flicker of amusement in her crimson eyes.


    "HAHA! I saw that!" Ness crowed triumphantly, bouncing on his paws. "I knew you''d laugh eventually, Espen. Even you can''t resist my charm."


    Espen shot him a murderous glare, quickly regaining her composure. "Don''t flatter yourself, rat. I wasn¡¯t laughing.¡±


    Kaelis slowly rose to his feet, brushing off the blood and dirt as best he could, forcing himself to appear calm and collected. Inside, his heart still raced chaotically, anxiety and horror swirling beneath his carefully constructed facade. But he refused to show weakness¡ªnot in front of these two, especially not Espen. He didn¡¯t want to be pitied, or felt bad for. So he hid his true emotions within him. This was always the case, even back on earth, something his ex-wife always scoffed at him for. He straightened his posture, adopting a confident demeanor, his voice steady and determined despite the turmoil inside.


    ¡®Put it away¡­¡¯


    "Alright, enough jokes," Kaelis said sharply, crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "Espen, what the hell is going on? Tell me everything. I want to know about this world¡ªKalhalla, right? Explain your weird magic¡­ Kenda, witches, Hunters, Gods, Demons. Everything."


    Espen hesitated, crimson eyes guarded as she studied him closely. She sighed softly, tension visibly easing from her shoulders. "You''re demanding explanations from me? Look at us, Kaelis¡ªwe¡¯re barely standing. Before I tell you anything, we need to tend to our wounds first."


    Espen turned away slightly, staring thoughtfully into the distance. "Throughout Kalhalla, there are hundreds of Well Springs¡ªrare pools formed from the blood of a fallen healing goddess, slain in the ancient war between Gods and Demons many years ago. That war shaped Kalhalla itself; their bodies, blood, and bones forming the very foundations and landscapes we walk upon. Most springs are hidden, almost impossible to find. Explorers and adventurers spend their entire lives searching for even one.¡±


    She paused, a faint sadness flickering behind her eyes. "But Maela showed me a map. She knew exactly where each spring was. We''ll heal there, and then¡­ when I feel ready¡­ I''ll explain everything."


    Espen fell into silence, her thoughts turbulent. She glanced towards Kaelis, her gaze softening slightly despite herself. ¡®He did save me¡­ possessed or not. I''ve never owed a human anything before. Do I thank him? No¡ªI can''t. He''s human. Humans only betray. Yet, that crest¡­ the Dark Star Crest he bore¡­¡¯ Her mind flashed to Maela''s rituals, the same crest emblazoned upon altars, candles, runes¡ªher mentor desperately communing with the darkest powers of Hell itself. ¡®Kaelis, who are you?¡¯


    Suddenly, a massive shadow obscured the suns above, a rush of wind heralding the arrival of Espen¡¯s personal transport¡ªHael, the giant shadow-covered crow. Hael landed gracefully nearby, folding enormous wings elegantly around her sleek, obsidian-black body. Her emerald eyes glittered mischievously, immediately locking onto Kaelis.


    "Oh my," Hael purred seductively, stepping closer and gently brushing her feathered wing against Kaelis''s torso, her voice dripping with barely concealed hunger. "Espen, dear, you''ve brought me such a perfect morsel. I''ve never seen a human quite so¡­ delectable."


    Kaelis recoiled, disgust and confusion twisting his features. "Whoa, hold on! Did your bird seriously just flirt with me? I''m not bird food!"


    Hael chuckled softly, circling him hungrily. "Oh, darling, I''d savor every bite."


    ¡°Buzz off, crow.¡± Kaelis folded his arms.


    Espen rolled her eyes dramatically, irritation flashing in her dark gaze. She strode forward swiftly, grabbing Kaelis firmly by the ear and pulling him away from Hael''s eager advances. "Back off, Hael. This human is mine."


    Hael cocked her head teasingly, emerald eyes glittering. "Yours, Espen? How possessive you''ve become. Finally found yourself a mate?"


    Espen''s eyes widened in shock and embarrassment. "No. Don''t be absurd. He''s¡­ he''s my property, nothing more."


    Hael chuckled knowingly, stepping closer again. "Well, property can be shared¡ª"


    Before Hael finished, Ness leaped between them dramatically, fur standing on end, tail lashing aggressively. "Absolutely not! Kaelis is off-limits if Espen said so. Damn vulture.¡±


    Hael eyed Ness disdainfully, feigning pity. "Aw, poor kitten. Did those mean Hunters rough you up again? You look absolutely dreadful¡ªcovered in blood, fur all matted. Must''ve been humiliating losing yet another fight."


    Ness bristled furiously. "I did NOT lose a fight, you oversized poultry! I heroically saved everyone here!"


    ¡°Definitely find that hard to believe.¡±


    Kaelis said, ¡°Ness did save me¡­so without him, we probably wouldn¡¯t be alive.¡±


    Hael grinned, ¡°Well if that¡¯s the case, then I guess Ness DID save you.¡±


    Hael laughed musically, batting Ness playfully with her wing, sparking a comedic wrestling match between them. Espen sighed deeply, pressing fingers to her temples, exasperation evident.


    Kaelis stood awkwardly beside Espen, silently watching the comedic chaos unfold. He turned slowly, suddenly realizing how close Espen was standing. Their eyes met directly, for a brief, charged moment. Espen''s breath caught sharply, panic surged, and she quickly shoved him away roughly.


    "How dare you look me in the eyes, human!" Espen snapped defensively, stepping back swiftly. "Know your place.¡±


    Kaelis scowled slightly, irritation flickering beneath his carefully controlled mask. "Huh?! YOU LOOKED AT ME FIRST, fool! What¡¯s your deal?!¡±


    "My problem," Espen retorted icily, "is you. Your arrogance, your disrespect¡ª"


    "My disrespect?" Kaelis interrupted incredulously, voice rising slightly. "I¡¯M THE MOST RESPECTFUL ONE HERE!¡±


    ¡°No. I am. Get that through your head.¡±


    They stood glaring fiercely at one another, tension crackling visibly between them. Yet beneath the anger, beneath their stubborn pride, something deeper lingered¡ªan uncertain, unspoken bond neither could admit nor fully understand.


    Nearby, Ness and Hael paused mid-fight, exchanging amused glances. Ness chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Those two are hopeless."


    Hael smiled knowingly, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Indeed. This journey just got far more interesting."


    Above, the three suns blazed brilliantly, illuminating a chaotic yet strangely comforting scene¡ªa witch, a human, a cat, and a crow bound together by fate, secrets, and powers beyond comprehension.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Kaelis clung tightly to Hael''s sleek obsidian feathers, the wind roaring around him as they soared high above the vast and mystical continent of Yarfan. The giant crow''s wings beat rhythmically, each powerful stroke sending ripples of shadow and mist trailing behind her like smoke, painting strange patterns in the sky. Beside him, Espen sat poised and dignified, her gaze fixed forward, expression guarded as ever. Hael herself appeared utterly content, her emerald eyes gleaming mischievously as she carried Ness by the tail, the small cat thrashing and snarling indignantly in her beak.


    "Release me at once!!" Ness spat angrily, paws flailing uselessly in midair. "When we land, you and I will settle this once and for all!"


    Hael chuckled softly, voice musical yet dripping with mockery. "Oh, kitten, don''t threaten me with a good time."


    Ness growled furiously, ears flattened against his head as he twisted uselessly. "Kaelis! Espen! A little help, please?"


    Kaelis glanced over, raising an eyebrow at Ness¡¯s indignation. Before he could offer assistance, Hael''s silky feathers brushed gently against his cheek, her soothing, seductive voice echoing softly, "Are you comfortable, my dear Kaelis? Perhaps I can carry you somewhere¡­ cozier?"


    Espen¡¯s eyes flashed dangerously, and she swiftly smacked Hael''s wing aside, glaring fiercely at the mischievous crow. "Keep your feathers to yourself, Hael. Stop harassing my property."


    Hael let out an exaggerated sigh, laughter twinkling in her emerald eyes. "So possessive, Espen. Are you sure you''re not developing feelings for our dear human?"


    Espen slightly scoffed, "Ridiculous."


    ¡®I would never catch feelings for some human.¡¯


    Kaelis chuckled quietly, turning his gaze downward as the breathtaking kingdom of Varnhalin unfolded beneath them. The land stretched endlessly, a tapestry of rich emerald forests shimmering with strange violet and turquoise leaves, crystalline rivers pulsing gently with silver currents, and sprawling golden plains dotted with towering, luminous flowers that seemed to glow softly in the afternoon sunlight. Mountains rose majestically in the distance, their snow-capped peaks glittering, veins of deep amethyst running along their stone faces.


    ¡®I can¡¯t talk much right now. Everything that happened¡­it¡¯s still messing with me. I would¡¯ve hoped this was a dream. And it got to the point where I want to find out about why I¡¯m in this world, and go back to earth. I can¡¯t stand this feeling, this feeling like I¡¯m not in control. And no, it¡¯s not because of Espen, but this power¡­that man on the throne who clenched me with his big ass shadowy hands. What else am I capable of? I hate the fact that I feel like a puppet to him, like I was a puppet to all of my problems on earth. I wanna control this power, survive, and maybe find a way back. I really don¡¯t wanna lose myself like I did before..fuck that.¡¯


    His breath caught slightly; this world was unlike anything he''d ever imagined. Strange, winged beasts glided gracefully through the sky, their bodies long and serpentine, rainbow-colored scales catching the sun''s rays like living prisms. Below, enormous deer-like creatures, crowned with sprawling antlers that burned softly with ghostly blue flames, grazed peacefully on fields of luminous grass.


    "Espen," Kaelis began, tearing his gaze reluctantly from the surreal beauty, "I heard this continent, Yarfan, has three kingdoms, right? Vjosgard, Indreth, and Varnhalin¡ªwhat''s their story?"


    Espen hesitated briefly, as if carefully selecting her words. "Vjosgard, Indreth, and Varnhalin have warred and schemed against one another for centuries, each kingdom vastly different yet equally dangerous. Vjosgard, the Blooded Throne in the north, thrives on endless conflict and war. They choose their High King through brutal combat and settle disputes only by bloodshed. Strength is their only law."


    Kaelis''s eyes widened slightly, intrigued. "Sounds ruthless."


    Espen nodded grimly. "It is. Then there''s Indreth to the west¡ªthe Kingdom of Silver and Shadows. They''re ruled by intrigue, gold, and daggers in the dark. Their king hides in a palace of mirrors, rarely seen, protected by assassins and spies. Power there is bought, not earned."


    "And Varnhalin?" Kaelis asked, glancing down again at the lush kingdom beneath him.


    Espen''s gaze softened slightly, tinged with reluctant respect. "Varnhalin is the Stagborn Kingdom, land of honor and knights. They uphold chivalry, loyalty, and martial prowess above all else. Their warriors swear blood oaths to their king, silent guardians who never speak once they''ve pledged their lives."


    Kaelis leaned in closer, curiosity burning fiercely in his eyes. "Then why did these three completely different kingdoms band together against Maela?"


    Espen''s jaw tightened slightly, bitterness flickering behind her eyes. "Because Maela threatened something far bigger than kingdoms¡ªshe targeted the Apostles themselves. Maela and I call them False Angels. The kingdoms were already fearful of her, since they knew the Apostles were weary of her and her abilities.¡±


    "Apostles?" Kaelis echoed thoughtfully. "I heard some of those Hunters talking about them. They claimed the Apostles could make them ascend to godhood. Doesn¡¯t that sound super crazy?¡±


    Espen nodded grimly, her eyes darkening. "It''s true, in a way. The Apostles manipulate soul Kenda¡ªan incredibly rare and powerful form of magic. They promise mortals godhood, immortality, ascension. But it''s not that simple. They use these promises to control kingdoms, manipulate wars, and shape Kalhalla itself."


    Kaelis frowned deeply, considering her words carefully. "So¡­ Maela made them her target? Why exactly? What did she do that pissed everyone off so much?"


    Espen hesitated, her expression guarded, conflicted. "First off, she¡¯s a witch. Second, Maela believed the Apostles were false gods, frauds exploiting humanity. She spent her life exposing and fighting them, disrupting their plans, breaking their hold over rulers and kingdoms. She became their most wanted enemy, hunted by every kingdom''s champions and guilds. When Maela vanished, they came after me¡ªher apprentice."


    Kaelis studied her closely, sensing the pain and bitterness beneath her cold exterior. "There''s more to this, isn''t there? Something deeper you''re not telling me."


    ¡®She¡¯s withholding a lot from me¡­every piece of information I get about this world is crucial at this point.¡¯ His mind wondered.


    Espen turned away slightly, voice quiet yet firm. "When I feel ready, Kaelis. Patience."


    Kaelis grinned faintly, leaning back casually. "Fine. Take your time."


    Espen scowled, but secretly felt grateful he didn¡¯t press further.


    Behind them, Hael released Ness briefly, the cat landing indignantly beside Espen, hissing furiously. Hael glanced back, voice suddenly serious. "Ness, tell me¡ªdid any of the White Brigade Guild survive?"


    Ness shook himself, fur bristling. "No. Kaelis¡­ took care of them all. But you''re worried other guilds will come, aren''t you?"


    Hael nodded slowly, emerald eyes flickering uneasily. "Of course they will. Nowhere is safe within this continent. And there¡¯s no doubt word about Espen has reached other continents as well. Espen''s bounty keeps rising daily. More guilds will come eventually. I say¡­we build our own kingdom! And let Kaelis be king, and I¡¯m the queen!¡±


    Espen squealed, ¡°No! Not happening!¡±


    Ness sighed, glancing toward Kaelis thoughtfully.


    ¡®This kid..it sucks to see him deal with this alone. But I won¡¯t pry into his business unless he wants to talk. Man, the way I thought all of that was so heroic! I¡¯m becoming a badass.¡¯


    Hael chuckled softly, eyes gleaming mischievously once more. "I sense a dark, delicious power from him¡ªit only makes me want him more."


    Ness rolled his eyes dramatically. "Of course. You have no shame."


    Kaelis felt Espen''s gaze upon him again, turning to meet her crimson eyes curiously. "Espen, you mentioned earlier that remnants of gods and demons remain here from their ancient war. Like Well Springs. What exactly are they?"


    Espen''s expression softened faintly, as if appreciating his genuine curiosity. "They''re pools of divine blood infused with powerful healing Kenda. After the great war between gods and demons, their bodies formed the very earth we walk on; their blood pooled into these rare springs. Maela taught me their locations, hidden across Kalhalla."


    Kaelis smiled faintly, leaning closer.


    ¡®I should ease our minds a little. Mostly for my sake, to keep me distracted.¡¯


    "You know, Espen¡ªit''s nice just talking like this. Normal conversations, no threats or insults¡ªit''s refreshing."


    Espen''s cheeks flushed faintly, eyes narrowing defensively. "Do you think you can just have a normal conversation with me and get away with it?!¡±


    Kaelis snorted softly, smirking playfully. "IT INVOLVES THE MISSION! IT¡¯S IMPORTANT TO IT!¡±


    Hael and Ness agreed at the same time, ¡°I mean, it does.¡±


    Kaelis pointed at them with a grin, ¡°HAHA! See?! They get it!¡±


    Hael brushed against Kaelis, saying, ¡°Since you said I get it, maybe you can get it¡ª?¡±


    Kaelis backed away, squealing like a girl.


    Espen huffed quietly, but her eyes softened despite herself, warmth flickering briefly behind the walls she''d built around her heart.


    The sky around them deepened into vibrant shades of violet, red, and gold as the three suns descended gracefully toward the horizon. Strange glowing insects, like tiny floating stars, rose from the forests below, drifting serenely upward in a luminous dance. The air grew cool, fragrant with blossoms and the promise of mystery, as Hael carried them forward, bound by fate and secrets deeper than any imagined.


    The sun had set fully by the time Hael''s massive wings beat downward, sending a swirl of dust and dead leaves scattering around the clearing. Kaelis''s eyes widened slightly as he took in their destination¡ªa grim, desolate place utterly devoid of the beauty he''d glimpsed earlier.


    ¡°The hell..? I thought it would be super pretty here or some mystical stuff going on. Place is a dump.¡±


    The Well Spring lay nestled within a deep, rocky hollow, ringed by twisted, skeletal trees whose branches clawed desperately toward the darkening sky like skeletal fingers begging for mercy. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, a faint metallic tang lingering ominously beneath it.


    At the heart of the clearing stood the grotesque remains of what had once been a divine being¡ªa massive heart, easily twice Kaelis''s height, encased in jagged stone and tangled veins of rot. The organ pulsed weakly, each sluggish beat sending rivulets of luminous red fluid trickling into a shallow pool below. Just beyond it lay the shattered shaft of a spear¡ªonce pristine silver, now tarnished and blackened by years of neglect. Espen stepped forward, her crimson eyes unreadable as she studied the fallen goddess¡¯s relics silently.


    "This is it," Espen murmured quietly, leaping gracefully from Hael''s back and landing lightly on the cracked earth. "I claim this Well Spring. Kaelis, Hael, Ness¡ªgo find somewhere to camp nearby. Once I''m done, Kaelis can take a turn."


    Kaelis hesitated slightly, glancing down at himself. "My wounds¡­ healed when I was in that¡­ horrid state," he admitted quietly, voice tinged with lingering dread and shame.


    ¡®Clear your head, Kaelis.¡¯


    Espen turned back sharply, eyes narrowing slightly. "That doesn''t matter. You''re still tainted. The goddess''s blood isn¡¯t just about physical healing¡ªit calms the soul  And we both know you desperately need that." Her voice softened slightly, almost reluctantly. "I know you''re hiding whatever dark shit is swirling around in your head right now, laughing it off, pretending you''re fine. I know, because¡­ I''m guilty of it too. I despise being pitied, loathe anyone telling me what''s wrong with me¡ª"


    Espen stopped abruptly, eyes widening slightly as she realized how much she''d inadvertently revealed. Her jaw tightened, shame burning fiercely in her chest, and she silently berated herself: ¡®Stupid. Why did you tell him that? You betrayed yourself, Espen. You can''t.¡¯


    Before Kaelis could respond, Ness quickly leaped up, grabbing his leg and dragging him comically away. "Don''t worry, Espen! We''ll find the perfect camping spot! No need for awkward conversations!" Ness chirped loudly, pulling Kaelis forcefully behind him.


    Hael added, ¡°Yep! And I¡¯m gonna have my way with him!¡±


    Espen scoffed at Hael, ¡°YOU BETTER NOT! I¡¯LL COOK YOU!¡±


    Espen watched them disappear into the gloom, shoulders sagging slightly as she sighed deeply. Turning back to the Well Spring, she raised one delicate hand, shadows swirling gently at her fingertips. "Wall formation..¡± she whispered softly, her voice resonating with quiet power.


    Darkness surged forth, forming an opaque wall of shadows around the spring. But the barrier flickered unsteadily, strings of darkness wavering and faltering. Espen scowled slightly, frustration flickering across her face as she clenched her fist tighter. "I don''t have time for this," she muttered sharply, her eyes blazing fiercely. Gathering her willpower, she steadied herself, breathing deeply until finally, the shadows solidified into an impenetrable curtain around her.


    ¡®Please just work..¡¯


    Now alone, Espen''s rigid posture softened gradually. Her fingers brushed gently against the fastenings of her dark gown, slowly unclasping each delicate silver hook. The fabric slipped smoothly from her shoulders, pooling gracefully around her bare feet. Her pale skin gleamed softly in the faint crimson glow of the Well Spring, her slender form sculpted with elegant, feminine curves.


    Upon her back sprawled an intricate, striking tattoo¡ªa black dragon, its sinuous body twisting and coiling sensually across her skin. The dragon''s scales shimmered vividly with shades of deep emerald green and blood-red, its eyes blazing fiercely with captured fury. Yet beneath its beauty lingered imperfections¡ªscars and jagged lines marred the design, evidence of struggle long past, the evidence of when Espen tried to break free from getting the tattoo, and the scars coming from them constantly messing up on it.


    Espen''s fingers brushed hesitantly along the old wounds, memories surging painfully within her mind¡ªher younger self screaming, sobbing desperately as the tattoo was forced upon her, marking her as something she never asked to become.


    ¡®Marked before by humans, and marked now to a human..what are the odds?¡¯


    Espen slowly stepped forward, descending gracefully into the Well Spring. The blood of the fallen goddess enveloped her gently, warm and viscous, its healing essence seeping gradually into her aching flesh. A soft, sensual sigh escaped her lips, tension melting slowly from her muscles as she leaned back, allowing the divine fluid to wash away her pain.


    Her thoughts drifted unavoidably toward Kaelis¡ªwhy had she revealed so much to him? Espen frowned slightly, sinking deeper into the spring. She hadn''t opened up to anyone since Maela disappeared. Had loneliness pushed her to confide in him so foolishly? Was desperation for companionship, for someone who understood her, all it took to break down her carefully constructed walls? Espen''s jaw tightened bitterly, frustrated and confused by her own vulnerability.


    She didn''t have romantic feelings for Kaelis¡ªsuch trivial sentiments had no place in her brutal, chaotic life¡ªbut something deeper, something unsettling, lingered stubbornly in her heart. Perhaps it was simply the Mark of Bondage, that cursed symbol binding them inexplicably together. She still didn''t understand why she''d been chosen as Kaelis''s wife, why fate had cruelly entwined their destinies. Espen''s fingers absently traced the faint mark upon her hand, confusion and frustration churning within her.


    Shaking off her troubling thoughts, Espen focused on the sensation of the goddess''s blood caressing her body, her skin tingling pleasurably as the fluid soaked into every wound, every bruise, every scar. She tilted her head back slowly, allowing the healing magic to cascade sensuously through her long, dark hair, blood droplets trickling gently down her collarbone, tracing paths along her curves.


    Her hands moved gracefully across her bare body, washing away dirt and dried blood, fingertips gently massaging aching muscles. She sighed softly, eyelids fluttering closed as sensations of warmth, comfort, and luxurious relaxation enveloped her. The Well Spring''s divine magic pulsed rhythmically around her, soothing both body and mind.


    Espen allowed herself to linger within the warm embrace of the Well Spring, savoring the rare moment of peace and indulgence. Her slender form moved sensually through the crimson fluid, the goddess''s blood swirling gently around her curves, wrapping her in an intimate, soothing embrace. Her breathing grew slow and even, tension gradually melting until only warmth, pleasure, and quiet tranquility remained.

 Chapter 4: Drowning With Her

    Looking for a place to camp, Kaelis trailed behind Ness and Hael as they cautiously navigated the terrain, their movements sharp and alert, scanning the area for anything unusual. The battle may have been over, but the weight of it still clung to the air, thick and unforgiving.


    His thoughts, however, weren¡¯t on their surroundings. They were on the blood¡ªthe bodies, the screams, the way his own hands had moved without his command, tearing through flesh like paper.


    The memory played on an endless loop in his mind¡ªthe raw, uncontrollable fury, the way his body moved on its own, the power that wasn¡¯t his, yet was completely his. The moment the battle had ended, he had snapped back to himself, standing amidst a massacre, drenched in blood that wasn¡¯t his own.   It wasn¡¯t like a blur or a haze. It was an absence, like something else had stepped forward, taken the reins, and then handed them back when it was done.


    ¡®What the hell is happening to me?¡¯


    He clenched his fists tightly, trying to shake the sinking feeling in his gut. He had been in fights before¡ªback on Earth, before all of this¡ªbut this was different. This wasn¡¯t a fight. It was a slaughter.


    Before he could spiral any further, a sudden warm weight draped over him, covering his entire body in a feathery embrace.


    A soft, dramatic sigh followed.


    ¡°Oh, my poor, poor Kaelis,¡± Hael¡¯s voice cooed in mock concern, her wing dramatically shielding him from the eerie night air. ¡°Are you frightened? Is the big, bad wilderness too much for our delicate human?¡±


    Kaelis blinked, momentarily disoriented, before realizing what was happening. He let out a dry chuckle, stepping away from her wing.


    ¡°Buzz off, crow,¡± he said with a smirk.


    Hael gasped, clutching her chest as if he had mortally wounded her. ¡°Such cruelty! After all I¡¯ve done for you! Is this how you treat a lady?¡±


    Kaelis shot her a look. ¡°You¡¯re not a lady.¡±


    Hael grinned. ¡°Oh? Then what am I?¡±


    Before he could respond, Hael suddenly spun in front of him, and in a flash of absurd theatrics, she shifted¡ªher crow form stretching, twisting, molding itself into something else entirely.


    With a flair of unnecessary dramatics, Hael transformed into a humanoid figure, feathers weaving into something that was both bird and woman, her form draped in shimmering black plumage, her emerald eyes gleaming mischievously. She struck a ridiculous pose, one hand on her hip, the other gesturing toward herself.


    ¡°Well?¡± she purred, tilting her head. ¡°Does this form suit me best?¡±


    Kaelis immediately looked away, his face twitching with exasperation and disgust. ¡°Nope. Not doing this.¡±


    Before Hael could milk the moment any further, Ness suddenly darted forward.


    With zero hesitation, he rolled up a massive bundle of leaves and slammed them over Hael, pinning her feathered, humanoid form to the ground.


    Hael let out a muffled cackle, completely unbothered. ¡°Oh nooo, I¡¯m trapped,¡± she drawled, laughter bubbling beneath her words. ¡°Whatever shall I do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll shut up, that¡¯s what you¡¯ll do,¡± Ness grumbled, kicking her leaf-wrapped form like a tumbleweed as they walked.


    Kaelis snorted. ¡°How do you deal with her all the time?¡±


    Ness sighed dramatically, rolling Hael a little further. ¡°You don¡¯t. You just accept that she exists and hope she doesn¡¯t make your life worse.¡±


    Hael, still wrapped like a burrito, hummed thoughtfully. ¡°I prefer the term ¡®blessing in disguise.¡¯¡±


    Ness kicked her again.


    Kaelis chuckled, shaking his head before his expression turned more thoughtful. ¡°And..What¡¯s it like being with Espen?¡±


    Ness slowed a little, glancing at him. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Kaelis shrugged. ¡°You¡¯ve been with her longer than I have. What¡¯s she like¡­ outside of all this chaos?¡±


    ¡®I wanna ask what her backstory and stuff is, but that would be too nosey. Gotta be cool for now.¡¯


    Both Ness and Hael were quiet for a moment.


    Then Hael, still rolling along the ground, sighed dramatically. ¡°She¡¯s snobby.¡±


    Ness nodded. ¡°Very snobby.¡±


    ¡°But,¡± Hael added, ¡°she¡¯s also special. Our most cherished being is her.¡±


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. ¡°Special how?¡±


    Ness rolled Hael a little more before answering. ¡°She¡¯s got flaws like the rest of us. She¡¯s not perfect. She¡¯s learning, struggling, fighting¡ªsame as you. This fight against the White Brigade? That was her first real fight.¡±


    Kaelis frowned slightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Hael finally burst out of the leaves, shaking herself off as she stretched. ¡°What he means is that for the longest time, Ness and I have been the ones fighting for her.¡±


    Kaelis blinked. ¡°Wait¡­ seriously?¡±


    Ness nodded. ¡°Yeah. Maela enhanced us with her usual creepy magic, making us powerful enough to fight by Espen¡¯s side. But we¡¯re not unstoppable. We¡¯re strong, but only to a certain extent.¡±


    Hael smirked. ¡°And I was just a normal crow before all this. Super boring indeed.¡±


    Kaelis frowned slightly. ¡°And then Maela picked you?¡±


    Hael¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Well¡­ I shoved everyone else out of the way, but yes.¡±


    Kaelis laughed. ¡°Of course you did.¡±


    Hael winked. ¡°Can you blame me?¡±


    Kaelis shook his head in amusement before his gaze turned more serious. ¡°You mentioned Kenda, What exactly is Kenda?¡±


    Ness and Hael exchanged a look before Ness spoke.


    ¡°It¡¯s everything.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Kaelis asked.


    Hael stretched out her wings. ¡°It¡¯s the force behind all magic in this world! It¡¯s not just energy¡ªit¡¯s woven into existence itself! Every living thing has it. Some people can wield it. Some can¡¯t.¡±


    Ness kicked a rock absentmindedly. ¡°People are born with affinities, tied to a specific element. Fire, water, wind, that kind of thing. Plus over 50 elements of magic. But some people? They¡¯re born with nothing.¡±


    Kaelis tilted his head. ¡°And they¡¯re just¡­ powerless?¡±


    Hael grinned. ¡°Nope. They¡¯re naturally stronger, faster, heightened senses, and tougher than anyone else. No magic, but built like monsters.¡±


    Kaelis frowned. ¡°So it¡¯s either magic or raw power. No in-between?¡±


    Ness hesitated. ¡°Well¡­ some people try to wield more than one affinity through forbidden magic. But it¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°How dangerous?¡±


    Hael smirked. ¡°Forty percent chance of dying.¡±


    Kaelis whistled. ¡°Nice odds.¡±


    Ness shrugged. ¡°Some think it¡¯s worth the risk.¡±


    Their conversation drifted into silence, the weight of the topic settling over them like an unseen force.


    Kaelis glanced at Hael, then Ness. ¡°And what else is there to it all?¡±


    Ness nodded. ¡°Meditation, lad. That¡¯s how people create their own spells. They weave Kenda inside their bodies, but if they push too hard, it can kill them.¡±


    Hael let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°It¡¯s all about control. But let¡¯s be real¡ªmost people suck at it.¡±


    Kaelis smirked. ¡°That¡¯s reassuring.¡±


    They continued walking, the conversation lingering in the air like an unspoken promise.


    Kaelis had a feeling he was only scratching the surface.


    Kaelis walked in silence, his thoughts lingering on everything Ness and Hael had told him.


    ¡®Kenda..A force woven into existence itself. A power that could shape the world, create magic, or even kill if wielded improperly. The idea of weaving magic inside your own body, threading it together through meditation, is¡­ fascinating. Back on Earth, magic was nothing but fiction¡ªsomething written about in books or shown in movies or some anime. Here? It was the foundation of everything. And I have no idea where I stand in it.¡¯


    He had no clue what his place was in this world. He wasn¡¯t born with an affinity, and he sure as hell wasn¡¯t some warrior prodigy. But if Kenda was the key to survival, then he knew what he needed to do.


    ¡®Get stronger. ¡®


    Strong enough to stay alive long enough to leave this place. Not for protecting others, not just so he can dominate everything, just to leave this world.


    ¡®Would it be out of fear? I can¡¯t live in a world that feels like it wants me dead every five seconds. Espen is a witch, a witch that is being hunted by strong Hunters, and I can¡¯t wield this power properly without letting that bastard on the throne control me. It¡¯s shitty honestly.¡¯


    Because no matter how interesting Kenda was, no matter how wild and strange this world seemed, he wasn¡¯t meant to be here.


    Then again¡­


    ¡®Would going back really be better?¡¯


    The thought hit him harder than he expected. Back on Earth, he wasn¡¯t exactly thriving. He was drowning, barely keeping his head above water, carrying more weight than he knew how to hold.   Here, at least, he had some control over his fate. Back home¡­ it felt like he never did.


    He scoffed under his breath.


    ¡®Doesn¡¯t matter.¡¯


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    It wasn¡¯t about which world was better. It was about getting back to the one that was actually his.


    The landscape around them had shifted into something rotten, but there were faint, gasping echoes of what had once been beautiful.


    The trees were twisted, their skeletal branches reaching toward the sky like hands frozen in agony. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay, but beneath it, Kaelis could almost imagine how it used to be. The remnants of wilted flowers, long since turned to dust, still clung to the edges of broken stone paths. Crumbling statues, covered in moss and cracks, stood as forgotten sentinels of a time long past.


    Then his gaze caught something buried in the dirt.


    A massive stone nose, half-hidden beneath layers of time and decay.


    It was beautiful¡ªperfectly sculpted, chiseled with divine precision¡ªbut now it was cracked, weathered, and covered in rot.


    Kaelis exhaled slowly.


    ¡®A god¡¯s face, buried and forgotten.¡¯


    Even deities weren¡¯t spared from time¡¯s cruelty.


    ¡°Yo, Kaelis.¡±


    Ness¡¯s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Kaelis side-eyed him, already expecting some dumb question.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°What world are you from?¡±


    Kaelis blinked. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not from Kalhalla, like you mentioned before,¡± Ness said. ¡°Where are you from?¡±


    Hael perked up. ¡°Ohh, right! You¡¯re from some other world. That¡¯s still so weird. What¡¯s it like?¡±


    Kaelis ran a hand through his hair. ¡°Earth. A complete OPPOSITE of Kalhalla.¡±


    They both stared at him.


    ¡°That sounds¡­¡± Ness tilted his head. ¡°Boring.¡±


    Kaelis snorted. ¡°Yeah, it is. That world is nothing but a cycle of the same shit. Unless you do something to change it.¡±


    Hael flapped her wings. ¡°Come on, tell us more. What happens there? Do you have magic? Hunters? Gods?¡±


    ¡°No magic, that crap is considered fairytale there,¡± Kaelis said. ¡°Only things close to Hunters are literal bounty hunters and hit men, or assassins. Gods? There¡¯s a bunch of religions with different gods so, yeah, there¡¯s that.¡±


    Both of them visibly recoiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± Ness said flatly.


    Kaelis shrugged. ¡°Wish I was.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ what do you guys do?¡± Ness asked.


    Kaelis blew out a breath and a grin. ¡°Work. Eat. Sleep. Die. Repeat. All that boring crap. That sick cycle you live by, unless you''re rich, or like I said, you make a change yourself.¡±


    Hael gasped like he had just smacked a baby bird out of the sky. ¡°That sounds awful, but it¡¯s like this world too. People gotta make a living.¡±


    Kaelis smirked. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡±


    Ness narrowed his eyes. ¡°Wait. So if there¡¯s no magic, how do you fight wars?¡±


    Kaelis sighed. ¡°Guns. Machines. Technology. Espionage; that sort of thing. At least we don¡¯t have monsters trying to bite our faces off every five seconds.¡±


    Then, Ness looked at him again, this time with a different kind of curiosity. ¡°What about you? What did you do on Earth?¡±


    Kaelis opened his mouth¡ªthen hesitated.


    His breath hitched, his throat tightening.


    ¡®What am I supposed to say? That I spent most of my time feeling like I was suffocating? That I felt like a ghost in my own life? That I was just¡­ existing? Yeah. No.¡¯


    That would be embarrassing.


    So instead, he smirked and lied.


    ¡°I-I was rich! Yeah! Popular! Famous and Loved by everyone!¡±


    Ness and Hael both squinted at him.


    ¡°Really?¡± Ness asked.


    Kaelis shrugged. ¡°Yep. Had at least a billion dollars, made at least a million a day, had my own corporate business, that sort of thing. Please don¡¯t be jealous, nor starstruck.¡±


    Hael grinned. ¡°That explains your attitude.¡±


    Kaelis laughed, but it felt hollow.


    As they kept walking, his thoughts gnawed at him.


    ¡®I feel bad for lying. I just described the life I wish I had. Lameeee.¡¯


    He wasn¡¯t some damsel in distress whining about his past.


    He was going to figure out how to survive this world.


    Then, he¡¯d leave it.


    Eventually, they found a place to camp.


    It was an open clearing, surrounded by the remnants of what looked like an ancient ruin. Crumbling stone pillars stood like fractured bones, the ground uneven but solid enough to rest. The air was still, carrying a faint, whispering wind that rustled through the dead grass.


    Ness stretched. ¡°Alright. This should work.¡±


    Hael flopped onto a rock. ¡°Finally. My wings need a break.¡±


    Kaelis scanned the area, taking in the surroundings. It wasn¡¯t comfortable, but it was safe enough.


    Or so he thought.


    Because that¡¯s when he heard voices.


    Excited, eager voices.


    ¡°¡­Finally found a Well Spring! Wait, it¡¯s around here isn¡¯t it?! They said a Well Spring can be heard sounding like harmony, harmony of drifting water. This has got to be it!¡±


    Kaelis turned his head sharply, spotting movement in the distance. Four figures, dressed in strange, colorful garments, were making their way through the ruins, their faces alight with excitement.


    One of them laughed. ¡°Do you know how much we can sell this for? Kingdoms would kill for goddess blood samples.¡±


    Another clapped his hands together. ¡°If we tunnel into the Well Spring, we can keep harvesting it endlessly. We¡¯ll be rich.¡±


    Kaelis felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.


    And then, as if sensing his gaze¡­


    One of them turned.


    Their eyes met.


    The merchants locked eyes with Kaelis and the group.


    The moment Kaelis and the others made eye contact with the merchants, the four of them scrambled into a battle stance¡ªor at least, they tried to.


    ¡°Impossible! There¡¯s people here trying to stop us!¡±


    Kaelis tilted his head, saying, ¡°The hell? No we¡¯re not¡ª.¡±


    ¡°Silence! You won¡¯t stop us!¡±


    Their outfits were a chaotic mix of luxurious and absurd, like they had raided the closets of a dozen different cultures and decided to wear everything at once. One of them had a long golden coat covered in way too many buckles, but his pants were so short they barely covered his knees. Another wore a massive feathered hat, but his shirt was ripped and barely held together by a single button. The third had fur-lined boots that looked stolen from a royal palace, but his entire upper half was wrapped in bandages like a mummy. The last one had a perfectly tailored suit, except the sleeves were missing, and his bare arms were covered in random tribal tattoos that didn¡¯t seem to match.


    "Hold on, hold on," the one with the feathered hat hissed, adjusting his stance. "You''re standing too far to the left! Shift over!"


    "No, you shift over!" the man with the golden coat snapped. "I''m already in the perfect position!"


    "Why are we even posing?" the mummy-wrapped one grumbled. "Let''s just kill them already!"


    "Because intimidation is key," the suited one huffed, flexing his tattooed arms. "You gotta set the stage before a fight. Everyone knows that."


    Finally, they managed to form a somewhat synchronized stance, their ridiculous outfits making them look more like traveling circus rejects than warriors.


    Then, in perfect unison, they pointed at Kaelis and the others.


    "This Well Spring is ours!" the feathered-hat merchant declared.


    "We found it first!" the golden-coat one added.


    "And if you interfere," the bandaged one growled, "we''ll eliminate you."


    The suited merchant stroked his chin, suddenly thoughtful. "...Wait. Is it really okay to just kill a kitten?"


    The other three turned to him.


    "The boy and the crow harpie can die, no problem," he continued, waving a hand dismissively. "But the kitten? Feels a little wrong."


    A long silence followed.


    Then, Hael burst out laughing, her body shifting as she returned to her massive crow form, her wings flaring dramatically.


    "Oh, Ness," she teased, her voice absolutely dripping with amusement. "They called you a kitten."


    Ness¡¯s ears twitched violently as his fur bristled. "Tch. Whatever.¡±


    Hael cackled. "Aww, poor little kitten. Are you scared?"


    The merchants, meanwhile, had completely let their guard down.


    "Awwww!" they cooed, clasping their hands together. "Look at them bicker! Kitten talks to! That could fetch us a high price as well! He looks harmless. I¡¯m thinking¡­200 gold?¡±


    Ness scoffed, and tugged at Kaelis''s leg with his tiny cat paw, ¡°Hmph. I''m worth more than 200 gold.¡±


    "Yeah, okay," the suited one declared. "We''re definitely killing the boy and the crow now."


    And with that, they attacked. And Kaelis was surprised they actually attacked.


    In a blur, Ness shifted into his muscular humanoid form, his sleek feline features taking on a towering, powerful shape. He cracked his knuckles and grinned.


    ¡°OH FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!¡± One is the merchants screamed like a girl. ¡°THAT¡¯S NOT A KITTEN!¡±


    "Alright, Hael," Ness drawled. "Bet I take these idiots down faster than you."


    Hael flapped her wings, her emerald eyes gleaming. "Oh? A challenge? You''re on."  Then Hael looked over at Kaelis, saying, ¡°Watch me defeat them for you, darling!¡±


    What followed was less of a battle and more of a game.


    The merchants came in swinging, slashing, and lunging¡ªonly for Ness and Hael to effortlessly dodge, parry, and counter with minimal effort.


    One of the merchants lunged at Hael, only for her to lightly smack him with her wing, sending him spinning through the air like a ragdoll.


    Ness caught him midair, grabbing him by the collar.


    "Here, catch," Ness said lazily, flinging the man toward Hael.


    Hael caught him with her talons, spun in place, and then tossed him right back.


    The merchant shrieked.


    The other three tried to swarm Ness, but he barely moved, dodging with annoying ease.


    "Come on," Ness yawned. "You guys are too slow."


    Hael, laughing the entire time, snatched another merchant and threw him into the sky.


    Ness jumped, caught him, and spiked him into the ground like a ball.


    The merchants were getting angrier by the second.


    "Stop playing around and fight seriously!" one of them snapped.


    Ness and Hael exchanged glances.


    Then they burst out laughing.


    Kaelis, meanwhile, just sat there, watching the whole thing with a blank expression.


    "This is the dumbest fight I''ve ever seen," he muttered under his breath.  ¡°But these two¡­.Ness and Hael, I like them. Even if Ness is a little smug, and Hael being a seductive shapeshifting crow, they don¡¯t annoy me. And they seem like they can hold their own.¡±


    But then, one of the merchants¡ªthe one with the golden coat¡ªmanaged to slip away from the chaos.


    And he came straight for Kaelis.


    His dagger gleamed with a sickly green glow¡ªpoison.


    Kaelis felt a murderous aura from the merchant, and he barely had time to react before the blade sliced toward his throat.


    He dodged. But the second he moved¡ª


    ¡ªHe was behind the merchant.


    The merchant froze, his body locking up.


    ¡®This feeling¡­it¡¯s like it¡¯s clawing at my soul! What is this damn kid?!¡¯ The merchant thought.


    The moment the merchant turned and met Kaelis¡¯s gaze¡ª


    His dagger slipped from his fingers. His breath hitched; Pure, instinctive fear took over his body.


    But before Kaelis could do anything¡ª


    Something wrapped around him.


    Ness¡¯s tail coiled around Kaelis¡¯s torso, pulling him back.  The moment the contact broke, Kaelis¡¯s vision snapped back to normal, his heartbeat slammed against his ribs.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Kaelis cursed.


    He had almost lost himself again.


    As Ness released him, Kaelis clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing.


    ¡®Real conflict triggers it! That means that merchant was actually aiming to end me right then and there..?¡¯


    That was the realization that settled in his mind.


    Fighting¡ªreal fighting, not banter or play¡ªpushed him toward that berserk state.


    ¡®I¡¯m a loose cannon¡­¡¯


    The merchants were panting, bruised, and thoroughly humiliated.


    Ness cracked his knuckles, Hael ruffled her feathers, and Kaelis just stood there, watching them with a raised eyebrow.


    "Alright, gentlemen," Hael chirped, "it''s been fun, but I think it''s time for you to¡ªhow do I put this nicely¡ªget the hell out."


    Ness added, ¡°There''s a reason we¡¯re not letting you down to the Well Spring. So beat it, weirdos.¡±


    The feathered-hat merchant groaned from where he was slumped against a rock. "We¡ªwe could still¡ª"


    Ness, back in his small cat form, patted over to the merchant, and smacked him with his paw fast, left to right, left to right.


    "Ow! Okay, okay, we''re leaving!"


    The golden-coat merchant scrambled to his feet, dragging his dazed companion with him. "You guys are insane!"


    The bandaged merchant wiped blood from his nose, glaring. "This isn¡¯t over! You¡¯ll regret¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Hael flared her massive wings and let out a thunderous, ear-piercing caw that sent the merchants screaming in terror, stumbling over each other as they ran for their lives.


    Kaelis watched them trip, crash into each other, and disappear into the distance.


