The Shadow’s Call
The shadowy figure observed the battered forms of Kaelan and the siblings, his gaze lingering on their bloodied and unconscious bodies. His expression was unreadable, a mask of faint curiosity mixed with indifference. From his jacket, he retrieved a sleek object about the size of a pen. Bringing it to his mouth, he spoke into it, his voice smooth and commanding.
“Bring yourself and your equipment to Fragrance Forest.”
A frustrated voice crackled back from the device. “Are you out of your mind? You want me to go to Fragrance Forest? I’m not even in Mystvir. And for what you’re paying me, this isn’t worth it.”
The shadowy figure interrupted calmly. “Use the Waver.”
The voice hesitated before replying, incredulous. “Do you know how much it costs to fuel that thing?”
“I’ll pay you ten times your rate,” the figure interjected, his tone final.
There was a brief pause before the voice answered, “I’m on my way.” The call ended abruptly.
The figure called again, his tone casual. “I didn’t tell you why you’re coming.”
“Oh yes,” the voice replied, slightly amused. “Who did you almost beat to death this time?”
“You’ll find three people when you arrive,” the figure said without emotion. “Take care of them.”
Ending the call, the figure rose from the stone he had been sitting on. His silhouette began to fade, his tall, imposing frame melting into the shadows. As he walked away, his black-tailed jacket with its high collar swayed gently. Only his back was visible, his movements slow and deliberate.
“Don’t let them die, Kaelan,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I wish to see the madness they’ll bring to Yilheim.”
As his form dissolved completely, his green eyes briefly glimmered in the fading light before vanishing entirely.
---
The Savior Arrives
Two hours after the figure’s departure, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the forest canopy, a large, futuristic flying vehicle descended from the sky. Its sleek, white exterior gleamed, adorned with glowing runes and green-striped lights that pulsed rhythmically.
The vehicle landed smoothly in the clearing, and from its side, a door slid open. Out stepped an 8-foot-tall, rotund rabbit-like creature with gray fur and black stripes across his face. He wore boots and gloves, and a large belly gave him an oddly endearing, if comical, appearance. Carrying a briefcase almost as large as himself, he surveyed the scene with keen, human-like eyes.
“Passed out from fear?” he muttered, looking at the siblings sprawled on the ground. “Kids these days—so weak-willed.”
His gaze shifted to Kaelan, whose bloodied form lay nearby. The rabbit-like man winced. “Oh my,” he said, making a face of disgust. “You very nearly died, didn’t you? Well, worry not! I am here. When I’m done, you’ll be good as new… for a price, of course.”
He opened his oversized briefcase and began rummaging through its contents. “Where is that thing? I’m sure I packed it… Ah, there you are!”
From the case, he pulled out a metallic object resembling a plate. Placing it beneath Kaelan’s body, the object transformed into a stretcher with wheels, lifting Kaelan effortlessly.
Kaelan stirred weakly. “Who… are you?”
The rabbit-like man grinned enthusiastically, gesturing grandly. “Gustein, your savior! I am known far and wide as the one who brings people back from the brink of death—for a price, of course. Now hush, and get ready to be reborn!”
Singing a jaunty tune, Gustein wheeled Kaelan into his vehicle. He then returned for the siblings, repeating the process with each of them. Inside, the vehicle’s interior defied its outer dimensions, revealing a massive space filled with advanced medical equipment, glowing runes, and shelves stocked with strange devices.
---
A Peculiar Exchange
Once inside, Gustein inspected Ziraiah’s neck, where the shadowy figure’s handprint lingered like a dark brand. He sighed heavily. “Did you really have to do this to a little girl?”
Moving to Eryndor, he gave the unconscious young man a vigorous shake. “Wake up!”
Eryndor jolted awake, disoriented and alarmed. “What—what’s happening?”
“You’re the only one unharmed,” Gustein said dryly. “Why were you still sleeping?”
Eryndor’s eyes focused, and panic overtook him as he saw Ziraiah. “Ziraiah!” he yelled, rushing toward her.
Gustein promptly slapped the back of his head. “Don’t wake her, you fool! She’ll be fine after I treat her… for a price, of course.”
Eryndor blinked, his composure returning. “Might I know your name?”
With a dramatic flourish, Gustein announced, “Gustein! The one who can bring anyone back from the brink of death—for a price, of course.”
Eryndor inclined his head respectfully. “Gustein, you have my gratitude for saving us.”
Gustein laughed heartily. “Saved you? Oh no, my boy, I did no such thing.”
Eryndor frowned. “Then how are we…?”
“Alive?” Gustein interrupted, munching on a snack he had pulled from his pocket. “That’s because he let you live.”
Eryndor’s expression hardened. “For what reason?”
With his mouth full, Gustein replied vaguely, “I don’t know,” before gesturing dismissively.
