Adonis sped on his horse towards Hadon's house with Arphaxad still unconscious and tied to another horse. He wanted to get there as fast as possible, as before anything else he wanted to explain himself to Arphaxad for having made him sleep, preventing him from continuing with his plan to rescue the slaves in Zoarlath. There was still a good time until they arrived, and Adonis decided to stop for a little while to give water and food to the horses.
He set up a small camp and fed the horses. While preparing something to eat, Arphaxad began to wake up. "What did you do to me?" Arphaxad asked, his voice full of confusion and anger. Adonis just lowered his head and remained silent. Arphaxad, in a burst of anger, got up and grabbed Adonis' collar. "You know I could have saved someone there, don't you? Why did you do this, Adonis?" Arphaxad shouted.
Adonis, who had been quiet, looked at Arphaxad with steady, firm eyes. "I will not let anything disturb the peace of our house!" he responded with determination. Arphaxad, still furious, shouted: "I said I wouldn't come back here or hand you over. Do you have so little faith in me?".
Adonis removed Arphaxad's hand from his collar, took some food and gave it to him. "I don't know why Hadon invited you here, but from the moment you stepped into that forest, you are part of the family, and the family will not leave that forest," said Adonis firmly. Arphaxad sat down, ignoring the plate of food Adonis was giving him. "You have no heart, you're just a fanatic who ignores the rest of the world while sitting in your magical chair in an abandoned forest!" concluded Arphaxad, his voice full of bitterness and disillusionment.
Kal arrived at Hadon's house and found everything destroyed. "Was this house attacked by that madman who attacked us in the forest, Kal?" asked Pudin as Kal hurried to enter the house. "Damn, I was too late!" he thought, quickening his pace. Reaching the destroyed front door, Kal saw Aura taking care of Yorin, Sahara and Markel. "Aura, what happened here?" he asked, his voice full of urgency.
Aura, with a sad look and few words, replied: "We were found out." Kal looked around, looking for more people. "Where are the others?" he asked, the concern growing in his voice. Aura lowered her head, ashamed to say, until Kal held her by the shoulders. "Come on, Aura, where are the others!" he insisted.
With tears in her eyes, Aura finally said: "We were attacked by mercenaries. They gravely injured Markel, Sahara and Yorin and took Draka and Ninea. Eron followed the mercenaries!" Kal got angry and, for a few seconds, squeezed Aura's shoulders thinking "I shouldn't have left here!". Realizing she made an expression of pain, he released her and, noting that she was more shaken than him by all this, put his hand on her head and as if the words came magically to his mouth he just said: "It must have been difficult for you, but I know you did your best. You were strong. Thank you!"
At that moment, a flash of memory surfaced in Aura's mind. She remembered being outside a burning house, with her brother Adonis, dirty and injured, approaching her, putting his hand on her head and saying the same words Kal had just said: "It must have been difficult for you, but I know you did your best. You were strong. Thank you!" Unable to hold back her tears any longer, Aura hugged Kal and broke down crying.
Kal, realizing the gravity of the situation and Aura's pain, held her firmly. He knew he needed to rescue Draka and Ninea and help his injured friends. The weight of responsibility increased, but he was determined to protect his family and restore peace at Hadon's house.
In the capital Set, he arrived at his command post in Zoarlath, where his soldiers awaited him with smiles and salutes. The joy of seeing their leader return was evident on their faces. One of the commanders, a young soldier named Jarek, approached curiously. "My lord, where do you go from time to time? We are always curious." Set, with an enigmatic smile, replied only: "I go to recharge my strength. It is important for a leader to always be in his best form." His soldiers, respecting his answer, did not insist further on the subject, but their admiration for Set increased even more. They knew there was something special about their commander, something beyond his combat skills.
While Adonis and Arphaxad rode back to the forest, tension grew in the air. Adonis, with a serious expression, felt a bad feeling rising in his chest. He stopped for a moment, looking around as if trying to understand what was happening. "We need to hurry, I don't have a good feeling!" he said, his voice full of urgency. Remembering that Adonis possessed the unique ability to feel people's spirits, Arphaxad took the warning seriously. Without questioning, he agreed and both sped up their horses, riding as fast as possible toward Hadon's house.
