In the corner of the dark room where Zharok stood, heavy footsteps were heard. Another figure, a Death Knight, emerged from the shadows, wearing thick, rusty armor and a helmet cracked at the forehead. The same green light shone from the eyes of the helmet. The greatsword he held gave off a cold aura, as if it were sucking the life out of the air around it.
“They may have won that fight” the Death Knight said in a low, deep voice.
“But the power of the crystal has not been fully utilized. They do not even know its true potential.”
Zharok laughed, a sound that resembled a combination of the last gasps of the dead and the roar of gloomy thunder.
“That’s right. That is their weakness. They have the crystal, but they do not know how to use it. I can smell their ignorance from here. They are merely pawns in this game.”
The crystal ball in front of Zharok shimmered for a moment, emitting a light that depicted Loren and his group as they began to move away from the village.
“We must act before they have time to understand the power of the crystal.”
The Death Knight nodded slowly, raising his sword slightly.
“I will gather my troops. They will not be able to get far before the dark magic catches up to them.”
Zharok shook his head slowly, his eyes still glued to the crystal ball.
“No. We will play smarter this time. The undead are always a visible threat. I want them to feel the creeping fear before they realize what is really after them.”
He stared straight into the crystal ball and began to chant in the ancient dark language. The crystal ball slowly turned, showing the next location where the second crystal would appear in the southern mountains, where the Dragonians the gods of the dragons lived.
“This is the time.” Zharok continued, looking at the Death Knight.
“We will not only go after their crystal. We will seize it when they begin to seek the second crystal. They will be divided, weak, and unfocused. Let the other races destroy them first while we move to get the second crystal. Then, humans will no longer be a threat.”
The Death Knight smiled cruelly beneath his helmet, then turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Zharok to continue staring at the crystal ball. The dark aura around his room grew stronger, hinting that a great war between the races was imminent. Zharok raised his gleaming staff and said with hatred,
“The human race has always been weak. And they will be destroyed with or without crystals.”
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When morning came, they hurried to the ancient temple.
“I can’t wait to learn the secret of this sword,” Loren said. They traveled a long way through dense forests and rugged mountains. Along the way, Anne used her magic harp to protect them from the dangerous creatures that inhabited the area. The soft sound of the harp resonated with nature, creating an energy barrier that prevented attacks from wild animals and monsters.
Howard led the way, showing the path to the temple that was hidden atop an old, abandoned hill. He looked increasingly serious and cautious because he knew this temple was no ordinary place. Many long-forgotten secrets and dangers were buried there.
Loren, on the other hand, was increasingly haunted by strange flashes of memory every time he held the sword. Every step he took became heavier, as if something were holding him back. Images of fierce battles and strange creatures flashed through his mind. He began to feel a deeper connection with the sword, but he still didn’t understand what exactly made it so special.
"I feel like... this sword is calling me here," Loren said in confusion, looking at the sword that was now shimmering faintly.
"The sword has a long history, Loren. It contains far more power than you might think," Howard replied, occasionally glancing at the sword with reverence.
"My friend believes that this sword is the key to winning this holy war. But only in this temple can we find the answer."
After a long journey, they finally arrived at an ancient temple hidden amidst old ruins. The building looked as if it had been forgotten by time, with large pillars covered in moss and vines. However, amidst the destruction, a strong aura of magical power could still be felt. In the center of the temple, there was a large altar covered in ancient carvings in a language they did not recognize.
"This is it. This is the place I was talking about," Howard said, pointing to the altar that was shimmering with a mysterious light.
Anne approached the carvings around the altar and began to play the strings of her harp softly.
"I feel something powerful here... this energy is unlike anything I've ever felt before," she said in concentration.
"Truly, this is a place full of mystical power."
Loren slowly approached the altar, feeling the sword in his hand grow heavier. As he placed the Sacred Relic on the altar, a sudden ray of light shot out from the ancient carvings. The light enveloped the sword and slowly formed the shadow of a knight that appeared before them. The knight was Eleanor, an ancient warrior who had once been the owner of the Sacred Relic.
