Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.78Please respect copyright.PENANAF7o7it4w4e
78Please respect copyright.PENANAULn1cEB1Am
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."78Please respect copyright.PENANA2RVaJLpJSH
78Please respect copyright.PENANAPbeEoXMJi6
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA8g07NRlD8p
78Please respect copyright.PENANAShTR9Box2J
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."78Please respect copyright.PENANAx8CygXRAuD
78Please respect copyright.PENANAGWtrfw6I15
He paused, letting that sink in.78Please respect copyright.PENANA4GYgi5oFi2
78Please respect copyright.PENANAZUQGuyu2BG
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."78Please respect copyright.PENANAC8pEa3maTe
78Please respect copyright.PENANA5BV9pflx5v
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.78Please respect copyright.PENANAkk3t6YtCn8
78Please respect copyright.PENANASYrH1ND8bd
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. 78Please respect copyright.PENANAjljgmFEcpC
78Please respect copyright.PENANAmCCJOA13Jm
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.78Please respect copyright.PENANAzkZdWhdwo7
78Please respect copyright.PENANAqiRxV5tqlA
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAm7NTXIhW1e
78Please respect copyright.PENANA5lMBSVBUZn
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA3H6WLhsQxV
78Please respect copyright.PENANAvqZhhZVZew
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.78Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ij04DDRc0
78Please respect copyright.PENANAeFb7rXSm3r
"Begin!"78Please respect copyright.PENANAng50Q3Rfp0
78Please respect copyright.PENANAY3BaXTGj5O
Owen moved first.78Please respect copyright.PENANAeCGl6AItPe
78Please respect copyright.PENANAYsOzMtPn19
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAF3qBbDJYxK
78Please respect copyright.PENANAfDxR4pwTKP
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.78Please respect copyright.PENANAywWmvyexWL
78Please respect copyright.PENANAjmrGDtYFzt
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—78Please respect copyright.PENANAsgdy3XC5oH
78Please respect copyright.PENANATwqqjwwKK6
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA25lr1K4StW
78Please respect copyright.PENANAm95dPoAKL9
Owen's eyes widened slightly.78Please respect copyright.PENANAvKKOU5Ebnq
78Please respect copyright.PENANAIN2zA8uqxP
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.78Please respect copyright.PENANAGhtZKl4Ccd
78Please respect copyright.PENANACZ5a0u5pTg
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.78Please respect copyright.PENANAElm8TvcIVc
78Please respect copyright.PENANAwJs7JXXcjy
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.78Please respect copyright.PENANAxKqRXqP6wT
78Please respect copyright.PENANAzckJgdCNjR
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAJFzEUmX0eV
78Please respect copyright.PENANA2KioZSWwqY
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.78Please respect copyright.PENANAXkOkLGPCH2
78Please respect copyright.PENANAn9BkTNjygW
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.78Please respect copyright.PENANAgbiJCKKYQM
78Please respect copyright.PENANAXhB13LOA8a
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.78Please respect copyright.PENANAq2aMVM8mrL
78Please respect copyright.PENANAtdT4GMryIX
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.78Please respect copyright.PENANAGQSgKfI2Kr
78Please respect copyright.PENANAkEEBsVu1OR
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.78Please respect copyright.PENANAGqxwOlHblV
78Please respect copyright.PENANAFjHkFkBzxC
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.78Please respect copyright.PENANAbJXPfLWgGb
78Please respect copyright.PENANA2MlsMXqQEg
They separated, circling.78Please respect copyright.PENANAXHRuWklO09
78Please respect copyright.PENANA1mpnshzRPR
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAn2O4jdes6F
78Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ytdli0MpZ
But skill? 78Please respect copyright.PENANAA1qlUHEFDC
78Please respect copyright.PENANAaqAPivV46o
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAUXzgTvHk6i
78Please respect copyright.PENANAG1QOl8MDLD
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA2VdYuxd7La
78Please respect copyright.PENANAow9E7gpbn6
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.78Please respect copyright.PENANAfGrKfFXmEs
78Please respect copyright.PENANAWiX1Kd1wjX
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.78Please respect copyright.PENANA3rf7wLXQa5
78Please respect copyright.PENANAD8S47oGCaO
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.78Please respect copyright.PENANAB8rlTmUG8B
78Please respect copyright.PENANAorMB3SPNTr
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.78Please respect copyright.PENANAtysPUrYBpn
