Gold and Shadows
The weight of responsibility settled on Lucious's shoulders as he stood in the bustling halls of The Arcane Order, the scent of parchment and ink mixing with the quiet hum of murmured conversations. Their first mission had arrived. The mission hall was alive with chatter as Arcanites came and went, collecting assignments or turning in reports.
Elisa, ever the composed receptionist, offered them a warm smile as she slid a sealed scroll across the desk. "Your first official mission," she said, her golden eyes gleaming with encouragement. "It should be simple, but don't let your guard down."
Lucious picked up the scroll, breaking the wax seal and scanning the contents. His brows furrowed slightly as he read aloud:
"Escort Merchant Orlen from Emberwood to Velthorne. Cargo: Gold. Estimated time: Two days. Possible threat: Thieves."
Aldric smirked, leaning on the desk. "Gold? No wonder there are rumors of thieves. Seems like we might actually get some action."
Elara shot him a look. "That's not something to take lightly. If thieves do attack, we'll have to protect both Orlen and the cargo."
Elisa nodded. "Correct. This was originally supposed to be a higher-ranked mission, but most of the C and D-rank Arcanites are busy. That's why it's fallen to you."
Lucious rolled the scroll shut. "Any information on these thieves? How many? How well-armed?"
Elisa shook her head. "Just rumors. No confirmed reports, but gold attracts the worst kind of attention."
Aldric stretched his arms. "Tch, rumors or not, they'll regret showing up."
Lucious ignored Aldric's overconfidence and turned to Elisa again. "Where's Orlen now?"
"He's waiting in Emberwood. You'll meet him at dawn tomorrow outside the village gates. Be prepared—he doesn't fully trust magic users, so he might not be the most welcoming client."
Elara sighed. "That's common enough. We'll just have to do our job and prove we're worth the hire."
Elisa smiled. "That's the spirit." She leaned back slightly. "One last thing—this is a two-day journey, so you'll have to camp overnight. Make sure you're prepared."
Lucious nodded, tucking the scroll away. "Understood."
Elisa's expression softened as she looked at them. "Good luck, Arcani. Stay safe."
After leaving Elisa's desk, the three of them made their way through the Arcane Order's halls, heading toward the supply depot. They entered the storeroom, where shelves were stocked with weapons, potions, and travel essentials. Other Arcanites moved about, gathering their own supplies.
Aldric grabbed a pouch of dried rations and tossed it into his bag. "So, what's the plan if we actually get ambushed?"
Lucious crossed his arms. "That depends. If they're small-time thieves, we scare them off. If they're organized, we focus on protecting the cargo."
Aldric scoffed. "That's obvious. I meant the real plan—who's fighting, who's defending?"
Lucious narrowed his eyes. "You're the fastest, so you'll deal with quick threats. Elara can shield the carriage if needed."
Aldric smirked. "And you? Just going to stand around giving orders?"
Lucious shot him a sharp look. "I'll handle whoever gets past you."
Aldric leaned in slightly, grinning. "You sure about that? You didn't handle me too well last time."
Lucious clenched his jaw. "That was sparring. Don't get cocky."
Elara groaned. "Are you two seriously doing this again?"
Neither of them answered. Lucious turned his attention back to the supplies, grabbing extra water, dried meat, and a sharpening stone for his sword. Aldric grabbed a few throwing knives, flipping one between his fingers before tucking it into his belt.
Elara sighed. "We should also be careful about Orlen. If he doesn't trust magic users, he might not listen to us, even if danger is obvious."
Lucious nodded. "Then we make him listen."
Aldric snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure your friendly attitude will win him over."
Lucious ignored him. "We'll take turns keeping watch at night. If an ambush happens, it'll be then."
Aldric stretched. "Fine. Just don't slow me down."
Lucious turned to glare at him, but Elara stepped between them. "Enough. We leave at first light. Get some rest."
The tension between them lingered as they went their separate ways.
The first light of dawn bathed Emberwood in a soft orange glow as Lucious, Aldric, and Elara approached the village gates. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and burning firewood from early risers.
