[BustyPlot: HE'S BACKKK!~ 🙊🙈
Jerked_Chicken_Invasion: Bro's finally come out of hiding 😶🌫️
NotYourRealMom: Who said he was hiding? Unlike you, some of us actually have a life outside or hunting field bosses… or even playing the game.
Meme-Central: Damn straight! I've been stuck on this dumb quest for weeks! Wish I could hunt some field bosses for a change (though I'd probably turn grey before I even find one). Anyone know the way to the sunken city? Pm me plz! 🥹
RadiantKnight: It couldn't have been easy taking down all those players by himself last time. And having gone live, I bet Haxks is on everyone's radar right now, not to mention their hit-list. Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't rage-quit the game already.
PlotDevice: Man, that fight was epic as fudge! Need me some more 'a dat in my life! 🤯🥴
404NotFound: Anyone know where the Armored Arachnid spawns? I've got a score to settle with that motherf-er Haxks. I just went to watch the fight, and he still killed me. Someone even snatched my damn bow! 😡🤬
GigaYeeter: Can you really blame the poor guy? Everyone was out to get him right and left. If I was in his shoes, I would've killed you too 😒🥱
RespawnReject: That field boss spawns northeast of Lunarel. Gl pinning it down though. Oh, and if you're out to get Haxks, you may want to hurry 🤷♂️
LootLurker: Say what now?
CritOrQuit: @RespawnReject: Is this an episode of Cliff Hanger from Between the Lions or what? Spill it! Don't keep us hanging man!
BuffMePls: What's haxks still doing in that shoddy region of the game? Is he a masochist or wut?
McNerfed: Apparently there's been rumors on the community boards about an alliance between guilds to spawn-kill haxks until he spills the beans or becomes their meat shield and/or human-radar.
LaggedOut: You losers could've fooled me. Bet you're just tryin' to suck up to Haxks so he'll lead you to Field Bosses. You turds are a dime a dozen.
AFKBandit: Damn, to think the guilds would go this hard for just one guy… or gal. What if Haxks is a chick in real life? Hell, I wonder if she's hot 😍🍑💦😛
UninstallPlz: Listen to this thirsty mofo! Hey buddy, I think you mistyped you-know-what-hub by a large margin. You're on the wrong site 🤡🤡
Shaved_Tunchie: @AFKBandit: Or it's a trap. The game doesn't allow you to change your gender unless you "identify" as the opposite sex, remember?
GlitchMaster: All hail Haxks, the chosen one! His power is our salvation, his will is our destiny. We are nothing without him—his path is the only truth! #HaxksIsOurSavior #BowToTheChosen #HackingKing
ClutchKing: Oh, here we go—more Haxks cultists crawling out of the woodwork. Can't believe this is a thing.
TrollKing: @ClutchKing: Careful what you say, or you might just land yourself on their hit-list.
SweatyPalms: @McNerfed: These guilds should seriously be ashamed of themselves. I can't believe they're mobilizing such a massive force for just one guy. Just how shallow can you get?
OneTapWonder: They should mobilize that massive force to plvl me because God knows I need it 😅😁
BigKahuna: Sounds to me like shit's about to get heated again! Can't wait! Gonna be seriously epic 🤗😝
BuffMePls: I'm rootin' for mah man Haxks! Hope he rips them all a new one! Feels like he's out here fightin' for us noobs who keep getting bullied by those narcissistic rankers 🤬🤮
LootLurker: Whatever the case, storm clouds are definitely gathering. I think we're in for another unbelievable show.]
***
The wind carried a biting chill, yet the first whispers of spring stirred in the air, rustling the stubborn leaves of the great tree overlooking a spring. North of Lunarel, where the land remained untouched by the chaos of the city, two knights knelt before three freshly laid graves.
Leopold's plated gauntlets clenched into fists against his thighs. His head was bowed, but his sharp eyes lingered on the tombstones, each name carved with care.
Alaric Netherwyn Beaumont
Rosalind Theodosia Beaumont
Elias Lucian Beaumont
Beside Leopold, Blazin also knelt, his heavy armor groaning with every movement. Then silence blanketed them. The stillness was suffocating. The former lieutenant was the first to break it. His voice was hoarse and thick with restrained emotion.
