After his intense battle vs Mark, Aldeen retreated to an unknown location.

"I must shield Sage Willow's territory before the mercenaries arrive," Alistar rushed towards Sage Willow's dwelling.

"Sage Willow, revered one, forgive my sudden intrusion. I implore you to vacate your tent. The mercenaries are closing in, and regrettably, we failed to fortify the forest," Alistar explained with a bow.

"Is this some jest, Alistar?" Sage Willow chuckled.

Alistar bowed his head in contrition. "I am ashamed to make this request, but we are uncertain of their capabilities. Reports suggest they wield advanced C-technology. I come not to offend, but out of concern for our safety."

"Ha! Leave me be!" Sage Willow dismissed him.

"I have dwelled in this forest for years; I depart when I choose. How long has this forest stood? How many wars have we weathered?" Sage Willow questioned.

"I am sorry, truly," Alistar admitted, his voice heavy with remorse.

"Fear not, Alistar. The mercenaries shall not set foot here; instead, I shall meet them," Sage Willow declared.

Alistar's eyes widened in alarm. "But Sage Willow, it's far too perilous for you to venture there!"

"Ho ho ho, you never cease to entertain me. Do you doubt my capabilities?" Sage Willow chuckled.

“ohh! Noo! Nobody in his right mind would doubt your capabilities great sage” he said.

“What should I do?” he said.

“The obvious!” she said.

Defeated, Alistar exited the tent, his spirits low. Finding solace atop a boulder, he settled into meditation, his mind awash with racing thoughts.

I've trained relentlessly, following her instructions meticulously, time and time again. How foolish of me to doubt her wisdom, to fail to grasp the simplicity of her words. The solution is clear; I must heed the obvious. Do my best, with no fear in my mind.

Alistar raised his arm and assumed the horse stance, palms open to the air. A swirling vortex formed in front of his arms, drawing in dust, air, plant debris, leaves, and insects from the ground.

"Haaaaaa!" Alistar roared, grappling with the overwhelming influx of material. His focus was intense, so much so that blood began to trickle from his nose. The swirling mass spun faster and faster until it condensed into a colossal ball of blue and green energy.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Alistar's roar echoed once more, veins bulging on his body, face flushed with exertion as he channeled his energy. His body pulsed with power as the ball of energy began to split and morph, transforming into ethereal wolf creatures of light.

"I am Alistar!" His voice rang out, commanding and resolute, echoing through the depths of the forest. "I summon you, noble creatures of light, born from the essence of this sacred land, woven from the very fabric of the forest. This land, where children frolic and laughter fills the air, is under threat. But fear not, for we stand united against those who seek to desecrate its purity."

His words carried the weight of centuries of reverence for the land, each syllable infused with unwavering determination and righteous indignation. "Protect this forest with all your might! Let your radiant light illuminate the darkness and expose the treachery of the invaders. Show them no mercy, for your brilliance shall be the beacon of justice, shining upon those whose hearts are tainted with deceit!"

He then raised his fist into the air, “Gooooooooo!” he screamed.

image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1008571042782003290/1215450391974641695/oubliha123_an_army_of_ethereal_wolves_made_from_light._Fantasy__7f724144-e1a8-4713-86d9-20ae22414571.png?ex=65fccb63&is=65ea5663&hm=6897e128f487f0332f0f92bf50369ce13256dc94f65a4d70348f926e8c440dbe&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=473&height=473]

With a solemn nod, he released the creatures of light, their forms pulsating with raw energy as they surged forth to defend their home. As they vanished into the foliage, a sense of noble purpose hung in the air, their mission clear: to safeguard the forest and its inhabitants from any who dared threaten its sanctity.

In the outer reaches of the forest, only the mercenaries, acting under the orders of Lilithia, Ongloid, and Renauld, linger. Meanwhile, the bulk of the Eldorian troops have regrouped and withdrawn to positions closer to the protective barrier surrounding Eldoria's walls.

