The morning sun was completely hidden behind thick, gray clouds. The dirt road was dry, dusty, and endless.Yuchen walked at a steady, mechanical pace. He kept his dark brown cloak pulled tightly around his shoulders. His dark sunglasses hid his glowing golden eyes. He held a large, old paper map in his hands, staring at the faded ink lines.Seraphina walked beside him. She was wearing a simple brown traveler's cloak over her silver-mithril armor. Her silver hair was tied back. The deep cut above her eye was healing, but a fresh pink scar remained."We have been walking in a complete circle for four hours, Yuchen," Seraphina said, crossing her arms. She let out a long, heavy sigh. "I know this forest. My father’s kingdom, the Silver Domain, is supposed to be right past these hills. But the hills keep changing shape."Yuchen did not look up from the map. "Your father’s kingdom is protected by ancient magical illusion barriers, client. Normally, a standard navigation compass could bypas

Riven stood in the center of the massive cell. The five giant berserkers, the Blood Hounds, stood around him. They were no longer chained. They wore thick iron armor made specially for their massive bodies. They carried giant steel axes and heavy spiked clubs. They looked like monsters ready for war.Riven pulled his dark gray mask up over his scarred face. His broken arm was strapped tightly to his chest. His good right hand held his poisoned, curved blade."We leave now," Riven whispered. His cold voice echoed off the stone walls. "We ride west. We will burn every tree and smash every rock until we find the merchant."The five giants roared loudly. They banged their heavy weapons against their steel shields. They were ready to kill.Suddenly, the heavy iron door of the dungeon burst open.A young royal messenger ran into the room. He was out of breath. His face was pale, and his legs were shaking terribly. He stopped when he saw the giant, scary berserkers staring at him with hun

Tyron stopped walking when he saw a large crowd of people standing in the rain.They were gathered outside a loud, dirty tavern. They were all pointing at a large piece of wet paper nailed to the wooden wall.Tyron narrowed his sharp eyes. He pushed his way through the crowd of dirty farmers and cheap mercenaries. He did not care if he shoved them aside. He stepped right up to the wooden wall and looked at the poster.It was a wanted poster.**WANTED FOR TREASON. DEAD OR ALIVE. REWARD: 500 GOLD COINS.**Below the big black letters was a perfect drawing of a young man wearing dark sunglasses.Tyron completely froze."Yuchen," Tyron whispered under his breath.He stared at the face on the paper. Tyron felt a sudden, sharp spike of anger in his chest. Yuchen was his enemy. They had fought bitterly in the past. Yuchen was a cold, calculating merchant who had ruined Tyron's plans and stolen something incredibly valuable from him. Tyron hated the merchant's guts."Crazy, isn't it?" a voice

The massive bronze alarm bells of the western border fortress began to ring.BONG! BONG! BONG!The deep, terrifying sound shook the solid black rocks of the mountain. It cut through the howling wind and the heavy, freezing rain. The entire prison was waking up in a total panic.Down in the main courtyard, absolute chaos exploded."Seal the exit points!" the guard captain screamed at the top of his lungs. He ran through the mud, waving his heavy sword. "Drop the heavy iron grates! Lock the outer walls! No one gets in, and absolutely no one gets out!"Massive iron gears grinded loudly inside the stone walls. Huge, thick iron gates slammed down into the mud with heavy, earth-shaking thuds. Dozens of border guards ran wildly across the courtyard, carrying bright orange torches that hissed and smoked in the pouring rain. Crossbowmen rushed up the stone stairs to the high towers, pointing their weapons out into the dark night. The fortress was instantly locked down tight. It became a perfec

The cold, sharp edge of the poisoned blade pressed against Seraphina’s cheek.She stared up into Riven’s completely dead, terrifying eyes. She could feel the dark, evil energy rolling off his scarred body. He wanted her to beg. He wanted her to cry and scream for mercy.Seraphina gritted her teeth. She was a knight of the Silver Domain. She refused to give him what he wanted."I will never beg you," Seraphina spat.Suddenly, a bright blue light flared deep inside Seraphina’s chest. She pushed every single drop of her remaining magical energy into her broken body."Noble Art: Repel!" Seraphina screamed.A violent burst of blue magical wind exploded outward from her body. The sudden force hit Riven directly in the chest. It pushed the assassin backward just a single step. His poisoned blade slipped away from her cheek.Seraphina did not wait. She forced herself to stand up. She channeled all her remaining mana into her right fist. Her fist glowed brightly like a small blue star. She lun