Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.72Please respect copyright.PENANAuOaOGr2AuI
72Please respect copyright.PENANAKV6762GjPv
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."72Please respect copyright.PENANAjANLTL1LMB
72Please respect copyright.PENANApvCe0JioHT
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANALFpFwsEEcj
72Please respect copyright.PENANAM8sDOr6VL6
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."72Please respect copyright.PENANAjMRUYdtylE
72Please respect copyright.PENANAHRm5IXTUZa
He paused, letting that sink in.72Please respect copyright.PENANAKQhTiJalOe
72Please respect copyright.PENANAj5jSXrmd8e
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."72Please respect copyright.PENANA1juPj8LhnT
72Please respect copyright.PENANA4DvgFApfAB
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.72Please respect copyright.PENANA7WF2d399Vs
72Please respect copyright.PENANAsurPEMQMdr
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAAIVsWvHMsw
72Please respect copyright.PENANAAIqXVRV77N
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.72Please respect copyright.PENANApWnDC2E5Wf
72Please respect copyright.PENANADBoxiOU0Ga
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAh2dFL3KZxb
72Please respect copyright.PENANANnhWoRaAFc
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAbtGvQWquDC
72Please respect copyright.PENANAu9ksE91FkQ
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.72Please respect copyright.PENANAkvjLFaWybO
72Please respect copyright.PENANAHveKHqO8wH
"Begin!"72Please respect copyright.PENANAklfGYOeS98
72Please respect copyright.PENANAcBo07pFZCm
Owen moved first.72Please respect copyright.PENANAYsBN6wjrCs
72Please respect copyright.PENANAqg4MXkEP41
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANA212Hgb0Y2A
72Please respect copyright.PENANANoVeEUNNMj
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.72Please respect copyright.PENANA4sS6m2FiIh
72Please respect copyright.PENANAcvikxAjxQ3
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—72Please respect copyright.PENANAtVT9DeFMNv
72Please respect copyright.PENANAsAorMkk3UZ
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANANQx7QzSeEM
72Please respect copyright.PENANAjFvOQ21mok
Owen's eyes widened slightly.72Please respect copyright.PENANAIs62Qlyh5V
72Please respect copyright.PENANAylzuIi1T5K
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.72Please respect copyright.PENANA24JBilRqV2
72Please respect copyright.PENANAcdc3qrrWLw
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.72Please respect copyright.PENANALpSfgyXMhN
72Please respect copyright.PENANAgrXFNzIJQ8
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.72Please respect copyright.PENANAK36lm06Zp0
72Please respect copyright.PENANAikiqNL2X2w
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAloULuBAB92
72Please respect copyright.PENANAS7eGpZe9wP
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.72Please respect copyright.PENANAvI1qnt8tzH
72Please respect copyright.PENANAhDipfErID5
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.72Please respect copyright.PENANAKodS6WeRBS
72Please respect copyright.PENANAdsLgp5r0Fn
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.72Please respect copyright.PENANAL7watGSLEG
72Please respect copyright.PENANAwjwHj6l7H4
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.72Please respect copyright.PENANAexTUoquhNp
72Please respect copyright.PENANAlJOOzJ7FCE
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.72Please respect copyright.PENANAqtUJRk78ky
72Please respect copyright.PENANApvZdkx6kqn
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.72Please respect copyright.PENANAckeXdzVfEz
72Please respect copyright.PENANAeWa1t6GwuM
They separated, circling.72Please respect copyright.PENANAuqXYEshPoz
72Please respect copyright.PENANAKRliSYYaIl
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAllEm8L01fW
72Please respect copyright.PENANA4c4pYYyD6F
But skill? 72Please respect copyright.PENANAEWucWQ2SNH
72Please respect copyright.PENANAcW7F2uWNmf
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAHgJLIZptYt
72Please respect copyright.PENANAAtHKG907IA
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAXVoke9f92q
72Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1wFHdDmwT
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.72Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7B9SKf7bR
72Please respect copyright.PENANAEwaS6SnMys
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.72Please respect copyright.PENANAF7wskdoZVl
72Please respect copyright.PENANAVikeYXA4vb
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.72Please respect copyright.PENANAKXR4OrLGOv
72Please respect copyright.PENANAsfrgKAra10