    "Pathetically entertaining," Hael corrected, shaking out her feathers.


    Ness smirked. "Money hungry idiots like that deserve it."


    Kaelis exhaled. "So, merchants. What¡¯s their deal here?"


    Ness glanced at him. "What do you mean?"


    Kaelis shrugged. "Back on Earth, merchants are just people who sell stuff. But those guys acted more like scavengers. Is that normal?"


    Ness folded his arms, considering it. "Depends on the kind of merchant."


    Hael flopped onto a rock, stretching her wings. "There¡¯s more to it than just selling stuff here. Merchants in Kalhalla are¡­ complicated."


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"


    Ness leaned against a broken pillar. "There are different types. Some are wanderers, like those guys¡ªopportunists who travel from place to place, selling whatever they can get their hands on. They don¡¯t stick to one kingdom, don¡¯t take sides. They just follow the flow of supply and demand."


    Hael smirked. "And they¡¯ll sell to anyone. Rulers, criminals, mercenaries, warlords¡­ long as you¡¯ve got something valuable to trade, they don¡¯t care who you are."


    Kaelis frowned. "So they don¡¯t have loyalty to anyone?"


    Ness shook his head. "Some do, but not wanderers. Stationed merchants are different. They belong to guilds or kingdoms. Some even work directly for nobles or warlords. They handle things like trade routes, rare artifacts, black market deals¡ª"


    Kaelis cut in. "Wait. Black market?"


    Hael grinned. "Oh, yeah. It¡¯s huge. Illegal enchantments, cursed weapons, stolen Kenda relics¡­ if it exists, someone¡¯s selling it."


    Kaelis took that in, his mind already turning over the information.


    Merchants weren¡¯t just sellers here. They were power brokers. Some were neutral wanderers, some were deeply tied to politics, and some dealt in forbidden goods.


    ¡®Good to know.¡®


    Every bit of knowledge counted. If he wanted a chance at getting back home, he had to learn everything he could.


    "Can anyone be a merchant?" he asked.


    Ness tilted his head. "Technically, yeah. But it¡¯s dangerous work. You have to know how to trade, how to negotiate, and how to protect yourself. Otherwise, you¡¯ll get eaten alive¡ªliterally, in some places."


    Kaelis exhaled, filing it away in his mind.


    "So, what you¡¯re saying is¡­" he muttered, "merchants are either businessmen, criminals, or lunatics."


    Hael grinned. "Exactly."


    After making sure no other money-hungry scavengers were lurking nearby, they all agreed¡ªthis was the perfect camp spot.   It was open but had enough cover. The ruins provided natural walls, and the Well Spring¡ªnow unclaimed¡ªwas a rare find. If Espen ever needed a safe place to rest, this would be it.


    Ness stretched. "Alright, we¡¯ve seen enough. Time to head back."


    Kaelis nodded and turned, walking ahead as the group made their way back toward Espen.


    As soon as he was a few steps ahead, Ness and Hael slowed their pace, their playful demeanor fading.


    "You saw it, too," Ness murmured.


    Hael¡¯s feathers ruffled slightly. "Yeah."


    His berserk state.


    The way his eyes had glowed red, the way he had moved unnaturally fast, the way the merchant had frozen in fear before Ness had snapped him out of it.


    "It triggers in combat," Ness said. "It¡¯s not random. It¡¯s tied to violence. I mean, that¡¯s pretty obvious because it was like that against the White Brigade. He was a menace, terrifying even. It¡¯s weird though..¡±


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t go into his berserk state when he was almost dying, when he was attacked. But when Espen was about to die..¡±


    Hael¡¯s expression darkened slightly. "If it¡¯s connected to conflict, that means the more he fights seriously, the worse it¡¯s gonna get. I CAN¡¯T LET MY DARLING BE CONSUMED BY WHATEVER! NOT BEFORE ME!¡±


    Ness exhaled. "We need to be careful. Though I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s figured it out by now.¡±


    ¡°He just needs to harness that power of his, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s probably figured that out also. He¡¯s always deep in thought.¡±


    ¡®Like me..¡¯


    The air was thick with the scent of ancient magic, the Well Spring¡¯s crimson waters pulsing steadily in the quiet night. Espen leaned lazily against the jagged rocks lining the pool, eyes half-lidded, completely immersed in the warmth of the goddess¡¯s blood. The tension in her body had all but melted away, leaving only a rare, fleeting sense of peace.


    Then, a voice shattered the silence¡ªcasual, smug, and thoroughly irritating.


    "Oi, witch. You done soaking in there, or are you trying to become one with the goddess¡¯s blood?"


    Espen cracked one eye open, her expression unreadable, watching as Kaelis strolled up to the edge of the spring with his arms crossed. He had that look again¡ªlike he owned the place.


    She exhaled slowly, the warmth of the spring making her voice softer than usual. "Patience, Kaelis. You should learn it sometime."


    Kaelis blinked, slightly caught off guard. That was¡­ unexpectedly nice. No sharp retort, no threats, no insults laced with venom. Just calm, almost serene words. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You good? Did the blood make you sick or something?"


    Espen smirked faintly, stretching her arms above her head, utterly relaxed in a way she rarely ever was. "No. Just¡­ taking my time. Something you clearly struggle with. And I already told you before, the goddess''s healing blood eases the mind. I¡¯d stay in forever if I could.¡±


    "Yeah, yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night. Now hurry up and hop out, it¡¯s my turn."


    Espen sighed, shaking her head with an amused hum. "Fine." She stood slowly, her movements fluid and deliberate, the warm blood cascading off her skin in shimmering rivulets. "Just wait until I¡ª"


    A crackle. A flicker.


    Kaelis¡¯s brows furrowed. "Uh¡­ what¡¯s up with your¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the shadowy wall Espen had conjured wavered violently, flickering like a candle in the wind. Her control slipped.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Espen exclaimed.


    And then¡ª


    The darkness collapsed.


    Espen froze.


    Kaelis blinked.


    Silence.


    Pure, unbroken silence.


    Espen was standing¡ªcompletely bare naked, the goddess¡¯s blood still trailing down her body in slow, shimmering streaks. But her hands were already moving, frantically covering herself, her face burning red with sheer, unfiltered mortification.


    Kaelis, meanwhile, didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t breathe. Didn''t even blink.


    Not because he hadn¡¯t seen a naked woman before¡ªhe had. But this was Espen. Espen, who would sooner kill a man than let him see her vulnerable. Espen, who was currently looking at him like she was deciding whether to scream or rip his throat out.


    His mind short-circuited. Was he about to die?!


    Slowly, stiffly, Kaelis turned his head away, lifting his hands as if to ward off the impending execution. "I-I didn''t see anything!¡±


    A dangerous aura crackled behind him.


    "Oh, really?" Espen¡¯s voice was eerily calm, but Kaelis could practically feel the murderous intent radiating off of her.


    A dense, suffocating energy surged in the air as dark Kenda flared violently in Espen¡¯s left palm, forming into a swirling mass of unstable magic. Her red eyes burned with pure, unrelenting fury.


    "Any human that sees my bare body¡­ should face death." Her voice was low, lethal. "And you¡ª"


    Kaelis tensed.


    "¡ªmust take it like a man. Die with honor!¡±


    "Oh, hell no." Kaelis whirled around, hands raised in protest. "Wait, wait, WAIT! Let¡¯s talk about this!"


    Espen wasn¡¯t listening.


    She thrust her hand forward, the dark Kenda crackling violently¡ªbut then Kaelis saw it.


    The energy was unstable.  Just like it was against the White Brigade.


    Sparks of wild, uncontrolled magic snapped erratically around her fingers, the force trembling unnaturally. She was going to lose control.


    Kaelis barely had time to think.


    He moved.


    In an instant, he lunged, grabbing her wrist just as the energy flared wildly. "Damn woman! You''re gonna hurt yourself again!"


    Espen gasped softly. Not because of the words¡ªbut because of the way he said them. There was no mockery, no smugness. Just genuine concern.


    ¡®Why¡­?¡¯


    Then¡ª


    The unstable energy surged into the sky as Kaelis, still holding Espen¡¯s wrist, aimed it high up. For a brief, weightless moment, the world seemed to tilt.


    And then¡ª


    They fell.


    The blood embraced them both, warm and thick like liquid silk, pulling them deeper, deeper beneath the surface.


    Time slowed. The goddesses healing abyss swallowed the world above, leaving only the two of them, sinking together in silence.  Espen¡¯s breath hitched as their eyes locked, the dark liquid distorting everything except the sharp intensity of Kaelis¡¯s gaze. His grip on her wrist was firm, unwavering. The Well Spring pulsed softly around them, the remnants of a goddess¡¯s blood cradling them in a surreal, weightless descent.


    Neither spoke.


    Neither moved.


    They simply just fell.

 Chapter 5: Our Dreams Collide

    The world had disappeared.


    All that remained was warmth¡ªdense, liquid warmth that cradled them like a slow-moving current, pulling them deeper into the abyss of the goddess¡¯s blood.


    Espen¡¯s breath was caught somewhere between her lungs and her throat, her mind racing, yet oddly suspended in the weightless descent. ¡®He grabbed me.¡¯ The thought echoed in her head, over and over. ¡®He actually grabbed me.¡¯


    No hesitation. No smug remark. No selfish motive.


    He just¡­ did it.


    Her crimson eyes locked onto Kaelis¡¯s, the distorted crimson water casting strange, flickering shadows across his face. His grip on her wrist was still firm, grounding, as if he refused to let her slip away.


    Something in her chest tightened.


    ¡®Why?¡¯


    No one had ever done that before.


    She had spent her life surrounded by people who either wanted to use her or kill her¡ªnever protect her. Not like this. Not without expectation.


    And yet, here he was.


    Kaelis, the human she had sworn to keep at a distance, the one who irritated her to no end, the one she refused to trust¡ªhe had reached for her.


    ¡®Damn it.¡¯


    Espen¡¯s fingers twitched slightly beneath his grip, instinct screaming at her to pull away, to reestablish the distance she had always relied on. But she hesitated. And that hesitation was terrifying.


    Kaelis, on the other hand, had his own whirlwind of thoughts.


    ¡®Why the hell am I still holding onto her?¡¯


    His fingers flexed around her wrist, his pulse steady despite the surreal weightlessness surrounding them. He could feel the warmth of her skin, delicate yet strong, and it unsettled him. Espen was always so sharp, so guarded, but right now¡ªright now, she was just another person lost in all this chaos, just like him.


    The realization struck him harder than he expected.


    He hadn¡¯t been this close to a woman in a long time.


    His grip loosened slightly, and Espen noticed.


    Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something¡ªask him why, demand an answer for something she couldn¡¯t quite put into words. But before she could, the Well Spring pulsed violently, sending a ripple through the thick, blood-like liquid.


    The moment shattered.


    Espen¡¯s body tensed, her control snapping back into place as if some invisible wall had slammed down between them. Her free hand clenched, dark Kenda flaring once again¡ªonly this time, it obeyed her will.


    Kaelis barely had time to register the shift before a massive pulse of dark energy blasted him upward.


    Ness and Hael crouched behind an old, twisted tree, peering out from behind its gnarled trunk with wide, gleeful eyes.


    "Oh, they have to be bonding after this," Ness whispered, fist clenched with excitement.


    Hael flailed her wings dramatically. "Ugh, I hate this! I should be the one falling into an abyss with Kaelis!"


    "You¡¯re just mad because Espen got the romantic slow-motion moment first," Ness teased, snickering.


    Hael gasped. "I am not jealous! I just¡ª"


    A sudden surge of dark magic shot out of the Well Spring, blasting Kaelis out of the water like a ragdoll.


    He crashed onto the dirt ground, twitching violently, steam rising off of him. His limbs jerked slightly, his expression frozen in a dazed, comedically traumatized state.


    Ness and Hael screamed in sheer terror, clutching onto each other instinctively as Kaelis¡¯s smoldering form smoked like burnt toast.


    Espen emerged from the Well Spring, her gown immediately wrapping around her with a flick of shadow magic. She tossed her damp hair over her shoulder, her expression one of pure, regal disdain.


    "Hmph," she scoffed, arms crossed. "Nasty human. Don¡¯t ever talk to me again."


    And with that, she strode away, disappearing into the trees to finish dressing.


    Kaelis groaned weakly from where he lay, his voice hoarse. "What the hell just happened¡­?"


    Hael, still clinging onto Ness, flapped her wings wildly. "Espen happened, my dear Kaelis. And I love her for it."


    Ness fist-bumped Hael. "She¡¯s brutal. I respect it. But he was soooo close!¡±


    ¡­


    The night was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and the distant hoots of night creatures. The group had gathered in a small clearing, surrounded by towering trees draped in vines, their leaves glowing faintly under the three moons of Kalhalla.


    They were building huts¡ªor at least, attempting to.


    Kaelis, Ness, and Hael worked to construct two makeshift shelters using whatever materials they could scavenge: thick branches for the frames, woven leaves and moss for insulation, and vines to bind it all together.


    Espen, naturally, wasn¡¯t helping.


    "Alright, we need more branches," Kaelis said, tossing a bundle onto the ground. He wiped his brow, glancing at Ness. "You¡¯re small, go fetch some."


    Ness scoffed. "Oh, I¡¯m small? That¡¯s rich coming from someone who just got punted out of a sacred pool by a half-naked witch."


    Kaelis shot him a glare with a flustered face. "I-I WAS SAVING HER."


    ¡°Oh courageous, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    Hael snickered. "If I were in that situation, I¡¯d have¡ª"


    Kaelis made a disgusted face, ¡°DO NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE.¡±


    Meanwhile, Espen sat against a tree, arms crossed, watching them with an unreadable expression. Kaelis caught her gaze once or twice, but neither of them said anything.


    They didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Eventually, after much comedic bickering, the huts were finished. Kaelis took a step back, admiring their work.


    ¡®Not bad. But Espen, she hasn¡¯t said a word to me this entire time. What can I even say to her? What could she say to me after what happened? What if I do look like some creep? Was it wrong to save her? I don¡¯t care how much I don¡¯t trust her, I probably wouldn¡¯t have forgiven myself if I just watched her blow herself into bits.¡¯


    Espen, without a word, immediately went inside her hut and lay down.


    She stared at the ceiling of her small shelter, her thoughts drifting back to that moment in the Well Spring.


    ¡®What kind of human does that? Tries to save someone who clearly doesn¡¯t have any feelings towards them? It¡¯s odd, he¡¯s just¡­amusing.¡¯


    She had been prepared for betrayal, for selfishness, for another reason to hate him. Instead, he had¡­ done the opposite.


    She rolled onto her side, scowling at herself. ¡®I don¡¯t care. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡¯


    But as she closed her eyes, she whispered so softly that even she barely heard it.


    "¡­Thank you."


    Kaelis lay in his own hut, staring at the ceiling, fingers laced behind his head.


    He hadn¡¯t been that close to a woman in a long time. Not since¡ª


    He exhaled sharply, shaking the thought away.


    ¡®She didn¡¯t even thank me.¡¯ He scoffed inwardly. ¡®I should¡¯ve let her fall into her own damn magic. Would¡¯ve saved me the trouble.¡¯


    But that wasn¡¯t true. And he knew it.


    ¡®I don¡¯t even trust her. So why¡­ does she remind me of myself?¡¯


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He closed his eyes. Sleep took him quickly.


    Outside, Ness and Hael had curled up together, brushing against each other like two creatures who had long since abandoned the idea of personal space.


    The night was calm.


    But then¡ª


    Kaelis opened his eyes.


    The world around him had changed.


    He was standing before a massive, dark throne.


    A shadowy figure sat upon it, watching.


    ¡°The hell¡­?¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s him¡­! That bastard who put this power in me!¡¯


    ¡°Who are you?!¡± Kaelis yelled out.


    A heavy silence blanketed the void.


    Kaelis stood at the edge of a vast, endless darkness, his breath uneven, his pulse hammering beneath his skin. The air was thick¡ªcharged with an energy that pressed against his lungs, making every inhale feel like he was breathing in fire.


    Then, from the throne of shadows, it emerged.


    A towering figure stepped forward, its presence suffocating, absolute. A crown of crimson light hovered above its head, pulsating like a heartbeat, casting eerie red glows across the abyss.


    Its body was carved from darkness itself¡ªa shifting, living mass of shadows¡ªetched with glowing red runes that pulsed in rhythmic waves, ancient symbols of power twisting and curling across its form like veins of molten energy.


    And in its hand, a blade unlike anything Kaelis had ever seen.


    It was an extension of the figure itself¡ªa weapon of pure, intricate darkness, glowing with the same haunting red energy that pulsed through its body. The blade¡¯s surface was adorned with unreadable runes, shifting and reforming as if whispering secrets only the dead could understand.


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t scared.


    He should have been; Any sane person would have collapsed under the sheer, crushing weight of this presence. But something inside him¡ªsomething primal, familair, or something wrong¡ªkept him still.


    His fingers twitched. His breath shuddered. His mind raced.


    ¡°Answer me! Please¡­what the fuck is wrong with me?! It¡¯s your fault!¡±


    Flashes of memories¡ªhis body moving on its own, his mind swallowed whole, his enemies screaming in terror as he tore through them like they were nothing.


    Kaelis clenched his fists.


    ¡®This is the power that takes over me. It¡¯s right in front of me. The power that makes me lose control.¡¯


    The shadowy figure took a step forward, and the ground itself shook beneath its weight.


    Kaelis¡¯s heart pounded violently. His breathing grew heavier. He could feel this. This wasn¡¯t just a dream.  The anxiety clawing in his chest, the cold sweat on his skin, the way his own heartbeat pounded in his ears¡ªthis was real.


    The figure stepped closer.


    Then closer.


    Then¡ª


    Silence.


    Kaelis swallowed hard, his throat dry.


    He opened his mouth to speak¡ª


    And the figure vanished.


    A flash of quick movement.


    Before Kaelis could react, it was above him.


    Then¡ªgone again.


    Then¡ª


    Behind him.


    A whisper of air. A flicker of red light.


    The blade came down.


    Kaelis spun instinctively¡ªbut before he could even think, before his mind could scream at him to move¡ª


    His body reacted on its own.


    His hand shot up, catching the shadow¡¯s wrist mid-slash.


    His fingers clenched, gripping the figure¡¯s arm with inhuman strength.


    Kaelis¡¯s eyes burned red.


    ¡®This berserk state is starting to take over¡­.and this time¡­I¡¯ll let it do whatever it wants to this bastard!¡¯


    A sharp, searing pain flared in his skull as something within him shifted.


    A horn¡ªred as blood¡ªpierced through the corner of his head, pushing past his skin, pulsing with the same ominous glow as the figure before him.


    His veins turned black, dark tendrils spreading across his skin like cracks in a fragile surface.


    And then¡ª


    With a slow, grotesque tearing sound¡ª


    A blade burst from his fist.


    A jagged, cursed weapon of shadow and blood, its surface gleaming with sinister, ancient runes.


    The Blade of Uuen.


    A name he had never learned.


    A name he had always known.


    The figure tilted its head slightly, those glowing red eyes locking onto Kaelis¡¯s own.


    Then, without warning¡ª


    It lunged.


    Kaelis roared.


    And the fight began.


    Kaelis¡¯ body moved before his mind could register it, launching forward like a beast uncaged, his blade gleaming with that unholy red glow, the energy from his fist crackling violently as he swung straight for the Shadowy King¡¯s throat. The figure stood still, his presence suffocating, unshaken, as if gravity itself bent around him. Then, in the space of a single breath, he was gone.


    Kaelis¡¯ strike carved through empty air. Instinct screamed at him¡ªMOVE.


    He twisted just as a blade screamed past his ribs, missing by inches. The shockwave alone sent jagged cracks spiraling across the battlefield, the red-black sky above twisting unnaturally as if responding to the force of their movements. The ground beneath Kaelis¡¯ feet trembled, molten fissures spreading like veins as raw, unstable power crackled around them. But he had no time to think.


    The Shadowy King was already above him.


    A downward slash came with god-like precision, the sheer pressure splitting the very air in two. Kaelis reacted on instinct, raising his arm to block, his blade intercepting at the last moment. The impact rattled his bones, sending a violent tremor through his entire body. The force drove his feet into the fractured ground, the weight of the blow bending his knees, forcing him down. The power behind that strike was immeasurable.


    He shoved back with all his strength, pushing off the ground, twisting midair. A savage, rising slash¡ªaiming straight for the King¡¯s ribs.


    The blade should have landed.


    But the King was already gone.


    Kaelis barely had time to register the shift before something cold and sharp slammed into his gut.


    The next moment, his body was launched across the battlefield, crashing through jagged rock, debris exploding outward as his back skidded across the molten ground. He barely bit back a cry of pain, his vision flickering from the sheer force of impact. Before he could rise, a whisper of movement¡ªthe figure was already upon him.


    Kaelis acted; He dropped low, dodging a horizontal slash by the width of a fingernail, rolling to the side as the King¡¯s blade tore through the air where his head had been. The force of the missed strike sent an aftershock screaming through the battlefield, obliterating an entire section of terrain in its wake.


    Kaelis sprang forward, going feral, unrelenting, fighting like an animal cornered.


    ¡°RAGGHHHH!¡± He screamed. His body twisted unnaturally, adapting, adjusting, his strikes coming from impossible angles as he lashed out with both his blade and his bare fists. The red destructive energy in his palm flared to life, wild and uncontrollable, every strike shaking the ground beneath them.


    But the Shadowy King was still faster.


    A single motion¡ªparry, step, counter.


    Kaelis¡¯ blade was knocked aside effortlessly, the King twisting inside his guard with inhuman precision.


    Then pain. The King¡¯s free hand shot forward, grabbing Kaelis by the face. A pulse of red runes ignited in his palm, and the world exploded.


    Kaelis¡¯ vision went white-hot as a shockwave of ancient power detonated point-blank, ripping through his body like divine judgment. He was hurled backward, crashing through stone, earth, and burning sky, his screams drowned out by the sheer force of impact.


    He hit the ground hard, coughing blood, body spasming. The pain was unbearable¡ªhis regeneration barely kept up. He struggled to his feet, swaying, his breaths rugged and uneven.


    And then, rage, and he roared in sync with his anger. The sight of that figure, standing untouched, that bastard who forced this dark power into him, made something inside Kaelis snap. His blood boiled, his vision flickered black and red, and a violent, seething power surged through his veins.


    He launched forward, faster than before.


    The battlefield erupted beneath his feet, debris rocketing upward as he closed the distance in an instant. His attacks came in a brutal, relentless storm¡ªslashes, punches, feints, counters, using his entire body as a weapon, fighting like a predator with nothing to lose.


    This time, the King had to move.


    Kaelis saw it.


    The slightest shift in posture, the smallest adjustments in weight. He was forcing the bastard to react.


    His blade sang through the air, red energy trailing behind it like a comet, carving through the space between them. The Shadowy King parried, stepping inside Kaelis¡¯ guard again¡ª


    But Kaelis was ready.


    He dropped suddenly, bracing himself on all fours, twisting his entire body mid-fall, bringing his blade upward in a devastating, unnatural slash from below.


    The attack connected.


    A clean hit.


    A violent explosion of energy burst outward as the King was finally sent skidding backward, his form flickering for the first time, the runes across his body shuddering.


    Kaelis pounced immediately.


    There was no hesitation¡ªhe would not stop now. He lunged into a rapid, unrelenting series of strikes, becoming a rapid beast of blood and rage, a relentless onslaught of fury-fueled destruction. Every movement was an explosive chain of attacks, unpredictable, vicious, and utterly consuming.


    He drove forward, forcing the King back.


    Step after step. For the first time.


    Kaelis snarled, gripping his fist tighter. He could win. He could finally¡ª


    ¡ªA flicker.


    The King¡¯s features shifted, a single moment of recognition. Then Kaelis¡¯ world stopped, and his breath caught in his throat.


    Even in his cursed, berserk state, something about that expression¡ªthat straight, calm stare¡ª


    A sharp, searing PAIN.


    Kaelis¡¯ body seized. His chest arched violently.


    A blade erupted from his stomach.


    He gasped.


    For a moment, the world was silent.


    His knees buckled. His breath hitched. His fingers twitched, shaking violently as his grip loosened on his own weapon. The pain was indescribable, something deeper than flesh, something raw, something final.


    The Shadowy King stood behind him, his form still wreathed in darkness, his blade buried deep in Kaelis¡¯ body.


    Kaelis¡¯ knees gave out.


    Darkness began to crawl at the edges of his vision.


    And then¡ª


    Kaelis¡¯ body convulsed, wracked with pure, unfiltered power. His skin split apart, glowing fissures of red-hot veins pulsing beneath the surface. His breath came in ragged, inhuman growls, his vision a swirling haze of blood and white fire. The pain was unbearable, but beneath the agony, something deeper roared to life.


    Then¡ªhe changed.


    A brilliant, blinding white light exploded from his body, swallowing the battlefield whole. His veins burned crimson, crawling like living fractures across his skin, pulsating with unstable energy. His horns, now solidified and gleaming white, curled upward, twin beacons of eldritch radiance. And behind him, in the ever-shifting void, the Dark Star Crest began to fully take shape, twisting and expanding, pulsating with unnatural, cosmic energy that warred against itself.


    Kaelis threw his head back and roared.


    The battlefield shattered beneath him, debris spiraling upward as waves of raw force erupted from his core. His muscles coiled with newfound power, his stance widening as the sheer pressure of his transformation sent shockwaves through the ruined landscape. His mind was slipping, dragged deeper into something far worse than rage¡ªsomething primal, something unknowable.


    Yet for the first time¡ªhe could speak.


    His voice came out distorted, a guttural snarl laced with something deeper, something almost ancient. His glowing eyes locked onto the Shadowy King, burning with a mixture of fury, despair, and something dangerously close to understanding.


    ¡°I never asked for this!¡± His voice was a thunderclap, reverberating through the abyss. ¡°You think this is power? This is a curse! Every second, it tears at me! It¡¯s eating me alive!¡±


    The Shadowy King remained still. Watching. Listening.


    Kaelis¡¯ breathing came in ragged bursts, his clawed fingers curling into trembling fists. His body twitched, the raw energy inside him too volatile, too unstable, too wrong.


    ¡°What the hell is this turning me into?¡± His words dripped with something more than rage now¡ªfear. ¡°I can feel it. The way it pulls at me. The way it wants me to let go.¡± His throat tightened, his muscles coiling as if trying to suppress something unseen. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m still me! I don¡¯t wanna lose myself again!¡±


    The Shadowy King simply¡­ smiled.


    A slow, knowing grin.


    Then¡ªhe chuckled.


    Kaelis¡¯ burning red eyes widened in raw fury. His fists clenched, energy arcing violently off his skin, and he took a step forward.


    ¡°Why are you laughing?!¡± His voice boomed, shaking the very air between them. ¡°I¡¯m not fucking laughing!¡±


    The Shadowy King didn¡¯t answer. He just¡­ kept chuckling.


    Then something in Kaelis snapped.


    With a blinding explosion, he lunged, moving faster than even his own mind could process, his blade screaming through the air. The Shadowy King tilted his head slightly, his smile widening as if expecting this.


    Kaelis swung¡ª


    But his body froze.


    Something ripped through him.


    For a second, he didn¡¯t even feel it.


    Then¡ªpain.


    The burning, searing agony of something tearing through his stomach, erupting out of his back.


    His eyes flickered, his mouth parted slightly, and his entire body seized.


    He barely had time to register what had happened before the energy inside him collapsed.


    The white glow vanished.


    The horns crumbled to dust.


    The Dark Star Crest behind him flickered out like a dying flame.


    His body swayed, his fingers twitching as his knees buckled. His lungs shuddered, blood bubbling up in his throat, spilling from his lips as his breath came in weak, broken gasps.


    The Shadowy King stood behind him, his blade buried deep within Kaelis¡¯ torso.


    Kaelis¡¯ trembling hands grasped at the sword, his vision swimming, his body rejecting him entirely. His breath came out choked, shallow. His mind was reeling, fading.


    Blood dripped from his mouth, from his eyes.


    The Shadowy King¡¯s smile slowly faltered.


    ¡°Tch.¡± A quiet sound of disappointment.


    The blade slid free, a sickening wet sound echoing in the void.


    Kaelis collapsed to his knees. His entire body convulsed, shaking violently, his fingers weakly clawing at the ground beneath him, his breath coming out in shaky, uneven gasps.


    ¡®No¡­¡¯


    The Shadowy King took a step forward, looking down at him, expression unreadable.


    ¡°Can¡¯t even hold that power for more than a few minutes.¡± His voice was cold, detached. ¡°You have a terrible grasp on it, my vessel.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you¡­I¡¯m not your vessel!¡±


    Kaelis gritted his teeth, trying to move, trying to lift himself from the pool of his own blood.


    But his body wouldn¡¯t respond.


    The Shadowy King exhaled softly, almost disappointed.


    ¡°Until you can grasp it, then we can talk.¡±


    He turned, already stepping away into the void.


    ¡°Begone.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ heart lurched.


    His bloodied fingers dug into the fractured ground, his body shaking violently as he tried to force himself up. His throat burned, his mind screamed¡ª


    He couldn¡¯t let it end like this.


    Not like this.


    ¡°Wait¡ª!¡±


    The void swallowed him whole.


    Kaelis¡¯s breath tightened.


    ¡­


    ¡°AGH!¡±


    Kaelis jolted awake with a sharp, ragged gasp, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved, his heart hammering against his ribs like a war drum. His vision was still swimming when he realized¡ª


    His fingers were clenched tightly around something warm.


    No¡ªsomeone.


    His gaze snapped downward, and he found himself gripping Espen¡¯s arm.


    She was kneeling beside him, her red eyes watching him with an unreadable expression. Her black hair, which was usually loosely tied back, had been gathered into a long, braided ponytail that rested over her shoulder.


    For a moment, neither of them spoke. They only stared at each other, the weight of the silence pressing between them.


    ¡®What¡­is she doing here? Stalking me now?¡¯


    Then Kaelis sucked in a sharp breath, his grip loosening as he muttered, "Tch¡­ watching me sleep now?"


    Espen scoffed, but there was no real bite in it. "Don¡¯t flatter yourself, human."


    Kaelis frowned, his gaze flickering to her face¡ªand then he saw it.


    One of her eyes was surrounded by dark, inky veins that stretched out from the corner like creeping cracks in porcelain. The sclera had turned pitch black, swallowing the usual whites of her eye.


    Kaelis almost asked. Almost.


    But something told him she¡¯d just scoff and deflect.


    Espen, not outright hostile, flicked her wrist dismissively. "I heard you screaming like some pathetic fool, so I ran over. Can¡¯t have you dying on me, since if you die, I die too."


    Kaelis wiped the sweat from his forehead, exhaling slowly. "Yeah. Well. I¡¯m fine." He wasn¡¯t. But he wasn¡¯t about to explain that.


    Espen tilted her head slightly, studying him. "This... thing," she gestured to the dark veins around her eye, "started forming while you were losing your mind in your sleep."


    Kaelis frowned, watching as the mark pulsed faintly before slowly beginning to fade.


    That wasn¡¯t normal.


    Espen crossed her arms. "I had a dream."


    Kaelis blinked. "...Of?"


    Her gaze turned sharp, serious. "I saw you."


    His breath stilled.


    "You were fighting some shadowy demonic bastard on a throne," she continued. "And you weren¡¯t just fighting¡ªyou lost control. You went even crazier than before. It was¡­ different. Worse. Worse since we fought the White Brigade.¡±


    Kaelis felt something cold settle in his stomach.


    He swallowed, his voice low. ¡°¡­Ihad that dream too."


    Espen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "It felt real," Kaelis muttered, running a hand through his damp hair. "Like I was actually there."


    Espen¡¯s fingers brushed over the fading mark on her eye. "And this thing¡­ it¡¯s dissolving now, but it wasn¡¯t just some random curse. It only showed up while you were screaming in your sleep."


    They both sat in silence, the implications hanging between them like a suffocating fog.


    Kaelis exhaled sharply. "So¡­ what? Our dreams are connected now?"


    Espen stood abruptly, turning away. "Don¡¯t think this means I care about you, human."


    Kaelis smirked. "Yeah, sure."


    Espen huffed, crossing her arms. "One thing you should know. I hate owing people anything. You helped me at the Well Spring, so I came to make sure you weren¡¯t dead. That¡¯s all."


    Kaelis leaned back against his bedding, watching her. "Uh-huh."


    Before Espen could retort, a distant scream rang through the trees.


    Followed by laughter.


    Kaelis and Espen instantly tensed. They exchanged a quick glance before bolting toward the sound.


    The scene they stumbled upon was¡ª


    Well.


    It was something.


    Ness and Hael were standing in front of a very nervous-looking young man, who was currently tied to a tree with thick vines.


    He had a bear¡¯s head strapped to his face like a mask, obscuring most of his features, and he wore a set of loose, white robes that looked like they belonged to some kind of disciplined warrior. A long wooden staff was strapped to his back, though it was currently useless in his predicament.


    The guy was visibly shaking as Ness and Hael took turns messing with him.


    "Hey, hey, do you think if I poke him, he¡¯ll squeak?" Ness grinned, flicking the stranger¡¯s forehead with his tiny cat paw.


    The young man flinched, his entire body going rigid. "P-please don¡¯t!"


    Hael smirked, flaring her wings dramatically. "Maybe he¡¯s a spy! Should we interrogate him? I¡¯ve always wanted to try those dark, brooding methods Espen talks about."


    The boy paled. "N-no! I swear, I¡¯m just¡ª!"


    Kaelis questioned, ¡°Who even is this? Why does he have that on face?¡±


    Espen stepped forward, her arms crossed. "Who is this idiot?"


    The boy immediately perked up at the sound of her voice. "Espen!"


    Espen blinked, taken aback. "What?"


    "I¡ªI was looking for you!" the boy sputtered nervously. "I¡ªI need to talk to you! It¡¯s important!"


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow, glancing at Espen. "Friend of yours?"


    Espen scoffed. "I don¡¯t have friends."


    Hael gasped dramatically. "Wow. Rude."


    Ness chuckled. "Yeah, Espen, that actually hurts."


    ¡°You two are my family, not my friends.¡±


    Ness and Hael eyes glowed, hugging against each other, saying, ¡°AWWWW!¡±


    ¡°Nevermind. I take it back.¡±


    The boy quickly shook his head. "I-it¡¯s not like that! I¡¯ve been following you ever since you dragged that kid right there from that volcano!¡±


    Kaelis¡¯s expression darkened slightly. "Volcano?" Then he looked at Espen, asking, ¡°I was in a volcano?! You found me in one!¡±


    The boy hesitated, his hands clenching into fists.


    "I need your help!¡±

 Chapter 6: Trapped

    The area was alive with the flickering light of dawn, the golden glow filtering through thick, gnarled branches overhead. Leaves rustled in the wind, and the distant calls of unseen creatures echoed from the depths of the wilderness.


    But none of that mattered right now.


    Kaelis crossed his arms, staring at the nervous wreck of a man tied to a tree in front of them. The guy, still trembling, had a bear''s head strapped to his face like a mask. His clothes¡ªloose and flowing, all white¡ªlooked like something a disciplined warrior would wear, but right now, he looked anything but disciplined. His entire body was stiff, his fingers twitching slightly as Ness and Hael took turns messing with him.


    "Alright, first off¡ª" Kaelis exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Who the are you? I asked a hundred times.¡±


    The man straightened slightly, still tense. "M-my name is Ripp."


    Ness raised an eyebrow. "Ripp?¡±


    Ripp flinched. "I-I didn¡¯t choose it!"


    Hael leaned in, tilting her head. "And what¡¯s with the bear mask? Kind of a weird fashion choice, don¡¯t you think?"


    Ripp hesitated. His fingers clenched into fists for a moment before he muttered, "It¡¯s to hide my face."


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. "Hide it from who?"


    "Everyone."


    That made the group pause.


    Hael, clearly unsatisfied with that answer, reached forward as if to grab the mask. "Well, now I have to see what you¡¯re hiding¡ª"


    Before she could touch it, Espen moved.


    She didn¡¯t say a word. She didn¡¯t make a sound.


    She simply shot Hael a look.


    That was all it took.


    Hael¡¯s hand froze mid-air. A tense silence followed before she slowly retracted her hand, clicking her tongue in disappointment. "Fine, fine, fine. Won¡¯t touch the suspicious bear guy.¡±


    Kaelis watched the exchange with mild curiosity. Espen had barely done anything, yet Hael had backed off immediately.


    Ripp, meanwhile, sighed in visible relief. "I advise you never to take it off."


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t sure if that was a warning or a plea. Still, something wasn¡¯t sitting right with him.


    His gaze flickered over Ripp¡¯s attire, then back to his bound form. Then looked at Espen, and asked "Alright, next question. Why was I in a volcano?"


    Espen sighed, crossing her arms. "There are places in Kalhalla that the Apostles have forbidden anyone from entering. They claim it¡¯s for the safety of the world, but we both know that¡¯s bullshit."


    Kaelis frowned. "Like what?"


    Espen¡¯s eyes darkened slightly. "Maela discovered them. They¡¯re on the outskirts of the world¡ªnear the edges of Kalhalla, or directly on it."


    She took a breath, then began listing them.


    ¡°The Maw of Azakar, the Abyss That Whispers.  A bottomless pit lined with the jagged ruins of a forgotten civilization, where the air itself carries voices¡ªwhispers of those who were never meant to be heard. The Apostles claim it was once a prison for a nameless entity that devoured gods and demons alike, but when questioned further, they refuse to elaborate. Standing too close is said to make you hear your own soul trying to escape your body. Some return from its edge, changed, speaking a language no one understands. Others walk straight in, smiling, as if finally understanding something that was never meant for mortals to know.¡±


    Esoen continued, ¡°The Obsidian Bloom, the Flower That Bleeds Time. A massive black flower standing at the center of a barren wasteland, its petals taller than castles, slowly opening and closing as if breathing. The Apostles say it blooms once every thousand years and that drinking its nectar will turn someone into something beyond human comprehension. But no one knows if that means ascension or something much worse. Those who enter the wasteland never return, but sometimes, years later, they are seen again¡ªunchanged¡ªyet speaking of events that have not yet happened. And then there''s The Hollow Reliquary, the Church of False Miracles. A sunken cathedral of unknown origin, hidden beneath the waves of a dead ocean where nothing but bones drift. The Apostles claim it was once a place of worship for something older than even the gods and that the statues inside are not statues at all¡ªbut those who prayed too long. Sometimes, ships passing over the ruins claim to see lights within the deep, as if a congregation is still inside, kneeling, waiting for their god to return. And lastly, The Ruin of Drowned Saints, where the Holy Forget Their Names. A ruined monastery deep in the marshes, where the water glows faintly red under the moonlight, as if reflecting a bloodstained sky. The Apostles claim that Saints who enter this place lose their divinity, their names erased from history itself. Even the Apostles, who once walked among them, cannot remember those who were lost here. Yet, on nights when the mist is heavy, travelers sometimes hear prayers in forgotten tongues, whispered by voices that should not exist anymore.¡±


    Kaelis took all of this in, his mind reeling.


    "...And the volcano?" he asked.


    Espen gave him a pointed look. "That one¡¯s right here. On this continent. It¡¯s forbidden for anyone to go near it. The Apostles don¡¯t guard it, but people have been worried because¡­ well, volcanos fuel the sun."


    Kaelis blinked. "Come again?"


    Espen sighed. "The suns exists because of the volcanos in Kalhalla. If something happens to them, the sun dies."


    Kaelis ran a hand through his hair. "And you just walked into it?"


    Espen scoffed. "I was investigating. I thought maybe Maela had something to do with it." Her expression shifted slightly. "And¡­ that¡¯s when I found you."


    Kaelis frowned. "And?"


    Espen hesitated. "And¡­ the moment I saw you, the mark of bondage started forming on both of us."


    That made Kaelis pause.


    Espen crossed her arms. "You weren¡¯t burning. You were just floating in the lava. So I grabbed you and pulled you out."


    Kaelis exhaled slowly. That¡­ was a lot to take in.


    Espen scoffed towards Ripp. "And yet, here you are. Following me of all people when I have the highest bounty in Kalhalla. All because you just want something.¡±


    Ripp flinched. "I-I didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble!"


    Kaelis studied him carefully. "Then why are you here?"


    Ripp hesitated, shifting nervously. Then, with a deep breath, he muttered, "I might be able to help you lift that bounty¡­ or at least put in a good word so you don¡¯t have to keep running from Hunters."


    Silence.


    That caught everyone¡¯s attention.


    Espen narrowed her eyes. "Explain. Now."


    Ripp gulped.


    Kaelis exhaled sharply. ¡®Well, this just keeps getting better and better.¡¯


    Ripp took a deep breath, stealing a glance at the gathered group before speaking.


    "The King of Vjosgard¡ªKing Vraedor the Red Wolf¡ªis trapped."


    Silence.


    Espen, Kaelis, Ness, and Hael all stared at him.


    And then¡ª


    They burst out laughing.


    Espen crossed her arms, she was the only one who didn¡¯t laugh, but she found this amusing. Ness rolled onto his back, kicking his paws in the air, howling with laughter. Hael flapped her wings wildly, shrieking with amusement. Even Kaelis, who had no real connection to this kingdom, let out a sharp, incredulous chuckle.


    Ripp blinked in confusion. "...What? Why are you laughing?"


    Ness wiped a tear from his eye. "Buddy. You¡¯re telling us that one of the kings who put that massive bounty on Espen¡¯s head is trapped? And you want us to help him?" He snorted. "No way! The guy has an entire army at his disposal! He¡¯s allied with all the other kingdoms, and he¡¯s trapped?"


    Hael shook her head, grinning. "And let¡¯s not forget¡ªVraedor is famous. How the hell did he get himself stuck?"


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "Famous? How?"


    Hael clicked her beak, glancing at him. "You really don¡¯t know? Oh right. You¡¯re new here, darling.¡±


    He shrugged. "I¡¯ve been a little busy dealing with magic and people trying to kill me, so no, I haven¡¯t had time for history lessons."


    Hael smirked. "Alright, listen up."


    She spread her wings slightly, her emerald eyes gleaming.


    "Vjosgard¡ªthe Blooded Throne¡ªis ruled by High King Vraedor the Red Wolf. He¡¯s a warlord in every sense¡ªbrutal, ambitious, and utterly ruthless. Never lost a duel in his life. His hands are forever stained with the blood of challengers who thought they could take his throne."


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Kaelis frowned. "So he¡¯s some big-shot warrior king?"


    "Not just some warrior king," Hael corrected. "Unlike most rulers, he doesn¡¯t just sit on a throne barking orders¡ªhe leads his armies. Personally. Always at the front lines, his massive crimson axe carving through enemies like they¡¯re nothing. He wasn¡¯t born into royalty either¡ªhe took the throne by force, challenging the previous king in ritual combat and killing him in front of the war council. The moment he took power, he waged war against every neighboring clan until they either submitted or died. That¡¯s how he united Vjosgard under his rule."


    Kaelis nodded slowly, piecing it together. "So he''s called the ¡®Red Wolf¡¯ because of all the blood he¡¯s spilled."


    "Exactly," Hael said with a grin. "The man¡¯s a monster on the battlefield. Peace is weakness to him. If you¡¯re a ruler who avoids war, you¡¯re a coward in his eyes."


    Kaelis let out a low whistle. "And this guy is trapped?"


    Espen smirked, arms still crossed. "Pathetic."


    She turned back to Ripp, who was shifting uncomfortably under their amused stares. "Alright, nervous wreck," she said snobbishly. "Where exactly is this warlord trapped?"


    Ripp swallowed. "E-Everyone knows about the remnants of the gods scattered through Kalhalla, right?"


