Book 9: Chapter 35: O

Book 9: Chapter 35: O

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He was drunk. And not supposed to be on air, clearly. The soothing broadcast of late-night music from the string quartet turned off, and there he was.

Noass.

He was leaning on the desk of Wistram News Network, Channel 1, and he glared, red-eyed, into the camera.

He was a [News Anchor], so he had very good diction despite his clear intoxication thanks to his [Understood By All] Skill. Even Goblins liked watching himthough some of them threw things at the scrying orb because it was dislike-watching.

Im sick and tired of it. Im calling a broadcast because weve been floodedthis channelwith comments from the audience. [Messages] day after day claiming Sir Relz and I are biased as Drakes. Well, you know what?

Noass took a huge drink out of a canteen and exhaled. You could practically see the fumes drifting from his mouth.

The truth is were not wrong. Were Drakes, so what? The truth is that all these nations we cover? TheBalerosian kingdoms that pop up and go down? Cities that fall apart when someone sneezes on them? If they stopped fighting, killed some bandits, and their rulers could stop having incestuous relationships for five seconds, they would be miserable places to live in. Miserable, compared to a Walled City.

He slapped the desk as someone tried to pull him off-screen, but Noass refused to go.

And thats still better than the shitholes they are! Like Pomle. Are they the heroic martial artists or a bunch of idiot savages who poked the bear and got hit? They wipe their asses with sand. They dont even have toilet paper! You want me to talk about bugs in your stupid Nerrhavias Fallen? Get a broom and put down some poison. It rains in Desonis, and youve got mold? Go bug your [Queen]! Oh wait, you cant. Shes asleep. Taimaguros? Stupid name. Its two nations that cant stop fighting each other. Like an idiot who slaps himself in the head. So stop complaining if I spit facts at youyour nations are bad, and thats the truthnow let me tell you what I think of Lizardfolk.

Someone tried to tackle him. The new Dullahan, Theice, went to grab Noass as he flailed drunkenly at him. The audience heard a few snippets

off meNagas are as suspicious asthe average Lizardfolk has half the intelligence of a Drake andGnolls

Then the broadcast shut off. Needless to say, Eldavin wanted to know who in Wistram had allowed the broadcast to go throughtheyd had ten minutes to stop it. He announced Wistram would be investigating the incident, and he shook Telims hand and treated the [High Mage] to a lavish dinner that evening.

After allit was great television. The numbers on Channel 1 were never higher. Noass reputation? WellSir Relz had an interesting next morning by himself taking viewer calls all day.

But what was more important? The numbers or the commentator? Noass had said what hed said. How regrettable. Wistram disavowed it. See more on Channel 1, live.

That morning, Noass regrettable comments sparking worldwide furore and condemnationnever reached some of the people he had insulted.

Mostly because they didnt watch the news. Which he probably would have claimed proved his point. But said sand-wiping savages of Pomle were busy.

Orjin, the Strongest of Pomle, was sitting in a mud-brick hut that had a cheap roof, it was true. Hed collected the water and mud from the oasis. Found palm leaves, occasionally dueled some of the other members of Pomle over scraps of wood or tumbleweeds, and painstakingly figured out how to make a hut.

Not by himself. He had copied a kind of design that had been there since Pomle had been founded. You put it along the canyon walls; the old members often had huts like this, if only to store something. Some buried their possessions or dug out part of the canyon to create a cruder cave.

These days, thanks to Salii, there were houses. These days, thanks to the war and refugees, there was a kind of village. These daysPomle was not as small as it used to be.

It had been larger when it was first founded. About thirty years ago, the first Strongest had won this nations freedom by defeating every challenger that came against him.

Orjin didnt know his name. He didnt know the war. And he realized now how ignorant he was of the past.

It hadnt mattered to him, growing up here. They of Pomle had saved what mattered: how to step and punch, the culture.

Thirty years was such a short time. Nowwithin half a century, Pomle might cease to exist. He thought of such things. He was, in a sense, the only generation to have grown up and lived in Pomle his entire life. No more fitting Strongest could emerge than the founder or someone who believed in the simple principles of this place.

But the first Strongest was dead. He had died aged 76, though even the Strongest had acknowledged his count might be off.

Orjin thought of that night. They had not mourned him with wailing or griefbut Pomle had gathered as they burned his body. Some of the Selphids had asked to take it but declined when they thought of the risk.

The Strongest who had won Pomles freedom had beenweaker than he should have been. A simple cold had not been his end. His years, a sandstorm choking the air, and his wounds had all combined into that quiet morning when someone walked past his hut and found him dead. His scars, that had gone into his lifestring itself, were magical.

After all, the Strongest had dueled [Mages] in war. Walked through firestorms. Fought foes armed with artifacts with his bare hands. For the [Strongest of the Martial Age]it had proved Pomles way was right.

Orjin had been fifteen when he died. All he remembered was the old Stitch-man, who didnt bother with combing his whitening hair, always noticeable among the younger [Martial Artists] from the huge, pale scar on his chest. He would stand there, watching the younger fighters practicing, often declining challenges.

Orjin had seen him fight thirteen times in his entire span at Pomle. Twoformal challenges to the position of Strongest. Other times against monsters or in sparring sessions.

It had never been a challenge. The last person to put up a fight that lasted more than thirty seconds had been Xil, the [Peerless Spearmaster]. He had flown in thirty years ago, having just been dishonorably discharged from Nerrhavias armies, and demanded they settle a score from Pomles war for independence.

He had lost.

There was nothing hard to understand about what made a good fighter as Pomle reckoned it. One element was the condition of the body.

Were you strong? Were you fast? That made as much of a difference as how skillfully you could fight. The other element that the [Martial Artists], [Warriors], and other people of Pomle coveted was their technique.

Palm versus spear. Sword against throwing technique. None of this was practical as other nations saw things. [Martial Artists] were not a respected class anywhere but maybe Drath and the House of Minos. A sword was sharper, could be enchanted; a fist was shorter, broke against steel, and all that training got you what?

Perhaps a body that could not be stolen like a blade. The mentality to go through lifes trials. Refinement of more than just how to punch.

Higher ideals and simpler ones. It was an argument Pomle had never settled. Were you here to train to kill or fight more effectively or were you in pursuit of some greater meaning?

Some, like Xil, claimed that the prowess of his students had nothing to do with morality or philosophy. A bastard could master a blade. If there was beauty, it came from practice, and talent still separated many apart.

Others, like Salthorn, the [Grappling Master], taught more than how to throw someone from any position. The Selphid was no killer, and her aspiration was to create a form of throwing so adaptive it took its place alongside swords, spears, and other weapons that any aspiring [Warrior] might decide to learn.

Orjinhad heard it all. And he was the Strongest of Pomle. If there were those here that could theoretically take his position, no one wanted the role. Especially now. If he was glad of one thing, it was that the debate still raged even a world away.

Earth was a funny place. Iratze, Raul, and the other children that Salii had uncovered had told the fascinated [Martial Artists] of their world. Demonstrated techniques that Pomles warriors had eagerly tried out and found good and practical.

A world of knowledge. From medical to how to train muscles to their own understanding of how to minimize injuries orlift weights.

There was one of those ridiculous workout sets from Pallass that some [Warriors] used every day instead of sparring and swore by. Orjin had expected the thing to rust overnight, but he had given it a try and acknowledged it might work.

He disliked it. But he had not forbidden it; like everything in Pomle, it was a choice. What he had thought more of, though, with concern, was how Iratze had explained mixed martial arts or boxing and other disciplines in his world.

Some [Soldiers] apparently took lessons on how to defend themselves in close-quarters combat. There was knife-fighting and, yes, submission holds and similar moves that warriors practiced. Beyond that?

No martial art, no style of fist or throw had endured. The world of Earth was ruled by a different kind of weapon. And it was faster than Orjin could see, deadlier than any arrow he could loose from an unenchanted bow. Golem-machines could do more damage than any member of Pomle.

Even him. This bothered the Strongest, today. More than Noass comments, if he could have heard them. He did not mind using sandnot that Pomles folk actually did that.

He did not care where he slept. Or if his food was sometimes roasted scorpions or the meat of a palm fruit or cheap grain. He had never cared if Pomle was rich or poor, so long as the rules endured.

But inferiority? The thought that he was perfecting a kind of dead-end? That Pomles struggle and training was ultimately worthless when compared to actual armies and soldiers and weapons?

He disliked that intensely. The problem was

This war might be proving Pomle had never needed to exist at all.

Orjin sat in his hut, thinking upon all of this as he mixed sand together. Then separated it. If that sounded like a childs gameyou did not see the faint colors in this room.

It was his habit, which he did not think of as traditionaljust something he had been taught as a boy. When his calluses were bleeding, his arms would not rise for another punch, and he had sweated so much he needed to drink from the oasis until he was bloated

The [Martial Artists] had taken him aside and taught him a way to pass the time until he slept. Which was to find a bucket, gather sand, and then haul it into a hut or crevice out of the wind.

You could do this in the open, but youd lose your work, and it was fun to do this over a month or a year.

The sands of Pomle were reddish; the canyon walls were made of a red sandstone that gave it that color. But because the oasis was often struck by windy sandstorms, the sand was far more multi-colored up close.

From the Glass Straits came bits of glass flaked off. Zeikhal sent its sands hereand Orjin had heard some of the sand might come from coastal nations like Savere.

It mattered notexcept that you could see tiny grains of green, blue, brown, redall kinds of stone or gemstone mixed in together.

Take a bucket and walk the long way to your hut from the oasis. After all, the best sand often was found there. Or maybe it was just good muscle training; it was how he did it, regardless. Put the bucket down in your quiet hut, upon a floor stomped smooth of red clay. So thoroughly it was no longer ground, but a flat, clean surface of its own. Then he would spread the sand around andsort it.

Green to green. Red to red. Brownssometimes he was lazy and didnt separate the shades. When he was a boy, hed used his finger, a foot, or just blown it around with his mouth.

If this sounded insanely boring, well, it was a kind of way to meditate, something the [Monks] who came here liked. It let your mind drift off, and you could reflect on your training or just zone out.

Orjin would do this for hours, and even Salii, who had once seen his hobby, had called it the most mind-numbingly boring accounting in the world. After all, Orjin would take a bucket of perfectly sorted sand and toss it out every few months. He didnt need it.

But he had a secret. And that was thatthe sand was sort of fun.

More than the pellets of dried mud that Xil would make and have his students deflector hed nail them like a fastball in the baseball game. More than the pieces of colored sand-art that Salthorn made, which eroded within a year.

At this moment, Orjin had taken two buckets of sand he had distilled into one color each over two years of work.

He poured them out around him as he sat, cross-legged. His side hurt. He had been slashed there by a sword in the last battle.

[Steel Skin] had meant that the enchanted blade did far less damage than it might have. [Enhanced Natural Healing] meant that the wound had already clotted. No potions. He would be ready to fight again when they came.

