In battles fierce, General Akhil leads, A heart of gold, a power that exceeds.
The Power Of The great General Akhil
"I know my father, the great General Akhil, went to the City of Saharaan on the day it was destroyed, but I also know for a fact that he didn't do it," Menes stated firmly.
"We know he didn't. He was a pure-hearted man. But try explaining this to the Royal Nebu; it's a challenge, Commander Menes," General Amon acknowledged.
"Well, this was the information we wanted to share with you, for the safety of Thebes. As part of our treaty, we will be exchanging such information for our mutual benefit," the Pharaoh explained.
Commander Menes said Commander Drexel, trying to capture Mene's attention.
"Yes?" Menes replied.
"Is it true, the events with Zypher, you, and Commander Henu Safir?" Drexel hinted.
"Yes, indeed. I could showcase it if you'd like," Menes responded, injecting a hint of humour.
"No, I think we've seen enough for today," Drexel concluded.
"Any other news?" Menes inquired of the Pharaoh.
"Yes, a solo man," Commander Amon began.
"Huh," Menes expressed his curiosity.
"A man with a mysterious identity, whom no one has seen the face of. His name is Nehru, 'The Revengeful Flame,'" Amon disclosed. "He's been causing trouble for the organizations that engage in nefarious activities, which, let's admit, is most of them. He recently wiped out Akhet’s group of the Anubis," Amon continued.
Jack's eyes widened, and his face became serious as he recalled the memories of his encounter with Akhet of the Anubis and how he was soundly defeated.
"So, did he kill Akhet?" Menes inquired.
"No, Akhet wasn't present, but that group was one of the strongest. It shows Nehru's power," Amon explained.
"What type of power does he wield? A Chronotex, perhaps?" Menes speculated.
"No, he solely uses Dark Energy, and his power is very mysterious. But we do know the name of it," Amon said, getting to the point.
"What's the name?" Menes asked.
Kairo took over the conversation and answered, "It's called 'Black Flames.' I saw him fight some of our people, but I dared not intervene, as I was fasting that day and wasn't at full strength. He potentially is a Level 3 user, or even a Hybrid," Kairo disclosed, his tone serious.
Menes pondered over this revelation. A person almost as powerful as himself, on the loose, dispensing justice in such a ruthless manner. Who was this mysterious figure? Well, it seemed they would soon find out, as this enigmatic individual wove their story into the tapestry of the Nomads' Tale.
With a smile, the Pharaoh decided to put an end to the serious discussion. "Well, it's getting a bit too serious, isn't it?" he remarked. "Let's head outside and enjoy our feast," he commanded, rising from his seat.
"Yes, Pharaoh," echoed everyone in the room. They all stood up and followed the Pharaoh outside. This marked the official end of the treaty, and the details were soon disseminated to the public. The ties between both kingdoms had grown stronger.
The group savoured a feast filled with delectable foods and exquisite drinks. As the clock struck 3 PM, they bid farewell to the Nubian Kingdom, setting out on their journey back to Thebes.
As the horses galloped towards Thebes, the curiosity in the air was palpable. Ramon, unable to contain his concern, broached the subject. "Hey Kamil, why did you leave?" he asked, genuine worry in his voice.
"Yeah, tell us. We were all worried," Jack chimed in, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.
Kamil hesitated for a moment, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. "It's just... the past, that's all," he finally murmured.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
"Well, tell us about it. We're here for you," Jack encouraged, his voice gentle yet firm. Kasib, though, interjected, cautioning, "You can't just ask like that, Jack."
Menes, who rode at the head of the group, stole a glance back at Kamil. He subtly nodded, silently urging Kamil to share. While Menes was already privy to the truth, the rest of the group remained in the dark.
Many years ago, when I was just 7, I remember that day. The city of Saharaan is where I used to live with my family. We were a small family - I had an older sister, and my parents held high positions in the city. The city was known to have some of the rarest minerals and rocks. Everyone in the city was wealthy due to the abundance of these natural resources. But, as they say, everything must come to an end.
The city was invaded by the Merchants Guild, and there, my parents left me and my sister to hide while they went to gather some money for us to escape. Hours went by, and the conflict showed no signs of stopping. Then, my sister couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. She told me to wait for her in an old, abandoned building where we had taken refuge.
Initially, we believed it was the Royal Army that had attacked us. Tensions had been escalating between the City of Saharaan and Thebes. My sister ventured out to find them, assuring me she'd be back. That day is etched in my memory with painful clarity.
The weight of those memories hung heavy in Kamil's heart, mingling warmth with an undercurrent of sorrow.
FLASHBACK TO KAMILS PAST
The clashing of swords and the explosions from the fighting Chronotex and dark energy users echoed loudly, mingling with the roiling brown smoke and swirling dust. Houses were engulfed in flames, and the scene was one of utter chaos.
Amidst this mayhem, a mother clutched her child, her screams for help cutting through the bedlam. Veins bulged on her forehead as she shouted, her face streaked with blood. She fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, her desperation palpable. "Someone, please!" she cried, clutching her child tightly, prepared to face the worst.
In the midst of this heart-wrenching scene, a commander from the Merchants Guild who was dressed as a Royal Army guard spotted her, seeing an opportunity for profit. He lunged towards her, sword raised.
"No! Please, no! My baby will die!" she wailed, shielding her eyes and holding her breath, ready to meet her end.
Then, abruptly, the cacophony of battle ceased. The commander from the Merchants Guild froze, his movements sluggish, as the world seemed to fall into silence.
