A cheerful sound of footsteps echoed through the camp, which had been filled with a heavy atmosphere after the battle. The sound of leather boots, lightly covered in a traveler's dust, crunched on the gravel. The owner of that sound approached with a confident stride and called out in a familiar, welcome voice.
"Hey, Rian, Ria! You two been well?"
At the voice, Rian and Ria turned their heads simultaneously. A look of surprise and joy bloomed on both their faces as they recognized the woman waving at them from a distance with a bright smile.
"Serena!"
As if by some unspoken agreement, they both ran and threw themselves into her arms. Serena let out a hearty laugh. "Whoa there, you rascals!" She ruffled Rian's hair and said, "When did the little kid who was always sniffling get so dashing? Looking at your face, seems you've been through a lot, huh?" She then playfully pinched Ria's cheek. "And our Ria has gotten even prettier. Still eating well, I hope? Doesn't look like you've gotten any taller."
Serena's casual actions and words were filled with a deep affection and history that the word 'family' alone couldn't express. She looked them over carefully with a warm gaze, then turned her attention to the unfamiliar faces standing behind them. Serena thought to herself, 'This isn't just a motley crew. Each of them has a distinct color, yet there's a strong bond between them.'
Ria, excited, linked her arm with Serena's and answered, "They're my companions! Let me introduce you. This is Brunok, Marielle, and Eris."
At Ria's introduction, Brunok stepped forward. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and said in a gruff tone, "Name's Brunok. Heard a lot about you."
Marielle bowed her head to Serena with a gentle smile. "Hello. I am Marielle, a Cleric. I've always heard that you two had a wonderful mentor."
Finally, Serena's eyes met with Eris, who had been quietly observing her. Serena's eyes sparkled with interest. "And you must be Eris. For some reason, the spirits around you seem to be whispering happily about you. You have a very pure energy."
Eris looked slightly surprised that Serena had seen through to her essence but soon nodded calmly. "It is an honor to meet you. As Rian and Ria's mentor, you must be as wonderful as they are."
Serena looked over the companions and smiled with satisfaction. "A reliable warrior who may look gruff, a kind-hearted Cleric, and a mystical spirit master. Rian, Ria, you've met some truly fine companions."
Rian looked back at his companions and replied, his voice filled with deep trust, "Yes. It would have been impossible without them when we fought that giant golem a while back. I can't count how many times they've saved my life, each from their own position."
At Rian's words, Brunok looked away shyly, and Marielle responded with a small smile. Serena nodded and took out a small, worn wooden box from her pouch, handing it to Rian. Her expression turned quite serious. "This... your father asked me to deliver it to you personally. He said you take after him a lot, and that he always misses you."
Rian accepted the box with a solemn expression. "Thank you, Serena. I'll treasure it."
In that moment, Serena's serious face broke, and she burst out laughing. "Pfft! Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding! Of course, that's precious too, but the real gift is over there!"
Where Serena's finger was pointing, a giant wooden crate, as tall as a person and faintly stamped with the royal crest of Elysium, sat imposingly. Everyone's gaze, filled with surprise, turned toward it.
"What... is that?" Ria asked, her eyes wide.
Serena smiled mysteriously. "Those are special pieces of equipment your father had all of Elysium's artisans create for you. They're things that will help you prepare for the threats you'll have to face. They aren't easy to come by, so use them well."
Marielle's eyes sparkled as she looked at the crate. "Such a big gift...! I do hope there are rare herbs or a tome of secrets inside. It will be a great help to us."
Eris nodded. "I can feel the energy of Elysium. This gift will surely be a great strength on our path."
Brunok tapped the crate and grinned. "With this, we'll get stronger and be able to take on those golem fellows with ease. My expectations are high."
Rian, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed his gratitude to Serena. "Thank you so much, Serena. For giving us this help..."
Serena cut him off and clapped him on the shoulder. "No need for thanks. We're family. You just need to get stronger with these gifts and keep fighting well. For everyone's sake."
Rian, Ria, and their new companions approached the giant wooden crate with Serena. Rian looked at the faces of his companions, who were staring at the crate with anticipation. No one spoke, but all their hearts were one. 'I'm not alone. With them, I can...'
Their journey was not yet over. But with the special gift from Elysium, a new confidence that they could overcome any threat had bloomed within them.
