A grand chamber adorned with banners of victory, three warriors stood before the king, though it was Leo who commanded the monarch's favor. Unlike the others, Leo possessed a rare gift: the ability to foresee his opponent's moves in battle. His expertise with dual sided bladed swords made him a formidable force, and through relentless training, he had honed his skills to an impressive level.Meanwhile, in the town of Redmere, Maximus was deep in his cups, reminiscing about Alex, a woman of remarkable beauty and spirit, who lay gravely ill in Miringa Hollow. Despite the villagers' persistent efforts, her condition showed no signs of improvement. The king, aware of Leo's abilities and the treasure of loyalty he held, implored him to find a new woman, one who could fill the void left by Alex's illness. The king's desire was bolstered by the promise of a staggering reward a hundred billion pieces of gold a testament to his wealth earned through numerous victorious battles.As Maximus spoke to the king, his drunken enthusiasm betrayed the deep love he held for Alex. He shared tales of her uniqueness and the enchanting village where she lived a place so isolated that its people had never encountered outsiders. In his intoxicated state, he unwittingly divulged the secrets of Miringa Hollow, igniting the king's ambition further.
"With enough planning, we could prepare ourselves before making our way to the village," Maximus suggested, his voice brimming with hope. The king's eyes shimmered with ambition, a glimmer that could almost be mistaken for the shine of gold.
"Leo, what do you advise?" the king asked, turning to the warrior whose foresight he deeply valued.
And Leo felt the weight of the moment. He sensed the potential for both opportunity and conflict. "While the prospect of finding someone new is tempting, we must consider the woman's well-being first and foremost. To barge into Miringa Hollow without understanding their customs could ignite tensions."
Maximus nodded, still enamored with thoughts of Alex, while the king weighed Leo's words against his desires. "You make a valid point," he conceded. "Perhaps we could send a small party to scout the village while we seek out remedies for Alex. If the villagers are hostile, it would be prudent to approach with respect and caution."Leo's demeanor turned serious as he replied, "It is crucial we don't act as invaders. We should aim to forge alliances rather than instigate conflict. If we are to approach Miringa Hollow, let it be as allies, not conquerors."
The king, enthralled by the prospect of both saving Alex and acquiring newfound allies, finally agreed. "Let us prepare a small contingent. Maximus, you shall lead this mission. Leo will oversee the search for healing options for Alex so that we can try to save her before pursuing our ambitions."
As they set their plans into motion, Leo felt an unsettling premonition. Even as they aimed for benevolence, destiny had a way of weaving unexpected outcomes into the fabric of their quest. The road ahead seemed fraught with the promise of both triumph and turmoil. He told the king to trust him, and the king agreed. To celebrate, another feast was held in Max's honor. The people ate and drank until they were satisfied.Later that night, before going to bed, Max asked the king if he had taken everything he wanted from the village. The king replied, "Yes, that is all except I have heard there is gold in your village." Max shook his head and told him, "There is no gold. What we have are food crops, vegetables, and fruits." With that, the town of Redmere went to sleep.The next morning, the king rose early and went straight to Max's room. He told him, "You will remain here in Redmere for three years before we journey to your village, Miringa Hollow." Max saw this as an opportunity. He had always been fascinated by battles and war, and now he could learn and train.Later that day, as he stepped out of the palace, Max used part of the money the king had given him to buy a fine sword, preparing himself for the path ahead.Max returned to the palace and quietly made his way to the back courtyard, where he began swinging his sword with determination. As the blade cut through the air, memories of his conversation with the king that night crept into his mind, filling him with unease. For a moment, fear settled over him. But he steadied his breathing, calmed himself, and walked back into the main hall where the king sat on his throne.
"Your Majesty," Max asked cautiously, "are you certain that all you desire is simply another woman?"The king's eyes narrowed slightly. "So, you doubt me, Max?"Max's hands trembled, but he quickly bowed his head. "I believe you, my lord. I only wish to be sure I'm not bringing harm to my people."Hearing this, the king's sternness softened into a smile. He rose, walked over to Max, and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "All I need is the woman you spoke of from your village. Nothing more."
