His name was Wangmo, a name that echoed through the quiet valleys like morning mist. He was only seventeen years old a month ago, still bearing the innocence of youth in his dark eyes.Wangmo came from a small village called Camandella, a village located quite close to the capital city of Torredorm where the scent of pine forests mingled with distant chimney smoke. Every day, Wangmo worked as a woodcutter in the forest, his calloused hands gripping the worn wooden handle of his father's old axe.He sold his wood at the village market, mainly to regular customers who ran food stalls and appreciated the clean burn of his carefully selected timber. Because Wangmo had been doing this work every day since he was young, his hands were strong even though he was not muscular, marked with the honest scars of honest labor.He was tall and slim, moving through the forest paths with the grace of someone born to the wilderness. His muscles were not prominent but were in proportion to his tall, sli

That morning, the sky was still dark, and a cold wind was blowing from the sea that carried the salt taste of distant shores. But Wangmo was already awake and getting ready with all his weapons, each piece of gear a link in the chain of his transformation.His armor, shoulder pads, leg guards, gloves, sword, and spear were all laid out in front of him like the tools of destiny itself. From the tent housing fifty people, the clinking sound of metal could be heard as the young men donned their armor and battle gear, creating a symphony of preparation for war.All of them wore their armor in silence, each lost in thoughts of home and mortality. Occasionally, a cold wind blew through the gaps of the tents that were about to be dismantled, causing one by one of the young soldiers to shiver silently like leaves before the storm.The horrified faces were spared by the still dimly lit surroundings, shadows mercfully hiding the terror in their eyes. Wangmo finished getting ready, completing hi

That morning, Nip North City was immersed in a lively atmosphere that crackled with anticipation like lightning before a storm. The streets were bustling with excitement as thousands of Nip North citizens poured into the streets, their footsteps creating a symphony of eager anticipation on the ancient cobblestones.For several days, there had been announcements that the military would be parading before leaving for the battlefield at Meadow of Hope, the very name striking both fear and hope into mortal hearts.Considering that this was an opportunity to cheer on and bless the young soldiers who were going to fight, all the townspeople had prepared various signs of respect before the warriors left for the battlefield where destiny awaited.The most common thing they prepare is holy water, blessed liquid that shimmered with divine protection under the morning sun. This holy water is actually ordinary water that has been prayed over at the temple to ask for blessings and safety, transfor

All the soldiers in the cavalry, though their heads were covered with helmets, had openings in the face that revealed their handsome features like glimpses of marble statues."Return home safely!""Marry me when the war is over!" The cries rose from feminine throats like music.Young girls threw blessings, sprinkling water that had been sanctified with prayers and hope.Everyone in the streets went wild as they praised the handsome, gallant soldiers on horseback, their voices creating a symphony of adoration.But time passed and all the soldiers on horseback disappeared at the city gate like a magnificent dream fading with dawn. The next performance was men with painted faces, all wearing dark animal skin coats that spoke of hunts in distant forests.The coats were very thick, clearly made from the skin of thick-furred animals that had roamed wild places. The archers did not wear armor, their freedom of movement more precious than protection.They only wore light animal skin coats tha

At that very moment, as if awakened from a deep sleep, all the people who had been silent and mesmerized since the appearance of the Enchanter with the Water Dragon reached into their pockets and took out holy water that shimmered with blessed power. They sprinkled the water while reciting prayers for the safety of the Enchanter, each droplet carrying the weight of desperate hope.Lin and her friends, and others, were among the most enthusiastic in sprinkling the blessed water, also fervently reciting prayers for blessings that rose to heaven like sacred smoke. "Bless the Noble Enchanter of the Vellenor Kingdom!" "May the God Kyujun bless the Enchanter, so he may lead and win the upcoming war!" "Long live Vellenor! Long live Vellenor!" The chants rose like thunder across the morning sky.The previous silence and tension were now broken by cheers that shook the very foundations of the city. Thousands of water droplets splashed toward the Enchanter like a shower of liquid diamonds.Now