Waiting near a sturdy wooden cart was a broad-shouldered man with graying hair, arms crossed over his chest. He wore a thick leather coat, and a longsword hung at his side. Orlen, their client.
His sharp gaze flicked over them as they approached, eyes narrowing. "You're the Arcani?"
Lucious nodded. "We are."
Orlen let out a short, unimpressed grunt. "Hmph. Thought they'd send someone more experienced."
Aldric smirked, stepping forward. "Well, lucky for you, we don't need experience to handle some bandits."
Orlen's eyes darkened. "That kind of arrogance will get people killed, boy."
Lucious sighed. He already disliked this man. "We're here to do a job. Whether you trust us or not doesn't matter."
Orlen studied him, then Elara, before scoffing. "Fine. But don't get in my way."
He turned toward the cart, loaded with a large, heavy chest strapped tightly under thick cloth. The two horses pulling it shifted slightly, restless.
Elara approached, her voice calm. "Have you seen anything suspicious? Anyone watching you?"
Orlen shook his head. "Nothing yet. But gold attracts the worst kind of people." He climbed onto the driver's seat, gripping the reins. "If you're coming, then move. I'm not wasting daylight."
Lucious exchanged glances with Elara and Aldric.
Aldric grinned. "Finally, some action."
Lucious rolled his eyes and walked ahead. Their journey had begun.
The journey began under the soft morning light, the village of Emberwood fading into the distance behind them. The dirt road stretched ahead, winding through rolling fields and patches of dense woodland. Birds chirped in the trees, and a light breeze carried the scent of fresh earth.
The wagon creaked as the horses trotted forward, their hooves kicking up small clouds of dust. The road was well-traveled but empty, with no sign of trouble.
Aldric walked beside the wagon with his hands resting behind his head. "You know, this isn't so bad. Fresh air, open road... almost makes me forget we're babysitting a pile of gold."
Orlen shot him a look but said nothing, keeping his focus on the path ahead.
Lucious walked slightly ahead of the group, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. He wasn't expecting trouble this early, but he didn't trust the silence.
Elara, walking beside the cart, let out a soft sigh. "Not every mission has to be a battle, you know. Sometimes, things go smoothly."
Aldric chuckled. "And sometimes, that's just the calm before the storm."
The day passed without incident. They stopped briefly to let the horses rest, eating a quick meal of dried meat and bread before pressing on. The road eventually led them into a thicker forest, where the sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered patches of gold.
As dusk settled, Orlen pulled the horses to a stop in a small clearing beside the road. "We camp here."
Lucious glanced around. It was a decent spot—trees provided cover, but they still had a clear view of the road. More importantly, they could see anyone coming before they got too close.
Elara set down her pack. "I'll start a fire."
Aldric stretched. "Good, I was getting bored."
Lucious helped unstrap the supplies from the wagon while Orlen tended to the horses. Soon, the campfire crackled, casting flickering light across the clearing. They sat in a loose circle, the warmth taking the edge off the night chill.
As the fire crackled, casting flickering shadows around their campsite, the three Arcani sat in a rough circle. The merchant rested nearby, leaving Lucious, Aldric, and Elara to discuss their plan. The air between them was tense—especially between Lucious and Aldric, whose rivalry hadn't cooled since their fight.
Aldric leaned back against a log, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, let's be real here. If anyone tries to take the cargo, I'll handle them before they even know what hit 'em." He tapped one of his daggers against his palm, electricity sparking faintly. "Fast, efficient, and clean."
Lucious scoffed, poking the fire with a stick. "Fast and reckless aren't the same thing. If you rush in without thinking, you'll just get yourself surrounded."
Aldric raised an eyebrow. "And what, you're gonna stand around and overthink everything? Maybe hesitate like you did in our fight?" He grinned, eyes gleaming with challenge.
Lucious clenched his jaw but didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he exhaled slowly. "If we're ambushed, we need an actual plan—not just 'run in and hit things with lightning.'"
Elara, sensing the argument brewing, stepped in. "We all have our strengths," she said firmly. "Aldric, your speed is an advantage, but we can't rely on just that. Lucious, you analyze situations well, but we can't always wait for the perfect moment."
