Chapter 6: The Gift for the Hunters' Master
1. The forest stirred with a mix of tension and anticipation. The hunters' prison, concealed deep within the dense woods, held a secret that could tip the balance of power in the kingdom. Among the prisoners—men and women alike—was Li Gags, a warrior of the Green Clan, whose green-eyed fury had once terrified his enemies. Now, shackled and weakened, his presence in the hunters' custody had sparked a frenzy across the land.
2. The journey of the hunter carrying the report had been arduous. When he finally reached the Hunters' Master, he delivered the news with urgency.
3. "Master," he began, bowing low, "Li Gags of the Green Clan led a party of ten warriors against our sixty men. Though seventy of ours fell, his comrades were wiped out, and we subdued him only by putting him to sleep with two arrows. His power is unlike anything we've ever seen."
4. The master, a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing eyes, listened intently. He stroked his beard, his expression unreadable. "And you are sure it is Li Gags?"
5. "Not entirely, Master. We have not confirmed his name, but his eyes turn green when he fights. That, we cannot mistake."
6. The Hunters' Master nodded thoughtfully. "Then we have a treasure worth more than gold. We will not announce his identity but will hint at his abilities. Word will spread quickly." He paused, his tone sharpening. "Ensure the prisoner is kept weak and alive. Do not let him die, for his value lies in his survival."
7. The news swept through the kingdoms like wildfire. Kings and warriors alike were drawn by whispers of a prisoner with unparalleled strength and emerald eyes. To the Blue Clan, ruled by the strategic King Benzo, the idea of such a warrior in their army was tantalizing. The Yellow Clan's King Thunder, known for speed and cunning, saw an opportunity to outmaneuver his rivals. King Smith of the Red Clan, ever the brute, envisioned using the prisoner as an instrument of terror. King Vision of the White Clan admired the potential for calculated victories with such a force, while the Black Clan's ruthless King Miller saw in Li Gags the makings of a deadly weapon.
8. But none were as stirred as King Emmanuel of the Green Clan. The moment he heard of a captive with green eyes and remarkable powers, he knew it could only be Li Gags. The king, who had personally overseen Li Gags' training, felt a mix of dread and determination. Losing Li Gags to another kingdom could mean the end of the Green Clan's dominance.
9. In the forest, Li Gags was held in a room sealed with powerful magic. The hunters had ensured that no prisoner, no matter how strong, could use their powers to escape. Chains bound his wrists and ankles, their iron cold against his skin. Food and water were given sparingly, just enough to keep him alive but too little to restore his strength.
10. Li Gags had attempted an escape the night before. Despite his weakened state, he had hoped to break free when a guard momentarily left the door ajar. But the chains held firm, and the spell on the room nullified his powers. His effort had only earned him a fresh set of bruises.
11. He sat in the dim light, his breathing steady but shallow. His thoughts were not of despair but of strategy. He knew the hunters planned to sell him, and that knowledge gave him an edge. Whoever purchased him would need him alive and strong, which meant his chance to escape might yet come.
12. Meanwhile, the Hunters' Master prepared for his journey to the forest. He was not a man to take chances; he brought over a hundred warriors with him, ensuring that any attempt to disrupt the sale would be met with overwhelming force. When he arrived, the hunters' commander greeted him with a salute and led him to the prison.
13. "The prisoner is here," the commander said, unlocking the heavy door. The Master stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Li Gags, though weakened and chained, held his gaze with quiet defiance. The Master smirked.
14. "Clean him up," he ordered. "Feed him well. Let the other clans see the power they could own."
15. "Yes, Master," the commander replied. "What if they try to take him by force?"
16. "They wouldn't dare," the Master said, his voice cold. "Not while we have the numbers."
16. Word of the auction spread faster than the Master anticipated. Kingdoms scrambled to gather the gold required to outbid one another. Taxes were raised, coffers emptied, and armies mobilized to plunder neighboring lands. The roads to the hunters' forest became battlegrounds as rival clans clashed in their desperate quest to secure the funds.
18. The Green Clan, however, refrained from rash measures. King Emmanuel had another plan. He dispatched his most trusted general with a small but elite force to reach the forest before the other clans. Their mission was twofold: to ensure that no harm came to Li Gags and, if possible, to rescue him before the auction began.
19. On the day of the auction, the forest buzzed with activity. Representatives from the six major clans arrived, their entourages bristling with weapons and tension. The Hunters' Master watched them with satisfaction. The bidding had yet to begin, but the atmosphere crackled with the unspoken promise of violence.
20. Li Gags, now cleaned and fed, was brought before the assembled clans. His chains rattled as he walked, but his green eyes blazed with quiet fury. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even in his weakened state, his presence was formidable.
21. The Master stepped forward, raising his hands for silence. "Behold," he declared, "a warrior of unmatched power. With him, your kingdom will know victory after victory. The bidding starts at 500 gold pieces."
22. The clans exchanged tense glances, each calculating their chances. But before the first bid could be made, a voice rang out from the shadows.
"This auction is over."
23. All heads turned as the Green Clan's general stepped into the clearing, his sword drawn. Behind him, his elite warriors fanned out, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight.
24. "This man," the general continued, pointing at Li Gags, "is a warrior of the Green Clan. Return him to us, and no blood will be shed."
25. The Hunters' Master narrowed his eyes. "You overstep, Green Clan. This is our prisoner, and the bidding will proceed."
26. A tense silence followed, broken only by the sound of swords being drawn. The forest, once alive with the chatter of birds and rustling leaves, now held its breath.
27. Li Gags, watching the standoff, felt a surge of hope. His clan had not forgotten him. Though weakened, he straightened his posture and let his green eyes blaze defiantly.
28. The Hunters' Master smirked, raising a hand to signal his warriors. "If you want him," he said, "you'll have to fight for him."
29. And so, the clearing erupted into chaos.
30. The outcome of this battle would not only decide the fate of Li Gags but also shift the balance of power in the kingdom. As swords clashed and arrows flew, the forest bore witness to a struggle that would be remembered for generations.
31. The warriors of green clan failed to rescue Li Gags and retreated ,the event was continued the next day