Frozen in place, Zeral stood amidst the aftermath, tears tracing the contours of his face like silent tributaries. The revelation felt in his ears, resonating through the core of his being. Before him stood the monster, claiming an identity that sent tremors through the foundation of Zeral's understanding – Kevin, a friend from a lifetime when he was known as Adomas.
A tempest of emotions surged within Zeral – disbelief, confusion, and an overwhelming torrent of guilt. The tears streaming down his face mirrored the turmoil within, a poignant manifestation of the anguish that gripped his heart. The weight of the horrors he had committed, the lives shattered, and the bonds severed seemed to intensify with this unexpected disclosure.
The fragile balance of his newfound existence teetered on the precipice, the revelation threatening to unravel the fragile threads holding together the tapestry of his past and present. In that moment, Zeral grappled not only with the reality of his friend turned monster but also with the devastating impact of his own choices on the lives intertwined with his.
The monster that called himself Kevin, with a twisted and disfigured appearance, spoke again, "It's really me, Adomas. I never thought I'd see you again. I never thought I'd become like this."
Zeral, struggling to accept the truth, stammered, "No... Kevin, you can't be alive. Didn't you died in Batrak?"
Kevin nodded, acknowledging the painful memories, "Yes, I thought did. But Hirvan saved me and here I am, cursed to exist in this form. I'm a whatever you call it, monster or holy being, just like the others."
Zeral's emotions engulfed him like a turbulent storm, crashing against the shores of his conscience. Unable to withstand the tempest within, he sank to his knees, his gaze fixed upon the creature before him – a twisted reflection of what was once his dear friend, Kevin. The weight of guilt and regret bore down on him, a heavy burden that threatened to crush his very soul.
The haunting realization that he played a pivotal role in the transformation of someone he held dear into this monstrous being consumed Zeral. The gravity of his actions, the choices that led to this moment, created an unbearable sense of remorse. The air seemed thick with the tangible presence of his own culpability, pressing against him like a leaden shroud.
In the silence that followed, the scene spoke volumes – a fallen warrior, surrounded by the remnants of the past, facing the consequences of his deeds. The friendship shattered, the trust betrayed, and the irreversible transformation of a companion into a grotesque creature were etched into the fabric of Zeral's existence. The raw, unfiltered emotion painted a poignant tableau of a man grappling with the consequences of his choices, lost in the shadows of remorse and the feelings of a once cherished bond now irreversibly altered.
Kevin continued, "I don't blame you, Adomas. It wasn't your fault. The entire city got destroyed in short period that I don't understand how yet. I was leading people to the church when the attack was happening it was at midnight. We couldn't see anything it was explosion everywhere. I thought whoever attacked won't touch ground of the God, but I was wrong they attack the church killing everyone apart dozens survived including me and the priest and few soldiers with me.
Zeral, struggling with his own turmoil, whispered, "Kevin, I'm so sorry. I never thought I will see you like this. I'm sorry I wasn't there fighting along side you"
Kevin replied, "It's not your fault. what happened there was power of something unholy, Hirvan there blaming the king all time but I'm not convinced. Not sure what was that but I'm sure it is one hell of an army"
Zeral, torn between the desire for revenge and the possibility of peace, listened to Kevin's plea. The revelation that the destruction of Batrak might be the result of druid involvement added another layer of complexity to the situation.
"It wasn't an army, it was probably Druids using some kind of magic that causes explosions"
Hirvan interjected, shedding light on the destruction of Batrak, "Yes the druids. They possess powerful weapons and one of them is black powder from hell, capable of devastating explosions. But it is hard to create such reaction, the druids need alot of volacnic rocks and woods to create such big amount of powder to annihilate entire city. I believe the king might have assisted them."
Zeral, grappling with guilt and anger, responded, "The king has no reason to destroy a city, but suspicions alone won't bring the truth to light." Kevin approached Zeral, offering a glimmer of hope, "It doesn't matter who did it. What matters is that you're alive, and I'm alive. We can find a way to live with this curse and maybe even find peace."
Despite Hirvan's call for his own demise, Kevin implored Zeral to spare him, "No, don't do it. There's a chance for him to change, to lead us to a peaceful existence. He saved me and others. We may not love him, but we can respect him and live in the world he envisions."
Zeral, torn between vengeance and the prospect of an uncertain peace, listened to Kevin's plea. The revelation of druid involvement and the possibility of an alternate future left him grappling with the weight of his decisions. The path forward, once clear in its pursuit of revenge, now seemed clouded by conflicting emotions and the potential for a different destiny.
The air thickened with tension as Hirvan poured out his anguish and frustration, accusing both Zeral and Kevin of blindness to the true nature of humans and druids. He painted a grim picture of a world manipulated by unseen hands, emphasizing the druids' alleged role in igniting conflicts for their gain.
