2024-12-11 18:43:42The murmurs among the crowd grew louder, disbelief rippling through the arena.
“This cannot be!” the king bellowed, descending from his elevated throne with a face flushed red with indignation. His voice carried authority, but beneath it, there was a tinge of unease.
Calen, standing over Evan, kept his composure. “I’ve defeated him. That is the undeniable truth,” he declared, his voice cutting through the noise. He turned his sharp gaze toward Evan. “Now keep your word, Evan. Kneel, as you promised.”
Evan’s fists trembled with fury as his jaw clenched. “I won’t kneel to you, you cheating scum!” he spat. “You didn’t win fairly. There’s no way someone like you could defeat me without trickery!”
Calen raised an eyebrow, his grip on his sword unwavering. “If you’re so confident that I cheated, then prove it,” he challenged.
The king stepped into the center of the arena, his cape billowing in the faint breeze. He raised a hand to silence the restless audience. “Enough!” he commanded. “This spectacle cannot end with doubt lingering over our champion’s honor. I will summon the royal mages to determine the truth.”
At his order, a group of robed figures emerged from the shadows, their faces hidden beneath intricate hoods. The royal mages, renowned for their ability to detect and dispel all forms of magical interference, approached Calen.
“Begin your inspection,” the king instructed.
Evan sneered, rising shakily to his feet. “Now you’re finished, Calen. Everyone will see the lies you’ve woven, and your so-called victory will be exposed for the sham it is.”
Calen stood still, his expression unyielding. “Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide.”
The audience buzzed with anticipation, some shouting insults at Calen, others nervously awaiting the mages’ findings.
As the crowd buzzed with shock and confusion, a soft voice cut through the noise.
“Evan…”
Lila Frost, with her elegant strides and a face that still radiated icy beauty, descended from the stands. Draped in her exquisite silver gown, her presence was enough to capture everyone’s attention. She made her way to the beaten Evan, who remained slumped on the ground, blood smearing his face.
Without a glance at Calen, Lila retrieved a delicate silk handkerchief from her sleeve. She began dabbing at Evan’s bloodied face with meticulous care. Her actions drew murmurs from the crowd, and Calen’s sharp eyes narrowed.
“Lila,” Calen called out, his voice edged with disbelief.
But she didn’t turn to him. Instead, Evan seized the moment. Ignoring the searing pain in his body, he reached up and wrapped his arm around Lila’s waist, pulling her closer. His smirk was wicked, even through the blood and bruises.
“A woman as stunning and refined as you, Lila,” Evan declared loudly enough for the entire arena to hear, “should never have been wasted on a disgrace like Calen. Now, especially, on a cheating disgrace.”
The crowd erupted in laughter and gasps, with voices jeering in agreement.
“Lila, what are you doing?” Calen demanded, his knuckles whitening around his sword hilt.
Lila finally turned to him, her icy blue eyes meeting his with a look of disdain. “What I should have done long ago,” she replied coldly. “You’ve brought nothing but shame to my family, Calen. And now, you’ve humiliated yourself before the entire kingdom. Do you really expect anyone to believe you defeated Evan without trickery?”
Evan chuckled, leaning into her touch. “She’s right, Calen,” he sneered. “You’re a joke—a pathetic, penniless fool who married above his station and still couldn’t live up to it. Admit it—you don’t deserve her, and you never did.”
The Frost family, seated prominently in the stands, seized the opportunity to join in the ridicule.
“This is what happens when you let a nobody into a family of our stature!” Elijah Frost bellowed, his voice filled with contempt. “Calen Storm, the man who couldn’t even master basic swordsmanship, now claims to have defeated Evan? What absurdity!”
Marylin Frost added with a venomous sneer, “A stray dog wandering into the palace doesn’t become royalty just because it wears a crown. The only thing Calen has mastered is dragging our family name through the mud!”
The Frost siblings chimed in as well. “He’s probably been planning this for years, scheming and bribing someone to give him powers. That’s the only explanation,” one of them spat.