Nevermind that. Nevermind thinking of EarthOrjin regarded the colorful sandpiles. The boy of fifteen would have been proud to have so much. He? He looked at the closed door of his hut, sealed so the wind had not a breath of air here. Then he took two handfuls of green and blue sand and threw them up.

He held his breath as two plumes of sand rose and showered down slowly; the grains could be very fine. Now that was beautiful. Orjin watched each individual grain of sand fallin a scintillating cloud.

Then he clapped his hands. The sound of it rang, for he had clapped his hands with [Monks] who trained to make such sounds, to stomp like thunder and strike like the weight of an avalanche.

The air in the hut followed the movement. Orjin had learned [Aeriform Punch], and he could throw a wall of air at a foe. Thiswas far less powerful, but it still made the drifting sand in the air billow as he willed it.

A cloud of blue and green burst against each other in the center of the hut along the path of his hands. It covered the Strongest, and he saw how it looked.

Two colors like a sandstorm, meeting. He was seeing himself as well; he had a tiny shard of polished metal he liked using as a mirror. Then the Strongest stood in one motion and began to move.

Two colors. He could add three or sixswirled around him as he slowly performed one of the first routines he had been taught. The exaggerated poses, sweeping an arm up to block an enemys strike, a pivot with the feet as economical as possible

This was the kind of martial arts that many warriors did not like. Because it emphasized forms that were not used in combat. But it was beautiful. Orjin could not remember ever using this stance in a fightit was almost like the thing that cult used, all artifice.

But it did take effort to perform. And here?

Here, he watched blue and green billow over his arms. When he turnedsand flew up around him, a cloud of blue dust he cut through with a palm like a blade. When he stomped, it fell out of the air, but it rose once more as he drew a hand up.

Proof there was something here. If only the passage of air, the force of his movements. Beauty.

Superiority.

Orjin touched the wound on his side. Pomle had always striven for perfection at arms. They were a practical lot. When Iratze had shown them a better way to fight, disavowed some of the old forms as inefficient, they had abandoned them. The cutting edge of combat in how to jab, punch, avoid being taken down to a ground-fight was mechanical and logical.

This was more the stuff ofwhat was his name? [Fist of the Western Wind]? Orjin couldnt remember. It bothered him greatly because he had a personal distaste for whomever that was. But it gave him simple pleasure, the enjoyment of seeing the colors in the air.

A boys game. He added a plume of red and caught the red dot within the green and blue. Kept it moving without losing most of the red dust by moving his hands carefully, adjusting the currents of the air so it didnt swirl out and blend together.

He had a lot of practice doing this. Perhaps this was how he had learned [Aeriform Punch]? He could almostsense where each strand of color would go. Make an orb of the red and have it swirl around him if he moved his hands in the right pattern.

How long he did this, he didnt know. It was only when he felt the change in air that he stopped. Salii coughed.

Thatsquite beautiful.

The blue, green, and redstill in one clumpdrifted down as Orjin turned. The Strongest looked like someone had hit him with a bucket of dye. He exhaledthen stomped, and most of it fell off him like rain.

Enemies?

No. No, Im sorry to bother you, Orjin. Its a weird [Message] weve gotten. It can wait. And I was going to go over the Empress of Beasts last [Message]

I will hear it. This is my duty now.

He felt weary as he stepped towards the door. Weary, for thinking of Pomles finances, corresponding, analyzing the progress of a war was not what he enjoyed or was good at, and it gave him a headache.

But he was the strongest and Pomle was at war, so he went. Salii gestured at the colors of sand on the floor, now mixed together.NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

What will you do with that?

Sort it when I return. It will keep.

Millions of grains of sand on the floor. The [Receptionist] looked at the three buckets and shook her head. Not in disbelief or scorn. She glanced at Orjin, his black skin sun-darkened further, a long scab reaching from his ribs down to his hip on his bare chest, black hair still colored green and blue. More athletic and honed than any warrior she had seen in the Walled Cities except perhaps the Sinew Magus himself.

Barefoot, he walked out of his hut, back into the busy Pomle now filled with warriors training by the thousands, freed [Slaves] and soldiers and even an animated Skeleton Lord swinging its sword around.

But he was Pomle.

The life of the Strongest waschallenge. And it was hard because you were the Strongest. So you challenged yourself, because you knew that every single person was preparing for the day they bested you.

Some stayed true to a style. Xil had been the Strongest for a decade with his spear until he had given up on the post. Orjin had been there. He had seen the [Peerless Spearmaster] let his best apprentice tap him on the chestand then the new Strongest had lost the title within the hour.

Six months of fighting had resulted in the new Strongest. Orjin was more careful with his role. Unlike other Strongests, whod demanded the challengers be a certain level or work their way up to him, he answered every opponent. When someone challenged him, he answered. If he lost any serious match, he would resign his title.

So, Salii had to speak as the first challenge of the day began. In this case, it was the Skeleton Lord.

Ivery.

Chandrarians were not as afraid of undead as most continents folk, but such a powerful one made them uneasy. Itor was it he?would patrol around the oasis by night, and the bright green, glowing eye-flames would accompany the scimitar blade he carriedarmor looted from his foes. In his off-hand, he held a simple, round shield.

Or a weird piece of glass. A rock, which he would throw at his foes. It kept coming back. He could, in fairness, throw the ammunition hard enough to dent in a steel helmet.

He tried it now on Orjin. The Strongest saw the skeleton flick the stone so fast that one of the watching people cried out.

Hey Ivery, dont hurt

Eloque was taking a break from jabbing with a spear. Her scales, slightly pockmarked but returning to normal, shone under the sun as the faintly purple, semi-opaque piece of glass flew at Orjins chest.

The Strongest caught the piece of stone at about 90 MPH as Iratze calculated it. Almost as fast as a professional pitcherstraight at his chest. With no gloves or mitts. From fifteen feet away.

Ivery falteredbut he raised his sword and charged in without fear. Orjin waited for the slash to come.

He hadnt seen the other one in a melee. Pomle did have thembut the chaos of a battlefield had shown them they didnt prepare for a fight. It wasnt having enemies all around that made things hard.

It was having enemies and alliesand being unable to track them all. Orjin closed his eyes. Sometimes, he almost felt like he could sense the flow of the blow in the air.

Was ithere? He struck out definitively, a sweeping blow that would knock the sword to the side if he were right.

No. He felt a searing line of pain down one armand reacted.

[Automatic Deflection]. His arm twisted out of the swingthen flicked the flat of the blade back. Orjin had to know how to deflect the blade for his Skill to trigger.

It was probably one of the best examples of how actual talent with the sword and practice informed a Skill. Iverys sword went wide as Orjin, sighing, opened his eyes. His arm was cuta line of red.

Iverys jaw clattered as he whirled the blade up. His free hand flicked a dagger out, and the Skeleton Lord lunged, as fast as a striking snake. Salii had clocked him as well above a Silver-rank adventurer without artifacts in terms of pure combat ability.

Below a Gold-ranker armed with artifacts. Possibly just as dangerous in terms of sheer reaction and strength. His current armaments and ability to regenerate from woundsand lack of organs or bloodmeant he was a dangerous foe, one of the recognizable champions of Pomle that Nerrhavias Fallen, Savere, and other nations had learned to be wary of.

Orjin punched Ivery in the face, and the skeleton collapsed. He didnt use a Skill. He was just faster than the Skeleton Lord. His other hand came up, ready to knock the sword asidebut Ivery was down.

A lot of fights went like that. It may have been embarrassing to the Skeleton Lord, who lay on his back until Eloque fussed over him and Rophir tried to shovel sand over him and bury himthe little half-Elf liked doing thatbut it was how Orjin settled most fights.

Every [Warrior] who thought they could use their capstone Skill on him and score a point off the Strongest forgot that half of a match was defense. And if you didnt have defense, you didnt have offense.

If you couldnt survive, block, or dodge one punch from Orjin, there was no point continuing. To be fairhe was the Strongest of Pomle.

Level 47 [Strongest Martial Artist of Pomle]. Exactly the same as you would guess. Strongest of Pomle and similar classes had appeared when their nation had been founded. Some had claimed the first classes ever received were

Green.

Whatever that meant. Orjin was not proud of his level. It put him above Ivery by sheer might of levels and passive Skills, but it was not like the first Strongest. He exhaled as Salii finished the report on food stocks.

He pretended hed been listening. He hadnt heard it.

What was the level of the first Strongest? Has anyone ever said that in yourattempt to recover the history of Pomle, Salii?

It had been one of her projects. The [Secretary] put a bookmark in her checklist and exhaled.

Level 59. Which means you are one capstone away from him. If a big one. But youve levelled three times over the course of this war, so I have high hopes for you.

Orjins head turned. He stared at her. The [Secretary] adjusted her spectacles.

Are you certain? Who knew that? Xil?

No. Erin Solstice. The [Innkeeper] I just told you about. Because you were definitely listening, not punching one of our war assets.

Orjins impassive face was virtually a Skill on its own. UnfortunatelySalii knew him. She spoke in a patient voice.

I just received a missive from her. Shes the woman who owns The Wandering Inn. The one who was posting quests?

Finding the City of Stars? I remember that.

Friends with the Horns of Hammerad. Pisces Jealnet.

Yes.

Hes the [Necromancer] who made Ivery. Friends of Eloque and the freed [Slaves]?

Ah.

The Drake rolled her eyes. She was very good at her job, though. One of her Skills was the most powerful Skill any subordinateor superiorcould ever want. The envy of corporate Earth.

[Did You Understand That?]

It was amazingand depressinghow many false returns you got on that every day. Even with simple things. But the greatest [Secretary] of the Waning Worldnow the Journey of the Livingdidnt waste time.

Level 59. He was also the last owner of the [Garden of Sanctuary]. A fact that Xil knew of and didnt see fit to inform me of. A Skill Erin Solstice now has, because the [Magical Innkeeper] has possession of the garden. And she found his personal garden and diary. Including some of his personal techniques and a training room he possessed.

Orjin stared at Salii. He got what she was saying, but the [Secretary] was moving in real-time as Eloque sat up.

Pisces?

The Drake sighed.

Shall we take it from the top? Im in communication with her now, but I think shes waking up for breakfast. Happilytheres at least one fellow mind over there. Always more fun than halfwits.

Of course, she knew Yelroan, and he knew her. UnfortunatelySalii had to talk to Erin Solstice. Their conversation went something like this:

Erin: Heyhey! Sorry I was delayed! I was having a bruschetta. Yelroan told me youre representing Pomle? Is the Strongest there? Can I talk to someone important?

Salii: That would be me. Can you elaborate and send copies of all the documents you claim to have uncovered? We are interested in anything you can copy over. I have a [Message]-capable [Mage]. Printing may take time as they are not proficient in image-copying, but we would deeply appreciate any information you can tender us, thank you.

Salii: May I confirm you have:

Diary of the First Strongest, Collos.Personal technique scrolls of the above. Exact number?Description of training room within the [Garden of Sanctuary]?

Are there any other details or items you have missed? Can you confirm he was Level 59?

Erin: Whoa. Bullet points? A list? Uh, yeah, he said he was Level 59, so I believe him. Can I talk to the current Strongest? Hows it going over there? I have this friend, Pisces, and he might know someone in Pomle?

