In his pursuit of finding allies to aid him in his adventure, King Creo starts wandering about his kingdom whilst greeting the citizens with a warm smile on his face.
As he continued walking on foot, he eventually reached the outside of the military base that protects the kingdom of Elderith which he had a hand in its conception.
The structure was built by some of the skilled masons the kingdom had to offer; it was composed of a mixture of strong stone, imported bricks, as well as clay to solidify the core structure and in the building of fortifications and defenses.
"Hmmm, I've heard stories about this base. This area is where the finest and the best of the kingdom's soldiers train themselves and develop and enhance their very own skill set," Creo mutters to himself while entering the military base.
"I wonder if I will find a certain soldier around here. I'm thinking of inviting that soldier into my ranks to find that fabled crystal." Creo said while walking around the military base.
The soldiers immediately took notice his presence and stopped what they were doing and began to bow in respect, he simply nodded back at them to give his acknowledgement.
One of the officers approached towards him with a smug expression on his face. "It is a pleasure to have the King of Elderith visit us here, I am officer Relade II, what brings you here King Creo?"
Creo merely glanced at the officer, his composure remained steadfast and calm. "You could say I merely passed by to see the finest officers in this vicinity, but then again there is someone I would wish to speak with..."
"And who might that be?" They asked, waiting for his response.
"I have made my way here not to jest or to have a cup of tea, I am looking for none other than the one and only Lieutenant Ardenvain..." He looked back at him with a cold expression.
The officer gulped slightly and without a second thought, escorted him to the person he wished to meet.
As he strolls through the grounds, his eyes darting around the interior, the atmosphere shifts its tone and he notices a young woman downstairs showcasing her remarkable sword skills accompanied by a mesmerizing display of both fire and ice powers.
Creo was intrigued and taken aback by what the warrior had just displayed. He went downstairs and approached the skilled warrior but as he moved closer and closer, he realized who the skilled warrior was.
"Not bad, I was taken aback by your graceful movements but then again, it should be no surprise, if it came from you, Athena." Creo smirked and smiled as he was reunited with a dear old friend of his past.
"You know, you should expect something like that from one of the big players of the Eldenmore War, nonetheless it's good to see you again Creo, or should I say, Your Majesty?" Athena said sarcastically as she bowed before Creo, afterwards proceeded to sheath her sword.
"There is no need for you to bow towards me or for us to address one another by our epithets, my dear old friend. Likewise it's good to see you again, Athena." Creo replied as he reached out her hand.
"Well then, Creo, what brings you here to the training grounds, is there an important matter you wanted to discuss privately?" Athena asked while being playful towards Creo, her eyes looking deep down into his eyes with curiosity.
"Well Athena, you have the skills and talents and those two things are exactly what I seek and need for my newly established guild, the Dream Preservers." Creo stated as he was explaining it towards Athena.
Athena listened to Creo's words and was intrigued after hearing Creo had created a new guild that had not been heard from the public yet.
"Interesting..." Athena muttered as she stared at Creo in awe, cracking her knuckles.
"So Athena, will you join me hand-in-hand in safeguarding the kingdom?" King Creo asks as he nods towards Athena, waiting for her response.
Athena quickly thinks about it, hearing Creo's offer and after a few minutes, she comes up with her final decision.
"Ok after a lot of thinking, I've made up my decision, Creo." She sighed softly.
Creo was intrigued after hearing this and was waiting for Athena's eventual answer.
"I would join you if you beat me in a swordfight." She snickered.
"Really? You're just making an excuse to spar again with me?" He chuckled as he drew out his sword.
She swung her sword at him. "Don't tell me I'm the only one who enjoys this?"
"You're not and yet there's always a time to call it quits!" He disarmed her sword and used the hilt of his sword to point it at her.
"Two can play that game you know!"
She flipped backwards to grab her sword but he began to chase after her swiftly.
Despite that, she managed to grab her sword and the two of them began swinging their swords, exchanging a flurry of swift blows.
Relade and the other soldiers watched from afar, blown away by the marvelous display of skill and ferocity between the two warriors.
"Just witnessing this battle showcases how much of a difference between us regular soldiers and them, if I were to engage in a fight against them, they would have already won before I drew my blade." Relade muttered to himself.
They continued swinging and swinging, their bodies were restless and filled with energy.
But only one of them can win to end this battle.
And then the outcome of this match was decided.
Creo swiftly adjusted his position to avoid the slash from Athena's blade, he lowered his position to kick her leg and then swiftly pointed the tip of his blade on her throat.
"It seems I win again." Creo snickered, offering his hand up.
"Not bad, I guess I could never really outwit in you battle." She took his hand and got up from the ground.
"So, what will it be?" He asked, waiting for her response.
"It would be an honor to join you in your guild. I have longed for a cause worthy of my skills." Athena said enthusiastically as she bowed before him.
"I'm glad that you have accepted my offer then Athena, come now, we must go look for other adventurers together." Creo said as he smiled towards Athena, glad that she accepted his offer.
"You know Creo, it's been a long time since we have talked to one another since the Eldenmore War." Athena stated as both of them walked upstairs.
"Indeed it has been a long time, ten years have already passed and yet here we are in the present, together again reunited, fighting for Elderith." Creo said enthusiastically while walking across the corridor with Athena.
Athena smiles at Creo, thinking about the times they didn't catch up with one another, as both of them walk outside of the military base heading in a different direction.
"Well then, let's go look for some potential members to join us amongst our ranks, shall we?" Creo asked Athena as both of them walked down the road.
Athena nods at Creo, agreeing with his decision and both of them continued walking looking for potential candidates willing to help and join them to their cause.
"It's no easy task in finding people who would be willing to join us but knowing me, I have my way in making people join us, Creo." Athena stated playfully.
"Plus I have a certain person in mind to join us but that will be for later, were just going to have to take a long trek to meet that guy." Athena stated as she continued walking down the road.
"Fine by me, if that's all it takes just so we could recruit that specific person you're talking about then fine by me, let's go continue trekking." Creo stated, excited and catches up with Athena.
"Just so we're clear, he's not exactly from Elderith, he is a man located from a far away area, atop of that mountain over there, so we're going to have to leave the kingdom. Are you fine with leaving it unprotected?" Athena asked as she pointed at the very far mountain.
"Well if it's just to meet and recruit that guy then ok, I'm fine with that, plus I've entrusted it to the head of the military General Relade I to watch over the kingdom for me in case I ever go somewhere." Creo stated as both of them were about to leave the gate.
"Ok then, brace yourself Creo, cause this one is going to be one hell of a cold disaster." Athena stated excitingly as she is at the other end of the gate.
Creo takes one last look at his kingdom and follows Athena and both of them have exited the gates of Elderith, heading far away on their journey atop the mountain, looking for the mystery person.