After defeating the Ogre, they returned to Glimmerend, only to find themselves facing a complicated situation.

Aric: I see the village… but, ummm, isn't there too many people? —he said, frowning as he quickened his pace.

Freya: Come on, hurry up, —Freya replied, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her instincts warning her that something was wrong.

In the villageA small group of Hylians and lizardfolk waited in the center of the square. Zanok, with his eyes narrowed, stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing a familiar figure.

Zanok: What are you doing here, Rhanok? —he said, his voice laden with tension, as his muscles tensed while uttering his brother's name— Croak.

A tall Hylian, wearing armor made of shells and precious stones, stepped forward from the group.

Rhanok: Don't you feel glad to see me, little brother, after so much time? —he smiled, but his eyes were cold, almost calculating— Croak.

Zanok: I don't know what you're doing here. I've told you before that I don't want to help you with your mission, —his words were firm, but his gaze revealed a hint of pain.

Rhanok: Come on, you know perfectly well that the King is useless. Those damned humans always belittle any race that isn't their own. They think they're gods, —he spat with disdain, his eyes burning with hatred— Croak.

Zanok: You need to forget the past and think about the future. We gain nothing by hating them, —Zanok said, with a calmness that contrasted with his brother's fury.

Rhanok: Tch, —he clicked his tongue— You're a strong warrior, but your nobility makes you weak. If you join me, we'll annihilate the humans and the world will be a better place. There will be no more evil —his voice turned seductive, as if trying to envelop Zanok in his distorted vision— Croak.

Zanok: You're too optimistic. Every race has its dark side. No one is a saint; we all have our flaws, —Zanok lifted his head, his eyes reflecting a painful understanding of the world's nature— Croak.

Rhanok: Tch, if you're not going to help me, then I'll have to take this village by force. It's a good border point, —his tone was dry, as if the decision had already been made.

Zanok: I won't allow it. There are too many lives at stake here; without this village, they would be lost, —his stance became defiant, his eyes filled with determination.

Rhanok: Sometimes you have to sacrifice a small group to save a larger one —he said, his gaze hardening— Croak.

Zanok: I won't allow it. I'll fight with everything I have.

Rhanok: You asked for it, —he said with a malicious grin before leaping into the attack.

Rhanok, in a swift move, attacked Zanok without hesitation, his movements fluid and deadly, like a snake lying in wait.

Aric: Well, here we go!

Suddenly, Aric was propelled by Freya and Eldric, creating weapons around him as he spun like a tornado. At great speed, he reached Rhanok in mid-air, but Rhanok, with superhuman agility, blocked the attack just in time. His eyes shone with a dangerous glint.

Rhanok: Humans… I'll punish them for everything they've done to us, —his words were venom, each syllable dripping with resentment.

Aric: Oh no, my attack didn't work… and I'm alone!, —his voice trembled slightly, fear beginning to surface.

Zanok: Thank you, Aric. I'll help you fight, —Zanok said, his muscles tensing, ready to join the fight— Croak.

Zanok leaped with great agility, his body spinning in the air before inflating his chest. His mouth opened, and a jet of water shot forth with such pressure that the air buzzed. The stream cut through space, slicing iron and wood as if they were paper.

Rhanok: How weak… I'll play with you for a while, —he said with a twisted smile as he easily evaded the attack, which instead destroyed a nearby house.

Aric: He's only using his sword! He's not using any magic! —he said, panting— It's my turn.

Aric ran toward Rhanok, wielding his sword. The clash between their blades resonated in the air, but Rhanok barely seemed to exert himself, blocking each blow with almost mechanical precision.

Aric: It's impossible… he's too strong, —he said through gritted teeth, sweating, as his strength began to wane.

Eldric: We're here, we'll help now!

Freya: All set, I've strengthened you. Now you're stronger… let's go! —she said, her breath quickened by the magical effort.

Rhanok: Tch… damned. Korgash and Lyssira, deal with these two, —he ordered with a dismissive gesture.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Korgash: Hehe, are these little ones our opponents?, —he said with a guttural laugh.

Lyssira: Don't be overconfident. Little ones can be strong too, —she replied with a sharp smile as her fingers moved deftly over her bow.

Freya: I'll handle the big guy, —she said, her eyes fixed on Korgash, her breath ragged but full of resolve.

Eldric: Perfect, I'll have a fight with the archer, —he responded while drawing his staff, his gaze determined on Lyssira.

The battle erupted with fury. In the first few minutes, both sides fought relentlessly, but fatigue began to show on the heroes' bodies. Each blow from Korgash rumbled like thunder, and each arrow from Lyssira flew with the precision of a hawk hunting its prey.

Freya: Uff… uff… I can't go on… they're too strong, —she gasped, holding her knees, her body trembling from exhaustion.

Eldric: We have to keep going… we can't give up now, —Eldric said, his face covered in sweat, though his determination remained intact.

Rhanok: Ha, ha, perfect… now I just have to eliminate you to take this territory, —he said, calmly advancing toward Aric and Zanok, his gaze as cold as ice.