Salii: I have been in communication with Adventurer Pisces.

Erin: You have? Wellhows things?

Salii: We are currently at war with Nerrhavias Fallen. With respect, will you kindly send us what we need? Each [Message] exchange is burning coins and time.

Erin: Oh. Sorry. Let me just

To Saliis credit, this exchange worked. The embarrassed [Innkeeper] actually presented everything in order and without a fuss. The [Secretary] managed to bully Erin into being helpful in five minutes, which put her ahead of the Blighted Kingdom, Nerrhavias Fallen, and most of Erins acquaintances on the efficiency scale.

The part Salii didnt anticipate was where Erin Solstice physically appeared. The Drake was scribbling in her clipboard as she and Orjin went to find some of the oldest members of Pomle.

One was Xil, the aforementioned [Peerless Spearmaster]. He was an old Garuda, one of the oldest in Pomle. His wing feathers were ragged, and he stayed on the ground a lot because seventy years had made his bones brittler than he liked.

Xil! Tell me youre not injuring our best warriors.

Were training. If they take wounds, they wont die in combat. And we have lost over two hundred of our own.

Orjins pace slowed as he heard the old Garuda speak. He was standing on top of his training quarterstaff, planted in the ground, as if it were a balance poll.

There had been terrible losses. More than Pomle had ever takensince its inception. Most were junior [Martial Artists]but they had awoken to a reality of war in the months after their first battle alongside Tiqr.

Xil hopped down as a body moved. Eighteen warriors were lying on the ground, most bruised and some bloodied from the thrashing. Salthorn wasnt down; she was rubbing at her arm.

You dislocated my arm, Xil.

Get another body. Theyre cheap in this war.

The Garuda lookedactive now. He was a former [Soldier], and he had come out of his semi-retirement. He had over eighty students, not the six hed kept before, and he had even clashed with some of Pomles other best fighters.

Orjin knew that, because he saw the welts on the arm of the Stitch-woman, the Hemp-caste Sorron. She and Jalte, a Garuda, were thicksetin fact, Jalte was the biggest Garuda that Orjin had met, including the fearsome members of the Loquea Dree, the crow-type Garuda.

They were both members of one of the predominant schools in Pomle. Spears, Salthorns grappling

Or the [Stonebody Martial Artists], who emphasized amazing defense, sometimes at the cost of mobility. Orjin had trained with them, hence his own [Steel Skin] Skill; he studied everything. But he had notstepped into their class.

Stepping into their class meant accepting Skills that changed you fundamentally. For instance, Orjin had [Steel Skin] which did not change him fundamentally.

Jalte had [Ironmarrow Bones], which did. He no longer flew, and he was so heavy that Xil could flit around him. But the [Peerless Spearmaster] had put his entire force into the spear-strikes, and the fragile Garuda body whose bones normally broke easier than any other species

Hadnt even shifted. Xil just spat.

That didnt save your people from being hit by [Fireballs].

We will block them too. Caneriq did well in the last battle.

Sorron retorted back. She and Xil did not get along, and Orjin used to have to mediate their arguments, which sometimes spilled forth in their apprentices. She had been at the head of over a hundred disciples before the war started.

Now? He saw Caneriq nursing his injuries that stood out on his arms and legs. Hed covered his face with an arm-guard as he advanced; arrows and spells had burnt the Stitch-mans skinthen he had punched and kicked his way through Nerrhavias [Soldiers].

The result was nicks in his cloth-skin. Despite him being Cotton, that was all. He could replace the cloth and be ready for another fight.

It certainly spoke to the efficiency of the couples methodology. Neither one had been here at Pomles founding, but they had learned from an expert who practiced the same style and adopted it.

Their training, though, included making their apprentices hold up a guard as they were literally beaten with pieces of wood or punched and kicked until their bones broke and healed. It made them strong. Xil called it madness.

The power to endure an avalanche isnt as impressive as avoiding one.

Lets save this old debate. Strongest. Do you need something? Is it another battle?

The two [Stonebody] experts turned with perhaps eagerness as Orjin shook his head.

The First Strongest of Pomle. Salii has questions for you, Xil. And anyone else who remembers him well. Salthorn?

The Garuda rolled his eyes. Salthorn scratched at her head.

I never knew him that well. Who else here would know?

The Selphid snapped her fingers, then looked sidelong.

Vandum. But he hates you, Orjin.

The Strongest grimaced. Sorron and Jalte muttered; Salthorn had just named the last great expert who was almost definitely above Level 40.

Vandum had been the Strongest twice; Orjin had never taken his spot, but Vandum had challenged Orjin three times. He had lost each one, to the older [Martial Artist]s disbelief. But it had not been an easy battle any time.

The last time, Orjin had broken nine bones and been forced to use his ultimate Skill, [Dulav-ra: Tetrad of the Solar Aura]. He had wounded the Stitch-man so badly that Vandum had been forced to leave Pomle for four months to have his body resewn. Then he had not shown his face near Orjin.

The last time Orjin remembered Vandum, he had been staring at the other mans arm as the [Martial Artist] tried to get to his knees. It had lain there, torn off from a socket as the disbelieving warrior looked up, blood pooling onto dry sand. He had thought he would winmaybe he should have.

Even then, he had refused to relent or back down. Orjin had told him to stop before one of them died. Vandum had not. He had only stopped when he realized Orjin could have killed him and was holding back.

Then he had left, to retrain himself, and returned with a new arm, trying to build on his mistakes. He, too, was exemplary of Pomles ideals. But his fighting was intense, and he believed grievous wounds were an acceptable outcome to a duel. Orjin had forbidden it in Pomle when he was Strongest.

I know where Vandum is. Ill get him.

Incredibly, Salii marched off towards the far end of Pomle. She had no fear. She returned in less than three minutes as the younger warriors got up. Orjin looked up and saw another man with brown skin from years in the sun. Red hair, and he had gotten thinner since he had lost the battle of strength with Orjin.

Vandum had reinvented himself with a Stitch-persons ability to change their body decade after decade since Pomle. He had been only twenty when Pomle was freed. Now? He was in his fifties.

Strongest.

He actually nodded to Orjin. Xil raised his brows as Salii explained.

Vandum has been testing my training areas. Not that were doing that during the war

Theres always time to train during the war. Battles arent every day. They should be. We should be pushing Nerrhavia. Three of my [Sparkfist Warriors] went out and took a patrol of fifty to pieces.

Vandum was a weapons-expert as well as a [Martial Artist]. His class was [Bridge of the Martial World].

He wore gauntlets made of mithril and offered his students gloves enchanted with runes. [Sparkfists] fought with these weapons, and their punches could electrify foes in armor. Especially in dry Chandrar. They often caused trouble when they fought with unarmed [Martial Artists] and wonor hurt their opponents badly.

Yet Orjin respected Vandum. He was unsure if the reverse was true, but Vandum had acknowledged Orjins skill in battle. He was, perhaps, the embodiment of Pomles ideals in one sense.

Striving for superiority in combat. Vandums bare fists were deadly weapons in themselves; the gauntlets of mithril made him more so. If there was a technical edge armor or magic could give him, he tried to work it into his fighting.

Why are we bringing up the First Strongest?

Someone found his journal. Did you know he owned the [Garden of Sanctuary], Vandum?

The older [Martial Artist] had been looking bored at Xils beaten trainees, but his head snapped around.

Has someone recovered that?

Alright. Who else knew?

Salii glared about. Xil raised a claw. Salthorn, a hand. Orjin raised a hand, and she nearly threw the clipboard at him. Sorron, having been here before Jalte, lifted one finger.

Erin Solstice raised one hand, and Vandum threw a dagger at her. Xils spear went up, and he deflected the dagger, which whined as it went careening to one side and blew up in a shower of flames. Orjin nearly punched her before he realized it was an illusion. Salthorn shouted warningly.

Vandum!

Is it an enemy attack?

The [Innkeeper] ducked in her wheelchair.

Holygeeze! Maybe this is why I dont leave my inn! That wasnt even a crossbow! Hi

Yaaaaah!

Saliis reaction was slower than the [Martial Artists]. She leapt into Jalte, slammed into the Garuda like an iron wall, and fell down, scattering her clipboards papers. Erin Solstice stared at the [Secretary] and then around at the [Martial Artists].

She winked out of sight as Salii began to curse.

And thats everything. Can you copy this?

Erin was having Yelroan hold up the scrolls as [Martial Artists] gathered around, copying or memorizing the forms. Orjin was busy reading from Saliis clipboard. She had the contents of the First Strongests journal. The rest of the information was being passed around.

So the garden looks like Pomle? Exactly?

Yup. Not a hidden thing. I went back and checked. Just the fighting room and his hut.

Sounds right. It used to be different. Collos would visualize our place, to learn where to fight. To have enough space to train. First it was there. When he found Pomle, he said it wasnt valuable.

Vandum actually looked nostalgic as he leaned against a palm tree. He was staring at Erin, who was staring back at his fiery red-hair.

Youre the most, uh, interesting guy Ive ever met. Vandum? Can you do a kameno, can you change forms? Does your hair stick up if you get powered up?

He stared blankly at her. He had no context for it, but Iratze had described him as the most anime-style member of Pomle. To be fair, he had the most expensive cloth-armor of the bunch with enchanted chainmail underneath, the mithril gauntlets, and fighting weapons of a magical nature.

Is that something else you Earthers claim I should do? Raul told me about it. Secondary forms? I can adjust my limbs and appearance, but so can every Stitch-person.

Erins mouth opened.

Areare there Earthers here?

That way. They said you were one.

The [Innkeeper] was disconcerted by how many people knew herand she turned her wheelchair.

Can I speak to them?

First things first. What does this training room do? I dont think we can use your garden to get to Izril, can we? That would be too powerful.

Salii was muttering, and Erin shook her head.

Nope. Sorry. And the training room is cool! Sort of. All kinds of people will appear around your level. You can ask for strong ones, weak onesJewel and Normentheyre two of my employees, I guesshave been training with them. They get their butts kicked a lot. And Jewels a Gold-rank adventurer!

Vandum looked pleased at this, and Orjin smiled. The two shared a nod, for once on the same page.

Of course they do. Theyre Pomles warriors. Exactly as Collos knew them. I am probably therefar lower leveled. And so would Orjin.

Erin blinked at him.

I am the Strongest of Pomle. I would have been fifteen if Collos memory of me was accurate. A [Soundstep Martial Artist]. I might have used a spear.

I forgot you practiced that.

Vandum growled. Erin snapped her fingers.

Hey! Relc might have fought you! He challenged a bunch of spear-dudes. I think I saw you?

How did I do?

Erin scratched at her head as Orjin looked interested. Salii was practically tearing her neck-spines out at the fighting-talk, but she had walked over and was talking to a blonde Gnoll with some irritating sunglasses.

Oh, Relc summoned like eight of you because he said he could win against all the best spearmasters in Pomle. Some angry Garuda dude got him before he could fight you all.

