"Did you hear the new news?" Aolani asked, placing a steaming cup on the table next to Tawnylon.

"No, what happened?" Tawnylon questioned, grabbing the cup regardless of how hot it was.

"The doors of the temple have been destroyed. The guards believe it was the previous night, but they were damaged in such a way that they are beyond repair," Aolani responded, sitting at the table next to Tawnylon.

"Even I would struggle to knock down those doors," said Tawnylon, drinking from the cup.

"Do you think some beast could have entered the settlement?" Aolani asked, somewhat worried.

"No, I don't think so. Not with enough size to knock down those doors," Tawnylon replied.

Suddenly, a door was heard opening: it was the basement door, and Thamuz was coming out of it.

"Look who finally came out of his cave," Tawnylon said sarcastically.

"Hello, dad," Thamuz said, panting.

"Is something wrong, son? You look very tired," Aolani asked, concerned.

"Nothing, I just want to go to my room. I didn't have a good night," Thamuz replied, walking towards the stairs.

"Remember we have to talk to the elders in a few hours so they can finally give you full authorization in the settlement," Tawnylon said, taking the rest of the cup.

"Alright, I'll just take a short nap. I really need it," Thamuz insisted, going upstairs.

"He's only six years old and already acts like he's eighteen," Tawnylon commented, looking inside the cup and placing it on the table.

"It's probably just a phase. Remember when we were younger and my father wouldn't let you into the castle? I would always sneak out at night and go to your house," Aolani recalled, grabbing the cup and caressing Tawnylon's head.

"I still remember how furious your father would get when he brought an entire army just so you would leave my house. The best part was when I defeated his best soldier with a single swipe," Tawnylon added, also caressing Aolani's head.

Thamuz was in his room, eyes full of expectation, and let his large body drop onto the bed, breaking it in the process.

"Now I have to fix it again," he muttered to himself.

He was about to fall asleep when he heard something at his window, the sound of light knocks.

He got up from the bed slowly, trying to glimpse the origin of those knocks. They were soft taps that became more and more intense, until he approached the window to see what it was.

He found a child, of seemingly normal appearance, knocking on the window.

Thamuz opened the window a little and spoke through the open edge.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm nobody, just a street kid who unfortunately saw everything a little demon did in the temple," the child replied.

Thamuz immediately fell silent, swearing no person or being had seen him, so with a nervous voice, he asked:

"Do you want me to give you something? I don't have anything, really."

"Me? No, I don't want anything, I just want to ask you something," the child responded.

"What do you want to ask me?" Thamuz questioned.

"Do you want to explore the universe?" the child asked.

"What a strange question. You better leave before my parents catch you," Thamuz replied, trying to close the window.

"No, wait, let me explain," the child said, struggling with the window.

"Alright, I give you twenty seconds," Thamuz said, opening the window.

"Thanks," said the child, entering the room.

The child observed Thamuz's room, it was simple, with some decorations like medium-sized animal bones and something special on a central table: a photo of Thamuz with his parents.

"Wow, it doesn't seem like you try very hard to make a good impression," the child said.

"Why should I? I've never had any visitors," said Thamuz.

"That explains a lot. Well, my name is Shandam. And yours?" he asked.

"My name is Thamuz, just that. I don't have a last name," Thamuz replied.

"I see, Thamuz. What a peculiar name. Do you know why they gave you that name?"

"Not really, my parents never explained why."

"So, do you want me to explain why I'm here?" Shandam asked.

"Obviously, you show up at my window like it's nothing, you don't even seem disturbed by my peculiar appearance," Thamuz responded.

"That's exactly why I came here. I want to ask you for a favor, a very big one and perhaps dangerous," Shandam said, showing some desperation in his voice.

"Alright, say it, maybe I can do it if it's not too big," Thamuz said.

"Could you give me shelter in your house? I know it sounds strange, but I really need it. I'm escaping from the king of this world; he wants my head," Shandam explained.

"There's a king of this world? I had no idea," Thamuz asked.

