Chaosbound: Elarith Chronicles

The group paused at their chosen spot, enveloped by a dense thicket of trees and the cool, crisp night air. Aurel gestured to the others. "This is it. You all stay here. Rindel, watch over them. If anything happens, protect them."

Rindel nodded silently, his masked face betraying no emotion as he moved closer to Kirin and Sir Vaedric, adopting a ready stance.

Sir Vaedric, however, couldn't suppress his curiosity. Turning to Kirin, he asked, "This… scanning technique your master mentioned. What exactly is it?"

Kirin looked up from adjusting his gear, a faint grin touching his lips. "Oh, Ripple Scan? Umm, it's a skill he uses to detect living things around him. But it's way more impressive than just detection. Honestly, I don't fully understand the mechanics, but it works."

Vaedric raised an intrigued brow. "Go on."

Kirin scratched his head, as if searching for the right words. "The first time I experienced it, I was in his range, and let me tell you—it wasn't pleasant. It felt like it was draining the life out of me, making me weak, like my strength was being pulled away. But Master's gotten a lot better at controlling it since then. These days, it doesn't affect me at all. In fact, his range has gotten much bigger, and he can focus it better."

Vaedric blinked, a mix of surprise and caution flickering across his face. "It sounds… formidable."

"Oh, it is," Kirin said with confidence. "Don't worry, you'll see great results soon enough. Master Aurel's been perfecting Ripple Scan, and trust me, he's become really, really good at it. Whatever's out there won't be able to hide."

Vaedric glanced at Aurel in the distance, who was already in a focused stance, scanning the area with calm determination. The Shadow Divinant couldn't help but feel both impressed and uneasy. If this was the level of precision and power the Vanguard wielded, it was no wonder they were so feared and respected.

Aurel moved swiftly through the forest, scanning the area for any trace of their targets. Finding nothing at first, he leapt gracefully from tree to tree, his movements fluid and precise, like a shadowed predator in the night. Kirin and the rest followed from below, their pace hurried as they tried to keep up.

"Quick, follow Master!" Kirin called out, darting ahead. "And try not to trip over any roots—especially you, Vaedric. I don't think Rindel can carry us all if we fall behind!"

Vaedric raised an amused eyebrow but said nothing, while Rindel simply gave a silent nod and continued onward. Despite Kirin's lighthearted comments, everyone remained focused, determined not to lose sight of Aurel.

At last, Aurel landed atop the tallest tree, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Ah, found you," he muttered under his breath. He reached for a communication device crafted by the Vanguard's engineers—a sleek, compact tool—and activated it. "Kirin, come to my position. I've located something."

Kirin heard his master's voice crackle through the device and grinned, gesturing enthusiastically to the others. "See? I told you! Master's tech is top-notch. We're basically living in the future!"

Vaedric glanced at the device in Kirin's hand, his expression betraying his fascination. As he watched the team in action, he couldn't help but think, The Vanguard truly operates on a different level. Their technology and tactics are leagues ahead.

Moments later, Aurel descended from the tree in a single, fluid motion, landing in front of the group. "Alrighty!" he announced, his tone sharp but tinged with a hint of excitement. "Here's the plan: You three will head to this spot." He pointed to a specific area marked on the map. "Kirin, you'll engage the first target. No questions, just pure attack. No matter what—don't run away."

Kirin's enthusiasm faltered slightly, his face scrunching into an exaggerated expression of disbelief. "Wait, what? I'm supposed to fight them alone? Master, can't Rindel at least help me? He's terrifying enough just standing there!"

Aurel shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. Rindel will ensure your one-on-one is uninterrupted. If anyone else joins the fight, he'll keep them occupied. This isn't just a battle—it's training, and it's your moment to shine."

Kirin groaned dramatically, his voice taking on a mockingly childlike tone. "Master, you mean I'm on my own? Who's going to protect me?!"

Aurel smirked, crossing his arms. "I'll come get you when I'm done making trouble at their base. You've trained enough, Kirin. Use your Divine Fist, your Shadow Steps—everything you've learned. Try to dodge their attacks, but if you can't, tank them. Endure it. Grow stronger."

Vaedric stared at Aurel, visibly perplexed. "You mean I'm just supposed to stand there and… watch? Not assist?"

Aurel nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. The objective is to measure their strength and gauge Kirin's progress. Your presence is enough to remind them of the kingdom's power. Don't intervene unless absolutely necessary."

Vaedric hesitated, his jaw slightly slack as he tried to process the unconventional plan. These people treat deadly encounters like training exercises… but maybe that's why they're the Vanguard, he thought, still bewildered yet somewhat impressed.

Aurel unfolded the map, revealing marked locations. "After an hour, Rindel, I want you to escort Sir Vaedric back to the castle. Deliver this map to the king or his strategist. These markings show the Umbrafangs' likely hideouts. Judging by their positioning, they're planning an all-out attack. It's not clear when, but it's evident they're surrounding the kingdom."

