The air between Sid and the towering man thickened with palpable tension. Sid stood tall, even though his head barely reached the man's chest, refusing to be intimidated by the brute’s towering figure or the crowd of onlookers that had gathered to watch the brewing storm.
The man, face flushed with a mix of anger and pride, took a step forward, his muscles tense, ready to put Sid in his place. Sid’s heart raced, but his expression remained calm—he wasn’t backing down. Not now.
Before anything could happen, a voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade.
“How about we settle this with a duel?” Talia Seris, fiery and commanding, stepped forward, her flame-infused sword resting lazily on her shoulder. A wicked grin played on her lips as she looked between the two men.
The crowd stirred, whispers filling the air. A duel? It was unheard of for someone like Sid to be challenged by a brute twice his size. But Talia’s excitement was contagious. “What do you say, boys? Let’s see who really deserves to stand here.”
Kael Draven let out a hearty laugh from the side. “This should be good!” he said, nudging Mira Voss, who raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, observing the situation unfold.
Darron, the stoic warrior, glanced over and shook his head, his voice a quiet rumble. “This is ridiculous.” But he didn’t object.
Lucan Ravik, watching from the shadows, crossed his arms. His eyes never left Sid, curiosity flickering beneath his otherwise unreadable expression.
“Wait, wait,” Cian stepped in, grabbing Sid by the shoulder. “You don’t need to do this, man. Seriously, let it go. There’s no point in fighting.”
Sid glanced at his friend, appreciating the concern, but there was something deeper at play. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, their eyes all on him, waiting for his next move. He wasn’t just fighting a brute; he was fighting for his pride. Calmly, he shook Cian’s hand off.
“It’s fine,” Sid said quietly, his voice steady and unshaken. “Let’s get this over with.”
Talia clapped her hands, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Excellent! The rules are simple. No killing blows. First one to immobilize the other wins. Agreed?”
The tall man sneered, cracking his knuckles. “Agreed. I’ll make this quick.”
Sid didn’t respond. He simply nodded, his mind focused. He didn’t care about winning or losing. He just needed to stand his ground.
Talia raised her hand, the crowd holding its collective breath. “Begin!”
The duel commenced—but it ended just as quickly.
Three seconds passed.
No one saw what happened. One moment, the tall man was lunging forward, his massive fist aimed at Sid’s head. The next moment, he stood frozen, completely still, his fist hanging in the air, mere inches from Sid’s face.
The crowd gasped. The brute, who seconds ago had been filled with rage and energy, now stood motionless, his eyes wide with shock. He was breathing, but his body refused to move, as though something invisible held him in place.
Sid, on the other hand, stood exactly where he had been, looking calm and completely unharmed. His eyes, however, were sharper now, his gaze fixed on the man who couldn’t even blink. It was over.
A stunned silence filled the street. The crowd didn’t know whether to cheer or be afraid. Slowly, though, the shock gave way to awe, and cheers erupted from the onlookers. People shouted Sid’s name, their voices rising into the sky.
From the side, Talia blinked, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face before she grinned again. “Well, that was… fast.” She turned to the others, her voice playful. “I didn’t even get to enjoy it.”
Kael shook his head, laughing. “Three seconds? That’s got to be a record.”
Darron remained stoic, though his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Sid. “There’s more to him than meets the eye.”
Mira, who had been quiet up until now, stared at Sid with new interest, her mind racing. “What did I just see?” she murmured, eyes narrowing as though trying to solve a puzzle.
Lucan, however, wore a knowing smile. He had seen it. The speed, the precision—it wasn’t luck. It was skill. Quietly, he smirked, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Sid, sensing the attention on him, took a deep breath. The cheers grew louder, but all he wanted to do was disappear. Without a word, he stepped back, blending into the chaos of the crowd. The moment he could, he slipped away, avoiding the eyes of those who now viewed him as something more.
But not everyone missed his departure.
Mira Voss scanned the crowd, her eyes darting from face to face. “Where did he go?” she muttered, searching for any sign of Sid.
“He’s quick,” Kael said, amused. “I’ll give him that.”
As Sid made his way through the streets, his mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts. He hadn’t meant to draw so much attention, but now it seemed inevitable. The power he held—it was growing, and with it, the expectations of those around him.
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Just as he turned a corner, a voice stopped him in his tracks. “That was impressive.”
Sid glanced over his shoulder to see Lucan Ravik leaning against a nearby wall, arms crossed. The archer’s face was calm, but there was a flicker of respect in his eyes.