"It shows you haven't gone out much. There has been a king of this world since time immemorial, since the first atom was created," Shandam said.

"Why is he after you? Did you do something to anger him?" Thamuz questioned, giving him a suspicious look.

"That bastard bought me at the Yhakuntan market at a low price and has used me for different things ever since, horrible things," Shandam said, showing sadness in his eyes.

"Yhakuntan market?" Thamuz asked, intrigued.

"Yes, it's the biggest black market in this galaxy, as big as a planet," Shandam replied.

"Wow, it must be huge," Thamuz said disinterestedly.

"Did you pay attention to what I said?" Shandam asked, annoyed.

"Well, it's pretty strange for a kid to suddenly appear at my window and start telling me strange stories like it's normal," Thamuz responded, looking at him intently.

"Come on, buddy, just help me this one time. I promise to reward you generously when I grow up, if I manage to stay alive," Shandam replied, raising his hands.

"Alright, let's go downstairs. We'll talk about this with my parents," Thamuz said, getting up from his seat.

"Wait, we can't talk about this, it's just..." Shandam's words were interrupted by the creaking of the door. Thamuz turned his head towards the source of the sound and saw his mother, carrying a tray full of food.

"Sorry for coming in so unexpectedly, it's just that I thought you were hungry and..." Aolani's words were also cut off when she saw a child she didn't know standing next to Thamuz. She dropped her tray and opened her mouth wide.

"Who is he!" Aolani exclaimed.

"Calm down, mom, he's just a lost kid," Thamuz said, trying to calm her.

"Hello, ma'am," the kid said in a calm tone.

"Who are you!" Aolani yelled.

Heavy footsteps were heard coming from downstairs; it was surely Tawnylon, hurrying after hearing his wife's screams.

"Oh no, dad will be here. He's going to be furious," Thamuz said, looking at Shandam.

"What's going on? Why are you screaming so much?" Tawnylon asked, standing behind Aolani.

"This kid broke into our house and saw Thamuz!" Aolani pointed.

Tawnylon looked at the kid his wife was pointing at, but his eyes focused on a special spot on his body: his neck. He kept staring at it as if in a trance.

"Let me see your neck, kid," Tawnylon said, slowly approaching the child.

"Why? What do you want to see?" the kid asked, slowly backing away from Tawnylon.

Tawnylon lunged at the kid as gently as possible to avoid hurting him and revealed the secret on his neck: a mark, as if he were cattle.

"It can't be," Aolani said, covering her mouth upon seeing the mark.

The mark had a peculiar shape: it was three lines intersecting with a strange symbol, as if it were a flower.

"It's the mark of Zarakel," Tawnylon said, showing concern in his voice.

Trumpets were heard in the distance, announcing the arrival of something big. Tawnylon let go of the kid and looked out the bedroom window.

"He's coming," he said.

"Who's coming?" Thamuz asked.

"Take the kid and go to the basement. Hide in the darkest spot possible until either me or your mother tells you," Tawnylon said, grabbing Thamuz's arms.

"What's going on, dad? Why are you acting so strange now?" Thamuz asked nervously.

"I said go!" Tawnylon yelled.

Thamuz stared intently at his father. He had never seen him in that state before, so he knew it was something really serious. He grabbed Shandam by the wrist and ran with him to the basement.

"Warn the whole village that Zarakel is coming. Tell them to prepare for his arrival," Tawnylon said, not taking his eyes off the window.

"Right away," Aolani said, quickly going towards the stairs.

Tawnylon went down after several minutes, opened the front door of the house and saw how Aolani was alerting the entire settlement about someone's arrival. He ran towards the guards and ordered them to open the gate immediately, which they obeyed.

"Why has he come here? Why?" asked one of the visibly frightened guards.

"Don't tremble right now, keep your spear firm and never let it go," said Tawnylon, placing his hand on the scared guard's shoulder.

Meanwhile, Aolani continued warning the others about the arrival of someone very fearsome. The neighbors asked her who it was, and she responded with the name Zarakel, immediately making them understand who it was.

