Chapter 5 - The Thunder's Grace

A man with a potbelly stepped forward onto the stage. Meanwhile, people continued to move in and out of the area.

"Welcome, my esteemed audience," he said, addressing the people seated before him. "On behalf of our entire troupe and Khalingla, I thank you for joining us in celebrating our festival," he continued, bowing slightly.

"We have gathered here to celebrate the festival of the Victory of the Four Great Heroes against the vicious and cruel Demon King." He paused for a moment. "And for that, our troupe wishes to present to you the legend of humanity's greatest heroes, who fought against Valdrak, the Demon King," the man announced, as actors emerged from behind the stage curtains.

The host disappeared behind the curtains, while figures wearing clay horns and their bodies smeared with ash walked onto the stage. Behind them stood a tall figure, a man with enormous horns wielding a battle axe as large as an adult human—the Demon King.

"The terrifying Demon King marched upon human kingdoms, leading his army of demons and monsters," the man's voice echoed from behind the curtains. "They trampled everything in their path."

[ATTACK!] The actor portraying the Demon King shouted, leaning his weapon forward as a signal. The audience fell into complete silence, their attention fixed on the stage.

"However... humanity did not surrender, nor did they lose hope, even as they fought against the Demon King," the narration continued.

More actors entered the stage, each embodying a different role, as the host's words continued on.

"People came together to support their lords and soldiers in battle—a battle that would determine their fate."

[Defend the village! Don't let the demons in!] a human soldier shouted.

As the host narrated, the scenes on the stage unfolded one after another.

"But!" the host raised his voice. "Despite their fierce struggle for survival," he continued, his voice gradually lowering, "—humanity was defeated. Forced to flee, they left behind their homes—their smiles—their hopes."

The audience sat silently, their faces gloomy as they listened to the host's words, as if making a noise might disrupt the ritual.

"But!" the host's voice rose again. "Just when all hope seemed lost, the Gods chose four brave human warriors to lead the fight against the Demon King."

As the host spoke, four figures stepped onto the stage, dressed as nobles.

"They were—'The Drifting Ripple of Life,' Lord Lǎo Fēng, blessed by God Varun and a master of Ojas; 'The Windblade,' Lord Marcos Zárate, blessed by God Vayu and a master of Prana; and 'The Thunder's Grace,' Lady Miyuki, the only woman strong enough to rival the men of her time, blessed by God Indra and a user of both Prana and Tejas." The actors portraying the heroes stepped forward as their names were announced.

"And finally, the strongest of them all, Lord Archin, the only human to fully master Tejas, blessed by Agni, the God of Fire."

As the host finished, the audience erupted in cheers, celebrating the heroes who were born from their ritual.

Chandra and the kids had also arrived, alongside Hi'um.

"What is Tejas?" Chandra looked up at Hi'um, his eyes clouded with confusion.

"You'll learn about it once you start training," Hi'um said, patting Chandra's head.

Chandra pouted in dissatisfaction at the answer. Meanwhile, Ipsha's eyes were fixed on the stage as 'Lady Miyuki' entered.

"She's so beautiful," she said.

"Yeah, yeah," Aniket muttered distractedly, his gaze captivated by the armor and sword that 'Archin' wielded.

Meanwhile, the host continued. "As the Demon King's cruelty grew, fate brought the heroes together. People followed them as their last hope. But humans waged many battles against the demons, and each time, the losses were greater than before." The host's words caused the cheerful audience to fall silent, as if in mourning.

"But they didn't lose hope, for they still had the Heroes to guide them. The Heroes, in turn, embarked on expeditions to rescue those trapped in kingdoms overrun by the Demon King's forces. Lord Archin and Lord Marcos Zárate crossed the ocean to save people from the Ichma Kingdom, Lord Marcos' homeland. Meanwhile, Lord Lǎo Fēng and Lady Miyuki stayed in the great Kingdom of Vatsa, where they protected nearby kingdoms that had yet to be overtaken by demons."

"Lady Miyuki, whose parents were killed by demons, swore an oath to protect every child."

[I will save the smiles of children from those evil demons, even if it costs me my life. I swear it!] the actor portraying Lady Miyuki declared as she stepped forward on the stage.

The audience cheered in admiration for her noble resolve, and a small girl hugged her doll tightly, a smile forming on her face.

"And she kept her promise... until her final breath," the host's voice rose, cutting through the cheering crowd. "She went to the city of Udaygram, in Northwest, to help survivors of monster attacks, tirelessly aiding in their evacuation."

"—but little did she know that the demons were waiting to ambush her. The demon general Varduk, 'The Black Fog Dragon,' ambushed Lady Miyuki as she escorted children to safety. Despite being surrounded, she fought bravely, ensuring no demon could harm the humans. With every swing of her sword, lightning struck down the earth."

[Kill the Hero! Don't let the humans escape!] a demon shouted.

"But," the host's voice grew heavy with foreboding, "that day—even the thunder was swallowed by the clouds of darkness. Varduk attacked when Lady Miyuki was distracted, his claws piercing her chest."

[Argh!] 'Lady Miyuki' grunted, falling to her knees as her heart was pierced.

As the Hero fell, the expressions of hope and admiration were replaced by disbelief and sorrow. Ipsha's face dropped in dismay, the embrace around her doll tightened.

"The demons left Lady Miyuki's lifeless body behind and pursued the humans she had given her life to protect," the host said, his voice low.

The audience prayed silently, as if willing a miracle to occur.

"Lord Archin and Lord Marcos Zárate returned about a month later. When Lord Archin heard of Lady Miyuki's death, his grief consumed him, and he lost control of himself causing his Tejas and the blessings granted by the Gods to run amok," the host explained.

"It was thanks to Lord Marcos Zárate and Lord Lǎo Fēng that the strongest hero regained his sanity. But the damage had already been done. Engulfed by guilt, Lord Archin withdrew into seclusion."

"During his absence, Lord Marcos Zárate took on the burden of leading the human army, while Lord Lǎo Fēng devoted himself to tending to the wounded."