Aria and Kael walked through the bustling streets of the city, their footsteps leading them to the treasure market. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm orange glow over the vibrant scene before them. The market was divided into sections, each catering to a specific type of treasure. To their left, a row of stalls displayed glittering jewels and precious metals, while to their right, rare artifacts and ancient relics were on display.
As they made their way through the crowds, the sound of merchants hawking their wares filled the air. "Rare golden statues from the lost city of Eldarath!" one merchant cried, while another touted, "Enchanted swords, forged in the depths of the Dragon's Spine mountains!" The air was thick with the smell of dust, gold, and the promise of hidden riches.
The merchants' camp was a flurry of activity, with stalls upon stalls of treasures on display. Some merchants specialized in rare gems, their stalls glittering like miniature stars. Others dealt in ancient artifacts, their wares carefully arranged on velvet cloths. The sound of haggling and laughter filled the air, as buyers and sellers negotiated prices and exchanged stories.
Aria and Kael navigated the throngs of people, their eyes scanning the stalls for any sign of Liam. They finally spotted him at a small, unassuming shack stall tucked away in a corner. Liam's eyes were fixed on a stone that looked like a druid stone, its surface etched with intricate symbols and markings. The stone glowed with a soft, pulsing light, as if it held secrets and stories of its own.
"How much are you willing to sell for as the final price?" Liam asked the merchant, his voice firm but polite.
The merchant, a grizzled old man with a bushy beard, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Come on, you're a hard bargainer, just give me a hundred."
Liam's expression remained calm, his eyes never leaving the stone. "No, I'm giving you 60, and that's my final offer."
With that, Liam tossed a pouch of gold coins to the merchant, who caught it with a grin. "Deal!"
The merchant handed Liam the stone, and he carefully placed it in a small pouch at his belt. Aria and Kael approached him, their footsteps quiet on the dusty ground.
Just as they were about to speak, a ruckus burst out in the market. Two massive creatures, each the size of a small house, emerged from the crowd. They were Golems, ancient constructs of earth and stone, their bodies crackling with magical energy. One was a deep, fiery red, its body adorned with glowing runes, while the other was a pale, icy blue, its surface etched with intricate frost patterns.
The creatures charged through the market, their massive feet shaking the ground and sending stalls crashing to the ground. Merchants and buyers alike scrambled to get out of their way, screaming and shouting in terror.
Liam's eyes remained fixed on the creatures, his hands behind his back as always. He didn't move or speak, as if watching a show about to unfold.
Aria drew her sword, its blade shining in the fading light. "Let's go, we can't let them destroy the market!"
Kael nodded, his eyes cold and calculating. "We need to take them down, quickly and quietly."
And with that, Aria and Kael charged into battle, their blades flashing in the sunlight as they faced off against the rampaging Golems. Liam remained still, his eyes fixed on the creatures, his expression unreadable.
Kael dashed forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck the icy pale blue Golem with precision. Aria handled the fiery red Golem with grace and agility, her sword slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The battle was a spectacle to behold, with the two warriors moving in perfect sync, their blades dancing across the Golems' bodies.
Kael struck the pale blue Golem with a powerful blow, his sword burying itself deep into its back. The Golem roared in pain and rage, charging towards Kael with reckless abandon. Kael tried to dodge, but the Golem's massive fist caught him, sending him flying across the market. He soared through the air, his body crashing onto the rooftop of a nearby building. He rolled across the tiles, his sword flying out of his hand, before tumbling off the edge and crashing into a nearby stall. The wooden structure splintered under the impact, sending debris flying everywhere.
Liam, still watching with an air of nonchalance, stood tall, his eyes fixed on the battle. He walked over to a small stall nearby and bought a loaf of fresh bread from the vendor. "Fresh bread, just baked this morning," the vendor called out, handing over the warm loaf. Liam nodded, took the bread, and walked back to his spot, tearing off a chunk as he went. He sat down on a nearby chair, chewing the bread and watching the battle unfold before him.
Kael struggled to get back to his feet, his eyes fixed on the pale blue Golem. He knelt down, his left hand touching the ground as if seeking an ancient power or invoking a primal force. His right arm held his sword, its blade glinting in the sunlight. The air seemed to charge with electricity as Kael called upon a deep, primal energy. Suddenly, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint trace of his presence.
Aria, meanwhile, was facing her own struggles. The fiery red Golem was relentless, its flames burning hotter with every passing moment. Aria dodged and weaved, her sword slicing through the air, but the Golem was too fast. It struck her with a blazing fist, sending her flying across the market. She crashed into a nearby stall, the wooden structure splintering under the impact.
Kael reappeared, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck the pale blue Golem with a powerful blow. The creature stumbled back, its icy body cracking under the force of the blow. Aria, meanwhile, struggled to get back to her feet, her eyes fixed on the fiery red Golem. She raised her sword, its blade shining with an otherworldly light. "Kurodos Strike!" she screamed, delivering a powerful blow straight to the Golem's chest. The creature stumbled back, its flames burning weaker.
