LI S1 - Part 8: Diamonds vs. Rice, Shadow Temple (1), Shadow Temple (2) E-Book

Martin Wintersberger

• Herausgeber: Astro Entertainment
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: ASTRO Entertainment for KIDS
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 68

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Li embarks on a journey that leads him deeper into the shadows of Rogos Veridis than ever before. What begins as a seemingly insignificant discovery unveils a web of lies, suffering, and hidden history. A thousand years ago, the Elves and the Ancients laid the foundation for the Shadow Temple – a place of both hope and darkness. Now Li must decide whether to walk the path of the sword alone – and whether he is ready to bear the legacy of the past.

Leseprobe

Authors: Manuela Wieninger · Martin Wintersberger

Illustrations: Midjourney

Cover: Acht Schätze & Midjourney

astro-entertainment.at

This work, including all its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use outside the narrow limits of copyright law is prohibited without the written consent of the author and is punishable by law. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems. ASTRO and all persons appearing therein and their names, all actions, circumstances and laws of nature are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead persons or fish is purely coincidental and unintentional..

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Copyright © 2020, 2025 Martin Wintersberger

First English Edition 2025 – Based on the 2021 Austrian release

Published in Austria by ASTRO Entertainment e.U.

Based on an idea by Martin Wintersberger

Translated from German with DeepL

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-3-99119-257-2

SEASON 1

LI - THE PATH OF THE SWORD

Episode 22: Diamonds vs. Rice

Episode 23: Shadow Temple (1)

Episode 24: Shadow Temple (2)

»EVEN THE LONGEST JOURNEY BEGINSWITH THE FIRST STEP«

EPISODE 22DIAMONDS VS. RICE

Aloud cry went up from Mei's outdoor dining area as a shadow flew over the heads of the villagers. Cry, the mighty eagle, swooped down from a great height, the air rushing beneath his wings. At the last moment, he rose up, his wings so close that the spectators instinctively recoiled.

‘Wow!’ exclaimed a boy, his eyes wide with amazement, while the villagers breathed a sigh of relief. Cry rose into the air once more, his figure bathed in the pale light of the red dwarf star Ares, which still radiated a pleasant warmth in the early morning.

‘Now, Kayun, keep your hand steady!’ Lis's voice echoed across the courtyard. The boy, no older than ten, hesitantly held out his flat hand, in which lay a small copper coin. Cry circled one last time, then shot down like an arrow.

The guests held their breath as the eagle snatched the coin from Kayun's hand with astonishing precision and soared back into the air. The boy stumbled backwards and landed on his bottom to the applause of the guests.

With a triumphant cry, Cry sailed onto Lis's outstretched arm. The young blacksmith stroked the bird's breast feathers and took the coin from its beak.

‘This is yours, Kayun.’ Li walked over to Kayun and pressed the coin into his hand. He stared first at Li and then at Cry before a broad grin lit up his face and he jumped into the air with his arms still outstretched. ‘He's incredible!’ Kayun beamed, his eyes sparkling with joy. ‘Cry intimidates me much more than Storm!’

The guests burst into loud laughter, Li bowed and left the outdoor dining area with Cry in her arms, heading towards the indoor area. Mei also thanked everyone for the applause and followed Li.

‘Your reward,’ she said with a smile. ‘Rice from the best fields in Matos. Carefully cooked and perfect for travelling. So you don't have to go hungry.’ Then she held Lis's hand for a moment.

‘Thanks, Mei,’ Li replied, stowing the bag in his pocket.

Suddenly, Scarlett entered the room. ‘Impressive display...’

Li looked at her silently. Scarlett knew she owed Li an answer. She sighed and looked away briefly before asking Mei for a favour: ‘Can I leave my car with you? I'll pick it up tomorrow.’ Mei nodded and Scarlett turned to Li: "There's something I need to show you. Things I can no longer keep to myself. But it's hard for me to talk about it. I have to show you."

Li sensed Scarlett's uncertainty and struck a conciliatory note. ‘I assume you have something in mind that will take longer? Fine, I'm all set.’

