Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.66Please respect copyright.PENANAnuej8z7tAS
66Please respect copyright.PENANAH8IbIH5sf3
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."66Please respect copyright.PENANAJ68PgjRxdj
66Please respect copyright.PENANABm9yJ9IDSw
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANA0johVIGUzg
66Please respect copyright.PENANAA9wR3aMh9S
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."66Please respect copyright.PENANAdXkqOeniX6
66Please respect copyright.PENANAKWJpTGdPVz
He paused, letting that sink in.66Please respect copyright.PENANAfKmhncW1LV
66Please respect copyright.PENANAKEtfiAJJQL
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."66Please respect copyright.PENANAL3ClkXrQrr
66Please respect copyright.PENANAmm8DmUkl3v
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.66Please respect copyright.PENANAecyiFA6EHs
66Please respect copyright.PENANAWcMARxuMVu
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. 66Please respect copyright.PENANAy6PDY52lBl
66Please respect copyright.PENANAS4B96bXUIg
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.66Please respect copyright.PENANAcxTbfbfu9n
66Please respect copyright.PENANAkslYfiYLWx
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAqSag28z0If
66Please respect copyright.PENANAiCmin61UAc
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAy9gJSLbDZd
66Please respect copyright.PENANA4K0v7PPZMS
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.66Please respect copyright.PENANAdQU6kYFAvu
66Please respect copyright.PENANAzbCod3El8U
"Begin!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAOvlC8pdUkU
66Please respect copyright.PENANAsWWoh1LFP1
Owen moved first.66Please respect copyright.PENANAFcz4F7caqw
66Please respect copyright.PENANAx64aENTzZi
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANA8pCKehtwRF
66Please respect copyright.PENANAv9qHeYIKnk
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.66Please respect copyright.PENANAANlnqdNQg1
66Please respect copyright.PENANAJOQlAw9GuC
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—66Please respect copyright.PENANA2pYqen3b8i
66Please respect copyright.PENANAbrgJyhyJLR
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANATa0CEgIB00
66Please respect copyright.PENANAsx0XcEa4EO
Owen's eyes widened slightly.66Please respect copyright.PENANAqWgz3gMwin
66Please respect copyright.PENANAqLrpkdLRIe
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.66Please respect copyright.PENANAQl1xnOn1NS
66Please respect copyright.PENANA6GU8aeYpGb
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.66Please respect copyright.PENANA9rYZDWEPeL
66Please respect copyright.PENANAt8oU7rxEQr
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.66Please respect copyright.PENANA4z62EV7gcM
66Please respect copyright.PENANACnPQ0Zy0iM
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAvINCjDaPKL
66Please respect copyright.PENANAVboekyqloZ
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.66Please respect copyright.PENANAF4poSo8SDo
66Please respect copyright.PENANARlzQozRRGd
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.66Please respect copyright.PENANAay8LYFh6pR
66Please respect copyright.PENANAspA0xku1Kf
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.66Please respect copyright.PENANAcTSRqYWIX1
66Please respect copyright.PENANAfh0G6wl0zE
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.66Please respect copyright.PENANAU0LkWCZCl1
66Please respect copyright.PENANAZQuQq0GCdy
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.66Please respect copyright.PENANAeR2l1mx38W
66Please respect copyright.PENANADv3IDQP8GC
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.66Please respect copyright.PENANAo1FIsRct51
66Please respect copyright.PENANAmrMehXCsZV
They separated, circling.66Please respect copyright.PENANAYTXmE7sEj5
66Please respect copyright.PENANAR6DPgNUYwr
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAfalido6Ud1
66Please respect copyright.PENANA3espROmSQC
But skill? 66Please respect copyright.PENANACQ20eT6ChW
66Please respect copyright.PENANAcxa8DojD4R
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANA5Aahhuei4s
66Please respect copyright.PENANAiSAtC4L4OK
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANArUu3d9oirH
66Please respect copyright.PENANALnjV6V0lxI
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.66Please respect copyright.PENANAdGuYShVuTP
66Please respect copyright.PENANAy3nyF5APye
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.66Please respect copyright.PENANAXd7xgYGTnV
66Please respect copyright.PENANAkktNs4mqGm
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.66Please respect copyright.PENANAqfzi3RcaYV
66Please respect copyright.PENANAdP4BiSh2dI
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.66Please respect copyright.PENANASQIfBRxEtb
