CLAE ANDERSON - Chapter 5
Clae's ascension to power was a testament to his strength and determination. However, power often comes with its own set of challenges. Clae's firm resolution and relentless quest for supremacy started affecting his judgment. He murdered his own father for the Anderson crown. Then he began to implement his authority with such severity that it led to rebellion among his own people. A rift was birthed in the Anderson clan, some chose to follow Clae's lead, while others resolved to independently battle the Olsen clan.
This discord deeply troubled Clae. Feeling cornered, he did the unthinkable - he chose to ally with the Olsen clan to establish a shared dominion over the world. The group they formed was referred to as 'The Order'. The Olsens, under Clae's dominion, swore loyalty while the commoners began building a democratic society.
As for the Anderson clan, they continually strived and fought till their last breath, displaying their unyielding spirit despite the studious turn of events. The Olsens and Clae's Order continued to reign, while the people created their community, and the Anderson clan fought on - the world was in a state of perpetual change. One thing was certain, Clae's search for power had irrevocably changed the course of their world.
Clae's rule took an even darker turn as he ventured deeper into the realm of The Warlands. Guided by the Dwarves, he began to envision himself as an omnipotent god, declaring that upon his return, he would launch a new era called the "Penance".
His promises of a utopian world were darkened by his conditions: all must submit to his will or face a brutal death. The world he pictured was one of peace, but underscored by the threat of violence, a contradiction that sowed unease amongst those who heard his declarations.
In the shadows of Clae's growing power, the Olsens were planning their own coup. Unbeknownst to the majority of the populace and to Clae himself, they pledged secret loyalty to the Royal Palace they themselves built and started planning their ascendancy over the lands Clae would leave behind.
In the meantime, Clae and his followers found solace in the primordial soup given to the Anderson clan called the Blood Sea which flowed like the ocean in the war lands, an indomitable force they decided to revere and stay untarnished. The rule was stringent-anyone who tried to tamper with the sea would meet a swift and immediate end.
However, the harmony between Clae and the dwarves wasn't to last. As the dwarves saw the darker sides to their leader, they withdrew their assistance unless the stakes were too high. They feared Clae's alliance with the hobgoblins and the devastating tools they themselves had crafted for him. The alliance between the ruthless hobgoblins and Clae loomed over them like a dread-filled shadow. The course of power was shifting, and a great conflict was brewing.
*Hobgoblins, split into light and dark factions, are larger and more combative than Dwarfs. They revel in conflict, though their personalities differ: Light Imps are arrogant, while Dark Imps are spiteful and proud. Both factions engage in fierce battles frequently, using the weapons forged by the Dwarfs.
Beyond this few knew of Thomas Anderson's tale. This tale is a captivating symphony of triumph against adversity. Birthed lifeless, marginalized by the very creators of his existence, this was a man born into adversity. Yet, bound by an unbreakable link with his twin, Clae, he became a shining testament to loyal devotion and brotherly love.
Whilst Clae blossomed under their parents' accolades, Thomas labored in the shadows, self-effacing yet unstintingly supportive. Even when overlooked, his zeal to propel his brother forward never waned, quietly polishing his own skills, instead of seeking validation.
Thomas' journey through Kenjutsu and Taojutsu is a thrilling tapestry of dedication and determination. Bent over the anvil of discipline, he emerged as a swordsman of extraordinary prowess, countering his physical constraints with strength of spirit.
Though left silent, his silence spoke volumes. His voice was his actions, reverberating throughout his life stages and resonating with those he came across.
Navigating the storm that followed Clae's heartbreaking act of killing both their father and king, Thomas bravely shouldered the daunting responsibility of caring for their traumatized mother. His resilience in forgiving Clae, in embracing the unloved, added layers of profound complexity to his character.
Thomas's story, deeply intertwined with the survival and preservation of his family, weaves a compelling tapestry of loyalty, love, and resilience. It was told to many to dwell upon this tale, savor it, making his saga utterly irresistible.
In an age where innocence was the norm, Thomas carried a heavy burden of solitude. He shunned companionship and chose the harsh wilderness of Warlands as his sanctuary; his isolation self-imposed. Thomas was a beacon of resilience, his unwavering loyalty striking a chord that rang true, his blade, a constant, unyielding companion.
His solitary life was punctuated by a chance encounter with a Titaness, Eir. Love blossomed, and they were blessed with two children. As undercurrents of affection flowed, Eir revealed the truths he yearned to hear - about his origins and the Titans.
Thomas found solace in a forbidden realm, crafting medicine from the blood sea – an arcane art taught by Akuji. Each drop alleviated his sickness for a while. Yet, as his vitality waned, he made a pact; his life and legacy would be offered in exchange for a cure to his unnamed malady. His brother's choice, Clae, who aspired to ascend as the All-Father, accepted.
With the Dwarves' mystical intervention, Thomas emerged from his sickbed, a new light in his eyes. His newfound might surpassed Clae's, birthed unknowingly from the medicine he crafted in solitude – a secret only Eir knew. As Thomas flourished, Clae simmered with envy.
Despite Clae's jealousy, he knew of his brother's unbreakable loyalty. His paranoia ebbed and flowed, suspicious of the bond shared between Thomas and Eir. To keep his brother's unwavering loyalty, Clae realized, Eir had to vanish. The seed of betrayal was sown, watered by the green eyed monster dwelling within him.