"Who are you?" Loren asked, stunned by the shadowy figure that appeared before him.
Eleanor, with her dignified gaze, looked at Loren.
"I am Eleanor, a knight from ancient times. This sword is my inheritance, and only those with the strength and courage to shoulder a heavy destiny are worthy to hold it. However, Loren, even though this sword is in your hands, you have not yet fully awakened. There are secrets you must learn within yourself before you can use the full power of this Sacred Relic."
Eleanor explained that the Sacred Relic was no ordinary sword. Locked within the sword was an ancient power that could only be accessed by one bound to the destiny of holy war. Loren was the chosen one, but he was not yet fully ready to use it.
“You have seen flashes of battle in your mind, have you not? They are visions of the future and the past. Each time you fight, you are one step closer to full awakening,” Eleanor said, looking deeply into Loren’s eyes.
“But remember this: great power comes with great sacrifice. And to fully control the Sacred Relic, you will be faced with difficult choices.”
Howard and Anne listened intently, realizing how important this journey was to Loren. Anne, who had become involved in this holy war, though hesitant at first, began to feel a sense of shared responsibility. They were not just fighting for their own safety but for the fate of the entire human race.
CHAPTER 7: HISTORY OF THE HOLY WAR"Long ago, before the current holy war, there were only three races fighting: Humans, Undead, and Elves," Eleanor began. "That battle was very different. There were no seven crystal shards like today there was only one great crystal that was the center of power and desire for all races."Loren listened intently, while Howard and Anne, who were standing nearby, also focused on the story."Back then, the great crystal had the power to change reality. Whoever touched it would become the ruler of this world. But as you know, such power attracts hatred and greed. War broke out, and the Undead, led by King Tharoth, attacked brutally, slaughtering entire armies of Elves and Humans.""As I stood before Tharoth, I could feel the darkness seeping into my bones. The temperature suddenly dropped drastically, and Tharoth's every step shattered the ground beneath him, making it feel like the end of everything."Tharoth swung his giant black staff, a weapon made f
CHAPTER 8: NEW ENEMY“The location of the second crystal has been determined.” The system that controlled the holy battle announced that the crystal had been detected in the southern mountains, right in the territory of the Dragonians. The Dragonians, a race with incredible physical strength and magic, would not be easily defeated.“We need to move now, if the Dragonians already know the location of the crystal, we might be too late.” Howard said. As Loren, Howard, and Anne prepared to head to the second crystal, a thick cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped them. Two robots emerged from the fog, one with a whirring gun and the other firing small explosions that made the ground tremble. The two robots appeared to be highly trained and coordinated. Without warning, they opened fire on Loren’s team, who were immediately caught off guard and cornered. The gunfire continued to pour down on them from all directions, forcing them to act quickly.“Howard, give me a shield!” Loren shouted, tryi
CHAPTER 9: THE BATTLE OF THE UNDEAD AND THE CHIMERAThe southern mountain region, known as the "Heavenly Mountains," was a breathtaking sight. Towering peaks seemed to float above the clouds, their snow-covered summits glistening in the sunlight. Thick white mist hung over deep valleys, while a cool breeze rustled through the boulders and steep cliffs. Hidden behind mossy stone walls, ancient shelters lay undisturbed, and swift rivers flowed gracefully through the valleys, adding to the area’s beauty. The Dragonians, who inhabited this serene landscape, lived in harmony with their surroundings, uninterested in holy combat only in maintaining the balance of their land. However, this tranquility was shattered by the looming presence of an undead army led by the Death Knights and Zharok, a cruel and merciless necromancer. Countless corpses, moving with stiff motions, filled the steep slopes of the mountains, creating a bleak and terrifying sight. They were relentless, advancing with a