Hah! So your garden can pull out at least some of my potential. But Collos wrote he tired of it? It makes sense. He was beyond anyone else in Pomle.

The journals brief notes made sense to Orjin. Most were mundane, but those end lines about searching for moreVandum was staring at the words himself.

The end to his path. Is that merely Level 60? Nomagic in combat. Perhaps it is. After allhe was only content to use his fists. And he paid for it.

He gave Orjin an intense look; his eyes were pale grey-yellow and seemed to spark with lightning in and of themselves. Orjin said nothing at first. Then exhaled.

Perhaps youre right. We will see.

Erin looked from man to man, as if not comprehending what she had brought them.

II hope it helps. Id like to talk to those Earthers, and I know some of my friends friends are here. Is itgoing badly?

She looked around, but there were many [Soldiers] in Pomle. Tiqr had left a guard and was using this as one of their bases. To Erin, it might seem like Pomle was more powerful than it had ever been. But the truth? Orjin looked at her as Vandum assured her they were far from done fighting. His response was simple.

This is not Pomles war for independence. Nerrhavia has made war on us because we freed slaves. Because we have supported Tiqr. There is no winning this conflict. Just enduring a storm.

The other people of Pomle turned their heads. Xil nodded, and Salthorns grimace was pained. Sorron and Jaltes faces were blank, for Orjin had begun this war, and yet they found something in it. Vandum? He shook his head.

We are seeing if Pomle is worthy to endure, Strongest. Thisis how we should have continued for thirty years. We are refining our techniques.

Orjin shrugged.

Orseeing the very flaw in our ideals.

You could hammer your bones and crack them, break them, and build them up tougher and tougher again, like Sorron and Jalte promised. Butsometimes, you just broke them to dust. Shattered them, and nothing would fix them ever again.

Which was this?

Pomle was not a huge part of the war. And it was not one war or one front, either. If there was a protagonist of this story for a history book, it was the King of Destruction bearing down on Nerrhavias Fallen from the north, Nerrhavia itself, contested on multiple fronts, orEmpress Nsiia of Tiqr, fighting to reclaim her home.

Pomle would be one of the minor factions of nations taking sides hereon the level of the Monks of Sottheim. And they, arguably, were a more cohesive force.

This was not to make light of Pomles abilities in battle. In fact, their unassailability in direct assaults had forced Nerrhavia to draw back around them as Nsiia took more and more land and built up an actual presence.

Three times, Nerrhavia had tried. The first was remembered as much for the Horns presence as Khelt swooping in. After the disastrous engagement where Illivere fought Savere who fought Tiqr and Pomle and Nerrhavias Fallen, the gigantic superpower had withdrawn in disarray.

That had not lasted long. They had come back for a second round, this time supported by Savere in a formal attack.

Pomles canyon cliffs were a bigger battleground than the canyon passages itself. Garuda came upand went down as Tiqrs [Hunters] shot them down. They only stopped when Nerrhavia and Saveres Garuda refused to go up there and die.

Meanwhile, the Hemp [Soldiers] were climbing alongside [Rogues] from Savereor trying to tunnel through and create a breach into Pomle itself.

Tiqrs [Druids] were reforming the earthen walls as [Mages] tried to break them down. Meanwhile, the [Soldiers] were literally face-to-face against Tiqrs, pressing in and trying to breach one of the entrances by weight of numbers alone.

Tiqr had few [Mages] and Pomle almost none, so Nerrhavia feared no fire; the Siren of Savere was raining down water as she shot spells from her palanquin.

They almost came through the canyon walls. Almost. But Pomle had seen the sappers boring in and decided if they could not hold their homethey would go out.

[Martial Artists] leapt over the canyon walls and descended down cliffs as the soldiers vanished. One fell like a lightning bolt amongst terrified [Soldiers] armed with spades. A punching, kicking whirlwind who dented armor with each blow and sent over a dozen figures sprawling downuntil a shower of arrows hit friend and foe alike. The [Martial Artist] fell with a crybut the [Archers] barely had time to celebrate.

A Golem with a glowing dome crashed into their ranks as the [Empress] of Beasts broke down one of the walls of [Soldiers] herself. A glowing Relic in her handthey fell back.

Bloody. So bloodybut Pomles individual fighters were strong enough to break the sappers lines time and time again.

So they fell back.

The third time, Nerrhavia was alone. Savere had agreed to fight Tiqr as the Sirens grudge against Nsiia was rampant, and she wanted Tiqrs lands. HoweverIllivere and Savere were clashing hard enough for her to withdraw.

Domehead. The Magus-Crafter had not declared for Tiqr, and Nerrhavias [Generals] had decided this was not the time to make an enemy of the states of Illivere.

Nevertheless, they were armoring their front along Illiveres border just in case, and several minor kingdoms had coincidentally declared war on Illivere, taking Saveres side for the first time inever. Nsiia had used the Loquea Drees fearsome air superiority and the Monks of Sottheim to seize Saveres lands along Tiqrs northwestern border.

So Pomle had only a garrison of her troops when Nerrhavia tried them a third time.

This time, they didnt reach Pomles canyons. The [Martial Artists] went out and held the mouths of the canyons rather than let themselves be encircled.

It wasnot one against a hundred. Simply because you couldnt encircle someone with a hundred people except at a great-distance, and this was hand-to-hand.

Nerrhavian [Soldiers] ran in entire battalions, turning into chaotic melees where pockets of Pomles warriors fought, surrounded, withdrawing or falling to blades and spells. But it wasdifficult for Nerrhavia.

[Stonebody Martial Artists] refused to break, punching and kicking like stones around eddies of flesh. Bloody stones, hands breaking bones.

The gore weltering on the tip of a spear was only present on some, though. Xils [Speardancers] and the most high-level warriors of Pomle did the most damage by far. While the low-level ones held the pass

Vandum went hunting. His apprentices snuck up on some [Mages], breaking through their guard-divisions, and broke necks and sundered flesh with punches that left blood and sinew hanging from their metal gauntlets.

[Officers] tried to push Pomle, push until they were broken and forced to retreat, but it didntwork

Salthorn threw a screaming [Captain] to the ground so hard he dislocated an arm. She turnedand Orjin hit his second [General] with an [Aeriform Punch]. He landed, scattering [Soldiers], as the [Bodyguard] tried to attack him. But the [Martial Artist] simply drew back, taking them two-at-a-time, blocking them with their own soldiers. He threw a spear, saw it lodge in a chest

An enchanted blade cut him down the side, and he grimacedthen, as a flaming sword aimed at his neck, he struck.

Palm like a blade. A Silk Stitch-folk [Bodyguard] went down, choking, windpipe crushed. The [General] was getting up when a spear went through his head.

Xil had thrown it from over three hundred feet away. Orjin saw the [General of the Line] go downand the entire wing of Stitch-folk falteredthen began to flee. The [Great General] sounded a full retreat ten minutes later.

There was a lesson here. What Pomle lacked in numbersthey made up for in officer-killers. The prized leaders of Nerrhavias Glorious Hordes could inspire thousands under their commandbut they could not best one of Pomles warriors in a straight fight.

And once a [General]s Skills were lost, or a [Captain]sthe [Soldiers] fell behind.

What Pomle learned was that any warrior under Level 20 would die if left alone. Even with potions. Even with trainingthey lost nearly two hundred of their own. All the practice of six years, ten, in Pomles oasis didnt matter.

One low-level [Warrior of Pomle] versus eight Nerrhavian [Conscripts] might go either way. But either waythe warrior of Pomle found a hole in their side where a spear had gone straight through their flesh and came out dripping with blood. Perhaps lodged there if it was serrated, tearing the flesh outwards like a blossom of blood.

The Strongest had thought long of that. Vandum had relished the fact that his warriorsalong with Sorronshad demonstrated they could take on overwhelming numbers of Nerrhavias low-level soldiers without fear of falling.

So three times Nerrhavia had failed to take Pomle, and the other battles were smaller in natureengagements in the thousands, not tens of thousands. Both had bled, and Nerrhavia far more than Pomle.

But now it was time to understand someone on Nerrhavias side, for his actions dictated the course of this front of Nerrhavias war. While his counterparts were desperately summoning all their forces to repel Flos Reimarch

The entire Pomle-Tiqr front was being managed by the overwhelmingly, incrediblyadequateGeneral Thelican.

General Thelican. An adequate man. Adequate.

Adequate. Adequate for his position. Adequate for what he didby the standards of Nerrhavias Fallen today. Not by the standards of the greatest [Generals] to liveby his nations need for leadership at his level.

Adequate in his personal combat ability, which could equal a Gold-rank adventurerwith his personal armaments, of course. Adequate at politics, which had carried him to the Court of Silks and the Court of Steel in the highest position of Nerrhavias government.

Adequate in bed. Yes. You wouldnt hear complaints to his face. He might get vague compliments. No one was spreading the word.

If the man had one power, it was patter-songsin that he was probably in the top ten in Nerrhavias Fallen for them. As a [General]?

He was good enough. And that mattered. Because Thelican was adequate. He knew how to run a war.

Pull up another six legions. I will have six legions, you understand, within the month on Kotols front. Past the city or each [Magistrate] will answer to the Court of Silks. Hemp. They can spare the Hemp. Im not asking for them to be garbed in steel plate, even! This is doable, and it certainly is, [Chancellor].

He was speaking to the Chancellor of War, who coordinated such things. Not over a drink or in person, which would have been far better, but Thelican didnt have a few weeks to ride back to Tyrants Rest and meet the man there.

The [Chancellor] looked unhappy.

The Court of Silks is not impressed by the way the war has gone, Thelican. Nsiia seems to grow in power each week

She has the luck of five [Gamblers] and a populace who loves her. I will win this by the end of spring. Her people have a finite limit. Nerrhavia? The courts always complain when we lose an army. AndI hate to admit it, Chancellor, but so do I. But I know how to win.

Thelican leaned in with a pained look on his face, and the Chancellor leaned in as well. Thelican was a [Great General] of Nerrhavia after all, and he spoke as a man taking one into his confidence. Adequate for Nerrhavia meant that as a [General], he was a better politician than a war leader.

Chancellor Loqi. If I may be honestNerrhavia does lose too many wars. We could win themand sometimes its foolishness we dont.

Like the entire northern offensive against Flos?

Thelican compressed his lips.

I will not impugn my fellow [Generals], Loqi. They are facing legends, and that is the truth. You will hear no words against them from me.

Especially not over a [Communication] spell. He went on smoothly.

But the fact is, we can arm one of our Silk Regiments with Icehowl Blades and put them upon our foes with enough chariots, high-level [Archers], and such to make even Flos Reimarch flinch. We do not. They are spread around, spread around our great empire. They must be.

Nerrhavias Fallen was the largest nation in Chandrar, probably the world. The [Chancellor] pulled a face and grimaced.

Its never easy to move them. Which is why six legionsback in the days of Queen Merindue and the legendary [Kings] and [Queens], they had the Skills to muster a hundred thousand across the nation in a week! A week from the furthest corner!

