The transition from plummeting through open air to the tender cradle of the healing base was a whirlwind of sensations, both dizzying and exhilarating. In the span of a heartbeat, I journeyed from the adrenaline-fueled rush of wind against my skin to the gentle embrace of the base's enigmatic magic. The shift was like crossing the threshold between reality and a dreamscape, where the vibrant hues of exhilaration melted into the soothing tones of enchantment.Enveloped in the base's ethereal energies, I experienced a kaleidoscope of sensory wonders. It was akin to floating within a warm, luminescent sea, each ripple of arcane power caressing and nurturing every fiber of my being. The currents of magic cascaded through me, weaving their intricate melodies that resonated with every nerve and sinew.Yet, amid this surreal serenity, a new tension unfurled its wings. The healing base, for all its comforting embrace, was an enigma, a realm of the unknown. Tales of its restorative might had r
With every step he took, his scorching gaze seemed to set the air around me ablaze, causing my skin to prickle with an unexpected warmth. My heart responded to his nearness, galloping within my chest like a wild stallion, its rhythm resonating in my ears like the steady beat of war drums. The room, previously alive with the chatter of elves, grew hushed in anticipation, as if the very earth itself held its breath.My hand involuntarily found its way to my bouncing knee, and I could feel the dampness of my palm against my skin, a physical manifestation of the tension that coursed through my veins. The intensity of his gaze was unwavering, slicing through the silence like a blade. As he drew closer, his footfall crushed dry leaves beneath his boots, and my body instinctively tensed, every nerve on high alert.The silence became an almost tangible presence, heavy with unspoken words and anticipation, as though the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. T
The wings of the stingers flapped with the speed of a rocket, propelling them towards me. Their sharp, pointed feet were aimed in my direction, ready to strike. As I dashed past them, the foliage slapped against every part of my body. The danger of the situation was clear - one wrong move, one misstep, and those stingers would slice through my limbs without hesitation. I had to be cautious, vigilant, and swift.I needed to be.With each step, I felt a surge of energy coursing through my veins. It started as a warm sensation in my palms before spreading throughout my entire body. It was as though I was enveloped in an aura of fervor, the mysterious energy wrapping around me like a cocoon. The pull of the earth seemed to lessen under my feet, as if the energy was lifting me, making each step lighter and more effortless. With this inexplicable energy infusing my being, even the weight of my own body seemed trivial, every muscle working in harmony and strength.My movement became a blur!
"Let's split," Borracho's voice resonated with gravitas as we approached the first pax tower along the Senta lane. "Bonbon, top lane. Appu lane. Appu lane!" "Outstanding, Bonbon. Kenru holds the top lane. I shall descend to the bottom lane, Shita." Memories of just a day prior surged, reminding me of my presence in that very spot. A sudden image of the masked fire wielder flickered across my mind. Even now, I wrestled with the question: Was Kenru referring to the enigmatic fire user, the royal warrior from House Felun? The Fives' reputation for dread was legendary. Long before my possession of the gauntlet, stories of the ferocious might emanating from the fifth region echoed in my ears. "Idrish, you'll hold Senta. You might cross paths with someone akin to Rouma, a dark mage. Our objective: shield the tower, shatter theirs, eradicate the foe. If you find yourself overwhelmed, flee to the pax tower for sanctuary." My nod was a silent pact. Borracho, weathered and stalwart, exuded
Brugour's relentless assault continued, raining rocks upon the tower. My heart raced as I noticed the shield's once pristine surface now marred with cracks from the unceasing onslaught. The rumbling intensified, resonating through my chest with newfound speed.How can I possibly take them on? Two against one? It seemed they were determined to persist until the tower crumbled. The threat loomed – any second now, they could breach the protective perimeter and end me. They were poised to eliminate me, all for the sake of a certain Miss."Break the shield!" Tigrani strained her vocal cords almost to the point of snapping. She was feverishly eager to finish me off. The fervor in her eyes, the tension in her jaws, and the clenching of her fists made it clear that she was willing to carry out my execution at any cost.I needed to devise a strategy to escape their grasp. There are battles that taste like victory, and there are battles that taste like retreat. I had to be discerning. I had to
My mind was overflowing with questions. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. How could Killan have entered the doorway of Mors? I had clearly seen the Fen close behind me as it transported me here. There's no way he could have followed me through!And who was the woman in the cloak?But seeking answers to my questions wasn't the priority right now. Everything would unfold in due time. I needed to be patient, even though it was the most challenging thing to do in the current situation. I believed that the truth would reveal itself when the time was right. I had to wait.I didn't waste any time once I landed a few meters behind Kenru. The look on his face when he saw me was a mixture of surprise and relief. "Kenru! There are two more of them! It's four against the two of us!"His narrow eyes widened. He hadn't anticipated this turn of events. Tigrani was on her knees, clearly injured and exhausted. Kenru seemed taken aback by the sight of her.Kenru didn't speak. He quickly app
