Kingsland Arc: Chapter 10.5: The Grand Adventurer and the Old Master
The lingering scent of ozone and singed fur hung heavy in the cool forest air, a testament to the raw power that had just been unleashed. Sir Kaelen, his golden plate armor gleaming even in the dappled sunlight, turned from the slain Amaltheon. His magnificent broadsword, its eagle-carved hilt still humming faintly with residual wind magic, was sheathed with a soft click. He approached Rose and Ronin, his confident, easy smile never faltering.
"Well met," he said, his voice deep, resonant, and effortlessly charismatic. He extended a gloved hand, the golden gauntlet polished to a mirror sheen, towards Rose. "I am Sir Kaelen, a Grand Adventurer from the Royal Adventurers' Guild. And it seems I arrived just in time."
Rose, ever composed, met his gaze steadily. Her dark, practical cloak, still bearing faint traces of forest damp, was pulled tight around her. She took his extended hand, her grip firm and brief. "Rose," she introduced herself, her voice even, betraying nothing of the surprise she felt at his overwhelming presence.
Kaelen's smile widened, a hint of genuine appreciation in his eyes. "Are you two alright? That beast was no ordinary Amaltheon. Its eyes... they were corrupted."
"We are well, thank you," Rose replied, her gaze briefly flicking to Ronin, who was still staring at Kaelen with wide, awestruck eyes. "And yes, I noticed the corruption. I assume you're the one who detected its presence and tracked it?"
"Indeed," Kaelen affirmed, his gaze lingering on Rose. "And I assume you're the one who managed to poison it? A remarkable feat, considering its S-rank resilience. You're quite strong, Rose. I haven't seen you in Kingsland before. There would have been no chance I wouldn't have met someone so beautiful and capable in all my years here." He delivered the compliment with a charming, almost playful tone, a subtle flirtation that seemed to glide off Rose's composed demeanor.
Rose's expression remained unreadable. "We are from the East. Finslia.
Kaelen's eyebrows rose slightly. "Finslia? That's quite a journey. May I ask why you've come all this way?"
"We are here to meet someone," Rose stated, her tone guarded, offering no further details.
Kaelen's smile didn't waver. "Perhaps I can help? Kingsland is my home. I know most of its prominent figures."
Rose hesitated for a moment, then decided. "Baelish."
A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Kaelen's face, quickly replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Ah, Sir Baelish. The old master. May I ask why you seek him?"
"I wish for this child," Rose said, placing a hand on Ronin's shoulder, guiding him slightly forward, "to train under him."
Kaelen's gaze shifted to Ronin, assessing. Ronin, still overwhelmed by Kaelen's aura, felt a cold dread when the adventurer's eyes, sharp and intelligent, met his. Kaelen's smile returned, though it held a hint of a challenge now. "Sir Baelish is... an acquired taste. His training is notoriously strict, even ruthless. Many have attempted it, few have endured. It will be incredibly hard for this young man."
"He will endure," Rose stated, her voice firm, leaving no room for doubt.
Kaelen nodded, a glint of respect in his eyes. "Very well. I was heading in that direction anyway. My friends are also in the forest, hunting this very Amaltheon. Since I've already dispatched it, I need to find a safe place to send a signal to them. They'll know where I am and join me." He gestured deeper into the woods. "Would you care to join me? It would be safer than traveling alone."
Rose agreed with a concise nod. "That would be appreciated."
They moved deeper into the Zevery Forest, the silence now broken by the rhythmic crunch of their boots on fallen leaves. Kaelen led them to a small, secluded clearing, bathed in a shaft of sunlight. With a practiced motion, he raised his hand, and a small, vibrant flame flickered to life on his palm. He flicked his wrist, and the flame shot upwards, a brilliant pillar of fire magic piercing the dense canopy, momentarily painting the sky above them with a fiery beacon before dissipating.
"They'll be here soon," Kaelen announced, his voice confident.
