Several months ago, Sadril sat quietly in a secret Noktus base located deep in the mountains of the continent of Celesta. Before him was a large map displaying the major kingdoms of Celesta, and Sadril was meticulously reviewing his complex strategies. This operation was not a simple attack. It was an essential step for the Noktus's long-term victory and their domination of the continent. He knew well that he could not ignore the power of Elysium, the new nation on the continent of Luminaria.
Sadril recognized that eliminating Rian and Ria was the most crucial part of his plan. Elysium was a newly risen nation on the continent of Luminaria, but the power they possessed was not to be taken lightly. Protecting the kingdom of Elysium were none other than Rian and Ria, the children of the legendary King Merslin. Merslin was a hero who had shattered the ambitions of the Titans in the past and saved the universe from crisis, and his twin children, Rian and Ria, were powerful beings worthy of that fame.
Sadril: (internal monologue) "Elysium… I cannot take them lightly just because they are a new nation. As the descendants of Merslin, they have attained great power in a short time. If they stand in the way of the Noktus, our ambitions will come to nothing. Only by eliminating Rian and Ria can we stop the rise of Elysium and perfect our plan."
Sadril summoned Elahar and Brakka to his command room. Elahar was the Strongest Swordsman of the Elves, a master who could overwhelm opponents with the art of the sword. Brakka was the greatest warrior of the Orcs, excelling at breaking his enemies with overwhelming power and combat sense. However, they were not Sadril's subordinates; they were only interested in the challenges he could provide.
When Elahar and Brakka entered the command room, they showed little interest. Elahar fiddled with his sword with a bored expression, and Brakka leaned against a wall with his arms crossed, looking tired . To them, Sadril was merely a client, nothing more and nothing less.
Sadril: "Elahar, Brakka. I have an important mission for you. You are to eliminate the children of Elysium, Rian and Ria."
Elahar: "I have no intention of following your orders. Do I look like someone who moves on command? What's important is whether it is worth my while to act personally."
Brakka: "I have no desire for a petty fight. If the opponent is weak, there is no need for me to step in."
Sadril had anticipated their indifferent attitude. He smiled and threw out a key piece of information to pique their interest.
Sadril: "Rian and Ria are no mere warriors. They are the children of the Kingdom of Elysium and the descendants of Merslin. The bloodline of the legend who shattered the ambitions of the Titans and saved the universe. You could call them the strongest of the strong."
As Sadril finished speaking, Elahar's eyes momentarily flashed. His hand briefly gripped his sword tighter, and Brakka corrected his posture, looking at Sadril with a serious expression.
Elahar: "The descendants of Merslin… A duel with them would be interesting for the true completion of my swordsmanship. That is reason enough for me to go."
Brakka: "A fight with the strong is always welcome. If they are the children of Merslin, then that is a challenge worth accepting."
Finally, Sadril summoned a mysterious figure, Karon. Karon was a man of unknown magical abilities, his past and skills mostly shrouded in mystery. Karon, too, showed little interest at first, but his attitude also changed when Sadril mentioned the children of Elysium.
Karon, still wearing a cynical smile, said.
Karon: "The children of Elysium… strong ones, you say? Interesting. It wouldn't be so bad to test their power for myself. If a fight with them is an opportunity to display my abilities, then that is enough."
Sadril gave them the order to find and eliminate Rian and Ria. This mission was not a simple battle, but an important one on which the future of the continent of Celesta and the ambitions of the Noktus depended. Before they left, Sadril gave one last charge.
Sadril: "This is not a simple command. The Kingdom of Elysium and its children are our greatest threat. As long as they exist, our victory can never be complete. You must eliminate them."
Elahar, Brakka, and Karon each went their own way. They began their journey to find the children of Elysium, scouring the continent of Celesta with Rian and Ria as their targets. Sadril watched them leave and smiled. All preparations were now complete; the only thing left was to bring down Rian and Ria.
Sadril: "Rian and Ria, your fate now rests in my hands. The legend of Elysium, its bloodline—none of it matters in the face of my plan."
***
Episode : The Appearance of Karon
Having obtained important information in Celesta and strengthened their cooperation with various kingdoms, Rian and Ria decided to return to Elysium. They had intended to return on the airship they had arrived on, but the vessel had been damaged in the recent turmoil. With two plans in mind—either head to Altechna for parts or use a waypoint—the party left the Gnome Kingdom and set out on the road to Altechna.
