Chapter 94: The Path of War
Scene: The Great East Nation, now under the oppressive rule of Zarek and his allies. The once-proud nation lies in ruins, its people either enslaved or driven out. In the heart of this desolation, King Ragnar, the former ruler of the North Nation, is held captive.
Narrator: In the dark recesses of the East Nation's castle, a king suffers. King Ragnar, the once-mighty ruler of the North, now lies chained and bruised, tortured relentlessly by Zarek and his minions. But despite his pain, his resolve remains unbroken. He clings to the hope that the South Nation will stand strong against the coming storm.
King Ragnar, bound in heavy chains, slumps against the cold stone wall of his prison. His body is battered, but his spirit remains fierce. His eyes burn with defiance, even as fresh wounds mark his skin.
Ragnar: (thinking) The South Nation… they will stand against him. They must.
Footsteps echo through the dimly lit chamber, and the door creaks open. Zarek enters, his presence cold and commanding. He gazes down at Ragnar with a look of disdain, yet there is a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
Zarek: (calmly) Still holding on, old man? Your resilience is admirable, but ultimately futile.
Ragnar lifts his head, meeting Zarek's gaze with unyielding defiance.
Ragnar: (firmly) You may have me chained, but you'll never break me. The South Nation will rise against you, Zarek. You've underestimated them… and that will be your downfall.
Zarek smirks, amused by Ragnar's resolve.
Zarek: (mockingly) We shall see. But enough about your pitiful hopes. I have more pressing matters to attend to.
With a wave of his hand, Zarek's form shimmers with white mana. In an instant, he teleports away, leaving King Ragnar alone in his dark, damp cell.
Narrator: Zarek's thoughts are far from Ragnar's defiance. His mind is set on his next move—a return to his homeland, the Holy Island, where the priests and nuns who raised him reside. Though they possess great power, they are bound by their devotion to peace. And it is here that Zarek will seek counsel with the priest who leads them.
Zarek materializes in the center of a grand, serene temple on the Holy Island. The temple is a place of peace and tranquility, its white walls and intricate carvings radiating purity. The island itself is a lush paradise, far removed from the chaos of the mainland. The priests and nuns who reside here are dedicated to the practice of Divine Mana, their auras glowing with an elegant white light.
Zarek strides through the temple, his presence a stark contrast to the peaceful surroundings. The priests and nuns bow their heads in respect as he passes, though their expressions are tinged with unease. Zarek's path of war has shaken the island's tranquil foundation.
At the heart of the temple, in a grand chamber bathed in soft, ethereal light, stands the leader of the Holy Island—the High Priest. He is an elderly man, his long white robes flowing around him as he gazes out at the island's gardens with a heavy heart. His aura, bright and pure, speaks of a lifetime devoted to peace and healing.
High Priest: (calmly) Zarek… you have returned.
Zarek approaches the High Priest, his expression one of confident resolve. Despite his respect for the man who raised him, Zarek remains unmoved by the High Priest's evident concern.
Zarek: (confidently) Yes, I have. My plans are advancing as expected. The East Nation is under my control, and soon, the South Nation will fall as well. Our people will finally have the land they deserve.
The High Priest turns to face Zarek, his eyes filled with sadness and disappointment.
High Priest: (softly) Zarek… have you considered the consequences of the path you've chosen? The way of war and conquest is not the way of our people. We are meant to be stewards of peace, not harbingers of destruction.
Zarek's eyes narrow slightly, his expression hardening.
Zarek: (sternly) The way of peace has left us isolated, vulnerable. We have been confined to this island for too long, cut off from the world. The nations of the mainland have grown strong, while we remain stagnant. My path may be one of war, but it is the only path that will secure our future.
The High Priest shakes his head, his heart heavy with sorrow.
High Priest: (pleading) Zarek, there must be another way. Our power is great, but it is meant to heal, to protect—not to dominate. I fear that your ambition will lead to nothing but suffering, for both our people and those of the mainland.
Zarek's expression softens for a brief moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. But he quickly pushes it aside, his resolve hardening once more.
Zarek: (firmly) I have made my decision, High Priest. The path I've chosen is the only way forward. Once I have conquered the South Nation, our people will have a place in the world—a place where they can thrive without fear of being overrun or forgotten.
The High Priest sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his sorrow.
High Priest: (softly) If that is truly your choice, then there is little I can do to stop you. But know this, Zarek—violence begets violence. The path you walk is fraught with peril, and I fear that it will only lead to ruin.
Zarek's expression darkens, but he does not respond. Instead, he turns away from the High Priest and prepares to leave.
Zarek: (coldly) My decision is final. I will move out to take over the South Nation next, and once I have succeeded, the citizens of the Holy Island will be free to reside in all the nations. They will no longer be confined to this island.
With that, Zarek's form shimmers once more, and he teleports back to the East Nation, leaving the High Priest alone in the grand chamber. The elderly man watches the spot where Zarek stood, his heart heavy with sorrow and fear for the future.
Narrator: Zarek's ambitions have led him down a dark path—one that the peaceful people of the Holy Island cannot support. Though they possess the power of Divine Mana, their commitment to peace binds them, leaving them unable to challenge Zarek's will. As Zarek returns to the East Nation, his thoughts are consumed with plans for the conquest of the South Nation.
Zarek materializes once again in the East Nation's ruined castle, where his allies, Vesper and Lumea, await him. The atmosphere is tense, filled with anticipation as they prepare for the next phase of their plan.
Vesper, with his cold, calculating demeanor, steps forward to greet Zarek. His eyes gleam with the same ruthless ambition that drives their leader.
Vesper: (calmly) Zarek, we were beginning to wonder if you had second thoughts.
Zarek shakes his head, his resolve unshaken by the High Priest's words.
Zarek: (firmly) No second thoughts. I've informed the High Priest of my plans. He may not agree with them, but he cannot stop me. We will proceed as planned.
Lumea, her aura dark and menacing, steps forward, her eyes fixed on Zarek.
Lumea: (softly) And the South Nation? Are we ready to strike?
Zarek nods, his expression one of cold determination.
Zarek: (confidently) We will move out to take over the South Nation in one week's time. This will be our final push, and with it, we will secure our place in the world.
Vesper and Lumea exchange satisfied glances, their resolve matching Zarek's. Together, they stand at the edge of the ruined castle, gazing out at the desolate landscape of the East Nation.
Narrator: The time for war is nearly upon them. Zarek, Vesper, and Lumea have set their sights on the South Nation, determined to claim it as their own. As they stand together, ready to unleash their power upon the world, the shadow of war looms ever closer.
The chapter ends with Zarek, Vesper, and Lumea standing side by side, their eyes fixed on the horizon. The week of preparation will soon give way to a brutal conflict, one that will determine the fate of the Great Nations and the people who inhabit them.