The aroma in the air was a delightful mix of salt and wine as it wafted across the Island of Thegn, casting a particularly intoxicating spell within the walls of the Drunken Dragon Tavern. This establishment acted as a haven for weary sailors, diligent dockworkers, and weathered fishermen, offering a refuge after the grueling toils of the day. Patrons gathered here in search of amusement, and on this particular day, entertainment abounded.

“Go on, smash 'em! Smack 'em!" The boisterous chorus of sailors and fishermen echoed through the tavern as two figures grappled fiercely on the floor.” Wagers were being laid on the ultimate victor, although the outcome was scarcely a mystery. "The Bronze Behemoth" was the moniker attributed to one of the contenders, a sobriquet derived partly from their lustrous bronze complexion and partly from their formidable stature. Kenna Larson could boast of an unbroken record of triumphs in barroom scuffles, and that streak remained unblemished as her latest challenger surrendered.

"Two hundred gold pieces to anyone who dares to challenge me!" Her raucous voice resonated throughout the tavern, drawing both attention and jeers from the crowd. Despite her taunts, none dared to step up, paralyzed by fear. Eventually, one individual did, his burly arm rippling with muscle and a prominent scar bisecting his face

"These weaklings got bested by a freak, but not me! I won't back down because I am—" His proclamation was abruptly cut short by a powerful punch that sent him crashing into the tavern wall, creating an unceremonious hole. Bloodied and battered, he rose from the floor, grabbed a stool, and smashed it against Kenna's formidable frame before delivering a solid punch to her gut. Amidst the raucous cheers, Kenna responded by seizing her opponent's shoulders and flinging him across the bar.

"Kenna, please be mindful of the other patrons; let's avoid undue disturbance," came the tranquil interjection of Blake Windfield. Clad in an ivory robe adorned with celestial patterns reminiscent of stars, his obsidian skin was eclipsed only by his eyes, twin orbs that mirrored the night sky, complete with its constellation of stars. Amidst the tumultuous fracas, he remained an oasis of calm, engrossed in the contemplation of "A Theorem on the Origin of Magic" by Merlin Ambrosius, occasionally pausing to sip from a steaming chalice of tea

"Blake speaks the truth. Remember, we mustn't neglect these enchanting ladies in our midst," chimed in Kaynard Rexus. His crimson-hued dermis and twin cranial horns marked him as a member of the demon race. Draped in a sleek ebony ensemble accented by splashes of crimson, Kaynard was, in that instant, surrounded by a bevy of tavern maidens, a glass of wine adroitly twirling between his fingers. His flirtations, however, were abruptly interrupted by the icy glint of a blade perilously close to his throat.

"Kaynard, my patience for your misuse of charm spells is waning. Cease this behavior," Unity Bright admonished, her blade poised with deadly intent. The embodiment of a paladin, a warrior pledged to the goddess of light, Unity's delicate appearance belied her inner strength. Bound in glistening golden armor, her auburn tresses were arranged in an elegant bun. "Dispel the charm now."

Kaynard feigned a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch, Unity. My feelings are hurt, you know. You think I need a charm spell to woo the ladies?" He raised an eyebrow, his devilish grin evident even in the midst of Unity's stern gaze.

Unity gave the demon a deadly glare, her blade getting even closer to his throat. "Don't even try that with me, Kaynard. We've been through this before."

"Very well, Unity, I surrender. But don't expect this compliance to be a trend," Kaynard quipped, his hands raised in mock surrender as he dispelled the charm with a simple snap of his fingers. "Although, in all honesty, Kenna seems to be causing far more havoc than I ever could."

Kenna grabbed her opponent by the leg and lifted him before slamming it into a table shattering it to pieces. With him pinned under her, she began to beat him one punch after bone-crunching punch. She is only stopped when somebody puts a hand on her shoulders.

“Ca-ca-ca-captain, it's not what it looks like, he was the one that challenged me to a fight!" The grievously injured man attempted to protest, but his fractured jaw hindered articulation. The giant got up and bowed her head at the arrival of her captain.

"Good to see you, Captain. Sorry about the ruckus; it's not exactly the best reading environment," Blake sighed, setting aside his tea and rising from his seat. It seemed a mistake to rely on Unity to maintain order.

“Captain, tell Unity to stop ruining the fun you know she only listens to you” Kaynard teleported to the side of his captain giving him a smirk. The paladin sheathed her sword, too tired to continue

The Captain did not listen and instead moved toward the tavern owner who has been hiding behind the bar this entire time.

