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The Silver Sabertooth
The Shattered Reflections

The Shattered Reflections

In the heart of the cavern, where shadows clung to every crevice and the air got thicken with the weight of impending confrontation, a palpable tension gripped the monsters. The anticipation hummed like an electric current, their monstrous forms quivering with a mix of fear and curiosity as two titans, Zeral and Hirvan, prepared to engage in a godly showdown.

The cavern seemed to hold its breath as Zeral, the god of destruction, stepped forward, his dark aura blending with the shadows, creating an darkness silhouette against the ancient walls. Across from him, Hirvan, draped in the aura of a would-be deity, stood defiantly, his eyes gleaming with an unholy confidence.

Monstrous eyes, filled with fright and dread, remained fixated on the two looming figures. The ground beneath them seemed to vibrate in sync with the impending clash of powers, creating an unsettling symphony of anticipation.

The monsters, caught in the crossfire between them, exchanged nervous glances. Some whispered in hushed tones, wondering if the cavern would survive the imminent struggle, while others gripped their weapons tighter, ready for whatever chaotic forces might be unleashed.

As the silence stretched, Zeral's and Hirvan's gazes locked in a stare that transcended mortal comprehension. It was a staredown of gods, a clash of titans that held the promise of reshaping the very fabric of their monstrous existence.

The cavern's oppressive atmosphere crackled with energy, and the monsters braced themselves for the inevitable conversation between forces that wielded power beyond their comprehension. Little did they know that the words exchanged in this otherworldly dialogue would determine the fate of monsters, humans, and the world itself.

The monsters observed this exchange between two god-like beings, their destinies intertwined in a pact that held the promise of transformation and, for Zeral, the release he sought. The cavern, witness to the unfolding of divine agreements and fates, resonated with a peculiar sense of foreboding as the imminent showdown between Zeral and Hirvan loomed.

The air in the cavern thickened as Hirvan, draped in an ethereal aura, extended a welcoming gesture to Zeral. "Welcome to my humble castle," he began, his voice going through the cavern's vast expanse with charm. "I know it isn't as shining as the king's castle, but you see, it has already historical meaning for all of us. This cave, the very same cave where you and I fought the legendary beast and rewrote history."

The monsters, exchanged bewildered glances. Hirvan's words held an unexpected warmth, a level of respect that seemed incongruent with the malevolent force they had come to know. His acknowledgment of the cavern's historical significance and the shared history with Zeral added an intriguing layer to the unfolding encounter.

Hirvan's gaze lingered on Zeral, and a thin, wry smile played on his lips. "You didn't change at all, apart from the silver skin and some small scars," he continued, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity. "Adomas, it's been a long time, my friend."

The cavern's inhabitants stood frozen in astonishment. The mere notion of Hirvan addressing Zeral with such friendly manner was beyond their comprehension. The druid, often regarded as an entity of malevolence, now exhibited an unexpected facet – a hint of nostalgia and camaraderie with the one they once knew as Adomas.

The monsters watched in silent disbelief, their monstrous eyes widening as the dynamics between the two god-like beings unfolded before them. The cavern, witness to both history and the potential for its rewriting, seemed to resonate with the weight of their shared past. As the staredown continued, the monsters braced themselves for the dialogue that held the power to shape the destiny of their world.

Zeral's response to Hirvan's mention of the past was a vehement denial, a refusal to acknowledge the name that echoed with memories of heroism and valor. "Don't you ever mention that cursed name again. It's gone. Adomas died here ten years ago. I'm not him, I'm Zeral."

Zeral asserted with a tone that carried the weight of a painful transformation. "He never will approve of what I did today. He was a hero, an example for every soldier, and I want everyone to remember him as that."

A bitter laugh escaped Zeral's lips, a chilling sound that resonated in the cavern. "Well, this won't be a problem for humans after all – of them will die anyway." The monsters, witnesses to this unsettling exchange between two god-like beings, shifted uncomfortably. Zeral's rejection of his former identity, coupled with his inauspicious proclamation about the fate of humanity, created an atmosphere fraught with tension.

