During the week leading up to the next meeting, a strange unease settled over the town. Word spread that **government officials** had arrived, announcing that there would be a **Presidential election** just a day before the scheduled town meeting. At first, the news seemed distant—just another thing happening outside the valley—but soon, the presence of the officials changed everything.
The people who had once been openly practicing their powers—flying, turning invisible, summoning fire—suddenly became more withdrawn. The officials were nosy, **poking and prodding** into everyone’s lives, asking too many questions about how the townsfolk were able to continue functioning normally amidst the chaos in the world. They took notes on the abundance of meat, the energy the people seemed to exude, and even the strange abilities they had briefly witnessed when first arriving. Suspicion grew by the day, but the townspeople, under Elmore's quiet but steady leadership, held firm. They kept their powers hidden, continuing to live their lives as best they could without drawing attention to what made their community different.
Then, one morning, a group of **representatives** came through Elmore’s valley, their interest clearly piqued by the odd behavior of the townspeople. They noticed that something unusual was happening in the area. As they probed further, they suddenly received a notification—one that they had never seen before. The screen displayed a simple message: **"You are now under the jurisdiction of Chief Elmore's Chiefdom."** Confusion and alarm spread among the representatives, and they quickly began to radio back to Washington, D.C. Soon after, **SWAT teams and heavily armed guards** were sent to Elmore’s property, mobilized and ready to handle whatever strange threat they believed they were dealing with.
When the heavily armed convoy approached within 500 meters of Elmore’s property, they all stopped. No matter how hard they tried to press forward, the vehicles couldn’t advance. Some of the soldiers attempted to walk ahead, but their legs locked up just beyond the **500-yard mark**—the invisible boundary that Elmore had established around his throne.
Elmore, watching from his property, noticed the commotion immediately. The faint hum of engines and the sound of confused soldiers caught his attention, and he stood, knowing that this was a confrontation he could not avoid. As he stepped outside, the golden glow of the late afternoon sun framed him against the landscape, giving him an almost otherworldly presence. His eyes scanned the perimeter of his land, and he could see the SWAT teams lined up, confusion and frustration written all over their faces.
From the edge of his property, a man in tactical gear raised a **bullhorn**, his voice booming through the valley. “**Elmore!**” the man called out. “**Step down from your property and explain yourself!** You are in violation of federal law, and you need to submit to our authority!”
Elmore stood his ground, his face calm but resolute. His heart pounded, but his mind was clear. He had already decided—he would not bend. He would not kneel. The power of his land was something greater than the government's reach now, and he intended to defend it.
“I will not bend a knee!” Elmore shouted back, his voice echoing over the valley. “Speak your purpose here, and we will talk as equals!”
The man with the bullhorn paused, seemingly taken aback by Elmore’s defiance. There was a tense moment where no one moved. The soldiers shifted uneasily, unsure of how to proceed now that their authority had been so clearly challenged. The man with the bullhorn, however, wasn’t ready to back down so easily.
“You don’t understand the seriousness of this situation!” the man called out again, his tone more forceful. “You and the people of this town are now under investigation for violations of federal law. Surrender yourself and your property, or we will be forced to take further action.”
Elmore stood tall, eyes focused on the soldiers gathered at the boundary of his land. He could feel the power of the land beneath his feet, the strength of his new role as **Chief** humming through him. The throne he had built gave him a newfound sense of control, a confidence that he wasn’t just an ordinary man anymore. He was the ruler of this land, and these soldiers couldn’t take that from him.
“You will find,” Elmore called back, his voice steady, “that you cannot take what I have built here. This land is mine, and no force of yours can breach it. Now speak plainly, or leave.”
The SWAT team and officials were visibly unnerved. They had never encountered a situation like this—where a man had claimed such strange authority, and where even their own bodies betrayed them, unable to cross an invisible line. The man with the bullhorn lowered it, clearly unsure of how to proceed, but the conversation wasn’t over. There would be more questions, more attempts to understand what was happening in Elmore’s valley.
