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2024-10-29 19:42:56A half-moon shone brightly in the midnight sky filled with stars that dotted across the darkness to no end. Silence loomed in the forests located deep within a secluded mountain, it was a silence that was almost eerie and unnatural.
There was a reason for this silence, a reason seeped in blood and terror.
In one particular clearing, with four pillars surrounding a tall marble platform that had once been the resting place of the ruler of these woods now stood a bloodied, mangled corpse. Blood dripped from it on all sides as the marble was dyed in a crimson red.
The body was so disfigured that you could no longer tell what species the creature once belonged to...
On top of the corpse stood the silhouette of what seemed to be a man, however this man was far from what you would call human...
It was a Monster.
Left arm was missing, its right arm was as black as night, covered in sharp scales and spikes with a hand that was more akin to a dragon’s claws than to a human’s palm and fingers.
A long thin black tail shook from side to side with its sharp spike-like end, akin to a sword’s tip.
Legs that were seemingly made out of bones, with a sharp white armor like appearance that ended on feet with the like of an eagle’s talons.
The head of this being was one similar to a young human male’s with rather long black hair, reaching down to its waist, however its face had many transparent scales around the left side that could be discerned through the human-like skin.
The face was also missing its left eye, thus this creature kept it closed at all times while the right eye was red like blood and in the shape of a slit.
The mouth had razor sharp teeth, similar to the many werebeasts that lived under the brilliance of the moon, as well as elongated canines like those of vampires.
The creature wore bloodied rags with many holes and tore up parts all over them, it would be a stretch to call them “clothes”.
Finally, on its neck was a snow-white fur mane, similar to a scarf that had also been splashed with blood at this time.
The humanoid shaped monster was feasting on what remained of the once proud ruler of the forests, a once powerful giant golden lion with a red flaming mane, the sheer aura of presence that this monster let out was enough to silence even the breaths of all creatures within the vicinity.
“Bitter...” The monster muttered, a lonesome gaze fixated on the bloody mess in front of it. “Wants something that tastes... No, no bitter...”
Within the quiet forest, all that one could hear was the munching of this one creature as it ate its prey.
…
On the eve of dawn, a young woman ran through the thick woods while her face and hands were scratched by the branches of trees.
‘How...! How did they find me...?!’ The girl thought, sweat dripping down her forehead as she panted heavily while running.
She was of short stature, perhaps around 5’4’’, wore a black cloak with a leather garb underneath, a small bag strapped to her hip and a thin rapier-like blade of exquisite craftsmanship on the other.
One of the branches from overhead reached out and took hold of the girl’s hood, revealing a long and beautiful golden blond hair that glistened with the rays of the morning sun.
She had a cute button nose that gave her a rather innocent look when accommodated by her cherry red lips, they stood out intensely on her face with its porcelain white skin, so smooth that it was seemingly carved out by the century’s greatest sculptor.
The girl’s eyes in particular were of astounding beauty, with a golden, red-violet mix that gave one the sense of looking at a sunset once they gazed into her eyes.
This gorgeous girl had been on the run for quite some time now, over an hour in fact. Were it not for her immense luck till this point then she would have undoubtedly been captured, killed or even worse.
However, one could argue that she had ran out of luck the moment she was discovered.
‘I need to reach the spirit altar! I know that there is one here somewhere!’ Her thoughts drifted, gaze focused on the path ahead and planning on what maneuvers to execute in order to find an escape.
“Run faster you numbskulls! She’s getting away! How can a frail looking nineteen year old girl outrun you, damn blocks of turds!” The gruff voice of a brawly man shouted, being heard in the distance by the pretty girl.
‘... Faster! They’re gaining on me, I’ll be found soon if I can’t find the altar of this forest!’ The girl thought and pushed forth, she was determined to survive this day.
Soon, she reached a clearing in the forest, stopping in her tracks to look at what she had found.
Breathing heavily, the girl looked through the strong rays of the sun by placing a hand over her eyes in an effort to create some shade. What she saw was four stone pillars surrounding a marble platform. The girl couldn’t help but smile, knowing that she had found what she was looking for.
However...
A sudden realization dawned on her once her vision got accustomed to the stronger rays of sunshine within the clearing.
The guardian of this altar was beyond any saving, all that was left was a huge stain of blood surrounding a broken-down skeleton while slowly drying all across the platform and beneath it.
