Arthur and Eldarion tentatively entered the murky depths of the cave, their eyes straining to peer through the gloom. As they moved forward, the faint light slowly revealed the looming outlines of five hulking dire wolves, their eyes gleaming with a feral hunger. Activating 'Gift of Speed's passive increase' Arthur launched himself towards the beasts, his sword flashing in the feeble light. The first wolf lunged forward to meet him, its jaws snapping like a steel trap. But Arthur was too quick, sidestepping the attack and slashing the beast across the flank. The wolf howled in agony, but Arthur pressed on, raining blow after blow upon the creature until it lay still on the cave floor.

Meanwhile, Eldarion held his ground, his bow taut and ready. With a sharp intake of breath, he drew back the bowstring and let fly a wind arrow, the shaft whistling through the air before embedding itself in the flesh of another wolf. The remaining three beasts were closing in, their eyes fixed upon their prey. Arthur pivoted on his heel, his sword at the ready as the remaining wolves bore down upon him. He knew that he and Eldarion were outnumbered, but he refused to back down. He charged towards the pack, his blade flashing in the flickering light.

Eldarion's arrows rained down upon the wolves, but with each shot, his quiver grew emptier. He steeled himself, knowing that he would need to conserve his remaining arrows for the most crucial moments of the battle. The wolves closed in, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing in the darkness. But Arthur and Eldarion stood their ground, their hearts beating with adrenaline.

The battle surged on, the clash of steel and the guttural snarls of the wolves echoing through the cave. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, they emerged victorious. The five direwolves lay dead at their feet, their threat vanquished. Getting the heads of the creatures as proof, Arthur and Eldarion made their way out of the cave.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Arthur said

"I ran out of arrows quicker than I expected and you just rushed in, it was lucky we made it out with nothing but scratches." Eldarion replied

"What's done is done." Arthur said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I guess so." Said Eldarion with narrowed eyes. With that they went back to the city with no conversation between them, both being exhausted after the fight.

Four hours later they got back to the Guild without incident, giving in the heads for a reward of 3 Riel each. Arthur also got his license changed to D rank for his efforts. While walking out of the guild Arthur saw someone familiar, it was Michael.

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"I see Michael." Arthur told Eldarion

"Go talk to him then." He replied

"Fine, you can go back to the inn so long I should be fine"

"You sure? I could stay behind in case he tries to fight."

"He won't." Arthur said almost pushing Eldarion out at this point. After that squabble, Arthur walked over to Michael, before he got there he took a look at Michael's license. He was A-ranked. 'How'd he improve so much in only a week? He almost lost to that lowly Elf mage just three weeks ago.'

"Hi there Michael! Long time no see," Arthur said while Michael turned around to face him

"What do you want." Michael said not hiding his disdain for Arthur.

"Just wanted to talk to an old friend is all!" Arthur said with a fake laugh

"Well, I'm pretty busy so make it quick."

"Might you have been in the forest yesterday?" Arthur instantly asked the important question. He got a slight reaction out of Michael after saying that but he quickly recomposed himself.

"I was not, why?"

"Oh, no particular reason."

"If that's all leave me alone." Michael said already walking away from Arthur with haste. Arthur just confirmed that Michael and Scarlett were the ones trying to kill him, he concluded that Scarlett told Michael to do it, probably in case he got caught or killed. This was making Arthur tired just thinking about it, a bit angry at the whole situation he walked towards the inn and went to bed after talking about what happened with Eldarion. He came to the same conclusion that Arthur got to.

Arthur woke up still pissed at his former companions. He decided he had to get to the Orc Continent and try to get someone to help him with the 'Gift of Strength'. Arthur knew he had to get more powerful since he didn't think he could beat Michael or Scarlett in a straight-up fight as he is now. Arthur found Eldarion waiting outside like they agreed and told him about his plans.

"You do not have to come with me if you don't want"

"I know but I did want to see the Orc Continent someday, I could go now instead of later I suppose." Arthur sighed in relief after he said that since he would love to have someone with him in the hostile territory that is the Orc Continent. He had heard that it was a desert, with its scorching hot weather and dried-up lands. It would take Arthur and Eldarion a week of travel to get to the continent if they kept up went jogging pace and two weeks if they walked all the way. Arthur wasn't looking forward to the hot desert of a place but he had to do this to get more powerful and protect himself.

*** *** ***

They arrived at the border of the Orc Continent ten days later without any fights on the way or other problems. Arthur sighed as he saw the dried-up land and felt the hot sun burning into his back. 'Here begins the adventure of the Orc lands' Arthur thought reluctantly and began walking forward towards the nearest village to restock on supplies before heading towards the Capital and using Eldarions connections to find a suitable trainer.