Spirit Game

Chapter Your:

After the meeting, Rain stepped out of the camp, the desert air cool against his skin. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the encampment. He scanned the area until he spotted Thraigar, his massive form unmistakable even among the towering Goliaths.

Thraigar was engaged in a boisterous conversation with two other Goliaths, their laughter booming across the sand. As Rain approached, Thraigar turned and his face split into a wide grin.

"Rain!" Thraigar called out, waving him over. "Come, meet my friends."

Rain approached the trio, and Thraigar clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder that Rain almost fall to the ground if he didn't catch his bearing first.

Ri and Chi were quick to rush to his defense, but Rain raised a hand, reassuring them he was fine. Their tendency to be overprotective was endearing yet unnecessary. However, Ri and Chi exchanged glances, a palpable tension filled the air, and a spark of rivalry ignited between them.

Rain sighed, redirecting his focus back to Thraigar and his friends.

"This is Thorgar," Thraigar introduced, gesturing to the Goliath on his right. Thorgar was an imposing figure, even by Goliath standards, with a physique that seemed carved from stone. His skin bore the intricate tattoos of his tribe, and his eyes held a sharp, intelligent gleam.

"Thorgar is the strongest in our tribe," Thraigar continued. "He's next in line to be our leader."

Thorgar nodded in acknowledgment, his expression serious but friendly. "It's an honor to meet you, my friend. I've heard much about your leadership."

Rain returned the nod, appreciating the respect in Thorgar's gaze. "The honor is mine, Thorgar. I'm glad Thraigar has finally reconnected with his tribe, though it's not exactly the reunion we had in mind."

Thorgar crossed his arms and hummed thoughtfully. "In every misfortune, there lies a hidden fortune. This battle has brought Thraigar back to us. It's fate, orchestrated by the spirits, so we have no reason to complain. We're just grateful Thraigar is safe and sound."

Thraigar then turned to the other Goliath, a fierce-looking woman with eyes that seemed to pierce through the soul. "And this is Valara, our strongest female warrior. She's as fierce as she is skilled."

Valara inclined her head, her expression stern yet respectful. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Rain. Thraigar has spoken highly of you, and I'm grateful for all you've done to look after him. He can be a handful, and I know that isn't easy."

Rain huffed a laugh, "Not at all. Thraigar had been very helpful to us. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

Valara smirked. "You must be joking. Thraigar lacks any sense of self-awareness or danger. He can't even read a map. For a Goliath, his strength is hardly impressive, and he's too kind for his own good. I'm sure he's been nothing but trouble."

Thraigar scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "That's not true."

Thorgar and Valara's laughter echoed around them, and Rain joined in, albeit a bit awkwardly. He wasn't sure if it was typical Goliath humor or their unique way of showing affection, but he was relieved to see Thraigar reunited with his tribe. The genuine concern in their eyes and the warmth in their smiles showed how happy they were to have Thraigar back where he belonged.

They talked for a while longer, sharing stories of past battles and exchanging insights about the coming siege. Rain found himself enjoying the company of the Goliaths, their straightforwardness and strength a refreshing contrast to the more serious dynamics among the Elven generals.

As the conversation wound down, Rain excused himself and went in search of Golly but found Santi instead. He saw her sitting alone on a rock at the edge of the camp, staring out into the desert. Her posture was rigid, and even from a distance, Rain could sense the tension in her.

He approached her quietly, taking a seat beside her. "Santi," he said gently.

She turned to look at him, her expression carefully neutral. "Rain."

He could see the worry in her eyes, despite her attempt to mask it. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

Santi sighed, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. "Among the generals, everyone is vying to be the next leader of the Elves. It's becoming a competition of ambition rather than a unified effort to save our elders and our King from Gorm's hands. I fear this ambition will hinder our progress."

Rain considered her words. The Elven generals were powerful and skilled, but their ambitions could indeed fracture their unity at a time when they needed it most.

"Santi," Rain said, his voice firm yet soothing. "I understand your concerns. But remember, we are here for a purpose greater than any one of us. The Elves need a leader who can see beyond personal ambition, someone who can bring them together and lead them to victory against Gorm."

Rain was stunned when he discovered that Santi was the daughter of King Solareth from their meeting before. At first, he found it hard to believe; she didn't present herself like a typical princess. Instead, she was the embodiment of a warrior, with an air of strength and indifference.

As he learned more about the elves a while back, he discovered that their society valued merit above all. Elves could rise through the ranks and even become King based on their abilities and achievements, not merely because of their lineage or prowess in battle. This meritocratic system allowed even the humblest of warriors to aspire to greatness.

Rain believed that Santi possessed all the qualities necessary to lead her people. She was courageous, intelligent, and had a deep understanding of her people's needs. However, it seemed she lacked the confidence or perhaps the desire to take on the mantle of leadership. Her focus was solely on rescuing her father, and Rain could sense her disinterest in anything else.

Despite this, Rain felt that Santi had the potential to become a great leader, one who could unite her people and guide them through the challenging times ahead.

Santi looked at him, her eyes searching his. "But what if their ambition blinds them? What if they lose sight of what's truly important?

"Elora wanted to give up and flee, she said that it's useless to stop Gorm and propose to just leave for the mainland, saving what remained of the Sand Elves. She said that the underworld couldn't open for long anyway because the mana required to continuously open it was enormous, and just the mana from our elders wouldn't be enough.

"Rylan and Kaelen yearn to prove their worth to the Sand Elves, each aspiring to become the next King. As for me . . . my only desire is to save my father. Sometimes, I worry that I'm no different from them, focused on my own goal.

It feels like when the time comes, everyone will simply pursue their own interests, neglecting the greater good."

Rain reached out and took her hand in his, his grip steady and reassuring. "Right now, I don't care about personal agendas — they're normal and everywhere. But what matters is that those agendas have united us for a single purpose."

He looked into her eyes with sincerity. "If you're still unsure, then trust me. My own agenda has always been, from start to finish — eliminate any threat to my land and my people. Nothing more, nothing less."

Santi's expression softened, a hint of a smile touching her lips. "You seemed to know what to say."

Rain smiled back, a warmth spreading through him. "We're in this together, Santi. And as long as we stand united, there's nothing we can't overcome."

She nodded after a while. "You're right. Thank you Rain."

"No problem."

They locked eyes for a moment, and Rain suddenly realized he was still holding Santi's hand. His face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly let go.

"Ah! S-sorry about that!"

Santi chuckled, her smile brightening the evening. Rain found himself captivated by her expression. Up until now, Santi had always seemed so stern and unyielding, her usual demeanor guarded and serious.

"You're more beautiful when you smile," Rain said with a grin. "You should smile more often."

Santi's cheeks flushed as she looked away, her face tinged with a soft pink. The unexpected compliment had caught her off guard.

Just then, Chi appeared between them, her sudden presence startling both Rain and Santi.

'What's going on here, my lord? What are you doing at a time like this?' Chi's voice was sharp, and her gaze was full of suspicion.

"C-Chi?! It's not what you think! We were just talking!" Rain stammered, trying to explain, but Chi was not in the mood for excuses.

Santi watched the scene unfold with a giggle, her amusement clear despite the tension.