Episode 29: The Banquet of Warriors – Lian and the Three
The quarterfinals of the Grand Tournament had been decided. As expected, Elahar, Brakka, and Caron each carved their way forward with overwhelming strength. Their names now rippled through the Empire—spoken in awe, whispered with fear. Warriors stiffened at the sight of them; the crowd erupted simply at the sound of their names.
For them, Lian prepared a banquet at the Imperial Palace. Yet it was no ordinary feast. It was meant to test intentions, to set the course for what lay ahead.
The banquet hall lay hushed in candlelight. Flames wavered with the breath of the room. Silver gleamed upon white linen, and crimson wine caught the glow in silence. The quiet was heavy, not empty; it carried the weight of anticipation.
The doors opened.Elahar, Brakka, Caron entered. Their steps were measured, their presence filling the chamber like thunder that did not need to sound.
Lian rose, extending his hand."Elahar, Brakka, Caron. I did not expect to meet you again—least of all here, at this tournament."
Elahar inclined his head."Your Majesty, we are still seekers of strength. This tournament is a trial we cannot ignore."
Lian held his gaze, finding in those eyes a resolve that had never dimmed."A journey to find the strong… then let us see if your answer lies here."
Brakka raised his cup, a half-grin playing at his mouth."Then perhaps tomorrow it will be I who sits upon that throne. If Your Majesty permits."The tone was jest, but the fire in his eyes was not.
Caron's voice cut low."Brakka, mind your tongue. This is the palace."Brakka shrugged."We came for strength, not politics."
Elahar glanced at them both, then turned back to Lian."We are prepared to stand as the strong. And here, we will find those worthy to face."
Lian gave a short laugh."Good. This tournament is no mere contest. Those who reach the semifinals will be placed in positions that guard the Empire itself."
Elahar nodded calmly."Then Your Majesty's stage shall not be disappointed."
Cups touched. But the clash was not merry; the silence that followed was heavier than the wine. Soon after, the three departed without fanfare.
Their journey was not yet over. The tournament—and the fate of the Empire—was now bound to them all.
**
Episode 30: The Uprising and Lian's Decision
The semifinals were moments away when calamity struck.
First came a deep rumble, low and terrible, from the city's outskirts. Then, in quick succession—explosions. Walls shuddered, glass shattered, the sky itself seemed torn asunder. Smoke and dust rose like a shroud over the capital.
Panic seized the people."Run!" "Fire!"Voices cracked in desperation. Crowds scattered in chaos; children screamed in their parents' arms.
The city had been a festival ground, thronged with warriors and travelers—most of them armed. Now, fear turned weapons into hazards. Steel flashed. Spears cut the air. Horses panicked, hooves pounding the cobbled streets. In moments, the "city of celebration" had become a battlefield.
From the palace balcony, Lian stood, gaze hard upon the chaos. Explosions, screams, the clash of metal—all reached him at once. His face was rigid, his eyes sharp as cold flame.
He wasted no time."Send the order at once!" His voice thundered through the halls."Seal the city. Quell the riot. Elysium will not tolerate disorder!"
Officials scattered to relay the command. But Lian did not rely on them alone. He armed himself.The weight of steel fell upon his shoulders with a heavy clank. The breastplate cinched tight, the sword belt fastened. He no longer looked a prince—he was a warrior.
Serin and Ivela came to him. Serin wore not healer's robes, but light armor."Your Majesty, you will not face this alone. I will tend the wounded, and I will fight." Her voice carried no hesitation.
Ivela raised her bronze-tipped spear, its edge catching the light."We are a team, Lian. Wherever you go, I will follow."
He looked at them both, fatigue shadowing his features, but gratitude flickering nonetheless."Then together, no threat can overcome us."
But he knew it would not be enough. His thoughts turned to the warriors gathered by the tournament.
"Summon the herald."
When the messenger arrived, Lian spoke firmly."Carry word to Elahar, Brakka, Caron. Tell them to bring their weapons and come to me. The Empire must be defended—now."
