The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Lord Viperbane, resorting to a cowardly ambush." The Cobalt Strike Commander glared at Lord Viperbane. His face was ashen, and the boiling light of his fury churned violently.

"You should thank me for sparing your life," Lord Viperbane's commanding presence overwhelmed the warriors around. His domineering aura made hundreds gasp for air, forcing them to retreat repeatedly. "Where is that traitorous cur of mine? Did you slay him?"

"Commander, there's no need for this verbal sparring. Hand over Alavin. You cannot protect him." The Grand Elder stepped forward out of thin air, standing to the left of Lord Viperbane, his expression cold and his gaze even colder. He'd toiled for Cobalt Strike for many years, only to be trumped by the importance of one single person, Alavin. Now, with the situation boiling over, he's been saddled with all manner of vile reputations. But no matter, as long as he could acquire Alavin and seize the legacy, his stagnant power could surge dramatically. Who then would dare look down upon me?

The Cobalt Strike Commander lamented, "Even if you plot rebellion, you shouldn't lose your dignity. What do you mean by standing behind Lord Viperbane? Are you going to hand over Cobalt Strike to him as a vassal?"

The Floral Enchantress Commander watched their standoff with detachment, showing no intention of intervening. Since she didn't covet the Kings' Acceptance, she wasn't about to wage war against Lord Viperbane over a mere boy like Alavin.

"Enough! Hand over Alavin!" Lord Viperbane strode towards Stormcast. Each step he took was like a mountain shifting, trembling the skies, terrifying the townsfolk. Lord Viperbane paid no heed to the distant Floral Enchantress Commander, certain she wouldn't dare interfere.

"While things are yet in control, surrender Alavin, and I might spare your life," the Grand Elder reminded Commander Kashann.

The leader of Amber Valley, Tobin, lurked in the shadows, quietly targeting the Floral Enchantress Commander.

The atmosphere suddenly tensed as five sacred auras swept across the land, rumbling through the wilderness and shaking the very fabric of space.

"What if you do get Alavin? Can you keep him safe?" The Cobalt Strike Commander roared in defiance.

"Whether to hand him over is your choice. How to protect him is our concern. I remind you one last time, hand him over! Or don't blame me for beheading you in public!" Lord Viperbane was resolute, taking bold steps forward. The trio had traveled day and night, finally reaching Stormcast before it was encircled by other Organizations and Kings. They were determined to quickly take Alavin and then join forces to divide the spoils of the Kings' Acceptance.

"What do we do? What can we do?" Helna and the others were fraught with fear.

The Cobalt Strike Commander clenched his fists and bravely faced Lord Viperbane. "If it's a war you want, then war it shall be! I would rather destroy the Kings' Acceptance than let it fall into your hands." "A spent force, yet you speak of courage," Lord Viperbane's mighty aura twisted space itself. The oppressive weight of mountains and rivers seemed to crush the wilderness.

Many lurking powers retreated once more, lest they be affected by his sacred might.

"Why does the Floral Enchantress Commander not strike?" Oda, tearful and anxious, clung to Helna.

Celesse sighed softly, "It's no use blaming her. She's not confident she can withstand Lord Viperbane, the Grand Elder, and Tobin. She won't intervene lightly."

"What do we do? Who will save us?" Oda trembled gently.

Helna embraced her. "What of Lady Eyla? Has she not gone to seek help from her grandfather?"

The group sighed. Even if help did arrive, would Jarad assist, or would he seek to dominate? After all, the temptation of the Kings' Acceptance was immense.

Before the Cobalt Strike Commander and Lord Viperbane could clash, their titanic auras collided like massive waves, and thundering booms spread like rolling thunder across the skies outside the city. Inside and outside the city, the air was thick with tension, and all eyes were fixed on the skies, many too afraid even to breathe.

However, at this moment of high tension, over a dozen elite assassins from Amber Valley silently infiltrated Stormcast from beneath the ground, taking advantage of the charged atmosphere between Lord Viperbane and the Cobalt Strike Commander. They sneaked near the city hall in the shadows of the evening twilight, quietly dispersing throughout the building in search of Alavin.

These assassins, handpicked by Tobin, were highly skilled, their power and experience making them aces of their craft.

The Grand Elder and his allies were no fools. They dared not take Alavin openly. After all, taking him was easy, but keeping him was hard. So they devised a plan. To have Lord Viperbane openly challenge the Cobalt Strike Commander, then use assassination to spirit away Alavin unnoticed, making everyone think Alavin was still in the city. Even if they couldn't find him, people would assume the Cobalt Strike Commander had hidden him away.