A/B: *chuckles*

Why does the actual chapter's title looks so familiar ?

~Third's POV~

The fight had already begun between the mountain bandits, who were coming from the north, against the village's lookouts, well trained by sir Berg himself, as were doing everything in order to prevent them to reach the center of the village, and to protect by passing their closest ones. Though, their foes were more numerous and tougher than they have expected. Among them, the trio of bandits whom Travis has met were back.

While the peasants were overwhelmed by their numbers, the bald one bragged.

"Bah ! These dirty peasants don't know their place !" 

"We outnumber'em ! Surround'em !", added the mustached bandit.

"Stick a dlabe in their backs 'fore the boss finds out swineherds slowed us down !", ordered the bearded one, who led the troup.

However, the defenders of Cobbleston haven't said their last word.

"Do your worst, you brutes !"

"You'll not be getting past us !"

The bandits dashed towards them and

KLAAANG !!

The lookouts ripost obliged their attackers to step back.

"Damn it all !... Burps ! These swineherds know how to fight !"

"Aren't they so annoyin'... ATCHA !!!"

"Whatever ! They're still gillavers, and gillavers are always part of the small fry ! GET'EM GUYS !!!"

"HAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!", cheered the bandits during their battlecry.

CLAAAAAAASHH !!

WOOOSHH !!!!

Every single bandits were suddenly repealed by a powerful strength which made them falling away.

"WAAAAAAHHHHH !!!"

"Argh !"

"Ngh !... What was that ?!"

Sir Berg joined the battle ! He managed to retrieve his sword hidden under is bed, which was slightly bigger than most of swords, and still pretty looking for its age. He was now standing a front of the assailants, changing the battle's situation at the peasants advantage.

"Sir !"

"Good work, men. You did well to hold them off... But I'll take over from here.", he said in a charismatic tone.

Most of the brigands were shocked by his presence, when one of them warned.

"Oh no !... Not him agaAAAAACHOOOO !!!... Nghh !"

"Who's the hell is this guy ?!"

"'not human !... How could that simple villager can outrange us like that ?!"

"We are doomed !! It's like he has the strength of 10 bears !!"

"Who is he ?!! A knight ?!!..."

Sir Berg answered wisely at his opponents, but still looking at them with a menacing glare, ready to strike down the one who would dare challenging him.

"You both have the right of deduce who am I. I'm but a common protector of these places, with no name to speak of. But if you've come looking for trouble... you've found it."

Though, 4 bandits armed to the teeth decided to attack him together.

"Yaaaahhh !"

CLAAASH !!

They were repealed by his brutal strength, only to get covered by wounds.

"Uaaargh !! Gnhh !..."

The lookouts were impressed to witness Berg defeating the whole group of attackers from the north without any effort, as he remained a strong moral in battle. So, his foes quickly understood they were getting shorter against that powerful opponent.

The bearded bandit, who tried to support the pain on his broken arm, watched him with hatred, when he announced.

"Ye can handle a dlabe, aye. But this ain't the end o' it... when the boss hears 'bout this, yer a dead man, ye hear ?"

"We'll see about that, won't we ?", answered Sir Berg.

"LET'S GO GUYS !"

So, every single bandits managed to leave the village where they came from, being able to escape the lookouts who tried to chase them.

They were finally gone, not a single foe has successfully entered in the hamlet when Berg was here to give an useful helping hand at the defenders. Everything seemed finished... when some desperated voices reached Berg's ears.

"Help ! My boy !"

"Let me go, you ugly... ngh !"

"Hm !?"

~Berg's POV~

I quickly recognized these calls: it was Philip and his mother !

Something might has happened to them ! Quick !

Concerned, I quickly went back to the south of Cobblestone, when I saw Philip's mother on her knees, completely desperated as some lookouts tried to reassure her.

"Sandra ! What happened ?!"

"Oh, Berg, sir ! They... they took him from me !", she answered me worringly, when she continued to cry. "My poor Philip... He was trying to protect me, but those... those animals... !"

"Damn it all !", I cursed.

But how did they manage to kidnap him although the southern side of the village was also guarded ?!

The others lookouts also felt bad for Sandra, when one of them told me.

"Forgive me, sir... there were so many of them, and... they have also taken... one of the boys who is your new trainee !..."

My new trainee, he said ?!...

"Travis !"

I couldn't believe he has been kidnapped too ! I shouldn't have let him alone when I was fighting the assailants ! Was the northern attack prepared just to distract me and most of my men ?!

One of the lookouts, who has been hurt while defending some civilians, apologized.

"There was another wave which attacked us by surprise from the south, without we had time to react... It's our fault if..."

"It doesn't matter, now ! We have to save the lads !", exclaimed another defender.

"Sir !", called a voice.

We observed two men arriving in the village, who were no one but the scouts who accompanied the headman who were looking for the basement of the bandits. They might have finally found it !

As they were immediately aware we have been under attack, one of my men cheered. 

"Thanks the twelve gods, the lookouts are back ! But... where's the headman ?"

"Ha.... They have pursued us... We have been separated... He sacrificed himself to permit us to escape ! He must has been captured as well !...", answered one of the scouts, catching his breath.

That wasn't good: now the bandits were holding not 2 but 3 people in hostage !

Everyone were shocked of that bad new, when the other scout replied.

"But we know where they are now. Holed up in a cave, deep in the mountains."

"Then, let's go ! Gods only know what they'll do to them...", said one of my men.

As a few men were about to run at the boys rescue, I stopped them.

"...Wait."

"But, sir ! We have to do something ! They might kill the boys !"

"If you leave now, who will protect the village when the thieves return ?", I told them seriously.

Indeed, they already knew that if they all decided to go at that cave, that they couldn't prevent other villagers to be kidnapped, harmed, or even worse...

I ordered to them.

"No, you would be playing right into their hands."

"...Gods a'mercy. Is there nothing we can do, sir ?", said one of them, worried about the hostages.

"I'll go after the boys.", I told them directly.

I was the only hope for the boys and the headman, and the only one who's able to go at their rescue. If no one else could save them, so I will save them myself.

When I stowed my sword and started to set off for the cave, some of my men were surprised by my decision.

"Alone ?! But, sir, even you... !"

"You stay and guard the village. At least until you're sure they're not coming back.", I answered them by turning back.

"Please, sir ! Bring him back safe !", begged Philip's mother, worried for the safety of her son.

"You have my word."

I then started to run through the exit of Cobbleston.

I might have an idea where the brigands must have established their basement: there were a bunch of caves somewhere in the mountains where no one dared to approach due to the monsters populating them, until they have been expeled by brigands. I decided to go at these caves, in order to save the boys and the headman.

I have to hurry before no gods know what will happen to them !

Those brigands... What villains would take defenselesses children as hostages ?!

~Travis's POV~

My head... it hurts...

I was slowly waking up from my sleep, when I noticed a mouse eating a small piece of bread staring at me.

"Squeek !"

I watched it fleeing in fear, and passing through a squared hole made of bars... Of bars ?

"Waaaaaahhhhh !"

After yawning by stretching my arms, I noticed in confusion I was in a kind of isolated and dark room, surrounded of rocky walls by the sides, sitting on a dirty floor, and a front of me, there was like a closed door only made of iron bars, disposed vertically and horizontally, preventing me to escape. Wait... was I in a prison ?!

I watched through the holes how dark was the large room from the outside: a bunch of bags and wooden boxes filled the room, only illuminated by a few torchs, when I observed  a brigand who drinking a bottle of wine, without paying attention to me.

I tried so hard to open the door by shaking it, but it refused to open, because it was locked out. So, I instead tried to break the bars with my own hands, using all the strength I got.

"It's useless.", said a voice.

I watched behind me to see Philip, sitting at the corners, arms crossed, has he looked annoyed.

"I've already tried, but the bars are too hard.", he replied me back.

"Where are we ?... What happened ?..."

"Don't you remember ? We have been captured by those bandits, and they brought us here while you were sleeping..."

Oh yeah... I remember to have been knocked out by on of them, when I was about to unleash my powers ! If only I've used them a little quicker...

So, Philip must has been captured too... I can see him being contraried towards them.

"Those damn brigands... I will never forgive them to have harmed my mother !", he said in a low but angry tone.

"Are we... at their secret base ?", I asked him confusingly.

"Probably... Which other place were you thinking ?", he answered me annoyingly, when he added. "...It's been 2 hours since we're stuck here."

"2 hours ?!!", I exclaimed surprisingly.

Have I slept so much during all this time ?!

KLANG !!!

"HEY YOU BRATS !!! COULD YOU SHUT UP ?!! I HAVE TO DO MY JOB !!", yelled suddenly the brigand, who just kicked the bars to make a loud noise, when he dropped his bottle.   

CRASH !!

"CONGRATULATIONS !! CAUSE OF YOU, I'VE BROKEN MY BOTTLE !!", he blamed us angrily, when he sighted. "Meh. I'm gonna find an other."

What a stubborn, this guy...

He then went in another unseen room, leaving us alone, when I noticed a pair of keys hung at his belt. They might be the keys which would open our cell !

Philip then sighted.

"Ha... I could have got them myself, if I wasn't distracted, when you have been knocked out. Though, they were much numerous than I thought. I hope everyone is ok..."

He was feeling guilty to have been captured by these thieves, blaming me a little as they must have caught him when he watched me being knocked out. Me too, I felt stupid to not have used my magic to beat those guys.

Anyway, we couldn't stay in that cell, we have to get out of here before they would harm us or something like that.

Now the guy who was watching us left, I took this chance and tried again to break the bars with my own hands, gripping them tightly despite how hard they were. I couldn't use my powers because the room was too small and I might electrocute Philip by accident.

