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Chapter 22. Old Tales
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 23. Hunting Secrets
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 25. Arrows
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 26. Fire and Wind
At a young age, I learned to take care of myself. I grew up facing the challenges of life early on. Hardships molded me to be brave and resilient. I always relied on myself and the love of my siblings to navigate each day.Sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like to be vulnerable. Just once, I wanted to let go of the tough exterior I had built, which felt like hot metal against my skin.It's tiring to be strong all the time.People label me as tough and unyielding. I forged an image of strength because I had to. Cali and Poras were too young and vulnerable, and I needed to be their living shield, their protector. I became accustomed to defending myself and my siblings. A strong persona became my second nature years ago.So when Kenru stepped in front of Killan, it felt different. I could protect myself, but experiencing someone defending me felt unusual. It felt like being taken care of, like someone genuinely cared and was ready to put themselves in harm's way to protect me.Ken
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 27. Dark Enhancer
Our willingness to fight death is the reason why we're still alive. Now I must resist one chance at death. Again.Camp Septen continues to destroy another Pax tower of Meridio. The loud booms and tremors of attacks from there are still ongoing as I make my way towards the river lane. It seems like they are determined to weaken our overall defense.Before I make the left turn, the first Pax tower of the opposing camp in the Shita lane also explodes. Perhaps Sir Borracho is fulfilling his promise to destroy the enemy's towers as well. A massive red beam of light shoots up from the tower, indicating that the first tower of Septen in the bottom lane has been taken down.Sir Borracho is still fighting. I know he wants to win for his friend, Prince Salinas, and for Bonbon as well. I run down the path towards the dock, where a clinker boat is waiting for me. A clinker boat is constructed with overlapping edges of hull planks. I approach the dock, watching the flashes of light from both camps
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 28. The Ambush
The electrifying and chilling sensation courses through every nerve in my body. A mixture of ice and electric current churns in my gut, as if my body is starting to metabolize the energy it has absorbed. For several minutes, I'm almost crouched by the edge of the river, overwhelmed by this new sensation.It takes several minutes for me to gain control over the unfamiliar force within me, until my body returns to its normal state. The sensation is both electrifying and chilling, lingering like a ball of ice and electric current in my stomach. I gradually straighten up, feeling the tingling remnants of the energy coursing through my veins. My body feels rejuvenated and empowered, yet at the same time, I'm drained from the experience.Exhaustion is slowly taking over. I'm on the verge of collapse tonight. I'm hanging on by a thread, all but a shadow of my former self. After absorbing the energy from the soul of the black jaguar, my body is burdened with an overwhelming tiredness.I walk
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 29. The Miss
I've always believed that courage is more powerful than fear. It's been my shield against life's cruelty and my weapon to survive every tough day.But now, faced with danger, four enemies surrounding me, I realize that the courage I carry isn't enough. In this moment, it feels like my emblem of bravery is melting away, overwhelmed by intense fear.I don't know which direction to run. I know Tigrani and Brugour's capabilities. They're formidable opponents. There's a 50-50 chance of survival if I go their way. And I have no idea what Princess Lanuza is capable of—she might be even worse.I glance at Lanuza. Her jaws are clenched in anger, and her fists are so tightly balled that her knuckles are turning white. She hates me. Obviously, her first impression of me was a facade.My gaze shifts to the masked man in front of me. His jaws clench as our eyes meet. I try to read his reaction—each glance, the tension of his jaw, the movement of his arms and shoulders.His body language tells me o
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 30. Feeder
Death was an inescapable facet of existence, its shadow lengthening over me. Each step my adversaries took felt like a countdown to the dominus, a word that reverberated with the finality of death itself.A harsh force constricted around me, binding my hands behind my back while Tigrani's hair ensnared my feet. The air grew thin as I struggled to breathe, my legs swollen, my back aflame with agony.I was dragged across the earth like a savage, the pain a symphony of torment. Tears mixed with sweat as they traced salty paths down my battered cheeks. To my captors, I must have appeared a wretched spectacle.Leading the procession was Tigrani, her every step exuding triumph. The ominous figure of Brugour trailed behind, his presence as foreboding as his silence. Following closely were Killan and Lanuza, two shadows cast by the misfortune of their alliance."Perhaps, Tigrani, carrying her would be prudent. Dragging her only intensifies her suffering," Killan's voice reached me near my fee
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 31. Boost
It felt as though my heart had momentarily ceased its beating, and for a few seconds, I slipped into a state of unconsciousness. Then, I was roused by a sensation of coldness enveloping my body, as if it were mending all the wounds I had sustained. The feeling was like an elixir flowing through my system, knitting my flesh back together. I could almost hear the mending of my skin, the flow of my own blood orchestrating its healing symphony. In an instant, the pain that had consumed me started to fade away."Don't let go..."Killan's whisper echoed in my mind, and I realized that I was still alive, my body intact.I opened my eyes, finding myself engulfed in darkness within the dominus's stomach. A luminous sphere of ice emanated a soft glow, casting light within the creature's belly. Even in this macabre setting, I could still see the repulsive liquid that filled the dominus's stomach, a grotesque mixture of acid, innards, and who knew what else. Yet, strangely, the stench seemed to h
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Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 43. Song of the Winter
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 42. Loyal Heart
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 41. Born Warrior
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 40. The Great Villain
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 39. Chasing Evil
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 38. Single Tear
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 37. Destined Hands
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.
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 36. Hundred Arrows
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
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 35. Uncovered
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
