God’s Tree

The morning sun cast a golden glow over Val'Haren, but Argolaith and Kaelred were far from well-rested.

The night's fight with the thieves had left them with a harsh truth—someone knew they had wealth, and now they had a target on their backs.

As Argolaith adjusted his sword belt, Kaelred sat by the window, watching the city come alive with early-morning traders, mercenaries, and mages.

"We need to find out who sent those thieves," Kaelred said, his voice still groggy from lack of sleep.

Argolaith grinned. "Agreed. I don't like people trying to rob me."

Kaelred raised an eyebrow. "That's the only reason?"

Argolaith chuckled. "Well, that and revenge."

Kaelred sighed. "Alright. Where do we start?"

They left the inn, keeping a low profile as they wandered through the crowded marketplace.

The city buzzed with life—blacksmiths hammering away at enchanted weapons, merchants calling out rare goods, and adventurers boasting about their latest hunts.

But Kaelred's sharp eyes scanned the streets for something else—a lead.

"We should check the lower districts," he said. "If the thieves were hired by someone, odds are it wasn't someone high-ranking."

Argolaith nodded. "Makes sense. No noble would waste time hiring street thugs."

They headed toward the lower district, where the streets narrowed, the buildings became more rundown, and eyes followed them from the shadows.

As they walked, a familiar voice called out from an alley.

"You're lucky to still be breathing."

Argolaith and Kaelred turned sharply, hands drifting to their weapons.

A young woman in a tattered cloak leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed, a cocky smirk on her lips.

Kaelred studied her carefully. "You were at the Merchant's Guild yesterday."

She nodded. "I was. And I saw the thieves tailing you long before you noticed them."

Argolaith grinned. "And yet you didn't warn us?"

The woman shrugged. "Not my problem. But since you're still alive, I figure you might be smart enough to hear me out."

Kaelred narrowed his eyes. "Who hired them?"

The woman's smirk faded slightly.

"The Black Thorn Syndicate."

Kaelred exhaled sharply. "That's… not good."

Argolaith tilted his head. "I take it they're important?"

The woman nodded. "The Black Thorn Syndicate runs the underground trade in Val'Haren. Illegal artifacts, beast materials, rare magic. If you sell something valuable, they hear about it."

Kaelred sighed. "So we got their attention."

The woman grinned. "Oh, you did more than that. You embarrassed them. That was one of their lower-rank crews you beat last night."

Argolaith smirked. "Sounds like they'll send someone stronger next time."

The woman's eyes darkened. "They will. And they don't play fair."

Kaelred crossed his arms. "Why are you helping us?"

The woman hesitated before answering.

"Because you're new here, and if you don't figure out how things work fast, you won't last a week."

Argolaith raised an eyebrow. "You offering to guide us?"

She shrugged. "Depends. How much are you paying?"

Kaelred and Argolaith exchanged glances.

Kaelred sighed. "We'll think about it. But for now, tell us where to find them."

The woman smiled. "North side of the city. There's a tavern called The Hollow Fang. That's where their enforcers drink."

Argolaith grinned. "Perfect."

Kaelred frowned. "We're not walking in there looking for a fight."

Argolaith smirked. "We'll see."

The tavern was located in the roughest part of Val'Haren, where mercenaries, criminals, and bounty hunters roamed freely.

The moment Argolaith and Kaelred stepped inside, the air changed.

Eyes turned toward them, sizing them up.

Men sat in dark corners, whispering over maps and contracts, while others drank heavily spiced liquor, their laughter low and dangerous.

A massive man, covered in scars, sat at the center table, his presence commanding.

Kaelred nudged Argolaith. "That's one of their captains."

Argolaith grinned. "Let's have a chat."

Kaelred sighed. "This is going to end in violence, isn't it?"

Argolaith smirked. "I sure hope so."

They approached the scarred captain, who barely acknowledged them as he took a long drink from his metal mug.

Argolaith pulled out a gold coin and flicked it onto the table.

"We need to talk."

The captain's eyes flicked up, cold and calculating.

"You must be the two who made a mess of my men."

Kaelred remained silent, but Argolaith grinned.

"They made a mess of themselves. We just cleaned up."

The tavern grew silent.

The captain set down his drink, his fingers tapping the hilt of his dagger.

"You don't seem to understand how things work in Val'Haren. You don't get to sell high-value goods without permission."

Kaelred crossed his arms. "And whose permission do we need?"

The captain smirked. "The Syndicate's. You want to do business here? You pay a cut."

Argolaith leaned forward. "And if we don't?"

The captain chuckled. "Then you don't leave this tavern alive."

Argolaith and Kaelred exchanged glances.

Kaelred sighed. "I knew this was going to end in violence."

The first strike came fast.

A dagger flashed, aimed at Argolaith's chest—

But he twisted, the blade slashing empty air as he drove his elbow into the attacker's ribs.

Kaelred moved instantly, his sword slashing outward, forcing another thug back into the bar.

The tavern exploded into chaos.

Tables overturned as men lunged forward, weapons drawn, glasses shattered, ale spilling across the floor.

Steel clashed as Argolaith and Kaelred fought back-to-back, deflecting blows.

Argolaith, dodging a wild swing, grinned.

"I'm starting to like this city!"

Kaelred blocked a strike with his sword, shoving his attacker into a nearby table.