    Kaelis furrowed his brows. "Like the Well Spring?"


    "Exactly," Ripp nodded. "Some of their bodies, their power¡ªit lingers, just¡­ sitting in places like it¡¯s nothing."


    Espen¡¯s eyes narrowed. "...Where?"


    Ripp hesitated, then finally admitted, "The King is trapped within the Hand of a God."


    Kaelis¡¯s brows shot up. "The what?"


    Ripp nodded quickly. "It¡¯s exactly what it sounds like. A massive, divine hand emerging from the ground, frozen in time, fingers curled like it was reaching for something."


    Espen scoffed. "And now it¡¯s holding the King of Vjosgard hostage?"


    "Thousands of warriors and Hunters are outside of it, trying to get him out," Ripp added, rubbing his arm nervously. "But they can¡¯t."


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "This just keeps getting weirder."


    Espen raised an eyebrow. "And why, exactly, do you think I can get him out?"


    Ripp hesitated again. "...Because you¡¯re Maela¡¯s apprentice."


    Espen¡¯s eyes darkened instantly.


    "I heard Maela could do some pretty wicked things," Ripp continued quickly. "She could break out of spirit contracts, manipulate magic in ways that shouldn¡¯t be possible. So I figured¡­ maybe you could do something like that too." He shifted uneasily. "I kind of¡­ did this on a whim."


    Espen narrowed her eyes. "You thought I could help? That¡¯s your reason? You expect me to deal with a force I don¡¯t fully understand?¡±


    Ripp nodded quickly. "...Yes?"


    Espen exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "Disgusting."


    She turned her head, her sharp gaze locking onto Kaelis. Without warning, she grabbed his wrist.


    Kaelis blinked. "Uh¡ª?"


    Espen yanked him to the side, dragging him away from the group. "Ness, Hael¡ªkeep the human occupied."


    Ness and Hael¡¯s grins widened in unison.


    "With *pleasure*," Ness purred.


    Kaelis groaned.


    Espen ignored him, pulling him farther away from the others.


    Meanwhile, Ness and Hael turned to Ripp, who was still tied to the tree, looking like a cornered rabbit.


    "So," Ness grinned, stretching his claws. "Where should we start?"


    Hael flapped her wings, smirking. "I vote we poke him again."


    Ripp paled. "W-wait, wait¡ª!"


    Kaelis leaned against a thick tree trunk, arms crossed as he watched Espen pace in front of him. Her movements were sharp, calculated, her m eyes narrowed in clear frustration. Unlike before, when she had been all smug arrogance and snobbish disdain, she was serious now.


    So was he.


    "I don¡¯t trust him," Espen muttered, stopping mid-step to look at Kaelis. "That human. He¡¯s too nervous, too jittery. He knows too much, yet says too little."


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow, waiting for the inevitable.


    Espen¡¯s expression hardened.


    "I¡¯m going to kill him."


    Kaelis exhaled through his nose. "Hold up."


    Espen scoffed, folding her arms. "You¡¯re too damn trusting. You do remember I have a bounty on my head, right?"


    Kaelis shrugged. "Yeah. Kind of hard to forget when we¡¯re getting hunted daily."


    "Then why are you even considering helping him?" Espen¡¯s voice carried irritation, but beneath it, something else¡ªsomething more guarded.


    Kaelis pushed off the tree, stepping toward her. "Think about it. Ripp¡¯s been following you for a while now, yeah? If he really wanted to sell you out, he could¡¯ve done it easily."


    Espen¡¯s gaze sharpened. "Or he already did."


    Kaelis tilted his head. "What?"


    "The White Brigade," Espen muttered. "They ambushed us yesterday."


    Kaelis went quiet for a moment, rolling that over in his head. "...Shit. Could¡¯ve been him."


    Espen gave him a pointed look. "Exactly."


    Kaelis sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Alright, let¡¯s assume it was him. That means this could all be a setup. He could be lying about the king, lying about helping us. Hell, maybe the moment we get close, a hundred Hunters will be waiting."


    Espen nodded. "Glad you¡¯re finally catching up."


    "But," Kaelis continued, "your bounty¡¯s not just your problem anymore."


    Espen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "...What?"


    Kaelis crossed his arms again, serious. "You think the bounty on your head is just gonna affect you forever? Eventually, it¡¯s gonna get all of us killed. If we can figure out Ripp¡¯s position in the kingdom¡ªsince he¡¯s talking about putting in a good word¡ªmaybe we can lift the damn thing."


    Espen had a curious question. "Why do you care about my bounty?"


    Kaelis paused. "...Because it¡¯s a massive pain in my ass."


    Espen raised an eyebrow. "You could leave, you know. Go off on your own. Live freely."


    Kaelis nodded. "Yeah. I could."


    Espen waited for him to elaborate.


    Kaelis smirked slightly. "But let¡¯s be real. You wouldn¡¯t let me out of your sight."


    Espen¡¯s expression twitched, but she said nothing.


    "And besides," Kaelis muttered, glancing off to the side, "I¡¯ve thought about leaving. A lot."


    Espen blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone.


    Kaelis exhaled, rubbing his neck. "Mostly because of¡­ this." He gestured vaguely to himself. "I don¡¯t know what the hell is wrong with me. That berserk state? I don¡¯t control it fully. If I stick around too long, I could end up killing you. Killing all of you. And that¡¯s just more crap I¡¯d have to deal with."


    Espen studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.


    "But," Kaelis said, shaking his head, "if we can figure out what Ripp¡¯s deal is¡ªif he¡¯s actually got some role in the kingdom¡ªtrying to lift your bounty would be worth it."


    Espen¡¯s jaw clenched slightly. "And what if we get there and can¡¯t free the king? Then what?"


    Kaelis hesitated.


    Espen exhaled sharply, her fingers curling into fists. "...I¡¯m not ready to fight."


    Kaelis looked at her.


    Espen¡¯s voice was quieter now. "If things go sideways, I¡¯m just gonna look like some¡­ some *


    damsel in distress again." Her fists clenched tighter. "I swore I¡¯d never let that happen again."


    Kaelis didn¡¯t say anything.


    She took a slow breath, composing herself. "Yes, lifting my bounty would make searching for Maela easier. But what if the Apostles are waiting for me?"


    Kaelis noticed the subtle shift in her posture¡ªthe way her shoulders tensed, the way her breath had briefly hitched.


    She was afraid.


    She hid it well, but it was there.


    Kaelis sighed, running a hand down his face. ¡®I didn¡¯t think this through. Did I really consider taking the deal without any sound plan? But how can we come up with a good plan if we¡¯re dealing with things we don¡¯t fully get?¡¯


    He cursed himself internally.


    Then, before he could regret it further, he muttered, "Let me go with him then."


    Espen¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "What?"


    Kaelis looked at her, his expression firm. "I¡¯ll go with him. Alone."


    Espen immediately shook her head. "No."


    Kaelis smirked. "Aw, you worried about me?"


    Espen scowled. "You¡¯re not going anywhere without me."


    Kaelis shrugged. "I don¡¯t have a bounty on my head. I hope. So I¡¯ll go with Ripp, figure out if he¡¯s legit, and see if we can actually lift this bounty."


    Espen¡¯s expression darkened. "There¡¯s no guarantee you¡¯ll survive. There¡¯s no guarantee you¡¯ll even be able to help. This entire plan is built on what ifs and whims. Did you forget that our souls are connected now because of this Mark?¡±


    Kaelis nodded. "Yeah. I know."


    Espen¡¯s eyes flickered with frustration.


    Kaelis sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Look. You saw that weird dark star crest on me, right? You had said something about it.¡±


    Espen hesitated. "...Yeah."


    Kaelis crossed his arms. "You said you saw it before. During Maela¡¯s rituals, when she was contacting Hell."


    Espen¡¯s expression tightened. "Yes."


    Kaelis exhaled. "The war years ago¡ªwhen the gods and demons fought¡ªthat shaped Kalhalla, right?"


    Espen nodded slowly.


    Kaelis tilted his head. "What if I¡¯m involved in that somehow?"


    Espen gave him a sharp look.


    Kaelis shrugged. "I don¡¯t know how. I don¡¯t know why. But if I have any connection to Hell, since I guess demons are from there, the Hand of God might react to me.¡±


    Espen didn¡¯t respond immediately.


    Kaelis sighed. "Sounds like a super non organized plan, but¡­This bounty needs to be lifted."


    Espen frowned deeply. "...It¡¯s still no guarantee you¡¯ll live."


    Kaelis smirked. "Yeah. But we don¡¯t really have a set plan here. We¡¯re dealing with crap we don¡¯t really understand. What type of sound plan could we possibly come up with?¡±


    Before Espen could retort, a loud yelp echoed from behind them.


    They both turned their heads slightly, listening.


    "Y-you don¡¯t have to keep poking me!" Ripp¡¯s nervous voice whined.


    "Yes, we do," Ness purred.


    Hael cackled. "It¡¯s entertainment."


    Kaelis exhaled. "They¡¯re having way too much fun with that."


    Espen scoffed. "Disgusting."


    Kaelis smirked, shaking his head. "So? What¡¯s it gonna be, Princess? We doing this or not?"


    Espen shot him a glare. "Call me that again, and I¡¯ll kill you."


    ***


    Kaelis and Espen stepped back into the clearing, the tension between them still lingering but settled¡ªfor now. Ness and Hael immediately perked up, their eyes gleaming with mischief, while Ripp, still bound to the tree, looked as nervous as ever.


    Kaelis cracked his neck before looking at Ripp. "What¡¯s your position in the kingdom?"


    Ripp shifted uncomfortably in his binds. "I¡¯m¡­ a knight in training."


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Interesting. And you think the king¡¯s actually gonna listen to a knight in training?" He crossed his arms. "What about the Apostles? They¡¯re the ones who want Espen dead."


    Ripp hesitated before shaking his head. "The Apostles may want her dead, yeah, but if they really wanted her gone, they¡¯d have done it themselves."


    Espen scoffed. "Not reassuring."


    Ripp continued quickly. "L-Look¡­ I¡¯m saying they¡¯ve got something else going on. Some weird agenda. We barely see them anymore. The last time anyone saw an Apostle was a month ago."


    "That doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re not watching," Espen muttered, arms crossed.


    Kaelis exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Either way, I¡¯m going with Ripp to help the king."


    Espen¡¯s jaw tightened slightly.


    Kaelis shot her a look. "Hunters are tracking us way too easily. If this keeps up, we¡¯re gonna get cornered eventually."


    Ripp nodded. "Exactly. And if Hunters can track you this easily, then the Apostles would¡¯ve found you by now. The fact that they haven¡¯t means they¡¯re dealing with something else."


    A beat of silence passed as that reality settled over them.


    Ness flicked his tail, his gaze thoughtful. "Or maybe¡­ they¡¯re tracking Maela instead."


    Espen¡¯s head snapped toward him.


    Ness grinned, though his expression was sharp. "Think about it. If they want Maela, but they can¡¯t find her, then sanctioning a bounty on you would be the next best thing. They kill two birds with one stone¡ªdraw you out, and maybe she shows up."


    Espen¡¯s hands curled into fists, but she said nothing.


    ¡®He¡¯s right..¡¯


    Kaelis clicked his tongue. "Yeah, well, that¡¯s not exactly comforting."


    Ripp looked at them all carefully before shaking in nervousness. "It¡¯s fine! It¡¯s fine, really! If you don¡¯t trust me, then let him come with me. That way, you¡¯ll know I¡¯m not up to anything shady."


    Espen narrowed her eyes, but she didn¡¯t argue. She turned on her heel, looking at Ripp with her usual cold disdain. "You stay in those binds until further notice."


    Ripp gulped. "O-Okay..."


    Espen then turned to Kaelis, her stare lingering on him for a moment longer than usual. "...You better not die."


    Kaelis smirked. "You gonna miss me?"


    Espen scoffed, rolling her eyes. She wanted to say thank you, but the words never left her lips. Instead, she hardened her expression again, keeping whatever gratitude she felt buried deep.


    "You¡¯re annoying," she muttered instead. ¡°Please die.¡±


    Kaelis grinned. "You¡¯re welcome."


    Espen¡¯s eye twitched. "I didn¡¯t say thank you."


    "Yeah, but I heard it."


    Espen let out a long sigh. "You''re going crazy. That berserk state of yours might be affecting your delusions.¡±


    Kaelis chuckled. "You¡¯re warming up to me, Princess."


    "I will end you."


    Before Espen could strangle him, Ness suddenly hopped onto Kaelis¡¯s shoulder, curling his tail around Kaelis¡¯s neck. "Good luck, brat."


    Kaelis chuckled. "Appreciate it, rat."


    Hael, on the other hand, grinned mischievously and slid up beside Kaelis, draping herself against him. "I could always give you a farewell gift before you go," she purred, running her fingers along his arm.


    Kaelis¡¯s entire body stiffened in visible disgust. "NO.¡±


    Before Hael could push it further, Espen grabbed her by the wing, yanked her back, and launched her into the air.


    Hael flipped through the sky, cackling as she disappeared into the trees. "WORTH IT!"


    Espen dusted off her hands as if nothing had happened. "Hmph.¡±


    Kaelis shook his head, turning back to Ripp, who was still awkwardly walking while trapped in his binds.


    Ripp glanced at him, still nervous. "...You ready?"


    Kaelis inhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah."


    ¡­


    Kaelis adjusted the strap on his shoulder, glancing up at the sky as he and Ripp began their walk into the unknown. The morning mist was still clinging to the air, rolling over the landscape like a slow-moving tide, soft and eerie in its quiet presence. The sun had barely broken through the thick, grey clouds, leaving the world cast in a dull, muted light.


    Before he could take another step, Hael appeared in front of him, her usual playful smirk replaced with something more thoughtful. She reached toward him, pressing something into his hand.


    A single, black feather.


    Kaelis blinked, looking down at it.


    "It¡¯s part of me," Hael said, her voice lighter than usual. "As long as you hold onto it, I¡¯ll be able to track you. So don¡¯t go getting yourself lost, alright? Espen reminded me to give this to you.¡±


    Espen whispered to Hael, ¡°Pfft. Stop exposing my name.¡±


    Kaelis scoffed, flicking the feather between his fingers. "Thanks.¡±


    Hael squirmed with a grin of her beak, ¡°You said thanks to me..does that mean you like me or¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright bye.¡±


    Hael stepped back, folding her wings behind her. Ness stood beside her, arms crossed, tail flicking lazily against the ground.


    Kaelis exhaled and turned to Ripp, who was still fidgeting in his binds. "Alright, let¡¯s move."


    And with that, they walked.


    The field stretched far and wide, a vast expanse of dark grey grass rolling endlessly toward the horizon. The wind was still. No birds. No rustling leaves. No sound at all.


    Just silence.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t like it.


    Something about walking through a place so dead made his skin crawl. It wasn¡¯t like the usual forests or ruined landscapes where something lived¡ªwhether it be beasts, bandits, or things lurking beneath the surface.


    No, this place felt like a pause.


    Like the world forgot to breathe.


    Kaelis clenched his fists, his mind restless.


    *What the hell am I doing?*


    He didn¡¯t owe Espen anything. He didn¡¯t owe anyone anything. He could¡¯ve walked away at any point. Hell, he should¡¯ve. But here he was, following some masked nervous wreck to help a king who had a hand in putting a bounty on Espen¡¯s head.


    It was stupid.


    And yet¡­


    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play here.


    Something just out of reach.


    His thoughts spiraled, twisting and unraveling in his head, but before he could sink too deep into them, he noticed something in his peripheral vision.


    A shadow moving beside him.


    Kaelis blinked.


    Espen was walking next to him.


    She didn¡¯t say anything. Didn¡¯t look at him.


    Just walked.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t look at her either.


    For a few moments, the only sound was their footsteps crunching against the dry grass.


    Finally, without turning his head, Kaelis muttered, "What are you doing?"


    Espen kept walking, her arms loosely folded, her gaze set on something distant.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it," she replied smoothly.


    Kaelis clicked his tongue, shaking his head slightly.


    ¡®Okay¡­.¡¯


    The silence stretched between them again, neither one pushing the conversation further.


    A few paces back, Ness and Hael walked side by side, watching the scene unfold.


    Ness¡¯s tail flicked. "Any idea why she¡¯s trying to go with him?"


    Hael crossed her wings behind her head, shrugging. "No clue."


    They watched as Espen continued walking beside Kaelis, her expression unreadable.


    Kaelis, in the meantime, was trying to make sense of it himself.


    Why was she following him?


    She had no reason to.   Espen wasn¡¯t the type to do things without purpose. Every move she made, every word she spoke¡ªit was always calculated, always intentional.


    But this? This was different. She wasn¡¯t telling him to leave. She wasn¡¯t mocking him.  She was just¡­ there. And, for some reason, that unsettled him more than if she had been yelling at him. The silence between them wasn¡¯t tense. It wasn¡¯t heavy.


    It was just¡­quiet.


    Like if he acknowledged it too much, it would become something he wasn¡¯t ready for.


    Then¡ª


    Espen stopped.


    Kaelis slowed just enough to glance back.


    Ness¡¯s tail was wrapped around Espen¡¯s wrist, holding her back.


    Espen didn¡¯t resist.


    She didn¡¯t fight it.


    She just stood there, her gaze still locked ahead, watching as Kaelis walked further and further away.


    Kaelis held her stare for a second longer.


    Then he turned and kept walking.


    The silence remained.


    But now, it felt different.


    Like something had just been left behind.

 Chapter 7: Terror Man

    Espen stood in silence, her arms loosely folded, watching as Kaelis and Ripp disappeared into the grey horizon. The wind whispered through the dark expanse, brushing past her as if urging her to move, but she didn¡¯t.


    She just watched.


    "You know," Ness said after a moment, his tail flicking lazily, "he¡¯s gonna be alright, witch."


    Espen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Mhm. It¡¯s not like I care about him¡ªa human." She tilted her chin up slightly, her voice smooth, dismissive. "It¡¯s just that if he dies, then you know what happens to me. That¡¯s all I¡¯m worried about."


    The words were believable.


    But not entirely believable.


    Hael smirked. "Right. Totally not worried about him at all."


    Espen ignored her. Instead, she exhaled sharply. "I need to refine my Kenda until we meet with him again."


    Ness raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"


    Espen¡¯s expression hardened. "I¡¯m not gonna be a fucking damsel*m again."


    Ness and Hael went quiet.


    Espen¡¯s gaze darkened. "I¡¯ve been on the run for too long. Never had time to just sit and train. It¡¯s always been fight, escape, survive. Over and over. If we¡¯re gonna do this, if we¡¯re really gonna try to lift my bounty, then I need to be at my strongest."


    She fell silent for a moment, her thoughts turning inward.


    ¡®Helping the king might actually be a good idea.¡¯


    Hael stretched her wings, humming in thought. "We should stay at least a day behind Kaelis. Any longer, and we might not be able to catch up. We can track him through the feather I gave him."


    Espen nodded. "Good idea. We¡¯ll wait here and train until tomorrow."


    With that decided, they turned and began making their way back to camp.


    But just as Espen turned, something in the distance caught her eye.


    She saw him. Kaelis.


    His figure was small against the horizon, walking alongside Ripp, his posture relaxed yet alert.  Espen didn¡¯t say a word. She simply turned around. But her mind didn¡¯t.


    Images flickered in her thoughts¡ªthe memory of Kaelis, covered in blood, standing over the bodies of the White Brigade, his power uncontrolled, raw, monstrous. The dream, where he fought the shadowed king, the feral rage in his eyes. The moment he had grabbed her wrist, grounding her, pulling her back from the spiral of her own power.


    And now, he was walking away to lift her bounty. For their sake.  Espen exhaled, her voice barely a whisper.


    "Could he be different?"


    Her heart beat once, slow and uncertain.


    "I need to see more¡­ just to be sure."


    ¡®Isn¡¯t he just doing all of this because he has to? Because of the mission? Could that be the case? I never had a human go to such lengths for me. I don''t know what to believe.¡¯


    ¡­


    "Come onnnn," Ripp whined, shuffling beside Kaelis, his arms still bound. "Can you just take these off already?"


    Kaelis didn¡¯t even glance at him. "No."


    Ripp groaned. "I literally can¡¯t do anything! What do you think I¡¯m gonna do, attack you?"


    Kaelis shrugged. "Wouldn¡¯t be the first idiot to try."


    Ripp let out a dramatic sigh. "Please?"


    "No."


    "Pretty please?"


    "No."


    "I¡¯ll be your best friend."


    Kaelis stopped walking, turning to him with a deadpan stare.


    Ripp immediately shrank back. "...Okay, yeah, fair."


    Kaelis sighed, muttering under his breath. "I¡¯m gonna regret this."


    With a sharp tug, he ripped the ropes off, tossing them to the ground.


    Ripp stretched his arms dramatically, grabbing his staff from his back. "Ohhh, that¡¯s so much better¡ª"


    Kaelis rolled his eyes. "Don¡¯t make me regret it, please. I¡¯m really trying to be under control..¡±


    Ripp chuckled nervously. "Yeah, yeah, got it."


    Kaelis ran a hand through his hair, his expression shifting to something more serious. "I got a question, though. A concern, actually."


    Ripp blinked. "About what?"


    Kaelis frowned. "The Apostles."


    Ripp¡¯s nervous energy dimmed slightly. "...What about them?"


    Kaelis exhaled. "Let¡¯s say we actually do lift Espen¡¯s bounty. You really think they won¡¯t react? Feels like we¡¯re poking a nest we shouldn¡¯t be poking."


    Ripp hesitated before nodding. "It¡¯s a gamble."


    Kaelis clicked his tongue. "Great."


    "But," Ripp continued, "the Apostles rarely commune with kings and queens. They don¡¯t guide kingdoms. They¡¯re¡­ separate."


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. "Then what are they?"


    Ripp adjusted his grip on his staff. "The Apostles aren¡¯t human."


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "Figured that much."


    "But they look human," Ripp added. "They can heal people. Deliver people from their troubles. But they¡¯re not omnipotent, not omnipresent, not omniscient. They just¡­are."


    Kaelis frowned. "Espen called them ¡®False Angels.¡¯"


    Ripp nodded. "A lot of people do."


    Kaelis folded his arms. "So, what, they¡¯re just wandering miracle workers?"


    "...Sort of."


    Ripp¡¯s expression darkened slightly.


    "Those who are saved by the Apostles¡ªthose who believe in them¡ªgain a mark on their hand. A soul rune."


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "And?"


    "The Apostles say that mark will transcend them one day¡ªto become like them. To be with them in the New Land."


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. New Land?"


    Ripp shrugged. "No one really knows what it is. But people want to go there."


    Kaelis frowned. "And what happens if someone refuses?"


    Ripp hesitated. "...I don¡¯t know."


    That didn¡¯t sit right with Kaelis.


    But before he could dwell on it, the air around them shifted.


    The land changed.


    Ripp stopped, his eyes glimmering slightly. "We¡¯re here."


    Kaelis looked up.


    ¡®Whoa¡­how come we didn¡¯t see this from far away..?¡¯


    The terrain had transformed into something otherworldly.  The trees were tall and spiraled, their trunks twisting unnaturally, their leaves shimmering in hues of deep blue and emerald green. The bark pulsed faintly, as if alive.   Floating in the air were thousands of Caliber Butterflies¡ªtheir wings glowing softly, leaving trails of silver and gold dust behind them. Some were massive, their wingspans as wide as a man¡¯s arms, while others were no larger than a fingertip.


    The air smelled different¡ªsweet, like honey and something else Kaelis couldn¡¯t place.


    Ripp smiled slightly. "This is the Land of the Caliber Butterflies."


    Kaelis stared, taking it all in. "...What the hell is this place?"


    Ripp stepped forward, gesturing to the trees. "Caliber Butterflies are unique to this region. Their larva form cocoons that hang from these trees, feeding off the energy of the land itself. When they emerge, they carry traces of that energy with them, which is why they glow."


    Kaelis watched as a cocoon pulsed faintly, something shifting inside.


    Ripp continued. "Legends say that if a Caliber Butterfly lands on you, it means you bear a soul that was once a warrior in a past life."


    Kaelis scoffed. "Sounds like some poetic bullshit."


    Ripp shrugged. "Maybe. But people believe it."


    The two of them walked further in, the glow of the butterflies casting soft, shifting lights around them.


    For the first time in a long time¡ª


    Kaelis felt something close to peace.


    Even if it wouldn¡¯t last.


    The landscape stretched before them, a dreamscape of impossible colors and drifting lights. The Caliber Butterflies flitted through the air like living embers, their wings trailing faint glows of silver and gold. Some were unlike anything Kaelis had ever seen¡ªtwisted, unwieldy shapes with petals and flowers growing from their wings, their bodies curled like vines, their flight uneven yet strangely graceful.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Kaelis eyed them warily. "They look weird."


    But in his head, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.


    ¡®Definitely weirder than the ones back from my world.¡¯


    Ripp, walking beside him, caught his tone and immediately perked up, eager¡ªalmost antsy¡ªto explain.


    Ripp, practically bouncing on his heels, exclaimed, "These butterflies? They¡¯re part of an entire ecosystem that only exists here. Their larvae don¡¯t just grow like normal insects¡ªthey feed directly off the land¡¯s energy, which is why they glow. The trees here are symbiotic with them¡ªwhen the cocoons hatch, the remnants of their shells nourish the roots, and in return, the trees produce a sort of mist that protects the butterflies from predators."


    Kaelis hummed. "Huh. So they¡¯re like floating mushrooms, except they don¡¯t taste like ass."


    Ripp laughed and  blinked. "...I-I mean, I wouldn¡¯t eat them¡ª"


    Kaelis smirked. "Didn¡¯t say I was gonna. Just saying they sound like the mushrooms I used to see back home."


    Ripp paused, looking like he wanted to ask about that, but then his expression darkened.


    "...This place was affected by remnants of gods," Ripp said, his voice quieter now.


    Kaelis glanced at him. "Ah..the remnants. Heard of those.¡±


    Ripp nodded. "The bones of a god of rot are buried beneath this land. Alongside the corpse of a demon who fought it."


    Kaelis¡¯s brows furrowed.


    Ripp continued, his voice more solemn. "Most lands in Kalhalla have been tainted by the remnants of godly battles, either positively or negatively."


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. "And what about this place? Positive or negative?"


    Ripp hesitated briefly before saying, "Positive. For sure."


    But there was doubt in his tone.


    ¡®I really hope it¡¯s positive, the Caliber Butterflies home are always hidden¡­I just didn¡¯t think we¡¯d stumble across it!¡¯


    They kept walking, the butterflies hovering high above them, drifting lazily like golden leaves in the air.


    Then Kaelis noticed something.


    Some of them gathered in clusters, hiding in the darker corners of the forest. Their glowing forms flickered like dying stars, but they weren¡¯t just sitting there. They were following him. A slow, uneasy feeling crawled up Kaelis¡¯s spine.


    Then¡ª


    A whisper.


    Soft. Faint.


    "The king will awaken¡­"


    Kaelis stiffened.


    "The cocoon is hatching¡­"


    His breath slowed.


    ¡®The fuck are they saying? I have a bad feeling about this.¡¯


    The whispers didn¡¯t come from Ripp. Didn¡¯t come from the wind.


    It came from the butterflies.


    Kaelis clenched his jaw. "Ripp¡ª"


    But before he could say anything, the sharp sound of yelling echoed through the trees.


    Both of them froze.


    Up ahead, in a clearing, over twenty Hunters were gathered. Some stood around in groups, others leaned against weapons, their armor gleaming faintly beneath the dim light.


    Ripp¡¯s eyes widened, and instead of fear, he looked excited.


    "Oh, wow¡ªthat¡¯s Velgreis the Hollow Spear! He once impaled a wyvern through its skull from a hundred meters away!"


    Kaelis raised an eyebrow. "The hell kind of name is that?"


    Ripp pointed again. "And that¡¯s Issa the Moonlit Blade¡ªher Kenda lets her turn invisible in moonlight!"


    Kaelis exhaled, shaking his head. "You know all of them?"


    Ripp grinned. "Well, yeah! These guys are big names! They must be here for a contract!"


    Kaelis frowned. "A contract? Here?"


    Ripp nodded. "Hunter and Adventurer contracts don¡¯t have to be noble, Kaelis. Gold is the root of everything in Kalhalla."


    Kaelis didn¡¯t like the sound of that.


    He and Ripp stayed behind the tree line, watching as the Hunters argued amongst themselves.


    One of them¡ªa massive man with dark gold hair tied back, his arms thick with muscle and glowing red tattoos¡ªcrossed his arms impatiently. His voice was gravelly, deep with irritation.


    "Standing around isn¡¯t gonna do shit. We lure it out."


    Another Hunter, a slender woman with silver eyes and a jagged scar across her cheek, scoffed. "Oh, yeah, brilliant plan, Brann. Let¡¯s piss off whatever we¡¯re hunting in a place literally infested with magical creatures. That always goes well."


    Brann¡ªclearly the antsy one¡ªrolled his shoulders. "If it bleeds, it dies. Simple."


    A younger Hunter with dark violet war paint across his face snorted. "That¡¯s the dumbest thing I¡¯ve heard today, and I spent the last hour listening to Velgreis talk about his spear collection."


    Velgreis, a tall and gaunt man with piercing green eyes, sighed dramatically. "My collection is impressive, thank you very much."


    Issa, the Moonlit Blade, leaned against a tree. "Look, we don¡¯t need to start swinging weapons at nothing. If the contract¡¯s real, our target will show up eventually."


    Brann grunted. "Cowards."


    Kaelis exhaled sharply. ¡®Idiots.¡¯


    Then¡ª


    One of the butterflies drifted down from the trees.


    Brann snarled at it. "The hell do you want, bug?"


    The butterfly flapped its shimmering wings.


    And then¡ª


    It spoke.


    ¡°The king will awaken from his cocoon¡­"


    The moment those words left its mouth¡ª


    Brann grabbed it mid-air with his bare hand.


    And crushed it.


    The sound was wet. A sickening squelch as golden light leaked from between his fingers.


    Kaelis stiffened.


    ¡®This is bad¡­¡¯


    The other Hunters paused.


    Brann laughed, shaking the crushed remains off his palm. "Hah! See? Weak as hell."


    Then¡ª


    Silence.


    A long, heavy, unnatural silence.


    Kaelis¡¯s heartbeat slowed.


    Something¡ªsomething fast¡ªmoved in the shadows.


    Then¡ª


    In an instant, half the Hunters were dead. One moment, they were standing. Talking. Scoffing.


    The next¡ª


    Bodies exploded.


    Not just cut¡ªripped open.


    Velgreis didn¡¯t even get to scream before his torso split apart, his ribs shattering outward like a broken cage. His spear clattered to the ground, soaked in his own blood.


    The Hunter with violet war paint staggered back, clutching his stomach¡ªhis hands pressing against a wound that hadn¡¯t been there a second ago. His fingers tried to hold his insides together, but they slipped through the gaping hole in his abdomen. He gasped, eyes wide, before collapsing face-first into the dirt.


    Issa barely had time to disappear into the shadows before something caught her mid-vanish¡ªa blur of motion, a flash of claws. Her body snapped backward, her spine bending the wrong way before she was dragged into the darkness.


    Brann turned, snarling, raising his fists¡ª


    And then his head was gone.


    It wasn¡¯t cut. It wasn¡¯t severed.


    It was obliterated.


    His body stood for a second longer, blood gushing from his torn neck, before it crumpled to the ground.


    Kaelis¡¯s panicked, saying, ¡°This is fucked¡­¡±


    Ripp nodded, ¡°This is bad..r-really bad!¡±


    The remaining Hunters snapped to attention, weapons drawn, eyes wide with shock.


    Velgreis¡¯s spear flicked up. The survivors stood back to back.


    Something was here.


    Something fast.


    Something watching them.


    Kaelis¡¯s fingers curled into fists.


    And somewhere, deep in the trees¡ª


    The butterflies whispered.


    "The cocoon is hatching¡­"


    Kaelis¡¯ heart thumped, The world around him blurred. His fingers clenched and unclenched, but his nails bit into his palms with a dull sting that felt distant¡ªlike he wasn¡¯t inside his own body.


    He could feel it. The thing inside him. Lurking. Writhing. The Shadowy King.


    It laughed. A low, guttural echo inside his head.


    ¡®No¡­no..please not now!¡¯


    Kaelis staggered back as the world tilted, his stomach twisting in knots. The air was thick with the scent of iron, of death. Bodies were torn apart, some still twitching. His vision swam as the dark edges of his berserk state crawled at the corners of his mind. If he gave in¡ªif he let it happen¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t come back.


    He didn¡¯t want this. But the battlefield didn¡¯t wait for his fear.


    Something moved. Fast.


    A blur of vibrant colors and unnatural motion erupted from the shadows¡ªa humanoid form with wings like a butterfly, but not delicate, not soft. They were jagged, edged in shimmering hues of emerald, obsidian, and violent red. The creature¡¯s body was sleek, almost translucent, with veins of golden light pulsing beneath its skin. And on its head¡ªwhere hair should have been¡ªwere mushroom caps of deep violet, their spores releasing faintly glowing mist with every motion.


    Its eyes, an eerie, inhuman blue, locked onto Kaelis.


    And then it vanished.


    A Hunter barely had time to react before the creature reappeared behind him. A flash of movement¡ªan arm twisted, something sharp glinted.


    Then the Hunter¡¯s head snapped sideways¡ªtwisted completely around. His body stood frozen, nerves still firing, fingers grasping at nothing before he collapsed, lifeless.


    Ripp¡¯s face twisted in regret, his body trembling. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± he whispered. He had thought they could just walk through here.


    ¡®This is my fault! I should¡¯ve tried to lead me and Kaelis out of here, or turn around and find another way, but I let my excitement get the best of me! I¡¯m sorry, Kaelis. I don¡¯t know how strong you are, but we have to fight to survive this! This would¡¯ve gone smoothly if those Hunters weren¡¯t here!¡¯


    Then he gritted his teeth under his mask. The wind howled.


    His staff twirled, spiraling Wind Kenda wrapping around it like a coiling serpent. The fear in his eyes faded, replaced by something sharper. A predator¡¯s glint.


    His voice, usually laced with nervous energy, was low. Menacing.


    ¡°Alright then¡­¡± Ripp whispered. His foot dug into the dirt.


    He moved.


    A butterfly humanoid lunged at him¡ªits arms elongating mid-air, curved claws poised to rip him apart.


    Ripp twisted, using the wind to launch himself forward, flipping over the strike. His staff snapped outward¡ªmid-air, he released it, and the Wind Kenda kept it spinning on its own, carving through the air like a whirling guillotine. The creature shrieked as the staff connected, the force shattering part of its wing.


    Ripp landed, exhaling slow. His staff hovered beside him, the wind keeping it afloat. ¡°Fast¡­¡± he muttered.


    More of them emerged.


    The battlefield became a surge of chaos; A Hunter wielding Blood Kenda lashed out with jagged crimson tendrils, forcing two creatures back. Another, wielding Mirror Kenda, twisted his blade in a way that made it shimmer and reflect light in random patterns, making his movements impossible to read. But the butterfly humanoids were relentless. One of them split into two, a perfect duplicate of itself forming from golden spores. Another melted into the shadows, only to reappear above a Hunter, legs twisting unnaturally as it descended like a spear, impaling them.


    Kaelis watched it all, chest rising and falling rapidly. He clenched his jaw. His fingers twitched. His mind was slipping¡ªhis vision flickering. He bit his tongue so hard he tasted blood. His own body trembled as his limbs spasmed, struggling against the creeping violence. His breath came in ragged gasps.


    ¡®This crazy ass state of mine, it¡¯s trying to jump out. Everyone will be in danger, even me!¡¯


    One of the creatures lunged at him¡ªhe barely dodged, his instincts screaming. His hand flicked up¡ªtoo slow. The creature¡¯s claw raked across his shoulder, tearing flesh.


    Pain.


    It grounded him.


    ¡®Why am I fighting it in a situation like this? I¡¯ll get destroyed if I don¡¯t fight! But I don¡¯t wanna lose myself to this power again, it hurts and I don¡¯t want to be controlled again¡­¡¯


    It smiled at him as it pulled itself back together.


    ¡°What the¡ª?¡±


    Ripp vaulted over Kaelis, twisting mid-air.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll protect you, I hope!¡±


    His staff, guided by the wind, followed after him, striking three times before he even landed. Each hit cracked bones, wind pressure exploding outward with every impact.


    One butterfly humanoid retaliated, its wings flashing, sending razor-sharp dust in all directions.


    Ripp spun his staff, wind howling around him, creating a vortex that blocked the attack.


    He landed, breathless.


    ¡®They¡¯re ruthless..can I keep up? And protect Kaelis at the same time?¡¯


    Nearby, a Hunter with Sound Kenda was moving too fast for the eye to follow, his speed enhanced by sonic booms every time his foot touched the ground.


    Then, without warning, his head exploded.


    A butterfly humanoid stood behind him, arm outstretched. Its fingertips were vibrating at supersonic speeds¡ªenough to disrupt the molecular structure of flesh.


    The Hunter¡¯s body crumpled. Kaelis saw it all. His hands trembled. His vision pulsed. Blood dripped from his mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting time,¡± the dark voice in his head whispered.


    ¡°Accept it.¡±


    Kaelis gritted his teeth. ¡°Shut¡­ up¡­¡±


    Ripp moved like a storm. His staff lashed out¡ªmid-air, it twisted on its own, Wind Kenda guiding it like a living blade.


    He ducked, spun, countered. His strikes weren¡¯t just attacks¡ªthey were a dance, seamless, flowing.


    But there were too many.


    A claw ripped across his side. He gasped, blood spraying.


    Ripp staggered, but he didn¡¯t fall.


    His staff snapped back to his hand. He exhaled. The wind howled.


    And then¡ª


    Everything froze.


    The creatures stopped moving. Their eerie blue eyes all turned in unison.


    ¡°Are they adapting?!¡± A wounded Hunter yelled


    ¡°Stay on guard!¡±


    ¡°Fuck this! I¡¯m leaving! I¡¯d be better off hunting that witch Espen than this!¡±


    Kaelis followed their gaze.


    The cocoon¡ªdeep in the heart of the battlefield¡ªwas cracking.


    A blue light shone from within.


    Kaelis¡¯ stomach twisted.


    Something was coming.


    More Caliber Butterflies approached at fast speeds, and the Hunters got ready, forcing themselves up and into defensive positions.


    ¡°Fuck..fuck man! There¡¯s no way out!¡±


    ¡°Someone look for an opening!¡±


    The battlefield was now in chaos.


    The butterflies were not just fast¡ªthey were adapting. Every time a Hunter landed a killing blow, another creature twisted its body unnaturally, mimicking the attack, refining its movements, countering it perfectly.


    The Hunters didn¡¯t back down. They couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Keep your formations tight!¡± a Hunter roared.


    ¡°Sorin, on your left¡ªduck!¡±


    A man with Gravity Kenda slammed his foot into the ground, and suddenly the air became heavier, forcing one of the creatures to crash into the dirt before his greatsword cleaved through its head. Another butterfly humanoid shifted mid-air, its wings twisting at an impossible angle to avoid an attack, before retaliating with a deadly lunge.


    But a woman with Thread Kenda flicked her fingers, and thin, near-invisible strands wrapped around the creature¡¯s limbs, snapping taut like a vice. ¡°Got it!¡± she called, locking the beast in place.


    The Gravity Kenda user didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhis greatsword crashed down, shattering the creature into glowing fragments.


    More creatures came. Dozens.


    Ripp took the lead.


    His staff whirled, carving the air. Wind Kenda twisted around his arms, coiling like serpents. His feet barely touched the ground as he vaulted, spun, twisted, his body an extension of the storm.


    ¡®My Kenda is fading! This is all my fault! Me and Kaelis wouldn¡¯t even be trapped in this if I wasn¡¯t so damn eager¡­! We won¡¯t be able to free the king at this rate!¡¯


    A butterfly humanoid lunged. Ripp didn¡¯t evade¡ªhe leaned into the attack, his staff flicking backward mid-air, the wind controlling it like a living weapon. It curved around him and speared through the creature¡¯s stomach.


    Ripp twisted, using the momentum to flip over another assailant. His foot connected with its jaw¡ªbut he didn¡¯t stop there. He used the impact to launch himself higher, his staff still spinning in the air before it rocketed back to his grip.


    Then, with a snarl, he slammed it down.


    ¡°RAGHHH!!!!¡±


    Wind howled.


    A shockwave blasted outward, hurling the nearest creatures back with enough force to break trees.


    Ripp exhaled sharply, his usual grin gone. His eyes burned with something darker.


    ¡°They¡¯re learning,¡± he muttered.


    And they were.


    One of the butterfly humanoids mimicked his movements, using the wind itself to launch forward. Its fingers curved into talons, slashing forward in a perfect mirror of Ripp¡¯s last attack.


    Ripp barely dodged.


    ¡°Crap¡ª!¡±


    He twisted his body, but the creature pursued him mid-air, adjusting its course instantly.


    Then a Hunter with Bone Kenda slammed his hands together. Spikes erupted from the ground, impaling the butterfly in an instant.


    ¡°I¡¯ll create an opening! Don¡¯t worry! We¡¯re Hunters, we survive crazy stuff all the time!¡±


    It let out a shrill, horrifying scream.


    The Hunter with Bone Kenda user didn¡¯t flinch. His body was already changing¡ªhis own ribs expanded outward, forming a spiked exoskeleton around him, turning his body into a living fortress.


    The creatures weren¡¯t stopping.


    A Hunter wielding Ink Kenda flicked his wrist, and his sword morphed into liquid, splitting into dozens of black talons that lashed out, wrapping around multiple creatures at once. The ink hardened, trapping them in mid-air¡ªjust long enough for a Hunter with Sunlight Kenda to ignite his fists and punch through them like meteors.


    The air was filled with screams and dust.


    But the battlefield shifted again.


    The butterfly humanoids stopped attacking.


    Their blue eyes flickered.


    Then, one of them twisted its head backward at an unnatural angle. It shuddered violently, as if something inside it was breaking apart.


    Then, all at once¡ª


    They shed their skins.


    Faster. Stronger. More lethal.


    Ripp tensed, ¡°Tch! They¡¯re adapting again?!¡±


    A fresh wave of them descended in unison, striking like a storm of blades and venom.


    One pierced through the Thread Kenda user before she could react¡ªher body severed at the waist. Another ripped through the Sound Kenda Hunter, vibrating so fast that his entire form collapsed into dust.


    Even Ripp was struggling now.


    The Wind Kenda around him whirled, his body twisting, flipping, dodging¡ªbut every attack was closer than before.


    Then¡ª


    A whisper.


    ¡°Give in.¡±


    Kaelis clenched his head, staggering. His veins pulsed. His vision flickered between reality and something far darker.


    His heartbeat was wrong. Too fast.


    ¡®This is the reality of this world..the Hunters and what they go through¡­even the creatures that don¡¯t seem to be dangerous¡­turning out to be vicious. And I rank among them¡­I¡¯m scared..I¡¯m fighting this as hard as I can, making me bleed from the inside, but who¡¯s gonna pull me out of if I¡¯m in too deep?! Deeper than last time?!¡¯


    The battlefield was slipping away. He could feel his body failing, his mind crumbling under the weight of the laughter in his head. ¡°You can¡¯t win like this.¡±


    Kaelis felt his body moving¡ªhis arms twitching, his instincts screaming. The berserk state was crawling up his spine, whispering in his ear, digging into his skull like fangs.


    His mouth tasted like blood.


