Chapter 101The air was thick with anticipation as Pelenore and Aeron led their troop of two hundred men towards the cave, winding its way through dense forests and jagged cliffs. The men marched with determination, their swords glinting in the sunlight.Finally, they reached the entrance of the cave. Its gaping maw seemed to beckon them inward. As they stepped inside, the darkness enveloped them, and the damp smell of earth filled their nostrils.The cave opened up into a vast space, illuminated only by torchlight. Pelenore's keen eyes caught sight of ancient markings etched onto the ground. They seemed to depict celestial configurations and intricate symbols.Pelenore turned to his men and commanded, "Form four circles, fifty men each!" The soldiers swiftly obeyed, arranging themselves in perfect synchronization. Pelenore stepped forward, holding a whitish powdery substance in his hand. He circled each group, sprinkling the substance around them.With his task complete, Pelenore ste
Chapter 102The tension in the air was so thick, you could practically cut it with a knife. Myra, Baron, Oswald, and baby Allistar sat at the grand dining table in the opulent palace. The usual lively chatter that filled the room during breakfast was replaced by an eerie silence, disrupted only by the occasional excited coos of Allistar as Myra fed her.Baron, Myra's husband, stared at her intently, concern etched on his face. Finally, breaking the silence, he turned to her and asked in a soft voice, "Myra, how are your nightmares? Are they gradually fading?"Myra forced a smile and replied, "Yes, Baron. They are slowly fading. I'm starting to sleep better." Baron offered a nod of relief before muttering, "Good."However, Oswald, Baron's cousin, seemed to be seething with jealousy and irritation. Desperate to gain Myra's attention, he attempted to start a conversation with her. But before he could utter a word, a guard burst into the room, interrupting him.Oswald's anger immediately
Chapter 103The night was dark, with only a pale sliver of moon hanging in the sky. Aeron and Pelenore sat side by side on a wooden bench, their bodies tense and their eyes fixed on the field before them. The soldiers had set up their tents and retired for the night, leaving the deserted field covered in the scattered remnants of their tests. The atmosphere was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves.Neither Aeron nor Pelenore said a word, but the tension between them spoke volumes. Certainly by the morning they would go into battle and although they had prepared, they still felt tensed. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by the sound of hooves pounding across the field. A horse burst through the darkness, its body shimmering as if born from smoke. A soldier clad in armor dismounted and bowed in obeisance before Aeron and Pelenore. "Your highness! Great wizard!" Aeron looked at the soldier with an intensity that ma
Chapter 104In the aftermath of the great battle that had just taken place, the once serene and picturesque landscape was now a chaotic scene of destruction. The once lush green fields were now scorched and smoking, the trees reduced to charred stumps. The acrid smell of burnt wood and gunpowder lingered heavily in the air, mingled with the metallic stench of blood.Amidst the chaos, Pelenore stood a short distance away, his body trembling with grief. In his arms, he cradled his beloved son, Baron, the light of his life. The young man's face was now pale, marked by deep wounds. Pelenore's tears streamed down his weathered face, his cries of despair mingling with the chaotic sounds of the aftermath. He held his dying son tenderly, whispering comforting words through his anguished sobs, hoping against hope that he could bring some relief to his child."I'm sorry, father," Baron finally croaked, his voice barely a whisper amidst the havoc. The words were a plea for forgiveness, a burde
Chapter 105Panic and fear were etched into every line of Aeron's face as he frantically darted through the sprawling corridors of the palace, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes were wild with desperation as he searched, each passing second seeping away with a sense of impending dread. Shadows clung to the walls, and the oppressive weight of the air seemed to press down on him, suffocating him as he raced against the insidious tide of time.It was in this frenzied state that Aeron collided with Pelenore, his father, and the impact sent them both stumbling, only to regain their footing with a sense of urgency. Pelenore regarded his son with a mixture of concern and confusion, his brow furrowed as he asked, "Aeron, what's wrong? Why are you so frantic?"Aeron's voice trembled with raw emotion as he blurted out, "It's Myra. She's in trouble. I heard her call out to me, and I can't find her anywhere. She's somewhere in this palace, and I can't bear the thought of her suffering."
