2024-12-07 18:00:24"Then how do you explain the bloody handkerchief? You took it while I was wounded in the forest!" Calen shouted, his voice cutting through the tense air.
"One of my men saw you being chased by a lion. He wanted to help, but by the time he got close, he saw the lion attacking you. He thought it was too late to save you, so he picked up the handkerchief that had fallen on the ground and brought it back. We truly believed you had been killed and devoured by the beast," Elias said.
A murmur spread through the crowd until one voice rose from the sea of nobles. "How is it possible that he has no wounds on his body? He’s so weak! How could he have survived an attack by a lion?"
Elias raised his hands to address the doubters. "We don’t know how he managed to return unscathed, but one thing is clear—we did not commit the murder he accuses us of!" His gaze locked onto Calen, his tone laced with feigned hurt. "Calen, we accepted you into our family as our son-in-law, even though you’ve contributed nothing of value to us. And this is how you repay us? By tarnishing our name with baseless accusations."
Calen turned sharply to Lila, his eyes burning with accusation. "Lila! Speak the truth! You've been pale as a ghost since I arrived. Tell me, were you part of this plot to kill me? Is this all because you want me to divorce you?"
Gasps rippled through the assembled nobles. The Frost family was one of the most influential in the kingdom, and an accusation of this magnitude sent shockwaves across the hall. All eyes turned to Lila Frost, Calen’s wife, standing among the gathered nobles.
Lila's face was ashen, her lips pressed tightly together to hold back a gasp. Her hands trembled, and she swallowed hard, her throat moving visibly. She clutched the folds of her elegant gown, her knuckles white. For the first time in her life, Lila Frost—known for her composed and imperious demeanor—looked utterly shaken.
“Calen...” she whispered.
Calen’s gaze shifted to her, a mixture of pain and determination in his eyes. “You knew, didn’t you, Lila? You knew they wanted me gone. Tell me, did you stand idly by? Or did you help them plan my death?”
“Enough, Calen!” Evan Drake stepped forward, placing himself squarely between Calen and Lila, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
Calen’s gaze turned icy as he looked at Evan. He knew full well that Evan coveted Lila and intended to marry her once Calen was out of the picture. Evan, renowned as the strongest and most skilled candidate for Aerondale's highest generalship, was everything Calen had once been expected to become—and more.
“Step aside, Evan! This doesn’t concern you!” Calen barked, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
“This is my concern,” Evan replied with a smug smile. “Lila is my future wife, and I won’t stand by while you intimidate her like this!”
“Lila is still my wife!” Calen shot back, his voice a mix of anger and defiance.
“Your wife?” Evan laughed derisively, and several nobles joined in, their laughter filling the room. “You’re nothing but a pathetic failure, Calen. Your supposed death wasn’t even worth the mourning. You’re less valuable than a peasant from some remote village. The court has already declared you dead—look here!” He held up a parchment bearing the king’s seal. “This is the royal decree confirming your death. As far as Aerondale is concerned, you’re gone, and Lila is now a widow. So why don’t you just do us all a favor and stay dead?”
King Ryan Ashford, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke. “Evan is right, Calen Storm. Your return is highly suspicious. You claim you survived a lion attack without a single scratch, and now you accuse the Frost family—who have shown you nothing but generosity—of attempting to kill you. You bring disgrace upon yourself with these baseless accusations.”
The king’s voice grew sterner. “The Frost family is one of the most honorable in Aerondale, and I will not tolerate their name being tarnished. Your death has already been declared, and this kingdom has no place for you anymore. You will leave Aerondale immediately and live out your life in exile.”
“What?” Calen whispered, disbelief clouding his face.
Evan smirked, crossing his arms. “You heard him. It’s time for you to crawl away, Calen.”
But Calen’s expression hardened. “I will prove myself. Give me a chance to fight for my honor!” He turned to face Evan, his voice firm. “Let me duel you, Evan. If I win, you can’t exile me or take away what’s mine.”
The room erupted in laughter, Evan’s booming voice rising above the rest. “You? Duel me? What sort of joke is this?” He sneered, his eyes gleaming with contempt. “A weakling like you doesn’t deserve to stand in the same ring as me!”
“Are you afraid?” Calen countered.
Evan’s smile faltered briefly, his pride pricked by the challenge. The crowd quieted, eager to see how the mighty Evan Drake would respond.