Everyone in the settlement was organizing themselves in a peculiar way, in two rows leaving a space in the middle too large, large enough for an army to fit. The trumpets were heard again, this time much closer.

"Receive the king of the world in the best way, you purposeless vassal damned. Just living they owe him," a chorus was heard outside the settlement.

The ground began to tremble and the sky blackened instantly. Massive footsteps were heard at the settlement's gate, and then an immense army walking like a titan could be seen.

"That's Zarakel's new army," Tawnylon whispered in Aolani's ear.

"They look more fearsome than my father's army," Aolani added.

The army was formed by different beings equal in appearance, their horns were very prominent and adorned with different types of ornaments and jewelry. They wore gigantic black armors, stained with the blood of past battles. Their eyes were not visible and were obscured by the shadow cast by their helmets, but the most distinguishable feature of their appearance was their height and build, almost equal to Tawnylon's.

"Kneel before Zarakel, supreme fortieth emperor king of the partisan union of the seven arbitrary stars. Kneel before his imposing presence," said a figure covered in exaggeratedly large robes.

All the villagers knelt when that being said those words, except Tawnylon, who remained standing, staring intently at that large-robed being.

"Why don't you kneel? Kneel right now!" said that figure, with an irritating tone of voice.

"I don't want to and I won't," Tawnylon defiantly said.

The figure showed an irritated face and tried to kick Tawnylon in the knee, but when it did, its own knee broke.

"Damn you! You broke my knee!" the figure screamed in pain.

"Actually, you tried to hit me. There's your result," Tawnylon said, crossing his arms.

"Damn you, kill him, kill that giant son of a bitch," he yelled, pointing his finger at Tawnylon.

The atmosphere was charged with tension, a dark shadow enveloped the settlement, and a large tentacle rose into the air, clutching the figure dressed in extravagant robes.

"What are you doing, sir?" said the figure, visibly frightened by the interruption.

"That's no way to treat old friends, Chantan," a powerful voice resonated from afar.

The ground shook again, with much greater force this time, and the army parted to the sides, creating a path in the middle for the passage of their eternal ruler.

A man of medium height and stout build emerged, his armor made of such dark and hard materials that it gave him the appearance of an incarnate demon. Imposing horns rose over his head, and a seven-pointed crown, adorned with dazzling red jewels, completed his appearance. He rode atop a monstrous beast, easily four meters tall and three wide.

But most impressive were his abilities; the tentacle that had appeared earlier sprouted from his back, as if an extension of his own darkness, and had easily captured Chantan.

"Do you know who you just offended?" the king asked, fixing his gaze into Chantan's eyes.

"No, I don't know, Lord Zarakel, please forgive me," Chantan begged, in a desperate attempt to appease his king.

"He is someone very important to me. Do you remember what happened to the other spokesman when he hurt something important to me?" the king inquired, tightening his grip with the tentacle.

"Yes, I remember it very clearly. Please forgive me, please," Chantan pleaded.

The king summoned another tentacle from his back, severing Chantan's leg where his knee was broken, and tossed him aside, slamming him against the wall of a house.

"I couldn't stand his voice anymore," he said, retracting the tentacles into his back.

The beast he rode began advancing slowly, while the king observed how all the inhabitants of the settlement knelt, except Tawnylon, who remained standing, defiant, his gaze fixed on the king's eyes.

"Well, it's been too long, Tawnylon," Zarakel said in a mocking tone.

"I say the same. Now you look like a real demon; but you're as ugly and horrible as ever," Tawnylon retorted, crossing his arms with disdain.

"Well, you're still as funny as ever!" exclaimed Zarakel, slapping his knee. "But I didn't come here just to listen to your dirty jokes. Something of mine has gone missing, and the trackers indicate it's right in this settlement. So I'll give you only one chance to hand it over to me."

"Something of yours? In this forgotten part by Azhamat? Well, that doesn't sound too believable," questioned Tawnylon, rubbing his chin.

"The trackers don't lie; their scent can reach hundreds of kilometers. Besides, we've been following its trail for a while now," replied Zarakel, scanning his surroundings.