78Please respect copyright.PENANAs26ATfnuoJ
"Yield?"78Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ50F2Cajb
78Please respect copyright.PENANAxQfxGhySZA
Cel nodded once.78Please respect copyright.PENANA6bu24oMFS5
78Please respect copyright.PENANANx1R4p6zIY
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"78Please respect copyright.PENANAM91xD51yPw
78Please respect copyright.PENANAl8hxibboQs
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAEp6X5yeq5y
78Please respect copyright.PENANAhO7Kvt1SUJ
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.78Please respect copyright.PENANAWkZsgLBhJ6
78Please respect copyright.PENANA9pbvEsNMZr
"That was disappointing."78Please respect copyright.PENANAT6G9v9n5a0
78Please respect copyright.PENANAKb1dCtVhVA
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.78Please respect copyright.PENANAuWgrFYj6gK
78Please respect copyright.PENANA9YEJnTo6Tc
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.78Please respect copyright.PENANAh9UGdvYd6p
78Please respect copyright.PENANAstc01UzwRM
'What did you expect?'78Please respect copyright.PENANA5K7TBb0y7P
78Please respect copyright.PENANAy7KLMeXmDC
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAmze3bIlP9X
78Please respect copyright.PENANAetMabk83Bl
"Lord Owen."78Please respect copyright.PENANAXzJGrM1pNI
78Please respect copyright.PENANA0QuNCidosQ
Both of them turned.78Please respect copyright.PENANA8WPopLYzGx
78Please respect copyright.PENANApXrDhVOBvZ
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.78Please respect copyright.PENANAdp18MI9hVj
78Please respect copyright.PENANA22BG0Us5gp
"Would you grant me a match?"78Please respect copyright.PENANAa1qfx9j4jV
78Please respect copyright.PENANAqmONOkcmiB
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."78Please respect copyright.PENANAYuPjvKii0i
78Please respect copyright.PENANAxIdAnlNLMW
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.78Please respect copyright.PENANAgVxUjDALsn
78Please respect copyright.PENANAUCO2eKLwQK
"Are you alright?" he whispered.78Please respect copyright.PENANADLjWy70C6I
78Please respect copyright.PENANAbK10F4UCCo
"Yes."78Please respect copyright.PENANAkp11S1wrlf
78Please respect copyright.PENANAK9jRyTtrfR
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.78Please respect copyright.PENANAvY7QmsfwAL
78Please respect copyright.PENANANzqKj29LlF
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.78Please respect copyright.PENANAxe3TpuKuBb
78Please respect copyright.PENANABuUhXsPqa0
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. 78Please respect copyright.PENANA5PtDymAX89
78Please respect copyright.PENANAoi7H8fwRdD
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.78Please respect copyright.PENANA6zb902GjvJ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAc9m1Z4JlRZ
"Begin!"78Please respect copyright.PENANAfV1EqATqUJ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAsDKjuzR0qy
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.78Please respect copyright.PENANAtAef3KSZli
78Please respect copyright.PENANAuq0gOCuRpe
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.78Please respect copyright.PENANA73dHwZdD3p
78Please respect copyright.PENANAc5L1hGfmvL
She stepped forward.78Please respect copyright.PENANA60NafLD3Vf
78Please respect copyright.PENANA3jp984gfsr
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANANHEb5FU1So
78Please respect copyright.PENANAYCEa5vNIeH
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.78Please respect copyright.PENANAk1THoVv49j
78Please respect copyright.PENANAEkWN0kuvax
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.78Please respect copyright.PENANAeEqWtBuxVh
78Please respect copyright.PENANABk2IwVmaem
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA7E2PupM7jl
78Please respect copyright.PENANAbed5sNmvtm
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAibAoDFKaDw
78Please respect copyright.PENANAt5hkCDhZt1
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.78Please respect copyright.PENANAClWZLEGprB
78Please respect copyright.PENANAV5lHAwHn6B
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.78Please respect copyright.PENANAeUKVft3hMX
78Please respect copyright.PENANAXgFf5Gz7T2
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.78Please respect copyright.PENANAM7QGbe1f1b
78Please respect copyright.PENANAOEGfQMlc4I
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.78Please respect copyright.PENANAnlrTo7wq4T
78Please respect copyright.PENANAU5JvqrUu7H
But none of them landed.78Please respect copyright.PENANAvtiVuJbt0R
78Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2pMp0ETmH
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANARtfjkjP4rd
78Please respect copyright.PENANATo9QPHNnZp
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.78Please respect copyright.PENANAl0y6J8sRUK
78Please respect copyright.PENANA8t8bIIQdM5