"What are you doing ?!", he started to be angry.

"We... we have to get out of here ! It's our chance before he comes back !"

He then prevented me to continue.

"I told you to forget it ! I've already tried ! Let's just wait Sir Berg to rescue us, okay ?!"

"But he doesn't know when we are ! How can he find us if he doesn't know where's the brigands's basement ?!"

"COME ON ! Think about it ! Sir Berg is the best fighter of all the village ! He will manage to find out where we are, am I wrong ?!"

"OH YEAH ! And what if they kill us before he gets here ?!"

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY FAITH ON HIM AT ALL ?!"

"LISTEN I JUST WANT TO TRY BUYING TIME !"

"THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT ! IF YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THINGS BY YOURSELF, YOU'RE TOTALLY WRONG !!!"

"!!!..."

What he just said just shocked me.

He was definitely frantic, still angry towards me about the fact I was so close to Sir Berg.

He calmed himself, but watched at me angrily, when he explained.

"You know nothing about Sir Berg. Me, I've spent all my life with him ! It's been years he taught me everything, that I've progressed so hard to help my mother, and to prove him I can become someone like him... But when you appeared from nowhere 2 days ago, Berg knew nothing about you, and you knew nothing about him as well... Though, he already considers you like his best trainee... So... WHY IS HE MORE PROUD OF YOU THAN ME ?!"

"That doesn't means anything ! I'm sure he is also proud of you !"

"SO WHY AFTER OUR BATTLE, HE THOUGHT YOU WERE THE REAL WINNER AND NOT ME ?!! WHY HE HAS TAKEN YOUR DEFENSE JUST LIKE YOU WERE HIS SON ?!!"

"BUT I DON'T CARE IF HE'S LIKE MY FATHER OR NOT !! I NEVER ASKED TO !!!"

"YOU LIAR !!!"

KLANG !!!

"WILL YOU SHUT UP ! OR YOU WANT ME TO CUT YOUR DAMN TONGUES ?!!", yelled angrily the guard at us, when he went back on his chair.

After he was too far away to hear us, Philip then manage to speak much lower.

"I've observed you, last night, when you were eating at Camilla's inn together... You two were so close, while you were eating and laughing, just like you know each others for years... You were so happy to be at his sides... And Berg even left the village just for saving you... He has so much respect towards you...", he explained at me with a supressed anger, when he continued to reveal me what's in his heart. "But me too I would like him to be really proud of me, I also wish to have him like a father... This is what I wanted, because I would be nothing without him... But since you're here... I just feel invisible !"

I felt upset to see him in that state. I never knew how much Berg was important for him before,  but I can tell he must really likes him a lot.

In reality, me and him were almost the same: we were both boys who had such a great admiration towards this former knight, and we both wanted to get stronger to protect those we loved. We have both something in common that we didn't manage to share. All I wanted, is to spend some time with Berg, but not to make him jealous at all. Though, I wanted to explain to him how much I knew about Berg, but I couldn't tell him his past as a knight, as I promised him to keep it as a secret. That has made him furious, and anxious that I couldn't explain to him.

Though, he calmed down, understanding he has been too far.

"I'm sorry to get mad after you..."

"No... You are right.", I answered him directly, sitting quickly against the wall, as Philip watched at me, disturbed by his own fury, when I confessed. "Yes, I consider him like the father I never got... Yes, I also want to show him how strong I can be, so he can be proud of me... I also respect him a lot, because during my miserable life... I never knew someone like him to help me when I'm in trouble, and also to learn everything of this hard world..."     

I partially lied, even if it was a little true if I didn't counted Therion and the others. Indeed, I was so glad to have met this man...

I stared at Philip, feeling guilty towards him, when I added.

"However, I should have known that you too you admired him... I got nothing against you, I just never noticed that it was hurting you to see me and him together... Me, you know... I just wanted to be your friend !"

That's right !...  wanted to befriend with him, honestly, and I never wished we could argue for Berg. I never befriended with another boy of my age, and I wanted to know him since I've met him, as he inspired me to get stronger, and I wanted to thank him.

He didn't seem to be surprised by my answer, when he told me.

"Me too."

"Huh ?"

"Me too I wanted to befriend with you... It's just... my admiration towards Sir Berg which blinds me, because it's just creeping me out to not be strong enough to protect the village. It's me, instead, who..."

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TO TELL YOU ?!! SHUT UP !!", yelled again the guard, interrupting our conversation.

"OHHH !!! WE STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, NO ?!!", I protested angrily towards the right.

He then passed his arms through the holes and gripped me, as he watched at him with disgust.

"Ngh!!"

I tried to get out of his grisp, when he spoke to me.

"I can see your will his strong !... It's always the same thing: brats like you who never listen to adult's advices always waste their stupid life ! Listen, the boss doesn't like his base to be noisy, so you will do me the favour to SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH FOR ONCE OR I WILL IN MY OWN WAY !! UNDERSTOOD ?!"

"Let him go !", ordered Philip at the guard.

After a moment, he finally released me, making me landing heavily on the prison's floor.

He then said to us.

"Fine. I'll be relievied soon, anyway... And remember, if we hear you screaming... COUIC !"

He mimicked the sound of someone being beheaded, before he disappeared from our view. We were finally alone in our cell.

Philip then protested.

"How can he be so annoying ?... Seriously, he screamed louder than both of us together..."

"Yeah you right !"

We watched at each others for a seconds.

"Ha Ha Ha !", we both laughed in relief, being such 2 accomplices.

Philip wasn't too bad, actually. It was just both our fault if we argued earlier, but if ever we manage to understand each other, we would always finish to make peace, thanks to this guard.

We smiled at each other, when Philip told me positively.

"Anyway: I'm sorry to have yelled on you... I understand now why Sir Berg has decided you can train with us... You're such a good lad."

"So you are ! And you're right to say Berg is awesome: you're so lucky to have such a teacher like him !", I then extended my hand towards him. "Let's be friends, ok ?"

"Friends !"

We both shaked hands tightly. It meaned a lot for me, because I was glad to make a new friend, as he was because he seemed to enjoy my company.

Then, I stood up and said.

"Ok. Now let's get out of here !"

Cling ! Cling !

I shaked a pair of keys, when he was surprised.

"Oh ! Where do you got these keys ?!"

"I took him from the guard when he gripped me !"

"Nice job ! How did you do that ?!"

"...I'll explain to you later !"

I couldn't tell him I was a thief too, but not like those guys who kidnapped us. Like Therion, I managed to steal the guard's key without he even noticed. Thanksfully he has taught me when I observed him several times !

So, I managed to enter one of the key in the keyhole by the other side, and slowly opened the door, at Philip's amazement.

He then adviced me in a calm tone.

"Alright ! Let's get out of here before someone sounds the alarm."

"Yeah !"

We then left our cell and went at the left, while the guard was absent.

~A few minutes later~

We ventured through the dark place, trying to find any exit, while I was quite impressed by the hugeness of that cave: the rocky walls were colored with a dark blue, so dark that it was difficult to see further even with the torches.

We passed through large rooms which were filled of a ton of merchandises, like barrels or stacked bags on top of each others, guarded by bandits that we avoided them discreetly while they were drinking or talking to each others.

Most of these rooms were filled of stolen things, and we could really say the bandits had lined their pockets: there were food provisions, wooden chest overflowed of money or other treasures, and there were even big carriages. I was really surprised to see how much all those bandits have stolen for weeks, and I was pretty sure they haven't only robbed the village.

Next, we arrived in a room filled of boxes and others merchandises, and we also spotted an entrance in the middle, when Philip, who advanced a front of me, warned.

"Watch out !"

We hid behind the boxes, when we noticed a pair of brigands carrying a bunch of treasures, while one of them exclaimed with a smile on his face.

"This time, we really hit the jackpot !"

"It was such a good plan to rob these foolish idiots ! If really they could believe a few farmers would beat some ferocious brigands like us !...", bragged the other, making Philip angry as they laughed together.

They both left the room, when I decided to go towards the merchandises.

There was still something I was looking for, which Philip didn't understand immediately.

"What are you doing ?... We can't retrieve all the village's stolen stuff !..."

"Wait...", I managed to search in the middle of the stolen objects, when a smile formed on my lips. "My bag !"

I found my bag with my axe and all the stuff I cared ! I've lost it after there was this old man who had confiscated it to me, so the brigands must have stolen it as well !

So I retrieved it, when Philip joined me, as we continued to walk through the place.

"Do you really think it was necessary ?..."

"Believe me, this bag means so much for... !!!"

I quickly made him sign to stop: there was a guard keeping something at the end of the hallway at the entrance. Thanksfully, he wasn't still watching us, but he seemed quite vigilant.

We peered out quietly, when we noticed what was guarding the guard: there was a person, an elder man to be exact, tied to a post, who was watching down as he looked pretty tired.

Concerned, I shushed curiously to Philip.    

"You know this man ?"

"It's Helbert: the headman of our village !... They must have captured him..."

"What do we do ?"

"I have an idea."

He went at the other side of the room, making his way hidden by the merchandises to not be noticed, when he knocked on of the box several times with a near hammer.

TOK ! TOK ! TOK !

"Hmm ?... Who's there ?", asked the guard, alerted by the noise.

By curiosity, he then walked in direction of the sound, where Philip was actually hidden, when I picked up the closest piece of wood, and descended on him.

"Yah !"

He quickly turned in surprise, when I knocked him on his head.

SBAM !

He felt on his back, but he was still conscious, aw he tried to take something on his belt. It was an horn call, surely to sound the alert.

