Everyone maintained strict discipline in their activities as the days passed. Both Lyris and I would occasionally help with the community's tasks. We felt comfortable, as if we had finally found a small refuge amidst the darkness.
Nymira continued training daily with Aelira, and sometimes I saw her approaching Zhavros, insisting he should play or train with her. I don't know why, but day after day, she kept at it, as if she'd developed some sort of obsession with him.
Zhavros, as always, dismissed her, telling her to leave him alone. Yet, something in him had changed. His irritation towards her seemed to have lessened. Despite Nymira's constant pestering, he no longer reacted as harshly as before.
I wondered if he was getting used to her presence or maybe even starting to feel more at ease around her.
One morning, I decided to visit Eldrek, who had been tirelessly working over the last few days. When I arrived at his workplace, I found him deeply focused, carefully separating the properties of the minerals before finally beginning to fuse them into the weapons he had created.
He saw me approach and, with a slight smile, asked if I could call everyone. He had something important to tell us.
I quickly went to gather the others, one by one. Once we were all gathered around his forge, Eldrek looked at us with a solemn expression.
"I've finished forging the weapons," he told us, "and now I can infuse them with the minerals that will turn them into magical weapons."
We fell silent as he took out the objects he had prepared. First, he lifted a dagger for Lyris. It had a gentle curve and a unique shimmer, with a finely crafted hilt engraved with elegant details. He handed it to Lyris, who took it in awe, admiring the quality of his work.
"This is wonderful, Eldrek, truly impressive," she said, surprised.
While Lyris examined her new weapon, Eldrek picked another item from the table. It was a belt. I couldn't help but voice my thoughts aloud: "A belt? I thought there would only be weapons." Eldrek, as if reading my mind, clarified:
"It doesn't necessarily have to be a weapon. Remember, what we need is an item that accentuates mana and channels it more effectively."
Eldrek's answer made sense to me.
The belt was adorned with engravings and a gem at its center, which I assumed would be key to its transformation into a magical item. Zhavros took it, evaluating it with a grin. "You've got style, Eldrek," he commented as he strapped it to his waist.
"How do I look?" he asked aloud with a hint of irony.
Nymira, not missing a beat, responded enthusiastically, "Like a stylish grump, dear Zhavros!"
The group laughed at her comment, and to my surprise, I saw Zhavros crack a smile and even let out a slight laugh. It was the first time I'd seen him like that—relaxed and without his usual irritation towards Nymira.
Eldrek continued, carefully picking up a finely crafted leather bracelet adorned with intricate metal inlays and small gems that gleamed under the light.
He handed it to Nymira, who received it with a smile that lit up her entire face, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What do you think, Nymira?" Eldrek asked.
"It's beautiful! I'm never taking it off!" Nymira examined it in fascination as she fastened it around her wrist. "Master, look how beautiful it is!"
Aelira nodded with an approving smile. "It's a beautiful piece, Nymira," she replied, proud of her apprentice.
Finally, Eldrek took out the last item: a golden necklace meant for Aelira. It was delicately crafted, fitting for a celestial like her, with a radiant gem at its center. Aelira accepted it with gratitude, inclining her head slightly towards Eldrek in thanks.
"I promise to put your creation to good use, Eldrek. Thank you," she said, with that calm authority she always radiated.
The air filled with a sense of anticipation. We knew we were one step closer to the final battle, and Eldrek's work had prepared us for what was to come.
Eldrek concluded by explaining that he would need to infuse each item with its bearer's mana to fully synchronize them. He suggested we start right away, and Nymira, with her usual enthusiasm, quickly raised her hand.
"I want to go first!" she exclaimed with a bright smile.
Eldrek returned her smile. "Of course, let's start with you," he said, preparing for the infusion.
However, the relaxed atmosphere and conversation were suddenly interrupted when one of the guards, standing atop a rock overlooking the area, shouted a warning.
"Something's approaching fast!" he exclaimed, barely having time to explain what it was.
We all turned just in time to see a magical fireball strike him in the back, hurling him violently to the ground. The guard let out a scream of pain as his body twisted with severe burns covering his skin.
Panic erupted among the tribe. Women and children quickly mobilized, led by Vaelor, who ordered them to take shelter in the hills.
Fear and worry filled the air as the tribe's riders, without wasting a moment, mounted their drakes and prepared for battle. My group and I joined in the efforts, helping to evacuate the others to the hills before we had to defend ourselves from whatever was approaching.
But before we could fully organize, we saw him. Grimmor appeared on the front line, mounted on a three-headed chimera, surrounded by terrifying creatures.
At his side, specters, harpies, and giant beetles advanced ferociously, all clearly under his control. The creatures lined up around Grimmor, awaiting his order to attack.
We were frozen in shock at the sheer magnitude of what we were facing. We immediately went on high alert. My mind raced, trying to find a way to counter such a force, but the reality of the situation was overwhelming.
Eldrek, without missing a beat, took the newly crafted items and began retreating quickly.
"Where do you think you're going, old man!" Grimmor roared, his voice full of disdain. His eyes fixed on Eldrek as he dismounted from the chimera and walked towards us slowly, his palms open in a gesture of false peace.
Vaelor and his riders took the front line to stop him. Mounted on his drake, Vaelor kept a steady gaze on Grimmor, whose face showed nothing but contempt. The arrogance in his posture and manner of speaking was unbearable.
"Just hand over the giant, and I promise there'll be no harm to your people, mighty warrior," Grimmor said, with a malicious smile that barely hid his true intentions.
Without hesitation, Vaelor responded firmly, his voice echoing above the roar of his dragon. "I'm warning you once. Leave our lands, or you'll face the consequences."