Elahar's Camp
The herald delivered the command. Silence fell between the three.
Brakka broke it first."Lian's order? Why should we bend? We came seeking strength, not to serve as soldiers." His voice rumbled, heavy with defiance.
Elahar said nothing at first. He stared at the blade in his hand, the steel catching the flicker of lamplight. He inhaled deeply.
Caron's reply was quiet, resolute."This is no time for pride. By entering this tournament, we are already tied to the Empire. Cooperation with Lian is necessary."
Elahar finally lifted his gaze."Agreed. We are free, but our purpose demands allies. For now, we answer his call."
Brakka grunted, gripping the haft of his axe."Fine. But I am no soldier. I seek only the strong."
They armed themselves. Sword, axe, and arcane focus glinted as the air thickened with unspoken weight.
The Convergence
Before the palace gates, Lian stood armored, Serin and Ivela at his side. When Elahar, Brakka, and Caron arrived, the atmosphere deepened, as if the stones themselves braced for what was to come.
Lian raised his head."Now we stand as one. Together, we will guard this city."
Serin tightened her grip on her spear."Together, there is no fear. Trust, and we prevail."
Ivela lifted her weapon high."Together, we will win."
Elahar rested his sword upon his shoulder. His voice was low, deliberate."We came seeking the strong. We will follow you now—but remember, our path is our own."
Lian met his gaze with a grim smile."I know. But today, we fight as one. And together, there is no enemy we cannot overcome."
Sword and spear, axe and spell—each weapon rose as one.Their steps fell heavy upon the stone streets of Elysium.The battle to still the chaos had begun.
**
Episode 31: Lian's Party Marches Out
The city was a battlefield.Walls split by explosions coughed dust into the streets; fallen signboards slammed the stones with a hard report. Screams laced the alleys.
"Run! Another blast—there!"
Smoke closed the sight. Blood-scent stung the air. Soldiers flinched at every echo, unable to tell whence the next foe would surge.
Lian drew his sword.Steel whispered from the scabbard—shhk—cleaving the air."It is our hour."
Serin. Ivela. Elahar. Brakka. Caron.Five shadows moved as one beside him.
The First ClashAn enemy lunged from a side lane, spear glittering toward Lian's heart.He breathed in, pivoted on the ball of his foot, and turned.A flash—his blade arced.
Steel kissed the spearhead; sparks leapt.The foe gasped—too late. Lian's second cut slipped through the opening.Blood flecked the air, a red bead brushed his cheek. He did not blink.
Serin's hand rose.Blue light burst from her fingertips, sealing a soldier's torn leg."On your feet," she said, voice steady. The next breath, her spear slid into her palm.A light turn of her waist—thrum—and the tip pinned an enemy shoulder true.
Ivela was already in motion.Her bronze spear caught the sun."Hah!" A short exhale, a driving sweep—a shield groaned, cracking. The spear glanced past the rim and scored a neck.Blood striped the shaft. She had already chosen her next target.
At the center, Elahar moved like wind.Steel came for him; he merely drifted aside.A heartbeat's gap.His blade cut low as lightning. The man folded. Elahar's face did not change.Unneeded feelings dull the edge.
Brakka laughed."Ha! A warm-up."His axe split the air. KRACK.Each strike shook the paving stones; shields shattered; the warrior behind them slammed to ground."Who's next!"
Caron whispered a charm."…blur them—bind…"Shadows wrapped an ankle. The foe pitched forward.Caron's dagger found the seam."Do not resist," he said, voice cold.
The Field's TasteIron burned the nose. Blood filmed the stones.Moans, falling masonry, the chain-song of spear and sword—endless.
"Clear the left alley," Lian snapped.Elahar and Brakka moved at once—blade and axe crossing in the air. Two enemies dropped near-simultaneously.
A Troubling SignThe longer they fought, the stranger it became.Armor mismatched. Elysian pauldrons bearing foreign sigils. Scabbards etched with an unknown script.
