Hey guys I'm going to try and update weekly on Monday's for this story. Please continue to read this story as I feel like it is getting better with your comments and suggestions. I noticed that the followers for this story have increased and I'm full of pride that you guys read my story each week. I'm having a lot of fun writing and I hope that you guys continue to follow and R&R.

By the way I started a new story the other day I placed it on here. It is called Humanity's last hope. If you're waiting on a new chapter please feel free to read it and let me know what you think. The link is posted below.

http://royalroadl.com/fiction/5059

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Chapter 32: Last Minute Preparations

Hiro and Leo walked into the town. Leo’s new appearance was shocking to many of the townspeople. They were in awe the powerful beast and excited that he was there to protect them.

“Leo, can you take a rest a home while I go talk to Caesar, Foria, Korin and the rest of the army.”

Leo nodded and went to their home. Hiro left and went to the dwarves to sell the weapons that he had retrieved from the hobgoblins. He entered into the shop and he saw a white light coming from the back where assumed the forge was located. The light was so bright that he had to avert his eyes. When the room went back to its normal light he looked up and the dwarves were standing there.

They told him that his weapons were ready. They said these were the finest weapons that they had every forged.

Hiro, a man of his word, asked, “Can I sell my wears that I collected from the hobgoblins first so that I can settle my debt?”

The dwarves looked at the swords, axes, and shields. The dwarves told him they were not of the greatest quality but they were made of good materials that they could melt down and forge better weapons. The dwarves said that they could offer him 13 gold coins for the weapons.

Hiro agreed and thought the 8 that he made plus the 13 they just gave him made only 21 pieces of gold. Just then Caesar entered into the shop. Hiro told the dwarves that he had 21 pieces of gold but he told that he would pay 25 pieces so he would come back after he got the final four pieces.

“Nonsense! You get them now. I will give you a measly four gold coins. That hammer you gave me was worth well over 75 gold coins” said Caesar as he handed Hiro 4 gold coins.

“Thank you, Thank you Caesar”, Hiro said as he bowed showing his gratitude.

He gave the dwarves the money and they rolled the cart out with a spear and shield. The dwarves were coming out carrying a shield and what appeared to be some sort of spear-like weapon on a cart.

The dwarves were struggling to push them indicating that the weapons were extremely heavy. The spear-like weapon had a long handle made of a shiny silver handle. The end had two curved blades protruding from either side. One of the blades had a purplish tint to it while the other had a reddish tint. The blades had a metallic shine to them showing their sharpness.

The shield was beautiful. It was a polished silver color and looked as if it would protect Hiro from his thigh to his neck making him a virtual fortress. Hiro noticed on the edges there were razor sharp teeth that resemble the teeth of the young ligers. Hiro thought if he used his boomerang shield skill with this it could possibly even decapitate an enemy or at the least cause it to have massive bleeding.

Then they explained that the shield was made from the special metal that he gave them. It absorbs magic. Any magic the strikes the shield it absorbs. We don’t know how or even what it can do once it has absorbed the magic. It is strange but In addition the shield is the hardest thing we have ever worked on. Its strength is just like mithril but it is much, much lighter and one tenth of mithril.

Next is the spear. When we finally got the two pieces it changed shape. The pommel elongated into the handle which you see. Within the blade were several fire and lightning gems which cause it to possess the properties of both. In addition, this blade can be used to shoot out fireballs or lightning bolts if imbued with the user’s mana. This weapon should suit you well as you are able to wield a weapon and mana at the same time.

Hiro was excited he picked up the shield and it was light as a feather compared to his wildfire shield. Then he reached out to grab the spear. His hand wrapped around the around the long handle. Hiro allowed his ki to flow into the handle and suddenly the blades on either side of the end of the spear ignited with a white flame encircled by electricity flowing up and down the blades. It was heavy but not as heavy as the troll hammer so Hiro could handle it with one arm.

“Oh my God! Where did you get a weapon like this?” said Caesar.

“From two trolls I killed a while back.” Replied Hiro.

The dwarves were proud of their work and said please let everyone know that we made the weapon. Hiro graciously told them anything for them after they made him such a magnificient weapon. The dwarves then brought out Caesar’s hammer. He picked it up and I was engulfed by lightning.

“You’re not the only one with a special weapon”, laughed Caesar.

He paid the dwarves for their spectacular work and they both left. Hiro and Caesar went through the town past the square and to Foria and Korin’s home.