Grimmor, with his usual arrogant air, took a step forward and looked up at the riders above him. "Well... I thought the people here would be more welcoming," he said with a sly smile. "Such a pity."
I watched as he slowly raised his hand, holding his index finger up to the sky. He held it there for a moment that felt eternal, as if savoring the moment.
Nymira, who was a few steps ahead, stood frozen in fear, staring at Grimmor. "Nymira! What's wrong?" Aelira immediately asked her.
"It's... it's the same man who destroyed my community," she said in a trembling voice.
Grimmor noticed Nymira's fear, and with a cold calmness, he lowered his finger, pointing forward as he commanded in that same unpleasant tone: "Attack."
Immediately, the creatures launched themselves at us with fury. The numerous harpies flew straight for the drakes, while the rest of the monsters attacked from the ground, destroying everything in their path. Houses and crops were ravaged in seconds by the beasts' wrath.
The tribe's warriors reacted too late; they hadn't had time to form the front line. My group and I had just finished guiding the villagers towards the hills. But before we could join the fight, I noticed something: Zhavros wasn't with us.
I looked around, desperate to find him. "Where's Zhavros?!" I shouted, hoping for some sign of him. I called out again, louder this time, but there was no trace of him.
There was no time to stand around. With my mind racing with questions and Zhavros's absence weighing on me, I ran to the front, ready to face the creatures still advancing.
Aelira firmly grasped Nymira's shoulders. "We won't let another community be destroyed. Come with me; let's help these people, alright?" Somehow, those words sparked determination in Nymira, snapping her back to reality.
Together, they charged against the specters, while the tribe's warriors formed a line to hold back the giant beetles causing the most damage to the terrain. There were too many of them, and repelling them wouldn't be easy.
Lyris and I, without hesitation, headed directly for Grimmor. Fury consumed me. I was done with him and his constant threats.
"Lyris, come with me. We're ending this," I told her, rage seething in my voice.
Lyris nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely," she replied, and together we advanced through the chaos surrounding us. The contrast was overwhelming: days of utter calm, and now this—a total disaster with no warning. We struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the devastation around us.
When we finally reached Grimmor, we saw him mounted on his three-headed chimera—different from the one we'd seen against Ticaros.
The scoundrel perched on the beast enjoyed the sight before him. His gaze locked onto Lyris, and with a malicious smile, he pointed at the scar on her face, the mark he'd left from their last encounter.
"I've been waiting for this moment to thank you for this," he said sarcastically, pointing to the scar with his finger.
Lyris, poised for battle and ready for the fight, replied firmly, "You won't get the chance to thank anyone after this." Without further words, she launched herself at him, and I followed immediately.
But facing Grimmor while he was mounted on that chimera wasn't going to be easy. The creature moved with surprising agility for its size, blocking any direct attack.
Each attempt we made to get closer to Grimmor was thwarted by the chimera's three heads: the snake twisted from its back, snapping venomously, while the lion roared fiercely, clawing with strikes I barely managed to dodge. The dragon, at the rear, kept launching small bursts of fire, forcing us to continuously fall back.
I tried to flank the chimera from one side, looking for an opening. Lyris did the same from the other side, attempting to distract the beast. But the chimera was fast—faster than we had anticipated.
In a single motion, it spun its body, and the dragon spewed a burst of fire that forced me to retreat. I barely dodged it, but the heat grazed me, burning part of my clothing.
"Is that all you've got, Darius?" Grimmor taunted from above, not bothering to move from his position. "I thought you'd like to fight up close."
Lyris, agile, leaped to the side, casting a ray of light towards the snake twisting on the chimera's back. But instead of injuring the creature, it absorbed part of the magic, using the venom from its fangs to counter Lyris's spell.
The chimera charged towards her, knocking her down with its massive body. I tried to run in her direction, but the lion lunged at me. I blocked the attack with my sword, but the impact left me staggering.
"Come on, use your chaos magic, Darius!" Grimmor yelled, relishing every moment. "Or are you afraid of what might happen if you do?"
I felt the taunt in his words, his attempt to unsettle me. I gritted my teeth, trying to stay in control. I knew that using chaos magic would come with immense risk, but we were cornered.
Grimmor was toying with us, using the chimera to wear us down.
The beast turned again, and the dragon on its back launched another burst of fire, this time aimed at Lyris. She rolled on the ground, barely dodging the flames. She quickly got up, panting from the effort.
"This can't go on like this," I told myself, observing the chimera's movements. It seemed to anticipate every attack we made.
The chimera roared again, the lion fixing its gaze on me while the snake crouched, ready to strike. We needed a different strategy. But before I could think of anything, Grimmor spoke again.
"What a disappointment, Darius! Do you really think you can beat me without tapping into what lies within you? Come on, let it out!" His voice twisted with mockery, relishing in our desperation.
The lion swiped at me again. This time, I didn't evade completely, and I felt its claws tear into my arm. The pain was intense, but I ignored it. I couldn't afford to fall now.
Suddenly, the chimera slammed its front paws into the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked us off balance. Both of us fell to the ground. The dragon seized the moment to launch another burst of fire, and I barely got up in time to roll out of its reach.
I knew we couldn't win like this. Lyris and I exchanged a look. We were being outmatched. The chimera was too strong, and Grimmor showed no signs of weakness. There was no doubt this had been calculated.
Then, something caught our attention: explosions echoed in the distance, right where the villagers had taken refuge. My eyes turned immediately to the hills, and there I saw him. Zhavros.
He was facing a new wave of creatures approaching from the rear, just as Grimmor had planned. It had been a trap all along, and we had fallen right into it.