"Why do you care so much about that thing? I'm sure you can buy thousands and millions of them. You even brought an entire army just to retrieve something you lost," said Tawnylon, also scanning the surroundings.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"You see, that thing isn't really mine; it belongs to someone very special to me," said Zarakel, looking back.

Behind him came a large vehicle being loaded by four soldiers noticeably bulkier and taller than the normal soldiers present. The vehicle reached where Zarakel stood, and the four soldiers placed it on the ground with great care. From it emerged two enigmatic figures.

The first was a giant being over four meters tall. His horns were as large as Tawnylon's, and he wore fine clothes, but the most notable thing was that he always seemed to be drooling, as if he were a baby.

The second figure was a woman also dressed in fine clothes, but her demeanor was much more refined and elegant compared to the giant being. Her most prominent feature was her long, black nails, which appeared to be rotten.

"Let me introduce you to Gigantino and Tyranta, my son and my wife," said Zarakel, pointing to the peculiar figures behind him.

Gigantino immediately approached Tawnylon, towering over him by far, and looked him directly in the eyes, still drooling.

"Dad, this one seems strong for shamonak. Can I kill him?" Gigantino asked, eyes filled with excitement, looking at Zarakel.

"No, son. This man has a rivalry with me that you can't break or change. If you do, I will punish you severely," replied Zarakel, defiantly.

"What a bother! When can I have a rival? The ones you send me to fight always end up broken or motionless," complained Gigantino, with an irritable tone.

"When the time comes, son. We haven't found a worthy rival for you yet," said Zarakel, looking back to where his wife was.

"What? Why are you looking at me? Am I naked or something?" Tyranta asked, visibly annoyed by her husband's gaze.

"I just wanted to ask how my damn filthy wife was doing," replied Zarakel.

"I'm fine. I was better in the carriage without having to see your damn dirty face for a few hours," said Tyranta, as she walked around the villagers, paying special attention to Aolani, who was standing next to Tawnylon.

"Look who's here," whispered Aolani in Tawnylon's ear, leaning in so he could hear better.

"Is that who I think it is?" Tawnylon questioned, turning his head to look at Aolani.

"Yes, my mother looks very different from the last time we saw her. Zarakel killing my father and forcing her to marry him has changed her a lot. Although she's still the same bitch as always," said Aolani, staring fixedly at Tyranta as she walked.

Tyranta strolled among the villagers, slapping and hitting them on the head with moderate force, enough to irritate anyone. However, no one could do anything, aware of the consequences if they dared to raise a hand against the king's wife.

"So, Tawnylon, do you understand now?" asked Zarakel, dismounting from his beast.

"I still don't know, and tell your son to stop staring at me. He's bothering me a lot," said Tawnylon, trying to push Gigantino away with one hand as he blocked the sun.

"It's about a slave I recently acquired. It cost me a fortune because of a special ability it possesses: it can heal its body at incredible speeds. Once I cut off an arm, and it regenerated in just ten minutes. It's the perfect gift for my dear son," said Zarakel, standing next to Gigantino and giving him a hug.

"You've turned a conscious being into a toy for your twisted son. You've really changed over time, you don't even resemble us, the yhamak, anymore," Tawnylon questioned, staring intently at both of them.

"I am much more yhamak than anyone here in this village! So don't question our race if you don't want me to reduce this settlement to ashes," exclaimed Zarakel, letting four tentacles sprout from his back and point them at Tawnylon, in a clear sign of threat.

Meanwhile, in Tawnylon and Aolani's house, Thamuz and Shandam hid in the basement, observing through an opening the events unfolding.

"So that's the king of the world. He looks more terrifying than I imagined," Thamuz said, his eyes fixed on the outside, attentive to everything that was happening.

"It's worse when he lays his hands on you. All you can do is pray to your god for eternal rest, for death," said Shandam, sitting in a corner, with a distant look in his eyes.

"What exactly did he do to you?" Thamuz asked, not taking his eyes off the outside.

