Chapter 24

  A robin’s cheerful song echoed through the early morning air, its melody weaving through the open window and into the small room. The fluttering chorus stirred Eldric from his slumber, pulling him from the depths of a dream. With a soft groan, he stretched his arms high above his head. Lowering them, he instinctively reached out to wrap Fiora in a warm embrace, but his arms met only empty sheets.

  Frowning, Eldric opened his eyes and sat up, the world slowly coming into focus. The small room was bathed in soft dawn light, but Fiora was nowhere to be found. She must already be out training, he thought with a twinge of disappointment.

  With a sigh, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He donned his gear quickly, the leather straps of his armor creaking softly as he adjusted them. Taking a final glance around the room, he stepped into the common area.

  The house was silent. The other doors remained firmly shut, and the air hung still, undisturbed by even the faintest breeze. The only sound was the steady rhythm of Reiko’s breath as she slept soundly in her corner, her black cloak draped loosely over her shoulders.

  Eldric tiptoed past her, careful not to disturb her rest, and retrieved his twin swords from their place by the wall. Slinging them over his back, he stepped outside into the crisp morning air.

  A cool breeze greeted him, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. The robin continued its spirited performance, now joined by a symphony of chirping companions. Golden light spilled through the trees, the sun just beginning to crest the horizon. Eldric took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs, and felt a flicker of energy stir within him.

  “All right, let’s do this,” he murmured, setting off down the familiar trail at a sprint.

  The world around him blurred into shades of brown and green as he darted through the forest. The crunch of leaves and twigs beneath his boots kept time with his pounding heartbeat. Before long, beads of sweat began to form on his neck.

  The dew that clung to the foliage had all but disappeared by the time Eldric slowed to a halt. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling as he took in his surroundings. A small clearing lay ahead, its soft grass dappled with sunlight filtering through the trees.

  “This looks like a good place,” he muttered to himself.

  Eldric shrugged off his swords and tossed them to the ground along with his shirt. The cool morning air felt invigorating against his damp skin. Dropping to the ground, he began a regiment of pushups, the rhythm of his movements steady and unbroken.

  As he pressed on, a faint but familiar grunt echoed through the trees, catching his attention. He froze mid-motion, his senses sharpening. Rising to his feet, he grabbed his shirt and slung it over his shoulder. Quietly, he moved toward the sound, his steps deliberate and silent.

  The forest around him seemed to hold its breath, the cacophony of bird calls and rustling leaves fading into the background as he crept closer to the source of the noise.

  As Eldric crept closer to the source of the noise, the grunt sounded again, much louder this time. He dropped into a crouch behind a dense patch of brush, carefully parting the tangled branches to peer through.

  Fiora stood motionless, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Her diaphragm flexed rhythmically, accentuating her chiseled abdomen, exposed beneath the bindings of her chest wrap. Sweat darkened her normally vibrant red hair, causing it to stick in damp strands to her flushed face and neck.

  Eldric’s gaze lingered, taking in her form. Despite her petite frame, Fiora had grown remarkably muscular over the past few years. Her shoulders were broad and defined, her arms rippling with lean strength. She wore a pair of bulky fingerless gloves—training gloves, he realized. The deep pockets sewn into them housed weights, designed to add resistance and intensify a fighter’s workout.

  Even after all this time, Eldric found himself drawn to her presence, a mixture of admiration and something deeper stirring within him.

  As he turned to leave and give her privacy, a sudden flurry of movement stopped him in his tracks. He turned back, his curiosity getting the better of him.

  Fiora was in motion, darting and spinning as if fighting an invisible opponent. Her fists moved like blurs, jabbing and striking with precision. She ducked low, then swung upward with a powerful punch, seamlessly transitioning into a spinning high kick.

  Eldric’s eyes widened as she landed gracefully, her feet barely making a sound on the forest floor. It was then he noticed the weights strapped around her ankles—similar to the gloves, designed to amplify the strain of her movements.