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.72Please respect copyright.PENANAWciNlbU4gC
72Please respect copyright.PENANA6yPOnaUFWX
"Yield?"72Please respect copyright.PENANAH3h6U6d5xh
72Please respect copyright.PENANA6NLnoTRFMz
Cel nodded once.72Please respect copyright.PENANAwTKdy94E4E
72Please respect copyright.PENANAGJtZV3sUQe
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"72Please respect copyright.PENANA2pYBT3ufAG
72Please respect copyright.PENANAbKn5gLGt3B
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAMvbMCwWQNw
72Please respect copyright.PENANA48C5dzbO0L
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.72Please respect copyright.PENANAJBh1agPv3X
72Please respect copyright.PENANAFX2LxZIk1o
"That was disappointing."72Please respect copyright.PENANApfobbOBk66
72Please respect copyright.PENANAe1ZBh8ZH2n
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.72Please respect copyright.PENANA2MyNgnTaex
72Please respect copyright.PENANAy6O9pVBj3e
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.72Please respect copyright.PENANAusASorcraf
72Please respect copyright.PENANAbDB1mgVqmm
'What did you expect?'72Please respect copyright.PENANA48e5Sbo3BA
72Please respect copyright.PENANAF2py23tpdn
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANANoxHsRhlPd
72Please respect copyright.PENANAIPbb0sHWYc
"Lord Owen."72Please respect copyright.PENANAVRlECFLlwQ
72Please respect copyright.PENANAi4hN54E1WR
Both of them turned.72Please respect copyright.PENANAAR19dwdK27
72Please respect copyright.PENANAr3apFvd6bQ
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.72Please respect copyright.PENANARpzOurzSNc
72Please respect copyright.PENANAdQlSqRzuFp
"Would you grant me a match?"72Please respect copyright.PENANAk7GCTT8IE3
72Please respect copyright.PENANAQAgF9eEd3l
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."72Please respect copyright.PENANAXx4m4q4UsM
72Please respect copyright.PENANAnM2Fy7znb3
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.72Please respect copyright.PENANAx6CYTx055H
72Please respect copyright.PENANAXyHieQBlQo
"Are you alright?" he whispered.72Please respect copyright.PENANAix9JF4KSvR
72Please respect copyright.PENANAouVkHHAAxN
"Yes."72Please respect copyright.PENANA6ND8NU6q7Z
72Please respect copyright.PENANAxcb0dyU1vm
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.72Please respect copyright.PENANAeVm21SNSMt
72Please respect copyright.PENANAufQIzGrfhI
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.72Please respect copyright.PENANAlGBwk4Ca62
72Please respect copyright.PENANAWKzNHmb1r2
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAZtSihfgOOb
72Please respect copyright.PENANAFLQSULqqId
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.72Please respect copyright.PENANAAtru3tgbnI
72Please respect copyright.PENANAaHGV76eBiX
"Begin!"72Please respect copyright.PENANA1w8fNewsS6
72Please respect copyright.PENANAyGVyJqEHT2
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.72Please respect copyright.PENANATs3Zp2aL5P
72Please respect copyright.PENANAegkjjJ8g7Z
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.72Please respect copyright.PENANAp46A6oJhNA
72Please respect copyright.PENANAvI1MwA6Hrw
She stepped forward.72Please respect copyright.PENANAaJdeQ55xUS
72Please respect copyright.PENANA2BtZy2LDRj
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAGpnZfDbIiZ
72Please respect copyright.PENANAVJMjrpJ8RQ
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.72Please respect copyright.PENANAU6POnFM68f
72Please respect copyright.PENANA59dTDtmqUh
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.72Please respect copyright.PENANAhwqbbZjbaq
72Please respect copyright.PENANAQLKE4JpeEJ
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANA34HSauW6dM
72Please respect copyright.PENANAD8OKqNCppL
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAOX8bhc353j
72Please respect copyright.PENANAFzZ0NDc439
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.72Please respect copyright.PENANAUF2IEzqHYW
72Please respect copyright.PENANAXKf1ZEXkXY
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.72Please respect copyright.PENANAPwG6JaLI4T
72Please respect copyright.PENANAnnso4NQcYC
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.72Please respect copyright.PENANAzwCzZT8iIy
72Please respect copyright.PENANATckWGXBaqw
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.72Please respect copyright.PENANAaobWVbqpkN
72Please respect copyright.PENANAhJ9MKbZZGt
But none of them landed.72Please respect copyright.PENANAj0Nf01WAPh
72Please respect copyright.PENANAExDRHtq0UR
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAppDr8QNqLH
72Please respect copyright.PENANA4pAjtRtZ55
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.72Please respect copyright.PENANABCU3ZKNOX9
