The brothers made their way toward Olorith and Korthok, Axel carefully carrying the injured girl in his arms. Olorith was the first to speak, his expression bright with approval.
"Excellent work out there, boys. Truly splendid." His sharp eyes shifted to Axel. "And I've decided something Axel, I'm going to become your teacher. You've got an ability with limitless potential. But raw power without guidance is useless, so I'll train you myself."
Korthok stepped toward Ash, who was still visibly upset, casting glances back at the defeated mercenaries.
"This kid…" Korthok muttered, impressed. "He's going to be terrifyingly strong. That ability you showed the power to amplify your bonds? That's rare." He rested a heavy hand on Ash's head. "Good job out there. And don't worry about them. Those scum will be handled properly."
Olorith clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's head back. Lizard, tie them up."
Korthok froze, eyes twitching. "Who's a lizard? You tie them up."
Olorith flashed a shameless grin. "I would, but I don't know how to tie anything without magic… and I don't feel like using magic right now."
"You don't feel like it?!" Korthok barked. "Well I don't feel like tying them up either!"
~~~~
Despite all that yelling, Korthok eventually tied them up.
When they arrived back at the castle, the group knelt before the king waiting patiently on his throne, the two mercenaries lying bound on the floor beside them.
The king surveyed the scene before him, his gaze drifting over the battered mercenaries until it locked with Olorith's. A silent nod passed between them.
"Good. Looks like the mission was a success," the king said, a hint of satisfaction slipping into his tone. "One's even missing a leg. Impressive."
Tapping his chair with his finger. "You boys should be rewarded… but I'm not going to do that. Now back to the main issue. The men you've brought here may be executed. You might've just delivered these humans to their deaths."
His words were sharp enough to cut. Axel's fists tightened.
"Sir," Axel began, voice low but firm, "where we come from, there was only one race humans. And even then, people still found reasons to discriminate, to steal, to kill. These men deserve whatever comes to them."
He turned to glance at his brother, who hadn't looked up once, rage written clearly across his face.
"Even we were treated like outcasts," Axel continued. "Though we were human, our red eyes made us 'bad omens.' Our village cast us out to fend for ourselves. My brother… he struggles to keep himself calm when he's angry. On the way back he did everything he could not to strike those men, even once."
Olorith stepped forward, standing at the king's side as Axel finished.
"Olorith… is this true?" the king asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Olorith replied. "All of it. And as you instructed, no assistance was given to the boys. Even so, they performed remarkably. I've decided I will take the one who just spoke as my student. His potential is extraordinary."
"Oho… even Olorith is vouching for you boys." The king stroked his chin, eyes narrowing. "Hmm. So King Drakonis actually sent me some promising talent after all."
He leaned back with a lazy grin. "Alright, I'll give my approval for now. The only hurdle left is getting the Dwarves' blessing. And that," he chuckled, "will be quite the task. They're the most stubborn folk in the realm."
His gaze shifted to Axel. "Seeing as Olorith's decided to take that one as his student, you boys will stay here for proper training before you set off for the Dwarf Kingdom."
A slow, menacing smile crept across his face. "It's going to be a very rough journey."
The king waved his hand "you all did a great job return to your rooms and get some rest,you can leave those mercenaries on the floor where they are I'll deal with them personally"
The brothers and Korthok both left the throne room heading towards the respective quarters
"Olorith do you think those boys can take down those humans" the king asked
"Who's to say your majesty, they are quite young but they do show promising potential so maybe they can" Olorith replied
The king gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "You all performed well. Return to your quarters and rest. Leave the mercenaries where they are I'll deal with them myself."
The brothers and Korthok bowed lightly before heading out of the throne room toward their respective chambers.
When the doors finally shut, the king leaned back on his throne. "Olorith… do you truly believe those boys stand a chance against the humans?"
Olorith folded his arms, thoughtful. "Hard to say, Your Majesty. They're still young but the potential they carry is undeniable. If they keep growing at this pace… they just might."