Chapter 3 — The Gathering Shadows

In a time still etched in the memories of kingdoms, Elthan's Sword was alive and whole—not broken or shattered, but the greatest sword, the symbol of strength and will for the kingdom of Valmair. Under the reign of the great King Ragnar, Valmair knew no defeat, nor did the days betray it.

But one day, as other kingdoms circled around, voices of anger rose in the streets—protests and whispers about a weak king who left the fortresses undefended. In the heart of this chaos, alarms blared, signaling a sudden attack from a neighboring nation, one of those states wielding a powerful sword of their own—thus began the war that history would forever remember.

King Ragnar, furious at such ill timing, stood before his soldiers and declared with an unbreakable voice:

"In times when we need unity and peace, chaos and war come to you! We will not allow ourselves to be defeated. We will not ask for mercy—we will forge prosperity!"

He led his army with Elthan's glowing sword, filled with the spirits of the warriors who came before him, in a fierce battle unlike any other. Valmair emerged victorious, and history inscribed King Ragnar's name in letters of light—but victory came at a cost.

Elthan's Sword fell—not completely shattered, but divided into five pieces, each carrying a part of the spirits of the heroes who fought. The king ordered the pieces to be hidden across the kingdom until the right man would come to gather them and rebuild what was broken.

Jyn closed the last pages of the book carefully. He looked up at Rock, sitting beside him, and said softly:

"Now I know the story of Elthan's Sword… how King Ragnar was a relentless leader, and how the sword was divided into five pieces despite his victory."

Jyn added with resolve:

"These pieces are hidden across Valmair, waiting for the one who will gather them and restore the kingdom."

He sighed, then stood and looked toward the horizon where the sun was setting.

Rock stood beside him, smiling:

"A long road lies ahead, but we have to start."

A few months after the fall of Valmair, while the land still bled its wounds, Jyn and Rock walked through the shattered lands, each step carrying the weight of loss and hope together.

Suddenly, swift footsteps approached from between the trees. Sera appeared—a young woman with sharp eyes, wearing simple armor and carrying her bow, just returned from the southern front where she had fought. She did not know Jyn personally, but the name "Son of Valmair" was whispered among the tales.

Sera looked at Jyn with a cautious smile and said:

"I heard the Son of Valmair has not given up yet… that his will is stronger than broken swords."

Jyn smiled confidently and replied calmly:

"And you… are the arrow that might change the course of this battle."

Rock smiled and said:

"Looks like the road is starting to gain new colors."

Jyn smiled with a firm, steady gaze, then said:

"Valmair did not fall because of swords alone, but because of those we lost, and those who lacked the will to gather what remained."

Sera looked at him with determined eyes and said:

"I saw the scale of destruction on the southern front. We cannot wait. Every day we waste is a day the enemy grows stronger."

Rock raised his axe decisively:

"If we are to fight for Valmair, we must be ready for whatever comes."

Jyn nodded his head and said:

"First, we must locate the other shards. Without them, Elthan's Sword will never regain its power."

Sera stretched an arrow on her bow and said:

"I know secret paths in the nearby forests. They can help us move and hide from the enemy's eyes."

Rock said seriously:

"A solid plan. But remember, whoever knows about our journey is an enemy."

Jyn smiled:

"Then let's begin… time waits for no one."

Days passed, and every step Jyn, Rock, and Sera took led them deeper into the ruined lands where ghosts and ancient secrets abound.

Sera led them cautiously, telling stories of the battles she witnessed on the southern front and horrors unseen by ordinary eyes.

Jyn listened attentively, knowing each word was a new lesson in patience and strength.

Rock, despite his tough nature, began to feel something greater than mere survival awaited them.

One night, resting beneath a starry sky, Jyn said softly:

"This path is not easy, but the will in our hearts will light the darkness."

Sera looked at him and said confidently:

"And as they say, darkness is only chased away by a fire that never goes out."

Rock laughed and said:

"Our fire will be an unextinguishable flame."

These words marked the beginning of a new era among the three, united against an uncertain fate.

The next morning, the trio woke to distant sounds of horses and riders approaching. A scouting party from a neighboring kingdom was monitoring the area.

Sera raised her hand to calm them, then addressed the captain with a calm, confident voice:

"We are not enemies. We seek a way to restore Valmair and make it an invincible power."

Jyn stepped forward and said clearly:

"I am Jyn, heir to Valmair's legacy, bearer of King Ragnar's will. We cannot bow."

The riders exchanged glances, then decided to accompany them for a time, promising aid to those who rise from the ashes.