72Please respect copyright.PENANAdnAn1oNZp4
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.72Please respect copyright.PENANAfXe3StpZUO
72Please respect copyright.PENANA9ukvPzkNNo
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.72Please respect copyright.PENANAo8fiEHWMuX
72Please respect copyright.PENANAYvNt3SgCJ7
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.72Please respect copyright.PENANA8fVBZDLEmk
72Please respect copyright.PENANAxCSOtGqjVO
"Yield?"72Please respect copyright.PENANALXx7pUYafy
72Please respect copyright.PENANA6vcjGQgmB6
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.72Please respect copyright.PENANAyUHC3lb7KF
72Please respect copyright.PENANAqW8FGEN2kZ
"I yield."72Please respect copyright.PENANA0OcXzyAqWQ
72Please respect copyright.PENANAxNEifAg3CF
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.72Please respect copyright.PENANAyBNtMjpjZT
72Please respect copyright.PENANAHJ9L3fK8Mx
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.72Please respect copyright.PENANAYFobeBcYsE
72Please respect copyright.PENANAkIWFFYU4pm
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.72Please respect copyright.PENANADtOTFb85Ed
72Please respect copyright.PENANARVrVKfapWM
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!"72Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2YusvGwpY
72Please respect copyright.PENANAVrhCFjLIQF
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."72Please respect copyright.PENANAduUuCr8r1j
72Please respect copyright.PENANAvO55XV0uHV
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.72Please respect copyright.PENANACJ0GwJIJQL
72Please respect copyright.PENANAQ62xOG40k9
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."72Please respect copyright.PENANA70q0Y0LGqb
72Please respect copyright.PENANAnhoFce88fF
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.72Please respect copyright.PENANAaPOtzBbvsR
72Please respect copyright.PENANAMeUXmimgVK
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.72Please respect copyright.PENANAUrVeaekgHO
72Please respect copyright.PENANAgj5Ti6WfaM
The fight was... brief.72Please respect copyright.PENANARjRnrfjwvr
72Please respect copyright.PENANApa9UrJn9LD
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.72Please respect copyright.PENANA3o42PDDr2y
72Please respect copyright.PENANAYGxwPzsl8m
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAPdZmgHmjui
72Please respect copyright.PENANAR0PHGEDQLi
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.72Please respect copyright.PENANAfqAR27Xg9j
72Please respect copyright.PENANACkiAPhO64c
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."72Please respect copyright.PENANADIOJk8bHF5
72Please respect copyright.PENANAgoizK3ttFN
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.72Please respect copyright.PENANAEpqxa9JulY
72Please respect copyright.PENANAvvAXXXHvuP
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.72Please respect copyright.PENANAKoOOoTpYtP
72Please respect copyright.PENANAC6oQtewReK
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."72Please respect copyright.PENANAm51UnaC9wd
72Please respect copyright.PENANALh5Awj1rXP
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.72Please respect copyright.PENANAXHfPJRY3Xj
72Please respect copyright.PENANA1nD2prXTWn
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAywg9ANNOK6
72Please respect copyright.PENANAzNS1MRju3G
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAkTgqIIGBe2
72Please respect copyright.PENANAkPJ4kxmaag
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.72Please respect copyright.PENANAiodW5QRFBc
72Please respect copyright.PENANAKAfsxzbZhz
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAOl6uz4tc20
72Please respect copyright.PENANATXs6vWHKLh
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANARf3ll2NMpb
72Please respect copyright.PENANABCVIGhWHTM
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.72Please respect copyright.PENANA8UyHT5WtN1
72Please respect copyright.PENANAVCxzGYMs3q
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.72Please respect copyright.PENANAzFpipQ40jt
72Please respect copyright.PENANAqpaMAALtZ1
Then a voice cut through the noise.72Please respect copyright.PENANAp5TefSBoX7
72Please respect copyright.PENANAdDBQGNeXMD
Familiar. Unwelcome.72Please respect copyright.PENANAWpHhj4WsCS
72Please respect copyright.PENANAAvdEsLcUCA
"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 13, 2026
Total word count: 142,034
Total reading time: 658 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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darkfantasy
demons
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monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
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