---
A Sudden Arrival
A loud knock on the vehicle’s door drew everyone’s attention. Gustein waddled over, muttering to himself. When he opened the door, he found a boy standing outside—Valerius.
The two stared at each other in confusion. Gustein squinted. “Who on Yilheim are you?”
Valerius hesitated, glancing into the vehicle. “Uh…”
Before he could say more, Gustein grabbed his face and pushed him back. “How dare you peek into another man’s property! That’ll cost you. Forty narlins!”
“Forty what?” Valerius asked, bewildered.
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“Pay up, kid,” Gustein said, stretching out a hand expectantly.
“Valerius?” Eryndor’s voice cut through the commotion.
Valerius’s eyes lit up as his brother approached. “How are you here?”
Valerius scratched the back of his head. “You wouldn’t believe what happened.”
---
A Brother’s Return
“Is this your brother?” Gustein asked Eryndor.
“Yes,” Eryndor confirmed.
Gustein stepped aside. “Fine, bring him in. And don’t touch anything.”
As Valerius entered the vehicle, Gustein wheeled Kaelan to the far back, a section of the Waver shrouded in pitch-black darkness.
Eryndor frowned, his tone elegant as ever. “How do you intend to work with no light?”
Gustein grinned, pulling a pair of glowing goggles from a drawer. “With these!” He slipped them on and disappeared into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Eryndor turned to Valerius. “Would you mind telling me how you managed to escape?”
Valerius took a deep breath. “This is what happened…”
---
Valerius’s Ordeal
Back in his cell, Valerius had heard voices outside—familiar voices. He crept to the bars, straining to listen as Belos and two other scientists discussed him.
“The boy’s body has an extraordinary amount of bravo,” Belos said, pacing. “It’s unprecedented. To become a bravo user, one must undergo bone crushing training, training that requires an extraordinary amount of willpower to complete. But him? He hasn't gone through any form of training, yet he has so much of it—it shouldn’t be possible!”
Another scientist chimed in, skeptical. “How do we extract it? Every method so far has failed.”
Belos sneered. “We’ll find a way. If I can unlock this anomaly, the possibilities are endless.”
The third scientist hesitated. “But what if we kill him in the process?”
Belos’s eyes gleamed. “Then we dissect him and learn what we can.”
Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the facility.
---
Explosions in the Depths
The first explosion rocked the underground facility, sending tremors through the walls. Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling as alarms blared to life. Belos stumbled but quickly steadied himself, his expression twisting into a scowl.
“What in the name of Yilheim is happening?” one of the scientists yelled, panic seeping into his voice.
Belos growled, barking orders. “Find out! Now! I won’t have years of research destroyed because of some foolhardy attack!”
Another explosion followed, closer this time. The tremors knocked over equipment, and the lights flickered ominously. One of the guards ran into the room, his face pale.
“Sir! We’re under attack! Someone’s using explosive magic to breach the facility. She’s already taken out three floors!”
Belos’s eyes narrowed. “She?”
Before the guard could respond, another explosion shook the room, and the sound of fighting echoed from the levels above. Belos’s jaw clenched. “It’s her. She came after the boy.”
---
Elsa’s Entrance
On the level above, Elsa leapt through a jagged hole in the floor she had created, her rune-inscribed sword glinting in the dim light. Her combat gear clung tightly to her frame, offering both protection and freedom of movement. Her golden hair was tied back, and her eyes burned with determination.
She pressed her hand to her chest, muttering an incantation. A small tuft of hair hovered in the air before her, glowing faintly. She closed her eyes, allowing the search spell to guide her.
“There you are,” she whispered, her gaze locking onto the direction where Valerius was being held.
As she moved forward, guards poured into the hallway, their rune weapons drawn. Elsa didn’t hesitate. She extended her hand, summoning a wave of water that surged forward, crashing into the guards and slamming them against the walls. Before they could recover, she lunged, her sword flashing as it cut through their defenses.
“Stop her!” one guard yelled, rallying his comrades.
Elsa smirked, raising her free hand. A burst of flames erupted from her palm, forcing the guards to scatter. She spun gracefully, her movements a seamless blend of acrobatics and precision. With a series of quick slashes, she disarmed two guards and incapacitated a third with a firebolt.
More guards swarmed in, their rune weapons glowing menacingly. Elsa dodged their strikes with fluid motions, using the narrow hallway to her advantage. One guard lunged, and she flipped over him, landing behind him and delivering a swift kick to his back, sending him crashing into his comrades.
---
A Mage’s Power
As the fight raged on, Elsa combined her mastery of elemental magic with her combat prowess. She created a ring of fire to block reinforcements, then summoned a torrent of water to extinguish the flames and obscure her movements. The guards hesitated, their confusion giving her the opening she needed to strike.
Using her sword as both a weapon and a conduit, Elsa etched a series of glowing runes into the walls. The runes pulsed with energy before detonating, collapsing parts of the hallway to cut off the guards’ pursuit.