Hirvan's response carried an unexpected twist, revealing a sentiment that transcended the typical expectations of a godly confrontation. "Alright, Zeral, but please don't kill my sons out there," he implored, a plea that resonated with a deeper, personal pain. "I'm still upset for killing that once was priest...he hates me, but he was my son, and we both know the feeling of losing a son."

Zeral's gaze remained fierce, a storm of conflicting emotions brewing within him. However, Hirvan, with a calming demeanor, pressed on. "Leave some humans for me so I can transform. After you wipe the rest, they will have no chance but to be with us." It was a request that hinted at Hirvan's own agenda, shrouded in the mystique of transformation.

Adding another layer to his desires, Hirvan made one more request, a sinister plan for the former king, David 7th. "Please get me David 7th. I want to turn him into a holy being, then imprison him to watch us ruling the world as punishment for his betrayal. Death will be merciful for him, and I don't want him to have it."

Zeral, after a moment of contemplation, agreed with a cold resolve. "Keep your monsters far, and I won't touch them." The cavern, witness to this pact between gods, seemed to sigh with an eerie acknowledgment of the impending upheaval that would reshape the fate of monsters, humans, and the world they inhabited.

The cavern filled with the weight of their conversation as Hirvan, draped in a shroud of otherworldly power, responded to Zeral's contemplation of their true nature.

"We aren't monsters," Hirvan proclaimed, his voice resonating with an air of authority. "We are holy beings, reborn after humans. We are advanced, more powerful, and more loyal than humans. They are the real monsters – ones who kill and betray each other for lands, for gold, for power, indifference, and even the damn fear of lacking knowledge. We are born from their ashes, so we shall take over this world and make it a peaceful place. That's why I need more humans injured, to give them my blessing."

then Hirvan invite Zeral "Then, when this world is ours, I shall forever create peace among my sons, and we all will live happily. You are welcome to join us."

Zeral, his gaze unwavering, responded to Hirvan's invitation with a solemn declaration. "I come here to do a deal with you. I'm not here to join. I want to die, and you are the one who knows how. Find a way, like you did to the Silver Sabertooth."

Hirvan, without hesitation, agreed to Zeral's request. "Yes, sure. I have the only book in the world that has information on how to create the potion that made Zeralizion weak, and you killed him right here. So I can recreate it and try it on you. If it works, it will weaken you too, and thus I will mercifully grant you the wish you desire. I will be the one who sends you to join your family."

As both, Hirvan and Zeral finalized their grim deal, Zeral uttered, "We have a deal, then." His countenance, once touched by sorrowful memories, gradually transformed into an emotionless mask. In his hands, he clutched a sword, the symbol of a lion etched upon its blade—a poignant reminder of Batrak's symbol.

Hirvan, examining the sword with a discerning eye, remarked, "The symbol of a lion... It resembles Batrak's symbol. Ah, I shall bury this sword with you, then. I'm sure it holds a lot of meaning for you. Is this the same sword you used to kill Zeralizion?" Hirvan inquired, attempting to unveil the layers of history etched into the weapon.

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Zeral's response came with a brief moment of sadness, his gaze shifting downward as if to revisit memories buried deep within. "Yes, it was here. But that sword was a gift from my best friend..." He paused, a flicker of sorrow flashing across his face as images of Kevin's visage danced through his mind.

As Zeral reminisced about the sword's history, his face bore the marks of a tumultuous journey through memories. The initial expression, touched by sadness, saw his eyes momentarily glaze over, haunted by the ghosts of the past. His lips, once firm, softened into a subtle curve, reflecting the bittersweet recollection of a time when the sword held sentiments of camaraderie and shared battles.

