"He who bows his head before tyrants will never raise it before freedom, but he who raises it in the face of hell is the one who writes his name in legend."
Line 61 __Valius' Chronicles
The sun cast its threads of light upon the earth, while Raigen, Lyra, Renzo, sat beneath the Ovalis tree.Raigen leaned against the trunk, eyes closed, as usual, while Lyra and Renzo bickered.Lyra's remarks about Renzo's speed and strength sparked between them like little flames.Then… their quarrel was cut off by the sound of hurried footsteps."Alric!"He was running like a beast was chasing him, his face a mixture of madness and obsession.In his hands, he clutched an old, tattered book — time itself had gnawed at its edges.He stopped in front of them, breath ragged, eyes gleaming with a strange, wild excitement.Raigen and Lyra both noticed it at once, and Raigen, unable to hold his curiosity as usual, called out with a grin,"Ooi, Alric! Looks like you've brought us a treasure. What's in that book of yours?"Alric lifted the book with both hands and declared with burning passion, a glint shining in his eyes,"Raigen! I've found the meaning of freedom."Silence fell over them.A sharp gleam flashed in Raigen's eyes, as if Alric's words had breathed new life into him.Alric sat down in front of them and opened the book.Inside, a map, and scattered writings."There was a man named Valios, known as 'The Free One.'""The only man to ever reach the River of Hope. They called him 'The Free' because no chains ever held him back. Anyone who reaches that river… becomes truly free, Raigen."He paused, raising his eyes to the others."The only one who turned the name 'freedom' into truth, not just a word."Lyra murmured,"But… no one can enter. The Empire placed a blockade around it.""And that's exactly why," Alric answered, "anyone who reaches it is free, Lyra. No chains bind them. No law can command them. They go where they will, when they will."Raigen remained silent, not speaking a word, until a soft mutter broke from his lips as his thoughts drifted,"You mean… we have to surpass the Empire to be free?"All eyes turned to him, and it was in that moment Raigen realized — his dream would only be possible if the Empire was overcome.A strong wind swept through, making the branches of the tree sway.Meanwhile, in the market, the voices of merchants and the shouts of children filled the place, mingling with the scent of fresh bread.And as always, someone was trying to steal away these moments of peace.A group of Imperial soldiers made their daily rounds through the streets, inspecting homes and public places.The people had grown used to this routine.But hidden among the crowds were members of the Veil Keepers faction, in disguise.One soldier grew angry when an old man refused to let him search his home."Open the door, old man! What are you hiding inside?"The old man didn't utter a word.Left with no other option, the soldier struck him hard across the head.The old man gasped in pain.
One of the Veil Keepers whispered to his comrade,
"Don't you think we should intervene?"
"The commander said only in extreme cases. Remember — one reckless move from us, and they'll burn them all."
This had always been the reason the resistance held back, even when they had every right to defend the people.One step from them could mean the entire city in flames… just like what happened in the neighboring village.
The soldiers spread throughout Grana, searching homes and humiliating the people.It felt like they were deliberately provoking the resistance to act.
At that moment, Zaherald was making his way toward the royal council of Grana — a move no one expected.As soon as the Echo Faction scouts spotted him, they alerted the other factions of his movements.But Zaherald turned to military interference and political maneuvering instead of the battlefield.
"A sword opens doors, but words rule what lies beyond."
The royal council sat inside a vast palace, pretending to govern the land and its people, though in truth they were nothing but puppets moved by the Empire's strings.Within those high walls and echoing halls, King Iraldo held a secret meeting with his inner council.The situation in the markets was spiraling out of control, and news of the resistance's movements had reached their ears.
Then… Zaherald entered.
His steps steady, eyes unwavering, his expression cold.He bowed swiftly to the king, not a hint of excess, even this being part of his plan.The king gestured for the guards to leave, and Zaherald seated himself without invitation, flashing a faint grin.
"Your Majesty… or perhaps, should I call you Iraldo?"
The king's face twisted in unease.Glances exchanged among the council.They knew… when Zaherald spoke politics, death was usually a kinder option.
Zaherald laughed aloud, then continued,
"Don't worry, I'm not here to threaten your throne or your crown. A sword opens doors, but words rule from behind them. Don't you think so?""Wouldn't you like to see the people cheering your name, thanking your council for forcing the Empire to withdraw its troops?"
Iraldo swallowed hard, speaking with a tense voice trying to fake authority.
"What do you want?"
"Ooh? What's with that tone, Your Majesty? I came here to negotiate — looks like you misunderstood."
Then, Zaherald's face shifted from mocking to serious.
"How about a deal that keeps your throne intact… and extinguishes the chaos in the markets without a single drop of your people's blood?"
"And what's in return?"
