Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.100Please respect copyright.PENANAx9oLZtA2O9
100Please respect copyright.PENANAumT9FpHd0N
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."100Please respect copyright.PENANAcBk9AMVlcj
100Please respect copyright.PENANA195OvqY2io
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAXc5nfhhjNr
100Please respect copyright.PENANAdJwI2ETVS3
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."100Please respect copyright.PENANAUkmgNXAaLV
100Please respect copyright.PENANApkckMVP3Dk
He paused, letting that sink in.100Please respect copyright.PENANAZonKra9FDE
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"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."100Please respect copyright.PENANAnPWoF98nBv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAaRHKiLmice
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.100Please respect copyright.PENANAlEJmCB4uBu
100Please respect copyright.PENANA6UOD06n3oj
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. 100Please respect copyright.PENANAr4e8htaYPR
100Please respect copyright.PENANAOpUUH553DA
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.100Please respect copyright.PENANAmaRhLDy5NS
100Please respect copyright.PENANAeonRzoOwsW
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAAA9ew9C4EF
100Please respect copyright.PENANAgf1uxP1XRk
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANArOVzudaBNx
100Please respect copyright.PENANADLIKIR7JFZ
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.100Please respect copyright.PENANAsoCfP1KUtp
100Please respect copyright.PENANAX5OEBFZdUx
"Begin!"100Please respect copyright.PENANA11B4wJZAfh
100Please respect copyright.PENANApl6SgfQ7YH
Owen moved first.100Please respect copyright.PENANACTkavV8pG5
100Please respect copyright.PENANASJo3MFaEQP
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAcUBi8t9Erw
100Please respect copyright.PENANAzriRCAHGeH
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.100Please respect copyright.PENANAgnqHFRMQII
100Please respect copyright.PENANA841YsNTrZ3
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—100Please respect copyright.PENANA2Li74RUZyJ
100Please respect copyright.PENANAcM8mkcJb4E
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANA9MMrV5wRLt
100Please respect copyright.PENANA4NyBd7fGWM
Owen's eyes widened slightly.100Please respect copyright.PENANAshNSybD9Af
100Please respect copyright.PENANAtcWvyARgOZ
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.100Please respect copyright.PENANAT7OmfkfZPH
100Please respect copyright.PENANAE3trBQAb2R
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.100Please respect copyright.PENANA2FWXH0A5sw
100Please respect copyright.PENANAgoPv0hZCKh
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.100Please respect copyright.PENANA1QabPeS8LK
100Please respect copyright.PENANADryg17CNbj
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAzSFxk3c4Av
100Please respect copyright.PENANAXcAsp0Y2YY
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.100Please respect copyright.PENANAwIwkrmWTwY
100Please respect copyright.PENANACqdTdbf6k2
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.100Please respect copyright.PENANAmk7H99gY59
100Please respect copyright.PENANA44uUgZmptk
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.100Please respect copyright.PENANAxUKDzIZZt9
100Please respect copyright.PENANA8FMjmLP2h5
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.100Please respect copyright.PENANAa273xZ9IwH
100Please respect copyright.PENANAAYMpLPu9He
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.100Please respect copyright.PENANAhRWHonZMUX
100Please respect copyright.PENANAnkKfTvnFkJ
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.100Please respect copyright.PENANACSWq1CengM
100Please respect copyright.PENANAOSSOVehAIk
They separated, circling.100Please respect copyright.PENANAELsA2AENZH
100Please respect copyright.PENANAX4CnEAx9a3
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAIVjm3Aww4S
100Please respect copyright.PENANAwtovJxfRz7
But skill? 100Please respect copyright.PENANAsrpGnpnwyZ
100Please respect copyright.PENANAppsMlxujOK
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANA8O1UkhiMsm
100Please respect copyright.PENANALQZGHU85Pl
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAbRExvAxOeE
100Please respect copyright.PENANAJSvrfWtahI
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.100Please respect copyright.PENANAajDgisdNV4
100Please respect copyright.PENANAi50xrZ4VhE
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.100Please respect copyright.PENANABJHWtLzR2E
100Please respect copyright.PENANA8BIMRQiBHA
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.100Please respect copyright.PENANAtFzSWWc1jh
100Please respect copyright.PENANAp16uztDqDw
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.100Please respect copyright.PENANAApm405ycFz
100Please respect copyright.PENANA2RwLHxT9Sn
