The Last Legendary System

That shouldn’t be possible.

Only one theory existed. The Norians and Olienians never realized Karnak disappeared because the balance never shifted.

It should have. A realm vanishing should have caused the primordial core’s loss, but it didn’t because another realm took Karnak’s place. In the book, Ashold Creeve made an unconfirmed guess that the two realms swapped.

When Karnak returned, the two realms fought for dominion. Karnak emerged victorious with the help of Ashold and the Protectors.

The other realm was lost in space and time, though likely not everyone from it. ’If these are citizens of the lost realm who somehow escaped extinction...’

Their hatred toward Karnak and their drive to survive were understandable.

Zina looked from him to the men muttering. Her eyes shifted to the back of the shelves where she had dropped the innocent lady. She sighed.

"What is your next move? We know they’ll attack before sunrise."

"We leave and prepare. Of course, without them realizing we were ever here."

If the enemy finds them, the plan failed. The attack could happen immediately, and the shelter would fall. "You are an elf, aren’t you?" Benign left the ground. He moved towards the shelves. "Can you perform magic?"

"Light magic, but it is only for defense."

"Good. We aren’t here to attack."

The two snuck out of the shelter through the windows. Benign waited till Zina landed before drifting down the slope.

His eyes narrowed at the detached building and never left it. "We check if they have weapons that are unfamiliar to you, and think of ways to counter them."

Zina pulled him back sharply. A lantern flashed in his direction before moving on.

He let out a breath. "Thanks. Come on."

No sound came from inside the building. The door swung open easily. Benign stooped down to avoid being discovered by the patrols outside the window. Zina did the same.

"Gunpowder." He declared after sniffing around the fourth barrel in the room. Four black barrels filled with a man’s greatest discovery.

"This smells like Olien."

Benign couldn’t deny. He found the fuse connected to each and cut them off to buy their shelter time. The fuse on the fourth barrel was the thickest.

"We light this one."

"What? If it blows up—"

"I know, but I won’t let it blow up. We can’t leave it here when it is likely the barrel to be buried close to the shelter." He raised the end of the fuse. "It’s about five hundred metres long. What does that tell you?"

Zina’s eyes dilated. She nodded once. "I understand."

"Alright, the patrols are everywhere now. You should leave first. Cause a distraction with your light after exactly fifteen minutes."

Using his sword, the soldier lit the fuse’s end. The fire burnt slowly. Fifteen minutes would be enough to significantly shorten it. "Leave, Zina." He repeated when she remained there.

Her hands tightened around the bag on her shoulders. "Okay, okay, take care." She slipped out the window, landing softly.

Benign watched her slide down the rolling hills and disappear into the forest. He exhaled, then returned his eyes to the fuse burning up. "Could you hurry?"

A loud thud echoed outside the building. He fell to the ground without checking what it was. Numerous soldiers ran toward the thud.

Benign peeked through the window when their footsteps passed. They were inside the medical shelter he just left. He watched quietly.

From the window he and Zina escaped from, a tall armored figure stood staring down at something behind the shelves. Or at someone. Benign remembered the medical aid Zina left there.

"Which one of you hurt her? Drop on your knees now!" The armored figure bellowed.

The authority in her voice brought a painful realization. Their General.

Benign leaned back against the wall and slowly slid to the ground. He stared at the fuse, willing it to burn faster. It didn’t. If he left it that way, it would blow up and ruin the plans. If he cut it early, the danger remained.

"I should stay away from the medical shelter first." Benign ran a hand through his hair. "So I can think clearly—"

Footsteps approached the door. An imposing aura drained the strength from his legs.

Without thinking, he climbed through the window. His left foot caught the frame, sending him face-first into the wall.

"Who’s there? Check behind the—"

SPARK.

A blinding light erupted above the hills, piercing the eyes of everyone beneath the sky. An armored soldier crashed to the ground beside him.

Benign’s head had been lowered from the fall, sparing his eyes. He landed cleanly and sprinted toward the forest.

"It hasn’t been fifteen minutes yet. What is she thinking?"

More footsteps followed behind him. Good. Better than checking the barrels.

His eyes caught the top of her head. "No... what?"

Zina was running straight toward him with her sword drawn. She froze the moment she saw the armored soldiers chasing him.

"An elf! Kill it!" They declared a verdict immediately.

’This child!’ Benign planted his feet on the ground. His sword was drawn out with the same motion as turning to face the soldiers.

They stood in place, holding rugged swords away from their bodies. Zina came behind him, panting heavily. "D-Did it work?"

The soldier ignored her and counted the assailants in front of him. Six men wouldn’t be easy to brush off.

SHING!

A ten-foot spear appeared from the corner of his eye, straight at Zina behind him. He flashed his blade once. The spear slammed against the silver blade, pushing the soldier back from its force.

He pulled Zina with his other hand and flung her down the hill. The spear sprang up, floating in the air, before returning to its owner.

Benign’s breath hitched.

The armored soldiers stepped aside as their General marched in front. She stood at almost eight feet with a full body that couldn’t be hidden under armor.

Her red, bulging eyes settled on the blade before she shifted her gaze to Benign, glaring into his eyes. The medic dangled across her left shoulder.

"She isn’t dead. We just knocked her out." Benign started first. He found his footing. "If you get salt, I’ll prove it to you."

The General stopped six steps in front of him. Her chest heaved slowly. "Blade of Ages... is it?"

The soldier looked down at his weapon as if it was the first he had seen it. He lowered it below his waist. "It is."

Silence.

One soldier slowly stepped backward. Another lowered his spear.

The General never looked away from Benign.

"So..."

"Another cursed Hero."