Kal, Arphaxad, Yorin, Adonis, Aura, Sahara and Markel rode towards Zoarlath. On the way, Adonis and Arphaxad gave tips about what the Duchy's capital was like to everyone.
Adonis explained: "Zoarlath is a big city, but the inequality is glaring. In the affluent areas, there is luxury and wealth, but in the poor areas, misery dominates."
Arphaxad added: "When we get there, it's important that we stick together. The streets can be dangerous, especially at night. There are many slave traders and criminals."
They rode for almost a whole day until they reached a small village. It was the same poor village that Adonis and Arphaxad had passed through before. The situation was so bad and devastating that Sahara couldn't hold back tears.
Sahara, with an emotional voice, said: "We lived in Hadon's house abundance, and seeing these people like this... it's painful."
Aura tried to comfort her: "We'll do what we can to help, Sahara. Our mission now is to rescue Draka and Ninea, but we can't forget those who need help along the way."
Kal looked around, seeing malnourished children, sick adults and elders in a state of total abandonment. He felt a tightness in his heart. "We can't save everyone at once, but we'll do our part."
Yorin observed the situation with a serious look: "We need to be fast. The longer we stay here, the more chances we have of being discovered."
Markel agreed: "He's right. Let's do what we can to help now and move on."
Adonis and Arphaxad distributed some of the food and water they had with them to the villagers. They knew it was little, but hoped it could relieve some of the suffering.
Kal approached one of the villagers and asked: "Is there a safe place where we can rest a little and feed our horses?"
The villager, with a tired look, responded: "There's a barn at the end of the village. It's not much, but you can rest there."
They followed the villager's instructions and found the barn. They tethered the horses and prepared for a brief rest. The village situation had shaken them, but they all knew they needed to move forward and complete their mission.
Adonis, looking towards the horizon, said: "Let's rest awhile and continue. Our girls need us."
Kal agreed: "Yes, let's rescue Draka and Ninea. And after, if we can, we'll return to help these people."
With these thoughts, the group prepared to continue their journey, aware that the road ahead would be long and full of challenges.
During the night, while resting in the barn, Kal, Arphaxad, Yorin, Adonis, Aura, Sahara and Markel heard shouts and sounds of fighting coming from the village. They quickly got up and realized some raiders had invaded the village, trying to rob people who had almost nothing left.
Kal, with his new prosthetic and katana gleaming in the moonlight, was the first to take position. Adonis and Arphaxad followed closely behind, weapons ready. Yorin, with his sharp daggers, and Sahara, with her whip in hand, were ready to fight. Aura and Markel prepared to provide support.
Seeing the armed strangers, the raiders did not retreat. Instead, they attacked with ferocity, trusting in their numbers.
Kal moved with the speed of lightning, his katana cutting through the air with precision. With a single blow, he disarmed one of the raiders, making him retreat in fear. "Do not touch these people!" Kal shouted, his voice full of determination.
Arphaxad used the spear Aura had given him. He activated the propulsion ability, the spear extending and striking two raiders at once, impaling them against the ground. "You chose the wrong place to attack," he said coldly.
Adonis, with his sword, blocked and counterattacked masterfully. He felled one of the raider leaders with an accurate blow, showing his skill and strength. "Back away from the village," Adonis ordered, his gaze penetrating.
Yorin moved with agility, his daggers cutting through the air. He disarmed several raiders, throwing their weapons far away. In a quick movement, he felled a raider and pinned his dagger to the enemy's throat. "You don't stand a chance against us," he whispered with a macabre smile.
Sahara, with her whip, attacked from a distance, felling raiders and disarming them with precision. Each lash of her whip made the enemies retreat, fearing her skill. "Leave these people alone," Sahara shouted, whipping another raider who tried to flee.
Aura, despite not being a warrior, used her magical abilities to create protective barriers around the villagers, preventing the raiders from reaching them. She also used small spells to disarm enemies. "Do not approach," Aura ordered, her voice steady.
Markel, with his superhuman strength, lifted a raider with one hand and threw him away. His intimidating presence made several raiders retreat, fearing his power. "You don't stand a chance against us," he said, while felling another raider with a powerful punch.
