CHAPTER 3
WRITER COLLINS COLLEX
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To reach the Duke flame family's city, located in the southern region, Darius embarked on a long journey. His father, believing in the importance of self-reliance, insisted that he travel on foot, forgoing the convenience of a swift mount. Despite possessing elemental powers, Darius was forbidden from using them during his journey, a test of his endurance and discipline.
The journey was fraught with danger, as bandits and other criminals often preyed on lone travelers. Darius, being a member of the influential Arclight family, was a particularly valuable target. His family's reputation for thwarting criminal activities made him a prime candidate for kidnapping or extortion.
Darius witnessed a horrifying scene: a group of bandits had attacked a horse carriage, killing the mages and capturing a young boy, his age. Driven by a sense of justice, Darius intervened, utilizing his lightning-fast speed to swiftly neutralize the threat and rescue the boy.
The narrow, winding road, flanked by towering trees and rocky outcrops, provided the perfect ambush site for the bandits. As Darius approached, they sprang into action. A gust of wind, conjured by an Air Mage, swept towards him, but Darius, with a swift movement, deflected the attack.
Meanwhile, an Earth Mage hurled rocks, each imbued with the power of the earth. Darius dodged the flying projectiles, his agility and lightning-fast reflexes allowing him to evade the attacks with ease. A Water Mage, sensing an opportunity, unleashed a torrent of water, but Darius, with a flick of his wrist, dispersed the water with a bolt of lightning.
The bandits, realizing the futility of their attacks, resorted to brute force. A group of them charged forward, weapons drawn. Darius, however, was prepared. With a lightning-quick strike, he dispatched the bandits, their attacks proving no match for his lightning-enhanced strength and speed. The narrow road, once a scene of impending danger, was now silent, the only sound of the rustling of the leaves in the wind.
After defeating the bandits, Darius and the young boy, Frey, continued their journey together. Frey, an Earth Mage in training, was headed to the capital to hone his skills. As they traveled, the two bonded over shared experiences and aspirations. Darius, ever mindful of his family's secret, urged Frey to keep his identity a secret. Eventually, their paths diverged, each heading towards their own destinies. With a shared smile and a promise to reunite in the future, Darius and Frey parted ways, each eager to embark on their individual journeys.
After reminiscing about his encounter with Frey, Darius realized that he had been lost in thought. His friend's invitation to join him for breakfast brought him back to the present moment
As Darius prepared to enter inside the mansion to have his breakfast , he turned to Roz, his powerful Thunderbird familiar. With a simple command, he sent her off to hunt in the Eldergrove. The majestic creature, a B rank beast, soared into the sky, her wings creating a powerful gust of wind as she disappeared into the forest.
FEW MINUTES LATER
Sitting at the dinner table, Darius shared a meal with his pregnant wife, Aceso, his best friend Frey, Frey's wife Eve, his sister Cara, and their young son, Aldwin.
We shared a pleasant meal, engaged in light conversation and laughter, seated around a long dining table. Darius, at the head of the table, was joined by his fair-skinned, slender wife, Aceso, her brown hair cascading down her back, and her captivating pink eyes.
To Darius's left sat his younger sister, Cara, a powerful lightning mage. Beside her were Frey and his wife, Eve, who was gently feeding their young son, Aldwin. The warm atmosphere of the dining room was filled with laughter and the joy of family.
As Darius gazed upon his wife, his mind drifted back to the day they first met, five years prior to the devastating beast tide. He recalled his journey from the neighboring human kingdom, a trek that spanned several days across a vast valley.
Perched on the back of Roz, Darius spotted a group of bandits, armed and mounted, escorting a young, captive woman. Moved by compassion, he commanded Roz to intervene. With a swift and silent attack, the Thunderbird unleashed a powerful sonic blast, neutralizing the bandits without causing harm to the innocent captive.
Discovering that the young woman was an orphan, sold into slavery to be exploited by the bandits, filled Darius with a sense of outrage and compassion,After rescuing the young orphan, Darius brought her back to Ember's Keep. Moved by compassion, he offered her refuge and employment as a servant. Over time, a deeper bond formed between them, leading to love and marriage.
As they dined, Frey's trusted mage, a loyal companion who had chosen to follow him on his life's journey, entered the room. Now the commander of Ember's Keep's forces, he had proven to be a capable leader and a valuable asset to the village's defense.
The village's defense force, led by Frey's trusted mage, consisted of a dedicated group of 35 mages and warriors.
The young Commander entered the dining room and greeted, "Good morning, Lord Darius and Sir Frey." Before adding,
A messenger, arriving on a sparrow, delivered a letter and the allocated goods from the castle.