Amongst the towering trees of the dense forest, Zeral engaged in a fierce battle with a massive bear. The air was thick with tension as their clashes echoed through the woodland, and the rustling leaves bore witness to the primal struggle. The sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting fleeting shadows on the combatants. The forest seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the dance of survival between the formidable warrior and the mighty beast.
The remaining soldiers formed a tense circle around Zeral, oblivious to the impending threat as they focused on the silver-skinned warrior. Unbeknownst to them, a colossal bear approached, its looming presence only noticed when it emitted a low growl. Panic seized the soldiers as they realized the dire situation they were in – a massive bear, unmatched in size, now joined the battlefield.
In their fear, the soldiers scattered, fleeing from both Zeral and the approaching bear. Zeral, not one to miss an opportunity, swiftly targeted the retreating soldiers, his movements fueled by the ruthlessness he had acquired over the years. Simultaneously, the bear pursued its own prey, creating chaos and panic among the already desperate soldiers.
After killing all the soldiers, Zeral, amidst the chaos, locked eyes with the towering bear. As if reflecting on past encounters, he spoke to the massive creature. "Bear, you remind me of another one I met years ago," his voice carried a tone of reminiscence, and the battlefield echoed with the tumultuous sounds of conflict.
The bear roared menacingly, its massive frame towering over Zeral. Unfazed, Zeral casually wiped the bear's saliva from his face, displaying a blatant disregard for the creature's aggression. "Is this a challenge? I promise I will not use my weapons." Zeral nonchalantly dropped his right sword, letting it clatter to the ground. "Now, we are equal. Since you issued the challenge, I will let you have the first blow, so make it hurt." The bear, growling ferociously, prepared to launch its attack.
Undeterred, Zeral goaded the bear further, goading it to strike. "Come on, hit me now, this is your chance - please don't hold back." The bear, fueled by aggression, swung its massive paw at Zeral's head. To everyone's surprise, Zeral stood firm, hardly affected by the powerful blow. The bear, confused and startled, recoiled, as if grappling with the inconceivable. It brain couldn't comprehend this unnatural reaction
Zeral erupted into laughter. "Oh my, what a hit, I love it! Give me another!" The bear, grappling with disbelief, hesitated. Zeral, seemingly angered, taunted the creature. "COME ON! Hit me again...Are you running away? How dare you leave the battle?" The bear, now in fear, turned and fled, prompting Zeral to chase after it.
Catching up, Zeral delivered a devastating kick that sent the bear tumbling sideways like a discarded doll. The battlefield echoed with the strange spectacle of a human challenging and dominating a beast of the wild.
The wounded bear roared in pain and fear, desperately attempting to bite Zeral in a final act of defiance. Undeterred, Zeral boldly thrust his hands into the bear's gaping mouth. "You have quite a nice tongue. I want to taste it," he declared, cruelly tearing the bear's tongue from its mouth. The creature, weakened and distressed, attempted to bite down on Zeral's hand, but it proved futile.
Zeral, with a sinister satisfaction, began to devour the bear's tongue. "Mhm, so delicious." The bear's blood mixed with Zeral's own as he indulged in the gruesome feast. In a macabre display, Zeral seized the bear's limp head, wrenching it violently from its neck. He stared into the lifeless eyes with malicious glee. "Don't be sad, you did well fighting me. But as you can see, I'm immortal. Nothing can hurt me, hahaha..."
Blood-soaked and frenzied, Zeral continued his grisly ritual. He ate the remaining flesh and washed himself with the animal's blood as if it were a macabre bath. "So delicious. I want more..." Zeral, overtaken by a primal desire, let out a haunting roar.
With a swift motion, he thrust his hand into the bear's chest, tearing out its heart. In a disturbing blend of pleasure and sorrow, he spoke in a melancholic voice, "My son loves bears; I gave him a little brown bear just like you as a gift on his last birthday..." The scene was a chilling testament to Zeral's descent into inhumanity.
Even the joy in Zeral’s face as he ate the bear’s flesh and bathed in his blood couldn't mask the tears coming down like rain tears are coming down like rain...
He leaped into the adjacent river, immersing himself in its cool, flowing waters to rid his body of the viscous bear blood. Submerged beneath the surface, he sought solace in the aquatic depths, as if attempting a futile escape from the haunting memories that lingered in his mind. Though well aware of his immortality, Zeral, in a desperate moment, wished for the embrace of oblivion. Upon the cleansing waters, the glaring images of his beloved son and wife played like a bittersweet melody, echoing in the recesses of his immortal soul.