    Kaelis fell to his knees, trembling. His breathing was erratic, his body locked in the space between control and chaos. He could hear every heartbeat on the battlefield, every scream, every wet crunch of bone.


    ¡®Everyone¡¯s scared¡­but fighting with everything they have¡­¡¯


    His fingers dug into the dirt.


    His vision darkened.


    Then¡ª


    Kaelis stood up.


    Slowly.


    Swaying.


    A deep, guttural chuckle left his throat.


    Ripp froze. ¡°What¡­?¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes glowed red.


    A horn¡ªjagged, twisted, colored in black, red, and grey¡ªpierced through his skull, forming as if his body had finally given in. His veins were black, pulsing with something inhuman.


    The battlefield fell silent.


    Even the butterflies stopped moving.


    Kaelis tilted his head slightly. His lips curled.


    His voice was different.


    Richer. Deeper. Darker.


    ¡°¡­Oh,¡± he breathed. ¡°I feel incredible.¡±


    Ripp staggered back, his grip on his staff tightening.


    ¡°W-What the hell is going on with you?¡± he whispered. ¡°Are you okay?!¡±


    Kaelis laughed again, a slow, eerie sound. His laugh got louder and louder, his smile widening. Then he took a step forward, ¡°I¡¯ll kill the lot of ya!¡±


    Kaelis twitched. His breath was shallow, uneven¡ªhis body burned from the inside out.


    The black veins across his arms pulsed like living things, writhing beneath his skin. His fingers curled, and then¡ªA blade erupted from his fist. The Blade of Uuen. It was jagged, unnatural, alive¡ªa blade of black and red energy, fused to his flesh. Crimson embers flickered off its surface, twisting like shadows torn from a nightmare.


    He lowered himself into a primal stance, his body coiled, ready to pounce. Every muscle trembled with impossible strength. His head tilted. Red and black energy swirling around him in that stance, making everyone feel uneasy, especially the Hunters.


    ¡°Oi! The hells wrong with him?!¡±


    ¡°Is he gonna turn on us too?!¡±


    ¡°That power..it¡¯s strong, we won¡¯t be able to beat him!¡±


    Kaelis saw them, Not just the butterfly humanoids¡ªbut the Hunters.


    Ripp.


    They were all enemies.


    ¡®No they¡¯re not¡­!¡¯


    Kaelis screamed inside his own mind, thrashing, trying to rip himself from the shackles of his own body, but the berserk state didn¡¯t care. It didn¡¯t listen.


    A growl rumbled in his throat.


    Then¡ª


    He launched forward.


    FWIP!


    His speed was relentless, A blur of red and black destruction, his blade carving through the air like a guillotine. Laughing as he aimed for the first Hunter he saw.


    And then¡ª


    A massive dark red and green vine erupted from the earth.


    It was as thick as a boulder, covered in pulsing veins and jagged thorns, moving with unnatural speed.


    BOOM.


    The impact blasted Kaelis backward.


    ¡°HAHAHA! Something got me! Kaelis laughed.


    He tore through a tree¡ªthen another¡ªthen another. Bark shattered, wood splintered, the entire forest shaking under the force. The vine did not stop¡ªit kept pushing him, grinding him through the land like a cannonball of raw force.


    And Kaelis¡ª


    Kaelis was laughing the entire time.


    Mad, unrestrained laughter. A distorted chorus of amusement and rage.


    Then¡ªIn a blink¡ª


    He twisted his body mid-air, his blade screaming with black and red destruction, and he spiraled through the vine. The energy tore through it like a collapsing sun. A shockwave erupted, the ground ripping apart as Kaelis landed in a crouch, his blade humming with malevolent energy.


    His laughter turned into a feral roar, shaking the trees.


    Then the ground beneath him split open.


    And something¡ª


    Something monstrous¡ª


    Burst from the depths of the earth.


    The King of the Caliber Butterflies had awakened.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    It was colossal, its vast wings blotting out the sky, a grotesque fusion of insect, plant, and nightmare.


    ¡°Oh¡­? Who disturbed the peace¡­of the ones who live?¡±


    Its face¡ªhuman, wrong¡ªwas pale and sickly, with black pits where eyes should have been. Its mouth was unnervingly stretched, frozen in something between a smile and a grimace. Its body was a twisted blend of muscle and carapace, patches of flowers and fungi sprouting from its flesh like parasites feeding on its own existence. Its arms, elongated and coiling, ended in razor-thin fingers, their edges lined with shimmering golden dust. Its wings pulsed, releasing a wave of spores that shimmered like dying stars.


    It spoke. A voice that should not exist.


    A voice that vibrated wrong, as if layered over itself a thousand times.


    ¡°I am VORH¡¯ZUL.¡±


    The name seeped into the air, an echo that did not fade, as if the very land was branding it into existence.


    ¡°You have disturbed the sacred peace. You and the other humans. But you¡­you¡­a remnant of a demon¡­I must eliminate¡­¡±


    Its head tilted, its hollow eyes locking onto Kaelis.


    ¡°You are corruption.¡±


    Its voice shuddered, deep and layered, as if multiple beings were whispering the same words from the depths of a dying world.


    ¡°And I shall erase you.¡±


    Kaelis grinned.


    He raised his blade.


    And the battle began.

 Chapter 8: Land Of Ruin

    Kaelis didn¡¯t move¡ªhe exploded forward, the earth detonating beneath his feet as he lunged at Vorh¡¯zul, his monstrous blade howling with red and black destructive light. The weapon was not just an extension of his body¡ªit was alive, pulsing with raw hunger. His every movement was feral precision, his stance shifting unpredictably, his body warping between instinct and brutality.


    Vorh¡¯zul descended, its colossal wings casting golden radiance across the battlefield. It did not step¡ªit glided, untouched by the ground, its grotesque form moving with an eerie, celestial grace. It lifted one hand¡ªits fingers, thin and too many, glistened with shifting hues of luminescent gold, its power drawn from the very breath of the land itself. With a flick of its wrist, life and decay intertwined, a surge of radiant energy materializing around its palm before it swung¡ªnot as a strike, but as a decree.


    Kaelis twisted mid-charge, spinning low, his blade dragging through the dirt, carving a jagged, infernal trench of black and red energy before he launched himself upward, vaulting over the divine assault. His body contorted, his heel bracing against empty air before he reversed his momentum, plummeting downward in an unstoppable downward cleave. The moment his blade touched the air, it detonated, a violent eruption of red and black ruin shattering the space between them.


    But Vorh¡¯zul did not break.


    Instead, it simply¡­ wasn¡¯t there anymore.


    In the span of a single breath, the King of the Caliber Butterflies had shifted¡ªnot with speed, but with impossible inevitability, like it had never been in danger in the first place. It materialized behind Kaelis, its form a cascading afterimage of golden luminance, its fingers now glowing with something beyond mortal comprehension.


    His body folded inward, his weight shifting at an unnatural angle as he dropped beneath Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s grasp. His blade screamed, black and red energy erupting violently from its edge as he carved an upward crescent of destruction, forcing the god-king to retreat.


    Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s wings did not flap¡ªthey unfolded into infinity, their light bending the space around them. It moved with unearthly elegance, its hands drawing spirals of golden radiance in the air, each movement giving birth to something new¡ªblooming flowers of light, shifting figures made of ephemeral breath, fragments of forgotten gods.


    Kaelis did not let it finish.


    He tore forward, his speed obliterating the ground behind him, his primal stance shifting mid-motion. His feet barely touched the earth before he leapt, his body snapping into a new formation¡ªlow, quadrupedal, his muscles coiled like a beast mid-pounce. His blade was no longer a weapon¡ªit was the jaws of a starving predator, his strikes a relentless, chaotic onslaught that shattered the very air between them.


    Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s hands moved like flowing ink, its fingers grazing the empty space around them. Where Kaelis¡¯ blade would have struck, there was suddenly golden radiance, and instead of impact, there was only absence¡ªhis destruction denied by the divine.


    Kaelis snarled.


    His stance shifted again, his body bending backwards at an unnatural angle, avoiding a downward palm strike that would have erased his existence from the battlefield. He retaliated¡ªhis knee drove upward, his blade already slinging forward, a downward slash that howled with ruin, the force warping the terrain beneath it.


    Vorh¡¯zul raised two fingers, pressing them gently together.


    The land responded.


    A flash of golden radiance surged outward¡ªnot an attack, not a shield, but life itself manifesting in rebellion against Kaelis¡¯ destruction. Vines of pure radiance sprouted from the shattered ground, their forms twisting into woven runes, sealing the attack before it could reach its target.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t hesitate.


    He somersaulted backwards, his blade dragging against the ground, the red and black energy igniting the earth beneath him. The force of his retreat ripped apart the golden vines, shattering their form before he vaulted forward once more, his stance shifting again¡ªthis time sideways, his body rotating in an unnatural helix as he aimed a diagonal slash straight for Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s throat.


    The King tilted its head.


    ¡°Stubborn demon of corruption!¡±


    Its wings folded inward, its body shifting as it flowed around Kaelis¡¯ attack like a whisper on the wind. One hand gently touched the battlefield¡ªwhere it made contact, wildflowers burst into existence, their petals shimmering with divine power.


    Kaelis¡¯ foot braced against the air itself.


    And then he rebounded.


    He flipped, twisting his body with inhuman dexterity, his blade already arcing mid-motion, a second, more vicious strike aimed straight for the god-king¡¯s spine.


    This time, he was too close.


    This time, he would¡ª


    A single finger pressed against his forehead.


    Kaelis¡¯ vision whited out.


    An ocean of golden light surged through his mind¡ªmemories, voices, lives he had never lived, futures that could never exist. It was not power. It was existence itself unraveling before him, a flood of pure, overwhelming reality.


    And then, just as quickly¡ª


    He was falling.


    His body crashed into the earth, the impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield. His limbs convulsed, his blade still humming with destruction, but for the first time, his movements stuttered.


    Above him, Vorh¡¯zul lowered its hands.


    It pressed its palms together.


    The battlefield shook.


    The land answered.


    Golden energy coiled around the King¡¯s body, pulsing, evolving, its very presence reaching into the fabric of reality itself. The air grew thick with energy, the whispers of a thousand unseen forces chanting in unison. The very concept of battle was shifting¡ªno longer a mere clash of power, but a reformation of the world¡¯s will.


    ¡°For a mere demon to be able to keep up with me¡­..is mildly disturbing..¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ grin widened.


    He rose, his black veins pulsing violently, his blade still alive in his grip.


    Vorh¡¯zul spoke once more, its voice layered, infinite.


    ¡°This is not your battle, devourer of ruin. Behold true power.¡±


    Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s wings surged outward, golden energy rippling through the air as it ascended, its form twisting like a specter of light and death. It glided with unnatural speed, its body shifting between divine elegance and monstrous distortion, its hands weaving radiant symbols that pulsed with the life of the land itself. The very air around it trembled, responding to its call.


    Kaelis roared, his voice raw, guttural¡ªprimal rage incarnate. His veins pulsed violently, his twisted horn glowed with shifting hues of black and red, and his blade hummed with destruction, jagged tendrils of malevolent energy writhing off its surface. His stance was no longer human¡ªit was something else, his form coiled, animalistic, unpredictable. He launched himself skyward, his foot shattering the earth beneath him, aiming straight for the god-king above.


    Vorh¡¯zul moved, its body bending as if the air itself parted for its existence. Its fingers pressed together, and suddenly, golden sigils erupted around Kaelis in midair, blooming like celestial flowers¡ªeach one a trap of pure kinetic force, designed to bind, crush, and eradicate.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t stop.


    He twisted¡ªnot away, but through. His blade screamed, red and black destruction shredding through the sigils as his body contorted, flipped, and twisted, evading the collapsing energy fields by sheer instinct and raw speed.


    But Vorh¡¯zul was already countering.


    Its wings pulsed, and from the tips of its elongated fingers, beams of condensed land energy tore through the sky, each one a searing lance of golden radiance. They didn¡¯t just fire¡ªthey hunted, tracking Kaelis¡¯ movements, shifting angles at impossible speeds.


    Kaelis laughed, his voice broken, unhinged. He spiraled downward, his blade dragging behind him, its volatile energy ripping apart the very air, creating a trail of unstable force. He used his own destructive wake to distort the tracking lances, causing them to veer off course, slamming into the terrain below and detonating entire sections of the battlefield.


    Vorh¡¯zul descended instantly, shifting from aerial supremacy to ground combat in a heartbeat. Its feet touched the earth, and where it landed, life itself responded¡ªthe ground pulsed, twisting into a sacred garden of ethereal flora, each petal brimming with divine radiance. It lifted one hand, and the flowers bloomed violently, each one detonating in a wave of golden devastation.


    ¡°Tch¡­still standing¡­?!¡±


    Kaelis charged straight through it.


    The first explosion sent him spinning, his body contorting mid-air, redirecting momentum with a jagged slash of his blade, sending a wave of volatile energy outward. The next detonations came faster, but Kaelis vaulted, dodged, crashed through the chaos, his body shifting between stances¡ªone moment a savage beast, the next a coiled viper, then a monstrous specter of pure brutality.


    He landed low, his blade screeching against the ground, carving through the divine land, his laugh now a frenzied, chaotic chorus. His stance was hunched, his fingers twitching as if barely restraining himself. His body twitched with unnatural movement, his breath ragged but hungry.


    Vorh¡¯zul lifted both hands.


    The sky bent.


    The battlefield quivered.


    From the land itself, radiant butterfly-shaped wraiths rose into the air, their luminous bodies shifting between wisps of energy and solid form, their very existence woven from the essence of the world. Each one hovered like a divine judge, and then, at Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s command, they rushed forward in a synchronized assault, their forms converging like razor-thin blades of celestial judgment.


    Kaelis roared, his blade slamming into the dirt, and in an instant, black and red tendrils of destruction erupted outward, devouring the wraiths in an explosion of writhing ruin. The battlefield shook as divine and corrupted forces clashed violently, their energies colliding in a maelstrom of conflicting existences.


    Kaelis lunged again, his body a blur of unrelenting movement, his attacks no longer a warrior¡¯s strikes¡ªthey were the violent convulsions of a berserker god, the raw hatred of something that should not exist. His blade came from every angle, his movements fluid yet grotesque, his body bending in ways that defied the logic of mortal combat.


    Vorh¡¯zul matched him.


    The two became beasts of war, their movements so fast that the battlefield struggled to keep up, golden energy and red-black destruction clashing at speeds beyond human perception. Each strike reshaped the terrain, each clash a moment of pure, violent art.


    And then¡ª


    Ripp stared.


    His mask was half-shattered, exposing his grey eye, his vision blurry with blood. He was kneeling, his body wrecked, wounds covering his arms, his staff planted in the ground just to keep himself upright.


    But it wasn¡¯t pain that left him in shock.


    It was Kaelis.


    ¡°That¡­¡± he rasped. ¡°That¡¯s not¡ªhuman.¡±


    ¡®He¡¯s completely lost it! I was traveling with something like him?! What kind of power is that? It¡¯s insanely unnatural¡­Kenda can¡¯t even produce power like that. A literal blade seeming to be connected with him, and that primal attack position. How would the Apostles react to him?¡¯


    The other Hunters were just as shaken.


    ¡°That kid¡­¡± one of them whispered, his voice hoarse. ¡°How¡­ how the hell is he keeping up with our target?¡±


    Another Hunter, his arm hanging uselessly, his ribs visibly broken, exhaled sharply. ¡°No. No, he¡¯s not just keeping up.¡± His fingers trembled. ¡°He¡¯s¡ªfighting it like it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    A younger Hunter staggered back, his face pale. ¡°We¡­ we were supposed to kill that thing.¡± His eyes darted toward Vorh¡¯zul. ¡°That was the contract.¡± He shook his head, his breath frantic. ¡°But if we actually engaged it¡­ we¡¯d all be dead right now.¡±


    Silence.


    For a moment, none of them spoke.


    Then¡ª


    A Hunter with bloodied daggers, still gripping his shattered weapon, froze. His gaze locked onto something off to the side. His eyes widened.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°¡­Why are they praying?¡±


    The others snapped their attention toward the Caliber Butterfly humanoids. They weren¡¯t moving, they weren¡¯t attacking, they were kneeling. Their hands were pressed together, their bodies glowing with soft, golden light, their wings flickering as if their very essence was being drained into something greater.


    ¡°¡­They¡¯re giving him power,¡± one of the wounded Hunters whispered. His throat was dry. His stomach turned. ¡°They¡¯re¡ªfeeding him. T-They have to be! Look at them!¡±


    The realization hit like a hammer to the skull.


    One of the Hunters grabbed his bow, his fingers shaking as he reached for an arrow. ¡°Then¡ªkill them.¡±


    A warrior with a broken sword snarled, rising to his feet despite his wounds. ¡°Don¡¯t let that bastard ascend or something!!¡±


    The Hunters, barely standing, prepared to fight again, and the battlefield twisted. The fight between Kaelis and Vorh¡¯Zul raged on in the distance, an unholy clash of destruction and divinity, but now the ground itself was turning against them.


    A cloud, shimmering with unnatural color, began to coil around the kneeling Caliber Butterfly humanoids. The hues were impossible, shifting between radiant gold, deep violet, and unsettling iridescence, thick as rolling fog yet moving with an eerie sentience. It spread like living mist, curling and creeping until it swallowed everything in its wake.


    The Hunters froze, weapons still slick with blood, their expressions shifting from bloodlust to uncertainty.


    ¡°The hell is that?¡± one whispered.


    Another cursed, stepping back, his fingers tightening around the grip of his axe. ¡°Some kinda defense mechanism?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of time,¡± another barked. His voice was hoarse, frantic. ¡°Mission still stands.¡± He slammed his fist against his chest. ¡°I¡¯m a Hunter¡ªI don¡¯t care what tricks this thing pulls. 4000 gold. That¡¯s what¡¯s waiting when I take that bastard¡¯s head. I¡¯ll be able to let my little girl go to one of those Kenda academy schools. Bastards are expensive nowadays¡­let¡¯s do this..¡±


    The others hesitated.


    Then¡ªthey ran.


    Charging toward the kneeling humanoids, their weapons gleaming, their battle cries echoing through the mist.


    And then¡ªThere was nothing. They ran, but all they found was cloud. Ripp ran, too.


    The landscape had disappeared. The battlefield was gone. It was just him and the mist, stretching in all directions, infinite and suffocating.


    His breath gasped, he could hear footsteps in the distance¡ªno, all around him, circling, impossibly fast, moving like whispers in the dark. But Ripp didn¡¯t move anymore. He covered his mouth, holding his breath, his hands trembled. Not from pain. Not from exhaustion. From regret.


    ¡®This wouldn¡¯t have happened if I wasn¡¯t so eager¡­¡¯


    The thought cut through him sharper than any blade.


    ¡®Locked in a cage half my life, and now I just rush into things without thinking. I wanted to be free. I wanted to see the world. But what the hell did I expect?¡¯


    His fingers dug into his mask.


    He could feel the heat trapped underneath it, the weight pressing down on his skin, making the urge to breathe almost unbearable.


    Slowly, he pulled it off.


    His patched-short grey hair stuck to his sweat-slicked forehead. One grey eye blinked through the haze, the other pitch-black, lifeless and cold. The burn marks on his face itched in the open air, raw and grotesque.


    He hated it.


    ¡®Embarrassing, honestly. But I don¡¯t have a choice.¡¯


    Somewhere, beyond the endless color, a scream ripped through the fog. Then¡ªcombat.


    Ripp¡¯s fingers curled tighter around his staff. He ran.


    ¡®They¡¯re being engaged!¡¯


    The world shifted again.


    Shapes appeared through the mist¡ªbodies, moving fast, weapons clashing in brutal, chaotic combat.


    Hunters. Fighting each other. Ripp stopped. His eyes darting between each and every fighter.


    ¡®No way¡­¡¯


    They were using their Kenda. Blood sprayed. Limbs shattered. But they weren¡¯t fighting the enemy. They were fighting each other.


    Ripp wanted to scream. He wanted to yell for them to stop, but he knew¡ªif he opened his mouth, he would breathe it in.


    ¡®What the hell do I do?! I can¡¯t sit here and let them slaughter each other!¡¯


    Then¡ªan idea.


    He gritted his teeth. He lowered his stance.


    Then¡ªhe jumped.


    Or at least, he tried.


    Something latched onto his leg mid-motion, a hand¡ªand before he could react, he was ripped from the air and slammed into the ground with monstrous force. Pain exploded across his back. He gasped silently, his vision going black for a second, his whole body convulsing from the impact.


    And then¡ª


    A voice.


    Mocking. Dangerous.


    ¡°Oh? A nasty butterfly trying to escape?¡±


    Ripp¡¯s mind snapped into full alert.


    He sat up fast¡ªhis staff already flicking up in a defensive arc¡ªbut what he saw made his stomach lurch.


    The woman standing over him was uncanny.


    Her skin was bronze, but her veins were silver, glowing faintly beneath the surface. Her hair was an unnatural shade of deep orchid, cut unevenly, hanging past her shoulders in chaotic layers. Her eyes were golden, split like a tiger¡¯s, and her nails curved like claws, black at the tips. Her outfit was a sleeveless red robe, tied with silver cord, her legs bare except for wrappings and jagged scars that marked her body like a warrior¡¯s history.


    And her stance¡ª


    ¡®Prancing Tiger. A unique and unpredictable combat form, a stance designed for high-speed, counter-heavy martial arts, with feral aggression mixed into every motion. That¡¯s Song! She doesn¡¯t have Kenda, so she¡¯s naturally strong, fast, agile, all that good stuff¡­¡¯


    The woman grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve taken down a horde of Minotaurs while poisoned. You think I¡¯m letting a nasty butterfly escape?¡±


    Ripp¡¯s stomach dropped.


    ¡®Song¡­a Hunter with no Kenda. A martial artist who took contracts no one else would.¡¯


    And she thought he was a Caliber Butterfly humanoid.


    ¡®This really sucks..¡¯z


    He had no time.


    Song moved first¡ªand it began.


    She twisted forward, her foot spinning up in a blindingly fast crescent kick, her heel aimed for his temple with skull-shattering force.


    Ripp barely managed to dodge, his Wind Kenda coiling around his legs, giving him a burst of speed. But Song was already reacting mid-motion, her other foot bracing against the ground as she used the missed kick to launch herself into a ferocious spinning elbow strike.


    Ripp vaulted backwards, his staff whirling up, but Song¡¯s momentum didn¡¯t break. She flipped forward mid-air, her knee driving down like a meteor, forcing him to brace against the impact with his staff.


    The ground beneath them cracked.


    Song¡¯s leg twisted unnaturally, her balance never faltering, and her clawed fingers lashed out, aiming for his throat.


    Ripp countered instantly¡ªhis Wind Kenda detonated outward, sending him into a sideways aerial twist, evading the strike by a hair¡¯s breadth before reversing his momentum mid-air and slamming his staff downward.


    ¡®In reality, I have the advantage. Mostly because my staff was made with Kenda artifacts, and my Wind Kenda is on par with a high level Hunter¡­but Song, she¡¯s one of those who won¡¯t stop until she gets her kill! I can¡¯t kill her, so I have to knock her out!¡¯


    Song caught it with both palms.


    Her body snapped downward, pulling him with ridiculous force, sending Ripp crashing back-first against the ground again.


    He gasped, his vision flashing black for a second, pain exploding through his spine.


    But he didn¡¯t stop.


    His staff flicked up, Wind Kenda spiraling around it, creating a brutal vortex that ripped Song away from him, forcing her back.


    She skidded to a stop, her golden eyes flashing. ¡°Not bad,¡± she admitted. Then¡ªher grin widened. ¡°But not good enough.¡±


    She rushed again.


    And the fight only grew deadlier.


    Blow after blow. Counter after counter. Bone-breaking, breath-stealing, earth-rending force behind every strike. Song was punching Ripp all over the place, not giving him a chance to breathe, and Song grinned at the same time.


    But in the end¡ªRipp threw his staff at her, and she dodged it, but in that split second, Ripp was above her, and performed a spinning heel kick with his leg, with Winds spiraling around it, and it increased his speed and force because of it. Song went to block it, but she couldn¡¯t raise her hands fast enough, and Ripp¡¯s leg bashed against her face, knocking her to the ground.


    Then, his chest heaving, he finally jumped.


    He ascended above the mist¡ªfresh air rushing into his lungs.


    And then¡ªhe saw it.


    A horde of smaller Caliber Butterflies, their bodies radiant, their wings beating in eerie unison.


    They were the ones creating the cloud.


    And now¡ªhe had to stop them.


    The battlefield was devastation incarnate.


    Kaelis and Vorh¡¯Zul had abandoned all restraint. The fight had escalated to a monstrous collision of destruction and divinity, the ground itself struggling to hold their presence, the sky trembling beneath the weight of their power.


    Kaelis¡¯ laughter had turned to roars, guttural and primal, his blackened veins bulging with raw power, his body in constant motion, shifting through feral stances faster than the eye could track. His blade, fused to his arm, released howling waves of black and red destruction, carving through the land with every swing.


    But Vorh¡¯Zul was evolving.


    It was no longer just dodging. No longer just defending.


    It was adapting.


    The god-king moved with impossible fluidity, its grotesque form flickering between presence and absence, its elongated limbs bending reality itself. Its wings now pulsed like twin stars, each flap generating a tidal wave of golden light that twisted the very air into something unrecognizable.


    Vorh¡¯Zul raised a hand, and the battlefield shifted.


    The land itself began to breathe. Pulsing. Changing.


    Flowers of radiant death bloomed instantly, but they weren¡¯t just beautiful¡ªthey were predators, each petal unraveling into razor-sharp spires of golden energy, lunging toward Kaelis in perfect synchronization.


    Kaelis twisted mid-air, his entire body snapping into an unnatural contortion, his blade dragging through the space around him, leaving chaotic trails of destruction in its wake. His strikes didn¡¯t just parry¡ªthey consumed.


    The flowers detonated, but Kaelis was already moving¡ªvaulting, flipping, rolling, his speed a titanic blur of violence.


    Then¡ª


    Vorh¡¯Zul descended.


    No longer hovering. No longer observing.


    It attacked.


    One of its arms elongated, solidifying into radiant gold, curving like a serpent of divine judgment, slamming downward with the weight of the world itself.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just die¡­?!¡±


    Kaelis caught it with his bare hand.


    The impact was cataclysmic. The ground beneath him erupted, the force tearing deep trenches into the battlefield, the sheer kinetic pressure cracking his arm apart¡ªbut Kaelis regenerated instantly, his bones reforming mid-motion, his blood crawling back into his veins like living shadows.


    He grinned.


    And then he struck back.


    Kaelis lunged forward, his blade dragging through the golden arm, his red and black energy burning through the divine flesh like acid, tearing through Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s form.


    The god-king howled, its voice a warped chorus of a thousand spirits screaming at once.


    But it didn¡¯t retreat.


    It countered.


    Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s wings flared outward, and suddenly¡ªthe sky inverted.


    Everything was upside down. The battlefield was no longer beneath them¡ªit was above them. The clouds now stretched like roots, and the stars pulsed beneath their feet, warping gravity itself.


    Kaelis laughed. ¡°This again?¡±


    He pushed off the air, adjusting instantly, launching himself toward the god-king at speeds that shattered the sound barrier. His blade roared, its destructive light expanding outward, turning the battlefield into a maelstrom of blood and ruin.


    Vorh¡¯Zul lifted its arms¡ªand a thousand hands burst forth from its body, each one moving independently, each flickering between form and non-existence, striking from every conceivable angle.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t stop.


    He ripped through them.


    His body moved beyond logic, his blade screaming with insatiable hunger, each slash devouring space itself, carving through the horde of hands with ruthless precision.


    Then¡ª


    Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s chest split open.


    A gaping void of celestial light, brimming with swirling galaxies and burning souls, sucked Kaelis in before he could react.


    He fought against the pull, his blade stabbing into the air itself, trying to resist the gravitational force, but Vorh¡¯Zul surged forward, its jaws unhinging wider than reality allowed, its mouth stretching past dimensions.


    And then¡ª


    Kaelis fell in.


    Silence.


    The battlefield stood still.


    Vorh¡¯Zul landed softly, its form shuddering, its breath ragged. Its golden eyes scanned the land.


    And then¡ªit turned.


    Its gaze fell upon the grove.


    The cloud was gone.


    And standing in the middle of the carnage was Ripp.


    His chest rose and fell heavily, his body covered in blood, his staff barely gripped in his shaking hands.


    The humanoid butterflies were dead.


    The ritual was broken.


    Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s expression twisted into something between fury and disbelief.


    ¡°You¡­¡± The god-king¡¯s voice was a whisper of a dying star, layered and infinite. ¡°You will die¡­ as your companion did.¡±


    Ripp¡¯s body locked up.


    ¡®Crap¡­I¡¯m in no condition to fight anymore! I¡¯m sorry, Kaelis.¡¯


    He couldn¡¯t move. He couldn¡¯t breathe. His fingers loosened around his staff. He dropped to his knees, his vision blurring, his chest tightening with guilt.


    Then¡ª


    A rumble.


    Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s head snapped toward its own body.


    Its golden veins quivered. A slow, unnatural twitch rippled through its torso. Then¡ªanother one.


    A shudder, a tremor, a flicker of black and red light from within. Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s voice was low. Uncertain.


    ¡°¡­How¡­?¡±


    Another shudder, Its chest convulsed violently, as if something inside was tearing its way out.


    ¡°¡­How¡­?¡± It repeated, louder this time.


    Ripp¡¯s hands trembled. He didn¡¯t understand.


    Then¡ªVorh¡¯Zul screamed.


    ¡°HOW IS HE STILL ALIVE?!¡±


    The words were thunder, earthquakes, shattered skies¡ªso loud that Ripp¡¯s ears burst open, blood leaking down his neck.


    Then¡ª


    A sickening, wet slash.


    A gurgling, inhuman shriek of agony.


    Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s body convulsed, its divine flesh splitting open from within, red and black energy ripping through its insides, carving through organs of celestial design, tearing apart the divine framework of its very existence.


    It collapsed forward, hands clutching at its own rupturing chest, but the destruction did not stop.


    The agony was infinite.


    From within, Kaelis was carving his way out.


    The slashes were relentless¡ªeach one more brutal than the last, each one digging deeper, each one shattering the divine resistance that kept the god-king whole.


    Vorh¡¯Zul screamed.


    A scream of pure torment. A god-king dying from the inside out.


    Then¡ª


    An explosion.


    A symphony of blood and ruin.


    Red and black magic erupted outward, golden divine energy bursting apart, the battlefield drenched in the remnants of Vorh¡¯Zul¡¯s agony.


    Smoke swallowed the land, ash and radiance swirling together, the ground cratered beyond recognition.


    And in the midst of the devastation¡ª


    Ripp slowly rose to his feet, his fingers clenched around his staff. And he stared, then took a step forward. The smoke curled before him, thick, heavy with the scent of blood, ash, and something unnatural¡ªa fusion of divine ruin and monstrous power, clinging to his skin like a curse. The land itself felt¡­ wrong, as if the very fabric of reality was still trembling from what had just happened.


    His body ached. His fingers shook.


    His heart pounded like a war drum inside his chest.


    But he walked.


    Slowly.


    Each step sent a dull throb through his legs, his wounds reminding him of the hell they had barely survived. The further he stepped, the stronger the metallic tang of blood filled his nose, thick enough to taste, mixing with the faint, sickly sweetness of the land¡¯s unnatural flora, now scorched beyond recognition.


    He coughed, wiping his mouth. His fingers came back stained with red.


    He swallowed.


    ¡°He¡¯s alive.¡±


    The thought strangled him.


    ¡°He has to be.¡±


    The world felt smaller inside the smoke¡ªtight, suffocating, like walking through the breath of something ancient, something waiting. His mind drifted, thoughts spiraling into places he didn¡¯t want them to go.


    What if it killed him?


    What if that thing finally took over?


    His breathing was shallow.


    Each inhale dragged the scents of the battlefield deeper into his lungs¡ªburnt ozone from Kenda-heavy attacks, the acrid reek of smoke, the unmistakable stench of death, all wrapped in the faint floral undertone of a land that had never known true peace.


    It was sickening, and he kept walking. He stood just outside the final veil of smoke, a single step away from the unknown. He exhaled, his voice quiet, uncertain.


    ¡°¡­Kaelis?¡±


    Nothing.


    His heart pounded harder.


    ¡°¡­Kaelis, are you¡ª?¡±


    A flash of superior motion. In the span of a breath, Kaelis was in front of him. Too fast. Too sudden, Ripp¡¯s instincts screamed.


    Kaelis¡¯ fist-blade was aimed straight for his skull. Ripp gasped, his body already moving before his mind could catch up¡ªhis staff snapped up in a desperate block, and then¡ªImpact.


    A brutal, devastating collision, the force ripped through his bones, the power behind the strike so overwhelming that it felt like his soul was being launched out of his own body.


    And then¡ªhe was flying.


    Ripp¡¯s body tore through the trees, shattering their unnatural spiraled trunks, smashing through strange, glowing plants, skimming across jagged terrain before slamming against a stone outcrop, sending debris exploding outward.


    ¡°AGHH!¡±


    His entire body seized, his ribs screaming in protest, his arms burning from the impact, his mind struggling to register the pain before the next wave hit.


    And yet¡ª


    As he hurtled through the air, limbs flailing for control, his mind was already racing.


    ¡®I can¡¯t fight him head on¡­that¡¯ll be idiotic!¡¯


    The thought lodged itself deep, refusing to let go. Kaelis was not the same anymore, that thing inside him had taken over.


    The sheer speed, the raw brutality¡ªRipp couldn¡¯t believe what he was witnessing. After meeting so many legends and warriors due to his eagerness, he never came across anyone like Kaelis.


    He clenched his jaw, twisting mid-air, his Wind Kenda surging outward, grabbing hold of the currents and forcing his body into control. He angled his feet downward, aiming for a landing¡ª


    But it was shaky, unstable.


    He stumbled, knees nearly buckling, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts.


    And then¡ª


    Kaelis was already above him.


    Descending like a falling meteor, his blade poised to drive straight through Ripp¡¯s skull, his body still shuddering with laughter.


    ¡°Shit¡ª¡± Ripp acted on instinct. His fingers snapped to his belt, pulling something free, a small, black feather.


    A crow¡¯s feather.


    He barely had time to hold it up as Kaelis plummeted downward, his blade mere inches from splitting him in two.


    Ripp¡¯s hands shook.


    His heart slammed against his ribs.


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes burned with feral hunger¡ªunrecognizing, uncaring.


    Ripp¡¯s voice wavered.


    ¡°¡­H-Hey, buddy. Please go back to normal!¡±


    The feather quivered between his fingertips.


    And for the first time since the fight began¡ª


    Kaelis hesitated.

 Chapter 9: Under The Moonlight

    The waterfall was deafening, its endless cascade hammering against jagged stone as mist curled into the cool evening air, catching the dim glow of the setting suns. The sky stretched vast and bruised above her, its hues of deep violet and dull crimson melting into one another, a slow-burning bruise across the horizon. The scent of damp stone, wet moss, and the faint metallic tang of old blood lingered in the air, the land still carrying the memories of past battles. Espen sat cross-legged on the highest ledge, her witches staff balanced across her lap, her breaths slow and measured as she forced herself to focus.


    ¡®Breathe¡­¡¯


    Her hands trembled slightly, not from weakness, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of her own frustration clawing at the edges of her patience, gnawing at her like an old wound she had yet to heal from. The flow of Kenda within her veins felt wild, untamed, shifting like a creature refusing to be caged, its pulse erratic, its presence a constant battle against her control. It was there¡ªshe could feel its weight beneath her skin, thrumming like something alive, waiting for her command. But every time she reached for it, every time she tried to refine its flow, it resisted, slipping through her grasp, unraveling the moment she thought she had steadied it.


    Again. Again. And again.


    She exhaled sharply, wiping the back of her sleeve across her nose as another thin trickle of blood smeared against her pale skin, hot and unwelcome. She ignored it, swallowing down the irritation rising in her chest, refusing to acknowledge the way her fingers ached from gripping her staff too tightly, the way her shoulders burned from the countless attempts she had already failed. She knew her mistakes. She knew exactly where her form faltered, where her breathing staggered, where her control wavered. And yet, no matter how much she adjusted, how much she tried to correct it, the result remained the same¡ªunstable, imprecise, flawed.


    Her grip tightened around the smooth, dark wood of her staff, the weight of it grounding her, steadying her against the frustration threatening to consume her entirely. It had been like this for weeks¡ªrefining, refining, refining¡ªnever satisfied, never complete, never in control the way she needed to be. She wasn¡¯t even trying to weave new skills, wasn¡¯t reaching for something beyond her limits; she was simply trying to master what she already had, to make her Kenda her own instead of something that felt like it was always on the verge of slipping from her grasp.


    Her thoughts wavered, drifting toward something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªshe had been trying to keep out of her mind.


    Kaelis.


    Her jaw tightened slightly. She was doing it again¡ªthinking about him when she had no reason to. It wasn¡¯t concern. She refused to call it that. He was a human, nothing more, nothing less, and whatever happened to him was not her business. And yet, her mind still conjured images of him, of the way he fought, of the way his body moved like something barely tethered to reality, of the way his presence in battle was a chaotic force that defied logic, that made her wonder what he was really hiding beneath all that blood and madness.


    The way he saved her..


    She scoffed under her breath, pushing the thought away before it could sink too deeply into her.


    ¡®Get out of my damn head, human.¡¯


    Again, she raised her staff, rolling her shoulders, shaking the tension from her arms before allowing the darkness within her to coil, to gather, to obey. A jagged red crest formed beside her, spinning slowly in the air, its edges shifting like serrated glass, its glow pulsing faintly in the dimming light. She focused, refining its structure, forcing it into something sharp, something that wouldn¡¯t shatter at the first sign of resistance. The moment she reached out to reinforce its foundation, the moment she tried to lock its form into something permanent¡ª


    It collapsed.


    The backlash was immediate, a sharp jolt of pain surging through her skull, sending her vision into a brief, blinding haze. Espen flinched, a sharp hiss escaping through clenched teeth as another thin trickle of blood dripped from her nose, warm and familiar. She didn¡¯t move for a long moment, her breaths steady despite the dull throb between her eyes, the exhaustion pulling at her limbs.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    She wanted to scream. She wanted to take her staff and shatter it against the rocks, to stand and curse at the skies, to let the frustration clawing at her ribs consume her whole. But she didn¡¯t. She let the silence drag, let the sting of failure sink deep into her skin, let the moment settle before she exhaled, slow and deep, swallowing the rage, the irritation, the suffocating weight of her own shortcomings.


    ¡°Again.¡±


    ¡®I¡¯m not that weak little girl anymore.¡¯


    She wasn¡¯t the girl who had once run through the rain, her body drenched in someone else¡¯s blood, her breath shaking as she climbed jagged cliffs just to escape the voices of those who wanted her dead. She wasn¡¯t the girl who had curled into herself, arms wrapped around her own trembling frame, her voice breaking as she sang lullabies to no one, her own quiet melody drowned out by the thunder that swallowed the night.


    She forced the memory back into the depths where it belonged.


    ¡°If you glare at that spot any harder, you might just scare the Kenda into behaving.¡±


    Espen¡¯s brow twitched, her patience wearing dangerously thin as she turned her gaze toward the voices that had been grating on her nerves for the past hour.


    Ness, the insufferable smug little black cat, was perched lazily on a flat rock, his sleek fur gleaming under the fading sunlight, his tail flicking with the air of someone thoroughly entertained by her struggle. Hael, the large, flamboyant crow-woman, stood beside him, arms folded, one wing ruffling as she smirked, her golden eyes gleaming with obvious amusement.


    ¡°You have nothing better to do than sit there and flap your mouth, cat?¡± Espen muttered, rolling her shoulders as she wiped the remaining blood from her nose.


    Ness smiled, ¡°You know me.¡±


    ¡°Heh. Yeah I do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not trying to weave new spells?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m just trying to refine the ones I have already. The Kenda within each needs to be controlled. I got too comfortable allowing you and Hael to fight for me, and at a certain point, I got lazy.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. So seeing Kaelis, is that motivating you¡ª?¡±


    FLING!


    Espen launched a rock at Ness but he simply dodged it. And Espen added, ¡°I hate his name.¡±


    Hael flapped in with her large crow wings, saying, ¡°You must focus, Espen.¡±


    ¡°I hate how this is so hard.¡±


    ¡°Awww don¡¯t be so gloomy, darling. Even the most experienced Kenda users have trouble weaving new spells and even refining theres.¡±


    ¡°Tch. Not as much as trouble as I¡¯m having.¡±


    ¡°Cheer up. You¡¯re still so young, Espen.¡±


    Espen thought, ¡®There are 4 consequences to Weaving or refining Kenda¡­¡¯


    Physical Limitations ¨C The body itself resists excessive weaving, causing pain and exhaustion.


    Environmental Interference ¨C Hostile environments or stress disrupt meditation, reducing effectiveness.


    Complexity Scaling¨C Higher-level weaves require exponential increases in focus and precision.


    Instability Risk ¨C If a weave collapses mid-formation, it can cause magic to backfire, harming the user.


    Espen sighed, ¡°..You two. Get up.¡±


    Ness¡¯s ears perked slightly, and Hael tilted her head, a curious grin spreading across her face.


    Espen leveled them both with a deadpan stare, adjusting her grip on her staff as she took a step forward, her movements slow, deliberate, controlled.


    ¡°¡­We¡¯re sparring.¡±


    Ness stretched again, rolling his shoulders before hopping down from his rock, his smug little smirk widening. ¡°You¡¯re progressing, I¡¯ll give you that.¡±


    Hael laughed, stretching her arms as her wings spread slightly, her tone teasing yet undeniably eager. ¡°Hmmmmm, I DO love a good match.¡±


    Espen closed her eyes for a brief moment, already feeling the oncoming headache.


    ¡®I need experience, more battle experience. I need control. And if fighting these two would help me achieve it, then so be it. Or at least, help me a little.¡¯


    Her grip tightened, and the red glow of her Kenda flared at her fingertips.


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t waste my time.¡±


    Ness and Hael exchanged a glance.


    Then, in perfect sync, they grinned.


    The waterfall¡¯s roar filled the twilight air, a relentless cascade of sound and mist crashing into the rocks below, its rhythm steady and deafening. The scent of damp stone, wild earth, and lingering Kenda energy clung to the cool evening breeze, wrapping the plateau in an eerie stillness. Espen stood at the edge, her grip firm around her staff, her body aching from the weight of training, but her resolve unshaken. Across from her, Ness and Hael exchanged unreadable glances.


    ¡°Espen, are you absolutely sure about this?¡± Ness¡¯s voice lacked its usual teasing edge, his eyes searching her face for even the slightest sign of hesitation. ¡°You¡¯ve already exhausted yourself today. You don¡¯t have anything to prove.¡±


    Hael ruffled her feathers, tilting her head slightly. ¡°Darling, it¡¯s fine if you want to spar, but let¡¯s not pretend you¡¯re in peak condition.¡± She sighed, placing a taloned hand on her hip. ¡°If you drop before we even get started, I¡¯ll be dreadfully bored.¡±


    Espen exhaled, pushing away the tension in her muscles, the doubt that threatened to creep in. ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± she said, voice steady, unwavering. ¡°I need this.¡±


    ¡®I need to make progress! The one thing that kept me from being a good fighter was lack of experience. I¡¯ve allowed myself to get too comfortable, I¡¯ve been spoiled. Being saved over and over, makes me look like some old lady. And I¡¯m not an old lady. It makes me feel like a little cat in a tree that needs help getting down. I measure myself to that degree not because I want to, it¡¯s just how I feel. Do I hate myself for it? I don¡¯t think so. But I¡¯ve betrayed myself, my younger self when I vowed to make myself useful, instead of being used. If that makes sense. I¡¯ve been so busy, trying to prove myself to a world that doesn¡¯t care about validation, only power. I want to be special..¡¯


    Her mind flickered, just for a moment, to a memory buried beneath years of struggle.


