Chapter 9: Storms Within and Without

Arlon surged forward, every nerve alight with the raw power of the storm coursing through him. Crackling streaks of violet and silver lightning tore through the air, converging with the Moon Mage's dark orb in a brilliant, fiery clash. The resulting explosion rocked the battlefield, the force rippling outward in a wave that scorched the ground beneath them

For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still, the air thick with the raw clash of their powers. Then, with a final surge of energy, Arlon broke through, his lightning slicing through the mage's attack, forcing the dark figure to stagger back.

Arlon felt the weight of the fight crashing down on him, his muscles aching and breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. Despite his exhaustion, he kept his gaze steady on the Moon Mage, who was visibly furious, his mismatched red and gold eyes gleaming with both anger and dark curiosity.

"Who are you?" the mage snarled, his voice barely a whisper but laced with venom.

His gaze flicked to Ace, perched protectively on Arlon's shoulder. "The Soul Sky Guardian should have been bound to a warrior of great renown. How did you…a mere child…come to possess it?"

Arlon's lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't have an answer that would satisfy the mage, nor did he want to. His silence only seemed to enrage the Moon Mage further, his dark aura growing heavier, more lethal.

"Answer me, boy," the mage sneered. "Or I'll strip the dragon from you myself and claim it as my own."

"Oh yeah,then come a get it! " Arlon shot back, his voice defiant even as he struggled to stay on his feet.

"Then that's what it will be."

The Moon Mage raised his hands, a dark, writhing mass of energy forming between his palms, growing into a dense sphere that pulsed with malice.

But before the mage could strike again, Lawrence appeared behind him, his sword glinting with a deadly light.

"You're done,"he said coldly, slashing at the mage with a swift, decisive strike that forced the dark figure to retreat.

Lawrence moved like a shadow, his blade gleaming with an unrelenting light as he emerged behind the Moon Mage. "Your game ends here," he declared, his voice a cold blade of its own. With a swift, precise strike, his sword cut through the mage's defenses, forcing the dark figure to stumble back in a rare show of weakness

The mage smirked, attempting to summon another dark spell, but Lawrence was faster, his blade flashing as he struck again, delivering a powerful blow that knocked the mage to the ground. He landed hard, struggling to rise, his breaths coming fast and labored.

Arlon watched, awe-struck as Lawrence loomed over the mage, his gaze as unyielding as iron.

Lawrence's voice was cold, almost taunting as he spoke, "It must be hard…seeing the Soul Sky Guardian bound to someone else. I suppose it wasn't meant for someone with a fractured heart."

The words cut deeper than any sword, the mage's defiant sneer faltered, his mismatched eyes clouding with something almost human—shame? Regret? It flickered only for a moment before anger reclaimed his features, though his trembling hands betrayed him

The mention of a "fractured heart" struck a nerve, and his grip faltered, his hands trembling as he tried to summon the power to retaliate.

Lawrence seized the moment, his sword striking with a forceful blow to the mage's chest. The dark magic in the mage's hands fizzled, his entire body going slack as he collapsed, unconscious and motionless, his breathing shallow.

Thud—

Arlon stood frozen, watching the mage's form lying still on the ground. The storm clouds above began to clear, and a tense silence settled over the battlefield, the once-relentless force of the Moon Mage now reduced to nothing.

Arlon's legs buckled, the last of his strength draining as he collapsed onto the scorched earth. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, every muscle trembling from the strain. Before he could fully hit the ground, Lawrence was there, steadying him with an arm around his shoulder.

"You held your ground, Arlon," Lawrence said, his voice low but carrying a rare note of pride

Arlon managed a faint, weary smile, glancing down at Ace, who purred in approval. "I… survived," he murmured, the weight of the battle finally sinking in.

Lawrence placed a reassuring hand on Arlon's shoulder. "You did more than that," he said firmly, his voice carrying a rare note of pride. "You protected him." He gestured to the wolf boy, now safe in the arms of a nearby villager, who watched Arlon with a quiet, reverent awe.

Arlon met the boy's gaze, feeling a spark of hope rekindle in his chest. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to savor this small victory. They had won this battle, but he knew the larger war was far from over.

As he caught his breath, Arlon sensed movement behind him. He turned to see Alice and Anthony hurrying toward them, their faces etched with worry. Relief flooded their expressions as they took in the sight of Arlon, Lawrence, and the others standing amidst the aftermath of the battle.

"We were starting to think…" Alice's voice trailed off, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "When the robed men fell to the ground, we feared the worst."

Anthony nodded, glancing around at the defeated cultists. "They collapsed so suddenly. We didn't understand why."

