The Lycan empire was formed by four clans: the Horkhun, Dalish, Mezkhi, and Zentis. Horkhun was a lycan tribe with the best healers, while Dalish was also a lycan tribe, but most of them were warriors. The Mezkhi and Zentis clans, on the other hand, were ruled by werewolves. They were both disbanded when their leaders staged a rebellion against the empire. Their members took refuge in the capital, and the emperor welcomed them with open arms. Another betrayal could happen against the empire.
Gaurdon and Hekharold wanted to know the truth behind the blade prophecy that brought fear to the empire. The chief, Djelkaro Horkhun, might know something about the prophecy.
"The blade prophecy—is it real or not?" Gaurdon asked the chief.
"I have lived most of my life here in this village. I'm already an adult when that story scattered around the whole region. The one thing I'm sure about is that prophecy was a lie," Djelkaro answered.
"Like the emperor said, then there's nothing to worry about," Hekharold said.
"That's where you're mistaken. The prophecy was not real, but the blade is," the chief replied.
"Sorry, I don't understand. If the prophecy was not real, so was the blade, right?" Hekharold confusingly asked.
"The prophecy that a blade will kill us all was definitely not true, but the blade, a powerful weapon that could cut and destroy anything, truly exists," Djelkaro answered.
"Meaning to say, the blade has nothing to do with us, so we don't have to worry," Gaurdon said.
"You're also wrong. If the wielder of the blade is evil, it could be a disaster not only for the empire but for the whole Igdris," the chief responded.
"The blade could become the enemy of the whole Igdris," Estrow asked the chief.
"Exactly, if someone evil owns it, a great catastrophy might happen. I've seen it with my own eyes, when our tribe still resides on human world. We lycans usually fight with our bare hands, however, one of us found a strange blade one day. After that, he was never the same, the evil inside him became strong. He isolated himself from us, never told anyone what really happened to him. Until one day, he murdered his wife and children. He was consumed by insanity, wanted more bloodstain to his blade. Many of us attempted to stop him, but our strength was not enough. After his rampage, he died instantly, like his energy was sucked by the blade. We sealed the blade on a safe place, but it strangely disappeared and we haven't got a clue on its whereabouts. We decided to made up a story, telling everyone to stay away from that blade. That's where the prophecy started, a blade that will kill us all, once wreaked destruction on us." the chief said.
"That's horrible; I have no idea that the Horkun tribe experienced such tragedy," Hekharold uttered with sadness.
"Tragic indeed, but that blade is now trapped in the human world, so we have nothing to worry about," Djelkaro said.
"Is that so? What if the blade was here on Igdris?" Gaurdon asked.
"If that happens, it's a great misfortune for me; I might witness that blade's curse once again," the chief answered.
Gaurdon keeps quiet for a while, like something's disturbing him.
"So chief, you asked the Dalish's help to train your villagers?" Hekharold asked.
"Ahm, that's not the case; you see, I'm the one who offered them training for the villager," Estrow replied.
"And what will you get out of this? The Dalits never made deals without getting something," Gaurdon asked Estrow.
"You can tell them, Estrow; I think these two might be able to help us," the chief said.
"Help? What kind of help?" Hekharold confusingly asked.
"You better tell us the truth, Estrow, or else," Gaurdon angrily told Estrow.
"I'm quite ashamed of this, but I think you really have to know. My father, the chief, has been slain by traitors, and they took over Dalish by force," Estrow answered with sorrow.
"That's terrible; who are these traitors?" Hekharold asked.
"My uncle, Ramphu Dalish., created a group that disagreed with our leader's policies and decisions, resulting in their revolt against us. They recruited more and more people until they gained the manpower to bring down the chief. My father helped me escape and ordered me to ask for help from the Horkun tribe," Estrow said.
"What help could you get from a tribe without an army?" Hekharold asked Estrow.
"That's also what I thought, but when I met the chief, he told me that he would help me with all of his power to reclaim my family's honor," Estrow proudly said.
"And what's your power, chief?" Gaurdon asked.
"Well, I've got an irresistible charm for the ladies.," the chief answered while laughing.
"You really put your hope in him?" Hekharold asked Estrow.
"I guess there's no harm in trying, right?" Estrow answered with doubt.
"So what's your plan, you two?" Gaurdon asked the chief and Estrow.
"The villager's training was just for the defense of this village, but we plan on asking for the empire's assistance," Estrow answered.
"What made you think that the emperor would grant your request?" Hekharold asked.
"Of course I will." A familiar voice suddenly arose; it was Zaptan. Walking slowly to them while Curhelia guides him.
"My lord, are you alright? Please take it easy; you haven't fully recovered yet," Gaurdon uttered out of concern.
"I'm fine, thanks to Curhelia. My injuries were treated well," Zaptan replied.
"You're welcome, my lord; it's my pleasure to serve you," Curhelia humbly said.
