Episode : An Encounter by the River
With the tension between the Fenrius and the Kronatia slowly dissolving, many of the adventurers who had flocked to the city found their purpose vanishing with it. The promise of honor and adventure had faded, and one by one, they began to depart in search of newer, more thrilling challenges.
Lian and Kairen, too, felt their mission in Kronatia was complete. After breaking the Fenrius's curse, they knew they must seek their own path once more. The two men left the forest and decided to follow the course of a great river—a region long rumored by adventurers to be the home of dangerous creatures.
Days into their journey, they reached the riverbank. The water flowed with a powerful current, flanked by a dense forest of towering trees. But the tranquility was short-lived. A chilling roar echoed from a distance, catching their attention.
"That sounds… like a bear's cry," Lian noted, his senses instantly on alert.
They quickened their pace, moving closer to the river. There, they witnessed a scene of primal fury: a ferocious bear had cornered a lone woman. The beast, with its massive claws, was closing in menacingly. She was in grave peril.
Lian instinctively drew his sword, a sigh of resignation escaping him. "There's no time in a situation like this…" But just as the bear's attack was about to land, the woman moved with astonishing agility, swiftly dodging the blow.
Kairen's eyes widened. "That woman is no simple traveler. It seems she is more than capable of handling that bear on her own."
Lian watched, intrigued. The woman swiftly moved behind the bear and landed a powerful kick. The beast staggered, momentarily losing its balance, and in that opening, she snatched a fallen spear from the ground and began to wield it with sharp precision.
The bear, enraged, tried to attack again, but the woman, with practiced grace, evaded its charge once more and drove the spear deep into its side. The bear let out a pained groan and slowly began to retreat.
Lian allowed himself a smile. "It seems she doesn't need our help after all."
Kairen gave a brief nod of understanding. "Indeed. She is winning this fight in her own way. But it would be wise to continue observing."
The woman dodged the bear's final, desperate lunge and, with a final thrust, drove the spear home. The beast collapsed to the ground with a pained roar, and she, lowering her blood-stained weapon, took a ragged breath.
Only then did Lian and Kairen approach. "Are you alright?" Lian asked cautiously. "Your handling of that bear was impressive."
The woman wiped the sweat from her brow and turned to them. Her eyes were fierce and resolute. "Thank you. But I could have handled it alone. This is a dangerous place. What brings you here?"
Lian smiled. "We were merely traveling. But it is not often we meet someone so strong."
The woman's expression softened into a smile. "My name is Ivella. I have lived near this river for a long time. And you are?"
"I am Lian," he replied, "and this is Kairen. We are seeking a new journey. We heard there were many interesting things to be found along this river."
Ivella considered their words for a moment, then nodded with interest. "There are creatures far more dangerous than bears near this river. If it is an adventure you want, you would do well to go deeper."
Lian and Kairen sensed the beginning of a new adventure in her proposal. The journey along this river would be no simple trip, but the start of another challenge, another quest.
Hours passed. As evening approached, a gnawing hunger began to set in. They were about to make a simple meal when a plume of smoke rising in the distance caught their eye.
"That smoke. It seems someone is preparing a meal," Kairen observed.
Lian inclined his head slightly, gesturing toward the smoke. "We need food. Let's go and see."
They walked slowly toward the source of the smoke. As they drew near, they realized it was the community where Ivella lived. Women were bustling about, preparing an evening meal, and Ivella stood before them, a smile on her face.
"So you followed. Welcome. This is the small community where I stay. It is made up mostly of women," Ivella said simply, gesturing around.
Lian and Kairen took in their surroundings. It was a small village, well-hidden in the forest, and life seemed to flow in harmony with nature. It was a picturesque scene. But the fact that nearly everyone was a woman was striking. Lian sensed something unusual about it.
"Mostly women. There don't seem to be many men," Lian commented offhandedly.
Ivella listened and then gave a brief nod. "That's right. There are almost no men here. But the reasons for that are… complicated. Many things have happened… and through them, this community was formed."
Her voice was heavy with the weight of unspoken history. She seemed to want to move on, offering no further explanation. Lian sensed a complex story in her words but decided not to press.
