ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 182: AN OLD FRIEND

Castaneda’s expression suddenly softened slightly as he stood up from his meditative pose and took in the hazy figure before him, the shadows shifting just enough to reveal familiar features beneath the veil—a wiry man with keen, piercing eyes and a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. The figure gave a scoff, crossing his arms as he looked Castaneda over.

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"Marel," Castaneda murmured, a hint of surprise crossing his otherwise composed face.

"Surprised it’s me?" Marel replied with a raised brow, his voice losing its edge as he spoke in a familiar tone. "I’d be surprised too, considering how many times I’ve called for you over the years. Thought you might finally come by. Just once." His words held a mix of disappointment and an old camaraderie that had been left to linger too long.

A shadow of guilt flickered in Castaneda’s gaze, though his calm tone remained. "I never forgot, Marel. Duty—well, it can be a binding thing."

Marel gave a small, dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Duty. Of course, it’s always duty with you. But I didn’t come to discuss old excuses." He paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Castaneda. "You owe me one visit, Castaneda. Just a simple promise. And it’s been years."

The chancellor was silent, feeling the weight of the words. It was true that Marel had once asked him to come to his dwelling, a place secluded deep within the forests where secrets of old magic thrived. Castaneda had made the promise, thinking it would be a brief detour in his life’s work. But time had slipped by in the tides of responsibility, and Marel’s request had become another forgotten relic of his past.

Finally, Castaneda inclined his head. "You’re right. A promise delayed is a debt unpaid. I should have visited."

Marel’s smirk softened, his eyes holding a strange, almost knowing glint. "Then let’s not leave it any longer. You’ll come, yes? I’m not getting any younger."

A faint smile ghosted across Castaneda’s lips, rare and nostalgic. "Consider it done."

And right after, Marel tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the horizon beyond the temple walls. "I can sense something… off. A dark presence lurking just outside your precious academy grounds. What are you waiting for, Castaneda?"

The chancellor closed his eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath before replying. "That’s precisely why I’m meditating here, Marel. This presence—it’s cunning. Moving in subtle waves, waiting for a sign of vulnerability. I can’t afford to leave this to chance."

A gleam of eagerness flashed in Marel’s eyes. "So let’s go knock some respect into it." He crossed his arms, giving Castaneda a look that was part challenge, part invitation. "Just like old times."

Castaneda raised an eyebrow, knowing Marel’s penchant for direct action and his skill in dealing with troublesome threats. Still, he felt a tug of reluctance, bound by his usual patience and strategy. "Marel… I’m no longer as free-spirited as I was back then. There’s protocol, and—"

"Oh, come on, Castaneda," Marel interrupted, shaking his head with a bemused sigh. "When was the last time you put protocol aside and handled things yourself?" He leaned in, his smirk widening. "Don’t you think your students would be thrilled to see their wise chancellor take a stand?"

Castaneda hesitated, his instincts still favoring a watchful approach. But as he met Marel’s expectant gaze, he felt a strange warmth in his chest—a reminder of the countless times they had ventured out together, defying obstacles and facing unknowns. Those were simpler times, times that didn’t seem weighed down by the responsibilities of an entire academy.

The chancellor finally gave a slight nod. "Fine, Marel. Just this once."

Marel’s grin was immediate, filled with the mischievous satisfaction of a man who had won an old argument. "Attaboy, Castaneda. Let’s give them a lesson they won’t soon forget."

And In an instant, Castaneda and Marel vanished from the temple’s sanctum, reappearing in a darkened clearing at the edge of Eldoria. Before them stood three elderly figures—elders of the Dragonyx family—each cloaked in shadows, faces hidden by dark hoods that allowed only their piercing eyes to glint through. They had clearly not expected to be intercepted, and the shock in their expressions showed it.

One of the elders scowled, his gaze darting around, as if trying to understand how they had been discovered. Marel crossed his arms, a mocking smile on his face. "Really, gentlemen? It seems age is finally catching up with you," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You should’ve retired by now, enjoyed whatever life you had left. But since you seem so intent on lingering in your shadows…" He tilted his head, his smirk turning sinister. "Allow us to put you to rest."

Before the elders could respond, the air grew heavy with power. Castaneda extended a hand, and a surge of wind magic rippled out from him, sweeping across the clearing in an invisible storm. The atmosphere grew charged as he unleashed his Wind Domain, a vortex of controlled power that whipped around him, pushing back the shadows the elders had called forth.

"You…" one of the Dragonyx elders hissed, realization flashing in his eyes. "The Wind Mage."

