Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.96Please respect copyright.PENANANHtKZIDh62
96Please respect copyright.PENANAaQCa72h6sW
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."96Please respect copyright.PENANAVfKw3wWyYQ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAsz6CulZAUf
Cel moved to the indicated spot, boots crunching against packed earth. Owen took position opposite him, rolling his shoulders with the ease of someone who'd done this countless times.96Please respect copyright.PENANA9vbeADiWOW
96Please respect copyright.PENANAEZOYslyF4k
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."96Please respect copyright.PENANA70BRucs5np
96Please respect copyright.PENANAIYK5ZjGSuc
He paused, letting that sink in.96Please respect copyright.PENANATC8SyAPPiV
96Please respect copyright.PENANAZOpcYe7KFj
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."96Please respect copyright.PENANAOElaqAr0mI
96Please respect copyright.PENANAktzYILBUcD
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.96Please respect copyright.PENANALVs306Xdw0
96Please respect copyright.PENANAELaX4zu2or
Moonlight threaded through the air, weaving itself into solid form. The chokutō materialized in his grip - deep violet blade catching afternoon sun, the nine moon phases etched into its length. Four crescents ignited with white light immediately. 96Please respect copyright.PENANAyAKyEXIre0
96Please respect copyright.PENANAbYsHBWLHvG
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.96Please respect copyright.PENANAbH5JKXUhSh
96Please respect copyright.PENANAm9Ive6xGmN
A massive warhammer. The head alone was larger than Cel's torso, carved from what looked like solid granite. Runes glowed faintly along its surface, pulsing with barely contained power.96Please respect copyright.PENANANYWptp3TGQ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAtRKyNC2AoY
Owen lifted it one-handed, the weapon's weight apparently nothing to him. He spun it once - casual, showing off - before settling into a ready stance.96Please respect copyright.PENANA4FdVKcoX5G
96Please respect copyright.PENANAkHyRshNXnp
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.96Please respect copyright.PENANA1NFMVj6WYV
96Please respect copyright.PENANABrM49EU2hV
"Begin!"96Please respect copyright.PENANADz11RPY2k5
96Please respect copyright.PENANAml8FGOqs8L
Owen moved first.96Please respect copyright.PENANAPih0jFmezJ
96Please respect copyright.PENANApeeKC2Iiqb
The warhammer came down in a vertical strike that would have pulverized bone. Cel jerked sideways, narrowly evading the blow. The weapon's head crashed into earth where he'd been standing, sending up a spray of dirt.96Please respect copyright.PENANA7M2gWkakn4
96Please respect copyright.PENANAN94srhATu7
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.96Please respect copyright.PENANAMcD2Nwh8ha
96Please respect copyright.PENANAqJ3qvQP5EB
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—96Please respect copyright.PENANAnoc0mpIE7e
96Please respect copyright.PENANA4dN0uyrJlK
The impact rang through the training ground. But Cel's arms didn't buckle. His stance held firm, boots planted solidly despite the hammer's massive weight behind the blow.96Please respect copyright.PENANAzoa7wVL6BJ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAAgZbZ8Ejs1
Owen's eyes widened slightly.96Please respect copyright.PENANALSMihj2I4z
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvE2XO1ThXo
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.96Please respect copyright.PENANA1yW5o55Sji
96Please respect copyright.PENANAGCftMK62dI
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.96Please respect copyright.PENANAwUBZ9MWRj3
96Please respect copyright.PENANA0IRHc0Envo
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.96Please respect copyright.PENANAO3gfsq9Wwu
96Please respect copyright.PENANAatS7qds04w
But when Owen's strikes connected with Silent Moon, Cel's guard never broke. His arms remained steady. His breathing didn't labor despite the relentless assault.96Please respect copyright.PENANANus2D5g6sk
96Please respect copyright.PENANAnikVXImHlS
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.96Please respect copyright.PENANAxVLUGlO2wo
96Please respect copyright.PENANAU6NVrXY8e5
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.96Please respect copyright.PENANACzqbKTShC4
96Please respect copyright.PENANAuxlkKnJHxU
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.96Please respect copyright.PENANAohsMLaaql0
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJci2jVfFjv
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.96Please respect copyright.PENANAEIPXnN19pa