As the inhabitants of the forest witnessed the fiery symbols, they hurriedly made their way to the safety of Eldoria's walls. Soldiers and troops swiftly sprang into action, organizing the influx of people and providing them with temporary shelter within the city confines.

In simultaneous manner, Lilithia, Ongloid, and Renauld all three felt the defeat and death of Mark.

Renauld, ordered his troops to move to a certain location, and went to meet with Jenkins the vice minister of defense.

Renauld and Jenkins faced each other with thinly veiled distrust evident in their exchange.

"Mr. Jenkins," Renauld began, his tone guarded.

"Renauld," Jenkins replied curtly.

Renauld wasted no time in cutting to the chase. "I believe you know why I'm here. However, let's be honest. I don't trust you, Mr. Jenkins," he declared, the tension between them palpable as their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

Stolen novel; please report.

Jenkins mirrored the sentiment. "I don't trust you either. Frankly, I dislike you. However, business is business."

With a sense of urgency, Renauld handed a sealed envelope to Jenkins, who wasted no time in opening it.

"It seems the item is here," Jenkins remarked coolly. “Always a pleasure to do business with Sven” he added his gaze still observing Renauld.

Renauld's voice dripped with malice as he demanded, "Yeah, so what's the location of the secret passage?" His gaze drilled into Jenkins, probing for any trace of deception.

Jenkins, unfazed by Renauld's hostility, replied, "Can you relax for a moment? I have no intention of fleeing, although I could if I desired."

Renauld's laughter rang out, tinged with a dangerous edge. "Ha ha ha! You underestimate me. I'd abandon this mission in a heartbeat just to hunt you down. And don't forget, I hold the power to expose you as a traitor to the Eldorian authorities.” He paused with intense eyes, and slightly elevated voice he added, “So watch your words, you lowlife!"

Jenkins smirked and interjected, "Now, now, you wouldn't want to do that. Especially you." His smile took on a sinister edge as he continued, "Unless you're eager to feel the scorching flames of Xelar."

Renauld's fists clenched, his eyes ablaze with intensity. It seemed as though he was simultaneously slamming both the brakes and the accelerator pedal of a car.

Jenkins then added, "You may hold some power, Renauld, but don't forget who holds the real leverage here. Sven hasn't left the deserts of Jambodia, and if you make any reckless moves, you'll find yourself facing consequences far beyond your imagination. So tread carefully, for your own sake."

Renauld's expression darkened, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes at the mention of Sven and the potential consequences of his actions.

He leaned back, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on Renauld, and inquired, "Well then, what's the secret passage? I've provided you with the item entrusted to me by Sven."

Jenkins chuckled. "You're quite the character," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Here is the map to the secret entry to Eldoria. There's a cascade of water near the mountains to the left of the wall. Below the cascade lies a secret passage.”

"And since I have such faith in your cunning, I thought I'd offer you a gift," Jenkins added, presenting the document. "Additionally, here's a document that will grant access past the first layer of defense of the lab."

"I will kill you one day" Renauld replied icily, his words dripping with sarcasm as he tilted his head in mock appreciation.

Jenkins, laughed then transformed into black smoke and disappeared.

Renauld then took cubes out of his pocket, he teleported into the sky, he then fused them with his energy. And they exploded making signals, in the air.

Ongloid, and Lilithia saw the signals, and instructed their troops to take different positions in the forest.

Then Renauld, went towards the location given to him by Jenkins.

Just beyond the walls of Eldoria, Kyros sat at the base of a cascading waterfall, immersed in rigorous training. He dedicated an hour to hand-to-hand combat, honing his skills with relentless determination. Following this, he scaled the towering left mountain that bordered Eldoria, his bare hands gripping onto the rock face as he climbed, pushing himself to the limits of endurance. Another hour was spent in deep concentration, allowing him to master the control and manipulation of energies flowing within him. And in the end he ends it with meditation.