He paused, his gaze firm. "They've been monitoring you for some time, testing your defenses. You need to fortify and prepare immediately. I'll greet some of them myself. As for you, Kirin—it's all up to you. Don't fail me."

Kirin looked at Aurel with wide eyes and groaned again, his voice dripping with reluctant humor. "You mean I'll really be alone?! Ugh, alright, fine. But if I make it out of this, I'm holding you to that 'come get me' promise!"

Aurel smirked, patting Kirin on the shoulder. "I have faith in you. Now, let's move."

Aurel leapt into the air, his figure disappearing into the canopy as he darted toward his target with unyielding precision. His movements were silent, like a shadow racing through the forest. The remaining trio—Kirin, Sir Vaedric, and Rindel—watched briefly before turning to head toward their assigned location.

Kirin's expression turned uncharacteristically serious as he trudged forward, lost in his thoughts. This is it. My first real battle… and oh, wait—this isn't a battle at all. It's a massacre waiting to happen. Seriously, I don't stand a chance! Ugh, Master really enjoys torturing me.

He let out a soft sigh, glancing at the silent Rindel walking beside him. No matter what, I have to do this, Kirin thought, steeling his nerves. The goal isn't to win—it's to survive long enough for Sir Vaedric to measure their strength. Yeah, that's it. Survival. Just survive. Rindel can always help me escape later if it gets bad, right?

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He shot a quick look at Rindel, imagining his quiet companion single-handedly taking down two or three enemies without breaking a sweat. I bet he could easily take them down… but nope, of course not. This is my 'moment.' Lucky me.

As they approached the area, Kirin solidified his resolve, clenching his fists. "Alright," he muttered to himself with a faint, nervous grin. "Time to prove Master right… or at least not die trying."

Sir Vaedric, walking slightly behind him, raised a brow at Kirin's mutterings. "Are you… alright?" he asked cautiously.

Kirin glanced over his shoulder, flashing a slightly forced smile. "Oh, totally. Just mentally preparing for, you know, the terrifying ordeal where I'm supposed to take on an unknown enemy all by myself. No big deal."

Vaedric blinked, unsure whether to laugh or feel concerned, but said nothing as they pressed onward. Inwardly, he marveled at the Vanguard's fearless—if slightly unorthodox—approach. They really trust him to handle this alone. Either they know something I don't, or they're just insane.

Ahead of them, the faint sounds of movement reached Kirin's ears. His heart began to pound, but he didn't falter. Stepping lightly, he moved closer to the unaware enemies, his mind sharpening its focus despite his earlier doubts.

This is it, Kirin thought, his breathing steadying as determination settled over him. Let's make this count.

As Kirin crept closer, trying his best to steady his nerves, the two Malus—Toro, with his imposing horns, and Rask, the prince's killer—caught sight of the approaching group. A wicked grin spread across Rask's twisted face, his excitement palpable.

"Ahh, Toro," Rask purred, licking his lips. "Look at that—food is walking straight toward us. We really should be kind enough to greet them properly."

Toro merely grunted, his horned head tilting slightly as he eyed the approaching figures with a predator's intensity. Without another word, the pair broke into a sprint, the ground shaking faintly beneath their weight. Rask, always one to enjoy theatrics, couldn't resist as they neared their targets.

"BOOOO!" he shouted suddenly, his voice echoing through the forest. The sound was followed by his raucous laughter, a chilling and unhinged cackle that sent a shiver down Kirin's spine.

Kirin froze in place, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. He let out a high-pitched shriek that could only be described as… less than heroic. "AAAHHHH!"

Realizing his reaction, Kirin quickly slapped his hands over his mouth, his face reddening as he glanced back at Rindel and Sir Vaedric. "Uh… I mean, uh… tactical scream! Totally intentional!" he stammered, trying to recover some shred of dignity.

Sir Vaedric raised a brow, clearly unimpressed but saying nothing. Rindel, as ever, remained silent, his calm demeanor unbroken.

Rask, still laughing, skidded to a stop several feet away, his piercing eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Toro, did you hear that? I think I scared them! Hilarious! We're going to have so much fun."

Kirin gulped, his hands clenched into trembling fists. Okay, Kirin. Focus. Just… don't die. Think of the mission. Think of the mission… and Rindel maybe saving you later… He took a shaky step forward, trying to summon his courage. "Alright, let's do this," he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling but determined.

Kirin puffed out his chest and struck what he imagined was an intimidating pose, though his slightly trembling hands betrayed his nerves. Pointing dramatically at the two Malus, he bellowed, "You two! I challenge the horned guy over there. One on one!"

Rask froze for a moment, blinking in disbelief before throwing his head back in riotous laughter. "Him? Not me? One on one? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" His cackle echoed through the forest, and Kirin flinched ever so slightly but refused to back down, clenching his fists tightly.

"Y-Yes!" Kirin stammered, then cleared his throat and tried again with more confidence. "Yes! Him only! You stay and watch. My friends will also just watch!"

