Creo leaned back against the cold dungeon wall, staring up at the ceiling with a soft sigh. A faint smirk curved his lips as he turned to the others. "Now, you're probably wondering how we're going to get out of this troublesome predicament," he said.
"Well, allow us to demonstrate how professional amateurs get the job done."
After explaining the plan to the group, the sudden burst of the dungeon door shattered the tension. Eldenmorian soldiers flooded in, watching every movement of the prisoners like hawks.
Creo lowered his gaze and thought, Everything is going exactly as planned. Now the only thing left… is the execution.
A playful grin crossed his face.
"Now, Amara!" he shouted.
The soldiers tried to react, but it was already too late. Amara's magic flared violently — the dungeon filled with radiant light as her dark brown hair shifted to a glowing, luminous pink. The air pulsed with energy as she absorbed mana from the surroundings, stunning their enemies.
The magic she wielded, passed down from the ancient Arcane bloodline, was known as Ambient Magic.
Creo sighed and activated his Kontroligan Eyes, shattering the cuffs that suppressed his mana and unlocking both cells.
Oskar folded his arms with a sarcastic look. "You know, you could've just used those fancy eyes in the first place, right?"
"First off, I didn't want to steal Amara's thunder," Creo replied. "And second— Kontroligan Eyes are mana-consuming."
He moved quickly to free Athena from her shackles.
Athena retrieved her sword, tossing Creo his pair of gauntlets. "Now that we've handled that, we should get out of here before word reaches Odopholis."
The group nodded. Oskar, smirking, gathered mana through his body and charged — breaking through the thick dungeon wall in a single blow.
"No wonder they shackled you," Creo remarked, strapping on his gauntlets. "Must've taken them ages to find something strong enough to hold you."
Athena frowned, her tone tense.
"What's the plan after this? Odopholis will definitely come for us. Sure, we can tear through his soldiers—but him? He's practically using cheats."
Creo nodded. "You're right. When he used that speed potion earlier, we could barely even react. Who knows what else he's got up his sleeve?"
"Then we make sure he doesn't get the chance to use one," Oskar said firmly, pacing in thought.
"I could be the bait," Amara offered, uneasily. "Lure him in for you all to attack."
Athena's eyes widened. She approached Amara, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"That's a good plan, but…we can't risk you getting hurt again. You suffered too much under that monster's hand."
Creo exhaled deeply and summoned a quill and parchment, jotting down a letter.
*Later that day, Officer Odopholis received the message.*
Dear Officer Odopholis,
If you are reading this, I propose a deal. If we return Amara to you, we will no longer rebel against your rule. Meet us at the center of Elderith at 18:00.
See you then.
– Creo Creatorius
Odopholis smirked and muttered,
"Not bad. The boy really has a talent for getting on my nerves."
*Transition to Creo's group*
"By now, Odopholis has probably read my letter," Creo sighed, sitting atop a rock.
"Then we prepare accordingly," Athena said. "He'll come armed to the teeth—and so will we."
Oskar raised a brow. "What's your plan, Athena?"
"If things go south, we'll trigger an ambush. Creo, climb the trees and forge as many weapons as you can—tie them down tight."
"Got it. Amara, can you make things invisible?" Creo asked.
"I think so," Amara replied. "If I combine my Ambient Magic with illusion properties, I can set a rule of invisibility over the traps."
"Perfect," Athena said. "If we all stick to the plan, tonight marks the end of Odopholis' tyranny!"
*Later that night*
Odopholis arrived with his army at the designated location. His soldiers scoured the area, checking for hidden traps.
Moments later, Creo, Oskar, and Athena emerged with Amara.
Odopholis smirked, stepping off his horse.
"Well, well… looks like you've finally come to your senses. Submitting to me was the only logical choice."
He approached Amara.
Creo glared but held back, following every single step of the plan.
As Amara stepped closer, she suddenly unleashed a powerful burst of magic, blasting Odopholis backward. She raised her hand to the sky, firing a beam upward — revealing countless weapons forged by Creo, raining down upon the army. Horses panicked. Soldiers scattered.
"So this was your plan all along?!" Odopholis shouted through the smoke.
"Indeed," Creo declared. "The people of Elderith have endured fifteen years of suffering — and tonight, it ends!"
He hurled a blade toward Odopholis.
Odopholis deflected it and barely dodged Athena's flaming sword from behind.
"Impressive swordplay… for a private," he sneered.
He lunged forward, grabbing Athena by the throat and pinning her down.
"What a shame...I was expecting a lot more from you..." Odopholis muttered, kicking her around.
He called out for more of his men to attack towards them.
"Lay your hands off her!" Creo shouted, readying twin weapons.
Odopholis chuckled darkly and picked her up, grabbing her neck tightly "Go ahead—throw them. You might hit your own ally with that impulsive temper of yours."
Creo froze, his anger clashing with reason.
"What's the matter?" Odopholis taunted. "Did I hurt your fragile ideals?"
Creo clenched his fists. "Ridiculous, you said? That's where you're wrong."
He stepped forward, his aura was flaring. "What began as a simple dream—I know it's hard to achieve alone, but I've come this far. You thought you could keep us chained, but history doesn't favor tyrants."