“What... I don’t understand, the forest lord has been killed?!” She spoke up, her shock evident as her eyes opened widely from the surprise.
‘But without the guardian, I can’t sign a blood-spirit contract!’ She thought in frustration, her plan of survival had all but been ruined.
“Captain! We’ve found her, she’s standing in a clearing over there!” An armored man shouted whilst standing twenty meters away from the girl, he could spot her through the many bushes and greenery of the forests.
“Damn it...!” The girl turned, unsheathing her rapier-like thin blade and holding it with her right hand, she took a stance behind her sword and quickly backed up while watching the numerous armored men appear from within the woods.
They had seen her, there was no way they would let her escape now... But she couldn’t just give up! Even if it meant running while fighting, she would find a way out of this forest and complete her journey!
“Well, well look who we have here, if it isn’t lady Elyenora.” The gruff voice from earlier spoke, as a 6’1’’ tall middle-aged man with an unkept beard, scar running down his nose, and who was clad in silver armor walked in front of the men while clapping slowly with his hands. “We’ve been looking for you for quite some time now my lady! Come now, let me and my men escort you back to your home... Your elder brother misses you and would like to have a short little chat with you, you see...” The man spoke in a condescending, sarcastic matter.
“You can tell my brother to go eat your ass for all I care! You’re not taking me anywhere, Royal Knights Sixth division captain Roland Creek.” Elyenora spoke with determination, pointing her rapier at the division captain.
“Whoa, feisty one ain’tcha? I do like them like that though, you see, hehehe.” Roland smirked, looking over Elyenora. “You know, your brother never did say that you had to be in a good condition once we returned you...” His smirk turned to a large grin, malice pouring out of his every word.
“You’re disgusting, Roland Creek. I have no idea how a man like you ever became a captain of a knights’ division!” Elyenora shouted, gazing at the man in front of her as well as all the nearly twenty other people.
“Call me whatever you want princess, but I’m taking you away now. Your little struggle ends here.” Roland spoke sinisterly. “It would seem that you truly have no luck left, even the Spirit Altar’s guardian has died while you were on your way here! Hahahaha!” He laughed, amused at the amount of bad luck that the girl was facing.
She could feel the danger, she knew this might be the end of the line but there was no way she would allow herself to go down without a fight! Her father had specifically made her take sword lessons ever since she was a child, she knew that it could at least amount to something!
‘I’m sorry father, I’ll be seeing you soon it seems... I’m sorry... Everyone...’ Elyenora thought, her face twitching as she suppressed her tears and frustration.
“Fight me Roland! I request a duel, the winner may demand any compensation they see fit!” Elyenora yelled, looking for the only hope she had left.
“Hahaha, sure thing! I’ll duel you, but... In a bit.” Roland spoke, before continuing “For now... Go get her boys! Hahaha!” He shouted with a hearty laugh, initiating a charge from the nearly twenty knights on his side.
“Yes! Captain!” The knights shouted in unison, moving towards the frail looking girl.
“You coward! Fight me yourself if you have even an ounce of honor!” Elyenora yelled, readying her blade once more as the first knight drew near.
She moved her hands and feet swiftly, seemingly dancing as she thrust her rapier through the gaps of the knight’s armor, five quick blows landed on him before he knew that Elyenora had even moved! He was quickly dealt with and incapacitated on the ground, bleeding from five gaping holes across his body.
More numbers pulled on her, forcing her on the defensive as she dodged and redirected the enemy blows
“Sorry sweetheart, but I ain’t dumb enough to square off with the ‘Dancing Sword Princess’ Elyenora herself without first wearing you off a bit more.” Roland spoke condescendingly, watching the girl struggle.
“Tsk!” Clicking her tongue, Elyenora continued to fight back against the masses of steel and their heavy-duty weaponry.
Each one of these knights was a professional, donned with exquisite armor and weapons that not just anyone could obtain. The only reason she could even harm them was because of her special blade, the so called “Silent Wind” rapier, a weapon that could pierce through any armor with the help of a surge of wind.
Each thrust would send what was essentially an invisible wind spear through the opponent, easily breaking through any knight’s defense.
It was a blade crafted by the dwarven royal head blacksmith, Korgen, for Elyenora’s personal use.
