Chapter 7.1

Chapter 7.1

The figure came closer, the ground vibrating under the weight of its presence. The air seemed to be charged with energy, and Elion felt a shiver running along his spine. He knew it wasn't just a magician or a seasoned soldier. He wasn't sure what this individual represented, but he wasn't one to be intimidated without trying to understand.

The man in black armor stopped about ten paces from the group, and his cold gaze swept both sides present. The intensity of his gaze seemed to pierce the distance, focusing on Elion, before turning to Alrik. The air was getting heavier and heavier, and the soldiers, both fascinated and frightened, were silently watching the scene.

"I am here as an emissary." The man's voice echoed like an echo in the valley. "Your conflict is insignificant, King Elion. You are playing a game beyond you."

Elion sat up slightly, his gaze not leaving the individual. He had learned never to underestimate an opponent, but this man seemed to carry a threat that went beyond what he had imagined.

"I don't know who you are, but you are making a grave mistake," Elion replied, keeping a calm but firm tone. "If you think you can dictate the rules of this kingdom, you are seriously mistaken."

A dull sneer escaped from the emissary, and he bowed his head slightly, as if watching a child trying to understand a truth far greater than himself. He then raised his hand, an almost imperceptible movement, and an invisible shockwave made the air around him shudder. It was a demonstration of subtle power, but powerful enough to make everyone present feel that they were far above their level.

"I'm not here to play with you, Elion Skyless." The threat was clear in his words. "You're just a play in a much larger chessboard. Kingdoms, wars, intrigues... All of this is insignificant compared to what awaits you. You and your kingdom will be erased like a grain of sand in a storm."

Alrik, who was watching the scene, was quick to react, furious that his moment of negotiation had been interrupted by this mystery. He waved to his soldiers to prepare them, but before they could make a gesture, the emissary raised another hand, and a barrier of dark energy formed around him. He didn't need to say a word to make his intentions clear: he was ready to silence anyone who stood in his way.

Elion assessed the situation at a glance. His hands tightened around the handle of his sword, but he knew that this confrontation would not be played on a simple duel. This individual, whom he felt was a supernatural being, was far more dangerous than any enemy he had faced so far. Yet he could not back down, not now. The kingdom of Sky depended on its ability to stand firm in the face of such obscure threats.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, positioning himself between his soldiers and the man in black armor.

"Who are you to threaten us like this?" asked Elion, his voice loud but measured. "And why are you here?" What do you want from us?"

The emissary watched the young king silently for a long time, as if measuring his words. Then, in a softer but still imposing voice, he replied:

"You're not ready to understand, Elion." But know this: your kingdom, your ambitions, your little war... all this is nothing compared to what's on the horizon. The real enemy is neither Alrik nor the other barons. You saw the beginning of chaos. You haven't seen anything yet." He stopped, his gaze hardening." And if you don't act quickly, it will be your kingdom that will be the first victim of what will be announced."

A shiver ran through Elion's spine at these words. He knew that this man was talking about a threat far greater than he could have imagined. But who was he to know that? And why this warning? Was this meeting an attempt at manipulation or a real threat to Sky's existence?

The man in black armor made an imperceptible gesture, and a black mist rose up around him, concealing his features. A few seconds later, he had disappeared, leaving behind a sense of emptiness and uncertainty. Elion and Alrik's soldiers looked at each other, bewildered by what had just happened.

Elion stood there, his eyes fixed on where the emissary had disappeared. Worry was bubbling inside him, but he knew he had to stay in control. He slowly turned his head towards Alrik, who seemed just as troubled, but as furious as ever.

"Did you see that?" asked Elion, his voice closing the discussion with the air of a warning. "We have enemies far more powerful than you can imagine, Alrik."

The count clenched his fists, his gaze burning with anger, but also with recognition of reality. The war against Elion was now the least of his concerns.

"It's not over," he whispered, his black eyes staring around. "We have to prepare for what's coming."

Elion added nothing. He knew that the situation had changed irreversibly. A much larger enemy was on the horizon, and there was no room for quarrels between kingdoms. Sky was going to have to prepare for a much larger war, a war that would determine the future of the kingdom and perhaps even the entire continent.

Thus, the time for confrontation had not yet come, but the shadows of war were more clearly emerging than ever.