Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.118Please respect copyright.PENANA6UZ6QR6fcW
118Please respect copyright.PENANAB1LaNdMjLn
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."118Please respect copyright.PENANA8E9Jcp5mia
118Please respect copyright.PENANAUeymJaQBRe
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAhfFode7C2u
118Please respect copyright.PENANAzxyVxrcbEd
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."118Please respect copyright.PENANAOnyBb8GTKs
118Please respect copyright.PENANAPJp2Ry98Fq
He paused, letting that sink in.118Please respect copyright.PENANAU0AucPCV1q
118Please respect copyright.PENANAnjWADacoY0
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."118Please respect copyright.PENANATNPrpOtHQR
118Please respect copyright.PENANAt63PPIQWvC
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.118Please respect copyright.PENANAGhn7WH5RGK
118Please respect copyright.PENANAgdFiTbzhpQ
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. 118Please respect copyright.PENANAtaYN28jmfO
118Please respect copyright.PENANAW9WzGejPMV
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.118Please respect copyright.PENANAgujNpfC8GS
118Please respect copyright.PENANAkUXefmkAr1
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAeNbFTt3IGW
118Please respect copyright.PENANAW5WCavYO17
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANA8FxzDseHou
118Please respect copyright.PENANAYZsE4MVVaq
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.118Please respect copyright.PENANABWggG3LQ7n
118Please respect copyright.PENANAy3VMu7wVXd
"Begin!"118Please respect copyright.PENANApnfoE3477g
118Please respect copyright.PENANAcJMqYtdU9D
Owen moved first.118Please respect copyright.PENANAmskbMiMIaX
118Please respect copyright.PENANAM976Of1ZDe
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAgfGUkiUJyA
118Please respect copyright.PENANAGYuQyCUZRT
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.118Please respect copyright.PENANAMQwa1MIR9m
118Please respect copyright.PENANAB4BZs3lscj
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—118Please respect copyright.PENANA4pRmjhXTtd
118Please respect copyright.PENANAUb6pbvTKYu
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAIlq0G7Ukqc
118Please respect copyright.PENANAdOwQEvSo2I
Owen's eyes widened slightly.118Please respect copyright.PENANA48GHR2gLfv
118Please respect copyright.PENANAeljMx2vQ6U
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.118Please respect copyright.PENANAF6vvWXOLbZ
118Please respect copyright.PENANA0WpiJVG8Uv
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.118Please respect copyright.PENANARicfjv0vHt
118Please respect copyright.PENANADxbIssxgvE
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.118Please respect copyright.PENANAji6cxYzIoV
118Please respect copyright.PENANArbeWLPjBUb
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANA9wNySJd2qe
118Please respect copyright.PENANAivmaUVPm4m
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.118Please respect copyright.PENANAmjVb4Z0IWO
118Please respect copyright.PENANAIexPffWxP3
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.118Please respect copyright.PENANALtkKwHjSJT
118Please respect copyright.PENANAlit8iie5MR
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.118Please respect copyright.PENANAgpXemRm57R
118Please respect copyright.PENANAkrHB3mgKxj
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.118Please respect copyright.PENANA7ShH4Xj0iN
118Please respect copyright.PENANADVymVu8oHh
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.118Please respect copyright.PENANA7jije4GEw6
118Please respect copyright.PENANAbYYtim9J3r
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.118Please respect copyright.PENANAzk6Ut7emCs
118Please respect copyright.PENANAudzS2IKDtM
They separated, circling.118Please respect copyright.PENANAduz4Gv3Q54
118Please respect copyright.PENANAfY4wAGJna5
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAdAxWa8yhJw
118Please respect copyright.PENANAS6XCfic7k4
But skill? 118Please respect copyright.PENANAr8lf2grLhi
118Please respect copyright.PENANAMgdPhiQJVs
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANABVh9Rfrfpz
118Please respect copyright.PENANACbg2bpyQ8g
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANARVwWL13rXc
118Please respect copyright.PENANAQIS4jLIYbO
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.118Please respect copyright.PENANAe88CamzFHF
118Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ksh2tamCn
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.118Please respect copyright.PENANAqbPMpuXqYG
118Please respect copyright.PENANAsQDlaEVhUt
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.118Please respect copyright.PENANAMqZhcT2XA8
118Please respect copyright.PENANAp7Aj5TwiiP
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.118Please respect copyright.PENANAjLUyxFFRhu