"Him? He just cut off my arm, once," Shandam replied, turning his head to the side.

Thamuz turned his head and stared intently at Shandam, who had his head turned to the right. Upon noticing Thamuz's gaze, Shandam turned and looked him in the eyes.

"Relax. If you see me with both arms, it means they can grow back. The real hell is being with his idiot son," Shandam said, clenching his fists with anger.

"The giant idiot standing in front of his father?" Thamuz asked.

"Exactly. Being with him was hell. His brute strength was too much for me. He broke my bones, tore off my arms and eyes. He threw me against the walls of his room with such tremendous force that it made the castle tremble. And the only time I could rest was when he cut off my head. I saw nothing after that; it was like sleeping, for just thirty minutes," Shandam recounted, tears welling up in his eyes.

"It sounds like you've been through a lot," Thamuz said, checking some shelves in the basement.

"What are you looking for?" Shandam asked, wiping the tears away with his hands.

"In case father can't reach an agreement with that king, I want to give you something. Something that will make you feel no pain," Thamuz said.

"What is it?" Shandam questioned, getting up and approaching Thamuz.

"Here it is!" exclaimed Thamuz, pulling out a small vial from a box.

"It looks interesting," Shandam said, looking over Thamuz's shoulder.

"This is an extract from a plant that father used to harvest. As he tells me, a single drop makes you feel no pain for a maximum of a week. This will surely help you if you have to face that brute," Thamuz said, showing Shandam the small vial.

"Just one drop? And my pain will disappear for a week?" Shandam questioned, with a tone of confusion.

"You'll even feel like you're floating. It's the best for enduring absurd amounts of pain," Thamuz said, taking Shandam's hand.

Thamuz examined Shandam's hand; it had the same mark as he had on his neck. He placed the vial in Shandam's palm and closed his hand.

"Take good care of it," Thamuz said seriously.

"Thank you," said Shandam, relief evident in his voice.

Thamuz looked back outside; the situation was becoming increasingly tense. Zarakel still had his tentacles pointed towards Tawnylon, who raised his hands and straightened his back as if he were in a fighting stance.

"Don't rush, Zarakel. We haven't done anything to warrant violence against us," Tawnylon said, seriousness in his tone.

Zarakel turned his head slightly, perhaps due to the strong breeze blowing at that moment. However, when his gaze fully settled on a small opening in the house, he saw two bright red eyes, like illuminated blood, that disappeared immediately.

"What is that?" Zarakel whispered, diverting all his attention to that small opening.

Tawnylon watched in confusion as Zarakel changed his focus so suddenly and followed the king's gaze to the opening. He paled instantly upon realizing where Zarakel's attention was centered.

"He's going towards our son," Tawnylon whispered in Aolani's ear.

Aolani's eyes widened and she quickly ran towards Zarakel, trying to stop him.

"Wait, Lord Zarakel, let me ask you a quick question," Aolani said, in a desperate attempt to stop him.

"Step aside. I lost interest in you a long time ago," Zarakel said, gently pushing Aolani aside with one of his tentacles.

Tawnylon did the same as Aolani and stood in front of Zarakel, raising his hands in a gesture of halt.

"Wait, Zarakel, you can't go into that house!" exclaimed Tawnylon, desperate.

Zarakel looked with confusion at Tawnylon and Aolani's futile attempts, retracted his tentacles, and stared them both down.

"Why can't I go into that house?" he said, his voice resonating on the ground.

"It's just that..." Tawnylon hesitated, searching for a reasonable explanation.

"It's just that we just killed a gunthan. You know how those creatures are when you open their guts; the smell can be perceived kilometers away," Aolani intervened, improvising a quick excuse.

Zarakel paused for a moment, noticing the word "we" and a smirk of satisfaction spread across his face, reflecting his sadistic nature.

"We're done? Then, that means that house belongs to both of you. Even better," Zarakel said, quickening his pace towards the house and pushing aside Tawnylon and Aolani.

Tawnylon gave Aolani a scolding look as she raised her hands in protest, watching as Zarakel rapidly approached the house.