96Please respect copyright.PENANANRdRv9eXCI
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.96Please respect copyright.PENANAfaC55AXY9Y
96Please respect copyright.PENANAqQHelDWHJR
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.96Please respect copyright.PENANAoBboS30r1A
96Please respect copyright.PENANA0El9nBwa0Q
They separated, circling.96Please respect copyright.PENANAvp9ubVPptw
96Please respect copyright.PENANA6OUIDpepxu
The realization was obvious now - in raw strength and endurance, Cel held every advantage. His divinely forged body simply operated on a different level. Owen's strikes, powerful as they were, couldn't tire him. Couldn't break his guard through force alone.96Please respect copyright.PENANAEM1nbhSkRf
96Please respect copyright.PENANAHY6BUV0SzE
But skill? 96Please respect copyright.PENANAn0HK81nGLu
96Please respect copyright.PENANAMRFeXGORFV
Owen attacked again, and Cel's response was textbook terrible. His timing off. His positioning wrong. His blade work clumsy enough that Owen could slip past his guard almost at will.96Please respect copyright.PENANALcUPCLjP3l
96Please respect copyright.PENANAXLmYKCfv77
The warhammer's shaft caught Cel across the ribs - not the head, just a glancing blow with the weapon's body. But it was enough.96Please respect copyright.PENANAsOGFdZzuzC
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJ69tVhKovE
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.96Please respect copyright.PENANAIwxMtadvIW
96Please respect copyright.PENANA18JkWzX8om
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.96Please respect copyright.PENANAPIOL558Ul0
96Please respect copyright.PENANAAA5XuMJZt1
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.96Please respect copyright.PENANAdIXIFVRDtS
96Please respect copyright.PENANAt1zF8PeSI7
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.96Please respect copyright.PENANAE08a9sAQO8
96Please respect copyright.PENANA1nbvreH13e
"Yield?"96Please respect copyright.PENANAedpQHPijIn
96Please respect copyright.PENANAFckU1ezByP
Cel nodded once.96Please respect copyright.PENANAh3U5BgAwRH
96Please respect copyright.PENANAW23chS55at
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"96Please respect copyright.PENANA3ooR1KTdFf
96Please respect copyright.PENANABGbO6SPIcJ
A few nobles clapped. Most simply nodded, the outcome expected. The commoners watched quietly, the gap between Owen's skill and their own suddenly, painfully clear.96Please respect copyright.PENANAkYKOzkz6Pj
96Please respect copyright.PENANALDzqEdEhXR
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.96Please respect copyright.PENANANvU5i1NljI
96Please respect copyright.PENANAw45RBrRERq
"That was disappointing."96Please respect copyright.PENANAL6xi7CRj6h
96Please respect copyright.PENANAxHZ8oZtPPQ
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.96Please respect copyright.PENANAFQ3gZbxLpV
96Please respect copyright.PENANAiB3s3q88l4
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.96Please respect copyright.PENANAq2cfbnX8X9
96Please respect copyright.PENANAZvoHXxZiSj
'What did you expect?'96Please respect copyright.PENANAdUpaQIo34H
96Please respect copyright.PENANAjcfietzrsR
The thought flashed sharp and bitter through Cel's mind. But he said nothing. Just bowed once - proper deference - and moved to retrieve Silent Moon from where it had fallen.96Please respect copyright.PENANA4BGHKq8kQa
96Please respect copyright.PENANA05OvWWGO5q
"Lord Owen."96Please respect copyright.PENANAS2zayM9UCc
96Please respect copyright.PENANAk51vgobmo8
Both of them turned.96Please respect copyright.PENANAO5cFklOUrz
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJgX1bkepMc
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.96Please respect copyright.PENANAEOEHNEuSE1
96Please respect copyright.PENANAza4VTycJfp
"Would you grant me a match?"96Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1orkSzOY2
96Please respect copyright.PENANAeH4yTk4EkF
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."96Please respect copyright.PENANAOQTdfXMFNM
96Please respect copyright.PENANA4s81U3KH0v
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.96Please respect copyright.PENANA9ytdIID9xX
96Please respect copyright.PENANA308yDPCh2c
"Are you alright?" he whispered.96Please respect copyright.PENANALT99ptKQWo
96Please respect copyright.PENANAbqNHZCCfW9
"Yes."96Please respect copyright.PENANAD1OwczL6nq
96Please respect copyright.PENANAYW09Krxw4d
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.96Please respect copyright.PENANAdfUCSUVMgY
96Please respect copyright.PENANAkDz6ESjveh
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.96Please respect copyright.PENANAWqbT3ZesQA
