The day passed uneventfully, with no disturbances from anyone, until sometime in the afternoon when a royal messenger arrived, delivering an urgent letter to Alethion's servant, Arendal.
Moments later, his loyal servant entered the room where Alethion was, requesting to speak with him. Alethion then made his way to his office, summoning his generals to accompany him.
In Alethion's private office, the commander sat with his five generals while Arendal stood beside him, having just delivered the royal message. Alethion carefully opened the letter and read its contents in a low voice before closing his eyes for a moment, recalling events he had yet to share with his companions.
Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at his generals before speaking in a serious tone:
"We have received an urgent message from the king… He wants to discuss the man in the black cloak."
Silence filled the room for a moment before Ragarath spoke, his voice filled with curiosity:
"The man in the black cloak? You mean that stranger you encountered in your last mission?"
Alethion looked at them all, taking a deep breath before saying:
"Yes, and I haven't told you everything… It's time you knew the truth."
Valinor leaned against the wall, his narrowed eyes fixed on Alethion with interest, while Velaria observed him silently, as if sensing that there was something far greater at play than they had anticipated.
Alethion began to recount what had happened:
"His name was Nephilim. He wasn't just a powerful warrior or a dark sorcerer… He was something else, something beyond ordinary understanding. I felt the aura of darkness around him, but it wasn't just regular magic. It was… surrounded by a force unlike anything I've ever seen."
Serinus stepped closer to the table, placing a hand on his chin as he spoke:
"And this power… do you think it's connected to the gods of darkness?"
Alethion nodded slowly before replying gravely:
"Yes, and that's the most terrifying part. The gods of darkness do not grant their power to just anyone unless they are chosen… unless they are among their most favored disciples. But Nephilim was not just a follower—he was more like… their adopted child."
Velaria's eyes widened as she spoke in a quiet but astonished voice:
"The gods of darkness adopted him?! But… how? And why?"
Alethion leaned back in his chair, taking a moment before speaking again:
"His story… is complicated."
He gazed at the ceiling for a few moments, as if recalling distant memories, then continued in a low voice:
"Nephilim was originally human, but he was betrayed by those he trusted. He was just a boy when he was sacrificed in a dark ritual, and instead of dying… his soul found its way to the gods of darkness."
Ragarath slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with anger:
"This is madness! Are you saying those cursed gods took him as one of their own?!"
Alethion nodded before saying:
"To them, he was not just another human. They saw him as a tool to be shaped, a force to be wielded, and so they granted him their power, making him their chosen warrior. His past was erased completely, and he was molded into their sword in this world—without emotions, without purpose, except to fulfill their will."
A heavy silence settled in the room before Valinor spoke in a low voice:
"So… he was just a victim."
Alethion slowly shook his head and replied:
"A victim, yes… but not anymore. Nephilim was not just a tool—he became something else. He came to believe in his fate, to embrace it. Even when I spoke to him during our battle, I saw no hesitation in his eyes—only absolute certainty that he was carrying out the will of darkness."
Velaria turned to him, her voice sharp:
"And that makes him even more dangerous, doesn't it? A person who does not fear death, who never doubts his path, who sees the world only in black and white… Those are the hardest to defeat."
Alethion sighed and said:
"Exactly. He wasn't fighting for power, or wealth, or revenge. He was fighting because that was his purpose… because he saw himself as an instrument of fate."
Serinus stepped forward slightly, adding seriously:
"But why you, specifically? Why did the gods of darkness choose Nephilim to stand against you? There are many heroes in this world—why you?"
Alethion looked at them all before answering in a calm yet deep voice:
"Because I am their counterbalance… Because I have stood against the darkness since my birth, because my angel and my light oppose their very existence."
Another heavy silence filled the room before Ragarath finally broke it, crossing his arms as he spoke:
"So, this isn't just a battle between you and Nephilim… It's a war between light and darkness itself?"
Alethion chuckled lightly, but his voice carried a hint of bitterness:
"Exactly. But the difference is that I never chose this conflict… I was born into it."
Valinor stroked his chin in thought before saying:
"If this is a battle between light and darkness, does that mean defeating Nephilim will weaken the gods of darkness?"
Alethion shook his head and replied:
"No, but it will force them to retreat for a while. The problem is, I feel like they are still planning something bigger, and Nephilim might just be the beginning of what's coming."
The generals exchanged glances, concern evident on their faces. Then, Velaria spoke in a firm voice:
"We need to learn more about the plans of the gods of darkness. We should search the ancient records, the prophecies—anything that might reveal the true purpose behind this conflict."
Alethion nodded in agreement and said:
"And I will meet with the king to understand why he summoned me so urgently. If he has any new information, it might help us gain a better understanding of the situation."
