Revelations

Four days later, in Valoria, the atmosphere was as heavy as the urgency of the guard who ran into the king's chamber. His armor clinked with every step, and sweat dripped down his forehead as he tried to catch his breath.

"My king… there's a man outside on a cart… saying he needs to speak with you urgently. He's nervous… and it looks like he has something very important to deliver."

Gregory was seated on his throne, his forehead furrowed and fingers drumming nervously on the chair's armrest, reflecting the tension and anxiety that gripped him.

"Again? It's probably just another desperate peasant looking for shelter. Send him to the city and have him wait there."

"But… my king. He mentioned your name and said his name is Jack. He seems to know you."

Gregory stood up abruptly, his eyes widening, heart pounding wildly in his chest.

"Let him in immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" The guard hurried out.

As he stepped outside, Gregory saw Jack waiting, and his heart clenched. His solitary presence could only mean that something terrible had happened to Elion. Anxiety consumed him, along with a growing sense of helplessness. As he approached the cart, he noticed Jack's worn-out face, marked by suffering and exhaustion.

"Where is Elion?"

With a trembling gesture, Jack pointed to the back of the cart. Gregory advanced slowly, preparing for the worst. When he finally arrived, horror materialized before him: Elion was in a deplorable state, on the brink of death, surrounded by the mutilated bodies of his companions. A shock coursed through his body, and his expression quickly became laden with deep, anguished sorrow.

"BRING THE BEST DOCTORS NOW! Prepare the main hall and clean his wounds immediately! We cannot let him die; do whatever it takes!"

"Yes, sir!" The nearby guard hesitated for a moment at Gregory's reaction but quickly ran to fulfill the order.

As he observed the scene, Gregory knew that even with the best care, Elion might not survive. Still, he was determined to do everything in his power to save him.

Two days had passed since Jack's arrival, and finally, Elion began to wake up. His eyes opened slowly, blinking several times as they adjusted to the soft light of the room. The vaulted ceiling decorated with golden ornaments caught his attention, while the scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Despite the constant pain, he tried to focus on his surroundings.

Breathless and disoriented, his eyes scanned the room for answers. Beside his bed, Gregory was seated in a cushioned armchair, a worried expression on his face, while a young maid carefully cleaned his wounds. Elion felt a mix of relief and gratitude, realizing he had been saved and was being treated for recovery.

"Finally, you're awake. Stay calm, Elion, everything is fine now. Don't move too much so your wounds don't reopen," Gregory said, then turned his gaze to the maid. "Cristina, you can leave. If I need you later, I'll call. Thank you for your help."

"Alright." The maid stood up, bowing before leaving.

"Guards, you may withdraw. Stay alert outside and don't let anyone enter without my permission!"

The guards nodded and left, closing the door behind them. Gregory turned his attention back to Elion, now with a serious expression.

"What happened? How long was I out?"

"You were unconscious for six days—four during the return journey and two here in the castle since Jack brought you back."

"Jack! Where is Jack? Is he alright?"

"Calm down, Elion. There's no need to worry. In the battle, he lost two fingers on his left hand and suffered some bruises, but he's out of danger."

Elion let out a long sigh, feeling a slight relief, even if only for a moment.

"Where is he now?"

Before Gregory could answer, his face changed, taken over by a deep sadness that weighed down the room.

"Jack decided to personally visit the families of the men who died in battle. He wanted to bring the news and their belongings as a sign of respect."

✧༺⚔༻✧

That same afternoon, Jack stood before the first house. When the door opened, it was Eldric's father who received him. Jack briefly explained what had happened. He knew that Eldric wasn't very close to his father, despite being practically his only family. However, as he handed over Eldric's remains, Jack saw the profound pain in the man's eyes—a grief for a loss he still couldn't fully comprehend.

After that, Jack continued to Leon's parents' house. Leon's younger sister was playing in the garden with some dolls, sitting on the ground. Jack approached with a sad smile.

"Lirael, you've grown a lot since I last saw you. How old are you now?"

Lirael stood up and, with a shy smile, counted on her fingers, displaying the innocence of a child.

"Seven! I'm seven now!" Lirael grinned brightly, holding up her fingers for Jack to see.

"And where are your parents?"

"They're inside the house."

Jack nodded in thanks and headed toward the house with firm but sorrowful steps.

"Do you know where big brother is? He hasn't come to play with me in a long time."

Upon hearing those words, Jack froze. His heart tightened as if something was crushing it, but he swallowed hard and controlled himself.