"I hate this city."

The captain, still seated, simply watched the chaos unfold, his eyes sharp.

Then, he stood.

And drew a massive black axe.

"Enough playing around."

Argolaith's grin widened.

"Now we're talking."

The Black Thorn Syndicate captain stood tall, his massive black axe resting on his shoulder, his expression calm yet dangerous.

Around him, thieves, mercenaries, and enforcers of the Syndicate lay groaning on the floor, either knocked out or struggling to rise.

Argolaith wiped blood from his lip, his sword still gripped tightly in his hand. "You took your time joining in."

The captain smirked, his scarred face illuminated by the dim lanterns. "I don't like wasting energy. But you've made quite the mess."

Kaelred adjusted his stance, sword at the ready. "So what happens now?"

The captain's eyes glinted with amusement. "Now? You get a real fight."

And then he moved.

Faster than a man his size should be able to.

His axe cleaved through the air, coming down with incredible force.

Argolaith barely dodged in time, the blade splitting the wooden floor where he had been standing.

Kaelred retaliated, his sword flashing forward in a precise strike, aiming for the captain's side—

But the captain twisted, bringing his elbow up to deflect the strike, then swinging his axe in a wide arc.

Kaelred leaped back, barely avoiding the death blow.

"Damn, he's fast."

The other thieves in the tavern, seeing their leader enter the fight, began regaining their confidence, pulling themselves to their feet and grabbing their weapons.

Argolaith gritted his teeth. "We're outnumbered."

Kaelred cursed. "And outmatched."

Argolaith grinned. "Sounds like fun."

The captain charged again, this time swinging his axe in a brutal horizontal arc.

Argolaith ducked low, sliding beneath the strike before launching himself upward, slashing his sword at the captain's exposed back.

But the captain twisted mid-motion, bringing his gauntlet-clad fist up and catching Argolaith square in the ribs.

The impact sent him flying, crashing through a table.

Kaelred tried to press the attack, his blade aimed for the captain's leg, but the giant man lifted his foot and kicked Kaelred back like he was nothing.

Kaelred rolled across the floor, coughing. "He's… strong."

Argolaith groaned, pulling himself from the wreckage. "Yeah. Noted."

The remaining thieves, emboldened by their captain's dominance, rushed forward.

Argolaith and Kaelred found themselves surrounded once again.

Kaelred wiped the blood from his mouth. "You have any runes left?"

Argolaith nodded. "One."

Kaelred glanced around. "Then use it wisely."

The captain lifted his axe, eyeing them both with a hint of respect.

"You're skilled. I'll give you that. But skill won't save you."

He launched forward again, his movements deceptively fast, his axe coming down in a brutal arc.

Argolaith gritted his teeth—

And activated his stored rune.

The moment the gravity rune took effect, the captain's momentum faltered.

His axe strike slowed, and his body became heavier, his movements less fluid.

Argolaith saw his chance.

He sidestepped, bringing his blade up in a fierce counterattack.

The captain blocked with his gauntlet, but the impact still sent him staggering backward.

Kaelred lunged in, slashing at the captain's knee, forcing him to drop lower.

The two pressed the attack, landing precise strikes, forcing the captain into a defensive stance.

But even with the gravity rune affecting him, the man still refused to go down.

"Impressive," the captain said, his breathing slightly heavier. "But it won't be enough."

And then—

He let out a roar.

The rune shattered.

A Desperate Gamble

Argolaith's eyes widened. "What?"

The captain grinned, cracking his neck. "You thought something like that would hold me down?"

Kaelred muttered a curse. "That's not normal."

The captain raised his axe again, stepping forward—

But then, suddenly—

A dagger flew through the air, embedding itself into the captain's shoulder.

The room went still.

The captain staggered slightly, eyes narrowing in confusion.

From the shadows of the tavern, a familiar voice echoed.

"That's enough fun for tonight."

Argolaith and Kaelred turned sharply.

A dark figure stepped out from the far end of the tavern.

Malakar.

The captain growled, gripping the dagger in his shoulder but not pulling it out.

"Who the hell are you?"

Malakar tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing at his lips. "Just an observer."

The captain studied him, then slowly stepped back.

"Tch. Another time, then."

With a gesture, the remaining Black Thorn Syndicate members quickly backed away, disappearing into the night.

Argolaith and Kaelred exhaled in relief.

Kaelred shot Malakar a look. "You could've stepped in sooner."

Malakar shrugged. "You two were handling it."

Argolaith wiped the sweat from his brow. "Barely."

Malakar smirked. "Then get stronger."

With the fight over, the innkeeper, who had wisely stayed hidden, emerged from behind the bar.

"You two sure know how to cause trouble."

Kaelred sighed. "It finds us."

Argolaith cracked his knuckles. "So, what now?"

Malakar leaned against the wall. "Now? You rest. But be careful. The Black Thorn Syndicate won't forget this."

Kaelred exhaled. "We're making a lot of enemies lately."

Argolaith grinned. "That just means we're doing something right."

Malakar chuckled. "Perhaps. But watch your backs. This city is full of shadows."

With that, he disappeared back into the darkness.

Argolaith and Kaelred exchanged glances.

Kaelred sighed. "Next time, let's not get into a city-wide gang war."

Argolaith smirked. "No promises."