Chapter Twenty Two

At the borders of the kingdom of Malakar, Varkos stood atop a massive citadel, his eyes scanning the city that had turned its back on him. A green light pulsed within his chest, his breath rising with it.

The moon hung low in the sky as the first tremors of his Arcane Spell shook the foundations of the city. Towers crumbled, streets cracked, and arcane storms gathered overhead, swirling with malevolent energy. Lightning crackled, tearing through the skies as the terrified citizens hid in their homes.

A satisfied smirk slowly appears on his face.

He watches as a building crumbles, revealing a little girl crying within. The little girl, startled by a close lightning strike, immediately takes to her heel.

Varkos chuckles as he gathers a considerable amount of mana in the sky, aiming to strike the girl down. He doesn't get to however, as a blue portal opens up behind him and a figure walks out.

"Lord Varkos, I believe the summons from the kingdom of Welvern is scheduled in a few days from now." The figure, a dark skinned man with green eyes, dressed in a silver tailcoat with a cutaway front and tails at the back.

"You really know how to spoil my mood Sanach." Varkos chuckles as he watches the little girl run into an alleyway.

Sanach's expression remains neutral, his voice firm. "You know as well as I do, Varkos, that your... indulgences will have to wait. The meeting in Welvern is of utmost importance, and your presence is required."

Varkos's smirk grows wider as he turns to face Sanach. "Ah, but where's the fun in that? The kingdom of Welvern can afford to wait, it's only fitting for one such as i."

Sanach's eyes narrow. "Lord Varkos, the rest of the Sins will be attending."

Varkos's gaze flashes with anger, the green light in his chest pulsating faster. "You dare to lecture me, Sanach? You, do you really think I'm afraid of those simpletons?"

Sanach's voice remains calm, but a hint of steel creeps into his tone. "I dare not my lord because I know what you're capable of, Lord Varkos."

Varkos snorts, his anger dissipating as quickly as it flared up. "You're right, as always, Sanach. My apologies. The meeting in Welvern takes priority."

Sanach nods, his expression softening. "Of course my Lord. Now, I shall prepare for our journey."

Varkos chuckles, the malevolent energy in the air dissipating as he nods. "Indeed. Let's get going, Sanach. The games are about to begin."

Together, the two of them step through the blue portal, leaving the ravaged city behind, as the little girl watches from the safety of her alleyway, her eyes wide with fear.

////

Boom.

Multiple explosions echo off a canyon as a figure crashes into the ground leaving a crater for the umpteenth time today.

A figure appears on the edge of the crater. "Are you hurt? or tired? Should we stop for today?"

The smoke clears, revealing a young man in the middle of the crater, breathing heavily. "Stop it big sis, I'm not a little kid anymore."

The figure at the edge of the crater, a tall woman stands with a confident swagger, showcasing her refined features and elegant hair, often worn in a messy bun. She wears a suit of leather armor, adorned with metal plating and a star shaped crest on her chest. Her gloves are worn and battered, with a few gems still visible beneath the scars.

"Adorable." She coos, "Little Gin is growing up so fast." She shakes her head with a sigh, a warm smile on her lips.

"Hah. Rory!!" Gin whines, "Take this seriously, you can't protect me forever." He jumps out of the crater, landing a distance away from his sister.

Rory gives her brother a knowing smirk. "Says who?"

Gin gnashes his teeth as he takes his stance. "Here I come." Declaring his intent, he charges at Rory.

Drawing his fist back, Gin throws a fierce punch, gathering wind with his momentum. Before the punch can land however, he vanishes. Rory smirks as her eyes follow his movements.

Tilting her head a little bit, she evades a flying kick, wind whipping through her hair. Gin in a single motion turns into a sweeping kick which she just casually leans over.

Before Rory can grab her brother however, he disappears in a burst of speed once again. She rolls her eyes as he moves even faster, just managing to create a sonic boom as he breaks the sound barrier.

Leaving a gust of wind and a red line in his wake, Gin bounces around the canyon. Appearing behind Rory, he disappears as soon as she turns her head.

He appears above her, vanishing the next moment. To her right, and he's gone.

Rory's eyes dart around the canyon, following her brother while her body relaxes, barely even moving from its spot.

'This should be enough speed.' Gin darts past his sister for nineteenth time in the past eight seconds. Appearing on the canyon wall, he draws in all his energy, locking himself in a spring like motion.

The canyon wall gains a crater as Gin launches himself off it, his fist inches from his face in less than a second. 'With this, big sis'll have to take me -' "bleurgh!!"

Boom

A thud echoes as a new crater forms at the edge of the canyon as Rory sends her brother into it by stepping on his back.

Appearing at the edge of the crater, she calls. "Are you hurt? or tired? Should we stop for today?"

From within the dust and smoke, Gin yells. "For the last time, I'm fine. I can take it." Though his voice is very winded. Gin jumps from the crater to face his sister.

Rory appears behind her brother, grabbing his ear. "You're starting to slow down, you know." She easily lifts him up from his ear.

"Ow, ow. Can you blame me. We've been here all morning." Gin cries as he tries to get loose from his sister's hold.

Rory glances at the canyon, looking over the multiple craters that had formed while she was training her brother. "So you are tired. Wanna take a break?"

"Not a chance.* Breaking free of his torment, Gin launches himself off his sister with a flip. "I'm not quitting, I'll be the strongest, stronger than you and the rest of the Sins."

Rory smiles, hearings her brother rattle on about his dream. "That reminds me, I won't be around for the next few days."

Gin, catching his breath, looks at his sister and sighs. "Is it about the summons?" Rory nods to his question. "Is it too much for you to take me with you?" Gin asks with a strained smile.

Rory smiles warmly as she walks up to her brother. "You know I can't. At least not yet." She places her hand in his blonde messy hair.

Gin pouts, "I sensed it too, you know. That strange power over a month ago." Rory raises her eyebrows at this. "I know... I know I won't be much help, that's why I have to become strong. The strongest, stronger than you, stronger than the Sins and even stronger than the empire."

Rory pulls her brother into her bossom in a warm hug. "Stop saying lame things like that. If you're gonna be strong, you have to be confident." She ignores Gin's struggles to breathe as she runs her hand through his hair.

Noticing that Gin had passed out, she smiles warmly. "Alright, since he's tired, I guess I can actually try to train, myself." With that said, she places her brother in a tent covered in magical formations.

Her brother safe and sound, she heads to the center of the canyon.

A few moments later, the entire canyon trembles.