Chereads / I Am Gabriel / Chapter 38 - Chapter 37: The Eastern Winds

Chapter 38 - Chapter 37: The Eastern Winds

Far beyond the icy reaches of the northern Viking lands, the East sprawled in splendor. A vast kingdom, known to its people as Hanura, stood as a beacon of discipline, elegance, and unshakable strength. Its cities were adorned with pagodas that touched the heavens, their roofs curved like dragon's tails, shimmering in gold and crimson under the morning sun. Lush valleys stretched far and wide, divided by rivers that mirrored the skies above.

At the heart of this grand kingdom lay Kaesura, the capital of Hanura, where the streets bustled with merchants, warriors, and scholars. Rising high above the city was the Imperial Palace, its walls painted with the intricate stories of ancestors, heroes, and celestial beings.

Inside the throne room, the air was thick with incense, the scent of sandalwood curling into the air. Lavish red and gold banners hung from the high ceilings, and a gleaming jade throne sat elevated at the center of the room, flanked by guards clad in gleaming armor.

Seated on the throne was Emperor Shogun, a man in his late forties with a regal demeanor. His jet-black hair, streaked with silver, was tied back, and his sharp eyes surveyed the room with an unwavering intensity. He held a staff of polished wood adorned with a phoenix motif, a symbol of his rule and divine right.

Beside him sat Empress Ayame, her beauty timeless. Her long black hair cascaded like silk over her ornate robe, her piercing gaze mirroring her husband's authority. Her expression was composed, though her eyes occasionally flickered with concern.

To the emperor's right stood their eldest child, Crown Prince Tetsuo, a man of 22 years. His athletic frame was dressed in the armor of a warrior, his expression a mixture of confidence and calculation. Though he was a skilled fighter, his true strength lay in his sharp mind.

To the emperor's left stood his youngest child, Princess Hana, a young woman of 20. Her delicate features were framed by a cascade of black hair, and her robes shimmered with intricate embroidery. Though her demeanor was gentle, her bright, intelligent eyes revealed a curiosity that set her apart from her brother.

The grand doors of the throne room creaked open, and a servant stepped in, bowing low before the emperor. "Your Imperial Majesty, a messenger has arrived bearing news from the northern lands."

"Send him in," Emperor Shojun commanded, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

The messenger, a man clad in travel-worn robes, entered the room and immediately fell to his knees, pressing his forehead to the polished floor. "Your Imperial Majesty, I bring urgent news."

"Rise and speak," Shojun said, leaning forward slightly. "What news could reach us from so far?"

The messenger lifted his head, his face lined with exhaustion. "Word has come from the northern lands, Majesty. A great war has been fought between the Vikings and the barbarian hordes."

At this, the emperor's interest sharpened. "The Vikings," he repeated, his tone thoughtful. "And the barbarians. What of it?"

The messenger hesitated for a moment, then continued. "It is said that the Vikings, led by a chief named Bjorn Thunderclaw, faced an army of 25,000 barbarians… and emerged victorious. Not a single Viking was lost."

A ripple of surprise passed through the room. Prince Tetsuo raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed over his chest. "Impossible," he said, his voice steady but doubtful. "A thousand warriors cannot defeat twenty-five thousand without losses. Either this tale is exaggerated, or there is more to it."

The messenger nodded quickly. "There is more, Your Highness. The Vikings were not alone. It is said that… a god descended to aid them."

A murmur spread through the throne room. The emperor's expression darkened slightly, and his grip on his staff tightened. "A god?" he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism. "What kind of god?"

The messenger bowed his head again. "They speak of a being with wings as white as snow, who blessed their weapons and shielded them from harm. His name is unknown, but they say his power was unlike anything seen before."

Empress Ayame, who had been silent until now, spoke softly but firmly. "These are bold claims. Do they have proof of this being's existence?"

The messenger glanced up, his face earnest. "The rumors spread quickly, Majesty. Not only from the Vikings themselves but from the survivors among the barbarian horde. They speak of a figure who walked among the Vikings like a guardian, wielding power beyond comprehension."

Emperor Shojun leaned back on his throne, his expression unreadable as he processed the information. After a moment, he turned to his son. "Tetsuo, what do you make of this?"

The crown prince frowned thoughtfully. "If this figure exists, it raises many questions. Is he truly a god? Or is he something else? Either way, his presence could shift the balance of power. The north has always been a distant concern, but if they now have a force like this on their side…"

He trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. The emperor nodded slowly, then turned to his daughter. "And you, Hana? What are your thoughts?"

Princess Hana hesitated, her hands clasped in front of her. "I think… the rumors may hold some truth. Stories like this don't spread without reason. If this being truly helped the Vikings, we should learn more about him. If he is a god, what does he want? If he is not, then what is he?"

Her words hung in the air, thoughtful and measured. The emperor studied her for a moment before turning back to the messenger.

"You believe this tale," Shojun said, his tone more a statement than a question.

The messenger nodded fervently. "I do, Your Majesty. The stories are consistent, no matter who tells them. The Vikings believe he is a god. The barbarians, even in defeat, fear him. Whatever he is, he exists."

The empress tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "If this being is real, then his influence may not be limited to the north. Should he decide to venture beyond the Viking lands…"

She let the sentence hang, the unspoken possibilities heavy in the air. The emperor's gaze shifted to the massive map etched into the floor of the throne room. His eyes traced the northern regions, distant yet now suddenly significant.

Emperor Shojun stood, the room falling silent as he descended the steps from his throne. His presence was commanding, his every movement deliberate.

"If this being exists, we will learn more about him," he declared. "The north is far, but their actions may one day reach us. Tetsuo, assemble scouts and scholars. I want every piece of information we can gather about this so-called god."

The crown prince nodded sharply. "It will be done."

Shojun turned to the messenger, his expression softer. "You have traveled far and brought important news. Rest and recover. Your service will not be forgotten."

The messenger bowed deeply, his relief evident. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

As the messenger was escorted from the throne room, the imperial family remained, their thoughts lingering on the implications of what they had just heard.

Empress Ayame broke the silence. "Do you truly believe this… god is real?"

The emperor's gaze remained fixed on the map. "Belief is irrelevant. If he exists, we must understand him. If he does not, the North's growing power still warrants our attention."

Princess Hana's voice was softer, almost musing. "If he is a god, why would he choose the Vikings? What makes them worthy of such intervention?"

Prince Tetsuo scoffed lightly, though not unkindly. "Perhaps it's not worthiness, sister. Perhaps it's chaos. The gods, if they exist, have always loved meddling in mortal affairs."

Shojun's expression was unreadable as he turned back to his family. "Whatever the answer, we will find it. The north has changed. It would be foolish not to prepare for whatever comes next."

As the imperial family departed from the throne room, the faint sound of bells from the city below echoed through the air. The East, though far from the chaos of the North, was now aware of the shifting tides. And in the heart of their empire, curiosity and caution grew.