Belos’s voice echoed through the facility. “Stop her at all costs! She’s after the boy!”
Elsa paused briefly, catching her breath. She glanced at the marks on her arm where the shadowy figure had grabbed her days before. The memory of his oppressive presence sent a chill down her spine, but she shook it off.
“This is for you, Kaelan,” she muttered, pressing forward.
---
The Final Stretch
As Elsa neared Valerius’s cell, the guards grew more desperate. One guard, wielding a massive rune axe, charged at her with a roar. Elsa sidestepped his swing, slashing her sword across his side. She followed up with a concentrated blast of air, sending him hurtling into the wall.
Another guard tried to flank her, but she countered with a sweeping kick, knocking him off balance. She raised her hand, summoning a stream of fire that enveloped him. The hallway lit up with the fiery glow as the guard’s screams faded.
Just as Elsa reached the door to Valerius’s cell, a group of heavily armored guards appeared, blocking her path. Their weapons crackled with energy, and their stances radiated discipline.
“Enough,” their leader growled. “You won’t take another step.”
Elsa smirked, gripping her sword tightly. “We’ll see about that.”
The guards attacked in unison, their movements coordinated. Elsa dodged their strikes with acrobatic precision, flipping and twisting through their formation. She retaliated with bursts of water and fire, forcing them to break formation. One by one, she incapacitated them, her blade moving faster than the eye could follow.
When the last guard fell, Elsa stood before the door, panting but victorious. She raised her hand, summoning a concentrated jet of flame that melted the lock. The door creaked open, revealing Valerius inside.
---
A Daring Escape
Valerius stepped back, his eyes wide with shock. “You?”
Elsa offered a small smile. “You’re in luck, kid.”
Valerius hesitated, glancing at the melted bars. “How did you know I was here?”
Elsa stepped into the cell, extending a hand to him. “Kaelan asked me to follow you all. I saw what happened to you guys. I couldn’t help earlier because that man was there.” Her voice softened. “Sorry for being late.”
Before Valerius could respond, a familiar voice echoed behind them. “You enter my lab, destroy years of research…”
They turned to see Belos, his face twisted with fury. He held a massive weapon resembling a futuristic cannon, glowing ominously. “…and expect to leave alive?”
Belos raised the weapon, which hummed as it powered up. “This is one of my inventions. I call it Lucy. Let’s see if your magic can withstand her.”
Valerius’s eyes widened as the cannon emitted a high-pitched whine. Elsa reacted instantly, grabbing Valerius and muttering an incantation. “Insentos!”
They vanished from sight, their forms cloaked in invisibility.
Belos scanned the room, his expression cold. He closed his eyes briefly, then smirked. “There you are.”
He fired Lucy, the cannon unleashing a massive beam of energy that obliterated everything in its path. Elsa narrowly dodged, dragging Valerius with her.
“Holy shit!” Valerius exclaimed, staring at the massive hole left by the blast.
Elsa’s expression was grim. “If that hits us, we’re dead.”
Belos fired again, the beam tearing through walls and floors. One shot grazed Elsa’s arm, leaving a deep burn. She gritted her teeth, pushing through the pain.
As Belos aimed Lucy upward, the massive weapon unleashed beams of destructive energy. Each shot tore through the facility, ripping apart ceilings and walls until the beams breached the surface. Aboveground, homes shattered into rubble, and the ground quaked with every impact. Civilians screamed as the blasts claimed lives indiscriminately, leaving charred remains and craters where thriving buildings had once stood. The destruction painted a grim picture of Lucy’s power.
---
A Clever Plan
As they dodged the relentless attacks, Elsa noticed the holes the cannon had created leading to the surface. An idea formed in her mind. She stopped directly beneath one of the holes, turning to face Belos.
Belos sneered. “Tired of running?”
Elsa smirked. “Thanks for clearing the path.”
She summoned a powerful gust of air beneath them, launching herself and Valerius through the hole.
“No!” Belos roared, trying to aim Lucy upward. The cannon was too heavy to adjust quickly, and his shot missed.
As they soared through the air, Elsa glanced down at the facility below. “I left you a gift.”
Belos’s eyes widened as he spotted a glowing rune bomb strapped to the wall. “Shit—”
The bombs detonated simultaneously, engulfing the facility in a massive explosion. The ground shook violently, and a fiery plume rose into the sky.
---
Freedom at a Cost
Elsa and Valerius landed roughly on the forest floor, both panting and covered in soot. They collapsed onto the ground, their bodies heavy with exhaustion. The smoke from the destroyed facility rose in the distance, a silent testament to their narrow escape.
Before they could catch their breath, a chilling voice broke the silence. “Impressive.”
Valerius and Elsa froze as the shadowy figure appeared between them, crouching low with his head tilted, mere inches from their own. His green eyes glimmered in the faint light, and a predatory grin spread across his face.
---
To Be Continued...