"the war of wars as it was described, history will will tell you it was because of the madness of king David the 5th for losing his wife and his unborn son, she was ill, his druids couldn't save her so they called an expert druid from another kingdom and this druid supposedly killed the queen by an accident. Thats what everyone believe until we found old lettres between druids who had hand in his death after the purge started...It was a plan to create a war between the two kingdoms so they can sell their new discovered weapon and get more wealthy. Ah in case you both did forget, the druids were wealthiest people among the common folks. But eventually, their plan backfired when the king order to kill every druid on the world thus the longest war in mankind started."
Hirvan telling them the truth about the druids as he smile at Zeral and his friend Kevin
Zeral questioned him "And you do trust such lettres to be true? even if that the case the king shouldn't start such war on everyone"
Hirvan laughs as he replied "But he was a king haha who could stop him? who could stop the current king when he decided to betray me and order the druids to destroy batrak?"
Zeral's frustration erupted as he responded to Hirvan's accusations. "Enough of your twisted tales! Your mistrust won't bring peace, Hirvan. We've seen the destruction, the suffering. Blaming others won't change what you've become."
Kevin, his voice steadier, added, "Hirvan, we all carry scars, but that doesn't mean we should condemn the world to eternal conflict. Zeral and I, we've made our mistakes, but we're here to find a way to end this madness."
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Hirvan scoffed, "Madness? The madness is trusting those who have consistently betrayed us. I won't let my kids suffer the same fate I did."
the he told them the true story about the century war between Anotorya and the other kingdoms
"You're both blind! You can't put your trust in humans or druids. I've seen their game. They thrive on conflicts. The 100 years wars weren't a druid's innocent mistake to kill the queen. They orchestrated it, manipulating two kingdoms into war for profit – selling weapons and healing. They didn't anticipate the king's irrational hatred, leading to the massacre of every druid in every kingdom thats was their fault but the king hatred continues for us as he betrayed me. The destruction of Batrak could be just another move in their sinister plan for more wars. Why can't either of you see through their deceit?"
The tension in the cave reached its peak as Zeral told them he will have the answers he sought from the druids but he needed the book that Hirvan burned. Kevin, surprisingly calm, addressed Zeral, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Well, he burned his book, but he's about to prepare the poison he used to kill the beast for you and put it in my sword as you requested. By the way, I called you Zeral before you go there, so it's nice you kept that name, but I'd rather call you Adomas."
For the first time, Zeral didn't flare up at the mention of his real name. "Call me whatever you want, but Adomas is no longer here."
Kevin placed his arms on Zeral's shoulders, a reassuring gesture. "Nah, he's still there somewhere." He then revealed crucial information about the location of the second book, creating a ripple of shock and betrayal among the monsters. Hirvan, unable to contain his anger, bellowed at Kevin to stop sharing the information, but the latter defiantly retorted, "So what? Kill me?"
Turning to Zeral, Kevin disclosed the precise location of the second book, buried in Flukan's Cathedral . He described the hideout, emphasizing the challenge due to the rocks above it. "With your strength, I'm sure you can unearth it and bring it to light." Hirvan, overwhelmed with frustration, screamed, "STOP!" but Kevin continued, "Go get one of the druids there. No one else can read their damned language, and I guess Hirvan won't help."
Hirvan, in a fit of despair, cried out, "CURSE YOU BOTH!" as he stormed away, leaving chaos in his wake. The cave resonated with the words of his anguish.
Zeral finally regained his composure, making a solemn promise, "Ah, then I will retrieve this book, and the druids will search for a solution. If anyone wishes to rejoin humanity, you are welcome. If not, you can go with Hirvan and live with him. I will watch over the peace until the day I decide to end my own life." He then turned to Hirvan and issued an order, "Continue making the potion, put it in the sword, and I promise you absolute peace for you and your kids from humans and druids."
Hirvan vehemently refused, "No! Never! Go! They will create the potion for you if they are good, like me. I won't trust your words neither."
Zeral insisted, frustration evident, "I've never seen a stubborn person like you! What the hell is wrong with you? Why can't you accept peace?"
Kevin quickly added, "He's stubborn, like someone I used to know. Everyone told him not to fight the silver sabertooth, but he went to seek a legacy for everyone to remember."
Zeral turned to Kevin and said with a heavy heart, "I wish I died that day so I wouldn't feel this pain every day and watch this stupid war. And Hirvan wishes for the end of mankind."
Hirvan, torn and lost, glanced at his children, mumbling about the possibility of joining humans. The weight of his decision pressed upon him as he felt the impending loss of everything unless he accepted the chance for peace. His gaze lingered on his monsters, realizing that many of them might wish to return to humans if there was a possible way.