96Please respect copyright.PENANAmZg1CvqFi1
Leaves swirled around Sylvaine's hand, spinning faster until they solidified into steel. Her weapon materialized as an elegant blade - slender and curved with graceful lines. The steel gleamed silver-white, almost seeming to glow with inner light. 96Please respect copyright.PENANAsFsBw8HLO6
96Please respect copyright.PENANAOCh2kVE90c
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.96Please respect copyright.PENANAgmPuuosBZV
96Please respect copyright.PENANANcQlUrIVU0
"Begin!"96Please respect copyright.PENANADhTkbacsxc
96Please respect copyright.PENANAyPQm5lhcuw
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.96Please respect copyright.PENANAm2x2XshNUh
96Please respect copyright.PENANACvnAFTIYwb
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.96Please respect copyright.PENANAP0DhKDLP8Z
96Please respect copyright.PENANAMJizWXxtOb
She stepped forward.96Please respect copyright.PENANALA9GAQWifX
96Please respect copyright.PENANAzsWaPPembt
Her blade deflected the hammer's head with minimal movement - just enough to redirect its momentum past her shoulder. Before Owen could recover, her weapon traced a line across his chest.96Please respect copyright.PENANAoEo6oshaXk
96Please respect copyright.PENANAWMDMl59Jxe
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.96Please respect copyright.PENANANoRtNN7f9Z
96Please respect copyright.PENANAS9xYWlvhip
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.96Please respect copyright.PENANAgOswFuWzrc
96Please respect copyright.PENANASoGP6d2xmS
Sylvaine pressed forward. Her weapon moved like an extension of her body - fluid, graceful, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. Where Owen relied on overwhelming power, she wielded precision.96Please respect copyright.PENANAwwfXxzHVaT
96Please respect copyright.PENANARBtTLz83Ku
The hammer came around in a sweeping arc. She ducked beneath it, blade rising to force Owen's guard high, then swept low at his legs.96Please respect copyright.PENANA4ExN1e4Tht
96Please respect copyright.PENANAwGspsMmqjL
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.96Please respect copyright.PENANADPkH0ekCDf
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvFPPSZTa1x
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.96Please respect copyright.PENANAV4vy5knqGa
96Please respect copyright.PENANAwaAuM5Z6Gg
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.96Please respect copyright.PENANAsy4BcPJ9A4
96Please respect copyright.PENANAVvLYhAxObq
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.96Please respect copyright.PENANAsIH2o6d43M
96Please respect copyright.PENANAncBxXCEpRt
But none of them landed.96Please respect copyright.PENANA7lmot6VCnw
96Please respect copyright.PENANA9iLoDm0JyU
Sylvaine's blade wove a defensive pattern that turned aside every blow. And between each deflection, her sword found gaps - touching shoulder, ribs, thigh. Never cutting deep. Just proving she could.96Please respect copyright.PENANAY3qMBAyArQ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAqFyXefLAQp
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.96Please respect copyright.PENANA54VFXcPS3k
96Please respect copyright.PENANA6C5KdmmQow
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.96Please respect copyright.PENANAKxT11SCkmV
96Please respect copyright.PENANA5edBLY6exO
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.96Please respect copyright.PENANASOtbpMzxqr
96Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ns9lFA1Ex
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.96Please respect copyright.PENANAiTVq9iEWbm
96Please respect copyright.PENANA8vKKRbPwIs
"Yield?"96Please respect copyright.PENANAsXKPsX7Xbf
96Please respect copyright.PENANADYUOLG5Tiv
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.96Please respect copyright.PENANAYczmMzF3nD
96Please respect copyright.PENANAOaL7g4Zdmh
"I yield."96Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7gPwmBZrJ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAyiTRFHlUQm
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.96Please respect copyright.PENANATRVGfaqRty
96Please respect copyright.PENANAp4K5TqywT6
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.96Please respect copyright.PENANAx36xLroblc
96Please respect copyright.PENANAgYjeUmNeJX
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.96Please respect copyright.PENANAoWsCTDKlyQ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAUCJx9ep3Yk
Theron appeared at her side immediately, his expression bright with pride. "That was amazing! The way you redirected his hammer. I didn’t know you were that strong!"96Please respect copyright.PENANARJJfwjAN8q