The other elder scoffed. "The famed Castaneda and his little fire-monger friend. Let’s see if your reputation still holds up." But there was a tremor in his voice, betraying his unease.

Marel merely chuckled, lifting one hand as fire blossomed in his palm, flickering between red and blue. His mana surged, mingling with Castaneda’s, creating a blaze that danced within the wind, both fire and frost swirling in perfect harmony. "Shall we?" he murmured to Castaneda.

In silent agreement, they unleashed their combined might. Castaneda’s Wind Domain surged forward, compressing the air around the elders, limiting their movement. The Dragonyx elders, adept in shadows and assassinations, tried to meld into the darkness, their forms flickering as they attempted to evade the onslaught. But Marel was ready; with a flick of his wrist, icicles materialized in the air, freezing their shadows in place.

Trapped, the elders lashed out, casting bolts of darkness in quick succession, each attack slashing through the air with lethal precision. Yet their attacks were nullified before reaching their targets as Castaneda’s wind twisted and coiled, redirecting each strike back towards the source. Marel, seizing the moment, cast a wave of searing blue flames that shattered the icy barrier, creating a scorching hail of frost and fire that forced the Dragonyx elders into a desperate retreat.

"Enough of this!" the eldest hissed, his voice carrying a raw edge of fear. He chanted in a low, guttural language, summoning a swirling black mist that seeped into the ground, re-emerging as shadowy tendrils clawing towards Castaneda and Marel.

But Castaneda was ready. With a swift motion, he summoned a vortex of wind, dispersing the tendrils before they could reach him. Marel followed with a blast of frost, freezing the dark mist solid, then shattered it with a burst of flames. Together, their magic created a relentless assault, their synergy making it impossible for the elders to gain a foothold.

Finally, as the last remnants of darkness dissolved, the elders staggered, weakened and defeated. Castaneda stepped forward, his voice calm but resonant. "The Dragonyx may have once held sway in the shadows, but your time has passed."

With a final, decisive sweep of his hand, Castaneda’s wind swirled around the elders, consuming them in a storm that dissolved their forms into the air. Marel watched with a satisfied smile, his eyes glinting with fierce pride.

When the wind settled and silence fell, Marel clapped a hand on Castaneda’s shoulder. "Just like old times, eh?"

Castaneda, breathing calmly, allowed himself a faint smile. "Yes, Marel. Just like old times."

As the air grew still in the aftermath of their battle, Marel turned to Castaneda, an intrigued expression crossing his face. "But tell me," he said, his tone sharp, "why would anyone from the tyrannical Dragonyx family come all the way here, skulking around in the shadows just to mess with you?"

Castaneda’s gaze drifted into the distance, his face contemplative. "It’s not me they were after, not directly." He paused, letting the tension settle. "The Blade of Eternity... it’s been found—and it now has a new master."

Marel’s eyes widened, a flicker of shock breaking through his composed demeanor. "The Blade of Eternity?" he repeated, his voice low with awe. "It’s truly resurfaced? And what’s more, it’s chosen a master?" He gave a slight shake of his head, trying to comprehend. "Who could be formidable enough to earn the acknowledgment of such a legendary weapon?"

A proud smile played on Castaneda’s face, and a glint of pride shone in his eyes. "It’s none other than a student of my Academy," he said, his voice resonant. "His name is Kaelen."

"Kaelen…" Marel echoed, clearly still processing the information. He raised an eyebrow, a spark of curiosity flashing in his gaze. "You mean to tell me that some young student managed to achieve what countless warriors and mages have dreamed of for centuries?"

Castaneda nodded, his smile widening. "Indeed. Kaelen is no ordinary student. He possesses a determination and resilience beyond his years, as well as an intuition for magic that borders on prodigious. The Blade of Eternity itself saw this in him."

Marel looked away, a chuckle escaping him as he absorbed the weight of Castaneda’s words. "You’ve always been lucky, Castaneda, drawing in these rare talents. But this... this is beyond luck." He gave Castaneda a sidelong glance, admiration clear in his gaze. "How is it that you always find yourself at the heart of legends?"

"Perhaps it’s simply destiny," Castaneda replied with a light shrug, though a flicker of concern lingered in his eyes. "But that destiny comes at a price. The Dragonyx family and others will not stop. They will come for him—and for the blade. But Kaelen is strong, and with proper guidance, he may become the kind of legend even they dare not challenge."

Marel placed a reassuring hand on Castaneda’s shoulder. "Then let us ensure he has every chance to become that legend."