They settled down, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and distant woodsmoke. Ronin watched Kaelen, still captivated by his sheer power and easy confidence. He felt a profound sense of inadequacy, but also a burning resolve. This was the kind of strength he needed.
A rustle in the undergrowth, followed by the snapping of twigs, heralded their arrival. Soon, three figures emerged into the clearing, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity.
"Kaelen! There you are!" a woman's voice called out, sharp and commanding.
Kaelen rose, his smile broadening. "Miya, Lamus, Freya! Good to see you. Our target's already been dealt with." He gestured towards Rose and Ronin. "Allow me to introduce our new companions. This is Rose, and her young charge, Ronin."
He turned back to his party, introducing them with a flourish. "This is Miya, our esteemed healer and support. She's 28, A+ Rank, and the only one who can keep us from breaking every bone in our bodies." Miya, a woman with kind, intelligent eyes and braided brown hair, wore practical, light green robes adorned with small, intricate silver symbols of nature. A polished wooden staff, tipped with a glowing crystal, was strapped to her back. She offered a warm, gentle smile and a slight bow.
"Next, our immovable object, Lamus," Kaelen continued, clapping a hand on a burly man's shoulder. "26 years old, A+ adventurer, and our Tank. He's tougher than a dragon's hide." Lamus was a towering figure, clad in heavy, dented steel plate armor, his massive shield and two-handed axe strapped securely to his back. His face was rugged, framed by a thick, dark beard, and he gave a curt, almost shy nod.
"And finally," Kaelen's voice held a special reverence as he turned to the last woman, "our formidable leader, and S-Rank Mage, Freya. She's 36, and the brains and brawn behind our entire operation." Freya was a striking woman, her long, dark hair pulled back in an intricate braid. She wore elegant, deep blue robes embroidered with shimmering silver runes, and carried a staff topped with a swirling, arcane orb that pulsed with faint magical light. Her expression was sharp, intelligent, and carried an undeniable aura of authority.
"This is our party," Kaelen concluded, a proud grin on his face. "The Blades of Dawn."
As Kaelen finished, a palpable tension filled the clearing. Freya's sharp gaze, which had been assessing Rose, suddenly widened. Rose, who had been maintaining her composed demeanor, stiffened. A flicker of profound shock, quickly followed by a raw, unadulterated fury, contorted Freya's features.
"Rose," Freya breathed, her voice a low, dangerous growl. She strode forward, her eyes blazing, and without a word, her hand flashed out, striking Rose sharply across the face. The sound of the slap cracked through the quiet forest, startling everyone.
Miya gasped, and Lamus shifted uneasily. Ronin, shocked, instinctively moved forward, but Rose held up a hand, a subtle gesture for him to stop.
Rose's cheek burned, but her expression remained remarkably calm, though her eyes held a flicker of deep, ancient pain. "I won't die that easily, Freya," she said softly, her voice devoid of anger, almost a whisper. "It's... good to see you."
Freya's chest heaved, her anger warring with a profound, almost desperate relief. "Good to see me?! I thought you were dead! After leaving Kingsland and us! Why are you here now, after all these years?"
"I came to see Master Baelish," Rose replied, her gaze unwavering.
"Baelish?" Freya scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "Why now? What could possibly bring you back to his doorstep?"
Rose's eyes shifted, landing on Ronin. She gently pushed him forward. "I want Master to train him."
Freya's gaze, still burning with unresolved anger, softened slightly as it fell upon Ronin. She studied him, her eyes narrowing in a way that made Ronin feel as if she was seeing straight through him. "You want Baelish to train him?" she repeated, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
She extended her hand to Ronin, her expression now thoughtful. "I am Freya. Rose and I trained together under Master Baelish."
Ronin, still reeling from the sudden outburst, hesitantly took her hand. Her grip was surprisingly firm, and as their skin touched, he felt a subtle, almost imperceptible surge of arcane energy, a brief brush against something vast and ancient. Freya's eyes, sharp and assessing, seemed to peer into his very soul. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips.