Chapter 106As Aeron sprinted through the moonlit night, his keen senses heightened by desperation, he tried to catch Oswald's scent in the air. Frowning, he realized that Oswald had masked his presence, making tracking nearly impossible.Aeron chuckled grimly, muttering to himself, "Buffoon." Undeterred, he dropped to his knees, placing a hand on the ground. Silent incantations escaped his lips, and soon, glowing footsteps appeared on the path ahead. Aeron grinned, his determination unwavering as he followed the ethereal trail.The luminous footprints guided him to a secluded cabin. Aeron cautiously pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside. There, on a wooden bed, lay Allistar. Relief and urgency surged through him, but before he could reach for her, Oswald leaped from his hiding spot, launching at Aeron with deadly intent.Reacting swiftly, Aeron dodged the assault, and the two engaged in a fierce battle once more. Aeron's skill with the sword proved superior, but in a cunni
Chapter 107The dense forest loomed around Aeron like a living labyrinth, each tree a sentinel guarding its secrets. His voice echoed through the stillness, a desperate call searching for any sign of life. "Is anyone there?" he shouted, but the only response was the rustle of leaves in the wind.Undeterred, Aeron began to walk, the towering trees closing in around him, casting shadows that danced in the dappled moonlight. His footsteps seemed to be swallowed by the silent expanse, and a sinking feeling settled in his chest as the forest embraced him in its enigmatic grasp.As he wandered deeper, Aeron's sense of direction faltered, and the forest became an endless maze. Panic clawed at the edges of his mind, urging him to escape the suffocating greenery. In the distance, a cave yawned open like a dark maw, a potential escape from the wilderness that threatened to swallow him whole.Aeron cautiously entered the cave, the shadows within conspiring to distort his perception. The cavern s
Chapter 108As the golden sunlight bathed the palace garden in a warm glow, Aeron labored diligently, stirring pots and arranging fragrant bouquets under the vibrant canopy of blossoming trees. Soft laughter escaped his lips as he meticulously set the table with ornate silverware, fairy lights twinkling like stars above. The tantalizing aroma of exotic spices and delicacies intermingled with the invigorating scent of dewy petals, infusing the air with a sense of enchantment.Aeron checked that everything was in place, a pleased smile gracing his features. He tiptoed back into the palace to retrieve Myra, his heart aflutter with anticipation. Upon returning to her side, he gently bound a silken blindfold over her eyes, his touch feather-light and tender.With the utmost care, he guided her through the labyrinthine corridors, her trust unwavering despite her curiosity. As they drew closer to the garden, Aeron's footsteps quickened, brimming with eagerness, until they finally came to a h
EpilogueAeron laughed heartily as he tossed a colorful ball back and forth with Allistar in the living room, their playful banter filling the air with joy and warmth. Despite his initial hesitance, Aeron had eventually relented, allowing Myra to go to the grocery store while he stayed back to spend quality time with Allistar. Little did he know that an unexpected turn of events was about to unfold.As they played, Aeron got a mindlink from Myra, her urgent thoughts flooding his mind. "Aeron, the baby is coming. I'm in labor. Please come to the grocery store right away."The realization sank in, and a sense of urgency washed over Aeron. Without a moment's hesitation, he gathered the groceries they had bought and swiftly lifted Allistar into his arms, explaining the situation in a hurry."Come on, peaches, we have to go to the grocery store. It's time to meet your little brother," Aeron said with a mix of excitement and reassurance, his tone conveying the sense of anticipation that fil
Chapter 110The soft glow of evening cast a warm ambience in Aeron and Myra's cozy living room, the gentle flicker of candlelight dancing across the walls. Myra, her baby bump clearly visible now, sat on the couch, a look of frustration etched on her features. Aeron, sitting opposite her in an armchair, gazed at her with a mix of amusement and concern.Myra's mood had been unpredictable lately, a common symptom of her advancing pregnancy, and today was no exception. She fidgeted with the remote control, her brows furrowed as she struggled to find the perfect movie to watch, her emotions teetering on the edge."Aeron, I just can't find anything that feels right!" Myra exclaimed, her frustration palpable. Aeron tilted his head, suppressing a smile as he tried to hide his amusement, knowing well that pregnancy tantrums were a part of the journey ahead."I could help you look for something. What are you in the mood for?" Aeron offered, his voice calm and soothing.Myra sighed, her gaze fl
Chapter 109Myra and Aeron were in the midst of preparing breakfast when the joyous sound of little feet echoed in the kitchen. Allistar, their bright-eyed and adventurous four-year-old daughter, burst into the room, clutching a colorful painting in her tiny hands. Aeron's eyes lit up as he saw her approach, a warm smile embracing his features. "Daddy, look what I made!" Allistar exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.Myra shook her head with a tender smile, a gentle reproach in her voice. "Allistar, how many times will I tell you not to run in the house?" Allistar's eyes widened in innocence as she looked up at her mother. "But Daddy says I can run when I become a big girl. I just turned four, so I'm a big girl now," she protested with all the conviction of a child.Aeron scooped her up into his arms and twirled her around, his laughter filling the air. "Of course, you're a big girl, Allistar, and big girls also obey their mothers," he reminded her gently before setting her
