"I'm a captain now?!" Larion exclaimed in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. Simon doubled over with laughter, his whole body shaking with amusement. "Oh, man, you should see yourself! Priceless reaction, my friend!" he managed to say between fits of giggles. Rolling his eyes, Larion retorted, "Oh, ha! ha! very funny." As Simon's laughter subsided, he plopped down beside Larion, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "But I must admit, it would be an honor to serve under your command." "Yeah, dream on. I was hoping for a quick promotion," Larion muttered under his breath, earning a quizzical look from Simon. "What was that?" Simon inquired, leaning in. Larion waved it off casually. "Oh, nothing. Just wishing for a boost up the ranks." Grinning, Simon nudged Larion's shoulder. "But hey, rumor has it the Lieutenant General is preparing a recognition award for you!" "Really?" Larion replied, masking his surprise with a calm demeanor. Beneath the cool shade of a tree, the tw
Yet, in a masterful stroke of timing and finesse, just as victory seemed assured for Zelari, a sudden rustling of chains heralded a miraculous turn of events. Larion's kusarigama, unfurling like a shadowy wraith, ensnared Zelari in its grip, rendering him immobile.Bound by chains that coiled around his form, Zelari found himself at the mercy of the relentless wind, his wings and body restrained. "No! No! No! Why won't you yield and accept defeat?!" Zelari's cries reverberated through the tumult, drowned out by the howling winds.The arena reverberated with the shrill whistle of the wind, the storm mirroring Zelari's impending fate as he was ensnared within his own magic.Soon, he was lifted aloft, suspended in midair by the cyclone's relentless pull.As Larion, battered and wounded, drew near, his form obscured by debris and injury, the chains holding Zelari taut, it became evident that the tide of battle had shifted.Victory, it seemed, was a capricious mistress, favoring the resili
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Larion charged ahead with a daring move. Zelari found himself caught off guard as Larion's blade deftly encircled his neck, ensnaring him before yanking him forward with surprising strength.Yet, Zelari held his ground, displaying a resilience that caught Larion by surprise. Unbeknownst to Zelari, Larion was merely testing the grip's strength, preparing to use it as leverage to propel himself forward and land a decisive blow.In a moment of need, Zelari tapped into his magical abilities. A vortex of wind enveloped him, forming a protective shield against Larion's impending strike. The force of the wind caused the weapon to release its grip on Zelari's neck, propelling Larion backward with unexpected force."I never imagined there would be someone who could match my combat skills. But now, you've piqued my interest. Prepare yourself, for I shall unleash the full extent of my magic and prowess upon you!" Zelari declared with determination, his voic
In the lively and bustling market of Causin City, situated in the vibrant Three Springs district, Larion and Lily found themselves immersed in a whirlwind of sights and sounds. The market was a colorful tapestry of bustling tents and bustling vendors, each offering a treasure trove of goods.As they meandered through the maze of stalls, Larion, with his practical mindset, made a beeline for the essential items he needed. He couldn't resist the allure of a local bookstore and alchemy shop, where he picked up some new supplies and a handy book on alchemy.On the other hand, Lily, with her keen eye for all things fashionable, led Larion on a whirlwind tour of boutiques and flower shops. After they had filled their bags with all they desired, they stumbled upon a stable where Lily unexpectedly purchased a bag of hay. Larion couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the curious purchase."What on earth do you need hay for?" Larion inquired, laden with his own haul of goodies."Just wait and se
