For a tense moment, silence hung thick in the air. No one stepped forward from the shadows. Linus’s patience was wearing thin—he needed to draw them out. Raising the Phoenix’s Heart gem high above his head, he let its strange, otherworldly light spill across the darkened landscape. he called out. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the gem into the air, watching it arc gracefully against the backdrop of the night sky.
Everyone hesitated for a heartbeat, trying to discern what Linus had thrown. As realization dawned, they surged forward, abandoning cover and scrambling to intercept it. Linus stepped back, eyes sharp as he watched the two factions collide in a burst of chaos.
In the chaos, Linus spotted Aria’s lithe form, her movements swift and deadly as she fought alongside her co-star. The mysterious light mage, always elusive until now, was fighting with them, his presence unmistakable in the glow of his light-infused attacks. They moved with precision, each anticipating the other’s movements with a seamless rhythm born of countless hours of training.
The second group, equally formidable, also consisted of three figures. One of them was unmistakable—the Sorenputhra spy who had escaped Linus before. But it was the figure beside him who made Linus’s pulse quicken. A man wielding a unique flame-wreathed blade, Devour Claw, his stance and stature unmistakable—Louis Rutherford, the fiancé of Princess Elara, Mara’s older sister and the first daughter of King Aldric. Louis’s fierce loyalty to Sorenputhra and his rumored influence over Elara had made him a pivotal figure in the political dynamics between the two kingdoms. His reputation as a fire mage was formidable, and tonight, he was living up to it.
The third figure wielded a staff, invoking spells of light with practiced intensity. Unlike the mage in Aria’s group, this one needed the staff to channel his power, but his spells were potent nonetheless, illuminating the clash with flashes of searing brightness.
Linus’s mind raced. He had expected Sorenputhra’s involvement—he had counted on it. That was why he had instructed Marcus to float whispers of the Phoenix Blade, baiting the right ears, ensuring the legend reached the very people he wanted to ensnare. If Sorenputhra believed Aldric’s kingdom had knowledge of such an artifact, it would stoke tensions between the two factions. And if Louis himself took the bait, all the better—his well-documented interest in legendary weapons and artifacts made him an ideal pawn in Linus’s larger game.
But Louis being here in person? That he hadn’t accounted for.
Linus had anticipated agents, perhaps a high-ranking emissary or an elite strike team, but not the man himself. Louis’s presence meant two things: first, that the Phoenix Blade was being taken very seriously by Sorenputhra. And second… Louis wasn’t just interested in the blade—he wanted it for himself.
That changed things.
Linus’s lips curled into a small, unreadable smirk. If Louis was personally invested, then the stakes were higher than he’d originally calculated. That meant more danger but also—if played correctly—more opportunity.
This just got even more interesting.
Provoked by the sight of the gem, the two groups launched into action. Aria and her partner surged forward, their blades creating a dazzling combination of lightning and water. The Sorenputhra spy countered with a forceful gust of wind, pushing them back momentarily. Louis's blazing sword clashed with Aria's lightning-infused blade, sending sparks flying in all directions. Meanwhile, the Sorenputhra light mage cast a blinding flash, trying to disorient Aria's team.
Aria’s partner sliced through the blinding light with a water blade, diffusing the brilliance into a mist. Seizing the moment, Aria unleashed a precise lightning strike, illuminating the clearing in a crackling glow. The Sorenputhra spy, not missing a beat, lifted debris from the forest floor with his air magic, hurling it toward Aria’s team. In response, Aria's light mage summoned a reflective barrier, deflecting the debris harmlessly to the side.
Louis unleashed a sweeping arc of fire, forcing everyone to retreat as the intense flames scorched the ground, forming a temporary barrier. Aria’s partner responded swiftly, dousing the flames with a barrier of water, giving their group a moment to regroup.
With fierce focus, the Sorenputhra spy conjured a vortex of air, pulling leaves and debris into a chaotic whirl and hurling it at Aria’s team. Aria’s light mage countered with a powerful shield of light, which absorbed the brunt of the attack before shattering. The brief reprieve allowed Aria’s partner to retaliate with a sweeping wave of water, washing away the remaining debris and securing their position.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
At this critical point, Aria’s light mage cast a nova spell, flooding the battlefield with blinding radiance. Disoriented for a moment, Louis quickly retaliated, summoning a ring of fire that tried to keep his opponents at bay.
The spy and Louis then combined their powers, creating a fiery whirlwind that swept through the clearing. The destructive force uprooted trees and sent debris flying in every direction. Aria’s group reacted swiftly—her partner summoned a massive wave that clashed with the fiery vortex, shrouding the area in steam and mist. Aria capitalized on the chaotic environment, channeling her lightning into the mud below, creating a hazardous trap for anyone attempting to cross the obscured ground.
