Chapter 95: present day 1
PRESENT DAY
’Seven years. Yes, Seven years of waiting, but the elders still not decided to allow us to attack the Moonatorians, they just say:
"All of you, you are still weak, lack of spirit energy. You can’t use magic weapons to fight against Moonatorian beasts. You must have at least level 5 spirit energy. But most of you, has lowest level...enough of your incessant dream about defeating them, if you only have that low level!"
Matheros was now a 22 years old, matured, yet, he level up into level 4. His sword can slit hard rock and even break a tree in just one hit.
SWOOOSH!!! CRACK!!! BOOOGHSS!!!!
"Haha, look at that!" He laughed. "Bullseye!" The trunk cut into two pieces.
"Brother, why the elders still not letting us to revolt against the Moonatorians? Look at your strength, you can even cut the tree in just one hit."
"Even my father, reprimanded me not to confront the Moonatorians...ehh. I don’t understand them. Well, we can’t change the order of the elders, we have to listen, for the sake of others ehh!"
’I feel like, brother Matheros has change, he is no longer, the Matheros I know, willing to do anything. My Father’s people in Thallerion still suffering. And I can’t accept it any longer, now that I am 19 years old. I need to do something, something that can change the fate of Thallerion.
"Brother, I have a plan. Can you help me?"
’His entertainment... his sword... and his smile... pause for awhile and stare at me.’
"What’s your plan?" Matheros walked towards Xerxez location, leaning on the tree.
"I want to go back in Thallerion." His voice lace with firm tone."
’I’ve been training on my own, cultivating my spirit energy and I think, those are enough, to take action for the people of Thallerion. If the elders afraid of lack of spirit energy, then, I will no longer depend on that energy, if my parents’ people are waiting, oppressed, and trampled down for so many years. Imagine, seven years, yet they just stare calmly. If they really have that gut to rely at spirit energy, then, why they are just standing? How long we have to wait?’
’Why don’t they stop talking and take a chance to reclaim the Thallerion?’
"Are you not joking?"
Matheros voice, a deep of scrutinizing, his eyes crawling like insect, deepen the understanding of Xerxez new idea. A hint of doubt that Xerxez might be joking at him.
"No, we have to help the people in Thallerion. I, prince of Thallerion, willing to face the savagery of Moonatoria. Only if, you come with me."
"Hahahha, finally... finally, you’re now awake of the truth. I really thought, you are like other people, keeping their mouth shut at the elders order. I was just acting, but deep inside, I was waiting for you."
"Huh?"
"We will not follow the footsteps of the elders. We will both make a path for the Thallerion fate, you, as a prince, and me as your loyal warrior, we will march towards Thallerion...wait, when do you plan to go back, ehh?"
"But first, we have to train each other, on our own way... without the method of the elder’s training."
"Hahahha, no problem, but are you sure you are willing to revolt against the Moonatorians...you’re still 19 years old ehh?"
"7 years ... I can’t accept that... People in Thallerion suffered from Seven years...but no one try to reclaim our land ...they were coward!!! .. against beast, infesting our land!"
Alongside with Matheros, they trained in the secluded forest, though during his immense training he tirelessly sought answers about the mysterious dagger and the voice that echoed, after its electric pulse, Xerxez remained cloaked, in uncertainty. Yet, the young prince was resolute, he would alter Thallerion’s destiny, despite the grim truth that he, too, was becoming an instrument of war—a sorrowful reality that war forever scars hearts with pain and defeat.
’As we secretly entering in the Thallerion, I found out that, day and night, the slaves toiled, their sweat mingling with blood, a grim testament to their suffering that no hand could wipe away. As they shared their feelings, I was so touched, if only, I am not a child back then, I will try my best, to reclaim them as soon as possible.’
’They shared that, the once-plentiful now gnawed on hunger, the robust withered from thirst, and those once fragrant were cloaked, in the stench of rags. Women’s dignity was trampled underfoot, and the elderly were mercilessly driven to labor—how much longer could they endure, their very teeth worn to nubs?’
’I sighed, everytime I heard, their complaints, their agony, and pains. They said, they are waiting for so long, hoping one day, the Orion will come and rescue them...Hmph... why the people still insisting of Orion’s comeback, and protect them? Now, look at them, I can’t believe...they just let things happened, even they were battered, chained, and whipped?’
The land, chosen by Orion himself, wept crimson tears under the Bear’s iron grip. Each day brought forth fresh complaints of the whip’s relentless sting, like thorns endlessly pricking, delivered by the Moonatorian soldiers who, seeing the slaves writhe in agony, merely choked back, chuckles of cruel delight. Thallerion had long yearned for the dawn, yet the night persisted, cold and unyielding, like a statue bound by vines, silently watching the encroaching wilderness.
But even the longest night, yields to the stars! And bright they would shine, like a plummeting meteorite!