66Please respect copyright.PENANA9wNxyzX1b8
"Yield?"66Please respect copyright.PENANABFrsn25lw1
66Please respect copyright.PENANAeWX5gPZHyK
Cel nodded once.66Please respect copyright.PENANAj8JaYFU12G
66Please respect copyright.PENANA2MTc9N55QL
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAUd3aiBDE74
66Please respect copyright.PENANAC5mbIFLDq5
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANApgLgjz4qkh
66Please respect copyright.PENANAuDRqpHliUy
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.66Please respect copyright.PENANAFClZG8ewFi
66Please respect copyright.PENANAyX29mQsvGI
"That was disappointing."66Please respect copyright.PENANAN7UtDaCvVE
66Please respect copyright.PENANAo1glBZJxo5
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.66Please respect copyright.PENANApwMNUiHu1J
66Please respect copyright.PENANAeJuHCrc6FI
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.66Please respect copyright.PENANASXkpTIkJj5
66Please respect copyright.PENANAF73o6wf0hx
'What did you expect?'66Please respect copyright.PENANANXcg8YzGOI
66Please respect copyright.PENANAkqwcPMI944
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAl8tWcjtI0V
66Please respect copyright.PENANAlGB6viD0sj
"Lord Owen."66Please respect copyright.PENANA2ixBh4rNtt
66Please respect copyright.PENANAijzh537XPZ
Both of them turned.66Please respect copyright.PENANAPCjw1093da
66Please respect copyright.PENANAXoZmfJ7qCt
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.66Please respect copyright.PENANAGEJGDLi4z5
66Please respect copyright.PENANAPw0bYgfgnI
"Would you grant me a match?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAJjuwhqPwv1
66Please respect copyright.PENANAdEZruyTqe1
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."66Please respect copyright.PENANAa8lhftuXtR
66Please respect copyright.PENANAHodzRarAxk
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.66Please respect copyright.PENANAi5YNWMwVYD
66Please respect copyright.PENANAv8lh8CIktk
"Are you alright?" he whispered.66Please respect copyright.PENANAQrdHOhDiwa
66Please respect copyright.PENANAE0HYKdbvlO
"Yes."66Please respect copyright.PENANAsxuxUd7jEO
66Please respect copyright.PENANAibMNB9xcOf
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.66Please respect copyright.PENANAOKPLfc1WqL
66Please respect copyright.PENANAjMYqJPLCRC
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.66Please respect copyright.PENANAyWfsaGlXxx
66Please respect copyright.PENANAau9unxKtyH
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. 66Please respect copyright.PENANAAaszWEz5di
66Please respect copyright.PENANAPP4KShPYZV
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.66Please respect copyright.PENANAM9pNr15UD8
66Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZLpy8oQTD
"Begin!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAlqmgzT3Z4D
66Please respect copyright.PENANA7OT6BrztXD
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.66Please respect copyright.PENANA530qVayA7s
66Please respect copyright.PENANAD7LBvijFyQ
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.66Please respect copyright.PENANAYpAC5BR05k
66Please respect copyright.PENANANLPOVATBzJ
She stepped forward.66Please respect copyright.PENANAVX1M3Qp5Vc
66Please respect copyright.PENANAEIjzFxYW77
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAUxUvL0ILOA
66Please respect copyright.PENANAjcTPTTswlg
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.66Please respect copyright.PENANAJnt5Ytymcr
66Please respect copyright.PENANAhc7SIJCIDU
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.66Please respect copyright.PENANAbXYyVV2QiF
66Please respect copyright.PENANAVkOgIHqGK3
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANA7I2exewGuM
66Please respect copyright.PENANA40mG1rM7xW
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAslownmhWr2
66Please respect copyright.PENANA01dfeSTmhx
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.66Please respect copyright.PENANAw1kzmPmedj
66Please respect copyright.PENANAmuwbRYbYYR
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.66Please respect copyright.PENANAzg5MblQeJd
66Please respect copyright.PENANAQfR76Nhr40
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.66Please respect copyright.PENANAA8Om4Csagh
66Please respect copyright.PENANAkQb8LqLXVV
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.66Please respect copyright.PENANA5HcTQ2aVCZ
66Please respect copyright.PENANAtUGzhUVva0
But none of them landed.66Please respect copyright.PENANAj2pLiEVoQH
66Please respect copyright.PENANA7lXrnEVTma
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAaxPbdILoat
66Please respect copyright.PENANAU4qeUos0YV
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.66Please respect copyright.PENANA14JnCX1pT8
66Please respect copyright.PENANAjuicITcWqw
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.66Please respect copyright.PENANAsbHOkJuSEZ