96Please respect copyright.PENANAgeJNryB2KJ
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."96Please respect copyright.PENANAPjXpQUAErY
96Please respect copyright.PENANAHcFrerS7wn
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.96Please respect copyright.PENANA9PS0ViSQI8
96Please respect copyright.PENANAxwkzkfvXIf
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."96Please respect copyright.PENANA3DCB3nzAV5
96Please respect copyright.PENANA1jeI7KgExr
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.96Please respect copyright.PENANAzwmpV35FLm
96Please respect copyright.PENANAobKL2OMvys
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.96Please respect copyright.PENANANSsaf6uPj5
96Please respect copyright.PENANAEtWznfty3F
The fight was... brief.96Please respect copyright.PENANAeXO9zDMHta
96Please respect copyright.PENANAsiBUnOmyPv
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.96Please respect copyright.PENANA7XQJSzI2b7
96Please respect copyright.PENANAH1M1E5FxGD
The other boy pressed forward with confidence born from weeks of watching Lior fumble through combat drills. A feint, a lunge, and Lior's knife went flying.96Please respect copyright.PENANA8WiZcft0lJ
96Please respect copyright.PENANAbi3GwPXE9h
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.96Please respect copyright.PENANAhR7hPIInTS
96Please respect copyright.PENANAhjEmTaPyXy
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."96Please respect copyright.PENANAKgHgBim13U
96Please respect copyright.PENANA5gpM7yKAy1
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.96Please respect copyright.PENANAy6g64xrJuy
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvG5vSG6Wst
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.96Please respect copyright.PENANADwIrZwYNXV
96Please respect copyright.PENANAOkW8z0QYyn
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."96Please respect copyright.PENANA9mCeuhxAiu
96Please respect copyright.PENANA3ImLsHQnjz
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.96Please respect copyright.PENANAHuKxsiTcpu
96Please respect copyright.PENANACIV5VfBXQm
Cel and Lior walked to the dining hall together. Lior kept his eyes down, shoulders tight with the weight of his public defeat. Cel said nothing. There was nothing to say.96Please respect copyright.PENANAYZg6FjFAW5
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJTENCDjYgE
The hall was already filling when they entered. Nobles occupied the tables near the windows, their uniforms bright against the fading daylight. Commoners clustered toward the back, voices subdued.96Please respect copyright.PENANA7zDRKLiXg0
96Please respect copyright.PENANAVK94NvT81c
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.96Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZtB21srf7
96Please respect copyright.PENANAkDUzh5PTrP
The servers moved through the dining hall with practiced efficiency, but their pattern was predictable. Nobles first - plates laden with roasted meats, fresh bread still steaming, vegetables glazed with butter and herbs. The food arrived while it was still hot, presented with careful attention.96Please respect copyright.PENANAoL4WvbnrYC
96Please respect copyright.PENANAiAwiDV0vzZ
Then the other commoners. Their portions respectable, if less generous. The servers worked quickly through the middle tables, refilling water pitchers and clearing empty dishes.96Please respect copyright.PENANA6CYOPDXFeo
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvlnk1C1Omh
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.96Please respect copyright.PENANA6imXbl0Erg
96Please respect copyright.PENANAj82w9lXVfF
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.96Please respect copyright.PENANA6iXz3pFblK
96Please respect copyright.PENANABQ5gCKhgxF
Then a voice cut through the noise.96Please respect copyright.PENANAUjntGcWir6
96Please respect copyright.PENANAj2PN6GtvnU
Familiar. Unwelcome.96Please respect copyright.PENANABHdDTqmZyB
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvRCU6KLH7B
"Hey trash."
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Lunar Legacy
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Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #61
Chapter 60: Sparring
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Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: Jul 22, 2026
Total word count: 156,749
Total reading time: 726 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
tragedy
darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
psychological
revenge
monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
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