As exhaustion took its toll, I found myself dozing off while waiting for Kenru's signal. For a moment, I was enveloped by darkness and tranquility.I jolted awake when I felt the warmth of Kenru's skin against my arm. He was burning with fever, likely from the injuries he sustained earlier. I also sensed a slight tremor in his body, which raised my concern.It was nearly dusk, and the surroundings were growing darker. The breeze carried a chill, and I realized how cold it was becoming. Kenru had fallen asleep beside me, and I watched his peaceful form as we waited for the crickets' call. I observed his handsome face, his smooth skin, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted he looked. Yet, whenever I gazed into his eyes, I saw a glimpse of sorrow. This wasn't the first time I had noticed the sadness in his eyes and expression; it had been there many times before.I recalled earlier when he mentioned being the king's bastard of the 2nd region. I sensed that his eyes held m
I remained hidden, watching him move about the forest. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like it might burst from my chest. I waited, my breath held.He stopped a few meters away from the hosta cluster, concealing himself behind a large tree.My heart raced even faster, and I was torn about what to do. I wanted to approach him, to ask him why he was here, to find out what was happening. I wanted to know his plans and the king of the 7th region's intentions.Questions flooded my mind, pushing me to go to him. But fear and uncertainty held me back—what if he was a trap? What if he was here to deceive me?I sat in tense silence, wrestling with my emotions. I needed to gather my courage before approaching him. I took a deep breath and decided to show myself.But before I could make a move, another figure emerged from the opposite side of the tree. It was the same woman in black from before—Princess Lanuza of the 2nd region. She was still wearing the same attire.My eyes narrowed as the
I was unsure of what to say when I would finally face Killan. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions. There was a part of me that understood the reasoning behind their decision to fake my death in the eyes of Springgan and allow me to live peacefully with my siblings. It's what I had always wanted. But my heart seemed to protest against the developments between Killan and Princess Lanuza. Didn't he love me? What if I told him that I loved him too? Kenru's eyes had been on me, his gaze returning to me every now and then as we made our way through the underground passage of House Calore. I couldn't fathom how he had managed to secure access to such a heavily guarded area. He was an excellent spy, after all. "Why are you doing this, Kenru?" I finally asked. "It's my duty to present you with all the possibilities and choices," he replied. I remained silent. Kenru often spoke about duty. It was his way. The sound of our footsteps echoed on the old brick floor as we walked. The air grew he
Just before Lady Montay's lifeless body could make contact with the ground, it disintegrated into a shredded dust, instantly scattered by the cold wind.My knees buckled, accompanied by a steady stream of tears and blood from my face. She's gone. But more adversaries are approaching. I sensed it.I inhaled and exhaled, my gaze fixed on the heart of the Septen. This must come to an end. It has to.As long as the foundation of the Septen remains intact, this spectacle will never cease. Rigged or not, this must conclude. In this critical moment, I felt the chilly, tranquil breeze kiss my face.My vision blurred with tears. Tears of pure sorrow. My fate, even if I were to emerge from Mors, would never be the same as before. I am no longer an ordinary huntress. I am no longer the elf who relied on the forest for survival. Everything will change, and the peace I yearn for seems distant.I have to find the other heirs. Perhaps by gathering them, there's still a chance to reclaim the peaceful
I had taken several punishing blows from the flaming dark hands of Lady Montay. Her strength was awe-inspiring, catching me off guard. A misjudgment on my part, I admitted.I made desperate attempts to evade the relentless assaults she hurled at me. Rolling and dodging across the ground became my means of avoiding her relentless pursuit. Her hands were relentless, conjuring sharp-edged weapons from beneath the earth and even from the air itself. Swords and daggers shot forth towards her like guided missiles, only to be skillfully parried, shattered, or melted away by her expert defense.All of my reinvented blades were thwarted. She seemed to have honed her abilities as a direct countermeasure to mine. Could she be a gauntlet bearer too?My face was thrust into the dirt, the taste of parched soil mingling with the metallic tinge of my own blood. My left eye swelled shut, and the corneal area became a pool of blood. With just one eye left, I strained to observe her every move.A mockin
