AO 5 Story Thus Far (Patreon)

Ard’s life looked far different now from his humble beginnings as a tavern-keeper in a small village. He had bumbled his way through noble politics and had even accidentally created mountains that resembled noses.

Now, instead of creating nose-like mountains, he was collapsing them. He had just turned a mountain next to Chillwind Pass into sand in an attempt to wash out the Garrish military that was approaching, after heroically saving Melida from an evil creation that the Garrish king had named Colin. The creation may have also devoured dozens of Avente mages, but that was a problem they would address later. 

For now, Ard needed to recover his soul from the recent strain he'd taken on in order to use so much magic. He also had to deal with the lovely influx of freshly squeezed soul juice that Missy had just infused into him, which he'd shared with Emlyn, Maribelle, and Cyam. Which he could do, because Maribelle and Emlyn were now connected to his soul.

Even though he knew this, seeing Maribelle killed in the battle for the fort had placed a heavy burden on him, and he had nearly lost his composure.

Still he had pulled himself together to save Melida and was back at the fort.

Somehow, they were the best chance the country had of stopping this invading army. Despite the fort’s current state after collapsing on top of Maribelle, it would have to stand up to the oncoming army.

Melida, her anchors, Ard, his four anchors, along with Eva, and Uncle Vulcan were the entire army left. Just another day for the most powerful mage in Avente. Somehow, Ard had gone from tavern-keeper to holding off an entire army at his doorstep. Suddenly, Beth’s reprimands when he forgot the firewood were now looking quite tame in comparison.

This was just the current mess that Ard found himself in. Not to mention the whole death of a princess and two elite mages that was most certainly going to come around and kick him in the rear sometime soon.