Aldric rolled his eyes but waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Let's hear the 'actual plan,' then."
Lucious gave him a measured look before speaking. "If we get attacked, you go for their leader—fast and precise. Cut off the head, and the rest will hesitate. I'll handle crowd control and keep them off you."
Aldric's smirk returned. "So I do the hard part, and you just stand there looking cool?"
Lucious's grip tightened on the stick, but he kept his voice calm. "I'll make sure you don't get stabbed in the back."
Elara sighed. "And I'll keep you both alive. Just... don't make my job harder than it already is."
Aldric grinned, twirling his dagger. "No promises."
Elara sighed again. "Before we take turns keeping watch, i would like to go over our abilities. If we get attacked, we should know how to cover each other."
Aldric smirked, leaning forward. "Alright, you already know I use lightning. I'm fast, I hit hard, and I can throw a dagger straight into someone's throat before they even realize I moved."
Lucious crossed his arms. "And your weaknesses?"
Aldric scoffed. "Tch. I don't have many, but overusing my lightning can burn me out. If that happens, I won't be much help."
Elara nodded. "And if we face enemies who can ground electricity, your attacks will be weaker."
Aldric frowned but didn't argue. "What about you, Lucious?"
Lucious hesitated for a moment. He had no reason to hide his abilities—if they were going to work together, they needed to know. "I can manipulate time, but in small bursts. I can slow things down, teleport short distances."
Aldric's eyes sharpened. "That explains a lot about our last fight."
Lucious admitted. "but if i keep using them it will drains me fast."
Elara folded her hands. "Then we should make sure you don't have to." She turned to him. "What's your fighting style?"
Lucious tapped the hilt of his Sword. "Close combat. My magic helps me reposition, but I rely on my sword."
Aldric grinned. "So, you're all about precision. Makes sense."
Lucious looked at Elara. "And you?"
She smiled slightly. "You both already know I use light magic. I can heal wounds, create shields and chains to stop enemies, and blind enemies with flashes of light."
Aldric nodded. "And your limits?"
"Healing too much exhausts me," Elara admitted. "And while I can defend, I don't have strong offensive magic. I'm better at supporting you both."
Aldric grinned. "Sounds good to me."
Lucious looked at them both. "We take turns keeping watch. I'll go first."
Aldric stretched and lay back against a log. "Wake me when it's my turn."
Elara wrapped herself in her cloak, resting her head against her pack. "Goodnight."
As the fire crackled softly, Lucious sat with his sword across his lap, eyes scanning the darkness beyond the trees. The night was calm, but he knew better than to trust it.
Trouble would come. It was only a matter of when.
The rhythmic breathing of his companions told him that Aldric and Elara were asleep, while Orlen, the merchant, snored softly a few feet away. The night was quiet—too quiet. No rustling leaves, no distant hoots of owls, not even the chirping of insects.
His grip on his sword tightened.
Something wasn't right.
Slowly, he stood, scanning the treeline. The fire's flickering light made it hard to tell, but he could've sworn he saw movement—a shadow shifting just beyond his vision. His heart rate steadied as he focused, prepared to use his magic if needed.
Then, the faint snap of a twig.
Lucious reacted instantly, stepping back as a shadowed figure lunged toward him. He caught the glint of a dagger in the dim firelight and barely tilted his head in time to avoid the blade slashing at his throat. His blade was already in motion, slicing upward. The attacker twisted away, but not before the edge of Lucious' blade cut across his cloak.
A sharp whistle echoed through the night.
The sound sent a chill down Lucious' spine. It wasn't just one attacker—this was a signal.
Branches rustled. Footsteps pounded against the earth. Figures emerged from the treeline, their dark silhouettes moving fast.
"Wake up!" Lucious barked, already shifting into a defensive stance.
Aldric was on his feet in an instant, one dagger drawn, electricity crackling between his fingers. "About damn time," he muttered, grinning.
Elara sat up groggily, eyes widening as she saw the approaching figures. "What—?"
Orlen let out a startled cry, scrambling back toward the wagon. "Thieves!"