"I see… I understand," he said, letting the matter drop. He chose to respect the history she and her community had endured.
Kairen, as if to lighten the mood, smiled. "Perhaps it is fate that brought us here. We are glad to be able to stay here for a while with you and your companions."
Ivella smiled and led Lian and Kairen to where the meal was being prepared. The women there were working with a vibrant energy, and one could feel the pride of strong warriors in them all. They helped each other, doing their best to protect their home. It was an impressive sight.
"Everyone has their role," Ivella said. "I am merely their leader. It is a difficult job, but protecting our community is a source of pride."
Lian felt a sense of empathy and nodded. "The responsibility of protecting this place must be heavy. But it seems you have done well so far."
Ivella shrugged. "It's not always easy, of course. But we often face threats from the outside, and each time, we fight together and overcome them. No one can take us lightly."
Lian and Kairen, as they helped with the evening meal, began to feel like natural members of the community. In the sense of stability created by Ivella and her people, they were able to rest for a time and prepare for the next leg of their journey. Their meeting with Ivella had become a new bond, hinting at the possibility that they might travel with her on their journey ahead.
As the evening deepened, the sound of their conversation and laughter spread quietly through the forest.
***
Episode : A Clash with Alexis
While Lian and Kairen were staying in Ivella's community, the village was at peace. But that peace did not last. The atmosphere soured the moment Alexis and his men set foot in the village.
They looked upon Ivella's warriors with contempt, their lips curled into cold smirks. They roamed the community as if they were searching for something to amuse them.
"Well, now, this is interesting. A village with almost no men," one of Alexis's men said with a sneer. His eyes were greedy as he looked at Ivella's warriors.
"Look at that leather armor," another said, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Are you really planning on going to battle in that? It looks like a mere decoration." He deliberately moved closer to the warriors, his voice a conspiratorial whisper as he judged their appearance.
Ivella's warriors felt their gazes and exchanged tense looks. They wore leather armor designed to protect them without hindering their movement, but Alexis's men dismissed it, making it the butt of their jokes.
What was worse, some of them intentionally tried to make physical contact as they drew near. One of the men placed a hand on a warrior's shoulder and said mockingly, "You're going to fight with a body like that? Shall I help you?"
The warrior gritted her teeth and glared at him. She immediately shook off his hand. "Get your hands off me. Don't make the mistake of thinking I need your help."
The man, surprised for a moment, withdrew his hand and laughed, but he did not lose his arrogant air. "You seem to be quite strong. But that's not how you fight a real battle."
Ivella had been watching the scene. Her eyes were calm, but a suppressed rage burned within them. Unable to bear it any longer, she stepped forward.
"This is not a place for you to be disrespectful," Ivella said, her voice low but firm. "If you wish to test us, we will gladly accept. But the result will not be what you expect."
Alexis still wore a smile as he approached. "A test… I like the sound of that. Very well, then we shall have a test. If you pride yourselves on being warriors, then prove it."
His men, looking amused, surrounded Ivella and her warriors, pressing in on them. They seemed to want to see for themselves if Ivella's warriors had the qualities of true fighters.
Lian could no longer stand by and watch. Kairen placed a hand on his shoulder and said quietly, "I believe it is time for us to step in."
Lian nodded and approached Ivella. "We can no longer tolerate their disrespect. We will help you defend your honor."
Ivella looked at Lian for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you. But we are used to situations like this. We can handle this ourselves."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she swiftly drew her sword to meet Alexis's provocation. Her fellow warriors, too, drew their weapons, ready for battle. They stood proudly before the men, prepared to prove their skill.
"Now, we accept the test you wanted," Ivella said coldly.
The battle erupted in an instant. Alexis's men tried to attack, but Ivella's warriors, as if they had anticipated their movements, defended and countered with nimble, efficient motions. Their light armor did not hinder their movements; in fact, it worked to their advantage, allowing them to move with great speed.
Alexis watched the scene, stunned. His men were being utterly overwhelmed, and Ivella's warriors were subduing them without a single opening. Their arrogance slowly faded, replaced by a sense of defeat.
When the fight was over, Ivella looked down at Alexis and said quietly, "We are not weak. Now, leave this village. And do not set foot here again."
