Salson felt a profound weariness clinging to his bones, yet he remained upright. Sabrin pushed herself up from the ground, her gaze having followed every brutal moment of the clash against the demon regent. Still, the words she needed to speak remained trapped within her. A momentary sway threatened Salson's balance, but in a blink, Brihan materialized beside him, effortlessly scooping him onto his shoulder and carrying him above the ravaged crater. Simultaneously, Saruth mirrored the action with Sabrin.
No sooner had the quartet found themselves positioned above the gaping maw in the earth than figures in verdant robes materialized around the crater's edge. These were the restoration mages, and as one, they activated intricate magic circles that shimmered with verdant light. The ravaged earth below began to mend itself, the crater shrinking with surprising speed. Within five minutes, the devastation was as if it had never been.
"Who are those mages?" Salson's voice was a low murmur, still laced with exhaustion.
Saruth's reply was matter-of-fact. "They are restoration mages. Their duty is to mend the land after battle."
With nods and exchanged glances, Saruth and Sabrin offered their farewells to Salson and Brihan. A silent acknowledgment passed between the two weary warriors as well. Then, the two pairs parted ways, each heading towards their respective homes.
However, Salson's path took an unexpected turn. He decided on a detour, his steps leading him towards the familiar grounds of Blavance village. Within its quiet cemetery, he sought out a specific grave – Kan's. The tombstone, stark and simple, had been erected by Kan himself, a testament to a foresight that had encompassed his own demise. Salson placed a solitary flower upon the cool stone, a silent tribute to a fallen comrade.
Leaving the somber grounds of the cemetery, Salson resumed his journey home. But the tranquility of the evening was shattered by a disturbing scene. Three figures in the distinctive armor of the Imperium were accosting a young mother. Her arms clutched a newborn child protectively. The soldiers, their movements clumsy and their voices slurred, were clearly intoxicated. One of them lashed out, his boot connecting with the woman's body, sending her sprawling to the ground.
"Hey, look at her! Can't even stand, hahaha!" one of the Imperium jeered, his words dripping with cruel amusement.
The villagers nearby remained frozen, their faces etched with fear. To interfere with an Imperium soldier was to invite the wrath of the Emperor himself. Even the Executors, sworn to uphold justice, would hesitate; intervention here could be construed as treason, igniting a devastating civil war.
One of the drunken soldiers callously kicked the fallen woman again, and the small, bundled form in her arms was jolted. That was the breaking point for Salson. With a burst of speed that belied his earlier weariness, he surged forward, placing himself between the soldiers and the defenseless mother. The soldier who had been about to strike again recoiled, momentarily startled.
"Hehe, and what do you think you're going to do?" the soldier sneered, regaining his bravado.
Salson's voice was low and dangerous. "My master would never have tolerated such a vile display. And neither will I."
In response, the soldier before him drew his sword, the polished steel glinting in the fading light. He lunged, aiming a swift strike at Salson. But with a movement too fast to follow, Salson's right hand shot out, stopping the blade inches from his chest. Then, with a brutal efficiency born of countless battles, he delivered a powerful punch to the soldier's face.
The two Imperium soldiers behind their fallen comrade reacted instantly, their innate abilities flaring to life. But before their powers could take hold, Salson unleashed his own aura. It was a palpable pressure, a crushing weight that slammed into the two soldiers, sending them scrambling backward in terror.
"There will be consequences for what you have done!" the third Imperium soldier spat out, his voice laced with a mix of anger and fear. He helped his unconscious comrade to his feet, only to find Salson already upon him. A swift, precise strike from Salson sent the soldier crashing back to the ground, joining his companion in oblivion.
A ripple of applause broke out from the watching villagers. Salson, his expression grim, resheathed Mountain Cleaver in its new, dark scabbard and resumed his journey home, the weight of his actions settling upon him.
The atmosphere within his home was thick with worry. Jaden's eyes, red-rimmed but sharp, scanned Salson's battered form. "Look at the state of you!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and exasperation. "Your clothes are all torn to shreds, and now you have a scar over your left eye! You just ran off without a word with Brihan. He told us what happened… You could have been killed!"
Caston, as was his way, remained silent, his gaze steady and concerned.
Salson met his mother's worried gaze. "Mother, I faced one of the three demon regents in battle and… I gained this." With a subtle shift in his demeanor, Salson activated his demonic eye. A palpable pressure filled the small room as his aura, heavy and intense, washed over them. Jaden and Caston stared, speechless.
Salson continued, his voice low and resolute. "I also intervened in Blavance village. I saved a young mother from three Imperium soldiers. There will likely be a bounty placed on my head. I intend to leave, to prevent any trouble from coming to you. I don't know if I will ever return, but I wish you both good fortune and thank you for everything you have done for me."
Tears welled in Jaden's eyes, but she quickly composed herself. She hurried to Salson's room and returned moments later with a bundle of dark fabric. It was a night-black blacksmith's outfit, complete with a deep hood.
"This… this was meant to be your birthday gift," Jaden said, her voice thick with emotion. "But since you are leaving… please, wear it."
Salson accepted the garment and quickly changed. The dark fabric felt strangely comforting against his skin. Caston finally broke his silence, placing a heavy hand on Salson's shoulder. "Good luck, my boy," he said, his voice gruff with unspoken emotion.
With a final, lingering look at his parents, Salson nodded, turned, and stepped out of the door, disappearing into the gathering dusk. His journey had just begun.