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Amidst the chaos of battle—the clamor of screams and the echo of clashing steel—Alythion stood resolute, his face dusted with grime and his eyes burning with unwavering determination. He fixed his gaze on the sorcerer, who wore a cold smile while raising the violet lantern still emitting a devilish glimmer.
"You've aimed at the wrong target, sorcerer…" Alythion murmured to himself. Then he raised his white sword, inlaid with gold and silver and emblazoned with the symbol of the sun, and began chanting his incantations in a deep, powerful tone filled with strength and faith.
Ultimate Defense Spell: "Fortalium Solis!"
A radiant golden glow burst from Alythion's shield, forming a luminous dome that enveloped him and his nearby soldiers. Violet energy waves bounced off the dome as if colliding with a solid rock. The soldiers behind him felt warmth and reassurance, as if the very light of the sun were shielding them from the encroaching darkness.
State Disruption Spell: "Lumen Ex Boru!"
He ran his hand over his sword and shield, and from them surged a pure white burst of light that swept across the battlefield like a refreshing gale. Anyone afflicted by the bandit sorcerer's curse saw the violet aura in their eyes dissipate; some collapsed to the ground, losing control, while others regained consciousness and looked around in bewilderment.
The sorcerer scowled, unable to believe his spells had been nullified so effortlessly.
Divine Empowerment Spell for the Sword: "Illuminas de Solari!"
Alythion raised his sword high while intoning the words with a tone imbued with might, as if echoing from ancient times. Suddenly, the sword burst into fierce yellow flames, surrounded by a golden halo dancing like a miniature sun. The sword now appeared heavier and stronger, pulsating with power with every swing.
Step by step, Alythion advanced, the light emanating from his sword slicing through the darkness surrounding the sorcerer.
In a deep, wrathful voice he declared,
"Your power is dark and twisted… while mine is the light of truth, and your end will be at my hand."
Like a bolt of lightning, he charged at the sorcerer, leaving a trail of golden light behind, ready to end this battle in one sun-charged blow.
Alythion surged forward like a tempest, his steps sure and his sword—aglow with divine sunlight—cutting through the air with indescribable force. The distance between him and the sorcerer shrank rapidly, his eyes burning with resolve and intensity.
The sorcerer raised his violet lantern high, attempting to cast one final spell, but Alythion was quicker. He roared with a voice that shook the surroundings:
"The light of truth is unconquerable!"
With a crushing stroke of his sword, he struck, severing the sorcerer's body from his shoulder to his waist. For a brief moment, the sorcerer's body ignited in golden flames before splitting in half, both halves collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Yet before the glimmer in his eyes faded, a malicious smile spread across the sorcerer's face, and a hoarse, wicked laugh—tinged with pain and madness—escaped him. In a feeble voice he whispered:
"You have lost, Alythion… and we have won."
Then his voice faded along with his final breath.
Time seemed to stop. Alythion's heavy breaths rose amidst a strange silence. Despite his victory, the sorcerer's words echoed in his ears like a dark refrain.
Ragarath and Sirenos hurried over after the battle, having witnessed the dreadful scene. Ragarath, gazing at the sorcerer's corpse, asked,
"What was he after? How does he win when he's dead?"
Alythion slowly lowered his sword and looked at the broken violet lantern beside the sorcerer's body, noticing a faint glimmer still shimmering inside it—as if something was not yet over.
In a low voice, as if speaking to himself, he murmured,
"This is only the beginning."
Alythion bent toward the shattered lantern, his eyes fixed on the faintly pulsating violet flames, as if they held hidden secrets the world was not meant to uncover. Its light danced in an oddly smooth manner—a blend of magic and darkness—that sent a slight shiver through him, not of fear… but of suspicion.
He addressed one of his soldiers in a firm tone,
"Bring me another magical lantern… quickly."
The soldier dashed off to comply while Alythion kept a wary eye on the flickering flame, as if fearing it might vanish or explode at any moment. Moments later, the soldier returned bearing another magical lantern. Alythion took it cautiously and slowly extended his hand to transfer the violet fire from the broken lantern to the new one.
When the flames touched the new lantern, everyone heard a soft hissing sound, as if the fire whispered in an unknown language. The glimmer died down for a moment before reigniting with a stronger, clearer pulse, causing the soldiers to cautiously step back.
Alythion then closed the lantern tightly and ordered one of his men,
"Store this with the supplies… and ensure it remains in a secure place. We'll examine it further later."
Straightening up, he brushed the remnants of dust and blood from his armor and looked at his men with resolute determination in his eyes,
"But now, our first mission is not yet over. There is no time to stop."
Ragarath nodded in agreement while Sirenos, smirking and wiping his sword, remarked,
"There's always a curse hidden behind every battle, isn't there?"
Alythion mounted his horse "Stormth" once more and gestured forward,
"Let's move on."
The caravan set off again, but this time a heavy silence accompanied them—not out of exhaustion… but because they all felt that the battle hadn't truly been left behind.
They had taken a part of it with them… a part that pulsed with an unknown violet fire.
After hours of traversing rugged roads and dense forests, Alythion and his companions, Ragarath and Sirenos, arrived at the target village. The sun was nearing the horizon, casting its golden rays upon the stone cottages and sprawling farms, yet what they saw was far beyond their expectations.
