While Merslin and his companions were navigating the political atmosphere of Altekna at the royal social gathering, Count Leon summoned Merslin aside. In a quiet room, he handed Merslin a sealed letter—one that carried the mark of Chancellor Bellomore himself.
Count Leon wore a solemn expression as he spoke.
Count Leon: "Sir Merslin, this letter comes from Chancellor Bellomore. He believes you and your companions have a vital role to play in the kingdom's future. This task is not a mere test—it's a mission that concerns the very stability of the realm."
Merslin accepted the letter and read its contents carefully. It spoke of unsettling incidents near the borders of the kingdom—events that could potentially disrupt the delicate political balance.
Inside the letter, Bellomore had written:
Sir Merslin, I entrust this mission to you and your companions, not merely as a test, but as a measure of how vital your role may become to the kingdom. A dangerous anomaly has emerged near our lands—one that may impact the political foundation we've worked so hard to protect. Investigate and resolve it swiftly.
Merslin looked up from the letter, his gaze meeting Leon's.
Merslin: "The Chancellor made his decision carefully. I believe we should accept this mission."
Count Leon hesitated before adding one more request.
Count Leon: "There's something else I must ask. I'd like my son, Edward, to accompany your party as an observer. As a future leader of Altekna, he would benefit greatly from experiencing a mission of this gravity—and witnessing your strength firsthand."
Merslin considered the request. Having Edward along might be a burden, but it was also a chance to forge a deeper bond with the Count—and to guide the next generation.
Merslin: "I welcome Edward's presence. We'll ensure his safety and let him contribute where he can."
Leon nodded with gratitude.
Count Leon: "Thank you, Sir Merslin. I believe he'll learn a great deal from you. Please help him grow."
With the Chancellor's request accepted, Merslin and his team departed to investigate the mysterious phenomenon near the kingdom's borderlands. As requested, Edward joined them.
Upon arrival, they reached a dense forest where a strange rift had appeared—something that had never existed before. The air was heavy, and from the rift leaked a dark energy, accompanied by an ominous hum.
Serena: "That sound… Something's hiding inside there."
Elena: "This isn't just a rift. I can feel corrupted energy—possibly from a fallen ancient god. We must seal it before it spreads."
Merslin: "We can't let this grow. Something is trying to break into the kingdom from that rift."
Suddenly, from within the rift, a monstrous figure emerged—a creature twisted by the corruption of a dark god. Its presence radiated malevolence.
Lisa: "These things need to be dealt with quickly."
Drawing her blade of sunlight—an artifact imbued with divine light—Lisa slashed at the creature. Her attack weakened its dark energy, forcing it to recoil.
Aria: "I'll help too!"
Aria unleashed a healing spell, but as the light touched the beast, it morphed into purifying fire. The creature howled in pain as its form began to disintegrate.
Elena: "Aria's light works! But to close the rift, we'll need stronger magic!"
That moment, Edward stepped forward, unsheathing his sword and raising his shield. Flames of blue magic enveloped his blade, while protective runes glowed on his shield.
Edward: "We must fight together! We can only overcome this with everyone's strength!"
Edward combined swordplay and magic, parrying the creature's attacks and striking with enhanced precision. His shield projected a magical barrier, guarding his allies from the encroaching darkness.
Merslin: "Good, Edward! Hold the line!"
With Edward taking point, Merslin and Elena began casting the rift-sealing spell. Lisa's sunlight blade kept the creature at bay, while Aria's magic purified its remaining essence. Slowly, the rift began to shrink.
Merslin: "Let's finish this!"
At last, they succeeded in defeating the creature and sealing the rift. Peace returned to the forest, and the dark energy faded away.
Upon returning to the capital, Count Leon received their report and listened to Edward's firsthand account. Pride filled his eyes.
Count Leon: "I thank you all. This mission proved your strength—and Edward's growth. I see now what kind of warriors and leaders you truly are."
Having completed the mission, Merslin and his team returned with renewed confidence. They were no longer just adventurers. They were key players in the kingdom's future—ready to face any storm that lay ahead.
***
Dual Pursuit
Not long after Merslin and his companions returned from sealing the corrupted rift near the kingdom, a new challenge awaited them. This time, both Master Ortai and a third faction were quietly plotting, aiming to test the party's abilities and uncover their true intentions.
Master Ortai's Chamber
Master Ortai sat in silence, deep in thought. Though he wielded considerable influence within the kingdom, he could not ignore the rapid rise of Merslin's party. Were they a threat to his plans, or potential allies? To find out, Ortai decided to put them to the test.
Raising his hand, he summoned a stream of arcane energy into the air. From the magic shimmered forth a powerful tracking construct—a being designed to observe and test the strength of its targets.
Master Ortai:
"Let's see just how strong you are… and where your loyalties lie. Go, seeker. Test their true power."
With a silent nod, the magical tracker vanished into the shadows, beginning its pursuit.
Shadow Collective's Secret Gathering
Meanwhile, in a dark alley within the city, the leaders of the Shadow Collective held a covert meeting. They sought to exploit the kingdom's unrest and saw Merslin's growing influence as either a threat or an opportunity.
Shadow Leader:
"Merslin and his companions are drawing too much attention. We must determine if they're a danger to us… or tools to be used."
He turned to his hidden agents.
Shadow Leader:
"Send a stalker. One skilled in stealth. Observe them. Uncover their power—and if necessary… eliminate them."
Soon after, two entirely different trackers, each from opposing forces, began tailing Merslin's party.
Signs in the Forest
While performing a reconnaissance mission in a nearby forest, the group began sensing strange energy disturbances. The magic in the air was unstable, tainted by dark essence.
Merslin:
"This isn't a coincidence. Someone's watching us."
Merslin focused, feeling a magical presence closing in. The magical tracker sent by Ortai was near. With practiced ease, he raised a barrier and turned toward the intruder.
Merslin:
"So Ortai is testing us. This isn't mere surveillance—this is a trial."
A fierce battle erupted as the tracker unleashed waves of arcane attacks. Merslin countered with precise spellwork, disrupting and nullifying its magic.
Merslin:
"Your spells won't work on me."
Elsewhere, Serena picked up the faint trace of another presence—a different one, steeped in shadow.
Serena:
"Someone's watching us… hiding very well. But I won't let you slip by."
Using her innate sensitivity, she tracked the stealthy agent hidden among the trees. The shadow tracker blended perfectly with the forest, but Serena was relentless.
Serena:
"No matter where you run, I'll find you."
Their chase became a blur of motion. The shadow stalker laid traps and false trails, but Serena stayed one step ahead, driven by intuition and skill.
Back with Merslin, the fight reached a climax. He summoned a surge of energy, overwhelming the tracker. Recognizing defeat, it vanished, returning its findings to Master Ortai.
Serena, too, forced her pursuer into a corner—but at the last moment, it vanished into the shadows, leaving only silence behind.
The two regrouped and exchanged reports.
Merslin:
"Someone's testing us. Whatever's coming next… we need to be ready."
Serena:
"Right. No matter who's behind it, we can't afford to drop our guard. This was just the beginning."
With resolve burning anew, the team prepared for what lay ahead. The trials they faced were no longer just quests—they were becoming the deciding force in the fate of the Altekna Kingdom.