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Kaylor ran excitedly toward his mother, Miralen, his face glowing with enthusiasm and his eyes shimmering with admiration. He began recounting the details of the duel as if narrating a heroic epic:
"Mom! Dad was amazing! He moved like lightning, and Ragarath tried to catch him, but Dad dodged his strikes effortlessly and hit him with an incredibly fast move! I want to learn that move one day!"
Miralen laughed softly, running her fingers through his hair as she said,
"Your father is not just a great warrior but also a wise teacher. You'll learn everything in time, my little one."
Meanwhile, as the excitement still filled the air, Ragarath approached Alethion, his expression shifting from playful to serious. He placed his heavy hand on his friend's shoulder and spoke in a low, weighty tone:
"It's time to work, my friend."
Alethion's expression changed instantly, his smile vanishing as a stern look took its place, showing his understanding of what lay behind those words. He asked in a quiet, concerned voice,
"Is there news?"
Ragarath nodded and replied,
"It's best we discuss this in the palace meeting hall. We, the five generals, have something of grave importance to tell you."
Alethion didn't need more words. He nodded in agreement, and the two headed toward the king's palace while Miralen watched them with a worried look, feeling an inexplicable weight in her heart.
—---------
Far from this scene, in the heart of the Half-Human village:
The village looked bleak under the heavy clouds that blocked the sun. In the central square, where an old, crumbling stone fountain stood, a group of half-humans had gathered, their faces pale from thirst and exhaustion. The water in the fountain was murky, filled with algae and dirt, barely fit for use.
Standing before the fountain was a man clad in a long black cloak that covered most of his body, his hood concealing his features. He held a long magical staff made of dark wood, inlaid with mysterious symbols that occasionally pulsed with a faint glow. His right hand was hidden beneath a black leather glove, concealing something more than just skin.
Some of the half-humans stepped forward, their eyes filled with both hope and desperation:
"Please, sir... We desperately need clean water. Our children are suffering."
The man did not respond but slowly raised his gloved hand over the fountain's water. He murmured incomprehensible words, his fingers trembling slightly, then waved his staff over the water's surface. In an instant, the murky water gradually turned crystal clear, as if magic had cleansed all its impurities.
Cheers erupted from the half-humans, but the man did not smile. He turned to them with a cold gaze and spoke in a tone laced with subtle mockery:
"Well... But remember, nothing in this world is free. You will pay me for this, my friends."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd as some began glancing at each other in worry. It wasn't clear what the man wanted in exchange for his magic, but something in his voice and eyes sent unease creeping into their hearts. This was no mere merchant seeking coin—he was someone whose generosity concealed a far heavier price.
—----
At that moment:
Alethion and Ragarath returned to the meeting hall in the king's palace, where the other generals awaited them. Sitting at the table were Darcyan, his face stern and his eyes filled with anticipation, and Valinor, studying a large map spread across the table. Serinos lounged in his chair, though his sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence, while Vilaria sat quietly, her troubled gaze revealing the weight of what was on her mind.
Alethion took his usual seat at the head of the long table, a tradition unchanged since he became High General. Sitting upright, he scanned the faces of his friends and comrades, whose expressions bore no good tidings, then asked in a firm tone,
"What's the news?"
The generals exchanged glances for a moment before Ragarath spoke first, his voice heavy with a seriousness he only displayed in critical moments:
"The soldiers we sent to the Half-Human villages yesterday have returned… but not all of them. A messenger from them arrived with alarming information."
Ragarath paused, as if organizing his thoughts—or perhaps hesitating to voice a troubling truth. Then, Vilaria continued, her voice calm but laced with a dark mystery:
"It seems a man in a black cloak is traveling through the villages the king promised to restore next year. This person is not only providing clean water but also food and even medical aid to those in need."
Silence fell over the room for a few moments before Vilaria added slowly, as if pouring out a bitter truth drop by drop:
"We believe he is connected to the message we received earlier… because we've started hearing whispers among the Half-Humans. Some of them say that the hero, Alethion, is not the hero everyone thinks he is…"
She paused, taking a breath before continuing in a softer but harsher tone:
"They now consider you the greatest villain… because they feel you've forgotten them and left them to their fate."
The room's temperature seemed to drop as if the words themselves carried a chilling storm. Alethion remained silent for a moment, contemplating the weight of those words that struck his soul like blades. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes, but beneath it lay something deeper… a sense of betrayal, or perhaps guilt.
Finally, after a long silence, Alethion spoke in a low yet powerful voice:
"So… the enemy is not outside our borders this time."
He stared at his generals, his expression tightening before he added:
"The enemy is growing among those I swore to protect."
The air in the room grew heavier. Everyone knew that what was coming wouldn't be an ordinary battle. This was a war of a different kind… a war against doubt, betrayal, and perhaps a past that had yet to be buried.
A moment of heavy silence settled in the meeting hall before Alethion's sharp gaze landed on Darcyan, his strategist, who had been observing the situation with his usual composure. In a deep, serious voice, Alethion asked,
"Darcyan… what's our course of action?"