    ¡°Again.¡±


    Maela¡¯s voice had been firm yet patient, her presence unwavering beneath the cold glow of candlelight. The old study smelled of dried herbs, parchment, and the faint trace of burning Kenda residue from Espen¡¯s repeated failures.


    Espen, at least 13 years old at this time, gritted her teeth, her small hands trembling as she struggled to mold the darkness at her fingertips. The Kenda surged, disobedient, slipping through her grasp like smoke refusing to be bottled. The moment she tried to bind it¡ªforce it¡ªit burst apart, sending a violent shock through her body that sent her crashing backward.


    Her breath came in sharp, frustrated gasps as she pushed herself up, her limbs aching from the repeated failures. ¡°It¡¯s impossible,¡± she hissed, wiping the blood from her nose, her voice shaking with barely contained rage. ¡°It doesn¡¯t listen!¡±


    Maela had watched her in silence before finally stepping forward, kneeling beside her. ¡°That¡¯s because you think of it as something separate from yourself.¡± Her gaze was steady, unyielding. ¡°Darkness is not a tool, Espen. It is a limb. A heartbeat. You do not command it. You become it.¡±


    Espen exhaled sharply, shoving the memory aside.


    Ness sighed, rolling his shoulders before stepping forward. ¡°Alright, then,¡± he muttered. ¡°Don¡¯t say we didn¡¯t give you a chance.¡±


    His body shuddered.


    His sleek feline frame expanded, muscle stretching, limbs lengthening, his body shifting with unnatural fluidity. His claws extended, his tail curling into something longer, more deadly, more unpredictable. His transformation settled in the span of a breath, and then¡ªhe moved with a feline-like speed, like a predator hunting its prey.


    Espen barely had time to register the shift before a black streak of movement was already behind her. Too fast. Too strong.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Her mind raced. ¡®Don¡¯t react late. Anticipate it! You know their attacks, you know their patterns, don¡¯t let it overwhelm you, Espen..¡¯


    She twisted, swinging her staff, channeling her Kenda into Thornborn Crest¡ª


    Mistake.


    Her red sigil barely formed before it collapsed, the energy unraveling violently. The backlash sent a sharp shock through her nerves, her vision flashing white. Ness¡¯s tail whipped out, catching her in the ribs before she could recover, the sheer impact sending her skidding across the stone.


    She barely had time to breathe before she sensed movement above.


    Hael.


    The crow spiraled downward, her large wings twisting her into a precise, corkscrewing descent, her beak aimed directly for Espen¡¯s chest.


    Espen¡¯s mind screamed.


    ¡®Think. Adjust. Use the terrain!¡¯


    She jammed her staff into the ground, vaulting sideways, using the force to propel herself away. Hael¡¯s beak slammed into the stone where she had been a second earlier, the sheer force sending deep cracks through the rock.


    Espen landed hard, rolling into a crouch, her lungs burning.


    ¡®I¡¯m too slow. My Kenda is still unstable. But I can use that unpredictability¡­can¡¯t I?!¡¯


    Ness was already moving again, lunging toward her, his massive frame cutting through the air with brutal precision.


    She anticipated this.


    ¡®Got it!¡¯


    Espen swung her staff, aiming not at him but at the ground near his feet. Shacklebrand.


    A red-black sigil flared to life, pulsing as tendrils of darkness surged from the earth¡ªNess leapt mid-motion, avoiding the snare entirely.


    Espen expected this.


    She twisted her staff, the tendrils shifting with her movement, snapping toward his landing point.


    Ness¡¯s eyes flickered in realization¡ªtoo late.


    ¡®Oh she¡¯s getting a little better now..more badass!¡¯


    The tendrils lashed around his leg, tightening with punishing force. He growled, his muscles flexing as he tore against the bind, the sigil burning against his skin.


    A second later, Hael screeched¡ªa sonic shockwave that sent Espen reeling.


    Espen stumbled, the sheer force rattling her skull, causing her vision to blur. The moment her concentration wavered, her own Kenda snapped back at her, the tendrils of Shacklebrand wrapping around her own wrist.


    ¡®Damn it! I let my guard down, forgot about her circling me like a dead animal.¡¯


    The constriction burned, forcing her movements into a fraction of a second¡¯s hesitation.


    And in that moment¡ªNess ripped free, tail whipping out, catching her across the stomach with enough force to lift her off the ground. She choked, the wind knocked from her lungs as she crashed onto the cold stone, her staff clattering beside her.


    Her vision swam. Blood dripped from her lip.


    Ness exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    Hael landed gracefully beside him, tilting her head. ¡°You did well, darling, but we¡¯re done for today.¡±


    Espen, body shaking, pushed herself up. ¡°No¡­no..it¡¯s not over! I need more experience, please..¡± Her staff trembled in her grip as she slowly, painfully, forced herself to stand. ¡°I¡­ can keep going.¡±


    Her voice was strained, her breath ragged, but the desperation in her tone held firm.


    Ness frowned. ¡°Espen¡ª¡±


    She gritted her teeth. ¡°Please.¡±


    Silence.


    Then¡ªA single tear slipped down Espen¡¯s cheek, hot and unbidden, before she whispered, ¡°¡­I appreciate you both for caring.¡±


    She turned, leaving them behind, her body aching, her magic still far from perfect.


    But she had made progress.


    ¡®I need more, way more. I¡¯ve improved a little. More combat experience can help me..it¡¯s been proven, alongside refining it through Weaving of Kenda.¡¯


    As Espen walked away from the area, her steps steady but slow, the tension of the fight still lingering in the cool night air, Ness and Hael remained behind, watching her silhouette fade into the dim glow of the firelight. The wind had softened, carrying the faint scent of burnt embers, damp stone, and the lingering traces of Kenda energy still pulsing from where they had fought.


    Hael stretched her wings, rolling out the stiffness in her shoulders before glancing at Ness, her golden eyes glinting with something between amusement and understanding. ¡°Our little Espen is changing,¡± she murmured, her voice unusually quiet, a rare moment where the teasing lilt gave way to something more reflective. ¡°I¡¯m gonna tear up.¡±


    Ness, still in his humanoid form, sat down on a rock, his tail curling around his leg as he let out a slow breath. ¡°She is,¡± he agreed. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen her push herself this hard.¡± His gaze flickered toward the direction Espen had gone, unreadable, but undeniably contemplative. ¡°Since Kaelis joined us, she¡¯s been different. More determined.¡±


    Hael let out a soft laugh, tilting her head slightly. ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to be a damsel in distress, Ness. And she sure as hell doesn¡¯t want to keep being saved. That boy¡­ he¡¯s reckless, volatile, unpredictable, but in his own way, he¡¯s making her push herself further. She wants to live up to Maela¡¯s expectations, and prove herself worthy to herself and those around her.¡± She smiled, folding her arms. ¡°Now she wants to stand on her own. And she refuses to be left behind.¡±


    Ness¡¯s ears twitched slightly, and for a brief moment, his thoughts drifted, carried away by the quiet of the night. ¡°As a kid, before she met Maela, she rode with bandits, who spent years trying to sell her off but no one bought her. They branded her, I can¡¯t imagine what else they did. It made her feel worthless. So there¡¯s a reason for how she acts, but to see her actually grow, it¡¯s actually satisfying.¡±


    Snow.


    Snow was falling slowly.


    The air had been sharp with winter¡¯s bite, the world bathed in a silver hush. Tiny paw prints scattered across the frost-covered ground, weaving between the towering pines, leading to a small gathering of kittens¡ªhis kittens¡ªhuddled together in the snow, their fur ruffled as they pounced on small, darting bugs that skittered between the cracks in the ice. He had taught them to hunt that way, their little claws batting at their prey, their tails flicking with excitement as they learned through instinct and play. He had watched them, their tiny bodies warm against his as they nestled close, their purrs melting into the stillness of the frozen forest.


    And then¡ª


    The memory faded.


    Ness blinked, his expression unreadable as he let out a quiet sigh. ¡°She¡¯ll be alright,¡± he muttered. ¡°She always is.¡±


    Hael smirked. ¡°She better be. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have to carry her ass through every fight, though I¡¯m not complaining. I feel so special when I protect her.¡±


    ¡°Same same.¡±


    ¡°And what about Kaelis? How do you think my darling is doing?¡±


    ¡°Ah, him. He¡¯s unique, for sure. He and Espen are alike in many ways. Something haunts him mentally, and physically. I think they¡¯ll both warm up to each other one day, they both have some room to grow. Being forced into marriage with one another, it¡¯s funny how this all happened. But the mystery still stands as to why Espen? And why Kaelis?¡±


    ¡°In due time we¡¯ll find out. Maela will pop up eventually and lore dump like always.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s so boring.¡±


    With that, the conversation ended, and as the night deepened, the two of them drifted into sleep, curled close for warmth beneath the fading embers of the fire.


    Leaves crunched¡­footsteps silent¡­Espen moved through the darkness like a shadow, her steps light, calculated, each breath measured as she crept away from the camp. She had been waiting for this moment, had spent the entire night crafting her disguise in secret, working by the dying firelight as she bound together bark and leaves to form the crude mask she now held in her hands. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it didn¡¯t need to be. It just needed to hide her face.


    With careful precision, she fastened it over her head, adjusting it until it fit snugly against her skin. The rough texture scratched slightly against her cheek, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the path ahead. She had no intention of waking Ness and Hael. She wasn¡¯t running away, not really¡ªbut she knew they wouldn¡¯t approve of what she was about to do. But what she was about to do, Maela might approve. Or not. She wasn¡¯t too sure.


    She needed more. More combat experience. More control. More understanding of what it meant to be strong. Without another thought, she took off, her body moving instinctively, her pulse steady as she sprinted into the vast land stretching before her.


    The night was alive.


    Above her, the sky unfolded like a celestial tapestry, woven with hues of deep indigo, violet, and streaks of gold that shimmered like molten rivers. Three moons hung heavy in the sky, their pale light casting silver reflections across the landscape, while the stars¡ªcountless and burning¡ªmoved in slow, deliberate patterns, shifting in ways that felt almost alive. Strange, luminescent creatures drifted between them¡ªVeydrisi, the great sky serpents whose bodies coiled through the heavens like living constellations, their scales absorbing and refracting starlight as they wove between the drifting clouds. Tiny winged beings known as Lurifrey flitted around them, their gossamer wings glowing faintly as they traced intricate, unseen sigils against the night, their forms barely more than whispers against the vastness of the world.


    Below, the land breathed with life.


    She passed through rolling fields where farmers worked even at night, lanterns flickering as they toiled beneath the open sky, their voices low, murmuring in steady rhythms as they spoke of harvests and trade. Merchants rested beside their wagons, some asleep, others gathered in quiet clusters, exchanging stories over cups of steaming herbal brews. In the distance, near a winding river, a group of children chased each other beneath the moonlight, their laughter carrying through the crisp air, unburdened by the weight of the world beyond their small moment of joy.


    Espen didn¡¯t stop.


    She ran, her body moving effortlessly, her muscles remembering what it felt like to move with purpose. And as she ran, her thoughts ran with her.


    ¡®I remember running like this when I was a child. The rain was relentless, soaking through my clothes, chilling my skin until I could barely feel my own fingers. My feet ached, my lungs burned, but I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn¡¯t stop. Because stopping meant dying. Back then, I wasn¡¯t running toward something. I was running away. From them. From their voices. From the blood on my hands that wasn¡¯t mine.¡¯


    Her jaw tightened.


    ¡®But now¡­ now I¡¯m running toward something. Toward strength. Toward control.¡¯


    Ness and Hael had always fought for her. Always stood between her and the dangers that lurked in the world. They had driven off Hunters, cut down those who sought to capture her, shielded her from battles she wasn¡¯t yet ready for. But that wouldn¡¯t last forever.


    And then¡ªKaelis.


    A flicker of irritation twisted in her chest, unwelcome, uninvited.


    ¡®If he could just control that berserk state of his, then that would mean he would be saving me willingly all the time. I don¡¯t want that.¡¯


    Her heartbeat quickened slightly.


    ¡®Pathetic. Fucking pathetic. I won¡¯t let that happen. I won¡¯t need to be saved. Not by him. Not by anyone.¡¯


    For the briefest moment, a thought entered her mind¡ªan image, fleeting but vivid¡ªof her saving him.


    She shoved it away instantly, disgust curling in her throat.


    Her heart thumped, then settled.


    ¡°Gross,¡± she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she pushed herself faster. ¡°Save someone like him? Never in a million years.¡±


    ¡®I almost became a monster because of what I went through with the humans, but Maela kept me at ease. I¡¯m doing something reckless and dangerous right now, but I can¡¯t sit by and not take risks on myself. Should I turn back? No way, I already ran so far, and I didn¡¯t cut myself from making this mask for nothing. If I fail during this, please let me learn from it. Maela was doing things like this when she was around my age. But deep down I know¡­I¡¯m not doing this because of what she went through. By the time I meet Maela, I want her to see that I¡¯ve got stronger and I can hold my own in a fight. She would be proud of me..¡¯


    The town of Dreuyu appeared on the horizon, its presence neither grand nor insignificant, a settlement of stone and timber, its rooftops slanted and uneven from years of quiet expansion. Lanterns flickered against the cobbled streets, casting warm glows onto the simple buildings, their walls weathered but sturdy, built for endurance rather than spectacle. It wasn¡¯t a place of excess or vibrancy, but there was something steadfast about it, something that spoke of quiet resilience, a town that had seen its share of hardships but continued on nonetheless.


    Espen slowed her pace, her breaths even, her body steady.


    ¡°Ah..ah..I haven¡¯t ran that long in a while.¡±


    For a long moment, she stood at the outskirts, her gaze lifting to the sprawling night sky, to the endless stretch of stars and moons that watched over her like silent sentinels.


    She thought of Maela.


    She thought of everything she had lost.


    And in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.


    ¡°I will find you.¡±


    With that, she turned toward Dreuyu, vanishing into the night.


    ____________________________________________


    Morning came loud and relentless.


    Dreuyu was not a city of stillness, not even in the earliest hours of dawn. As the golden light spilled over the rooftops, the streets were already alive with movement, with the stomping of heavy boots, the grinding of wagon wheels, and the coarse voices of merchants shouting their wares. Smoke curled from chimneys, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread mingling with the less pleasant odors of damp stone, unwashed warriors, and beasts penned in iron-barred enclosures.


    Espen walked through the streets, her mask secure, her hood drawn low, her steps deliberate as she kept her presence small in the chaos around her. Vjosgard was a land of strength and brutality, and nowhere was that clearer than in the morning streets of its towns.


    The town criers were already at work, standing atop wooden crates at every major street corner, their voices raw from constant shouting.


    ¡°Hear this! Seven Hunters slain in the northern Frostfang Range, their bodies left as warnings! The White-Blooded Ravager claims another victory¡ªreward for his head now at 32,000 gold!¡±


    ¡°Warriors return from the southern badlands, claiming victory over a beast with six heads, four arms, and a taste for Vjosgardian flesh!¡±


    ¡°The Blooded Throne stands strong, as it always has! The Iron Order of the North demands more blades¡ªwarriors seeking glory, steel awaits you at the Crimson Call!¡±


    The last announcement earned a few scoffs from passing Hunters.


    ¡°More blades? Might as well say more meat for the frontlines,¡± a bearded, battle-worn man muttered, adjusting the massive two-handed axe strapped to his back. ¡°They just keep throwing people at the problem and hoping one sticks.¡±


    ¡°They could put a bounty on the war itself and some idiot would try to collect,¡± another remarked dryly, earning a chuckle from his companions.


    Espen kept walking, ears open, letting the constant flood of information sink in. This was Vjosgard, a place that thrived on conflict, where strength dictated worth and the weak were pushed aside or crushed beneath the boots of the strong. In every corner, there were warriors testing their blades against one another, Hunters boasting of kills, beast-kin sharpening their claws and fangs for the next contract.


    She passed by a group of large, heavily scarred beast-kin, their fur-covered bodies towering over the human merchants they bartered with. One had the head of a bull with twisted iron rings piercing his nostrils, another had feline eyes that gleamed with predatory amusement, his tail flicking as he examined a dagger at a blacksmith¡¯s stall. Even the few non-combatants in the town had calloused hands and sharp gazes, as if everyone here had seen battle at least once.


    Then, something caught her ear.


    ¡°Have you heard?¡± A man near a food stall leaned in, speaking in hushed tones to the others gathered around. ¡°The Red Wolf has been missing for days.¡±


    Espen slowed her steps slightly, moving closer.


    ¡°High King Vraedor?¡± another man asked, eyebrows raising. ¡°Gone? That doesn¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°And yet, no one¡¯s seen him,¡± the first man insisted, voice low. ¡°Not in the capital, not on the battlefield, not anywhere. The kingdom¡¯s keeping it quiet, but something happened.¡±


    ¡°Bah,¡± a woman scoffed, shaking her head as she tore a piece from a roasted leg of some beast Espen didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing. The man¡¯s gone missing before, only to come back covered in someone else¡¯s blood.¡±


    ¡°Or,¡± another voice chimed in, a younger warrior with an eager glint in his eye, ¡°maybe he¡¯s dead. Maybe something finally tore out his throat.¡±


    The group laughed, but there was tension beneath it¡ªuncertainty, unease.


    ¡°Maybe the Apostles can find him,¡± one suggested. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t take them long.¡±


    Another man snorted. ¡°You think they¡¯d waste their time? They barely show themselves as it is.¡±


    A few others murmured in agreement, but some fell silent, raising their hands slightly¡ªrevealing the glowing white soul runes etched into their skin. Devout believers.


    ¡°The Apostles do what they must,¡± one of them said firmly. ¡°If the king is truly missing, they will act. We need only have faith.¡±


    Espen exhaled slowly, turning away before her presence could be noticed.


    ¡®Sucks some of them don¡¯t know how evil the Apostles really are. The kingdom is withholding information from the people. I know where the king is.¡¯


    She kept walking, the noise of the town shifting around her as she approached the heart of it all¡ªthe center square, where the Hunters¡¯ Board and Adventurers¡¯ Board stood side by side.


    The massive wooden boards were covered in parchments, bounty notices, and contracts, some written with official wax seals, others scrawled in crude handwriting, promising coin in exchange for blood.


    And, as expected, the Hunters and Adventurers were already at each other¡¯s throats.


    ¡°You idiots wouldn¡¯t last a day outside the walls,¡± a heavily armored Hunter scoffed, arms crossed.


    ¡°And you Hunters wouldn¡¯t last a minute without some poor sap drawing your maps and finding your supplies,¡± an Adventurer shot back.


    ¡°We get paid more,¡± the Hunter grinned. ¡°That¡¯s got to sting a little, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah? Well, I¡¯ll enjoy watching you try to spend that gold when you¡¯re missing an arm.¡±


    More laughter. Someone slapped a hand against the board, pointing at a bounty slip.


    ¡°Look at this! 20,000 gold for Espen the Witch! Apprentice to that evil watch Maela!¡±


    ¡°Ugh. Hearing Maela¡¯s names makes my bones shudder.¡±


    ¡°Same here.¡±


    A low whistle.


    ¡°So the White Brigade failed to kill Espen, huh? And they called themselves legendary?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they should¡¯ve brought a bigger knife,¡± someone else chuckled. ¡°Orenn was always bragging how she was unstoppable and what not.¡±


    Espen stilled for half a second, but forced herself to keep moving, pretending to be just another traveler browsing the contracts.


    They didn¡¯t know who she was.


    She could feel the unease creeping up her spine, but she kept her head low, kept walking, kept thinking.


    ¡®If I want to take a Hunters¡¯ contract, I need a Hunter¡¯s Band.¡¯


    The bands were iron or leather straps worn around the wrist, engraved with unique sigils that identified the wearer as an official Hunter. No band, no contract¡ªno exceptions.


    She scanned the crowd, her mind already working through the logistics.


    ¡®I need to steal one. Good news is, people will only recognize me if they see my face. Also, if I had Ness and Hael with me. Since they were always with me. It has been a long time since I was actually separate from them. Maybe this is dumb and reckless, but I can¡¯t stand by and look like I¡¯m some kind of helpless old lady. I¡¯m gonna take a contract.¡¯

 Chapter 10: Titan Hunting

    The Hunters¡¯ board was alive with movement, its towering wooden surface covered in fresh parchment, contracts pinned haphazardly by daggers, nails, or whatever was available. The air smelled of sweat, iron, and old parchment, thick with the scent of warriors who had just returned from a hunt or were eager to take on their next kill.


    Espen lingered near the edges, her masked face hidden beneath her hood, watching as bounties disappeared one by one, each taken by a grizzled mercenary, a scarred beast-kin, or a towering brute of a warrior. Gold exchanged hands, weapons clanked against armor, and voices rose over one another, thick with laughter and boasts.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this one!¡± a burly man with tusks declared, tearing a parchment free with his clawed fingers. ¡°Says here a Wyvern¡¯s been terrorizing a trade route near the Ironwood. Should be easy enough.¡±


    Another Hunter, a broad-shouldered woman with serpentine tattoos winding up her arms, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Wyvern hunts are never easy, but good luck to ya. That one¡¯s got a bounty of 7,000 gold. You sure you¡¯re up for it?¡±


    The tusked man grinned, showing off yellowed fangs. ¡°If it bleeds, it dies.¡±


    A nearby beast-kin with feathers instead of hair scoffed. ¡°Tell that to the last Hunter who took that contract. You know, the one who got ripped in half.¡±


    ¡°Which half do you think they buried?¡± another voice chimed in, earning a chorus of chuckles.


    Another Hunter, a pale-skinned man with jagged scars across his cheeks, grabbed a contract with bold red lettering. He skimmed it briefly before whistling lowly. ¡°Damn. Bloodwood Forest. Something¡¯s been turning people into husks. No sign of an actual beast, just bodies drained dry.¡±


    A younger Hunter peered over his shoulder, curiosity flickering in his eyes. ¡°A vampire?¡±


    The scarred man shook his head. ¡°Vampires don¡¯t leave empty bodies. They drain the blood, not the life. This is something else.¡± He smirked slightly. ¡°Sounds fun.¡±


    As more contracts vanished, Espen¡¯s gaze flicked across the board, her heart steady, her thoughts careful.


    ¡®Most of these are suicide missions. But they¡¯re taking them anyway. Because that¡¯s what they do. Because this is Vjosgard, and if you¡¯re not fighting, you¡¯re already dead.¡¯


    She watched as one Hunter claimed a bounty on a pack of Bladebound wolves, another on a corrupted warlock hiding in the cliffs of Ildra¡¯s Mountain. The longer she stood there, the fewer choices remained.


    And then, finally¡ªonly one contract was left.


    She stepped forward, her gloved fingers reaching for the last parchment, her pulse steady¡ª


    But she hesitated.


    Her hand hovered just above the paper, her breath catching in her throat.


    ¡®This is reckless. This is stupid. I know that. This isn¡¯t a calculated move. This is desperation. But..I need this don¡¯t I?!¡¯


    She swallowed hard, eyes scanning the contract.


    It was written in elegant format, its words flowing neatly, a red wax seal stamped at the bottom, marking it as official business from the magistrate of Vjosgard.


    CONTRACT VALUE: 3,000 GOLD


    Location: Titan¡¯s Spine, on the outskirts of Vjosgard, bordering Indreth.


    Objective: Retrieve Druid Areth from captivity. Kill the Giant.


    Threat: A Giant bearing a red mark upon its head, last seen near the beanstalk ascending the cliffs. Reports indicate possible supernatural influence. Approach with extreme caution.


    Signed, Magistrate Cedric Thorn of Vjosgard


    _________________________________________


    Her fingers twitched slightly as she stared at the parchment.


    ¡®Druids. Druids are not merely healers or mystics in Kalhalla; they were listeners of the land¡¯s essence, conduits of the world¡¯s raw and ancient power. Every kingdom, every corner of this world, was affected by their presence¡ªor, in some cases, their absence. When a Druid walks through a forest, the trees lean toward them, whispering secrets only they can understand. When a Druid touches the earth, the soil remembers them, shifting in ways that can be felt centuries later. They are not warriors. They are not rulers. But the world listens to them in a way it listens to no one else. Maela told me that, as she used to have a friend who was a Druid. And now, one has been taken. Everyone is getting stolen nowadays.¡¯


    She exhaled sharply.


    ¡®This is what Maela would want, isn¡¯t it? For me to carve my own path? To fight? To stand on my own?¡¯


    Her hand finally moved¡ª


    And another hand grabbed the parchment at the same time.


    She stilled.


    ¡®Shit!¡¯


    A Hunter¡ªtall, broad-shouldered, his dark cloak lined with fur that reached to his hands in long sleeves, his features sharp and confident¡ªheld the other side of the parchment. He raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly beneath his hood.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think anyone else wanted this one,¡± he mused, voice amused but firm. ¡°But I¡¯m gonna need this, lass.¡±


    Espen didn¡¯t respond. She couldn¡¯t.


    Because the moment she looked at him, she noticed it.


    A Hunter¡¯s band.


    Strapped around his wrist, the engraved iron band shimmered faintly with its embedded rune, marking him as an official Hunter.


    ¡®This is my chance. If I take it, he won¡¯t notice it¡¯s gone because of the long sleeves. He won¡¯t notice until later. But if I survive I¡¯ll give it back. I¡¯m only borrowing it.¡¯


    She thought quickly, scanning the crowd, the attention shifting toward them. If she did anything suspicious now, she¡¯d be noticed immediately. And stealing from a Hunter¡ªespecially in broad daylight, in the middle of a Vjosgardian town¡ªwas a death sentence.


    So she made a choice.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this..¡¯


    She staggered slightly, tilting her posture awkwardly. Then, in the most exaggerated, slurred voice she could manage, she blurted out¡ª


    ¡°Ohhhh, wow, would you LOOK at that?!¡±


    The Hunter frowned, his grip still firm on the parchment. ¡°What¡ª¡±


    Espen swayed, her body lurching slightly toward him.


    ¡°I¡ªit¡¯s jus¡¯¡ªhah, this town is spinning, you know?¡± She laughed loudly, the sound unnatural even to her own ears.


    The Hunter blinked. ¡°Are you¡ª?¡±


    She stumbled forward, her hand gripping his arm for support, shaking him slightly.


    ¡®Touching a sweaty human¡­I¡¯m gonna vomit..¡¯


    ¡°Wh-WHOA, hold on, big guy! I jus¡¯¡ªI gotta stand still for a second! Everything¡¯s all¡ªwhoosh¡ª¡±


    The surrounding Hunters and Adventurers turned, some raising eyebrows, others snickering.


    ¡°Shit, someone get her some water,¡± one of them chuckled.


    ¡°Or more ale!¡± another added.


    Espen leaned against him harder, her masked face tilting up at him as she dramatically sighed. ¡°You, you¡¯re really strong, y¡¯know? Like, damn, do you lift? Because you feel like you lift¡ª¡±


    ¡®I am lying about everything, I hate your guts.¡¯


    The Hunter scowled, pulling away slightly. ¡°Can you¡ªnot?¡±


    Espen gripped his sleeve, feigning desperation.


    ¡°No, no, wait, don¡¯t move! It¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s happening again¡ªohhhh, gods¡ª¡±


    She faked another lurch, her fingers brushing against his wrist¡ª


    And in one fluid, practiced movement, she slid the Hunter¡¯s band from his wrist into the folds of her cloak.


    For a moment, Espen thought she had gotten away with it.


    The contract was in her hand. The Hunter¡¯s band was tucked securely in her fist. The onlookers were still snickering at her exaggerated drunken performance, shaking their heads in amusement, not suspicion. She was already thinking of how to slip away into the crowd and make her exit when¡ª


    A loud, frustrated growl cut through the air.


    ¡°Hold it right there, you masked drunk!¡±


    Espen stopped.


    Slowly, she turned her head, feigning sluggish movement as if still playing the part of a stumbling fool.


    The Hunter she had stolen from stood there, his veins bulging, his face red with anger, a man built like a war machine, standing well over six feet tall with broad shoulders and an axe nearly as large as his own body. His long, auburn hair was tied back in thick braids, revealing a sharply chiseled face marred with battle scars. His armor was a mix of dark iron and animal pelts, giving him the look of a warlord straight out of a bloody saga.


    And his axe¡ªit hummed with a strange energy, its blackened blade lined with deep, molten cracks, as if something powerful slumbered within it, waiting to be unleashed.


    The crowd fell silent for a brief second, the tension settling over the square like a coiled beast ready to strike.


    Then, the Hunter raised his axe, pointing it directly at Espen.


    ¡°You think you can just take a contract from me?! You think I¡¯m just gonna let that slide?!¡± His voice boomed, powerful enough to rattle the air.


    Espen tilted her head, still playing the role of an oblivious drunk, then let out a loud, exaggerated hiccup.


    ¡°Uh,¡± she muttered, ¡°¡­Yes?¡±


    The crowd exploded with laughter.


    Even some of the other Hunters clapped their hands against their armor, shaking their heads in amusement.


    But the Hunter wasn¡¯t laughing.


    He slammed the butt of his axe into the ground, the runes along its edge igniting with an eerie glow, a visible shockwave rippling out from the impact. ¡°Name¡¯s Rakar Ironjaw of the Thunderhowling Company!¡± he bellowed. ¡°I¡¯ve slain dragons in the northern cliffs! I¡¯ve carved through high ranking monsters! And I¡¯ll be damned if some nameless masked drunkard is going to walk away with my contract!¡±


    The crowd roared in excitement, cheering as a ring began to form around them, spectators eager to witness a fight.


    ¡°Masked drunk lady¡¯s in trouble!¡± one man shouted, elbowing his friend.


    ¡°A fight! A fight!¡± children cried out, scrambling onto barrels and rooftops for a better view.


    Espen stood still, her mind working rapidly beneath the act. She didn¡¯t want to fight. Not here. Not now. Not when she had just stolen a Hunter¡¯s band. And if a blow lands in the right spot, her mask will fly off. She had it crafted to where it won¡¯t fall off so easily, but still there¡¯s always risk.


    Rakar lifted his axe, the molten veins along the blade glowing brighter, radiating heat. ¡°Pick up your weapon,¡± he said, his tone low and dangerous. ¡°Or I¡¯ll cut you down where you stand.¡±


    And then¡ª


    Three figures dropped between them.


    The air shifted.


    The moment their boots touched the ground, the energy in the square changed, like an unseen force had just stepped into the arena, halting the fight before it could begin.


    The newcomers stood in matching colors, their armor trimmed with deep blues and silvers, their cloaks flowing with intricate patterns of celestial markings. They carried themselves with an effortless air of authority, as if they belonged in the spotlight, as if they expected eyes to be on them at all times.


    The leader, the tallest of the three, had the face of a statue carved by the gods themselves¡ªstrong jaw, golden eyes that gleamed like liquid sunlight, and hair as white as untouched snow, tied back with silver bands. His armor, though ornate, was designed for mobility, layered with sleek, segmented plates, and at his hip rested a pristine longsword, the edge faintly shimmering with Aether Kenda. His name was Cairn.


    To his left, a thin, almost ghostly figure adjusted the large grimoire hanging at his side. He was pale, unnervingly so, with dark rings beneath his eyes, his lips curled in a perpetual smirk that made it unclear if he found the world amusing or just irritating. His robes were lined with glyphs, pulsating faintly, and as he flicked a page in his book, strands of silver-blue energy hovered in the air around him, waiting to be commanded. His name was Vaelith.


    The third figure was a woman clad in full plate, her short-cropped auburn hair swept back, revealing a face that was both strikingly beautiful and terrifyingly focused. She carried a halberd laced with Aether runes, her grip on it so casual that it was obvious she had swung it a thousand times before without hesitation. Her name was Iridia.


    ¡®Who are they?¡¯ Espen wondered.


    The crowd stirred with excitement.


    ¡°It¡¯s them! The Super Strong Ultimate Guild!¡± someone gasped.


    Another voice scoffed. ¡°That name¡¯s so damn long.¡±


    ¡°The SSUG!¡± another corrected. ¡°They¡¯re famous in the central territories!¡±


    Espen stared at them, her masked expression blank, before her inner thoughts surfaced.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡®Super Strong Ultimate Guild?¡¯


    Her disgust was instant.


    ¡®What a long name.¡¯


    The leader of the trio turned his golden gaze onto Espen.


    Then¡ªhe smiled.


    ¡°Step aside, my lady,¡± he said, his voice smooth and effortlessly charismatic. ¡°I¡¯ll fight in your honor. I can tell behind that make you have a beautiful voice enough to make a man like me melt!¡±


    Espen¡¯s soul left her body. Internally, her entire being curled in secondhand embarrassment.


    Externally, she forced another hiccup and dismissively waved her hand.


    ¡°Naaah, I got thish,¡± she slurred, stumbling slightly.


    In her mind, however¡ª


    ¡®Ew. Fuck off.¡¯


    The crowd erupted into cheers as Rakar gritted his teeth, stepping forward. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. This masked lunatic stole my contract. I¡¯m getting it back.¡±


    The grimoire-wielding Hunter lazily flipped a page in his book, his fingers tracing the Aether glyphs. ¡°How dramatic,¡± he mused. ¡°Shall we all just fight to the death over a piece of paper?¡±


    The female knight sighed, adjusting her grip on her halberd. ¡°Honestly, that does sound fun.¡±


    Before Rakar could respond, more figures pushed through the crowd¡ªhis own backup, a group of Hunters from his company, stepping forward to even the odds.


    The atmosphere grew thick with tension, like the moment before a storm broke.


    And yet¡ªno one stopped it.


    The Knights of Vjosgard, who regularly patrolled the town, stood nearby, watching the events unfold without a hint of intervention.


    Because this?


    This was Vjosgard.


    And in Vjosgard, strength dictated everything.


    The air between Rakar and Cairn crackled with unspoken fury, molten veins pulsing along the edge of the Hunter¡¯s axe as he readied his stance, the heat distorting the air around him. His men had formed a tight circle, fanned out and bristling with hostility, their hands tightening on their weapons, their muscles coiled and ready to strike. The crowd was practically vibrating with excitement, a sea of eager eyes and jeering voices, already placing bets on how this would play out.


    Rakar snarled, ¡°Definitely not gonna let the odds be one sided! I won¡¯t get jumped by a guild with a long name!¡±


    Cairn grinned, ¡°Our name is awesome, admit it.¡±


    ¡°Never.¡±


    Cairn didn¡¯t move at first, standing in complete ease, his golden eyes betraying nothing but mild amusement, his longsword resting idly against his shoulder. The silver edge of the blade pulsed with Aether energy, not radiating power in an overwhelming display, but calmly, steadily, waiting. Vaelith¡¯s grimoire floated beside him, the pages turning with an unseen force as sigils flickered and shifted in the air. Iridia adjusted her grip on her halberd, letting its weight roll across her palms, Aether humming softly along its length as if the weapon itself were stretching in anticipation.


    Then, without warning, Rakar¡¯s axe ignited with a surge of heat, and he launched forward, swinging in a massive overhead strike that promised to cleave Cairn in two. But just as the weapon was about to land, Cairn vanished¡ªnot in a blink, not in a burst of speed, but in a fluid shift of motion so effortless it defied logic, his afterimage lingering for a half-second before flickering away. Before Rakar could process the miss, a dull tap struck the side of his knee¡ªCairn¡¯s sword, impossibly precise, catching just the right spot to momentarily buckle his balance.


    ¡°Haha! Look at you!¡± Cairn teased.


    ¡°Tch! Stop messing with me!¡±


    Rakar stumbled, snarling, trying to adjust mid-motion, but Cairn had already moved again, weaving through his attempted recovery with an unnatural grace. The Aether in his body warped his momentum, allowing him to twist and redirect weight mid-step, moving with such economy that even the dust beneath his boots barely shifted. He finally struck¡ªnot with a lethal blow, but with the blunt edge of his sword, cracking against Rakar¡¯s exposed ribs with just enough force to send him staggering, without breaking a bone.


    ¡°AGH!¡± Blood flung from Rakar¡¯s mouth, his body tumbling across the ground.


    Cairn looked at Espen, smiled, and put a thumbs up, and Espen, still acting drunk, swayed and threw up a middle finger.


    ¡°Haha¡­.good j-job!¡± She burped.


    And then the others moved.


    Iridia caught an approaching Hunter¡¯s blade on the haft of her halberd, but instead of absorbing the impact outright, she let her Aether-infused muscles shift with the force, tilting her weapon in a smooth arc that redirected the momentum entirely, sending the man careening past her against his own will. She twisted, her footwork a calculated dance, the base of her halberd slamming into the side of another Hunter¡¯s knee, before she used that same force to vault herself over their falling body, adjusting mid-air and driving her elbow into the jaw of a third.


    ¡°Hell yeah! I got one! My husband would love seeing me like this. All action packed and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Geez, you say that every fight.¡± Vaelith said from a distance.


    Vaelith moved like he was bored, his grimoire pages turning lazily as Aether glyphs rearranged themselves, the words shifting midair. He didn¡¯t summon blasts or hurl magic¡ªinstead, he adjusted reality just enough to ruin his enemies¡¯ coordination. As a blade came toward him, he tilted his head, his Aether shifting the perception of distance by an inch, causing the attacker to swing too early and overextend. A simple step forward, a flick of his fingers, and the man¡¯s balance collapsed under the weight of his own miscalculation, sending him sprawling. Another Hunter lunged for Vaelith¡¯s side, but the cleric simply tapped the man¡¯s forearm with two fingers, a faint sigil glowing at the point of contact before the force of the attack rebounded, sending the attacker¡¯s own blade twisting toward his own thigh.


    ¡°Easy.¡±


    The battle unfolded like a performance, but it was far from slow or elegant¡ªit was brutal, relentless, and entirely one-sided. Rakar¡¯s men were experienced warriors, but experience didn¡¯t matter when they were constantly two steps behind their opponents, their instincts disrupted, their timing ruined.


    Cairn parried a massive hammer strike, twisting mid-motion so that the rebound sent him into a seamless pivot, his knee smashing into the stomach of his attacker. Iridia used the weighted shift of her halberd to snap a Hunter¡¯s wrist sideways just as he reached for his sword, before ramming the flat end of the weapon into his collarbone, sending him crashing backward with a strangled grunt. Vaelith, never in a rush, sidestepped a flurry of blows, rolling his shoulders before planting his foot onto an already-fallen opponent¡¯s back and shoving him forward to trip two more.


    The crowd was losing their minds, voices rising in an uproar as they watched the Super Strong Ultimate Guild dismantle their enemies with an ease that bordered on mockery. Children gasped, warriors exchanged knowing nods, and even the Knights of Vjosgard watching from a distance smirked in quiet approval.


    ¡°They''re no match for them!¡±


    ¡°I want my gold back, dammit!¡±


    ¡°Man I love this place.¡±


    And then¡ªsilence.


    Because the fight was over.


    The Super Strong Ultimate Guild stood atop the unconscious bodies of their opponents, barely winded. Iridia rolled her neck, cracking the stiffness out of her shoulders before twirling her halberd once and planting it into the ground. Vaelith let out a dramatic sigh, brushing imaginary dust off his cloak as if the entire ordeal had been mildly inconvenient at best. And Cairn? He simply adjusted his longsword back onto his shoulder, his golden eyes scanning the crowd, as if waiting to see if anyone else wanted to waste his time.


    No one did.


    And then, with an ease so unfairly effortless, Cairn turned toward Espen, a knowing smirk playing at his lips as he knelt before her, reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a single red rose.


    ¡°My lady¡­For you,¡± he said smoothly, his voice as rich and golden as his eyes, as if this were all some grand performance. ¡°A flower for a woman as radiant as the moonlight.¡±


    Espen blinked.


    Internally¡ª


    ¡®I¡¯m actually gonna vomit.¡¯


    Then a quick thought came to her head, her imagining Kaelis doing this. She shook her head fast, thinking, ¡®No way I just thought of that. What¡¯s wrong with me?¡¯


    Externally, she hiccuped and tilted her head stupidly, keeping up her drunk act as if she had no idea what was happening.


    Cairn chuckled, his gaze warm¡ªuntil it dropped to her hand; His entire demeanor changed instantly.


    The Mark of Bondage.


    His smirk vanished, his expression darkening, his golden eyes shifting from charming to unreadable in an instant. He exhaled sharply, his amusement evaporating as he stood up and turned away. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he muttered, voice clipped.


    Vaelith arched a pale eyebrow. ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s married.¡±


    Iridia snorted. ¡°And?¡±


    Vaelith smirked. ¡°She still has a contract.¡±


    Cairn hesitated.


    Iridia folded her arms, grinning. ¡°Let¡¯s go with her. Maybe she¡¯ll change her mind after we save her a few dozen times. You¡¯ve always been looking for love, maybe this is fate. She doesn¡¯t have to MARRY you, just¡­be tougher?¡±


    Vaelith said, ¡°Yeah, this is coming from a MARRIED WOMAN.¡±


    Iridia waved at Vaelith, brushing him off, ¡°Hey hey hey, I¡¯m just trying to comfort our guild friend here.¡±


    Vaelith stretched, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Whatever. Besides, we need the gold. Ursel Continent¡¯s expensive. That¡¯s where all the rich people live. If we¡¯re gonna make it there by today, we need the gold today.¡±


    Cairn sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.


    Then, finally¡ªhe smirked again.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Espen stood there, saying with a drunk tone, ¡°Uhhh I can hear ya! I¡¯m right here! I¡¯m not like, deaf or anything!¡±


    Espen had barely finished pretending to stumble through her own drunken haze before Cairn, ever persistent, leaned toward her with the kind of confidence that was almost exhausting to witness.


    ¡°Masked lady,¡± he said smoothly, arms crossed, his golden eyes gleaming beneath the sunlight. ¡°I think you¡¯ll want to reconsider letting us come with you.¡±


    Espen hiccuped, blinking up at him in mock confusion, then lazily gestured toward the pile of unconscious bodies behind them. ¡°Ohhh, I dunno,¡± she slurred, ¡°y¡¯seem kinda¡­weak.¡±


    Vaelith let out a sharp, amused laugh, while Iridia grinned. Cairn, undeterred, merely exhaled, shaking his head.


    ¡°You¡¯re heading into Titan¡¯s Spine, aren¡¯t you?¡± he asked, tone casual. ¡°Tell me, what do you know about Giants?¡±


    Espen blinked again, keeping up her drunken act. ¡°Big,¡± she muttered. ¡°Ugly. Smell like piss.¡±


    Iridia snorted.


    Cairn¡¯s grin widened. ¡°And?¡±


    Espen groaned dramatically. ¡°And they¡¯re extinct.¡±


    ¡°Are they?¡± Vaelith murmured, flipping his grimoire open. ¡°Then why does your contract mention one?¡±


    Espen froze for half a second before recovering, letting her body sway like the drunkard she was pretending to be.


    Iridia rolled her shoulders. ¡°See, that¡¯s the thing,¡± she said. ¡°Giants haven¡¯t been seen in years, not since the First Hunter killed the last one. But now, suddenly, one¡¯s just hanging out at the top of a beanstalk? Sounds suspicious, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°The First Hunter,¡± Espen muttered, genuinely interested despite herself.