Finally, he reached the small opening where he had seen those blood-red eyes. He crouched down and tried to look to discover the origin of that image, but seeing nothing, he stood up.

"It seems it was just my imagination," Zarakel said, clapping his hands with a sense of relief.

Meanwhile, in the basement, Thamuz and Shandam were hidden behind a large box, with Thamuz making great efforts to hide due to his height.

"Check if he's gone, Shandam. I can't look because I'd be caught instantly," Thamuz said.

Shandam cautiously peeked his head out, trying to see if Zarakel had left, and was surprised to find that he had indeed departed.

"It's all clear, Thamuz," Shandam announced.

Thamuz emerged from behind the box and sighed in relief, looking up at the ceiling.

"That was really close, don't you think?" he commented.

Shandam seemed to be looking at Thamuz, but in reality, he was observing something else. He didn't move, and his eyes were fixed on it.

"What's wrong? Did you see a ghost or something?" Thamuz asked, concerned about Shandam's gaze.

Shandam slowly began to raise his arm, pointing with his index finger towards the back of Thamuz.

"Tentacles," he stammered.

Thamuz immediately turned his head upon hearing those words and saw before him two tentacles with a spectral blackness, with several spikes and protrusions around them.

"Oh, no," Thamuz muttered.

The tentacles immediately ensnared Thamuz and Shandam with overwhelming force, enough to pull them out of their hiding spot and destroy part of the basement. They were both suspended in the air, like puppets.

"Look what I found! My son's toy and something very peculiar!" exclaimed jubilant Zarakel, watching as the two boys were squeezed by the tentacles.

Tawnylon witnessed the entire scene and ran immediately to help them, but he was met with a colossal and overwhelming force.

"My toy! My toy! Dad, you got it back!" exclaimed excited Gigantino, running towards Zarakel and crashing into Tawnylon on the way.

Zarakel threw Shandam into Gigantino's arms, who hugged him roughly, breaking a large portion of his bones and causing him to lose consciousness instantly.

"No, let him go, leave him alone, you damn bastard!" Thamuz shouted, struggling to free himself from the tentacles that imprisoned him.

Zarakel fixed his gaze on Thamuz, squeezing him tighter until he felt a brutal blow to his cheek.

It was Tawnylon, who, seeing how Zarakel mistreated his son, ran towards him with impressive speed and struck him with all his might, causing Zarakel to release Thamuz and go flying, crashing into a nearby house.

"I've tolerated you tormenting this settlement for too long, but I'll never tolerate you hurting my son! I'd kill you if I could!" exclaimed Tawnylon, his eyes shining with intense white light.

Zarakel's army soldiers began to advance towards Tawnylon with giant steps as he crouched down to the ground, preparing for what was coming.

Laughter echoed in the distance. It was Zarakel, emerging from the house against which he had collided while retracting his tentacles on his back.

"Forgive me, Tawnylon, I don't usually get so violent without any reason," Zarakel laughed, wiping the blood from his mouth.

Thamuz lay on the ground, apparently unconscious, but after a few seconds, he began to slowly rise.

Everyone present watched in amazement as Thamuz stood up. His skin was different, his horns larger, his eyes gleaming with intense red, and most notably, his body was well-defined, and his height almost reached that of Tawnylon.

"Are you okay, son?" Tawnylon asked, grasping Thamuz's arm.

"Shandam, father... they took him," Thamuz said between sobs.

"Who?" Tawnylon asked again, scanning the surroundings.

Thamuz turned his head towards where Gigantino was with Shandam, squeezing and hitting him on the ground as if he were a toy.

Tawnylon watched, feeling disgusted by the way Gigantino was treating that child, but he couldn't intervene. He had already done something that could have cost him his life.

Aolani immediately rushed to where the two were, kneeling down and quickly examining Thamuz.

"By Azhamat! Are you okay, son? Did you get hurt?" she asked, full of concern.

"I'm fine, mother," Thamuz said, fully straightening up.

Zarakel observed the whole scene and let out another laugh, one that resonated throughout the settlement.