With a heavy heart, Hirvan finally agreed, "Alright, do whatever you want. I will be here with my kids, preparing the final potion. After that, I don't want to see both of you here and neither humans nor druids." The acceptance carried a mixture of sadness, resignation, and a touch of hope for a new, unforeseen future.
Kevin's request was clear – a formal meeting with the king to discuss a peace treaty. He insisted on the need for a face-to-face discussion and specified that only a few soldiers and generals should be present. He expressed concern about Hirvan's strong dislike for the king so he won't be part in this, predicting chaos if he were involved. As he chose the place for this in Batrak infront of the church.
Zeral, acknowledging the wisdom in Kevin's words, agreed to deliver the message to the king. He promised to arrange for a druid to join him, ensuring a neutral party at the meeting. As Zeral conveyed this decision to Kevin, Hirvan stood by, watching with a profound sense of sadness. The realization hit him – he was no longer the godlike figure he once was, but a being caught in the complexities of a changing world.
Hirvan remained silent, his eyes fixed on Zeral. The weight of his decision bore heavily on his shoulders as he listened to Zeral and Kevin discuss the plan for peace. Deep down, he knew that the time for change had come, and a tumultuous mixture of emotions played across his face. The once proud god, now faced with the reality that his era might be coming to an end, observed as Zeral and Kevin finalized the plan to meet the king in Batrak.
A somber acknowledgment echoed in Hirvan's silence, his demeanor conveying a sense of surrender to the inevitable course of events. His once unyielding stance wavered, and the realization that the world he sought to shape might take a different turn lingered in his eyes. The monsters around him, once fueled by his ambitions, looked at him with uncertainty as the atmosphere shifted with the impending change.
As Zeral prepared to depart, leaving Hirvan to his potion-making endeavors, the fallen god remained in a reflective stillness, contemplating the consequences of his choices. Zeral walks toward Hirvan telling him "I couldn't kill king David when he was infront of me because I felt that wasn't right choice and then when I wanted to kill you I felt same. I understand how do you feel Hirvan. We shared bond in this cave since that fateful day. I hope someday, you will find the peace in you."
In the solemn cavern, where shadows danced with the testimonies of ancient stories, Hirvan poured out his heart to his assembled kin. His tearful tale painted a poignant mural of shattered dreams, fear, and an unquenchable desire for peace. As he spoke, the monsters, each bearing their own scars, resonated with the emotions that had long been buried beneath the surface.
His voice trembled with the weight of his story as he addressed his own kind, sharing his deepest fears and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of knowledge. The monsters stood in rapt attention, feeling the collective pain of injustice and understanding the cost of their existence. Hirvan's words became a powerful evidence to the challenges they faced in a world that often misunderstood them.
"peace? what is it? when you wake up every morning hearing words run the soldiers are coming? or when you see normal kids are living in this peace while you are hunted with ur family because the knowledge you learned from them. Is it peace when Antoryan soldiers said we won't harm anyone if you surrender we are only here to kill the druids when they overtook any city? I was hunted and lived in holes and caves like this my entire life and then when war is over. Finally I thought I had a life but then the king betrayed me. Yes that is peace"
Amidst his heartfelt speech, Hirvan turned his gaze toward his own children. His eyes, filled with a mix of sorrow and determination, reflected the complexity of a father's love. With each word, he painted a picture of a life marred by constant fear and the relentless pursuit of a peace that remained elusive.
"Everyone who want to live with humans go ahead, wish you all luck, you are free to do that. I will be alone here and if anyone want to join me, he is welcome here.After all, you all my family too."
When he granted freedom to those who sought to join humanity, the cavern seemed to vibrate with the collective emotions of his kin. The monsters, his family, listened to their leader with a mix of tears and solidarity. Kevin, once a symbol of Hirvan's might, wept openly at the sight of the fallen god, and Zeral, touched by the sincerity in Hirvan's words, reassured him of the protection he would provide. Hirvan's smile, though tinged with sadness, reflected gratitude for a promise of peace in his final days.
As Zeral left the cave, the emotional atmosphere shifted with a touch of levity. Zeral injected a note of humor, lightening the heavy mood.
"The silver God turned to a silver pigeon on a mission for peace", his laughter refill through the cavern, briefly lifting the spirits of those left behind.
The monsters, including Hirvan, found a moment of shared laughter amidst their tears. Kevin's chuckles, once again resonating with life, mirrored the camaraderie that had once defined their existence. "That is Adomas I used to know."
As Zeral raced towards the capital, he carried with him the hopes of monsters and a proposal for peace that could reshape their world.
the end.