’I believe, when the Bear, ensconced in its cave, it slept soundly, at night, a lazy, grizzly snore echoing through the silence, this is the only opportunity, we can do to roam around in the districts.’
Under the cloak of night, the slaves of Thallerion united, galvanizing around Xerxez’s audacious plan to revolt against Moonatoria. Like bolts connecting disparate points, their resolve solidified.
"I am Xerxez, son of king Cerceux and queen Xurien Wrez. I am here to ask your help, to reclaim our land, our rights, and our freedom. Enough with your incessant dream about Orion’s return, he abandoned us! Our freedom, and our fate, rely on our hands."
"That’s right, we need to work one another, help us to revolt against the Moonatorians!" Matheros echoed.They silently agreed.
He led his burgeoning rebellion, secretly infiltrating Thallerion’s districts to ignite the flames of resistance among the enslaved.
***
As the dawn erupted, Xerxez stood in the Thallerion facade, waiting for king Hedromus appear, however, the Moonatorian soldiers, merely scoffed, buzzing dismissively that Xerxez’s challenge was akin to merely poking a sleeping Bear. They fully expected him to flee once the slumbering giant awoke.
"Hahahha! Over seven years, now finally, the prince learn to trace his wayhome!! Do you think, You can defeat my king, Hedromus?"
"You still a teenage, why don’t you eat more, and train more, in your hiding playground?" One said, sarcastically.
’If I die, atleast, I can prove to them.... I can fight even without the help of entity or magic. Those Moonatoria’s soldiers laughed at me, they really think, I come here just to surrender my life? That’s insane, if the ants can bite, surely, I can fight too.’
"Where is your king?"
"Hahahha, really? But, are you sure, you will challenge us and king Hedromus? With that number of soldiers you have? "
He remembered this man, stood infront of the Moonatorian’s soldiers, was none other than, the nuisance vanguard. Look at him, he is now obese too. Hmm, did he really sleep in the kitchen?
Nevertheless, the young prince, emboldened, fearlessly challenged the King of Moonatoria himself, vowing to reclaim the very race and nation of Thallerion from King Hedromus’s unbearable oppression.
HOOOOOONK!!!
Matheros blown a trumpet. All the slaves, appeared in different directions, holding weapons, torches, explosive. Every Moonatorian soldier agape and stare with awe.
Upon learning that the son of the Thallerion King has returned, Hedromus did not refuse; indeed, he reveled in the prospect, intent on Xerxez’s demise.
"BEHOLD, King Hedromus, the king of Moonatoria, the great conqueror of 47 nations, the crown breaker...kneel all of you Thallerion!" Shouted by the vanguard.
’I heard, King Hedromus didn’t change, he is a lazy chubby bellied king of Moonatoria, sat on the Golden chariot...like...like an onion bulb, or perhaps, pumpkin chariot? His slaves lifted the golden chariot, but his presence was still intimidating, I know but, Matheros said, if the king will declare for a challenge, he will volunteer himself to fight.’
’I saw some of Thallerion Citizens, kneel down and bow before the king. In front of us, the chariot stop and then the curtain swayed, removed by a slave. There, we saw a neckless conqueror, a chubby bellied king. He is wearing white robe, his belly protruding, even the button’s grips stretched. I don’t know how his obese body can move? His fat muscles was a testament of his unmeasurable strength hiding beneath his muscles and bones.’
"We, Xerxez, and Matheros, come here to reclaim our land, prepare because we will initiate a war against you!" The Moonatorians warriors and soldiers laughed mockingly, like hyenas barking loudly.
’I know, our chances of winning is impossible. Even though the elders in Wendlock didn’t know our decision, we still continue our plan to revolt and confront the king of Moonatoria. Well, the King Hedromus warrior beast are not present in Thallerion, they said, they returned at Moonatoria after we were defeated that time. Only king Hedromus, and other loyal beast warriors are here. Many of them was non-gifted Moonatorians are here, serving their duty.’
"Why engage in strife with all our forces?" King Hedromus boomed, his voice resonating through the hushed multitude, "when we might instead, decide this fate, by personal encounter—a duel ’twixt you and I?" He brushed his belt, an arrogant smirk playing on his lips, as he tilted on a carriage borne by groaning slaves, weapons heavy at his waist.
’Hmm, I know, his influence in Moonatoria become obsolete, for seven years, they said, king Hedromus lost his comrade-beasts, because, many hates him. But I don’t underestimate him, he still known, the "fierce Ursa beast", in Moonatoria. I know, my people cannot defeat, the Ursa beasts who stand at the back of king Hedromus. Glaring like a wolf, waiting for the command of their leader.’
"Hearken, ye souls forlorn! For the one of us who wins shall be declared the conqueror!"
Every soldier, every commoner, hung on King Hedromus’s every word. "Here stands the covenant! Should Xerxez prevail, he shall reclaim the dominion of Thallerion; but if I triumph in the fray—all of the Thallerion kindred shall forever pull the ropes, of my magnificent chariot!"
