CHAPTER 45: WHEN RIVALS UNITE

As Imperial and his companions journeyed toward the main capital of the Lunaris Empire, their path took them through a dense, eerie forest that bordered the capital itself. The thick canopy allowed only threads of sunlight to break through, casting shifting patterns on the path ahead. Unknown to them, far to the east within the Voltaris Empire, another scene was unfolding—one that would intertwine with their fate.

A dungeon, newly formed on the border of the Voltaris Empire, loomed like a scar carved into the earth.

"We've arrived," Magna said, stepping forward. "Let's move in, Captain."

Their captain—Zeran, calm yet intense—nodded, leading the squad composed of Magna as his vice-captain and three more members under them .

The group ventured a few steps inside when Zeran suddenly stopped, raising his hand.

"Hold," he commanded sharply. His eyes narrowed. "Something's off."

The squad immediately formed a circle, drawing their weapons and preparing spells. Silence. Then—footsteps—soft and deliberate, echoing through the shadows of the dungeon.

Zeran's serious expression broke into a smirk.

"Well, well," he said, watching figures emerge from the darkness. "Long time no see… Kai."

From the shadows stepped Kai Alden, Imperial's older brother, flanked by his own team. Both squads faced off, the tension palpable—not from hostility, but as like they were reflecting their captain's rivalry .

The captains stared at each other. Then, in a rare show of camaraderie, they both gave the signal for their teams to lower their weapons.

Kai approached Zeran and extended his hand. Zeran took it.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Zeran said. "Two teams for one dungeon? That seem ordinary."

Kai's vice-captain, a lean man with sharp eyes, stepped forward. "We were ordered by the Royal Council. There's a relic or treasure we're to secure."

Zeran nodded. "Interesting. That's the same order we received. This treasure must be significant."

Then his eyes narrowed on Kai's vice-captain. "You're not the same one from before. What happened to the old vice?"

Kai's expression grew distant. "He left. No word. This is my new second-in-command—Finn."

Finn stepped forward and gave a polite nod. "Pleasure to meet you."

Zeran gave a lingering glance, clearly skeptical.

Then Kai turned toward Magna. "I recognize you. Imperial's friend, right? What are you doing under Zeran? There are far better captains out there."

Zeran scoffed and rolled his eyes while Magna chuckled. "I chose Zeran because our magic aligns—and frankly, I can learn a lot from him."

Zeran grunted. "I told you to drop the 'Captain' nonsense. I didn't take you as my vice to keep you under me. You've got potential. I want you to archive something high someday."

Kai watched them, silently noting the bond. He remembered the conversation with Imperial—Magna was someone special.

Deciding it made sense to cooperate, the two teams agreed to explore together.

They descended deeper into the dungeon, lighting the way with fire magic. Vines clung to cracked stone walls. The air was thick with magic and age.

"This place feels ancient and strong," Magna muttered. "Why would a dungeon like this appear at the edge of our empire?"

Kai replied, "High-level dungeons tend to emerge in regions where magical currents are strongest—royal towns or capital cities. But we've placed magical barriers in those places to protect civilians. So dungeons like this tend to appear in the borderlands."

Zeran added, "Our Empire's structure is also different. We don't have dense forests or mountainous terrain like the others. Most of our land is open field. Commoners also live in the center portion of our empire landmass, so the magical energy spreads evenly, even to the edges."

They spent the day searching the doungon, but found nothing—until just as they were about to turn back, zeran halted.

"Wait. Do you feel that?" he said, narrowing his eyes at a seemingly solid wall.

Kai stepped forward, fingers crackling with lightning. "Let's test it."

He thrust a bolt of lightning at the wall as Zeran followed with a hardened fire-infused punch. The stone cracked and crumbled, revealing a hidden path—a door, carefully created to look likes a wall.

They stepped into the hidden corridor—only after few step they entered.

Dozens of figures surrounded them, armed to the teeth. None wore royal uniforms.

Zeran stepped forward, feigning fear. "Oh no, gentlemen, please don't hurt us—I scare easy."

The enemy hesitated.

Zeran's smirk returned. "Just kidding."

He snapped his fingers.

Whoosh! A torrent of flame erupted beneath the enemy's feet, sending some scrambling.

"Now!" Zeran barked.

Both squads surged into action. Fire, lightning, wind, and steel clashed in a brilliant explosion of light and sound. In minutes, the captains and vice-captains stood victorious amidst fallen enemies.

"They weren't ordinary bandits," Kai muttered.

"They were waiting for someone," Magna agreed. "Maybe us."

Deep within the dungeon, another group watched.

"Intruders," one scout reported. "Voltaris soldiers."

Their leader, cloaked and masked, nodded. "Expected. We are, after all, on their land."

"What do we do?" a subordinate asked.

The leader pointed at the glowing crystal in their hands. "This is our mission. The General ordered us to retrieve it—success means my promotion. We don't fail."

"But the only exit—"

"Then we make another."

He turned to a comrade. "You know what to do."

The soldier nodded, raising his hand.

"Stone Magic: Stone Drill!"

A massive spinning drill of compressed rock formed, tunneling into the dungeon's wall.

Meanwhile, Kai and Zeran's teams had picked up the sound.

"You hear that?" Zeran asked. "They're trying to escape."

"We can't let our guest leave to early without meeting," Kai responded. "I'll pursue straight. You take the one who are escaping then we'll corner them."

The teams split. Kai's squad rushed toward the drilling sound.

Ahead, a stone archway stood—marked with old runes.

Finn pointed. "That's the door ."

They stepped in—only to be met by powerful enemies, fewer in number, but radiating far greater strength.

One of them stepped forward. "Who are you?"

Finn cracked his neck. "Shouldn't we be the ones asking that?"

Suddenly, an enemy lunged. "You little brat—think you're a big shot?"

"Ice Magic: Ice Dragon!"

A massive dragon of ice barreled toward Kai.

But Kai didn't flinch.

He raised a finger—and tapped the dragon's snout.