Another leaned forward, pointing a finger at Calen. “You’re nothing but a parasite, clinging to Lila for status. And now, like all parasites, you’ll be crushed.”
Evan grinned wider as the Frost family’s words stoked the crowd’s derision. He tightened his grip on Lila’s waist, as if to assert his claim over her. “See, Calen? Even your so-called family knows the truth about you. Your place was never here, and your lies will soon unravel.”
Calen stood motionless, his face expressionless but his eyes burning with restrained fury. He let the Frosts’ venomous words hang in the air for a moment before finally speaking.
“Are you all done? Cause I am so done listening to your voices,” he asked, his tone unnervingly calm. His gaze shifted between Lila, Evan, and the Frost family.
Evan barked a laugh. “Hold your filthy tounge, loser! You won’t come out of this alive!”
The tension in the arena thickened as the king raised his hand, “Enough! Let the mages finish the work!”
The lead mage extended a hand, chanting an incantation. A faint glow emanated from his palm as he scanned Calen from head to toe. Another mage muttered a detection spell, their hands tracing invisible symbols in the air.
Minutes passed in silence as the mages worked, their scrutiny thorough and deliberate. Every eye in the arena was locked on them, the tension growing heavier with each second.
Finally, the lead mage turned to the king and bowed. “Your Majesty,” he began, his voice steady and clear, “we have found no evidence of magical interference or foul play. Calen Storm fought this battle with his own strength.”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The God of War Calen Storm Winner
The arena erupted in gasps, followed by a wave of stunned silence. Even the king looked momentarily taken aback.“That’s impossible!” Evan shouted, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. “They must have missed something!”The lead mage’s gaze was stern. “Our magic cannot be deceived. The results are irrefutable.”Calen stepped forward, his sword still in hand. “Now, Evan,” he said calmly, his voice filled with authority, “will you keep your word, or will you tarnish what little honor you have left?”Evan’s face twisted with rage as the crowd waited in breathless anticipation for his response.“Your Majesty, this is utterly impossible!” Elijah Frost declared, gesturing toward Calen. “No disrespect to your esteemed mages, but surely there must be some trick at play. It’s inconceivable that a man of Calen’s… caliber could defeat Evan without some form of deceit or external aid.”Evan, seizing the opportunity, added with a sneer, “He’s right. There’s no way Calen suddenly became stron
The God of War Calen Storm I'll Destroy Him
Calen closed his eyes, sinking deeper into the warm bathwater. For the first time in years, he felt... whole. The memories of the humiliations he endured, the scornful laughter of those who once looked down on him, and Lila’s betrayal seemed to fade into insignificance. His mind replayed the events in the forest—the voice, the power surging through his veins, and the strange energy that had saved him from certain death.As he stretched out his hand, droplets of water rose from the bath, shimmering like tiny jewels in the dim light. Calen moved his fingers, and the droplets followed his command, dancing in the air. A grin spread across his face. The power... it’s back, he thought. This was the same gift he had as a child, the one he believed he had lost forever. But now, it was even stronger, more refined.He stood up, water cascading down his muscular frame. Wrapping himself in a towel, he returned to the mirror. His reflection was almost unrecognizable—the wiry, frail man he once was
The God of War Calen Storm Calen is The Target
The next morning, the atmosphere in the military camp was tense yet filled with whispers. The sun had just risen, but most of the soldiers had already gathered in the main field, preparing for the first training session with the new recruits.Calen Storm walked with steady steps, wearing his tattered old armor and carrying the sword his father had given him on his back.“Look at him! That armor’s torn—did he come from the battlefield or a garbage dump?” one soldier exclaimed, followed by a small laugh from a few others.“Ah, this must be the new recruit who supposedly won in the arena. I don’t believe it. Maybe he just got lucky against Evan, who was already wounded,” said another as he looked Calen up and down.“Lucky? More like possessed. There’s no way he can beat Evan. Not in that state. We know who he is, he is a disappointment,” someone else whispered, loud enough for Calen to hear.Calen remained silent. He held back the harsh words with a neutral expression. But in his heart,
The God of War Calen Storm That Was Impossible