It didn’t take long for fatigue to wear Elyenora down, she had been malnourished as it was and all the running from earlier didn’t help in the slightest. Even then she took down another five men before her breathing became ragged and her form sloppy.
“Enough! Surround her and stay back.” Roland ordered, “It’s my turn now...” He licked his lips with a smirk.
“You...” Elyenora panted heavily, “You’re a disgrace to the order of knights! All of you!” She shouted as the men circling her within a ring made of their bodies, Roland walked inside and took out a large two meter long, forty centimeter wide blade.
“I’m just following orders honey, that’s all.” Roland smiled, “Now then, what was it you said? Winner demands any compensation, right? Hahaha!” He laughed maniacally.
‘This man is beyond redemption...’ Elyenora thought, raising her rapier up for what would perhaps be the last time. ‘I’ve failed... Even after all the sacrifices my men did to keep me safe... I’ve failed...’ she grimaced, unwilling to accept the reality of her situation.
“Let’s break that famous blade, shall we?” Roland spoke as he moved in closer to Elyenora.
But then, when all hope seems lost for Elyenora and the girl was to be captured.
A voice rang from within the woods.
“You, humans... You, on my territory... Leave.” The voice of what seemed to be a young man sounded rather quietly, he was obviously incapable of proper speech.
“Who’s there?!” the knights turned, looking towards the direction of the voice.
“You have no business here! These are matters that don’t concern you, citizen, leave now or be dealt with accordingl-” The knight gasped, ending his speech with eyes widening from the shock of what he was witnessing.
What seemed to be a tall man, perhaps 6’4’’, walked towards the knights, however. Monster would have been a more proper term for it.
It was the same creature that had devoured the forest lord, the same monster that had defeated a being feared as the pinnacle of strength within this large forest filled with beasts.
“Wh-Wha-What is that thing?!” The knights yelled, fear spreading among their ranks for but a moment before they readied themselves for battle.
“Hoh? That’s not something you see every day.” Roland commented with a side glance, “Will you excuse me for a moment princess. It would seem that our duel must be postponed.” He continued, leaving the princess stumbling on her feet.
“If you, no no leave... Then me, will make you.” The monster spoke, its right eye glowing with a sinister light that made all of the knights shake in fear.
The entire atmosphere became heavy, as many of the knights’ vision darkened and tunneled onto the creature’s blood red iris.
the only word that could explain the feeling they were having right now was...
Dread.
ReinStriverHello! I hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter of Eyes of the Emperor! Please do leave some comments so I know what you think of the beginning~
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Mon'Ter Chapter 2: A Monster and A Girl. (part 2)
Roland saw the effect that this creature was having on his men, so he stepped up with his sword raised towards the being before them. “Fear not men! It is but a simple humanoid creature, you who have faced far worse can deal with it!” Roland encouraged his men, “Go, dispatch of it so we may continue.” Eight men then let out a battle cry, pumping themselves up in order to ignore the rising fear that was consuming them. They rushed towards the monstrous creature with their swords raised high, however just as they were about to cut it down... The sound of the monster’s claws stretching out was heard... In but a simple moment, the monster had slung its arm and cut down all eight knights! Its elongated claws retracted back to normal shortly after. “Me said... Leave... not attack me... Bad.” it uttered in irritation. “W-What!?” Roland yelled in surprise, and why wouldn’t he? Those armors were crafted using Adamantium ore by the royal blacksmiths themselves! Not even a dragon’s cl
Mon'Ter Chapter 3: Beginning of a Journey.
The wind blew softly within the forest clearing and its rather bloody scene, two silhouettes still stood tall while conversing. “Show you what being human means?” Elyenora asked, looking up at the eye of the tall man. She was easily dwarfed by Mon’Ter who had an entire foot over her. “Yes...” Mon’Ter spoke quietly, hoping to have his request accepted. Elyenora beamed a smile, and said. “Of course!” The answer had given Mon’Ter a rather pleasant feeling he had not felt before, bringing out yet another smile onto his face. However, a face of concern suddenly appeared on Elyenora’s visage. “But, does that mean you intend to follow me...?” She asked. “Yes.” Mon’Ter replied, “Me must know.” “Mmm...” she contemplated, “Then you must know of my situation first. Else it would not be fair to drag you into my problems.” She spoke confidently and seriously, the gaze of a warrior returning to her eyes. “Okay.” Mon’Ter replied and began to wait for her explanation. “First off, my
Mon'Ter Chapter 4: Town of Cloran.
