Mykon Taro's eyes sparkled with unwavering enthusiasm as he declared to his pregnant wife, Malie, "I promise, my love, I'll be right there when our little one enters this world. I'm doing all of this to create a brighter future for our precious boy."
Her heart melted as she beamed at him, and they shared a deep, passionate kiss. With tear-filled eyes, she whispered, "I'll miss you so much, my love." He replied with a tender smile before setting off on his journey, fueled by love and determination."
Mykon Taro came to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening in astonishment as he recognized the voice of his brother. "Bain," he stammered, taken aback. "What do you think you're doing?"
Bain's face displayed a firm resolve, and he responded confidently, "What does it look like? I'm coming with you, of course."
Mykon Conho approached, his expression reflecting a shared determination as he added, "He was the first to volunteer from Kahani, so I had no choice," his resolute gaze reinforcing their united purpose.
"But he's just a Sage, not suited for this quest. The Mykons, Layds, or perhaps the Phins are the ones meant for this mission. Sages and Actants, they belong on this side of the veil not otherwise," Mykon Taro insisted, his concern etched deep into his words.
Bain, his eyes filled with longing and a touch of vulnerability, countered gently, "Please, dear brother, don't let your protectiveness overshadow my need to find my own path. I may not be drawn to the journey itself, but I yearn for the adventure it holds, the chance to discover something beyond myself."
"Let the lad have his adventure," chimed in Mykon Conho with a reassuring grin. "Climb onto your horse, young one."
Mykon Taro's eyes held a mix of affection and concern as he implored his brother, "Remember, you're my only brother now. I can't bear the thought of losing you to the lurking dangers out there – monsters and all sorts of beasts beyond the veil. Are you absolutely certain you can protect yourself?"
Bain's face lit up with unwavering enthusiasm, and he replied, his smile beaming with trust, "I've got you by my side, big brother. Why should I worry?"
As the 20 men mounted their horses, their faces lit up with excitement and determination. A fervent gleam sparkled in their eyes, reflecting the anticipation of the adventure ahead. Grinning from ear to ear, they exchanged glances filled with camaraderie, a silent understanding passing between them.
As they rode out of the city gates, their expressions shifted from joy to a fierce determination. Their brows furrowed with resolve, jaws clenched, and their eyes narrowed with a fire of purpose. Each rider's cheeks flushed with the rush of wind against their skin, and their nostrils flared with the scent of freedom and adventure.
The soldiers left behind in the Kingdom raised their voices in war cries, their faces a mixture of pride, concern, and admiration. Their cheers echoed through the city streets, a heartfelt tribute to these valiant warriors embarking on their perilous journey.
They watched with bated breath, fists clenched in solidarity, as the riders disappeared into the distance, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them beyond the veil.
Malie, Mykon Taro's wife, stood there watching them go until they vanished from her sight. Her eyes were filled with a mix of pride and worry, and a tear glistened at the corner of her eye.
A decent-looking man named Layd Sho stood beside her, and his unexpected presence startled her. She turned to him, her face a blend of surprise and a forced smile. "You startled me, Layd Sho. Or do you intend to harm your Master's unborn child?"
Layd Sho met her gaze with determination, his expression resolute. "Rest assured, until he comes of age, I'll train him just as his father trained me. If he doesn't surpass his father's strength, he'll have to die trying," he replied, his eyes reflecting the unwavering commitment to Mykon Taro's legacy.
Amidst their laughter, Layd Sho reassured Malie, "Mistress, have some rest. He's going where there won't be any other women, so you can be assured he won't stray."
Malie, her face radiating confidence, responded firmly, "Taro is not that kind of man, I trust him."
"Good! Now take some rest, at least," Layd Sho encouraged, a warm smile touching his lips.
With a sense of relief, Malie turned and headed back into their finely decorated house, her expression reflecting a mix of trust and contentment, ready to resume her daily tasks.
***********
"I can't wait to have my dick buried in a woman's pussy and my lips on her tits after this adventure" chorused Mykon Conho.
"We've been on this road for days surviving on nothing but a soup that even a hungry goat would turn its nose up at," Bain groaned.
"Well, you know what they say, any soup that doesn't send you running for the hills is a victory!" Mykon Taro chuckled. "At least these 'chefs' have managed that much."
"True," Mykon Conho chimed in. "Layd Taki's soup? It's like a culinary adventure through the land of tastelessness. I heard it's so thick; you could use it to patch up walls!"
They all burst into laughter. "And I bet he calls it 'liquid courage' with that added wine," Bain quipped, making them laugh even harder.
After the laughter died down, Mykon Conho turned to Mykon Taro, his expression somewhat somber. "Remember when the Mykons used to be dozens of men? But now look at us, only 3 surviving Mykons after the Great War, 2 fit, and the other..."
Mykon Taro interrupted, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "He only lost a right eye, so you can't literally call him disabled, I guess."
There was a minute of silence, and Mykon Conho, with a curious expression, inquired, "How were you able to uncover the whereabouts of the legendary Ultrax?"
Mykon Taro replied with a mysterious smile, "Let's just say Maestro knows a lot."
Mykon Conho raised an eyebrow and remarked, "Maestro, the proud, filthy, and anti-social...?"
Mykon Taro interjected, "He's a nice man, but he just doesn't talk a lot."
Mykon Conho continued, "I heard the only thing he eats is a mesh that tastes worse than Layd Taki's soup." Mykon Taro couldn't help but smile in response.
There was a sudden sound that alerted all of them. The elder-looking swordsman, clutching the map, turned pale as the thundering sound of galloping horses intensified.
His eyes widened in recognition, realizing the approaching danger. With a sense of urgency, he muttered, "These must be the Sandlers, the desert's formidable warriors."
As Mykon Taro bellowed "Flux," a surge of electrifying anticipation coursed through the group of twenty men. In an instant, their swords ignited with pulsating power, casting an eerie and mesmerizing glow. The air was charged with excitement and a thirst for battle.
Then, with a spine-chilling revelation, the ferocious creatures materialized on the pathway. Their eyes blazed like fiery rubies, and their towering, sinewy frames exuded an aura of dread.
Each one wielded a sword that resembled a bow, ominous in its design. Their intent was clear: they hungered for blood, a hundred-fold.
While the other swordsmen trembled with fear at the sight, the two Mykons, Mykon Taro and his companion, remained unshaken. Their faces bore no trace of fear but rather a chilling indifference to the Sandlers' menacing presence. It was a battle not of fear but of bloodthirsty determination, as they prepared to face the impending onslaught with unwavering resolve.
Mykon Taro's voice rang out, firm and resolute: "We seek only passage, not conflict."
In chilling unison, the Sandlers declared, "No one crosses the Sand without facing us."
Without hesitation, Mykon Taro responded, "Very well."
With a swift dismount, he drew his incandescent sword, its blade ablaze with white fire. His eyes blazed with an unyielding determination, and a confident grin stretched across his face as he strode purposefully toward the formidable Sandlers, ready to meet their challenge head-on.
"7th form: Ancient illuminator" these words resonated from his mouth and then, something strange began to happen.