Calen Storm walked slowly toward Tharstan, with Carmen at his side. The once terrifying dragon, an enormous beast consumed by vengeance, was no longer there. Instead, lying broken and weakened upon the ground was an old man: a Drakhtarion, no different from his kin, his aged face lined with sorrow and pain. The fiery aura of destruction that had consumed him was gone, leaving only the frailty of mortality.“I’m sorry for hurting you,” Calen said softly, his voice filled with both guilt and determination. “I did all of this for your sake. I only wanted to save you, and I pray you understand my purpose.”Reaching down, Calen gently helped Tharstan sit up, steadying his trembling frame. He even brushed away the dirt and blood from his grandfather’s ragged clothes, trying to restore some dignity to the man who had once ruled with power and pride. For no matter what dark deeds had tainted the past, blood ties could never be broken. Tharstan was his grandfather, and Calen refused to deny th

The declaration spoken by the stranger left Calen Storm silent in thought.“I swear, I am not lying. I have supported you for a long time, for I believe you are the true bearer of justice. The Kingdom of Aerondale has already fallen, let me serve under you. But for now, please save me first. Those men were ordered to capture me after they discovered my loyalty to you.”At first, Calen still harbored doubt in his heart. He glanced over his shoulder and saw several soldiers still scouring the area, searching for the defected Aerondale warrior who now stood beside him.“Follow me. I will get you to safety first.”Calen and his retinue quickly shielded the wounded soldier and led him away from the marketplace.Once they reached a secluded spot far from the chaos of the bazaar, Calen studied the man closely. His heart tightened as he took in the soldier’s ragged clothes, torn armor, and body covered in wounds.“But why did you choose to abandon Aerondale and follow me?” Calen asked. “You m

Calen Storm was enjoying his time in the Kingdom of Vynoria. He played the role of a devoted father to his daughter, Avenya. With his strong arms, he carried her, played with her, fed her, and even told her bedtime stories. Queen Elara Wynn never ceased to show her care for Calen, making sure he received the proper treatment for his health.It had been exactly a week since Calen arrived in Vynoria. He was sitting in his chamber on a finely carved chair, holding a cup of warm tea in his right hand. Yet the tea remained untouched, growing cold, for his mind was elsewhere.I cannot stay in this kingdom forever. Sooner or later, I must continue my journey and tend to other matters. I should speak with Queen Elara about this soon.“The tea has gone cold. Why haven’t you drunk it? Does it taste different from yesterday’s?”Calen’s thoughts were interrupted when Queen Elara entered the chamber, smiling at him with her bright, gentle eyes. It was the same sight Calen had awakened to every mor

The very first destination in the search for the three sacred elements was to obtain the essence of life hidden within the core of the Ancient Divine River. This ancient, godly river lay deep within the primeval forest, revered as a holy sanctuary because it was inhabited, and fiercely protected, by the primordial spirits dwelling in its depths.For Calen Storm and Queen Elara Wynn, this river marked the beginning of their perilous quest. It was the first step toward securing the primordial energies that could one day save their beloved daughter. Together, they had vowed to seek out all three elements, no matter the sacrifices required. Even if it meant risking their lives and treading into realms of danger beyond mortal comprehension, they would face it side by side.Calen led the way forward through the shadowed forest. Queen Elara walked close at his side, with her personal handmaiden just behind her, while Larry remained at the rear, ever vigilant, watching their flanks. The small

The shadow creatures closed in on Calen Storm’s group, surrounding them in a tightening circle. Their presence carried clear hostility, as if they had been waiting for this very moment.Calen Storm, Elara Wynn, and their small company immediately readied their weapons. The way the creatures emerged left no doubt, they weren’t here just to frighten, but to kill.Sure enough, a heartbeat later, the shadows lunged at them in a sudden ambush.“Protect yourself, my Queen! Don’t let them harm you!”Calen Storm shouted a warning to Elara Wynn while fending off two of the beasts that had leapt toward him. Elara Wynn nodded quickly in reply and returned her focus to deflecting the strikes of the shadows encircling her.The clash was fierce. These creatures of shadow had no solid form, making them incredibly difficult to defeat.Yet something felt off. The shadows seemed far more intent on attacking Calen Storm and Elara