Chronicle of Forgotten Legends. Thunder Ax

Elfin furrowed his brows as he studied the bridge. His intuition told him that there might be magic lurking across the bridge, and the challenge ahead would require not only physical strength but also mental agility.

– Let’s test it,» he said. – I can try to use magic to strengthen this bridge and make it safer for us. But I need some time to concentrate.

– Very well,» Lorthar nodded in agreement. – In the meantime, Burke and I will walk across the bridge and see which sections seem most dangerous. If anything goes wrong, we’ll be back in time.

Elfin closed his eyes, concentrating to summon the power of nature. He felt the flow of magic coming from the river, and it made his concentration stronger. Lortar and Burk stepped onto the bridge, slowly following each step. The bridge made a cracking sound, and it startled them from time to time, but they tried to ignore it.

When they reached the middle of the bridge, it suddenly wobbled violently, and both of Lortar’s feet slipped on the slippery plank!

– Lortar! – Bourke shouted, grabbing his arm to keep him from falling. Lort’s heart beat faster, but grabbing the railing, he managed to keep his balance.

– It’s all right! – He shouted, trying to stay calm, though there was fear in his voice. – Just have to be more careful.

At this time, Elfin opened his eyes, seeing what was happening, and began to cast a spell. His hands glowed with green light as he channeled his power into the wooden structures of the bridge, strengthening them.

– Do not be afraid! – he shouted. – I’m doing it! Move slowly, and all will be well!

Finally, after several arduous minutes, our heroes reached the middle of the bridge, where it had been wobbling badly, but now looked much more stable thanks to Elfin’s efforts.

– We did it! – Lorthar said with relief when they finally reached the other side.

– But let’s not let our guard down,» Burke added, looking around cautiously. – We don’t know what other dangers we may encounter along the way.

After they had crossed the bridge, they stopped to catch their breath and look around. A beautiful clearing stretched out before them, flooded with sunlight, and it looked like there would be nothing but easy going ahead.

The day was slowly coming to an end, and the sun, as if shrouded in a cloak of fire, was beginning to disappear over the horizon. Lorthar, Elfin and Burk, feeling a surge of strength after successfully crossing the bridge, decided it was time to make camp in a cozy clearing near the river.

They built a small fire, gathered kindling and built a fire that lit up the dark corners of the forest with flames that leapt into flames. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, and soon the evening calm enveloped them in friendly company.

– This has been a wonderful adventure,» Burke said, taking a bite of meat. – I didn’t even know the old bridge could hold our weight!

– We were brave and resourceful,» Lorthar replied, leaning back and looking up at the starry sky. – The most important thing is to support each other.

Elfin, listening to the words of his friends, suddenly noticed that the stars began to fade. A dark cloud seemed to hang over their camp, and his heart clenched.

– Don’t you think something is wrong? – he asked, listening to the sounds of the forest. Suddenly everything was silent, as if nature had frozen in anticipation.

– Maybe it’s just the clouds,» Burke reassured him, though he was beginning to feel a little uneasy himself.

Before they could say a few more words, however, there was a muffled rumble among the trees, and lights flashed in the air. Shadows came out of the darkness, a group of mysterious figures dressed in dark robes that swept over them like predators over a pack of deer.

– Quickly! Take cover! – Lorthar shouted, rising to his feet. His heart was pounding frantically in his chest as they searched for cover.

Figures with bows and swords in their hands advanced toward them, making ominous whispers. They were night brigands who preyed on unsuspecting travelers. In a single movement they surrounded the camp, and soon the spacious clearing was filled with tension.

– Don’t panic!» Elfin tried to reassure his friends as he prepared to cast a defense spell. – I can create a magical shield to protect us!

– I need to distract them! – shouted Burk, grabbing his knife. – And you prepare the spell!

Lortar nodded, feeling adrenaline fill his body. He knew they had to act fast or they wouldn’t survive.

Grabbing his sword, he stepped to the forefront.

– You will not give up so easily! – He shouted, issuing his challenge to his opponents.

The brigands stopped and smiled with sinister faces.

– «Oh look, we have a hero here,» one of them grinned, tilting his head. – We’re here to get your stuff, and we’re not going to risk it just for the fun of it.

Elfin, despite the tension, was concentrating on his magic. He cast a spell, and a glow of energy began to appear around them as he created a protective shield. At that moment, however, Burk rushed into the fray, drawing the brigands’ attention back to himself.

– Hey, over here!» he shouted, delivering several blows with his knife that caused the brigands to hesitate.

Taking advantage of the confusion of his enemies, Elfin had time to complete the spell. From the dark surroundings, a translucent shield began to descend upon them, which held back arrow strikes and dangerous swings of swords.

– We have a chance! – he shouted. – Let’s get together!