"Why? Why can't I just die? Why can't I join my family? Damn, I miss them.” talking to himself while he eyes were closed thinking deeply about his curse of immortality
Emerging from the river's embrace, Zeral donned his attire and strapped his swords in place. As he readied himself to journey forward, he retrieved his wife's necklace, cradling it gently in his hands. Pressing his lips against the cherished memento, he shared an intimate moment with the symbol of lost love before resuming his solemn odyssey.
"I promise you, I will be with you soon, just wait for me to find who killed you and our son." He put it back in his pocket and continued on his way.
Meanwhile, within the fortress of King David the 7th, a high-ranking general provides the monarch with a detailed account of the ongoing war's developments.
King David 7th, the ruler of a once-mighty kingdom, now bears the weight of his years with a haunting demeanor. His visage is etched with the lines of time, and his once-vibrant countenance is now a canvas of weariness and melancholy. Deep-set wrinkles carve paths on his face, telling the story of a lifetime spent navigating the treacherous waters of kingship.
His once-proud bearing is now tempered by the burden of responsibility, and the weight of the crown seems to stoop his shoulders. Despite the regal vestiges that adorn him, King David 7th's attire hangs loosely, as if the very fabric of his royal garments mirrors the threadbare state of his spirit. The royal robes, once resplendent in their grandeur, now seem faded and dulled, reflecting the kingdom's gradual decline under his reign.
King David's skin is pallid, a stark contrast to the rosy vitality of his youth. It is as if the vitality that once pulsed through his veins has been drained by the ceaseless demands of the throne. His once-lustrous hair has grayed, and his beard bears the same silver hue, adding to the air of solemnity that surrounds him.
Despite the weariness that permeates his being, King David 7th retains a regal aura. His eyes, though clouded with the weight of his responsibilities, still hold a flicker of the indomitable spirit that guided him through years of rule. There's a nobility in the way he carries himself, a resilience that speaks of a king who has weathered countless storms and emerged, if not unscathed, then still standing.
"Your Majesty, I regret to inform you even that we successfully repelled the monster invasion in the cities of Marax and Sakon. However, the victory came at a heavy cost, with a significant loss of our brave soldiers who fought valiantly to safeguard our territories. The streets are now stained with the blood of the fallen, a testament to their sacrifice in defense of our kingdom." One of his generals reports
The king lowered his head, a profound sadness reflected in his eyes. "That's good," he began, his voice heavy with grief. "Those men will be in heaven, as our God promised, for they protected the kingdom under His name. Their sacrifices stopped those evil, filthy creatures from coming through our doors. May their souls find peace in the afterlife. We owe them a debt that can never be fully repaid."
The general replied, "Yes, my dear king. Now we have to focus on the cities in north, because those are the main ones being attacked by those dreadful monsters."
“Damn them, no matter what, they keeping coming to kill us!” a second general exclaimed.
“Why do they kill some humans and transform others?" other asked.
The king's eyes welled up with grief, a heavy burden on his heart as he spoke. "It's obvious, they want to end our race and start their own to control this world... They also fight to get my head, that devil Hirvan wants revenge on me after what my grandfather did to the druids decades ago..."
Despite the sorrow in his voice, a flame of self-confidence and power burned in his eyes, a determination to protect his people at any cost then he add
"I Regret forgiving them and allow them return to my realm. Then trusted him. Damn him, now I shall protect my people"
The general commented, “I agree my lord. That damned Hirvan is responsible for all this."
The King corrected him. "Not only him, but I too, am a reason why many people are being eaten by those horrible monsters. If I listen to reason back then and didn't ask for that cursed beast's blood and seeking immortality, this war may never have happened."
""Don't blame yourself for this, my lord. It was right for you not to trust that filthy snake, Hirvan," the general reassured the king. "What if betrayal was his initial plot? To deceive you and conquer the kingdom." The general's words carried a mixture of caution and loyalty, a reminder of the ever-present threat posed by their enemies
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King David the 7th glared at his generals with a mixture of anger and frustration. The hall, adorned with majestic tapestries and grandeur, echoed his heavy words. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows on the intricate carvings of the throne room.
"But what if he didn't betray me and brought me that blood?" The king's voice reverberated through the hall. "I would be a monster like him, and all humans would be dead by now." The weight of the king's words hung in the air, and the generals exchanged uneasy glances, understanding the delicate balance between trust and survival in these dire times.
The other general hurriedly responded, "Yes, that most likely would have happened, so thank God that you didn't. Now, my lord, you have a chance to correct this by fighting and killing those monsters. Our fallen comrades will be honored, and we'll make sure their sacrifices were not in vain. Together, we'll protect the kingdom and rid the world of these foul creatures."