The path seemed longer than usual, with every shadow in the forest seeming threatening. Adonis was focused, his senses sharpened trying to pick up any sign of danger. Arphaxad, at his side, was also alert, prepared for any eventuality. The feeling that something terrible had happened or was about to happen would not leave them. They knew they needed to get there soon to find out what was wrong and, if necessary, intervene.
As they rode, the forest seemed to close around them, as if conspiring to delay them. Adonis kept his focus, his heart racing with anticipation of what they might find. "I hope everyone is well..." he murmured, almost like a prayer. Arphaxad, noticing Adonis' seriousness, remained silent, his determination strengthened.
Finally, they began to recognize the surroundings near Hadon's house. The smell of smoke and the sight of broken trees increased their concern. Without hesitation, they sped up even more, the horses feeling the urgency and responding with speed. When Hadon's house came into view, the sight of the damage left them in shock. The doors were destroyed, and signs of struggle were evident everywhere.
Adonis and Arphaxad dismounted quickly from the horses, running towards the house. Upon entering, they found Kal and Aura trying to take care of the wounded. "Brother, Arphaxad, thank the gods you have arrived!" exclaimed Aura, visibly relieved. Adonis looked around, seeing the state of his friends. "What happened here?" he asked, his voice trembling with the mixture of anger and fear.
Aura quickly explained the situation, how they were attacked by mercenaries led by Hwin and how Draka and Ninea were taken. After hearing Aura's words, Adonis became incredibly angry. He turned to Kal and, without a second thought, punched him to the ground.
Adonis walked over to Kal and shouted: "You are powerful, you would have had the power to prevent this! I saw your spirit, I saw..." shouting as he broke down in tears and anger. Kal, only feeling guilty, remained silent without reacting. Arphaxad quickly grabbed Adonis and pulled him away. Aura also held her brother, firmly saying: "Now is not the time for this, brother!"
Kal slowly got up, the physical pain from the punch was nothing compared to the emotional pain he felt. He felt helpless, once again confronted with his own inability to protect those he loved. "I've always depended on this divine power... without it, I am nothing," Kal thought, reflecting on the nature of his gifts. For him, were these powers a blessing or a curse? This doubt gnawed at his spirit.
Arphaxad, still feeling furious, tried to calm down and bring reason to the group. "We need to focus on recovering the others and then think of a way to rescue the girls," he said, trying to be the voice of reason. Adonis, still very shaken, repeated in a whisper: "How could this happen..."
Kal, with a deep sense of guilt, went back to where the wounded were. He knelt next to Yorin, Sahara and Markel, and contemplatively began to heal them as best he could with the resources he had. Pudin, watching everything, realized the emotional burden Kal carried. She approached, gently caressing Kal's head with her small paw. "You have much to face, but you are not alone," Pudin thought, knowing that Kal now had to find Nin and take care of his family at the same time.
The mood in Hadon's house was heavy. The tension, fear and anger hung in the air like a storm about to break. But there was also a quiet determination. They knew they had to unite and find a way to overcome this crisis. Adonis, despite his anger, knew the family needed his calm, firm leadership. Kal, even with his doubts, knew he had to keep fighting, for Nin, for his family, and for himself.
Back in the capital, Set was training alone in the training field. His soldiers had already left, leaving him focused on his combat techniques. While practicing, a young soldier named Winy approached him. "Captain, can I train a little more with you?" she asked, with a tone of determination in her voice. Set, focused, just nodded in agreement.
They trained together for some time, exchanging blows and perfecting their skills. The sun was starting to set when Winy, already exhausted, fell sitting on the ground. "Captain, I have to thank you," she began, panting. "I lost my whole family to that terrible disease that ravaged the capital, and I was completely lost. But because of you, I joined the army. Today, I have a new family: Jarek, Malia, Qyron, and you, captain, are my family."
Set, despite his focus, stopped for a moment to listen to Winy's words. He knew the weight they carried and the responsibility he had on his shoulders.