Seeing they were at a disadvantage, the raiders began to retreat. Some tried to flee, but were quickly overtaken and subdued by the Seeds of Kings. In a short time, the raiders were humiliated and defeated, left tied up and disarmed in the center of the village.
The villagers, scared but relieved, came out of their homes and thanked the heroes. Kal and the others ensured the raiders would no longer pose a threat, and the villagers could finally rest in peace.
The next morning, after the previous night's battle, Kal, Arphaxad, Yorin, Adonis, Aura, Sahara and Markel were ready to depart. The grateful villagers came to say goodbye and offered them food and water for the journey.
"Thank you for everything, you saved our lives," said one of the villagers, holding Kal's hand. "I hope you can rescue your friends."
Kal nodded, his gaze steady. "We will accomplish it, do not worry. Take good care of your village."
They mounted their horses and continued on their way. The sun had barely risen, and their determination in their hearts only grew stronger.
Meanwhile, in Karastea, Hadon was secretly meeting with Cardinal Minoras XXIII, the head of the Church in the country. They were in an ancient hall, surrounded by stained glass windows that reflected the morning light in vibrant colors.
Hadon began to explain the situation: "The Duchy of Saladon and Queen Regent Alexandria of Volkaron are planning a joint attack against Nannu. This act is a heresy against the gods. We need the Church to declare this to the people."
Minoras looked deeply into Hadon's eyes, reflecting the long history they shared. "Hadon, you know the Church has been forbidden from involvement in men's wars since Cardinal Minoras XII's decree. Our mission is one of peace and spiritual guidance."
Hadon bowed his head, his face serious. "I know this, Minoras, but we are talking about an unjust attack against an already desolate people. Nannu drove away the darkness with its own forces, without the help of the gods' legions. The Cathedral of the Eternal Fountain in Alnuum is the second largest church of Luminus in all the continent. The former High Cardinal Arnon died in the darkness' attack. Is it not the Church's duty to protect the people against demons and dark forces?"
Minoras sighed, pondering Hadon's words. "Spiritual protection is our responsibility, yes. And I acknowledge we have a protection pact with the last hero and the former emperor of Nannu. But mobilizing the 7 gods' legions... This could be seen as an act of war, and the Church would be criticized."
Hadon insisted, urgency clear in his voice. "I am not asking the Church to go to war, but to protect the innocent. If Saladon and Alexandria succeed, many will die. We need your help to stop this insane advance. You owe this, you owe it to the people of Tenai!"
Minoras remained silent for a moment, tension hanging in the air. Finally, he looked at Hadon with renewed determination. "I will see what I can do, Hadon. Perhaps we can send a strong message without breaking our vows of non-violence. And perhaps, just perhaps, we can mobilize the legions to defend, not attack."
Hadon nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Minoras. Every life spared will be worth the effort."
Hadon and Cardinal Minoras XXIII remained in the ancient hall, the stained glass windows casting a soft glow around them. Hadon settled into his chair, his eyes fixed on Minoras, the urgency clear in his expression.
Hadon: "Minoras, there is an even graver matter than the imminent attack. Felix Saladon is conducting malicious experiments with the Seeds of Kings. He is trying to create an army of superhumans."
Minoras frowned, a look of disapproval on his face.
Minoras: "I thought that matter was closed, Hadon. The Seeds of Kings... They are abominations. Beings that should not exist."
Hadon felt a knot form in his stomach upon hearing those words. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
Hadon: "Please, Minoras, do not call them that. They are like my children. I love them as any father would love their children. They have a right to live, to be free. Saladon's experiments are cruel, inhumane. We cannot allow him to continue."
Minoras: "Worse than the experiments of the ancient kings of Tenai?"
Hadon: "Certainly, he persecutes and tortures anyone with even a drop of blood from the ancient kings of Tenai!"
Minoras lowered his head for a moment, reflecting on Hadon's words. He knew of Hadon's deep bond with the Seeds of Kings, but his position in the Church made him see things differently, since the birth of these beings came through forced relationships, strange experiments, and even incest.
Minoras: "Hadon, I understand your perspective. And I apologize if I was insensitive. But understand, the Church sees the Seeds of Kings as a violation of natural law. However, if what you say about Saladon's experiments is true, it cannot be ignored."