Ah, well. Those are legends. That is why, though, Loqi, I am saying we lose. We loseand learnand when our enemies celebrate, they dont realize theyve bled to break one army. And another is coming. That is the power of Nerrhavias Glorious Hordes. They are endless.

Loqi knew this, of course. But he was taken in by Thelicans speaking, and the [Great General] was warming to his topic.

I feel for the Hemp, you know? Poor folks. Cut poorly into their clothbut I will send six legions of them armed with bronze at Tiqrand they will do a fine job even if they trade one-to-three. [Troops: Commoners Offensive]. When I push them, they cut even Grand Elephant hide. But I do require more of them.

It didnt work on Pomle.

The [Chancellor] observed with a bite to his tone. Thelican had been ready for that and waved it off with a laugh.

Learning, Loqi. I am learning how to fight them. They did beat us thirty years ago, and now Ive been reading the history books. I have a new strategy, and this is why I am going to convince you to give me what I need.

Go on.

Another [General] would have been fired off the walls of Pallass for losing half of the [Soldiers] Thelican had. But even Chaldion would admit that Thelican was a slow learnernot a dunce who learned nothing at all. Thelican tapped one side of his nose as his servants filled a cup with water.

Interestinglya beautiful wooden cup. Carved out of some expensive smokewood, which left amazing whorls in the white-black designbut wood. Thelican had observed the [Chancellor] using a wooden cup and demanded one himself so as to not rile the man further.

Mage Throwers. I need themand ballistae. No [Mages].

No [Mages]? The Hundred Thousand Tomes Academy will be happy about that. They were not pleased by their losses.

Wellnot more than I would ask for six legions. But give me siege weapons. We didnt bother because I was putting down a rebellionbut I will adjust my tactics against Pomle accordingly.

You need to give me more than that.

Loqi was tapping his fingers on the deskthen he jerked, swatted at something, and Thelican heard a metallic buzz. He winced as a copper beetle flew away, and Loqi raised his voice.

Servants! Another one! I will tell you this, Thelican. It almost beats living in the capital, serving on the front lines.

He scowled, and the [Great General] managed not to roll his eyes. As if a few bugs were the same as conducting a war. Idiot. A Stitch-woman filled his cup as he spoke.

The best of us suffer eternally, Loqi. Very well, you want tactics? I plan on drawing Pomle out of their oasis if I can. They are allied with Tiqr and must defend themselves from an encircling siege.

And when they come to fight you?

Thelican spread one hand.

I let them. No more mass-assaults. No more charges. I reviewed how we fought Pomle last time, and this time, I shall park my siege weapons and let them charge meif they dare. Hold my troops. Let them deflect arrows with their fists. I have tens of thousands.

Defensive action?

They do too well in a massed army. Bombarding them worked. I could use a [Champion] if one is available. Perhaps a [Gladiator Champion]?

Nerrhavia also fielded famous warriors who battled foes at the heads of their army. In factMars had been one such until she met Flos Reimarch and decided to work for him. The [Chancellor] looked happier after understanding Thelicans plan.

Thatseems better than the far-fetched plans Ive heard to defeat the King of Destruction. Very well, I will submit your proposal before the Council of Steel. Do you have any other tricks?

Ah, Loqi. I always have another trick.

Thelican tapped his nose again and smiledand the [Chancellor] gave him a cooler smile, but nodded. And the truth was

This too was mostly adequate. Thelican kept the smile until the spell endedthen he spat and rose.

Damn [Martial Artists]. But it will be a feather upon my helmet the size of a Roc to best them.

Not even the [Generals] of thirty years ago had done that. Setbacks were inevitable. He stroked his chinthen glanced to one side.

Being a [Great General] of Nerrhavias Fallen had some perks. He had to demand troops from the [Chancellor], but he had a few keys toweapons of Nerrhavias Fallen he might not technically be allowed to have. Yet the Court of Steel was incautious, and the throne wasnt as overbearing as it had been in older times.

They were embroiled with the pest problem and that fight between the royal bloodlines.

Ah, Prince Zenol, you choose your friends poorly.

Thelican shook his head as he inspected a weapon of resort. As inhe would resort to it if he had to. He touched the glass tubing and jumped and swore as it shocked his hand. Then he decided he had better not touch it.

If it went off, even a Stitch-folk like him wouldnt be reconstructed from the damage it would do. Thelican then decided he would have some fine company and settled back to wait for his reinforcements. He found a map and began circling the flattest, most open ground spots he could find around Pomle. No valleys, no foliage for cover, no rivers or nuisances like that.

Textbook. His history books had told him that his predecessors had tried everything on the old Strongest of Pomlebut had deemed Pomle not worth the effort of going the full margin. Thelican? It had occurred to him multiple times he could simply sue for peace and quash the insult to one of the [Princes]. But why would he?

He always thought he was going to win. Every single battle. And as statistics showed if he bothered to compile them

Half the time, he was right.

The most powerful asset on Pomles side was not the [Empress of Beasts]. Nor was it Orjin. The most powerful ally Pomle had was called Salii.

Honest! Take your other masters. Take the Empress or that fucking Golem. She knows they wont interfere. Its you versus her. Its not a trap. Its not like we can hide ten thousand [Bandits] in this asscrack of a desert. Showdown. Got it?

Orjin nodded.

I will be there.

He turned away, and the [Rogue] shouted at his back.

You will? Because shell be there, and its my head on the line if you dont come! Seriouslyshow up! Not a trap! Shell keep sending [Assassins] if you refuse to take her challenge! Shell win, too! Shes got tons of water magic! Bets are 3:1 on her! So, uhId send someone else if I were you!

Only Saveres Siren would place bets on a duel. And only she would be so confident in her combat abilities as to duel the Strongest of Pomle. Who else would dare?

Yisame? Even Nsiia knew the dangers of fighting someone like Orjin. The King of Destruction? Raelt of Jecrass? Fetohep

Okay, maybe a lot of [Rulers] had the ego. But the truth was that when Xil finished his third flight above the location, he landed with a gigantic frown.

I think its not a trap. At least, I cant see anyone hiding there. Which means she probably has a teleportation spell ready to send them in.

Shed only be able to do a hundred even if shes using a lot of money. Shes no Archmage. Odd. I dont see any troop movements besides her bodyguard. Mind youtheres two thousand of them on horseback. Her bestand I am not using quotation marks.

Salii shaded her eyes with her clipboard, and the two turned to Orjin. The Strongest exhaled.

So this is a proper duel.

No. Its a trap.

Both Xil and Salii instantly chorused. When Orjin raised his brows, they clarified.

Its just one we cant see. Maybe the Siren thinks she can defeat you. The other masters couldnt get close.

I beat her on the battlefield the first time.

Salii bet the Siren did not appreciate that and it was one of the reasons why she wanted a rematch. She sucked in her cheeks and peered over the ridgeline down into the dueling area.

Yesbut this time shes ready. Orjinaside from the trap we know she hasshes really ready for you.

The Strongest looked up. He had his spear and the sack of shot puts. The Siren?

Two Water Elementals were moving back and forth over the dusty ground. The Siren sat on her golden palanquin in her [Dome of Water] spell, layered several times deep. She had a floating reservoir of water around her, like a lake in the dry groundand floating orbs of water ready to fire.

She looked like an artillery position all on her own. To Iratze, who poked his head up as Pomles warriors waited for the Strongest to make his move, he wondered how she would fare in a war. Could you actually even hit her with a bullet through those shields of water?

Compared to that, the Strongest really was practically unarmed. He didnt even have armor on! Vandum was trying to get him to take some.

Just wear this charm at least! Its [Water Resistance]. Shell hex you, Orjin.

No. If this is not a trap, I will fight her as she thinks is fair.

Shes using magic. Shes layers deep in enchantmentsthis is like a [Martial Artist] digging traps and drinking potions before a battle!

Nevertheless. If I best her, Savere may fall back. Vandumyou go back to Pomle. I do not trust the Siren not to attack. We are close enough that we will be able to race back if an army appears. Xil

If she tries anything, I will run her through. My spear wont be slowed by that amount of water. If shes wise, she knows it. At sea would be different. Here? She thinks shell take you, though, Orjin.

The Strongest was speaking to the others. Vandum strode back towards Pomle, not far in the distance, as he shook his head. Orjin just stared down into the bowl where the Siren waited.

Her bodyguard and the small army were jeering and calling for him. Taunting Orjin, claiming odd things they thought might rile him up about his genitalia, appearance, bravery

He walked over the dune, and they fell silent a moment, then the raucous shouting grew louder. He just tuned it out. The Siren swiveled on her palanquin, then raised a fingerbefore catching herself. She beckoned, smiling.

He had thought about this. Orjin paused a moment as Pomles warriors, an equal force to the one that lay below, stood on the dune, waiting. They said nothingcheered not at all for him.

Their silence made the [Bandits] voices falter. They kept shouting for a minute, twoand then the voices faded out awkwardly. The Siren glaredbut the silence became oppressive.

Two kinds of warrior stared at each other. One feared no challenge, made no insult or jibe. Orjin began to walk down the dune, a stone in hand, unhooking the heavy bag from his belt and casting it down at his feet. He looked at all the Sirens magic without fear.

But he thoughtas he stopped there, nearly two thousand feet away from herthat for some reason hers was the purer warrior.

What a strange betrayal of Pomle. How were her [Bandits], drinking wine like they were on a picnic, sneering, laughing, who trained little if at all and fought with poison and cheated and lied better warriors than Pomles?

Perhaps because they were not conflicted. The Siren was not conflicted. She had come for one reason: to kill Orjin.

She raised a finger, and he nodded at her. He was ready. The Sirens eyes were cold, and she was focused. He?

He did not want to kill. This war was meaningless to him. To her?

Two kinds of warrior. At least he was not so hidebound he expected a signal to start. When the first beam of compressed water, thin as a needle, shot towards his right eye, it would have punctured the eye and blown it into shreds.

Orjin leaned left, and it missed. The stream of water cut off in half a second, and the whining sound of it striking a dune made the others jump in surprise. But that was how much force had gone into that deadly [Water Jet].

The Siren fired another jet and another with her finger, pulses of water at his chestthen his groin. Orjin twisted out of the way of another, then stepped left. Two misses.

I meant what I said, Strongest! A fair duel! Fair as it can be with your grimy fists versus my magic. Youd do well to surrender!

Revine Zecrew shouted, half-rising from her palanquin. For replyOrjin threw a rock at her.

In fairness, he twisted, spinning his body to add centrifugal force and heaved it, not tossed it with only the muscles in his arm. Revine flinched as the stone hit the first barrier of water and cracked.

It was hard! Orjin didnt understand the physics of water, so he couldnt fathom how the watery dome was moving so fast as to present a kind of barrier against projectiles. All he knew was that the stone literally cracked into pieces and sank through the water shield.

And there were four more till the Siren. She laughed, pointed a finger, and sent a tidal wave racing at himand one of her Water Elementals. Orjin picked up another stone, but let the bag lie. No way for him to win a ranged war. He wasnt going to throw his spear; he was sure it would break even with the few Skills he had.