"Yield?"100Please respect copyright.PENANABhrSQeW746
100Please respect copyright.PENANAtQbFpc2bf6
Cel nodded once.100Please respect copyright.PENANAXY2Vepjfkv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAWDkdreTKK8
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"100Please respect copyright.PENANA07T25vGvJU
100Please respect copyright.PENANATywUt0BYGu
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAK9f03ndBOt
100Please respect copyright.PENANAGhiFzgpWRy
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.100Please respect copyright.PENANAYUEdS5drDD
100Please respect copyright.PENANAB9HkMEFxbX
"That was disappointing."100Please respect copyright.PENANASPpNhrBwLi
100Please respect copyright.PENANAcRkypXmdGR
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.100Please respect copyright.PENANAaAdi17s61e
100Please respect copyright.PENANAWpPl4LfCz0
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.100Please respect copyright.PENANAAgK9ryZfWe
100Please respect copyright.PENANAthFj3Xl9IC
'What did you expect?'100Please respect copyright.PENANANa2KKp0Z1J
100Please respect copyright.PENANAGtghnkQ1Uf
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANA2uyclaQ1Mv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAm7aRXkkFTn
"Lord Owen."100Please respect copyright.PENANAR4zesw5wC4
100Please respect copyright.PENANAdYwlcznItw
Both of them turned.100Please respect copyright.PENANADKIhwjl8CJ
100Please respect copyright.PENANA98trmYzI8b
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.100Please respect copyright.PENANANK121jmd1N
100Please respect copyright.PENANA8iGNpW4H35
"Would you grant me a match?"100Please respect copyright.PENANAghjMmlJ1gG
100Please respect copyright.PENANAiDsv641yAD
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."100Please respect copyright.PENANAhgQBSpkkfn
100Please respect copyright.PENANAdalyncIEZy
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.100Please respect copyright.PENANA4QOLUddV7K
100Please respect copyright.PENANA8VYfq9ZdD9
"Are you alright?" he whispered.100Please respect copyright.PENANAOFoludsf5Z
100Please respect copyright.PENANALCy0EZmjHl
"Yes."100Please respect copyright.PENANAllLHUbHZzk
100Please respect copyright.PENANAhJ8eSlPIn3
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.100Please respect copyright.PENANAfRfA36PgKv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAXwdHFzrSeE
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.100Please respect copyright.PENANALpvp9YAkBd
100Please respect copyright.PENANAhlwiyXuFhO
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. 100Please respect copyright.PENANA29HiVBwbdv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAAA1Ij5o7R6
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.100Please respect copyright.PENANAv4STDHb8eW
100Please respect copyright.PENANAwIg3Tf5VdN
"Begin!"100Please respect copyright.PENANAQtNlh9Suut
100Please respect copyright.PENANAcs4PtsOkl3
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.100Please respect copyright.PENANA6pWle54HjI
100Please respect copyright.PENANArwreNNXXdM
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.100Please respect copyright.PENANApZyVOyT48i
100Please respect copyright.PENANA6kuAQbHjPQ
She stepped forward.100Please respect copyright.PENANAuOivTBTCSn
100Please respect copyright.PENANAmBbrUWH0jm
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAYbWR7f94aI
100Please respect copyright.PENANALQea5W3Uig
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.100Please respect copyright.PENANA27L39LDorx
100Please respect copyright.PENANARKhq5HXSTr
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.100Please respect copyright.PENANAyf9VcHMnJt
100Please respect copyright.PENANACDsJtTeGtj
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAd7MaTwXOjS
100Please respect copyright.PENANAGSkJf94B1g
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAhisWhjOAHh
100Please respect copyright.PENANA173tmNObXO
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.100Please respect copyright.PENANAcVb1N0xuPv
100Please respect copyright.PENANAfXpeDBPJKi
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.100Please respect copyright.PENANAdjZBhfck4L
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Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.100Please respect copyright.PENANAvIsa7yo6ij
100Please respect copyright.PENANAcwT3T5hiyG
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.100Please respect copyright.PENANA2iBEtQG6U0
100Please respect copyright.PENANAiYAqbMtZMY
But none of them landed.100Please respect copyright.PENANAd3yEBpEXik
100Please respect copyright.PENANAVEuniaYpEs
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAETn9htatCT
100Please respect copyright.PENANAOQve11dohw
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.100Please respect copyright.PENANA2Odpty0YNJ
100Please respect copyright.PENANAnBO0PqRyK7
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.100Please respect copyright.PENANACkxxn3v2Bn