CHAPTER 10: LOREN AND ZHAROK'S ENCOUNTERThe Death Knight moved with incredible power. Every time Vy attempted to strike, the Death Knight effortlessly blocked her blows, his sword spinning to counter each slash and thrust. Nelaeryn's arrows slammed into his armor, but they bounced off harmlessly, causing no significant damage.Seeing their attacks ineffective, Anfalen once again invoked his Blinding Light, concentrating his small fairies into a single, large ball of radiant energy. He raised his hand and released the brilliant sphere, which shot toward the Death Knight and exploded in a dazzling flash of light.However, the Death Knight was no ordinary foe. With a single swipe of his sword, he sliced the light in two, dispersing it like smoke. With a ferocious roar, he charged toward Nelaeryn. Vy and Anfalen shouted warnings, but Nelaeryn, who was preparing her bow, was too slow to dodge.In a powerful swing, the Death Knight slashed at Nelaeryn. His dark blade cut through the air wi
CHAPTER 11 : LOREN AND ZHAROK'S ENCOUNTERZharok raised his staff slowly, then slammed it on the ground with a force that shattered the silence. A magical vibration was felt in the air, and from the cracked ground, dozens of skeletons emerged. The skeletons raised their worn weapons, ready to attack at Zharok's command."Let us begin" Zharok smiled sinisterly.Loren took a deep breath, focusing his mind on the battle ahead. He had faced many enemies, but there was something about Zharok that was different, a power that was evil, dark, and boundless. With a loud shout, Zharok gave the command, and the skeletons moved forward in unison. They came like a great wave, charging toward Loren with the intention of destroying him.Without waiting, Loren blink forward with incredible speed. His sword swung quickly, cutting through the skeletons one by one. He zigzagged through the crowd, dodging their attacks and crushing their bones with the power of his sword. However, the more he destroyed,
CHAPTER 12 : SWORD PRISM PART 1Without hesitation, Howard summoned a shield of magic in front of him, a translucent barrier of shimmering light. The spider slammed into the shield with the force of a battering ram, its fangs scraping against the magical surface as it tried to break through. The force of the impact nearly knocked Howard off his feet, but he held on, gritting his teeth as he poured more energy into the shield.“Do you really think you can hold out forever, mage? My creation will tear you apart!” Zharok’s mocking laughter echoed across the battlefield. The spider lashed out again, its legs stabbing at the shield like spears. Cracks began to form in the barrier, and Howard could feel his strength waning. His breathing was ragged, sweat trickling down his brow as he struggled to maintain the spell. The spider was relentless, and Howard knew he couldn’t hold it back much longer."Come on, think!" he muttered to himself, his mind racing. He needed a plan, something that wo
CHAPTER 13 : SWORD PRISM PART 2 “Attack them, Nerubian!” Zharok’s voice echoed across the battlefield, his command for Nerubian, the monstrous spider, to attack sending a shiver through the air.The ground trembled beneath Howard's feet as Zharok's spider lurched forward, faster and more aggressive than ever before. Its massive legs thundered across the battlefield, crushing anything in its path, venom dripping from its fangs as it zeroed in on Howard.With a single thought, Howard willed the swords forward. They responded instantly, shooting through the air like beams of divine light. The air crackled as the holy swords raced toward their target, Zharok’s monstrous spider. These weren’t ordinary strikes; each blade was infused with sacred energy capable of piercing through even the toughest dark magic, and their sharpness was unmatched by any earthly weapon.The first sword struck, slicing through one of the spider’s armored legs with a sound that echoed across the battlefield like
CHAPTER 14 : HOWARD …Howard stood his ground, eyes locked on Zharok, the weight of the battle pressing on his shoulders. The air crackled with dark energy, swirling ominously around the necromancer. Despite his exhaustion, Howard refused to back down. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to rise, even as Zharok loomed over him, dark magic pulsing at his fingertips."You without your creation… are nothing," Howard spat, his voice sharp, taunting.Zharok’s eyes burned with hatred. The taunt struck deep. His control over the battlefield had been slipping ever since Howard and Loren destroyed the spider, and now, with that single sentence, Howard had struck a nerve. The necromancer’s fury exploded.“How dare you!” Zharok roared, his voice like thunder as he thrust his staff toward Howard. “I am the greatest necromancer in existence! You are an insect compared to me!”He slammed his staff into the ground, sending cracks through the earth. From the fissures, tendrils of pure shadow erupt