Rian: "The airship repairs will likely take a long time. We should be able to get the parts we need in Altechna."
Ria: "Right, we have to hurry. We can't afford to waste time here."
As they entered a narrow mountain path, the surrounding landscape began to blur, and they felt that something was wrong. Ria and Eris immediately searched the area for magical traces.
Ria: "This... is no simple illusion. Someone is targeting us."
Eris: "I feel psychic magic. It's very powerful. The intent to confuse our minds is clear."
At that moment, a thick fog rose up, obscuring Rian and Ria's vision. A silhouette in a black cloak emerged from the mist. It was Karon. Karon's eyes shone coldly, and at his gesture, the fog grew thicker, distorting the surrounding scenery.
Karon: "The children of Elysium. I didn't expect to meet you so easily."
Rian immediately drew his sword, on his guard.
Rian: "Who are you? What do you want from us?"
Karon gave a cynical smile and took a step forward. Darkness flickered around him, and the air grew heavy and cold.
Karon: "I am Karon. I am the one who has come to test you and, if necessary, eliminate you. The descendants of Merslin... I wonder how strong your minds truly are."
Ria heard Karon's words and intuitively understood his abilities. He was no simple mage. Karon possessed psychic powers that dealt with the mind, a dangerous ability to read or control the thoughts of others.
Ria: "Rian, be careful. This one attacks the mind. Don't let his words sway you."
Karon, ignoring Ria's warning, stretched out his hand, his eyes glowing as if to read Rian and Ria's minds. With his gesture, confusing images flooded Rian's head. Rian tried to focus his mind, but the pain and fears of the past intertwined, unsettling his will.
Rian: "This is... no! Trying to control my mind."
Ria, too, was afflicted by a powerful mental attack, but as a descendant of a powerful line, she held on with a firm will. Marielle, despite being attacked by Karon, was unshaken. Her faith was deep and high, and the protection of the divine was guarding her.
Marielle: "The darkness cannot shake me. My faith is one with the divine and can overcome any temptation."
Blocked by Marielle's powerful faith, Karon could not hide his surprise. She was blocking his mental assault with her sacred energy.
Karon: "Faith... Interesting. But I doubt that alone will be enough."
Karon still possessed formidable psychic abilities, but they were not enough to break the bond and will of Rian and Ria. He raised one hand and activated a dark magic spell, summoning a giant, shadow-like monster before the party. It was a kind of psychic phantasm, but it approached with the menace of a real entity.
Karon: "I see your minds are strong. Then how about this?"
The monster charged toward the party with great force. Rian and Ria worked together to block it, and Marielle vanquished the monster with a holy light. Eris, to counter Karon's mental attack, briefly sent herself into the shaman's world. She went deep into her own subconscious and withstood Karon's assault with the power of her shamanism. In the shaman's world, Eris confronted her own spirit and regained the strength to overcome Karon's attack.
Eris: "Your attempt to overwhelm me in this mental world will not work. I can protect my mind with the power of shamanism."
When Eris returned from the shaman's world, she stood up again, unshaken by Karon's attack. Her eyes were filled with resolve, and the power of a shaman was protecting her.
Eris: "My mind is protected by the power of shamanism. Whatever you try, I will not fall."
With the help of Marielle and Eris, Rian and Ria began to focus their minds again. They supported each other and stood against Karon's powerful mental assault.
Rian: "Our minds, our will, are stronger than you think."
Ria: "We are the children of Elysium. No fear, no confusion, can break us!"
Karon began to feel a slight frustration. Realizing his attacks were not working on them, he decided to retreat for now. He had shown that his abilities were still powerful, but he also realized he could not underestimate the strength of Rian and Ria.
Karon: "Hmph, I will come at you even stronger next time, so be prepared."
Karon vanished, disappearing into the shadows. His presence remained a great threat to Rian and Ria. The party, vowing not to let their guard down against Karon's psychic abilities, prepared to return to Elysium once more.
Rian: "We can overcome this. We have to get even stronger."
Ria: "Right. Even if Karon appears again, we won't be broken. Let's get ready, Rian."
Now, their journey would face even greater threats and challenges.