Evan smirked with cruel satisfaction. "Begin!" he commanded, his voice ringing out over the training ground.The archers, already eager to claim their reward, wasted no time. A volley of arrows shot forth, darkening the sky as they arched toward Calen. The soldiers erupted in laughter and jeers, many of them placing bets on how long it would take for Calen to collapse under the assault."He’s done for!" one soldier shouted gleefully."Bet he’ll be crawling by the end of this!" another added, his voice thick with mockery.The arrows rained down, and everyone braced themselves for the spectacle of Calen’s humiliation. But as the first wave approached, Calen did something no one expected—he stood perfectly still.The soldiers’ laughter turned to murmurs of confusion. "What’s he doing? Why isn’t he moving?"Evan frowned, his smug expression faltering slightly. "What’s this fool playing at?"Then, as the arrows closed in, Calen raised his sword calmly. His eyes glinted with an unshakable d
The God of War Calen Storm I Will Make Sure You Fail
Lila Frost sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes staring blankly at the luxurious brocade drapes of her room. Frustration still consumed her heart after yesterday’s events. She clutched a small pillow tightly, letting it absorb her emotional turmoil, while wondering how she could face the outside world now that everyone was likely talking about her.“I can’t go out,” she muttered softly, almost whispering to herself. “Everyone must be calling me a cheater.”Her thoughts were interrupted when she began to hear voices outside her window. At first, it was just faint murmurs, but soon the conversation became clearer.“Have you heard?” A man's voice rang out enthusiastically. “Calen Storm has completely changed. People are saying it’s as if he’s possessed by his father’s spirit!”Lila immediately perked up. That name, Calen Storm. She moved toward the window cautiously, parting the curtain slightly to peek outside. A group of soldiers was walking past the pavilion, their voices filled with
The God of War Calen Storm Doubt
Calen returned to his room, his mind still struggling to process the incredible turn his life had taken in just a few days. From being the discarded and mocked man to now having a genuine opportunity to prove his worth and perhaps even claim a high position in the military. It felt surreal, as if everything he had known before was a distant memory.As he stood by the window, staring out into the vast grounds of the military camp, the sound of a knock on his door broke his concentration. He turned around, puzzled, and opened the door to find a servant standing there, holding a bundle of clothes and armor."Lord Storm," the servant said respectfully. "I have been sent by General Ironheart to deliver your new uniform and armor. You are to be ready for the upcoming examination."Calen nodded, taking the items with a soft thank you. As the servant left, Calen glanced down at the polished armor, his fingers brushing over the intricate design. He couldn't help but smile slightly. This was it
The God of War Calen Storm We’ll See
Calen stepped onto the training grounds, his new armor gleaming under the sunlight. It felt strange to him—wearing something so pristine, so dignified—when just days ago, he had been nothing more than a ridiculed outcast. The sturdy armor clung to him like a second skin, as if affirming his resolve. In his grip was his father’s sword, its familiar weight a constant reminder of the legacy he bore.The soldiers gathered, their chatter a mix of curiosity and excitement. Eyes turned to Calen, some in awe, others in skepticism. Whispers traveled quickly through the ranks.“Is that really him? He looks... different.”“Yeah, but armor doesn’t make a warrior. Let’s see how he fights.”Before anyone could dwell further, the sharp sound of a horn silenced the murmurs. A figure emerged onto the training platform—General Darius Kael, a commanding presence with a scar running down his cheek, a testament to countless battles. Known for his brutal training methods and his reputation as a fair but uny
The God of War Calen Storm Interesting
Calen stepped out from behind the cover of a barricade, his eyes locked on Evan. With a powerful burst of speed, he closed the distance, unleashing a fierce barrage of strikes. His sword danced in his hands, each swing filled with precision and strength. The force behind his blows made the air around them hum, forcing Evan to focus entirely on dodging.Evan, however, remained calm. He moved with practiced ease, his movements fluid and deliberate. Each attack Calen delivered was narrowly avoided, the blade missing him by inches. Evan smirked, his confidence building as he gradually gave ground, retreating further into the arena.Unbeknownst to Calen, Evan’s retreat was not random. He was leading Calen to a specific area of the arena—a section where the ground was lined with faintly glowing symbols. These symbols, part of an old military training mechanism, activated when pressure was applied, triggering a web of energy whips that lashed out violently at anything within range.Evan fina
Latest Chapter
He’s Alive!