The wall of water was seven feet high, taller than he was, and came at him fast. It might be heavy enough to knock him flat and slam him downbut he just walked towards it, keeping his eye on the Water Elemental.

Orjin, the water, the water!

Salthorn was shouting at him. Orjin saw the wave surging at himand jumped it.

A ten-foot jump straight over the wall of water, carrying him to the wet ground beyond. He had been a [Surefoot Martial Artist]; he feared no muddy ground. Orjin was ready to meet the Water Elemental.

What he was not prepared for was for the tidal wave to haltthen turn around and surge back at him. The Strongest didnt know magic. He had assumed

It crashed into him, and he kept his footing.

[Immovable Stance: Manticore].

To shift him, you would have to overpower the weight of a Manticore, thousands of pounds. The tidal wave triedhis feet shifted, and he grimaced at the impact.

Only to realize it was now swirling up to engulf him. The Strongest tried to jumpbut it was around him, weighing him down like lead

And he did not train long in the water in dry Chandrar.

The Sirens bandits were laughing as the Strongest was engulfed in a sphere of water and began to drown. He was moving fairly fast even underwaterbut so what?

There was nothing to fight. Nothing to break. Just waterthe Siren could literally hold him there until he drowned. The Water Elemental was fifteen feet tall and had fists of water that could smash people down with ease. It could best a Grand Elephantand it waited as the Siren laughed and watched Orjin flailing.

Is that all? The other Masters were better than this. Come, Orjin!

He was aware the moment he broke free the Water Elemental would be upon him. The Strongest looked out, still holding his spear and the stone. His muscles tensed, and he grimaced.

Thenas he drifted up in the orb of water constricting him, Orjin crossed his legs, folded his arms holding both weapons, and sat there.

The laughter broke off. The [Bandits] stared as the Strongest just sat there in the bubble of water.

The fuck? Is he holding his breath?

One of them whispered to her leader. Omusc, the Drowned Woman who was part shellfish, stared in confusion.

That was a valid tactic if Orjin was like herbut even some Drowned Folk couldnt just breathe water! The Siren looked as perplexed as everyone else.

Does he think the spell will run out? Is he stupid?

Hes definitely stupidbutokay. If this is how the boss wins, it works.

He couldnt do this forever. How long could you hold your breath? A minute? Two? The [Bandits] watched as the Strongest floated there. They waited, and one pulled out a looted timepiece.

Three minutes passed. The Strongest floated there, staring out of the water blankly. He didnt look like he was starving for oxygen yet. He didnt move, blink, or twitch a muscle. He just

Waited.

The Siren lost patience first. After thirty more seconds, she pointed, and the water began to constrict around him. The Strongest was being pressurized as the water pulled in on itself, like someone deep underwater.

He didnt move. The water pulled inand then halted. It must have been the maximum pressure that Revine could do with that much water. The Water Elementals fist stayed raisedand the Strongest didnt move. His eyes didnt pop from the pressure, and not a single bubble of air left his lungs.

Six minutes.

Is he dead?

No one knew the answer. Revine blinkedand then decided to test it out. She took aim with another jet of water and spoke.

[Ice Lance].

It fused into iceslowlyand she aimed the huge lance of it at Orjin. Ice magicwhich showed how much she wanted to kill Orjin.

She had been so furious after the Ice Squirrel betrayed herOrjin didnt move as the ice spell aimed at his chest. The water in the orb drew back, thinning to create a vector for the [Ice Lance] to travel by.

Revine fired the lance at Orjin. It shot across the distance, past the Water Elementaland Omusc saw the Strongest move. His frozen body jerked as the lance spun at him

Then he caught it, and the momentum blew him out of the orb. He landed, inhaled, and punched.

[Aeriform Fist]. Omuscs eyeballs compressed with the force of the wind-explosion, and she wasnt even close! The orb of water turned into rain, and Orjin dodged the Water Elemental swinging at him. He threw the stone and blew the top of its head off with the force of the throw. Then he was sprinting past the Water Elemental, running so fast that the Siren began firing her jets of water in a panic as he curved towards her.

Hed really been in trouble there for a second. When hed been engulfed by the orb of water, Orjin had considered how hard it would be to break free. He had feared he might struggle and become a sitting duck, so hed decided to gamble on a trick.

[Stasis Metabolism]. Another [Monk] Skill that most [Martial Artists] considered worthless, a downside of their class. When he used it, so long as he didnt movehe didnt need any air. He didnt need foodhe could just exist and think.

The ploy had worked. Revine had tried to crush him with the force of water, but Orjins body was stronger than that. It had been slightly uncomfortable, but she hadnt managed to even give him the bends.

Her [Ice Lance] had been a bad idea. He had used it to free himself. He could not be caught again, though.

Magic-users. How had the First Strongest beaten them? The journal said

He was faster. So he had not beaten magic itself. Orjin took a page from that book. He ducked as a jet of water a hundred times larger than the others fired at his head with enough force to probably tear his flesh from his bones.

[Martial Art: Sandflea Run].

Another Skill he had possessed since he was first starting this class. Nothing was worthless. And there were a hundred different running styles and Skills. His?

Hop. His foot touched the ground, and it propelled him with all the explosive force of a tiny insect jumping. It was not the same as [Flashstep]his was a jump, a skip

He kicked left, and a trio of [Water Jet] spells flashed past his face. Rightand ducked under another. A blade of water sliced horizontally at waist-height

Hoptwo legs over it, and he kicked. The water spell turned into a downpour of water as he severed the connection.

Hophophophophophophophophop

It was impossible to catch him! The Sirens pinpoint aim turned wild as she unleashed jet after jet of water. Then she realized he was getting too close.

[Watery Floor]! [Cauldron of the Salamander].

Water spread below Orjins feet, and he stopped warily. But rather than turn it to ice and freeze him like Ceria did, Revine was nastier. The water erupted, going from cool to boiling in a second. She had boiled enemy soldiers by the thousands like this, and the steam and rising heat

Orjin jumped. Revine saw him flying above her dome as the second Water Elemental went at him. She had him! She aimed straight up.

[Lightning Bolt]!

She knew more than water spells. The bolt flashed up, and Orjinskipped sideways.

The [Sandflea Run]! Did he have

[Aerial Foothold]. He had thought long and hard how to fight the Death of Magic. And in his last three level ups

The Strongest came down as the bolt of lightning, slower than true lightning but almost as deadlymissed him. He landed next to the dome, stuck his hand into the raging current of waterand grimaced.

Str

The water grabbed his hand, and Orjin felt like Revines own grip had him. He tried to move backand then the water dragged him up, over the top of the dome, and slammed him into the ground on the other side so hard he cracked the earth.

Thathurt.

[Water Dome of the Deep Sea Currents]!

The [Bandits] were cheering as Salii stared, hopping from foot to foot with nerves. Orjin rolled to one sidebut a water jet tagged him for the first time.

It hammered his shoulder back into the ground and pierced his [Steel Skin]but superficially. He was tougher than Revine thought.

Her magic was more adaptive than he thought. He had no conception that she could use the dome of water offensively like that. Stick a sword in and it would be ripped apart. His arm should have been torn off

Point-blank, the Siren lanced him three more times with [Water Jet] as he rose, shielding his face. Each time, his skin rippledand tore with the force of the spells.

Just die, you obstinate pest!

Revine was not so happy about their proximity, though. Her Water Elementals were rolling back to Orjin, but the terrors of her other foes were practically useless against him. He just ignored them. Orjin ducked a swing from one, and as it raised its hands for an overhead slam, he just raced around the domes other side. Then he raised his spear.

[Spear Dance: Crashing Rapids]!

Appropriately, the water-themed attack slashed into the dome, leaving tears that made Revine recoil with the force of Orjins slashes. Buthis spear tore a second layer of the dome open, and the three remaining

He couldnt even reach that far in. Orjin leapt back, and the water dome recomposed itself, sealing the wounds hed caused at once.

And he had just used a Skill.

That fool. I taught him the spear, but hes diversified his Skills! Hes only got one more spear dance!

Xil groaned. Orjin, the expert in multiple fields, couldnt fight long in one speciality.

Shes concentrating all her magic. It must be one of her best Spells. Tier 5? Tier 6? Shes betting he cant reach her. Salthorn. Could you get in?

Idont know. Id have to throw the water somehow. Throw her from thirty feet away. I could try, but

The [Master Grappler] looked uncertain. Revines magical power was making the best of Pomle nervous. She was unto the same level of mastery in magic that they had achieved with their fists. And their Strongest was

Unable to reach her? If she had trouble hitting him, he couldnt get to her. Stalemate, and Orjin would inevitably take too much damage over time. He had to break through.

Orjin had one ultimate Skill left that Salii knew for a fact.

[Dulav-ra: Tetrad of the Solar Aura]. A close-combat attack that hit you four times with such intensity and heat that it could literally burn you. She knew he had to use it. So did he.

And so did Revine. She was muttering a spell, and as Orjin twisted, ducking a [Scythe of Blackwater] that passed overhead in the shape of the weaponhe moved.

His arms blurred together, and he kicked his spear into the dome of water, where it spun around crazily. Orjins arms rose to both sides, like he was imitating a bearbut they were already moving, ready to strike from four angles. Thenthey glowed.

Dulav-ra. The style he had combined out of Pomles teachings. And

[Tetrad of the Solar Aura]. A Skill that took from flame. Flameheat encapsulated in glowing skinso hot it turned water to steam.

He punched and struck four times, stepping into the first punchsliding it into a two-palmed strike, a flying kickeach one carried him into another barrier of the water dome.

Each blow created a geyser of water that blew the spell apart. Revines eyes grew round with terror as her barrier evaporated.

Five! Four! Three! Two! Then Orjin was at the final barrier, barely ten feet between her palanquin, held up on its bed of water, and him. He had used his Level 40 Skill. He raised a fist for another [Aeriform Punch]

And the Siren laughed at him. She laughedand popped out of place on her palanquin. She appeared eighty feet away, and her two Water Elementals halted in front of her. She raised a hand and spoke.

[Water Dome of the Deep Sea Currents]!

She had justteleported. [Lesser Teleport]. Orjin turned, panting, as the water around Revine and his spear whirled back towards her. All the water she had shot in their fightreturned to Revine and reformed that deadly dome.

And then he was back to square one. Pomles warriors groaned, and some shoutedbut Revine just laughed.

Laughedwith a slight strain to her voice as she lifted a mana potion and drank greedily. She had burned through a lot of her magical power. But Orjin? He had used his best Skill.

Round two, Strongest. I dont need to win with more than my magic. The trap was in you ever thinking you could best me one-on-one! Even Nsiia was too smart for that!

She shouted at him. Orjin, panting, began to run forward, dodging jets of water. He was slower, though, and his running Skill

He took a [Water Jet] to the knee and slid behind some earth that had been upheaved by Revines spells. She rolled her eyes, and her two Water Elementals surged at him. Revine took careful aim as the largest [Water Jet] yet gathered in her fingers. If he didnt move, shed blast his cover and him into dustthen trap him with the water orb spell again. If he didshed wait until he was flatfooted and snipe him.

