The moon hung low in the night sky over ArchenLand, its soft glow casting a serene light over Lord Jeth's domain. The faint sound of rustling leaves and distant croaks of frogs created a peaceful melody, but Jeth was far from relaxed. He stood leaning against a massive oak, his eyes fixed on the heavens, chewing his ever-present straw. The tranquility was interrupted by a voice in his head, forming through a telepathic link.
Hey, you can hear me, right? I need you to do something for me, Talonir's voice echoed in Jeth's mind, cutting through the silence.
Jeth smirked, tipping his wide-brimmed hat back. "Is that any way to treat a friend, Talonir? You disappear, cut off most informal communication for years, and when you finally decide to reach out, it's to ask for a favor? Shame on you, birdie," he said, chuckling.
On the other end, Talonir groaned softly. I'm sorry, my friend. But you know me, Jeth—I'm not one for pleasantries.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Ain't no feathers in your cap for that. So, what's eatin' you, big guy? What's the favor?"
I need you to patrol ArchenLand for me tomorrow morning. Specifically, check the far sides of the land near the valley of the Winding Arrow River and where it meets the Great Desert. I want to be absolutely certain it's secure.
Jeth's tone shifted immediately, the humor leaving his voice. "You sound tense, Talonir. Is everything alright?"
I hope it is,Talonir replied after a pause. I just hope it is.
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Morning came, and Jeth was true to his word. Humming to himself, he wandered through the valley of the Winding Arrow, his boots crunching against the gravelly floor. His eyes lazily scanned the landscape, taking in the grasses, the jagged cliffs, and the distant sound of the river.
"All clear so far," he muttered, his voice blending with the calm breeze.
As he reached the end of the valley where the soft grasses gave way to the harsh sands of the Great Desert, he turned to leave, satisfied with his patrol. But then, something pricked at the edge of his senses—a faint mana signature, almost imperceptible but undeniably there.
Jeth froze, his sharp eyes narrowing as he turned back toward the valley wall. His gaze landed on a glowing rune etched into the stone, its faint light pulsating like a heartbeat.
"Now what in tarnation is this?" he muttered, stepping closer.
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The scene shifted to Lord Thrax's tranquil oasis, where Daruis and the old turtle Tracient stood by the edge of a glittering waterfall. Tiny tadpoles wiggled in the shallow pools below, their movements erratic and endearing.
"They're so little," Daruis remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Thrax chuckled, his weathered face crinkling with a smile. "Yes, but some of them will grow into the biggest amphibians you'll ever see. The circle of life is beautiful, don't you think?"
Daruis nodded thoughtfully, watching the tadpoles with quiet fascination.
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Meanwhile, elsewhere in ArchenLand, something sinister was stirring. Across the land, the same glowing rune Jeth had discovered began to appear—on the floor of hidden corners in Valoria, carved into ancient stone in Trevor's grove, and in other seemingly random locations.
At a hill overlooking the battle in the Dancing Lawn, Jarik, the ever-smiling Rabbit Tracient was standing beside the Shadow. The dark figure behind them loomed, silent and ominous.
"Now…" Jarik said, his grin widening unnaturally, "let the fun begin."
With a snap of his fingers, the glowing runes detonated in synchronized explosions of dust and mana. The blasts rocked the entirety of ArchenLand, shaking its foundations. As the dust settled, swarms of enemy forces emerged from the remnants—thousands of insectoid, arachnid, and white fox Tracients, their sinister forms filling the air with a cacophony of buzzing wings and clattering legs.
The invaders swarmed Valoria, Trevor's grove, and other critical points in ArchenLand, overwhelming the unsuspecting populace with their sheer numbers.
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Back at the oasis, Lord Thrax, Kopa, and Daruis felt the shift instantly. A wave of oppressive mana signatures rolled across the land, sending chills down their spines.
Daruis was on his feet in an instant, the sheer force of his movement creating a shockwave that rippled through the water.
Kopa turned to Thrax, his face set with grim determination. "My Lord, I need to get to the capital. If that's their target—"
Thrax held up a hand, his expression calm but firm. "Go. They'll need you more than I will. I'll handle things here."
Without hesitation, Kopa joined his hands together, his body rooting into the ground like a plant. In seconds, he disappeared.
As the sounds of the invading army grew louder, Thrax cracked his knuckles and took a deep breath. His gnarled staff clattered to the ground, and he assumed a fluid stance, his movements deceptively graceful for his age.
"It's been a while since this old man exercised," he muttered, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Bring it on, you bastards."