The tension thickened in the air as Elmore stood at the boundary of his land, facing the armed soldiers. His stance was firm, unyielding, with his battle gear clinging to his body—a well-worn leather vest and pants, axe slung over his back, and shotgun resting easily in his hands. The soldiers were nervous, unsure how to proceed, but the orders came through the comms.
“Fire!” the commander shouted.
But nothing happened. Not a single soldier raised their weapon. Elmore watched as their hands twitched, eyes widened in shock. The realization dawned on him quickly, and a wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips. **Aither Authority**. He had seen it while skimming through the menus on his throne—an ability tied to its unique position. It allowed him to enforce one law per level, and he had instinctively chosen that no violence could be enacted within his domain. Now, as the soldiers struggled to follow their orders, it became clear that the system itself was enforcing that law.
"They can’t even fire on me," Elmore thought, grateful he had taken the time to explore the menus. The soldiers' confusion turned to frustration, their commander barking orders that no one could follow. Realizing their weapons were useless here, they began setting up a blockade instead. They couldn’t advance, but they weren’t leaving either. Trucks rolled in, barbed wire was laid, and temporary walls were erected as they sealed off the end of elmore's road.
Elmore didn’t bother trying to stop them. Let them waste their time. He turned his back to them, standing tall in his battle gear, and began walking back toward his throne. Brett, his trusted friend, was hidden in the treeline with a vantage point, watching every move the soldiers made. Elmore trusted him to cover their flank if anything went wrong.
He paused at the edge of his yard, turning one last time to face the blockade. His voice rang out with authority, booming across the valley.
"**Send for your representative to speak at my throne.** My warrior will escort them to me." His gaze swept over the soldiers, making it clear there was no negotiation here. "**You have three hours.**"
Without another word, Elmore turned and walked back to his throne. His land was quiet, the air still, as he made his way up the stone steps and took his seat between the massive tusks of the Swinelord. From this vantage point, he could see the valley stretching out before him, his people going about their day despite the commotion beyond the boundary. The throne pulsed with energy, a reminder of the power he now wielded.
Roughly three hours later, Brett returned from the edge of the forest. Walking beside him was a blonde woman in a black suit, her face composed but eyes flickering with unease. She was no doubt a high-ranking government official, sent to negotiate or assess whatever strange phenomena had gripped this valley. Brett nodded to Elmore as he guided her toward the throne.
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Ash stood at Elmore’s side, her presence calm but strong. Edward, their son, was nowhere to be seen—tucked safely away, no doubt, to avoid any potential danger. Elmore's gaze remained fixed on the woman as she approached, feeling the weight of his new role as Chief more than ever.
The woman stopped a few paces from the throne, staring up at him. There was no fear in her eyes, but Elmore could sense the uncertainty beneath her professional demeanor.
"You must be Elmore," she said, her voice measured, controlled.
"I am." His tone carried an air of superiority, but not arrogance. He didn’t flinch or shift in his seat, his gaze never leaving hers.
"I’ve been sent to investigate," she continued, "and frankly, we have a lot of questions. This... system, this authority you’ve claimed—what is it? How does it work?"
Elmore leaned back in his throne, exuding calm confidence. "What you’re seeing is a **new order**," he replied, voice steady. "A system tied to the Aither itself. It governs not just the land, but those who live on it. As for how it works..." He shrugged slightly. "Even I’m still figuring it out. But it’s clear that I’ve been given dominion over this place, and I intend to rule it well."
The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And what of your abilities? Are you using them to control these people?"
"I use my abilities to protect my people," Elmore corrected. "And they follow me because I am their leader, not because of any tricks or coercion. You’ve seen what this place is. I’ve built something new here."
She didn’t look entirely convinced, but there was no denying the power that radiated from him as he sat on the throne. The energy that flowed through the land seemed to center on him, and she knew that whatever was happening here was beyond the government’s ability to fully control.
After a few more probing questions—about the laws he had set, about the nature of his authority—the woman turned back toward the blockade. She gave a slight nod to Brett, who waited to escort her back to the end of the road. As she left, Elmore could see the gears turning in her mind. She would report back to her superiors, but this wasn’t over. There would be more meetings, more attempts to understand—or control—what he had built.