"You two? Did you have that thing as your son? I wonder what you did to have it, not even I would dare to commit such an abomination," Zarakel laughed, approaching them.

The villagers began to surround Thamuz, marveling at his strange characteristics, and murmurs began.

"He looks like a demon," some said.

"I think I saw him in some book about ancient universe facts," added another.

The whispers intensified, and the soldiers surrounding Thamuz also drew closer, intrigued by the presence of that being.

Gigantino dropped Shandam to the ground and slowly advanced towards Thamuz. Upon standing in front of him, he crouched down and looked him directly in the eyes.

"You seem very strong," he said. "Dad! Can I fight him in shamonak?"

Tawnylon grabbed Thamuz by the shoulder and pulled him towards himself, shielding him with his body.

"He's not going to fight you, you brute," Tawnylon said, not taking his eyes off his surroundings.

Zarakel stood next to Gigantino and pulled out an unknown device from his armor. It emitted a green light that hit Thamuz, but it caused him no harm.

"Unknown species. There are no records of its genetic material or scientific data about this individual," a voice emerged from the device.

"Where did you get that thing?" Zarakel asked, storing the device in his armor.

"We don't have to answer to you. You already got what you wanted. Leave and don't come back," said Aolani, hiding behind Tawnylon.

"My eyes are now interested in something else. I need to know what it is," Zarakel said, reaching out towards them.

"You don't need to know anything. Leave us alone," Tawnylon said, slowly stepping back.

"You don't understand, Tawnylon. I've never seen my son so interested in someone, nor have I heard him wanting a shamonak fight. Now all my attention is focused on your son," Zarakel said, with his tentacles slowly emerging from his back.

"What do you mean?" Tawnylon asked.

"I mean I want our sons to fight in a shamonak to the death," said Zarakel, his voice resonating with a mix of challenge and anticipation, while a twisted smirk formed on his face.

A deathly silence fell over the crowd; surprise was palpable at the mention of shamonak. The tension was thick, until a voice of objection broke the silence:

"Shamonak! Not at this time of year, and especially not with that abomination!"

Zarakel turned his head with theatrical slowness to identify the owner of that voice. It came from one of the elders of the village, who was advancing towards them with steady steps, adjusting his glasses with trembling hands.

"The fortieth law of the sixth mandate of Rhalayt stipulates that shamonak can only be performed in the months of Ghakarn and Mhokarn, on the days when our sun hangs in the sky for seventy-eight hours. Furthermore, shamonak is an exclusive rite for members of our species, not to be profaned by other races," the elder explained, stopping in front of Zarakel and adjusting his glasses again with a meticulous gesture.

Zarakel observed him with an intensity that chilled the blood, and suddenly, two tentacles emerged from his back, one piercing the elder's chest and the other decapitating him with surgical precision.

"Does anyone else wish to object to this shamonak?" Zarakel asked, his voice laden with a deadly challenge as he lifted the lifeless body of the elder.

The villagers shook their heads, their gestures conveying a fear that kept them from speaking. Zarakel discarded the body disdainfully and retracted his tentacles, staining his hands with the still-warm blood of the elder.

"And you, boy, are you ready for your first and final shamonak battle?" he inquired.

"I don't even know what that is," Thamuz responded, his voice barely a whisper.

"You'll find out soon enough," Zarakel replied, turning his gaze back to Tawnylon. "I grant you twelve hours to teach the young one how to fight in the shamonak. You know the location of the confrontation."

"In the arena of Rhalayt?" Tawnylon asked, his voice trembling.

"In the same arena where you defeated me with a single blow, and where your precious son will be brutally humiliated by mine," declared Zarakel, releasing a sinister laugh that echoed in the square.

Tawnylon's eyes widened dramatically as Aolani brought a hand to her mouth, stifling a scream. Thamuz, meanwhile, held Gigantino's gaze, a silent yet firm challenge.

"So it is decided! The first death shamonak of this year has begun!" exclaimed Zarakel, his voice resonating with authority.