Anything else to say, Orjin? No surrender. Not in Savere.

And strangely, the Strongest did have something to say. He raised his voice.

You took my spear.

Revines brows crossed. Then opened in a sudden, paranoid instinct. She looked around, and there, swirling around her [Dome of Water] spell, was Orjins spear. His spear, which hed kicked into her dome and shed drawn back into her protections. And the tip was

Glowing.

It was a [Weapon Expert]s Skill. A [Monk]s Skill. For someone who practiced multiple weapons. It was called

[Imbue Skill]. A simple thing you could use to translate a Sword Skill into barehanded combat. Or vice-versa. Orjin had another one.

[Delayed Blow]. [Aeriform Shockwave].

The whumph of sound was followed by him leaping up and running. Just running past the dazed Water Elementals, through the rain of water falling down, towards the Siren. She was on her knees, shaking her head, trying to focus and cast

He had her head in his hands. She was making a sound, guttural, at the back of her throat, and her neck was twisting, twisting.

Snap it. No move Iratze had taught him. No fanciful technique. Just strength and bone that would splinter like the [Assassin]s neck. Orjin knew he should. Savere followed the Siren. He

Refused. He held Revines neck and spoke, as he always had, to Vandum, to anyone who had ever challenged him.

Surrender.

I surrender. I surrender!

She screamed it, and he let go. Orjin felt her neck twist back, and Revine was clutching at her neck.

Strongest! Kill her!

Xil shouted. He flew up, and Revine stumbled back from Orjin. He didnt. He just lifted his spear overheadand she blinked back towards her bandits. They engulfed her in a protective mob, shouting, swords drawn as they flinched back from himbut Orjin just stood there.

This challenge is over. Siren. Draw your forces back.

She stared at him, eyes murderous, as Xil cursed. Revine coughed.

Youyou really are too soft for your own good, Strongest of Pomle. Do you kill [Soldiers] and spare [Generals] like that?

I have tried to kill no one. Even in battle.

Her face went slack. Orjin looked at her. And it was true.

In battle, he had knocked [Soldiers] senseless, punched and fought his way towards enemy officers, and yes, killed both leader and subordinate. But he had not tried to murder them.

Thelican. The Siren when she had first met themhe could have slaughtered battalions of them. He did not.

The Strongest of Pomle waited, and Revine laughed. Laughedand laughedand then gave him a shake of her head.

You really are a fool. Savere! Fall back. Im done fighting with muscle-bound fools. Our foes are Illivere and Tiqr. You win, Strongest.

She turned, and Xil hesitated, spear ready to throw. Where

Wheres the trap?

Salii shouted, cupping her claws to her face. The Siren looked back in great annoyance, but stopped when she saw the famous [Secretary].

I was supposed to win. Win and take Pomle and you and end this stupid war with you fist-loving freaks. Insteadwere out. Do you think [Bandits] dont understand duels? Fool.

She whirled around. Then stopped dramatically and pulled down one eyelid as she glared sardonically at Orjin.

The trap is all Thelican. Be grateful, Strongest, that I know hell come after me just as soon as he finishes with you and Tiqr.

What did that mean? Orjin stared at Revinethen he whirled. Whirled and turned to Pomle. He raced up the dune, so fast that Salii was still turning when he got there.

Then he saw it. Orjin expected to see an army bearing down on Pomle again, but Thelican had learned his lesson.

Adequate. An adequate [General] of Nerrhavias Fallen with the keys to the vaults. If you could not take an enemy by force of armsthen you did the other principles of war. And though you might condemn him

Sometime during their duel, the sky had turned black. Blackdespite it being day. Orjin looked up and saw streaks of light in the sky.

Lightning. Far more than Revines [Lightning Bolt] spell. Moving artificially, crackling, flickering a hundred thousand times each second at the speed of true lightning. [Grand Lightning]. But so fiercely even the greatest storms wouldnt match it. Orjins eyes saw people fleeing the oasisand no army. No armysave for a small group with a huge canister of glass that had unleashed the spell.

Then he saw the lightning writing something in the air. A message from another era, a bygone time traced a million times to form the glowing words that blinded everyones eyes.

Straight from Nerrhavias vaults to you. To Thelicans real target, which he had hoped would hit the Strongest and a bunch of his enemiesbut just the oasis would do. The writing said:

From the Emperor of Storms to you. A gift:

[Blighted Bolt of the Forsaken Lands].

It came down, twisting, larger than a redwood tree across. Black and yellowbut if electricity itself could turn putrid, that would be how it looked. Straight downand it touched Pomle, and Orjins home vanished.

The first objective in war, Great General Thelican would later claim to the Council of Steel when he was summoned to explain the use of a Relic-grade weapon of war reserved for atrocities like Crelers or last-resorts, was to deny the enemy resources.

It could be land. It could be soldiers or materiel. Pomle were fearless [Martial Artists] of great levels. They had held off armiesbut the one thing they could not defeat was thirst.

That was a failsafe reserved for the likes of the Gathering Citadfor the worst emergencies! We have not even used them against the King of Destruction! Djinni are more acceptable than this! There is a limited supply, Thelican! They were to be held for things like another Tyrant!

The furious [Chancellor of War] had to shut up when someone covered his mouth. Thelican responded calmly.

This is true, Chancellor, but we may find another Relic or even create one. What I have donewhat we have done is weaken a great foe in a single stroke. The Strongest was not killed due tochance. But now they have no home.

He smiled, and his allies took his side while his detractors called for a censure. But the truth was that the Court of Steel did not want to admit they hadnt authorized using the weapon. To do so would imply Thelican or a [Great General] could pull from the armories unchecked. Queen Yisames glower made Thelican nervous, but she was a player of this game.

And he? He had won his war.

Vandum stood over what remained of the oasis. The precious water-collecting gemstones, all the water they used for the refugees of Roshal, the soldiers of Tiqr, and which gave Pomle life?

Gone.

Orjin stood there too. He was the victor. He was the Strongest.

He had triumphed over the Siren, and his home was gone. It seemed to him as though the air wasscreaming.

The ground too. Not in a loud voice, but a kind of unspoken agony in the tendons of the world. The air smelled wrong.

Greasy. As if something had stained it. Shadows seemed too long, here, and the smog that rose from the black earth kept rising. The earth too

It was more than charred. If it had just been fire, the natural groundwater in the precious oasis might have mixed to create filthy waterbut something. Instead, the few [Martial Artists] who had touched the ground had backed away, some literally scraping off the tar of the ground. It tried to eat their skin.

A toxin in the very ground itself. It seemed, even now, to be spreading. Corruption in the firmament.

Screaming in the air. No one else said anything. They stood around the gaping wound where the oasis waters had run, and it seemed like a mouth opened in agony. Orjin could hear it screaming. He felt the groundmelting slowly and wondered if this would become some kind of sinkhole like Actelios Salash in time. Like Rhir.

All from one spell. The malice that remained here was a dripping candle of rot into the ear of the world. ThenOrjin could look at it no longer. He turned away, still silent.

Vandum, though, spoke.

We must leave Pomle.

That was not a question. Soon, the desert would dry this place further. All the trade that came through here? Gone.

Even if the waters returned, the land was twisted from the spell. Orjin would not trust anything that came from the greasy, blackened earth. Vandum continued.

We must leaveand join Tiqr fighting. Or fight Nerrhavia for what they have done. Some may call this the end of Pomle. I? I say this is best.

Many warriors who had been staring at the blackened hole looked up. But the [Bridge of the Martial World] was staring with a fire in his eyes he had not had since the beginning.

I was there when we first fought and won our independence. When Pomle foughtmany diedbut we were the highest-level then. We waned when we achieved victory. Collos waned without a foe. Pomle was never this one place. It was an idea. Where we go, Pomle endures. I am going to make war on Nerrhavias Fallen and surpass the First Strongest. Come with me. Water, bedding, all of itlies ahead.

He pointed east, and Sorron and Jalte, Salthorn, Xil, the other masters and apprentices looked at him. Sorron was the first to call out.

We do not agree on much, Vandumbut I will see Nerrhavia pay for destroying this place.

They were preparing for war. A bitterer wara bloodier war and far more personal than before.

Orjin?

His hut was still standing. He wished it had gone instead of the oasis. That almost anything had gone. He looked around as more voices rose. Pledging to fight and reclaim another Pomle.

But Orjin looked forEloque, the nervous Lizardwoman. Bearig, RophirMerr the Storm had continued her battle with her people, but she had trusted Pomle to keep her people safe.

They, too, were preparing to go. Orjin found themand Iratzetalking.

Strongest. We

Where are you going to? I am sorry. The Peace of Pomle cannot protect you any longer. You are welcome to stay, but Pomle has been broken.

They looked at him, and Bearig answered for the freed [Slaves].

We will join Merr. Shes able to protect us. Nerrhavias no friend to usbut I may try to find my family. Well survive.

Iratze?

Im joining Pomle.

The [Grappler] met Orjins eyes. He seemeduncertain why he didnt find the same fire and outrage there. Gospe shook her head.

Were going to Illivere. We hopewe can be safe there. Or Tiqr if we can find Nsiia.

If you go with her soldiers, you may be safe.

They were preparing to move out too. Orjin saw nodsuntil Eloques eyes fixed on something behind him. She frozeand then he heard a voice.

Strongest.

Orjin had always known that Vandum would challenge him again. Nowthe big [Martial Artist] stood there, feet planted in the earth.

Mithril gauntlets on both arms, still red with blood; he had killed the Nerrhavian [Soldiers] who had unleashed the spell. He had daggers at his belt, a blade in one handand he looked at Orjin.

I challenge you.

Pomle turned to Orjin as the undefeated Strongest stood in his ruined oasis. Xil and Salthorn had not immediately promised to join Vandum. The man could leave, and he would take much of Pomlebut so long as the Strongest did not lend him his support, there would be a rift.

They both knew it. Orjin stood there until Salii shouted.

Wait! Orjin just dueled Revine Zecrew! The Siren herself! Is this fair?

The Strongest answers every challenge. He always has. I will use no Skills. But I will use blades. Our Strongest eschews change. He treated every style as fair. Even Windcallers Wrath? He may be right. If he isPomle will fight as it has and win. If I amwe will change and hone ourselves again and again, getting rid of excess. Lets find out.

Vandum was waiting. Orjin could see it in every line of his body, ready to explode in an attack. Pomle waited as Vandum called out.

Well, Strongest?

And Orjin said this:

No.

It was such a shock that Vandum was mid-attack, assuming it would be a battle, when his fist froze. He halted, mid-leap, and Orjin stepped to one side.

No?

Never once had anyone heard Orjin refuse a challenge. Vandum whirled.

Are you mocking me because you have beaten me before, Strongest? Do you want Skills? Then let us rest and come back at dawn

No. No challenge.

The [Bridge of the Martial World] was getting angrier. He pointed at Orjin, and now spit flew from his mouth as he shouted.

