The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Atop the mountain peak, Mariela sat cross-legged in meditation, bathed in the cool moonlight that flowed over her like a silvery stream, rendering her a vision of ethereal beauty, as if a goddess had descended amongst mortals. Cuddled at her side was what appeared to be 'Alavin,' their bodies pressed close together in intimate repose.

Elder Connas rushed to the summit in haste, forcefully grabbing at 'Alavin.'

Whoosh! Garments fluttered, scattering twigs and branches all around. This was not Alavin, but merely clothes propped up with sticks.

Adirich and the others paled in shock, and their minds were reeling. How could this be?

"Mariela, where's Alavin?" Elder Connas demanded. His voice sounded dark. The fire of his anger was nearly tangible. They had been duped!

"He missed home," Mariela opened her eyes. Her gaze was cool and clear, as serene as a still lake.

"What do you mean?"

"He left ahead of us."

"Left to where!" Adirich was beside himself. Had Alavin truly escaped right under their watchful eyes?

By the Grand Elder's own directive, they were to create an unfortunate accident on the road, ensuring Alavin's demise. But now, scarcely a day into their journey, Alavin had slipped through their fingers. "Alavin left a message for you, would you like to hear it?" Mariela's voice was cold and indifferent.

"Out with it!"

"It's somewhat unpleasant."

"Speak!"

"Don't take me for a fool; Go back to wrangling chickens and butchering hogs with your petty tricks. I will serve you no longer!" Mariela's voice was as delicate as a daisy, soft and pleasant to hear, but it conjured the image of Alavin standing before them, sneering and scoffing.

Elder Connas was fuming. His fiery rage was finding no outlet, for he surely couldn't strike Mariela, could he?

"Mariela, you conspired with Alavin to deceive us!" Adirich felt like a complete fool.

Mariela stood, and her gaze was icy as she addressed them. "Deceive you? How so?"

Adirich fell silent and choked up.

"I hadn't realized you were all so concerned about Alavin. He's gone, but what's there to be anxious about?" Mariela prodded deliberately.

Elder Connas quickly regained his composure. "It's unsafe for Alavin to travel alone. We must catch up to him at once."

"Alavin can make his way back to Azure Mountain by himself. You need not worry on his behalf."

"Our duty is to ensure his safe arrival at Azure Mountain; gather your belongings; we leave immediately!" Elder Connas barked the orders, eager to set off without delay.

Mariela spoke, "It's the dead of night, and the forest is treacherous. We can pursue at dawn."

"You need not accompany us," Elder Connas shot back with a frosty glance.

"Suit yourselves. Just leave a horse for me."

"We may not have the luxury of waiting for you."

"I'll return to Cobalt Strike."

Without wasting a moment, they hastily packed and mounted their Golden Horned Horses, charging into the night. Elder Connas seethed internally - was this Alavin's cunning plan all along, to use Mariela as a distraction?

Mariela stood quietly on the mountain top, her expression cool. Clearly, they had intended to kill Alavin and did not shy away from their motives. Each of them was desperate to drag him back. She wanted to ask, was it worth it? What on earth did Alavin's parents owe the Grand Elder to warrant such persecution? For eight years, they oppressed him and ridiculed him, and now that he posed a threat, they sought to snuff out his life without hesitation!

At that moment, she felt her beloved Cobalt Strike was not as glorious as she once believed.

Not long after Elder Connas and his men departed, a figure emerged from the base of the mountain and approached the summit, watching the direction they had taken. "Indeed, they intend to kill me. Tell me, is there any reason for me to stay in Cobalt Strike?"

It's Alavin!

He hadn't actually fled but had instead concealed himself. If he truly had run, given Elder Connas' prowess and the speed of the Golden Horned Horses, they would have caught him in no time. He wasn't foolish enough to try to outrun them. His ruse was to lead them astray, letting them frantically search ahead while he took a detour.

"The Grand Elder has gone too far," Mariela said softly.

"My eight years of suffering are his doing, and now that I've turned the tables, he's the one who can't stand it the most and is unwilling to spare me. I just didn't think he'd be so ruthless, so blatant." "Impatient, showy, and cruel - the Grand Elder truly has no regard."

"He doesn't even consider the Commander a threat."

"If the Grand Elder is determined to execute you, he may not spare your family at Azure Mountain either. Are you prepared?"

Elder Connas led his team in a relentless nighttime search, scouring forests, valleys, and lakes with great diligence, but by the following afternoon and then evening, they found no trace of Alavin. He had promised the Grand Elder that Alavin would meet his end in the Cloudveil Woods, never to return to Cobalt Strike.

Elder Connas thought it would be an easy task, but who could have foreseen Alavin being so cunning, and escaping on the very first day? He was bold enough to brave the Cloudveil Woods alone. Was he unafraid of being devoured by Magi-Monsters?