Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.68Please respect copyright.PENANA3QjBtXAq9e
68Please respect copyright.PENANApryt9txErD
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."68Please respect copyright.PENANAF28ymtF5Jb
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7MjBseUiKK
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAt98iXfryMf
68Please respect copyright.PENANAaW8Zl6jets
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."68Please respect copyright.PENANAFLdecnfusX
68Please respect copyright.PENANAJYKhXFy90I
He paused, letting that sink in.68Please respect copyright.PENANAaRdQ7bviqR
68Please respect copyright.PENANAiZEQznQxoy
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."68Please respect copyright.PENANAwFnZ6KEXt3
68Please respect copyright.PENANA905JoC5bEI
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.68Please respect copyright.PENANAS6PJNMi3KD
68Please respect copyright.PENANAX5icTrSjPS
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. 68Please respect copyright.PENANAqxBG5aFbQ1
68Please respect copyright.PENANAxiwhkH4uB0
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.68Please respect copyright.PENANAdL27U5hTxs
68Please respect copyright.PENANAuJUBLbWuCw
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAl0TZcALtQz
68Please respect copyright.PENANAu5tUGzKJAx
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAgngwrSxktz
68Please respect copyright.PENANAhtM2YuskBW
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.68Please respect copyright.PENANAIVaQcUjjiz
68Please respect copyright.PENANAIfbpJJutZh
"Begin!"68Please respect copyright.PENANAff6Tf3uR2T
68Please respect copyright.PENANAT5wHDU6cyl
Owen moved first.68Please respect copyright.PENANAUqAsQX1Ckf
68Please respect copyright.PENANADhFi9Mc73z
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANABNdog0Coqp
68Please respect copyright.PENANAv2V0CABwmb
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.68Please respect copyright.PENANAcBITFPIk4a
68Please respect copyright.PENANA3fcyAf5MjX
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—68Please respect copyright.PENANAeBYUsh3fNy
68Please respect copyright.PENANAAgOjKOaXHR
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAUGG1i7wRl6
68Please respect copyright.PENANAZOVS1aEXJI
Owen's eyes widened slightly.68Please respect copyright.PENANA3dLJDBnWUC
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWN7dYv2gaa
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.68Please respect copyright.PENANASifFWoPPVk
68Please respect copyright.PENANAwmTcbwnzmg
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.68Please respect copyright.PENANAsm80B3WT1h
68Please respect copyright.PENANABeIdcgZEeO
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.68Please respect copyright.PENANAeycSzhiloi
68Please respect copyright.PENANAREKT1A9KSg
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAuN7ZRG45qn
68Please respect copyright.PENANAcLkdXQKqr5
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.68Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7wYCtjegI
68Please respect copyright.PENANAQzWUrTaJvp
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.68Please respect copyright.PENANAETcNFQcTHK
68Please respect copyright.PENANAAklRFhSEcW
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.68Please respect copyright.PENANAbgqj00hXN2
68Please respect copyright.PENANA6n9aczTfZC
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.68Please respect copyright.PENANAt6DCe7Mw3U
68Please respect copyright.PENANATPswPqe9FL
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.68Please respect copyright.PENANA1NoJluvoYR
68Please respect copyright.PENANAumSB64KkRP
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.68Please respect copyright.PENANAyI9OlU65dF
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWTPI9Mvge9
They separated, circling.68Please respect copyright.PENANA2VoYbLDP4Z
68Please respect copyright.PENANAqsXPeXJDfo
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAtq9HGiAZp5
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjUInqFPPtx
But skill? 68Please respect copyright.PENANAuABQDKj62o
68Please respect copyright.PENANALtGLms4suP
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAGfYRlmt1d9
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vz1I8Htfk
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAJY8Q5TU74l
68Please respect copyright.PENANA6xwvHUCgMJ
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.68Please respect copyright.PENANAaNdZygBnat
68Please respect copyright.PENANAE4AnK3UyY1
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.68Please respect copyright.PENANABKZen9TL8K
68Please respect copyright.PENANAj08cULzCzk
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.68Please respect copyright.PENANAplFRmE8Xdm
68Please respect copyright.PENANAX8QvMktNmP
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.68Please respect copyright.PENANAEuyQdddGti