Rock smiled:

"Finally, we see light at the end of the tunnel."

Thus, a new alliance began to take shape, and the journey to reclaim the sword and the kingdom seemed closer.

After days of relentless searching amid Valmair's ruins, Jyn, Rock, and Sera felt the weight of loss but their resolve only grew stronger. They moved between destroyed villages, listening to survivors' stories, searching for any sign of Elthan's Sword shards.

The plains of Valyus were cold, shadows fading with the setting sun. Suddenly, whispers and quick footsteps approached from the trees.

They all stood alert, ready for attack.

From the darkness emerged a group of dark mercenaries, their eyes burning with hatred, weapons raised—clearly seeking the same shards Jyn pursued.

The fight began instantly, strikes exchanged amid sharp winds and falling rocks. Jyn did not wield the broken Elthan's Sword but used his grandfather's heavier sword, his blows precise and powerful.

Rock and Sera fought side by side skillfully, trying to repel the attackers.

The battle was fierce but proved to Jyn that enemies lurked everywhere, and his quest to restore the sword would not be easy.

After the fierce battle on Valyus plains, the trio gasped for breath, but had no choice but to keep moving. They realized relentless pursuers followed them, and every step brought stronger, more organized enemies.

Sera looked at Jyn resolutely:

"These mercenaries only come by orders from a greater force. We must find out who stands behind them to stop them before they destroy everything."

Rock nodded:

"I don't think this is just about shards. They want to control Valmair's legacy at any cost."

Jyn clenched his grandfather's sword tightly, his eyes shining with unwavering determination:

"I will not let anyone exploit my ancestors' blood. We will continue, no matter the cost."

They decided to head toward a nearby village suspected as an enemy stronghold. The journey was dangerous, but they were prepared for anything.

On the way, Jyn explained the importance of the sword and its shards, and why they had to be reunited. He spoke of the warrior spirits dwelling in the sword, which had not been broken, only scattered.

That night, under the faint starlight, their friendship deepened as they bore the heavy burden of fate together.

Approaching the village surrounded by dense forests, the atmosphere changed. The calm before the storm hung heavy, and night sounds turned into whispers hinting danger.

Rock suddenly stopped and pointed at a movement among the trees. He said cautiously:

"We have guests… and this is no friendly welcome."

From the shadows emerged a group of masked men, armed with bows and short swords, moving swiftly and skillfully. They were clearly a professional squad not to be underestimated.

Sera fired a warning arrow into the air, saying:

"They think we're easy prey."

Jyn drew his sword, ready for battle, and said:

"We will not let them take anything from Valmair's legacy."

The confrontation ignited in the forest—a swift and intense clash. Rock used his axe to block attacks, while Sera struck from afar with precise arrows. Jyn was the heart of the battle, fighting with wisdom and strength, evading blows relying on his skill and training.

During the fight, Jyn struck the squad's leader, who fell before he could flee.

Quickly, Rock grabbed the leader and questioned:

"Who sent you? Who stands behind you?"

The leader smiled with a mix of cunning and fear:

"Don't think you're alone. There are greater forces moving us… the sword's shards are not yours yet."

Sera narrowed her eyes:

"We will find out who, but first we must return safely."

The trio withdrew swiftly before enemy reinforcements arrived and continued deeper into the forest.

As Jyn, Rock, and Sera pressed deeper into the dense forest, darkness grew thicker, and the distant roar of flowing water made them pause.

Jyn looked at the weary faces of his companions and said:

"We must find shelter before nightfall, and stay vigilant. The enemy will not cease the chase."

Rock nodded, scanning their surroundings sharply:

"The trees here are thick

But that also gives us a chance to hide."

As they chose a narrow path toward a nearby spring, Sira noticed a strange movement in the shadows.

She said quietly,

"There's something… they're not ordinary mercenaries; they have experience in this kind of battle."

There was no time for hesitation. They decided to push deeper into the forest until they reached a small cave hidden among the rocks.

Inside the cave, Jyn seated everyone to rest briefly, then looked at the shard he kept in the sheath of his sword and said,

"The enemy behind these men doesn't just want the sword, they want to crush our will."

Sira looked at him confidently,

"We won't allow that. Valmair is not just a fallen kingdom; it's our spirit that will never die."

Rock chuckled softly as he looked at them all,

"Well, if there's an enemy this big, this will be more fun than I expected."

As the night deepened, the three began planning their next move, certain that their journey was far from over — it was just the beginning of a new chapter of battle and determination.