Elara stood above him, the blade of her sword trembling in her hands. Light from the Sacred River pulsed along the silver edge, humming with ancient power. Her lips moved in rhythm, chanting the spell that had been passed down through generations of Vynorian priestesses—words designed to suppress, to shatter, to silence.Calen knelt before her, one hand gripping the dirt, the other clenched against the pain that clawed through his veins. He could feel the magic slithering inside him like ice, wrapping around his core, suffocating the storm that had once answered his every command.“Elara,” he rasped, sweat dripping from his brow. “Stop.”“I can’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking between syllables of power. “You are the destroyer of Vynoria. If I don’t end this… everything falls.”“But you don’t want to,” he said, eyes locking with hers—piercing through her grief, through the magic, through the lie.Tears streamed down her face. “I love you. That’s why I must kill you.”The words ec
The Siege of Vynoria
The wind in the war camp grew tense as the sun dipped below the horizon, its fading light casting an ominous orange glow across the battlefield. A momentary stillness hung over Aerondale’s ranks, an eerie calm before the storm.On the command platform, General Thaddeus Ironheart stood unflinching, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of Vynoria. His soldiers, hundreds strong, assembled before him, a disciplined force of fury and power. The time had come.“Prepare to strike,” Ironheart ordered, his voice like a hammer against stone. “We’ve waited long enough. Let them know Aerondale’s wrath.”First, the firebearers were called forward—elite soldiers of Aerondale who wielded the power of the flame like an extension of their very souls. Their eyes burned with an inner light, each one a living, breathing conduit of destruction. They stood in perfect formation, hands raised toward the sky, a single command from their leader setting the stage.“BURN.”A torrent of fire burst forth
A Bond
The moon hung low, veiled in silver mist, casting gentle shadows through the high windows of Elara’s chamber. Within those stone walls, time itself seemed to pause.The warmth of Elara’s skin lingered against Calen’s as they lay entangled beneath woven silk, their breaths slowing in quiet unison. In that suspended moment, words became obsolete—replaced by the silent exchange of vulnerability, surrender, and something ancient, binding. Her fingers trailed lightly across his chest, and for the first time, Calen did not pull away.Far beneath the palace, the Sacred River pulsed. Its once-fading glow now blazed with vibrant life. Magic surged along its path like veins of living fire, the current no longer mourning but awakening. The water sang again, its hum vibrating through the very stones of Vynoria—as if recognizing that something long broken had begun to mend.A bond. A beginning. A heartbeat where silence once ruled.But above them, clouds gathered with ominous weight beyond the cas
You’ll Regret This
Elara felt her blood run cold. "More? What more can I possibly give?" she whispered.The High Priestess raised her gaze, her eyes reflecting the faint light of the river. "Not merely words. Not merely a kiss. The Sacred River demands the future — life itself. You must carry the seed of your love, Your Majesty. You must conceive a child... of royal blood... of true devotion. Only through this act will the River’s covenant be fully restored."The silence that followed was suffocating.Elara staggered a step back, as if struck. "A child..." she breathed.It made cruel, brutal sense. Vynoria had been a nation ruled by powerful women for generations, yet it had become dangerously imbalanced — a kingdom almost devoid of men, sustained only by tradition and magic. The Sacred River — the very heart of their world — thrived on balance, creation, continuity. Without heirs, without the weaving of new life, it withered.Elara turned her gaze to the water, watching its dim, struggling shimmer. Thi
It Demands More