CHAPTER 69 : THE TWISTING FOREST: TRIAL OF DECEPTION“Okay, so where do we go now?” Loren muttered, unfolding the map as he leaned against a weathered boulder. The desert's heat still clung to his skin, but his thoughts were already focused on the next challenge.He traced his finger along the map’s path, stopping at a thick patch of green labeled ominously.“Next is The Twisting Forest.” he said, his brow furrowed.“The name’s not promising, but sitting around won’t get me anywhere.” he muttered, rolling the map back up. The lush expanse loomed ahead, a stark contrast to the barren desert behind him. It was time to move.The forest stood as a monolithic wall of green, its ancient trees twisted and gnarled as if shaped by centuries of storms. A shroud of mist clung to the air, giving the entire biome an otherworldly quality. Loren stepped cautiously into the dense thicket, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his greatsword. Each step felt heavier, as though the forest itse
CHAPTER 68 : THE SCORCHED EXPANSE"Okay, so where do we go now?" Loren muttered to himself as he unfolded the map Mayor Edran had given him. His eyes scanned the hand-drawn details, tracing the path from Aria Town toward his next destination.“It looks like there’s a desert ahead.” he continued, his finger resting on the wide expanse marked by jagged lines and faded ink. The map labeled it simply as The Scorched Expanse.Loren sighed and tucked the map into his satchel. “Great, Of course, it had to be a desert.” he murmured, tightening the strap of his cloak. With the sun just beginning to crest the horizon, Loren departed from Aria Town, his resolve stronger than ever. The cheers and gratitude of the villagers still echoed faintly in his ears, but his thoughts were fixed on the path ahead. Mayor Edran’s guidance had pointed him toward Dragonspire Mountain, but the journey would be anything but straightforward.Hours of walking turned into days. The grassy plains gave way to barren
CHAPTER 67 : THE THIRD CRYSTAL CLAIMED The next day, Loren decided to walk through the town once more, perhaps for the last time. His heart was heavy with the knowledge that he needed to move on soon, but he wanted to see the people and the streets he had helped protect one final time. The air buzzed with the sound of hammers and saws as villagers worked tirelessly to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. His footsteps crunched softly against the gravel paths, blending into the lively atmosphere of Aria Town.Though the celebration from the previous night had ended, its spirit lingered in the bright smiles of the townsfolk. Children laughed as they played near the fountain, and merchants called out cheerfully to passersby as they set up their wares. It was a scene of recovery and hope, and Loren found himself quietly cherishing it.As he passed, villagers paused to bow or wave, their faces alight with gratitude. A young girl, no older than seven, ran up to him, clutching a small woode
CHAPTER 66 : THE HERO OF ARIA The morning sun bathed Aria in warm golden light, a stark contrast to the gloom that had plagued the town during Vy’s reign of terror. As Loren approached the gates, he noticed the walls adorned with colorful banners, and the faint sound of laughter and music carried through the air.“Loren’s back! The hero returns!” The moment the townsfolk spotted him, a shout erupted. A wave of people poured out from the streets, their faces alight with joy and relief. Children darted ahead, pointing and cheering, their voices filled with excitement.“It’s true! He defeated the shadow!”Loren paused, momentarily overwhelmed by the attention. He had expected a town still reeling from its wounds, but instead, he was met with warmth and celebration.“Loren! You’ve returned victorious!” From the crowd emerged a middle-aged man dressed in formal attire, a broad-shouldered figure with a trimmed beard and a mayoral sash across his chest. His voice boomed as he stepped forwa
