[THE WEEPING FOREST, EXTERIOR REGION, EDGE OF THE FOREST]
Captain Upo stood nervously at the edge of the forest, waiting for the most dangerous entity in the area to arrive. His legs shook with fear as he contemplated running.
Dammit! He whined, biting his fingers. Why did the council choose to send me?! Hisagi… The young master must have told them about what happened at the gate and had them send me! Kids like that shouldn't be influencing the Council's decisions! They give that boy way too much favor!
He clenched his fist and slammed it against a nearby tree. Just you wait! Once my son Esi steals the top spot at the Dwanivit from him next month, the boy will be humbled! He'll have no choice but to respect me! Argh!
While he was distracted by his own thoughts, he felt something touch his back. "Excuse me,"
Upo let out a cross between a yelp and a whimper and nearly wet himself. He jumped back several paces in a single stride and struggled to breathe in and out; his heart daring to leap out of his chest.
He staggered, shocked to find himself face to face with a white-haired boy with a blank expression.
"Y-You!" he stammered, "You're that human brat from the wall!"
"His name," another young voice said, "...is Jace."
Upo spun his neck and saw two other boys standing behind him. One was the black-haired boy he had seen at the gate — Jace's brother — and Hidemi, the half-dwarf he and his men would often bully.
"And mine is Aleximus. Remember that Lupo." the black-haired boy frowned.
"That's not my name!" the captain shot back with a flustered expression. "It's Upo! U-P-O! And it's Captain Upo Phizar to you!"
"Alright, alright, we get it, Lupo." Aleximus sighed. Angered, Upo slowly reached for his weapon.
WRSTTTTLLEEE
From the shadows of the trees came an array of Sanctum beasts, ranging from panthers, moose, and bears, to a beautiful red lioness with sharp, piercing teeth who stood protectively in front of Jacender. Moreover, a grey-skinned figure stood behind them all, his eyes sending through Upo a fear unlike any he'd ever felt before.
"That's quite enough, Mr.Wei." Nahasch's voice reverberated. "Or do you think yourself foolish enough to run rampant in my forest?"
Upo's legs buckled, sending him crashing to the ground and gasping for air. How does he know my middle name?!
A thick presence wafted from the lord's body, warning him not to approach. The thought of grabbing his weapon felt idiotic right then and there. In Upo's eyes, the dark entity's Sanctum Energy took the shape of snake eyes and fangs. He knew what the message meant:
there was no resisting the reach of this immense power.
U-Unreal! Upo gasped inwardly. It's like… like staring into purgatory!
He gulped hard. The Weeping Forest was a place the Council had always warned the sentries of the wall never to approach. No one ever left the city, but it was said that in the forest neighboring their esteemed city… lived a monster.
Without delay, the captain changed his position and bowed on the floor, sinking as deep as his bones would allow. He plunged his nose into the dirt underneath him while sweat poured down his forehead. "My Lord… I was sent here by Councilman Banderd of Xastol! I humbly ask your forgiveness if I've caused you any disrespect!"
Aleximus hid his nervousness. It's monstrous, he thought as he took in Nahasch's power. I can tell now that I can use it, but whatever it is that he's doing… It can't be Sanctum Energy. It's too different! Almost like a bottomless chasm…
"Hrm," Nahasch smiled. Upo felt a hand touch his shoulder and raised his head. In front of him stood Hidemi who extended a hand. The captain's eyes widened for a moment before twisting into disgust but quickly abandoned the expression once the lord gave him another grim look. Powerless to do anything, he accepted the boy's arm and stood.
"I know why you are here, Captain," Nahasch said, "But your council will have to remain disappointed. Hidemi Murong is of great interest to me and will be in my care in the meantime."
Upo didn't dare argue back. He nodded instead, more ready to disappoint the Counselors if it was the alternative to a gruesome death. But Nahasch was not done. "Instead, you are to relay a message," he told him.
"Y-Yes, my lord… What would you have me do?"
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[XASTOL CITY, DRAGONS BREATH TOWER, TOP FLOOR — ONE HOUR LATER]
"Are you sure of this?" Banderd asked.
The other two councilmen — Huin and Gido — had dark expressions of frustration on their faces. On their desks were small pieces of dark red wood which they grimaced at the sight of while their brother carefully inspected them.
