Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.71Please respect copyright.PENANAWrZ21tS5ax
71Please respect copyright.PENANA5g7JRO3CsN
Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."71Please respect copyright.PENANAITFjZiGbI4
71Please respect copyright.PENANAt4ITJgFByl
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAwXp1AlKLa6
71Please respect copyright.PENANAgZpO0RRjgf
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."71Please respect copyright.PENANAUfawmx5KH3
71Please respect copyright.PENANACf0mAZfajc
He paused, letting that sink in.71Please respect copyright.PENANAtc403t6lK5
71Please respect copyright.PENANAlCw7e0S0AU
"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."71Please respect copyright.PENANAIMwB6joXtm
71Please respect copyright.PENANA61Z0smJSA4
Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.71Please respect copyright.PENANAx9jfbyUsZq
71Please respect copyright.PENANA1mqiH7V8yU
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. 71Please respect copyright.PENANAfX0QAKEk8w
71Please respect copyright.PENANA8BvFkzlNnW
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.71Please respect copyright.PENANAj9TWQPfnbS
71Please respect copyright.PENANARrd3UIWwq5
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANA8AEyHH2yoX
71Please respect copyright.PENANAnaQzszl7hD
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAzDL1qDfk06
71Please respect copyright.PENANAqLL4PLCg7T
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.71Please respect copyright.PENANAmpWU4benRy
71Please respect copyright.PENANAB3PhjLVSzH
"Begin!"71Please respect copyright.PENANAUIcgkzbENW
71Please respect copyright.PENANA0xeykYKpbO
Owen moved first.71Please respect copyright.PENANAFhDDm1kyCx
71Please respect copyright.PENANAlnjlpUhrFX
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAv74AigzQMw
71Please respect copyright.PENANAT6YCUgbpHy
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.71Please respect copyright.PENANAoToTwoH8ls
71Please respect copyright.PENANAKKWHkvte39
Cel raised Silent Moon to block—71Please respect copyright.PENANA2JxNZx53zH
71Please respect copyright.PENANAKRFFFMTd2e
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAObtrdZCGGz
71Please respect copyright.PENANAFFs2F9J6xm
Owen's eyes widened slightly.71Please respect copyright.PENANACGiTy73Z97
71Please respect copyright.PENANA20JkvHK3OC
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.71Please respect copyright.PENANAsCkLcqkGPK
71Please respect copyright.PENANAVi1xgclxL2
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.71Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5L4w1OTyR
71Please respect copyright.PENANAYlM1MTqdIU
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.71Please respect copyright.PENANAqQWCzk3wKG
71Please respect copyright.PENANAZoXhlCeT5Q
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAkAN4Mqo0B3
71Please respect copyright.PENANAHpUDWIcZap
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.71Please respect copyright.PENANAXkBGAoB9P5
71Please respect copyright.PENANASv175IsvJV
Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.71Please respect copyright.PENANACWOlD1mVU9
71Please respect copyright.PENANA8J6HgBJpvp
Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.71Please respect copyright.PENANAOKUXpV754e
71Please respect copyright.PENANACwtsTbNIFH
The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.71Please respect copyright.PENANA2wABeQoXAY
71Please respect copyright.PENANAdUHruimT3u
Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.71Please respect copyright.PENANAFlBNbICJub
71Please respect copyright.PENANAjTNNEekReg
Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.71Please respect copyright.PENANA6sagZ1dSVz
71Please respect copyright.PENANAPDX87wRt4K
They separated, circling.71Please respect copyright.PENANAhQMeZxQSf6
71Please respect copyright.PENANARCwmjlIN43
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAPIkglvsZrd
71Please respect copyright.PENANAX1Cg4NrR8D
But skill? 71Please respect copyright.PENANACWabvQNCAS
71Please respect copyright.PENANArNs3bQjBwB
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAleluqWnsV7
71Please respect copyright.PENANAkv4zcEjl1Q
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAsvBtr50A9Q
71Please respect copyright.PENANAJYR28sMdoI
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.71Please respect copyright.PENANAaG5MSjwdtd
71Please respect copyright.PENANAgUHcLBzuaO
Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.71Please respect copyright.PENANAouU59n6nUg
71Please respect copyright.PENANA21nEnX06XR
Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.71Please respect copyright.PENANAsV8GiwDfHa
71Please respect copyright.PENANAryQPy6Ie8F
Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.71Please respect copyright.PENANAF8haCnxTFr
71Please respect copyright.PENANAS7du4VgRY4
"Yield?"71Please respect copyright.PENANAivk1uvRvez
71Please respect copyright.PENANALS0ALbApLH
Cel nodded once.71Please respect copyright.PENANA8DszGEDuIT
71Please respect copyright.PENANAXHdPiAZgkt
