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Alythion walked swiftly towards the meeting hall, where his five generals awaited him with anxiety and anticipation. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy with tension, and all eyes locked onto him the moment he entered. They all stood in respect, their sharp gazes filled with unspoken questions.
Stopping at the head of the table, Alythion put on a stern expression, with a slight frown and shoulders weighed down as if carrying a heavy burden. He let out a deep sigh and bowed slightly before speaking in a low voice tinged with disappointment:
"The king… did not…"
He halted his words, lowering his head as if utterly dejected.
The generals exchanged worried glances, and silence grew heavier in the room until Valinor, known for his short temper, erupted:
"What did he say, damn it?! Don't leave us in suspense!"
Alythion slowly raised his head, allowing a glimpse of false sorrow to show in his eyes before continuing in a dramatic tone:
"He did not object to the plan… He actually approved it."
For a few moments, everyone froze in place before realizing he was joking. Laughter exploded in the hall, especially from Ragarath, who grabbed onto his chair and nearly fell over from laughing so hard. Meanwhile, Valinor merely shook his head, muttering in mock annoyance:
"I swear I'll kill you before the real battle even starts because of your jokes!"
Alythion laughed along with them, knowing that this camaraderie and laughter were necessary before their new journey began—one where everything would be at stake.
As their laughter gradually died down, Alythion's demeanor suddenly shifted. His voice lost its lightheartedness, and his smile vanished, filling the hall with a serious atmosphere. He stood upright, placing his hands on the table, and met the eyes of each of his five generals before speaking:
"The fun is over now. We have an important mission ahead of us."
He paused for a moment to let his words sink in before continuing:
"I will travel to a village that has yet to be reached by that man in the black cloak. I will personally offer aid—not just to help the people but to improve my image and that of the other nobles in their eyes. They must see who Alythion truly is, not the version of me they hear about."
He then turned to Ragarath and nodded:
"Ragarath, you will accompany me. I need your strength and charismatic presence to support us in front of the villagers."
Then, his gaze shifted to Serenos:
"Serenos, you will be my eyes, catching details that I might overlook. Your wisdom is invaluable on this mission."
Stepping forward slightly, he firmly added:
"We will take a few men as guards, a sufficient number of horses, and necessary supplies. We must appear prepared but not threatening."
He then turned to the other side of the table, where Darsian, Valinor, and Velaria stood:
"As for you three, you will track the man in the black cloak. Darsian, with your strategic expertise, you will lead the group. Valinor, you will be the sharp blade that does not hesitate when needed. Velaria, use your sixth sense to read people and situations—I trust you will uncover what others cannot see."
A brief silence followed as he observed their determined faces. Then, with confidence, he declared:
"This is the perfect division. There is no room for mistakes."
Ragarath raised an eyebrow with a smirk and said:
"A perfect division because you paired yourself with me, huh?"
Alythion gave a sly smile before responding coolly:
"No, because I put you under my supervision."
Laughter broke out for a short moment before seriousness returned to their faces. No one opposed Alythion's plan—it was clear that it had been carefully structured. Everyone was in the right place, and the mission was about to begin.
As they organized the men and selected the best horses and equipment for the journey, the atmosphere was a mixture of focus and anticipation. Soldiers moved with energy, lining up to receive orders, and the sound of hooves echoed alongside the clanking of meticulously prepared weapons.
Alythion suddenly stopped and looked at his companion, Ragarath, saying in a calm but thoughtful tone:
"I think I need to return home. I need to put on my armor and bid my family farewell."
Ragarath gave a faint smile and replied:
"I was thinking the same thing. I can't leave without saying goodbye to them, especially with this mission ahead."
At that moment, Serenos began walking away, waving his hand without looking back and saying in an indifferent tone:
"See you in an hour, guys."
Alythion and Ragarath exchanged a quick glance before Alythion muttered in a half-irritated yet warm tone:
"I swear I'll kill him someday... That man never cares about ranks or protocols. How can someone like him be part of the leadership?"
Ragarath let out a light chuckle and patted Alethion's shoulder, saying,
"Let the man be himself. That's what makes him special. Remember, we've been your friends since we were rookie adventurers. We care about you more than any title or position."
Alethion paused for a moment, gazing at the horizon where Serenos had disappeared, then smiled faintly, gratitude filling his expression.
"Perhaps that's why I trust you more than anyone else."
They continued walking together, each lost in thought about the upcoming mission and the family awaiting a brief farewell before a journey with no guaranteed return.
