***Barbarian Isles***

---A Few Days Later---

“You will be posing as children that washed up on the coast after your ship wrecked. We already have a boat prepared and a few men to operate it, and our scouts have identified one island we know some barbarians are on, so we will be sending you there. The men operating the ship will purposely wreck it and will rendezvous with some of our Sky Knights for extraction, after that, you are on your own.” The general said.

“The specifics of the shipwreck will be an explosion that happened on deck, it will be loud enough for the barbarians to take notice and investigate. By that time, you need to be on shore and ready to get ‘kidnapped’.” The other men and women got a chuckle out of that one, whether it was forced or genuine was left unknown to the children.

“Where is Aunty Sophia? I haven’t seen her since we brought up the plan.” Kana asked, her favorite Aunt should've been here to wish them luck.

The general looked around and shrugged, “She’s been gone for awhile now. But Sophia is a big girl and I am sure she’s fine, we will be departing once the morning fog lifts so prepare yourselves. Also leave your training weapons, not only will it be hard to swim with those on you but it would be suspicious for children to be carrying weapons.”

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~~~Maximus Soltain II POV~~~

First thing I remarked when we boarded the ship was how unnecessarily large it was. It felt like too big of a waste to be trashing this thing just to set up a decent cover story for three washed up kids. It also felt extremely empty when there were only a total of seven people on a ship that could easily carry a hundred. I suppose the old man wanted to be sure the barbarians would notice it.

Moving in between the islands, one of the knights said we were heading to island ‘West Four’ which happened to be one of the biggest islands in the area. The scouts discovered a small barbarian settlement on the southern side towards the shore of the island, that is where Kana, Arthur, and I are supposed to land.

The base of the ship was lined with some easy to make explosive enchantments I engraved into the hull. It turns out very few Soltain knights actually know how to enchant and I find it baffling for so many people to not have any knowledge on such a useful art. I really enjoyed enchanting, and it also easily made me more powerful.

I couldn’t wait for Master to allow me to start working on my own enchantments, I had so many ideas on how to make the art as useful as it could be for myself. I’m also interested in engraving enchantments through tattoos on the body, though I have to wait until my body has fully matured. I’ve only seen one on Master’s palm, and from what I can guess it is an extremely powerful script. The combination of ancient elven characters leaving me shocked at what she could possibly hold in her hand.

I wanted that. Though Master constantly reminded me how far I actually was from something as powerful as what she tattooed on to herself.

“We have reached our destination.” A tall and brawny knight alerted us. Looking over the side the ship's railing, Kana and I marveled at the size of the island we were near. A mountain towering in the center and thick green and orange forests surrounding as far as I could see. Peering down towards the clear blue water, I observed how shallow it actually was as I could actually see the bottom.

The four knights bowed to us and the brawny knight spoke again, “We have charged the enchantments on the hull with our own mana and they will blow when ready. This is where we part ways. We wish the young lords and lady fortune on their mission and a safe return.” They proceeded to begin loading in a small dingy and headed towards another island south of us.

Kana looked at both of us and nodded, “Are you two ready for a little swim? Because I sure am.”

Without even waiting for our responses she jumped in the clear water and began swimming towards the coast, Arthur and I soon chasing after her.

After a couple minutes, we heard a massive explosion and had to even dive under the water to avoid some of the flying debris. Pieces of the wooden hull, big and small, continued to speed past us as the ship rapidly began to sink.

Surfacing back above the water, Kana began to openly laugh and Arthur and I had wide grins on our faces.

“This is going to be so much fun!”

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~~~Third Person POV~~~

The three children quickly arrived at shore and completely changed their entire personas. Kana took the initiative to start crying as Max struggled to carry a now ‘unconscious’ Arthur. The three played there roles of confused and terrified children to the letter. It didn’t take long for large men wearing furs and carrying wooden or rusty weapons to appear out of the forest. The men quickly surrounding the children until a hairy man who seemed to only have a few teeth walked out from the crowd.

“Well look at what we have here... Little children out alone and scared. Were you on that ship out there?" He asked, gesturing to capsized ship still sticking out of the shallow waters.

Max took the role of a stubborn leader for the three. He snarled at the man, “What’s it to you no teeth? Why don’t you just fuck off and leave us be!”

The older man grinned at that, showing off the few rotting teeth he still had left in his mouth. “This boy’s got a little fight in him.” He then looked in Kana’s direction and the nasty smile he had only grew. “This friend of yours is quite pretty.” Turning towards his comrades he asked, “Doesn’t the chief like the younger beastkin sort? We’ll definitely be rewarded if we bring her to him.”

The rest of the group laughed at that, a rat faced man with a large beard replied, “Brun, the chief may even give us some of the other women if we give this one to him. It will surely be worth it.”

Brun trounced over and picked up Kana by the scruff of her shirt. Max visibly scowled at that and was about to yell before Brun quickly kicked him ‘unconscious’. “Get me a boat and tie them up, I’ll bring them to the chief tonight.”