"He's taking care of something very important right now, so he couldn't come."

Jack remained with his back to Lirael, struggling against his tears. He knew that if he looked at her again, he would break down.

He knocked on the door, and when Leon's mother answered, he greeted her with a sorrowful expression.

"I need to talk to you about Leon."

Leon's mother, sensing the gravity of the situation, let him in. Leon's father, a retired soldier, was seated at the table. As soon as he saw Jack with a bag in his hand, he immediately understood what had happened. His expression changed instantly.

Jack placed Leon's belongings on the table, and after explaining the events, the father covered his face with his hands and lowered his head. Leon's mother, unable to bear the news, collapsed into tears.

The sun began to set, and Jack sat on a bench, lost in thought, with Roderick's remains beside him. His bandaged hand covered part of his face as tears fell uncontrollably.

"Damn it, Roderick, why did you leave this to me? You were always better at handling these things." Jack lifted his eyes to the sky, seeking strength to move forward. "I have to go."

His heart grew heavier with every step until he reached Roderick's house. A deep sense of dread took over his chest.

"Roderick, I can't do this." He stood still for a moment, clutching his shirt over his heart, until a familiar voice brought him back to reality.

"Jack, why are you just standing there?"

Turning around, Jack saw Selena, Roderick's pregnant wife, walking toward him with a bag of vegetables in her arms, just returning from the market.

"Come inside, it's late, but I'll make you some tea."

They entered the house, and Selena went straight to the kitchen, putting away the groceries and gathering the utensils for tea. The kitchen was simple yet cozy, with wooden shelves filled with jars of herbs and spices. A cast-iron kettle hung over the fireplace, its gentle warmth filling the space with a homely comfort.

Jack remained standing, paralyzed, battling his own thoughts.

"If you're here, then Roderick must be close too, right? He must be too busy to have arrived yet."

Jack listened in silence, but the weight of sorrow was so heavy that he could barely lift his eyes to meet hers.

"Selena, I need to tell you something. Please, sit down."

Upon hearing Jack's tone, the smile faded from her face, replaced by a serious, worried expression. She sat, visibly tense.

"What is it, Jack?"

Jack took a deep breath, gathering the last of his courage.

"It's about Roderick… He… died."

Silence fell, unbearable. Selena froze, her eyes widening. Trying to stand, her legs barely supported her.

"W-what are you saying, Jack? Don't joke about things like that. I-I'll prepare his meal… He must be tired from the trip."

Jack, his hands trembling, placed Roderick's belongings on the table.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect him."

An unbearable silence filled the room. Selena froze, her eyes wide open. As she tried to stand, her legs barely supported her.

"W-what are you talking about, Jack? Don't joke about things like that. I-I'll prepare his food… He must be tired from the trip."

Jack, with trembling hands, placed Roderick's belongings on the table.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect him."

Selena broke into sobs. Jack stepped closer and embraced her, trying to find the right words, but there were none. The weight of their shared grief was unbearable.

✧༺⚔༻✧

While Jack wrestled with the pain of loss and the burden of his words, the same shadow of mourning loomed over Elion. Gregory's words, echoing through the room, struck him like a sharp blade. Sorrow clouded his face as he grasped the depth of the loss. His comrades, men who had fought and laughed by his side, were now dead.

Elion looked down at his trembling hands, his heart tightening with guilt and pain. The weight of responsibility felt unbearable, pressing on his soul like an anchor as he recalled that he had chosen those men for the mission.

"That thing…"

Gregory felt Elion's fear seep into his own body, making him involuntarily shiver.

"There's no need to talk about the details of the journey. Jack already told me. I know it was horrible, but you did everything you could," Gregory said, pausing as he looked at Elion. "After you passed out, Jack gathered what he could from your fallen comrades and carried you on his shoulders back to the inn. He did his best to stop your bleeding and safeguard the others' belongings. That same night, he began the journey back. It was a difficult road… Jack didn't sleep at all."

"When that monster came at me, I froze for a moment… I didn't know what to do. It attacked so fast that I only felt the pain seconds later."

Gregory listened in silence, his expression marked by concern as he attentively took in the painful account of his warrior.

"If Jack hadn't rushed to attack it from behind, I wouldn't be here. But he was struck before he could even land a blow. Fortunately, the monster turned to face him, creating an opening. That's when I managed to drive my sword into the creature's chest before blacking out. After that… I remember nothing."