However, the melancholy was swiftly replaced by a storm of anger. His eyes, once distant, snapped back into focus, now ablaze with a fiery intensity. The lines on his forehead deepened, and his jaw clenched with an unwavering resolve. The flicker of sorrow morphed into a tempest of resentment, manifesting in the harsh set of his brows and the sharp lines etched into his face.

Zeral's transformation was a visceral display of the conflicting emotions that raged within him—his journey from the pangs of loss to the searing wrath that fueled his quest for an end. The cavern's walls bore witness to this silent turmoil, each expression etched into the very fabric of Zeral's being, marking the culmination of his past and the decision to sever the ties that bound him to it.

Zeral's expression morphed into a steely glare as he looked at Hirvan. "I don't care about this anymore. Use that sword to kill me, and that's all."

The cavern, bearing witness to the culmination of Zeral's past and his desire for closure, stood silent, and the atmosphere hung heavy with the weight of untold stories and unspoken pain.

As the tense negotiations unfolded between Zeral and Hirvan, a precarious agreement took shape. Zeral's insistence on the death of the druids, sensing an opportunity, found its way into the discourse. Hirvan, vehemently denying any fear but expressing a deep-rooted distrust, demanded the extermination of the elusive druids.

Zeral, quick-witted and perceptive, interjected with a strategic twist. He subtly insinuated that perhaps Hirvan feared the druids' knowledge, suggesting that they could possess insights into the very book that held the key to Zeral's weakness. Hirvan, reacting with a blend of anger and denial, vehemently disavowed any apprehension.

"No, no, I'm not afraid of them," Hirvan retorted, his voice dripping with defiance. "They did betray me. They are helping the king after he betrayed us. They must be punished, and I have no need for them in my world. I was a druid, and I know their nature. They don't like peace because they only advance and get rich by causing conflicts. They put seeds for fights, then they make a profit from helping to stop fights. This is the reality about them. I know them as they know me. I mustn't allow them to do the same in my world. Thus, all must die."

The monsters, echoing their leader, chorused in agreement.

The tension reached its peak when one monster dared to question the reliance on a single book, hinting at a potential alternative outside. Hirvan, dismissing the notion, reiterated his commitment to a druid-free world. The negotiation reached its conclusion as Zeral, accepting the terms, agreed to carry out the extermination of the druids—an agreement that held the promise of reshaping the fate of both humans and monsters.

"Killing druids will solve this. I don't need that book either," affirmed Hirvan, his voice resonating with determination. "Listen, Zeral, kill them, and let's put an end to human wars once and for all."

Zeral finally agreed, his stoic demeanor masking the storm within, a silent acknowledgment of the formidable challenges that lay ahead.

Zeral's departure from the accord was temporarily stalled by one last inquiry, a plea for reprieve from the haunting memories that relentlessly assailed him. With a tone of desperation, he beseeched Hirvan, "Is there anything in your damn book that can stop these intrusive memories, these illusions of the past? Look into it and tell me."

Hirvan, his vast knowledge rendered momentarily incomplete, confessed, "Hm? I don't remember anything about such a condition in the book. But I assume it may be due to the full transformation you underwent. By the way, how did you survive? And where did you go? I returned here after managing to reclaim my powers and bringing my first sons with me, but I didn't find you here."

Zeral, his past shrouded in enigma even to himself, replied cryptically

"I don't know. I don't remember. The last thing I saw was you approaching me after I killed the beast here. Then I lost consciousness, and I woke up in a river nearby with severe headaches and pain. I couldn't understand what happened to me. I was so angry; I felt the need to kill anything. I spent years traveling far from the north, hunting prey and trying to understand what happened. Then, I went to Batrak and found it dead. I wasn't sure who did it, but I know now, and I will have my full revenge."

The exchange lingered in the air, a testament to the tangled threads of their shared history, as Zeral prepared to embark on his quest for vengeance and answers.