Alythion stopped atop his horse "Stormth" and looked in astonishment at the village he had expected to be dilapidated and poor, but the reality was completely the opposite.
The streets were carefully paved, the wells filled with clear water, the houses painted in bright colors, and the fields lush and thriving as if they had never known drought.
Ragarath whispered beside him, squinting in suspicion,
"This… is not normal. Where did they get all these resources in such a short time?"
Alythion nodded solemnly and said,
"We must find out who is behind this."
But before they could move further, they noticed something else…
The looks of hatred and resentment.
Some villagers emerged from their homes—most of them were half-humans—watching the newcomers with eyes full of hostility and suspicion. There were no words, just a heavy silence broken only by the sound of horse hooves on the solid ground. Their gazes were like invisible arrows, piercing through Alethion's armor without ever touching him.
A small child carrying a bucket of water stopped for a moment, staring at Alethion with eyes burning with hatred before spitting on the ground and walking away without uttering a single word.
Ragarath tightened his grip on his axe's handle, but Alethion raised his hand in a gesture to calm him.
"No. We are here to understand, not to start a fight."
Sirinos smirked, attempting to break the tension.
"It seems your popularity here rivals your fame in the capital, oh Champion of the Kingdom."
Alethion didn't respond. He simply observed the faces of the villagers. Something was wrong. This wasn't just about rebuilding their village…
Someone had planted the seeds of hatred in their hearts.
Finally, Alethion spoke.
"Let's find the village chief. I want to speak with him… and learn who got here before us."
Alethion and Ragarath rode slowly through the village streets, their horses' hooves echoing against the solid ground in the suffocating silence. The villagers watched them with eyes filled with resentment and disdain—grim faces, hateful stares, as if their very presence in this land was an insult.
An old woman passed by, stopping for a brief moment before murmuring under her breath:
"This is the hero who forgot the half-humans?"
Alethion clenched Stormth's reins tightly but kept his composure, maintaining his calm demeanor. Ragarath, however, muttered in irritation:
"If we weren't on a mission, I'd teach them a lesson in respect."
Alethion gave a faint smile and replied,
"Anger won't help us now. We need to understand first."
At last, they reached the village chief's house. It was larger than the other homes but remained simple in design. Alethion knocked firmly on the door, and after a few moments, a tall man with harsh features and cold eyes opened it.
The man spoke in a dry voice,
"Yes? What brings the Champion of Elinthira to our village?"
Alethion hesitated for a moment, surprised by the mocking tone in the man's voice, but quickly regained his composure and replied confidently,
"I have come under the king's orders. We are here to begin restoring the villages, and we have chosen to start with yours."
The village chief narrowed his eyes, stepping closer before speaking in a barely contained anger,
"Oh… so you finally remembered us after years of neglect? After we were left to suffer?"
Then, he gestured toward the flourishing streets.
"As you can see, we don't need your help anymore. Our savior has already come and rescued us."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and stepped back into his house, adding coldly,
"Leave… you and your supplies."
Alethion and Ragarath exchanged wary glances. Ragarath whispered,
"Their savior? Looks like we have a new mystery to solve."
Alethion responded, his tone calm but carrying an ominous weight,
"We're not leaving until we find out who this savior is… and what he has done to win their hearts."
Back at the camp, Sirinos was waiting beside the caravan, lounging as if nothing had happened. But as soon as he saw the serious expressions on their faces, he stood up and asked,
"How did it go?"
Alethion answered flatly,
"Not as expected… The village chief refused our help, claiming they already have a savior."
A heavy silence followed before Sirinos spoke thoughtfully,
"Do we have any half-human soldiers in our ranks?"
Alethion nodded.
"Yes. Summon two of them immediately."
Within minutes, two half-human soldiers stood before them, bowing respectfully. Alethion studied them carefully before asking,
"What are your names, comrades?"
The first soldier stepped forward confidently.
"My name is Olis."
He was a young man in his early twenties, lean and agile, with ears resembling those of a tiger and a striped tail that moved in sync with his light steps. His golden eyes reflected a restless curiosity.
The second soldier spoke in a deeper, more serious voice.
"And I am Norrus."
A man in his thirties, broad and strong, with ears resembling those of a bull, small horns protruding from the sides of his head, and thick, muscular legs that gave him an imposing presence.
Alethion gave a small, friendly smile and spoke in a welcoming tone.
"It's an honor to meet you both. I have a special task for you—if you're willing."
The two exchanged glances before Olis spoke eagerly.
"We'll do whatever you command, sir."
Norrus added in his deep voice,
"We are always at your service."
Alethion took a step closer, his eyes burning with seriousness.
"I need you both to blend in with the villagers. Listen, observe, and learn everything you can about this so-called savior. Find out who he is, what he does, and why these people resent our presence."
Both soldiers nodded in understanding. Ragarath added with a smirk,
"And if you get into trouble, just make sure you leave a trail for us to find you."
Olis chuckled lightly, while Norrus simply gave a firm nod. Then, without hesitation, they set off on their mission. Alethion watched them disappear into the village, his mind racing with thoughts.
"The answer lies there… within the hearts of these people."
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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"