"Pull it up slightly to the left—no, your left—STOP! That's perfect!"
Merchant Sun Tzu smiled as the sign outside the tavern now hung like a flag. This would show that the store was finally open for business.
"I'll leave the rest of the work to you, Puff," he said, and walked toward the tavern door.
"You can leave it all to me, Master Sun Tzu," Puff replied, scribbling through his little book.
Maeyon City, capital of the Alliance, thrived with people from every corner of the Ancient Realm. A three-foot monkey with four hands, Puff did not stand out in the crowd; Beastfolk from the Fae Continent also filled the busy streets.
Merchant Sun Tzu entered the inn with a cheerful gait. This would be the center of his trade operations—and his base for recruiting guild members.
"You've been very busy, I suppose?"
Grand Wizard Caled greeted him at the bar, already drinking the wine served by Vor, the innkeeper.
"Would you like me to prepare something to eat or drink, Master Sun Tzu?" Vor asked.
Sun Tzu smiled at him. "Yes, please, Master Vor. I'll have the same drink as our first guest."
Vor bowed and left to prepare the drink.
"Do you have another bargain to offer, Grand Wizard Caled?" Sun Tzu asked as he sat beside him.
"Peace, Kuro. No need for formality when we are in private. Just call me Caled." The wizard's tone was warm, almost amused. Then he remembered something and drew out a small sack from his robe, setting it on the counter with a muted thump. "The Guild's one-time funding, from the Alliance Treasury. Spend it well. You'll need to hire a battalion of adventurers to secure your designated fortress on the Gallan Wall."
Sun Tzu studied the heavy sack of gold.
Vor returned with his drink.
"Vor, take this stash to Ava," Sun Tzu said. "Then gather them here. I want a meeting."
"As you command, my lord." Vor lifted the gold and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Anything else I can do for you?" Sun Tzu asked the wizard.
"A couple of things." Caled smiled faintly. "I'd like to join this meeting. And I'd also like to see the kingdom you're building in the Never Day." He savored another sip of wine.
Sun Tzu arched a brow. "Aren't there important matters you ought to be attending?"
Caled's smile deepened. "Hmm? Oh, this is the important matter. This—right here."
Vor soon returned, leading three people. "I've gathered them, my lord."
"That was fast," Caled mumbled into his cup.
"Your private room is ready, my lord," Vor said, guiding them upstairs to a chamber overlooking the bustling city of Maeyon.
As they ascended, Sun Tzu whispered sharply, his gaze flicking behind them to ensure no one overheard. "I don't appreciate being pried into, Caled. You may be strong, but don't back me into a corner—you won't see me coming."
"I'm not here to pry, Kuro. Nor am I here to fight," the wizard replied, brushing aside the threat with an easy smile. "I'm here out of curiosity… and perhaps to teach you a trick or two."
Sun Tzu pondered this in silence as they reached the chamber. Inside, he waved his hand, and the others vanished—leaving only himself and Caled.
"Talk is cheap, Merlin. What can you teach me?" he asked, irritation sharpening his voice.
The wizard studied him, smile never leaving his lips. "Very well." He straightened. "You are a MagalaN. Are you aware of that?"
"That name means nothing to me. You dragged me to this world and tried to enslave me," Sun Tzu snapped, anger simmering.
Caled exhaled with quiet frustration. "It was necessary—both yes and no. If you cannot yet understand why, then you're not ready. But that is not today's lesson." He raised a hand to forestall the outburst. "I will be your advisor, your guide, your teacher."
"And if I tell you I don't need your teaching?" Sun Tzu asked coldly.
"A MagalaN is a servant of this realm, Kuro—not its master. To ignore this truth will lead only to disaster. And you… you are a MagalaN. A dark MagalaN. The first of your kind. I summoned you because this world needs you. You shall serve this realm."
For the first time, Sun Tzu saw the wizard's serious side. Yet his own defiance only grew. He had always hated bullies—those who forced their will on others.
"I am not your puppet," he hissed. "I am a Conqueror. A Destroyer. I am a Dark Lord!"
The wizard's grin widened, almost delighted. "Yes! You are! A Dark Lord MagalaN!" He raised his hand.
"A MagalaN's strength is measured by the creature summoned at birth. So tell me—how strong are you, Dark MagalaN?"
Sun Tzu felt the hairs rise on his neck as Caled's power surged.
"How mighty are you, Kuro Hashimoto—Bridge of the Shadow?" Caled's voice thundered, shaking the air.
Sun Tzu's Dominion erupted unbidden. Shadows consumed the chamber.
"I don't want a fight, Merlin!" Sun Tzu warned. "You're in my Dominion. You don't want this fight."
"Answer me, young one!" Caled's face twisted with mad glee. His hand flared, unleashing a beam of fire that struck Sun Tzu square in the chest.
Sun Tzu staggered under the blast, smoke rising from his burned robes. Shadows coiled around him as he rose. His voice was low, steady. "Very… powerful."
Then he vanished.
Laughter rang from the wizard as Sun Tzu reappeared behind him—clad in full battle armor, helm, shield, and sword.
The Dark Lord attacked in a storm of slashes and shield-bashes, but each strike crashed against an invisible wall, sparks flying.
"This is my Domain!" Sun Tzu roared. The world twisted around them—they fought across oceans, mountaintops, deserts, firefields, and ice plains. Yet always, the wizard's defense held. Until—suddenly—the world became void.
They floated in nothingness. The abyss yawned beneath them.
The wizard laughed as it began to drag him down.
In the blink of an eye, they were back at the tavern. Both sat at the bar once more. Caled giggled as he sipped his wine. The sack of gold still lay on the counter. Vor returned from the kitchen with Sun Tzu's drink as if nothing had happened.
Caled stood, brushing off his robe. "That will be the end of our lesson for today, Kuro." He turned toward the door.
"What lesson?" Sun Tzu asked, still stunned.
Caled paused, smiling mysteriously. "Where is your creature, Dark MagalaN?"
And with that, he vanished from the street.