CHAPTER 65 : THE DANCE OF SHADOWS PART 2The forest seemed to hold its breath as the battle raged on. Loren’s fiery aura burned bright against the oppressive darkness of the clearing, his greatsword swinging in controlled arcs to keep Vy at bay. She moved like a wraith, her speed relentless, but the wounds she had sustained began to slow her movements. Blood dripped from her shoulder, leaving dark stains on the ground as she darted back into the shadows.Vy’s grin faltered, replaced by a grimace of frustration. Her dagger trembled in her hand, pulsing as if alive, its crimson light dimming momentarily. Loren saw the flicker of hesitation in her eyes and pressed forward.“Give it up, Vy. You can’t win this.” Loren said, his voice steady. Vy let out a low, guttural laugh, one that sent a chill through Loren’s spine. “Win? Loren, you misunderstand me. This is far from over.” Her voice was venomous, yet laced with something else, desperation. She took a step back, clutching her dagger
CHAPTER 64 : THE DANCE OF SHADOWS: LOREN VS. VYThe Whispering Woods was no longer the tranquil haven it had once been. The moonlight struggled to pierce through the canopy of gnarled branches, casting ghostly shadows that shifted with the wind. Loren tightened his grip on the hilt of his greatsword, his senses heightened. The once-familiar whispers of the forest now carried a sinister tone, an unnatural melody that seemed to taunt him with every step he took deeper into the woods.The people of Aria had spoken in hushed, fearful voices of a shadowy figure lurking within the forest, wielding a dagger that seemed alive with hunger. Loren knew the truth. This was no mere thief or rogue terrorizing the townsfolk; this was Vy. Her cursed dagger, once stained with his blood, had returned to claim more lives.Loren tread carefully, his boots crunching against the damp underbrush. The deeper he ventured, the heavier the air became, as though the forest itself recoiled from the malevolent for
CHAPTER 63 : THE FUNDAMENTALS OF COMBATAs Anne sat beneath the grove’s ancient trees that evening, the Elder Bard approached her with a gentle yet commanding presence. She carried a lyre in her hands, its golden strings shimmering in the fading sunlight.“You’ve done well with the Lullaby of Tranquility.” the Elder Bard said, her voice melodic yet firm.“But soothing melodies alone won’t protect you in battle. There will be moments when you must defend yourself and strike.”“Strike? You mean... offensive magic?” Anne looked up, curiosity lighting her eyes. “Exactly.” the Elder Bard replied. She strummed her lyre lightly, and a series of glowing notes floated into the air before dissolving into nothingness. “Your harp is more than an instrument of harmony. It is a weapon, and I will teach you how to wield it.”“Start small. Play a single note and let it resonate—not just in your ears, but in the air around you. Feel the energy it creates.” The Elder Bard knelt beside Anne, her grac
CHAPTER 62 : ANNE'S DISCOVERY: THE SYMPHONY OF SHADOWSThe Whispering Grove was alive with music. The rustling leaves, the soft hum of the wind, and the occasional chirping of distant birds, all blended into an eternal harmony. Anne had spent countless hours in the grove, her harp strings mimicking its melodies, her heart resonating with the grove's peaceful rhythm. Yet, despite her efforts, she sensed that the grove held something more, a deeper secret hidden within its symphony.The Elder Bard had been cryptic, as always. "The grove will reveal its truths to you when you’re ready." She said with a knowing smile. Anne hadn’t fully understood, but she trusted his wisdom.It was during one quiet evening, as twilight painted the skies in fiery orange and deep violet, that Anne ventured farther into the grove than ever before. The air was cooler here, the light softer, and the grove’s music more complex. Her fingers moved instinctively over her harp, her notes blending seamlessly with t
CHAPTER 61 : RESONANT GUARDThe Elder led Anne to a clearing within the Grove, where the air was charged with a different energy. The wind seemed to whisper in a language Anne couldn’t understand, and the trees loomed overhead, their boughs swaying in a rhythmic dance. The Elder gestured for Anne to stand in the center of the clearing.“Play.” the Elder instructed.Anne hesitated, her fingers trembling as she lifted her harp. She began to play, soft and tentative, the familiar notes flowing from her fingers. The sound was sweet and gentle, the melody a balm to her weary heart. But as she played, the music around her began to warp, twisting and bending into something darker, more forceful. The trees seemed to shudder in response, and the wind picked up, swirling around her in a violent frenzy. The ground beneath her feet trembled, and Anne’s heart pounded as she tried to steady her hands.Her music, once a gentle caress, now felt like a storm. It was chaotic, wild, and uncontrollable.