A girl in the black cloak ran through the streets with bags filled with all the clothes she had bought, she didn’t want to keep the man outside the city waiting much longer. ‘I can’t wait to visit a tavern or something with food! I’m sure Mon’Ter will enjoy some quality cooking too.’ Elyenora’s mind wandered back to food as she moved through the crowds of people. She soon left through the town gates, walking past the guards in an orderly manner before moving across the roads outside the town. It didn’t take too long before she made a turn into the woods, soon enough finding Mon’Ter in the exact same spot he had sat down in over an hour ago. “Mon’Ter, I’ve got you some clothes and a cloak to hide your physical appearance.” Eleyenora spoke up as she got closer to the beast-like man, “You should be fine inside with these.” Once she was next to Mon’Ter, Elyenora took out the clothing, cloak, and bandages. “Ely... These are... Human clothes?” Mon’Ter asked, grabbing the le
Mon'Ter Chapter 5: "Hard-Earned Money."
The middle-aged man counted down, signaling the beginning of the match. However, both Elyenora and the Orc slave had their hands simply stand still there on the table, waiting for the other to start pushing down first. “Come on, female. I ain’t got all day, so give us an amusing attempt before I shut you down.” The orc spoke with a gruff arrogant voice. Still smiling confidently, Elyenora shrugged and replied, "Don't cry later on." Soon, she used her strength to push the orc's arm slowly to the other side. When Elyenora had pushed him slightly, the orc was still feeling smug on the inside and had wanted to overwhelm her right at the end. But after each passing second, the orc noticed something strange. His opponent's grip and power were beyond what he had imagined, making the situation out of his control. He started to seriously push back on Elyenora’s hand, trying his hardest to return it back to the center, however no matter what he did. The girl’s hand didn’t budge. Dripp
Mon'Ter Chapter 6: The Note.
Mon’Ter’s gaze looked down on the thugs, their vision had long since completely tunneled onto the man’s crimson eye and fear had seeped into their very being. Upon Mon’Ter’s request for the bag to be returned, they all fell to their knees while trembling. Tears ran down on their cheeks while their undergarments had become wet from their lost control over their bladders. “M-Mo-Monster...” A rather large thug muttered, his teeth chattering as he trembled heavily in fear and grabbed his shoulders with his hands like he was searching for warmth and comfort. The crimson eye seemed more sinister and more horrifying the more he looked into it, as if it peered deep into his very soul and threatened to butcher it. Mon’Ter then took a step forward, speaking softly in whispers as he did. “Me is not... Monster... Me is, Mon’Ter.” For whatever reason, his introduction had increased the dread that the thugs felt by several fold. Mon’Ter’s frame had grown to a towering size in their eyes,
Mon'Ter Chapter 7: The Prince of Benulis
Far away from the trading town of Cloran, was the capital city of Benulis, the city of Banul. This city is one that could be called as both gorgeous and humongous if it were compared with any of the other nearby cities. A river ran through the entire city, flowing from the western side where a big mountain range stood. The water circled around the castle, giving it a rather pleasing look. The streets were paved with marbles and decorated with expensive vases filled with flowers, the buildings were clean and made with many artistic addons that gave a pleasant sense of relaxation to the residents. Many carts and carriages passed through the paved roads every hour, be they for transporting stock or being used as transport for the city residents themselves. As for the city walls, they reached as high as forty meters into the air, marble and silver coating them to make for intricate patterns that gave the city an exquisite and beautiful look even from far away. Inside the walls
Mon'Ter Chapter 8: Travel and Trouble
Back in the town of Cloran, Elyenora sat at the inn room’s desk and contemplated on her findings. The note had left her rather shocked, so she spent over an hour thinking things over. ‘How long has this note been down there... How many children have already been taken away?’ Elyenora thought, unnerved by the situation. ‘I’ll have to ask around tomorrow, maybe I'm simply overthinking things and they couldn’t start their job yet.’ That night was not a good rest for the young princess, for most of it she simply looked up at the ceiling with a hand over her forehead. It was a sleepless night. … In the morning on the other hand, Mon’Ter woke up and got out of the bed, seeming to have been refreshed. “Ely... These ‘bed’ thingies... Good...” Mon’Ter commented, having slept for the first time on a surface as comfortable for laying down on as a bed’s. “Yeah, they’re nice.” Elyenora spoke, getting up as well with a hint of eyebags forming under her eyes. “Come on Mon’Ter, the inn
Mon'Ter Chapter 9: The Monster Horde.