His thoughts were as follow:

As I tread the streets, I'm met with indifference, a nobody in the eyes of passersby who don't spare me a glance. Even when I attempt to engage them, the response is always the same—a silent judgment echoing in their souls: "This pampered youth, with his soft girlish features, appears feeble. Oh, born into privilege! Life handed to him on a silver platter! The son of John, the minister of finance. His destiny predetermined, spared the need to toil or struggle like the rest of us!"

It's not my doing that I was born into wealth; given a choice, I'd opt for a life of hardship, to prove my worth. The misconception persists among the feeble; the weak, that comfort is life's ultimate pursuit. Yet, true living is synonymous with survival—an ongoing battle against the odds. Survival is a basic instinct; to survive is to live, and to live is to struggle. To struggle with determination and purpose is to be free.

Repeatedly, I've observed the subtle transformations in their faces and spirits as they witness my abilities—be it in lifting weights, in hand-to-hand combat, or controlling energy. "Who is this kid?" they ponder. With eyes ablaze, I instill fear in the weak, dismantle the arrogant with the depths of my soul, and overpower the pragmatic with my unyielding determination.

Thus, I defied my father's plans, seeking refuge near a lake just beyond Eldoria's walls. Already securing a place at Ragon Academy, I am determined to ascend until my name resonates among the stars.

The rebels, the mercenaries, the upper echelon coming to Eldoria to wreak havoc after the king is ailing?!

Exactly! What I hate the most! I will dispose of them, by myself!

And prove once more that the authorities and Eldorian troops are useless!

Rebels?! Hein?! A flicker of red smoke came from his shoulder.

The rebels, ensnared in their delusions of grandeur, perceive societal destruction as a necessary precursor to growth. Their misguided ideology is steeped in bitterness and resentment, viewing the existing order as inherently flawed and irredeemable. Blinded by their own self-righteousness, they shun introspection, preferring instead to scapegoat others for their perceived injustices. That’s why they need a flock, they are bullies, and they need a flock to stop them from losing their damn minds!

And those hefty elites, ensconced in their towers of privilege, manipulate the rules of society with impunity. They employ deceit, theft, murder, and lies to further their ambitions. I know the likes of them very well, the trash of society, I have seen them deal with my father many times. Many times their desires are hollow, rooted in a profound insecurity that manifests in ostentatious displays of wealth and power. I will soar high above them, I am propelled by the divine spark of creativity. Unlike them I don’t rely on calculated maneuvers and calculated schemes. My strength lie in the liberation of my soul. While they cling to their gilded thrones, I roam freely, untethered by the chains of convention, untethered by the rules of society, I don’t seek the acceptance of others, but I only want peace for my soul and to be the best version I can become. Though rare, I must admit that there are people who are true, they are real, competent, and powerful; such as Aldeen.

In his intense thinking, black and red smoke started concentrating on the shoulder of Kyros. However....

*Booom*

A thunderous boom shattered Kyros's meditation, jolting him from his trance. With a start, he snapped open his eyes, only to behold a formidable sight: a legion of a hundred soldiers marching steadily toward him. As the explosion reverberated through the air, the forces orchestrating the attack were focused solely on their objective—reshaping the mountains to fit inside the cascade. Oblivious to Kyros's presence, they moved with precision, their actions shrouded in the veil of night.

Still observing them, Kyros, tossed his gray robe, and took his red band that was tightly wrapped around his right triceps and he used to wrap his hair, preparing for battle.

He then jumped into the air and started conjuring a huge red ball of fire. The soldiers noticed his appeareance and were shocked.

“A kid?!” “look at that huge ball!” “Fast! Make a wall! Earth conjurers step forward!”

Kyros launched the huge ball at them, but they made a wall that ate the blast.

Then from behind a figure wearing a black cloak, emerged from the back, their silhouette menacing against the backdrop of chaos. Their footsteps were silent, but their intent was unmistakable.

The figure's presence was ominous against the chaotic backdrop, their intentions veiled in darkness.

Kyros braced himself, feeling the tension in the air escalate with each passing moment. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he prepared to face this new, formidable adversary.