Darcyan lifted his eyes from the map before him, then slowly stood, tracing his fingers over the tangled lines marking the kingdom's borders and its villages.
"This is not a purely military matter," he began. "This isn't an enemy we can defeat with swords alone. They are planting doubt in people's hearts. If we lose the trust of the Half-Humans, we may lose the stability of the entire kingdom."
Ragarath stepped forward, still carrying his massive axe on his back, and spoke in an angry tone:
"If it were up to me, I would have sent a special unit to capture that man in the black cloak and cut off his head in front of everyone. That way, we would prove our strength and quell those rebellions before they spread."
Valinor sighed with a hint of sarcasm, leaning back in his chair while cracking his fingers:
"Please, Ragarath, not everything can be solved with brute force. This man is not just a wandering sorcerer… He moves with a precise plan. His actions in the villages that the king promised to restore are no coincidence."
Then he looked at Alethion and said:
"He is playing on the strings of disappointment and need. We must understand his motives before we attack him."
Velaria stepped forward and placed the black book she had found on the table, saying:
"This book might hold some answers. It is sealed with an ancient and complex magic, but I will try to break it. Perhaps we will find something that reveals this person's identity and goals."
Alethion nodded, then turned his gaze to Serenos, who had remained silent the entire time, watching the discussion with narrowed eyes as if analyzing every word.
"And you, Serenos? What do you think?"
Serenos gave a slight smile before saying:
"Psychological warfare is more dangerous than war with swords. We should send an official envoy on your behalf to the villages—not to showcase strength, but to regain their trust. Let them see you with their own eyes, hear you, feel that you have not forgotten them."
Then he added:
"At the same time, we should send reconnaissance teams to track that man. We will not fight him in the dark."
Alethion sat in thought for a moment, his eyes moving between the faces of his generals as if solidifying each idea in his mind. Then he spoke in a firm voice:
"We will do both. I will personally go to the villages to restore the people's trust… and we will send tracking teams to find this man in the black cloak."
Then he looked at Velaria:
"As for you… uncover the secrets of this book, no matter the cost."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and with those decisions, it was clear that the next phase would be decisive. This was no longer just an external threat… It was a battle for the hearts of the people, their minds, and perhaps for the very soul of the kingdom itself.
Alethion strode steadily toward the king's throne hall, where two guards stood before the ornate gates adorned with golden engravings that reflected the kingdom's majesty. He stopped before one of the guards and spoke in an official tone:
"Inform His Majesty the King that Alethion requests an urgent audience."
The guard nodded, then entered the hall, leaving Alethion to wait for what felt like an unusually heavy few minutes. Moments later, the guard returned and motioned for him to enter.
Alethion stepped into the vast hall, decorated with towering pillars and crimson velvet drapes. Atop the elevated throne sat the king with solemn dignity, surrounded by an aura of authority. As soon as Alethion reached the throne, he bowed respectfully before raising his head and saying:
"My Lord… I bring new information."
The king's eyes narrowed slightly, and his deep voice echoed through the hall:
"Something new, Alethion?"
Alethion hesitated for a moment, reluctant to speak in front of the gathered officials. The king noticed this and issued a firm command:
"Leave us."
The attendees began to leave, except for the king's advisor, who remained standing as if deliberately ignoring the order. The king exchanged a sharp look with him—no words were needed. The advisor finally obeyed, exiting the hall with a lingering glance behind him.
Now alone with the king, Alethion took a deep breath and began:
"My Lord… We face a problem greater than just a passing threat. The man in the black cloak is traveling through the demi-human villages, offering them food and water, planting seeds of doubt among them. Some have begun to believe that I am not the hero protecting them… but the villain who has forsaken them. We cannot control this situation with force alone. I must go there myself."
The king was silent for a moment, as if carefully weighing his words, then warned:
"This is dangerous, Alethion. It could be a trap to assassinate you."
Alethion lowered his head in reverence and replied with confidence:
"I understand, my Lord. But if I remain in the palace, I will lose something more valuable than my life… I will lose my people's trust."
The king studied Alethion's face for a few moments before nodding in agreement:
"You have my permission, but be careful."
Alethion hesitated before adding:
"My Lord, there is one more request… My family. Their true target is me. I fear they might use them to pressure me. I ask that you grant them permission to reside within the palace walls, where they will be safer."
Understanding his concern, the king nodded:
"They will be safe here."
He then called for the palace's chief steward and issued direct orders to ensure Alethion's family's comfort and security. Alethion bowed once again in gratitude, saying:
"I will not forget this kindness, my Lord."
The king made a formal gesture with his hand:
"Go, Alethion. The kingdom needs you."
Alethion turned and left the throne hall with steady steps, his eyes reflecting the resolve of a man who knew the coming battle would not be fought with swords alone… but with words, trust, and courage.
/*************************************************************\
If you like the story ! please support it
And the best way to do this is through patréon
You get access to +5 chapters !
Or even 12+ chapters if you want !
So please check out my patréon
https://www.patréon.com/c/zakx205
Don't forget to change "é" to "e"