“I didn’t think anyone could move that fast,” Lucan continued, pushing off the wall and walking towards him. “Not even me.”
Sid shrugged, trying to brush off the compliment. “It was nothing.”
Lucan studied him for a moment before speaking again. “You’ve got talent. A lot of it. Ever thought about joining the Crimson Talon?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Sid considered it. The Crimson Talon was the pinnacle of power in Drakovia. Joining them would mean recognition, strength, and the chance to make a real difference. But it would also mean giving up something—his independence, his quiet life, his control over his own destiny.
Sid smiled, though there was a hint of melancholy in his expression. “Thanks for the offer, but… no. I think I’ll pass.”
Lucan nodded, as though he had expected the answer. “Fair enough. Just know that the door’s always open. You’ve got what it takes. If you ever change your mind, we’ll be waiting.”
Sid watched as Lucan turned to leave, his mind churning with thoughts. Maybe this was his ego holding him back. Maybe this was fear, disguised as pride. Whatever it was, he couldn’t deny that the Crimson Talon would offer him something he couldn’t achieve on his own.
Sid moved quickly through the narrow alley, his footsteps steady, eyes scanning his surroundings. He wasn’t sure why, but the air felt different today—heavier, everyone was watching him. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts, but he kept his pace. The crowded streets of Drakovia were familiar yet distant.
“Impressive speed,” a voice called out from behind.
Sid’s hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword, but he paused, turning his head just enough to catch a figure leaning casually against the wall. It was a man, calm, observant. He was tall with sharp features, and though his expression was neutral, there was a hint of something beneath it—interest, maybe.
“Sid, right?” the man asked, stepping away from the wall and into the light. “Lucan Ravik.”
Sid nodded, assessing the situation. “Yeah, that’s me.”
Lucan gave a small smile. “You move faster than most. And that’s saying something.”
Sid raised an eyebrow. Compliments like that weren’t common around here. “I didn’t know I was being watched.”
Lucan shrugged, his eyes not leaving Sid’s. “Drakovia has eyes everywhere. Quickness and intelligence like yours… hard to miss.” His tone was calm, almost too casual for the weight of his words.
Sid felt a flicker of curiosity, though he kept it masked. “Why follow me? You don’t seem like someone who does things without a reason.”
Lucan’s smile didn’t fade. “I like to know who’s worth paying attention to.”
Sid's mind churned, piecing together why Lucan would single him out. It wasn’t common for a stranger to approach him like this. “You usually make it a habit to track people down like this?”
Lucan’s gaze remained steady. “Not everyone. Just those who stand out.”
Sid let the words hang in the air before asking, “Where’s this going?”
Lucan chuckled lightly. “Where are you from?”
“Valoria,” Sid replied, his tone calm, but his curiosity piqued. The tension between them didn’t feel like a threat, but there was a purpose to this exchange, and Sid wanted to know what it was.
Lucan nodded slowly, as if the answer confirmed something for him. “Valoria... That explains it. You don’t see many from there these days. Must have been a long road.”
Sid tilted his head slightly. “It’s not a place people usually come back from.”
Lucan’s eyes narrowed, but his smile never faltered. “And yet, here you are.”
Sid studied him for a moment longer, trying to figure out what Lucan’s real interest was. But before he could press further, Lucan gave a slight nod, stepping back into the shadows.
“I’ll be around,” Lucan said, his voice fading as he turned to leave. “We’ll talk again.”
Sid watched him disappear into the crowd, a mix of questions buzzing in his mind. There was something more behind Lucan’s words, something deeper. He didn’t like being followed, but this encounter left him with a thought that lingered, something he couldn’t shake.
As the noise of the city began to swallow him again, Sid whispered to himself, “What is it that you want?”
But for now, there was no answer. Only silence..
The sound of cheers and celebration echoed long after Sid had slipped away from the crowd. Back at the heart of the city, the Crimson Talon gathered for a much quieter, yet equally important, meeting in their fortress-like base. The walls were lined with banners, each marked with their fierce, blood-red insignia—a talon grasping a lightning bolt. The grand hall was dimly lit, creating an atmosphere heavy with anticipation.
Around the massive circular table, five out of the twelve core members of Crimson Talon had taken their seats. Talia Seris, Lucan Ravik, Kael Draven, Mira Voss, and Darron were present, their expressions serious as the topic of discussion weighed heavily on their minds.