But before he had the time to blow on it, Philip also attacked him.

SBUNK !!

This time, he has been really knocked out, dropping his horn by passing.

"Phew... That was close !...", sighted Philip.

We managed to move his body together, in order to hide him before someone would discover him and call the alert, when a voice echoed.

"Philip ?... Is that you ?"

It was the voice of the elder man, as Philip was concerned.

"Sir !"

He ran in direction of the pole, while I followed him.

The person tied at the pole was a man of around 50 years old, with a slim body and a range of short white hair. He seemed really exhausted to be tied in that pole: how can those bandits doing that to a poor man like him ?! Sir Berg would be very angry if he learnt how they have treated him !

Despite his situation, he remained optimistic at the sight of us.

"Thanks god, you're safe..."

"Let me untie you from the pole !"

Philip then untied the rope which maintained him, and after a small effort, the headman was finally free.

"Thank you, Philip. Berg should be proud of you !", he complimented, as Philip smiled back, when he turned at me."And you, you must be Travis, right ?"

"Err... Yeah ! He he !", I answered happily.

How does he know my name ?...

This elder man didn't seem to be angry towards those guys: he was mostly concerned about the safety of the village and its inhabitants. What a brave guy...

Philip then asked.

"How did you end up being caught ?"

"Well... me and the others have just found the brigands's base at the morning, but they have also found us. Then, we have been separated, and they were seven bandits who ambushed me. Of course, I was armed, so I've tried to fight back: I managed to beat 6 of them, but it was the seventh who got me by surprise !...", he explained, feeling a little proud, when he calmly laughed. "He he !... I can admit I don't have my youthful strength anymore !... Anyway, I was worried about you and the village..."

This man might be a little strange, but he looked really nice and selfless. I never knew he was a little stronger than I expected, if he has beaten 6 brigands.

Anyway, we have finally released him, and we still had to escape that place before it was too late.

So, we then left the room and went back when we came from, when Philip told seriously at the headman.

"We have just been attacked during your absence, Sir !"

"What ? Oh no !"

"Sir Berg will be coming soon to rescue us, but we have to get out before someone sounds the alert !"

"I see ! Follow me, boys !", he waved at us.    

We then turned at the right side by running discreetly, following him through the darkness of the place, as he seemed to know where he was going.

"I was able to be reminded of the way leading to the exit, when they have captured me, just don't make any noises."

"Okay.", I said alongside with Philip.

And then we continued again to go through this labyrinth which is the secret base of the bandit: thanksfully they were torches for guiding us, I would ask how the bandits could find their ways around. We passed through a natural bridge made of stone, in a large room filled of weapons and of stalactites, which were guarded by a bunch of bandits too occupied to drink and laugh for they could notice us.

It's been 5 minutes we were searching for the exit and hiding from the guards. Thanksfully, Helbert was pretty smart because he knew what to do how to not being caught: we sometimes hid in the darkness, away from the torchs, in order to not be noticed. I understood, now, why he was part of those who wanted to look for the villains base.

We then arrived in another area with a bunch of bags, filled of flour, wheat, or money, as there were 4 guards keeping the way leading to our next step for the exit.

We hid behind the stacked bags, as me and Philip were a little tired to have run so much, when Helbert advised us.

"Wait a little..."

Exhausted, I wanted to catch my breath, so I pressed my arm a little on the bag in order to rest a little, when the bag slowly moved.

BUNK !

It suddenly fell on the floor, making a loud noise and a big hole, when the guards spotted us.

"Oops...", I cursed in a low voice.

"HEY ! YOU THERE !", yelled one of the guards.

Oh no ! They have seen us due to my clumsiness ! What an idiot am I !

As they were all running towards us, Elbert yelled.

"RUN !"

We quickly ran at full speed towards the way right a front of us, and took the way of the right without stopping, as we were still far enough from the guards for they could catch us now.

BRAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!

A very loud horn noise rang out through the entire cavern, warning possibly everyone in the brigand's den, when more of them appeared as we continued to escape as fast as we could.

"ALERT ! THE PRISONERS ARE GETTING AWAY !"

"DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE ! WE NEED THEM AS HOSTAGES !"

Much more brigands appeared from everywhere and tried to chase us, but they were still too far to reach us if we continued to run at this rhythm, turning and turning through the dark zones. It wasn't easy to run through this enormous cavern, but Helbert still managed to know the quickest shortcut to buy us some time. If ever we stop, they would certainly catch us and it will be the end !

As we could hear the numerous steps of our chasers who followed us from a few meters behind us, armed with sharp knives and axes, we spotted a way leading right away, and a bridge which led at the left.

"OVER THERE !", averted the headman, who quickly turned at the bridge.

We the continued to run through the long bridge, when suddenly, a part started to collapse at Philip's feet.

CRACK !!

"AAAAAHHHH !!!"

I watched him in terror, when in the heat of the moment, I yelled.

"WATCH OUT !"

Within in second I quickly had the reflexe to grab his hand back before he fell, and managed to get him back on the road, saving him, as we continued to run.

"Thank you !"

We then arrived in a large area, and noticed a dark but big entrance lightened by a pair of torchs at each side, when the chief told us.

"GO AHEAD !! WE'RE CLOSE !!"

We were finally glad to have reached the end, when

CRAAAAAAAAACK !!!

A big rock with the size of a cow appeared from nowhere and fell right a front of the exit, breaking in many pieces, as we suddenly interrupted our course.

"What the..."

We were trapped: it should need time for us to climb up without slipping and being caught by the thieves.

As we were confused by the situation, more brigands appeared from the right, from the left, and even those who were chasing us joined their comrades. They were really much numerous bandits than I though, maybe at least 50. They smirked as they were all blocking any ways to go, alongside with the gravels blocking the exit.

"We're surrounded !", said seriously the headman.

"He he he ! You're so screwed, right now !"

"Hin ! Hin ! Hin ! The boss'll make pate out of you !"

They all stayed around us, impatient to harm us with their dangerous weapons, and were observing us by smirking while we were understanding that this time, they were definitely faster than us.

We stayed calm and managed to stay at the center of the circle formed by the bandits, when we spotted a shadowy figure jumping in the airs.

BRAAAMMM !!!

The ground suddenly shaked at our feet when there was something which heavily landed behind the brigands, at the bridge's side, when I was surprised to notice it was a person.

The brigands smiled at the mysterious man, when they went back from the sides, permitting him to pass, as he spoke in a dark manner.

"Well, well... Are you already leavin' us ?... Too bad, we've only just to know each others... Party's just begun, ye know !"

He then advanced a few steps, as I was impressed by his stature.

It was a large man which was slightly bigger than Sir Berg, making me and Philip feeling really small at his sight. He was very muscular, and his appearance made him looking like a viking, like in a book I've read when there were centuries ago some groups of ferocious warriors called "vikings" who navigated on big ships in the northern seas, reputed to rob villages and to be merciless against their ennemies. Indeed, he was wearing like them an horned helmet, a large furry black cap covering his imposing back, a bunch of very rugged leather clothes, a brown beard which made his pride, a pair of eyes darkened by his helmet and also a pair of small sharp fangs which gave him the appearance of an imposing beast.

He looked pretty strong, as I spotted a sword inside his scabbard... Was he the one who had just thrown that rock ?! Was this man the leader of the bandit's group ?

As he observed us with a grin, the headman begged at him by staying calm.

"Gaston, please ! Let those boys go ! You only need me as an hostage !"

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!

A ton of laughs suddenly occured through the cave, as the other brigands were smirking badly.

"Ah ah ah ! You dare playin' the heroes, you who's just not even able to protect his back ?!"

"This old man is so funny, when he tries to be brave !"

Gaston them rised his arm, making the others brigands calming down, when he spoke at the old man.

"Hey, listen... It's nice from you to take the defense from these boys. Sadly, I couldn't accept your request like this. First, you are way too old for being an hostage, and those who want to rescue you would be much less motivated if it was you and not a pair of young kids...", the others bandits then laughed at his remark, when he replied. "And second... do you really think I need them as hostages ? It's not everyday, you know, that prisonners of mine would manage to leave their cell !"

"So, you're the guy who's behind all the thefts in our village ?...", asked Philip, who glared angrily at Gaston, without any fear.

"WAHAHAHAHA ! I never knew I had such fanboys ! Ha ! Ha !... Hum hum !... And to answer your question, boy, yes, I am the honest leader of that brave company of thieves who steal for their own account.", he answered proudly, staying positive like no big deal.

"I see nothing brave of stealing others and harming innocent people...", said the headman, who stayed close to us to protect us.

"Yeah ! Give us back everything you have stolen !", I ordered angrily at Gaston.

WA HA HA HA HA !!!

All the crowd around us laughed loudly at my warning, as they seemed to underestimate me.

"We really did great to have caught these kids !"

"Is he trying to scare us, the brat ?!"

"What a foolish boy from a foolish village of swineherds !"

Gaston suddenly rised his foot, and smacked him on the ground, crushing it.

BAM !! GRUMBLE !!

Every guards stopped to laugh again, as we were all 3 were surprised by his monstruous strength.

He looks so powerful...

He then continued to make his speech in a eccentric manner.