King David's gaze shifted across the grand hall, a somber expression etched upon his regal features. The flickering torches cast shadows on the ornate tapestries that adorned the towering stone walls. The air hung heavy with a mixture of grief and determination as the king's eyes met those of his generals. The golden accents of his royal throne gleamed dimly, reflecting the weight of the responsibility that rested upon his shoulders. The silence in the hall spoke volumes, emphasizing the gravity of the losses suffered and the arduous path that lay ahead.
"By making my people live in fear while others die every day? By letting them watch their loved ones get devoured? I pray every day that I can find a way to win this war without seeing so much sorrow near the castle..." The king said.
The commander rushed into the king's hall with a palpable sense of urgency. His armor clinked with each hurried step, echoing the urgency of the impending news. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead, a testament to the gravity of the information he carried. The flames from the torches flashed erratically as if mirroring the unease in the commander's heart. The heavy wooden doors groaned behind him, closing with a muffled thud, further emphasizing the solemnity of the moment. The commander's eyes darted anxiously, seeking the king's attention, as he prepared to deliver the weighty tidings.
"My dear king, I have important news for you."
The king's voice betrayed a mixture of surprise and concern as he questioned his commander, "Why the hurry? What happened?" His eyes narrowed, searching for clues in the commander's demeanor, a reflection of the unease that had crept into his heart at the sudden urgency, accentuating the gravity of the impending revelation. The air in the hall seemed to thicken, and the tension hung palpably as the commander prepared to unveil the news that had prompted such haste.
"Oh, it's horrible, one soldier came to the outpost near the city of Bartak reporting that..." He stopped talking, and the shock on his face made it obvious why.
The King repeated the question. "Tell me, what happened?"
"I can't believe what that soldier said, my lord. An unknown man killed his allies along with their leader…"
The commander's voice quivered with fear as he delivered the unsettling news. The king's expression morphed from its usual regal composure to one of stark shock. "WHAT?" The king's surprised voice boomed through the room, the gravity of the situation recurring in the grandeur of the throne hall. The realization of an unknown adversary wreaking havoc among his forces sent a shiver down the king's spine, casting a shadow over the once-confident ruler.
"Yes, it's as I said, my lord; a mysterious man interrupted the soldiers patrolling the area near the dead city of Bartak. When they tried to verify his identity, he killed them all by himself."
"What? How did he kill them by himself? Is he really that good in his fighting skills?" The bewildered voices of the generals and courtiers filled the hall, their expressions a mix of incredulity and concern. The news of a lone assailant taking down a group of seasoned soldiers and their leader was both perplexing and alarming. Whispers and murmurs spread through the court, each member grappling with the idea of an unknown, formidable adversary threatening the kingdom. The air became heavy with tension as they tried to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
One of the generals claimed, “I have to admit that must be one of best swordsmen in world to kill entire group of highly trained soldiers by himself."
The general who brought the news wore a visage of fear and worry as he addressed the court. His voice trembled as he relayed the harrowing details of the encounter between the soldiers and the mysterious assailant.
"I'm afraid to tell you all that this man might not even be a human," he began, his eyes darting nervously around the hall. "I can't believe it, but the soldier reported that the last surviving man was badly injured with huge wounds in his body and before he gave up his last breath..." everyone is in totall shock.
"...He said that this inhuman person killed them with his bare hands after dropping his swords and asking them to fight, as if they were in a war. Then he killed them one by one, eating them alive... He is a monster, but in human form or something like that.Then he killed a giant bear then he left towars the north"
The atmosphere grew even more tense. The generals exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring a mix of disbelief and concern. The revelation of such a monstrous adversary, especially in human guise, sent shivers through the ranks, leaving the once-confident court now gripped by fear and uncertainty.
The king trembled as he delivering questions "Huh? Did you say a monster in human form? Did he kill them with bare hands? What is this? a joke? How can a monster can transform into a human?"
One general suggested, "Maybe that devil Hirvan found a way to transform monsters into humans, and is now using it as a weapon to kill us from the inside..."
Another said, "I agree, my majesty, if this is true, then we are really in deep trouble...Now we have to face monsters among the humans! How we will know if a human is a monster or not?"
"No, I don't think so,” the third countered, “for in the 10 years of war with them, we never fought something like this. So how do you think Hirvan could find a way to transform monsters into humans? If he did and sent them as spies to our kingdom or as enemies to use against us, why is he only doing this now?”
The king took all of this in. "I'm not sure about this, but maybe you’re right. If he really found a way, I guess he could have use it back then.”