Kael, with a final burst of energy, struck the pale blue Golem with a powerful blow, his sword burying itself deep into its heart. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing to the ground, defeated.
Aria, with a final strike, delivered a deathly blow to the fiery red Golem, its flames burning out as it collapsed to the ground.
The market erupted in cheers, the onlookers praising Kael and Aria for their bravery and skill. Liam finished his bread, nodding in approval as he watched the two warriors stand victorious, their swords still trembling with the force of their blows. They had saved the market from destruction, their names etched in the annals of history.
Kael and Aria stood panting, their bodies battered and bruised, but their spirits unbroken. They had fought with all their might, and emerged victorious. The Golems lay defeated at their feet, a testament to their strength and courage.
Kael's face was a mask of calm, but his tone was laced with anger as he spoke to Aria. "Did you see that? He just stood there, watching us struggle with those beasts! He even went and bought bread to eat while we were fighting for our lives!" Kael's sword, still trembling with the force of the battle, pointed towards Liam, its tip gleaming in the fading light of day.
Aria's expression was one of wonder, her eyes fixed on Liam as if trying to understand his actions. "Maybe he was just hungry," she suggested, her voice soft and calming.
Liam, seemingly oblivious to Kael's anger, strolled towards them, stretching his arms above his head as if tired from watching the battle. "That was a great fight," he said, his voice casual and relaxed. "Next time, make sure your speed aligns with the force of your sword, giving you a heavy hit on the enemy."
Kael's face turned red with fury, his eyes blazing with anger. "Why didn't you go there and kill those beasts yourself if you were that mighty?!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the market.
Liam's expression remained calm, his face serene as if nothing had happened. "I would have, but you guys jumped into battle before I could prepare, so I just let you have all the fun," he said, his voice dripping with nonchalance.
Kael was about to explode again when Aria intervened, her hand on his arm calming him down. "That's okay," she said, her voice soothing. "We haven't come here to fight or quarrel with you, but to give you our sincere gratitude and thanks for saving our lives the other day."
Liam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "At least one of you is blessed with wisdom," he said, his eyes fixed on Aria.
As he faced Kael, his eyes looked down at the arm he had been bitten on that day. The wound was already treated, but the memory of the pain still lingered. The skin was still red and swollen, the bite marks visible as a reminder of the battle they had fought. Liam's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, as if the pain was still fresh in his mind.
"Sorry for coming late," he said, his voice low and genuine.
Kael was taken aback, his anger slowly dissipating. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Liam's expression remained enigmatic, but Aria seemed to understand. "It's okay," she said, her voice soft. "We appreciate your help, regardless of when you arrived."
The evening was gradually turning into night, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink. The market was emptying, the stalls closing down for the day. Liam led Aria and Kael through the winding streets, the silence between them palpable.
As they walked, Kael's anger slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of curiosity. What was Liam's motive for saving them? And what did he mean by "coming late"?
Aria seemed to understand, her eyes fixed on Liam's back as they followed him to his home. The darkness of the night was slowly enveloping them, but the tension between them was slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of anticipation.
"Here we are," Liam said, arriving at his house, a small, rustic cottage on the outskirts of the city. The surroundings were sparse, with few houses in sight, giving the area a sense of isolation. Kael raised an eyebrow, amused by the humble abode of the supposed treasure hunter. "So much for a treasure hunter," he scoffed, wondering what Liam did with all the wealth he accumulated.
Aria followed Liam into the house, her calm and smile expression a stark contrast to Kael's skepticism. The interior of the house was simple, with bare walls and minimal furniture. A small fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Aria sat on a stool near the door, while Kael leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, eyes roaming the room.
Liam offered them a drink, but Kael quickly declined, "We're fine, thank you." Aria nodded in agreement, slightly annoyed by Kael's abruptness.
Aria asked Liam, "What do you know about the Order of the Dark Oaks?" Liam replied, "Apart from their search for the Celestial Scepter and leading you on a wild goose chase, there's nothing I don't know that you don't already." Kael's face flashed with anger, but he regained composure.
Kael sneered, "So you're useless to us then." Aria intervened, "Why don't you work with us?" Kael's expression turned surprised, then annoyed. Liam revealed, "I've been with you guys secretly. I knew when you were in danger in the alley and at Death Valley." Kael's eyes narrowed, "So you've been spying on us this whole time."
Liam nodded calmly, "I knew when you fought those beasts at Death Valley." Kael's eyes widened as he connected the dots. "That's what you meant by 'Sorry for coming late'." The tension in the room grew, the fire crackling in the silence.
Liam's expression remained serene, but Kael sensed a hidden depth to the treasure hunter's words. Aria's calm demeanor seemed to be the only thing holding the situation together. The air was thick with unspoken questions and suspicions, the flickering flames casting eerie shadows on the walls.