"As the leader of that bandit group, I can understand your feelings. You and the villagers are tired about the loss of your money, your wheat, your bread, your pigs, or even your wine. Honestly, sometimes ago, I never wanted to harm innocent people like you are... but with the time, I finally learnt something... and understood that we needed to steal by the force, as there were sadly no other recourse. In that world, boys... only the strong survive, while the weak die. It's the true law of everything we have to know... So, in order to respect that philosophy of mine, I managed to develop my amazing team of brigands, where we immediately started our "evil" activities at our first robbed farm, permitting us to make a name of ourselves in the region, and HERE WE ARE ! AT STOWING OUR POCKETS WITH ALL THE TREASURES OF THE HIGHLANDS ! BUT MAYBE, A DAY, EVERY TREASURES OF THE WHOLE LAND OF ORSTERRA WILL BE OURS!"

YEAAAAAHHHHH !!!

All the crowd cheered alongside with their boss.

"That's our boss !"

"Long live to Gaston !"

It was incredible all those guys who agreed his ideas. I couldn't understand how stealing and harming innocents people would change the world forever !

Even Philip seemed pissed off to hear him, when he yelled.

"IF YOU REALLY THINK YOU WILL GET AWAY LIKE THAT, YOU ARE TOTALLY WRONG ! MY TRAINER, SIR BERG, WILL BEAT ALL OF YOU WITHOUT YOU EVEN REALIZE IT, CAUSE HE HAS THE SAME STRENGTH THAN A KNIGHT !!"

"Calm down, Philip !...", said Helbert at him.

There was then a small moment of silence, which suddenly turned in a racket of chuckles and laughs.

WA HA HA HA HA !

"The strength of a knight, you said ?!"

Only the boss wasn't laughing, as he watched Philip with a grin, when he shushed.

"Shhhh... "

The crowd calmed one more time, permitting us to hear their boss.

"Well, you seem to know someone who might overtake us, don't ya ?...", he asked at Philip, as he seemed interested by his charisma, when he replied. "Do tell me about this friend of yours. Knows how to fight, does he ?"

"H-he sure does ! He's stronger than all of you put together ! You won't stand a chance !"

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!

"Stronger'n all of us ?"

"That's a laugh !"

"The boy's daft !"

"I-it's not a joke ! Stop laughing !", he yelled angrily at all the other men presents in this room.

"Ye hear that, mates ? This hedge knight's the strongest blade in the realm !"

"Gwahahaha ! If he thinks he can best all of us, he's more a madman than a knight !"

"This ai'nt a fairy tale, boy. Real knights don't piddle away their days in the company of swineherds."

"If he's a knight from the stories, a damsel in distress might serve as better bait. Reckon we should go back for the mum ?"

WA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!

Philip couldn't support these guys. Me too I was angry that we mocked Sir Berg, but it was definitely Philip the more frustrated of us.

All the guards seemed amused by his impulsivity.

"Now there's a plan !"

"I'll drink to that !"

"S-stop it ! You won't be laughing when Sir Berg is through with you !", warned Philip at them, remaining serious despite the situation.

"Sir Berg ! Now there's a frightenin' name ! Look, me arm's all a'tremblin' !", jocked a guy in the crowd.

"SHUT UP ALL OF YOU !"

The boss suddenly ordered, making all the others flinching in fear, as he seemed quite serious.

"...Boss ?"

"Reckon the boy's got more courage than the lot of you... an' more wits, to boot. So less yammerin', and more sharpenin' your stabbers !"

"B-but, Boss. Ain't no way the hedge knight'll follow us here. 'Less he's mad an'all."

"Aye. It ain't like it's own son or nothin'. Why should he care ?"

"...", sighted Philip.

That's right I was wondering how Sir Berg would do to save us although all those bandits were too many, and their boss who looked powerful. But, me and Philip were pretty sure he wouldn't abandon us, no matter the danger, as me and him were meaning a lot for him, which surprised me.

Gaston seemed to have an idea.

"Why, indeed ? Things could get interestin' though, if he does show. Always had a soft spot for men with more courage than sense..."

I watched at him seriously, aware that he was talking all our menaces like a challenge, when he observed us with a interested grin.

"Kehehehe ! Like the boy here... And this adorable one seems to be such a stubborn kid as well... It's been time I've never seen kids with a stronger mental than all of my men reunited...", he announced at his men.

After his speech, he approached us, making the headman on his guards to protect us by holding our shoulders, when the chief kneeled down at our height.

"What do you say, laddies ? Care to join our little family ? We're always lookin' for men with pluck."

Me and Philip were quite surprised by his answer, especially when we believed he wanted to kill us first. But indeed, he has already understood we weren't like other kids, and he was very interested by our incredible will and our determination, alongside with our abilities. If we were trained by Berg, he seemed to know that we must be quite stronger than we looked at our age, despite his men thought the contrary. Honestly, I never knew this man would show a little more compassion towards us... but I already knew my answer.

I might be a thief as well, but his proposition to become a bandit, which meaned to rob and to hurt innocent people, has never interested me, and it will never manage to ! I never wanted to be stronger for turning into a person as arrogant as Gaston or all those evil brigands.

Philip also remained serious, when we stared at each other, nodding, before he answered first.

"I'll never join you ! I'm going to be a brave warrior... like Sir Berg !"

"N-neither do I ! There's no way I would be like someone like you !", I answered at my turn.

There were no way we would become bandits like them: we definitely prefered to become warriors and to beat bad guys like them.

The boss laughed in a extravagant manner.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA !!! You hear that, men ? The boys say they're too good for banditry !", he said at his men, earning a few smirks from the crowd, when he spoke back at us. "Think you're the only one who feels that way, boys ? Let me tell you somethin'..."

"WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID STORIES ! YOU ARE JUST SELFISH PEOPLE WHO PREFER TO PLAY THE LAZY AND TO STEAL AT PEOPLE WHO ASKED FOR NOTHING ! HOW CAN YOU CALL THAT A FAMILY ?!! IF YOU REALLY THINK WE WILL JOIN SUCH CLOWNS THAT ALL OF YOU, I WOULD PREFER TO DIE !", I yelled angrily at Gaston.

He and his men really pissed me off, and I couldn't support to listen everything he said.

Though, while his comrades were offended by my words, he really didn't seem to be impressed, keeping a malicious grin.

He then turned back, and walked a few steps, when he said calmly.

"Well... IF YOU WISH !!!"

He suddenly turned back and dashed towards me with a sword at quick speed. He was so fast that I didn't have the time to take my axe to counter the blow.

"TRAVIS !", yelled Philip worryingly, as I was about to be hit.

CLAAAAASH !!

I never received the blow. Someone was instead standing a front of me: Sir Berg !

Me and Philip were glad to see him.

"Sir !"

"B-berg !", said Helbert who was reassured.

"Sorry, I'm late, lads. Got held up along the way.", he told us, while holding tightly his sword, ready to counter any blow.

All the brigands present in the room were surprised to see him, while their boss just watched at him seriously, as he had stepped back to not get hit.

I noticed the gravels blocking the exit were gone, probably dispersed by Berg's charge. He finally managed to arrive at our rescue !

All the brigands were surprised to see this mysterious newcomer who appeared from nowhere.

"Hey !... Does this guy just... ? He parried the boss's blow !"

"He is mad ! An' how'd he get in here, anyway ?! Where are the lookouts ?"

"Bleeding in the dirt, last I saw.", answered coldly Sir Berg.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !", laughed loudly Gaston, amazed by his replica.

He then suddenly dashed towards him, ready to slice him.

CLAAAAASH !!

Berg just countered the blow with difficulty. The boss of the bandits was really stronger than I thought.

"...!"

The boss quickly stepped back with a grin, showing at Berg how much he was dangerous, when we were worried for him.

"Sir !"

"Stay back !"

However, Berg seemed to stand up against Gaston, while his men were pretty surprised by the scene.

"But ?!... How does he manage to rivalize with the boss ?!"

"Hang me, but I ain't never seen no one do that afore..."

Me too, I was surprised to see him fighting that strong man, alongside with Philip and the headman, and he even looked much serious than when we were training !

Gaston, him, was pretty amazed and interested by his opponent.

"Haha ! You're quick, all right... and strong. Clearly no common hedge knight, are you ?"

"Just as you are no common brigand..."

"Berg... Is that how your protégés are calling you ?... I could swear, I've heard that..."

In the middle of this upcoming battle, I was wondering what this guy was thinking about... Why was he interested by Berg ? Did he know him already ?

His extravagant smile became suddenly wider, when he announced.

"Gods be good ! Eisenberg !"

"!!!"

"Aye, you're no hedge knight. You're Sir Olberic Eisenberg, The Unbending Blade !"

"H-huh !?"

"What in... ?!"

"Blazes !"

Everyone was shocked of the mention of that name in the room, but also for the reveal his true identity. Nobody could believe it, even Philip's eyes widened in surprised, just like the headman. For me, I already knew about his past, but he never told me his true name before. So, his true name was... Olberic Eisenberg ?!

I was the only one to know the truth, as Philip was very surprised.

"Huh ?!!"

"The... Unbending blade ?!", said Helbert.

"That's impossible !... They said he was slain when Hornburg fell...", said one of the bandits in the crowd.

Philip, concerned, approached Berg.

"Is it true, sir ? Are you... a real knight ?!"

"Long ago, lad. Long ago."

The boy was shocked of the truth, as during all those years Berg has always hidden everything from his past at the inhabitants of Cobblestone. It must be for him something really surprising, as he just figured out he had lives and learnt how to swing a sword... with a true knight.

Gaston profited of the moment to laugh loudly.

"WAHAHAHAHAHAHA ! Have you really thought you would've been easily forgotten since all this time ?! Quite surprised to hear you've chosen that small village for hidin' yourself !"

"I know it might not be one of the best way of life for a warrior like me... But at least, during all these years, I could have been useful for helping all these villagers.", Berg then pointed his large blade towards Gaston, keeping an incredible determination. "Protecting them from criminals like you gave me a reason to live !"

