The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Miss Eyla, if I may be so bold to inquire," Grima said with a hint of curiosity. "what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Lord Alavin?" She could tell that Eyla was far from the simple facade she presented. Just the other day, outside the storeroom, the way Eyla handled the situation with Celesse was nothing short of masterful. With a few light-hearted jests, she had effortlessly defused what could have been an awkward confrontation and had smoothly eased the tension between herself, Alavin, and Celesse.

"What about us?" Eyla asked with a smile, gazing at Alavin in the distance. The moonlight, like liquid silver, illuminated the valley and cast a glow on his strong upper body. The perfect lines of his muscles were utterly enchanting. His long hair floated freely, half-hiding his chiseled cheeks.

"Do you fancy our Lord Alavin?"

"You should be asking if he fancies me," Eyla replied with a wink.

"He is still naive, unversed in matters of the heart."

Godfred chuckled, "Who says Alavin is clueless? He knows plenty. He's just too preoccupied with other matters right now. But once he sorts everything out, you watch him..."

"Intruders!" Grima suddenly stood up. Her golden spear flipped and landed with a "thwack" in her hand, ablaze with light as fierce as flames.

Godfred was on alert instantly. His smile vanished as he stood guard, and his body wreathed in a purple aura of potent soul force. A pair of violet wings unfurled with a mighty flourish, whipping up a howling wind that scattered the dead leaves and gravel of the deep valley.

Alavin and Eyla were jolted awake and quickly gathered together. "What's happened?"

"A powerful presence is drawing near... Here they come!" Both of their faces blanched as they stood defensively before Alavin and Eyla, wary of the valley entrance.

"Don't panic. It's us!" Hamund, with Mariela and Celesse in tow, rushed into the valley, their speed so extraordinary it kicked up a chilling strong wind. The first thing Hamund did was set the Commander down, pressing on his wounds to channel energy and sustain his life force. The Commander's injuries were grave, with five chains piercing through his heart and main arteries. It seemed the Grand Elder had not intended for him to survive for long.

"How did you get here?" They rushed forward to greet them.

Was that the Commander?!

A sense of dread settled in Alavin's heart.

Mariela explained, "The Grand Elder has conspired with Lord Viperbane and Amber Valley, launching a surprise attack on the Commander and then assaulting my mentor at the Botanic Haven. We were lucky to escape, and now Lord Viperbane is hot on our heels with his men."

"Lord Viperbane and Amber Valley? Has he lost his mind?!" Alavin was truly shocked, having anticipated the Grand Elder's ruthless tactics. But to conspire with Lord Viperbane and Amber Valley was tantamount to rebellion. He was willing to disrupt the balance of the Northlands. Could he bear the consequences?

This wasn't madness. It was folly. Wait, what was the Grand Elder after? There was no reason for such actions.

Hamund continued his healing while speaking, "He knows the secret of the Kings' Acceptance and is desperate to obtain it at any cost! I suspect Lord Viperbane and Amber Valley are merely pawns in his plan. They were lured out under the pretense of disrupting the Northlands to strike down the Commander and the Botanic Haven Elder, and then the Grand Elder would seize his chance to steal the Kings' Acceptance from Atlantis. Even if he's exposed afterward, he doesn't care. With the legacy secured, he could flee to distant lands, hide anywhere, resume his cultivation, and strive for even higher realms, dealing with the consequences later."

Mariela added, "He's been blinded by the Kings' Acceptance; now, nothing else matters to him but claiming it."

Godfred and the others gasped.

Celesse said, "Thankfully, my mentor went to see the Commander and managed to rescue him by a stroke of luck. Otherwise, the Grand Elder might have taken control of Cobalt Strike and discovered the truth of the legacy unnoticed."

"He doesn't know it's with me now, does he?" Alavin frowned, realizing that the inevitable had finally arrived.

"Kings' Acceptance, you are indeed a curse. Everyone involved has met with misfortune. Now that I have obtained you, will you continue to unleash calamity?" Alavin thought.

"He probably doesn't know yet, but it won't stay hidden for long. My mentor is in their hands now."

Celesse urged, "Lord Viperbane's forces are closing in on us. We must leave this place quickly." Grima asked urgently, "How many are they?"