Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

When Raegar and the girls were about to sit down, their other friends appeared from a nearby corridor. Vienna, Luna, and Caspian said their greetings, but it was Rune's actions that made everyone laugh.

The giant boy grabbed him in a sudden bear hug, taking the breath from his lungs as it took him by surprise. ''Rae! We thought you were going to get hurt!'' his friend exclaimed while squeezing him tightly.

''Ughh,'' he let out a strangled noise as Rune's big arms crushed him.

Raegar tried to laugh, but the giant was still hugging him like it was the end of the world. He didn't use his strength against his friend and just let it happen. That was until Vienna smacked the big guy's arm.

''Brother, let him go! Can't you see his face going white,'' she said, giggling.

''Oh,'' Rune muttered, letting him go.

He landed on his feet, breathing heavily as the giant apologized, looking guilty. ''Sorry for that, Rae, I forgot that you're smaller than me.''

Raegar chuckled, waving him away. ''It's fine, let me sit down and eat. All that fighting made me hungry.''

Just then, Drusilla, the pint-sized terror, poked her head out of his pocket, brandishing a tiny fist like a furious firecracker. ''Squash me one more time, and I'll deck you so hard you'll see stars and glitter!'' she declared menacingly.

The hulking softie threw up his hands like he was warding off a dragon. ''Whoa, chill! I was just stoked to see my best friend!'' he pleaded, his voice quivering with the kind of fear only a six-inch Dark Fairy could inspire.

Raegar, grinning like a kid caught sneaking cookies, started ruffling Drusilla's tiny head. ''Relax, Dru. His just a giant teddy bear and means no harm,'' he teased, barely dodging a swipe.

The blonde nodded and transformed into her bigger size, only to be dragged to the table by Dominique and Zahara. He followed the girls alongside Rune, who chuckled as he whispered. ''Drusilla is extremely protective of you, Rae, she's a good girl, so don't ruin things.''

''I won't,'' he answered, chuckling. ''We're bonded after all.''

Afterward, Caspian, Luna, and Vienna welcomed Raegar with warm smiles and heartfelt congratulations for helping his family. He brushed off their praise, as Selene playfully pulled him to sit beside her.

The Vampress settled on his other side, prompting Drusilla and Zahara to cast knowing glances at the pair, but they didn't say anything. Following that, the nine of them ate while he told them about his fights against the barbarians and Stormrune soldiers.

As he recounted his tales, the group listened in awe, their eyes gleaming with excitement as he spoke of killing the giant barbarian leader and Stormrune soldier. After he was finished, Caspian jumped up and suddenly proclaimed. ''We're looking at the champion of the Grand Magic Games, and perhaps even the Global Aether League!''

Raegar's brows shot up in surprise, but the black-haired boy pressed on. ''Your fighting style is a rare blend of speed, raw power, and Aether. Most competitors our age can barely manage two of those, but you wield all three.''

His friend motioned to everyone there as he was happy. ''When it comes to the team events, we're unstoppable. Your versatility gives us every edge we need to dominate our opponents and come first.''

Caspian gestured toward Rune, Selene, and Vienna, his hand sweeping across the group. ''We've got it all covered: the big guy is our defender; Selene, a fighter who strikes with unmatched ferocity; and Vienna, our mage, weaves Aether brilliantly. Together, our abilities form the most perfectly balanced team Drakenwood has ever seen. No one else comes close to our synergy.''

''This Dark Day, we are hitting a Rank E Dungeon to test out your skills,'' Raegar suddenly announced. ''I want to see if you guys can hold up in a dungeon, it will be entertaining to see how strong each of you is.''

When Dominique, Zahara, Selene, and Drusilla heard this, something in their eyes blazed as the Dark Fairy answered. ''We will ace it and show you what we can do. You may have been training since a baby, but so have most of us.''

He chuckled but nodded in agreement. ''I'll watch and only help if it's needed.''

Eagerly, the group agreed to venture into the dungeon, their excitement obvious as they buzzed. Raegar, caught up in the moment, began piling his plate high with sizzling cuts of meat, crusty bread, and Aether Fruit, its faint glow pulsing softly.