“Here’s twenty gold pieces for your troubles, my apologies for my guild they can be a bit troublesome,” he said offering gold in exchange for a newspaper. His dark blue hair, the color of the deep ocean, matched his eyes and his onyx armor complimented them well.

"Look, it's him," murmured a dockworker, nudging his companion and nodding in Cael's direction.

"Captain Bluewater of the Silver Company," another whispered, awe lacing his voice.

Cael was used to being recognized and gave a polite smile so as not to appear arrogant. However, deep down being the head of one of the most renowned guilds of adventurers was a source of pride for him.

“Tomorrow we set sail, the board has given us a fresh commission,” said Cael Bluewater to his team. As they made their way out of the tavern, Cael's keen ears caught snippets of hushed conversation from a cluster of patrons seated at a nearby bench. His curiosity piqued, and he diverted his path toward them. "Pardon me, but I couldn't help but overhear. What's the topic of discussion?" Cael inquired, his blue eyes resting on the small gathering.

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A middle-aged man with a greying beard glanced up at Cael, seemingly surprised by the question. "Ah, Captain Bluewater, it's been a while. We were just talkin' 'bout someone we ain't heard of in years." He produced a worn piece of parchment and handed it to Cael.

Cael's eyes scanned the poster, his features shifting as he recognizes his old friend.

Former Guardsman of the Valonde Kingdom, Edmund Reiner, Abducts Princess Alexia of Felucia Kingdom.

Dead or Alive, Bounty of Two Thousand Gold Coins Offered.

Somewhere in the Woods of Shrivenshire

The forest was quiet for its inhabitants are asleep. Nothing could have disturbed it except for the screaming of a princess and a wannabe adventurer. They were falling and they were falling fast. With her quick thinking, Princess Alexia casts a levitation spell just as they are about to hit the soil.

“I can't believe I almost died from being teleported into the air,” Ed thought silently cursing Merlin for that scare. He looked around noticing that they are on the outskirts of a forest with a field of flowers on the other side.

Ed looked at Alexia and saw her playing with the flowers, "So, what now? We've stepped away from everything. Where do we go from here?" He asked.

Alexia, smiled. "Ed, we have a whole world to see. Let's explore, experience life beyond the confines of our expectations and the city walls. I want to see what the world is outside the story books."

Ed never really thought of that. Would he have stayed in Felucia forever if this never happened? He felt embarrassed just thinking about it.

“This is my first time out of Felucia, I can scarcely believe it myself” Alexia said amazed by the sight around her. The flowers were beautiful and filled with vibrant hues. Bees are pollinating the flowers and small woodland creatures were traveling through.

Alexia's steps were tentative at first, her dainty shoes barely grazing the vibrant petals. Her fingers extended to brush against the velvety petals of a nearby bloom, her touch gentle as if hesitant to disturb the fragile beauty.

"I've read about such places in books, but to be here, to see and touch... it's beyond words," she marveled, her voice a hushed murmur as if afraid to break the enchantment.

Ed's sense of wonder mirrored Alexia's as he cast his gaze across the sea of blossoms, each one a stroke of nature's artistry. "Books can't do justice to this," he agreed, his usually adventurous spirit momentarily subdued by the breathtaking scene. He knelt to get a closer look at a particularly intricate flower, its petals an iridescent blue, resembling a fragment of the sky itself.

As they ventured further, their senses drank in the symphony of life around them. The hum of bees at work created a soothing backdrop, and the gentle whisper of leaves carried secrets of the woodland creatures that remained elusive in the shadows. A flash of vibrant plumage caught Ed's eye, and he pointed to a bird perched on a nearby branch, its song a melody that seemed to blend seamlessly with the ambiance.

Alexia's fingers trailed along the petals of a flower with hues that shifted like a painter's palette. "These flowers, they seem to respond to magic," she mused aloud, captivated by the spectrum of colors that dazzled her eyes. She channeled a bit of mana into the flowers causing them to bloom

Ed nodded in agreement, his gaze drifting from the flowers to the expanse of the forest that beckoned them. "I've always dreamt of adventures, but I never thought it would be like this”. He walked towards the forest feeling tranquil. Ed's initial fascination with the tranquil surroundings drew him toward the lush expanse of the forest. However, the tranquility would be shattered in an instant as a low, menacing growl reverberated through the air. The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble as a hulking figure emerged from the shadows, a creature of both awe and terror.