The clattering resonance of the rock dominus reverberated in my ears as it charged forward, meticulously tracing The Miss's elusive path. The dominus tenaciously followed the lingering scent of Lady Montay, unyielding in its pursuit. No matter where she attempted to conceal herself, I was resolute in my relentless pursuit.From the Meridio base, the cacophonous clash of powers reached my ears. The collision of rocks, the fracturing of the ground as if struck by titanic forces, sporadic explosions rupturing the silence, and anguished cries rending the uneasy tranquility of Mors.Hope surged within me that this battle would conclude without any lives lost on our side. Stay vigilant and secure, camp Meridio, Kenru, and Killan.But the present demanded my attention—a mightier foe awaited. The score demanded settling. After several minutes of intense search, Montay's presence was finally pinpointed with the aid of the dominus. Poised at the entrance of the Septen camp's base, she awaited m
Pain and sorrow, those inseparable companions, wove a tapestry of experience. Arriving hand in hand, they took turns weakening and strengthening the soul. In my case, I navigated the uncertain path of adversity, grappling with its weight.An agonized cry tore from my lips, a primal scream of suffering that seared through me. In an instant, it felt as if my very being was shattering into pieces, only to be stitched back together by some mysterious force. As the ground beneath me lost its pull, I was lifted by an enigmatic surge of energy.The earth trembled beneath my feet. A mighty wind roared, summoning clouds into a furious dance around the sun. Thunder growled, and lightning lanced through the tumultuous sky. Chaos erupted in a symphony of nature's power.Within the gauntlet on my hand, I sensed forces awakening. Each surge of energy connected with my veins, and I alone held their reins. From these minuscule threads, I wove something grander—a hundred blades conjured from their ess
A surge of intense emotions engulfed me, rendering me powerless to move. My limbs felt like lead, unresponsive to my desperate commands. Inside, turmoil churned and roared, an internal maelstrom of emotions threatening to consume me. Every fiber of my being screamed for release, for a way to vent the pent-up torrent of feelings raging within. But the cruel reality was that I couldn't. I was trapped in a suffocating cocoon of tension, the air heavy with a mix of fear, anger, and anxiety.With a hesitant, trembling step, I ventured closer to Lady Montay and her imposing royal army. Our gazes locked, and it was evident that her disdain for me had only intensified over time. But now, it was more than just disdain; it had blossomed into a fervent loathing. I could practically taste the acrid intensity of her desire for my downfall. Her lips curled in a sinister twitch, as though beholding my presence brought her a perverse pleasure."Hurry up! Before I change my mind!" Her voice sliced thr
As my decision echoed through the tense air, I was overwhelmed by emotions. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the weight of the situation bore down on me. The ache in my heart grew with every thought of Killan, of the choices that had led us to that point. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and for a moment, I was frozen by the gravity of it all.Kenru's voice reached me, a soothing presence amidst the turmoil. He knelt before me, his proximity grounding me. "I only want the best for Poras and Cali. I never dreamed of a lavish life. I just wanted to live normally, find peace, and watch them grow. B—but ever since I acquired these gauntlets, w—why does it feel like reaching even the simplest dreams is a struggle? Why is it so hard to attain my modest desires in this world?"Kenru's response was gentle, his words offering a perspective of resilience. "It's all going to be worth it, Idrish. The sweetest triumphs come only when we've worked hard for them. Through blood and sweat.""Idrish, sad.
The chaos and tension within the camp were escalating rapidly. As Lady Montay and her forces loomed before us, their intimidating presence made it clear that this battle would be no ordinary fight. The atmosphere was charged with danger, and every heartbeat seemed to reverberate with the impending clash.My allies and I stood united, a wall of determination against the approaching storm. The sounds of clashing metals, unsheathed blades, fluttering cloths, sprouting trap plants, and blazing projectiles filled the air, creating a cacophony of preparation. Camp Meridio was ready for whatever was about to unfold.In the midst of the chaos, Kenru's voice reached my ears as he whispered his unwavering support. The sight of him, his sword half drawn from its sheath, his sweat and blood evident, reminded me that I wasn't alone in this daunting moment. His quiet confidence and determination bolstered my own resolve.I had to remain focused, even as Lady Montay's chilling words penetrated the a
Listening to all sides of the story: from Bonbon, Borracho, Rouma, and Kenru was like unearthing the entire trove of secrets held by each member. I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, revealing all the concealed truths in one dazzling flash.They had been harboring this secret all along. All of them, here because of me. Because of the gauntlet. It dawned on me that from the very beginning, they had allowed me to search for the hidden strength within me. They had even let me scavenge for stingers and enhancers, all to awaken the latent power of the gauntlet.They knew I was the inheritor of the winter gauntlet, The Meadanach. Whoever was leading them, they knew my fate was woven into this plot.Hold on.I w—was sent here to die?Who orchestrated my arrival in this place?King Argus Calore sent me here. To meet my demise? Unthinkable! The king, a figure of honor and virtue. He had shown me nothing but kindness during my time at House Calore. Deep within my heart, I knew him to be