Moments later, he tore into his meal with a ravenous intensity, his fork moving in a blur as if he hadn't eaten in days. The aroma of roasted meat and spiced vegetables filled the air. He savored each bite, his hunger finally finding relief.

Around the table, the group shared in the feast, their laughter and chatter weaving a warm tapestry of camaraderie. Plates piled high with food gradually emptied as stories flowed freely.

Each member of the group was basking in the simple joy of good company and a delicious meal. By the time the last morsels were gone, most leaned back in their chairs, hands resting on comfortably full stomachs, their faces glowing with satisfaction.

Raegar's gaze drifted to Zahara, his eyes softening as a weary but genuine smile curved his lips. He pushed back his chair, the wooden legs scraping lightly against the floor, and rose to his feet.

''I'll walk you ladies back to the dorms,'' he said, his voice low but warm. ''Then I'm off to catch some much-needed sleep.''

His offer hung in the air, a small gesture that spoke volumes of his protective nature, even as exhaustion tugged at his frame. Following that, Caspian offered to walk Vienna and Luna back, who eagerly agreed.

Once everyone was done, Raegar watched as Rune shuffled behind the group, his movements slow and heavy, caught in the blissful haze of a food coma that left his eyes half-lidded and his face slack.

His exaggerated groans drew a ripple of laughter from the others, their amusement echoing through the dining hall as they gathered their plates and began stacking dishes before wiping down the table.

The kitchen staff, initially startled by the unexpected help, exchanged grateful glances and soon joined in the lighthearted banter, their usual workload eased by the group's cheerful assistance.

Smiles spread across their faces as they accepted the help with heartfelt thanks, the shared effort turning the mundane task into a moment of connection that lingered in the air long after the last plate was cleared.

Following that, Raegar stepped out of the dining hall only to feel the cold air brushing up against his skin. Drusilla appeared and transformed into her smaller form before sliding back into his pocket.

''Ahhh! So warm in here!'' she exclaimed happily.

The girls followed as Dominique wrapped her cloak around her body as she complained. ''Damn nighttime weather, it's getting worse as the Northern storms move south.''

Everyone agreed as Selene added. ''Father said it's getting worse, he thinks Brightwater City will lock down thanks to the horrible winds.''

Zahara pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her teeth chattering as she spoke, her breath visible in the crisp night air. ''It's never this cold down south,'' she said, trembling. ''All we get are massive waves crashing out at sea.''

Her eyes flicked toward the darkened sky, as if expecting the familiar roar of the ocean to follow her words. Raegar let out a low chuckle, his breath puffing out in a faint cloud as he glanced at the brown skinned beauty and other girls huddled close for warmth.

''Southport sits on a branch of the Western River,'' he explained. ''The storms here don't hit as fierce as those sea tempests you're used to, but it's the damned air that gets you.''

Raegar gestured vaguely at the surrounding darkness, where the wind sliced through their layers. ''It's got a way of creeping into your bones, sharp as a blade, no matter how many furs you pile on.''

His words were met with nods and murmurs from the girls, their faces illuminated faintly by the flickering lanterns as they pressed forward through the chill, their shared complaints knitting them closer together.

Moments later, Rune stepped out of the hall while letting out a yawn. He turned with a lazy, knowing smirk, raising a hand in a casual wave as he began to walk toward the dorms, as the odd student rushed about in the dark.

''I'll leave you lovebirds to chat,'' he teased. ''Cas and the others'll be out in a bit.''

With a final exaggerated wink, he sauntered off, his heavy footsteps crunching faintly on the frost-kissed ground, leaving a trail of chuckles in his wake. No sooner had the words faded than the door swung open again, revealing the others stepping out.

The two girls clung to his friend's arms. Luna's cheeks were flushed from the warmth of the hall, while Vienna's eyes sparkled with some private joke shared between them. Caspian, caught in the middle, wore a sheepish grin, his shoulders relaxed under their hold.