Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

Cedric was searching for a place to set up an array, a protective enchantment he could lay down to create a defensive perimeter along the castle walls. This would amplify the soldiers' abilities and act as a shield, providing resistance to spells and projectiles from the enemy camp.

As he continued to scan the area, Cedric mumbled calculations under his breath, mentally mapping out the positions and energies around him. Each step was careful, precise, he needed the exact spot where he could anchor the enchantment so it would cover the widest area without interfering with other defenses.

Noticing his odd behavior, Rey approached him, tilting his head. "Cedric, what are you doing?"

Cedric paused and glanced up, a determined gleam in his eyes. "I'm setting up an array to boost our defenses. If I can get the alignment right, it should protect us from their initial onslaught." He glanced over to the enemy camp. "With the way they're lying low, they're probably preparing something big. We need every edge we can get."

Rey nodded, his expression sharpening. "Need any help?"

"Actually, yes." Cedric handed him a handful of enchanted stones. "Place these along the walls at even intervals. Once they're in position, we'll have to synchronize to activate it. Just this half will do since the other side of this castle is next to the sea."

The castle stood tall against the crashing waves of the sea on one side, forming a natural barrier that protected them from any attacks in that direction.

This castle had long been built with strategic foresight, utilizing the ocean's fierce currents as a shield, leaving only the landward side accessible to enemies. The soldiers of Laxen could focus their defenses there, bolstering the walls where the invaders would surely strike.

With everyone's coordinated help, Cedric and the others finished lining the accessible walls with enchanted stones much faster than anticipated. Each stone held a faint glow, resonating with the faint pulse of magic as Cedric placed the final one.

As he stood back to inspect their work, a sense of cautious optimism settled over the group. The array, if activated correctly, would create a barrier that could buy them precious time when the enemy launched its assault.

Rosa watched Cedric, curiosity in her eyes. "So, how do we activate it?"

"With mana," Cedric replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Lots of it."

Determined, he approached John, who was overseeing preparations nearby. "I think it'll be a good idea to reinforce everyone's weapons," Cedric offered. "I can do it, I know the enchantments will help."

John hesitated, skepticism flickering in his gaze as he sized up Cedric. "Are you sure you can handle it? You're putting a lot on yourself here."

Cedric nodded with confidence, though inside, a mixture of nerves and steely resolve churned within him. "Yeah, I can handle it." His thoughts drifted briefly, recalling Marcella's uncharacteristic eagerness to brew potions for the soldiers. Everyone had found a way to contribute. Even with his own doubts nagging at him, Cedric felt the weight of responsibility settle firmly on his shoulders.

'I can't slack off now,' he thought. 'If Marcella's stepping up, so can I. Jett would have my head if I didn't give this my all.'

Slowly, his initial hesitation gave way to a sense of purpose. This was his way to help, to ensure that the soldiers and his team had every advantage they could muster. Cedric took a deep breath, drawing on the well of energy within him. He'd make sure his enchantments counted.

*****

As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the fortified walls, the atmosphere among the group grew both tense and resolute. Rey stood with his arms crossed, watching the distant campfires flicker in the enemy encampment.

"Hang on a bit longer, yeah?" he said, turning to Finn and Aiden, a spark of encouragement in his eyes. "We've got this."

Finn let out a short laugh, giving Rey a playful jab on the shoulder. "Hang on? Are you kidding?" he scoffed. "I'm more pumped than any of you. Why? Because I'm playing guard dog for free. This is like volunteering to babysit a rabid wolf pack: dangerous, stupid, and… honestly kind of annoying. I plan on making those bastards pay."

"Blame the system that keeps giving you unnecessary trials then." Aiden grinned, twirling his sword, Ignis Magna, admiring its dark steel and flickers of flame running along its edge. "Think of it as a chance to test my baby out properly," he said with a mischievous glint. "Been waiting to swing her without holding back. Not going to waste it."

