Author's Note:
I want to announce the existence of a Facebook group for updates on this series. The chapters will have fewer words, and new chapters will be published on Wednesdays and Sundays around this time. Thank you for following!
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In one of the important regions of the Dawn Kingdom, inside the office of the third prince, Anji, with his attendant Arthur sitting by the window holding his spear, Anji said angrily:
"That fool refuses to join us."
Arthur replied calmly, looking out the window:
"Did you carry out your father's request?"
Anji sighed and said mysteriously:
"Of course. This will secure my position. I sent four knights to deliver the message."
Arthur smiled confidently:
"Such words! Now, I wonder what he's doing…"
---
On the thorny road before the slope, Toki got off the carriage after putting strawberries and apples in his pockets, while Raizel and Luna moved ahead quickly.
Toki easily blocked an attack from a tricerhameo before the carriage got too close. The other creatures nearby disappeared—it was just light reflecting.
Toki tried to dodge, but the beast grabbed his sword and threw him high into the air.
"Ah… Luna! I'll be back soon. Take care of… what's his name?" Toki said loudly, without worrying.
Raizel, trying to stay calm, shouted:
"You little troublemaker! What's wrong with you two? Don't you care about your lives?!"
The beast came closer to the carriage, and Luna noticed it paused for a moment, staring at Toki's pocket. A calm aura flowed from her, and a small smile appeared on her face. She looked at the beast sharply:
"Looking for something?"
Suddenly, the beast bit the fruit box. Before it could eat more, Luna grabbed its head with ash and pushed it toward Touki.
"Bad beast…" she said, nodding.
Raizel and his horse shouted together, shaking the carriage violently.
Toki threw a spinning ball of spiritual energy, pulling in the air around him. Before the beast could attack, he vanished with the sunlight.
Toki landed on the ground, shaking his hand:
"If it retreated… what are they planning?"
Raizel scolded Toki, clenching his jaw:
"Why do you act so foolishly? You're putting us in danger!"
He then looked at Luna:
"And you! The cargo is important, not a toy!"
Both Toki and Luna apologized at the same time. Raizel sighed, saying the important thing was that they were safe, but they had to find a way to continue.
Toki paused and said what he noticed: before the beast disappeared, he saw eyes between the trees.
Luna explained that the beast could change its color because of its shiny scales and had only aimed for the fruits.
After Luna made an ash carriage that the horse could easily pull, they continued to Fish Town, known for its fish, slate roofs, and a big valley for energy.
When they arrived, they apologized for the lost cargo and asked Raizel to prepare a new carriage. Then they went to his family home and spent hours in a warm, cozy atmosphere. Raizel's son discussed the Apple Village with Luna and Toki.
After the carriage was ready, they continued to the next station but faced a strange threat. They were surrounded by a group of tricerhameo.
Toki held his broken sword, which still suited him. Before the creatures could attack fully, they struck first.
"It's time to see the hybrid swordsman," Toki said, surprised.
He aimed carefully at the beasts' chins, while Luna covered the carriage with her aura. The monsters stepped back and started to confuse themselves in the sunlight.
Toki and Luna watched the quick movements in every direction, while Raizel thought to himself: "Let them… I'll give them a chance."
Raizel pushed the horse faster, and the monsters attacked mercilessly. But Toki and Luna had already started their small plan.
Luna created a straight path of ash in the air and made two large blades to defend herself, while Toki tried to reduce their numbers from behind. The tricerhameo were smart and fast at changing color.
They reached a rocky area, but the beasts kept coming. Toki jumped from the carriage onto a sharp rock, looking around and counting them.
"Go ahead without me! I'll take care of them," Toki said.
"We'll wait for you," Luna replied, pushing the carriage with ash, thinking: "Can he handle his energy pulses?"
Toki ran over the rocks while the beasts tried to attack him. Knowing they were strangely attracted to fruits, he tossed a strawberry in the air, and one of the beasts ate it with its sticky tongue.
Toki took his stance and attacked them one by one, but for the beasts, his strikes were just scratches because of his precision.
He moved toward the tall trees, drawing the beasts to him, whispering:
"This isn't enough… I need to use my spiritual pulses…"
Toki stopped in an empty place surrounded by tall trees. Some beasts jumped at him, while others chased Luna's group.
He closed his eyes and focused on his spiritual energy, sensing the pulses around him. The beasts tried to grab him, but he avoided their attacks.
Toki thought:
"I guess using my spiritual energy is a bit like my domination skill."
From afar, a curved iron sword flew toward Toki. He caught it, opened his eyes, and a black-and-white aura spread from him. As the beasts prepared to strike, Toki cut their movement threads.
A few minutes earlier, with Luna and Raizel walking on the ash path, Raizel rubbed his forehead:
"Will that boy really be okay?"
Luna asked Raizel to steer the horse along the road she would create. He was surprised but agreed.
"Are you worried about him, miss?" he asked.
"No. I know another group of beasts is coming. Sandor is on a circular path to reach Toki and take him," Luna replied confidently.
Raizel smiled faintly. Luna pulled a curved sword from her space and threw it toward an area with trees.
Back to Toki after receiving his sword: his black-and-white aura was steady. With one swing, all movement threads were paralyzed, and one beast said threateningly:
"Don't get cocky… we only serve our leader!"
Toki replied seriously, driving his sword into the ground:
"You've wasted my time… let him come, and we'll talk."
The beast answered angrily:
"You'll pay… if you don't let us steal those fruits!"
Toki left, his sword broken, beasts lying on the ground.
In a tree, Shon watched silently from a high branch, playing with pebbles, muttering angrily:
"That boy… Toki… why pretend to be foolish? His abilities are amazing, almost like a rising warrior. He is…"
From the perspective of Toki and Luna with Raizel, Toki jumped to the carriage. Luna reached out, and he climbed aboard.
Ahead, another group of beasts waited eagerly, while some fell behind them among the trees.
Near their previous spot, a huge, terrifying beast appeared, likely their leader. Hot air and saliva came from its mouth as it slowly approached its fallen followers.
The smaller beasts trembled, watching their leader, murmuring:
"He's here… this is our end…"
To be continued…