Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.97Please respect copyright.PENANALgVq7xYzbC
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Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."97Please respect copyright.PENANA2fnxOiRrv6
97Please respect copyright.PENANA66vg39CjrL
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAa78A7CdFZg
97Please respect copyright.PENANAvJEhX2VrEc
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."97Please respect copyright.PENANAc0Q6ZYUMGq
97Please respect copyright.PENANAHyMnslTz2T
He paused, letting that sink in.97Please respect copyright.PENANATu8mdLrRdU
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"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."97Please respect copyright.PENANAWByGjrmosB
97Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7yl8pWMON
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.97Please respect copyright.PENANANW6taWoRR3
97Please respect copyright.PENANAOGz5p5afsp
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. 97Please respect copyright.PENANASJ4S6VsaKd
97Please respect copyright.PENANAoT8GTHFVPi
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.97Please respect copyright.PENANAOSqpAgPjKe
97Please respect copyright.PENANAZyglt04ues
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANABq7D5jOani
97Please respect copyright.PENANAGQzWPfJ1c4
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANARSx1uvSEjO
97Please respect copyright.PENANA25e8dU1FHW
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.97Please respect copyright.PENANAL1JK8bd3lv
97Please respect copyright.PENANAYgxqj9Ic69
"Begin!"97Please respect copyright.PENANAzMl3UpLcn6
97Please respect copyright.PENANAknuPNzzgjy
Owen moved first.97Please respect copyright.PENANAsn6uevpNZy
97Please respect copyright.PENANAWFVR85gZRk
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAwOX8xsbxeY
97Please respect copyright.PENANAoeARnXR9QL
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.97Please respect copyright.PENANAAPtV6KN0Pm
97Please respect copyright.PENANA9DDHxLca9J
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—97Please respect copyright.PENANAvhokoZrigh
97Please respect copyright.PENANAtUIXGjpyMV
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANALn5A86vUYf
97Please respect copyright.PENANAnHIxMFfu5x
Owen's eyes widened slightly.97Please respect copyright.PENANAD2bHD4H9JM
97Please respect copyright.PENANAR3Cib3HLFZ
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.97Please respect copyright.PENANAC2lKXHpqPQ
97Please respect copyright.PENANAnJXJs3YJXy
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.97Please respect copyright.PENANADbARFgITcu
97Please respect copyright.PENANAKwt3kjaxcz
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.97Please respect copyright.PENANAB0inh3bEGG
97Please respect copyright.PENANAwgDcEJM40O
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAPSLAdiYADt
97Please respect copyright.PENANA6EfKvdcTMY
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.97Please respect copyright.PENANAiC4XvUi4Mx
97Please respect copyright.PENANAvNU3gE763B
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.97Please respect copyright.PENANAYBlIS55xUz
97Please respect copyright.PENANAbpzs908Lcm
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.97Please respect copyright.PENANA5w9bHYhnFW
97Please respect copyright.PENANAwzfpwZsoFg
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.97Please respect copyright.PENANAL5U53Mn7ih
97Please respect copyright.PENANABNKTjqzjE7
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.97Please respect copyright.PENANAe72rXT9eWU
97Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9CLktKEK4
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.97Please respect copyright.PENANAbLSOsq0Y9x
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They separated, circling.97Please respect copyright.PENANAeM5MLXRjpP
97Please respect copyright.PENANA8UdKbZjuUW
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAu1KNvsKZoo
97Please respect copyright.PENANADwVJCt2Mve
But skill? 97Please respect copyright.PENANAh6ix1ct5gv
97Please respect copyright.PENANALNZRNMX8XL
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANA6LwuTrOSBJ
97Please respect copyright.PENANAsbAv28wyYH
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAOj6kf1V3yl
97Please respect copyright.PENANA8Len6RCQ56
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.97Please respect copyright.PENANAWsZMpIUSd1
97Please respect copyright.PENANAuMxOPlDG8H
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.97Please respect copyright.PENANASJgMupRhKv
97Please respect copyright.PENANA36n40iRV9S
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.97Please respect copyright.PENANAdia6tu4slI
97Please respect copyright.PENANAHQOY1VPtEb
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.97Please respect copyright.PENANAGMO2Y5SF2M
