God’s Tree

The battlefield was chaos.

The Veiled Order moved as a single entity, their attacks synchronized, their magic seamless. Golden fire clashed with dark tendrils, the force of their spells shaking the earth beneath them.

Argolaith dodged a blade of light that burned the air as it passed. He countered with a downward slash, his blade barely cutting into the strange armor of the masked warrior before him.

Kaelred fought beside him, gritting his teeth as he parried another attack. "There's too many of them!"

Malakar's glowing eyes narrowed. "There's always too many of them."

With a flick of his wrist, black chains shot from the ground, ensnaring two of the warriors. But before Malakar could finish them, a pulse of golden energy shattered the chains like brittle glass.

The Veiled Order was strong.

But so were they.

"We need to break their coordination!" Argolaith yelled, deflecting a strike aimed at his ribs.

Kaelred exhaled sharply. "Easier said than done!"

Malakar's lips curled into a smirk. "Then let's make it interesting."

He vanished into the shadows, appearing behind one of the masked warriors. With a single precise strike, he severed the runes on their armor.

The moment the rune broke, the masked warrior stumbled, their movements faltering.

Argolaith saw the opening. He lunged.

His sword pierced through the weakened warrior's chest.

Kaelred followed his lead, his dagger slicing through the defenses of another weakened enemy. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

Their formation began to collapse.

But just as victory seemed within reach—the ground trembled.

A new force entered the battlefield.

A figure in crimson robes stepped forward.

They did not attack. They simply raised a hand.

The remaining warriors of the Veiled Order stopped instantly.

Argolaith, Kaelred, and Malakar froze, gripping their weapons.

The air grew dense, heavy, charged with an unfamiliar magic.

Then, the crimson figure spoke.

"That is enough."

The voice was calm, powerful, and strangely… amused.

The warriors vanished.

One moment, the battlefield was full of enemies. The next—they were simply gone.

Argolaith's breathing was ragged. "What… was that?"

Malakar's glowing eyes dimmed slightly. "That was someone we do not want to fight today."

Kaelred exhaled sharply. "Agreed."

The crimson figure watched them for a moment longer. Then, without another word, they turned and walked away, disappearing into the rocky terrain.

Argolaith clenched his fists. "Who the hell was that?"

Malakar chuckled. "That, Argolaith, was someone who just let us live. I suggest we don't question it too much."

Kaelred sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Can we just go now? I think I've had enough for one day."

Argolaith nodded. "Yeah. Let's get back to Val'Haren."

They traveled in silence for hours, their minds still reeling from the battle.

The sun hung low in the sky by the time the towering walls of Val'Haren came into view.

Argolaith exhaled in relief. "Finally."

Kaelred smirked. "I swear, if we get into another fight before we make it inside, I'm giving up."

Malakar chuckled. "That would be unfortunate, wouldn't it?"

They reached the gates, and the guards stepped aside without question.

As they entered the city, the familiar sounds of bustling markets, clashing steel, and distant music greeted them.

For the first time in what felt like weeks, they were somewhere safe.

Kaelred stretched. "Alright, first order of business—food. A real meal. No more elixirs."

Argolaith laughed. "Agreed."

Malakar grinned. "Then let's eat."

With that, they disappeared into the streets of Val'Haren, unaware that their battle with the Veiled Order was far from over.

The streets of Val'Haren were alive with energy, the hum of trade, conversation, and distant music filling the air. Compared to the barren lands they had traveled through, the city felt almost surreal.

Argolaith, Kaelred, and Malakar moved through the crowded marketplace, their bodies sore but their spirits steadily recovering from the battle with the Veiled Order.

Kaelred sighed deeply. "I'm not even going to think about what just happened. I just want to eat something that doesn't taste like raw magic."

Malakar chuckled. "Your complaints never cease to amuse me."

Argolaith smirked. "You do complain a lot, Kaelred."

Kaelred glared at them both. "I don't complain. I observe the sheer absurdity of our lives."

Malakar grinned. "Ah, so whining with extra steps. Got it."

Kaelred groaned. "I hate you both."

Argolaith laughed, guiding them toward one of the larger inns, a warm, inviting scent of grilled meat and fresh bread filling the air.

For the first time in weeks, they weren't eating over an open fire or drinking bitter elixirs for sustenance.

Tonight, they would feast.

The inn was crowded but lively, the glow of enchanted lanterns casting a warm hue over the wooden walls.

They found a corner table, and within minutes, food arrived.

Thick slabs of roasted meat, crispy potatoes, fresh vegetables, and steaming bread piled high on their plates.

Kaelred's eyes lit up. "Finally, real food."

Malakar sipped at a dark, steaming cup of something suspicious. "You mortals and your obsession with taste."

Argolaith took a bite of the succulent, perfectly cooked meat. "You should try it, Malakar. It might make you a little less miserable."

Malakar smirked. "Doubtful."

As they ate, the weight of the battle slowly faded.

But the questions remained.

Argolaith leaned forward. "We need to talk about what happened out there."

Kaelred sighed. "Do we? Can't we just enjoy this?"

Malakar set down his cup. "We don't have the luxury of ignoring it."

The table fell into silence.

Then, Argolaith spoke.

"Who was that? The one in red."

Malakar exhaled. "Someone powerful."

Kaelred rolled his eyes. "Yes, thank you for that brilliant insight, oh great and wise lich."

Malakar smirked. "You're welcome."

Argolaith pressed on. "They stopped the fight. Just like that. The Veiled Order listens to them. That means they're important."

Malakar nodded. "More than important. That wasn't just a high-ranking member. That was one of the Masters of the Order."

Kaelred paused mid-bite. "Masters?"

Malakar's eyes darkened. "The Veiled Order has twelve Masters. Each one governs a different part of their organization. If one of them was there… that means we're already deeper in this than I expected."

Argolaith clenched his fist. "Then we need to find out why they're after us."

Kaelred sighed. "I really miss the days when our biggest problem was finding food."

They finished their meal, exhaustion beginning to settle in.

Malakar leaned back. "We should rest. Whatever comes next, we'll need to be ready."

Argolaith nodded. "Agreed."

Kaelred stretched. "A real bed sounds incredible right now."

They paid for their rooms and headed upstairs, the warm glow of torches flickering in the halls.

But as Argolaith reached his room, something felt… off.

A chill ran down his spine.

He slowly turned his head—and saw someone standing at the end of the hall.

A woman in a deep red cloak, her face obscured by a golden mask.

One of the Veiled Order.

Argolaith's breath caught in his throat.

The woman tilted her head slightly—then turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Argolaith frowned.

They were being watched.

Again.

Argolaith, Kaelred, and Malakar met in Malakar's room, doors locked.

Argolaith explained what he saw.

Kaelred sighed. "Of course we're being followed. Can't we catch a break?"

Malakar's expression was unreadable. "If the Order wanted to kill us, they would have done it already. No, this is something else."

Argolaith leaned against the wall. "Then what do we do?"

Malakar smirked. "We wait. If they want something, they'll make their move. And when they do…"

Kaelred sighed. "We'll deal with it."

Malakar nodded. "Exactly."

The city was peaceful.

But Argolaith knew—this was only the calm before the storm.