Barging in is a rugged old man donning gold-rimmed leather armor and sporting a wolf-skin cape. His one good eye is concealed by a dark eyepatch and you find it difficult to read his face.

He is accompanied by a posse of heavily armed men. They are noticeably bulkier than the average elf and their glares could cut through stone.

Slinking behind him is none other than Elder Alimarc. His snake-like demeanor is easily recognizable from a mile away.

"Elder Grimdal..." you hear Leronil utter.

The inn grows deadly silent as the men approach your table. The hair on your friends' back stands up and he is quick to bare his teeth at them.

"I come back from a hunting trip to find an outsider eating our food and wearing our clothes," he holds his ground mere meters from your table. "This is treason of the highest order."

"Verily!" Alimarc exclaims, hiding behind the group of armed men. "I beg your forgiveness, Elder Grimdal. I failed to convince the council to turn away these intruders!"

"Worry not, Elder Alimarc. I too am aware of how soft the council has grown. Picking that alchemist as Elder Asmon's replacement was a grave mistake."

And he turns back to you.

"Food that will last us less than a week, in exchange for allowing you into our sequestered community. A deal heavily in your favor. Our leaders have become weak."

You rise from your seat and slam the table. "T-that isn't all! I also plan on giving your people more crops as long as I—!"

Elder Grimdal draws his sword and aims it at you. You flinch upon seeing its luster.

"I don't know what your endgame is—masquerading as the Garden Beast and buying the trust of those... "Elderwood Scouts"—but what we need isn't shipments of food. What we need is a means of producing that food ourselves. Relying on a stranger like you is dangerous for a multitude of reasons. We want to be self-sufficient, lest we succumb to laziness."

Suddenly, Leronil staggers to his feet and shambles up against the tip of Grimdal's blade. He visibly struggles to stabilize his footing, yet he confronts the Elder without hesitation.

"You touch a hair on her head," he growls, "and I'll have you covering both of your eyes."

Elder Grimdal is unfazed and he stares at the man. "You reek of booze. I was right in keeping you out of the Elderwood Warriors. When your father was your age he—"

"I'm not my damn father! I'm Leronil, and if you intend on kicking her out, you'll have to get through me first!"

"You dare speak to an elder in such a manner? I ought to knock some sense into you!"

Grimdal raises his hilt to strike Leronil with the pommel of his sword. The Mystfox quickly notices and jumps in to stop him. And he swipes the blade mid-air out of the Elder's hand and lands betwixt the two men.

Grimdal's entourage of warriors rush in to aid the stunned man, and Alimarc retreats to the entrance door behind him.

"Stand down," he gestures to his men. "So, this is the troublemaker that has been running amok. It all makes sense now."

"What do you mean?" Leronil glances at the Mystfox.

"That woman has been lying to you, Leronil. It is the beast in front of you that is the true Garden Beast."

The elven warriors stand back and everyone in the bar rivets their sights on the animal.

"What makes you think he's the Garden Beast?" you protest, recalling all the times you ordered the Mystfox to stay back while you fight.

"My eyes do not deceive me, woman. After all, I possess the sight," and he flips open his eyepatch revealing a golden iris, a strange contrast to his one green eye.

"Those mismatched eyes..!"

Talent: God's Eye

Description: You see the world through the eyes of a deity. You have access to information that is otherwise unknown to you simply by looking at any item or organism. Your user display also receives an overhaul.

To your horror, the man before you is a wielder of the talent. He squints at your friend and inspects him thoroughly.

"Yes, this... Mystfox... boasts an impressive level," he informs the room. "Level 112—a formidable creature, even by my standards..."

Whispers fill the air and the congregation of elves becomes wary. They look on at the Mystfox with fear now.

"And you, 'Nameless Seer', you're nothing," he shakes his head. "A mere Level 1. We have children that could beat you in a fistfight."

His company of warriors all laugh at the prospect. Even the drunkards in the background chuckle. You had no idea you had such a low number attached to you. And you begin to doubt your power.

"If you think you can walk in here and threaten us with your high-level pet, then you're sorely mistaken. I've slain foes stronger than this beast."