Max hesitated. "She is only a young lady, sire."That revelation seemed to intrigue the king even more. "What is her name?"
"Her name is Alex," Max replied.
The king's lips curled into a vicious smile. He tapped Max's shoulder twice. "Good boy. Do not worry you will have your hundred billion in gold."
Afterward, Max threw himself fully into his training. Though naturally gifted with strength and agility, he now pushed himself harder than ever, determined to become a true warrior. When Leo came upon him practicing, he watched silently for a while, impressed by Max's fierce dedication. Finally, Leo approached him and challenged him to a duel. Max accepted without hesitation. As their blades clashed, Leo asked, "Who is Alex to you?""She's my closest friend," Max answered, his voice strained with effort. "We grew up together. Our families my parents and Mr. and Mrs. Charles, her parents have always been close."
"Then are you truly ready to give her to the king?" Leo pressed.
Max's strikes faltered for a moment, but he steadied himself. "It isn't my choice to make. The decision rests with her."Of course, Leo defeated him easily Max still lacked the knowledge and experience of a seasoned fighter. But Leo did not mock him. Instead, he, Tharok, and Draven took Max under their wing, training him relentlessly for three long years. At night, when the others rested, Leo continued to spar with Max in secret. Through constant practice and endless exercise, Max's body hardened, his muscles grew strong, and his spirit sharpened. Slowly but surely, he was becoming the warrior he was meant to be.
Max thought about the day he left his village, and now, standing in a new land with so many possibilities, he felt certain that his life was about to change. The thought of becoming wealthy excited him.That evening, Max turned to the king and asked a favour: "Would you allow me to remain in your town and serve under you? Who knows, one day I might even stand among your warriors."The king smiled and replied, "Of course. We are always in need of more men soldiers, fighters, warriors."
Later that night, everyone went to rest while the guards continued their watch, rotating shifts every seven hours. At dawn, Max wasted no time. Determined to grow stronger, he threw himself into training. His natural ability quickly began to show, and the hard drills didn't break him; instead, they shaped him.
Leo, watching from the side, wasn't surprised when Max confessed, "I plan to stay here."
"I know," Leo replied. "I heard you last night. You mean it."
From then on, Leo personally trained him in hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship. Max's real goal, however, was more than just skill he saw the chance to earn, to rise, and to finally live like a man who was no longer wasting away in his village.
One day, as they rested after training, Max opened up. "I left my village because I always knew I had more in me. Back there, I was nothing, but here, I can prove myself. I can do so much more."
Leo studied him closely and said, "With the way you're improving, you might very well become a true warrior someday."
Max leaned in, curious. "Is there anyone greater than a warrior?"
"Yes," Leo answered.
"And if a warrior becomes stronger than all the others, what do you call him?" Max pressed.
Leo's voice grew steady. "That man would be a hero. A hero can bring down an entire town. A hero can stand against every warrior in it and still prevail."
Leo's words brought comfort to Max, filling his heart with a sense of pride. Max, with his natural charm, striking looks, and the strength of a warrior, continued to train tirelessly. Meanwhile, far away in the village, Alex was now sixteen. She had not yet discovered her hidden powers, powers that those around her quietly knew about but never revealed. To her, life went on as though she were just like everyone else. Yet, each day her thoughts drifted back to Max, wondering why he had left. She longed to see him again, but there was nothing she could do. No one was permitted to leave the village, and Alex, being obedient by nature, never dared to try. The next morning marked the beginning of a new journey one that would lead into Miringa Hollow. Max, now twenty one, stood ready. His frame was strong and fearless, his presence commanding. Clad in rich garments and adorned with the dignity of a prince, he looked every bit the leader he was becoming.The king approached him with a proud smile. "It is time," he declared. At his command, a white horse was brought forward and handed to Max. "This is part of your reward," the king added.
The gates of the palace swung open. With Max at the center, flanked by Leo, Tharok, Draven, Zarek, and a hundred soldiers, they marched onward toward the very village where Max had been born.