    ¡®The first ever Hunter this world has seen. And he¡¯s hundreds of years old, but looks like a middle aged man, and insanely strong. Only comes out to fight someone strong.¡¯


    Cairn nodded, his expression shifting slightly¡ªalmost reverent, even through his usual charm. ¡°Yeah. The one who started it all. No one knows what he¡¯s up to now, but he¡¯s still out there. And back then? He killed the last known Giant. With his bare hands.¡±


    Espen almost scoffed, but before she could respond, Vaelith spoke, turning a page in his book as he did. ¡°Giants,¡± he mused, ¡°are not just large nuisances. They¡¯re hoarders. They don¡¯t just take people¡ªthey take gold. And where there¡¯s one Giant¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s probably more,¡± Cairn finished, his golden eyes gleaming.


    Espen said nothing.


    The crowd had begun to disperse, but a few onlookers still listened in, murmuring amongst themselves. The weight of the conversation pressed against her.


    She hated this.


    She hated the idea of having them with her. She hated the thought of being saved by them. She hated that she wasn¡¯t strong enough to do this alone.


    But Ness wasn¡¯t here. Hael wasn¡¯t here. And Kaelis wasn¡¯t here; She was alone.


    And these guys? They were competent. Strong, even.


    She sucked in a slow breath, hating herself for the words that came next.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered, waving a hand, still keeping her voice slurred. ¡°You can come. But I get to keep the treasure.¡±


    Cairn smiled. ¡°And we get the gold reward.¡±


    Espen grumbled something incomprehensible and waved him off.


    ¡°Pleasure doing business,¡± he said smoothly, clapping her on the back before turning to Vaelith. ¡°You ready?¡±


    Vaelith barely lifted his gaze from his book. ¡°I was ready the moment I woke up this morning.¡±


    Cairn rolled his eyes, then turned to Iridia. ¡°You?¡±


    She stretched, cracking her neck. ¡°I could use the exercise.¡±


    Espen watched them with thinly veiled contempt, then exhaled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    Vaelith opened his grimoire, allowing Kenda energy to swirl around in his hands, and was creating something. An Aether dragon.


    The Aether Dragon rose from the ground in a spiraling arc of silver and blue, its massive wings stretching wide as it lifted them into the sky, its body shimmering with the energy that held it together. Espen sat toward the back of the construct, arms crossed, her mask tilted slightly as she gazed at the world below.


    The suns of Kalhalla blazed overhead, their hues a mixture of gold, crimson, and deep sapphire, bathing the sky in a kaleidoscope of warm and cool tones, streaks of iridescent color spilling across the heavens like an endless painting. The air here felt different, thinner yet charged with something powerful, the kind of energy that only existed above the clouds. The suns change color due to the seasons, or due to how the flowers and plants of the world reflect off of them, giving them a unique and different color at times.


    Below them, the land stretched vast and alive, mountains carved from the bones of gods, rivers that glowed faintly with divine essence, cities and settlements dotting the landscape like scattered jewels. They soared past travelers on massive beasts of burden, their hide thick with sigils that pulsed in slow, rhythmic beats. Caravan roads teemed with traders, some human, others beast-kin with fur-lined faces and piercing eyes, exchanging goods beneath the shadow of an ancient colossus¡ªa stone titan long since petrified, its massive hand still outstretched toward the sky as if reaching for something it had lost.


    In the distance, flocks of Griffons with translucent wings¡ªwove between the clouds, their bodies allowing them to soar effortlessly, their bodies reflecting the colors of the sky around them. Some dived into floating lakes, bodies slipping beneath the water¡¯s surface before re-emerging miles away, carried by hidden currents that existed only in the heavens.


    Espen, despite herself, let her gaze linger.


    She had spent so much time on the ground, so much time in the shadows, in hiding, in silence, that she had almost forgotten what the world actually looked like. She wasn¡¯t a sentimental person. She wasn¡¯t prone to indulging in beauty. But this? This was something else. Seeing it over and over again, like it was the first time ever seeing it.


    ¡®I wonder how Kaelis would react to this..¡¯


    Cairn, standing near the front of the Aether Dragon, turned his head slightly, as if sensing her moment of weakness.


    ¡°It¡¯s incredible, isn¡¯t it?¡± he said.


    Espen tore her eyes away from the view immediately.


    She scowled beneath her mask, crossing her arms tighter. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    Cairn laughed, rolling his shoulders before gazing back out at the sky.


    ¡°You know,¡± he mused, ¡°I could get used to this.¡±


    Vaelith turned a page in his grimoire. ¡°You say that about everything.¡±


    ¡°And I mean it every time.¡±


    Iridia leaned against her halberd, eyes half-lidded. ¡°If you two start flirting, I¡¯m throwing myself off this dragon.¡±


    Cairn smirked. ¡°You¡¯d survive.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem.¡±


    Espen closed her eyes briefly, inhaling the cold air.


    She still didn¡¯t trust them. She still didn¡¯t want them here.


    But for now?


    She¡¯d tolerate it.


    Cairn, the golden-eyed bastard, took the opportunity to sidle up next to her, flashing that unbearable smirk.


    ¡°You know,¡± he mused, ¡°I don¡¯t usually meet women who can handle their liquor this well. Most are swooning by now.¡±


    Espen, keeping up her act, hiccupped obnoxiously and turned her head away. ¡°S¡¯cause I¡¯m built different,¡± she mumbled.


    Cairn chuckled, undeterred. ¡°So, tell me, masked lady, who¡¯s the lucky man?¡±


    Espen blinked. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Your husband,¡± Cairn pressed, his tone almost teasing. ¡°Is he a warrior? A noble? A famous sellsword? Or¡ª¡± he suddenly gasped, clapping a hand over his chest, feigning dramatic shock¡ª¡°is he a scholar? Gods forbid.¡±


    Vaelith, still reading his grimoire, muttered, ¡°If she married a scholar, she wouldn¡¯t be here. She¡¯d be suffering in a library somewhere.¡±


    Iridia scoffed. ¡°You say ¡®suffering¡¯ like that¡¯s not your favorite place to be.¡±


    Cairn ignored them, keeping his sharp gaze on Espen, watching for any reaction.


    Espen, still feigning drunkenness, let out an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Ugh, he¡¯s¡­¡± She rolled her wrist lazily, searching for words, then muttered, ¡°¡­annoying. Edgy. Super strong.¡±


    Cairn raised a brow, intrigued. ¡°Oh?¡±


    She almost stopped there, but for some reason, the words just¡­ came out.


    ¡°He¡¯s different.¡±


    It was quiet, almost thoughtful, before she realized her mistake and immediately snapped back into her act, laughing sloppily. ¡°Ha! But yeah, he¡¯s so annoying. Ugh. Can¡¯t stand him.¡±


    ¡®I think about him a lot, I admit it. It¡¯s because he¡¯s not like anyone I¡¯ve ever met. And the bastard¡­the fool Kaelis saw me naked. No one has ever seen me naked, not even Maela. I¡¯m gonna murder him when I see him just because.¡¯


    Cairn narrowed his eyes, studying her.


    Espen turned away, pretending to admire the view.


    Before he could push further, Cairn perked up and nudged Iridia with his elbow. ¡°Speaking of marriages, aren¡¯t you married to that bard?¡±


    Espen¡¯s interest piqued. ¡°A bard?¡±


    Iridia grinned. ¡°Not just any bard. Rheyvin the Wild Verse.¡±


    Cairn scowled. ¡°Yeah, yeah. The bastard who wrote ¡®The Fall of the Frost Herald¡¯. Good song by the way, one of my favorites.¡±


    Espen raised a brow. ¡°Never heard of it.¡±


    Vaelith finally looked up, snapping his book shut. ¡°Blasphemy,¡± he deadpanned. ¡°The man¡¯s a legend. His songs spread all over Kalhalla. Some say he drinks with spirits in the ghostly ruins of Ymmor¡¯s Rest. Others claim he once challenged a demon to a poetry duel and won.¡±


    Iridia nodded. ¡°And you know what that means¡ª¡±


    Without missing a beat, she started singing.


    ¡°From mountains steep and rivers wide,


    A hunter walks where gods have died.


    With blade of steel and heart so bold,


    He seeks the Giant¡¯s buried gold¡ª¡±


    Vaelith, much to Espen¡¯s surprise, actually joined in, his voice deeper and steadier, weaving through the verse like he¡¯d sung it a hundred times.


    ¡°Through storm and shadow, blood and bone,


    The hunter claims the beast¡¯s own throne.


    With silver blade and fate entwined,


    His soul is lost, his name enshrined.¡±


    Espen blinked, watching them.


    For a moment, it was almost¡­ nice.


    Then Vaelith¡¯s voice cracked horrendously on the last note.


    Iridia snorted. ¡°Gods, that was awful.¡±


    Vaelith sighed dramatically. ¡°A tragedy. I was doing so well.¡±


    The two began bickering playfully, Iridia throwing mock insults, Vaelith countering with sarcastic retorts, their voices blending with the wind as the dragon flew onward.


    Below them, striding through the ashen ruins of an ancient battlefield, was a monstrous being of flame and shadow.


    It was massive, its body a towering skeletal form wreathed in black fire, its fleshless frame bound in thick, rusted chains that rattled as it moved. Eight grotesque heads jutted from its hunched frame, their empty eye sockets leaking trails of fire, their mouths filled with jagged, uneven teeth that clattered as they whispered in voices older than time.


    Every step it took left scorched footprints in the earth, the land warping and cracking beneath it, steam rising where its presence burned the world itself.


    It was aimless, its movements slow yet purposeful, as if seeking something long lost to time.


    Espen stiffened.


    Cairn followed her gaze, his expression darkening. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ new.¡±


    Vaelith hummed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to fight that.¡±


    Iridia scoffed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind trying.¡±


    The flaming ghoul continued its march through the ruined landscape, completely unaware¡ªor perhaps uncaring¡ªof the people watching from above.


    They didn¡¯t stop.


    And an hour later¡ª


    They arrived.


    ____________________________________________


    Titan¡¯s Spine was deadly quiet, the air thick with grey fog, the scent of decay and cold stone hanging over them like a curse. The ground was jagged and uneven, dry bones protruding from the earth, long since abandoned by whatever had once lived here.


    And in the center of it all¡ª


    A massive beanstalk spiraled upward, its roots thick and gnarled, its vine-covered body twisting into the fog like an unnatural spire.


    Cairn landed the Aether Dragon, stepping off with ease. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time,¡± he said, rolling his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll explain the plan on the way up. Don¡¯t want any giants creeping up on us while we stand around.¡±


    The others followed without hesitation.


    Espen¡­ didn¡¯t.


    She hesitated.


    Her body tensed, an instinctual part of her wanting to turn back, wanting to leave, wanting to pretend she had never come here at all.


    Her foot shifted¡ªready to step away.


    And then she stopped.


    She exhaled, forcing her limbs to move, forcing her legs to step forward.


    Slowly, deliberately¡ªshe reached for the beanstalk.


    And began to climb.

 Chapter 11: Kill The King?

    The day was perfect.


    Kaelis stood beneath an archway woven with white roses, the scent of blooming flowers mixing with the distant melody of a violin. Sunlight spilled through the chapel¡¯s stained-glass windows, casting hues of gold, crimson, and sapphire across the gathered guests. They clapped and cheered, their voices overlapping in a beautiful cacophony of celebration. At his side, his bride smiled up at him, her fingers intertwined with his.


    ¡°You¡¯re shaking,¡± she teased in a whisper, squeezing his hand.


    Kaelis exhaled a quiet laugh, his throat dry. ¡°I just¡ª¡± He swallowed, looking into her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful. Fuck that was cringe, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Sakurai, his ex wife, playfully punched Kaelis in the arm, whispering loudly, ¡°Dummy! Stop cursing in here!¡± She rolled her eyes but grinned, pulling him in for a kiss. The room erupted in applause.


    The dimly lit corner of the wedding reception buzzed with the hum of laughter and clinking glasses, but Kaelis and Sakurai were lost in their own world. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, thick with the scent of champagne and roses. Sakurai, still radiant in her elegant wedding dress, stood with a dangerous poise, her eyes locked on Kaelis. He, in his tailored suit, exuded a raw, magnetic energy that seemed to pull her closer even as they stood feet apart.


    ¡°You look¡­ ridiculous,¡± Sakurai said, her voice dripping with faux disdain as she gestured to the corsage pinned to Kaelis¡¯s lapel. It was wilting slightly, a comedic touch to his otherwise impeccable appearance.


    Kaelis smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°Ridiculous? I¡¯ll have you know this corsage was handpicked by the bride herself. She said it would bring me luck.¡±


    ¡°Luck, huh?¡± Sakurai raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. ¡°Well, I suppose we¡¯ll see just how lucky you are.¡±


    Before Kaelis could respond, Sakurai grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the exit, her heels clicking against the marble floor. The guests were too engrossed in the festivities to notice their hasty departure, and the pair slipped away unnoticed.


    They ended up in a secluded garden, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over the lush greenery.


    The air was cooler here, but the tension between them was electric. Sakurai turned to face him, her breath quickening as she reached up to fix his tie, her fingers lingering a moment too long.


    ¡°You know,¡± she murmured, her voice low and husky, ¡°I always hated this tie. It¡¯s too¡­ perfect.¡±


    ¡°And I always hated how you¡¯d complain about it,¡± Kaelis replied, his voice equally soft. ¡°But I wore it anyway. Just to annoy you.¡±


    She laughed, a soft, breathy sound that sent a shiver down his spine. Then, without warning, she pressed her body against his, her lips crashing into his in a sloppy, desperate kiss. It was messy, uncoordinated, and utterly perfect. Kaelis groaned, his hands sliding down her back to grip her hips, pulling her closer.


    The kiss deepened, their tongues tangling in a rhythm that felt both familiar and exhilaratingly new. Sakurai¡¯s hands fumbled with his jacket, tossing it aside carelessly, while Kaelis worked on the intricate lace of her dress. The fabric slid off her shoulders, pooling at her feet, leaving her in nothing but her lingerie.


    ¡°You¡¯re still overdressed,¡± she teased, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.


    Kaelis smirked, stepping back just enough to shed his shirt, revealing the lean, muscular frame she remembered all too well. ¡°Better?¡±


    ¡°Much,¡± she purred, pushing him against a nearby stone wall. Her lips trailed down his neck, her teeth grazing his skin as she nipped and sucked, leaving marks that would remind him of this night for days to come.


    The moment was both playful and intense, their movements a mix of urgency and longing. Kaelis lifted her, pressing her against the wall, his hands roaming over her body with a familiarity that bordered on reverence. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her breath hitching as he ground against her, the friction sending sparks through her core.


    ¡°Kaelis,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Not here. Someone might¡ª¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s coming,¡± he growled, his lips brushing against hers. ¡°And even if they did, I don¡¯t care. Plus you started this.¡±


    He carried her to a nearby bench, the wood creaking under their weight as they collapsed onto it. The kiss slowed, becoming more deliberate, more sensual. Sakurai¡¯s hands wandered down his chest, her fingers teasing the waistband of his pants. Kaelis groaned, his control slipping as she slid her hand inside, her touch sending a jolt of pleasure through him.


    ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± he muttered, his voice thick with desire.


    ¡°And you love it,¡± she replied, her lips curving into a smug smile.


    Their movements became sloppier, more frantic. Kaelis¡¯s pants were discarded hastily, and Sakurai¡¯s lingerie followed suit, leaving them both bare under the moonlight. He entered her slowly, their eyes locked, the moment heavy with emotion.


    ¡°Sakurai,¡± he whispered, his voice breaking. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. ¡°Don¡¯t ruin it,¡± she said, her voice soft but firm. ¡°Just feel.¡±


    And feel they did.


    Their bodies moved in sync, each thrust building to a crescendo that threatened to consume them both. The sounds of their passion filled the garden¡ªmoans, gasps, and the occasional laugh as they stumbled over each other in their haste. At one point, Kaelis lost his balance, nearly toppling them both off the bench. Sakurai burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth as she clung to him. She sucked on his neck, kissing it for one last touch; she moved her mouth up to his ears, making Kaelis grit his teeth.


    ¡°Graceful as ever,¡± she teased.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± he grumbled, though his lips twitched with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re not exactly helping.¡±


    Their laughter faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a raw, unfiltered intensity. Kaelis kissed her deeply, his movements becoming more urgent, more desperate. Sakurai met him with equal fervor, her nails digging into his back as she cried out his name. Kaelis leaned his head down slowly, his mouth catching Sakurai¡¯s breast, a slight kiss, and then slightly sucking, which made her breathe heavily.


    Kaelis gripped her bottom, his hands squeezing her buttocks, their skin rubbing slowly as they continued.


    And then the warmth vanished.


    Everything blurred.


    He was standing in a doorway now, a bouquet of roses in his hands. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, a strange, sinking feeling pooling in his stomach before he even knew why.


    Then he saw them.


    His wife¡ªhis wife¡ªlay beneath another man, her fingers tangled in his hair, her voice breathy and filled with longing as she whispered, ¡°I love you.¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t move.


    Didn¡¯t breathe.


    The roses in his hands felt so heavy, like stones, like an unbearable weight he couldn¡¯t bear to carry anymore. His knuckles turned white as he squeezed them, the petals crushing in his grip, their scent almost sickening now.


    She never noticed him.


    She never even looked up.


    The scene dissolved again, melting into darkness, and then he was alone in his apartment.


    The blinds were drawn, the air stale, the only light coming from the glow of a television screen, where a pixelated couple danced under a virtual night sky. His fingers twitched over the controller, but he wasn¡¯t really playing. Not really. He had a half-empty bottle of whiskey on his desk, tissues and a bottle of lotion sitting beside his chair, remnants of a habit he loathed himself for.


    His stomach twisted.


    Even at twenty, he had fallen into a cycle he couldn¡¯t break, drowning in a loneliness he pretended wasn¡¯t there, chasing feelings in things that only ever left him feeling emptier afterward.


    And then¡ª


    The rooftop.


    Wind howled around him, the city sprawling below in endless lights and distant car horns. The weight in his chest felt suffocating, like something was dragging him down, like he was standing at the edge of himself, staring into the abyss of nothingness.


    And then¡ªhe was no longer alone.


    Behind him, the Shadowy King loomed, silent, watching.


    Kaelis turned slowly, heart hammering in his chest¡ª


    And before he could fully face him¡ª


    A hand shoved him backward, his stomach dropped, the world tilted, and he plummeted.


    Air rushed past his ears, his arms flailing, his breath catching in his throat¡ªHis eyes stung, a single tear slipping down his cheek.


    ¡®What did I do that wasn¡¯t enough?¡¯


    And then, barely a whisper¡ª


    ¡°I lost myself.¡±


    And then¡ª


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Impact.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever love anyone the same...¡¯


    Kaelis woke up screaming.


    Pain flared through his body, his breath ragged as he clutched at his chest, his skin damp with sweat. The scent of herbs, linen, and burning incense filled his lungs, and the distant murmur of voices surrounded him. His mind raced, struggling to piece together where he was.


    ¡®Bandages? How did I get here?¡¯


    His body was covered in them, wrapped tightly around his arms, chest, even his forehead.


    A tent. A large one, filled with rows of beds, occupied by wounded people, some groaning in pain while healers in pale robes moved between them, tending to their wounds.


    ¡®Where the hell¡ª?¡¯


    ¡°Kaelis!¡±


    A voice cut through the haze, loud and alarmed.


    Kaelis snapped his head up, only to be met with a terrifying sight.


    A figure loomed over him, clad in a dark, horned mask, its shape grotesque and unfamiliar, with intricate carvings spiraling along its surface.


    Kaelis screamed like a dying animal, More like a little girl if being accurate.


    He flailed, tumbling off the bed, crashing to the ground, and scrambled beneath it like a cornered animal. His chest heaved as he peered out cautiously, eyes wide with panic.


    The masked figure blinked.


    Then, slowly, it lifted both hands in a pacifying gesture. ¡°Wait¡ªwait¡ª! Kaelis, it¡¯s me!¡±


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes, breathing heavily. ¡°What the hell do you mean, me?! Who the hell are you?! Why do you look like that?! What kind of sick joke¡ª¡±


    The masked figure squirmed awkwardly, then reached up and lifted the mask slightly, just enough to reveal a familiar grey eye.


    Kaelis froze.


    ¡°¡­Ripp?¡±


    Ripp nodded frantically. ¡°Yes! Yes, it¡¯s me!¡±


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, before pointing an accusing finger at him. ¡°Then why do you look like a serial killer?! I nearly pissed myself!¡±


    Ripp flinched, his shoulders slumping. ¡°I¡ªit¡¯s a temporary mask! My last one got ruined!¡±


    Kaelis sighed, crawling out from under the bed and dusting himself off. ¡°Next time, maybe don¡¯t sneak up on people looking like that.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t sneak!¡± Ripp protested. ¡°You were just asleep! Just checking in on you.¡±


    Kaelis shot him a glare, but before he could say anything, his attention was drawn to the rest of the tent.


    It was¡­ peaceful, in a strange way.


    Despite the groans of the wounded, the gentle voices of healers, and the occasional clatter of supplies, there was an odd serenity to the place. In the center of the tent, a woman floated midair, her white robes flowing like liquid silk, the hood over her head obscuring half of her face.


    She plucked soft, haunting notes from a harp, the melody drifting through the air like a lullaby, easing the suffering of those around her.


    Kaelis stared.


    ¡°Who the hell is that?¡±


    Ripp followed his gaze, then perked up. ¡°Oh! That¡¯s Nyxa. She¡¯s a harpist¡ªshe travels from continent to continent, playing for the wounded.¡± He shrugged. ¡°They say her music soothes pain better than most medicine.¡±


    Kaelis watched her, his fingers unconsciously gripping his bandages.


    The melody felt too familiar.


    Too much like something he had lost.


    The Witch¡¯s Requiem: The Weight of a Debt


    The tent hummed with life.


    Low voices murmured over the occasional sound of clinking metal, healers whispered incantations beneath their breath, and the soft melody of Nyxa¡¯s harp wove through it all, a quiet, steady force holding the space together. The scent of herbs and bandages lingered in the air, mixed with the faint copper tang of blood.


    Kaelis was still processing everything¡ªthe pain, the bandages, the sheer fact that he was still alive¡ªwhen suddenly, an arm wrapped around Ripp¡¯s shoulder, pulling him into a tight side embrace.


    ¡°That was some stunt you pulled, little guy.¡±


    Kaelis barely had time to register what was happening before a woman kissed the side of Ripp¡¯s mask.


    Ripp immediately stiffened, his entire body locking up. ¡°I¡ªuh¡ªI¡ªwha¡ª¡±


    The woman¡ªtaller than Ripp, with a strong, battle-worn frame and the kind of presence that demanded attention¡ªlaughed heartily. Her expression always teetering between playful and predatory, like she was waiting for an excuse to fight someone.


    ¡°Come on, don¡¯t be shy.¡± She grinned, shaking him slightly. ¡°You saved my ass. I had to thank you properly.¡±


    Ripp, still flustered beyond belief, made an unintelligible sound before finally stammering, ¡°Song¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my name,¡± she confirmed cheerfully, finally releasing him from the suffocating embrace, though she lingered close, arms still draped loosely around him.


    Kaelis raised a brow. ¡°So, who exactly is this?¡±


    ¡°Song.¡± Ripp cleared his throat, regaining some composure. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she was with the other Hunters during the raid.¡±


    Song stretched her arms, cracking her knuckles. ¡°More like I was passing through. Got caught up in all that shit, and your friend here¡ª¡± she nudged Ripp roughly with her elbow, making him stumble ¡°¡ªsaved my ass. And, well, where I come from, we pay our dues.¡±


    Kaelis was about to respond when he noticed another figure standing nearby, silent as stone.


    The man was leaning against a tent pole, arms crossed, his head tilted downward slightly, though Kaelis could tell he was listening.


    His dark skin bore old, faded scars, his muscular arms resting idly against his sides, but the stillness in his posture carried a quiet, unreadable intensity. His dreadlocks fell loosely over his shoulders, and across his eyes, a red blindfold was tied tightly, its fabric frayed at the edges, as if worn for years.


    At his waist, he carried a thin, curved blade, which he now ran slow, careful fingers along, almost¡­ affectionately.


    He hadn¡¯t spoken once.


    Not until now.


    ¡°Ripp saved us all.¡± His voice was low, quiet, but heavy in the way that made it impossible to ignore.


    Ripp flinched slightly, looking anywhere but at him. ¡°I-I wouldn¡¯t say that, I just¡ª¡±


    ¡°You did.¡±


    Kaelis stared at the man. ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Xenn.¡±


    ¡°Just Xenn?¡±


    Xenn didn¡¯t answer. He simply tilted his head slightly, his fingers still running along his blade, as if the weapon itself was more worthy of his words than the people around him.


    Song turned toward him, arms crossed. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna say anything else?¡±


    Xenn said nothing.


    Song rolled her eyes. ¡°Figures.¡±


    Kaelis turned back to Ripp, processing everything. ¡°So, let me get this straight. You saved us?¡±


    Ripp hesitated. ¡°I¡­ yeah.¡±


    The words didn¡¯t register immediately.


    Kaelis flashed back to the battlefield, to the feeling of his own mind unraveling, to the weight of Vorh¡¯zul¡¯s monstrous presence, to the moment where he had lost himself again.


    His heart pounded violently against his ribs.


    ¡®I lost myself again.¡¯


    His hand instinctively clutched at his chest, fingers curling into the bandages as a sharp pain shot through him¡ªnot from his wounds, but from the sickening memory of losing control.


    And in his mind, a voice mocked him.


    ¡®Weak.¡¯


    Ripp, noticing the shift in his expression, quickly pulled something from his sleeve¡ªa crow¡¯s feather.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know what else to do,¡± Ripp admitted. ¡°I¡­ I saw you were fighting it, like, really fighting it. You were bleeding from your eyes, your nose, your mouth, but you wouldn¡¯t stop¡ªlike you were trying to tear yourself out of your own skin. Then you just¡­ collapsed from blood loss.¡± He swallowed. ¡°So I grabbed this. It was on you. I¡ªI thought maybe it was important.¡±


    Kaelis stared at the feather, memories snapping into place.


    Hael.


    Ness.


    Espen.


    Any of them could pull him back, maybe that was why he was able to break free. Because after his divorce, after years of isolation, after giving up on people entirely¡ªhe had somehow let himself form connections again. Maybe that¡¯s why he could fight it.


    ¡®But what happens when I can¡¯t anymore?¡¯


    The thought made his stomach turn. He needed to conform it¡ªneeded to find out if it was tied to his emotions, or something deeper.


    But he stopped himself before he could say too much.


    Instead, he just let out a slow exhale and reached out, sticking his fist out toward Ripp.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said simply.


    Ripp stared at the fist, confused, then got scared as he remembered the blade coming out of Kaelis¡¯ fist earlier during the battle which, and he said,. ¡°AGH!¡±


    ¡°The hell? Why are you screaming?¡±


    Ripp laughed in dead and nervousness, ¡°What? Haha, nothing!¡±


    He imagined Kaelis impaling him with the blade in his fist, and Kaelis noticed Ripp was deep in thought, figuring out what he could be thinking of.


    Kaelis scoffed, ¡°I¡¯M NOT GONNA STAB YOU!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I surrender!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re strange, guy. Also, just gonna leave my fist hanging here? It¡¯s embarrassing. I¡¯m about to put it down.¡±


    ¡°W-What do I do with this?¡±


    Kaelis blinked. ¡°You¡ªyou bump it.¡±


    Ripp¡¯s confusion deepened.


    Kaelis groaned, grabbing Ripp¡¯s wrist and guiding his knuckles forward, making the two fists lightly connect.


    Ripp lit up with childlike enthusiasm. ¡°Oh! I get it now!¡±


    Kaelis smirked. ¡°Congratulations. You¡¯re part of the civilization now.¡±


    Before Ripp could respond, Kaelis changed the subject. ¡°So. When are we leaving?¡±


    ¡°In two days,¡± Ripp explained. ¡°It¡¯ll be faster if we can get transportation.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just use your Wind Kenda? I saw you use it, you can increase your speed and strength and stuff.¡±


    Before Ripp could answer, Song interjected, slapping a hand on Kaelis¡¯ shoulder. ¡°Listen, champ,¡± she said. ¡°Using Kenda drains you if you¡¯re not careful. Overuse leads to headaches, nosebleeds, and if you push past your limit, you¡¯ll be out for days.¡±


    She stretched, continuing, ¡°Othvendell has baby Griffons for rent. Common all over the world¡ªfast little bastards. Cheap, but prices vary depending on the kingdom. Once they drop you off, they fly back home.¡±


    Kaelis nodded slowly. ¡°Fair enough. So like taxis and trains.¡±


    Song leaned in, grinning. ¡°Whatever those are, sure. But tell me¡ªwhy are you two so eager to meet King Vraedor the Red Wolf?¡±


    Ripp glanced around, then kept his voice low. ¡°Because he¡¯s trapped within the Hand of God. And I think Kaelis can help free him.¡±


    Xenn, who had remained quiet, suddenly spoke, though he wasn¡¯t looking at them.


    ¡°I know hundreds gather around the Hand¡­¡±


    Song exhaled. ¡°Damn.¡±


    A beat passed. Then¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you.¡±


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. ¡°Why?¡±


    Song grinned. ¡°The guild I was with during the Caliber Butterfly raid? Just met them. I don¡¯t have a permanent crew. I¡¯m looking for a place where I can fight beside people who aren¡¯t useless. And you two?¡± She tilted her head. ¡°You¡¯re interesting. And I have dues to pay. I have to, or¡­¡±


    She stopped herself, not revealing the next part.


    Before Kaelis or Ripp could respond, a soft voice interrupted them.


    ¡°Kaelis.¡±


    Kaelis turned¡ªNyxa stood behind him, her hood obscuring half her face, the harp still in her grasp.


    Kaelis tensed. ¡°¡­What do you want?¡±


    ¡°To speak with you. Outside.¡±


    Kaelis stared at her warily. ¡°Random as hell. No thanks. You seem nice and all, but I¡¯m kinda new, so I can¡¯t just up and trust people.¡±


    Ripp nudged him. ¡°You can trust her.¡±


    Kaelis groaned. ¡°Fine.¡±


    As they left, Song grinned at Ripp. ¡°So. You starting a family with me or what?¡±


    Ripp malfunctioned. ¡°Wha¡ªNO¡ª¡±


    Xenn, meanwhile, murmured to his blade.


    ¡°I¡¯m still here, my rival.¡±


    The town of Othvendell was alive, but not with leisure or idle chatter¡ªwith work.


    Kaelis moved through the town with Nyxa at his side, her feet never touching the ground, her fingers plucking at the harp that never left her grasp. Its soft, melodic notes wove through the air, an unnatural contrast to the harsh, rhythmic clanking of metal, the deep grunts of laborers, and the crack of axes splitting through enchanted wood.


    Everywhere he looked, men and women worked¡ªnot one person idle, not one moment wasted.


    In the distance, blacksmiths hammered at heated metal, forging weapons inscribed with runes made from raw crystal¡ªnot ordinary gemstones, but those harvested from the unique trees surrounding the town, their bark a mixture of deep purples, luminous greens, and fiery reds.


    The lumberjacks, muscular and calloused, swung their runed axes into these arcane trees, splitting them open to reveal gleaming, embedded crystals.


    One lumberjack wiped the sweat from his brow, holding up a jagged chunk of azure-blue crystal, its edges pulsing faintly with inner energy.


    ¡°Stormglass,¡± he muttered, admiring the way the sun refracted through it. ¡°Perfect for lightning-based artifacts.¡±


    Another man heaved a chunk of deep crimson crystal, the glow inside resembling embers of a dying fire.


    ¡°Bloodstone,¡± he said. ¡°Damn thing¡¯s hard to forge, but you set it in the right blade, and it¡¯ll drink the life from whatever it cuts.¡±


    Beside him, a younger worker pulled a shard of obsidian-black crystal, its edges almost fluid, shifting like liquid shadow.


    ¡°Nightcry,¡± he whispered in awe. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be worth a fortune.¡±


    Kaelis listened as they worked, taking it in without speaking¡ªthis was their life. This was what mattered in Othvendell.


    Everything had purpose here.


    Even in the open fields beyond the town¡¯s main road, warriors were testing their strength, engaging in brutal sparring matches¡ªnot for sport, but to improve, to survive.


    A beast-kin woman with curved ram-like horns wrestled a man twice her size, her hands locked around his wrist, her muscles tensing like coiled steel as she used her leverage to slam him into the dirt. Nearby, a trio of young fighters¡ªhardly more than teens¡ªtook turns exchanging blows, their hands wrapped in cloth, their knuckles already bruised.


    Kaelis saw no children playing. It makes sense, as this is a town in Vjosgard; Othvendell was a place where worth was proven, where idleness was an insult, where everything¡ªstrength, labor, resilience¡ªmeant something.


    And through it all, Nyxa played her harp, her expression serene, as if she was untouched by the world around her.


    Kaelis watched her.


    Studied her.


    Her robe drifted weightlessly, as if the wind carried it even when the air was still. The hood covered most of her face, but what little he could see was unsettling in its calmness. She wasn¡¯t like the healers he had seen before¡ªthose whose kindness had a human warmth to it.


    ¡®This Nyxa.. feels otherworldly, like something that didn¡¯t fully belong to this plane.¡¯


    Yet, despite himself, he could feel the pull of her presence.


    It was peaceful, and that disturbed him.


    ¡®Why does she feel like this? What is she?¡¯


    His mind churned with questions, analyzing her every movement, his inner thoughts unraveling a thousand theories¡ª


    Until she spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been watching me for a while,¡± she said, her voice like a whisper carried on the wind.


    Kaelis flinched, his monologue cut short.


    Nyxa smiled, never stopping her playing. ¡°Do you know the meaning behind the harp?¡±


    Kaelis blinked. ¡°¡­No.¡±


    She let out a soft hum, her fingers continuing to move across the strings.


    ¡°Music is more than sound,¡± she said. ¡°It is a binding force. A piece of history woven into melody. It exists in every culture, across every continent, even among those who share no common tongue. It has been used to summon rain, to send warriors into battle, to calm the dying, to remind the living that they are not alone.¡±


    Her harp echoed against the open sky, the notes feeling almost alive, each one leaving behind an invisible thread that wove through the very air around them.


    ¡°To play an instrument is not simply to make sound. It is to remember. It is to speak to the past and carry it forward.¡± She turned her head slightly, her half-hidden face illuminated by the three suns above them.


    ¡°That is why gods, demons, and men alike have feared it.¡±


    Kaelis frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Because music does not die. You can kill a man, burn a city, erase a bloodline¡ªbut you cannot erase a song once it has been sung.¡±


    She let the next note ring long and slow, the weight of it settling in the air.


    ¡°And that is why it is sacred.¡±


    Kaelis had no words.


    She continued playing.


    Then, just as the wind shifted, she stopped.


    They stood now in the far outskirts of the town, where no other souls were nearby.


    And for the first time, her expression changed.


    The smile remained, but there was something beneath it now.


    Something sharper.


    She turned to him fully, the light catching just enough of her hidden features, and in a voice just as calm as before, she said:


    ¡°The King of Hell resides in you, Kaelis.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ stomach dropped.


    ¡°The last foe to fall in the war between gods and demons,¡± Nyxa continued, her voice never wavering.


    Then, with the same gentle ease she had spoken every word prior, she asked:


    ¡°Do you want to kill him?¡±


    Kaelis gasped, his body stiffening as his breath caught in his throat.


    His heart pounded violently, his fingers twitching as he slowly turned his head toward her.


    Nyxa was still smiling.


    The wind shifted again.


    And for the first time in a long time¡ª


    Kaelis felt true fear.


    ¡°Kill him¡­?¡± he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

 Chapter 12: Orcs and Goblins

    Kaelis¡¯ stunned silence lasted all of two seconds before his entire expression shifted.


    ¡°Really?¡± His voice rose in excitement, his hands clutching at his own chest as if he had just been handed the greatest news of his life. ¡°Really, really, really?¡± His entire body jolted forward as he lunged at Nyxa, arms wide, attempting to wrap her in a crushing embrace.


    She drifted back effortlessly, floating just out of his reach, her fingers never faltering on the harp.


    Kaelis grinned like an idiot.


    ¡°Hell yeah, I wanna kill him!¡±


    His voice echoed across the open fields, startling a few of the lumberjacks in the distance. One of them gave him an odd glance before shaking his head and going back to splitting open a tree trunk, exposing the shimmering Stormglass crystal inside.


    But just as quickly as Kaelis¡¯ enthusiasm flared, it dimmed, his expression darkening, his shoulders sinking slightly.


    ¡°Actually,¡± he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I don¡¯t just wanna kill him.¡±


    Nyxa didn¡¯t respond, simply watching him with quiet expectation.


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, rolling his jaw, his thoughts knotting together in his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m already fighting,¡± he admitted, his voice lower now. ¡°Fighting to keep from losing myself again.¡± His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. ¡°I¡¯ve already done it too many times, and every time I come back, I feel like I¡¯m fighting something stronger than me. Like one day, I¡¯m gonna lose for good. And sometimes¡­¡±


    His throat tightened.


    ¡°Sometimes, I just wanna say fuck it and give up.¡±


    But then, he didn¡¯t say anything else. His thoughts, however, continued in the space where his words did not. He was so quick to do things before after the divorce, no hope showed for him.


    ¡®What was the point? I was just another guy. Another nobody. Just floating through existence without direction, chasing fleeting highs that never lasted. But then, I met Espen¡­Ness¡­Hael¡­Ripp.¡¯


    And for the first time in years¡ªhell, maybe the first time ever¡ªhe survived when he was supposed to die. And it left something inside him. A small, pathetic thing. A thing he didn¡¯t trust, didn¡¯t even really believe in yet, but he could feel it gnawing at the edges of his chest.


    Hope.


    And then, without meaning to, his mind drifted to Espen¡¯s face.


    She was beautiful.


    Not in the obvious, exaggerated way people would talk about some goddess descending from the heavens. It was sharper, rawer. It was in the way her eyes cut through the world around her, the way she held herself with pride even when she was struggling.


    ¡®Do I miss her..? Am I supposed to? Doesn¡¯t she hate my guts?¡¯


    He shook the thought off immediately, forcing himself back to the moment. His eyes locked onto Nyxa again, suddenly more cautious.


    ¡°You¡¯re not normal,¡± he muttered. ¡°So, who are you really?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers never stopped moving across the strings.


    She tilted her head slightly, the hood casting shadows over her half-hidden face, but her smile remained.


    ¡°I do not exist,¡± she said simply.


    Kaelis frowned. ¡°That¡¯s dramatic as hell. You¡¯re literally standing in front of me, smart one.¡±


    Nyxa let out a soft, airy laugh, the kind that somehow felt both warm and distant, as if she wasn¡¯t fully here.


    ¡°My existence was never meant to be,¡± she said, her voice melodic, as if she were reciting a passage from an old, forgotten scripture. ¡°I was the last note of an unfinished hymn, the lingering breath of a god whose voice had been silenced.¡±


    Kaelis squinted at her, confused.


    She continued, ¡°My father, a celestial deity of harmony, was one of the divine beings whose body was used to shape Kalhalla. When he perished, his voice did not die with him. It was left incomplete, a song cut off before its final note.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ stomach twisted strangely. ¡°And you¡­?¡±


    Nyxa nodded. ¡°I was that final note.¡±


    The wind shifted, rustling the scarves of a nearby merchant cart, carrying the distant grunts of warriors still sparring in the fields beyond.


    Kaelis ran a hand down his face. ¡°Okay. That¡¯s¡­ uh. A lot.¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s expression remained peaceful, her fingers dancing across the harp, the melody shifting into something sadder, lower, more haunting.


    ¡°But I could not sing it alone,¡± she continued, as if she had never stopped. ¡°For years, I remained in waiting, bound by silence, my voice nothing more than a whisper in the wind. I can not complete the hymn until the heavens themselves listen.¡±


    She lifted her head slightly, her voice quieting to a near whisper.


    ¡°Until the celestial eye¡ªthe last remnant of my father¡¯s divine presence¡ªis fully open.¡±


    Kaelis blinked at her. Then tilted his head.


    ¡°What the hell does that even mean?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°It means I must kill the Apostles.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ brows shot up. ¡°You say that so casually¡ª¡±


    Nyxa plucked a final note, letting it ring out as she spoke.


    ¡°The remnants of the gods and demons are stronger than ever,¡± she said. ¡°Even your King was taken by the Hand of God, leaving Indreth and Varnhalin scrambling to free him. And over the years, I have come to know the true nature of the Apostles.¡±


    Kaelis stiffened.


    She played another note, softer this time.


    ¡°There was a woman who knew more than most,¡± she murmured. ¡°A witch. Maela. I had hoped to meet her before she vanished.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ mind snapped to attention.


    ¡®Maela¡­Espen¡¯s witch mentor. Guess she¡¯s more famous then I thought then.¡¯


    Nyxa continued, as if she had not noticed his shift in focus.


    ¡°Right after the war between gods and demons,¡± she said, ¡°the Apostles used Soul Kenda¡ªforbidden magic¡ªto harness the souls of the dead gods and demons and reshape themselves into what they are now. They are not divine, nor are they mortal.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ chest tightened.


    ¡°They are something else,¡± Nyxa said. ¡°Something that should not exist.¡±


    Kaelis felt his breath hitch, his mind racing.


    ¡®The Apostles¡­again with those weirdos¡­?¡¯


    He had always known they were powerful. Everyone knew that. But this?


    ¡®They used the souls of the dead gods and demons to become Apostles? And they had the power to make others like them? Can they even be beat?¡¯


    His stomach twisted violently.


    Before he could stop himself, he gasped, ¡°Tell me more.¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers moved again, plucking the next note.


    And she smiled.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°Tell me more,¡± he said, his voice sharper now, more focused.


    Nyxa¡¯s harp whispered in the air, the melody shifting into something older, a tune that did not belong to the present.


    ¡°In Kalhalla, no soul is free,¡± she said. ¡°When a person dies, they do not pass into an afterlife of their choosing. There is no paradise to go after death here, no peaceful plane where the dead may rest. There is only one of three fates, dictated by power, by location, by the hands of those who claim dominion over this world.¡±


    Kaelis felt his pulse slow, his breath evening out as he listened, something about Nyxa¡¯s voice commanding absolute attention.


    ¡°The Apostles, or False Angels as Maela likes to call them, the first fate is within their domain¡ªthe World Tree.¡±


    Her fingers plucked a note, and Kaelis could almost see it¡ªa massive, ethereal tree, its bark pulsing like veins, its roots stretching endlessly into the void.


    ¡°Those who follow the False Angels, believe in them and have the soul rune, those who bear the Mark of Ascendance, those who have been chosen¡ªor taken¡ªare claimed instantly upon death,¡± Nyxa continued. ¡°Their will is stripped away. They become empty vessels, puppets for a design greater than themselves. They do not know peace. They do not know pain. They simply¡­ exist.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ stomach turned.


    ¡°Then there are the Red Crystals,¡± Nyxa said, plucking another note, the sound dark, distant, like a heartbeat fading away.


    Kaelis saw a wasteland of fractured crimson, a sea of blood-colored shards, each one pulsating with trapped voices, screams that could never reach the air.


    ¡°Those who died violently, those who were betrayed, those who perished in places of high magic¡ªtheir souls do not move on,¡± Nyxa said. ¡°They are trapped in these crystals, reliving their suffering, their final moments, over and over, unless the crystal is shattered.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ jaw tightened.


    ¡°And the last?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s melody slowed, almost faltering for a second.


    ¡°The Devourer Below.¡±


    The moment she said it, Kaelis felt something cold grip his spine.


    ¡°If a soul is too strong to be claimed by the False Angels¡­ and not bound to a crystal¡­ it is taken. Devoured completely. Erased from existence. No memory. No echoes. Nothing.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ fingers twitched.