Inside the command tent, the air had grown suffocatingly tense. The rustle of maps, the occasional clink of armor, and the low murmuring of restless men formed an oppressive backdrop to the growing storm between the commanders.Evan Drake stood rigid, his lips curled in a sneer. "Face it," he snapped, his voice slicing through the tent. "Calen Storm is either dead... or worse, he’s bent the knee to Vynoria." He let the accusation hang in the air, his disdain palpable. "Did none of you see the way he looked at their queen during the last skirmish? Pathetic. Weak. He was compromised before we even sent him."A few officers shifted uneasily, exchanging glances, but none dared immediately contradict him.General Marek Voss, an older, battle-worn man with scars crisscrossing his weathered face, finally spoke up. "Storm's loyalty to Aerondale was never in question. Until now," he added with a grunt, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But still... he's survived worse odds."Drake scoffed loudly
The Revival of The River
The room was heavy with silence, the only sound the faint crackle of the sacred blue flames flickering in the braziers. Elara remained standing before Calen, her gaze unwavering, her heart a tumult of emotions she could no longer suppress.Calen, still bound and slumped on the cold stone floor, watched her warily, the last traces of his defiance flickering in his eyes. His voice came out hoarse, yet tinged with genuine confusion."What are you doing, Elara?" he rasped. "Why haven't you killed me? You had every chance. Why keep me alive?"Elara took a step closer, her figure a silhouette against the soft glow of the flames. For a long moment, she said nothing. Instead, she stared at him, the words she’d held back for so long finally rising to the surface."I could have killed you, Calen," she began, her voice low, almost gentle. "But I didn't. Because... I'm not sure I want to." Her eyes softened, but only briefly, before the cold steel returned to them. "I could have let the armies de
Sent To Die
With a roar, he unleashed another bolt — this one targeted — aiming directly at Thalia’s shield. The impact flung her backward into two of her soldiers, sending all three sprawling.Still, they rose again.Lysandra rallied her forces, shouting orders. Lines of mages at the rear began weaving an intricate net of spells — golden threads of power that shimmered in the air."You cannot win here," Lysandra warned him, drawing her blade. Its edge was laced with runes that glowed faintly in the gloom. "This city was built to withstand monsters like you.""I am no monster," Calen growled, advancing. "I am the storm itself."He raised his arms, and the skies screamed.Bolts of pure, living energy rained down. The square became a maelstrom of blinding light and deafening thunder.But Vynoria’s warriors did not break.Their shields locked together, their enchantments wove a dome of protective magic around the main gates.And then— From the steps of the citadel, the High Priestess appeared, raisi
You Are Alone
The night before the infiltration, a council of Aerondale’s elite military leaders huddled around a map in a dark tent, lit only by a few flickering lanterns.General Mordain, a gaunt man with steel-gray hair, pressed a gloved finger onto a red mark representing the capital of Vynoria."You get in," he said, voice low and sharp, "and you tear their heart out from within. No heroics, no delays. We strike the gates the moment you disable their inner defenses."Calen Storm stood among them, arms folded across his broad chest. Though outwardly calm, he felt the familiar pull deep within — that sharp edge between loyalty and dread."I understand," Calen said coolly. "But you know the Queen will expect an attack. She isn't a fool.""We're counting on her caution to delay her," Mordain said. His eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "By the time she realizes, it’ll be too late."The commander leaned closer, voice dropping. "And remember, Storm — if you fail, there is no rescue. You’re alone."
Lover and Executioner
The council chamber was cloaked in heavy shadows, lit only by the soft, flickering glow of the hearth. Around the long, polished table, the highest leaders of Vynoria gathered—generals clad in dark armor, advisors robed in the colors of the court, and the High Priestess in flowing white silk. All of them were women, fierce and formidable in their own right, and all of them now looked to one figure seated at the head: Queen Elara Wynn.Elara’s hands were steepled before her, her crown casting a faint glimmer in the low light. Her gaze swept the room, calm but razor-sharp.The High Priestess rose from her seat, her voice carrying a tremor against the heavy silence. "The visions are no longer veiled, Your Majesty. The signs are unmistakable. Aerondale's armies will be upon us within days."A murmur rippled through the council. The threat was no longer distant; it loomed on the horizon."And the Sacred River," the High Priestess continued, her voice growing graver still, "has shown us why