Arlon exchanged a knowing look with Ace, realization dawned on him. The Moon Mage must have held a controlling bond over the cultists, a dark connection that linked their fates to his own. With the mage defeated, his servants' lives had likely been snuffed out along with his influence. But rather than reveal this detail, Arlon simply said, "Their power was tied to something…unstable. Once that was broken, they had nothing left to hold them."

Alice looked at him, studying his face. She seemed satisfied with his answer and nodded. "Regardless, we have survivors here who need refuge."

"We'll take them to my home village," Lawrence interjected, a determined edge to his tone. "They'll be safe there."

Arlon agreed, gesturing toward the shaken villagers. "Let's not waste any time. We need to get them out of here while we still have daylight."

Alice immediately prepared a teleportation circle, her hands moving gracefully as she drew complex symbols in the air. With each gesture, the air shimmered and crackled, a faint blue glow forming beneath her fingertips. Meanwhile, Lawrence and Anthony moved through the survivors, ushering them toward the circle with calm, reassuring words.

Once everyone was gathered, Alice raised her hands, channeling her magic as the teleportation circle pulsed with a vibrant energy. She glanced back, ensuring everyone was safely within the boundary, then nodded. "Hold on—it may be a little rough."

Fwooosh—

In a flash of light, the landscape shifted, and Arlon felt his stomach lurch as they reappeared on the outskirts of Lawrence's home village. The familiar sight of the quiet village, surrounded by rolling fields and bordered by thick forest, brought a sense of peace over the group. Villagers emerged from their homes, curious and ready to help, as Lawrence explained the situation and organized a safe shelter for the weary survivors.

As the last of the survivors were settled in, Arlon caught sight of the wolf boy again, now seated near a small fire with a warm blanket draped over his shoulders. The boy looked up and met Arlon's gaze, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Suddenly, Alice approached Arlon, her eyes lighting up as she spotted the black cat on his shoulder which was now visible to anyone.

"Is that… a Soul Guardian?".Alice gasped, her voice trembling with a mix of awe and disbelief. She leaned closer, her eyes wide with wonder as they fixed on the sleek black cat perched on Arlon's shoulder. 'I never thought I'd see one with my own eyes.'"

Arlon blinked, momentarily taken aback by her enthusiasm. "Uh, yes, actually," he replied, glancing at the cat. "This is Ace, the Soul Sky Guardian."

Alice's face lit up with wonder. "I've only read about Soul Sky Guardians in old tales! I never thought I'd actually see one!" She leaned in a bit closer, her gaze filled with fascination.

Ace, clearly pleased by her reaction, dipped his head graciously. "It's nice to meet someone who appreciates my… legendary presence," he said, giving a playful flick of his tail. "And you must be Alice—and that must be Anthony." He gestured toward Anthony, who was now watching with interest.

Anthony nodded, smiling. "Yes, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Ace. Arlon really managed to find a Soul Sky Guardian, That's impressive."

Alice turned back to Arlon, her eyes wide. "To think that you can wield the power of the Sky Soul… it's incredible."

Arlon offered them a humble smile. "Thank you. It's been a challenge, but I'm glad I can put it to good use."

"Well, we'll leave you to it," Alice said, still smiling. "We're off to check on the villagers again, but thank you for letting us meet Ace."

"Anytime," Arlon replied, nodding. As Alice and Anthony turned to leave, he called out, "And thank you—for everything you both did for the villagers."

Alice glanced back, a warm smile on her face. "We're all in this together, Arlon."

With that, Alice and Anthony headed off to continue their work, leaving Arlon and Ace to share a brief, satisfied look.

"Thank you," Arlon whispered, barely audible, more to himself than to anyone around.

A quiet voice at his side broke his reverie. "This is just the beginning," Ace murmured, a knowing glint in his eyes. But before Arlon could fully process Ace's words, a sudden chill crept up his spine—a sense that something was amiss, a new threat on the horizon.

This feels like a bad news.

Just as Arlon turned to speak with Lawrence, a group of armored men with swords entered the village, their presence causing a ripple of alarm among the villagers. A murmur spread through the crowd as Alice, Anthony, and Lawrence instinctively stepped forward, preparing to defend against the unknown threat.

Arlon stiffened as the air around him shifted, a familiar weight pressing against his senses. Dimitri Miller. Of course. His presence was as commanding as ever, even from a distance, and Arlon couldn't suppress a pang of guilt as the armored entourage approached. Dimitri's expression, a mix of worry and restrained fury, was enough to make Arlon brace himself for the storm to come

As the armored group drew nearer, Arlon saw Dimitri's unmistakable form at the front, his expression twisted with worry and determination.