At that moment, the other soldiers who had left returned, shouting and calling Winy and Set to go out with them. "Come on, captain! It's been a while since the last time," Jarek shouted, remembering it had been a good while since Set had joined them for a fun night out. Winy quickly got up and ran toward the other soldiers. "Come on, captain! Soon we'll go to war to defend our country, let's have some fun before!" she shouted excitedly.
Set thanked the invitation but said he would find everyone later. As the soldiers walked away still laughing and joking, Set continued his training, the determination visible in every move. He knew that soon they would face difficult battles and that his strength and skill would be fundamental to the survival of his team.
Some time after everyone left, a servant of Grand Duke Saladon appeared. "The Master Saladon wishes to see you," said the servant. Set knew this would be serious, so he left immediately with the servant to the great hall where Felix Saladon awaited him.
Inside the hall, Saladon was sitting on his throne, a cold smile on his face. "Ah, Set, how is the training of my army coming along?" asked Felix, his voice carrying a veiled malice.
"Everything is going well, Master," Set replied firmly.
"Good, good," said Saladon, nodding. "Then I think it's time to test them!"
Set frowned, not fully understanding. "But Master, wouldn't we be departing for war in another week? Has there been any change in plans?"
Saladon laughed, the sound echoing through the hall. "No, there is no change in plans. We will depart in a week!" He leaned forward slightly, his smile even more pronounced. "But I want to test them before."
Set was even more confused. "What do you mean by testing them, Master?"
Saladon slowly got up, walking towards Set. "Tomorrow, gather your men in the training field. Then all will be clear." Without further explanation, Saladon dismissed Set with a wave of his hand.
Leaving the great hall, Set was on alert. "That damn Saladon is planning something. I need to be careful," he thought, his mind working quickly to understand the Grand Duke's intentions.
He made his way to the tavern where his men were gathered. Upon seeing Set enter, they all rejoiced and greeted him effusively. The night was marked by laughter, drinks and abundant food, like a send-off before the war. Despite his concern over Saladon's words, Set kept his expression calm as was his habit, partaking in the celebration without letting his apprehension show.
In the early hours, while the party was still unfolding, Set stood up and got everyone's attention. "Tomorrow we will have a special training. Everyone must be at the training field at dawn," he announced.
The soldiers, lightly intoxicated, nodded in agreement. "Of course, captain! We'll be ready!" they responded, still animated by Set's presence.
With the farewell, Set left the tavern, his thoughts still fixed on what might be coming. He knew he needed to be prepared for anything Saladon was planning, to protect both his men and ensure they emerged victorious in the approaching war.
The next morning, Set's men reported to the training field. Still hungover from the previous night's party, the formation was not the most imposing. In addition to the soldiers who had participated in the festivities, more men and women were present, totaling fifty-five soldiers under Set's command. Saladon himself was sitting on an elevated platform, observing alongside some duchy scientists and even an envoy from the kingdom of Volkaron.
Saladon summoned Set, who immediately went to meet him, leaving his men in formation on the field.
"Your soldiers do not have a very imposing presentation, Set," Saladon commented with a tone of disdain.
"But they are loyal in battle, my lord. They would fight for you to the death," Set replied firmly.
"Excellent to know, because they will have to fight to the death for me today!" Saladon concluded with an animalistic smile on his lips.
When Saladon said this, the gates on the other side began to open. Twelve men appeared in the distance, walking toward the training field.
"What is that, master?" asked Set, surprised.
"That? That is the test of your soldiers!" Saladon replied.
The men entered the field and positioned themselves facing Set's squadron, who observed the scene next to Saladon. Saladon himself stood up from his throne and, from up high, shouted: "Leal soldiers of the great Duchy, in one week we will go to war. The enemy has powerful warriors in their ranks and we will need to be strong to face this battle! Will you fight for me?"
Set's entire squadron shouted their support for the Grand Duke, the sound echoing across the training field. Saladon nodded, satisfied, and continued: "The first test will be to defeat my twelve elite soldiers standing before you!"