BXBX NOVEL Chapter 148: Epic
As the branch of the ancient tree unfurled, a portal of light split the air, and from it stepped five figures with distinct features.
The morning sun caught their silhouettes, casting long, slender shadows upon the ground where Shane stood, waiting.
The first figure was tall and lithe, with hair-like strands of silver woven into the light. His eyes, deep and blue as the clearest sky as Shane noticed him surveying the new world with a mix of curiosity and readiness.
As a matter of fact, none of the elves seemed too surprised with their situation and were calmy observing the place where they had arrived.
Anyway, the elven man in front had a longbow carved from a precious and strung with a string that shimmered like silver string. It rested against his shoulder, while a quiver adorned with red feathers phoenix hung at his side.
He saw Shane in front and smiled at him. Then, they all approached Shane.
Shane stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of his leadership. "I am Shane, your lord in this new land. What names do you bear?" He asked.
The man with silver hair replied.
"Eldrin, at your service…" The first elf bowed slightly, his voice was deep and he seemed to be genuinely glad to serve Shane.
\'He must be a ranger then…\' Shane mused as he looked at Eldrin\'s bow and quiver.
"Thalion…" The second nodded, his gaze still surveying the land.
Thalion was definitely a warrior with dark green hair braided with a vibrant-colored leaf. He had a short sword on his side and held it with his right hand, ready to withdraw it at any time.
His gaze was sharp, missing nothing, as he assessed their surroundings with a strategic eye.
Nonetheless, Thalion still had a short bow with him that was inlaid with patterns of falling leaves, and his quiver was filled with arrows.
Following him was an elf whose presence was as serene as the forest\'s whisper.
"I\'m Aranion, Lord Shane…" The third said, with a respectful incline of his head.
His hair was a cascade of darkness, flowing freely down his back. Shane wasn\'t sure, but it felt like this elf was the oldest of them all.
His eyes felt as if he held the wisdom of the ages, calm and fathomless.
His sword was pure black, as if it was made of wood! It was unadorned yet threatening…
"Faelar… My lord, I think that you have an amazing camp here…" The fourth grinned as he looked in the direction where the Super Soldiers are…
From his unkempt clothes, he seemed to bore the wildness of the untamed woods. His hair was like a tangle of branches and brambles. Nonetheless, his eyes were vibrant green, alive with the spirit of nature.
His bow was gnarled and twisted, as if grown rather than made, and his quiver was a collection of various furs, each arrow fletched with the feather of a different bird.
\'Two rangers and two warriors, huh… Am I not that lucky? Why didn\'t I get a mage?\' Shane mused as he turned his attention to the last elf.
"You can call me Cirdan, lord Shane." The last one acknowledged with a calm nod.
His hair was like the first frost of winter, and his eyes were the grey of a stormy sea.
His bow seemed to be made with ice crystal, while his quiver was a sleek silver that reflected the light of dawn.
\'And the third ranger is here…\' Shane could only smile as he accepted the group of elves.
He didn\'t get a craftsman or a mage, as it seemed.
Shane nodded, acknowledging each in turn.
"Welcome, my elven kin. I would like to see your skills soon… I\'m planning to hunt zombies today and you guys will be joining me. However, just stay here for a while, look around the area, and get used to this new place for a bit. Also, follow that old man if you want to have your rations for the day." Shane said as he pointed at Mr. Wadsworth, who had been watching Shane from the start.
"I will give you 30 minutes to do anything you want…" Shane said as the others thanked him and followed the butler.
Actually, the others also stopped what they were doing when the oak tree just suddenly appeared within the estate.
They immediately tried to see what was going on, but when they realized that Shane was just summoning new members of their community, most of them returned to their work, knowing that these guys would be introduced to them later on.
***
Once again, Shane was left alone in the clearing… He stayed here as his recruitment wasn\'t finished yet!
This time, Shane\'s fingers closed around the Epic Recruitment Stone. Its surface was cool and pulsating with a strange energy that made him relax.
\'Can I just make this stone a necklace? This is really relaxing.\' Shane thought for a moment but he quickly shook his head.
He needed excellent people to serve me, and this stone would give him that. He couldn\'t waste this chance and just satisfy his unimportant desire.
With a breath that seemed to draw in the essence of the surrounding woods, Shane activated the stone.
[ Do you want to activate the Epic Recruitment Stone? ]
"Yes…"
In an instant, the stone crumbled to dust, scattering to the winds as a thick, gray fog rolled in from the edges of the estate…
It swirled and churned like a tempest was contained from its depths… Then, a figure began to take shape at the entrance of the estate.
The fog then slowly retreated as if it was respectfully making way as the figure stepped forward.
Shane\'s eyes widened as he saw the figure…
\'Buddha? No, a monk?\'