Arlon quickly raised a hand to stop the trio, moving forward himself, sensing that there was more to this arrival than it seemed.

Ace, perched on his shoulder, tilted his head in confusion. "What are you doing? We don't know if they're hostile," he questioned.

But before Arlon could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tense air.

"My Lord!"

The moment Dimitri spotted Arlon, he broke into a sprint, his voice laden with relief and reprimand.

"My Lord!". Dimitri's voice boomed across the clearing as he closed the distance with long, purposeful strides. "Do you have any idea what you've put me through!?" His words, sharp with both relief and reprimand, spilled out as he grasped Arlon by the shoulders. "I thought the worst—I thought someone had taken you!"

Dimitri Miller, his fiercely loyal butler, known for his relentless dedication and, at times, overwhelming concern. As Dimitri's voice wavered, his eyes nearly watering, he shook Arlon slightly, almost demanding reassurance that his lord wouldn't wander off without notifying him ever again.

"..."

Arlon was momentarily stunned, struggling to respond as Dimitri's hold on him tightened. He couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and embarrassment, glancing around to see the villagers and the trio watching them in bewilderment.

Lawrence's eyebrows rose in surprise, while Alice and Anthony exchanged curious looks. The entire village was now silent, taken aback by the sight of the noble-looking servant scolding a masked traveller man.

Ace, however, seemed rather entertained, letting out a low chuckle. "So…this is your keeper, huh?" he teased, his red eyes glinting with amusement as he watched Dimitri's stern reprimand.

Realizing he had to say something to defuse the situation, Arlon placed a hand on Dimitri's shoulder, speaking with as much composure as he could muster. "Dimitri… I didn't mean to worry you. I just—things got a bit out of hand here, that's all."

Dimitri's expression softened, though he still looked deeply troubled. "Out of hand? My lord, you have no idea the lengths I went to find you. I'll not let this happen again. I will accompany you at all times if I must!"

"..."

Ace snickered, his voice barely a murmur in Arlon's ear. "You? A nobleman? Doesn't seem the type to me," he teased, flicking his tail in amusement. "I mean, if it weren't for him calling you 'my lord,' I'd think you were just… you know, some runaway."

"..."

Arlon shot Ace a brief, exasperated look before focusing on calming Dimitri down. "Dimitri, listen," he said, his tone firm but reassuring.

"I had a reason for going off. I followed a group of Pry members—I had to find out what they were up to." He gestured to the surrounding village, still bearing scars from the recent attack.

"When I saw they were targeting this place, I couldn't turn back."

The tension in Dimitri's shoulders eased as he took in the scene, his eyes softening. For a brief moment, he seemed almost proud. "You're…starting to sound like your father, my lord," Dimitri murmured, a note of approval in his voice,But it didn't escape from Arlon's view.

Sigh—

With a sigh he turn to the gathered villagers and his companions, Arlon took a deep breath, preparing to introduce himself with the weight of his family name.With a deliberate motion, he reached up and pulled back the hood of his robe. The fabric fell away, revealing his face to the crowd.

"I am Arlon Throndsen," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of his lineage. Pulling back his hood, he revealed his face to the gathered crowd, his eyes steady as they met theirs. "Firstborn son of Duke Ciel Throndsen. It is my duty, as a member of the House of Throndsen, to serve and protect those in need. Whatever hardships you face now, know that you will not face them alone."

The words left his mouth confidently, though he could feel a slight flush of embarrassment creeping into his cheeks. It felt almost surreal to speak with such formality and weight, but the reactions around him reminded him it was the right choice.

It still feels overwhelming, even though this isn't my first time speaking in public.

Dimitri, having collected himself, stood a little straighter as Arlon issued his next orders. "Dimitri, I need you to lead the villagers to the villa," he said firmly. "They'll need a place to stay while we work to rebuild what's been lost here."

Dimitri's eyes widened briefly, but he nodded, understanding. "Yes, my lord," he replied, his voice filled with newfound respect. Without another question, he began organizing the villagers, guiding them with the natural authority he had honed over years of service.

As the villagers followed Dimitri's lead, Arlon let out a quiet sigh of relief. Ace, however, wasn't about to let him off the hook just yet. "Look at you," he purred, eyes glinting with mischief. "Lord of the land, protector of the people. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were getting the hang of this."

Arlon merely rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips.

———

By noon, the villa had settled into a calm, almost peaceful atmosphere. After all the chaos, the serene quiet was a welcome relief.

Arlon stood by the gates of the villa, addressing the guards who had gathered before him. His commanding yet calm voice carried authority as he gave clear instructions.