"Everything's just has to be about you huh?" Finn remarked.

"Obviously," Aiden smirked knowing he was getting under Finn's last nerves.

Rey smirked, sensing the anticipation rolling off both of them. They were a strange bunch, but there was no doubt that their spirits remained high, even in the face of uncertainty.

Asher, however, stood nearby, arms folded and gaze distant, eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. A quiet frown etched across his face, and he shook his head slightly.

"What's up with you?" Aiden asked, noticing Asher's serious expression.

"Something about this whole setup just doesn't sit right," Asher murmured. "I'm not sure what it is yet, but I'll keep looking. It's like... pieces of a puzzle are missing."

Finn gave him a curious look, but Asher fell silent, turning his focus back to the approaching twilight, the suspicion lingering on his face.

*****

Later, as the others dispersed to ready themselves for the night's battle, Evelina noticed Asher inspecting his daggers alone near the edge of the wall. She approached him, quiet and cautious, watching as he adjusted the blades, checking their edges with an almost obsessive intensity.

"Mind if I join you?" Evelina asked gently.

Asher glanced at her, his face softening for a brief moment before he returned his focus to the daggers. "Suit yourself," he muttered, not looking up.

For a moment, they stood in silence, Evelina waiting patiently as Asher's eyes remained fixed on his weapons. Finally, she broke the silence. "You know… you're different from the others. Always looking around, analyzing everything. It's like you're waiting for something else."

Asher's hands stilled on his blades, and he let out a dry chuckle. "I suppose I am. It's just… habit."

At first, Evelina thought he wouldn't say anything more, but slowly, as if dredging up something buried deep, he began to speak.

"Back in my previous life," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper, "I was an assassin, a mercenary. Constantly on guard, constantly waiting: sometimes for a target to step out of the shadows, sometimes for a friend to fall."

His eyes grew distant, haunted by memories he'd tried to keep buried. "We'd sit there, in the dead of night, waiting for our uncertain deaths or the death of our enemies, with no way of knowing which would come first. And then… that hollow feeling when you realized some wouldn't be coming back."

He looked away, gripping his daggers tightly. "The worst part was the silence. Not knowing if the people you were counting on would even survive to see morning… Or if your own skills would fail you at the last second."

Evelina swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. The darkness in his voice was raw, unfiltered, a glimpse into a past he rarely let others see.

"It's not something I'll ever forget, and I guess I carried that here with me." he continued, voice low and cold. "That waiting. Just sitting there, knowing any second could be your last... or theirs. It doesn't ever really go away."

A heavy silence settled between them as Evelina took in his words, feeling a pang of sympathy for the man beside her. Gently, she placed a hand on his arm, grounding him.

"We're here now, Asher," she said quietly. "And we're not alone. We're going to make it through this."

Asher looked down at her hand, a ghost of a smile flickering on his lips before vanishing. "Yeah," he replied softly, his voice steady once more. "This time, we might."

Evelina took a small step closer, then another, before wrapping her arms around Asher in a gentle, grounding hug. For a moment, he stood completely still, caught off guard.

"Huh? What's with you all of a sudden?" he muttered, though a slight flush warmed his cheeks.

Evelina looked up at him with a soft smile, her eyes sparkling. "You really are cool, you know. Like you were some kind of spy or something."

Asher blinked, a slow realization dawning in his expression. "An assassin… not a spy," he corrected reflexively. But then he froze, his eyes widening as if a puzzle piece had just clicked into place. "A spy… Evelina, you're a genius!"

"Um… thanks?" she replied, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity. She wasn't entirely sure what she'd just inspired, but the intensity in his gaze left her wondering.

Without another word, Asher spun around and bolted down the hallway. "I need to find John," he called back over his shoulder, determination driving his steps.

Evelina stood there, watching him disappear, a puzzled smile tugging at her lips. "You're welcome?" she murmured to herself, wondering what exactly she'd set in motion.

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What did he figure out? (●__●)