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"71Please respect copyright.PENANAGN2oTRac03
71Please respect copyright.PENANAFLamxZQrGg
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANA2K79Kaf7sP
71Please respect copyright.PENANAm81eQMoApq
Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.71Please respect copyright.PENANAHyPZGtddKJ
71Please respect copyright.PENANAZTPt2fHyIs
"That was disappointing."71Please respect copyright.PENANA3MeJuouEp1
71Please respect copyright.PENANA18HkK66a2K
The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.71Please respect copyright.PENANAlVPI4XQVqF
71Please respect copyright.PENANAzeINpUpkih
Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.71Please respect copyright.PENANAk5zhHdPtnx
71Please respect copyright.PENANAR1AGxY8hJl
'What did you expect?'71Please respect copyright.PENANAdQ5DRTHZuB
71Please respect copyright.PENANAYHvT81zUu2
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANABAXwqWNgIw
71Please respect copyright.PENANArzGWI7fIhd
"Lord Owen."71Please respect copyright.PENANA8Cd118gkvh
71Please respect copyright.PENANAd5u0LHGW2P
Both of them turned.71Please respect copyright.PENANAiPLEFt9GsM
71Please respect copyright.PENANAEVIcci4lzc
Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.71Please respect copyright.PENANA1PyqEJ3BBJ
71Please respect copyright.PENANA5nK65c6WEY
"Would you grant me a match?"71Please respect copyright.PENANAMGxtHne2ow
71Please respect copyright.PENANAxs1UcUSViS
Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."71Please respect copyright.PENANAcZgGcYiVPW
71Please respect copyright.PENANANToWMey4hS
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.71Please respect copyright.PENANAhZYf9khHHa
71Please respect copyright.PENANAjjU12Jghku
"Are you alright?" he whispered.71Please respect copyright.PENANASHOL523ZhP
71Please respect copyright.PENANAW97iEuLee0
"Yes."71Please respect copyright.PENANAMeX7NeK0I8
71Please respect copyright.PENANA2R3jqV9ElU
The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.71Please respect copyright.PENANAb1JlByD8EN
71Please respect copyright.PENANAxV02ULI2wY
Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.71Please respect copyright.PENANAGxN0wuJZal
71Please respect copyright.PENANAXcJpIC4gKd
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. 71Please respect copyright.PENANAUgkzomOMdf
71Please respect copyright.PENANAEAUoYcPX4P
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.71Please respect copyright.PENANA6FwNgxawNy
71Please respect copyright.PENANA1joiytgJnT
"Begin!"71Please respect copyright.PENANAtrIQmlGoR2
71Please respect copyright.PENANAPB3dNr9Kwz
Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.71Please respect copyright.PENANAvutC7F0KjJ
71Please respect copyright.PENANA5JstdPsEwU
Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.71Please respect copyright.PENANALwYftCSSbY
71Please respect copyright.PENANAUVBwSmaCUZ
She stepped forward.71Please respect copyright.PENANA5kFEW4ElwH
71Please respect copyright.PENANA2HcDFBY8jf
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAijCZP6mqEP
71Please respect copyright.PENANAqVGDSBONi1
Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.71Please respect copyright.PENANAh0nq4MBOwq
71Please respect copyright.PENANAR1QtGrwJ0E
Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.71Please respect copyright.PENANAEqKvuX0SLO
71Please respect copyright.PENANApoPDu80KwM
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAPqOdujaSTq
71Please respect copyright.PENANAOjtBnWnyHR
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANArizuVJP6o3
71Please respect copyright.PENANAgs0qn8Rj68
He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.71Please respect copyright.PENANAmr6kZ2xvWk
71Please respect copyright.PENANAeZEDWl4Odp
Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.71Please respect copyright.PENANA12eTcZ8gFs
71Please respect copyright.PENANAjJmDQiFHcE
Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.71Please respect copyright.PENANAxPxoZ2Azab
71Please respect copyright.PENANArDc8lrV1ND
He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.71Please respect copyright.PENANAq5TaKOLiD1
71Please respect copyright.PENANAXA3zd9xFRQ
But none of them landed.71Please respect copyright.PENANApF3wNUjm90
71Please respect copyright.PENANAS9KVUYIKox
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAgJtTWs1pX5
71Please respect copyright.PENANAhqDuEB6dbQ
Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.71Please respect copyright.PENANABnrB61HPju
71Please respect copyright.PENANAZm0GAb6QwV
Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.71Please respect copyright.PENANAbb6RKsFAj2
71Please respect copyright.PENANAFYVKa5s6Va
His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.71Please respect copyright.PENANAx6nRLIZDZU
71Please respect copyright.PENANAHHwAtpZ0Nr
Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.71Please respect copyright.PENANAVtSmNmMiPV
71Please respect copyright.PENANAghAtC6u8ZL
"Yield?"71Please respect copyright.PENANAIVfhlLxSzd
71Please respect copyright.PENANAhGJiYcKgbj
Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.71Please respect copyright.PENANAOrp3SucWD6
