The clash of steel echoed through the mountain pass as the bandits pressed their attack. Hali, still reeling from the shock of the ambush, barely managed to dodge a sweeping blade aimed at his chest. His movements were sluggish, his mind clouded with fear and doubt. Just as the bandit's sword arced toward him again, a figure stepped in front of him, blocking the strike with effortless precision.
It was Alistar, his icy blue eyes calm and his posture relaxed, as if this were nothing more than a routine sparring session. His sword gleamed in the sunlight as he parried the attack, his movements fluid and precise.
"Stop slacking off," Alistar said, his voice cool and unbothered. He didn't even glance at Hali, his focus entirely on the bandit before him.
Hali gulped, his heart pounding in his chest. "Sorry," he muttered, scrambling to his feet. His hands trembled as he gripped his shadowy sword, the dark energy swirling around the blade.
Finn appeared moments later, his silver-streaked hair glinting in the sunlight as he moved with the grace of a seasoned fighter. He skidded to a stop beside Alistar and Hali, his sword at the ready. "Are you two alright?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
"Yes, thanks to Alistar," Hali replied, his voice tinged with gratitude and shame.
Alistar didn't respond. Instead, he pointed toward a group of bandits charging toward them, their weapons raised and their eyes filled with malice. "No need to thank me. Look right there."
Hali's gaze followed Alistar's gesture, and his stomach churned. The bandits were closing in fast, their numbers overwhelming. But something inside him stirred—a spark of determination. He had been practicing a new technique that morning, a way to channel the Veylara Current into a concentrated attack. Now was the time to test it.
"Let me take care of this," Hali said, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at him.
Finn raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ha? You? Haha!" he laughed, clearly skeptical. But Alistar remained silent, his expression unreadable as he watched Hali step forward.
Hali took a deep breath, focusing on the Veylara Current. He could feel its energy coursing through him, cold and powerful, like a river of shadows. He channeled it into the edge of his sword, the dark energy coalescing into a swirling ball of shadow magic. With a cry, he released it, the ball hurtling toward the bandits with terrifying speed.
But as the attack flew through the air, Hali's heart sank. Vold was in the line of fire, his golden hair glinting as he fought off another group of bandits. Hali's eyes widened in horror as the shadowy ball struck its target, the explosion sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Vold was caught in the radius, the force of the blast slamming into his arm and leaving it bloodied and broken.
"Vold!" Finn shouted, rushing to his friend's side. Vold grimaced, clutching his injured arm, but he managed a weak smile. "It's just a scratch," he said through gritted teeth, though the pain was evident in his voice.
Julius, who had been fighting off the bandit leader, turned at the sound of the explosion. With a swift, decisive strike, he plunged his sword through the bandit leader's neck, ending the fight. He rushed to Vold's side, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.
"Are you alright, son?" Julius asked, his voice heavy with worry.
"Yes…it's just a scratch," Vold replied, though his face was pale and his arm hung limply at his side. He turned to Hali, his eyes narrowing. "You have to improve your aim, Ilis. Or the next time this happens, I'll surely be dead."
Hali's heart sank, guilt washing over him like a tidal wave. He opened his mouth to apologize, but the words caught in his throat. **Pege** stood nearby, her dark eyes fixed on him, her expression cold and unreadable. The weight of her stare was unbearable, and Hali felt as though he had let them all down.
"I…am sorry," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Alistar stepped forward, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "Humans make mistakes," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "And that's what shapes us into who we are. After all, we are the brain of the universe trying to understand itself."
His words were a small comfort, but they did little to ease Hali's guilt. Julius, sensing the need to move on, gestured toward the carriage. "Enough of this. We need to get back on the road. The Iron Sanctum isn't far."
The journey to the Iron Sanctum was a blur of pain and exhaustion. The group moved as quickly as they could, their injuries slowing them down but not stopping them. As they approached the sanctum, the dense forest gave way to a clearing, and there it stood—a massive, imposing structure of black stone and iron, its spires reaching toward the sky like the claws of a beast.
Two guards stood at the entrance, their armor gleaming in the fading light. They nodded to Julius as he approached, their expressions unreadable.
"Welcome, Lord Damas," one of them said, his voice deep and resonant. "Balthar has been expecting you."
The gates creaked open, revealing a courtyard filled with training dummies, weapons racks, and the faint scent of sweat and steel. The group stepped inside, their eyes wide with awe and trepidation.
A tall, skinny figure approached them, his movements graceful and deliberate. It was Khen, Balthar's assistant. His sharp eyes scanned the group, lingering on their injuries.
"Welcome, Lord Julius and little lords," Khen said, his tone polite but distant. "Balthar has been waiting for you. Please, follow me."
They followed Khen through the halls of the Iron Sanctum, the walls lined with weapons and armor that gleamed in the torchlight. The air was thick with the scent of oil and metal, and the sound of distant clashing swords echoed through the corridors.
Finally, they reached a large, ornate door. Khen pushed it open, revealing a spacious office. At the center of the room sat **Balthar**, his muscular frame towering over the desk. His face was lined with scars, each one a testament to the battles he had fought and survived. His eyes, sharp and piercing, scanned the group as they entered.
"Made me wait all day, Red Dragon," Balthar said, his voice a low rumble. He leaned back in his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Julius smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "What do you know? We were attacked on the way here, Iron Claw."
Balthar's gaze shifted to Vold, his expression softening slightly as he noticed the injury. "Ah, I see. You all must be tired. Khen, get the kids to their rooms and ask Sansa to heal them."
"As you wish, my lord," Khen replied, bowing slightly before gesturing for the group to follow him.
As the young nobles left the room, Balthar stood and motioned for Julius to join him on a nearby couch. He lit another cigarette, the smoke curling around his face as he spoke.
"So? What is this important thing you wanted to talk about?" Balthar asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with curiosity.
Julius leaned forward, his expression serious. "Balthar, you are my brother in arms, the only person aside from Attla whom I can trust with my life."
Balthar raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, come on. Get to the point now, Julius."
Julius took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Aestro Zentus…is alive."
The room fell silent, the weight of Julius's words hanging in the air. Balthar's jaw dropped, his cigarette slipping from his fingers as he stared at Julius in disbelief.