118Please respect copyright.PENANA1vOGIx8mlX
"Yield?"118Please respect copyright.PENANAM2ZPFz7uZi
118Please respect copyright.PENANANUk4nEh6RH
Cel nodded once.118Please respect copyright.PENANADYM8sTkd2A
118Please respect copyright.PENANABQzcc4QEAc
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"118Please respect copyright.PENANANLJsvsxtHm
118Please respect copyright.PENANADFWE4Va3sj
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANADHj2mZPLIw
118Please respect copyright.PENANAJnTuZRMx48
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.118Please respect copyright.PENANAL5Wl4Fcrcp
118Please respect copyright.PENANAlaGIQU0X7f
"That was disappointing."118Please respect copyright.PENANAyiuAW9B7uu
118Please respect copyright.PENANA7cGfqKxsz7
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.118Please respect copyright.PENANA97268t8D19
118Please respect copyright.PENANAkuGooOwFsV
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.118Please respect copyright.PENANAULTcCFrR1T
118Please respect copyright.PENANAOij0hQuY1O
'What did you expect?'118Please respect copyright.PENANA7rEhkQ8U0X
118Please respect copyright.PENANAOTY6iGiYks
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAzEdHLCCxRv
118Please respect copyright.PENANAcRJfwa9zCS
"Lord Owen."118Please respect copyright.PENANAUBUyDnEtoj
118Please respect copyright.PENANAOBYUlw7Rs4
Both of them turned.118Please respect copyright.PENANAEFAwSMKdIa
118Please respect copyright.PENANACzJg5wkScC
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.118Please respect copyright.PENANA6BLXJMmwnh
118Please respect copyright.PENANA2cu6tkEaYP
"Would you grant me a match?"118Please respect copyright.PENANAK2J2kMHnx9
118Please respect copyright.PENANAKEiOEsMvwk
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."118Please respect copyright.PENANAHFNe0LRjhW
118Please respect copyright.PENANAVbhcWdA9ZU
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.118Please respect copyright.PENANA7MJ4f4bKWu
118Please respect copyright.PENANAU64tsFndaP
"Are you alright?" he whispered.118Please respect copyright.PENANABM7NfnijIG
118Please respect copyright.PENANA8eysFVFhKj
"Yes."118Please respect copyright.PENANA8eEg4ENrcP
118Please respect copyright.PENANAhLwX25PaEZ
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.118Please respect copyright.PENANALo0TYZ6c4f
118Please respect copyright.PENANAc4oojyfh6u
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.118Please respect copyright.PENANARPgMoiOywc
118Please respect copyright.PENANAk9cYGkANql
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. 118Please respect copyright.PENANA5YiRdwqmQP
118Please respect copyright.PENANA0tVjNL7xAJ
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.118Please respect copyright.PENANA5yZarSLgFD
118Please respect copyright.PENANAEejLTH0iT4
"Begin!"118Please respect copyright.PENANAsqcxXnuiAH
118Please respect copyright.PENANAgBXVgCKJh8
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.118Please respect copyright.PENANAcfqklrA6xp
118Please respect copyright.PENANAgy0gBB5C0u
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.118Please respect copyright.PENANA40p3Vl1vgW
118Please respect copyright.PENANA7AaqGRhjHj
She stepped forward.118Please respect copyright.PENANAO0HFC2uE0K
118Please respect copyright.PENANANdLP3qRrXF
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAhGbFjeNcin
118Please respect copyright.PENANAyUOZYebtEm
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.118Please respect copyright.PENANAkGFd7YsNp9
118Please respect copyright.PENANA9A6hg4YTid
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.118Please respect copyright.PENANAMUHLl8OVNW
118Please respect copyright.PENANABEf9zKu5WU
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAg4DZYMMFqo
118Please respect copyright.PENANAP5ma39FHDC
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAcMYoknlllM
118Please respect copyright.PENANAoKZG9qvmc5
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.118Please respect copyright.PENANAs3112dMsc1
118Please respect copyright.PENANAE1dcgPrpXV
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.118Please respect copyright.PENANASLAbDHb7UT
118Please respect copyright.PENANA6N7ZIBU0mE
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.118Please respect copyright.PENANA8cpMqlgrLH
118Please respect copyright.PENANA78CZSbKDnl
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.118Please respect copyright.PENANAzPjGZMlG2p
118Please respect copyright.PENANAGKKtfNof3y
But none of them landed.118Please respect copyright.PENANAJd3e3HO9hb
118Please respect copyright.PENANAP9ldmLf6BF
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAiZomBPS8o9
118Please respect copyright.PENANAH4ZqMIOlQ4
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.118Please respect copyright.PENANAHIzGoCUCE9
118Please respect copyright.PENANAsOtEhSxeww
