Episode 64: Shortage of Supplies
Elahar, Brakka, and Karon, exhausted after the battle at the ancient ruins, continued their exploration into a newly opened continent. This land was still unsettled, with no proper trade networks in place, and adventurers had flocked there in droves. In a small frontier town, supplies were already running dry.
Elahar frowned at the "Sold Out" sign hanging in front of the shop."Health potions in such short supply… this is worse than I expected."
Brakka folded his arms and shook his head."Without potions, even we'll be at risk. Fighting without proper recovery is a gamble too big, even for the strong."
Karon scanned the busy streets, sighing."This continent hasn't stabilized yet. With no supply chain and too many adventurers rushing in, scarcity was inevitable."
The shopkeeper scratched his head apologetically."I'd stock more if I could, but potions are nearly impossible to come by. And with so few clerics able to offer healing magic here, demand has exploded."
Elahar thought for a long moment. Health potions were vital to their survival, yet only a handful could be obtained. Leaving the shop, the three debated their next steps.
Brakka sighed."For us, potions are our healer. Without them, the next expedition could be suicide."
Karon spoke quietly."Then survival depends on efficiency—fighting smarter, wasting less, and avoiding injury wherever possible. We'll need to conserve what little we have."
Elahar nodded."True. But we can't stop just because supplies are scarce. If possible, we should learn to brew our own potions. Until the markets stabilize, self-reliance may be our only option."
In the village square, Elahar noticed a makeshift tent where a few herb merchants had set up stalls. He gestured toward it."There. If we gather the right herbs, we can at least attempt to make our own."
The merchants offered rare plants with faint medicinal properties. One spoke earnestly:"These herbs can heal, but potion-making requires delicate work. With shortages, more adventurers are trying to brew their own."
Karon carefully noted their explanations, his expression calm and studious."What matters is more than strength alone. Survival demands resourcefulness."
And so, the three prepared to adapt—learning to supplement their dwindling supplies with their own hands. In this new continent, they realized survival would depend not only on skill in battle, but also on how well they could adapt, endure, and make use of the land itself.
**
Episode 66: Clash of the Giants
Their journey led them to a hill overlooking a brutal scene: two colossal races locked in combat. On one side were the Rungard, a peaceful ox-like people; on the other, the warlike Brutgar, infamous for their violent strength. The ground shook as the two races collided, their roars echoing across the land.
Brakka laughed, eyes gleaming."Ha! Look at those hulks crash into each other. Strength against strength—that's the raw face of nature itself!"
Karon watched with quiet fascination, his tone more thoughtful."Each has its reason. One fights to preserve peace, the other to prove its might. Right or wrong doesn't matter—it's survival, pure and simple."
Elahar, arms crossed, studied the chaos in silence."There's no reason for us to step in. Nothing to gain, nothing to give." His voice was cool, detached.
Brakka nodded, still amused."True. Best to keep out of it. But as a spectacle, I can't complain."
Karon added softly,"Our path lies elsewhere. No need to throw ourselves into another people's war. What matters is the road ahead."
From the hilltop, they watched for a while longer. The ground trembled under the giants' every strike; dust rose with each clash of brute force. Yet, to the three adventurers, it was only a passing scene. Soon, they turned away, resuming their journey.
Elahar thought to himself as they walked on:"Those who fight for peace and those who fight for dominance… in the end, each is only walking their own path."
And so, leaving behind the thunder of giants, Elahar, Brakka, and Karon pressed forward—focused once again on their own quest.
**
Episode 67: The Oathbound and the Small Village
Elahar, Brakka, and Karon were passing through a quiet village to resupply after their trials in the ancient ruins. The village, once peaceful, had been thrown into chaos by the sudden arrival of the Oathbound Paladins. In the town square, armored knights bearing the sigil of light were herding the townsfolk together, imposing their so-called will of the divine.
"There is darkness hidden here!" thundered Paladin Collins, his voice echoing across the square. "By the will of the Light, we shall purge this place!"
Watching from a distance, Brakka ground his teeth."Damn fanatics again. Let's just move on—we don't need to get involved."
Karon nodded."He's right. Our supplies are low, potions nearly gone. Picking a fight now could cripple us."
But Elahar's eyes stayed fixed on the square. He saw two children—a boy and a girl—pushed to the center, trembling as the paladins towered over them. Fear painted their faces, tears running silently down their cheeks.
Elahar's hand tightened on his sword."I can't turn away. Not this time."
Brakka groaned, rubbing the back of his head."Elahar, think! We're not ready for this. We'll bleed ourselves dry."
Karon added, his tone sharp."We can't save everyone. Our first duty is survival."
But Elahar stepped forward, ignoring them."Then I'll fight alone if I must. You don't have to follow."
He strode into the square, placing himself between the children and the paladins. His blade sang free of its sheath."Enough. What crime have these children committed that you treat them like this?"
