The following morning, the village of Qwernas was still recovering from the terror of the previous day's attack. The villagers worked quietly, repairing homes, gathering debris, and tending to the wounded. Though the sun had returned, casting a warm glow over the village, an uneasy tension hung in the air. Everyone knew the storm could return at any moment, and the monsters might strike again.
Nigel stood at the edge of the village square, watching as the people of Qwernas tried to rebuild. His grip tightened around the Sword of Kings, now sheathed at his side. He had spent most of the night awake, his mind racing with questions. Who had sent the monsters? Why had they targeted Qwernas, a peaceful village far from the heart of the kingdom? And most importantly, why were they after the sword?
Eldric approached from behind, his expression thoughtful. He, too, had spent the night reflecting on the events of the battle. His powers had allowed him to help many of the villagers, but even his healing magic couldn't undo the fear that had gripped their hearts.
"They're resilient," Eldric said quietly, nodding toward the villagers. "But they're afraid, Nigel. They know this was just the beginning."
Nigel sighed, his eyes still on the village. "I know. And I don't blame them. We fought those creatures off, but they'll be back. Whoever's behind this isn't done with us."
Eldric folded his arms, a frown deepening on his face. "We need to find out who's responsible for this. These attacks aren't random. Someone powerful is pulling the strings."
Nigel nodded in agreement. "But where do we even begin? The kingdom is vast, and the storm came out of nowhere. We don't have any leads."
Eldric paused, considering Nigel's words carefully. "There's one place we might start. The monsters, the storm, the way they appeared so suddenly—it all points to dark magic. This wasn't an act of nature. It was summoned."
Nigel turned to face him. "Summoned?"
Eldric nodded. "There are ancient texts, long forgotten by most, that speak of powerful sorcerers who could control storms and bring forth creatures from other realms. Most believed these were just legends, but after what we saw yesterday... I'm not so sure anymore."
Nigel frowned. "Sorcerers? Are you saying someone's using forbidden magic?"
"Exactly," Eldric replied. "There are old families, long thought to be extinct, who once dabbled in these arts. Some of them were cast out of the kingdom, banished to the edges of the world. It's possible one of them has resurfaced, using the chaos in the kingdom to their advantage."
Nigel's mind raced. "So, you think this is more than just an attack on Qwernas. This could be part of a larger plot."
Eldric's eyes were dark with concern. "Yes. And I fear that whoever is behind this knows about the Sword of Kings. They're not just after Qwernas—they're after you."
The weight of Eldric's words settled heavily on Nigel's shoulders. His father had always warned him that the sword carried great responsibility and danger. Now, it seemed that danger was closing in faster than he had anticipated.
"We need to act quickly," Nigel said, his voice firm. "We can't wait for another attack. If someone is using dark magic, we need to find them before they strike again."
Eldric nodded in agreement. "But where do we start? The kingdom is vast, and if this sorcerer is hiding, they'll be difficult to find."
Nigel was silent for a moment, deep in thought. "There's one place we could go. My father used to speak of an old order of scholars—keepers of ancient knowledge. They studied the old ways, including forbidden magic. If anyone knows about these sorcerers and their methods, it would be them."
Eldric raised an eyebrow. "The Order of the Eternal Flame?"
Nigel nodded. "Yes. My father mentioned them only once or twice, but from what I gathered, they're reclusive and secretive. They don't take sides in political matters, but they have knowledge that could help us. If we can find them, they might be able to tell us who's behind these attacks."
Eldric seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It's a long shot, but it's our best option. The Order is hidden deep in the mountains beyond the kingdom's borders. Reaching them won't be easy."
"I don't care how far we have to go," Nigel said, determination in his voice. "If they have information that can stop this threat, we have to find them."
Eldric nodded. "Then we'll set out at first light tomorrow. But before we leave, we should make sure the village is secure. If the monsters return, Qwernas will need protection."
Nigel agreed. The villagers had already suffered enough, and he couldn't leave them vulnerable. Together, he and Eldric spent the rest of the day preparing the village for the journey ahead. Eldric used his healing powers to strengthen the villagers who had been injured in the battle, while Nigel organized defenses, instructing the villagers on how to protect themselves if another attack came.
By nightfall, the village was as secure as it could be. Nigel stood on the edge of the village, looking out at the darkened sky. The stars above seemed calm, but Nigel knew that danger lurked just beyond the horizon. He felt the sword pulsing at his side, its power humming quietly, as if it, too, sensed the threat that lay ahead.
Eldric approached, standing beside him. "Are you ready for what's to come?"
Nigel took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility he now carried. "I have to be. There's too much at stake. My father's kingdom, this village, the people... I won't let them fall."
Eldric nodded, a look of quiet determination on his face. "You're not alone in this, Nigel. We'll face this together."
Nigel glanced at him, grateful for Eldric's support. "Thank you. I couldn't do this without you."
The two stood in silence for a moment, watching as the last of the villagers settled into their homes for the night. Tomorrow, their journey would begin, and with it, the search for answers—answers that could lead them to the dark force threatening the kingdom.
As the wind rustled through the trees, Nigel felt a quiet resolve settle over him. Whoever was behind the attack on Qwernas had made a grave mistake. They had awakened something far more powerful than they had anticipated. Nigel was no longer just a king; he was a protector, a warrior, and with Eldric by his side, he would uncover the truth.
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