  Unrelenting, Fiora returned to her shadowboxing, weaving and dodging as though avoiding attacks from an unseen adversary. Her intensity was mesmerizing, each movement calculated yet fluid, her strength palpable in every strike.

  She worked her way toward a towering pine tree, its massive trunk standing as an unyielding sentinel. Fiora planted her feet firmly, took a deep breath, and delivered a single, devastating punch to the tree’s center.

  A thunderous crack echoed through the forest, followed by the groaning sound of splitting wood. Eldric stared in awe as a jagged fracture snaked its way up the trunk, the force of her blow leaving the ancient tree visibly weakened.

  She almost split that tree in half, he thought, stunned. Holy cow.

  But Fiora didn’t even glance at the damage she’d done. Instead, she dropped to the ground and began a set of crunches, her movements swift and precise.

  Eldric watched in silence as she completed one hundred reps, then rolled over and began a set of push-ups, her form unwavering. She moved with determination, repeating the routine for ten grueling sets.

  By the time she finished, her body trembled with exhaustion. Fiora collapsed onto her back, her chest heaving as she stared up at the canopy above.

  That’s… pretty impressive, Eldric thought, his respect for her growing even further.

  Satisfied that she wouldn’t notice him, Eldric crawled away from the brush and returned to his own area. Spotting a low-hanging branch, he reached up and gave it a firm tug to test its sturdiness.

  Finding it solid, he grabbed hold with both hands and began a series of pull-ups, determined not to let Fiora’s display of strength outshine his own.

  Fiora lay on her back, her eyes fixed on the drifting clouds above. A satisfied smile crossed her lips. “Boy, that was fun,” she muttered, sitting up and drawing a steady breath.

  Reaching down, she unfastened the weights strapped to her ankles. They clattered heavily to the ground as she stood, rolling her shoulders. With a grunt, she pulled off her fingerless gloves, which landed with an audible thud beside the weights.

  “Only fifty pounds today,” she mumbled, flexing her hands. “I need to up it.”

  She made her way to a nearby branch where she had draped her towel. Grabbing it, she wiped the sweat from her face and neck, the cool fabric a welcome relief against her skin. As she worked, a sharp cracking sound broke the tranquility behind her.

  Fiora froze, her hand instinctively darting to the hilt of her sword, which leaned against the tree. With practiced ease, she retrieved the weapon and moved toward the sound, her steps cautious and deliberate.

  In the distance, she spotted Eldric. Lowering her sword, she allowed a faint smile to play on her lips as she silently approached him.

  Reaching a large, exposed tree root, Fiora knelt behind it, her hazel eyes peeking over the top. She watched in silence, her breath hitching at the sight before her.

  Eldric was deep into his workout, his movements focused and precise. His physique, so often hidden beneath layers of armor, was on full display. Fiora’s gaze lingered on his muscular frame, the way his biceps bulged with each pull-up, his veins prominent against his taut skin. Scars crisscrossed his back.

  A chill ran down her spine as she watched. He seemed so… powerful.

  Eldric suddenly released his grip on the branch, landing lightly on the ground. Without pause, he transitioned into push-ups, his body moving rhythmically as he powered through sets of one hundred with ease. When he finally finished, he sprang to his feet and grabbed his swords, strapping them securely to his back.

  Fiora continued to watch, mesmerized, as Eldric moved to the center of the clearing. He stood still for a moment, scanning the surrounding trees. Closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as though centering himself.

  When he reopened his eyes, there was a new focus in his gaze, a sharpness that made Fiora’s heart skip a beat. Slowly, he unsheathed his swords, the sound of steel whispering against leather.

  Then, he began.

  His movements were fluid, each stance seamlessly shifting into the next as he executed a forceful dance of combat. The speed of his strikes increased, the blades catching the light in fleeting flashes. A sudden blue glow began to radiate from the swords, growing brighter with each swing.