Everyone rose from their seats, their expressions filled with determination. This battle was far greater than they had anticipated, and Alethion knew well that the days ahead would not be easy…
But deep inside, he also knew one thing…
Nephilim was only the beginning.
The Royal Summons
The following morning, Alethion made his way to the royal palace to meet the king. He was escorted from the palace gates to the throne room.
As he walked and then stood in the center of the grand hall, the towering golden pillars and embedded gemstones reflected the sunlight streaming through the high windows. At the front of the hall, the king sat upon his magnificent throne, surrounded by the great noble families of the kingdom. Their expressions varied—some filled with interest, others with anticipation… and a few with scorn.
Alethion bowed respectfully before lifting his head and looking directly at the king, who addressed him in a solemn voice:
"What happened, Alethion? I heard you faced an opponent unlike any before."
Alethion took a deep breath and began recounting the events—starting with Nephilim's sudden appearance and how his power was unlike anything he had ever encountered. He detailed the battle, how Nephilim was empowered by the darkness, and how he had landed a blow that left him bedridden for days. Then, in an even more serious tone, he added:
"This isn't just about Nephilim. The gods of darkness have begun their move… This wasn't merely a personal battle—it was a message. A message to me that the real war has yet to begin."
Silence filled the room for a few moments before one of the nobles broke it with a mocking laugh.
"So, you're saying you were just a test subject?"
All eyes turned to the man, who wore a dark blue sash—the symbol of House Galicin, one of the kingdom's ancient families. He looked at Alethion with evident disdain before continuing in a condescending tone:
"What a pitiful sight! The great commander Alethion, the kingdom's savior, was unprepared for what awaited him! Did you truly think your enemies would stand idly by while you wandered around with your shining sword?"
A few chuckles echoed from some of the other noble families. Then, another man stood and spoke:
"Did it never cross your mind that your past actions would bring this fate upon you? You never considered the consequences, and now you're surprised that your enemies are stronger than you expected?"
Alethion narrowed his eyes but remained silent, refusing to be drawn into such provocations.
Then, the head of House Valerion spoke. His features were sharp, and he shook his head as he said:
"I don't understand why you're all so surprised. Wasn't it obvious from the beginning? When someone like Alethion places himself in direct opposition to forces he doesn't fully comprehend, there is always a price to pay. Perhaps the kingdom should think twice before relying on him for everything."
Murmurs spread among the gathered nobles, and smug smiles appeared on a few faces—except for those from the families aligned with Alethion's generals, who remained silent and motionless. It was no surprise; some noble houses had never welcomed Alethion's rise to such power, and they were now seizing the opportunity to mock him.
But before anyone could respond, the king's voice rose, carrying a sharp tone:
"Enough."
Silence fell instantly, and everyone bowed in respect as the king continued:
"Alethion has never been a reckless man, and no one can deny what he has done for this kingdom. If the gods of darkness have set their sights on him, that means they see him as a true threat. Instead of mocking him, we should be thinking about what comes next."
Then, he turned to Alethion and spoke in a calmer tone:
"But… I want to hear it from you directly. What do you think our next move should be?"
Alethion took a moment to think, realizing that this question carried more weight than a simple inquiry. The king wanted to know whether Alethion still stood firm in his resolve, despite everything that had happened…
And despite all that had been said, Alethion had no intention of backing down.
He lifted his head, looking at the king with unwavering eyes, and then spoke with confidence:
"We need to uncover the truth behind these movements. Nephilim was only the beginning, and the entire kingdom might be the true target of what's coming. We cannot afford to wait until war reaches our doorstep… We must act first."
As Alethion finished speaking with conviction, he noticed the subtle shift in the king's expression, as if his words had not been enough to dispel his concerns.
The king remained silent for a moment before speaking in a quiet but weighted voice:
"Alethion… Your battle with Nephilim did not come without consequences. The villages near the battlefield suffered greatly, and their people are struggling."
Then, he leaned slightly forward on his throne, his gaze sharp and piercing:
"For years, we have been working to restore these villages, to rebuild their loyalty to the kingdom. And now, in just a matter of hours, you have destroyed them and made their situation even worse."
The king's words were heavy—not merely a reprimand, but a clear test of what Alethion would do next.
"What do you intend to do, Alethion? How will you fix what has happened?"
Silence filled the hall, and some of the noble families who had mocked him earlier now watched with anticipation, as if waiting for an answer that would prove he had only thought of battle without considering the consequences.
As for his generals, they remained silent, confident that he would not let them down.
Alethion, despite everything, was not a man who ran from responsibility… and he knew that this decision would define his stance—not just before the king, but before the entire kingdom.
He took a deep breath, then lifted his head, his eyes shining with determination, ready to answer.