Alethion mounted his loyal steed, Stormith. The horse's neigh echoed through the air with every powerful step it took toward home. The wind whipped through Alethion's hair, and his cloak billowed behind him, his eyes filled with determination and urgency, driven by the need for speed before the mission commenced.
Upon arrival, he halted Stormith before the grand gate of his home and swiftly dismounted with the agility of a warrior accustomed to quick movement. He strode toward the door, his metal boots echoing against the stone ground.
As he opened the door, he was met with the sight of his old caretaker, Elenia, standing there holding a laundry basket filled with children's clothes. The wrinkles on her face told tales of years spent caring for him since his childhood. She lifted her head and smiled warmly, her voice carrying gentle affection as she said,
"My little lord Alethion… You're home early today."
Despite her smile, she knew that his unexpected return meant something serious. Alethion replied with a firm tone,
"I'm leaving on a mission. I came to put on my armor."
Elenia quickly placed the laundry basket on the ground, then turned to one of the half-human servants—a young girl with silver hair and honey-colored eyes named Zirath. She gave her an order,
"Zirath, go at once and fetch Elayan, Nazel, and Kasara. Ensure that Alethion's armor is properly prepared before he wears it."
Zirath nodded obediently and swiftly disappeared into the corridors of the vast house. Elenia then turned back to Alethion, placing a gentle hand on his arm, her voice filled with quiet concern,
"Be careful, my little lord. The world outside is not as it once was."
Alethion gave her a small smile, one that held both gratitude and reassurance, before heading to the chamber where his armor was kept. It was more than just armor—it was a piece of his history, carrying memories of battles, victories… and scars that could never be forgotten.
Alethion walked quietly to the back garden of his home, where his wife, Miralin, sat beneath the shade of a blooming jasmine tree. Her delicate fingers turned the pages of a book about air and plant magic, while strands of her hair danced with the gentle breeze, glowing softly as if reflecting moonlight on a still lake.
He stood there for a moment, silently watching her, his heart swelling with a mix of love and fear at the thought of losing these simple moments. He stepped closer and spoke in a warm tone, a faint smile on his lips,
"Your beauty… it rivals the moon. But even the moon must envy you."
Miralin lifted her gaze slowly, her emerald eyes reflecting warmth and slight surprise. A soft smile graced her lips before she replied,
"I thought you wouldn't return today."
He moved closer, leaning down slightly to place a gentle kiss on her forehead, then answered, his voice carrying both tenderness and underlying seriousness,
"I'm leaving on a mission that may take a few days. I came to put on my armor… and to say goodbye to my wife."
Her expression shifted slightly, a hint of worry flashing across her face, but she steadied herself and responded in a soft, warm tone,
"I'll bring the children. Don't leave before bidding them farewell."
He nodded in agreement before turning toward his chamber.
Upon entering his armor room, Alethion found his polished armor carefully placed on an ornate wooden stand adorned with ancient engravings. Standing beside it were the four servants—Zirath, Elayan, Nazel, and Kasara—who had finished cleaning and meticulously polishing every piece. The armor gleamed under the sunlight filtering through the small windows, shining like a fragment of the winter sun.
As the servants prepared to leave, Alethion stopped them with a quiet voice,
"Wait."
They halted and turned to him in confusion. His tone grew more serious, his eyes carrying a weight unseen before,
"I want you to answer me honestly… Do I look like a monster to you? Because some of the half-humans like you see me as one now."
Silence filled the room for a moment before Zirath suddenly let out a light chuckle, followed by the others' warm smiles. Then, Elayan spoke firmly, her voice filled with sincerity,
"My lord, anyone who sees you that way is either blind or insane."
Nazel added with a reassuring smile,
"You're not just a leader. You gave us hope when no one else did."
Finally, Kasara spoke, her eyes gleaming with unwavering loyalty,
"My lord, even if the entire world stands against you… we will always stand with you."
Alethion was deeply moved by their words. A rare warmth spread through his heart, as if their words formed another layer of armor around his soul. He nodded in gratitude, then began donning his armor in solemn silence, carrying within him a renewed confidence—he was not alone in this ever-darkening world.
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If you like the story ! please support it
And the best way to do this is through patréon
You get access to +5 chapters !
Or even 12+ chapters if you want !
So please check out my patréon
https://www.patréon.com/c/zakx205
Don't forget to change "é" to "e"