As the horde of monsters with shining green eyes approached, the carriage horses began to get restless, trying to set themselves free and run. The carriage owner did his best to calm them down and get them to pull the carriages to another direction for them all to escape, but the animals were too afraid to listen or make any sound decisions. “Damn it! Damn it!” The owner bellowed as he tried to rein them in to no avail. The people had given up on the horses and were about to start running on foot, when Elyenora stood up and shouted with a powerful voice. “Everyone! Calm down and take your seats!” She spoke, taking her hood off. “Don't fear, because we will take care of these creatures! So suck it up and wait patiently over there!” She bellowed, brandishing her sword. The Silent Wind Rapier. An exquisite sword that even the common eye could tell it would be worth a fortune, with a snow white blade that glistered in the sun light and a handle that was seemingly made out of gold w
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- Mon'Ter
Chapter 205: Samuel and Sereia finally stand back up on their own.
Just as Mon’Ter was busy rotting on the inside, Samuel and Sereia were finally able to get back on their feet. Samuel could now see properly and move around, and Sereia had drunk a high grade healing potion that brought her back up to speed. “Agh… My back was killing me there…” Sereia said as she stretched, trying to get herself back into shape. “Do I even need to mention my head…?” Samuel held it, he still felt like it would start spinning again but thankfully it was over. “We really need to go and help Mon’Ter out,” Sereia mumbled out loud. “It seems like he got two of them but he’s facing that guy that my dad said was the best assassin in the world…” Still, they were a bit far away from the chimera and couldn’t assist him right away, especially since Mon’Ter’s fear came true. “It seems like we have our own troubles to deal with first…” Samuel pointed out as he gazed at the sky above them. “Huh? That guy again?” Sereia said in annoya
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Chapter 204: Mon'Ter versus the World's three Best Assassins
As Mon’Ter stood in a confrontation between himself and the three assassins, Sereia and Samuel did their best to catch their bearings and get to assisting him rather than being a burden for him. Thankfully, Samuel had some recovery potions on him, but due to his issue with coordination caused by Hendrick’s eye ability, he couldn’t move his arms in the right direction much less find where he’d stored the bottles.And as for Sereia, she actually did try to get to Samuel and find the potions for him, but, given how wounded her back really was she was having some difficulty pushing herself to stand back up and move towards his bag. Of course, this would only take her seconds to do in real time, maybe ten or twenty, but in the moments of combat those seconds would be more than enough for her and him to lose their lives at once many times over.They were dealing with assassins after all, and while these assassins were definitely slowed down from the g
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 203: Mon'Ter back in action
Just as Elyenora was dealing with Alinesia with the help of Randus’ Gravity Zone spell, so were Sereia and Samuel working on using the spell to their advantage too. Seeing as they were able to outmaneuver their respective match ups and bring down two specters, they had now managed to get away from the other two old men who’d targeted them and made their way towards where Mon’Ter was being held down by Alinesia’s parents.That, of course, didn’t take long at all with the help of Samuel’s teleportation magic.Sereia quickly landed right over the female assassin with super long nails, Allison, while Samuel waltzed right into her husband, Hendrick, and swung straight at his arms that were holding Mon’Ter’s head up close to his eye level.On Sereia’s end, things were quickly and easily dispatched. Having had the jump on the opponent she was able to instantly get Allison to dodge her first blow and leave Mon’
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 202: Randus' Gravity Zone
With Alinesia’s light blinding everyone, Randus was able to easily move about by practicing a simple spell to allow his eyes to perceive past the blinding shine of her. He had basically created pseudo shades on his face which he used to escape from Lerroy’s immediate reach.During the course of the battle so far, the two of them had been flying high up in the air and blasting each other with all manner of magical spells, it had gotten to the point that most of the soldiers down below were getting nervous just by standing underneath them. However, Randus hadn’t just been mindlessly flying about and chucking explosions at his old master, no, of course not, he wouldn’t be where he is at today if he did something so basic.The whole time they were moving around the air space, Randus had been leaving small sigils in specific locations high above the ground and laying out a layer filled circle of magic large enough to encompass most of the existing su