Standing at the end of the desk facing them with his arms crossed behind his back, was Captain Upo, who shook apprehensively at the councilmen's expressions.
"Yes, sir," he responded shakily, "The Lord of The Weeping Forest demands that the half-breed, Hidemi Murong, be allowed to enter the Dwanivit a month from now. And should he win… well, they request the immediate release of Ivan Murong."
Gido slammed his fist against the table and shouted, "Preposterous!"
He turned his head back towards Banderd and snarled. "To allow that boy to take part in the Dwanivit will be to spit on father's grave! Not to mention the dishonor it would bring the rest of the city! He must think us to be fools!"
Huin adjusted his glasses and nodded. "I concur. Father would not approve of this. Dwarven law is bond."
Banderd paused for a moment before he sighed. He set the redwood back down and glanced at Upo. "And you're sure the Lord backs the boy?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Banderd," Huin began, noticing the shift in his brother's eyes. "You cannot possibly be thinking—"
"—It does not matter what I think. It matters what we do." Banderd interrupted. "Can you say with absolute certainty that even with Xastol's defenses we can withstand the full power of the Weeping Forest and its overlord? How many dwarves will we lose? How many children will be killed?"
Huin grumbled angrily, unable to retort, and looked away.
Banderd took in a deep breath and ran his fingers along the golden dragon statue on his desk. "The boy was only exiled because of Ivan's sins to begin with. Father couldn't stand to see something he deemed unnatural continue to mingle with the other dwarves and threw him out after what happened that night. Legally speaking, the boy has done nothing wrong and can return. The problem is who he attempts to free once he comes back."
Gido thrust his arms into the air, shouting, "That is precisely why we cannot let this be! The people will lose trust in us! To let that murderer go would be to say that our laws do not work — That they must be abolished!"
Banderd thought for a moment and rubbed his weary eyes. "Then may I propose something?"
All eyes turned to him. "What do you have in mind?"
"I motion that the boy be allowed to join the Dwanivit a month from now. But before you disagree, hear me out."
He picked up a piece of the wood on his desk and faced the captain. "You said that the humans with the Lord called this 'Ashtree Wood' correct? By my assessment, its density and structure are unlike any other wood I've seen before. I doubt even Emberoak could match its properties."
"Indeed," Huin added as he adjusted his glasses once more. "By the looks of it, it would be a quasi-S-class material, far outstripping most items we have here in Xastol barring those from the Dragon Vault."
Banderd nodded in agreement. "As Huin said, such rarity won't be simple to come across again. They have promised five pounds of the wood as an entrance fee for the boy, and an additional six, unused pieces should Hidemi rank within the top three."
"Ha!" Gido spat smugly, "Do they believe that a half-breed could reach Stieli-rank without any formal training in our ways?!"
"Quite," Huin added. "I doubt he can even pick up a hammer. He will drop out in the first round."
Banderd wasn't so easily convinced. This was Ivan's son after all; the offspring of the most talented Sanctum-Smith the Murong clan had been able to produce in 500 years. Whatever skill Hidemi may possess… it wouldn't be as simple as they thought.
He turned to his brothers and set the Ashtree wood down. "Regardless of that, following the boy's immediate loss, I propose two stipulations be put into place posthaste. The first is that all relations regarding Xastol City and the Weeping Forest will be cut off, effective immediately. Our relationship with the Lord is only due to a bargain ancestor Arsaes struck with him to allow Xastol's construction in exchange for the property near the Weeping Forest. In any case, this will be a fortunate opportunity to sever all ties with the Lord."
His eyes narrowed sternly as he muttered, "No longer will we be bullied into agreements like these."
"W-What happens if he doesn't agree, sirs?" Upo asked. He worried that they'd do something rash and provoke the wrath of the terrifying entity he'd met in the forest.
Huin picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip. "He has no choice but to. Banderd's proposal automatically destroys any hope the half-breed will have of entering the city and freeing Ivan should the Lord renege on his deal and attack Xastol. The Lord also knows that we wouldn't break out laws so easily. Whatever Ivan's son can offer him seems to be too great of interest."
He lowered the cup, its contents empty, and smirked at his brothers. "Clever. The opportunity has presented itself, so it'd be unwise not to make use of it. What is your second stipulation?"