Zaherald leaned his elbow on the table, resting his cheek against his hand, his wicked smile widening at the word return.
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At that moment, while the wind played with the dust of the streets and the sounds of soldiers echoed through the alleys...In a dark corner between the back alleys of the city, a masked man moved with heavy and steady steps.
Valdern.He stopped in front of an old iron door and said in a hushed voice, "When the dagger becomes weaker than the word... the time for the meeting has come."
He entered, closing the door behind him.A heavy silence blanketed the meeting chamber.He waited.
It wasn't long before Vaelor Ashrend emerged from his room.The exhaustion in his eyes could only be seen by those who knew the true cost of war.
Faldern greeted him in a quiet voice.
"Sir…"
Vaelor silenced him with a knowing look.
"I expected you, Faldern."
Faldern stepped closer.
"The meeting between Zaherald and King Iraldo… it's just a prelude to their next move. There's only one solution."
He paused, his breath catching in his chest.
"I'm part of that contract. And you know it."
Vaelor placed a hand on the table, looking at him with the eyes of a man who had lived for a cause.
"Are you planning to surrender yourself?"
Faldern nodded with a bitter smile.
"Seems like it's farewell."
A suffocating silence hung between them before Vaelor spoke in a tone like a vow.
"No matter what happens… we will win, Faldern. Your sacrifice, their sacrifices… will not be wasted. It will light the path for those who come after us."
Faldern smiled.
"Just… make sure they know… freedom is seized, not given."
The factions were scattered, uncertain of their next move, unwilling to risk it while soldiers filled every street.
Then suddenly…Footsteps.Firm. Rhythmic. Approaching.Not one or two… a full unit.
The soldiers abruptly began to withdraw, converging toward the advancing figure.
It was Zaherald.
He entered the heart of Grana with ease, all the stationed soldiers following him.When he reached the town center, where the houses clustered, people rushed out in fear — men, women clutching their children, dread on every face.
This wasn't ordinary.Zaherald himself, with this many soldiers — something was about to happen.
A suffocating silence hung over them all.
At that very moment, in his nearby home, Faldern and Hilda heard the sound of approaching footsteps.Faldern glanced out the window.Hilda stood behind him.
And it was exactly as expected.
His voice came low, heavy as iron.
"Hilda…"
He turned to her, grasping both her delicate hands.
"Don't leave this house… no matter what you hear, no matter what you see… no matter who knocks on the door."
"But Faldern, what is—"
He didn't answer.His eyes alone said it all.
A tear slipped down her lashes, trailing her cheek.
"The sound of drums… don't you hear it? I have to go."
He paused.
"And where's Raigen? Hasn't he returned yet?"
"He left this morning… and never came back."
The weight of those words was unbearable for both.
Then…
He embraced her.A heavy embrace… like none before.As if trying to hold onto this moment.
"Faldern… why…?"
Her voice trembled, tears welling up until they spilled, her body shaking with sobbing breaths.
"I'm sorry, Hilda… sorry for everything."
Her voice quivered.
"Faldern…"
But he didn't reply.His hands released her shoulders.And he walked away — leaving everything behind.
"Where is your representative?"
Zaherald's arrogant voice rang out.No one answered.Everyone froze in place.
"I won't ask again. Where is Falther?"
Faces changed.Whispers of fear and confusion passed from one to the next.
A young man in his twenties stepped forward, voice trembling, trying to fake courage.
"What do you want from us?"
A soldier shot him a look, raising a boot to kick him, only for Zaherald to stop him with a simple hand gesture.
Zaherald's cruel, sinister laugh filled the square, making everyone fall silent.
"Seems this pitiful village is nothing but cow—"
But before he could finish, the murmurs rose.The people parted, making way.
Faldern stepped forward, his steps heavy, his gaze fixed on Zaherald's, never flinching.
"Faldern Falther… surprised we meet in a place like this."
Faldern kept his calm, saying nothing, waiting for his enemy to speak.
"You've changed so m—"
Faldern cut him off, brows furrowed, voice firm.
"You won't need to kill me, Zaherald…"
He raised his arm.
"I'll offer my head to this land… so no one else has to fall."
One of the villagers gasped.
"Impossible… Faldern…!"
Another whispered.
"He's… choosing his own end."
Zaherald stepped closer, his sword dangling at his side, his voice low so only they could hear.
"I knew… you would."
Then he raised his voice.
"Bear witness, all of you! This man you've hidden behind… surrenders himself so your village won't burn. From this day forth, anyone who speaks his name… will be executed!"
As soon as his words ended, Faldern walked toward the center of the square — a nameless place, but from that night… it would be known as The Square of Sacrifice.
He looked up at the sky…Took one last breath.
The people trembled in horror.
Then, a voice shattered time and space:
"Faaaaaaather!!"