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 201: Samuel and Sereia's side of the battle
Alinesia had completed her transformation, however, she wasn’t the only one making moves during that last minute of action. There were still many people on the battlefield, and the ones who made the biggest change aside from her, were definitely Randus, Samuel and Sereia who all made good use of the previous minute or so of time.On their side of the field, just as Elyenora and Alinesia were having their clash of wills, Samuel and Sereia both found themselves pushing against their respective spectral opponents. It had gotten to the point where they were chasing after these Low ranking Arch Lord Class entities as if they were hunting rabbits.It was at this time that both Gandar, the court mage of the Royal palace and the elderly master of the assassin’s guild intervened on their little chase. Gandar shot through the sky atop a conjuration of wind and flew near enough to be within his range of Samuel, he weaved his staff and made a spiraling motion with it b
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 200: A back and forth between two female warriors
Back to the princess’ side of the field, where she was facing off against a previous foe. Elyenora could feel that things weren’t going her way at all, she knew it in her heart with every strike she sent towards Alinesia and every second she wasted on fighting against her. But what could she do while everyone was being held back like this? There was one and only thing she could really do to try and help out.Ending the fight swiftly.Alinesia had certainly grown significantly since their last fight, she was more than the princess’ match even after Elyenora had gotten her significant growth spurt after releasing the spiritual cultivation shard from her body. However, it didn’t seem like the Lioness would be able to keep up with Elyenora if she just made a simple action and unleashed her newly acquired artifacts.“I’m sorry, but I’ll be ending our little rematch early,” the princess said as she pushed back on the fla
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 199: For how long with the balance of the two forces stay?
Cazimir fell, cut in half and in a completely stupefied state. Someone meant to have been on his side, an ally, had just taken him down. His bloodied eyes shone with a bright light and created shadow soldiers that tried to hold him back together, barely, even as his own blood and organs left his body to splatter down on the ground. “W–wh–y…?” Cazimir asked as only one of his eyes barely managed to move and look at Finn. “Because you interfered where it was not your place, stupid assassin,” Finn said, his eyes wider than an open door and staring the vampire down with intense pressure behind his every word. “Couldn’t you follow simple instructions? I told you. Don’t interfere with my fight. Leonidas is mine to do battle with.” “Bast–ard…” Cazimir barely mumbled out, and with another glow of his eyes he forced the soldiers to move him about ten meters away from the now enemy. With yet another glow, he summoned out a potion that fell from a litt
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 198: Mayhem on the Battlefield
Alinesia glared at Elyenora with her fiery blade burning at her side. “It’s sure been a while, hasn’t it?”“You again?!” Elyenora clicked her tongue, she had been forced to stop right in her tracks by her once again, for the second time. “Why are you here!?”“Why?” Alinesia grit her teeth. “Did you seriously ask me why, you blond bimbo?!”“What?” The princess felt a little taken aback by the assassin’s words. “Don’t you understand what you’re working towards right now? Do you even know what my brother is trying to do!? It’s all foolish! Why would you work for him? You’re smarter than that!” Elyenora tried to change her mind if she could, though, it didn’t seem like Alinesia was here for money or anything of the sort by the look on her face.“You think I’m here just because that prince twat brother of yours asked t
- Mon'Ter
Chapter 197: The Battle for the Throne begins
“We kill all of them to get to him,” Mon’Ter’s voice reverberated throughout the entire space, being heard by everyone that surrounder him and his comrades.It caused several laughs to erupt, which then continued into multiple more and more until the entire enemy legion made a laughing stock out of Mon’Ter’s words.“Bold words from someone bound to die,” Gandar, the royal court mage, snickered at his words. “Who even are you, boy? Another knight? Not with that get up you’re not. Perhaps a mage? Shall I teach you some proper manners in speech?”“I’d actually like that,” Mon’Ter said truthfully. “But it’s not the time to be learning manners.”His hand extended and his fingers grew as his nails elongated into sharp swords capable of piercing the thickest of hides and slashing the hardest of steels. The strange development caused many to put their guard