Chapter Fifteen: The Story of the Third War
Kael stood before the towering gates of David's fortress, his heart racing with anticipation. The year of grueling training had transformed him—body and mind hardened, sword sharpened, his spirit unyielding. He could feel the weight of the future pressing against him, urging him to step into the world that awaited beyond these walls.
David had already given Kael everything: the lessons, the techniques, the discipline. But before Kael left, there was one last thing—the tale that David had promised to share.
The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the desert. Kael and David stood atop the highest balcony of the fortress, overlooking the vast, empty plains. The wind stirred, carrying with it the echoes of old battles, memories of a time long past.
David, his eyes clouded with the weight of years, turned to Kael. "You think you're ready to face the world," he said softly. "But you don't yet understand the cost of that strength. There are things that Andrew has never told you—things you need to know before you go. The truth about the Third War."
Kael's pulse quickened. He'd heard bits and pieces of Andrew's story—stories of betrayal, glory, and victory. But David's tone was different now, heavier. There was something more to the tale.
"The Third War was the beginning of the end for Andrew," David began, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow. "And I was there—by his side—when it all began."
David paused, his gaze distant, as if remembering a time that had been both painful and unforgettable.
"After the second war ended, Andrew and I went our separate ways for a time. He was restless, Kael. A man who had fought beside Andreas, witnessed the horrors of battle, and stood as his right hand for so long—he wanted something more. He wanted to shape the world in his own image, not live under the shadow of his past."
Kael listened intently, his thoughts racing. The Second War had ended with victory, but at a cost. And now, Andrew had sought out a new path?
David continued, his voice growing more solemn.
"He founded a new country—The New Order. It was a land of his own design, a place where he could forge a new empire, free from the bonds of his past. But he didn't do it alone. He had a friend—a man named Andrei. Andrei was not a warrior like Andrew. No, he was something entirely different. He was a master of magic, an enchanter who could imbue weapons and armor with powers beyond understanding. A man of intellect and cunning, and with him, Andrew built a nation—one fueled by innovation and a desire for control."
Kael could feel the weight of David's words pressing down on him. The New Order had been born from the ashes of war, built on the ambitions of two men, Andrew and Andrei.
"Andrei was not like us, Kael. He didn't care for the sword. He cared for the mind—the power that could be wielded through enchantments, through magic." David's eyes darkened as he recalled the events. "He wasn't a bad man, but his methods were… dangerous. He believed that true strength lay not in the sword, but in the enchantment—the manipulation of the very fabric of reality itself. And when Andrew and Andrei joined forces, they became unstoppable. Together, they forged a new army—one powered by magic, weaponized by enchantments. It was a terrifying sight, Kael. No longer were swords and shields enough to fight. They created soldiers who could heal with a thought, warriors who could vanish into thin air, and weapons that could cleave through stone."
Kael's mind spun with the weight of what David was telling him. The magic. The weapons. Andrew, the man who had been Andreas' right hand—now becoming a king in his own right.
"The Third War was a result of the rise of The New Order," David continued. "It wasn't about territory. It was about power—raw, unchecked power. Andrew had changed. He wanted to impose his vision on the world, to reshape everything. Andrei, with his magical innovations, gave him the tools to do so. They were unstoppable."
David's face darkened further. "But there was a flaw, Kael. A flaw in Andrew's plan. Andrei, while brilliant, was not a man of morality. He became consumed by his magic, obsessed with the idea of controlling the world through enchantments. As The New Order grew, so did the ambitions of Andrei. He wanted more power. He wanted to become more than just a man. He wanted to be a god."
Kael's heart beat faster, the implications of David's words becoming clearer.
"The Third War wasn't just a battle of nations, Kael. It was a battle for control. Andrei's power had corrupted him. He and Andrew began to clash—not on the battlefield, but in their ideologies. Andrei's magic became a force of destruction, one that Andrew couldn't control. They fought over the direction of The New Order, over the very soul of their empire."
David's voice grew quiet, his gaze distant. "In the end, Andrew was forced to choose. He had to betray Andrei. His closest friend. The man who had helped him build his empire. But Andrei didn't let go so easily. He turned his army against Andrew, using his magic to twist reality itself, creating monstrous creatures and weapons that defied the laws of nature."
David paused again, his expression grim.
"And in the final battle, Kael, Andrew faced Andrei alone. The two of them fought with the weight of the world pressing against them, both believing they were right. In the end, it was Andrew who stood victorious. But the cost was unimaginable. Andrei was defeated, but the magic that he had unleashed tore The New Order apart. It left the world scarred—physically and spiritually."
David turned to face Kael fully, his eyes now intense.
"And that is the truth, Kael. Andrew founded The New Order with Andrei. He betrayed his friend to protect the world. But the Third War was more than just a conflict—it was a choice. A choice that forged Andrew into the man you know today."
Kael's mind raced, processing everything David had shared. "So… Andrew did all of this. He fought for power, but in the end, he was willing to destroy the very empire he created?"
David nodded solemnly. "Yes. And he did it for the same reason he once fought beside Andreas—to protect the future. To protect the world from those who would abuse power."
David's eyes softened slightly. "But Kael, that is why you must understand what you carry. Andrew's legacy is one of sacrifice. And it's a burden. You must choose whether you carry that burden with the same resolve, or whether you fall victim to the temptation of power."
Kael stood still, the weight of David's words pressing down on him. "I understand."
David smiled faintly. "Good. Now, you are ready. Go, Kael. Your journey begins now."