Lamus, ever practical, interjected. "It's not gonna be easy for this kid, Freya. He's too young, and Master Baelish... well, he's not known for his gentle touch. This kid might even die while training under him."
"He will endure it," Rose said, her voice firm, her gaze unwavering. "I know he will. He is a strong kid."
Freya, still holding Ronin's hand, finally released it, her smile growing. "Who knows?" she mused, her eyes twinkling with a newfound interest. "This kid might be able to endure the training. He might even surpass us." Her gaze swept over her party.
"Let's have some food. Then we leave for Master Baelish's place."
Lamus, with a grunt, unstrapped a large, leather-wrapped package from his pack. Inside were dried meats, hard cheese, and thick, unleavened bread. The smell of the food, simple but hearty, filled the air, a welcome respite from the tension. Everyone ate quickly, their hunger a silent testament to the day's exertions.
After the hurried meal, they set off again, deeper into the forest. The path grew steeper, the trees denser, and the air colder as they ascended. It was a journey that had to be made on foot; while there were longer, winding routes that wagons could traverse, they would take days, looping around the mountains. Their current path, a direct ascent up the mountain of Zevery Forest, was rugged and inaccessible by anything but skilled climbers and determined hikers.
The sun was already dipping below the highest peaks, casting long, purple shadows, by the time they reached Master Baelish's abode. It was nestled high in the uphill slopes of the forest, almost hidden from the world, offering a breathtaking view of the vast, emerald canopy stretching out below them. The house itself was a sturdy, imposing structure, built entirely from dark, rough-hewn timber, its walls thick and its roof steeply pitched. Around it, a formidable perimeter of sharpened wooden barricades, reinforced with arcane symbols, stood as a silent warning, designed to protect from any wandering monsters or unwelcome visitors.
The heavy wooden gate creaked open, and they stepped inside the compound. The air here felt different, charged with a subtle, ancient energy. Three young figures, around Ronin's age, emerged from the shadows of the house, their eyes curious.
"Where is Master Baelish?" Freya asked, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet courtyard.
"He's upstairs, Lady Freya," replied the first kid, a sturdy boy with sharp, intelligent eyes. He was Chou, a male, a proficient Ground and Fire Magic user, already an A-Rank, and the clear leader among the trainees.
"He's resting," added the second, a kind-faced girl with gentle eyes. This was Rafaela, a B+ Rank Female Healing Magic User, serving as their support.
"He sensed you coming," chimed in the third, a quiet girl with keen, observant eyes. This was Yue Xin, a B+ Rank Female Plant Magic User, with a subtle affinity for Ground Magic, serving as their mage.
Just as Yue Xin finished speaking, a palpable shift in the air occurred. A heavy, oppressive presence began to descend the wooden stairs inside the house, radiating an immense, ancient power. Ronin gasped, his breath catching in his throat. His entire body froze, rooted to the spot, his muscles locking up. He couldn't move, couldn't even lift his head. The sheer weight of the presence pushed him down, forcing his gaze to the rough wooden floor, a familiar, terrifying sensation that reminded him of Zorde's overwhelming aura.
Then, as suddenly as it had come, the crushing pressure eased, allowing Ronin to breathe, to move, to finally lift his head. He looked up, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe.
A tall, imposing figure stood at the bottom of the stairs. Baelish. He was an old man, yet his frame was surprisingly strong and tall, radiating an aura of immense, contained power. He wore a simple, yet utterly black cloak, its fabric so dark it seemed to absorb all light, a stark contrast to his weathered, stern face. His eyes, sharp and piercing, were fixed directly on Ronin, a gaze that seemed to bore into his very soul.
And in that moment, seeing the black cloak, the overwhelming presence, and the piercing gaze, a chilling memory flashed through Ronin's mind, a terrifying echo of the night his world shattered. Baelish, standing there, reminded him of Zorde.
[ To Be Continued In Chapter 11]