Lucious had no time to answer as two more attackers charged at him. He teleported a few feet away, reappearing behind them before they could react. His blade flashed in the firelight, slicing into one's leg, forcing him to the ground with a pained grunt.
Aldric was already in motion, moving like a blur. His dagger flew through the air, embedding itself in an enemy's shoulder. Lightning surged from his fingertips, shocking the man into unconsciousness before he could even scream.
"That's two down," Aldric said smugly, retrieving his dagger. "Try to keep up, Lucious."
Lucious didn't bother responding. More thieves were coming.
Elara extended a hand, golden light radiating from her palm. A barrier formed in front of Orlen just as an arrow zipped toward him, deflecting it harmlessly into the dirt. "Stay behind cover!" she ordered the merchant.
More attackers closed in.
The real fight was just beginning.
Lucious barely had time to catch his breath before the next wave of attackers surged forward. His muscles tensed as he counted at least five more figures moving through the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.
Then, he heard it—a sharp twang.
The air shifted. Instinct screamed at him to move.
Lucious jumped to the side just as an arrow whizzed past, burying itself into the dirt where he had stood a heartbeat ago.
Archers.
"Take cover!" he shouted.
Aldric barely ducked in time as another arrow shot toward him, the projectile grazing his shoulder. His smirk vanished. "Oh, great. They've got ranged fighters too?" He raised a hand, sending one of his daggers with a crackling bolt of lightning toward the treeline. A scream rang out as one of the archers was hit, but the others had already repositioned, firing in quick succession.
Lucious clenched his jaw. These weren't just random bandits—they moved with precision. Trained fighters. Someone was leading them.
A sudden rush of movement. One of the attackers feinted toward Aldric before pivoting and lunging at Elara instead. She raised her hands, a shield of light flickering into existence just in time to block the strike—but the force of the blow sent her stumbling backward.
Lucious moved before he could think. He dashed forward, his sword flashing as he intercepted the second strike, locking blades with the attacker. Up close, he could see the man's face—a scar ran down his cheek, his eyes cold and calculating.
This wasn't some desperate thief. This was a killer.
Aldric snarled, sidestepping another incoming attack. "Tch. Something's not right. These guys aren't amateurs."
Elara gritted her teeth, already forming another shield as another volley of arrows rained down. "Then we need to end this fast."
Lucious' grip tightened on his sword. He could feel it—this fight wasn't just about protecting the cargo.
Something else was at play.
And they were running out of time to figure out what.
Lucious' sword clashed against the thief's blade, but instead of pressing forward, the man with the scar took a step back. His cold eyes studied Lucious for a moment before a smirk curled on his lips. He wasn't just another bandit—he was their leader.
"You're good," the man admitted, rolling his shoulders. His men paused behind him, weapons still drawn, waiting for his command. "But you're protecting the wrong person."
Lucious narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
The man tapped his blade against his palm. "That merchant you're guarding—Orlen, was it?" He sneered. "He stole from us. Took our money, vanished without a trace. And now, he thinks he can just ride through our territory without consequences?"
Lucious glanced at Orlen, who had gone pale. The merchant's hands clenched around his cloak, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.
The thief leader took another step forward. "We don't care about you three. Give us Orlen, and we'll be on our way."
Lucious exhaled slowly, gripping his sword tighter. "My mission is to protect him."
The leader's smirk disappeared. "Wrong answer. I'll show you the consequences of challenging Varek the scarred " He snapped his fingers. The archers nocked their arrows, and the thieves around them tensed, ready to attack.
Aldric scoffed. "Tch. Enough talking." In a flash, he launched himself forward, daggers sparking with lightning as he struck at the leader's throat.
But the man was fast. He shifted his weight and parried Aldric's attack with ease, barely moving from his spot. Sparks crackled as steel met steel, but the leader didn't flinch. His smirk returned. "Fast—but predictable."
Lucious stepped forward. He wasn't going to stand by—
"Stay back!" Aldric snapped, his voice sharp. He didn't even glance at Lucious. "You'll just get in my way. Protect Orlen and Elara—I'll handle this."