Banderd stepped down the slightly elevated platform where the chieftain's desk sat and walked towards the balcony. The caged owl was fast asleep, exhausted from yet another day of hooting for freedom. Banderd stared at it for a moment before continuing:
"Hidemi wants to free his father and Hisagi wants to keep the boy out. Let's give them both what they want. The opportunity will only motivate Hisagi in his Sanctum-Smithing to not let Hidemi advance."
"You want to banish Ivan?" Gido scoffed. "Putting aside what he's done — what of his detention? Won't that Church take issue with him?"
A pang of guilt flashed across Banderd's eyes, but since his back was turned, no one saw it. He took a shaky breath and spun around. "The city has turned against him. His name has been tarnished and his son has been banished. Should he be freed, I doubt he'd want anything to do with our people. The animosity will only continue if he doesn't leave. Even knowing what will happen should he leave the city before his detention is over with… as the children of the Murong clan — No, as descendants of Arsaes and inheritors of his blood, we must uphold the values of the past. It's the only thing that makes us dwarves; It's the only thing that keeps us safe."
A chill ran down Upo's spine. Speaker Banderd, he thought, … was he always so serious?
"All in favor?" Banderd asked, raising his hand. Slowly, Gido raised his arm and looked to Huin who did the same.
Banderd turned back towards Upo and pointed his arm past the balcony and towards the walls of Xastol.
"Captain, send an envoy to deliver the record of today's meeting! Tell the Lord Of The Weeping Forest that we accept his proposition as long as he accepts our conditions! In a month from now, the Dwanivit will begin; Should the boy lose, he and these humans, alongside Ivan Murong, will be forever banished from these grounds! Do I make myself clear?!"
Upo's brow tightened with fear as he shook his head up and down. He straightened his body and bowed respectfully before making his way to the doors to relay the message.
"There is much work to do in the meantime," Banderd told his brothers. "Dagai Square is almost done being prepared for the Dwanivit. Gido, you are to oversee production and speed it along."
"Understood," his brother responded and jotted down the instructions in a small notebook. He made his way to his table and pulled out calligraphy paper and black ink.
"As for you, Huin, have you almost completed the challenges for the Dwanivit? They may need to be redone slightly."
A shadow tinted Huin's glasses. "To make it harder for the boy to pass?"
"Yes, if he is to be allowed to take our test, he must prove himself despite all odds to have the skill worthy of doing so."
"Have no worries, brother. I can have a new outline drafted within the week."
Banderd nodded and placed his hand around his obsidian necklace, taking a look at the other two's. "One more thing," he added before Huin could walk away. "Have the excavation caves beneath the city been recovered yet?"
Huin crossed his arms and shook his head. "Unfortunately, there will still be some time before much headway can be made. Whatever you're searching for down there is trapped behind heaps of unrefined Illodium ore, making it hard for the men down there to break through. They have to power through with physical manpower for now, and that process is tedious."
His eyes narrowed once Banderd clenched his teeth. "You still haven't told me what you hope to gain from this, Banderd. You've been working at these caves for nearly four months now and have searched frantically since Ruo…" Huin's voice trailed away at the mention of their late brother. "You don't voice your feelings much, Banderd and I fear that it will consume you. You've been nothing but an exemplary leader since you took over father's position, but the weight of all of this… You must talk to someone, brother. Please."
A silence settled between them before Banderd broke it. He placed his hand on his brother's shoulder and smiled warmly. "Perhaps you're right, Huin" he chuckled. "I promise to rest once the job is done."
Huin knew he was lying, but was also aware that there was nothing he could do to change his brother. It was the way he always was: stubborn till the end.
"Alright," he sighed, fixing his glasses again. "I'll hold you to that then."
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[XASTOL CITY, JIANYU PRISON — LATER THAT NIGHT]
Banderd's footsteps barely echoed off the slick, steel floor of Jianyu prison. It was the only correctional facility in Xastol and it was mostly used to hold dwarves waiting to be banished in the rare cases of law-breaking. Now, there was only one prisoner within its walls; a special case who wasn't banished and instead forced to rot within the confines of Jianyu's bleak system.
There were golden dragonheads carved into the wall whose eyes glew bright orange. They were the only light source afforded in the prison.
Banderd made his way to the end of the large hall, where a small desk sat in front of a stone wall that connected awkwardly to the metal surrounding the rest of the prison's interior. In the desk's seat sat a large, brutish man watching a moving image emit from a rectangular black box. It was small, no longer than a stick, and was carved with three buttons.
