Elemental Blitz

25

Rael sat on a familiar hill overlooking Assex, the small, unremarkable village that had shaped his early years. The scent of salt from the southern coast mingled with the fresh air, and for a moment, it felt like he could almost pretend the world wasn’t tearing itself apart. The Hydra Armor weighed heavy on his shoulders, both a reminder of who he had become and the brutal path he had chosen. After the c*****e he had wrought, after sending demons screaming back to the Rift and tearing the Azure Sky fortress to pieces, he figured a little peace and quiet wouldn’t kill him.

For a week, Rael had done what he never expected to—manual labor. No magic. No swords. No blood. Just his hands, helping the people of Assex rebuild a crumbling barn or fixing some broken fences. The townsfolk didn’t ask him about the black aura or the faint shadows that lingered in his wake. They just gave him the usual nods and quiet greetings, like he hadn’t just singlehandedly destroyed a fortress a few days ago. It was a strange feeling—almost normal. But it couldn’t last, and he knew it.

His peace was shattered one morning when they began arriving. Not one or two travelers—dozens. Then, hundreds.

At first, Rael wasn’t sure what to make of it. A ragtag group of rebels, mercenaries, and other wandering souls who had heard whispers of what he’d done. They gathered at the edges of Assex, camping out in fields, waiting for something—anything.

The strangest of all were the familiar faces. Vynn Telder, the overeager Magi recruit from the Masonford Academy, strolled in as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Rael!” Vynn waved enthusiastically. “You look… different, man.”

Rael narrowed his eyes, glancing at the young recruit’s sword. “And you’re still annoying.”

Behind Vynn, a group of former Academy students followed, armed and armored. At their head was Captain Raslyn Olysia, the fierce woman who had once been his non-magical combat instructor. Her eyes were sharp as ever, but something had changed in her, too.

“Rael,” she said simply, looking him up and down, her gaze lingering on the Shadow Edge. “We’ve come to join you.”

Rael blinked, stunned. “Join me? Why the hell would you want to do that?”

Raslyn shrugged. “Because the Academy’s full of bureaucratic idiots. We don’t fit in anymore. You’ve made a name for yourself, Rael. People are talking about you—how you’re fighting back. We want to fight with you.”

Rael looked at the growing crowd behind them—mercenaries, rogue Magi, former soldiers. They all stared at him expectantly.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Rael held up a hand. “You people actually think I’m your leader? I’m not running a rebellion here.”

Vynn grinned, slapping Rael on the shoulder. “Come on, man. Whether you like it or not, you kinda are.”

Rael stared at him, baffled. He wasn’t a leader. He didn’t want to be. But as the days went by, more people came. Some were old acquaintances, others were complete strangers, but they all had one thing in common—they were looking to him.

It became impossible to ignore. He found himself issuing orders, directing them to settle around Assex. Then, reluctantly, he asked Raslyn to form a town guard. She grinned like a kid with a new toy, immediately taking to her role as Sheriff of Assex. His father would approve of her. Rael also formed the Assex Council, a group of sober individuals to take care of ruling while he was away and, if he is honest, while he was there. He is content with making final decisions, but he isn't one for spending hours in a chamber arguing over where to put the new well. He named Vynn as leader of the council after seeing his diplomatic skills in action during a heated argument between farmers, which was about to spark a full-on riot.

Meanwhile, Rael used his powers to expand the village. In mere days, homes sprang from the earth, stone walls grew tall, and watchtowers pierced the sky. Assex became something more than a village—it became a freehold, separate from the Kiston Kingdom, protected by Rael’s Elemental Blitz and the soldiers who flocked to him, who Razlyn turned into a proper town guard with her usual brisk command and training style. Knowing that what he was going to do next would earn the ire of the king and his council, Rael increased the number of elemental constructs around Assex. He makes a few hundred of all shapes and sizes that roam the outskirts during the day and move through the streets at night, always looking for threats to their charges. If any are found, they dont remain alive enough to be threats for long.

It was only a matter of time before the Kiston Kingdom took notice. So, Rael sent them a notice of his own—a simple letter addressed to the capital of the Kiston Kingdom, Torvallis. It was both a declaration and a warning. Assex was free, and anyone who threatened that freedom would be dealt with.

He wasn’t playing games anymore.