The sky darkened, stars appearing as if conjured from thin air. Day turned to night in an instant, the stars radiating an otherworldly brilliance. In a blinding burst of celestial energy, the commander and his bandits were obliterated.
The bodies were reduced to ashes, leaving behind only eerie outlines in the form of dark dust.
Emerging from the sands, a man strode forward. His name was none other than the Great General Akhil of the Royal Army, known for his formidable Chronotex ability called Celestial Convergence.
Kamil, hidden in the building not far away, witnessed the entire scene through a gap in one of the walls. He observed the woman, on the brink of death at the hands of the Commander of the Merchants Guild, wearing pilfered Royal Army Armor. In the heat of the moment, General Akhil emerged as her saviour.
As Akhil valiantly intervened, Kamil couldn't suppress his anger. Though Akhil had just saved a life, Kamil's resentment towards the Royal Army and the invasion of Saharaan ran deep. He begrudgingly acknowledged the general's heroics, but it didn't deter his vengeful intentions.
Spotting an old knife on the ground, Kamil seized it. His gaze remained locked on Akhil, his face etched with rage. Determined, he bolted towards the general, clutching the Knife tightly. His plan was clear - to end this once and for all.
Kamil burst out of the building, sprinting full tilt towards Akhil. Amidst the chaos and the grim aftermath, the guards were preoccupied, their attention fixed on the dark remnants of the fallen Merchants Guild members.
As Kamil lunged at Akhil, a figure materialized behind him at the speed of lightning. It was a young Setka, poised to strike Kamil down. But with a subtle shake of his fingers, Akhil signalled Setka to stand down.
Kamil's attack found its mark, the blade piercing Akhil's Armor near his chest. He shouted, venting his fury. Accusations flew, blaming the Royal Army ."YOU! You started this! You people of the Army killed my family! They haven't returned! They're all probably dead. For money! You... you destroyed my happiness!" Kamil's voice echoed through the desolation, a lament of anger and sorrow.
Akhil, a man of considerable stature with short grey hair and a medium-sized grey beard, adorned himself in gold Armor that accentuated his muscular build. His eyes held wisdom earned from years of experience on the battlefield, but they also shone with kindness and compassion.
As Akhil moved forward to hug Kamil, a silence settled over the scene. Kamil's trembling hands, which had once clutched a knife with intent to kill, now hung limply by his side. This was the first time anyone had ever hugged him. The knife slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground, as Kamil's eyes began to water, and his sobs echoed in the stillness of the moment.
Turning to Setka, Akhil issued a command, his voice firm but caring. "Setka, I need you to find this child's parents."
Setka hesitated, mumbling his uncertainty. "But we don't—"
Akhil interrupted, reinforcing his command with unwavering resolve. "I command you to do so."
Setka nodded, his reluctance clear. "Yes, General."
In that moment, General Akhil had not only saved Kamil's life but had also set in motion a series of events that would change Kamil's destiny forever.
Back to Present day
"Oooh," Ramon exclaimed, "I didn't know that."
"Well, what did you expect from the best, the kindest General Akhil?" he continued.
"Yeh, you're right. I owe him, Commander Menes and Commander Setka a lot," Kamil added.
"Well, did you find your parents?" Jack asked.
"Oh no, we didn't. After a lot of searching, we didn't find them. I assume they're probably dead by now," Kamil replied, his tone reflecting his thoughts.
"Harsh," Kasib added.
"Wait, now I remember something. What was the thing you were going to tell us about?" Kamil recalled.
"Oh, tell us, Jack, please," Ramon requested urgently.
"Oh yeah, so," Jack cleared his throat and continued, "If you see the Nubian and Thebean kingdoms, they are both different in their ideology. It's a way of thinking. Thebes is more capitalist, and Nubia is more communist," he explained.
"Capital and commu... what?" Kamil mumbled.
"Let me explain," Jack took a deep sigh. "Capitalism encourages private ownership, meaning people buy land and it's theirs. For example, prices are determined by supply and demand. Furthermore, in capitalism, not everything is always equal."
"Yeah, kinda true," Ramon added.
Jack then said, "However, communism is about the government owning everything. In this example, in the Nubian kingdom, the army and Pharaoh own everything. People get what they need, everything is equal and controlled. However, this opens its own issues. People sometimes can't do what they want and feel controlled. However, people in a capitalist society can do whatever they want, but the rich get richer. Everything is private, there is less government intervention and funding, plus the gap between the rich and poor is noticeable. Not everyone is equal."
Kamil replied, "Well, you are kind of right. It's a confusing topic."
"Well, this is frying my brain. Leave it for later," Ramon said, sounding tired.
From behind the group, a horse came forward. "Commander!" Khonsu shouted.
"Yeah," Menes replied, looking back. "We'll be at our destination by tomorrow at 9 at this rate," Khonsu explained.
"Okay, that's fine," Menes replied.
"I'll head back to the rest of the soldiers," he waved. "See ya," he said, bidding farewell to the group and heading back to the rest of the soldiers.
The group waved back as he left.
"Hey Jack," Menes called.
"Yes, Commander?" Jack replied.
"I've got a little something for you," Menes said.
"What is it?" Jack replied, amused and curious.
"Kairo, that brat, gave me a book. It's their research about the Chronotex, and it's something that will change everything."
The group's faces turned into expressions of curiosity and shock, as they too wanted to know the revelations that the book held...