"Wait, my lord, I don't understand what you've said a while ago. You'll help these people with their problems? "Hekharold asked Zaptan.
"Indeed, for the fact that I've been saved by Chief Djelkaro once. I owed him my life. This is the least I can do for him," Zaptan answered.
"You don't owe me anything; I just did what's right. However, in your current state, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do to help us," Djelkaro said.
"What did you say? There's nothing the emperor can't do with his power and position," Hekharold furiously said.
"Calm down, Hekharold. I have to agree with what he said. Our lord lost the duel, so he must step down as the emperor," Gaurdon responded.
"He didn't lose; he just escaped. If he hasn't, Kharzu will surely fall," Hekharold said.
"That's enough. A lost is a lost. There's no excuse even for me," Zaptan uttered with regret.
"So how will you help us now? "Djelkaro asked Zaptan.
"The Dalish army wasn't that big, but their fighting skill was truly exceptional. It's impossible for us to take them down if we'll rely on the newly trained Horkhun warriors," Estrow said.
"I have an idea, but I'm not sure if this will work," Zaptan replied.
"What's that, my lord? Maybe it's worth a shot," Hekharold asked.
"We've been at a truce with the vampire for quite a while. With Gaurdon as our peace officer, the empire and the colony were sharing intelligence that would benefit both of us. However, we didn't think of ourselves as allies. That's why I have doubts about asking for their help in this kind of situation," Zaptan explained.
"My lord, I think you were right. The vampires won't help us with our internal affairs. They'll definitely reject us if we ever ask them for help," Gaurdon agreed.
"Unless we negotiate, The vampires were currently at war with the nameless' forces, right? If we promise our allegiance to them, maybe they'll do the same," Hekharold suggested.
"That might work, but first they must help us take back the Dalish, then his seat. The emperor will once again lead his army, and the empire will join the war against the nameless," Estrow said.
"What if they didn't help us? Will there be another plan? "Djelkaro asked.
"As of now, that's the best I could think of. We'll just hope that they'll accept our request," Zaptan answered.
"What about the White Lunar Fangs? Would you consider asking them for help? "Djelkaro asked again.
"No. Those guys were crazy. They're good fighters, but they're not easy to deal with," Zaptan answered.
"Yeah, your right. Well, we should proceed with this plan of yours. How can we set up a meeting with the vampires? "Djelkaro asked once again.
"I'll write a letter, and Hekharold will summon a bird to deliver the message," Gaurdon answered.
"A summoner, huh? Quite a strange skill you got for a general," Djelkaro said.
"Well, I have my ways to get this far," Hekharold replied.
"I see. I hope everything will go smoothly for us this time," Djelkaro said, and then, out of nowhere, somebody knocked on the door, shouting the chief's name.
"Chief, sorry for disturbing you all, but this is urgent. A messenger from the Dalish tribe is at the gate. He was looking for Estrow Eubhit," a villager said.
Everyone except the chief and Curhelia went out of the room and headed to the gate. They saw the messenger; he's quite slim for a fighter, but they could feel his killing intention toward whoever made a move on him first.
"I'm here to send a message, from the chief Ramphu Dalish, to his niece Estrow Euhbit," the messenger said.
"Whatever message it is, you can say it in the presence of my acquaintances," Estrow replied.
"I'm afraid that can't be possible; the chief specifically ordered me to deliver it to you, and only you," the messenger said.
"Maybe you should listen to him, or else he won't tell anything," Gaurdon whispered to Estrow.
He decided to agree to the messenger's terms. They talked in private, but Estrow's party could still see them conversing. Gaurdon noticed Estrow's face suddenly filled with worries; he already knew something was not right. When they're done talking, the messenger quickly escapes. Estrow came close to them, like everything was fine.
"What does he say?" "Hekharold asked Estrow.
"Nothing, nothing important. My uncle just wanted me to give myself up and accept my fate. He wanted me dead," Estrow answered.
"But you're Estrow Euhbit, one of the strongest warriors I've ever known. You wouldn't die without a fight. We will figure this out and liberate the Dalits," Gaurdon said.
"Thanks, sorry guys, but I want to be alone for a while if you wouldn't mind," Estrow softly uttered.
"Of course, we'll tell you if something comes up on our plan. Go take some rest," Zaptan said.
Estrow slowly walked away from them. They just stared at him, like they knew what he was dealing with. All of them went back to the chief's place; they must proceed with their plan as soon as possible.
"So, Gaurdon, you'll write a message, and my summons will deliver it, right? "Hekharold said.
"Yes, this won't take long," Gaurdon answered as he wrote the letter of request.
"Where's Estrow? "The chief asked.
"He just wanted to be alone for a while," Zaptan answered.
"Well, that could go wrong. Getting a message from the enemy, now he was alone? That doesn't feel right," Djelkaro said.