Are you bored of this, Strongest? You do not seem to take it with the passion we have! This is a warand you refuse to kill! Do you have so little attachment to Pomle?

He pointed at Orjin, and the man stood there. His eyes were unmoving in his face; he did not cross his arms, but even Vandum set himself warily. When Orjin spoke, it was that sameapparently flat tone that had little emotion in it.

Until you realizedperhapsthat it was not because he was bored or emotionless. It was because he was weighing his words before he spoke. When Orjin said something, it was because he had thought of what he meant to say and then said it. He was alwaysone hundred percent engaged.

It is not boredom. I did not train myself to kill. This war has had no meaning for me. Not the bloodshed. Not the causes. I began this war out of a simple desire to do what I willed. As Pomles Strongest has always done. And I have seen what it cost us. I have never taken my duties as Strongest lightly.

Then

Vandum struck his chest and left a bloody imprint, waiting. He held his arms out, as if beseechingand Orjin shook his head.

No. I triumphed over the Siren this evening. I defeated herand Savere. But as I did, ThelicanNerrhaviastruck Pomle. Struck it, and I could not parry it nor stop it or even see it coming. PomleI am the Strongest, and I did nothing. So.

He stood there, and Salii realized what he meant first. She murmured, and Vandum looked at Orjin.

You are still the Strongest amongst us until you lose.

He raised his blade, as if to goad Orjin, but the manjust the man, the [Martial Artist], no longer the Strongest, turned. Orjin walked away slowly, and his voice drifted back to them.

No. I already have.

And that nightthey fought. Fought even as the oasis diedand two voices spoketo two men.

To Vandum, it said this:

[Conditions Met: Bridge of the Martial World Strongest of the Martial Age!]

[Level 50 Strongest of the Martial Age!]

[Skill Body: Skillbreakers Fist obtained!]

[Skill Resistance: Magic obtained!]

Just two Skills. Just twobut he rose with a wild laugh, and Pomle followed. And to another man, who had once been called Strongestnow Orjinit said this:

[Conditions Met: Strongest Martial Artist of Pomle Magicbane Superior Martial Artist!]

[Level 48 Magicbane Superior Martial Artist!]

[Skill Body: Magicbreakers Fist obtained!]

For a legend continuing Pomles storythe same Skills as the first. For the man also on that path, something fitting in the same vein. Orjin opened his eyes without the whoop of laughter, the cry of joy.

Orjin looked up and spoke again.

He said:

No.

[Level Up Canceled]

[Conditions Met: Strongest Martial Artist of Pomle Superior Martial Artist.]

The next morning, Orjin packed what few possessions he had. He had some gold, foodhe left the sand behind and his hut.

So you are leaving Pomle. I thought so.

And you two are continuing the battles?

Orjin looked at Salthorn and Xil, his two greatest friends among the others. Salthorn smiled sadly.

I thought I would die in Pomle. I am not so perfect as to take their deeds silentlyand my apprentices go to battle, so I will follow. Xil?

The old Garuda leaned on his spear.

I fought for Nerrhavias Fallen. I was a soldier, and they discharged me for reasons that are petty and behind me now. I, too, thought Pomle would be a fitting place to rest among company. Now I feel the battlefield calling. I wish to throw myself into itand it will be my grave, but Vandum calls to me. I will see Pomle rise out of these ashes. But you, OrjinI would have thought youd fight.

This was his home, more than the other two. And he was angry. Angrybut Orjin lifted a hand.

I was taught all my life to master fury. Master it and never let it control me. Now, I see my old mentors and friends giving vent to it. If not immediatelyNerrhavia has destroyed the oasis.

A crime.

Yes. But no one in it. Vandum got the children and refugees away when he sensed the danger. For that, he deserves to be Strongest. How many did he defeat?

It had to beover twenty. But Orjin, they destroyed Pomle.

This war was already killing us. Is the sensible thing to do after this not to find a Pomle elsewhere, rather than carve it out of our own blood and flesh and Nerrhavias?

He spoke a kind of sense that no one wanted to hear, not right now. Salthorn was disturbed, but Xil smiled and leaned on his spear.

You were the Strongest of Pomle in heart. But another one has arisen. You can still challenge him.

Vandum was over there, but he was ignoring Orjin. Yet if Orjin turnedthe man would put aside all else, even with his class. All of it on the line, including his life. In a heartbeat.

Part of Orjin wanted to step forwards, but he shook his head.

I am uncertain. I do not know what the Strongest should be. Let Vandum lead Pomle. Iam going. I am sorry. I hope I will return alive. If I do, with an answer, I will seek out Pomle wherever it is. But I must go.

They looked at him, and Salthorn grabbed his arm. Orjin returned the gesture. Xil spat again into the sands, but not in disgust.

Then take this. I have no use for it. I demand it to weed out some annoying apprenticesbut you have never cared for gold. So you might as well use it.

He handed over a bag of holding. Orjin didnt have one, and when he delved into it, it had more gold coins than he could ever remember seeing.

I dont need

Take it. Or that Drake will make your life miserable.

What Drake?

Then Orjin turned, and Salii strode over.

How much gold am I working with? Well, Ill take some of that, thank you. Itll help Pomle, and the rest I can use better than you, Orjin. Just send me a [Message], and I will arrange it.

She took the bag and promptly dumped half into her own bag of holding. Xil glared, and Orjin turned to her.

Youre helping Vandum?

I promised to support Pomle, and franklyyou will all die of thirst if I dont keep things in order. Besides. Ive finally just begun to get busy now that I have to work for two employers at the same time. Where are you going?

She made no motion to go with Orjin, but she tilted her head. Part of him felt bad about that, but he had not expected it. The Drake stood there as Xil flapped away and Salthorn walked off. That was all the goodbyes Pomles folk had. Yet Salii and Orjin, the duo who had shared so much time, stood there a moment.

Then he realized what shed said.

Two?

Salii held up two claw-fingers with exaggerated patience.

I know you can count. Vandum is the Strongest now. Thats one. You make two. If hes anything like you, the work wont be egregious.

But Im no longer the Strongest. I cannot pay you.

You never did. And I wont be following you around, but I can certainly enable and support whatever youre about to do.

She gave him a clear-eyed stare and a half-smile. Orjin hesitated, but his heart rose a bit in his chest.

Are yousure? It wont be too much?

At this, she actually tapped him on the chest with her clipboard.

I am capable of multi-tasking. Do you really think a dozen Strongests could tax my abilities? Running Pomle by myself was easier than one of Salazsars corporations. Have you tried paying Drake tax? Dont worry about me. I chose my employers, and you need help. So where are you going, Orjin?

The Drake somehow knew his thoughts. The Strongethe man smiled at her, then looked at the greatest [Secretary] in the entire world. He had never really made use of her talents, ever.

Pomle had, but

Ive made you angry because I needed nothing, havent I?

Furious. All my other employers have wanted something, but you were infuriatingly hard to work with. Now, the day Im no longer working for you, you need something. Name it.

Her eyes glinted, and Orjinbit his tongue before he spoke.

It may be difficult. Even for you.

Orjin, this clipboard can deflect [Fireballs]. I once had someone test an Adamantium pickaxe on it. It is the strongest thing in Pomle aside from your thick skull. I will hit you with it if you dont tell me. Ask.

She waited, and so Orjin turned to the [Secretary].

I must find out what I have been working towards. Whyand the fallacies in my thinking and art that this war exposed. SoI need you, Salii, to find me someone. And gain me an introduction or

A letter of recommendation? A meeting with them and pave the way for it? Accommodations too, likely, and a destination and map.

Salii was already making notes. She almost felt annoyed. This was [Secretary] work, but low-level. She sighed.

Alright. Let me guess. ItsIzril and Erin Solstice. No, wait. The King of Destruction? Your mother? Rhir and the Death of Magic would be interesting.

Her lips quirked. Orjin gave her a rare smile and responded.

No. I would like you to introduce me to Torreb. Torreb the Undefeated. The highest-level warrior on the continent, wherever he has retired. If not himMars the Illusionist. If not her, the Hero of Zethe or Fedorgon the Citybreaker.

Saliis claw slipped, and she nearly dropped her quill. She looked up at Orjin and coughed.

Hes eighty years old andI know where he is. You want to meet the greatest [Warrior] of Chandrar? Hehes Level 69.

Yes. Just like Collos.

You meanten levels higher than Collos. The Strongest may have bested him oncebut Torreb outlived him.

I need to ask him my questions.

Salii scrubbed at her neck-spines.

Its not easy. He would have thousands of daily supplicants if his kingdom didnt keep him safeI dont have many connections

If you cant do it, Ill try to meet him myself.

Orjin saw the Drakes head rise with wrathuntil she saw his smile. It had faith she would find a way. Salii exhaled.

Youll have to go west to start. Past the Empire of Scaied. Into the Lantern Lands. Take a [Message] scroll. You know how to work it? How fast do you want to travel?

If you can do anything faster than my feet? Ill start running.

He did not intend to stop. Orjin turned, and Salii began to hurry as he strode off. Faster, and faster as she told him what to do, not to fight any [Slavers], to tell them he was from Illivere if they stopped him because that was the best place to claim nationality, and

And then he was gone. Leaving Pomle behind, searching for the answer. He left a war behind.

But he would return. FirstOrjin had to know what lay ahead. Or how else would Pomle walk towards it? He looked back only once at that burnt oasis and whispered.

It was my fault. I should have left the slaves alone.

Then he paused and shook his head.

No. I did what I thought was right. But my martial art, this paththere has to be something else. I swear, I will find it.

Collos had searched all his life for it at the end. He had stopped at Level 59. At the very least, perhaps

Torreb might know more. So Orjin ran.

Authors Note: Taking it easy, taking it easyah, who am I kidding? I feel busy.

Then Volume 1 will be ready to go. I have added several smaller chapters with perspectives like Rags and Pisces in. I have completely added a new, 1.14 R chapter which makes Ryokas entire Bloodfields saga feel stronger.

Persua now has friendsyes, lets call them that. But that is all for later and for now, look forwards to at least one more chapter before I engage in editing. Also, note the request at the top. I need a book promoter and Im searching my surprisingly qualified readerbase for anyone interested.

I mean that. Ive asked for technical help and some of you know, apparently Olympian-class martial artists. Others are far-too-accredited medical experts to be reading this story. Lawyers and way too many foodiesI hope you enjoy this if you like anything to do with martial arts. Or just in general. This is not the end of the arc, but I may intersperse this with other chapters. Well see. Thanks for reading and rememberstretch. And drink water.

Silvenia Stocks and Maidvenia by butts, commissioned by /buttsarts

MouthyMaven (Andrea Parsneau) recording art made by ArtsyNada! She has a server and records live. You knew that, /illudanajohnsCommission /OmNDuK8.jpg

Handshake by Eurayle!

Nanette, Heavy Hat, and Garbichug by jawjee!

The Garbichug is probably accurate buteugh. Its so nasty you need to click on this to see it. And it is nasty. Be warned. Great art, but nasty subject. Id say kill it with acid, but its acid-proof.