The world of Elaria was different from Nirvana in every possible way. Here, nature was neither peaceful nor picturesque; it was harsh, unforgiving, as if testing anyone who dared to enter. The sky above me was filled with heavy purple clouds, as if ready to rain fire instead of water. The endless sands shimmered under the dim light, as if holding untold secrets within. This world pulsed with life, but a different kind of life—a life that felt like a constant struggle for survival.
This land carried a special weight, not only because of its harshness but because of Alenius, the man I would soon face. He was not just an opponent; he was the next challenge in my journey to reclaim what was mine.
As I walked, I sensed a familiar presence approaching. The shadows emerged around me in silence, their shifting forms moving like reflections of the glimmering horizon. They bowed before me with reverence, as if understanding that their very existence depended on my will. One of them spoke, its voice soft yet clear:
"My lord, we have gathered the information you requested."
I gestured for it to continue.
"Alenius, the hero of Elaria, is not a king like Seraphim. He is the commander of the armies, a simple man who has spent his life in service to his people. He lost his wife many years ago, and he has two sons who live in the capital, Finar. Despite his strength, he does not reside in palaces nor indulge in luxury. He lives as his people do, in a modest home near the southern border."
The shadow paused for a moment, as if allowing me time to absorb the information. Then it continued:
"Alenius is a just man, beloved by his soldiers and his people. But his strength does not come from authority or wealth—it lies in his skill and courage. He is a warrior of rare caliber."
I smiled, a mixture of amusement and satisfaction playing across my lips. It was now clear that Alenius was nothing like Seraphim. He was not shielded behind palace walls or preoccupied with tightening his grip on his people. He was entirely different, and that difference would make him all the more vulnerable to defeat.
"Tell me about his army."
"His army is large, but most of it is spread across Elaria, protecting villages and farmlands from the beasts. However, he does maintain a core force under his direct command in the capital. He relies on strategic combat, knowing how to exploit every weakness in his enemy."
I raised a hand to stop them. I did not need to know more about his military strength. Alenius was a skilled fighter—that much was clear—but knowing his personal life was the true key to his downfall.
"You may go now. Watch him from a distance, but do not act until I command it."
The shadows bowed once more before vanishing as if they had never existed. I was alone again, the desert stretching before me as if welcoming my next journey.
I sat on a large rock, watching the quiet horizon. Alenius was a man devoted to his people, and that was his greatest weakness. I would not need to face his army or engage in drawn-out battles. If I wanted to weaken him, I had to strike at the heart of his personal life—at what remained of his human connections.
His wife was gone, but his two sons were still in the capital, Finar. Those young men were his tether to this world. If I could influence them, Alenius would become weak, distracted, and unable to focus on fighting me.
But that was not all. I had to deal with Alenius wisely, to make him see that the world he fought to protect was not what he believed it to be.
As night fell, my plan began. I summoned my shadows once more, this time with a specific command:
"Go to Finar. Watch Alenius' sons. I want to know everything about them—their friends, their daily lives, their weaknesses. Do not act against them, but stay close."
Once again, the shadows bowed before disappearing into the darkness.
A strange sense of satisfaction settled over me. Despite all his strength and courage, Alenius would not be able to face what was coming for him. I did not fight with strength alone—I fought with intelligence as well.
After giving my orders, I remained seated for a while, watching the star-filled sky. It seemed as though these stars, despite their distance, were observing what was unfolding here in Elaria, as if they were witnesses to the coming change.
"Alenius..." I whispered his name, as if summoning him from afar. "You may be strong, you may be brave, but you are not ready for me. You never will be."
I rose to my feet and began my journey toward the capital, Finar. The road was long, but I knew that every step brought me closer to my goal. In this unforgiving world, I would reclaim another part of my soul, leaving behind a mark that would never be forgotten.