  Fiora’s breath hitched as Eldric became a blur of motion, his figure almost indistinguishable against the backdrop of the forest. The crackling energy coursing through his blades illuminated the clearing in piercing flashes of blue light.

  Like she had done earlier, Eldric directed himself toward a towering tree. His feet planted firmly, he crossed his swords in front of him, the blue energy flaring along the edges.

  With a powerful cry, he swung the blades outward in an x-pattern, the steel cutting through the tree’s trunk as if it were no more than butter.

  Eldric leapt back, his glowing swords lowered but ready, his gaze fixed on the tree.

  Fiora blinked, her lips curving into a teasing grin. “I don’t see any damage,” she whispered to herself, prepared to call him out.

  But the words died on her tongue.

  The tree suddenly groaned, its trunk splintering with a deafening crack. An instant later, it shattered into hundreds of pieces, the shards raining down like a storm of wooden debris.

  The unexpected force of the shattering tree knocked Fiora backward, sending her sprawling onto the soft forest floor. She blinked, her heart racing, as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Splinters of wood were scattered around her like a storm's aftermath.

  When she looked back toward the clearing, Eldric was nowhere to be seen.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “You done already?”

  The voice came from directly behind her, and Fiora flinched as a hand rested lightly on her shoulder. She turned, glaring up at Eldric, who wore an infuriatingly calm expression.

  “Well, unlike some people,” she shot back with a sarcastic edge, “I was up well before sunrise.”

  Eldric chuckled, stepping around her to survey the wreckage.

  “How did you do that?” Fiora asked, gesturing toward the crumbled remains of the tree. Her voice held equal parts curiosity and disbelief.

  Eldric flashed a grin. “Aetherguard,” he said simply. “I told you I’d mastered it.” He turned his gaze back to her, a playful glint in his eyes. “Now, how about you tell me how you managed to split that tree with nothing but your fist?”

  Fiora smirked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Aetherguard, of course,” she said, her tone light but confident. “While you were off gallivanting across the world, I figured out how to focus Aetherguard into my fists by putting metal knuckles in them—kind of like what I do with my sword. Only, I prefer this method because it’s less draining. Plus…” She raised her fist, flexing it slightly. “It multiplies my already superior strength at least tenfold.”

  She tapped her wrists with a knowing smile. “And training with those weights? It’s been great for my stamina.”

  Eldric gave her an appraising look, his smile softening. “Boy, you’ve come a long way from the little girl who used to cry over every scraped knee.”

  Fiora rolled her eyes but smiled genuinely. “Look who’s talking,” she retorted, her voice tinged with sincerity. “I never imagined things would turn out like this.”

  She playfully punched his shoulder, and Eldric, grinning, returned the favor. But the lighthearted moment quickly faded as Fiora’s expression grew serious.

  “So,” she began quietly, “what are we going to do?”

  “What do you mean?” Eldric asked, his tone cautious as he took a seat on a nearby fallen tree.

  Fiora sat beside him, her gaze fixed on the ground. “I’m talking about what our parents told us last night,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Eldric leaned back, letting out a heavy sigh. “Well, it seems pretty straightforward,” he said dryly. “I guess I’m supposed to become king, and you get to be my queen.”

  When Fiora didn’t respond, Eldric glanced at her. Her face was set, her eyes serious. She wasn’t humored by his sarcasm.

  He softened his tone. “Look, Fiora, what can we do? The only thing that’s changed is we now know who Syra and Eira really are. Our mission hasn’t changed—we still need to defeat Ashley and her army.”

  “But is Ashley really our enemy?” Fiora asked, her voice rising slightly as she turned to face him. “Or is it our parents?”

  Eldric blinked, caught off guard by her question.

  “Think about it,” she continued, her tone firm. “It’s their fault our dads died. It’s their fault June and Jutta are gone. It’s their fault the Great Cities fell.”

  Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. Eldric looked away, his jaw tightening as he searched for an answer that wouldn’t come.

  “Yeah, I know,” Eldric said, his voice firm with determination. “But Syra and Eira had their reasons. If I can defeat Lord Jamdak and send that dragon back into the ground, then all of those deaths will not have been in vain.”

  Fiora let out a weary sigh, shaking her head. “So, it doesn’t bother you that our mothers are murderers?”

  “Of course, it does,” Eldric shot back defensively, his tone sharpening. “But if what they told us is true, then we need their help. They might be the only ones who can assist us in taking down Lord Jamdak.”

  “That’s the part I still don’t understand,” Fiora said, frustration creeping into her voice. “Lord Jamdak,” she continued, mimicking the title with mocking disdain. “How can Syra and Eira possibly still respect him, even as he’s trying to kill us? He’s pure evil.”

  “Evil, you say?” Eldric replied, arching a brow as he studied her. “And what, exactly, makes someone evil?”

  Fiora blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question. “Well…” she stammered, her brow furrowing. “Evil is… it’s…”

  Eldric leaned back slightly, his gaze shifting toward the sky. “Evil,” he began, his voice measured, “is a matter of perspective. To us, Lord Jamdak is evil because of what he’s trying to do. But to him, we are the ones who are evil, because we’re trying to stop him.”

  Fiora frowned, crossing her arms. “But he’s trying to kill us! He’s trying to destroy mankind,” she argued, her voice rising.

  “And aren’t we trying to kill him?” Eldric countered, his tone calm but pointed. “From his perspective, he’s the one trying to restore peace to this world. He believes his actions are necessary to save humanity. By standing in his way, we become the villains in his eyes.”

  “So what you’re saying is that we’re the bad guys?” Fiora asked, her tone sharp with disbelief.

  “In his eyes, yes,” Eldric replied matter-of-factly. “From Lord Jamdak’s perspective, we are the ones trying to destroy humanity, because we’re stopping him from achieving what he believes will save the world.”

  Fiora stared at him, her mind grappling with the unsettling thought. “That’s… an interesting way of putting it,” she admitted, though her tone was reluctant. “But I still refuse to believe he’s not evil.”

  Eldric nodded, his expression softening. “Don’t worry, we’re on the same page,” he assured her. “I’m not saying he’s right. I just wanted to point that out to you—so maybe you can look at things differently, especially when it comes to our mothers.”

  Fiora’s eyes searched his face, as if trying to find the full meaning behind his words. Slowly, she let out a breath and nodded.

  Eldric lowered himself back onto the fallen tree and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. For a moment, they sat in peaceful silence, the stillness of the forest wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. But the tranquility didn’t last. Fiora’s expression shifted, her brow furrowing as a flicker of annoyance crossed her face.

  “By the way,” she said abruptly, breaking the quiet, “when exactly were you planning to tell me about Reiko? I think I deserved to know.”

  Eldric winced slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I honestly planned on telling you,” he admitted, “but I didn’t think you’d believe me if I said she’s really our daughter.”

  Fiora chuckled softly, the sound tinged with both disbelief and amusement. “I still don’t know if I believe it,” she said, shaking her head. “But the granddaughter of two wizards… we might actually have a chance.”

  Eldric smirked. “She even has her mother’s stubbornness and wits,” he teased.

  “Yeah, it’s a shame she didn’t inherit any good qualities from her father,” Fiora shot back with a playful grin.

  Before Eldric could respond, a sudden commotion disrupted the calm. Hundreds of birds erupted from the trees, their frantic wings beating a chaotic rhythm as they filled the sky. A low, ominous rumble followed, growing louder with each passing second.

  Eldric and Fiora exchanged a single, terrified glance. Without a word, they scrambled to gather their gear, the weight of urgency driving their movements.

  Eldric pointed toward a towering pine tree at the edge of the path. “Up there!” he hissed.