The three were quickly picked up by the men that tied them with ropes. Time passed as they were constantly carried around until they were thrown against the walls in a wooden boat. The man called Brun navigating the small ship through the foggy waters.

Arthur faced his back towards the man and activated his eyes. Telepathically speaking to both Max and Kana as they huddled near each other.

We get escorted to their boss and then wait for the most opportune time to strike. Make sure you both save enough mana for the flare. Also both of you need to remember to keep your emotions in check, we don’t really know what to expect from these guys.

They hurriedly nodded and began channeling mana throughout their bodies. Calming their nerves and leaving them physically prepared for the fight to come.

After what felt like hours of sailing between islands. The boat headed in the direction of a massive cave that hid under the rocky cliffs. Moving inside, the kids observed a massive underground cove filled with ships of all shapes and and sizes. Some raggedy boats and even a few towering vessels which were clearly stolen from their original owners. The ships were left to anchor in a variety of places, and the docks that started from the covered shore span all over the cove.

Looking upwards, the children could see cave entrances dotting the cove. Tunnels lit by a multitude of torches that followed paths that no doubt lead to all over the island they were on. Brun and his men picked the three up and entered the largest cave leading further inland.

The children observed numerous women wearing nothing but rags and being treated like slaves. Men were literally throwing themselves on some of the women in the middle of the hallway and the women put up no resistance. Their bodies often bruised and their minds further broken. Their eyes glazed over and dead, bearing no signs of any emotion whatsoever.

The kids were horrified and disgusted. Max was close to boiling over and killing the captors right now. Arthur saw his rage and quickly shook his head, signaling for Max to be patient. Kana closed her eyes, unable to get the faces of the women she just seen out of her head. This would no doubt be a learning experience for each of the kids in plenty of ways.

The group eventually arrived at some heavy double doors with a human and goblin on both sides of the door. That managed to grab the attention of all three, as they’ve never actually seen goblins before.

Entering the room behind the doors, Max and Kana immediately turned towards the large and rather fat goblin sitting atop a chair facing them. Arthur on the other hand, took a quick scan of the surroundings and came to a horrible realization. The barbarians actually had mages amongst them. More specifically, almost a dozen goblin mages holdings staffs filled the large room.

The barbarian chieftain himself, looked to be fat enough to be stuck in the makeshift throne they had for him. Flabs of green skin hungover the sides of the throne as two wolf beastkin women in chains stood beside him. Like the other women, their eyes dark and glazed.

There had to be at least fifty people in the room, with men, beastkin, and goblin barbarians filling the tables and eating alongside each other. Women in garbs bringing around food or being openly screwed right next to men eating their food. The children didn’t think they could be more disgusted by the scene.

Brun tossed Kana in front of the hideous and fat goblin and said, “Chief, we found three children on the shores of Slaken Island and thought you might be interested. Maybe even reward us for bringing the girl.”

The goblins brown eyes gleamed and a sickening grin took his face, “Bring her to me.”

Brun picked up Kana again and she proceeded to cry like any normal girl her age would. The fat and hideous fingers of the goblin grabbed her arms and hung Kana in front of him. “Good. Very good.” His slimy fingers grabbed her face and turned it in his direction.

Arthur glanced over to his friend Max to see him clenching his fists and looking increasingly angry.

The fat goblin continued, “From now on this one belongs to me.” He then looked back at the boys and Brun. “Brun you may take five women and bring them back for you and your men. Those boys go to the pit.”

Arthur looked towards Max again and noticed him smiling.

Now they’ve done it.

“Hahahahaha… Truly a pig reaching for the stars. You and your pitiful little army overstep your bounds.”

Arthur and Kana quickly activated their elemental shields and a massive gust of wind burst out of Max’s body. Razor sharp air slashes burst out in all directions, and the room was immediately painted in red. Not in their wildest imaginations did they picture the boy being such a powerful mage. Max held his left hand towards the fat goblin and Kana immediately formed fire around her arms.

“You aren’t even worthy of kissing the ground she walks on.”

The goblin chief immediately began yelling. “Kill him! Kill the ru-!”

His voice came to an instant halt as his head contorted and burst. A violent sphere of air spraying his innards all over the room and especially on Kana who was right next to him. She ignored the blood and immediately began shooting fire at the closest enemies. Surprised barbarians could only scream in agony as they were burned alive.

Arthur, to his credit, predicted that his friend would eventually lose his self control and planned accordingly. He quickly readied some lightning spears and sent them hurtling towards the mages that survived Max’s initial attack. The five who were still alive countered Arthur’s lightning and a battle of magic ensued.