Rask leaned forward, his sharp piranha-like teeth glinting in the dim moonlight. "Oh, Toro, did you hear that? He wants you! Not me!" He doubled over with laughter again, slapping his knee. "One on one! This kid is hilarious!"

Toro, unfazed by his companion's mockery, stepped forward and raised an arm, gesturing for Rask to stop. His hulking figure loomed ominously as he positioned himself in front of Rask, a silent declaration of his acceptance.

Rask frowned, his amusement dimming slightly. "Wait, are you sure about this?" he asked, tilting his head toward Toro with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Toro glanced at him, his gaze steady, and gave a single nod.

Rask let out an exaggerated sigh and stomped over to a nearby rock, plopping down with a theatrical flair. Picking at his sharp teeth with a dirty claw, he muttered, "Oh well, okay. Have your fun, Toro. But when you're done, don't forget—I get to eat the rest. Deal?"

He grinned wickedly, flashing his jagged teeth at Kirin and the others. "Try not to get yourself killed too fast, little one. I'm not in the mood for leftovers."

Kirin gulped, his legs trembling slightly beneath him, but he planted his feet firmly and squared his shoulders. Okay, Kirin. This is your moment. Don't think about how ridiculous this is. Just survive. You can do this! Probably. He threw one last nervous glance at Rindel and Vaedric, silently hoping they were ready to intervene if things went horribly wrong.

Toro cracked his knuckles, his towering frame advancing slowly toward Kirin. The ground seemed to tremble faintly beneath his every step, and Kirin's resolve wavered for a brief second. Still, he stood his ground, forcing a smirk onto his face.

"Alright, big guy," Kirin muttered to himself under his breath. "Time to show them what you're made of—or at least not die trying."

The two combatants walked to a nearby clearing, their steps deliberate as if honoring some unspoken duel ritual. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the ground, setting the stage for what felt like a legendary battle. Toro, towering and menacing, began his transformation. Shadowy tentacles unfurled from his back—three writhing, sinister extensions of chaos—while his body grew larger, enveloped in a monstrous aura of chaotic energy. His sheer presence distorted the air around him, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate his power.

Kirin froze for a moment, his jaw dropping as he watched the horrifying transformation. "Not good," he muttered to himself, beads of sweat forming on his brow. How am I supposed to fight this monster? Panic threatened to creep in, but he clenched his fists and shook his head. "No, focus!" he whispered, his voice steadying. You're a freaking Divinant, Kirin! You're strong too. You've trained hard to get to this level—don't betray Master's expectations.

With renewed determination, Kirin began to glow faintly, his divine energy pulsing around him. His focus sharpened as he channeled his power into his fists, the energy compressing into a concentrated aura that made his knuckle devices come alive. The spiked claws crafted by Vanguard engineers gleamed dangerously, his hands now a formidable weapon. "At least I get to test these bad boys," he murmured, a flicker of excitement breaking through his anxiety.

From the sidelines, Rask watched eagerly, perched on his rock like an entertained spectator. His sharp teeth glinted as he laughed. "Oh, this guy's got a bit of spark, huh? Look at that glow. Hilarious! Too bad Toro's just stronger. Ah, this'll be fun!"

Back in the clearing, Kirin stared down his opponent, his mind racing. Should I attack first? No, stay calm—dash forward, evade, don't get hit. His muscles tensed as Toro raised one massive, shadowy claw, its chaotic energy swirling ominously.

Toro swung his colossal claw downward, the sheer force ripping through the ground with a deafening crack. Kirin's instincts kicked in, and he dashed forward, narrowly evading the devastating blow. The claw's impact shattered a nearby boulder, sending jagged fragments flying in all directions. Dust and debris filled the air, marking the destruction with a chilling silence.

Kirin skidded to a stop, his heart pounding in his ears. "Okay, not dying so far—good start," he muttered, half to himself. He glanced at Rask, who was now eating the dirt he'd picked from his teeth, chuckling like a maniac. "This guy's insane," Kirin whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. Focus. Just keep dodging, Kirin. You're fine. Totally fine.

Toro, unrelenting, launched another attack with his shadowy tentacles, each one snapping toward Kirin like chaos-fueled whips. Kirin ducked and weaved, rolling under one strike and jumping over another. As he landed, he muttered under his breath, "This guy's trying to make a salad out of me!"

From his perch, Rask roared with laughter, clutching his sides. "Oh, Toro, you might as well let me eat him now! He's dancing more than fighting!"

Kirin, still dodging frantically, snapped back, "HEY! How about you stay on your rock and keep eating dirt?!"

Toro growled, clearly unimpressed with the antics, and his monstrous form surged with even more chaos energy. Kirin gritted his teeth, his divine glow intensifying. Alright, time to stop dodging and start hitting back. He charged forward, his spiked fists glowing with compressed energy, ready to test the engineering masterpiece against Toro's overwhelming power.