Arcane Drifters — Volume 3
Chapter 69: "Where Are Ruke and Lilia?"
(The next morning, after the explosive training session between Kenya and Shen, the Drifting Force base is quiet. The skies are peaceful, no demon alarms, and the quest board is half-empty. Shen, Kenya, Eliz, and a few other Drifters gather at the planning hall.)
Eliz (scrolling the mission list):
"Bandits in West Forest... again. That's the third time this week."
Kenya (leaning back):
"No Arcane attacks. No cursed relics. No high-tier demon raids…"
Shen (grumbling):
"Where's the chaos when you need it?"
(Silence for a moment. Then Shen suddenly jolts upright, eyes wide.)
Shen:
"WAIT. WE FORGOT SOMETHING!"
Kenya:
"What?"
Shen:
"Where the hell are Ruke and Lilia?!"
Nolan (popping out from behind a pillar):
"Yeah! I was gonna ask that too. Where are those two?"
Shen (pointing dramatically at Nolan):
"WAIT—You! What are you doing here?! You helped during the Arcane Fortress raid, but you're not even part of our squad!"
Nolan (grinning smugly):
"Did I need your permission? I joined two weeks ago. Check the papers."
Shen (confused):
"Papers? I didn't approve—"
Ryulga (suddenly behind Shen):
"Let Nolan stay. He's good. Besides, I approved it myself."
Shen (jumping up):
"COMMANDER?! Where did you come from?!"
Ryulga:
"Been here since the soup argument. You people never check your surroundings."
---
[Scene Cut: Far away — Thunder Village, on the high cliffs of the Storm Range]
(Crackling lightning echoes through the mountains. Villagers hide behind rocks as bolts of thunder strike the sky over and over again. At the center of it all — Ruke stands shirtless, muscles sparking with electric aura, panting from intense training. The ground around him is scorched and trembling.)
Villager 1 (peeking out):
"Did he just… melt a training dummy with lightning screams?"
Villager 2:
"I think he fused with the thunder spirit again. Don't look him in the eye!"
(Nearby, Lilia is gracefully controlling floating orbs of wind and storm magic, watching Ruke with a calm expression.)
Lilia:
"You're overdoing it again, Ruke. Don't let your rage guide your focus."
Ruke (gritting teeth, eyes glowing):
"I need more control. My new technique isn't ready. I can feel something... deep inside me, like a storm that won't rest."
(Lightning surges across his arms. A massive thunderclap erupts behind him, sending shockwaves across the valley. Thunder Village's training field cracks under the pressure.)
Ruke (thinking):
"Shen... Kenya... you're growing stronger every day. I won't be left behind."
---
[Back at Drifting Force HQ]
Nolan (cheerfully):
"Anyway, I'm part of the team now! Call me the secret support hero!"
Shen (holding forehead):
"Now we're adding comedy relief too?"
Eliz (grinning):
"At least he's better than your last cooking experiment."
Kenya:
"Oof. Lava soup flashbacks."
Ryulga (looking serious now):
"We may laugh now, but be ready. Peace never lasts. There's movement in the shadows…"
Shen (serious):
"Yeah… and something's coming. I can feel it in my cursed mark."
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To Be Continued..