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.118Please respect copyright.PENANAZsdDa6O3lA
118Please respect copyright.PENANA3KLGjUPGJR
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.118Please respect copyright.PENANA18BnoWOxiy
118Please respect copyright.PENANActabGLwLGY
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.118Please respect copyright.PENANA4nMTKtH7ql
118Please respect copyright.PENANAShwRDeFV5r
"Yield?"118Please respect copyright.PENANA3vbNaDwQtQ
118Please respect copyright.PENANA8QnnfMw6uJ
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.118Please respect copyright.PENANAb0buwdTdMf
118Please respect copyright.PENANAPGKZgd6aRr
"I yield."118Please respect copyright.PENANAT8jPC87CkF
118Please respect copyright.PENANA3EYw4Vy92r
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.118Please respect copyright.PENANAwjAGytVLgK
118Please respect copyright.PENANAUoeUBOrraz
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.118Please respect copyright.PENANAikaJHlzjC4
118Please respect copyright.PENANAIR4BX1oFwK
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.118Please respect copyright.PENANAlV64lLbaPC
118Please respect copyright.PENANAC0lxFdsYy3
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!"118Please respect copyright.PENANAscoqhzHgFR
118Please respect copyright.PENANAXZU098C4TY
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."118Please respect copyright.PENANAN8PAmyj5C2
118Please respect copyright.PENANAJcj69FFtge
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.118Please respect copyright.PENANAdveUqc4B4m
118Please respect copyright.PENANAIvnr2JSnuY
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."118Please respect copyright.PENANAKvAc5Gpi8P
118Please respect copyright.PENANAgsBOySLp8I
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.118Please respect copyright.PENANAXPPBD7cy1f
118Please respect copyright.PENANAy4gd0vwfQ1
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.118Please respect copyright.PENANAvI2qcSblQj
118Please respect copyright.PENANAwwdenUBEnw
The fight was... brief.118Please respect copyright.PENANA78cBWGwk5N
118Please respect copyright.PENANAuiG0Z1jZak
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.118Please respect copyright.PENANAxXDWmgAMp8
118Please respect copyright.PENANA7WViKCjjRR
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAHKjiIAtxsY
118Please respect copyright.PENANAPOp5PTVDQr
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.118Please respect copyright.PENANAJlJ0pSOFTj
118Please respect copyright.PENANAAw7YiybALF
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."118Please respect copyright.PENANAVqA167pp5R
118Please respect copyright.PENANAiCaXRTJQBa
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.118Please respect copyright.PENANAoS6wcPlXyd
118Please respect copyright.PENANANBY4LVfcWN
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.118Please respect copyright.PENANAejlKdcIePx
118Please respect copyright.PENANAh0CVNryXb8
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."118Please respect copyright.PENANAoojahSG5cV
118Please respect copyright.PENANAmBzHjwYWvf
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.118Please respect copyright.PENANAuZI3OfHIed
118Please respect copyright.PENANAIj00vOqvEw
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANADYpGxcMCLm
118Please respect copyright.PENANAim8Ejwxs3B
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANADqVuRM0ume
118Please respect copyright.PENANA6OJst1whBZ
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.118Please respect copyright.PENANAXV6ggKioRf
118Please respect copyright.PENANALllniKb5vm
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANApqafijGbyF
118Please respect copyright.PENANAOEN04tmaf7
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.118Please respect copyright.PENANAIaQ8GKoCdT
118Please respect copyright.PENANAnh37WLYYX4
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.118Please respect copyright.PENANAYpdc7ImJtf
118Please respect copyright.PENANABTfIId48fB
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.118Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ0zZQZrpW
118Please respect copyright.PENANABr5UJXz0ok
Then a voice cut through the noise.118Please respect copyright.PENANAQWNIO7SGQl
118Please respect copyright.PENANASDRFCUtdY8
Familiar. Unwelcome.118Please respect copyright.PENANAYW1LDVzOnd
118Please respect copyright.PENANA1DRmBT199E
"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: Aug 8, 2026
Total word count: 165,510
Total reading time: 766 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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demons
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monsters
gods
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fantasyrealm
medieval
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