"This isn't right, Commander." He swallowed hard, staring at the freshly turned earth. "Lord Alaric deserved better than this. Hell, they all did."
Leopold exhaled sharply through his nose. His fingers twitched, aching to reach for his sword, though there was no enemy to cut down.
"You're right," he admitted dejectedly. "We failed them." The words burned as they left his lips. "We were supposed to protect him… and yet, here we are… burying him instead. There is no greater failure to a knight than the murder of their lord."
Blazin let out a bitter chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I keep telling myself there was nothing we could've done. That it was out of our hands. But deep down, I know that's a damn lie." His jaw tightened. "I know this wasn't some indiscriminate act of violence. I know some noble bastard had his hands in this."
Leopold's grip on his gauntlets tightened. "And I'll find out who," he muttered sternly, even as the image of Ignatius Pembroke manifested at the forefront of his mind.
Suddenly, the image started smoldering at the edges until it was completely incinerated. Then his mind reeled back to a memory—one that had remained untouched until now.
The rolling landscapes of Zorno stretched endlessly before them, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Leopold stood beside Alaric on a hill, both men silent as they watched the wind ripple through the fields below. Then Alaric spoke, his tone carrying a rare melancholy.
"…Do you ever feel like you're in chains, Leopold?"
The man blinked, glancing at his lord quizzically. "Chains, my lord?"
Alaric smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Being a noble—it gives you wealth, power, influence. But it also binds you." His gaze was distant, lost in thought. "I could have anything I desire, yet I do not feel free. What good is gold if I cannot work alongside my people? What use is power if I cannot use it to help those who trust me?"
Leopold hesitated. He had never met a noble quite like Alaric before—a man who defied the very system that had given him his status.
The pensive lord exhaled, clasping his hands behind his back. "When a man dies, his titles, his wealth—everything he hoarded in life—vanishes. But memories… memories remain." He turned to Leopold then, his gaze steady. "To be truly eternal is to be remembered in the hearts of others. That is what matters most, not power, not riches—but the bonds we forge, the good we do."
Leopold felt his chest tighten. "And you've done plenty of good, my lord."
Alaric chuckled, shaking his head. "Not enough. But I intend to keep trying."
The memory faded, leaving a hollow ache in Leopold's chest. His lord had been right. In the end, all that remained was the memory of the life lived.
He took a slow breath, his eyes burning as he looked at the tombstone once more. "I will not let your name be forgotten, my lord. Nor yours, Lady Rosalind. Nor yours, little Elias."
Blazin placed a hand on the grave, bowing his head. "We'll keep your memory alive, Lord Alaric. We swear it."
***
When they both returned to the city gates, a heavy silence followed before Blazin let out a sigh. He hesitated before turning to Leopold. "Commander… this is where we part ways."
The man looked up, his brows furrowing.
Blazin rubbed the back of his neck, a weary smile tugging at his lips. "As I've mentioned before, without Lord Alaric, there isn't much left for me in knighthood. I've spent years swinging a sword, but…" His smile faltered, and he exhaled softly. "I've got siblings, y'know? I want to be there for them. I want to build a home for them. To be more than just a man with a blade."
Leopold felt a pang in his chest. The man had fought beside him through countless battles, had been a steadfast brother-in-arms. But he understood.
Leopold extended a gauntleted hand with a faint smile. "Then go. Build that home. Pursue your dream as a craftsman. Be happy, Blazin."
The former lieutenant grasped his hand firmly, his grip strong and unwavering. "You too, Commander. I hope… I hope you find the bastard who did this. And I hope you find peace too."
Leopold gave a small nod. "Farewell, old friend."
Blazin lingered for a moment before stepping away, his armored boots clinking against the cobblestone streets. He didn't look back.
Leopold remained, his gaze drifting off into the cityscape. "Rest easy, my lord. I'll carry your memory with me. Always."
And with that, he turned, stepping into the city's embrace—one step closer to vengeance.