The Runic Alchemist

In Damian's room, Tristan's Building, later that night.

"That's... a pretty solid offer. How in the hell.. Why would she do that?" Jorven asked, surprised, after Damian revealed the offer he had received from Vidalia to them.

"Researcher. She must be intrigued by his unique spells. But still, an official position with lands? seems a bit too much.." Geldric, who was usually stoic, also wore a surprised expression.

"I always knew you were weird, and your spells made no sense, but yeah, I'd do anything in my power to learn them if I could," Yovan chimed in.

"So, what did you say?" Einar asked while Sam sat quietly, his face a blank mask, unreadable.

"I didn't. It's good and all, but she'd want me to stay here, stuck in this pointless fight, and I've had enough of it. I'm not going to fight for them anymore. I never cared much about their cause anyway," Damian voiced his thoughts aloud, revealing his stance after receiving Vidalia's proposition.

"Why not?" Einar pressed, confused. The rest weren't expecting him to refuse either, but they understood his reasoning. Perhaps for the pugilist cousins, it was a matter of family pride, of glory and honor. But Yovan, more cautious of nobles, understood. Sam still showed no reaction.

"Because they can't kill them.. The Queen signed a treaty with the old Ashenvale king that prohibits them from killing certain top Ashenvale nobles, including all third-rankers. Vidalia and Bonecrusher will fight them, but only to keep them contained. Hopes of capturing them are naïve.

They'll keep fighting day in and day out, the third rankers and second rankers won't die as fast if they will at all, but the others will.. The mundanes and first-rankers.. They fight each battle hoping for gaining victory with one last effort, without knowing their lords only want to maintain the status quo," Damian revealed their secrets.

He made no promises of secrecy to anyone, and if anyone deserved to know the reasons behind the senseless fighting, it was these people—people he cared about.

The group sat frozen. He wasn't trying to cause trouble for Vidalia or anyone else, he was not that petty; he just wanted his friends to have all the facts before making a decision. He had thought about doing it for everyone in the army but it would make him an enemy of two third rankers, he didn't have power to stand against them yet. If they listened to him at all.

As expected, the revelation hit them hard. Einar and Yovan stared at him with disbelief. The cousins exchanged confused glances, while Sam, finally, showed emotion. But it wasn't the shock or confusion Damian had expected—it was anger. Raw, seething, raging anger. Explore more adventures at m,v l'e-m|p y r

His aura leaked out, and his eyes sparked with faint traces of lightning as his face twisted in disgust, more furious than Damian had ever seen him.

"Their... their fight is..." Einar stammered.

"Pointless," Sam finished, looking down, unwilling to show his face to the others.

"This can't be true! They'd never keep something like this to themselves!" Jorven exclaimed.

Damian didn't respond. He had laid out the truth. Whether they chose to believe it or not was up to them. He wouldn't force them to see things his way. They were young, teens, but from what he had seen they were mature enough to have their own beliefs and opinions even if they were molded by their surroundings or family.

"Why? Why the f*ck are they fighting?" Sam asked, his voice deep with fury, still not meeting anyone's eyes but Damian could see faint bright blue glow, which were his eyes as he looked down.

"Because the Ashenvale crown prince made reagent by his father's sickness asked to marry the Queen and unite their houses and kingdoms, but she refused. The Queen had previously arranged for her daughter to marry the prince joining their house, but the prince chose to ignored it.."

"Bastard!"

"How dare he!"

"Eldorians are descendants of our goddess! This is unacceptable!"

Einar, Yovan, and Geldric erupted in outrage, their loyalty to their kingdom evident. Well It would be weird if they didn't feel anything for the homeland they grew up in..

"That's it? Some bastard wants to marry someone and for him, hundreds die every day? What a joke," Sam said, his voice rising. Lightning veins forming uncontrollably along his forearms, along with his uncontrollable rage. Before it could escalate, Damian grabbed his arm, forcing him to look into his eyes. The lightning dimmed down slowly as he looked up.

"Calm down. This is not the best place to show your anger.. They're nobles. What did you expect? It's their problem, their fight. It doesn't have to be ours.

We can leave tomorrow.." Damian said, turning his gaze to the others. "None of you have to fight. Whatever obligations you think you have, think twice about how your family and loved ones will feel losing you for it. Don't throw your lives away for nothing."

"Thank you for your words, Maximus. But I made up my mind a long time ago. Only on the battlefield can I get stronger," Einar replied, his face set with determination, his fists clenched.

"Our lives are worth giving to avenge such disrespect to Astraea's blood," Geldric declared, as both cousins stared at Damian, resolute in their decision.

Damian looked to Yovan, the smartest among them, hoping for a different answer.

"I've earned enough credits, which was why I had joined," Yovan admitted, then looked away. "But.. I will stay. Eldorians are worth fighting for."

Damian sighed internally. He had hoped at least Yovan would see reason, but guess their love for their home was just too great, they were kids, grown up hearing stories of brave heroes and knights defending their homeland.

"I will not fight for them..." Sam said, his voice cutting through the tension as he finally met Damian's eyes. His face was full of determination, a new purpose burning within him. Damian felt relieved, until Sam continued, "But I will not leave.. I came to find you.. And I am so glad that I did.. But Maximus..

Little children Maximus, innocent women... weak and defenseless old men.. No one is protecting them Maximus.. They are being slaughtered for meaningless fight Maximus.. I.. I..

I can't just forget it all.. I can't just.. just.."

Damian held Sam's shoulders gently, his eyes filled with tears, but they were not of weakness, Sam was strong, far stronger than maybe Damian himself. Damian knew it better than most, the guy had always managed to surprise him with his incredibly naïve yet.. admirable morals..

Enduring such unfair and gut wrenching trials life had thrown at him and yet staying kind enough to feel for others, laugh for others.. Sam felt as though he had betrayed Damian by choosing to stay and it made him tear up. but he did not need to feel such burden.

He was free to make his own choices. Just as Damian was free to make his.