66Please respect copyright.PENANA0hQlpsOhWE
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.66Please respect copyright.PENANA0JEtopM80b
66Please respect copyright.PENANAbQm2roeVJK
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.66Please respect copyright.PENANAXJv39Y5yIc
66Please respect copyright.PENANAhvuqmAOmQ3
"Yield?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAl08lA9b6BP
66Please respect copyright.PENANArnW8vtNCcr
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.66Please respect copyright.PENANA6dFSxtuUzD
66Please respect copyright.PENANAKIkJnjB2QE
"I yield."66Please respect copyright.PENANAK3RVCnYbUb
66Please respect copyright.PENANA66QXJfQKP1
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.66Please respect copyright.PENANADe3XyswYIa
66Please respect copyright.PENANAWCZapjFHxl
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.66Please respect copyright.PENANAELVKvO1Taj
66Please respect copyright.PENANANmCWf700Kh
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.66Please respect copyright.PENANADYHFv3ROuH
66Please respect copyright.PENANAt0loUkPDLy
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!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAHv7vvR4EKy
66Please respect copyright.PENANANs5OPiNhSu
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."66Please respect copyright.PENANAG2JxT6hNFm
66Please respect copyright.PENANATZPGRfSTva
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.66Please respect copyright.PENANAEgSs7qts0S
66Please respect copyright.PENANAtOjPJfX7YC
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."66Please respect copyright.PENANA5Fuu8VkUYh
66Please respect copyright.PENANAK3icKHsME7
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.66Please respect copyright.PENANA6qfzkNr0Ze
66Please respect copyright.PENANAvk3D7bDbUO
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.66Please respect copyright.PENANA2C1H09PfCa
66Please respect copyright.PENANAHTs55VNkAn
The fight was... brief.66Please respect copyright.PENANA7I5S7Ohqax
66Please respect copyright.PENANABs4GsvMHn3
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.66Please respect copyright.PENANAu7sK8XwxcO
66Please respect copyright.PENANAAoHNlxSheH
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAv2G9ZPRkTW
66Please respect copyright.PENANATAUdW75Jlw
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.66Please respect copyright.PENANAvEGKTLqwB6
66Please respect copyright.PENANAaDlMiFfFqJ
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."66Please respect copyright.PENANAoJ24aorWU2
66Please respect copyright.PENANAJuvE6nh43X
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.66Please respect copyright.PENANAFAsNO7ITXi
66Please respect copyright.PENANAGd9QpgSQX7
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.66Please respect copyright.PENANAPWJOCVhDeh
66Please respect copyright.PENANA19vuQX2ufp
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."66Please respect copyright.PENANA3GDunyNT1h
66Please respect copyright.PENANATWYABzQI0i
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.66Please respect copyright.PENANAyqVxDlQ4eE
66Please respect copyright.PENANAe3IdPYh0Rj
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAuAALEhYJ1Z
66Please respect copyright.PENANAb27YhMgtmo
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANApirob2wrtp
66Please respect copyright.PENANAHt0dGHsPh4
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.66Please respect copyright.PENANABrBYlUU64g
66Please respect copyright.PENANAdeBIHFVlOc
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANAExsbbqdMFK
66Please respect copyright.PENANApS5inPC9t1
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.66Please respect copyright.PENANA04cX8H0EAD
66Please respect copyright.PENANAOAYuau0N9b
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.66Please respect copyright.PENANAkhRONjNIV9
66Please respect copyright.PENANAYkOFVLGIPk
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.66Please respect copyright.PENANA8ccgZN1dvY
66Please respect copyright.PENANALECxl8z2pY
Then a voice cut through the noise.66Please respect copyright.PENANAag0uLCLpnu
66Please respect copyright.PENANArokgXpC9Qx
Familiar. Unwelcome.66Please respect copyright.PENANAPskzFsRt5p
66Please respect copyright.PENANASv3EhckWK7
"Hey trash."
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Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #61
Chapter 60: Sparring
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Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: Jun 5, 2026
Total word count: 139,029
Total reading time: 644 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
psychological
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monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
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