Collins sneered."And who are you to interfere? This village belongs to the Light's judgment. Stand aside, or be condemned with them."
With a sigh, Brakka shouldered his axe and joined Elahar."Knew it would come to this. Fine, let's get it over with."
Karon raised his staff, dark energy crackling around him."Predictable, isn't it?"
The battle was fierce. The Oathbound invoked their Bond of Light, binding their lives together, their shields and spears moving as one. They wielded their kite-shields not for defense but as sharpened weapons, cutting with brutal precision. Yet Elahar's blade, Brakka's strength, and Karon's sorcery gradually broke their unity. Blow by blow, spell by spell, the paladins' bond unraveled. At last, they faltered and fell back, forced into retreat.
Elahar exhaled and lowered his sword.Brakka leaned on his axe. "Lucky we didn't take worse wounds. Let's get out before they regroup."
Karon checked their satchels. "Potions intact. Good—we'll need them later."
But before they could leave, the two children ran forward, tears shining in their eyes."Thank you… You saved us!"
Elahar hesitated as he noticed their injuries—deep gashes on the girl's arm and the boy's knee. He reached into his pack, pulling out a precious healing potion.
Brakka shouted."Elahar! Don't you dare—those are all we have left!"
Karon's voice was tight."He's right. That potion is survival for us too. Think before you waste it."
Elahar's hand trembled—but did not stop. He uncorked the potion and carefully applied it to the children's wounds."The reason we become strong," he murmured, "is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. These children are worth it."
Brakka groaned and shook his head."Always making the hard choice, aren't you?"
Karon gave a faint smile."Maybe foolish, but it shows who you are. And perhaps that's worth more than a potion."
The children clung to him, whispering, "We'll never forget this."
Elahar tousled their hair gently."Live strong. And remember this moment."
Brakka and Karon exchanged a look, then smirked despite themselves.
"Fine," Brakka muttered. "If it ends with kids smiling, I guess it's not the worst outcome."
Karon agreed quietly."Not every fight is for justice. But sometimes… moments like this remind us why we walk this path."
And so, short on supplies but sure of their choice, the three left the village behind. They carried with them not just the memory of battle, but a reminder of what truly made strength meaningful.
**
Episode 68: Rediscovery in the Village of Fenrius
Dragging their weary bodies, Elahar, Brakka, and Karon reached a secluded settlement deep within the forest. To their surprise, it was a village built by the Fenrius—the werewolves they had once fought as savage enemies.
At the gate, they were greeted not by snarling beasts but by humanoid Fenrius, their wolfish instincts tempered with human reason. Some had regained their human forms; others had chosen to remain wolves, living between two worlds by choice rather than curse.
Elahar murmured to Brakka, eyes narrowed."They're… different from before. Almost civilized. But why do some remain wolves?"
Brakka shrugged."Didn't expect them to be this organized. Guess keeping the wolf's shape is part of who they are now."
Karon's gaze lingered on the villagers."I've heard whispers—Rian's party helped free them from their curse. Without him, this wouldn't have been possible."
The chieftain of the Fenrius welcomed them warmly. His features still bore lupine traces, but gratitude shone in his eyes."Thanks to Rian and his companions, we were freed from our curse. Many of us chose to live as humans again. Some could not… and some chose not to. Still, they are our kin."
Elahar listened in silence, recalling his encounters with Rian. He had always seen Rian as a warrior of conviction. To know that Rian's influence had reached even here was humbling.
Brakka chuckled."Figures. That guy always leaves a trail. Didn't think he'd change werewolves of all things."
Karon's tone was quieter, almost thoughtful."If Rian could reshape a whole village, maybe there's something here for us to learn too."
The chieftain guided them to the heart of the village, where a massive tree stood as its symbol. Around it, Fenrius of all forms gathered—some wholly human, some wholly wolf, some children shifting between the two as if still deciding who they would become.
"You may have what information we can give," said the chieftain. "But beware: when the full moon rises, some among us surrender to instinct. Even so, they are family, and we do not cast them out."
Elahar bowed his head."Understood. We are grateful for your trust."
As they spoke, a massive wolf-form Fenrius approached, his eyes sharp with both curiosity and caution."Are you one who aids humans?" he asked.
Elahar met his gaze steadily."Yes. We help where help is needed. As you have found peace here, we too seek our own path."
The wolf nodded, pressing a heavy paw into the earth."Peace came to us only after a long struggle. The curse lingers still. But we will fight it, and we will endure."
Brakka smirked at the exchange."Everyone's searching for their own way—wolf or man, doesn't matter."
Karon added, calm as ever."And what we learn here may be what makes us stronger in the end."
The days spent in the Fenrius village brought not only rest but revelation. Elahar and his companions witnessed firsthand how bonds, sacrifice, and guidance could reshape even those once seen as monsters.
Leaving the village behind, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose: that the journey was not only about strength, but about walking with others—weak or strong—and finding meaning in the paths that crossed their own.