The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Hamund arrived at the sacred retreat where the Commander was in deep contemplation, but rather than hastily ascending the mountain, he stood at its base, quietly gazing up at the summit. The mountain was teeming with a host of formidable individuals from Amber Valley and those sworn to Lord Viperbane, all of whom were concealing their presence as much as possible, gathered near the peak.

Lord Viperbane and Tobin had set up barriers within their sanctuary, cloaking their aura, lying in wait for Hamund. They were exceedingly cautious, yet still, they underestimated Hamund.

Standing silently in the dense forest at the foot of the mountain, Hamund whispered an incantation. "Arcane Shadow!"

A wisp of invisible essence slowly drifted from his body, like a transparent wraith. It glanced back at its physical vessel before lightly making its way to the mountaintop.

At the summit, Lord Viperbane, Tobin, the Grand Elder, and warriors from all three factions waited in silence, oblivious to the essence that had already neared them.

In Cobalt Strike, Hamund was a peculiar entity, aloof from the dealings of the Organization and seldom forming alliances. Before he took Celesse as a Protégé, he rarely stayed within Cobalt Strike's bounds, leaving most of the Elders with scant knowledge of him, save that he was an Archmage, second in might only to the Grand Elder.

Hamund's Arcane Shadow paused at the mountain's crest, not approaching the sanctuary. The gathered force of three to five hundred was a surprise to him. Where had all these powerful beings come from? And why were they assembled outside the Commander's retreat?

He floated silently in midair, observing the sanctuary but never entering.

After a long while, the Grand Elder within the sanctuary nodded. "He seems unaware of our presence. It's time to move."

"Are you certain?" Lord Viperbane asked cautiously.

"This is the Commander's place of cultivation, and a little disturbance is to be expected. Plus, we are deep within the Organization's heartland. No one would dare come here uninvited," remarked another. The Grand Elder added, "I'll leave a few behind. If Hamund does arrive, they'll delay him. We must act swiftly and return promptly."

Before departing, they confirmed once more that The Commander was gravely injured and could not break free from his chains. Then, they hurriedly left the sanctuary, leading their party towards Botanic Haven.

"Lord Viperbane! Tobin!" Hamund's Arcane Shadow, upon seeing them, immediately kept a wide berth, altering its expression dramatically.

Lord Viperbane, sensing something amiss, frowned and scanned the mountaintop, but discovered nothing.

They all departed, rushing through a secret passage prepared in advance, heading towards Botanic Haven. If they could subdue both the Commander and the Botanic Haven Elder, taking control of Cobalt Strike would be effortless.

Up to this point, all went smoothly. After all, who would suspect the Grand Elder, second only to one, would conspire with outsiders to foment rebellion?

"Who is stronger, the Botanic Haven Elder or Commander Kashann?" Lord Viperbane inquired.

"The Botanic Haven Elder's strength has been nearly drained by the Botanic Haven itself. For years, he has been nourishing the Rune of Abandonment Lock with his own flesh and blood," someone replied. "And the Chained Spirit within the formation, where has it gone?"

"That is a secret of Cobalt Strike."

"What is this Chained Spirit?" Tobin inquired further.

"Just focus on taking down the Botanic Haven Elder. The rest is of no concern," the Grand Elder sternly reminded, urging haste. The plan remained unchanged-first, administer the potion, then delay, and finally strike, capturing the target in one fell swoop.

Outside the mountaintop sanctuary, an Elder, appointed by the Grand Elder to guard the sanctuary, looked towards the distant hills with a smile on his face.

Having captured the Commander, they only needed to control the Botanic Haven Elder, and Cobalt Strike would be entirely in the Grand Elder's grasp. Soon, the situation in the Northlands would shift, starting with Cobalt Strike and igniting an unprecedented fray.

He could hardly wait!

Longing for battle in the Northlands rather than seclusion within the Organization, he thirsted for the chance to join forces with the mighty.

The Grand Elder had declared that the royal house was ready to intervene in the Northlands, no longer tolerating the dominion of the Eight Orders. This was their moment! If Cobalt Strike openly allied with Lord Viperbane to shatter the Northlands' balance, royal support would be assured, and sweeping through the lands would only be a matter of time.

The Grand Elder had the resolve and ambition befitting a leader of Cobalt Strike.

"Elder Codin, what brings you here?" Hamund asked as he followed the mountain path to the summit.

"Hamund," the Elder named Codin tensed inwardly. Had he come so quickly?