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.78Please respect copyright.PENANABPoE67mVe1
78Please respect copyright.PENANAalfgbYzOJe
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.78Please respect copyright.PENANAas0z9P5c9u
78Please respect copyright.PENANAYwbychElOW
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.78Please respect copyright.PENANAFac66ipZ8F
78Please respect copyright.PENANAJhqU4NsFea
"Yield?"78Please respect copyright.PENANAXeGNwzm6EI
78Please respect copyright.PENANA7y11qifzGT
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.78Please respect copyright.PENANADok1atqukn
78Please respect copyright.PENANANerGorNQgg
"I yield."78Please respect copyright.PENANACUzPb6LrRu
78Please respect copyright.PENANAnCOJveEzw3
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.78Please respect copyright.PENANAIKCjhhV3NZ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAzFGNrAYwRM
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.78Please respect copyright.PENANAgB4V3sCjxt
78Please respect copyright.PENANAL84Kqtgf31
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.78Please respect copyright.PENANAeeAgwcLL8e
78Please respect copyright.PENANAeVWxKLa1aj
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!"78Please respect copyright.PENANAboThtVnG7c
78Please respect copyright.PENANA03No8meRPN
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."78Please respect copyright.PENANAKwzY0uSU76
78Please respect copyright.PENANA7TG6ASLTuC
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.78Please respect copyright.PENANAJ45Mpr99XV
78Please respect copyright.PENANAXk1ewcmxi0
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."78Please respect copyright.PENANAeKXzCNgLSQ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAK6F4j5NEo4
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.78Please respect copyright.PENANA6XuwayHEv7
78Please respect copyright.PENANAkuybxn4QSa
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.78Please respect copyright.PENANAXcPNcz3wNA
78Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZNzDBh0qC
The fight was... brief.78Please respect copyright.PENANAzEfgxPid9j
78Please respect copyright.PENANArYpy5WZ5S7
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.78Please respect copyright.PENANAvixPZfcsYZ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAfiIuUfyETJ
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANALSp7d9usZE
78Please respect copyright.PENANANhoV8oh2r0
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.78Please respect copyright.PENANAMyGxFzVq7p
78Please respect copyright.PENANAfF7lHQoJe8
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."78Please respect copyright.PENANAKVAFEnky7C
78Please respect copyright.PENANA5wAFlWR8jQ
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.78Please respect copyright.PENANAWb1bGziNen
78Please respect copyright.PENANAdcYYL3CDlY
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.78Please respect copyright.PENANAwwTCMqaGXY
78Please respect copyright.PENANA7SofMI8jzQ
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."78Please respect copyright.PENANAqwKW12uffc
78Please respect copyright.PENANAvSnX65DVjR
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.78Please respect copyright.PENANA7cX397e7c4
78Please respect copyright.PENANA56lWHcy0TY
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANA3wn3r0yQxo
78Please respect copyright.PENANARzsOT0HByU
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAAJYirInpFT
78Please respect copyright.PENANAgxLoTaKlpr
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.78Please respect copyright.PENANAmhjngJq0B5
78Please respect copyright.PENANAoQ4eIINUNV
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAkgNJyxu5GS
78Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xs9yFZwUs
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.78Please respect copyright.PENANAeZ6kEgtWzt
78Please respect copyright.PENANAvXMLYSt7j7
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.78Please respect copyright.PENANAjIfHIYlUYK
78Please respect copyright.PENANAzmHSWI5fTS
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.78Please respect copyright.PENANAhLWtroadzZ
78Please respect copyright.PENANAecYxRCnNaP
Then a voice cut through the noise.78Please respect copyright.PENANArgYkg1m2Xv
78Please respect copyright.PENANA1rf35atjGw
Familiar. Unwelcome.78Please respect copyright.PENANAUnLUeTgLey
78Please respect copyright.PENANA5JtBAGUW8w
"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: Jun 27, 2026
Total word count: 149,231
Total reading time: 691 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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demons
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monsters
gods
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medieval
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