Kazematsu had always been a quiet place, where the placing of stones beneath the ancient pine tree was the loudest sound to break the silence. But now, the air was thick with tension, the scent of pine replaced by the acrid tang of smoke and iron.

  At the heart of the village, the temple loomed like a silent sentinel. Imperial soldiers marched toward it in perfect formation, their armor gleaming in the fading light.

  Each warrior was clad in plates of darkened steel, etched with twisted symbols—jagged thorns curling around broken skulls, venomous snakes coiling through shattered chains. These were emblems of their relentless brutality and unyielding control. Their helmets bore sharp, angular runes, casting hollow shadows over their emotionless faces. Each soldier carried a spear or sword, their weapons glinting like shards of obsidian, reflecting the dim light with a cold, predatory gleam.

  Villagers watched from the shadows of their homes, their faces pale with fear. Children clung to their mothers, and elders whispered prayers to the gods. The Empire’s presence was a storm, and Kazematsu could feel it pressing down on the land.

  Hidden in the shadows of the temple, Kai and Lina crept from the forest, their footsteps silent as they moved. Pressed against the cold stone wall, their hearts pounded in unison, breath held tight as they watched.

  From their position, they could see the soldiers approaching the temple. Master stood at the entrance, his long robes flowing in the evening breeze. His face was calm, but his sharp eyes betrayed his unease.

  Lina clutched Kai’s sleeve, her voice hushed. “What do we do?”

  His gaze shifted from the soldiers to their Master. He swallowed hard, his tone low but firm. “We wait. We strike when the time is right—only if Master needs us.”

  She nodded, her eyes glued to the scene as the soldiers halted a few paces from the temple. The man at their front stepped forward, his presence commanding even from a distance. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a face that seemed carved from stone. His armor bore the insignia of the Empire, and his hand rested casually on the hilt of his sword.

  One of the soldiers beside him cleared his throat and announced, “General Varkos of the Imperial Army, dispatched by order of the Emperor.”

  Master’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes narrowed slightly. “Varkos,” he said, his voice calm but laced with recognition. “It’s been a long time.”

  Varkos smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. “Sage Vaelis. I must admit, I didn’t think I’d find you in a state like this. The last time I saw you, you were… well, let’s just say you were more impressive looking.”

  Sage—Vaelis—chuckled softly, though the sound carried no humor. “It’s been nearly ten years since anyone called me that. The last was Oren, before he left on his mission.” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “By the way, you wouldn’t have happened to see him, would you?”

  Varkos shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “Hm, I may have. Can’t say for sure, though. Might’ve just been another crusty old man—plenty of those wandering the empire.” He laughed, the sound rough but genuine.

  Vaelis stared at the ground, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his anger in check. His expression was carefully neutral, but the tension in his shoulders gave him away. “Is the empire still sending you to do its dirty work?” he asked, his voice low and measured, though the edge in his tone was unmistakable.

  Behind him, Lina’s voice broke the silence, trembling with disbelief. “Kai…” She glanced from Varkos to their Master, her eyes wide. “Did he just… Did he call our Master Sage Vaelis? As in… one of the ten sages of Kazematsu?”

  Kai’s mind raced, struggling to keep up with the conversation. “Sage Vaelis…” His voice trailed off as he frowned, his thoughts churning. “But… you said that wasn’t possible. That the sages were just legends.”

  “I mean… it would make him ancient,” Lina whispered, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief. She shook her head, as if trying to dispel the thought.

  Kai’s gaze hardened as the pieces slowly clicked into place. His father had left on a mission nearly ten years ago, but if their Master was truly Sage Vaelis—one of the legendary ten sages—then the timeline didn’t add up. Unless… His stomach tightened as a wild, impossible thought took hold. “Does that mean… Sage Oren was my father?”

  Lina blinked at him, her brow furrowing as she struggled to process his words. “Wait—what? I don’t even understand what’s happening anymore.”

  The pair fell silent, their attention snapping back to the heated exchange between Varkos and their Master. The air between the two men crackled with tension, their history palpable even in the silence.