Hadon: "I know they are different, Minoras, but that does not make them any less deserving of our protection. They did not ask to be born this way. And now, more than ever, they need our help."
Minoras sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility. He knew the situation demanded a response, even if it meant challenging some of the Church's norms.
Minoras: "I understand, Hadon. We will find a way to stop Saladon. The Church must protect the innocent, whoever they may be. I will consult our elders and see what can be done. The Seeds of Kings, under your protection, will be considered. But we need concrete evidence of Saladon's experiments to take formal action."
Hadon nodded, evident relief in his eyes. He knew there was still a long way to go, but this was an important step.
Hadon: "Thank you, Minoras. This means a great deal to me, to them. I will gather the necessary evidence. I only ask that the Church be ready to act when the time comes."
Minoras: "These are dark times, Hadon. But we will do what is necessary to protect the sanctity of human life and dignity, including the Seeds of Kings."
The two men sat in silence for a few moments, sharing a quiet understanding of the gravity of the situation. Hadon knew he had much work ahead, but with Minoras and the Church's support, there was hope they could stop Saladon and save not only Nannu, but also the precious Seeds of Kings he loved so dearly.
Kal, Adonis, Aura, Sahara, Markel, Yorin and Arphaxad continued their journey to Zoarlath. The tall, dense forest trees had slowly given way to a more open road, revealing their proximity to the Duchy of Saladon's capital city. They knew they needed a detailed plan to enter the city without drawing attention.
Adonis: "We need disguises to avoid being recognized. Saladon still wants us, especially the Seeds of Kings." He stopped his horse and opened a bag, taking out clothes and accessories. "I prepared these disguises for everyone."
Yorin, always the strategist, suggested a division: "Being inside the capital, we should split into two groups. This would lessen the chance of us being noticed."
Adonis quickly refuted: "No, I prefer for us all to stay together. It is safer."
Arphaxad, considering the situation, supported Yorin: "Actually, many hooded figures together would draw more attention than you expect. The division is a good idea."
The others agreed, and Yorin's plan was accepted. They decided to create two groups, one with three members and the other with four.
Arphaxad, with his determined gaze, said: "I would like to investigate alone. The slavery trade in Zoarlath deeply troubles me. I need to see it up close."
Kal: "Understood, Arphaxad. Let's keep two groups of three people, and you can work alone. But we need to find a safe place to meet up."
Adonis smiled: "I know someone who can help us with that. We need to be careful, but I have a contact in the city who is trustworthy."
With disguises ready and plans made, they continued their journey, each aware of the importance of their tasks. The group was determined to rescue Draka and Ninea and put an end to the horrors of the slave trade. Night was falling, and the silhouette of Zoarlath emerged on the horizon.
The disguises Adonis brought consisted of simple cloaks and common clothes, suitable for merchants and travelers. The cloaks helped hide their identities and kept their weapons concealed. As they approached the imposing city walls, everyone was ready to play their parts and face what lay ahead.
In Zoarlath, Elanor awoke in a dark, damp room. When she tried to move, a stabbing pain made her moan softly. Her hand moved instinctively to her painful side, where she realized her ribs were fractured. She looked around, trying to understand where she was. Next to the bed, she saw a plate of soup and a cup of water. The sight of food made her realize that a kind soul had saved her life.
She tried to call for help, but her voice did not come out. Her throat was dry and every attempt to speak turned into a mere mumbling. Suddenly, she heard the creaking of the door being opened. Fear overcame her, and she closed her eyes, pretending to be unconscious, waiting for the person entering not to have ill intentions.
The steps were dragged slowly, and approached her. Elanor felt the presence of the person next to her and then a damp cloth was gently passed over her forehead. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
"Thank the gods, you woke up. I thought you wouldn't resist!" said an old man with dark skin, white hair and beard. He had a relieved expression on his face. Elanor looked around again and realized she was in a humble place, with some handicrafts scattered on an old table.
The man's calm, soft presence and voice comforted her. She realized he meant her no harm and, dismissing all the accumulated tension, she began to cry silently. Tears rolled down her face as she looked at the man gratefully. Without emitting any sound, Elanor finally felt she had found someone who would help her.