The boss then took his sword as well.

"Well, I hope that life haven't changed you systematically !"

SBRAAAM !!

The ground shaked at his level when he stomped his foot, as he unleashed such an incredible power around him, while he couldn't wait to go after Berg to assault him, definitely ready to charge.

Berg then ordered.

"Please, Helbert ! Bring the boys outside in a safe place ! I'll handle with those guys !"

"Are you sure you don't need any help, Sir Ber... I mean... Sir Olberic ?!", asked Philip.

"No ! I have to make sure they should no pass ! Especially this man..."

He watched at all those people who were observing us menacingly while they were impressed by all the aura he was unleashing. He was aware that Gaston was such a powerful challenger, and determined to stay her in order to sacrifice himself just for permitting us to gain time.

Now the path to the exit was free, so we could finally escape, when I told at Berg.

"Please, come back safe, Sir..."

He turned at me with a smile.

"I swear I will... NOW RUN !"

"Let's do what he said ! We might do better to not disturb him...", averted Helbert.

We started to run in direction of the exit, leaving Berg alone, when the brigands started to chase us.

"Where do you think you are going ?!"

Berg immediately stood a front of them, blocking their way towards us, and alone again all those thieves armed of knives and axes who assaulted him.

"Don't worry guys ! Maybe he is just an imposter, or else, he shouldn't be as strong as he was 8 years ago !"

"If you really think you can protect your friends, well you're screwed, mister the ex-knight !'

"Yaaaaaahhhhh !!!!"

CLAAAASHHH !!!

AAAAAAHHHHH !!!!

In only one second, the closest ones were immediately whiped out by Sir Berg, landing a few meters away from him.

"Nghh !..."

"It hurts so hard !..."

"Is he a man or a beast ?!"

If he could handle with all those thieves by keeping doing those, I was sure he would be fine. It was just this Gaston whom I was thinking how Berg, or Olberic, could defeat him...

~Olberic's POV~

Alright. Now they have left, I could finally fight them freely without caring for their safety.

Honestly, the problem weren't really all those thieves, it was mostly this man whom I was mostly concerned. We could say he really deserved his place of leader in that bandit group, despite his extravagant behavior. This man must be possessing such a dangerous power, just like he has gained it by fighting during years. Indeed, it's been a long time since I never had the occasion to challenge such an incredible character...

He then spoke at me.

"Well, well... I'm pretty impressed that someone like you would beat all of my men in a single blow !"

"As I will in your case !"

I stayed focused on him, when he jumped hight, before landing heavily.

SBRAMM !!

The rocks on the ceiling started to collapse on our heads, so I managed to avoid each of them, when he dashed towards me.

CLASH !

He pushed me a little, making me stepping back, as we both rubbed our iron swords.

"What a strength... coupled with such a switness in your blows...", I evaluated my enemy's strength, when something shocked me when I saw his weapon. "!!!... That blade..."

That sword quite long... that golden knob with the wolf emblem... I totally recognized that sword.

"Like it, do you ? It just so happens to be a present... from an old friend."

"...Erhardt ?!"

"Oho ! You know the man, do you now ?"

"So it is his blade."

How did that sword managed to be at this bandit's possession ?! Has he stolen him, or we gave it to him ?! How did he know Erhardt ?! Was Erhardt really still alive after all these years ?!

I might have done anything to forget my past, but I couldn't go backwards anymore, and I started to get really impatient about the truth behind my old companion.

"As if I needed another reason to cut you down where you stand...! How do you know Erhardt, rogue... ? Speak, or I'll slice your throat !!"

"Hah ! Ye've got a score to settle, is that it ? I can see it in your eyes. They blazed like fire when you said his name. Look, I don't know what passed between you and Erhardt, but if you're lookin' to ask questions of me, my good sir..."

Woosh !

He sliced the air with his sword, getting ready as he told me.

"You'll have to earn the right !"

We then both started a battle which promised to be raging.

~Travis's POV~

We could still hear the loud noises of destruction made by Olberic and Gaston in their fight, as those two seemed to have such a titanic battle.

Me and Philip still managed to follow the old Helbert who looked pretty fast for an old man, when he suddenly turned at the right.

"Over there ! It's a shortcut !"

"Are you sure it is the right way, sir ?!", asked Philip.

"Of course ! If we take the main way which head to the exit, who knows that others brigands would welcome us !"

"But hasn't Sir Olberic said that he has beaten all of them ?!", I asked.

"We don't even know if they are still more !... But believe me, there aren't any bandits keeping that way !"

"Ok !"

That was right Olberic should have forcelly defeated a ton of enemies when he arrived, but we still didn't really know how much brigands they were.

We continued to run for a minute, when we slowly felt ourselves tired to dash for so long, as we instead decided to walk through the narrow path.

"Ha... I think we've escaped them !... I hope sir Berg is fine...", said Philip.

"Yeah... Me too !"

"By the way, I still wonder how they managed to rob us by avoiding the guards, that night... Though, it was already well guarded before Sir Berg enhanced the security around Cobbleston..."

Me too I wonder...

It's been a moment since there was this rumor about a potential traitor in the village who must be a spy of these thieves...

But for the moment, we were mostly preoccupied to escape, and it wasn't really a problem as we now knew where was that cave and so the villages could make them arrested.

While we progressively walking through a narrow path, I noticed the walls were gaining a purplish colors, and there were a few shiny cristals of colors purple, blue, or even green, which covered the walls. I remembered to have read a fairy tale book with caves which were filled of shiny crystals able to shine in the dark, permitting to guide lost people ! Were those crystals showing us the way to the exit ?

As we walked further, we noticed the path was going right, when we spotted a shiny light which came from that direction. It must be the exit !

Me and Philip were glad to arrive at the exit, when we started to run happily, as I exclaimed.

"I can see light ! We're so close !"

"Wait for me, boys !", told us Helbert who stayed behind.

Philip just passed a front of me and turned first, when I followed him, and then... we suddenly stopped in our tracks.

It wasn't the exit like we have expected. We arrived instead in a large room filled of shiny crystals present everywhere: on the ground, on the walls, on the celling... The room was quite more illuminated than the area where me and Philip have been captured. There was not a single exit anywhere: it was only another cave with beautiful and luminescent colored crystals where we could see our reflect a little.

We both knew it was a quite wonderful room, but what did that mean ? Why did the chief brought us here ?...

"I-it's a dead end !", exclaimed Philip, when he spotted something. "What is that thing ?..."

In the middle of the room, in the middle of a rock surrounded by purple crystals, there was a weird purple orb on a kind of socle. It unleashed such a soft but bright purple light around it, which reflected at the crystals like mirrors, creating an amazing game of colored lights. The orb shined beautifully, it seemed to be made in glass, when I spotted such a weird and strange purple smoke inside, which moved slowly inside the magic ball.

Me and Philip were wondering what was that small orb and what it served to. Indeed, maybe it was the treasure of that sacred place, by deducing of all those crystals present in the room. Strangely, the fact the orb was purple made me thing about that pillar of... !!!

Don't tell me it is !...

I immediately understood, surprised while Philip was slightly confused, when we heard a voice coldly speaking at us.

"Seriously... How can you both fall in such a pathetic trap..."

It was Helbert, the old headman, who spoke.

We both turned back to see him strangely standing at the entrance, as he absolutely didn't look to act normally... But what was wrong with him ?! Why did he led us in that dead end ?!

Suddenly, as I couldn't believe it was real, I observed a dark blue smoke appeared on his shoulder, before it grown and covered his entire body, before it finally disappeared, when the old man turned into... him.

The man with the yellow helmet !... but what... what was he doing here ?!... Why... why did Helbert suddenly turned into him ?!!...

I was really shocked, alongside with Philip. I never, but never ever expected it was him !... Was he the headman of Cobbleston since the beginning ?! And also... what was that awful power ?! Was it magic again ?! To take other people's appearance ?!

If ever he could take the appearance of the headman, that could explain a lot of things: that should be how he managed to enter in the village by passing himself off for one of the villagers... Was he working for the brigands as well ?.... Or else... he was just here... just for me ?

But still... what was he doing here ?! What did he wanted from us, by the way ?! Why did he brought us in that lost cave ?!

His sudden presence started to scare me. Even Philip was totally confused to see such a strange man instead of the beloved headman of Cobbleston. Was it really the yellow helmet we have both saved me and Philip, instead of someone else ?!

I still manage to shake in fear at his sight, so I tried to remain calm, when I spoke at him nervously.

"It was you... the traitor ?!!"

"Who else do you think it was ? The old hag with the pumpkins ?...", he answered coldy, with a small sense of humor.

Philip took his wooden sword he has kept, and quickly understood this guy wasn't here to welcome us, when he asked him seriously.

"W-who are you ?!... What happened to..."

"Watch out, Philip !... This guy is really dangerous !...", I moved my arm a front of him, preventing him to go after him, as I stayed really vigilant.

I didn't know what he wanted from us, but I got a very bad feeling about that...

He crossed his arms and spoke calmly at us in a sinister tone.

"I see you like to judge people by their appearance, boy. No wonder for a man like me with that helmet hiding my face... I'm glad that you were able to make a friend like him, by the way...", he thanked me seriously, before he continued. "Honestly, I would like to tell you my name, but I still prefer when it's you who give me a name... A man has always secrets to hide, you know. And if you ask what happened to the REAL headman of this lovely little hamlet, let's just say... he is not here anymore in this world."

What ?...

Our blood was totally frozen when he taught us that new like no big deal. Philip eyes's widened, his face becoming pale after hearing what happened to the true Helbert. Seriously, has he really killed... that nice elder man at a moment ?!