Lucious didn't stop. His eyes locked onto the thief leader, his body already tensed to move. "I'm not backing down."
Aldric let out a frustrated growl. "Damn it, Lucious, don't be stupid! I don't need you interfering!"
Lucious took another step forward, refusing to listen. He wasn't about to stand aside while Aldric took all the risk.
Then, Elara's voice cut through the tension. "Lucious!" Her tone was calm but firm, carrying an authority that made him hesitate. "We need you here. If we fall, Orlen is dead. If Aldric falls, we're next." She met his gaze. "Trust him."
Lucious' jaw tightened. His instincts screamed at him to fight, but... she was right. They had their roles.
With a sharp exhale, he forced himself to step back, turning toward the thieves who were beginning to close in.
Aldric scoffed but smirked slightly. "Took you long enough." He spun his dagger in his hand, eyes locked onto the leader. "Now, where were we?"
The thief leader grinned. "Right about here." the leader chuckled, raising his blade. "If you think you can beat me, you're welcome to try, lightning boy."
And with that, the fight truly began.
The thieves wasted no time. As soon as Varek, clashed with Aldric, the rest of the bandits surged forward, weapons drawn.
Lucious tightened his grip on his sword, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Even as he held his ground near Orlen and Elara, his instincts screamed at him to charge in and help.
A group of four thieves broke away from the main force, heading straight for them.
Elara took a steady breath, her hands glowing with golden light. "Lucious, we hold them here."
He gave a curt nod. "Fine."
The first thief lunged, swinging a crude axe at Lucious' head. Lucious sidestepped smoothly, the blade narrowly missing his face. In one fluid motion, he retaliated, his sword carving a clean arc across the man's chest. The thief stumbled back, blood seeping through his torn leather armor.
Another came from the side, a dagger thrusting toward Lucious' ribs. Lucious flickered out of existence, reappearing behind his attacker in a burst of magic. The moment his boots hit the ground, he drove the hilt of his sword into the back of the thief's skull, dropping him unconscious.
Elara, standing firm beside him, raised a radiant shield just as two more thieves rushed forward. Their blades clashed uselessly against the golden barrier. With a flick of her wrist, she released a pulse of light—a blinding flash that seared their vision.
The thieves stumbled back, cursing.
Lucious took advantage of their disoriented state. He lunged at the nearest one, twisting his sword at an angle to knock the man's weapon aside before delivering a precise kick to the thief's knee, sending him collapsing to the ground. The second thief barely had time to react before Lucious' sword slashed across his arm, making him yelp and drop his weapon.
Meanwhile, Aldric and Varek's battle raged.
Aldric was a storm of movement, his daggers flashing as he struck with lightning-infused speed. But Varek was no ordinary bandit. His movements were measured, controlled—each parry perfectly timed, his curved blade sweeping through the air with deadly precision.
Aldric's smirk widened. He twisted mid-step and hurled one of his daggers straight at Varek's chest.
Varek's sword snapped up in an instant, deflecting the dagger with a sharp clang. The blade spun wildly through the air—only for Aldric to dash forward, his hand crackling with energy, and snatch it back before it hit the ground.
Using the momentum, Aldric whipped around, slashing toward Varek's side in one seamless motion.
Varek caught the attack with his blade, locking weapons with Aldric in a contest of strength. Sparks flew where steel met steel.
For a moment, they were locked together, muscles tensed. Then Aldric smirked and suddenly released a burst of lightning from his body.
The shock rippled through their weapons, traveling straight into Varek's arm. The thief leader gritted his teeth, his muscles seizing from the sudden jolt.
Aldric didn't waste a second—he twisted his body and delivered a powerful kick to Varek's chest, sending him flying back.
Varek crashed against the dirt, rolling once before digging his sword into the ground to slow himself. He pushed himself back to his feet, shaking off the lingering effects of the shock.
"You're fast, kid," Varek grunted, rolling his shoulder. "But speed alone won't save you."
Aldric twirled his daggers, electricity crackling along their edges. "Let's test that theory, old man."
Lucious stole a glance at the fight, fists clenching. He should be there, helping.