Elmore sat on his throne, watching the horizon, when less than 30 minutes later, the same government representative returned. She walked with purpose, a mixture of frustration and determination painted across her face. Brett once again escorted her, but this time there was no pleasantries, no false sense of diplomacy. She wanted answers—and power.
She wasted no time. “Elmore,” she began, standing a few steps before his throne, her voice sharp, “you don’t understand the gravity of what’s happening here. The government holds power over this land. We’ve been in control for centuries, and that can’t change overnight because of some... mystical system.”
Elmore leaned back, fingers tracing the edge of the Swinelord’s tusk beside his throne, listening patiently. “Does your government hold any power with the system?” he asked calmly, cutting to the core of her argument.
There was a pause—brief but noticeable. She hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly before she responded, “No. But we were hoping to change that. Your... presence complicates things.”
A smile tugged at Elmore’s lips. “That’s not my concern,” he replied, his voice steady, unbothered by her growing frustration.
The representative's face hardened. She wasn’t used to being told no, especially not in this manner. She took a deep breath, and for a moment, Elmore noticed a strange glow around her temples—subtle but unmistakable. Before he could react, he felt a sudden pressure in his mind, a sensation like invisible fingers trying to pry open his thoughts. It wasn’t a physical attack, but something far deeper. His brain reeled for a moment as if someone was attempting to infiltrate his consciousness, to dig into his very mind.
But Elmore was no ordinary man. His connection to Aither, his natural resistance, and his mental fortitude kicked in. The pressure mounted, but his mind remained a fortress. His intelligence, honed by the Aither system, proved too much for the woman’s ability to handle. The invisible assault faltered, and in an instant, the tables turned. She gasped, her nose beginning to bleed as her focus broke, her power retreating.
Elmore chuckled, a deep, knowing laugh echoing through the valley. “You get one,” he said, his tone almost teasing, “and you just used it.”
The woman’s hand trembled as she wiped the blood from her nose, her face pale. But she wasn’t done yet. She straightened herself, ignoring the pain, and leveled her gaze at Elmore. “We need this land. We request a formal war for it. If you refuse, you will be considered hostile to the state, and we will act accordingly.”
Elmore raised an eyebrow, amused at her ignorance of how things worked within his domain. “That’s not how my laws work,” he said, his voice firm and final. “This is my land now. If you want it, you’ll need to send someone forward to challenge me in a duel. That’s how disputes are settled here.”
Her expression wavered, a mixture of disbelief and frustration crossing her face. “A duel?” she spat the word as if it was beneath her, but the reality of her situation was sinking in. The government held no power in this new system. Everything had changed. “Fine,” she finally said, gritting her teeth. “We will return tomorrow.”
With that, she turned and left, but the trucks and barricades did not move. They remained firmly in place, parked on the road like a silent threat. Only the representative departed, her head still throbbing from the failed attempt to penetrate Elmore’s mind.
As she disappeared from view, Elmore leaned back on his throne, a sense of satisfaction and nervousness washing over him. They didn’t understand the rules of this new world, but they would soon. Tomorrow, the government would have to play by his laws.
He glanced at Ash, who stood nearby with a knowing smile on her face. “They’ll learn soon enough,” she said softly.
Elmore nodded, already preparing for the confrontation to come.
As Elmore walked back into the house after his tense confrontation with the government, he let the weight of the situation hit him fully. The calm, unbothered demeanor he had maintained while speaking with the government officials was beginning to crack. He was nervous, no doubt about it, and once the door closed behind him, he found himself pacing the living room.
“I didn’t ask for this, Ash,” he muttered, frustration seeping into his voice. “I just wanted to protect you and Edward. Now we’ve got government officials setting up blockades, soldiers trying to take our land... It’s getting more complicated by the hour.”
Ash stood by the kitchen counter, watching him closely as he vented. She had seen Elmore under pressure before, but never quite like this. “It’s definitely a lot, but there’s no going back now,” she replied softly, trying to ease his worry. “We’re in this, whether we like it or not.”