I was very shocked to learn that, to understand how much this creepy man could be cruel and merciless, that I progressively became really, but really angry.

"You... coward !..."

"Ha ha ha ! Thanks for the compliment, little guy !", he seemed amazed, feeling proud of his crime, when he explained. "By the way, my apologies to not have talked properly with you earlier... I just wanted to make sure you were enough worthy."

"So... you knew for my powers ?"

"Of course, I'm even very aware of them, and I can tell this is one of the reasons which led me to observe you. The first time I watched you, I wad really... fascinated, by the extent you powers can take ! And now, I'm glad you have started to develop them at their best potential !..."

"What do you know about them ?!"

"Hold on... How can you be so impatient... In summary, I would like to say that your powers are more than controlling electricity. In your view, don't you really remember, a time when you have used them, to have noticed something like... an unexpected effect ?"

I didn't understood what he meaned first, but... yeah... I've really spotted something strange once.

Indeed, in that forest, when I was attacked by the ratkins, I remembered to try using my power of electricity, but instead, I made my axe... flying. Flying and spinning in the airs at my direction when it killed the leader of those giant walking rats...

What that power was supposed to be ? How did my weapon ended up at the ratkin's head without I've even not grabbed it with my own hands ? Was it a form of magic too ?

I have still not a clear idea about that, but the yellow helmet man was pretty right in that context. However, I found that strange that he was admired by my superpowers, without being really surprised, but he seemed to watch me in a manner way different that I thought. He observed me since the first day I've landed in that game, and it was now the third time he appeared a front of me. But if he knew about the strange power I unleashed the day when I hunted with H'aanit, has he observed me this time ? What if... he observed me more than I thought ? And for what real reason he spied on me ? Were my powers interesting him a lot ?

I was aware that this man had reasons to spy me and to find out wherever I was, and that I was like special for him... Who was he ? What did he wanted from me ? What was his goal, at the end ?

Philip, who stayed serious, asked him.

"W-what do you want from him ?!"

"To tell you the truth, boys, this world is quite hazardous for a child who has clearly any ideas about the secrets of the world around him, especially that boy with those amazing abilities...", he pointed at me, when he replied coldly. "However, I might now a place where he should be useful than anywhere else... and it'll be with me !"

He suddenly dashed towards me at quick speed, when Philip quickly stood on his way to protect me, when he both kicked us with his feet.

"Ngh !"

"Argh !"

We were both repealed a few meters away, landing at different spots, when we tried to endure the pain. I've never seen his blow coming: this guy was really fast and strong, so much that we were already down. It was incredible to think he was able to move like this, even with that large black coat he wore.

He definitely wanted that I came with him, and ready to beat us up if I disobeyed. I was furious he also came after Philip, and despite how much he was creeping me out, I couldn't let him harming him for me.

So, I quickly stood up, watching him standing in the middle of the crystal cavern, without hesitation.

SCRAAAATTTTCCHHHH !!!

My fingers has crossed once, and all the electricity kept in my body covered me while glitzing and lighting the place more, even reflecting with the transparent crystals, when Philip was pretty surprised at the other side of the room.

With angry eyes, I answered to him.

"Ha... Ha... There's no way I would join someone like you !"

"Oh, come on... Can't you act a little more politely towards others ? I really expected I would ask you kindly to come with me...", he told me elegantly, feeling annoyed by that kind of provocation, when he asked me.      "Are you really sure to face against me ? I can see your legs are trembling..."

I didn't want to admit it, but yeah... I was still scared, in my mind, about this man, who even not looked menaced by my dangerous thunders. I just wanted to take my courage, but I couldn't manage to forget the fear I had for him... However, that doesn't meaned I'll obey to him ! I have still to figure out why he wanted me to come with me, and to learn everything he knew ! I had no choice but to beat him before he could beat me instead ! I won't get kidnapped twice today !

"You can't daydream that I will follow you !"

I dashed towards him, ready to strike him a thunderous blow right at him.

SCRAAAAAAATCH !!!

~Olberic's POV~

"HAAAAA!"

CLASH ! CLASH ! CLASH !

"UAAAAHHHHH !!!"

KLAAAANG !!!

Me and Gaston were fighting for 5 minutes, while every of his men were already down after tasting the fury of my sword. We were the only ones who were challenging each other wildly in that dense area.

I could admit he was such a powerful foe: despite his large size, he was quick enough to oblige me to react twice faster than usually in terms of defense, and he had such an excessive strength, as he was able to destroy the ground a front of me and to kick heavy rocks in my direction in order to make me loose my concentration.

I've heard of that criminal once in the village, but he didn't had such a reputation at this period, as he was now considered like the most dangerous brigand of the Highlands. And in a single combat, he was really formidable with Erhardt's sword.

I was also using my speed and my strength in order to equalize with him, as not of us has really touched the other, if we didn't count the kick blows to destabilize us.

We continued again and again to exchange blows, the raging sound of steel echoing through the cavern, when we rubbed our weapons, close at each others, when he smirked.

"He he... You're not so bad... For someone who just began after spending 8 years with the farmers !"

"I can tell you my strength I've kept for years is progressively coming back !"

CLASH ! CLASH ! CLASH !

I continued to assault him, as he countered and avoided my blows, when he jumped back wards, breaking the ground with his heavy feet, as he sent them in my direction.

CRAAAAACKK !

KLANG ! KLANG !

I countered all the projectiles with my weapon, staying vigilent at my foe, who dashed again towards me.

CLAAASHH !!

SBAM !

I managed during our exchange to kick him in the stomach.

"WOH !..."

He then landed quickly on his feet.

"He he !"

KLANG !

Our swords were pushing at each others, as we stayed focused, when I noticed some brigands, who were still not out of action like others, when they run behind, ready to slice my back.

Ah... those guys... I would never fight my opponent freely if they disturbed me !

Three of them were about to attack my back while I was busy with Gaston.

Damn it !

WOOOSH !

"UAAARGH !"

Suddenly, Gaston sidestepped and quickly took down his own minions, hurting them, preventing me to be touched. Did he just helped me by attacking his own allies ?!

He then yelled at them.

"OUT OF MY WAY ! I'LL TAKE HIM DOWN BY MYSELF !"

"Despite your crimes... ha... I can see you're still an honest man."

"Maybe... But that doesn't mean I'll play the nice with you !"

He then dashed towards me again, as he became more furious than before.

CLASH ! CLASH ! CLASH !

The battle was tough: we both managed to attack each other quickly and agressively, without taking any opportunity to flee, without giving up, and it was our will which maintained us to last this hard battle. We continued to fight with all our strength, having both something to confront and something to defend, as the rhythm became more and more dynamic.

"AAAAAAAHHHH !"

"OOOOAAAAHHH !"

We screamed loudly, like two ferocious lions ready to defend their territories, and unleashing all the power, all the ferocity, and all the determination which lived inside us. Gaston was much more furious than before, ready at anything to put a term at this incredible battle.

Me too, I felt stronger, much stronger than before, just like all my asleep strength I've maintained for so long suddenly appeared.

I can feel... all the energy in me !

It was incredible: there was such a red and intense aura around me, so powerful that it made a few rocks flying away, as I felt all my reflexes and all my physical strength going beyond the limits. I screamed with determination again, feeling all the force I had in my past progressively coming back in that struggle.

Gaston also unleashed his own power around him, which collided violently with man, making the battle's scene more intense than before.

"Try ever to counter that one !", he incited me, heading at me at full speed.

He then aimed to pierce my back as I dashed towards him, ready to counter the blow, when by reflexe.

"!!!"

I quickly understood he tried to faint me... just like how did Erhardt that day when he gave me that scar !

So, I managed to counter it violently.

KLANG !

"Huh ?!!"

He suddenly lost his balance.

"HAAAAAAA !"

CLAAAASH !

"WAAAAAARGH !"

I finally sliced him in the torso, with such a powerful blow that he flew a few meters away, before he landed heavily against the wall, through the eyes of his desperated minions..

CRACK !

GRUMBLE !

"BOOOOOOOOSS !!!"

That's it ! I used all the strength I kept against that man, and now, he couldn't move anymore after receiving such a blow. He was now defeated.

After such a long battle, I finally managed to prevent anyone to pursue Travis and the others, when I noticed... Gaston was still alive.

After he dropped his sword and his helmet, revealing a bunch of light brown mid long hair, as he was agonyzing against the wall and breathing heavily, trying to support the pain of his loss of blood.

About me, I couldn't still believe that today... I just unleashed such an amazing power that I've promised myself to not use anymore since I lived in Cobbleston. However, I could say I had no choice to do everything I could to defeat my enemy, but... was it all my memories about my past as a knight, all my struggle to keep that secret for years, and all the adrenaline I was used to unleash in all my precedent battles ?

Am I... The same Olberic Eisenberg than before ?

Just defeating my opponent in such a tough battle brought back all the strength I've hidden for so long, and I never expected it would be today. Was it... fate ?

For the moment, I still needed to figure out how did he end up getting that blade.

So, I walked towards him and observed at this man, who was catching his breath with a grin.

"Ha..... Ha... I... I yield.", he announced honestly.

"Now, I will have my answer. How do you know Erhardt ?"

"Ha... We fought alongside each other is all. Served together in a band of mercenaries. He was already an old hand when I signed up. Helped me out, showed me the ropes."

So... Erhardt finally managed to survive after the war, without letting any traces... But what he has done during all these years ?

"A sellsword... And where is he now ?"