71Please respect copyright.PENANAPmRibINZIp
"I yield."71Please respect copyright.PENANAdgHsmxOQaG
71Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ5XB6ERhd
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.71Please respect copyright.PENANAl7VIMWb7rc
71Please respect copyright.PENANATQ0xso6V1V
Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.71Please respect copyright.PENANAaSWUWcngWi
71Please respect copyright.PENANAwDkVW5jY56
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.71Please respect copyright.PENANAtPmExPWQhE
71Please respect copyright.PENANApZXTVUA9k1
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!"71Please respect copyright.PENANAylYAZ0jzwm
71Please respect copyright.PENANADXhWptNcBQ
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."71Please respect copyright.PENANA5IZs27OOtX
71Please respect copyright.PENANASHAp3lGyF9
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.71Please respect copyright.PENANAVViDEiaQBn
71Please respect copyright.PENANASfERqMGLs5
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."71Please respect copyright.PENANA9JAHHfUkTl
71Please respect copyright.PENANAaQmi6Pb8rC
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.71Please respect copyright.PENANAKzmEfTdk1v
71Please respect copyright.PENANAwtPW4MFl7Q
His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.71Please respect copyright.PENANAiVrHxOQZgr
71Please respect copyright.PENANArAroNL5Grm
The fight was... brief.71Please respect copyright.PENANAMNFa4sG3vf
71Please respect copyright.PENANAkdHczPuyxS
Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.71Please respect copyright.PENANAcb9fOVmqS1
71Please respect copyright.PENANA3PaxJ8PKGH
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAPhYcbi9L0z
71Please respect copyright.PENANA9d0Xmjg9hV
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.71Please respect copyright.PENANAv8XiJ7AkDz
71Please respect copyright.PENANAaRYQUaIcsZ
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."71Please respect copyright.PENANAJLSauMXv5u
71Please respect copyright.PENANAiIPwQMCzsO
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.71Please respect copyright.PENANAyv0eGBSJmm
71Please respect copyright.PENANAGBXY5CIQmX
The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.71Please respect copyright.PENANAZVFaq6FaLu
71Please respect copyright.PENANAn8bBhh86kM
Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."71Please respect copyright.PENANAFSTPrUEZjj
71Please respect copyright.PENANAoCO8pMPOvT
Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.71Please respect copyright.PENANACIZvRuA3U2
71Please respect copyright.PENANAQCC6v9pkVt
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAfhAYizIPAq
71Please respect copyright.PENANAYZKkN4AzJs
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAlRLkKcnIbx
71Please respect copyright.PENANANTVa01igbz
Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.71Please respect copyright.PENANAV1JsgRLQj7
71Please respect copyright.PENANANsNqIWmKQ8
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAXVMzPGFXFF
71Please respect copyright.PENANAW4FqQWqAs0
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.71Please respect copyright.PENANAhdibOa1wPM
71Please respect copyright.PENANAANEASyM06Q
Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.71Please respect copyright.PENANAzADQiWIcBw
71Please respect copyright.PENANA3xfYukdUJx
They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.71Please respect copyright.PENANAN8zxlJkOvR
71Please respect copyright.PENANAgwooM4R5eT
Then a voice cut through the noise.71Please respect copyright.PENANAFOZ0CYrrOd
71Please respect copyright.PENANAt6YPdqj6ww
Familiar. Unwelcome.71Please respect copyright.PENANA15VQsJNSXV
71Please respect copyright.PENANAxWGcVbttl1
"Hey trash."
arrow_back
Lunar Legacy
more_vert
-
info_outline Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
Lunar Legacy
Author:
Celastos
ISSUE #61
Chapter 60: Sparring
LIKES 0
READS 67
BOOKMARKS 1
Login with Facebook
or Sign up/Login to comment or bookmark! Click to load the next chapter
X
After each update request, the author will receive a notification!
smartphone100
→ Request update
X
Sponsor again
Click to login
Login first to show your name as a sponsor.
Thank you for supporting the story! :)
Please Login first.
×
Lunar Legacy
Fantasy
Action
Dark
Last updated: Jun 13, 2026
Total word count: 142,034
Total reading time: 658 Minutes
Writer:
fantasy
horror
dark
mystery
tragedy
darkfantasy
demons
betrayal
psychological
revenge
monsters
gods
survival
fantasyrealm
medieval
maleprotagonist
goddess
mysterious
fantasyworld
abilities
Report this story
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This
x
Before You Publish
Please ensure your story does not contain illegal, hateful, inciting, or violence-promoting content, or any infringing, plagiarized, or spam material, and that it complies with Penana’s Terms of Use.
Penana reserves the right to remove any content that violates these rules or causes legal or community risk, and to suspend or terminate related accounts.
