As Orvell clashed with Darkvell, it became evident that they were evenly matched—Darkvell was a perfect replica of Orvell, mimicking his movements, abilities, and tactics. Centurigon, standing ominously nearby, occasionally cast magical projectiles to keep Orvell off balance. Struggling to defend himself against two enemies, Orvell realized he needed a strategy to gain the upper hand.
The battle was relentless. Both Orvell and Darkvell used their magical enchantments and sword skills to perfection, neither able to land a decisive blow. Orvell fought defensively, knowing that victory would ultimately require defeating Centurigon. Seizing an opportunity, he used his magic shield not just for defense but as a weapon, striking Darkvell and briefly stunning him.
Orvell took this chance to launch a flurry of attacks at Centurigon. Taken by surprise, she retaliated ferociously. With her massive dragon wings, she unleashed gusts of wind to throw Orvell off balance. When that failed, she began hurling fireballs. Orvell deftly maneuvered around the flames, deflecting some with his magic shield. As he closed the distance, he landed a glancing blow on Centurigon’s chest, leaving a shallow cut. Her blood confirmed what Orvell needed to know—she could be hurt.
Darkvell recovered quickly, forcing Orvell’s attention back to his doppelgänger. The two foes pressed him hard, leaving him little room to breathe. During a brief lull, Orvell remembered an enchantment he had devised in his prime: a magic absorption spell. While untested with his current blade, it might be his only chance.
Chanting the spell—“Invulnerable, I cast onto thee”—Orvell imbued his sword with a green glow, signaling the spell’s success.
“You think cheap tricks will save you?” Centurigon sneered, charging at him with razor-sharp claws. Orvell leaped into the air, slamming her to the ground and knocking her unconscious. He turned his focus back to Darkvell, lunging forward with his enchanted blade. The sword bypassed Darkvell’s magical defenses, plunging into his chest. The enchantment absorbed the dark magic animating Darkvell, causing shockwaves of energy to ripple through the cave. With a final burst of light, Darkvell disintegrated.
Centurigon regained consciousness, her fiery eyes burning with rage. “You may have your petty magic tricks, but I will not yield!” she roared, unleashing a barrage of fireballs. Orvell evaded and deflected the projectiles, one of which struck her, enraging her further.
As Orvell braced for another assault, a crackling bolt of dark energy struck Centurigon. He turned to see Minerva and Star, finally awake and ready to fight. Reunited, the trio confronted the dragon-woman.
“That’s fine,” Centurigon snarled, her voice dripping with malice. “I’ll take you all on!” Her body transformed—her skin turned to thick, gleaming scales, her claws grew into deadly weapons, and her teeth became razor-sharp.
The trio attacked together. Orvell tanked her strikes, Minerva dealt damage, and Star provided healing support. Yet, their attacks barely scratched her armored hide.
“We need a weakness,” Orvell called out as he deflected another brutal swipe.
“If we target one spot continuously, we might pierce her scales,” Minerva suggested. “Create an opening, and Star and I can channel a massive piercing spell.”
Orvell nodded and enchanted his sword with water magic to suppress Centurigon’s fire abilities. While he kept her occupied, Minerva and Star pooled their mana into a devastating spell. Centurigon’s physical strikes were powerful but slow, allowing Orvell to maneuver and focus his attacks. With a precise thrust, he managed to weaken the scales on her chest, exposing a vulnerable spot.
“Now!” Orvell shouted, leaping aside. The combined spell from Minerva and Star streaked through the air, hitting the exposed spot and piercing straight through Centurigon.
She staggered, looking down at the gaping hole in her chest. “This… can’t be…” she whispered, collapsing as her body disintegrated into ashes.
With the threat defeated, the trio returned to the village and were met with cheers of gratitude. The chief offered them a reward, but Orvell and Minerva declined, asking only for information about the star fragment.
The chief revealed that a traveler had reported finding a gem inside a slaughtered cow in an area called Peak Hills. The fragment was just a day’s ride away, and the chief gifted them horses to speed their journey.
At dawn, Orvell and Minerva set off westward. As they traveled, Orvell wrote a letter to his children, carefully omitting the painful details of their mother’s death.
Arriving in Cattleman’s Kingdom—a realm famed for its livestock—they tracked the fragment’s trail to a butcher, who revealed he had sold the gem to a merchant. After locating the merchant, Orvell and Minerva acquired the fragment.
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Now in possession of two fragments, they knew Behem would soon come after them. Low on funds, they took on a quest to slay a “red bull butcher” for 25,000 coins.
The journey proved treacherous, with unusually aggressive goblins and orcs attacking in broad daylight. Suspicious of the increasing hostility, Minerva speculated that the demon lord Malice might be stirring again. Orvell dismissed the idea, noting Malice’s lack of key artifacts.