Alexis, feeling the sting of humiliation, lowered his head. He had no choice but to admit defeat. "Understood… we will withdraw." His men also quietly bowed their heads and left the village.
Lian approached Ivella. "You and your warriors are truly strong. It seems you have no problem protecting this village."
Ivella nodded and smiled. "We have protected this place in our own way, and we will continue to do so."
**
Episode : A New Companion
Lian and Kairen finished their preparations to leave Ivella's village. They had successfully completed their missions with the Fenrius and the Kronatia, and they knew that a greater adventure now awaited them. Lian slung his sword over his shoulder, and Kairen lightly packed his belongings as they said their goodbyes to Ivella.
"Thank you, Ivella. You were a great help to us during our stay here," Lian said.
Kairen nodded in agreement. "It was good to be with you. I hope this place remains safe in the future."
Ivella smiled, but a hint of regret was mixed in with it. Though her time with them had been short, she had drawn great inspiration from them. Watching them leave, a corner of her heart felt empty.
After they had gone, Ivella took some time for herself. The village was peaceful, and her community had grown strong enough to no longer be shaken by outside threats. But Ivella's heart was in turmoil. As the time of Lian and Kairen's departure had drawn near, she had felt a strange unease, a vague anxiety.
Ivella was reminding herself of the fact that she could not leave this community as its leader. Her strength and leadership had protected them, and it was her role to be responsible for the village's safety. But at the same time, a thought was growing in a corner of her mind—the thought that she needed to experience a greater adventure. Deep within her, a voice was whispering that her work was not yet finished.
Just then, Ivella's closest friend and companion, Seira, approached her. She spoke to her quietly, her expression showing she had noticed Ivella's turmoil.
"Ivella, it seems something has been on your mind lately. Watching you as Lian and Kairen prepared to leave, I can feel that you're struggling with a decision."
Ivella was silent for a moment. Then she let out a small sigh. "I cannot leave this community, Seira. My place is here. I have to protect this village."
Seira gently took her shoulder and said with a warm smile, "Ivella, our village can stand on its own now, even without your help. You have led us until now, and thanks to you, we have grown stronger. I think the time has come for you to go on a greater adventure. We, too, want you to go out into the bigger world, for your own sake."
Ivella was conflicted by Seira's words. She had never dared to think of leaving the village before. But Seira's words had touched a longing deep in her heart. She could not deny the fact that she still needed to adventure, to grow, in a wider world.
"But… will you all be alright without me?" Ivella asked cautiously.
Seira answered with a confident voice, "We are strong. And if you return, having become even stronger, that will be an even greater strength to us. Your leaving is not a betrayal, and your going on an adventure is also for the sake of this community."
Ivella looked around. The village warriors were nodding at Seira's words, their eyes full of support. In that moment, she knew it was time to make her decision. Ivella accepted that she had to leave, to grow through a greater adventure, and to make her community even stronger.
"Alright. I will leave, learn more, and return," Ivella said, as if having made up her mind. She quickly packed a few clothes and a weapon and then set out on the path Lian and Kairen had taken.
Ivella caught up with Lian and Kairen at the riverbank. Lian smiled when he saw her appear, but a hint of concern was in it. He held Ivella's abilities in high regard, but he thought deeply about whether it was the right decision for a new companion to join the party.
"Ivella, you are welcome to join us… but will your community be alright?" Lian asked carefully.
Ivella answered in a firm voice, "My friends encouraged me. They, too, want me to return after a greater adventure. And I, too, feel that it is not right for me to stop here."
Lian listened to her answer and nodded. "In that case, I will not doubt that you have the strength to be with us. But no matter what happens in the future, we must trust each other and move forward together."
Kairen smiled from the side, welcoming Ivella's joining them. "It would be all the more reassuring to have a strong companion like you with us. I respect your decision."
Ivella felt a sense of relief at their words, and at the same time, an excitement for the new adventure to come. Now, she was ready to begin a new journey.
Lian and Kairen accepted Ivella's decision and were glad to have a powerful companion join them. The three of them set off together toward a new adventure, and before them lay countless challenges yet to be revealed.