The Day Off – Mole's Encounter & Royal Summons
The sun rose gently over the horizon, casting warm light on the quiet village. Mole was already gone, heading out with Zephyr for the second day of intense training. Meanwhile, the village slowly began to stir.
Shawn strolled through the village with a spring in his step. As he passed a row of small wooden homes, an elderly voice called out, "Hosi, my dear! Come help me with this."
He turned toward the voice, spotting Granny Sesi struggling with a bucket of water.
"Granny Sesi!" Shawn beamed, jogging over. "I'm happy to help. And maybe... if I'm lucky, I'll get one of your delicious cookies?"
Granny Sesi laughed, a warm, familiar chuckle. "You greedy rascal. Always aiming for the cookie jar."
As they walked past a carpenter working on a rooftop, the man called down, "Hey Hosi! I dropped my hammer. Can you toss it up here?"
Shawn picked up the hammer and tossed it expertly. "Catch it, Mr. Brink!"
The man caught it mid-air. "Thanks, lad. By the way, where are those brothers of yours? Mole was quite helpful last week."
Shawn adjusted his grip on the bucket. "Mole's been busy training lately, and Lloyd… well, he's probably on his third book this morning. At this rate, he'll finish the entire village library."
They both laughed, continuing down the path.
Once they reached Granny Sesi's cozy home, she opened the door and led Shawn in. "Thank you, my boy. Now, wait here—I have cookies for you and your brothers."
She returned with a red tin container, handing it to him with a smile.
Shawn took it carefully and gave a respectful bow. "Thanks, Granny Sesi."
Just as he stepped outside, a girl around his age ran toward him, her voice filled with panic. "Shaaaawn! Help me! I lost one of my father's sheep in the mountains!"
Shawn sighed and shook his head. "Samantha, you don't even have sheep. And your dad's Mr. Brink, remember?"
Samantha grinned mischievously. "What's in the red box? Granny Sesi's cookies? I heard they're amazing. Can I have one?"
Reluctantly, Shawn opened the container and offered her one. "Only because you're annoying enough to wear me down. But aren't you forgetting something?"
She paused mid-bite, eyes wide. "Oh no! My sheeeeeep!" she shouted, dashing off.
"You don't have any sheeeeep!" Shawn yelled after her, but she was already gone.
The rest of the day passed with Shawn helping around the village: in gardens, at the library, and even fetching water from the well. As dusk arrived, he finally returned home.
Inside, Mole lay with his head on the kitchen table, exhausted. Lloyd was cooking with his nose buried in a recipe book, and Zephyr sat silently in meditation.
"I'm home," Shawn called. "How was everyone's day?"
A Day Off – Mole's Visit to Ignisia
The next morning, Mole finally had a rest day from training. Bored and craving a change of scenery, he decided to visit Ignisia's bustling market.
As he wandered through the lively streets filled with vendors selling fruits, clothes, and hot food, someone suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Hey, Mole! How have you been lately?"
Mole blinked at the smiling girl, caught off guard. "Uh… who are you?"
She giggled. "I'm Angela! I guess I forgot to introduce myself properly the first time we met."
He scratched his head. "Angela… wait. You're the girl I pulled from the river! We were both about to drown!"
Angela nodded with a soft smile. "Still, you tried to save me. Come on, let me cook something for you. My way of saying thanks."
At her modest home, Mole looked around at family pictures hanging on the wall. The air smelled of carrots and spices.
"It seems quiet here," he remarked. "Where's your family?"
Angela continued chopping vegetables. "It's just me and my brother now. The neighbors help when they can."
Just as she was about to say more, the front door slammed open. A tall, muscular teen stood there—his eyes immediately locked on Mole.
In a flash, the boy lunged forward, grabbing Mole by the neck and slamming him against the wall.
"Zick, stop!" Angela screamed, rushing over. "He's a friend!"
Mole groaned, holding his neck. "I think… I'm okay."
Angela helped him stand. "Zick, apologize!"
Zick glared. "I don't remember my sister having friends like him. Step outside."
Mole didn't argue. He walked to the backyard, opened the door, and stepped into the crisp air.
Zick followed. "I challenge you to a duel."
Mole cracked his knuckles and grinned. "I accept."
Mole vs. Zick – The Backyard Duel
Zick: "I want to see what kind of person risked their life for my sister."
Mole: "I thought we were gonna fight. Are you scared now?"
Without warning, Zick charged forward and landed a heavy punch across Mole's jaw, sending him crashing into the wooden fence.
Mole stood, blood trickling from his cheek, and smiled.
"That all you got?"
Zick attacked again, but Mole dodged and countered with a sharp elbow to the ribs, followed by a swift kick to the back of Zick's knee. Zick dropped, but blocked Mole's next kick and yanked his leg, slamming a fist into Mole's nose.
Mole didn't back down—they both exploded into a flurry of punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. The backyard echoed with the clash of fists and grunts of pain. Blood splattered. Neither of them held back.
Angela screamed from the side. "Stop it, both of you!"
But they didn't listen.
As the duel reached its peak, Mole gathered his strength for one final strike—but a strange blue light surrounded Zick. Electricity sparked, and a beam of lightning erupted from his body.
Just before it struck Mole, Angela leapt in front, redirecting the beam to the sky.
"That's enough! The duel is over!" she shouted.
Both boys collapsed, panting and bruised.
Healing & Apologies
Hours passed. Mole awoke on a bed, bandaged and sore. Angela handed him a bowl of hot food and smiled.
"You're tougher than I thought."
She nudged Zick, who reluctantly stepped forward. "Sorry about earlier," he mumbled.
The three sat and shared a quiet meal. When it was time for Mole to leave, Angela walked him back toward the village.
Back at Home
As he arrived, Lloyd noticed the bandages. "Why are you wrapped up like that?! What happened?"
Mole yawned. "Can I just sleep? I'm exhausted."
Lloyd blinked. "Sure… I guess?"
Meanwhile – Across the Kingdoms
In a distant kingdom across River Eldrid, Lake Celestia, and the Aquarian Pearl City, Queen Calantha sat upon her throne.
A messenger burst into the hall. "Your Majesty! A letter from King Arin!"
The Queen's expression darkened. "From Arin?"
Far northeast, past the Great Divide and Stonehaven, in Terraverde, King Thorold held a similar letter.
"A summit? Now? What's this about?"
His advisor bowed. "Perhaps there's an emergency. It's wise to hear him out."
Thorold clenched the parchment. "This better be worth it."
Far south, beyond the stormy straits and the electrified towers of Stormspire, King Ryker roared with rage.
"This is madness! I will not step foot in Arin's filthy kingdom!"
"My lord," his lady advisor spoke softly, "this may be a threat to all of Aerthys. We must listen."
Ryker growled. "Fine. But if it's a waste of time…"
175 days remain before the summit.
To Be Continued...