Gathering together, they began to act in unison. Lortar and Burk attacked with all their skills, and the magic shield protected them from the attacks. The night darkness was ablaze with fighting as they fought for their lives.

The situation was tense, but friendship and mutual aid were becoming their advantage. They fought confidently side by side, dealing with the onslaught of brigands. Each blow and each spell paved their way to freedom.

Soon a real battle broke out, and though the enemy was numerous, the power of unity and friendship was on their side.

– We can do this! – shouted Lorthar, raising his sword above his head, and with each new stroke he felt his strength grow.

Elfin, continuing to focus on his magic, summoned swirls of energy, fending off attacks and sending back blows in return. Burk, with his agility and quickness, did his best to stay in the fight, diverting the attention of the brigands and protecting his friends.

After a few tense minutes of things that seemed like an eternity, at last they were able to gain the upper hand. The bandits, realizing that resistance was futile, began to retreat into the shadows of the forest, leaving the group alone.

Finally, in the silence of the night, only the ominous whispers of the departing enemies remained, and their hearts beat calmly again.

– We did it! – exhaled Burke, falling to the ground, trying to regain his breath.

– Yes! We did it! – Elfin and Lorthar said at the same time, and smiles slowly began to appear on their faces.

– But we can’t relax,» Lorthar reminded him, looking around. – The night might hide even more dangers.

After a tense night and an encounter with bandits, Lorthar, Elfin, and Burke packed up their belongings again and continued on their way. Exhausted but determined, they traveled deep into the woods, which they were told lead to their next challenge, the mysterious Forest of Spirits.

When they entered the forest, the atmosphere immediately changed. Rays of light shone through the foliage of the trees, creating mesmerizing patterns on the ground. The silence that enveloped the forest was pervaded by light whispers, as if nature itself was sharing its secrets with them.

– Sounds like someone is inviting us in,» Burke remarked, stopping and listening to the whispering wind.

– Be careful,» Elfin warned. – It could be the magic of the forest. Nature spirits can take many forms, and they are not always benevolent.

As they traveled further, the forest became more and more mysterious. Suddenly, they came upon a small clearing where a majestic statue made of roots and leaves stood among the trees. In the center was a brilliant sphere of light that pulsed quietly.

– This must be the Spirit Tree we were told about,» Lorthar said with admiration. – We must get closer.

But just as they took a step forward, voices came from the forest, and figures began to manifest-the spirits of the forest. They were ghostly beings, writhing from light and shadow, with faces that changed shapes. Each spirit reflected the emotions, feelings, and wisdoms of the forest.

– Rascals! Why have you come to our forest? – One of them asked, her voice gentle but pouring anger.

– «We sought comfort and help,» Elfin replied, trying to keep his composure. – «We mean no harm.

– You bring confusion,» another spirit uttered, swirling in the air. – Your actions could cause destruction in this place.

Lortar, realizing the situation was escalating, slowly stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.

– We are but travelers,» he said. – We did not come here with bad intentions. We only seek truth and protection from a power we cannot control.

Suddenly the spirits gathered in a circle around them, and in the midst of that circle arose an old, wise entity, the Spirit of the Forest. Her form was magnificent: a mixture of colors, light and greens, with eyes full of ancient wisdom.

– What are you looking for, young seekers? – The Spirit asked. – And what are you willing to give in return?

Elfin, realizing that this was their chance, spoke up:

– We want to learn to protect our world from evil, from those who pursue their selfish goals. We are willing to fight this evil and defend those who cannot defend themselves.

The Spirit of the Forest thought for a moment, then spoke:

– To gain your power, you will have to pass a test. The Forest will ask you for more than mere courage. Prepare yourselves for tests of spirit and mind.

Suddenly darkness enveloped the clearing, and visions – their own fears and doubts – surrounded them. They each saw their own image, reflecting their worst flaws and phobias.

– No! It’s not! – Burke exclaimed, hearing his own voice calling him to give up.

– You can get lost in your fears, or you can learn to deal with them,» said the Forest Spirit. – This is your test.

The guards of the forest began to slowly approach them, filling the air with a thick fog. Elfin closed his eyes and focused on his senses, summoning his magic.

– I am not afraid! – he shouted, tearing through the fog. – I will not let fear take over!

Lortar bent down and grabbed his sword, feeling his confidence grow.

– We have each other! We are not alone,» he added, unraveling his own fear.

Burk, remembering all the battles they had been through together, exclaimed:

– Fear is only an exaggeration of the mind! We can deal with it!

As soon as they joined forces, the fog cleared and their inner images became vulnerable to their courage. The spirits that had previously constricted them now began to bounce around, recreating a spirit of unity.

– You have overcome the first test! – The Forest Spirit proclaimed, his voice filling the space.

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