Chapter 375 Damage Control
The sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden hue over the victorious army as they made their way back from the conquered castle.
Velian, the valiant leader and now the possessor of the powerful Amulet, rode at the head of his troops. The air was filled with jubilant cheers, and the sound of clashing armour echoed in the distance.
"I knew he could do it," One of the men said with his hands showing the triumph of the battle.
And the same thing went for all the other warriors including demons, until they went into the town, where people lived.
As they approached the town, however, a sombre silence descended upon the soldiers.
The once-thriving streets now lay desolate, the buildings bearing the scars of a battle long fought. The people of the town, their bodies weary and their spirits broken, knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces.
The effects of the mind control imposed upon them by the Dukas Union had finally been shattered, leaving them in anguish.
Sometimes they shouted as they got affected by the side effects, while sometimes, they completely forgot about their life making their will to be alive weaker.
"Why? Why did our royalty do this to us," Some random woman shouted and ran into a spike that is left as the result of war and jumped onto it, impaling her body.
Daphnia\'s heart sank as he witnessed the suffering of the townsfolk.
Velian knew he had to act swiftly to restore hope and rebuild what had been destroyed. Turning to his trusted companion, Lucy and Juno, he spoke with determination in his voice.
"Girls, gather a small group of our most trusted warriors. We shall send an emissary to this town without delay. They must know that their liberation is at hand."
"We should quickly take steps to prevent these people from killing themselves,"
Juno nodded, her eyes gleaming with understanding. "Consider it done, Veli. We shall dispatch our envoy immediately and offer our assistance in rebuilding their lives."
As Juno set about organizing the emissary mission, Velian turned his attention to Aurora, the brave and fierce daughter who had stood by his side throughout their arduous journey. He knew she needed to be prepared for the battles that lay ahead.
"Aurora," Velian called out, approaching her with a sense of urgency. "There is a battle looming on the horizon, and we need you at your strongest. Come with me."
Aurora, her fiery sliver hair catching the last rays of sunlight, followed Velian as they made their way towards a secluded ground. They reached a clearing where a group of trees formed a natural barrier, shielding them from prying eyes.
Velian clasped Aurora\'s hand gently, his touch reassuring. "Aurora, you possess a great power within you. But to face the challenges ahead, you must unlock your full potential. The Amulet has chosen me as its guardian, and it is time to embrace its strength."
"..."
Aurora kept looking at her father with conflicted emotions, as she didn\'t know why she was feeling strange when he touched her.
"But, I decided to share its power with you, I\'m going to build my own strength and you should do that as well, so take my hand," Velian said and caught Aurora, who was at least tall as a high middle schooler.
Aurora\'s eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "But how, Daddy? How do I become stronger? Can you do that?"
She didn\'t refuse because she knew if she want to protect Velian, she needed to be strong. If needed stronger than Velian himself.
Velian smiled, his voice filled with conviction.
"Together, we shall unlock the dormant power within you. Through rigorous training and unwavering determination, you shall rise to new heights. I will guide you every step of the way."
With renewed determination, Velian and Aurora decided to embark on a journey of training and self-discovery. Their bond grew stronger as they pushed each other to their limits, their spirits intertwining like the beautiful trees surrounding them.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft glow over their training ground, Velian and Aurora prepared themselves for the ritual that awaited them.
It was no easy task to absorb the power of the Amulet, so they had to keep their body in peak condition so there won\'t be any errors.
United by their shared purpose, they stood ready to face the challenges ahead and bring hope to the people they had sworn to protect.
***
After one single night of rest, Velian and Aurora, both drenched in sweat, stood facing each other.
Velian\'s bare torso glistened in the fading light, his muscles rippling with power. Aurora, dressed in a specially tailored training suit, matched his intensity with determination shining in her eyes.
Velian\'s voice resonated with authority as he posed the question to Aurora,
"Are you ready to absorb the Amulet\'s power, Aurora? This ritual will forge a bond between you and the ancient artefact and me, granting us untold strength."
Aurora, her chest rising and falling with each deep breath, nodded with unwavering resolve. "Yes, Daddy. I am prepared. I am ready to embrace the Amulet\'s power and fulfil my destiny as your guardian."
Velian was confused for a second because she was supposed to be the guardian of the great calamity forest, but he decided to ignore her lovely comment for now and focus on the main thing.
Velian gestured to the other girls who had been watching from a respectful distance. "Come here, girls," he beckoned. "Bear witness to this sacred ritual that will shape the future of our kingdom and daughter."
The girls approached, their eyes filled with awe and anticipation.
Each of them had played a vital role in Velian\'s journey, and they understood the significance of this moment. Juno, with her unwavering loyalty, stepped forward, followed by Daphnia, whose magical abilities had saved countless lives.
Lastly, Lyra, the master of stealth and strategy, joined the group, her gaze fixed upon the scene unfolding before her.
With the girls gathered around, Velian took hold of the Amulet, its ancient markings glowing faintly. He closed his eyes and began to mutter ancient incantations, invoking the power hidden within the artefact. The air crackled with energy, anticipation building with each passing moment.