The night sky blanketed the mountains as two weary figures limped toward an old wooden house on the hillside. Their steps were heavy, clothes tattered, bodies covered in bruises and scrapes. Sylveras and Elara walked in silence, barely able to stay upright against the evening wind.
For a full month, they had gone back and forth to the golem's cave—fighting, losing, returning, and trying again. Today, at last, they won.
Gorion opened the door with a wide smile and raised hand."Congratulations! You've defeated my golem!" he exclaimed proudly.
The two only gave a faint nod, expressionless. There was no strength left to respond. Even saying "thank you" felt like a chore.
"Come in. Clean yourselves up. I've prepared a special reward."
They entered the house, welcomed by warmth, but their injuries made even comfort feel like needles. Without speaking, Sylveras headed to his bathroom, Elara to hers. They cleaned themselves separately, wincing with every touch. The warm water, usually pleasant, now felt like a slap against their wounded skin.
Their mana was completely depleted. No energy left to cast healing spells, not even for each other.
After dressing, they came down to the dining room. On the table were two small plates. Upon each lay an oval-shaped egg, bluish pearl in color, with a faint crystal-like sheen.
"What's this?" Sylveras asked weakly.
"Bardfish egg," Gorion replied casually. "Your reward."
Elara frowned. "Bardfish? Like some kind of catfish?"
"Far from it!" Gorion laughed. "Bardfish only appear once a year, in the sacred river near the capital. These fish can… sing. Beautifully. They lay eggs on full moon nights, and only fifty may be taken according to royal law."
Sylveras blinked. "I've only ever caught tilapia and gobies in the village stream."
"Bardfish are protected. The king restricts their harvest. Anyone caught stealing or selling them without permission is imprisoned." Gorion explained as he sat. "Of the fifty eggs, fourteen go to the Magic Council—two each. The rest are divided: six to the royal family, ten to royal staff, ten for the public via lottery, and ten are auctioned. One egg can fetch between 80,000 to 120,000 gurtz."
Elara nearly choked. "T-that expensive?!"
"So don't spill it," Gorion smiled. "This is my last one."
They each swallowed the bardfish egg carefully. It was soft, like a blend of salmon roe and honey, with a fresh aroma that defied explanation.
Moments later, their bodies reacted. Wounds shrank, pain faded, and mana began pulsing again. Their breathing lightened, and the dizziness lifted.
"This… is amazing…" Elara whispered.
"It's said bardfish are blessed by the god Poseidon himself," Gorion said while brewing tea. "A rare food for true fighters. And tonight, you deserve it."
They sat in silence for a moment. But that peace was soon disrupted when Gorion stood and raised his staff.
"I want to introduce you to someone."
"Who?" Sylveras asked suspiciously.
A blue light radiated from Gorion's staff. The air in the room trembled, and from the floor rose a semi-transparent figure—tall and slender, like a long-haired man cloaked in mist, with softly glowing eyes.
"I am the Guardian of this Mountain," said the spirit in a calm voice. He bowed politely to Elara. "Warm greetings, Lady Elara."
Elara bowed awkwardly, while Sylveras narrowed his eyes."Hey, why does she get a 'Lady' title? Where's my 'Lord Sylveras'?"
"Oh, my apologies," the spirit replied with a sly grin. "She simply looks so graceful and lovely, it's only nat—"
"Stop!" Sylveras snapped. "You're not a mountain guardian—you're a pervy ghost!"
Gorion burst into laughter. "He's just teasing. But his power is equal to three hundred human soldiers."
Sylveras grumbled. "Funny. But if he tries anything with Elara, I'll take him down myself!"
The spirit chuckled. "Well, try it… tomorrow."
Elara paled. "W-what do you mean… tomorrow?"
Gorion raised a calming hand. "Relax, Elara. He's only joking. You'll be training to face the mountain spirits. He's the first."
Elara still looked tense, but eventually nodded. Sylveras leaned back in his chair, still eyeing the spirit with suspicion.
"And for your information," Gorion added, "there are three mountain spirits here. This one—"(Gorion pointed to the sly spirit)"—is named Mirtagos, spirit of wild air. He's annoying, a bit of a pervert, but incredibly powerful."
"Tomorrow," Mirtagos whispered while glancing at Elara with a playful smile. Sylveras shot him a sharp glare.
Gorion continued, "After Mirtagos, you'll face Yur'gan, spirit of stone and fire. He's angry, short-tempered, and battle-hungry. Equal to five hundred soldiers."
"And last—if you survive—Niveus, spirit of light. Calm, perfectionist, and very polite. He dislikes combat but wants to help you grow. His power equals a thousand troops."
"Why's the polite one last?" Sylveras muttered.
"Because the hardest challenge isn't fighting—but conquering your own confidence," Gorion replied wisely.
Elara took a deep breath. "I hope the third spirit isn't pervy too."
Mirtagos laughed loudly. "Unfortunately not. But he's boring."
"And you're annoying," Sylveras snapped back.
"Alright, alright," Gorion cut in with a smile. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
With their bodies now healing, the two returned to their rooms. Elara still trembled slightly, while Sylveras remained alert, making sure the windows were locked—as if afraid that creepy spirit might sneak in.
Outside, the mountain wind whispered—heralding the start of a new, more dangerous trial, yet one full of potential.