Scarlett snorted and pointed to the path. ‘Thanks. Let's go. I'll tell you more on the way.’

Scarlett and Li set off for Xenos, Scarlett talking incessantly about her wares, then about the latest rumours in the village.

‘Have you heard? Someone in Nari is said to have bred a hen that lays blue eggs. Can you imagine that?’

Li grinned without taking his eyes off the path. ‘Maybe we should ask Cry. He knows a lot about eggs.’

Scarlett laughed and continued. ‘And then there's that thing with the horse feed in Xenos-West. Don't you find it strange how much feed they buy?’

Li shrugged, knowing that Scarlett was avoiding talking about the events she had experienced. He didn't want to press her. ‘People do what they do. It's not my place to judge.’

Scarlett paused and looked at him. ‘Since when have you been so calm?’

‘Since I realised that not everyone finds their way at my pace. Some people just need more time, Scarlett.’

She did not reply, but only nodded slowly before continuing on her way.

The streets of Xenos West were bustling with life. Merchants hawked their wares, children played between the stalls, and the hustle and bustle of the afternoon could be felt everywhere. Suddenly, a loud, clear voice rang out: ‘Exhibition fight this afternoon in the main square! Come and see the best fighters in Xenos!’

A boy, no older than twelve, ran through the alleys repeating the announcement. His enthusiasm was infectious, and the locals stopped to listen to him.

Li, who had just stopped at a fruit stall, glanced at the boy. His eyes sparkled with interest. Scarlett noticed and raised an eyebrow. ‘Do you want to take a look?’

Li hesitated, then shrugged. ‘Perhaps. It could be interesting...’

Scarlett sighed. ‘Fights are brutal, Li. But if it's important to you... I'll come with you.’

Li smiled. ‘Thank you, Scarlett. I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think.’

The Darax house in Xenos West was a hive of activity. Darax stood in the middle of the room, giving instructions to his four henchmen. In front of them were crates full of swords and armour, glinting in the twilight.

‘Be careful with these boxes,’ Darax ordered sternly. ‘If even one of these items is damaged, there will be consequences.’

One of the henchmen, a tall, broad-shouldered man, puffed. ‘A show fight in the square... if only I had time to watch it. That's something for us, isn't it, lads?’

Another follower laughed. ‘Yes. Instead of carrying swords, we could watch the others use them. That would be something different.’

Darax glared at them. ‘You're here to work, not to have fun. The market won't wait. So get going, grab the crates and move. No arguments.’

The men sighed, grabbed the crates and set off. Darax glanced over his shoulder as the shouter passed by outside. He shook his head. ‘Child's play,’ he muttered and followed his men.

Li and Scarlett reached the large square, where many spectators had already gathered. In the middle of the square was a raised platform surrounded by colourful banners. Two fighters were already facing each other, their posture full of tension.

The spectators cheered as the gong sounded and the fight began. Li watched the fighters' movements closely. ‘They're good,’ he murmured. ‘Their techniques are clean and precise.’

Scarlett was less enthusiastic. She crossed her arms and grimaced as one of the fighters landed a heavy blow. ‘Brutal,’ she said quietly. ‘But I can see that they respect each other.’

Li nodded. ‘That's the most important thing. Fighting isn't just violence. It's also a form of discipline and respect.’

Scarlett looked at him and said with a slight smile, ‘That's what you say. Others just think it's brutal.’

When the fight was over and the winner was honoured with a respectful bow, village master Kage Yoshi stepped onto the platform. His posture was upright and calm, his gaze friendly. ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he began in a clear voice, ‘thank you for being here today. It is important that we demonstrate sporting but peaceful competitions. They remind us that we belong together and that we can find strength in unity.’

Suddenly, an elderly woman stepped out of the crowd. She was dressed simply but neatly, and her hands trembled slightly as she approached the village master. ‘Village master Kage, I... wanted to thank you. Without your help, I would have lost my house. You are a true blessing to our village.’