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The God of War Calen Storm The Duel Begin
Evan sneered, stepping closer to Calen until they were nearly nose to nose. “Afraid? Why would I be afraid of a pathetic worm like you? You dare to challenge me? Fine. I’ll crush you under my boot like the insignificant insect you are!”The room erupted into laughter and jeers, the nobles and courtiers treating the challenge as a source of great amusement. The idea of Calen—Aerondale’s greatest disappointment—facing Evan, its most promising warrior, was nothing short of absurd to them.Even King Ryan chuckled, his voice booming over the crowd. “This will indeed be an entertaining spectacle. Very well, Calen. I will allow this duel. Let us see what shred of honor, if any, you have left.” He paused, his lips curling into a mischievous smirk. “But let’s make this interesting. If, by some miracle, you win, not only will you avoid exile, but I will reinstate your honor. You will take your place in the military as a captain—or even a general!”The hall exploded in laughter, the nobles doubl
The God of War Calen Storm Cheating?
Evan laughed, his voice booming across the arena. "Just because you managed to dodge one swing doesn’t mean you’ve won, Calen!" He gestured at the ground, where his massive blade had left a deep scar in the earth. "You haven’t even seen a fraction of my true strength."The crowd cheered wildly, shouting for Evan to end the duel quickly. “Finish him, Evan!” someone yelled, while others laughed and jeered at Calen.Calen tightened his grip on his sword, his voice cutting through the noise. “Then stop holding back. Show me everything you’ve got!”Evan’s grin widened, his teeth flashing like a predator about to strike. "You dare challenge me, you worm? I’ll crush you like a cockroach beneath my foot!"The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting Evan’s name as he raised his massive sword high. The muscles in his arms tensed, his aura sukirging with raw power. The ground beneath him cracked as he launched himself forward with terrifying speed, his blade slicing downward with enough force to shatt
The God of War Calen Storm Investigate the Trickery!
The murmurs among the crowd grew louder, disbelief rippling through the arena.“This cannot be!” the king bellowed, descending from his elevated throne with a face flushed red with indignation. His voice carried authority, but beneath it, there was a tinge of unease.Calen, standing over Evan, kept his composure. “I’ve defeated him. That is the undeniable truth,” he declared, his voice cutting through the noise. He turned his sharp gaze toward Evan. “Now keep your word, Evan. Kneel, as you promised.”Evan’s fists trembled with fury as his jaw clenched. “I won’t kneel to you, you cheating scum!” he spat. “You didn’t win fairly. There’s no way someone like you could defeat me without trickery!”Calen raised an eyebrow, his grip on his sword unwavering. “If you’re so confident that I cheated, then prove it,” he challenged.The king stepped into the center of the arena, his cape billowing in the faint breeze. He raised a hand to silence the restless audience. “Enough!” he commanded. “This
The God of War Calen Storm Winner
The arena erupted in gasps, followed by a wave of stunned silence. Even the king looked momentarily taken aback.“That’s impossible!” Evan shouted, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. “They must have missed something!”The lead mage’s gaze was stern. “Our magic cannot be deceived. The results are irrefutable.”Calen stepped forward, his sword still in hand. “Now, Evan,” he said calmly, his voice filled with authority, “will you keep your word, or will you tarnish what little honor you have left?”Evan’s face twisted with rage as the crowd waited in breathless anticipation for his response.“Your Majesty, this is utterly impossible!” Elijah Frost declared, gesturing toward Calen. “No disrespect to your esteemed mages, but surely there must be some trick at play. It’s inconceivable that a man of Calen’s… caliber could defeat Evan without some form of deceit or external aid.”Evan, seizing the opportunity, added with a sneer, “He’s right. There’s no way Calen suddenly became stron
The God of War Calen Storm I'll Destroy Him
Calen closed his eyes, sinking deeper into the warm bathwater. For the first time in years, he felt... whole. The memories of the humiliations he endured, the scornful laughter of those who once looked down on him, and Lila’s betrayal seemed to fade into insignificance. His mind replayed the events in the forest—the voice, the power surging through his veins, and the strange energy that had saved him from certain death.As he stretched out his hand, droplets of water rose from the bath, shimmering like tiny jewels in the dim light. Calen moved his fingers, and the droplets followed his command, dancing in the air. A grin spread across his face. The power... it’s back, he thought. This was the same gift he had as a child, the one he believed he had lost forever. But now, it was even stronger, more refined.He stood up, water cascading down his muscular frame. Wrapping himself in a towel, he returned to the mirror. His reflection was almost unrecognizable—the wiry, frail man he once was
The God of War Calen Storm Calen is The Target