After completing the quest and defeating the red bull butcher, they were intercepted by Behem and his men—a warrior, a wizard, and an archer. Behem taunted Orvell before demanding the star fragments.
Refusing to yield, Orvell transformed into Grimstone. Despite the surge in power, Behem’s magical prowess proved formidable. Grimstone managed to force Behem into a defensive position, but the confrontation culminated in Behem grabbing the satchel containing the fragments.
As they fought for control, the satchel burst, scattering its contents. Grimstone and Behem clashed over one of the fragments, but Behem outmaneuvered him, driving a magical blade through Grimstone’s chest.
“You would have been a fine soldier,” Behem sneered, tossing Grimstone aside and retrieving the fragments. Ordering his men to leave Minerva battered but alive, Behem vanished through a portal, now holding two fragments.
Orvell had just woken up from his beating, but he was still bleeding from his chest. He crawled over to Minerva as she was still unconscious. He reached into his pouch and brought out a healing potion, and poured it over to Minerva. Within seconds Minerva gained her consciousness and saw how badly Orvell was injured.
The next morning, Orvell woke in a modest inn room, his thoughts heavy with the realization that Behem now possessed two of the star fragments, leaving them empty-handed. As he dressed, he descended the creaky stairs to find Minerva preparing a tray of coffee and tea. She met him in the inn’s cozy lobby, and they sat together to discuss their next steps, their spirits dampened by the loss and the uncertainty of one fragment’s location after the satchel burst.
“Well, at least we’re not broke anymore,” Minerva said, breaking the silence. “I turned in the quest early this morning.”
Orvell gave a faint nod of gratitude but said nothing. Their quiet was interrupted by the innkeeper’s voice, speaking ominously to another patron. “Darkness is coming for the realm of Grass Mark,” the innkeeper murmured.
Curious, Orvell turned to ask the innkeeper for more details. The man gestured toward the adventurer’s hall, explaining that an elf woman there might know more. Orvell’s interest piqued—if evil was indeed stirring, it could be tied to Behem’s schemes, especially since Orvell had been unconscious for three days.
Orvell and Minerva made their way to the adventurer’s hall, quickly locating the she-elf. To their surprise, she was one of the workers behind the counter. Orvell approached her directly. “We need information about this evil you’ve been talking about.”
The she-elf frowned. “I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss such matters while I’m on duty.”
Leaning closer, Orvell said firmly, “We have to know—before Behem gets his hands on the star fragments.”
His words caught her attention. Glancing around, she motioned for them to follow her into a private room. Once inside, she spoke quietly but gravely. “There are whispers of the demon lord Malice rising from the dead.”
“That’s impossible,” Orvell interjected. “I watched him fall. He can’t return without his powers.”
The she-elf shook her head. “A cult has been gathering artifacts and performing sacrifices. They aim to summon him. If they succeed, Grass Mark and beyond will fall into ruin.”
The gravity of her words set a new urgency for Orvell and Minerva. With the possibility of Malice’s resurrection looming, they resolved to find the lost star fragment before the cult could.
Their search in the kingdom of Cattlemen Ranch proved fruitless over the following months. Coins grew scarce, and the duo took on quests to sustain themselves. One such mission involved defeating ten goblins and an ogre. Though the creatures seemed unusually strong, Orvell and Minerva managed to complete the task. Exhausted, they made camp for the night before returning to the ranch.
As Minerva slept, Orvell kept watch under the stars, his mind restless. Then, from the shadows, Grimstone emerged, his presence unmistakable.
“You could’ve done this the whole time?” Orvell asked, his tone a mix of surprise and frustration.
Grimstone sat beside him, his voice calm. “I’ve been with you for years, watching. You are, without a doubt, the strongest host I’ve ever known.”
Orvell turned to him, intrigued. “You’ve had other hosts?”
Grimstone nodded, recounting tales of his past companions: a knight so powerful he could fell an entire forest with one swing, a warrior whose battle axe split the earth, and a female knight faster than lightning itself. “But you,” Grimstone said, “you surpass them all in strength and speed.”
The two shared a solemn moment. Grimstone apologized for being unable to save Beatrice, but Orvell dismissed the notion of blame. Instead, his anger was directed at the gods, who had taken her away.
“The gods are nothing but fools,” Grimstone said bitterly. “They care little for mortals. But you, Orvell—you could make the gods themselves tremble.”
Their conversation turned to strategy. Grimstone mentioned an elder wizard renowned for locating rare artifacts. “He’s old but immensely powerful,” Grimstone explained. “He lives in your homeland.”
The next morning, Orvell shared this information with Minerva, and the two decided to return home. They made their way to the docks at Cattlemen Ranch, where Raven awaited them, having received their letter.
Reunited, the trio set sail, their course aimed toward Orvell’s homeland. As the waves lapped against the ship, Orvell and Minerva recounted their experiences to Raven. Determined, they vowed to recover the lost fragment and prevent the darkness from spreading further.