97Please respect copyright.PENANAjzlZ3o0umT
"Yield?"97Please respect copyright.PENANAbJcdTs3jIB
97Please respect copyright.PENANAarZnj2dApZ
Cel nodded once.97Please respect copyright.PENANAB5JYvjzzCo
97Please respect copyright.PENANATWehkkOmAE
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"97Please respect copyright.PENANAnkiPVraL6d
97Please respect copyright.PENANAA7nEAyzGTZ
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAnJkhKW7DIt
97Please respect copyright.PENANAdJp32C8WU2
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.97Please respect copyright.PENANAOUGuNwxLT3
97Please respect copyright.PENANAfbY1xP3Nve
"That was disappointing."97Please respect copyright.PENANA5k2QCUMs6Z
97Please respect copyright.PENANAobfWWH9bfe
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.97Please respect copyright.PENANAdgHcqBYr4s
97Please respect copyright.PENANAuf8g7ZJlLd
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.97Please respect copyright.PENANApDKAcvnTT7
97Please respect copyright.PENANALmxR8b5iDr
'What did you expect?'97Please respect copyright.PENANAIXqeGeLxKi
97Please respect copyright.PENANAp7BYtyx83D
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANA8cuvdzuNLU
97Please respect copyright.PENANAmAAvIZsKrq
"Lord Owen."97Please respect copyright.PENANAE1VY6jGOZF
97Please respect copyright.PENANAAjvc9NhOf7
Both of them turned.97Please respect copyright.PENANAxtD87rHR34
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Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.97Please respect copyright.PENANAMZIH5Nu1nZ
97Please respect copyright.PENANAFmDxOsoJo7
"Would you grant me a match?"97Please respect copyright.PENANAUEb8wzENIx
97Please respect copyright.PENANAm9kfePFUMS
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."97Please respect copyright.PENANAyAW4U4KXol
97Please respect copyright.PENANA6LDGUA19M4
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.97Please respect copyright.PENANAD1w1GTSugU
97Please respect copyright.PENANAO1ZVpm61to
"Are you alright?" he whispered.97Please respect copyright.PENANAtcnea7sOjc
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"Yes."97Please respect copyright.PENANA2cpFA8iWw0
97Please respect copyright.PENANA6ExMkVeuTD
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.97Please respect copyright.PENANAOU8lXQkUOC
97Please respect copyright.PENANA6BIRsJNxlz
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.97Please respect copyright.PENANAN4Sjf9TR4o
97Please respect copyright.PENANAGSDlNZGZGa
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. 97Please respect copyright.PENANAAw9WaCRFPW
97Please respect copyright.PENANAaHabJvKxGx
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.97Please respect copyright.PENANAhMfNvrUJVC
97Please respect copyright.PENANAxOTL2kS3fy
"Begin!"97Please respect copyright.PENANAY0yI9OOuNQ
97Please respect copyright.PENANALGU3t5jFEn
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.97Please respect copyright.PENANAANuhtKGkjP
97Please respect copyright.PENANAtBaXtkpY0S
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.97Please respect copyright.PENANA7wBR8PSclK
97Please respect copyright.PENANAEmNFppFgC2
She stepped forward.97Please respect copyright.PENANAQBJFvAfa42
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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.97Please respect copyright.PENANA0mmuu4KM3J
97Please respect copyright.PENANAcSNi8QamXn
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.97Please respect copyright.PENANAATuFMvo1uW
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Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.97Please respect copyright.PENANApPKATNLle4
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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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAwWUUbenMGv
97Please respect copyright.PENANA7Pf5VtMvpx
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAWAhYCIG2nC
97Please respect copyright.PENANAxhqPN2gf9H
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.97Please respect copyright.PENANAixsCnUOHRS
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Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.97Please respect copyright.PENANA70k49rYgJp
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Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.97Please respect copyright.PENANADpnKDl1Z80
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He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.97Please respect copyright.PENANAPLCVzevU2H
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But none of them landed.97Please respect copyright.PENANAFkFIFjDns0
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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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAXIhSvPXkDT
97Please respect copyright.PENANAZC2q0sXMNH