The next morning, the atmosphere in the military camp was tense yet filled with whispers. The sun had just risen, but most of the soldiers had already gathered in the main field, preparing for the first training session with the new recruits.Calen Storm walked with steady steps, wearing his tattered old armor and carrying the sword his father had given him on his back.“Look at him! That armor’s torn—did he come from the battlefield or a garbage dump?” one soldier exclaimed, followed by a small laugh from a few others.“Ah, this must be the new recruit who supposedly won in the arena. I don’t believe it. Maybe he just got lucky against Evan, who was already wounded,” said another as he looked Calen up and down.“Lucky? More like possessed. There’s no way he can beat Evan. Not in that state. We know who he is, he is a disappointment,” someone else whispered, loud enough for Calen to hear.Calen remained silent. He held back the harsh words with a neutral expression. But in his heart,
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Evan smirked with cruel satisfaction. "Begin!" he commanded, his voice ringing out over the training ground.The archers, already eager to claim their reward, wasted no time. A volley of arrows shot forth, darkening the sky as they arched toward Calen. The soldiers erupted in laughter and jeers, many of them placing bets on how long it would take for Calen to collapse under the assault."He’s done for!" one soldier shouted gleefully."Bet he’ll be crawling by the end of this!" another added, his voice thick with mockery.The arrows rained down, and everyone braced themselves for the spectacle of Calen’s humiliation. But as the first wave approached, Calen did something no one expected—he stood perfectly still.The soldiers’ laughter turned to murmurs of confusion. "What’s he doing? Why isn’t he moving?"Evan frowned, his smug expression faltering slightly. "What’s this fool playing at?"Then, as the arrows closed in, Calen raised his sword calmly. His eyes glinted with an unshakable d
The God of War Calen Storm I Will Make Sure You Fail
Lila Frost sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes staring blankly at the luxurious brocade drapes of her room. Frustration still consumed her heart after yesterday’s events. She clutched a small pillow tightly, letting it absorb her emotional turmoil, while wondering how she could face the outside world now that everyone was likely talking about her.“I can’t go out,” she muttered softly, almost whispering to herself. “Everyone must be calling me a cheater.”Her thoughts were interrupted when she began to hear voices outside her window. At first, it was just faint murmurs, but soon the conversation became clearer.“Have you heard?” A man's voice rang out enthusiastically. “Calen Storm has completely changed. People are saying it’s as if he’s possessed by his father’s spirit!”Lila immediately perked up. That name, Calen Storm. She moved toward the window cautiously, parting the curtain slightly to peek outside. A group of soldiers was walking past the pavilion, their voices filled with
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Heartbeats
Calen exhaled sharply, steadying himself before finally releasing Elara. The warmth of his embrace disappeared as he swiftly stood, putting a careful distance between them. His eyes flickered over her, as if making sure she was truly unharmed, before he placed his fist over his chest in a crisp, disciplined salute."I’m relieved that Your Majesty is unharmed."His voice was even—calm, composed. As if nothing had happened. As if she hadn’t been trapped beneath him, lost in his gaze, breathless from something more than just the fire.Elara swallowed hard, struggling to regain her own composure. She was Queen Elara Wynn. She did not falter. She did not waver. But the rapid beating of her heart betrayed her.Before she could gather her thoughts, the thundering sound of footsteps echoed through the night.Torches bobbed in the darkness as her royal guards rushed into the clearing, swords drawn, eyes scanning for threats. Shout
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Queen Elara Wynn walked gracefully through the marble corridors of her palace, her emerald-green gown flowing behind her like a river of silk. A small, satisfied smile played on her lips—Calen Storm had agreed to delay his answer to King Ryan Ashford. That meant more time.More time for The Sacred River to regain its strength. More time to prepare. More time to eliminate Calen Storm before he could return to Aerondale.As she entered her private chamber, Seraphina was already waiting for her. The high priestess sat beside the tall arched window, bathed in the golden afternoon light, her long silver hair cascading down her back. The scent of burning incense filled the air, calming yet laced with something ominous.Seraphina looked up as Elara entered. “I take it he agreed?”Elara nodded, unfastening the veil from her head and setting it aside. “Yes. He will wait. A week, perhaps more. It gives us time.”Seraphina exhale
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Elara tilted her head slightly, watching him with sharp, calculating eyes. “You say that King Ryan Ashford seeks unity,” she repeated, her voice measured. “But does he seek unity for the good of the people, or for the good of his own ambitions?”Calen met her gaze evenly. "He is a ruler who understands the weight of a kingdom’s survival. He knows that Aerondale cannot stand alone, nor can Rivermoore. He believes that the only way forward is together."Elara’s lips curled into a half-smile, though it did not quite reach her eyes. “You are a skilled diplomat, General Storm. But that does not answer my question.”Calen exhaled quietly. He knew she was pressing him, testing him, searching for a crack in his words.“King Ryan Ashford is a just ruler,” he said finally. “He values his people, and he does what is necessary to protect them. If he did not, Aerondale would not have flourished under hi