At Korin’s home they were greeted by servants who brought them to a beautiful room where Foria and Korin were talking. Hiro shared what he heard from the hobgoblin with his three comrades and they all came to the conclusion that their town had to be protected along with honoring his word to Leo and protecting the pride of ligers. Hiro, Caesar, Rain, Foria, Kaura were to split the army into divisions. Rain would lead the magic unit responsible for attacking at distance and healing the wounded troops.

Caesar and Hiro would lead two infantry units. Foria would lead a unit of archers and Kaura would lead a lightly armored stealth unit that would take quick action when needed. The plan would be to have Hiro and Caesar lead their troops to the front of the cave followed can crush the goblin main force. They would supported by the units led by Rain and Foria. Rain’s troops who are some of the most vital because it contained the healers, would be flanked on either side by Kaura’s unit and Foria’s unit. They all agreed to the plan. Korin wished his military leaders a glorious victory. Hiro asked Korin to do him a favor if he came back alive from the battle. Korin agreed then Caesar and Hiro left to return to their homes for the night.

Since it was still early Hiro decided to check out his troops. He had Caesar ring a bell that had been constructed in the middle of the city to alert the troops to come to the training center and prepare for battle. They quickly went to the training center and in moments nearly 100 soldiers had arrived armed and ready to battle. He began to examine the units. There wear about 15 archers, 15 light armored units, 28 units who wore chainmail and had large shields, and about 40 units that carried medium shields and axes.

As Hiro finished inspecting everyone Rain and her mages who number about 6 reported in. Hiro asked them to step forward.

“Can you please demonstrate your magic for me?” They all looked confused. “It’s alright just use one of your weaker spells.”

The mages including Rain nodded according to their commander’s wish. One at a time they used their magic to attack Hiro. The mages used ice, fire, and lighting magic but each time the attack got close to him and he raised his shield to defend the magic was sucked into the shield. The mages were in awe.

You have learned magic spell, ice blast. This spell allows the user to shoot shards of ice at its foes. As you continue to use the spell it will unlock new and stronger ice based spells.

You have improved the magic spell, lightning bolt to the novice level. Now the spell does increased damage and requires 25% less mana to cast.

So that’s what it does with the spells. This is going to be very interesting

“That shield is really something!” said Rain. “With it you are nearly immune to magic.

Hiro smiled and said, “You have taught them well Rain.”

Hiro decided to hold a little competition to see how well Caesar had trained the infantry section of the army. The units were placed one on one against others in their groups. The battles went on until one person lost their weapon or submitted. Two of the units stood out to him. One was using a large axe that looked extremely heavy. The other had a trident with a long metal handle. They defeated their opponents quickly with little to no effort at all.

Hiro asked them to step forward. “Attack me!”

Following orders they drew their weapons. Hiro removed his sword and shield and decided to fight only using his ki. Hiro activated it and his body was covered with the familiar golden glow. He clenched his fist and took his fighting pose in a southpaw stance with his right hand extended slightly and is left hand covering his chin.

The two warriors came at him. They had good speed. The axe user swung his axe but it was far too slow to strike Hiro as he deftly ducked under the attack and struck the young man with a right hook body blow and straight left to his head. The young man dropped to his knees and the female using the trident jumped on his back as and used him to give her a boost. With his added strength she jumped high into the air and threw her trident at Hiro. The speed of the trident was excellent but she had thrown it from too high and Hiro could easily see its trajectory. He stepped back slightly and it pierced the ground all the down the base of the blades on its end. When the woman came down he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her down. Both warriors had been thoroughly defeated by their commander. Hiro cast a healing spell on both of them causing their injuries to be removed. Next he asked them their names.

The young man with the axe said, “My name is Blade.”

The young woman with the spear said, “My name is Sakura.”

“I am impressed by your skill. You two will both serve directly under me in my heavy infantry unit.”

Next Hiro introduced all of his captains to the army and told the groups who would be reporting where. Archers were to report to Foria. Mages would report to Rain. Light armored units would report to Kaura. Units with heavy shields would report with Hiro and units with light shields would report to Caesar.

“Everyone get rest tonight for tomorrow we face the enemy on the field of battle!”

The army yelled, “Howwwoo!”

“Dismissed”, Hiro yelled and the army left the training center.

Hiro left the training center and returned home their Leo greeted him and he told him that the preparations for battle had been made. Hiro stroked Leo’s main and told him that tomorrow they would free his friends and destroy the scourge of the hobgoblins from this area. Leo purred with delight that his friend was going to help him save the members of his pride who had been enslaved. Hiro placed his spear, shield, and armor on the rack then he bid told Leo to rest for tomorrow would be a long day.

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