But as another thief charged at Orlen, Lucious forced himself to refocus. There was still work to do.
Varek wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth and cracked his neck. His stance shifted slightly—more grounded, more aggressive. He wasn't going to let Aldric take control of the fight any longer.
Aldric didn't give him time to recover. With a flick of his wrist, he sent both daggers spinning forward, lightning crackling along their edges. Varek saw them coming and angled his sword, striking the first dagger aside before dodging the second.
But that was exactly what Aldric wanted.
Before the weapons even hit the ground, Aldric blurred forward, lightning surging through his body. His speed was blinding—he grabbed one dagger mid-air, twisted, and drove it straight toward Varek's ribs.
At the last second, Varek reacted. He twisted his sword, catching the dagger between the crossguard and blade.
Aldric's smirk didn't fade. He sent a pulse of electricity through his weapon, the surge traveling straight into Varek's sword.
But instead of seizing up, Varek roared and slammed his forehead into Aldric's face.
The sudden impact stunned Aldric for a fraction of a second—just enough time for Varek to rip his weapon free and drive a brutal kick into Aldric's stomach.
Aldric gritted his teeth as he was sent skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt. The pain flared in his ribs, but he wiped at his mouth and grinned.
"Not bad," Aldric admitted. "I'll make sure to break that nose of yours in return."
Varek smirked. "You talk too much."
Then he charged.
Varek's movements were relentless—his sword came down in a heavy arc, fast and precise. Aldric barely managed to block, crossing his daggers in an X-shape to absorb the force.
But the moment steel met steel, Varek twisted his blade, redirecting the momentum and forcing Aldric off-balance.
Lucious watched the battle unfold, his grip tightening around his sword. His instincts screamed at him to jump in—Aldric was good, but Varek was experienced. One mistake could end it.
He took a step forward. "I'm not just going to stand here and watch—"
Aldric, still dodging Varek's relentless strikes, snapped his gaze to Lucious and growled.
"Stay out of it!" Aldric blocked a downward slash, sparks flying from the clash. "You'll do nothing but get in my way!"
Lucious' teeth clenched. His body refused to move back. He wasn't the type to just stand aside when a fight was right in front of him.
Before he could step in again, a hand touched his arm.
Elara.
Her golden eyes met his, calm but firm. "Lucious, trust him."
Lucious stared at her, breathing hard, his mind warring between instinct and reason.
Then another group of thieves charged at them.
His grip tightened.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue in frustration but turned his attention back to their attackers. If Aldric wanted to handle Varek alone, fine. But he wasn't about to let these lowlives get to Elara or Orlen.
A thief swung a curved blade toward him. Lucious ducked low, stepping in close before driving his knee into the man's stomach. The impact sent the thief reeling, but Lucious wasn't done—he twisted his sword in a reverse grip and slammed the pommel into the thief's jaw, knocking him out cold.
Another came from behind.
Lucious sidestepped the incoming slash and slashed diagonally, cutting through leather armor and sending the thief stumbling back, clutching his wounded side.
Elara held her own as well. One thief lunged at her, but she raised her hand and unleashed a blinding flash of light. The man screamed, covering his eyes, only for Elara to follow up with a spinning kick to his chest, sending him crashing onto his back.
Orlen, despite being the reason they were being hunted, had the nerve to scoff. "Took you long enough to start fighting properly."
Lucious barely spared him a glance. "Shut up and stay behind me."
The battle was far from over.
Aldric wiped his mouth, tasting blood. Varek was stronger than he expected—not just in raw power, but in skill. Every attack was precise, every movement calculated. If Aldric kept fighting head-on, it would take too long.
He needed to end it now.
Varek came at him again, his sword a blur. Aldric dodged left, barely avoiding a downward slash that split the ground where he stood. The moment Varek's sword hit the dirt, Aldric saw his chance.
He threw his dagger—not at Varek, but past him.
Varek's eyes barely flicked toward it before refocusing on Aldric. "Missed."
Aldric grinned. "Did I?"
Before Varek could react, Aldric's body flickered with lightning—and in an instant, he was gone.
