Chapter 143 - 145: Blackfall City

Words : 1040 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Their armor gleams with a quiet power. Runes etched in ancient languages pulse faintly beneath the surface. Each piece is fitted not just for combat, but for someone who's worn it long enough for it to feel like skin. Pyke, the towering warrior, carries a massive greataxe across his back. Its blade is obsidian black, with jagged lightning trapped inside the metal like a storm waiting to break. Ingra, the mage, wears a flowing robe interlaced with living threads of crystal. Her staff, taller than her, hums softly in her grip—an intricate lattice of bone and starlight. Famir, lean and relaxed, has a longbow strapped across his shoulder. The wood is pale and striated with golden lines that move like veins. His quiver glows with faintly marked arrows, each tip barbed with frost or fire. Valia, the healer, is clad in soft white armor with gold filigree, her staff curved like a crescent moon. A Tier 5 healer—rare as any artifact. And Asdri, of course, looks like he's stepped out of a forgotten legend. His armor bears the emblem of a dragon coiled around a rose, etched with symbols even Alix doesn't recognize. Alix stops before them, eyes drifting across each of them one by one. "Interesting," he murmurs. "You're all equipped very well." Pyke grins at the comment, reaching up to rest a hand on the hilt of his greataxe. "Well, its all thanks to our captain here, he is quite rich." Famir chuckles, tilting his head. "That's right. Captain helped us greatly." Alix still studying the gleam of their weapons, the subtle hum of mana thrumming around them. "If you don't mind me asking," he says slowly, "how did you all get Tier 5 equipment? They're rare. Most nations would kill just to get their hands on a single piece." Asdri smiles. "I wish I could tell you," he says with a shrug. "Let's just say... we come from far away. And where we come from, things are a little different." Alix watches him for a moment longer, but doesn't press. He nods once. "Fair enough." Draya steps up behind him, whispering just loud enough for only him to hear. "He didn't lie. But he didn't tell the truth either." "I know," Alix murmurs back. The journey to Ordeya begins soon after. The wyvern-drawn cart glides smoothly over the well-worn roads, cutting through hills and forested stretches. Conversation drifts easily among the group. Asdri talks politics with Valia. Ingra reads quietly. Pyke snores. Famir hums a tune with his feet kicked up. Alix remains mostly silent, observing. By the third day, they pass through a narrow canyon trail—and that's when the trouble comes. A ragged group of bandits emerges from the rocks above, shouting threats and waving weapons. Their armor is rusted, their confidence bloated by numbers. At least two dozen of them block the path, thinking they've found easy prey. Alix doesn't move. Neither does Asdri. But Pyke grins, stretching like a man waking from a nap. "Finally," he mutters, rolling his shoulders. "I was getting stiff." He leaps from the cart in a single motion, his greataxe swinging free with a thunderous crack. Famir is already gone, his bow drawn in one fluid motion. Arrows whistle like wind cutting glass. Each one finds a throat or an eye before the scream can form. Ingra remains seated, eyes glowing faintly as her staff lifts by itself. The temperature drops. The bandits' feet freeze to the stone before they can flee, frost crawling up their legs. It's over in less than a minute. The canyon is silent again, except for the wind. Pyke wipes blood from his axe and groans. "That was it? I barely got warm." "Poor planning on their part," Famir mutters, already retying his quiver. Ingra doesn't even glance at the bodies. "Bandits are bold these days. Or just stupid." After another full day of travel, the horizon finally breaks to reveal the towering white walls of Ordeya's capital, Blackfall City—pristine stone etched with wards, banners fluttering high in the breeze. The roads grow wider, cleaner, more patrolled. The faint sound of city life hums beneath the wind. As they approach the main gate, a figure stands waiting. Marshal Zinov is a tall, broad-shouldered man with a stern face lined by old battle scars. His aura radiates experience and the weight of command. Yet, when he sees the arriving group, a rare warmth flickers in his expression. He steps forward as they come to a halt. "Welcome, Your Highness," Zinov says, voice steady as steel. Asdri dismounts from the cart, grinning wide. "Uncle. It's good to see you doing well." Zinov chuckles dryly. "Good is generous. I almost died fighting that damned king of the monsters." Alix's eyes narrow slightly. Zinov turns slightly, eyes locking with his. "If not for His Highness's gift... I wouldn't be standing here right now." He bows his head to Asdri. "So I owe you my life." The words hang in the air for a moment. Alix's expression doesn't change, but a glint sparks in his eyes. Asdri claps a hand on Zinov's shoulder with a short laugh. "Still dramatic as ever, uncle." But Zinov only nods solemnly. "No exaggeration, Your Highness. The creature I fought... it was like standing before a god. I've faced monsters, armies, traitors—never something like that." He glances at Alix again, his gaze thoughtful. "That thing could've ended me a dozen times over. And then—just when it was about to—I used the teleportation crystal you gave me." He pauses, shaking his head. "I was skeptical at first, but when I shattered the crystal, there was a flash of light. I was gone. Safe. Your artifact worked, Highness. Flawlessly." Zinov straightens. "Also... congratulations, Your Highness," he says, turning back to Asdri. "You've surpassed me. Not just in rank, but in strength." Asdri lifts a brow, mock surprised. "Already? I thought I still had a few duels left before I caught up." Zinov chuckles. "I may have age and experience, but strength? That belongs to your generation now."

Chapter 143 - 145: Blackfall City

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