LET LOOSE!

As they drew closer to Uleriana, a gorge loomed ahead. The only path to the kingdom ran through it but it was somewhat dangerous. Ever since the shift in power, the pass had been left unguarded — a perfect hunting ground for bandits perched above, waiting to ambush travelers.

"Guys keep your eyes peeled and stay alert," Aizzy whispered, her gaze sharp as she scanned the cliffs above.

"Hold it right there!" a voice roared from above.

Aizzy and her companions halted, glancing up. Twelve men stood on the craggy ledges, crossbows aimed at Aizzy and co.

"Fork over all your belongings!" barked a man who presumably was their leader. His armor was a crappy patchwork of stolen gear, and he rested a huge war hammer on his shoulder. "And the lady as well."

His voice echoed through the gorge, but Aizzy and the others just... kept walking. Unfazed by his appearance.

"Hey! Hey! Don't act foolishly. Just scooch your belongings over, or you'll regret it!" he shouted, his tone a mixture of anger and frustration.

Still, they ignored him, and kept walking.

*This'll get messy.* Eldwyn thought.

The leader gritted his teeth, his face twisted with rage, and he gestured to his men.

"Let the arrows fly."

Sulivan stepped forward and threw a punch into the empty air.

BOOM!

A shockwave burst from his fist touching the air, bursting through the sky. The force slammed into the incoming arrows, shattering them into splinters that rained down like razor-edged confetti.

The bandits staggered, their mouths hanging open, eyes wide as they tried to process what had just occurred. Meanwhile, Aizzy, Eldwyn, and Sulivan were still moving forward.

"The next thing they'll do is to descend and try to act smug." Sulivan muttered, "Eldwyn you'll handle them."

"Yeah okay." Eldwyn nodded without thinking.

They kept walking for a few seconds before his brain caught up.

"Wait... WHAT? Me?!" Eldwyn nearly tripped over his own feet but Aizzy helped him up. "Take them on? All of them?!"

Sulivan side-eyed him with a smirk. "Did I stutter?"

"B-But—"

"No buts." Sulivan clapped Eldwyn on the back, almost knocking him over. "If you want to get stronger this is the first step. Let loose."

Eldwyn turned to Aizzy, eyes pleading like a lost puppy, as if telepathically asking her to intervene. Aizzy, however, casually looked away — suddenly fascinated by the dirt on her boots.

By the time Eldwyn accepted his fate, they had already descended, blocking their path.

"You'd be smart to do as we say." one of the bandits snarled, adjusting his torn cloak. "Do you know who our leader is?"

"Enough!" the leader barked, lifting his hammer into the air. The metal head gleamed with scratches and dents — a weapon that had clearly crushed many skulls.

The group, without hesitation, walked passed the bandits like they didn't even exist.

The leader froze.

He turned to one of his men, voice dropping to a dumbfounded mutter. "They heard me right?"

"Yes they did." his underling replied, scratching his head.

"And they still walked past me?"

His underling nodded, equally surprised.

The leader's face turned red, veins bulging. "Draw your swords! Do whatever you want to the guys — but leave the lady intact. We'll take our time playing with her."

Aizzy and Sulivan halted, as Eldwyn walked toward the incoming bandits.

Facing them was inevitable.

Eldwyn clenched his fists as they got closer.

"Let loose, he says..." Eldwyn muttered, "I'm gonna die. sniff "

Eldwyn locked in, his eyes narrowing with focus.

Two of the bandits charged toward Eldwyn, their steps tight and rehearsed. They took turns with each other seamlessly — one attacked while the other defended, the roles switching without a word.

Eldwyn's heart raced, but he honed in, narrowing his eyes to remember bits of Sulivan's battle with Pelas. A memory surfaced with every swing of their blades. He slipped past their sword like a barroom brawler, ducking under one swing, countering with a jab to the wrist. The blade fell to the ground, clattering in a way that echoed against the jagged stones, like some kind of warning bell.

"Tch, slippery little rat," one bandit hissed, shaking out his hand.

The other lunged, as if toward Eldwyn's side. Eldwyn ducked and threw an uppercut square into the man's jaw. His body lifted slightly off the ground before crumpling like a dropped sack of flour.

"Don't just stand there! Get him!" the leader barked, spit flying as he raised his hammer.

Four more bandits charged in, swords glinting under the midday sun. Eldwyn's chest burned, but he stayed light on his feet, boots scraping against the rocky ground as he dodged. He waited until the last second, then jumped out of the way — their blades sliced into each other instead of him, blood splattering the dirt like dark paint.

"Are you guys serious?!" one bandits yelled, clutching his arm.

Eldwyn's breathing grew heavier, sweat dripping down his face. His knuckles ached from punching, skin scraped and raw, but he didn't let up. Every move was calculated. A jab to the ribs, a kick to the knee — he chipped away at them like a sculptor carving stone.

Still, they managed to graze him. A blade nicked his shoulder, tearing through his sleeve. Another strike nearly caught his leg, leaving a shallow cut. But Eldwyn didn't stop. He couldn't.

He glanced at Sulivan and Aizzy, hoping for a lifeline, but Sulivan just crossed his arms, watching with an unreadable expression. Aizzy, meanwhile, picked at her nails, barely holding back a smirk.

"Come on, Eldwyn!" Aizzy finally called out, her voice echoing through the canyon. "Don't let these guys walk all over you!"

Eldwyn gritted his teeth, dodging another swing. "Easy for you to say!" he snapped, driving his fist into the bandit's gut.

The man wheezed, dropping to his knees.

"See? You got it," Aizzy chirped, giving him a thumbs-up.

Eldwyn rolled his eyes and steadied himself, legs shaky but still holding strong. The fight wasn't over — not yet.