"Where are they from?" Lian murmured."Not mere rioters," Serin said, wiping her spearhead. "There's a hand behind them."Ivela nudged a fallen breastplate. "Patchwork gear. Another continent, perhaps."
AftermathAt last the enemy broke. Dust trailed their retreat; only footfalls faded.
Lian slid his blade home and steadied his breath."They are not a rabble. Something stands behind them."
Elahar's breath evened. Brakka slung his axe with a crooked grin."Odd lot. But a fine fight."Caron nodded. "We're missing a piece. We dig deeper."
Lian's gaze hardened."This is only the beginning. Greater storms are coming. We prepare."
**
Episode 32: The Final — Elahar's Victory
Though the city still wore smoke and dust, Lian refused further delay."We resume from the semifinals." His voice carried across the arena."Remember the Empire's dignity. Today's duels will still the chaos and prove our unity."
The stands filled again. Ash tainted the wind, yet eyes shone with expectation.
The StageUpon the hexagonal ring, two warriors faced each other across the iron mesh.
Elahar — swift, precise, the greatest swordsman of the Elves.Brakka — the axe-bearer, strength made flesh.
Beyond the cage, the crowd held its breath.
Brakka rested the axe on his shoulder."Elahar, no speed will save you from this."Elahar raised his blade. The tip drew a silver line in the light."Strength alone is not enough. I will show you why."
The judge lifted a hand."Begin!"
Opening Storm — BrakkaBrakka moved first.His foot struck stone—thoom—the ring shivered.The axe carved the air. "Haa!"CRASH. Stone dust leapt. Iron rattled.
Elahar slipped a step aside; a wind brushed his hair where the edge had been.
Speed vs. PowerBrakka did not relent. Each swing split the air; each impact rang the cage."Will you only run?" he barked, laughing through his breath.
Elahar said nothing.A half-step back, a turn of the wrist—ssst—a short, exact cut at the wrist-guard.A click of metal. A shallow mark blossomed on Brakka's vambrace.
Brakka grinned."Scratches won't stop me." His fingers clenched tighter; tendons stood in cords.
Space NarrowsCracks veined the floor under Brakka's barrage. The whole ring thrummed.Elahar evaded—yet not only that. His blade murmured again—ssst—this time at Brakka's flank. A thin line of red."Ghh—!"
Breath roughened in Brakka's chest.The axe still fell heavy—but each swing cost him.Elahar's breathing never changed. His eyes were still water; his feet, weightless.
Brakka hurled a great arc. WHOOM—Elahar dipped half a beat sooner, blade rising from low to high.Skritch. The elbow-guard split.
The Last StrokeBrakka gathered what remained, raising the axe high."This ends now!"He struck with everything. The blade fell like thunder.
Elahar did not smile.He slid, shhk, along the angle. The axe crushed stone instead—dust burst upward.Brakka's balance broke. A heartbeat's opening.
Elahar moved like lightning.Zzzk—Steel traced the wrist.
CLANG.The axe fell from his hand. Brakka stared at his fingers, breath torn, then sank to one knee."…Your victory, Elahar."
AfterElahar lowered his sword and offered his hand."Your strength is great. Today I prevailed—but your skill is worthy of honor."Brakka's mouth twisted into a rueful smile as he clasped it."Next time, I take it back."
The stands erupted."Elahar! Elahar!"
Lian stepped onto the platform."Today you are champion. Your name will be written into the history of Elysium."
Elahar received the medal and bowed his head."This victory is not mine alone. We stood together."
Lian's offer followed."Elahar, Brakka, Caron—stand beneath Elysium's banner. Together we will forge a stronger future."
Silence, brief and weighty.Brakka scratched his jaw and chuckled. "Not a bad thought."Caron nodded. "Together, we may see farther."
Elahar sheathed his blade and lifted his gaze."So be it. We will stand with the Empire. But our search for strength continues."
Lian extended his hand."Then we are comrades."
The roar that answered shook the city beyond the ring.On that day, Elysium began to write a new chapter.