  Varkos’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold glare. “I’ve risen far since we last met. And now, I’ve been sent on an important mission—to recruit you. The Empire could use a mind like yours. Serve as our chief strategist, and you’ll have power, wealth, even a city of your own after the war. The rebels are becoming… troublesome. We need someone who can think like them.”

  Vaelis shook his head, his expression resolute. “Kazematsu wishes to remain neutral. We abide by the Empire’s laws and want no part in your war.”

  Varkos’s eyes narrowed, his tone shifting to one of cold persuasion. “Neutrality is a luxury you can’t afford, Sage Vaelis. The Empire doesn’t take kindly to those who sit idly by while rebels grow bolder. To stand aside is to aid them—complicity in all but name. Join us, and you’ll wield more power than you’ve ever known. Refuse, and you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of history.”

  Vaelis met his gaze, unflinching. “Power has never been my ambition. My duty is to this village and its people. I won’t abandon them to serve your masters.”

  A flicker of frustration crossed Varkos’s face, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. “Very well. If you won’t serve the Empire, then perhaps you’ll reconsider for the sake of this… pathetic village.” He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Hand over your journal, and I might spare them. Refuse, and I’ll make sure none of you leave here alive.”

  A faint smile curved Vaelis’s lips. “Ah, the journal. I knew you’d come for it. I’ve taken measures to ensure you’ll never lay your hands on it.” His gaze steadied, sharp and unyielding. “But even if I handed it over, we both know you’d never let me live. The Empire wouldn’t have sent so many soldiers if all they wanted was a book.”

  Varkos laughed, the sound grating. “You’re as sharp as ever, Sage Vaelis. You’re right, of course. The journal is just… extra credit. My orders are clear: recruit you or kill you. Either way, I will earn my title as a Sage of the Empire.”

  Vaelis’s smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet resolve. He straightened, his posture shifting from the calm, elderly master to something far more formidable. With a swift motion, he threw off his robes, revealing a lean but powerfully built frame, his bare chest marked with intricate tattoos that seemed to shimmer faintly in the fading light. In his hand, a staff materialized out of thin air—a gnarled, ancient-looking weapon, its surface etched with runes that glowed faintly.

  “With my power of protection,” Vaelis said, his voice steady and resonant, “my barriers of unbreakable will shall shield the people of Kazematsu. No harm will come to them—not while I draw breath.”

  The air around him seemed to thicken as he slammed the staff into the ground. A ripple of energy exploded outward, shaking the earth and sending a shockwave through the temple courtyard. The force of it was immense, like a tidal wave of raw power crashing through space. Lina and Kai, hidden in the shadows, staggered back, their breath catching as the energy washed over them. The sheer intensity of it pressed against their chests, forcing them to brace themselves against the wall to keep from falling.

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  “Impressive,” Varkos said, his voice tinged with admiration. “I always wondered what the legendary Sage Vaelis was truly capable of. Pity we didn’t get to have a match over the go board before I killed you.”

  Vaelis’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “You would’ve lost faster on the board. Consider yourself lucky I’m old—otherwise, I’d have made you take more than a step back.”

  Varkos chuckled, drawing a crimson sword from the sheath at his side. The blade pulsed with a dark, malevolent energy, its edge glowing faintly as though thirsting for blood. “We’ll see about that,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

  The two warriors faced each other, the tension between them electrifying. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a roar, Varkos lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air in a blazing arc. Vaelis met him head-on, his staff spinning effortlessly to deflect the blow. The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, the force of their strikes shaking the ground beneath them.

  Vaelis moved with a fluid grace, his staff a blur as he parried Varkos’s relentless attacks. Each strike from the crimson sword was met with a precise counter, the sound of metal against wood echoing sharply through the courtyard. His movements were calculated, almost poetic, as if he were playing a deadly game of strategy. Every step, every twist of his body, seemed deliberate, as though he were anticipating Varkos’s next move before it even came. The air around him seemed to hum with an undercurrent of control, a quiet mastery that contrasted starkly with the chaos of battle.

