Twilight Initiator, Zed, Son of Shadows, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 3, Day 31
Enchanted Forest, north of the Imperial Territory
It's enormous, very terrifying even, a deep darkness dwells within its depths. A large diameter of 50 meters, surrounded by rocks, rocks everywhere, of intense yellow color. There is no trace of life; it's a desert. The air, along with the attempted brilliance of the two suns, brings a hot breeze, almost unbearable. Around us, two pairs of rocky peaks rose proudly. You couldn't see the end, not even halfway up. It was a nearly straight line upwards, two imposing mountains.
The Riberland Mountains.
We're already here, right at the entrance, the enormous hole of darkness. I could feel the shadows within it, which is good; it means I won't be blind, it means I'll survive. It also means my first encounter to the death... I was worried that this place might be surrounded by true darkness, which would be detrimental to me, as true darkness is the natural enemy of shadows.
The smell of death emanated from it, despair, sadness, and a cold that penetrated your bones. I could feel it. Behind me, pointing at my neck, was a black scythe, and behind that scythe was death. My senses screamed and mentioned danger of death. If I entered, I'd die; if I left, I'd live. It's that simple; there are only two options.
Everyone had somber expressions. Some calmed their nerves, but it was clear when they sweated deeply or their legs trembled a little. Fear is the most natural thing in the world. Everyone fears death, absolutely. When death is beside you, whispering and announcing your demise, you tremble and regret. This is when you realize money means nothing when death is right in front of you... This is when you understand that life is too precious to waste this way.
But there is something worse than fear itself, the fear of the unknown. Something we don't understand and have no information about. Our ignorance is a problem. We don't know what the monster is like, what abilities it has, what it looks like. We know nothing, not the slightest bit of information that could give us an advantage. We're going to the battlefield with blindfolds on, in a place where everything is dark, not knowing how we'll die.
There's another fear, the darkness itself, the primordial fear of all humans. Darkness. Stay quiet and listen... you won't hear anything... try to see as much as you can... you won't find anything. Darkness symbolizes what we cannot see or hear, the unknown and mysterious. You don't anticipate anything... You know nothing. Darkness itself represents the fear of the unknown, and the monster represents the darkness that lurks, the darkness itself.
For these reasons, this place instills such fear in the hearts of adventurers. The worst enemy of humans is this entrance, dark, unknown, and deadly. All these factors make this place fatal and why no one dares to attempt to conquer it again, until now. The noble lord obviously knows all this, but he doesn't care. He won't enter that cold hell. Of course not, after all, he is the noble of the city of Valenwood. He wants to save his daughter, yes, but he has a house to maintain and a name to defend. If he dies, who will inherit his house? He can't die in this place, and he won't.
We all understand it clearly. He is now the authority here, the head and the highest status being... a noble. Unlike all of us who are mere commoners, there is the option of killing him, but why? If the soldiers kill him, they have nowhere to go. Their families are in the city, children and wives. It would be very strange for the noble lord to die and all his soldiers to return alive. Besides, looking at the lord, he had a calm expression. Maybe he also thought this might happen. Did he threaten them with their families? Now that I think about it, I wonder if he had family... you're intelligent, noble lord, very ruthless.
Authority.
******
Primary School Student, Zed, Human
Gregorian Calendar: Year 2016, Month 11, Day 25
Zed's House
-What is a power game?
-Information, deception, and… strategy?
-You're almost there...
My father put his hands on his chin.
-How do you think the general of the squadron of 100 men is able to lead his soldiers?
-Because he is the highest authority on the field.
-Exactly, authority, that's what makes the difference between an ordinary person and an exceptional one. People who possess authority can do whatever they want. This general has the lives of all his soldiers in his hands. If he tells them to kill each other, his soldiers will have no choice but to follow his orders.
-Authority, remember it, my son... If you don't get it yourself, it's better to die trying. It's better to be the entity at the top of the food chain than the crap at the bottom of it.
-...I don't think that's good advice for a six-year-old, father....
*****
-What's happening...? Who are all of them?
It's happening. From my horse, I saw the crazy bastards coming out of the carriage. They looked confused at all the soldiers around them. They were nervous, eyes wide open, taking in what was happening.
-Soldiers...? There are... many?
They suspected and looked, examining the soldiers' armor, which was much better than their leather ones. They were getting nervous.
-Sir, what is happening? What does all this mean...
Explanations... that's what they seek, but in reality, they already have a minimal idea of what's going on. Their eyes are full of fear; they're starting to get uneasy...
-!S-SIR?!
The noble lord was calm, his eyes serene, accustomed to this. He dismounted from his horse, walked gracefully, and stood in front of his soldiers. He pointed at the hole in front of them and simply said one word.
-Enter.
Authority, that's it, that's what it means, power over people... the bastard's body trembled uncontrollably, his eyes dilated.
-Sir... N-n-n-n-no, sir...
He lowered his head; all the bastards behind him were scared.
A slash, a cut.
Bang
The bastard's head detached from his neck, his body falling to the ground along with his head that began to roll. There was disbelief in his eyes, not even believing he was dead.
The noble lord looked at the other bastards...
-Enter.
Repeating the same words...