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.97Please respect copyright.PENANAejaFrrXRvG
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Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.97Please respect copyright.PENANAtoVP71O0N9
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His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.97Please respect copyright.PENANAVLQPgfP5Dy
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Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.97Please respect copyright.PENANAyUbToQTDvW
97Please respect copyright.PENANAjLDQkxRaru
"Yield?"97Please respect copyright.PENANAt1lz3uVYNc
97Please respect copyright.PENANAOyZYkp8CbK
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.97Please respect copyright.PENANAwEbHT5c5pX
97Please respect copyright.PENANAZfOloSORAd
"I yield."97Please respect copyright.PENANA0KuJomnwMn
97Please respect copyright.PENANAXiM4xMNIrm
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.97Please respect copyright.PENANA0G5gRB1olM
97Please respect copyright.PENANANfu1XsOGOL
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.97Please respect copyright.PENANA5X4qcfXOyh
97Please respect copyright.PENANAOY81mAXvnY
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.97Please respect copyright.PENANAa0mP5yFzcn
97Please respect copyright.PENANA4U50gCXgLo
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!"97Please respect copyright.PENANAIwZHR9W3xV
97Please respect copyright.PENANALw6O4mRM8K
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."97Please respect copyright.PENANAzoaSwpWPmA
97Please respect copyright.PENANAbKIDlwJJco
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.97Please respect copyright.PENANA26IAvlIsg2
97Please respect copyright.PENANAZXw6wmfEC2
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."97Please respect copyright.PENANAaBmNd1GzjE
97Please respect copyright.PENANA39vDCtH0Yj
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.97Please respect copyright.PENANAPCFIVylTfo
97Please respect copyright.PENANAy9ZYElk7cu
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.97Please respect copyright.PENANA6s05eRyo0v
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The fight was... brief.97Please respect copyright.PENANAJlP8Sdsu1e
97Please respect copyright.PENANARqxFpgvowP
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.97Please respect copyright.PENANAvQwG6g92gm
97Please respect copyright.PENANAeZRlaTeoUQ
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAeTOr0FUYCK
97Please respect copyright.PENANABexothriUD
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.97Please respect copyright.PENANAEc6iRHDG73
97Please respect copyright.PENANAOpiPvBeyru
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."97Please respect copyright.PENANAlHZwxuPg6p
97Please respect copyright.PENANA2Iq19E7Jwv
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.97Please respect copyright.PENANAi7yCKvrCHD
97Please respect copyright.PENANA3GcrFhZKi0
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.97Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZZczX6xtV
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Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."97Please respect copyright.PENANA7CWsgxZfRS
97Please respect copyright.PENANApNUPZMrba8
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.97Please respect copyright.PENANAOZ1KACaUYA
97Please respect copyright.PENANA1XuDdtWiwA
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAUk2rJj7mTH
97Please respect copyright.PENANAHJa1lQ9ngs
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANADXdIQZd3s1
97Please respect copyright.PENANABbSB736pPT
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.97Please respect copyright.PENANApX6Y5WMsMn
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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.97Please respect copyright.PENANAhIj4xU7AC8
97Please respect copyright.PENANAzUlQSDYLCp
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.97Please respect copyright.PENANABThVtTWIwt
97Please respect copyright.PENANAX0YA3wkC58
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.97Please respect copyright.PENANAyFXG9VbJ4k
97Please respect copyright.PENANA52X9vZM3yy
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.97Please respect copyright.PENANAB9QYFImIz8
97Please respect copyright.PENANAhUQsmvc7SV
Then a voice cut through the noise.97Please respect copyright.PENANATxwjKtHMrn
97Please respect copyright.PENANA6VimR8489q
Familiar. Unwelcome.97Please respect copyright.PENANAnIBO00JPlU
97Please respect copyright.PENANA7JkIE59H8Y
"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
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darkfantasy
demons
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gods
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medieval
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