The atmosphere in Chalassy was tense as scouts brought urgent news. Taha, the Wand of Creation wielder, had been spotted approaching the old pass. This time, he wasn't accompanied by his legions or cavalry. He was alone—a stark and unsettling choice for a general who commanded such overwhelming power. It was clear that Taha wasn't here to launch a full-scale assault; he was here to test Anu.
Anu gathered his council in the war room, their faces reflecting the weight of the revelation. The map of Chalassy's borders was spread across the table, but all eyes were on a single point: the old pass where Taha was waiting.
"Taha has come alone," Tristan reported, his voice carrying an edge of unease. "No troops, no cavalry—just him."
Lancelot's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why would he come without his forces?" he asked. "Is this some kind of trap?"
Anu listened carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. Taha was a master strategist, and his arrival alone meant that this encounter wasn't about territory or conquest. It was something more personal—something aimed directly at Anu.
"He's here to test me," Anu said quietly, his voice steady. "He wants to see what I'm capable of."
The commanders exchanged uneasy glances, and Percival spoke up, his voice laced with caution. "If he's here to test you, then he's confident he can handle whatever we throw at him," he warned. "We should be prepared for anything."
Anu nodded, knowing that Percival was right. Taha's confidence was unnerving, but Anu couldn't afford to show hesitation. He needed to confront Taha and see how powerful the Wand of Creation was.
"I'll go to the old pass," Anu decided, voice unwavering. "Alone."
Merna's eyes widened with concern, and she stepped forward. "Anu, that's too dangerous," she protested. "If this is a trap—"
"I know the risks," Anu interrupted, his voice firm but calm. "But Taha came here to test me, and I need to face him. If I bring our forces, it'll escalate into something worse."
Merna hesitated, her eyes searching his for a sign of doubt. But Anu's resolve was clear, and she knew his mind was not changing. "Be careful," she said quietly.
Anu nodded, appreciating her concern. "I will," he promised.
The old pass was a narrow corridor flanked by cliffs and dense forests. The setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, creating an eerie stillness that seemed to amplify the tension in the air. Anu rode alone, his horse's hooves echoing softly against the stone path.
As he approached the pass, he saw Taha standing at its center. The Paresian general was tall and composed, his figure silhouetted against the fading light. He held the Wand of Creation in his hand—a relic that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Anu dismounted and approached cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of the Wand of Destruction. Dark energy thrumming beneath his fingers reminded him of the power he held and the responsibilities that came with it.
"Taha," Anu called out, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest. "Why are you here?"
Taha turned to face him, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "General Anu," he greeted, his voice carrying effortlessly over the distance. "I've heard many things about you—your strength, resilience, and will to protect your people."
Anu met his gaze, his expression resolute. "If you're here to fight, let's get this over with," he replied.
Taha's smile widened slightly, and he shook his head. "No, Anu," he said calmly. "I'm not here to fight you—not today. I'm here to see if you're worthy of facing me."
Anu felt a chill run down his spine at Taha's words. Something was unnerving about how he spoke as if he saw this encounter as a mere formality—a prelude to a much larger confrontation.
"What do you want?" Anu demanded, his voice steady despite the growing sense of unease.
Taha raised the Wand of Creation, and the ground beneath Anu's feet began to shift and tremble. Anu instinctively reached for his Wand but held back, waiting to see what Taha would do.
"I want to know if you can withstand the power of creation," Taha replied, his voice cold and confident. "Show me your strength, Anu. Show me that you're not just another pretender to the title of 'protector.'"
With a swift motion, Taha brought the Wand of Creation down, and the earth responded to his command. Massive stone spires erupted from the ground, forming towering walls that enclosed the pass. Trees twisted and fused into solid barriers, turning the narrow corridor into a maze of stone and wood.
Anu's eyes widened as he realized that these were not illusions—they were natural, tangible structures created by the Wand's power. He could feel the weight of the earth shifting around him, the air growing heavy with the force of Taha's will.
"You think you can trap me?" Anu challenged, his voice defiant. "I've faced worse."
Taha's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Is that so?" he replied. "Then let's see if you can escape."
Anu felt the dark energy of the Wand of Destruction thrumming at his side, urging him to unleash its power. He couldn't afford to hold back—not against an enemy as powerful as Taha.
Drawing on the Wand's energy, Anu created a shockwave that shattered the nearest stone spires, clearing a path through the maze. The dark energy clashed with the earth, creating a chaotic storm of debris and dust.
But Taha remained unfazed. He raised the Wand of Creation again, and the shattered stones reformed into new walls, blocking Anu's path again. It was as if Taha's power could reshape reality, bending the battlefield to his will.
"You're strong, Anu," Taha observed, his voice calm. "But strength alone isn't enough. You lack the control and mastery to wield your power effectively."
Anu gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of Taha's words pressing down on him. He couldn't deny the truth in them—every time he used the Wand of Destruction, he felt its dark energy pulling him deeper into a well of chaos and rage.
"I don't need your lessons," Anu retorted, his voice steady. "I'll find my way."
Taha raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps," he mused. "But until you do, you'll never be able to defeat me."
Anu felt frustrated at Taha's arrogance but forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't let anger cloud his judgment—not when facing an opponent this powerful.
"Why are you here, Taha?" Anu demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
Taha's smile faded, and his eyes grew cold. "I came to see if you were worth my time," he replied bluntly. "And now I have my answer."
Without another word, Taha raised the Wand of Creation, and the ground beneath Anu's feet began to tremble again. Anu braced himself, expecting another attack, but instead, the walls and spires slowly crumbled into dust, leaving the pass clear.
Taha turned and began to walk away, his posture relaxed and unhurried. "I'll be waiting for the day you're ready to face me, Anu," he called over his shoulder. "But until then, remember this: creation is not about strength—it's about control."
Anu watched Taha disappear into the distance, his mind racing about what had just happened. Taha had tested him, measured his strength, and left him with a challenge that weighed heavily on his shoulders.
As the dust settled, Anu stood alone in the old pass, his grip tightening on the Wand of Destruction. He couldn't deny the truth in Taha's words—he needed more than just strength to defeat an enemy who could bend the very fabric of universe to his will.
But Anu wasn't ready to give up. He would find a way to master his power, protect his people, and face Taha on equal footing.