"Damned if I know... When our group disbanded, we went our separate ways. After that, I drifted from one town to the next. Tried one trade, then another, but swingin' a blade's the only thing that's ever come natural to me.", he then watched at the entire area around us, when he replied. "So here I am. Times are lean, and a man's got to make a living."

"Anyone could use a sword arm like yours. You could protect the people, instead of stealing from them."

"Kehehehe... Aye, I could. But honest work takes more wits than the gods saw fit to bless me with. Never meant to do anyone no harm... But life doesn't always give us a choice in the matter, does it ?"

"Choice or no, you must answer for your crimes."

"Aye, I know the score, but I've got my men to think about, too."

Despite he remained stubborn, he still showed such an honest will, despite who he was and what he did, when his defeated men became surprised by his decision.

"B-boss !"

"What are ye sayin', boss ?!"

"W-wait now, boss !"

Gaston then louded his voice.

"EASY NOW, MEN ! The hedge knight has the right of it. I've got more that enough blood on my hands. Live by the sword, and...", he took his time by enduring the pain before he replied. "Well, you know how it goes. A man has to own up what he's done."

"Enough blood's been spilled here today. Surrender, and I will see that you and your men are not harmed."

"You do me a kindness, hedge knight. An' so I'll do you one in return... I told you I didn't know where Erhardt is, an' I don't... But I know someone who might."

"..."

Someone who might know where Erhardt was, did he ?

I was pretty curious at this subject, when the former leader of the bandits explained.

"Gustav's his name. Sir Gustav. Some call him the Black Knight or other such fussed-up nonsense. Erhardt taught us both how to use the sword back in the mercenary band. You should find him in Victors Hollow."

So, Erhardt didn't have not one but two apprentices, at this period ? I have never heard about that Gustav, though...

I still stayed vigilant, unsure to admit if he was saying the truth or not.

"And this man will tell me where Erhardt is ?"

"He might, then again, he might not... Still, if you want to find him that much, I reckon it's worth tryin'."

"..."

There was such a moment of silence when I was in my thoughts. I never knew someday I will start back to look for the truth about my old brother-in-weapons. Something even told me that this brigand was quite more honest than I expected, so I didn't think I would deny what he said...

He then stared at me patiently, when he said.

"I saw your eyes, hedge knight. They were dead, like a fish... but the moment you saw my blade, they came to life."

His words really gave me one reason to believe it was myself who decided to become again the man I was. Indeed... it was well my will to fight and to protect which pushed me to rise myself from the ashes.

"Dead ? Have I truly been... ?"

"Heh. But what does a common thief know of men's souls ?", he laughed calmly.

"Berg !", called a voice.

There was a group of my men guarding the village in my absence who appeared from the entrance, noticing all my enemies down, when they were reassured to see me safe and sound..

While some of them started to round up the thieves, and to bring them at the village in order to lock them in the village gaol, as Gaston showed any opposition, I stowed my sword when one of them went towards me.

"Thank the gods you're safe ! The villagers are as well, sir."

Glad to hear that. However, I was still concerned about Travis and the others.

"Have you retrieved the headman and the boys ?"

"But... we were just actually looking for them, sir !"

"!!!"

I became suddenly concerned. What did he mean they were looking for them ?! Haven't they left the cavern as I thought ?!

I have a bad feeling about this !

I left all my men with the prisonners, and quickly headed at the entrance without warning.

"Sir ! Where are you going ?!"

How stupid was I to believe they were safe ?! Hopefully something serious hasn't happened for them !

~Philip's POV~

What are these powers ?! How Travis could control electricity without being hurt ?! Was that one of the famous magic Berg told me about ?!

I couldn't believe what I was witnessing, while being hidden behind a crystal and trying to recover. Travis was going mad against that weird guy in such a raging battle !

He continued to assault him with thunders and thunders, and he was really fast with all that electricity covering him, so fast like the speed of lighting !

But the guy he was fighting was honestly much stronger: he really avoided his quick attacks easily with such crazy reflexes.

"AAAAAHHH !"

GZZZZZZ !!!!!

VOOOM !

The strange man suddenly created a round and green force shield around him, protecting him from Travis's powerful attack like a big shield, as thunders were spreaded around it.

SCRAAAAAAAATCHHH !

What an incredible power this man had... I was completely astonished as Sir Berg never told me about these kinds of powerful magic.

Travis did everything he could to try touching him, when the force field quickly disappeared, and the man jumped to give him a powerful kick.

SBAM !

"Argh !"

He was sent a few meters away in the cavern, breaking a few cristals by passing when he landed in pain.

Although the man seemed to surpass him, Travis quickly stood up and dashed again towards him, his eyes showing his will to never give up.

Then, he quickly turned around him at lighting speed, letting a thunder trail behind him.

GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ !

He seemed to confuse him with that incredible speed, but his opponent didn't looked in difficulty at all.

In only one second, the man jumped and made a circular kick covered of a strange dark green light, trying to kick him violently.

WOOOSH !!!

However, Travis managed to jump higher in the airs, and to assault him with a powerful lightning kick.

"AAAAHHH !"

But the man managed go punch him violently in the stomach, his fist covered of that green aura.

SBAM !

CRAAACK !!

Travis was once against sent away, breaking an upper cristal in pieces, as he quickly managed to land while regaining his balance.

"Ngh !"

Despite the blows he received, I was still surprised he was still able to stand up. He had such an incredible endurance, but his opponent was really very strong and attentive as well, and has still not received a single blow !

Travis the unleashed his power around him.

SCRAAATCH !

"You can still stand up despite all the pain I gave you ? I did warn you not to face me...", said the man in a cold tone.

Travis, who felt provoked, became angrier and refused to listen to him, as he screamed in fury.

"AAAAHHHH !!"

SCRATCH !

He dashed again at quick speed, and started to attack him with a serie of electrical blows. Several fists and kicks touched the man who managed to kickly counter them with his arms.

GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ ! GZ !

Travis then quickly managed to avoid his magic-enhanced kick with a somersault, before landing on his feet, covering them of thunder, and jumping at a quicker speed with the force of the lighting, ready to strike him a thunder punch.

"aaaaaaaAAAHHHH !!!"

"Impressive.", said calmly the man.

WOOOSH !

He then punched with his dark green fist, but Travis avoided it as the blow passed a few centimeters away from his head.

That's it ! Travis was ready to give him a fatal blow with his electrocuted fist ! There was such an incredible tension during this duel, that I was scared by the idea Travis would loose agianst him. I could just watch him from where am I, while having a rough time to witness such a combat between these two.

But suddenly, the man spinned his arm and hit Travis in the airs.

SBIM !

"UAARGH !"

Did his punch was just a faint ?!

He then jumped to give him a powerful green kick on his side, at my big surprise.

SBAM !

He sent him further than the precedent times, breaking a few cristals like glass, when Travis landed heavily against the wall.

CRACK !!

Oh no !

I wanted to scream, but I was too shocked for seeing him in that state, being really worried for him. He was suffering in pain despite his incredible endurance, after all the beating the man with the yellow helmet gave him merciless.

GZTT !! GZTT !

A few sparks appeared around him, before they disappeared, as he couldn't manage to produce more electricity anymore. But what was going with that ?!

"Oh shoot !...", cursed Travis, catching his breath with difficulty.

"It is already over ? Too bad, I barely started to warm up.", said the man who felt proud.

His fist started to be covered of green magic again, as he approached him slowly.

I couldn't support to see that, to see my friend who just tried to beat this guy being beaten up without mercy. He was trying everything to beat him, even with all the skills Sir Berg has told him during the training practice, but all of them were useless against this mysterious man. I could see through his angry eyes, he was fighting him... just to protect me. It was my fault if he was injured... I couldn't bear this anymore !

Oh, the hell with it !

I stood up and discreetly ran towards this guy, who was about to harm Travis again, when I took my wooden sword and attacked him by surprise.

TCHAAK !

He countered the sword with his arm, as I interfered a front of him, preventing him to go towards Travis, who was surprised to see me.

I watched angrily the weird mask which hid his face, as I wouldn't let him hurting my friend anymore ! I will even fight him if I have to !

"It is really with a simple piece of wood you will save your buddy ? That's adorable.", he told me.

"aaaaaAAAAAHHH !!!"

I jumped to strike him with my sword, when he created again that force field which was protecting him.

VOOOM !

He then tried to kick him, but I managed to kickly step back, drifting on the ground, and dashed towards him to pierce him, when he avoided.

WOOOSH !

"I can see he has really trained you well... I just expected you would be a little stronger..."

He then tried to punch me, when I tried to counter it with my sword.

SBIM !

The shock was too important, that I flew into the airs.

Wooosh !

I quickly managed to regain my balance, when I had an idea. So, I headed towards him, and sidestepped at his right, ready to hit his side, when he stood in place cautiously and said.

"Too predictable."

But when I was about to hit him, I suddenly rolled over by passing between his legs, when I quickly jumped in order to attack his back.

"What ?!...", he said surprisingly.

"yaaaaaAAAHHH !"

"Or not."

SBAM !

I was suddenly violently hit in the waist, making me screaming in pain.

"AAAARGH !!... Ngh !"

I landed a few meters away from him, landing in the floor with broken pieces of cristals around me.

Damn it... He was too strong... Even my amazing technique barely surprised him... I think he was even stronger than Gaston... I wanted to beat him, but it was so frustating, for me, to be too weak to protect us !...

Me and Travis were down, not able to fight anymore, as the man sighted.

"Even with all your efforts, you boys are still disappointing... Unless it is just me who's too strong for stubborn kids like you."

I tried to stood up and to recover my wooden sword, when the man noticed me and prevented me to retrieve it.