His intimidating remark escalates the situation, and you are resolved to protect your friend. Even if it means killing an elder of this village that has treated you so kindly. And you close your left eye to consult your list of magic spells.

< Magic Tab Unlocked Spells Element Type IGNIS FIRE TOUCH FLAMMA FIRE SPRAY > AUGUE FIRE BOLT INFERNO FIRE AREA FIGNUM FIRE EXPLOSION

You prepare Augue as it is a ranged spell.

Interrupting this decision though is a loud cry.

"Elder Grimdal!" Anna bursts into the inn, enraged. "What in Gaia's name do you think you're doing?!"

"Do not butt in, woman," the man readies his sword and assumes a combat stance. "This does not concern you."

"It does concern me if you plan on murdering guests of the village! Your actions go against the council's decision!"

"I was absent. Thus, the council's decision is null!"

"That's not how it works!"

"That oughta be how it works! Day after day you mislead Chief Ginta with your flowery words. You have been tainted by the ideals of the outside world, Anna!"

"And how does that give you the right to take the lives of innocents?"

"Because unlike you, I am doing this for our people. I shall execute these deceivers and in turn claim the Garden Beast's farmland for our village!

No one is willing to budge on the issue. Your friend growls at Grimdal and is ready to lunge at any moment. And you feel the heat forming in the palm of your hand. Things are about to turn ugly.

But as fate would have it, Leronil would break his silence and get Grimdal's attention.

"Don't ignore me Grimdal!" he yells at the top of his lungs. "I'm not letting you get away with this!"

The Elder turns to the man and scoffs at him. "You're still on about that? Leave this to the adults, boy."

"I challenge you to a duel! No holds barred like the days of yore!"

A hundred gazes of disbelief are on Leronil. None could ever predict this bold move from the village laughingstock.

"Leronil, have you gone mad?!" Anna scolds him.

"No," he replies, as stubborn as a mule. "I want to prove to everyone that I'm not just a weakling that depends on his father. Who else to prove that with than my biggest critic?"

Elder Grimdal pauses and looks at his blade. It gleams in the night sky, yet dulls under the tavern lights. Realizing that, he sniggers and smirks at Leronil.

"There's a fine line that separates bravery and foolishness, boy. You haven't the experience to tell which is which," he says with a condescending sneer. "You're gambling your life away in a drunken stupor, so I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."

"Your honor is on the line, coward," Leronil provokes the Elder.

And it works.

Grimdal's smile drops and he shifts his blade from the Mystfox to Leronil. "Your funeral, you useless brat."

Unable to take this though, you step forth and intervene.

"Hey, old man," you join your friend in defending Leronil. "I'll take you on in his place."

"Oi, what are you doing?!" the leader of the Elderwood Scouts naturally opposes your involvement. "This is my fight!"

"No, it isn't. I'm the one he has qualms about. And my friend. I should be the one dueling him."

"But..."

"Leronil, it was my decision to get involved with your people. Seeing you suffer over a selfish whim I had, I can't stomach it. If I have to fight to support your people, I will."

"Why would you go so far for us?"

"Because," you puff out your chest, "it's super boring living alone! Oh, and if I leave he'll totally try to invade my homestead again. I need to defend my property, you know?"

And you saunter up to Elder Grimdal and cross your arms in defiance.

"So, you'll be facing me in the ring of battle? A strange elf with a single level to her name?"

"Yup, pretty much."

"With Leronil being the son of Chief Ginta it's hard to tell whether he's brave or a fool. But you... you're definitely a fool."

"Yeah, yeah, call me a fool all you like. So what are the stakes we're dealing with?"

The Elder examines you, bewildered as to the source of your coolheadedness, before sheathing his sword.

"Mm. If I win," he strokes his stubble, "you cede the meadow to us and leave the forests forever. I also have the right to execute your pet, as I deem him a threat to the village."

You take a deep breath, stifling the rage in your heart upon hearing the last portion of his demands, and continue. "Those are some hefty winnings. Surely, I can request something of equal worth if I win?"

"It goes without saying. As I am serious about winning, I offer to you my life and a seat on the council."

You expect a bigger reaction from the elves, but all of them seem content with the terms.

And this legendary duel is set to take place tomorrow.