"Who's your friend, Larion?" Lily asked, tending to the roasting meat over the campfire."Oh, um... Alduin? I guess?" Larion mused, setting down the water buckets."My name isn't Alduin. It's Simon. Simon Hiltfiger," Simon corrected, prompting Lily's laughter. "Okay!"As Larion settled beside Lily, sneaking a bite of the meat, Lily protested, "Hey! That's mine!""Nah, this one's yours!" Larion teased, defending his prize."But I just started roasting that!" Lily countered, trying to reclaim her meal."Leave it! Don't you want to enjoy the fresh roast you just made? It'll be even better," Larion reasoned, playfully evading Lily's grasp."But I'm hungry!" Lily whined childishly."So am I! I caught more rabbits than you, remember! Ouch! Stop pulling my hair!" Larion chuckled, holding onto the meat.Witnessing the playful squabble between Lily and Larion, Simon, the newcomer rebel guard, couldn't help but burst into laughter. Their antics paused momentarily, redirecting their attention to
Two sunlit days had drifted by since the rebel forces embarked on their journey towards the outskirts of bustling Causin City.Causin City, a place famed for its majestic tree, is known far and wide as the Causin Oak. This sturdy oak, a prized gem, is a cornerstone for construction and the crafting of formidable warships. And so, the city proudly bears the title of The City of Wood.While this type of Oak Tree can be found in Belaiv, it is most abundant in Causin as it is claimed by the townsfolk, Tarlow, Hatencast, Brastol, Warden, and extending up to the Northern Fortress.As the sun began its descent, Durin and his men skillfully pitched camp amidst the nearby woods, concealing their presence from prying eyes by masking their tracks, both footprints and wagon imprints.Meanwhile, Larion and Lily set up their modest tent a stone's throw away from the main encampment. Larion, with his practiced hands, raised the tent while Lily scurried about gathering firewood for the evening blaze.
Zelari's expression shifted from shock to disbelief as he absorbed the astonishing information on the page. "I told you they were exceptional," Durin remarked with a smirk and a brief chuckle."How...?" Zelari began, locking eyes with Durin.Durin gestured towards Larion and replied, "Why don't you ask the man himself?" prompting Zelari to turn his gaze towards the enigmatic figure of Larion."How did you manage it without a trace of magic?" Zelari, the daring captain with wings, questioned Larion without beating around the bush.Larion couldn't help but flash a sly grin, locking eyes with Zelari. "Not so long ago, you were doubting me. And now you're curious about my secret? Well, well, well... I could spill the beans, but it won't come cheap.""Ah, the infamous Qizir slayer is quite the smooth talker. I bet your allies were mere pawns in your grand plan for glory," Zelari countered, striding purposefully toward Larion, his expression firm."Care to test your luck and see who comes o
Larion's resolve remained unshaken. The allure of proving himself, coupled with the promise of a hefty reward, fueled his determination. Despite the simmering tension and underlying fear, the thrill of the unknown beckoned him forward.With a mix of caution and daring, Larion made his stance clear. "I will proceed, but if circumstances deviate from the plan, I reserve the right to withdraw," he asserted firmly, outlining his boundaries.Durin, mirroring Larion's resolve, acknowledged, "I value my men's lives too much to take unnecessary risks."In a surprising turn, Lily interjected, voicing her concerns. Durin's response, filled with unwavering trust and confidence, reassured her doubts. His unwavering trust in Larion's character, underscored by Lily's logical approach, forged a bond of mutual respect and understanding among them.Amidst the whispers of the night, a new alliance took root. Larion, along with Lily, sealed a pact to play a vital role in the rebel cause. The prospect of
In the lively and bustling market of Causin City, situated in the vibrant Three Springs district, Larion and Lily found themselves immersed in a whirlwind of sights and sounds. The market was a colorful tapestry of bustling tents and bustling vendors, each offering a treasure trove of goods.As they meandered through the maze of stalls, Larion, with his practical mindset, made a beeline for the essential items he needed. He couldn't resist the allure of a local bookstore and alchemy shop, where he picked up some new supplies and a handy book on alchemy.On the other hand, Lily, with her keen eye for all things fashionable, led Larion on a whirlwind tour of boutiques and flower shops. After they had filled their bags with all they desired, they stumbled upon a stable where Lily unexpectedly purchased a bag of hay. Larion couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the curious purchase."What on earth do you need hay for?" Larion inquired, laden with his own haul of goodies."Just wait and se