"Patrol the area thoroughly. Ensure the villa and its surroundings are secure," Arlon said. "And assist the villagers in settling into the villa grounds. Their recovery is a priority."

The guards nodded in unison and dispersed to carry out their duties. As Arlon turned back toward the villa, he noticed Alice and Anthony hesitantly approaching.

The siblings exchanged uncertain glances, their steps slow and cautious. It was clear they were unsure how to address him now that they had learned of his true identity.

Stopping a few steps away, Alice spoke first, her tone overly polite. "Lord Throndsen... we came to—"

"Arlon is fine," he interrupted gently, a small smile playing on his lips. He gestured for them to relax. "There's no need to act differently. Approach me as you did before. I appreciate your help with the villagers."

"..."

"..."

Alice and Anthony both blinked in surprise but nodded, their unease fading slightly. After exchanging a quick glance, Anthony added, "We wanted to assist further. Perhaps by checking on the villagers and their conditions."

Arlon's smile grew a fraction warmer. "That would be helpful. Thank you. Your support means a lot."

The siblings bowed their heads slightly, visibly relieved, and left to join the other helpers. Watching them walk away, Arlon turned to Dimitri, who was standing nearby.

"Dimitri," he called, his tone shifting back to one of authority. "Have the maids and servants provide the villagers with anything they need. Prioritize food, clothing, and medical supplies."

"As you wish, my lord," Dimitri replied with a slight bow before departing to carry out the orders.

Satisfied, Arlon made his way inside the villa.

Arlon stepped through the grand entrance of the villa, the sound of his boots echoing faintly against the polished marble floor. He paused briefly, letting his gaze sweep over the familiar interior—the high ceilings, intricate carvings on the columns, and the soft glow of the afternoon light filtering through stained-glass windows. It was a place that spoke of prestige, though its emptiness made it feel hollow.

I hope the villagers don't get overwhelmed by this place.

Ace, perched comfortably on Arlon's shoulder, stretched his tiny legs and yawned. "This place is massive," the black cat commented, his red eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I think I'll go explore for a bit."

Arlon glanced at him, one brow raised. "Explore?" he asked, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of warning. "Fine, but don't get lost. And if you're going to wander off, remember—my room is at the end of the corridor on the second floor. Go there there when you're done."

Ace tilted his head, his tail flicking playfully. "What do you take me for, I never get lost. I'm an excellent navigator."

Arlon smirked faintly but didn't reply, simply giving a small nod before continuing deeper into the villa. Ace leapt gracefully from Arlon's shoulder to the floor, landing silently. The cat stretched again, his sleek black fur shimmering in the soft light, and then padded off down the corridor.

"And don't break anything!" Arlon called over his shoulder. Ace paused mid-step, turning to glance back with a sly flick of his tail. "Me? Break something? Perish the thought," he said smoothly, though the mischievous glint in his crimson eyes told a different story.

Arlon sighed softly, shaking his head. "He's becoming more like a real cat now," he muttered under his breath, though there was a trace of amusement in his tone.

He adjusted the cuffs of his coat and moved further into the villa, his mind already shifting to the tasks at hand. As much as he trusted Ace to keep himself entertained, Arlon couldn't shake the feeling that trouble tended to follow the little feline wherever he went.

Let's just hope that he behave.

As he walked through the hallway,he came across Lawrence struggling to carry several bags and boxes at once. Without hesitation, Arlon approached.

"Lawrence," he called out, causing the young man to flinch slightly. "Do you need help with that?"

Lawrence glanced at him, his eyes widening with panic. His grip on the items tightened as he shook his head quickly. "Ah, no, I can handle it. Thank you."

Arlon tilted his head, not noticing Lawrence's unease. "If you're sure. But don't hesitate to ask if you need assistance."

Before Lawrence could respond further, a maid approached, her expression flustered. "My lord, we have a problem," she said. "There aren't enough rooms for all the villagers to stay in."

Arlon turned to her immediately, his brows furrowing. "Where is Dimitri? He should be coordinating this."

"He's in the lobby, my lord," the maid replied.

Nodding, Arlon glanced back at Lawrence. "We'll speak later," he said, his tone calm but firm. Lawrence nodded silently, watching as Arlon followed the maid down the hallway.

As Arlon disappeared around the corner, Lawrence stood motionless for a moment, his eyes fixed on the space where Arlon had disappeared. A flicker of self-doubt crossed his features before he squared his shoulders, clutching the boxes tighter.

"I'll prove myself," he murmured, the resolve in his voice quiet but unshakable

Then, with renewed determination, he continued on his way.