  Varkos, on the other hand, fought with raw power and unchecked aggression. His crimson sword carved through the air, leaving trails of red light in its wake like streaks of fire. Each swing was heavy and brutal, driven by a ferocity that seemed to grow with every blocked strike. His breathing grew ragged, his movements less refined but no less dangerous. The ground beneath him cracked under the force of his blows, and his eyes burned with a relentless determination. Where Vaelis was precise and patient, Varkos was sheer, unrelenting force.

  The soldiers watched in awe, their weapons forgotten as the two titans clashed. Lina and Kai, still hidden, could only stare in stunned silence. Lina’s hands trembled as she gripped Kai’s arm, her voice barely a whisper. “We have to do something. We can’t just let him fight alone.”

  Kai’s jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on the battle. “We’ll only get in the way. But if things go wrong… we’ll find a way to help.”

  The fight escalated, Vaelis and Varkos trading blows with increasing intensity. Vaelis’s staff glowed brighter with each strike, the runes on its surface flaring to life as he channeled his energy. Varkos’s sword left deep gouges in the ground, its crimson light growing more intense with every swing. The air crackled with power, the very fabric of the battlefield seeming to warp under the force of their clash.

  For a moment, it seemed Vaelis had the upper hand. His staff whirled in a blinding arc, forcing Varkos to retreat step by step. The Sage’s movements were precise, his strikes calculated to exploit every opening in Varkos’s defense. But then, something shifted.

  The crimson sword in Varkos’s grasp pulsed, its glow intensifying until the air around it shimmered with dark energy. A low hum filled the battlefield, deep and resonant, like a war drum echoing from another realm. Vaelis’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the shift—an enchantment woven into the blade itself.

  Varkos grinned, sensing his opponent’s hesitation. “Figured it out, have you?” he taunted. He swung his sword, and the very space between them seemed to ripple. A wave of crimson blood splattered from the blade, hurtling toward Vaelis with terrifying speed.

  Vaelis barely had time to react. He twisted his staff, summoning a barrier of light just as the attack struck. The crimson blood dripped from his light barrier. But even as he steadied himself, he felt it—blood dripping from one of his legs and arm.

  “I’ve got you now, old man.” Varkos grinned, his crimson sword pulsing as he extended his hand toward Vaelis.

  Vaelis barely had time to react before a searing pain erupted from his wound. The blood dripping from his side pulsed with the same malevolent glow as Varkos’s blade. Then, without warning—

  A shockwave burst from the wound, sending Vaelis staggering backward. His breath hitched as agony wracked his body, the energy within his own blood turning against him. The explosion wasn’t enough to tear him apart, but it left his arm and leg scorched, his balance shaken.

  Varkos laughed, his eyes shimmering with cruel amusement. “Didn’t think I’d waste my blade’s true power on you, did you? Every drop of blood you spill becomes a weapon against you.” He tightened his grip, and the energy around Vaelis’s wound crackled ominously. “Let’s see how much more you can take before you’re nothing but ashes.”

  A second wave of energy followed, faster than the first. Vaelis tried to dodge, but the edge of the blast caught him, searing through his side with a burning pain that pulsed through his veins. The wound glowed with the same malevolent light as the sword, the corruption sinking into his body like a venomous curse.

  Vaelis staggered, his grip tightening around his staff. Varkos advanced, his sword now wreathed in dark tendrils of energy that lashed at the ground with every step. “Age catching up to you, old man?” he sneered.

  Before Vaelis could recover, Varkos pressed his advantage. His sword came down in a brutal arc, forcing Vaelis to block with his staff. The impact sent a shockwave through the courtyard, the ground cracking beneath their feet. Vaelis gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he held back the force of Varkos’s strike.

  From their hiding place, Lina and Kai watched in horror. “We have to help him!” Lina whispered urgently, her voice trembling. “He’s hurt!”

  Kai hesitated, his mind racing. “If we go out there, we’re dead…” He trailed off, his fists clenched in frustration.

  Lina shook her head, her eyes blazing with determination. “No. We can’t just watch him die.”

