The battle against Crestview had ended, but their journey was far from over. The remaining hundred or so soldiers, nursing their wounds, pressed forward after looting their defeated enemies. While the fight had made them individually stronger, it had significantly depleted their forces.
There was no grand celebration due to their substantial losses. Despite being victorious, war left no true victors. Their comrades were now being reconstructed in their city, far from where they currently marched.
Among the lieutenants who had survived was Hawkins, who made sure to share the tales of the new recruits who had beco heroes. As they moved closer to their final destination, bards sang songs in their honor.
"Can you hear the songs about you?" Joey, the man sitting by the window, asked. Seeing no imdiate response, he continued. "We're not far from the Wide Lakes of Azkahar. I'll be taking my leave soon."
"This final destination should be easy, as all we need to do is defeat the sea monsters and search the lakes. How far to Rosewood?"
"A day on foot. I'll need another day to convince her."
"The war begins in just a few days, so ti is of the essence. Take our carriage, and I'll inform Jonathan. You have only a day before I co to Rosewood myself and discuss it with your lord."
Joey seed concerned but nodded in agreent. Koby had his eyes closed as he tried to recover his energy. As the three sat in silence, the door leading to their bunk beds opened. Dorian erged, unsteady on his feet, and ca under the scrutiny of the other three.
"You look like a stray cat who hasn't bathed in ages," Koby didn't hold back, frowning as he observed the man. "You also appear thinner than before. Have you aged in just a day?"
"Maybe I did," said Dorian as he sat down, surprising the three. Such insults would typically provoke a stronger reaction, either anger or arrogance. However, the young man with ashen hair simply sat down. "When are we reaching our next destination?"
"In just a few hours," said Arthur, his expression reflecting concern over Dorian's unusual behavior. "You seem tired, Dorian. How about resting for a few days?"
Arthur still felt guilty for what had transpired, even though he had warned Dorian. However, Dorian shook his head and gave a faint smile, understanding Arthur's emotions.
"You don't need to pamper because of what happened, Alexie," said Dorian with a weak smile. "That ordeal didn't break ; it made see how much injustice exists in the world. I understand your reasons now."
"You've beco wiser," Arthur acknowledged with surprise. "We should reach the lakes in a few hours, but there's nothing more to do. All we need to do is defeat the sea monsters."
"I overheard what you told Joey, and I want to accompany him as a representative of Xeloria," Dorian revealed, taking everyone by surprise. Arthur narrowed his eyes as he realized the implications of this decision. "I know what you want to do, and I want to help you."
"Why?" Arthur inquired.
"The voices I heard all demanded a common thing: freedom. The ten cities are divided and favor so over the rest. I want to abolish those borders and unite everyone under one banner. No child will starve in Lonin, and no food will be wasted in Xeloria."
Dorian's abrupt transformation left Arthur hesitating. However, the sincerity in his strong, square eyes appeared genuine. If Joey truly had soone from Xeloria, it would provide a more official connection.
"You two may be executed," Arthur warned. "No matter how you look at it, Joey betrayed Rosewood to work with . If you go with him, you'll just be handing them a valuable hostage."
"That won't matter once the war begins," Dorian stated with a thin smile as he clenched his fist. "Rosewood will see the benefit of allying itself with , and then I'll travel to other cities and persuade them to support our cause."
"You're leaving Xeloria, the city under your rule, to help other cities?" Koby stared at Dorian as if he had gone mad. "What happened to you exactly?"
"What should have happened a long ti ago," Dorian replied, looking down. "I've been ignorant of others' suffering until I t Alexie. Feeling their wrath and despair made realize that no one deserves to feel that way."
Arthur remained silent for a mont before he sighed and agreed. If Dorian could lead the weaker cities and unite them, it would save them a lot of ti. However, no lord would hand over their city without a just cause.
"March wherever you want, and if you et a man called Ilia Perli, tell him Arthur Silvera sent you. He will help you then."
Dorian and Joey departed alone, heading in a different direction. A few hours later, the Xelorian Army found themselves standing on the shores of a giant lake. The Wide Lakes of Azkahar, as the na implied, stretched endlessly before them. As the setting sun cast a purple hue between the clouds, the serene water refused to be disturbed by the hundred or so outsiders that had co to its shores.
"No man, animal, or monster within ten miles of the surroundings," reported a scout to the group of lieutenants standing on the shores. "We found nothing that resembles an artifact, but our information says that it's here."
"The artifact could be anywhere underwater, and since this water is rich with mana, it would be impossible to use our scouts," explained Kain to the rest. "With only a hundred n left, if we encounter another city here, we would be wiped out."
"We have to tread carefully," nodded Sir Jonathan before turning to Arthur. Now that his abilities had been revealed, he had no problem relying on him in front of others. "Is there sothing you can do, Alexie?"
"Not even I can sense anything in these waters," said Arthur with a shake of his head. "There is no other way than diving straight into the water and looking for the artifact. However, the artifact should be in the center of an unusual event."
"What makes you think that way?"
"Every artifact we've found so far has been in the possession of a certain group. One was held by bandits, and the others by worshippers. It seems that the tower has assigned the artifact to these characters to test challengers who try to obtain it."
"Alexie is right. Therefore, we will set up camp here and start combing the area in all directions. Everyone should report anything unusual, even a funny-looking rock."
Sir Jonathan issued his orders, and the soldiers quickly followed. There was a sandy beach surrounding the Wide Lakes, perfect for setting up camp. As the army began working together, Jonathan pulled Arthur aside in his tent.
"I want you to enter the waters alone," Jonathan said out of the blue. "Azkahar is not just a na, but a creature. It is the sea spirit known for its wisdom and serenity."
"How will that help us?"
"If anyone knew how to ta wrath, it would be this creature. Forget the artifact and focus on controlling your emotions and abilities. This is the only ti you can train this."
Arthur didn't refuse, as he had seen the dire consequences of giving in to wrath. He'd witnessed a future in which he sat alone in a mansion, grieving for what he'd lost. If he didn't learn to control his wrath, he would be no better than a monster.
"What should I do?"
"Azkahar is said to inhabit the deepest parts of this lake, but no one has ever seen it. The serenity is imbued into the waters themselves, which you'll feel once you dive beneath the surface. Dive alone and seek the creature."
The sincerity and concern in Jonathan's voice left Arthur with no reason to refuse. If he wanted to control both powers, he needed to establish a balance between them. Thus, his training began.
***
Rosewood was surrounded by hills covered in flowers. Dorian watched the myriad of colors flashing by as their carriage descended, powered by runes. Sitting across from him was a man whose leg couldn't stop shaking in nervousness.
"Is Rosewood a scary place?" Dorian asked in a gentle tone, observing the man's fidgety leg. "You seem to be uneasy ever since we boarded this carriage."
"It's no secret now that I was a spy for Rosewood," Joey admitted with a sigh. "One of my tasks was to find any weakness in Xeloria, but that all changed when I t Alexie. His re existence makes our fear of Xeloria laughable."
"Are you afraid of being called a traitor?"
"Only by one person," Joey replied with a wary chuckle. "She has a feisty attitude and an honest disposition, which makes it hard to disappoint her. I just wish she would hear out."
Dorian thought for a mont as he watched the tall, muscular man talk about this woman with happiness. As he gazed at Rosewood's gates arching over the city's entrance, he made a decision.
"Don't worry, Joey. Your lord is not unreasonable, and I will make her change her mind about this war."
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