"What do you mean? "Hekharold asked.
"I'm pretty sure something was bugging him after their conversation. They threatened his life, or someone important to him was captured, perhaps," the chief predicted.
"I hope that's not true; in a time like this, he shouldn't be bothered by something like that. Pushing forward was the best course," Zaptan said with worry.
"I agree, but you can't also blame him. Everything seems hard for him recently," Djelkaro replied.
"I'm done, now Hekharold, your summon," Gaurdon said, as he ordered Hekharold to summon a bird that would deliver their message. He just waved his hand, and in an instant, a hawk appeared out of nowhere. Gaurdon handed the letter to Hekharold, and he attached it to his summon's foot.
"Gaurdon, my bird didn't know your friend, but if you look it in the eyes, it will read your mind and know to whom to deliver the message," Hekharold told Gaurdon. He looked into the eyes of the hawk, and it looked back at him. Its eyes suddenly glow, implying that it already knows its mission.
"We're all set. You know what to do, buddy," Hekharold said as he stood up and opened the window, then the hawk flew away.
"Now we'll just have to wait. I am hoping for a good response from them," Gaurdon said.
"Chief Estrow left the village. It looks like he was in a hurry" a villager said.
"It looks like I'm right; from now on, he wanted to do things all alone," Djelkaro said.
"But we won't let him. Hekharold, can you summon the chariot and chase after Estrow? "Zaptan asked.
"I'm sorry, my lord, because of the distance between me and my hawk, I can't summon more than one this time. I have to concentrate my mana to prevent my hawk from disappearing," Hekharold answered.
"I understand. Gaurdon, would you accompany me? We're going after Estrow. It's not safe to face the enemy alone," Zaptan asked.
"Of course, my lord, I will join you until the depths of hell," Gaurdon answered.
"Good, let's go," Zaptan said, then stood up and was ready to chase Estrow.
"Please take care; your wounds aren't fully healed yet. Any fatal damage could end your life in an instant. If possible, do not engage in any fight," Curhelia told Zaptan.
"I'll try; Gaurdon, let's go," Zaptan replied.
"Yes, my lord," Gaurdon said.
They left the village as fast as they could so they could catch up to Estrow.
At the Hidden Falls camp, where Craig and Melisha were already waiting for their team, Sharlock and Ruviel finally arrived.
"We made it here, safe and sound," Ruviel said.
"Indeed, I hope everyone can make it too," Sharlock replied.
"If it isn't Captain Wihtz of the Justice Sword, welcome to the camp." Fellise greeted Sharlock.
"Nice to see you, Pyurad. How are you doing? "Sharlock replied.
"I'm doing great; thanks to your comrades, I didn't have to fight and defend this camp with my life," Fellise answered.
"Comrades? So they're already here? "Ruviel asked.
"Indeed, but one of them got a little bit exhausted, so he was resting now," Fellise answered.
"Would you take us to them? "Sharlock asked again.
"Sure, what about those two? Are they with you? "Felisse answered as she pointed out Sharlock and Ruviel's backs.
"Captain, we're here," Aurdim shouted.
"Yes, they're with us," Sharlock said.
"Having two mortals on your team? How low do you want to go, captain? "Felisse asked Sharlock.
"Hey, watch your mouth. Do you know who you're talking to? "Ruviel furiously uttered.
"Ignore her, Ruviel; we must focus on our mission first," Sharlock told Ruviel.
"Listen to your captain, boy; you wouldn't get far with that kind of temper. All of you follow me; I'll take you to the other two," Fellise proudly said.
"Who's that? "Dumbo asked.
"Don't mind her; she's just a caretaker of this camp," Sharlock answered.
"Don't ask too much about her; she's dangerous; I could tell from her aura," Aurdim whispered to Dumbo.
"Ok, if you say so," Dumbo replied.
All of them followed Fellise. They entered the room and saw Craig lying on the bed while Melisha was sitting next to him.
"What took you so long? "Melisha asked everyone.
"We're on a perilous journey to the north. We barely hid ourselves from the enemy," Sharlock answered.
"Fair enough, how about you, Aurdim? "Melisha replied.
"The western region was a maze as you know it, but you wouldn't believe what we've discovered," Aurdim answered. Then they heard a knock on the window. Ruviel opened the window.
"A hawk had a letter attached to its feet," Ruviel uttered in surprise.
"Let me see it," Sharlock said, and then Ruviel handed him the letter.
"What does it say? "Aurdim asked.
"It's from the empire. The message was meant to be delivered to Melisha," Sharlock answered, then handed Melisha the letter. She read it. Everyone was quiet, waiting for Melisha to tell them what the letter said.
"They're asking for our help. The empire wants to join the war," Melisha composedly said.
Everyone couldn't believe what they'd heard. Depending on the situation, an alliance between the empire and the colony might be formed.