Kana picked up a massive battleaxe near her and charged at the closest mage. Channeling fire magic into the axe, it quickly lit ablaze. As the goblin was currently occupied with Arthur’s lightning, she effortlessly cut him in half. She then moved beside her two friends and began ruthlessly cutting down the men that charged them. It was pure chaos inside the barbarian throne room, but all three children could be seen with smiles on their faces.

Arthur, holding back his adrenaline and prompting rationality, advised his friends. “We need to get to the cove. We’re too deep underground to send the signal for reinforcements.”

The three nodded and Kana began running out the exit, mercilessly tearing apart enemies with the massive flaming battle axe. Arthur stopped Max and looked towards the four pillars holding up the entire room, “Take out the pillars so we aren’t followed!”

Max nodded and grinned. Reaching into his pocket he took out some still damp explosive enchantment scripts and charged mana into each. After doing so he launched each of the sheets towards the pillars and yelled, “We need to leave now!”

The boys ran out of the room with a huge explosion behind them. The throne room collapsing on itself and everyone inside crushed by the debris. The boys quickly caught up with the girl with the oversized axe and all three continued to press further towards the cove. Killing anyone who tried to block their path.

“You two need to save the rest of your mana for the flare. Allow me to deal with the enemy.” Arthur said while the trio continued to run down the torch-lit tunnel.

Kana deactivated her magic and Max quickly picked up a rusty sword off of a titan of a man Arthur put down with his lightning bolts. Taking the lead, Arthur decided he had a chance to show off a bit. Even if he was the most mature out of the three, he was still a child and a chance like this to impress his friends rarely came.

Facing what seemed to be an unending stream of barbarians blocking their path, Arthur charged lightning magic into both of his hands. Never breaking stride, Arthur cast his own version of ‘Greater Lightning Beam’ and a massive snake made of blue electricity shot out in front of him. The snakes wide maw opening and seemingly devouring all in it’s path. The flesh on the barbarians in front of them disappearing from their bodies, leaving only a path of bones for the children to traverse.

The trio eventually arrived at the cove to find one of the larger ships blocking the exit. They continued to run on the docks and watched as hundred to thousands of barbarians began pouring out of the tunnels.

Reaching the end of the docks, Arthur looked up at the rocky roof covering the entirety of the cove. “We’re going to have to tear the roof open ourselves to launch the flare.” He looked towards Max. “Can you take care of that for us?”

Max nodded and reached back into his shirt, pulling out the rest of his explosive enchantments. “Piece of cake.”

Charging each of the scripts, Max propelled each of the sheets directly above them and the area began to shake. Large boulders began to fall and crash onto the shores and in the water. Targeting the nearest hole in the rocks, Kana looked towards Max, “You ready?”

“Ready when you are.” Both began channeling as much magic into their arms as they could. Kana’s spell formed a massive serpentine dragon of fire that shot towards the ceiling, while Max focused on solely strengthening her flames to be as bright as possible. The spell easily shot through the hole in the roof and lit up the night sky around the island. A remarkable burst of crimson flame could be seen in the skies for miles around the source.

After casting the spells, they both visibly deflated. Their mana stores now extremely low and leaving them tired.

The chaos throughout the entire cove didn’t stop all the enemies, and more and more quickly advanced towards their position on the docks. They now found themselves trapped, and Arthur was the only one left with mana.

Although they knew they were in trouble, Max and Kana picked up their weapons and charged at the enemy so Arthur could continue to fire his lightning. The skirmish between the kids raged on and as many barbarians they seemed to kill two more would pop up in his place. Their numbers seemed endless.

The voice of their original captor Brun sounded out from the horde. “Don’t kill the girl! She’ll be worth a lot as a slave! We’re going to need the money!” The enemy focused their attention on Kana and quickly surrounded her. All of them concentrating on wearing the little girl down while ignoring the deaths of their comrades brought by the two boys.

Max frowned at the sound of Brun’s voice.

How is that piece of shit still alive?

Both boys tried to get closer to Kana, but found the numerous amount of enemies to be too much for either to advance. Max was forced to watch as his friend was slowly beaten and chains were wrapped around her body. The enemy disarming her and leaving her helpless.

“Good job boys! A colorful breed like her will sell for plenty! Now kill the other two runts!”

Watching Kana get dragged away but the enemy, Max’s mind started racing. What was everything for? Why did he truly want to be the strongest person he knew? If he couldn’t even save his own friends then what would be the point of being so powerful?

Why did Max want power?

Growing up, his thoughts were estranged in that the one with the most power would be the one to give orders. He knew people respected power, and they also feared it. If he could have that ability, no one would be able to tell him what to do and he could do whatever he wanted. But what did he really want?

Looking back at his friend his rage flared and all his emotions reached a heightened state.

Max didn’t want this. No, he needed power for another goal. A goal far better than being a lonely ruler feared by those below him. He wanted to be powerful to support Kana and Arthur, his friends that meant more to him than anyone else, the people he cared about.

And so, for the first time in his entire life, Max's eyes were truly open.