Chapter 2: The Cursed Relic

The northern border was unlike the peaceful lands surrounding the Kingdom of Elaria.

Dark clouds hung over the mountains as countless magical beasts gathered beneath the rocky cliffs. Their growls echoed across the valley, shaking the ground beneath the soldiers' feet.

Sir Kael stood at the front of the royal army, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Behind him stood two battle mages from the Royal Mage Tower, along with hundreds of soldiers ready for battle.

One of the mages stepped forward.

"Sir Kael, our barriers are prepared."

The other nodded.

"We'll heal the wounded. You focus on leading the attack."

Kael drew his sword.

"Advance!"

The valley erupted into chaos.

Beasts charged from every direction, their claws crashing against the shimmering barriers raised by the mages. Soldiers fought bravely while healing spells flashed across the battlefield.

Kael moved like a storm.

With every swing of his sword, another beast fell.

No matter how fiercely they attacked, none could break through his defense.

Soon, only the largest beast remained.

It roared loud enough to shake the mountains before lunging toward Kael.

Kael leaped into the air.

With one powerful strike, his sword cut through the beast's magic.

The creature let out one final cry before collapsing to the ground.

Silence filled the battlefield.

"We've won!"

Cheers erupted from the soldiers.

The battle was over.

As the army treated the wounded, several knights searched the beasts' territory to ensure nothing dangerous remained.

"Sir Kael!" one young knight shouted.

"I found something!"

He carefully carried an old stone relic covered in strange carvings.

"It was buried beneath the beasts' nest."

Kael examined it.

"It doesn't look like anything special."

He reached out and took the relic.

The moment his fingers touched its surface...

The ancient carvings began glowing.

A deep crimson light burst from the relic.

Dark markings spread across Kael's arm like creeping vines.

His breathing became heavy.

His sword slipped from his hand.

"...Sir Kael?"

He dropped to one knee.

Everything around him became blurry.

His strength disappeared as though it had been pulled from his body.

The relic slipped from his hand and fell onto the ground, its glow fading as quickly as it had appeared.

The two battle mages rushed toward him.

"Healing magic!"

Golden light surrounded Kael.

Nothing happened.

Another mage tried a purification spell.

Still nothing.

The senior battle mage frowned.

"...Stop."

The others looked at him.

"This isn't an injury."

He gently examined the black markings.

"...It's an ancient curse."

"Healing magic cannot remove it."

The soldiers exchanged worried glances.

"What do we do now?"

The senior mage stood.

"The mission is complete."

"We return to the capital immediately."

No one argued.

The relic was carefully sealed inside an enchanted chest while Kael was helped onto his horse.

Though he remained awake, he looked noticeably weaker than before.

---

By the time they reached the capital, word of their victory had already spread.

People lined the streets with flowers and banners.

"Our heroes have returned!"

"Long live Sir Kael!"

The celebration quickly faded.

The crowd fell silent as they noticed Kael struggling to remain seated on his horse.

The king hurried down the palace steps.

"What happened?"

The senior battle mage bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty... Sir Kael has been cursed."

He explained everything that had happened.

The king's expression darkened.

"Take him to the Royal Mage Tower immediately."

---

As Kael was escorted through the city, he looked toward the tower in the distance.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"...I hope that troublesome young mage isn't there."

---

Inside the Royal Mage Tower...

"...This time it'll definitely work."

Eli stood in the middle of his workshop, confidently pointing his wand toward a small crystal.

"Just a tiny spell..."

He flicked his wand.

Instead of the crystal glowing...

A burst of blue fire shot upward.

The nearby curtain instantly caught fire.

"...Uh-oh."

Apprentices scrambled to grab buckets of water.

Before anyone could panic further, Senior Mage Orion entered the room.

With a simple wave of his staff, the flames disappeared.

He slowly turned toward Eli.

"Eli."

"...Yes, Senior?"

"My office."

"...Right now."

Before Eli could apologize...

The tower doors burst open.

"Senior Orion!"

A royal guard rushed inside.

"Sir Kael has returned! He's been cursed!"

Orion's expression immediately became serious.

"Take me to him."

---

Kael was laid on a bed inside one of the tower's examination rooms.

Orion carefully inspected the black markings spreading across his arm.

He remained silent for several moments.

Finally, he stepped back.

"This curse..."

"I've only read about it in ancient records."

The room became silent.

"Can you remove it?" the king asked.

Orion slowly shook his head.

"No."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"There is only one place that may hold the knowledge to break this curse."

"The Hidden Village of Ancient Mages."

Several people exchanged confused looks.

"I've never heard of such a place."

"Because very few have."

Orion folded his arms.

"It has remained hidden from the outside world for centuries."

"No map shows its location."

"No traveler has ever found it."

"And even if we wished to search for it..."

"We wouldn't know where to begin."

Silence.

Then...

"...Actually..."

Everyone turned toward the doorway.

Eli stood there, raising his hand awkwardly.

"I know where it is."

Orion blinked.

"...You do?"

Eli scratched the back of his head.

"...Because that's where I was born."

The room fell completely silent.

Kael slowly looked at the same clumsy young mage who had turned his horse pink only days ago.

"...You?"

Eli smiled sheepishly.

"I guess..."

"Our first meeting wasn't our last after all."

Outside the tower, the evening breeze gently rustled the trees.

Neither Kael nor Eli realized that this unexpected reunion was about to lead them on a journey that would change both of their lives forever.

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