Elmore stopped pacing and turned to her, running a hand through his hair. “I know. I just... I don’t know how we’re supposed to navigate this. What happens if I lose tomorrow? What happens if they escalate and come after us with everything they’ve got?”
Ash’s brow furrowed as she considered his words. “You could offer them a compromise if you win. Maybe you could still stay on their good side. You know, show them you’re not trying to overthrow the government or start a rebellion.”
Elmore thought about that for a moment, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “That’s not a bad idea. I could offer to be some sort of independent vassal. That way, they still have some kind of influence, and we don’t have to butt heads all the time.”
Ash nodded. “Exactly. It’s a middle ground. It might buy us some time, and it could keep things from getting even more out of control.”
Elmore smiled, grateful for her clear thinking. “I think you’re right. It’s probably the best option we’ve got.” They shared a moment of understanding, knowing that tomorrow would be a pivotal day, but at least they had a plan—a way forward.
After discussing their strategy, they had dinner together, Elmore making an effort to push the stress aside for a while. The meal was simple, but comforting, and for a brief time, they could pretend everything was normal. Edward, in his high chair, babbled happily as he played with his food.
Later in the evening, Elmore spent time playing with Edward, letting the tension in his body release a little. It was during this time that he noticed something strange. Edward, sitting on the floor with his wooden blocks, knocked one over, and as it fell, the block didn’t land the way it should have. Instead of tumbling and bumping into Edward’s leg, it floated ever so slightly for a split second before falling harmlessly to the side.
Elmore paused, watching closely. He didn’t say anything at first but continued playing, though now he was more observant. A few minutes later, it happened again. A block that should have bonked Edward on the head just floated for a moment before dropping softly to the floor. Elmore felt a mixture of curiosity and unease.
Once Edward was tucked into bed, Elmore mentioned it to Ash. “I noticed something odd with Edward earlier,” he said as they settled on the couch. “That block, it... floats sometimes. Just for a second, but it happens when its about to hit him.”
Ash didn’t seem surprised. “I’ve seen it too,” she admitted. “I think it’s some kind of magic. Maybe it's magic or.something”
Elmore sighed, leaning back. “Yeah, that would make sense. I don’t fully understand it yet, but it’s probably nothing to worry about. At least it’s keeping him safe.”
They agreed to leave it be for now, trusting that if it was a problem, it would reveal itself later. For now, they were just glad to end the day on a relatively calm note. Despite the impending duel and the growing complications, they went to bed with a sense of nervous contentment, drawing strength from each other.
The next morning, Elmore woke up early, a strange calm settling over him as he prepared for the day ahead. He dressed in his usual battle gear—his leather vest, pants, his axe on one side, shotgun on the other. This wasn’t just a fight. It was a statement, a declaration of his strength and authority.
By the time he walked out to the road, the soldiers were still stationed at their barricade. Elmore stopped about a hundred feet away, standing tall and resolute. From the blockade, a figure emerged, stepping forward. The man was average in height, wearing standard combat gear with a knife at his belt and an assault rifle slung over his shoulder. He approached Elmore calmly, his face composed.
Elmore raised a hand in greeting. “Morning. I’m Elmore.”
The man returned the wave, introducing himself in a straightforward manner. “Captain Armstrong.”
For a few moments, they exchanged pleasantries, talking in a way that seemed almost casual, given the circumstances. There was a mutual respect there, both of them knowing the stakes.
“I’ve been thinking,” Elmore said after a pause. “There’s no need for this to be a duel to the death. We can make it a simple show of strength. First to tap out or go unconscious loses. No one has to die, and no one will be held accountable if something happens.”
Captain Armstrong considered the proposal before nodding. “Agreed. That works for me.”
With that settled, they each moved into position. Armstrong shifted into a crouch, his assault rifle lowered but ready. Elmore mirrored his stance, shotgun in hand, both of them preparing for the confrontation that would determine the fate of the valley. The tension in the air was palpable, but Elmore felt strangely at ease.