Hirvan's revelation hung heavy in the air as he pointed a damning finger at the true perpetrator of Batrak's demise. With a voice laced with conviction, he declared, "It was the king who killed your city. I don't think there's another army around that can destroy such a glorious city that stood still for centuries, outliving wars. I can't even do it with my current kin. Ask everyone here, and they will tell you how shocked I was when they told me you wiped out Palin in a short period of time."

then he added "I'm not sure why he destroyed it that thought.This is still a mystery that resonance over the time. I saved few soldiers and priest that were stuck under the church walls but rest were all dead.I can't remember who I did saved apart from that former priest. The rest might be outside doing the tasks I gave"

The weight of betrayal and deception bore down on Zeral as he absorbed the truth behind the destruction of Batrak, a revelation that only fueled the flames of his burning desire for vengeance against those who had wronged him and his people.

Zeral responded to Hirvan's revelation with laughter, he dismissed the destruction of Palin as a mere display of his might. "Haha, that was just me flexing my arms. Ah, those humans are so weak. Shame on those soldiers who fled the battle. Back in my days, we fought and defended our city to the last breath. I'm sure Batrak's soldiers did their best to protect it from the king's invasion army. But I wonder why he did it? He used to go there when he was young? I still can't believe he did it. So he must pay for this. Even if it wasn't him, then it's one of his generals, and the same goes for the betrayal he had to you."

Then Zeral added "I don't remember who was commander who wanted to kill you but he may not have that order directly from David"

Hirvan, resolute in his conviction, quickly responded, "Does it matter now? He is the reason for all of this. Humans killed Batrak, humans betrayed me and spread hate against my sons. Thus, they shall perish."

Zeral, agreeing with the sentiment, stated, "Yes, I agree. I think that's all for now. I must go finish them off. I'm sure they are preparing their defenses against me in the capital, so to welcome me there."

Hirvan started to smirk sinisterly. "Yes, go and give them hell. Just remember my demands, and I will start searching for the elements of the potion and preparing it."

Zeral, maintaining his stern demeanor, smiled and said, "Yes, good. And if you fail, I will kill you and everyone." With that, he turn and goes to leave the cave as he walks three monsters entered the cave seeking Hirvan

With that, Zeral turned and began to leave the cave. As he walked away, three monsters entered, seeking Hirvan to share news about Palin. Their attention was drawn to Zeral, and one of them asked, "Who's this human? Wait, why does he shine like that?" The second monster responded, "His skin is so bright. Could it be the man our lord is seeking for? Have we finally found him?"

Zeral continued walking, ignoring their inquiries. The third monster, who had been quiet, observed Zeral passing by and then uttered, "It's been years since I last saw you, Adomas." The atmosphere in the cave shifted to one of fear and shock as every monster, including Hirvan, worried that Zeral might react violently to being called by his former name.

To their surprise, Zeral stopped abruptly, his anger evident. He stared at the monster who dared to use that name, and with a cold and threatening tone, he declared, "I said no one shall call me that. The next time I hear it, I will kill you." The intensity of his gaze sent shivers through the monsters.

After that Zeral kept staring at him while asking himself "Why this monster looks familiar? How he knew my name? And why he looks at me like this? Fuck it. No time to waste I must go and put an end for this". As Zeral continued on his path, the monsters and Hirvan were left in a tense silence, processing the brief encounter with the once-heroic Adomas turned Zeral.

As Zeral continued on his path, the monsters and Hirvan were left in a tense silence. One of the monsters, still bewildered, turned to the one who had mistakenly called Zeral "Adomas" and inquired, "Hey, did you see the looks he gave you? Everyone was quiet like they're in fear. Who is that silver-skinned human?" The second monster added another question, "And how the hell do you know his name?"

The third monster, wearing a knowing smile, responded, "I know him from a previous life." Hirvan quickly interrupted, cautioning, "My son, don't you ever call him by that again. He hates his past." Seeking more information, Hirvan asked, "Do you know him from Batrak?"

The monster confirmed, saying, "Yes, I know him very well," and then his gaze shifted to the sword that Hirvan held.

With a hint of nostalgia, he added, "That used to be mine."