Chapter ten:Terror in Everia

King Alexander Ephiphanes' face turned red with rage as he heard the false news of his own death. He was furious that someone would dare to spread such a rumor, and he was determined to make an example of those responsible.

He ordered his guards to round up the throne usurpers who had spread the false news, and he had them beheaded in the town square. But his anger didn't stop there. He was convinced that the people of Everia were behind the conspiracy, and he was determined to make them pay.

With a fierce battle cry, King Alexander Ephiphanes and his men stormed out of Galvia, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. They cut down anyone who stood in their way, showing no mercy to the innocent people of Everia.

When they arrived at Everia, the atmosphere was one of utter terror. The king's men rampaged through the streets, murdering everyone in sight. Men, women, boys, and girls - no one was spared. Even babies were butchered in their mothers' arms.

The slaughter continued for three days, with the king's men showing no signs of relenting. By the time they finally withdrew, ninety thousand people had lost their lives.

But King Alexander Ephiphanes' attention was soon diverted by news of a serious civil unrest in one of his cities in Galvia. He withdrew his men from Everia, leaving behind a trail of devastation and grief.

The people of Everia were left to pick up the pieces, to mourn their dead and try to rebuild their shattered lives. But the memory of the king's terror would never be forgotten, and the people of Everia would never feel safe again.

Not long after the massacre, King Alexander Ephiphanes sent an elderly man named Marcus Aurelius to Everia with a sinister mission. Marcus was instructed to put immense pressure on the people of Everia, forcing them to abandon their faith in the Almighty God.

Marcus Aurelius was also given further instructions to desecrate the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, a sacred place of worship for the Christians of Everia. The king ordered Marcus to turn the church into a shrine temple dedicated to Ramas, the god of the people of Galvia.

Marcus Aurelius carried out the king's instructions with ruthless efficiency. He unleashed a harsh wave of oppression on the people of Everia, targeting both Christians and rebellious Everians alike. The once-revered Cathedral Church of Saint Paul was transformed into a mockery, a shrine to the pagan god Ramas.

The rebellious Everians, emboldened by Marcus Aurelius' actions, used the desecrated church as a venue for their debauched parties. They filled the sacred halls with drunken revelry, immoral acts, and even prostitution. Foreign objects, forbidden by the Almighty God, were brought into the church, and the altar was defiled with detestable sacrifices.

Marcus Aurelius and the rebellious Everians made it impossible for Christians to worship God in peace. Marcus issued a decree to the commander of the fort, ordering him to kill any Christian found offering worship to God. The Christians of Everia were forced to go into hiding, practicing their faith in secret and living in constant fear of persecution and death.

Erickson Jonathan, an elderly Everian and devout lover of God, became a symbol of courage and conviction in the face of persecution. His selfless act would be etched in the memories of the people of Everia forever.

When the rebellious Everians, who had once been his friends, approached him with a demand to eat pork meat, Erickson Jonathan stood firm in his faith. Despite their attempts to persuade him to pretend to eat the forbidden meat, he refused, saying:

"Kill me right here and now, for nothing would make me abandon God and reject His laws. I have lived a God-fulfilled life, and there's no need to pretend before everyone here to do something contrary to God's laws. What example would I be setting for the young ones coming up if I eat this, which has been forbidden by both God and our people, just for earthly gains? What earthly gains do I have, anyway?"

With these brave words, Erickson Jonathan willingly walked into the torture chamber built by Marcus Aurelius, where he was met with brutal whips and beatings. His former friends, now turned against him, inflicted unbearable pain upon him, ultimately leading to his martyrdom.

Erickson Jonathan's courageous act in the face of death sent shockwaves throughout Everia. His unwavering commitment to his faith inspired many, and his memory would live on as a testament to the power of conviction and sacrifice.

Drinian had been living with Thorne and his family for over a month now. Life had been good to him, and he had finally found a sense of belonging. However, a shocking event occurred a few weeks ago, one that still left Drinian surprised to this day.

It happened on a typical morning when Drinian was heading to work as usual. Thorne had stayed behind to help Helen with some domestic chores, promising to join Drinian later at the shop. As Drinian walked to work, he encountered Elizabeth Culkin, a wealthy woman notorious for bullying the poor people of Brindlemark.

Her son, Marcel, who was around Drinian's age, had always been looking for ways to trouble him. On this particular day, Marcel tried to bully Drinian, but Drinian stood his ground and shoved Marcel out of his way, eager to get to work on time.

Marcel quickly ran to his mother, who was nearby, and lied to her, claiming that Drinian had bullied him. Elizabeth Culkin, fueled by her own arrogance and disdain for the poor, stormed over to confront Drinian.

She slapped him, demanding to know why he dared to touch her son with his "poor and dirty hands." Drinian tried to explain the truth, but Elizabeth refused to listen, intent on slapping him again.

Just as she was about to strike Drinian, Helen appeared out of nowhere, having rushed to catch up with Drinian after realizing he had forgotten his sales book at home. She had witnessed the entire scene and immediately stood up for her ward.

Helen confronted Elizabeth, asking her why she had hit Drinian without bothering to find out what really happened. Elizabeth, still adamant that her son was telling the truth, insisted that Marcel was always right, simply because he was a rich man's child.

However, the crowd that had gathered began to side with Drinian, praising him as a good boy and recounting his kind deeds. Elizabeth Culkin, realizing she had misjudged the situation, grew ashamed, especially since she had witnessed the entire incident but chose to support her son anyway.

Helen, still fuming, warned Elizabeth never to lay her hands on Drinian again, calling him her son. Elizabeth Culkin, embarrassed and humiliated, retreated with her son, Marcel.

The incident had left Drinian shaken, but he was grateful for Helen's timely intervention. He realized that he had found a true family with Thorne and Helen, people who would stand up for him no matter what.