He charged, freeing Athena and setting her down safely.
"How heroic," Odopholis scoffed. "But you're facing a power you can't defeat."
"Then I'll die trying," Creo said, eyes glowing.
Their blades clashed, sparks flying as Creo's sword grazed Odopholis' cheek, leaving a scar. Furious, Odopholis countered, but Oskar tackled him from behind, slamming him into the ground.
"Thanks, Oskar," Creo panted.
"Anytime, buddy. I'll help Amara with the others. Athena should be up by now."
They split, leaving Odopholis weakened.
Athena approached him, sword ignited, eyes burning with fury.
"Tell me—where are my parents, you bastard?!" she screamed, striking him repeatedly.
As she raised her fist again, Creo caught her arm gently.
"Shhh... calm down, Athena. I'm right here."
She broke down, trembling in his arms.
Odopholis used the moment to reach for his dagger—but Creo's Kontroligan Eyes activated, ripping the weapon away.
"You won't lay a finger on any Elderithian ever again," Creo growled.
Odopholis spat blood and sneered. "Then do it. Kill me."
Creo exhaled slowly. "You're right. The only way to end this... is to kill you."
Creo and Athena both took a step forward, equipped with their blades, Odopholis remained calm and steadfast of his beliefs.
They began to rush towards against one another, their blades clashing against one another. Neither of them left their eyes on him.
Creo began to launch blades, aiming for his weak spots but Odopholis manages to block them with his sword, disarming all of the weapons.
He tries lunging towards him but Athena blocks him, swinging her sword which he catches at the last minute.
Creo once again caught him off -guard as a clone of his attacked him from behind, creating spears, attacking at his direction.
He managed to use a reserve speed potion and evaded the clone's attacks, he rushed towards Creo's direction.
Creo responded by sending in a flurry of weapons, but Odopholis blocked them with his quick reflexes and managed to arrive towards him unharmed and stabbed Creo's shoulder.
Furious, Athena charged after him, she first began using her fire abilities but he evaded them with ease.
As she got more frustrated, she resorted to her ice abilities and began to activate her powers, freezing Odopholis and rendering him immobile to move his body.
She hurried and arrived at Creo's aid, examining his injury. "Hey! Don't move, your shoulder's hurt, you're going to overwork it and it might worsen.
She tears a piece of cloth from Creo's cloak and wraps it around the injured area. Creo gently winced as she tied it around him.
"There...just let it be like that..." Athena said, feeling a little discomfort seeing him like this.
She put his injured arm around her shoulder and helped him move. "Just lean on to me for some support..."
"You know I can still walk right?" Creo muttered.
"Just let me help make things easier for you..." Athena softened.
"Now now, don't tell me you've forgotten about me..." Odopholis sneered.
"Don't worry...I definitely haven't forgotten..." Creo replied, activating his Kontroligan Eyes.
To end it all, with a pull of his power, Creo dragged Odopholis forward and plunged a conjured blade into his chest. Odopholis collapsed lifelessly.
Amara and Oskar saw what happened as they were finished fighting the Eldenmorian references.
All four of them couldn't believe it but one thing was certain- at last, Elderith was free.
As dawn broke and the war's chaos faded, Creo kept his promise to Athena — helping her find her parents. With Oskar and Amara beside him, they stormed a nearby prison camp and freed countless captives.
Athena froze as she spotted familiar faces in one of the cells. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Oh my gods…you're alive!" She ran towards them in a rush, hugging them tightly, not wanting to let go of jem.
Her mother smiled weakly. "We told you we'd see each other again."
Her father grinned. "So… who's the young, handsome man with you? Your boyfriend?"
"No, he's just… a colleague," Athena muttered, cheeks reddening.
Creo smiled warmly. "Regardless, I'm glad I could help reunite you all. Let's get everyone out safely."
He created several clones to assist in freeing the other prisoners.
In the end, Creo, Athena, Oskar, and Amara liberated the captives and were hailed as heroes who ended fifteen years of Eldenmorian oppression.
At the celebration, Athena approached Creo and hugged him tightly before pulling away. "See you around, Creo. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."
Amara and Oskar looked at them and chuckled. "You know they make quite the pair." Amara smiled.
"I remember back then Creo would never get that close with a lady but looks like my buddy old pal is a grown man now!" Oskar chuckled.
Creo smiled softly. "And I'm glad you see me that way...it warms my heart and I'm glad that I met you."
Athena giggled. "I'm glad to meet you also, if it weren't for you, it would have been a long time for me to find my parents on my own..."
She sighed and continued. "I'm just glad I chose this decision, I made new friends, you, Oskar and Amara, I hope we can remain close forever..."
"Indeed, I hope that we all remain close allies together- forever..." Creo said, holding both of her hands tightly.
She felt a warm feeling inside her, she didn't know what it was but it was a nice feeling and she didn't want the moment to end.
He slowly pulled his hands away from hers and said. "Until we meet again, Athena."
She was a bit disappointed when he said that but she kept her composure and smiled and nodded "Until we meet again Creo..."
He turned, walking into the light of a free Elderith.