As the battlefield turned treacherous, footing became difficult for all combatants. The spy took to the air, raining down gusts of wind on Aria’s team. Meanwhile, Louis charged through the muddy terrain, his fiery blade aimed at Aria. Their weapons clashed, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
The Sorenputhra spy swooped down, his mace glowing with air magic, aiming a powerful strike at Aria's partner. The water blade met the mace in mid-air, resulting in a burst of steam that briefly concealed the battleground.
Just then, Linus seized the critical moment to intervene. Shadow chains erupted from the ground, pushing back both groups as they attempted to evade or block the sudden assault. Linus advanced with a sinister calm, conjuring multiple shadow clones that circled both groups, adding to their confusion and desperation as the battlefield descended into controlled chaos under his command.
Linus’s voice thundered through the clearing, amplified by his shadow magic. Instantly, the combatants halted, their attention snapping to the source of the commanding tone. The shadows around Linus pulsed, forming an aura of undeniable authority. His eyes locked onto Louis, then shifted to Aria, ensuring that his presence held them all in thrall.
“Each of us holds something needed to enter the sanctuary,” he said coldly, his voice carrying a lethal edge. He focused his attention on Louis’s group, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Louis’s eyes gleamed with fiery intensity, his stance unyielding. His gaze briefly flickered to his own mage, then back to Linus, an irritated edge in his expression. The light mage in Louis’s group was channeled—a distinction that wouldn’t suffice to unlock the sanctuary’s secrets.
A sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth. Louis snickered, his voice dripping with mock amusement. his look shifted meaningfully to Aria’s group, he continued, his voice thick with implication,
He leaned forward, his tone darkening.
Linus’s smile grew, unperturbed by the threat. he replied calmly.
Louis’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Linus’s knowledge of his identity. His hand twitched near the hilt of his blade. Across the clearing, Aria’s group registered the name as well, a ripple of shock moving through them as they realized they were standing before none other than Louis Rutherford, a prominent figure from Sorenputhra.
Linus observed them, and his revelation was a strategic move to gauge their allegiance. Their reaction, a flash of recognition and tension, confirmed his suspicions—this group had no love for Louis or the powerful house he represented. If handled correctly, this tension could be the key to ensuring that both groups remained wary of one another while aligning just long enough to serve his purpose.
Linus observed their unease with satisfaction, letting the tension simmer before addressing them all. he announced, his eyes sweeping over the combatants.
Linus turned to Aria’s group, gesturing to the light mage hidden among them.
Tension crackled in the air as everyone processed his words, some skeptical, others contemplative.
Linus continued, he added, his tone darkening with intrigue,
Louis’s eyes narrowed as he considered Linus’s words. He sheathed his blade, the flames around it extinguishing with a sharp hiss. he replied, his tone hard.
He glanced at Linus, a curious glint in his eye. he observed with a knowing smile.
Linus met his gaze, his expression unreadable. He remained silent, his eyes holding steady, giving nothing away. The quiet stretched thick with tension and unspoken promises.
But before Linus could turn to lead the way, he pivoted slightly, his attention shifting toward the other group. His stare settled on their light mage, his voice calm yet sharp with intent. he asked, his eyes flicking toward the masked fighter beside them.
A barely perceptible stiffness ran through the masked figure’s stance. It was quick—gone in an instant—but Linus caught it.
Bingo.
He wasn’t completely sure, not until now. He had suspected, of course. Linus had no hard proof, but he didn’t need it. A calculated risk could tip the scales. Aria’s masked companion stiffened as well, his hand hovering near his weapon. A silent warning.
Linus pressed on, his voice laced with quiet amusement. His eyes glinted knowingly.
The air between them tensed. He had struck a nerve.
Aria didn’t speak, but Linus could feel her weighing the risk. If she denied it, she risked revealing herself through sheer reaction. If she confirmed it, she put herself at a disadvantage. Either way, he had forced her into a choice.
Linus took a step forward, voice lowering. He tilted his head toward Louis. Then he gestured at her group. He let his gaze flick meaningfully between Aria and her companion.
A long silence.
Then, finally, Aria exhaled softly. she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
Linus smirked.
Her partner crossed his arms but said nothing, clearly displeased but recognizing they were backed into a corner.
Aria turned slightly, exchanging glances with her group. The unchanneled light mage gave her a small nod of agreement.
She sighed, then finally looked back at Linus.
Linus inclined his head slightly.
Without another word, he turned, leading the way toward the sanctuary, the others following closely, each step drawing them deeper into the darkness and the unknown.