He reappeared behind Varek, hand gripping the dagger he had just thrown. It hadn't been an attack—it was a marker for his lightning step.
Varek's eyes widened. He twisted his sword, swinging wildly behind him—
Too late.
Aldric's dagger surged with lightning as he drove it into Varek's back.
The moment steel met flesh, a violent jolt of electricity exploded through Varek's body. His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, his grip on his sword faltering. His knees buckled, his breath hitching as the electricity paralyzed him from the inside out.
Aldric leaned in, voice low. "You lost."
With a final surge of lightning, he sent Varek crashing face-first into the dirt.
Silence.
The remaining thieves, who had been locked in combat with Lucious, Elara, and the others, froze. Their leader was down, twitching, unable to move.
Panic spread through them.
"H-He took down Varek!"
"We need to get out of here!"
One by one, they turned and ran, some stumbling over their fallen allies in their desperation to escape.
Aldric straightened, exhaling. "Tch. Pathetic."
Lucious lowered his sword, watching as the last of the thieves disappeared into the night. His gaze flickered to Aldric. "Not bad."
Aldric rolled his shoulders. "You doubted me?"
Before Lucious could respond, Varek groaned, trying to push himself up. But the moment he moved, Aldric planted his boot on his back, pinning him down.
"You stay right there," Aldric muttered.
Varek coughed, his strength drained. He glared up at Aldric. "Kill me, then."
Aldric smirked. "Nah. You're not worth the effort."
With a final jolt of electricity, he knocked Varek out cold.
Elara sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Well, that was more exhausting than expected."
Lucious glanced toward Orlen, who was still standing behind them, arms crossed. "I think we just saved your life. A 'thank you' would be nice."
Orlen scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. Don't expect me to owe you one, though."
Aldric flipped his dagger in his hand before sheathing it. "Let's get moving. I doubt that was the last time someone will come after him."
Lucious nodded, but his mind lingered on the fight. Aldric had won—not just with power, but with strategy. It made him wonder...
How much more did he still have to learn?
The sun was beginning to rise by the time they reached Velthorne, the city they had been escorting Orlen to. The towering stone walls loomed ahead, their surfaces marked with the passage of time. The gates stood open, allowing merchants, travelers, and early workers to filter in.
As they stepped past the guards at the entrance, Lucious took in the sight of the bustling streets—vendors setting up their stalls, the scent of fresh bread mixing with the distant tang of metal from blacksmiths already at work.
Orlen stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Well, I guess this is where we part ways."
Lucious gave him a sharp look. "Try not to get yourself killed the next time you piss off a gang of thieves."
Orlen smirked. "No promises."
Aldric scoffed, crossing his arms. "We should've just let them have you."
Elara sighed. "That's not how the Arcane Order works. We complete our mission, regardless of how we feel about the person."
Orlen gave her a mock bow. "Exactly. And for that, I sincerely hope your next job pays you more."
Lucious shook his head. "We're leaving. Try not to make enemies while we're gone."
Orlen chuckled as they turned and left him behind.
The journey back to Emberwood was uneventful. By the time they reached the Arcane Order's outpost, the sky had darkened again, lanterns flickering along the streets. They pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping inside where the familiar scent of parchment and ink filled the air.
At the reception desk, Elisa looked up, smiling warmly. "Welcome back."
Aldric tossed himself onto the nearest chair with an exhausted sigh. "Finally."
Lucious stepped forward. "The mission is complete. Orlen was delivered safely to Velthorne."
Elisa nodded, already retrieving a pouch of coins from beneath the desk. "Well done. The Arcane Order appreciates your work." She handed the pouch to Lucious.
He weighed it in his hand. "Not bad."
Aldric raised an eyebrow. "Not good, either."
Elisa chuckled. "It's only the first mission, Aldric. You'll get better pay when you climb the ranks."
Elara leaned against the counter. "Any idea when our next mission will be?"
Elisa gave them a knowing smile. "I'll contact you soon."
Lucious met her gaze. There was something in her expression—a hint that their next mission wouldn't be as simple as this one.
For now, though, they had completed their task.
They were one step closer to something greater.