The next day dawned over SuperNova Town, casting a dim, grey light through the windows of the dungeon. Kaelen and his companions were led out by the town guards, their chains clinking against the cold stone floors. As they were marched through the streets, the townsfolk gathered to watch, whispering to one another in hushed tones. It was clear this was no ordinary trial.
The town hall was a grand, imposing structure, with towering columns and a vast, open space within. At the far end sat a raised platform where the council of elders, along with Chief Doran, awaited the accused. Kaelen and his companions were forced to stand in the center of the hall, bound and surrounded by armed guards.
Doran, standing beside the council, wore a twisted smile, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The head of the council, an elderly man with a long white beard, banged his staff on the floor, signaling for silence.
"Kaelen, of the Pacesetters Academy, you and your companions stand accused of being connected to the High Order, a secretive and dangerous group known for disrupting the balance of power across Aetheris," the elder began. His voice was firm, but not unkind, as if he were more curious than convinced of their guilt.
Kaelen exchanged confused looks with his companions. "The High Order?" he repeated, bewildered. "We’ve never even heard of them."
Doran interjected, stepping forward with a sneer. "Lies. The High Order is an elusive organization, but their influence spreads far. They have been responsible for uprisings and rebellions, and they operate from the shadows. Kaelen’s scent bears the same mark as those who are connected to them, and that alone is enough for suspicion."
Morris scoffed, his frustration bubbling over. "This is absurd! Kaelen is no rebel, and neither are any of us. We’re just students from the academy on a pilgrimage. You have no evidence!"
Guinevere clenched her fists, trying to remain calm. "What proof do you have, other than this ridiculous claim about his ’scent’?"
The elder council members exchanged glances, seemingly unsure themselves. One of the younger council members leaned forward. "The High Order is a legend, a myth. But if this is true, we need to be sure. Kaelen, if you truly have no connection to them, you have nothing to fear. But if you are lying, we cannot allow you to leave this town."
Kaelen’s heart pounded in his chest, not out of fear for himself, but for his friends. He had never even heard of this High Order, and yet, his life and the lives of his companions were now hanging in the balance. "I swear," Kaelen said firmly, "I have no connection to any group called the High Order. We are here for no other reason than to train and prepare for the battle convention."
Doran’s face twisted in anger, his patience running thin. "You are lying!" he snarled. "Your ignorance is an insult! You may not know who they are, but your existence, your very being, reeks of them. And I will not allow someone like you to slip through my fingers!"
At that moment, Sofia, who had been quiet, stepped forward. "This trial is a farce," she said sharply. "You’re using fear and paranoia to push your agenda. If Kaelen is connected to this group, where is your real evidence?"
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The head council elder held up a hand, silencing both Doran and Sofia. "Enough. We shall decide this matter with wisdom and caution. But know this, if there is truth to these accusations, the punishment is death. If you are innocent, then you shall go free."
Kaelen stood tall, meeting the elder’s gaze. "I am not afraid. I speak the truth."
The elder nodded, his expression unreadable. "We shall see. The trial will continue. But Doran," he said, turning to the chief, "we will not allow personal vendettas to cloud our judgment. You must present solid proof, not baseless accusations."
Doran seethed silently, his fingers twitching with barely restrained rage. The trial was not going as smoothly as he had hoped, but his plan was far from over. He knew the council needed more than words to convict Kaelen, but he had other ways to ensure the outcome he desired.
Swish!!
Clang!!!
As the trial approached its conclusion for the day, the tension in the hall was palpable. The head elder was about to declare the council’s verdict when, in the blink of an eye, Doran’s trusted aide made a swift, lethal move. A blade shimmered in the dim light as he lunged toward Kaelen with deadly precision.
Time seemed to slow as Kaelen’s instincts kicked in, his hand moving just in time to summon the protective barrier of his Eternal Guardian armor.
The sound of metal clashing against magic rang through the hall as Kaelen deflected the assassination attempt. His companions sprang into action, each reacting on pure instinct. Morris conjured a defensive shield, while Guinevere’s hands glowed with flames, ready to counter any further attacks.
The head elder shouted, "Stop this madness!" but it was too late. Chaos erupted within the hall. The guards scrambled, unsure whether to maintain order or apprehend Kaelen and his companions. The council members stood frozen, their authority quickly slipping away as the situation spiraled out of control.
In the midst of the confusion, Kaelen locked eyes with his friends. "Now’s our chance," he muttered.
Guinevere nodded, quickly forming a path of flames that cleared the way toward the exit. Sofia summoned a gust of wind, pushing back the guards blocking their escape route, while Eldric, with lightning flickering at his sword’s edge, covered their retreat. Ethan’s twin daggers flashed as he disarmed the guards nearest to them, leaving them momentarily stunned.
The group darted through the doors of the town hall and into the open streets. But Doran, furious and unrelenting, followed in hot pursuit. His voice echoed across the town as he barked orders at his remaining men. "Don’t let them escape! They must not leave the town alive!"
Kaelen glanced over his shoulder, seeing Doran’s rage-filled face. He knew they had little time before they would be surrounded again. "We need to move fast," he said, his voice urgent. "The outskirts—we’ll lose them in the woods."
The streets of SuperNova Town became a blur as they ran. The sound of their pursuers grew closer, and Kaelen could feel the weight of Doran’s determination pressing down on them. He wasn’t going to let them go that easily.
Darting down narrow alleyways, weaving between buildings, Kaelen and his companions pushed themselves to their limits. Their breath came in short, sharp bursts, but they didn’t stop. They couldn’t.
Finally, the edge of the town appeared in sight. Trees loomed ahead, offering the cover they desperately needed. But Doran was relentless, not more than a few paces behind. His eyes blazed with fury, and his pace never faltered.
Just as Kaelen and the others reached the tree line, Doran raised his hand, summoning a surge of dark mana. "You won’t escape me!" he roared, hurling the magic towards them.
Kaelen turned, summoning every ounce of his strength as he raised his sword, the light from his Eternal Guardian armor flaring to life once more. The magic collided with his shield, but the force of the impact sent him staggering backward.
Guinevere quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. "Keep moving! We’re almost there!"
Together, they plunged into the forest, the shadows swallowing them whole as they raced deeper into the wilderness, with Doran’s anger-filled shouts fading behind them.
’No, I won’t let them get away after discovering my town’
As Kaelen and his companions vanished into the dense forest, Doran stood at the edge of the town as he though, his rage simmering beneath the surface. His eyes narrowed as the last trace of them disappeared. The wind blew through the quiet town, but Doran’s mind was far from calm.
Beside him, his most loyal henchman leaned in slightly right after they came out from the chaos that is ensued in the town hall, awaiting orders. Doran clenched his fists, his voice low and seething. "If I can’t have them now, then I’ll hit them where it hurts most."
He turned sharply, his cloak billowing in the wind as he strode purposefully toward his waiting horse. His henchmen followed closely, their faces expressionless but determined.
"Prepare the men," Doran ordered without turning his head. "We’re going to pay the Pacesetters Academy a visit. I want every detail about Kaelen and his companions... and this connection to the High Order unraveled."
"But boss.... The Chief of the SuperNova Town is extremely furious with you and demands an explanation" one of the henchmen suddenly spoke up in a low and timid voice.
"He can go to hell for all I care!!! Going to the Pacesetters Academy for answers is more important to me than that old hag!" Doran replied with a furious look on his face.
His henchmen exchanged glances before nodding silently, knowing the gravity of Doran’s intent. With swift movements, they mounted their horses, and the group set off, leaving SuperNova Town behind as they headed toward Eldoria, where the prestigious Pacesetters Academy awaited.