Chapter 108As the golden sunlight bathed the palace garden in a warm glow, Aeron labored diligently, stirring pots and arranging fragrant bouquets under the vibrant canopy of blossoming trees. Soft laughter escaped his lips as he meticulously set the table with ornate silverware, fairy lights twinkling like stars above. The tantalizing aroma of exotic spices and delicacies intermingled with the invigorating scent of dewy petals, infusing the air with a sense of enchantment.Aeron checked that everything was in place, a pleased smile gracing his features. He tiptoed back into the palace to retrieve Myra, his heart aflutter with anticipation. Upon returning to her side, he gently bound a silken blindfold over her eyes, his touch feather-light and tender.With the utmost care, he guided her through the labyrinthine corridors, her trust unwavering despite her curiosity. As they drew closer to the garden, Aeron's footsteps quickened, brimming with eagerness, until they finally came to a h
Chapter 107The dense forest loomed around Aeron like a living labyrinth, each tree a sentinel guarding its secrets. His voice echoed through the stillness, a desperate call searching for any sign of life. "Is anyone there?" he shouted, but the only response was the rustle of leaves in the wind.Undeterred, Aeron began to walk, the towering trees closing in around him, casting shadows that danced in the dappled moonlight. His footsteps seemed to be swallowed by the silent expanse, and a sinking feeling settled in his chest as the forest embraced him in its enigmatic grasp.As he wandered deeper, Aeron's sense of direction faltered, and the forest became an endless maze. Panic clawed at the edges of his mind, urging him to escape the suffocating greenery. In the distance, a cave yawned open like a dark maw, a potential escape from the wilderness that threatened to swallow him whole.Aeron cautiously entered the cave, the shadows within conspiring to distort his perception. The cavern s
Chapter 106As Aeron sprinted through the moonlit night, his keen senses heightened by desperation, he tried to catch Oswald's scent in the air. Frowning, he realized that Oswald had masked his presence, making tracking nearly impossible.Aeron chuckled grimly, muttering to himself, "Buffoon." Undeterred, he dropped to his knees, placing a hand on the ground. Silent incantations escaped his lips, and soon, glowing footsteps appeared on the path ahead. Aeron grinned, his determination unwavering as he followed the ethereal trail.The luminous footprints guided him to a secluded cabin. Aeron cautiously pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside. There, on a wooden bed, lay Allistar. Relief and urgency surged through him, but before he could reach for her, Oswald leaped from his hiding spot, launching at Aeron with deadly intent.Reacting swiftly, Aeron dodged the assault, and the two engaged in a fierce battle once more. Aeron's skill with the sword proved superior, but in a cunni
Chapter 105Panic and fear were etched into every line of Aeron's face as he frantically darted through the sprawling corridors of the palace, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes were wild with desperation as he searched, each passing second seeping away with a sense of impending dread. Shadows clung to the walls, and the oppressive weight of the air seemed to press down on him, suffocating him as he raced against the insidious tide of time.It was in this frenzied state that Aeron collided with Pelenore, his father, and the impact sent them both stumbling, only to regain their footing with a sense of urgency. Pelenore regarded his son with a mixture of concern and confusion, his brow furrowed as he asked, "Aeron, what's wrong? Why are you so frantic?"Aeron's voice trembled with raw emotion as he blurted out, "It's Myra. She's in trouble. I heard her call out to me, and I can't find her anywhere. She's somewhere in this palace, and I can't bear the thought of her suffering."
Chapter 104In the aftermath of the great battle that had just taken place, the once serene and picturesque landscape was now a chaotic scene of destruction. The once lush green fields were now scorched and smoking, the trees reduced to charred stumps. The acrid smell of burnt wood and gunpowder lingered heavily in the air, mingled with the metallic stench of blood.Amidst the chaos, Pelenore stood a short distance away, his body trembling with grief. In his arms, he cradled his beloved son, Baron, the light of his life. The young man's face was now pale, marked by deep wounds. Pelenore's tears streamed down his weathered face, his cries of despair mingling with the chaotic sounds of the aftermath. He held his dying son tenderly, whispering comforting words through his anguished sobs, hoping against hope that he could bring some relief to his child."I'm sorry, father," Baron finally croaked, his voice barely a whisper amidst the havoc. The words were a plea for forgiveness, a burde
Chapter 103The night was dark, with only a pale sliver of moon hanging in the sky. Aeron and Pelenore sat side by side on a wooden bench, their bodies tense and their eyes fixed on the field before them. The soldiers had set up their tents and retired for the night, leaving the deserted field covered in the scattered remnants of their tests. The atmosphere was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves.Neither Aeron nor Pelenore said a word, but the tension between them spoke volumes. Certainly by the morning they would go into battle and although they had prepared, they still felt tensed. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by the sound of hooves pounding across the field. A horse burst through the darkness, its body shimmering as if born from smoke. A soldier clad in armor dismounted and bowed in obeisance before Aeron and Pelenore. "Your highness! Great wizard!" Aeron looked at the soldier with an intensity that ma