***
Episode : The Final Chapter of the Plan
Deep within the Noktus headquarters, the air in the dark, windowless conference room was cold. The only source of light in the room was the giant Crystal Core placed in the center of the table. The core pulsed with a slow, regular beat, like a living heart, bathing the room in an ominous blue light. The light cast long, grotesque shadows on the faces of Sadril and Mericis.
Sadril, his eyes nearly in a state of ecstasy, could not look away from the Crystal Core. He reached out a hand, feeling the cold magic power that radiated from its surface, and whispered in a satisfied voice, "Behold, Mericis. Is it not beautiful? The heart of an ancient Titan beats again. Soon, a new god will be born at our hands."
Mericis looked not at the Crystal Core, but at Sadril's fanatical face, illuminated by its light. Her voice was as cold as ice. "It is beautiful, but it is not 'perfect,' Sadril. Do not forget. This is not the genuine article, but an imitation we created. Its minute flaws could bring everything we've built crashing down."
At her remark, Sadril's smile faded for a moment. He glared at the Crystal Core for a moment before speaking again. "That is so. But the power this imitation emits is more than enough to bring the continent to its knees. What is important is that those fools do not realize the truth. They must not be allowed to notice the weakness in our grand plan."
Mericis rose from her seat. Her gaze was resolute. "It is time to begin the final chapter of the plan. All preparations are complete. Only the last step remains to achieve our goal. When the Titan awakens, their kingdoms, their armies, and even their hope will crumble helplessly beneath its giant feet."
Sadril slowly nodded and looked at the large map hanging on the conference room wall. His shadow seemed to cover the entire continent. "I will make thorough preparations so they do not notice our weakness. Now, the time has come for this continent to greet its true master."
Meanwhile, a suffocating tension filled the royal conference room of the Kingdom of Altechna. The flickering candlelight reflected off armor and crowns, and the nobles and military leaders summoned from all over the kingdom sat with grim expressions, their lips sealed. King Alexander, standing before them, felt the immense responsibility placed upon him and broke the heavy silence.
His voice echoed resolutely throughout the hall. "The Noktus are trying to suffocate this continent with their mad plan to resurrect a Titan. Mark my words. This threat is not a problem for the Kingdom of Altechna alone. Our very survival, the future of our children, is at stake!"
At the king's words, the generals who had once boasted loudly now held their tongues, and a noble swallowed dryly. The map spread out on the table looked like a tombstone for the continent.
"We must unite, now," Alexander continued. "I have already contacted Elysium, the Dwarves, and all the kingdoms that still stand with us. We can only stand against this great threat if we gather our strength as one."
Lucas, standing by the king's side, supported his words. "The allied forces of each kingdom are already on their way to Altechna. We must complete all our preparations so that we can respond immediately upon their arrival. If we do our best, we have a fighting chance."
King Alexander met the eyes of each of the leaders gathered in the room. His gaze held desperation, but also a will that would never be broken. "If we do not make a decision now, this continent will fall into the hands of the Noktus. Let us combine our strengths to stop their conspiracy and to protect the freedom and peace of this continent!"
At Alexander's resolute speech, the heavy air that had settled in the room began to change. An old Dwarven ambassador slammed his fist on the table. Thump. "King of Altechna, the axes of the Iron Mountains will be with you." Starting with his words, voices of pledge erupted from all over. The ambassadors of each country immediately used communication magic to relay the news of the alliance, and the military leaders began their immediate tactical preparations.
Alexander bowed his head once more and said, "Together, we can surely win. I ask that everyone does their best in their respective positions. The fate of the continent rests in our hands."
After the meeting, Alexander stood with Lucas in the empty conference room, looking out the window. He could feel the dark shadow of the Noktus drawing ever closer. Alexander's gaze was more determined than ever. Lucas quietly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Brother, if we gather the strength of the allied forces as one, we can surely win. If everyone works together, we can stop their plan."
Alexander looked at Lucas and gave a faint smile. "Yes, we can do this. For the future of this continent, we must fight to the end."
The two of them looked out at the wide land stretching beyond the window, steeling their resolve for the coming battle on which the fate of the continent depended. Now, the time was approaching for all the powers of the continent to unite and stand against the threat of the Noktus.