He snickered boastfully, flaunting his colossal physique, and, in a shocking display of contempt, seized a spicy chicken thigh, devouring it before Xerxez’s allies—an unparalleled insult to all of Thallerion.
’Now he is acting like a pig! In the hallowed grounds, between the districts of Mintaka and Rigil, now transformed into a colossal gladiatorial amphitheater, created by the Moonatorians, the blood-pact will be made for a momentous wager! But, Matheros stand before me and said.’
"King of Moonatoria, I, Matheros, in the name of Prince Xerxez, son of king Cerceux, As his guardian, I hereby accept the challenge!" His large machete tapped his shoulder, glinted in the air.
"Excuse me, my King, Hedromus, dislikes to challenge people like you...only noble people was permitted to challenge our king...so step aside... wait for your turn, later. And I think, your title, are just match for our front pawns. Hahaha!!!!" The vanguard laughed sarcastically.
’I know, I don’t have super strength, or spirit energy like Matheros. I only have dagger, and pistol. While the agreement stated, there is no pistol allowed, only weapons made of blade. This is very unfair! Hedromus is a beast, how can I defeat him? I can’t use Matheros machete, it was too heavy to use it.’
’I saw my people, how they are expecting at me too much, but, I won’t failed them.’
"Xerxez is not a good fighter." Matheros worried, echoing in the ear of Thallerion citizens. "So, we have to backout, or tell them, we will not agree for the challenge."
’I know how much worries etched on his head, but, if this is my fate, how the life and death break me down into pieces, I shall amend my destiny.’
"What??? We expected too much for his return, hoping we will be saved from the oppression of Moonatorians, and yet, he is weak?"
’Their voice, pressed me down. I am weak! Weak! Weak!! I am not good at fighting. But, I promise with myself, I will fight no matter what will happen. They said, how can I defeat my opponent? King Hedromus was a fire Ursa beast, a formidable monarch who could manipulate flame through his very being, possessing the strength of a hundred bears, capable of wielding the heaviest of weapons. Who could not tremble such a powerful opponent? ’
"Ho hooo, are you guys stand there and chatting without accepting the king challenge?" The vanguard mocked.
King Hedromus was brimming with confidence, certain of victory, due to his mountainous frame and vastly superior fighting experience compared to a mere youth like Xerxez. His mastery of the sword and combat was beyond dispute. Yet, arrogance was his twin, blinding him to Xerxez’s true capabilities. In King Hedromus’s mind, Xerxez’s life already dangled precariously on the precipice of his sword!
"We better go back to our activities, and dig soil, than witnessing the inevitable defeat of the prince of Thallerion." One of Thallerion citizens said. "Let’s go!"
My grandpa told me ...I am the bravest boy in Thallerion...If they think I am afraid... it’s better to die with honor than to get older with shame. I am not afraid of king Hedromus. They start moving thinking I am weak.
"I accept!!!" Xerxez’s defiant echo pierced the silence.
Everyone, looked at him, with suprised, and king Hedromus sneered violently on his cheek. The citizens of Thallerion stop with awe, astonished, and blurted their gaze upon him.
’I know it was hard decision. If this is the final moment of my life, I could say, life and death, will truly devastating. I know , perhaps, my mind, understand the meaning between the two words.’
"I accept your challenge!!!!" He cleared it at king Hedromus smiling face, with a hint of malice.
"Aye???" Hedromus’s eyes widened in amazement at Xerxez’s audacious confidence.
"Nooooo!!!" Matheros shocked, and trembled. "Xerxez, stop it! Tell them, you will not going to fight." His eyes wetted with tears.
"Brother, you don’t have to worry about me, if I die, atleast—We try!"
Xerxez strode forward, confirming his acceptance of the king’s terms. From his waist, he drew forth a palm-sized dagger, raising it aloft, its surface gleaming ominously in the eyes of the onlookers. This very dagger, a treasure found in a flowing stream, had electrocuted him once, and from that moment, he had kept it as his personal weapon throughout his arduous journey.
’I am ready now...but today...I am not going to hunt bird’s nest...I am going to kill, the beast!’
Then, with a deliberate motion, Xerxez slit his own palm. The wound, a mere ant’s bite, stung sharply as living blood welled, yet no trace of pain marred his stoic face. But the eyes of his allies bulged, and their mouths hung agape, like forgotten scraps of food, at his shocking decision. A spoiled, sonorous disbelief filled the air!
"Behold, the challenge was officially accepted! The prince of Thallerion, confirmed it by the blood compact."
They feel a heavy burden settled upon all of Thallerion, a foreboding weight akin to a meteor poised to strike. As he stood in the arena, his dagger impulse with electric, surging through his veins, then, his mind was like teleported into the dimension.