100Please respect copyright.PENANAXj8GaxPML5
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.100Please respect copyright.PENANA3Kd99AEHMr
100Please respect copyright.PENANALmiskQ3HST
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.100Please respect copyright.PENANAWRbzAkej5z
100Please respect copyright.PENANAwYGjtsQ91o
"Yield?"100Please respect copyright.PENANAF656pqawbt
100Please respect copyright.PENANAbNcrAlRirk
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.100Please respect copyright.PENANAdH5lUrbdyv
100Please respect copyright.PENANA4nKYQm2hX4
"I yield."100Please respect copyright.PENANAUqjG64mKxW
100Please respect copyright.PENANAQzd6cZx2Vo
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.100Please respect copyright.PENANAyQuDePjXVC
100Please respect copyright.PENANA7AIVnP9rcR
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.100Please respect copyright.PENANAG3jBBBjEhr
100Please respect copyright.PENANAxmsX0nZGLY
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.100Please respect copyright.PENANA1pWZfGqpad
100Please respect copyright.PENANAxtE3u2lWpE
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!"100Please respect copyright.PENANAJHjzMRLeAn
100Please respect copyright.PENANAX6N7eredYM
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."100Please respect copyright.PENANAf8GTWWzbrV
100Please respect copyright.PENANArEAgmJUxrp
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.100Please respect copyright.PENANAsvWBHG0e5S
100Please respect copyright.PENANAx7pRuGXov2
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."100Please respect copyright.PENANAVfADkIQ80P
100Please respect copyright.PENANAZODNY4UVZc
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.100Please respect copyright.PENANABZMk6UGxOK
100Please respect copyright.PENANAL1TSRkCI8r
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.100Please respect copyright.PENANA3DMl9uB66b
100Please respect copyright.PENANAEq8ZHQKuBQ
The fight was... brief.100Please respect copyright.PENANATRyeFNVg7k
100Please respect copyright.PENANAZfecqCpaFJ
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.100Please respect copyright.PENANAnQSARadWO1
100Please respect copyright.PENANAmwW1N3ImJ5
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANA2e0h20R1IJ
100Please respect copyright.PENANAVk33Cl9jYV
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.100Please respect copyright.PENANAxnk5evQtuF
100Please respect copyright.PENANAJx5srLCPml
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."100Please respect copyright.PENANAFBjsnU92sQ
100Please respect copyright.PENANAopn4gKoVpu
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.100Please respect copyright.PENANAAcYw6oslfS
100Please respect copyright.PENANAlUlqAPHx99
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.100Please respect copyright.PENANAfBKqWMn6cG
100Please respect copyright.PENANAL8qS8Z6o5y
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."100Please respect copyright.PENANAMIySDsLxtF
100Please respect copyright.PENANAQGDhQnLvjg
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.100Please respect copyright.PENANAN2FdeM9y4l
100Please respect copyright.PENANAgJbm7odgYg
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAIgRCOrLxaF
100Please respect copyright.PENANAWO3IK9sIAg
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAP0PeFNAzk9
100Please respect copyright.PENANALeygORbfUd
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.100Please respect copyright.PENANALAbgTSag53
100Please respect copyright.PENANA71x2OSnygN
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAcsjz9OivUx
100Please respect copyright.PENANAcvsW3HRwHc
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.100Please respect copyright.PENANAKIeb9rV1lT
100Please respect copyright.PENANAw9L7dIBFRc
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.100Please respect copyright.PENANAaVBIxA3fGY
100Please respect copyright.PENANAZhVgTIM7dB
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.100Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZvzQu3Crs
100Please respect copyright.PENANAgpetKmosuy
Then a voice cut through the noise.100Please respect copyright.PENANAcNZgUIcZ0V
100Please respect copyright.PENANAGTFsmTqkid
Familiar. Unwelcome.100Please respect copyright.PENANAaC1QNHVNpi
100Please respect copyright.PENANAOb1hYgAeTk
"Hey trash."
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Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #61
Chapter 60: Sparring
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Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: Jul 25, 2026
Total word count: 158,416
Total reading time: 733 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
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darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
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monsters
gods
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fantasyrealm
medieval
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