    Nyxa continued, her voice still light, still peaceful, as if she were discussing the weather instead of cosmic annihilation.


    ¡°The Apostles know this. They have always known this. And that is why, at the dawn of the war¡¯s end, they broke every sacred law that had once governed this world.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ breath hitched.


    ¡°They used Soul Kenda, forbidden magic, to harness the souls of the dead gods and demons. They ripped them from the void, from the places they were meant to rest, and made them their own. That is how they became what they are now. They are not divine, nor are they mortal. They are something else. Something that should not exist.¡±


    Kaelis felt his pulse hammering in his ears.


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers slowed, her gaze tilting slightly toward him.


    ¡°And within you,¡± she murmured, ¡°resides the last foe to fall in the war between gods and demons. The god of the demons.¡±


    Kaelis stiffened.


    ¡°The King of Hell is within you, Kaelis,¡± she said. ¡°And that means everything has changed.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ mind spun, his throat dry, his breath coming short.


    She kept going.


    ¡°Demons may bow before you, believing you their rightful ruler,¡± she said. ¡°Or they may try to kill you, believing you an imposter. Either way¡­ you are no longer invisible to them. You are no longer just another piece on the board.¡±


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, his heart pounding against his ribs.


    Then, suddenly¡ª


    A smile pulled at his lips.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he said.


    Nyxa¡¯s brow lifted slightly.


    Kaelis grinned, then let out a sharp breath, nodding to himself.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he repeated. ¡°Yeah. Yeah, I¡¯m in.¡±


    Nyxa tilted her head, amused. ¡°You¡¯re agreeing already?¡±


    Kaelis shrugged. ¡°Hell yeah, I wanna kill him.¡±


    Nyxa laughed softly, her harp shimmering as her fingers moved again. ¡°Then let me make sure you¡¯re strong enough to do it.¡±


    Kaelis stilled. ¡°What?¡±


    Nyxa plucked a single note¡ªone that reverberated through the air, twisting through the wind, wrapping around Kaelis like a pulse of invisible energy.


    ¡°I will imbue you with a temporary Runic Song,¡± she said. ¡°It will suppress all darkness and troubles within you, allowing you to fight with clarity. It will not last forever, but the more you use it, the more you will understand how to control what is inside you. That¡¯s if it doesn¡¯t kill you or take over you first. This isn¡¯t a perfect solution, but it will help.¡±


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. ¡°¡­Why temporary?¡±


    Nyxa smiled.


    ¡°Because the power in you is too strong for permanence.¡±


    Kaelis had no response to that.


    Then Nyxa played another note, and this time¡ª


    It struck through his entire body like a wave of light.


    Music wrapped around him, not like chains, not like a cage, but like threads of something impossibly old, something sacred. The air shimmered, glowing musical notes forming intricate patterns along his skin, weaving into his veins, sinking into his bones.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    And above his head¡ª


    A halo appeared.


    Pure, glowing white, rotating slowly, humming with celestial energy.


    Kaelis gasped, stumbling slightly, his mind overwhelmed by the sheer weight of it, not physically, but internally.


    For the first time since coming to Kalhalla, since gaining this accursed power, since being thrown into battles he barely understood¡ª


    Everything inside him was quiet, The laughter of that shadowy King¡ªgone. The raging, burning pit of darkness inside his chest¡ªgone. For a moment, he just stood there, stunned, feeling what he assumed normal people must feel like all the time. He exhaled slowly, his fingers curling at his sides.


    Nyxa watched him.


    ¡°Do you feel it?¡± she asked.


    Kaelis nodded, swallowing. ¡°Yeah. I feel¡­ everything.¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s lips curled slightly, almost proud.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Then, she lifted her harp again.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to test it.¡±


    Kaelis blinked. ¡°Huh? Test it?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s eyes glowed faintly beneath her hood.


    ¡°This will allow you to harness your power safely,¡± she said. ¡°The more you use it, the more you will withstand the dark power of Hell. Able to control it, and able to actually kill that demon.¡±


    Kaelis exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Okay. What do I need to do?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers moved over the strings.


    And the world shifted.


    Kaelis exhaled, his mind still adjusting to the strange weightlessness of the halo spinning above his head. It was comforting in a way he didn¡¯t expect, like all the noise inside him had been quieted for the first time in¡ªwell, ever.


    But just as he was about to fully process it, Nyxa spoke again, her voice carrying the same serene calmness as always.


    ¡°In this town, gold and silver mean nothing.¡±


    Kaelis blinked, pulled out of his thoughts. ¡°What? Can you answer my question from before?¡±


    ¡°Othvendell does not trade in coin,¡± Nyxa explained. ¡°Here, the only currency is the skins of hunted game, the bones of beasts, the fangs of creatures, and the trophies of war.¡±


    She lifted a single hand, gesturing toward the marketplace before them.


    Kaelis followed her gaze¡ª


    And for the first time, he really looked.


    The market was bustling, but unlike the usual shouting of merchants peddling wares, the transactions here were swift, wordless exchanges of raw materials. A burly man with scarred hands and tusked features handed over a bundle of wyvern scales, and in return, a merchant gave him a stack of dried meat and a newly reforged dagger.


    A woman clad in patched leather armor tossed a severed troll hand onto a table, its fingers still twitching faintly. The blacksmith behind the counter grunted, sliding her a polished set of reinforced greaves in return.


    A group of young warriors, barely past their teens, eagerly bartered beast horns for enchanted trinkets, their excitement clear as they inspected their new gear.


    And hanging from the wooden posts above the marketplace were pricings etched into bone, listing values:


    ___________________________________________


    ?Direwolf Pelt ¡ú Two meals & a sharpened blade


    ?Kraven Beast Fangs ¡ú Alchemical elixirs (quantity varies)


    ?Cyclops Eye ¡ú Custom-made armor (varies by smith)


    ?Orc and Goblin Parts ¡ú General trade goods, food, lodging


    ____________________________________________


    Kaelis rubbed his temple.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me,¡± he muttered, ¡°these people just cut things apart and use them as cash? And WHY HAVEN¡¯T YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION FROM BEFORE?!¡±


    Nyxa gave him a look. ¡°You say that like it¡¯s strange.¡±


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°You know what? Never mind. What else is new?¡±


    Nyxa played a slow, drawn-out note on her harp, tilting her head toward him.


    ¡°There is something else,¡± she said, her voice carrying weight. ¡°Something important.¡±


    Kaelis perked up slightly. ¡°Oh?¡±


    Nyxa nodded, pausing for a moment.


    Kaelis waited.


    Nyxa exhaled, her fingers lingering above the strings. ¡°Something that may change everything you understand about this world.¡±


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes, his pulse quickening slightly. ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Nyxa lowered her hands, as if hesitating. ¡°A truth that has taken me years to uncover. A knowledge few ever come to possess.¡±


    Kaelis leaned forward slightly. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Nyxa took a slow breath.


    Kaelis held his.


    Then, finally, Nyxa said¡ª


    ¡°The roasted goat legs in this town are incredible.¡±


    Silence.


    Kaelis stared at her. Nyxa stared back, still not revealing her eyes. Slowly, she lifted her hands, poised above her harp once more.


    Kaelis scowled immediately.


    ¡°YOU FUCKING CROOK!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing through the streets so loudly that a few nearby blacksmiths turned their heads.


    Nyxa chuckled, her fingers dancing lightly over the strings. ¡°I do love goat legs,¡± she admitted, completely unbothered.


    Kaelis ran both hands down his face. ¡°You dragged that out like you were about to tell me the meaning of life, and it was about goat legs?!¡±


    Nyxa nodded sagely. ¡°Food is life.¡±


    Kaelis clenched his jaw. ¡°You dragged it out.¡±


    Nyxa tilted her head. ¡°Dramatic effect is important.¡±


    Kaelis grumbled, crossing his arms, still seething internally. ¡°If you weren¡¯t floating, I¡¯d shove you into a barrel. I barely trust you, I don¡¯t care what Ripp says.¡±


    Nyxa simply played another gentle chord. ¡°Regardless,¡± she continued, ¡°you will be hunting for me.¡±


    Kaelis froze.


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s smile widened slightly. ¡°You will be hunting an army of orcs and goblins for me.¡±


    Kaelis just stared at her.


    Nyxa stared back.


    The wind passed through the marketplace, the distant sounds of lumberjacks splitting wood and warriors wrestling in the dirt filling the silence.


    Then, finally, Kaelis exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing the bridge of it. ¡°You¡¯re using me to farm orc and goblin parts, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Nyxa nodded. ¡°For a lifetime supply of goat legs, yes.¡±


    Kaelis let out a dry, exhausted laugh, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Unbelievable. You¡¯re actually just scamming me into free labor.¡±


    Nyxa plucked a final note. ¡°It¡¯s part of your training.¡±


    Kaelis sighed heavily. ¡°Whatever.¡±


    Then, with a casual shrug, he muttered, ¡°Not like it matters. Orcs and Goblins are just fodder. They¡¯re meant to show off the main character¡¯s power in my world in manga and shows and all that. That¡¯s all they¡¯re good for.¡±


    Nyxa stopped playing.


    Kaelis barely had a second to process it before she lifted a single delicate finger¡ª


    And plucked a single note.


    Immediately, Kaelis felt his body lift off the ground.


    He flinched, kicking wildly as he hovered several feet into the air, his limbs moving uselessly against an invisible force.


    ¡°The hell¡ª?!¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s expression remained calm as she watched him squirm.


    ¡°Orcs and Goblins serve a great purpose in Kalhalla,¡± she said simply.


    Kaelis twisted, flailing slightly, his arms swinging wildly as he tried to turn upright. ¡°AGH!¡±


    Nyxa simply played another gentle note, letting him hover just a little higher.


    Kaelis gritted his teeth, his arms still flailing uselessly.


    ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this.¡±


    Nyxa plucked another note.


    Kaelis spun slightly in the air.


    His eye twitched.


    ¡°Nyxa.¡±


    Another note.


    He spun again.


    Kaelis let out a slow, deep breath. ¡°Fine. I get it. Orcs and Goblins are super important. Just put me down.¡±


    Nyxa considered him for a moment, tilting her head.


    Then, finally, she plucked a last note¡ª


    And dropped him.


    Kaelis hit the dirt with a grunt, groaning as he rolled onto his back.


    Nyxa hovered over him, hands poised elegantly on her harp. ¡°Now, let¡¯s begin your training.¡±


    Kaelis just stared at the sky, dead inside.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± he muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±


    Nyxa smiled.


    ¡­.


    At least 50 miles away, Kaelis stood at the edge of the cliff, his boots pressed against ancient, weathered stone, looking down at the horde moving below¡ªan army of orcs and goblins, their numbers stretching far beyond the tree line, banners of tattered crimson and black swaying in the evening winds.


    Their march was relentless, their chanting guttural, a war hymn carrying through the valley like the drums of an incoming storm.


    Four figures led them.


    GROMRAK THE BLACK BLOOD, Orc Warlord.


    A towering brute, standing nearly ten feet tall, his skin a sickly green laced with blackened veins, pulsing with a corrupt Kenda infusion. His armor, jagged and cruel, was forged from the bones of past conquests, his helm adorned with the skulls of fallen warriors. He carried a massive cleaver, its edges crackling with dark violet Kenda runes, giving off a faint scent of burning blood.


    His voice rumbled like distant thunder.


    ¡°Da time is near, ya maggots! Da humans tink we weak! Da humans tink we just beasts waitin¡¯ ta be slain! But WE be da horde dat razes kingdoms! No King ta stop us! We march through da land, we take everything!¡±


    ZATZ THE RED DAGGER, Goblin Assassin


    A lithe, wiry goblin, his ashen-gray skin patterned with crimson war paint, his clawed fingers twitching with restless energy. His yellow eyes gleamed with intelligence, and the daggers strapped to his chest bore the intricate engravings of stolen Aether Kenda runes.


    He spoke quickly, sharply, a sneer in his tone.


    ¡°Tear through ¡®em fast. We don¡¯t want survivors. If ya leave ¡®em breathin¡¯, they¡¯ll bring their Hunters down on us, an¡¯ then we¡¯re the ones runnin¡¯. We do this smart¡ªfast strikes, keep the momentum, don¡¯t let up!¡±


    OGRA THE BROKEN JAW: Orc Berserker


    A scarred warrior, her lower jaw reinforced with metal plating, her eyes like embers, burning with a battle-lust that never faded. She wielded twin greatswords, their edges dripping with a thick, pulsating sludge, a cursed alchemical mixture meant to rot the flesh of anything it cut.


    She cracked her neck, grinning.


    ¡°Enough talk. I just wanna feel their skulls crack under my boots.¡±


    SCRAG THE STARVED: Goblin Warlock


    A frail, hunched goblin, his skin translucent in places, revealing the twisting veins beneath. His grimoire was bound in stitched flesh, the words within written in the blood of a dozen races. His Kenda was unnatural, harvested from forbidden rituals, giving him power no goblin should wield.


    He wheezed, licking his cracked lips.


    ¡°We gut ¡®em. We gut ¡®em deep. And when they beg? We listen. We listen real close.¡±


    Kaelis felt a weight in his chest, watching the horde below. They were more than mindless beasts.


    Some were serious, focused, weapons sharpened, battle-ready. Others were laughing, making crude jokes, shoving each other, preparing for war like it was a festival.


    They weren¡¯t just monsters, they were alive.


    Nyxa¡¯s voice was calm, her harp humming faintly beside him.


    ¡°They are not weak,¡± she said simply. ¡°They do not fight for survival. They fight for domination.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ jaw tightened.


    Nyxa tilted her head slightly, as if sensing his thoughts.


    ¡°This is only the first band of soldiers,¡± she continued. ¡°During your journey, you will run into more. Randomly. Without warning. Some far worse than these.¡±


    Nyxa continued, ¡°In the forgotten age before Kalhalla was fully formed, when gods and demons clashed and the land itself was still reshaping, a grotesque accident of war gave birth to the first orcs and goblins. Unlike the other races, who were sculpted with purpose¡ªthe orcs and goblins were never meant to exist. They were a byproduct of war, born from the failed fusion of divine and demonic essence.


    ¡°Failed fusion?¡±


    ¡°During the war between the gods and the demons, there was an unholy attempt to create an unstoppable race of warriors. A dying god, a god of the forge and fire, desperate to turn the tide, sought to forge new life by stealing the flesh of fallen warriors¡ªboth divine and demonic¡ªand binding them into new vessels with corrupted soul magic. These experiments were meant to create perfect soldiers: warriors as unyielding as demons, as strong as gods, yet obedient to their creator. But the forging process went wrong. Instead of creating noble warriors, the result was something twisted. Malformed, grotesque, and mindlessly aggressive, the first orcs and goblins were born as abominations. Their bodies, infused with both celestial and infernal power, rapidly decayed and mutated, forcing them to devour living beings to stabilize their existence. They were immediately discarded as failures, cast into the wilds of Kalhalla to fend for themselves.¡±


    ¡°What caused it to go so wrong?¡±


    ¡°The demon''s power fusing with a god''s power with never go right. And you know it firsthand: Hell¡¯s power is corrupt. The god was desperate, and wanted to win.¡±


    ¡°How long did this war last exactly?¡±


    ¡°Years. Then, during the endless war between the Orcs and Goblins, it should have continued forever, but the world had other plans. As kingdoms and empires began rising across Kalhalla, both races were hunted relentlessly by humans, elves, dwarves, and many other beings. The civilized races saw them as monsters, cursed remnants of a war and the gods that should never have existed. They were pushed further into the abyss, forced into the darkest parts of the world, their numbers dwindling. At the brink of extinction, a singular event changed their fate. A monstrous orc warlord known as Gromm the Unchained realized the truth: neither orcs nor goblins could survive alone. They were both born from the same cursed origins, both despised by the world, and if they continued their ancient hatred, they would both disappear. Gromm approached the goblin warlords with a simple deal: unity or extinction. For the first time in history, the goblins and orcs formed an unholy pact. Orcs became the warriors, the unstoppable force of destruction, while goblins became the tacticians, using their cunning and numbers to guide their brutish counterparts. The goblins bred like wildfire, ensuring an endless supply of soldiers, while the orcs formed warbands, pillaging and conquering under the orders of goblin war-chiefs. This uneasy alliance created the first true orc-goblin armies, and for a time, they were an unstoppable scourge upon Kalhalla.¡±


    ¡®Hm. Guess they¡¯re not so bland after all..¡¯ Kaelis thought.


    Kaelis exhaled slowly, watching the horde prepare their march.


    Then, Nyxa spoke three simple words.


    ¡°Kill them all.¡±


    Kaelis froze. His throat tightened, his fingers twitching at his sides. He wasn¡¯t hesitating because he thought he¡¯d lose. He was hesitating because of the Shadowy King.


    In his mind, he saw it. That smile.


    The monstrous grin, the dark energy pooling around it, the feeling of becoming something else entirely.


    Kaelis whispered to himself, ¡°I¡¯m not a monster if I do this¡­ right?¡±


    Nyxa answered without hesitation.


    ¡°If you do not kill them, they will kill hundreds.¡±


    Kaelis exhaled, clenching his fists.


    Then, he took a step forward¡ª


    Paused.


    Took another step¡ª


    Paused.


    He exhaled sharply, shifting his weight. ¡°That¡¯s a long fall¡­¡±


    Nyxa nodded slowly.


    Kaelis tilted his head, and Nyxa tilted hers in sync with him. Kaelis narrowed his eyes, then..Nyxa smiled.


    And then¡ªShe shoved him.


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes widened as he plummeted, the wind rushing past his ears.


    ¡°SHIT! SHIT! DAMN YOU!¡±


    Nyxa played her harp, saying, ¡°Stop being a baby, human. You got this.¡±


    The orc warlords and goblin elites below looked up, blinking.


    ¡°¡­The fuck is that?¡± Gromrak muttered.


    Zatz clicked his tongue. ¡°Dunno. Looks like a human.¡±


    Ogra squinted. ¡°He jumped?¡±


    Scrag grinned, his teeth yellow and cracked. ¡°No. He fell.¡±


    Gromrak grunted. ¡°Use ¡®im as bait during the raid. Capture ¡®im. Keep ¡®im breathin¡¯, but break ¡®im first.¡±


    He raised a massive fist.


    ¡°WOUND HIM. THEN BIND HIM.¡±


    A horn blared through the valley¡ªdeep, resonant, carved from the bone of a fallen titan, engraved with ancient, guttural runes that pulsed with violent energy.


    The army reacted instantly, a dozen elite orcs and goblins leaping into the air, their weapons crackling with raw Kenda energy.


    Some carried massive cleavers, their blades laced with venomous runes, each swing meant to rot flesh on contact. Others wielded war staffs, channeling blackened lightning, their eyes glowing with runic fury.


    Some didn¡¯t need weapons at all¡ªbare-handed orcs launched themselves forward, their fists glowing with the force of Kenda-infused impact magic.


    They were on him in seconds.


    Kaelis felt the laughter rise in his throat before he could stop it.


    The berserk state was clawing at his mind, trying to break free¡ªKaelis¡¯ nose bled, andbThe laughter didn¡¯t stop. Then, his horn grew in. His body pulsed, Black veins cracked along his skin. Red and black energy erupted around him, his senses sharpening, his vision splitting into clarity and chaos.


    For the first time in his entire existence, he felt nothing.


    No pain.


    No rage.


    Only peace, and a tear slipped down his cheek.


    ¡®Even if it¡¯s temporary¡­I don¡¯t want this to end!¡¯


    Then, Kaelis smiled widely, laughing at the same time¡ªAnd collided with the orc-goblin warriors in midair.


    A violent explosion cracked through the sky, causing the orcs and goblins down below to cover their faces with their weapons slightly, winds blasting all over the place as the ground shook violently with tremors.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    A moment of silence followed the explosion.


    Then¡ª


    Gromrak the Black Blood exhaled, rolling his massive shoulders, his cracked war-torn skin gleaming under the twin suns.


    ¡°Well,¡± he grunted, sheathing his massive cleaver across his back. ¡°Dat¡¯s dat. Good job, boyz.¡±


    Zatz the Red Dagger scoffed, flicking bits of dust off his tattered cloak. ¡°Hardly worth celebratin¡¯. If the bastard died that quick, he ain¡¯t even a proper warm-up.¡±


    ¡°Bah,¡± Ogra the Broken Jaw cracked her neck, stepping forward with a snort. ¡°Still. A human jumpin¡¯ into battle alone? Stupid. Gotta respect da dumbass for tryna act like a real warrior.¡±


    Scrag the Starved wheezed out a sickly chuckle, licking his cracked lips. ¡°An¡¯ now he¡¯s just pieces o¡¯ meat.¡±


    The rest of the army laughed, some of them mocking the foolishness of the human, others simply grinning at the ease of it all.


    But before the laughter could build into a full celebration, something dropped from the sky.


    A goblin¡¯s severed arm. It landed wetly, slapping the dirt with a sickening splatter.


    Silence¡­


    Then another.


    An orc¡¯s leg, torn off at the hip, still dripping thick, dark blood.


    Then¡ª


    A severed head. It hit the ground and rolled toward Gromrak¡¯s feet, the mouth still twisted in a permanent, horrified scream. The silence stretched as more and more pieces of flesh rained down upon the horde, painting the earth black and red, filling the air with the stench of burnt muscle, charred bone, and ruptured organs.


    A goblin dropped his dagger, his entire body shaking violently.


    A nearby orc clutched his battle-axe, his knuckles white.


    Then¡ª


    A goblin fell to his knees, his claws digging into the blood-soaked dirt as he let out a high-pitched wail of anguish.


    ¡°NO!¡± he shrieked, rocking back and forth. ¡°Frozz! Get up! Get up¡ªwhere¡¯s ya body?! WHERE¡¯S YA BODY?!¡±


    An orc beside him grabbed his head roughly, his voice breaking. ¡°Pull yaself together! This ain¡¯t the first time we seen death! We¡ª¡±


    ¡°MY COUSIN¡¯S IN PIECES, YA SACK OF SHIT!¡± the goblin wailed, slamming his fists into the ground.


    Some of the orcs and goblins froze, their eyes darting to the flesh and bone scattered around them, their minds trying to process it.


    Others grew enraged, their bodies trembling with fury, horror, desperation.


    Ogra clenched her greatswords, her jagged teeth bared. ¡°What the fuck just happened?¡±


    Zatz¡¯s yellow eyes darted around, his daggers twitching in his grip. ¡°Somethin¡¯ ain¡¯t right. Where¡¯s the bastard¡¯s body?¡±


    Scrag¡¯s bony fingers tightened around his grimoire, his voice a low, crawling whisper.


    ¡°Da energy ain¡¯t settled,¡± he murmured, eyes flickering with a dim, unnatural glow. ¡°It¡¯s still¡­ here.¡±


    Gromrak¡¯s massive chest rose and fell, his breathing steady but slow. His warlord instincts screamed at him.


    This wasn¡¯t just another battle, this was something else. And then¡ªThe trees trembled, the air rippled; A slow, building pressure began to settle over the horde.


    The remaining smoke from the explosion still lingered, twisting through the battlefield, moving in unnatural patterns, as if something within it was alive.


    Then, from the thick of the smoke¡ª


    A silhouette emerged.


    A slow, steady walk.


    The shape of a man, his presence too heavy, too unnatural, his form outlined by a violent pulse of red and black energy.


    The army stared.


    Then¡ª


    A flash of light.


    His arm blade gleamed through the smoke, jagged, unnatural, pulsing with raw, living dark energy, the edges dripping with something that should not exist.


    And then¡ª


    His eyes.


    Glowing crimson.


    Bright, unrelenting, filled with something far worse than fury, far worse than bloodlust.


    A smile.


    A simple, relieved, happy smile.


    And then he spoke.


    ¡°I¡¯m free.¡±


    The words slid through the battlefield like a whisper from the abyss.


    Kaelis continued, ¡°To be able to be strong, and not deal with being controlled by my problems..¡±


    ¡®Feels great¡­shit just motivated me a little. I¡¯ll strive to control this dark power, and then kill you, demon.¡¯


    Then, the king''s voice inside of him said, ¡°You need me, you¡¯ll need me, always.¡±


    After hearing Kaelis talk, every orc and goblin felt it deep in their bones. For the first time in their existence, they felt something they were not supposed to feel: Fear.


    Gromrak did not waste a second.


    ¡°FORMATION!¡± he bellowed, his booming warlord voice snapping the army out of their frozen horror.


    Ogra slammed her greatswords together, her eyes burning with violent hunger.


    Zatz flipped a dagger in his hand, his body shifting into a practiced stance, his muscles tight as steel wire.


    Scrag¡¯s grimoire flared to life, the cursed runes splitting open across its pages, writhing with black mist.


    The orc-goblin army moved, those still standing raising their weapons, their Kenda-infused steel crackling, their battle cries filling the air.


    Some still trembled.


    But they steeled themselves.


    And as the smoke twisted, as the red and black energy ripped apart the trees, as the halo above Kaelis¡¯ head flickered between purity and corruption¡ª


    The battle was about to begin.


    And through it all¡ª


    Kaelis just stood there.


    Still smiling.


    Still free, even if it was temporary.

 Chapter 13: Symphony Of Destruction

    The battlefield didn¡¯t wait.


    Kaelis was already moving, his body twisting at unnatural angles, his blade-arm carving through the first goblin before it could even swing. The explosion of red and black energy sent chunks of flesh and shattered bone across the dirt, the shockwave sending a nearby orc staggering back, roaring in fury.


    ¡°WE MOVE TOGETHER!¡± Gromrak¡¯s voice bellowed, his fist smashing the earth, sending an order through the ranks. ¡°Don¡¯t split up! He¡¯s a formidable foe!¡±


    The orcs and goblins responded instantly, moving like a single, monstrous organism.


    A group of Sand Kenda goblins surged forward, their spears infused with the Kenda, shimmering like liquid glass, cutting through the air with razor-sharp precision. The sand in their weapons shifted mid-strike, reshaping itself into serrated edges and hooked barbs, making every swing impossible to predict.


    Kaelis dove low, his body flipping forward, his spine bending in a way no human should be able to, vaulting over an incoming glaive. He landed on all fours, his blade ripping upward¡ªand in a flash, a goblin¡¯s entire chest cavity burst apart, molten glass pouring from the wound as its own weapon turned against it, shattering inside its ribs.


    ¡°Hahaha!¡± Kaelis laughed.


    Another orc came from behind, wielding a war club infused with Mud Kenda, the massive weapon already glistening with corrosive sludge. It swung with the force of an avalanche, but Kaelis caught it¡ª


    With his bare hand.


    The sludge should have eaten through his flesh¡ªbut his own demonic energy fought back, strings of power sinking into the corrupted mud, turning it unstable. The orc¡¯s eyes widened¡ª


    Then Kaelis ripped the club from its grasp and shoved it down its throat.


    The orc screamed, the Mud Kenda backfiring, dissolving its own jaws, throat, lungs from the inside out, leaving behind nothing but a gurgling, collapsing husk.


    Kaelis was already gone, moving to his next kill.


    Then a voice rang out in his head, a familiar one, saying, ¡°See? You already seem to be taking on my personality, human.¡±


    Kaelis grinned, replying, ¡°I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s just for this moment, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re not possessing me.¡±


    ¡°Ahh. Look at you. At this point, would there even be a difference? You¡¯re already going crazy, killing without hesitation, when you¡¯re first ever kill traumatized you, and still is.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. I know what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    Ogra burst through the ranks, yelling, ¡°I¡¯m taking the charge!¡±her dual greatswords reforging mid-swing, the shattered edges melting and reshaping in seconds thanks to their Metal Kenda enchantments. Her attacks were like a storm of flashing steel, too fast, too powerful, her strikes capable of cleaving through boulders.


    A goblin exclaimed to her, ¡°Be careful! That brat can twist and move his body weirdly! He¡¯s unpredictable!¡±


    ¡°Mhm!¡±


    Kaelis dodged by inverting his body, his torso twisting to the side unnaturally, his legs kicking off an orc¡¯s helmet to reposition mid-air. His blade-arm caught the edge of Ogra¡¯s first sword, and for a brief moment, their energies clashed¡ªher Metal-infused steel grinding against his red and black destruction.


    The second sword came from below.


    Kaelis let it come.


    Instead of dodging, he let the blade run through his stomach, the steel carving a path straight through his gut.


    Ogra grinned in triumph¡ª¡°Ha! I-I got em¡¯! Fucking brat! Everyone charge!¡±


    Until Kaelis grabbed the blade¡¯s edge with both hands, ripping it deeper into himself before snapping the blade in half with sheer force.


    Ogra barely had time to react before Kaelis grabbed her by the face, his thumb sinking into her eye socket, and slammed her into the dirt hard enough to crater the ground beneath them.


    ¡°You still got me?!¡± Kaelis smiled.


    The goblins retaliated instantly, working in perfect unison, a squad of warriors shifting their weapons into fractured prisms made out of crystal, bending light to create illusionary clones of themselves, masking their real positions.


    ¡°Break his focus!¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ red eyes gleamed.


    He lunged through the nearest goblin, stabbing forward¡ª


    And missed.


    The goblins cackled, darting in and out of the battlefield, slashing at him from multiple directions, their illusions phasing in and out, their real bodies attacking from blind spots that shouldn¡¯t exist.


    Gromrak laughed, ¡°We didn¡¯t pillage hundreds of warriors and steal their artifacts and weapons of Kenda to lose to a little boy, keep applying pressure!¡±


    Kaelis grinned through the pain as multiple daggers pierced into him.


    Then, he moved. Not to attack, but to bite. His teeth sank into a goblin¡¯s shoulder, crushing straight through flesh and bone, ripping its arm clean off. The goblin shrieked, its illusions flickering from the sheer shock of pain¡ª


    And that was all Kaelis needed.


    He ripped the goblin¡¯s severed arm free, still holding the crystalline dagger in its grip, and hurled it into another goblin¡¯s skull.


    The remaining goblins broke formation, realizing their strategy was useless.


    But they were already too late.


    Kaelis rushed forward, using his own severed dagger wounds as a means to maneuver, his body twisting unnaturally, his torso snapping sideways at an inhuman angle, allowing him to dodge two more blades before crushing a goblin¡¯s throat beneath his heel with a spinning kick.


    The voice inside of him spoke again, ¡°You''re enjoying this aren¡¯t you? The joy of feeling strong? The joy of feeling like you¡¯re on top of your obstacles? Even without me taking over, you still act like this?¡±


    ¡°I laugh for a different reason, you don¡¯t know me. I¡¯m happy I¡¯m not being tormented while I fight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? You¡¯re tormenting them, though?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because if I don¡¯t stop them, they¡¯ll cause trouble. More blood will be on my hands¡­and I don¡¯t want that again.¡±


    ¡°Yet, you haven¡¯t realized that the woman we¡¯re with could stop them easily. She¡¯s powerful. Near the end of the war I¡¯ve seen her during the war, ripping through my legion of demons. Even when I wanted to get to her, I couldn¡¯t because of her father. And as we all destroyed each other¡­she was left standing. Alongside with others who may or may not have survived.¡±


    ¡°Tch. No shit she¡¯s strong.¡±


    ¡°Yet you blindly trust her, doing whatever she says, you¡¯re like a dog. She cannot be trusted.¡±


    ¡°Of course you say that. She¡¯s a Demi-goddess, a daughter to a god you fought and killed. And why would I take any advice from someone like you? I wanted you out of me, and dead. And she wants the same thing. Seems like we can be friends.¡±


    ¡°You think I wanted to choose you? I did, but that¡¯s not the point. And besides, you just met her ten seconds ago. Whatever song note or whatever she spouted about could be the ruin of all of you.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Scrag the Starved, watching from afar, finally moved, his grimoire bursting open, his pages flipping violently as they drew up a spell made up of pure salt.


    He snickered to himself, ¡°I¡¯ll crush him..I-I¡¯ll catch him off guard! He¡¯s strong, yes. But he can''t beat all of us.¡±


    Kaelis turned just as the ground beneath him dried into brittle husks of dead earth, the very moisture in the air being leeched away, his lungs burning, his body weakening.


    Salt Kenda¡ªa curse upon flesh itself.


    Kaelis staggered for a half-second.


    ¡®Shit¡­


    But that was all Scrag needed.


    The goblin dove forward, his skeletal fingers latching onto Kaelis¡¯ exposed wounds, the magic pulling the blood from his body, drying his veins, leaving his skin cracked and shriveling.


    Kaelis laughed.


    A deep, guttural, primal laugh.


    Scrag¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ horns pulsed with energy, his veins surging, his muscles reconstituting themselves in seconds.


    Then, he grabbed Scrag¡¯s entire lower jaw¡ª


    And ripped it from his face.


    The goblin screamed through torn flesh, his tongue flopping uselessly, blood spurting like a geyser.


    Kaelis shoved his arm blade through Scrag¡¯s gut, his voice low, guttural.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    Scrag exploded from the inside out, his entire torso liquefying into a pulpy mess, his remaining limbs collapsing lifelessly into the dirt.


    The voice said to Kaelis, ¡°You''ve let the power get to your head, fool. Who are you really fighting against?¡±


    Kaelis¡¯s smile faltered, but then he smiled again. Saying, ¡°Because when I used this power before, I felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside out. Feels good to be strong and not be crushed by something controlling me at the same time.¡±


    ¡°I know you, boy. Telling the half truth of someone bound to your soul is pretty crazy.¡±


    ¡°Bound to me..?¡±


    The remaining orcs and goblins stood frozen, their bodies trembling as Kaelis rose from the carnage, covered in blood and ichor, his smile wide, his body thrumming with unholy power.


    Nyxa¡¯s harp continued to play.


    Slow.


    Soft.


    Almost¡­ sad.


    Kaelis exhaled, and he rushed towards them with his blade, ripping through their ranks.


    Kaelis exhaled, the scent of blood thick in the air, his every muscle pulsing with raw energy, his limbs aching with the remnants of battle. Yet despite the carnage surrounding him, the bodies of the fallen strewn like discarded scraps, he could only feel one thing¡ªsatisfaction. His chest rose and fell steadily, his fingers twitching as he slowly clenched his fist, the last wisps of red and black energy flickering from his blade. He had done it. Even if the berserk state still clawed at the back of his mind, whispering in its endless hunger, it hadn¡¯t consumed him this time. He was in control. Even if it was temporary. Even if the next battle might be different.


    The voice said to him, ¡°I¡¯m bound to your soul. If you remove me, then you die.¡±


    ¡°Stop trying to warp my head around stuff I don¡¯t understand! I can¡¯t trust a literal demon god or whatever you are with my decisions!¡±


    ¡°How do you think I know your name? Your emotions? You laughed during the battle because you felt what it meant to be stronger than what¡¯s trying to take you down. Isn¡¯t that what you went through in your old world? But in that case before, you were taken down by your problems over and over, and even though you yearned to be stronger and outwit them, your little young ass got too comfortable with being weak, and enjoyed the temporary pleasures. You joke around and act all edgy to hide your real emotions. I too went through it.¡±


    ¡°¡­You don¡¯t know me..¡±


    ¡°Ahh. Too embarrassed to admit it. Lying about how rich you were on earth to some cat and crow? Eventually, you¡¯ll need me to help you kill this Nyxa woman. She¡¯s no good. And you¡¯ll need my power to help you kill gods and enemies alike. The remnants of the gods that purge Kalhalla¡­it will be used in ways you don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Stop talking to me. I don¡¯t trust you. You just don¡¯t want her to break you outta me, ya scared?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re dead, I can¡¯t live, foolish white haired human brat! And I have an agenda with you. Don¡¯t you remember me telling you, you need to learn to control that power of mine? To bring out it¡¯s full potential¡ª.¡±


    SHIIING!


    The Runic Halo over Kaelis¡¯ head shimmered, drowning out the demon gods voice.


    And Kaelis sat there, thinking, ¡®He can¡¯t be right. He has every reason to lie to me, especially after the hell he put me through. Nyxa is an ancient enemy of this bastard, who seems to be good. She even told me she wanted to kill the Apostles, the ones who basically rule Kalhalla. But for him to know me emotionally¡­could he really be connected to my soul..? I don¡¯t want that to be true¡­¡¯


    He turned to Nyxa, who remained floating just above the carnage, her harp humming idly beneath her fingertips, her expression unreadable. Kaelis tilted his head at her, raising a brow. ¡°You see that?¡± His voice was smug, dripping with self-satisfaction.


    Nyxa merely chuckled in response, plucking a slow, mocking note that echoed through the battlefield like a ghost¡¯s whisper. ¡°You were bothered, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You noticed?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Kaelis, now curious, thought, ¡®It was strange¡­how she knew exactly where these orcs and goblins were. If she knew about them, why didn¡¯t she take them down herself? Does she even fight? She has to. Unless she¡¯s been watching me? Waiting for me to end up in a fucked up state so she could use me for her little Runic Song?¡¯


    The he heard it. Another voice, but unfamiliar. Faint. Wet with death. His gaze snapped toward a dying orc, a battle-worn warrior barely clinging to life, his massive hands trembling as they gripped a battered, rune-etched grimoire, its pages curling from the blood seeping into them. The orc¡¯s lips moved sluggishly, his breath rattling in his chest as he muttered something in deep, ancient orcish, the syllables grinding against the air like stone scraping against steel. The words felt wrong, uncomfortable, as if they weren¡¯t meant to be spoken by anything that still lived. Kaelis narrowed his eyes, unable to understand the language, but feeling the weight of it coil through the air like a curse given form.


    Then¡ªjust before the orc¡¯s final breath¡ªhe spoke a single word.


    ¡°Gromm.¡±


    The orc slumped, lifeless.


    Silence fell over the battlefield.


    Then the world shook.


    ¡®Something¡¯s coming¡­¡¯ Kaelis thought.


    Instantly, the ground split apart, jagged fractures tearing through the earth like the ripping of flesh, a deep, guttural rumble rising from below, a noise so primal and vast it felt as though the land itself was growling in defiance. Kaelis¡¯ body tensed instinctively as the corpses of the fallen began to rise, their remains twisting, spiraling upward in an unnatural cyclone of limbs and shattered bone, their forms merging and unraveling in a grotesque, pulsing mass of color and entropy. He could only watch, transfixed in something between awe and disgust, as the very air around them rippled, distorted by the sheer magnitude of whatever was forcing itself into existence.


    And then, he emerged.


    Towering. Unstoppable. Gromm.


    He was no longer merely orc or goblin¡ªhe was something else entirely. His body was a fusion of divine energy and raw demonic power, a being pulled together by unnatural forces, given shape through power that should not belong to him. Eighteen feet of pure, overwhelming might, his form covered in jagged battle-worn armor that seemed fused to his very flesh, his five arms outstretched, each gripping an artifact of immense power. His head was grey and dark green, with dark black tattoos on his head in the shape of bear paws, his teeth sharp and they were tattooed as well, his hair was long, red, and in dreadlock style, and his eyes glowed a bright orange color.


    His presence alone was suffocating, the very air thickening, pressing down like an unseen weight upon the battlefield. Above him, a monolithic spirit loomed, its form a swirling mass of green and brown, something ancient and unknowable, a remnant of a god long since forgotten.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Kaelis felt it before he even saw the movement.


    ¡°What¡­no way that¡¯s the real Gromm, right?¡±


    One second, he was standing tall, ready to fight. He dashed forward with a grin, ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter! I¡¯m¡ª!¡±


    The next¡ªhis body was split in half.


    It was instant. No warning, no motion. One moment, he was whole¡ªthe next, his torso was severed, his lower half flung in one direction while his upper half was hurled violently across the battlefield.


    Pain. Real pain.


    He hit the ground hard, tumbling like a ragdoll, his own blood spraying across the dirt in thick, uneven sections. His mind barely had time to register the sensation before another force took hold¡ªa crushing, inescapable weight, pinning him down, keeping his two halves separated, his body refusing to stitch itself back together. Kaelis gasped, his breathing shallow, his fingers clawing into the earth as the realization hit him.


    ¡°AGHHH!¡± Kaelis yelled.


    ¡®He¡¯s stopping me from regenerating..?¡¯


    Gromm the warlord hadn¡¯t even moved. Hadn¡¯t needed to. It was his Gravity Kenda, coming from a weapon in his hand¡ªthe unseen force that kept Kaelis in place, stretching the space between his halves, ensuring that his body would remain broken. He was being pulled apart at the very fabric of his being.


    A low growl rumbled in Kaelis¡¯ throat, his bloodied fingers digging deeper into the dirt. His vision swam, his mind burning, his breath quickening as the shadows in his soul coiled and surged, the hunger creeping in. This time, he wasn¡¯t fighting it. This time, he wanted it.


    ¡°Oh..? Now you want me to possess you?¡± The voice in his head spoke.


    ¡°Tch¡­it hurts¡­¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve listened to me.¡±


    His black veins pulsed, his horn grew thicker, his energy crackling in resistance against the gravitational force keeping him pinned. The halo over his head flickered violently, Nyxa¡¯s song still clinging to him, still trying to hold the berserk state back. But Kaelis was done resisting. His lips curled, his eyes darkening, his teeth gritted in something between agony and ecstasy.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care¡­I can¡¯t lose!¡±


    ¡®Losing..my worst fear. Lost too many times already, don¡¯t wanna lose anymore..¡¯


    Nyxa finally descended, her harp still playing, her voice smooth and calm as she spoke. ¡°I pity you,¡± she mused, her golden eyes flickering as she regarded Gromm with detached amusement. The warlord¡¯s massive head tilted slightly, an acknowledgment, but not an immediate response. Nyxa¡¯s smile remained as she floated before him. ¡°You let your own underlings make you into a familiar. That¡¯s what this is, isn¡¯t it? A desperate grasp for power? To be something more than what you were?¡±


    Gromm finally spoke, and his voice was an earthquake given sound, ancient and reverberating, layered with countless voices as if he was more than just one entity. ¡°Mm,¡± he hummed in a deep, knowing tone, before his gaze fixed on her. ¡°Demi-goddess. Of the god of harmony and song. I remember you from the battlefield..¡±


    Nyxa merely tilted her head, plucking another note.


    ¡°And you,¡± Gromm rumbled, ¡°are nothing more than a lingering note. A song unfinished.¡±


    Silence stretched between them for a moment before Nyxa chuckled softly. ¡°Perhaps,¡± she murmured, strumming another delicate chord, letting it echo across the broken battlefield. ¡°But at least I was meant to exist.¡±


    Gromm¡¯s aura darkened, his artifacts humming, the weapons in his grasp thrumming with contained devastation, the very ground beneath them trembling under his presence.


    Nyxa exhaled, tapping her fingers gently against the frame of her harp. ¡°Orcs and goblins,¡± she continued, her voice light, almost disappointed. ¡°Borrowing power from ancient relics, using the weapons of greater beings that fell from divine warriors during the war. You are able to wield them all at once¡ªa talent, truly.¡± She let out a breath, her fingers dragging across the strings, weaving a melody both haunting and gentle. ¡°But that¡¯s all you have, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Another note.


    ¡°You have no power of your own. You stole power first, so your underlings do the same to this day. Even after hundreds of years. Embarrassing. It¡¯s tragic¡­the very few who survived the war, wandering about out there¡­had to survive with you in their ranks of the ones who endured. You should¡¯ve died then.¡±


    Another note.


    ¡°You are a mistake.¡± Nyxa continued.


    Nyxa finally lifted her head fully, and her hood fell, revealing the full radiance of her presence. Bright golden eyes, glowing like celestial embers. Soft white hair, cascading in a perfect braid, untouched by the filth of battle. Black veins trailing beneath her eyes, a cursed inheritance, an eternal reminder of what she was.


