The warm morning sun illuminated the small cottage on the outskirts of town as Damien stood near the doorway, his silver hair glinting under the light.
Keith and Narna watched him, a mix of gratitude and apprehension etched on their faces. Although it lasted nothing more than a few hours, their shared journey through the Forest of Twin Disasters had been harrowing. However, it was now time to part ways.
“You’re really leaving?” Keith asked, his tone neutral but with a hint of concern.
Damien nodded. “I’ve got things I need to take care of. This journey was never meant to last beyond the forest.”
Keith seemed to understand, though his eyes lingered on Damien for a moment. “You’ve helped us more than I can ever repay,” he said sincerely. “If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”
Damien offered a faint smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Before Damien could step outside, Narna cut him off, her arms crossed and a playful smirk on her face.
“Absolutely not,” she said firmly.
Damien raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re not leaving,” she declared. “Not until I say so.”
Keith groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Narna—”
She ignored him, turning to Damien with a glint of mischief in her eyes. “You’re strong, and your summon—Aquila, right?—would make a fantastic mount. So, I’ve decided you’re staying.”
Damien blinked, taken aback by her audacity. “You’re joking.”
“Am I?” she replied, tilting her head and feigning innocence. “What if I offered myself in exchange? You can have me and the ring!”
Keith sputtered, his face turning red. “Narna!”
Damien rolled his eyes, stepping around her. “You’re a little too old to be my type,” he said flatly, moving toward the outside. “Summon Aquila.” Damien commanded mentally and as he stepped outside, Aquila manifested through the blue portal.
“A little too old, huh? What does he know about age?” Narna pouted dramatically but didn’t push further as Keith shot her an exasperated look.
Damien mounted Aquila, the majestic Griffin lowering itself slightly to make it easier for him to climb. With a simple command, the summon spread its massive wings, casting a shadow over the cottage.
“Take care,” Keith called out, shielding his eyes from the sunlight.
Damien gave a small wave before Aquila leaped into the air, soaring upward with powerful beats of its wings. Narna watched until he disappeared into the sky, a mix of disappointment and curiosity lingering in her expression.
Several hours later, Damien found himself in a bustling town far from the cottage. The streets were lively, filled with vendors calling out their wares and townsfolk going about their business.
Damien dismounted Aquila just outside a quaint motel and dismissed the summon with a thought. The shimmering blue portal swallowed the Griffin, leaving no trace of its presence.
“Then let’s do this.” Damien entered the motel, exchanging a few coins with the innkeeper for a modest room on the second floor. Once inside, he locked the door and leaned against it, exhaling a long sigh.
The room was small but comfortable, with a simple bed, a wooden desk, and a window overlooking the town square. Damien set his belongings down and sat on the bed, summoning his system panel.
The familiar blue panel appeared before him, its text glowing faintly in the dim light of the room. Damien navigated through the menus, his fingers gliding over invisible controls as he reviewed the newly unlocked abilities.
«Transformation: The system user can select a different form for his summons. This way, the summon will be able to transform into something else. Note: Once a form is chosen, it cannot be changed!»
«Devourer: A subskill that allows the user to absorb and store magic essence from defeated enemies into their essence core. Stored essence can be redistributed to strengthen the user or summons.»
«Advanced Earth Manipulation: A skill that grants control over the earth element, allowing for large-scale terrain alterations, defensive walls, and offensive attacks.»
«Lightning Magic: A powerful elemental skill that enables high-speed attacks and paralysis effects.»
Damien’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. These skills would undoubtedly give him an edge in future battles. He mentally made notes on how to incorporate them into his fighting style before closing the panel.
As the day turned to night, Damien changed into more comfortable clothes and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the past weeks played through his mind—the Forest of Twin Disasters, the battles he had fought, and the people he had met.
He sighed, closing his eyes. “Tomorrow,” he murmured, “I’ll figure out the next step and I’ll probably test out the (Transformation) Subskill when I leave here.”
Sleep claimed him quickly, the rhythmic sounds of the town outside lulling him into a deep rest.
Back at Elder White Fang’s grand estate, the war council had concluded its meeting. The Lords and representatives of the Eastern Shirefort Continent slowly dispersed, their expressions ranging from determined to grim.
Lord Terrace lingered near the doorway, preparing to head to the teleportation array that would take him back to his own estate. Just as he stepped forward, a familiar voice called out.
“Terrace.”
He turned to see Lord Toda Sketcher approaching, his robes slightly dusted with the faint glow of magical runes.
“Toda,” Lord Terrace greeted, his tone cordial but curious. “You’ve been away for some time. What brings you here now?”
Lord Toda offered a faint smile. “The same as everyone else—the war. I’ve been gathering intelligence and preparing my forces.”
The two exchanged a few more words, discussing their respective strategies and the state of their families. It was clear that Lord Toda’s time away had been spent productively, but the toll of the looming conflict was evident in his weary eyes.
“Safe travels,” Lord Toda said finally, inclining his head.
“And to you,” Lord Terrace replied, stepping into the teleportation array.
Wooonnng~
A soft hum filled the air as the magical runes activated, enveloping him in a swirl of light. Moments later, he was gone, the array returning to stillness as the night deepened over Elder White Fang’s estate.
Back at his own estate, Lord Terrace prepared to relay the discussions to his family, readying them for the challenges that lay ahead. “They all better be present. Can’t delay and most certainly can’t do this twice!”