Flashing from it was a blue projection of what looked like a moving paper scrolling upwards. He scoffed as the bold black letters traveled across the paper:
UNREST PLAGUES MONGOL TRIBES IN THE NORTH AS TERRORIST ATTACKS CONTINUE. OFFICIALS FROM THE CHURCH OF GABRIEL SPECULATE THIS COULD BE THE WORK OF DARK FORCES, BUT NO FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE PENDRAGON MILITARY.
TENSIONS BETWEEN SAMRACHAT AND NEGERI BITANG ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AS ACCUSATIONS AND ANGER ARE DIRECTED AT THE COMMONWEALTH COALITION FOR ACQUISITION OF SACRED LAND.
IN THE ONIX EMBASSY, FORMER SENATOR SAKURANO ONIX IS SLATED TO BE RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT FOR WHAT MAY BE HIS THIRD TERM. MANY BELIEVE HE WILL WIN A FOURTH.
MEANWHILE, THE EVANGELIST UNIT LET BY ARCHBISHOPS DAMIEN AND RICHARD BLACK HAS BEGUN TO RECOVER AND EXHUME THE BURNED REMAINS OF THE CITIZENS OF DURLIN, ROCKPOINT. THE BROTHERS SAY THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASSACRE MAY STILL BE AT LARGE AND THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF POTENTIAL SURVIVORS ONCE THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
"Reading the news, Wèi?" Banderd asked suddenly.
"Ah, Councilperson Banderd!" the guard stumbled. "You've caught me, haha. I figured if nothing else, the benefits of our former connection to the humans proved useful with this Newsbox. I never can grow bored hearing all the outlandish things going on in the continent."
He fumbled at his waist and pulled out a long, iron key. "But enough about me. You must be here to see the prisoner, right?"
Banderd nodded as Wèi pulled one of the drawers from his desk open, revealing a small keyhole in the bottom panel. He stuck the key inside and twisted it.
GRBBBBBBB!
Banderd watched as a small spark of Sanctum energy came off of the wall adjacent to him and shook as it ran through the lines in the steel wall and the stone one behind Wei. Then, the structure split open to reveal a narrow corridor lit only with torches.
Banderd made his way for it and waved him away. "I'll be back in a few hours."
"You are amazing, sir." Wèi chimed before the Councilman could go all the way in. "You give that man more than he deserves, in my opinion, by visiting him. This is nearly the fifth time in a month. No one would bat an eye if you were to kill him for what he did. He's an animal."
Banderd gave him a dismissive look. "Nonsense, Wèi. Violence should not be our first course of action just because of anger. It never can."
Wèi bowed. "My apologies, I stepped out of line. It's just that… Even though the Illodium is negating his Sanctum Energy, he could still hurt you somehow. I speak for all of us in the city when I say that we cannot lose another Speaker, Councinman Banderd."
Banderd continued walking. "I appreciate your concern, my friend. But for now,"
The stone wall started to close in behind him. "…It is merely a talk between brothers."
GRBBBBBBB!
Inside the narrow corridor — at the very back of the prison — behind black iron bars, a man with a thick, dirty brown beard hummed to himself as he drew on a cracked stone wall with chalk.
His cell was decently spacious. In the corner sat a small coffee table with a jade plant sitting in its center alongside a dirty glass cup.
In his other hand was a day-old baked potato that he had saved for today. The guards didn't feed him on time on purpose, but he never complained. As long as he had his chalk, he could keep himself distracted from the hunger.
Over his previous faded drawings, he sketched a wide circle that encompassed the wall. In it, he filled in splits near the top and bottom and shaded different parts of the image. Before he could finish the last part, he heard a noise from down the hall and turned to see Banderd emerge from the corridor.
"You're a sight for sore eyes." the councilman smiled.
"Yeah, well look who's talking." the prisoner responded with a laugh.
Banderd grabbed the wooden chair that sat against the nearby wall and dragged it toward the cell. He placed it in front of the door and took a seat.
"I have much to discuss with you today, Ivan."
His brother raised a brow and sat on the floor, crossing his legs as he did so, leaning his head back so he'd be comfortable.
"Alright then…," he said. "Let's hear it, Banderd."
[THE SPEAKER]