  Before Kai could stop her, Lina darted out from their hiding place, her movements swift and silent. Kai cursed under his breath and followed, his heart pounding as they raced toward the battle.

  Vaelis’s eyes widened as he saw them approaching. “No!” he shouted, his voice filled with uncharacteristic panic. “Stay back!”

  The momentary distraction cost him. Varkos’s crimson sword arced through the air, slamming into Vaelis’s side with brutal force. The impact sent the Sage sprawling to the ground, a gasp of pain escaping his lips. Blood welled from the wound, streaking down his bare torso and staining the intricate tattoos that marked his skin. He coughed, crimson flecking his lips and chin as he struggled to rise. One hand clutched his side, while the other gripped his staff tightly, his knuckles white with strain.

  Varkos smirked, his crimson sword shining in the firelight. ‘Bringing cubs to a fight like this?’ he said, his voice dripping with mockery. ‘Big mistake.’ He licked the blood from his blade.

  “Master!” Lina screamed, frozen in place.

  “Despair is such a beautiful thing to watch,” Varkos said, his voice cold and mocking. Before anyone could react, he vanished in a blur of motion, reappearing in front of Lina. His sword flashed, piercing through her chest before she could even raise her hands in defense. Lina’s eyes widened, her breath catching as she looked down at the blade protruding from her body. Blood spilled from her lips, her knees buckling as she collapsed to the ground.

  “Lina!” Kai screamed, his voice raw with desperation. He lunged toward her, but Vaelis was faster. In a blur of motion, the Sage appeared at Lina’s side, his hand gripping the crimson blade as he carefully pulled it free from her chest. His eyes burned with fury, the air around him crackling with barely restrained power. With a thunderous slam of his staff into the ground, he unleashed a shockwave of energy that sent Varkos hurtling backward, skidding across the courtyard.

  The tattoos on Vaelis’s body flared to life, glowing with an intense, otherworldly light. A barrier of shimmering energy erupted around him and Lina, sealing them off from Varkos and the rest of the world. The air hummed with the sheer force of his power, a palpable reminder of why he was once counted among the legendary sages of Kazematsu.

  “Kai!” Vaelis barked, his voice strained but commanding. “Take her and run! Now!”

  He hesitated, his hands trembling as he reached for Lina. Her eyes were half-closed, her breathing shallow and labored. Blood pooled beneath her, staining the ground crimson. “I… I can’t leave you,” Kai stammered, his voice breaking.

  Vaelis’s expression softened for a moment, but his tone remained urgent. “You must. If you stay, you’ll both die. Go now, while she still has a chance to live!”

  Kai’s chest heaved as he fought back tears, but he nodded. With a strength he didn’t know he had, he lifted Lina onto his back, her blood soaking into his clothes. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her breath shallow and uneven. “Hold on, Lina,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Just hold on.”

  As Kai turned to flee, Varkos roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield. “After them! Don’t let them escape, they might have the journal!”

  The soldiers surged forward, but Vaelis stepped into their path, his staff glowing with an otherworldly light. “You’ll have to go through me first,” he said, his voice calm but filled with resolve.

  The air crackled with energy as Vaelis planted his staff into the ground, the runes along its length flaring to life. A barrier of light erupted around him, cutting off the soldiers’ advance. Varkos snarled, his crimson sword blazing as he stepped forward. “You think you can stop us alone, old man?”

  Vaelis’s eyes hardened, his grip tightening on his staff. “I don’t need to stop you forever,” he said, his voice steady. “Just long enough.”

  Behind him, Kai disappeared into the smoke and shadows, Lina’s limp form clinging to his back. The sounds of the battle faded as they fled, leaving Vaelis standing alone against the tide of soldiers. The Sage’s expression was calm, almost serene, as he prepared for what he knew would be his final stand.

  The last thing Kai heard as he ran was the clash of steel and the roar of flames, a symphony of chaos that echoed through the night. He didn’t look back. He couldn’t. All he could do was run, his heart pounding with fear and determination, and pray that Vaelis’s sacrifice would not be in vain.