ZONE ONE

We made our way back through the forest to Elevieth once more.

"We should race. The loser has to uh, I don't know, they lose."

"Say no more," Cassandra said

"Oh, ya'll are tripping."

Cassandra started moving through the air at incredible speeds.

Tulote conjured an earth surfer and, by some unknown means, propelled it with great speed.

I just ran with all my might. 
I was losing, then I remembered.

I always seemed to get a power boost whenever I used the gladius, so I tapped into its power source.
My eyes glowed yellow, and electric bolts shot everywhere.
I sped off through the night, leaving trails of fire where I went.
I soon caught up to Tulote and Cassandra, then overtook them.

"What the hell?!"

"WOAH! Was that Arda?"

"TOO SLOW YOU GUYS!"

Not long thereafter, I arrived at the city walls.

"SOMETHING'S COMING FAST!" I heard one of the soldiers say.

"IS IT FRIEND OR FOE?" Another said.

"IT'S ME, ARDA, TULOTE, AND CASSANDRA ARE FURTHER BEHIND! OPEN THE GATES"

"IT'S THE HERO, OPEN THE GATES!"

The gates opened with a KATHUNK, and then with a THUD.

I blazed in, static energy flowing all around me.
Tulote and Cassandra arrived soon thereafter.

"Good God, what was that?"

"A little something I figured out."

"Well, whatever it was, you were damn quick! Even I could barely sense your energy."

"My lieges!"
It was Raven.

"Where were you all? We were very worried that we had lost you all again!"

"We were just out dealing with the little demon issue your land faced," I said.

"Wait... did you get all of them?" Sigusmund chipped in

"All of them," I replied.

They both fell to their knees and proclaimed.

"ARDA HAS SAVED US ALL! HE HAS SLAIN OUR FOES ALONG WITH OUR LEADERS AND HAS EMERGED VICTORIOUS!"

Soon enough, everyone within viewing range had gathered around us three and bowed.

Some were in tears

Some were jumping for joy

Some hugged their families

But one thing was for sure: there was happiness.

"Oh, Hero, you've blessed my people with peace. I- I don't know how I can ever repay that." Cassandra knelt, crying.

"Stand up, Cass, you were as instrumental as any of us. I couldn't have done it without you!"

"I mean, we could've", Tulote whispered

"Jeez, not now!" I snapped back.

We both laughed while Cassandra stood there somewhat confused.
But she laughed too.

Tulote dragged me aside for a moment.

"Congratulations, Hero! We have completed one phase of our liberation plans!"

"The part about liberating the elven kingdom?"

"Precisely!"

"So what's next on the agenda?"

"Well we have to liberate the Imperial Navy If we are to get to the Desert so..."

"ARE WE GONNA DABBLE IN SOME PIRACY?" Cassandra said, her eyes lit up

"You could say that!"

"Oowie! I've always loved the sea!"

"Well, rest up, Hero, we've got a lot to cover, so get some rest while you can."

"I will."