Then order one of his generals "Go give my word to the commanders in the Elin's city to find information about this with druids there...I want them all to be asked and find in their damned books anything about this"
The general, with a sense of urgency and concern etched on his face, interrupted the king's orders. "My apologies, my lord, but I must warn you not to trust the druids again. They may have their own agenda, and there are whispers that they may have ties with Hirvan. We can't afford to be deceived by them or tell them about this new mysterious monster."
The king's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the general as he contemplated the warning. After a moment of silent consideration, he responded with a stern tone,
"I understand your concern but I dare them to plot anything against me or my people and I will burn them immediately with being said. My point still same from the start, I will not harm any druid, because I believe they have nothing to do with Hirvan. They are all there living fine and protected in Elin and for return they must provide any information they can find from all the remaining books we found that written in the old language to stop this absured war."
The general, his expression tense with fear, nodded reluctantly in agreement with the king's decision. However, he couldn't help but voice his concerns
"Yes sure my lord, but I must remind you that many of them are newcomers to your kingdom and they feel like they are trapped in Elin since this war been started a decade ago. I advise you to not fully trust them, after all they are reason for the previous war, th worst war our kingdom ever had. The century war between us and the other kingdoms."
King David interrupted, rising from his throne with a stern expression. His eyes bore into the general as he asserted,
"Enough! I will not be swayed by fear and doubt. The 100 years war was a mistake by my grandfather for trying to kill all druids in all realms because one of them killed his beloved wife. I can't do the same mistake, althought I was blinded by pursuition at immortality and then being forced into new war against that traitorous Hirvan so I can't kill them all in name of revenge."
The king, frustration evident in his every movement, clenched his fist as if preparing to strike someone. With a fierce determination in his eyes, he swore an oath,
"But I will not let any one of them plot anything against us. I swear with my the God who watchs every step, I will kill any conspirator with Hirvan, I will end this war and I will restore peace upon us again."
The generals, recognizing the authority in the king's words, bowed in unison, a collective gesture of agreement and submission. The air in the grand hall shifted, and an aura of determination filled the space as they acknowledged the king's decision.
King David turned his attention to another general, issuing a new command. "General, send my word to your men in the cities of the north. Seek out this mysterious man named, find any information about him. We need to understand what we're dealing with, and to keep an eye on the monster advance in the region" The general, showing his loyalty, nodded solemnly and left the king's presence to carry out the orders.
Amidst the intense discussion about the mysterious man, a question arose among the generals, "If this was a monster, why did he kill a bear? Monsters typically refuse to attack animals."
The generals exchanged puzzled glances, realizing that the situation was more complex than they initially thought. The king, deep in thought, considered the implications of this new piece of information.
Everyone starts looking for this powerful man, but what side will he choose?
Meanwhile, As Zeral approached the small mountain city of Palin, his relentless path was marked by the bodies of any creature that dared to cross him. Amidst the carnage, he encountered a sight that momentarily halted his march—a young boy, frail and on the brink of death, desperate for salvation. The boy's feeble pleas reaching out to Zeral for help.
Zeral unsheathed his sword, its gleaming edge catching the light. A stern question cut through the air, "What do you want?"
In the midst of agony, the injured boy's cries pleaded desperately, "Please, sir, I just need water right now!"
Zeral, momentarily relenting, offered him a drink from his own supply. "Here! Drink!" The water brought a momentary respite. "What happened to you? Who did this?"
The boy, his voice strained, began recounting his harrowing tale. "I was traveling with my father to Palin city when we were ambushed by...two terrifying monsters. My father fought valiantly, but they still managed to hurt me. I fled, ending up here. I can't move; my legs hurt, and it's hard to breathe—please help me!"
Zeral directed a probing question to the boy, "So your father is dead?"
The boy, caught between hope and despair, pondered, "I'm not sure. I've been stuck here for nearly an hour, and he hasn't come yet. I'm afraid that he..." His voice faltered, and tears streamed down his face.
With an indifferent tone, Zeral replied, "Wait for him. Maybe he will come back to you, or maybe he will be like me—never going back to my own son while he was dying. I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have to search for answers beyond your reach. I'll inform the first human I encounter in this city about you, and they will come to your aid."
Zeral continued walking, leaving the boy behind without a backward glance. Though the scene could have shattered anyone else's heart, Zeral pressed on, seemingly immune to the poignant display of grief. Yet, for Zeral, such scenes were inconsequential. Devoid of a heart, he pressed forward towards the city of Palin, relentlessly pursuing answers that eluded even the most perceptive seekers.
The End.