68Please respect copyright.PENANAnsfazO79FW
"Yield?"68Please respect copyright.PENANArNtV5MTE6L
68Please respect copyright.PENANADjNpzVqKqa
Cel nodded once.68Please respect copyright.PENANAwNjrzv4KNU
68Please respect copyright.PENANAtuRgLRjOKY
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"68Please respect copyright.PENANAc4Jwt91s9q
68Please respect copyright.PENANAcLbUyOlAJY
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAkIeOzkSyo2
68Please respect copyright.PENANAsEb7pleXNH
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.68Please respect copyright.PENANADopkXNz0D7
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWNG91Qazmi
"That was disappointing."68Please respect copyright.PENANAfgMADtBoj1
68Please respect copyright.PENANAftbmU8pCWR
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.68Please respect copyright.PENANAPBLP3KZwxJ
68Please respect copyright.PENANAapbFMeK25D
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.68Please respect copyright.PENANAA2p5INBOBJ
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjq3n5ynAKY
'What did you expect?'68Please respect copyright.PENANAdMFKL62LNG
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOsQC6PeZvu
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAG6cjkOBfgN
68Please respect copyright.PENANAj8qZWUrenl
"Lord Owen."68Please respect copyright.PENANAWF1aHae9ww
68Please respect copyright.PENANA3s9Gy4kl3h
Both of them turned.68Please respect copyright.PENANAvK8DFy4gVZ
68Please respect copyright.PENANAgInBCpuv01
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.68Please respect copyright.PENANAbGbHL7iwM2
68Please respect copyright.PENANACp6yEpBiLZ
"Would you grant me a match?"68Please respect copyright.PENANAcHn8TWIrGt
68Please respect copyright.PENANApNOjKMLezS
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."68Please respect copyright.PENANAimlGHJFajd
68Please respect copyright.PENANApdvv9UbCKF
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.68Please respect copyright.PENANACAKapvuaDJ
68Please respect copyright.PENANA6M0ViUYFMk
"Are you alright?" he whispered.68Please respect copyright.PENANAPUZRwpwz49
68Please respect copyright.PENANAiJIgU8zpbH
"Yes."68Please respect copyright.PENANAuVdCKniegd
68Please respect copyright.PENANAR6bauj5sk2
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.68Please respect copyright.PENANAopyLLrASp6
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlb63IKS9So
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.68Please respect copyright.PENANAdL35ThtS4E
68Please respect copyright.PENANAqpamwF6Ebb
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. 68Please respect copyright.PENANAcPFQNsBcJv
68Please respect copyright.PENANAsxLN9GpScf
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.68Please respect copyright.PENANAtwNHE4pnpY
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7TMVGuW4ud
"Begin!"68Please respect copyright.PENANAebEtLnBjBi
68Please respect copyright.PENANAux7r1JD7xu
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.68Please respect copyright.PENANACoNB3IrM5c
68Please respect copyright.PENANAYeC8XoB5NP
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.68Please respect copyright.PENANA4VB0TzdhUY
68Please respect copyright.PENANAQpTcX1MOmc
She stepped forward.68Please respect copyright.PENANArWdQhiYIqb
68Please respect copyright.PENANAoxTT0cHKqx
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANA5KruqlGQaa
68Please respect copyright.PENANA1eT3VgsvLC
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.68Please respect copyright.PENANATkcdCo76Mr
68Please respect copyright.PENANAt1O3QNQDwW
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.68Please respect copyright.PENANAxbTkvsBL5B
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlY3ez4lsWF
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAe2hjUoCLgL
68Please respect copyright.PENANAE9PIfdUpbS
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAUppMsphaSk
68Please respect copyright.PENANApCts3Vf53F
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.68Please respect copyright.PENANAlqLi4nojBP
68Please respect copyright.PENANAwrF3h1vnA4
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.68Please respect copyright.PENANABKt58IvoeM
68Please respect copyright.PENANAclrsPTtuKI
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.68Please respect copyright.PENANAiRD1Xco8hq
68Please respect copyright.PENANA4kwt3uaYSd
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.68Please respect copyright.PENANAuDNJ8K9VC8
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjik5zBgMRw
But none of them landed.68Please respect copyright.PENANATW6eppAK1L
68Please respect copyright.PENANAtKGe9G2BCB
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANA4niUuLY9H1
68Please respect copyright.PENANAPybwWWKf7g
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.68Please respect copyright.PENANA1ynucX7uMC