  He leapt upward, grabbing hold of the nearest branch and pulling himself up with practiced ease. Reaching down, he extended a hand to Fiora, helping her follow. They climbed higher, moving as quietly as possible through the dense branches, each creak of the wood beneath their weight setting their nerves on edge.

  When they reached a sufficient height, Eldric suddenly froze. He held out a hand, signaling Fiora to stop.

  “What is it?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant rumble.

  Eldric’s face was pale, his hand trembling as he pointed toward the main path. Fiora followed his gaze—and her breath caught in her throat.

  A sea of soldiers in gleaming steel armor marched in perfect formation, their ranks stretching far beyond the horizon. The thunder of their footsteps reverberated through the forest, a chilling reminder of their strength.

  At the head of the column, no more than a hundred yards away, marched a sinister-looking woman whom Eldric recognized instantly. His stomach churned at the sight of her.

  “That’s Ashley,” he whispered, his voice low and tense.

  Fiora’s eyes shifted to the figure striding beside Ashley—a tall, powerful man who exuded an aura of raw strength. His movements were deliberate, confident, his youthful face betraying no hint of weakness.

  “But who’s that walking with her?” Fiora asked, her voice tinged with dread. Her thoughts raced as she stared at the imposing figure. “You don’t think that’s… No, it can’t be! He’s already—”

  “I don’t know,” Eldric interrupted, his voice barely above a gasp. His terror was evident as his mind connected the dots. “But if that really is Lord Jamdak, then we’re in serious trouble.”

  His words hung in the air, heavy with foreboding.

  “We need to warn the others. Now!”

  Without waiting for a response, Eldric began his descent, gravity aiding his rapid movement as he practically fell through the branches. Fiora followed close behind, her movements just as swift and desperate.

  The moment his boots hit solid ground, Eldric took off, sprinting back toward the hut without so much as a glance over his shoulder. Fiora was right behind him, her heart pounding in rhythm with their frantic escape.

  The forest seemed to close in around them, the rumble of the approaching army driving them faster. There was no time to think, no time to hesitate.

  The fate of everything they held dear depended on their warning reaching the others in time.

  Eldric’s heart threatened to pound its way out of his chest as he pushed himself harder, faster than he had ever run before. Each step sent jolts of pain through his legs, but he didn’t care. He tore through the final corner, the hut coming into view like a beacon.

  The wooden stairs groaned under the force of his frantic steps as he stormed up, racing for the door. He barely registered his surroundings as he shoved it open with enough force to send it slamming against the wall.

  Inside, Alicia, Morrigan, and the others were seated around a low table, their breakfast interrupted by the commotion. Plates clattered, and Reiko nearly dropped hers as she jumped in surprise.

  “They’re coming!” Eldric hollered, his voice cracking with urgency before anyone could speak. “Lord Jamdak is coming—along with Ashley and her entire army!”

  The room froze. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, disbelief and dread washing over every face.

  “How is this even possible?” Reiko blurted out, her voice trembling.

  “I don’t know how,” Eldric snapped, his breathing ragged. “What I do know is that he’s about four minutes from our doorstep.”

  “This can’t be happening,” Reiko whispered, her terror evident. Her hands trembled as she set her plate down. “We’re going to die. It’s too soon. We needed to team up with Oaklea before this. We’re not ready to face him!”

  Across the room, Alicia and Morrigan exchanged a grim look, a silent understanding passing between them. Morrigan slipped out of the room without a word, her steps purposeful.

  “Rendrick,” Alicia said, her tone sharp and commanding, “I need you to get to Valifield. Let the others know what’s happening. We’ll hold them off for as long as we can.”

  Rendrick nodded without hesitation, grabbing his ax from its place by the wall. He was gone in seconds, the door slamming shut behind him.

  “Nyssa,” Alicia continued, turning to the archer.

