A new dawn peeked through the skyline. Roosters and various fauna began their days with hearty crows and chirps. The sun’s rays gently cascaded over the rooftops of the quiet houses.

  Leonardo, back in his original attire, packed his things alongside his new official teammate Evangeline. The two took a deep breath of fresh morning air as they exited the inn and made they way to the town’s gate. It was almost hard to believe that just a week ago, this place had been burned to a crisp. Now, newly built structures decorated the area.

  They took a quick detour to the stables, retrieved Evangline’s steed, and rode to the entrance.

  Standing there was a large, armoured man. His booming voice shattered the mornings peace.

  “BRAVE! Ya sure you have the resolve to conquer this alone, you two?”

  “Master, We’ve made up our mind,” Leonardo Replied.

  “Are you sure there’s not room for one more?” He smirked.

  “The more the me- “ Evangeline began, but Leonardo quickly covered her mouth.

  “We have to have a team meeting. We’ll be right back,” Leonardo would then hunch over, whispering,

  “Can we trust him? What if he’s a spy for your dad…”

  “My dad is highly respected by he doesn’t control the army…”

  “Why would he even want to join us?”

  “Albert really was excited to train you, he was really disappointed when you stopped your lessons. Give him a chance- how else will you practise.”

  Leonardo nodded. The two turned back to the man.

  “I’d be honoured for you to join our party master.” Leonardo said, bowing.

  “Took ya long enough! Where we going to!” Albert bellowed with a hearty laugh.

  That question stumped Leonardo.

  Good Question…

  “West.” Evangeline replied sharply.

  “West, we heading to Millin?” Albert asked.

  “We’re going past there. We’re actually heading to a dungeon nearby there- I think it has what we’re looking for.”

  Albert and Leonardo nodded.

  “Lets get going!” Albert cheered.

  He let out a high-pitched whistle, and a freakishly large grey horse barrelled toward them, stopping just before him. He mounted the beast and ushered the others to follow.

  Evangeline followed on her steed. Together, the three set off into the grasslands of the Demon Wilds.

  The sun’s rays were warm and comforting, balanced by a gentle breeze. The flat ground and clear weather made the ride peaceful.

  After a few hours of travel and rest stops, they reached the border of a magical barrier. As they entered, a wooden signed welcome: Marlon.

  This town's architecture differed from the others—wooden houses, dirt paths, and vibrant flora. The townspeople tended to their gardens with care.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  As the sun began to set, the group took their horses to the stable and checked into a local inn. They dropped off their gear and gathered around a table in the inn’s tavern

  “All that travelling has got me hungry and dying for a drink!”

  “I don’t know if we should be drinking already… this is our first stop.” Evangeline chimed cautiously.

  I never got to drink at a uni party…

  Leonardo kept quiet, though he secretly agreed.

  “Come on the kid just pulled out Caliburn, and look at those eyes, you know he wants to drink”

  He knows me so well…

  Evangeline gave Leonardo a sharp stare. He looked away, guilty.

  The barkeep approached their table, eyes shining with excitement.

  “Is this the Leonardo Welt?”

  Leonardo flinched, barely noticing the barkeep, and nervously raised a hand.

  “Free drinks all night for your table!” the barkeep announced. “Everyone! The hero has arrived—raise your glasses!”

  The tavern erupted with cheers as patrons swarmed Leonardo, barraging him with questions:

  “Can I see your sword?”

  “How old are you?”

  “Will you marry my daughter? My son?”

  Word spread fast. The tavern filled up. Music played. Glasses clinked. The crowd’s attention eventually drifted as they drank more.

  Leonardo, meanwhile, was now arm-in-arm with Albert, drunkenly singing at the top of his lungs. He didn’t know the lyrics and just made up words as he went.

  Evangeline sat at the side, sipping a glass of wine, watching the two. She was worried.

  “Letting everyone know who he is… isn’t safe,” she murmured, feeling oddly left out.”

  Soon, Leonardo stumbled to the bar, where a beautiful young woman approached him. Long red hair. Emerald green eyes.

  “I’m in the presence of a celebrity! It’s an honor to meet THE Leonardo Welt.”

  “Who’s that?” Leonardo asked, squinting.

  “Wait, are you not—?”

  Leonardo burst into laughter.

  “Of course I am! I was just messing with you, love.”

  She giggled, playfully pushing his arm.

  “Stop.”

  “And who am I blessed to meet?” he asked.

  “My name’s Star. But there’s nothing special about me.”

  “Well, I guess you wouldn’t know… since you’re not the one staring at your stunning face.”

  “Not to boast, but… I don’t think my face is my most redeeming feature,” she teased.

  Is this where I think this is going!

  “Oh? What might that be?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to find out…”

  Their eyes locked. They flirted freely. Leonardo, drunk and uninhibited, grew bolder with every word.

  From the corner, Evangeline saw them leaving together. She couldn’t explain why, but something felt wrong—and she followed.

  Now in a private room, Leonardo and Star embraced. She kissed him, pushed him onto the bed. He stripped to his underwear, heart pounding with excitement—and nerves.

  “I need to freshen up,” Star said suddenly. “I have to be my best for THE Leonardo.”

  Leonardo’s limbs felt heavy. The alcohol hit harder. He was too far gone to think clearly.

  Star returned, hands behind her back. Then—with a flash of silver—she pulled a dagger and aimed for his stomach.

  Leonardo yelped and caught her wrist just in time, struggling to hold her back. With a drunken yell, he threw her off and scrambled to the bed’s headboard.

  “Stay back!” he shouted, holding a pillow like a shield.

  The door burst open—Evangeline kicked it down, blue runes swirling around her hand.

  Cornered, the woman hissed:

  “The Order watches all, ‘hero.’ You won’t survive next time.”

  Then she leapt out the window.

  Leonardo stared at Evangeline, nearly naked.

  “This is… embarrassing.”

  She turned around, covering her eyes.

  “Get some clothes on!”

  He threw on his garments.

  “Okay, you can look now. And before you say anything—I’m still waved,” he slurred.

  “How irresponsible are you?! You barely knew her for five minutes and you were already planning to… I won’t even say it! When you’re sober, you’ll hear it from me.”

  As she ranted, Leonardo mockingly made “blah blah blah” noises.

  “You think this is about jealousy?” she snapped. “You could’ve died, Leo.”

  She’d then hurl something at Leonardo’s head before storming off.

  Leonardo would quickly catch the object, noticing it was a small vial and drank it without thinking. His mind cleared, but exhaustion hit him like a brick.

  “…The Order…” he murmured as he stumbled back downstairs.

  Albert and Evangeline were at the door with all their gear.

  “What’s going on?” Leonardo asked, eyes half-closed.

  “I’ll explain tomorrow,” Albert said. “Just know this—if The Order’s on our trail, we’ll need more than swords.”

  Leonardo nodded, taking his things. Evangeline mounted her horse in silence. Albert helped Leonardo onto his own.

  They rode toward a quiet tree line just inside the town’s barrier. Leonardo didn’t even make it to unpacking—he collapsed into sleep.

  As Leonardo slept beneath the rustling leaves, his dreams were clouded by shadows—red eyes, silver blades, and the haunting words: “The Order watches all.” The world had welcomed him with cheers, but now it whispered warnings in the dark. His journey had only just begun, and already the weight of being a hero threatened to crush him.

  But for now, under the fading glow of a blood-orange moon, he rested—unaware of the trials, the betrayals, and the choices that would test whether he truly was... worthy.