68Please respect copyright.PENANAr0FuKHnUeZ
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.68Please respect copyright.PENANAtvZvipfkKd
68Please respect copyright.PENANAnDUCwOcYYA
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.68Please respect copyright.PENANAB39zDW0EbI
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOr0OlfoVY7
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.68Please respect copyright.PENANAwRZkBwk8KU
68Please respect copyright.PENANAMIJ8wdXHH8
"Yield?"68Please respect copyright.PENANAdKBUkQiDMO
68Please respect copyright.PENANAroDxskWUTk
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.68Please respect copyright.PENANAbgcyGK15Pp
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7AWYgv7WmF
"I yield."68Please respect copyright.PENANAAdw32DixOn
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOBZZ0CYOHX
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.68Please respect copyright.PENANAd8LaUQiuJ1
68Please respect copyright.PENANAqk9i7QSlbz
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.68Please respect copyright.PENANAm0k380aA4K
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlbk3Vr8Z1I
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.68Please respect copyright.PENANARzZqGLu0N9
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjpiMuhtcI0
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!"68Please respect copyright.PENANAcooGBvDj68
68Please respect copyright.PENANA5BO0vr8qOr
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."68Please respect copyright.PENANAaoOrxDVXhA
68Please respect copyright.PENANAqI3BPdArJO
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.68Please respect copyright.PENANAFDAtoN16RT
68Please respect copyright.PENANAui4IwPHezj
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."68Please respect copyright.PENANA8A8CFKPDVr
68Please respect copyright.PENANA2ysxXrtJbz
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.68Please respect copyright.PENANAtyeDjLjTha
68Please respect copyright.PENANA333HNTGdOJ
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.68Please respect copyright.PENANAWjzXttYBbz
68Please respect copyright.PENANAp0ldko1pW3
The fight was... brief.68Please respect copyright.PENANAKVkH4W9j6x
68Please respect copyright.PENANAcD7slvqQ8D
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.68Please respect copyright.PENANAcZpxP9zLOo
68Please respect copyright.PENANA5N6cRrGFyi
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAkGv3O7wDYN
68Please respect copyright.PENANAtFol4B8Ctb
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.68Please respect copyright.PENANAt2w3WKEFEh
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWHXGmA6Vmb
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."68Please respect copyright.PENANA9fRW9E0ePc
68Please respect copyright.PENANA71DGx0Kskp
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.68Please respect copyright.PENANAVW1MKkkX1B
68Please respect copyright.PENANAAfRHFmgpEG
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.68Please respect copyright.PENANADfir4erFo1
68Please respect copyright.PENANASdDK5jNHNH
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."68Please respect copyright.PENANA3tFmglfHpn
68Please respect copyright.PENANAxTfMWgzgpT
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.68Please respect copyright.PENANAUe0lFklfXu
68Please respect copyright.PENANACv8kSYF7wH
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANANlmTwvd6iX
68Please respect copyright.PENANAQyr2SLUXPI
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAJJHsoLElkC
68Please respect copyright.PENANAvvgMNXxTdJ
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.68Please respect copyright.PENANAbIgo4Q9Efg
68Please respect copyright.PENANAuLGC7BYbb5
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAAaizuwe33Z
68Please respect copyright.PENANA4ASSlfdgz0
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.68Please respect copyright.PENANAq0Eh5Yuprp
68Please respect copyright.PENANAz4ftoWxjHo
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.68Please respect copyright.PENANAv0VFujpPhA
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlnskdCmYxz
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.68Please respect copyright.PENANAzzEYLSxAJz
68Please respect copyright.PENANAluQczbk90M
Then a voice cut through the noise.68Please respect copyright.PENANAkuNskCv3li
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7GJobkGXGi
Familiar. Unwelcome.68Please respect copyright.PENANAHrNilq6uzK
68Please respect copyright.PENANAKL8BPexbME
"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 10, 2026
Total word count: 140,417
Total reading time: 650 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
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monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
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