Chapter 17
Ethen returned to the cave with two new beasts at his side,the Dreadmane and the Obsidian Panther. Their heavy paws padded quietly across the earth, yet their presence radiated raw power.
As he reached the clearing, he stopped. The once-dense forest was now stripped bare, replaced with a vast field and a mountain of logs.
"Where did the trees go?" Ethen muttered.
Jake crouched, pressing a hand against the ground, his eyes closing as he traced the lingering energy. A faint shiver ran through him before he rose. "Mother… it was her."
"I see." Ethen's gaze swept across the empty horizon. "I said we needed more space, but this is overdoing it." He shook his head and entered the cave.
Inside, the camp was alive with activity. Jessica lay unconscious while Lucien tended her wounds. Seraphine roasted meat near the fire, mumbling to herself. Theresa carved strips from another beast with practiced precision. Lucas sat in the corner, muttering incantations as sparks of magic flickered around him. And Chris… sat trembling, eyes vacant, still shaken.
Sophia smirked as she strolled by. "Best guess Lucas gathered the logs, and Mother cleared the field. And the weaklings?" She stifled a laugh. "Traumatized already."
Logan crossed his arms. "Sad, isn't it? Compared to what we went through, this is nothing."
"That training," Ethen said evenly, "is why you're still standing today." His crimson eyes swept over the group before landing on Jessica. "Hey, Jessica!"
Her eyes snapped open, and she shot upright as though struck by lightning. "Y-Yes, sir!"
"Sophia will train you. Your lessons begin tomorrow." He turned his gaze toward Lucas. "As for those logs they'll form the foundation of your training."
Sophia's mouth fell open. "Wait, what? Brother, why me? That… thing can't even kill a slime, let alone catch a bird!"
Ethen's eyes darkened. His voice lowered into a growl. "Call her a thing again… and I'll feed you to my pets."
Sophia froze, her blood running cold. The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Ethen didn't even look at her as he walked away, the Dreadmane and Panther following like shadows.
"Oh and Jake," he called over his shoulder. "Escort the little knight to the capital. It's time we dressed for the part."
The cave fell silent. Wolves scattered as Sophia stood frozen, his words replaying in her mind.
But before Ethen could leave, Theresa stepped into his path. Shadows veiled her face, her aura flaring like a storm.
"You may be our leader," she said coldly, "but if you threaten my children again, you'll answer to me."
Ethen's lips curled into a smile. He didn't stop. Didn't even turn his head.
"Then that's death for all of you."
The words slithered through the air like a blade. Even with two legendary beasts trailing behind him, it was his tone alone that froze the weaklings in terror.
When he was gone, Theresa exhaled heavily. "It's been a while since I've heard that commanding tone," she muttered.
Logan gave a dry laugh. "Guess we forgot our place with him, huh?"
Solvian's gaze followed Ethen into the fading light. "You're right…"
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Hours later, the sun bled into the horizon. Jake and Chris had gone to fetch supplies, while Lucas raised a massive wooden hut from the endless logs, covering the clearing in a structure fit for an army.
Nearby, Solvian sat on a log, watching Lucien struggle with a wooden blade.
"Your strikes are sloppy," he remarked.
Lucien paused, panting. "I know… but mastering swordplay at my age isn't easy."
"Pass me the sword."
Lucien hesitated, then handed it over.
Solvian rose, his movements smooth and deliberate. With each slash, the blade sang through the air graceful, precise, deadly. It wasn't training. It was a dance.
Chris returned at that moment, four bags in hand, and froze. Solvian moved like water, his strikes flowing into one another as though blade and body were one.
"Just swinging won't make you strong," Solvian said, his voice calm yet cutting. "The sword is life. Bond with every strike. Flow like you're chasing rhythm itself. Only then will your blade stop being sloppy."
He stopped in front of Lucien, the wooden blade resting against the boy's neck.
"Respect the sword, and it will respect you."
Lucien's eyes widened, a spark of determination igniting within. "When the slimes attacked… you cut them down. They were invisible to me, but you still struck them. How?"
Solvian chuckled, snapping his fingers. Golden energy swirled around him, forming blades that shimmered before vanishing.
"Invisible? No. They were simply too fast for your eyes." He placed a hand on Lucien's shoulder. "So, what do you say? While you're here… why don't I train you?"
Before Lucien could answer, a desperate voice cut in.
"Please! Train me as well!"
They turned. Chris was on his knees, forehead pressed to the dirt.
Solvian sighed, glancing at Jake, who only shrugged.
"Fine," Solvian said at last, "but only if he agrees." He gestured at Lucien.
From afar, Ethen watched silently before retreating into the cave. As he entered, Lucas stood at the entrance, smiling faintly before stepping aside.
"I wonder what more you expect from those four, strangers" Lucas whispered, eyes lingering on the clearing. "But this… this will be interesting."
To be continued…
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