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The grand chamber of Queen Elara Wynn was bathed in soft candlelight, casting flickering shadows along the intricate golden patterns carved into the walls. The scent of burning incense filled the air, mingling with the faint fragrance of night-blooming flowers drifting in through the open balcony doors. But despite the serenity of the room, its occupant was anything but calm.Elara paced restlessly, her sheer ivory gown flowing behind her like mist, her silver-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her delicate fingers curled into fists at her sides as she muttered to herself. Her mind was a storm of calculations, strategies, and the ever-present name that now haunted her thoughts—Calen Storm.Behind her, Seraphina, her most trusted priestess and advisor, watched in silence. She had long known the queen to be a composed and calculating ruler, but tonight, she could see the tension in Elara’s shoulders, the tightness in her jaw.Finally, Elara halt
The King's Strategy
The grand war chamber of Ardenfell was dimly lit by flickering torches mounted on towering stone pillars. A massive oak table dominated the center of the room, maps and documents scattered across its polished surface. At the head of the table sat King Ryan Ashford, his sharp blue eyes gleaming under the golden glow of candlelight.General Thaddeus Ironheart entered the chamber with a steady stride, his heavy boots echoing against the marble floor. He bowed briefly before straightening to his full height.“My King, I bring news from Rivermoore.”The King leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “Go on.”Ironheart took a deep breath before speaking. “Queen Elara Wynn has not given a direct answer. Instead, she has requested that General Storm remain in Rivermoore while she deliberates.”King Ashford exhaled through his nose, a small smirk curling on his lips. “Good.”Ironheart ra
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As Calen followed Queen Elara out of the chamber, his footsteps were steady, his expression unreadable. He had expected the conversation to end with her fury, perhaps even with her sword pressed to his throat once more. But instead, she had chosen to step away from violence—for now.The grand doors swung open, revealing the lavishly decorated hall where the delegation had been waiting. The room was tense with anticipation. The Vynorian officials, the high priestesses, and the Aerondale envoys all turned their gazes toward the Queen and the General as they entered.Calen didn’t miss the way the Vynorian nobles scrutinized him, nor the way his own men seemed hesitant, standing at attention but waiting for his cue. His second-in-command, Captain Aldric, gave him a questioning glance, searching for any sign of what had transpired behind those doors.Queen Elara stepped forward, her regal posture unwavering. When she finally spoke, her voice was clear and
A Great Threat
The room pulsed with tension, thick as a brewing storm. The candlelight flickered, casting elongated shadows on the stone walls, as Calen met Queen Elara’s seething gaze with unwavering calm.“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice even yet sincere. “And I thank you… for sparing my life that night.”Elara’s lips curled into a bitter smirk.“Do not mistake mercy for kindness, General Storm,” she retorted. “I only let you live because you saved me from that assassin. And now I see—” her voice hardened “—that was my greatest mistake.”She took a measured step closer, her every movement graceful yet deadly, like a panther closing in on its prey.“I should have killed you then,” she said coldly.Calen inhaled slowly. He had anticipated her anger, but now, faced with the raw fury in her eyes, he realized that her hatred burned far deeper t
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The grand hall remained steeped in silence, thick with anticipation. Every noble, every courtier, every soldier held their breath, waiting for Queen Elara’s response.She had not spoken for what felt like an eternity, her gaze locked onto Calen’s with a scrutiny that sent an uneasy ripple through the room.Calen, standing firm, felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He knew she was analyzing him, searching for something—perhaps confirmation of what she already suspected.Then, at last, she spoke.“I wish to speak with General Storm alone.”The words rang through the chamber like a crack of lightning.The nobles exchanged glances. The tension in the air thickened. A few gasps escaped from those who had not expected such a request.The high priestess, a woman adorned in flowing silver robes with a crescent moon circlet upon her brow, stepped forward, her face taut with concern.“Your Majesty, that is highly unwise,” she urged, her voice laced with anxiety. “He is a delegate
She Recognizes Me
As the grand gates of Rivermoore loomed ahead, Calen Storm straightened in his saddle. The towering iron and stone structure, etched with intricate Vynorian sigils, was an imposing sight. He could feel the tension in the air—an invisible weight pressing against him and his men as they approached.Unlike their last encounter, the gates did not remain stubbornly closed. This time, they groaned open, the heavy iron mechanisms grinding against one another as if reluctant to grant him passage. It was a silent yet undeniable acknowledgment of his presence.The streets beyond were lined with civilians—merchants, blacksmiths, scholars, and nobles alike—drawn from their homes and businesses by rumors of his arrival. Their eyes, dark with unease, followed every movement of the delegation. Some whispered behind their hands, while others stared outright, their gazes filled with a mixture of fear and resentment.Calen could not blame them. He was an envoy of their enemy. More than that, he was a w