Lucan stood at the head of the table, his voice calm but commanding. “The Vorgath Dominion is preparing to attack Dragonmine. Intelligence reports they’ve been building up forces along the southern border, and their target is clear.”
Darron leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Dragonmine is the key to Drakovia’s wealth. If they take it, we’ll lose not just resources but the morale of the people. We can’t let that happen.”
Talia’s eyes gleamed with excitement, always one to enjoy a good fight. “Let them come. They’ll regret ever setting foot in our lands.”
Kael, ever the strategist, tapped his fingers on the table, his voice measured. “This won’t be like our usual skirmishes. Vorgath is sending elite troops, and the terrain around Dragonmine works to their advantage. We need to be smart about this.”
Mira Voss, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. “We’re spread thin as it is. With the other seven members on missions across the region, we can’t rely on a full force. So, who’s going to defend the mine?”
Lucan looked around the room, weighing each member’s strengths. “Talia, Kael, and Darron—your combat skills are unmatched. You three will lead the defense at Dragonmine. Mira, I want you on reconnaissance, gathering intel on Vorgath’s movements and reporting back. I’ll coordinate from here.”
Talia’s grin widened as she leaned forward. “Finally, some action! I’ve been getting restless.”
Darron, ever serious, gave a curt nod. “It won’t be easy. We’ll need every advantage we can get.”
Kael’s voice was thoughtful, a hint of concern in his usually calm demeanor. “We’ll need to set traps along the pass leading to the mine. If we can’t stop them head-on, we’ll have to wear them down before they reach the gates.”
Lucan turned to Mira. “Your scouts are crucial in this. Vorgath isn’t going to announce their plans. We need to know what they’re planning before they make their move.”
Mira nodded. “I’ve already got people in place. We’ll know their next step before they take it.”
With the plan coming together, the tension in the room began to ease. The Crimson Talon may have been facing a dangerous threat, but this was what they were made for—standing against the tide, no matter how overwhelming.
Lucan brought the meeting to a close with a firm but quiet declaration. “We’ll hold the Dragonmine. No matter the cost.”
As the formalities ended, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The battle plans had been made, but there was something deeper connecting these five warriors. They weren’t just a team—they were family. And as the weight of their mission settled over them, the bonds between them only grew stronger.
Talia stretched her arms over her head, sighing. “Enough of this serious talk. We’ve got a fight ahead of us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t relax before then.”
Kael smirked. “You’re just looking for an excuse to get into more trouble, aren’t you?”
Talia punched him lightly on the arm, laughing. “You know me too well.”
Darron, ever the stoic, couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath. “Try not to break anything this time, Talia.”
Mira, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, leaned back in her chair. “It’s moments like these that remind me why we do this. Not for the glory, not for the fame—but for each other.”
Lucan, standing off to the side, allowed himself a rare smile. He observed the banter between his comrades, the way they laughed and teased each other despite the looming threat of war. This was their strength—not just their skills in battle, but their unity.
As the laughter and conversation flowed, the tension from earlier melted away, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie. For a brief moment, they weren’t Crimson Talon members preparing for battle—they were brothers and sisters, bonded by trust and loyalty.
Mira looked over at Lucan, her voice soft but thoughtful. “You think the others will be back in time? With seven of us out there, we’re not at full strength.”
Lucan’s gaze shifted, his calm demeanor never wavering. “They’ll return when the time is right. For now, we have each other. And that’s enough.”
Kael raised his glass in a toast. “To Crimson Talon—may we never lose sight of what truly matters.”
The others followed suit, raising their glasses high. “To Crimson Talon.”
But beneath the surface of the celebration, the looming threat of the Vorgath Dominion still lingered in their minds. They all knew what was coming, and each of them would play their part. The weight of responsibility hung over them, but so did the comfort of knowing they weren’t alone in this fight.
As the night wore on, the conversations grew quieter, more personal. Talia and Kael exchanged stories of past battles, while Mira and Darron discussed strategy for the upcoming defense. Lucan, ever watchful, kept his thoughts to himself, always thinking two steps ahead.
Yet, despite the impending danger, there was an unspoken understanding among them all—they were prepared. They had faced worse odds before, and they would face them again.
As the meeting came to a close, and the members of Crimson Talon began to disperse, Lucan found himself alone for a brief moment, his mind turning over the events of the day. The duel, the parade, the looming battle—it all felt like pieces of a larger puzzle falling into place. But there was still something missing. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.