  Nyssa didn’t need further instruction. Moving like clockwork, she pulled her bow from the rack, strapped on her quiver, and bolted out the door after Rendrick.

  Morrigan returned moments later, Alicia’s sword in hand. She passed it to her without a word.

  “Right,” Alicia began, her voice steady despite the chaos. “Eldric, Reiko, you two will—”

  “Argh!” Eldric cried out suddenly, doubling over as a sharp, searing pain shot through his hand.

  Everyone turned to him in alarm. His face was twisted in agony as he clutched his hand. The black ring his mother had given him glowed a bright, unnatural blue, the light pulsating like a heartbeat.

  “This is bad,” Eldric said through gritted teeth, the pain momentarily robbing him of clarity. He forced himself to straighten, his voice heavy with dread. “The last time I felt this… was when Fiora died. Before Reiko and I saved her.”

  Alicia stepped closer, her sharp eyes narrowing as she examined the glowing ring. “This is a soul ring,” she said, her voice urgent. “It’s connected to Fiora’s life force. I assume she’s wearing the necklace?”

  “She never takes it off,” Eldric replied, panic creeping into his voice.

  Alicia’s expression darkened. “Then her life is in danger,” she said, her tone rising with alarm. She turned sharply to face the room. “Where is she?”

  The question hung in the air like a warning bell, and for a moment, no one moved. Then, as if jolted into action, Eldric bolted for the door, the others scrambling to follow.

  Eldric’s heart plummeted into his stomach. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. His eyes widened in panic as the realization hit him. “She was right behind me!”

  “You idiot!” Alicia snapped, her voice laced with fury.

  “We’ve got to find her!” Eldric shouted, desperation overtaking him.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Alicia said, already moving toward the door.

  They yanked it open, but their momentum halted instantly. Standing at the bottom of the steps were Lord Jamdak and Ashley, their imposing figures framed by the sea of soldiers that stood motionless behind them, each one as still and sharp as a drawn blade.

  Alicia’s expression shifted, her sharp mind calculating as she extended a hand in a show of diplomacy. “Lord Jamdak,” she said smoothly, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her chest. “You’re looking well. We feared the worst when you didn’t join us after sending the refugees from the Great Cities. You’ll be happy to know we’ve been looking out for the survivors here in Valifield, just as you ordered.”

  Jamdak’s sneer deepened, his emerald eyes burning with contempt. “Don’t be coy with me,” he snarled, his voice low and venomous.

  He raised a hand toward the sky, and a soldier hidden within the ranks stepped forward, tossing a large, unmoving bundle to the ground at Jamdak’s feet.

  Eldric’s breath caught as the bundle unfurled, revealing Fiora—bound head to toe, her face bloody and bruised. She lay motionless, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths.

  Time seemed to freeze. Guilt crashed over Eldric like a tidal wave, his legs trembling beneath the weight of his failure. His gaze locked on her battered form, and he couldn’t look away.

  Jamdak’s sneer twisted into a cruel grin. “You are going to come with me,” he said coldly, “or she will die.”

  The guilt in Eldric’s chest ignited into a blazing fury. His trembling stilled, replaced by unrelenting resolve. In a flash, his swords were in his hands, their steel glowing brighter than ever before. Purple lightning crackled and danced along the blades, the raw energy humming with power.

  “I will kill you,” Eldric growled, his voice as dangerous as the storm building in his hands.

  Jamdak chuckled darkly, undeterred. “So,” he said, tilting his head mockingly, “you’d rather see her dead than come with us? Very well.”

  Ashley, silent until now, stepped forward. She gripped her sword in both hands and raised it high above her head, the sunlight glinting off the polished steel.

  Eldric’s heart stopped. The world slowed to a crawl as he watched the blade begin its deadly descent toward Fiora.

  “No!” he shouted, his voice tearing from his throat like a primal roar.

  But before he could act, a voice rang out from behind him, sharp and commanding.

  “Eldric, go!”

  It was Reiko.