It was a bear, unlike any Ed had encountered before. Its powerful form was accentuated by the grandeur of massive wings unfurled upon its back.

"That's a... a winged bear," she stammered, her voice tinged with both fear and awe. Alexia's breath caught in her throat, a gasp escaping her lips. "I read about them in a book. They're incredibly territorial and easily provoked. We need to be cautious."

Ed's heart raced as the reality of the situation settled in. He gripped the handle of his spear, his fingers tightening around the worn leather. There was no room for hesitation as he met the creature's gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the danger that loomed before them.

The bear's growl escalated into a deafening roar, its wings extending in a show of dominance. Ed's mind raced, his instincts taking over as he planted his feet firmly, spear poised to defend against the threat.

The winged bear lunged forward, its massive form propelled by sheer force. Ed's movements were swift and instinctual, his spear a mere extension of his body.

"Princess I need a little help here!" Ed's voice cut through the tumultuous air as he deflected a swipe of the bear's paw with his spear. He shifted his stance, eyes locked onto the creature, his heart pounding in rhythm with each move.

Alexia watched with a mixture of terror and admiration, her fingers clutching the hem of her gown. Seeing Ed struggling against the winged bear's onslaught, Alexia's gaze narrowed with fierce resolve. She extended her hand, fingers bathed in a gentle, flickering glow. As the winged bear lunged, she unleashed a controlled burst of fire, aiming to divert its attention away from Edmund.

The flames erupted with controlled intensity, forming a fiery barrier between the winged bear and her companion. The creature recoiled, its wings flapping frantically as it roared in surprise and discomfort. The flames danced and crackled on the winged bear only making it more ferocious.

“We have to retreat” Alexia screamed out with a sense of urgency. She could not risk starting a wildfire and causing unnecessary deaths. Therefore the only option was to run to fight another day or hopefully not fight at all.

Ed scrambled back his heart racing with adrenaline. He regretted not practicing with his weapon naively thinking he would never use it again. Although it was unofficial, he never thought that being an adventurer was in his future and he certainly didn’t think he would fight such a dangerous creature immediately.

They broke away from the confrontation, sprinting towards the perceived safety of the forest's edge. The bear's roars echoed behind them, its ferocious pursuit audible even over the pounding of their footsteps. As they emerged into a small clearing, their hearts raced with a glimmer of hope; surely, they had outrun the beast.

Ed's breaths came in ragged gasps as he skidded to a halt, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. Nothing seemed amiss, and he allowed himself a momentary exhale of relief. "I think we've—"

His words were abruptly cut off by the beating of wings, a sound that seemed to erupt from above. Ed's gaze shot skyward, eyes widening in disbelief as he registered the winged bear hurtling toward him in a nightmarish dive.

"Alexia, move!" Ed's voice was a guttural shout as he instinctively pushed the princess aside, a split-second before the winged bear's massive form crashed into him. Its claws, as sharp as a blade, tore through his flesh with devastating force. The sickening sensation of rending flesh was eclipsed only by the fiery agony that surged through his chest.

Ed's vision blurred as pain surged through every fiber of his being, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of shock and agony. This was worse than the wound he sustained in the tournament. The gash across his chest throbbed like a living thing, blood seeping from the wound and staining his clothes. He struggled to maintain consciousness, the world around him spinning as he fought against the encroaching darkness.

He fought against the waves of pain radiating from his chest, his eyes fixed on the spear he had dropped in the chaos.

As he strained to reach for the weapon, his fingers mere inches away, a shadow eclipsed the sun above him. His heart pounded in his ears, and a sense of dread settled like a shroud. Time seemed to slow, every heartbeat an agonizing eternity.

Above him, the winged bear was poised for another attack, its claws ready to descend once more. Ed's vision blurred as he stretched his fingers, his body propelled by sheer will. The spear was almost within his grasp, a lifeline to stave off the imminent threat.

"No... No, this can't be happening," the princess whispered, the words barely escaping her lips. Trembling on the forest floor, Alexia's mind struggled to process the harrowing event that had just unfolded before her eyes. Her heart raced as she watched her companion teetering on the brink of death.

"S-stop... Move, Alexia!" Her internal pleas mingled with the silent scream that echoed within her chest. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to react, yet her limbs remained stubbornly still, paralyzed by shock. She could only watch as the creature descended upon him

The air turned red with blood