    With a single, elegant motion, she plucked one final note.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    The battlefield vanished.


    Kaelis¡¯ vision was swallowed by light.


    When it returned, they were somewhere else entirely.


    A vast, endless realm of pure white.


    Notes drifted through the air like glowing embers, and a soft, peaceful melody surrounded them, weaving through existence itself.


    Nyxa smiled.


    ¡°Now,¡± she whispered. ¡°Shall we begin?¡±


    Gromm nodded, ¡°I should¡¯ve killed you back then..¡±


    ¡°You got your chance to make up for that mistake.¡±


    Kaelis watched, still separated by the gravity, gritting his teeth in pain.


    ¡®I see it now¡­I can regenerate, but there¡¯s a fault in it. If something keeps me from regenerating, magic or not, then it¡¯ll be treated as a regular fatal wound! I really thought my regeneration was broken! I can''t lose here, not like this! Not when I haven¡¯t even made Espen at least chuckle one fucking time. While Nyxa and Gromm are murdering each other, I have to get out of this¡­but how?!¡¯


    The first strike was a whisper.


    The second was a storm.


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers danced across the harpstrings, and the world she crafted obeyed her command. Her melody was neither loud nor overpowering¡ªit was sharp, delicate, precise, like a blade gliding across the throat of reality itself.


    Gromm reacted instantly. The moment her fingers touched the strings, he launched forward, swinging the Titan¡¯s Judgement, his colossal war axe forged from the bones of the first giants, capable of twisting gravity itself with every swing. The moment the blade cleaved through the air, the pressure shifted violently, forcing the entire battlefield to tilt toward him, making Nyxa slide forward into the axe¡¯s trajectory.


    But she was already countering.


    ¡°Precious, indeed.¡±


    Her right hand plucked a note¡ªResonance of Defiance.


    The very air around her tensed, locked, and reversed. The unnatural pull that sought to drag her into death¡¯s embrace was unraveled, the space around her settling in an instant, making it seem as though Gromm¡¯s gravitational force had never existed at all.


    ¡°You allowed yourself to be pulled into my symphony, my world of song. You won¡¯t win.¡± Nyxa said calmly.


    Gromm¡¯s red eyes narrowed.


    ¡®She¡¯s not just nullifying my attacks, he thought. She¡¯s redirecting it into her own movements.¡¯


    Gromm adjusted, his second arm unsheathing the Fang of Rot, a dagger kissed by the lips of dying gods, its blade exhaling a green mist of death. With a simple flick of his wrist, he slashed at nothing, sending a near-invisible arc of necrotic poison coiling through the air, seeking any open wound or breath to infect: any breath or wound it touches, it clings onto it.


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers glided effortlessly across her harpstrings¡ªReverberation Waltz.


    The very sound of the dagger twisting through the air became a weapon against itself, the poison mist suddenly spiraling backward, compressing into a solid sphere, before violently bursting in Gromm¡¯s face.


    The warlord snarled as his cheek and upper torso began to rot away instantly, the flesh dissolving into darkened veins and exposed muscle.


    That wasn¡¯t just a deflection.


    She trapped the attack inside its own sound.


    Gromm didn¡¯t hesitate.


    He brought forth the Black Hole Rosary, an ancient relic forged from collapsed stars, worn around his thick wrist. With a snap of his fingers, a singularity bloomed into existence behind Nyxa, the overwhelming force threatening to drag her into oblivion.


    She tilted her head, her fingers brushing across her harp¡ªEcho¡¯s Banishment.


    The singularity collapsed on itself.


    Gone.


    Just like that.


    Kaelis, fighting hard to fight against the gravity to latch his body together, gritting his teeth, his bones cracking due to the pressure, screamed as he finally grabbed hold of it, slowly moving because of the force of power.


    Now free from his split-body prison, clenched his fists as he watched the battle unfold. His breathing was sharp, his muscles tense, sweat mixing with blood as he analyzed every movement, every counter, every exchange. His mind raced.


    ¡®Gromm isn¡¯t just brute force. He¡¯s learning as he fights. He¡¯s adjusting. Changing tempo. Adapting. But Nyxa¡ªShe¡¯s not just countering. She¡¯s controlling the tempo of the fight itself. She¡¯s making it so that no matter what he does, it plays into her hands. This wasn¡¯t just a battle. It was a duet.¡¯


    Gromm¡¯s war axe came down in a devastating crescent, and at the same time, his fifth arm raised, palm open¡ªthe Veil of Ruin, a force that could decompose anything over time, surged forward in a last-ditch effort to erase her harp itself..


    ¡°If I can¡¯t beat you, I¡¯ll take away your weapon!¡± Gromm exclaimed.


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers didn¡¯t hesitate.


    She plucked one note.


    And suddenly, Gromm was no longer holding his weapons.


    His axe, his dagger, his relics¡ªall vanished.


    Kaelis gasped.


    No¡ªthey were still there, but they were silent. Their power, the song of battle and calamity within them, had been muted.


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°She¡­ she just silenced the magic inside them?¡±


    Gromm growled. His fingers flexed, his grip tightening around the now-powerless Titan¡¯s Judgment. ¡°Clever.¡±


    Nyxa smiled. ¡°I know.¡±


    Gromm¡¯s nostrils flared, his massive legs tensing beneath him.


    Then¡ªhe moved.


    For the first time, he charged with nothing but his own body, Kaelis barely registered the movement. One moment, Gromm was standing still.


    The next¡ªhe was upon her.


    His sheer momentum cracked the air, his bare fists swinging like an avalanche, his brute force far beyond anything mortal. This was no longer a battle of magic and relics, this was war.


    ¡®No matter the magic I throw at her, as long as I¡¯m in this world of hers¡­this dreadful symphony, she has the advantage! That harp of hers, she can manipulate power itself, as long as you¡¯re not trapped in her world, but going in with brute force..with my sheer power, even she¡¯ll have trouble trying to contain it!¡¯


    Nyxa watched him approach, her eyes calm.


    Then¡ª


    Gromm pierced her chest.


    His fist, still wrapped around his useless blade, plunged through her ribcage, her body jerking from the sheer force of impact. Blood splattered across the battlefield, a red mist painting the air.


    Kaelis froze. ¡°Nyxa¡­?¡±


    ¡®Why did she let him stab her?! Can she regenerate like me?¡¯


    For the first time¡ªNyxa bled.


    Her lips parted, a soft gasp escaping her throat. A cough, followed by a splatter of crimson dripping from her mouth.


    Gromm snarled, ¡°You got too arrogant for your own good, Demi-goddess. You being the daughter of a powerful god that''s fallen filled your head with false fantasies of victory over a corrupt mistake like myself. My people..weren¡¯t meant to live like this. We were supposed to change the tide of the war. We were supposed to live like kings and queens once Kalhalla was formed! But even being mistakes on the field of war, let us become mistakes in Kalhalla. This world wasn¡¯t meant to be formed from the corpses of gods and demons, but of the gods hand crafted creation.¡±


    ¡°Yeah..like you.¡±


    And in that moment, her fingers moved.


    A single note rang through the battlefield.


    A single sound.


    Soft. Gentle.


    Then¡ª


    Gromm¡¯s chest exploded.


    Not just a wound.


    His entire torso ripped apart in a violent eruption of blood, bone, and raw energy, his body caving inward as his insides shredded themselves. The warlord¡¯s mouth opened in a silent scream, his massive form jerking, convulsing, his movements mirroring Nyxa¡¯s wound.


    Kaelis stared in shock.


    ¡°He stabbed her first¡­¡± His voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes flicked to Nyxa, then to Gromm, then back again. His mind put the pieces together, the realization slamming into him like a hammer.


    ¡°As soon as she played the note¡ª¡± he swallowed hard, ¡°¡ªthe wound he did to her happened to him a hundred times over.¡±


    ¡®She really is strong..¡¯


    Nyxa let out a slow breath, her head tilting slightly as she met Gromm¡¯s eyes, his once-monstrous presence now faltering. His knees buckled, his strength failing.


    ¡°Mm,¡± she hummed softly, her bloodied lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°Music is powerful, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Gromm¡¯s remaining arm twitched. His mouth opened, but no words came out. His knees finally gave way.


    And he collapsed.


    The warlord of the fallen orcs and goblins, the towering monster who had once defied death itself¡ªLay broken in the silence of her final note.


    ¡­.


    Kaelis stood frozen, his body still tense from the aftermath of battle, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. The battlefield that had once been suspended in a world of white was gone. The haunting melody that had shaped the fight, bent reality to its will, had faded into memory. Now, he was back. Back in Kalhalla. Back in the familiar yet twisted land where death was never the end, where monsters rose from the graves of their fallen, where the weight of power bore heavier than the blade of any weapon.


    ¡®That was insane¡­I need to know more about her..¡¯


    Nyxa, standing before him, plucked a single note on her harp¡ªa soft, lazy tune, a whisper of amusement. In response, the mutilated corpse of Gromm lifted from the blood-soaked earth, his massive frame floating effortlessly, suspended in an unseen current of melody. Around him, the severed limbs, shattered bones, and unrecognizable remains of the orcs and goblins also rose into the air, twisting into a slow, methodical dance, as if they were performers in a macabre orchestral piece.


    Nyxa¡¯s smile was serene, almost childlike in its delight. ¡°Well then,¡± she mused, grinning as if none of this was horrific at all. ¡°Time to get some goat legs.¡±


    Kaelis blinked. His mind, still rattled from the fight, couldn¡¯t immediately process what she had just said. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?¡±


    She turned to him, eyes bright with amusement. ¡°Goat legs, Kaelis. You didn¡¯t forget, did you? This was all a very important part of my plan.¡±


    His stare was blank. He slowly lifted a blood-soaked arm, gesturing vaguely toward the floating remains of their enemies. ¡°You¡¯re telling me¡­ you were serious about that?!¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers plucked another note, making the mangled bodies spin slightly in the air, like meat on a skewer. ¡°Yes. And quite the effective plan it was, don¡¯t you think? Now, be a dear and help carry some of the body parts.¡±


    Kaelis scoffed, taking a step back. ¡°HUH?! YOU CAN LITERALLY MAKE THEM FLOAT. NUH-UH.¡±


    Nyxa blinked at him, tilting her head in mock surprise. ¡°Oh, haha, right.¡±


    Kaelis rolled his eyes as she continued humming her song, leading the grotesque procession back to Othvendell. He followed behind, still shaking his head, wondering how the hell his life had led to this moment.


    ____________________________________________


    The moment they crossed the borders of Othvendell, Kaelis was met with something unexpected.


    A roar of approval.


    Warriors, Hunters, even children gathered in the streets, eyes wide with admiration as they took in his bloodstained figure, the remnants of battle etched across his body in deep scars and tattered clothing. The men and women of Othvendell thrived on strength, on resilience, on survival¡ªand Kaelis looked like he had walked through hell itself and clawed his way out with his bare hands.


    They swarmed him instantly.


    Kaelis panicked, and said to himself, ¡°No no no no no get away from me..¡±


    Massive warriors clapped him on the back so hard he nearly lost balance, their booming voices shaking the air. Some grabbed his shoulders, shaking him playfully, their laughter deep and rowdy. Others bumped their chests against him, a warrior¡¯s sign of respect, their strength pressing into him like the weight of an avalanche.


    ¡°YOU SEE THIS?¡± One Hunter grabbed his friend by the shoulders, pointing at Kaelis¡¯ wounds. ¡°THAT¡¯S A MAN WHO¡¯S SEEN A REAL FIGHT!¡±


    ¡°LOOK AT ¡®IM! LOOK AT THIS MESS! BOY LOOKS LIKE HE¡¯S CRAWLED OUT THE GUTS OF A BEAST AND CAME BACK TO TELL THE STORY!¡±


    A young child, barely ten, ran up to him, staring at him with stars in his eyes. ¡°Mister! Mister! Did you fight a whole army? A dragon maybe? Vampires?! Ooh, ooh! What about some bandits?! Or maybe those ugly Orcs of Goblins?!¡±


    Kaelis opened his mouth, ¡°Uhh,¡± unsure of what to even say, when a warrior wrapped an arm around his neck in a half-chokehold, laughing.


    ¡°I KNEW IT! YOU WERE OUT THERE TAKING CONTRACTS OFF THE BOARD, HUH?! BIG MAN, BIG GOLD!¡±


    A woman slapped his shoulder, grinning. ¡°What¡¯s your Kenda, stranger? You gotta tell us now.¡±


    Kaelis couldn¡¯t breathe. Not because of his injuries, but because this was the most attention he had gotten in years.


    ¡®I¡¯m getting claustrophobic! I wanna tell them to buzz off, but that would be super mean. I know they mean well. It still feels embarrassing, but¡­nice?¡¯


    His face was burning, his ears red, his mind struggling to process the overwhelming energy. He wasn¡¯t used to being celebrated¡ªnot like this. These people were treating him like he was some kind of legendary warrior.


    What the hell was he supposed to do?


    Nyxa floated past him, baskets of goat legs in hand, smirking. ¡°My, my. A hero¡¯s welcome. How sweet.¡±


    Kaelis gritted his teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t. Say. Anything.¡±


    Nyxa giggled.


    As they finally moved through the streets, Nyxa still stuffing herself with food, Kaelis exhaled, finally free from the mob of warriors. He glanced at her, still feeling the remnants of their fight, still feeling the way his own battle instincts had been enhanced by her power.


    He tilted his head. ¡°Alright. Enough of the vague cryptic bullshit. What¡¯s your power, really?¡±


    Nyxa swallowed another goat leg whole and exhaled deeply, licking her fingers. ¡°Mm. Fine. You deserve an answer.¡±


    She held out her hand, the glow of her golden eyes flickering slightly. ¡°My power isn¡¯t just music, Kaelis. It¡¯s control.¡±


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes. ¡°Control?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Every note I play isn¡¯t just sound. It¡¯s a law. A binding rule that dictates reality as I see fit in my symphony, my world.¡± She plucked a single note. ¡°My power isn¡¯t Kenda in the traditional sense,¡± she continued, ¡°because it isn¡¯t bound to elements or raw energy. It¡¯s a command¡ªa direct order to existence.¡±


    Kaelis swallowed.


    ¡®That¡¯s terrifying.¡¯


    Nyxa grinned. ¡°Now do you understand why I don¡¯t need to be afraid?¡±


    Kaelis exhaled, rubbing his temple. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Nyxa chuckled. ¡°Mm. Good boy.¡±


    Kaelis scowled. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that. I already deal with a birdbrain who acts like that.¡±


    ¡®Hael.¡¯


    As Kaelis and Nyxa finally entered the heart of Othvendell, the air thick with the scent of cooked meats, smoke from blacksmith forges, and the lingering metallic tang of blood, two familiar figures were already waiting for them.


    Ripp stood first, bouncing anxiously on his heels, his mask tilted slightly as if he had been scanning the crowd for Kaelis. Beside him, Song stood with her arms crossed, leaning against a wooden post, her golden eyes flicking lazily over the blood-covered warrior approaching them.


    And then they saw him.


    Ripp¡¯s entire body stiffened. Song¡¯s eyes widened dramatically.


    Kaelis, covered in blood, bruises, and scars, casually waved a single hand. ¡°Yo.¡±


    The reaction was immediate.


    ¡°WHY THE HELL ARE YOU COVERED IN BLOOD?!¡± Ripp¡¯s voice cracked so hard he sounded like he was going through puberty all over again. His hands slapped against his mask, his entire body trembling.


    Song¡¯s expression was even more exaggerated, her jaw hanging open before she suddenly gasped and grabbed Ripp¡¯s shoulders. ¡°HOLY SHIT. KAELIS, WHO HURT YOU? WHO TOOK YOUR MONEY? WHO TOOK YOUR VIRGINITY? WAS IT AN APOSTLE?! DID YOU LOSE TO A GOD? WAIT¡ª¡± She snapped her fingers as if she just realized something. ¡°DID YOU SELL YOUR BODY FOR MONEY? I MEAN, I SUPPORT IT, BUT DAMN¡ª¡±


    Kaelis stared blankly.


    Before they could continue their theatrical breakdowns, Kaelis reached out, comedically grabbed Ripp by the throat, and effortlessly lifted him off the ground. ¡°My head¡­HURTS.¡±


    Ripp¡¯s legs kicked uselessly, his arms flailing. ¡°H-H-HEY¡ªL-L-LET¡¯S TALK ABOUT THIS¡ª¡±


    Song dramatically gasped and grabbed Ripp¡¯s shoulders, pretending to try and pull him free. ¡°NOOO, NOT LIKE THIS! I NEED HIS MONEY!¡±


    Kaelis huffed, dropping Ripp, who landed in a heap, gasping like a dying fish.


    ¡°Glad you worried about me, Ripp. But yeah, this Nyxa almost got me ripped in half.¡± Kaelis muttered, wiping blood off his face.


    Song, still laughing, nudged Ripp with her foot. ¡°Hey, bud, you still breathing?¡±


    Ripp weakly lifted a single thumb. ¡°Yeah¡­ just lost a few years of my life.¡±


    Then, their attention snapped to Nyxa, who was standing just behind Kaelis, still devouring an absurd amount of goat legs.


    Song blinked. ¡°Uh. Is she¡ª¡±


    Kaelis sighed, already exhausted. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her. She¡¯s a lunatic.¡±


    Nyxa waved lazily with a bone in her hand, still chewing. ¡°Heyooo!¡±


    Ripp turned his attention to Kaelis, ¡°Are you okay? What really happened?¡±


    ¡°Oh the usual. Fighting for my life, pretty normal at this point.¡±


    Nyxa brought up, ¡°I was using my Runic Song on him to help him. To control that berserk state so he can one day conquer it.¡±


    Ripp let out a sigh of relief, ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m glad.¡±


    ¡®After what happened with the butterflies¡­I¡¯m still glad he¡¯s not pissed at me for getting him involved with that. But I still can¡¯t help thinking I made him suffer. All because I wanted to be adventurous and explore.¡¯


    Ripp then suddenly jerked upright. ¡°Oh, Kaelis! I almost forgot!¡±


    Kaelis arched his brow. ¡°What happened? Is it still about the trapped king?¡±


    ¡°Not that, not right now. The evil cat and crow who tormented me are waiting for you outside the town.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ heart skipped a beat. His body tensed.


    He inhaled sharply. ¡°Hael and Ness¡­?¡±


    Ripp nodded. ¡°Yeah, they said they can¡¯t be seen in town because¡ªyou know what.¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t hesitate. He turned to Song. ¡°Stay here.¡±


    Song raised a brow. ¡°Bossing me around already? Hot.¡±


    ¡°Gross.¡±


    Outside the town, where the towering trees cast long shadows beneath the golden glow of Othvendell¡¯s setting sun, two figures waited.


    Ness and Hael stood in the open, their bodies stiff with tension.


    Ness, usually a picture of smug amusement, was pacing, his black tail flicking erratically, ears twitching like he was barely containing himself. Hael, the ever-graceful and flirty crow, had her wings half-spread, her feathers ruffled, her usual smirk absent.


    Kaelis immediately felt something was wrong.


    ¡®I missed them both actually. It¡¯s refreshing to see them again. I got so used to being alone, that the first people I come across, I¡¯m fond of.¡¯


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Ness¡¯ head snapped up. His ears flattened, and for once, his eyes didn¡¯t hold an ounce of arrogance. ¡°It¡¯s Espen.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ entire body locked up. ¡°Is she okay?!¡±


    Hael spoke next, her voice calm but urgent. ¡°She vanished last night.¡±


    Kaelis felt his heartbeat slam in his chest. ¡°What do you mean ¡®vanished¡¯?¡±


    Ness crossed his arms, exhaling through his nose sharply. ¡°She left while we were sleeping. Didn¡¯t say shit. Just took off.¡±


    Kaelis gritted his teeth. He should have expected this. Espen wasn¡¯t the type to sit still.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t leave by accident,¡± Hael added, adjusting her talons. ¡°She had a plan, or so it seemed. And whyyy are you covered in blood?¡±


    Kaelis exhaled sharply, his frustration growing. ¡°Fought some orcs is all. And you just let her leave? Aren¡¯t you bound to her or something?¡±


    Ness¡¯ ears twitched violently. ¡°Oh sure, Kaelis. We just LET HER WALK OUT INTO A KINGDOM FILLED WITH HUNTERS WHO WANT TO MOUNT HER HEAD ON A WALL. BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GET A LITTLE EXTRA BEAUTY SLEEP.¡± His tail lashed aggressively, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Kaelis held up a hand. ¡°Alright, alright. I get it.¡±


    ¡®Man that was a stupid question I asked. What was I thinking?¡¯


    Ness took a deep breath, composing himself. ¡°We know where she is. She¡¯s far, but we can track her¡ªwe¡¯re bound to her power because of Maela.¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Hael lowered her wings, gesturing with her talons. ¡°Hop on. The longer we wait, the farther she gets.¡±


    Kaelis moved instantly, climbing onto Hael¡¯s back, with Ripp scrambling on behind him.


    Kaelis told Ripp, ¡°Gonna make a detour on our little trip. I suggest you get off and make some money for us here so we can get a ride to your king.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not gonna just abandon our mission to free the king. I just really need to help them. Nothings gonna stop me.¡±


    ¡°..O-Oh okay. Got it. I¡¯ll be here, working my ASS off.¡±


    ¡°Good, good.¡±


    Ripp thought, ¡®I wanted to go with him, just in case he had a reason not to just up and leave, like everyone else does. I still feel bad about what happened, it¡¯s made me scared of creating bonds and making friends. Because of how I am, eager, adventurous, reckless, nervous¡­I don¡¯t wanna change my whole persona just to keep people around me. Let¡¯s hope he comes back.¡¯


    Then, as they lifted into the air, a single thought crept into Kaelis¡¯ mind.


    ¡®Why was I so eager to help her? To help Espen? She tied me up, and even blasted me with her darkness¡­¡¯


    The answer never came.


    As Hael¡¯s wings cut through the air, they vanished into the sky¡ª


    Then at that moment, Nyxa was in front of them, playing her harp, and asked, ¡°Where are you going, Kaelis?¡±


    Ness and Hael said at the same time, ¡°Who the hell is she?¡±


    Ness added, ¡°Big ass harp.¡±


    Hael said, ¡°She a bard of something? Move lady.¡±

 Chapter 14: Giants Eye

    The wind stirred, carrying with it the scent of iron, dust, and the endless struggle of Vjosgard. The sun, a burning titan hanging high in the sky, cast its golden gaze across the land, stretching Kaelis¡¯ shadow long against the earth. Hael¡¯s massive wings unfurled, feathers glinting under the harsh light, ready to lift them into the sky.


    Then¡ªa single note cut through the air.


    Not loud. Not overbearing. But it commanded silence.


    Kaelis felt his stomach twist.


    He recognized that sound.


    It hummed through the trees, warping the very air, turning the wind unnaturally still. It was like the moment before a predator strikes¡ªthat frozen second where prey realizes it¡¯s already too late.


    And then¡ªshe was there.


    Nyxa.


    She floated before them, playing her harp, golden eyes locked onto Kaelis. There was no warning, no explanation¡ªjust the slow, eerie melody curling around them.


    Kaelis froze.


    Ness and Hael reacted immediately. Instinct. Survival. Their bodies coiled like springs, sharp gazes locking onto the mysterious figure in front of them.


    ¡°Who the hell is she?¡± Ness and Hael demanded at the same time, ears and wings twitching in alarm.


    Ness narrowed his golden eyes. ¡°Big ass harp.¡±


    Hael cocked her head. ¡°She a bard or something? Move, lady.¡±


    Nyxa didn¡¯t move.


    Kaelis couldn¡¯t breathe. His skin felt cold, crawling with the sensation of being watched too closely. His instincts screamed danger.


    ¡®That demon god or whatever told me she can¡¯t be trusted¡­could he actually be right¡­? Is she planning on fighting? Why? For what?! If the fight does start, I have to drag her away from the others. She¡¯s not an enemy so far. But she wasn¡¯t a friend either. She¡¯s unpredictable¡­¡¯


    The air grew heavier, the tension thick enough to choke on.


    Then, finally¡ªNyxa smiled.


    ¡°I want to go with you.¡±


    Immediate rejection.


    ¡°No.¡± Ness and Hael said in unison.


    Nyxa tilted her head.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Ness crossed his arms. ¡°Not happening.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Hael flapped her wings once, sharply. ¡°Turn around, bard.¡±


    Nyxa¡¯s fingers brushed the harpstrings, the sound eerily delicate. ¡°Bard?¡±


    Ness nodded. ¡°Big-ass harp. Plays music. Bard.¡±


    Nyxa chuckled, amused.


    Hael exhaled sharply. ¡°We got enough mouths to feed, lady.¡±


    Ness pointed at Kaelis. ¡°Yeah, this one eats like a goddamn beast. We¡¯re already struggling.¡±


    Kaelis scowled. ¡°I never even ate in front of¡ªohhh.¡±


    ¡®They¡¯re making up lies so she won¡¯t have to go with us. Clever.¡®


    Nyxa¡¯s gaze flicked back to him. ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡±


    The tension snapped.


    A second later¡ªNyxa was sitting comfortably on Hael¡¯s back.


    Hael collapsed instantly.


    ¡°OH, HELL NO¡ª¡± The crow squawked loudly, her talons flailing as she thrashed against the ground. ¡°Get this heavy bitch off of me!¡±


    Ness immediately backed her up. ¡°Yeah! Yeah! You weigh like a goddamn horse!¡±


    Nyxa grinned, resting her chin on her hand. ¡°What a rude pair of creatures. And here I thought you were supposed to be elegant.¡±


    ¡°ELEGANT MY CROW ASS, GET OFF¡ª¡±


    Kaelis watched the absolute chaos unfolding, arms crossed, as Hael and Ness dramatically writhed in the dirt, trying to shake Nyxa loose while yelling increasingly exaggerated insults about her weight, even though Nyxa wasn¡¯t heavy, they were just trying their hardest to get rid of her.¡±


    Kaelis rolled his eyes. ¡°You literally float everywhere. What the hell do you need a ride for?¡±


    Nyxa shrugged lazily. ¡°I¡¯m feeling lazy. And I wanna enjoy my goat legs in peace.¡±


    Kaelis groaned.


    A few minutes later, Hael gave up, lying flat against the ground in defeat. ¡°I hate everything.¡±


    Nyxa patted her head. ¡°You¡¯ll get over it.¡±


    Hael twitched.


    As they soared over Vjosgard, the land stretched below them, alive and restless.


    The kingdom thrived in endless movement. Farmers tilled the fields, their muscles straining under the weight of their tools. Blacksmiths hammered away at molten steel, sparks raining down like golden stars. Warriors trained in open-air arenas, brutal and relentless, sharpening their blades and their bodies alike.


    Vjosgard was a kingdom that never rested.


    Yet Kaelis¡¯ mind was elsewhere.


    Espen.


    ¡®Where could she have fun off to?¡¯


    His fingers clenched.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    Kaelis snapped his head toward Ness.


    The cat wasn¡¯t looking at him, his eyes fixed on the horizon. ¡°She¡¯s still alive. That¡¯s what gives me a sense of hope. I¡¯m not gonna let panic and fear override me right now. It doesn¡¯t help in this case.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ chest tightened. ¡°I¡¯m living proof of her well being¡­¡±


    Ness¡¯ eyes flicked to him. ¡°Because you are alive. she dies, you die.¡±


    Kaelis froze.


    ¡°The Mark of Bondage,¡± Ness explained, tail flicking behind him. ¡°If she died, you¡¯d know.¡±


    Kaelis exhaled. He didn¡¯t like thinking about that. He didn¡¯t like remembering that he was bound to her like this.


    Ness smirked. ¡°Look at it this way¡ªif Espen were dead, you would¡¯ve blown up brutally by now. Brains and heart and flesh matter would shoot out insanely¡ª.¡±


    Kaelis scoffed. ¡°OKAY I GET IT. Real comforting, cat.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my job, human brat.¡±


    The conversation shifted.


    Ness¡¯ ears twitched. ¡°¡­I feel like this is my fault.¡±


    Kaelis frowned. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡®He¡¯s not kidding around..¡¯


    Ness sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his paw. ¡°Espen¡­ she trained hard. Really hard, right before you left. Pushed herself like hell with me and Hael. She wanted more battle experience. More control. More power. And you know why?¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°She hates being saved.¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ chest tightened.


    Ness¡¯ voice was quieter now, more serious. ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to be weak. Doesn¡¯t want to be that kid again. The one who had to run, who had no control over her power. She doesn¡¯t want to be a damsel.¡±


    Kaelis looked down.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t push herself this hard before you showed up,¡± Ness admitted. ¡°Me and Hael think¡­ you¡¯re changing her.¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t know how to reply.


    He let out a slow breath. ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep her alive. Mostly because I don¡¯t want to die, but also¡­¡±


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    He hesitated.


    ¡°She pushes me away, but¡­ I enjoy her.¡± He exhaled sharply. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m getting attached too fast. Maybe I¡¯m just afraid of being alone again. But I¡¯m¡­ cherishing what I have.¡±


    Ness was quiet.


    For a brief moment, his mind flickered to the past.


    To the snow.


    To his kittens, playfully chasing each other, pouncing on him, learning how to hunt small bugs under the frost.


    Then, just as quickly¡ªhe shoved the memory away.


    ¡°I was powered up in a cool way by Maela to protect Espen,¡± Ness muttered. ¡°And I don¡¯t want to fail her. That¡¯s why I came to you. Though I know you¡¯re on a mission, you¡¯re strong.¡± His voice lingered in the wind, fading into silence.


    ¡°But you know my berserk state..I can¡¯t control it fully..you still took the risk on me? To save her from danger?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I know you¡¯re not going to hurt her, even within that state.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be too sure. You just¡­can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t. But with the continent against us, you¡¯re our only hope of power.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± Kaelis tapped his leg.


    ¡®He has a point. I¡¯m the only one they can trust, alongside Ripp, a little. And Nyxa, she knows Maela, so she doesn¡¯t seem to have any reason to hunt Espen anyway based on what she¡¯s told me.¡¯


    The sky stretched ahead, vast and endless.


    Espen was out there.


    And they were coming for her.


    Hael then asked Nyxa, ¡°Sooo, weird bard. Why EXACTLY did you want to come?¡±


    Nyxa smiled, ¡°Because I can¡¯t let Kaelis die. He¡¯s my..partner. To kill the False Angels, those wretched Apostles. And who knows? Maybe Espen is involved with a remnant of a god, or a demon. There¡¯s a reason why the Apostles haven¡¯t gone ahead and tried to get rid of each remnant and lingering power of gods. The Apostles will allow the surviving gods and demons to cause havoc, or the remnants of them, or lingering power of them, to go wild, so they can come in at the last minute and save people. They may even sacrifice people in the process, but as long as they¡¯re collecting new Apostles and those who believe in them and admit to it¡­they don¡¯t care. People can¡¯t receive the soul rune without really believing in the Apostles.¡±.


    Kaelis looked at Ness and Hael, and then Kaelis looked out in the distance.


    ¡®They¡¯ll let things get out of control just to save people at the last minute so they can believe in them truly? Bastards¡­no wonder Maela wants their heads too.¡¯


    ¡­..


    Meanwhile, Espen and the SSUG (Cairn, Vaelith, and Iridia) were climbing the beanstalk.


    Espen, still pretending to be drunk, let herself sway slightly, voice slurring as she hummed to herself.


    Cairn grumbled. ¡°This climb is hell.¡±


    Vaelith sighed. ¡°It builds character.¡±


    Iridia stretched her shoulders. ¡°It builds pain.¡±


    They found a clearing in the beanstalk where they could rest, and Cairn suggested they take a break.


    Water and a unique drink were passed around¡ªone that had healing properties mixed with mild intoxication, used by warriors in Vjosgard to push through exhaustion.


    Iridia took a long sip. ¡°Ah. The taste of suffering.¡±


    They relaxed for a moment, taking a breather before continuing their climb.


    As they settled onto the wide, flat surface of the beanstalk, Cairn tossed his heavy pack onto the ground with a grunt, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension from the climb. Vaelith adjusted his grimoire strap, while Iridia stretched her arms overhead, letting out an exaggerated groan.


    ¡°This climb is hell,¡± Cairn muttered, pulling out his waterskin and taking a deep swig. ¡°I said that already, didn¡¯t I? Yeah, probably did.¡±


    Vaelith smirked, his golden sigils shifting lazily in the air beside him. ¡°It builds character.¡±


    Iridia flopped onto the ground, arms stretched out beside her. ¡°It builds pain.¡±


    Espen, still keeping up her drunken act, swayed slightly as she plopped down onto a thick vine, her masked face tilted up toward the sky. She hummed softly, letting the others think she wasn¡¯t paying attention.


    ¡®A break?¡¯


    Cairn dug into his pack, pulling out a deep bronze flask engraved with ancient Vjosgardian runes. He popped the cork and poured a dark, amber-hued liquid into a small tin cup, the strong scent of spiced smoke and fermented fruit filling the air.


    Iridia perked up immediately. ¡°Oho? We breaking out the good stuff?¡±


    Vaelith raised an eyebrow. ¡°You sure? We still have a lot of climbing ahead.¡±


    Cairn smirked. ¡°A little Silentbrew never hurt anyone.¡±


    Espen tilted her head, playing into her role. ¡°Wha¡¯ that?¡±


    Iridia grabbed the cup from Cairn before he could even answer, downing it in one go. She hissed, a slow grin spreading across her face. ¡°Ah. The taste of suffering.¡±


    Espen gave a dramatic drunken gasp. ¡°Gimme.¡±


    Cairn chuckled, pouring another small cup and handing it to her. ¡°Careful, masked drunk lady. This isn¡¯t normal liquor.¡±


    Espen pretended to fumble with it before taking a careful sip. The moment it hit her tongue, a warmth spread through her body¡ªspiced, smoky, with an undertone of honeyed citrus and a sharp, burning aftertaste that lingered on her lips.


    Iridia, now fully invested, leaned back against a vine. ¡°Silentbrew. Vjosgard¡¯s warrior¡¯s drink. Strong enough to wake the dead and put fire in your gut. It¡¯s a mix of fermented pyre-fruit, aged in barrels carved from emberwood, and blended with ground scorchroot. Helps with pain, exhaustion, and apparently, bad decisions.¡±


    Vaelith chuckled. ¡°Mostly the last one.¡±


    Cairn stretched out his legs, taking a slow sip from the flask. ¡°In battle, it keeps you on your feet when you should¡¯ve already dropped. But drink too much, and you¡¯ll wake up either in someone¡¯s bed or in a ditch. Sometimes both.¡±


    Iridia grinned. ¡°So, it¡¯s perfect.¡±


    Espen let the liquid burn down her throat, rolling it over in her mind. She¡¯d tasted stronger alcohol before, but Silentbrew had something else¡ªa pulse, an energy, a feeling that seeped into the muscles and bones. It wasn¡¯t just a drink. It was history.


    ¡®It¡¯s disgusting.¡¯


    For warriors of Vjosgard, it was a tradition. A ritual. A silent oath to endure.


    She let out a fake, exaggerated sigh. ¡°Mmm. I feel like I could fight a hundred knights.¡±


    Cairn chuckled. ¡°Good. Maybe you¡¯ll be useful on the way up.¡±


    Espen made a show of slumping back against the vine, ¡®drunkenly¡¯ waving him off. ¡°Shhh. Lemme enjoy this.¡±


    Vaelith smirked, flipping open his grimoire as golden runes flickered through the pages. ¡°We¡¯ll rest for a bit longer. Then we climb.¡±


    The air settled into a brief peace. The distant whistle of wind through the beanstalk¡¯s massive leaves, the creaking groan of the living plant shifting under them, and the lingering warmth of Emberbrew in their veins.


    Espen closed her eyes for a moment.


    She wasn¡¯t drunk.


    But the fire in her gut?


    That was real.


    And she¡¯d need it for what came next.


    Iridia laughed victoriously, clutching the bronze flask of Silentbrew like a trophy, her fingers curled tightly around its worn surface. ¡°You should¡¯ve brought more,¡± she teased, taking another long swig.


    Cairn groaned, running a hand through his white hair. ¡°You¡¯re gonna drink all of it before we even reach the top, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Vaelith smirked, lounging lazily against a thick vine. ¡°Of course she is. She¡¯s like a damn leech when it comes to alcohol.¡±


    Iridia grinned over the rim of the flask. ¡°Leeches don¡¯t enjoy the taste. This?¡± She took a slow, exaggerated sip, sighing with satisfaction. ¡°This is divine.¡±


    Cairn lunged.


    In an instant, Iridia twisted away, cackling as she ducked under his grasp. She vaulted over a thick root, her armor clanking as she landed nimbly on the other side.


    ¡°Thief!¡± Cairn barked, his golden eyes gleaming.


    ¡°I earned this,¡± Iridia countered, taking another swig, narrowly dodging as Cairn reached for her again.


    Vaelith sighed dramatically. ¡°Children. All of you.¡±


    That was before Cairn tackled Iridia.


    They hit the ground hard, rolling across the thick beanstalk, grappling like wild animals. The flask went flying¡ªand Vaelith, with a simple flick of his wrist, used a golden sigil to catch it mid-air.


    He took a casual sip.


    ¡°Delightful,¡± he mused.


    Iridia, pinned beneath Cairn, reached for her axe. ¡°I will end you.¡±


    Vaelith smirked, holding the flask just out of reach. ¡°Such violent tendencies. Perhaps you should reflect on why you feel the need to solve all your problems with brute force.¡±


    Iridia gritted her teeth. ¡°Give it back before I reflect your skull into the ground.¡±


    Cairn, still pinning her, let out a sigh. ¡°Vaelith, I swear to the gods, just give it to her. If she doesn¡¯t get her alcohol, she¡¯ll start throwing us instead.¡±


    Vaelith twirled the flask in his fingers, then tossed it lightly. Iridia snatched it mid-air and rolled to her feet, dusting herself off.


    Espen watched all of this silently.


    Inwardly, she was already done.


    ¡®We don¡¯t need to waste any more time. I didn¡¯t come here to laugh. I came here to finish a contract, get stronger, and move on.¡¯


    She exhaled sharply and grabbed the vine, starting to climb again.


    Immediately, a hand gripped her wrist.


    Cairn.


    ¡°Patience, masked lady,¡± he said easily. ¡°Rushing into a fight is the fastest way to die.¡±


    Espen, still acting drunk, swayed slightly. ¡°Wanna get this over with so I can drown in liquor,¡± she muttered.


    Vaelith snorted. ¡°And that¡¯s how you definitely get yourself killed.¡±


    Cairn nodded, releasing her wrist. ¡°We rest. Then we move.¡±


    As the laughter settled and the heat of the Silentbrew dulled to a warm hum in their veins, the conversation turned.


    Cairn leaned back, watching Espen carefully. ¡°You¡¯re an odd one,¡± he mused. ¡°Since we¡¯re climbing to what might be our deaths, why don¡¯t we share a bit about ourselves? Might make it less awkward when we have to carry your corpse back down.¡±


    Espen fake-giggled, swaying slightly. ¡°Haha..don¡¯t care..¡±


    Cairn smirked, resting an arm on his knee. ¡°Fine.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say it like a confession. He said it like he was playing a game.


    ¡°I¡¯ve led other guilds before,¡± Cairn began, eyes flickering with something unreadable. ¡°And each one ended the same way. Betrayal. Death. You¡¯d think people who fight together would actually stay together.¡±


    Espen tilted her head. ¡°And why didn¡¯t they?¡±


    Cairn¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Because gold always speaks louder. And people will always choose it over loyalty.¡±


    Espen narrowed her eyes beneath her mask. He said it so casually. So expected.


    ¡°So,¡± Cairn continued, rolling his shoulders, ¡°I learned. I don¡¯t believe in permanence anymore. You fight, you survive, you move on.¡± His golden gaze flickered toward her. ¡°It¡¯s easier that way.¡±


    Espen didn¡¯t respond.


    Cairn grinned. ¡°But I¡¯ll tell you this¡ªI plan on making my name so damn big, so damn untouchable, that no one will ever dare to stab me in the back again. That¡¯s why I¡¯m headed to the Ursel Continent. A little notoriety makes life a hell of a lot safer.¡±


    Espen nodded, keeping her expression neutral.


    Then, Vaelith spoke.


    ¡°Me?¡± he mused. ¡°I used to be part of a very prestigious sect of scholars. Smart people. Too smart, really.¡±


    Espen raised an eyebrow. ¡°Let me guess. You pissed them off.¡±


    Vaelith smirked. ¡°Pissed them off is an understatement. I uncovered something. Something about Kenda. Something¡­ wrong.¡±


    Espen leaned forward slightly. ¡°Wrong how?¡±


    Vaelith¡¯s smirk faltered just a fraction. ¡°The kind of wrong that makes people hunt you down and erase your name from history.¡±


    A pause.


    Then, just as quickly, he grinned. ¡°But hey, that¡¯s a problem for another day.¡± He flicked his wrist, a golden glyph spinning lazily in the air. ¡°I¡¯m going to the Ursel Continent because that¡¯s where the rich bastards hoard all their ancient tomes. And somewhere in there is the answer I need.¡±


    Espen eyed him carefully.


    Finally, Iridia spoke. ¡°I¡¯m from the Ironbane Clans. You know them?¡±


    Espen nodded. Everyone knew the Ironbane Clans. Warriors forged in endless battle. Bloodline meant everything to them.


    Iridia exhaled. ¡°I was supposed to be another warlord. Another cog in the machine. Another Ironbane name written in blood. But I walked away.¡±


    Espen raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why?¡±


    Iridia¡¯s fingers drummed against her halberd. ¡°Because I don¡¯t give a shit about my bloodline. I care about my own name, not my ancestors¡¯. I want to forge a legend that¡¯s mine and mine alone.¡±


    Espen studied her.


    Ironbane never walked away. That was interesting.


    Cairn stretched. ¡°And you? What¡¯s your story, masked lady?¡±


    Espen paused.


    ¡®Come on Espen..think of something a drunk woman would say!¡¯


    Then she leaned forward and, with a completely straight face, said, ¡°I was raised by sentient raccoons.¡±


    The guild stared.


    Iridia leaned in. ¡°Go on.¡±


    Espen, voice serious, continued. ¡°I was abandoned as a child. Found by a raccoon elder. He took me in. Trained me in the ways of the night. I learned how to sneak, how to fight, how to crack open a locked chest with nothing but a well-placed kick.¡± She sighed wistfully. ¡°It was a simple life, but a good one.¡±


    Vaelith was entranced. ¡°And the raccoons? Where are they now?¡±


    Espen placed a hand over her chest. ¡°Gone. Taken by the owls.¡±


    Cairn narrowed his eyes. ¡°The owls. Natural enemies of raccoons, of course.¡±


    Espen nodded solemnly.


    The SSUG took a long moment to process this information.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°I believe her,¡± Iridia said.


    Cairn sighed. ¡°Gods help me, I do too. Alright, it¡¯s been long enough. Ready to climb up more?¡±


    Espen got up fast, ¡°Yes!¡±


    The Land of the Giants


    They reached the top.


    The Titan¡¯s Spine stretched before them, an expanse of blackened peaks and shifting earth, where molten rivers pulsed beneath jagged cliffs. The sky was veiled in thick haze, the golden sun barely piercing through. The air was hot, carrying the distant rumble of something ancient beneath their feet.


    Cairn¡¯s voice was low. ¡°No giants in sight. Stay sharp.¡±


    Espen took a step forward¡ª


    Her foot sank into something wet.


    Her heart stopped.


    Everyone froze.


    Then¡ª


    A massive eye slowly opened beneath them.


    And they were standing on it.