SBAM !

"AARGH !"

He kicked me violently, making me rolling out in pain.

CRACK !

I couldn't do nothing but to flinch in pain.

Was it really over ?... Will me and Travis are going to be killed... because I was too weak ?...

The pain was too hard to support, and this guy was too much strong for me, honestly. He was just watching at me without saying nothing, like a devil who just returned from the dead, and approching me as he was about to harm me again.

"Ha... Ha... Nghh..."

I was catching my breath, trying to get up again, when Travis screamed at the man.

"PLEASE STOP THAT !!!"

He understood he was responsible if he was hurting me, and he only had the strength to scream desperately at this man with a lot of anger.

The man didn't listen, and covered his arm of magic, when he dashed towards me.

"I SAID STOP THAT !!!", Travis screamed again.

I closed my eyes, as I was about to get hit.

KLANG !!!

I never received the blow, when I heard a voice.

"Oh no, you won't !"

I quickly opened my eyes, when me and Travis were reassured.

"SIR OLBERIC !"

He was just there, standing angrily afront of the villain, and countering his punch with his sword ! That meant he even defeated Gaston, and now, he was finally here to rescue us !

The yellow helmet man still seemed amused.

"Well, hello ! I never guessed to have an unexpected guest, penetrating in my little secret base without knocking before entering..."

"Perhaps... I though as much the headman was quite weird, today... But I do not remember to have seen your face somewhere, in that cave... You too are a guest, maybe ?"

"Let's say, I'm just the "spy" you and your villagers friends were looking for..."

Aware he was about to fight against him, I warned Sir Olberic.

"WATCH OUT, SIR ! HE CAN CREATE A FORCE FIELD TO DEFEND HIMS..."

"Silence, little snitch .", said the man.

He sidestipped and tried to attack me.

ZLLLL !!

CLASH !

Sir Olberic managed to defend me again.

"Fine. I'm gonna deal with you first, before I deal with the youngest boy.", said the man.

CLASH ! CLASH ! CLASH !

And right now started a raging battle between Olberic and the guy who took Helbert's appearence. He might not have a sword, but he was really able to defend himself with his arms from Olberic's heavy blade.

The former knight continued to assault this man bravely, feeling angry as he has harmed both of us when he was busy.

He then kicked him in the stomach.

SBAM !

The man suddenly regained his balance, when Olberic dashed towards him, and striked his sword with a powerful blow, making collapsing the wall, as his opponent avoided.

CRACK !

GRUMBLE !!

Sir Olberic's opponent then ran around him, when he covered his palms of green dark light, and tried to push him, when he countered his blow.

CLASH !!

"They call you the Unbending Blade, huh ?", said the man.

He quickly kicked him in the stomach.

SBAM !

"AAARGH !"

"SIR !"

He received the violent blow, making him stepping back, when he retrieved his balance by planting his sword on the ground.

KLANG !

When the man was about to hit him a second time, Olberic manage to give him a powerful circular strike, obliging him to avoid with a stunt, before landing 5 meters further.

I couldn't believe Sir Berg, or Sir Olberic, had trouble in a single combat, as it was the very first time... However, it was still incredible to see him confronting that man like this, as he was very resisting.

He then answered.

"As long as people are unsafe against dangerous men like you are, my blade is still not ready to bend !"

"Well, show me what you got."

CLASH !

VOOOM !

CLASH !

There were a lot exchanges of sword blows, of dark green fists, and of force fields. Sir Olberic was really determined to take him down, despite he was already quite tired by his last battle, while the yellow helmet man really defended himself well, but it was much harder for him to beat Berg than me and Travis. It was like a confrontation between two forces of the nature, as they were breaking everything around them, like crystals and rocks, during this very tough battle.

I slowly managed to stand up, when I noticed the purple orb in the middle of the cavern. Unlike earlier, it was shining a brighter purple light which reflected with all the rest of cristals spared by the battle, illuminating the whole cavern.

What's wrong with this orb ?

Travis, who also managed to stand up, noticed it too, and watched it like it was something really special. He pointed it at me, when he called me.

"We have to retrieve it !"

While Berg and the yellow helmet man were still fighting, Travis profited to run towards the ball, when the man noticed and dashed towards him.

"Oh no, you don't !"

His course was suddenly interrupted by Sir Olberic.

"Don't get distracted while you fight !"

They continued to fight, when alongside with Travis, we headed towards the purple ball, which was progressively shining brighter and brighter. I didn't know what Travis was thinking about, but my instinct told me that something really bad would happen if we did nothing.

We were about to retrieve it from the socle, when we heard the strange man saying.

"Too late."

FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!

There was such a giant and high pillar of purple light, which was so powerful that the wind repealed us, as the light shined so bright that I lost my conscience.

~A minute later~

I slowly woke up hardly.

"Ngh... Ha... Ha..."

I observed the light pillar was gone, but the cavern didn't seem to be destroyed, and I had more fear than harm when he touched me.

But what just happened ?!... What was that light, all of a sudden ?... Was that a form of magic too ?

A mist of dust covered the place, when I observed the man with the yellow helmet again. Was he the responsible of what just happened ?

I noticed he was holding another orb on his palm, except it was blue and quite smaller, watching it as he spoke.

"Oh... I just put the third one, like you told me to... However, people saw me."

I barely understood why he was speaking to that ball, which was filled of mist in the interior. He was too far for I could hear him, but I swore I could hear another voice which came from inside the orb.

Who's he talking to ?

I observed him listening attentively at the orb... when something bothered me.

I don't know if I was just dreaming or something else, but even if I was not able to see his face, he was just like... shocked. Yeah, shocked...

I was sligthly confused to that behavior he adopted while listening to that ball, when I really though for a moment I heard him pronouncing...

"What ?..."

He slowly stowed the ball inside his pocked, and for an unknown reason, he looked really annoyed, without acting like he normally does.

He then watched at me, when a kind of purple smoke covered his entire body, before he disappeared.

What the... Where did he go ?!...

I was surprised to see he was gone like this, but I was still worried for the others.

I noticed Sir Berg standing hardly on his knees, when I ran at him.

"Sir ! Are you alright ?!"

I helped him to get up, when he answered.

"Ngh !... It's been time I've never fought such enemies like this one...", he caught his breath after the hard battle, when he was concerned. "Where's Travis ?!"

"EVERYONE STAY BACK !", yelled a voice.

There was just a man, probably a brigand who worked for Gaston, who was at the other side of the room, gripping Travis by menacing him with a knife !

"TRAVIS !", I screamed worringly.

Sir Berg stayed attentive, when the brigand yelled.

"I DON'T CARE IF THE BOSS STOPPED HIS CRIMINALS ACTIVITIES ! SO, I'LL TAKE HIS PLACE, AND START A BRAND NEW GROUP OF BRIGANDS ! SO, DO NOT MAKE A SINGLE MOVE, GIVE ME EVERY TREASURES OF THIS ROOM, OR YOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO THAT LAD !"

"IT'S OK, SIR OLBERIC ! DO NOT DROP YOUR SWORD ! JUST TRUST ME !", yelled Travis.

He remained brave despite the knife under his neck, and without even trying to struggle. But what was he thinking ?!

Gz ! Gz !

Sparkles started to cover Travis's body, at his agressor's surprise.

"Huh !"

SCRAAAATCH !!!

A bright blue light shined around him, when suddenly, he was totally gone !

"What's the... ?!", said the confused man.

Despite he was very surprised like I was, Olberic quickly headed towards the brigand with his sword.

"AAAAHHHH !!!"

CLASH !

"ARGH !!"

The brigand was down after receiving a violent blow.

Today, me and Olberic were really shocked by the events, so shocked that we even not dared to say something, after all we had been through... But it was mostly about that man we were concerned. What was his goal ? Why did he want towards Travis ? What was that pillar of light which just appeared from nowhere ?

There was such a silence in the crystal cavern, especially after Travis brutally disappeared through our eyes. Even his stuff has gone as well with him.

What happened to him ?! Why did he disappear like this ?! Was he excpecting he would disappear ?!

Me and Olberic were really tired and shocked, as he watched in direction of the socle where that purple orb was shining, as it was now gone.

I was so troubled that I wanted an answer.

"Sir Olberic... Where did he go ?!"

"Ha... Ha..."

He didn't answer me, without really knowing the response, as he walked in direction of the socle and examined in shock the place where the pillar of light just appeared. It seemed he understood that this phenomenon wasn't a good sign at all...

He was still shocked by that discovering, when I approached him and repeated.

"Where did he go ?!"

He took his time, before answering me.

"Only the gods know..."

~

A/N: YOOOOOOOHHHHH !!! What an incredible chapter !

Pretty sure that some of you would say that after reading that amazing chapter, between Olberic's past being revealed, and Travis fighting for the first time the man with the yellow helmet. This chapter was especially dynamic with all those battle, that I tried to make them as amazing, even without pictures. Just try to imagine the combats like you are reading a shonen manga with some actions !

I also made sure to not write too much details in this one, especially with the dialogues, and I also wanted to make sure my story wasn't too annoying to read if there is too much descriptive text.

What is awesome in that book based on Octopath Traveler, is that my oc Travis truly shares a lot of common points with the protagonist, like when Olberic and him were feeling lost. With that, I wanted to make sure some of them shared Travis's sufferings.

Anyway, it was the last chapter involving Olberic, and the next one will be the 6th traveler ! Sadly, I won't let you any clue to help you guessing who will be next...

3 mores travelers to show !!

I hope so well you liked that chapter, and see you next time for Tressa's first chapt...

WOOOPS !!! I SPOKE TOO MUCH !!