Aric: Uff… uff… I can't continue… but I have to…, —Aric whispered, his legs trembling, but he gritted his teeth and prepared for the next attack.

Zanok: I didn't know my brother had become so strong… his hatred has made him gain power, —Zanok thought, watching Rhanok as he advanced toward them.

Rhanok approached slowly, his sword dragging slightly on the ground, emitting a metallic screech that echoed through the village. Just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, his steps halted. Something disturbed him. His body tensed, and his gaze turned toward the horizon.

Rhanok: What was that? —he murmured, frowning— There's someone… strong… watching us… but, where are they?

Aric: It's my chance… let's go! —he shouted, charging with all his might toward Rhanok, taking advantage of his distraction.

Rhanok: Tch… don't you get tired, huh? —he replied, without turning, with a dismissive tone. With a simple movement of his hand, a wave of overwhelming pressure emanated from him. It was as if the air itself became heavy, and Aric was thrown back without even being touched.

Rhanok's presence was crushing, so much so that everyone, except his allies, fell to their knees on the ground.

Rhanok: Enough of games. Everyone, let's go. There's someone very strong nearby… I won't risk it now, —he said, his tone calculating and cold, and with a wave of his hand, he ordered the retreat.

Korgash: Hm… well, I was starting to get bored with these little ones anyway, —Korgash said, laughing as he raised his axe and fell back.

Lyssira: Another time… although next time I won't be so merciful, —she murmured with a mocking smile before vanishing into the shadows.

Rhanok's group retreated quickly, leaving the heroes on the ground, exhausted and injured, but alive.

Near Glimmerend, in human territory

A mysterious figure observed from atop a hill, with a cloak billowing in the wind, covering their face. Their eyes, shining like the sun at dawn, watched the scene in silence.

???: It seems there are three of our kind in Zaldrion… What are they doing there? —they murmured, without taking their eyes off the village— Well, I gave them a little help… I hope they can manage for now.

With that, the figure disappeared among the trees as if they had never been there.

In the village of Glimmerend

Aric: Uff… uff… we survived… just barely… I can't believe there's someone so strong, —he said, collapsing on the ground, his body trembling from exhaustion.

Eldric: I feel ashamed… we were just a small game for them, —Eldric said, clenching his fists in anger, his pride wounded by how easily they were defeated.

Freya: Ahgggg… this can't be happening…, —she dropped to her knees, her breathing still ragged from the effort.

Zanok: Don't be so hard on yourselves. This small outcome, as minor as it is, changed the future, —Zanok said, with a slight smile as he looked at his companions.

Aric: The future?

Zanok: Hehe, yes. Well, I guess it's time to explain, —Zanok replied, straightening up as his eyes turned to the horizon.

Eldric: Yes, we didn't know you had a brother, —Eldric said, with an inquisitive look.

Zanok: He is Rhanok, my brother. We separated two years ago because we had different views. He wanted to seek powerful allies to end the humans, while I held no grudge against them. We chose to go our separate ways, —he said with a sadness in his voice that he had not shown before.

Eldric: I see… but why so much hatred?

Zanok: Zaldrion has been at war with Varyndor, the human continent, for centuries. But Rhanok's hatred does not stem from that war. It comes from a painful past… one that still haunts him, —his words were spoken with a deep melancholy, as if reliving the memories while he spoke.

Eldric: I understand the situation…

Aric: We have to stop him and end this war, —Aric said firmly, rising slowly despite his fatigue.

Zanok: It's not as easy as you think. You saw his power… right now, you can't even defeat his two allies, —Zanok replied, with a serious look.

Aric: So, what can we do? Training won't make us strong fast enough, —Aric said, his frustration evident.

Zanok: If you head north, near the Ocean Temple, there's a lizardfolk village…

Eldric: Wait a moment… but we're humans. Won't they hate us just for showing up?

Zanok: Don't worry, humans can come to these lands. The war is only against the armies and their kings, not against every human that exists, —Zanok explained, calmly.

Eldric: I understand… please continue with the explanation.

Zanok: Well, as I was saying, in that village, there's a blacksmith capable of embedding monster souls into weapons.

Eldric: Monster souls?

Zanok: Exactly. You'll gain their abilities. For example, if you embed a dragon's soul, you'll be able to control fire. The stronger the creature, the more powerful the imbued object.

Eldric: So we'll become stronger… and can it be done with human souls as well?

Zanok: No, intelligent souls cannot be trapped, —Zanok said seriously— That's a limit we cannot break.

Eldric: It's good to know.

Aric: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's head there! —Aric exclaimed with renewed energy.

Zanok: Hehe, you're all beat up, and you still have the energy to continue… —Zanok laughed— Croak. You should rest before setting out. Tomorrow, you'll head north. The settlement is called Razorpeak, a stronghold in the mountain peaks.

Aric: Tomorrow we'll head there. Zanok, I promise we'll cut off the hatred your brother holds…

Zanok: I hope so… Croak.

Razorpeak, a stronghold in the mountain peaks, known for its fortitude and resistance, and also for the blacksmiths who live there. That will be the next destination.

Chapter 12 End