Gregory closed his eyes and clenched his fists, trying to relieve the pressure in his chest.

"Elion, now that my worst fears have come true, it's time for me to tell you everything I know. It's a long story, and you'll need to listen carefully to every detail."

Elion nodded seriously, aware that something even darker was about to be revealed.

"There was an ancient era when four mythical races lived in this land: the Elves, the Dwarves, the Mystics, and the Elementalists," Gregory began, preparing to tell the tale.

The Elves lived in the forests. They built homes high up in the trees to escape the dangers of the ground and had a strong connection with nature's spirits. They could sense and interact with them easily. Known for their pointed ears and incredible longevity, they could live for centuries.

The Dwarves, on the other hand, lived in underground caves. They forged legendary weapons and equipment and possessed immense physical strength. Despite their short stature, they were brave and skilled in combat.

The Mystics avoided conflicts and lived in small villages in the mountains. They were few in number but had telekinetic powers capable of moving large objects. Their bodies were marked with unique symbols that distinguished them from humans.

And lastly, the Elementalists—by far the most powerful—maintained security and balance among the races. They could control the four elements of nature: water, fire, earth, and wind. With white hair and golden eyes, they were symbols of intelligence and wisdom. They lived in cities far more advanced than the others.

Humans, meanwhile, despite being more numerous, lived in isolation, always wary and fearful of the powers possessed by the four mythical races.

"Huh? Is that true?"

"Calm down, now comes the worst part." He lowered his head with a somber look.

Hirano, an Elementalist, had an insatiable ambition and believed his race was superior to the others, thinking they deserved more privileges and luxuries. He tried to convince the leaders of his race to accept his ideas and dominate the others, but he was rejected.

Frustrated, Hirano decided to take matters into his own hands. With the idea of becoming the supreme leader of the Elementalists and ruling over the other races, he embarked on an relentless quest for more power.

He searched through books and scrolls but found no solution. Driven by his thirst for power, he set out on a journey across the world, accompanied by a small group of followers who shared his vision.

One day, during his journey, Hirano and his followers discovered ancient ruins hidden within a mountain. As they entered the labyrinth of underground corridors, they found stone tablets with letters they had never seen before. Excited by the discovery, they pressed on until they came upon a stone coffin.

Without hesitation, Hirano opened the tomb and found bones so ancient they had nearly turned to dust. Time had worn them down to the point that they barely maintained their original form, as if they had been there for millennia. Curious about the fragments, he found a ring with strange symbols and kept it before continuing his exploration.

Hours passed inside the ruins, but nothing else was found. Even so, Hirano and his group believed that the tablets and the ring were essential to obtaining the power they sought. They decided to return, determined to decipher the symbols and uncover the secrets hidden within the ancient ruins.

After days of intense study, Hirano became increasingly obsessed with deciphering the writings on the stone tablets. One night, deeply immersed in his research, he examined the ring he had found once more. Moved by curiosity, he placed the ring on his finger. Suddenly, he fell into a trance.

At that moment, Hirano realized the true nature of the ring. With this newfound ability, he was finally able to decipher all the inscriptions on the stone tablets.

What he didn't know was that one of his group members, who had seemingly been asleep, had woken up and heard everything.

The next day, Hirano decided to return to the ruins without revealing the true reason to his group.

Elion remained completely silent as Gregory continued, his expression growing increasingly tense.

Back inside the ruins, Hirano positioned himself before a wall covered in symbols and began reciting a ritual. As he spoke, the air around him grew heavy and ominous.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. However, the most terrifying sight was what happened among the symbols: the space between them began to crack. Before them, a black rift appeared in the middle of the wall. No one could see what lay inside the portal.

From this rift emerged an enormous monster. Completely ignoring Hirano's presence, the creature charged fiercely at the group. Moments later, other monsters began to pour out of the portal, brutally attacking the group members.

As screams filled the air, Hirano's ring shone brightly. The souls of the fallen were absorbed, transforming into energy to fuel his dark power.

Meanwhile, the Elementalist Hirano had assumed had fled was actually hiding at a distance, watching the massacre unfold. Horrified by what he witnessed, he decided to return to the Elementalist capital to report the terrible events.

Hirano, knowing that the ring granted him control over the creatures, began assembling an army of monsters. Thus, he initiated a devastating war against the four races.

The war led by Hirano was a true bloodbath, with countless lives lost. The monsters poured out of the portal endlessly, appearing in overwhelming numbers.

After much effort, the Elementalists and Dwarves managed to create a mechanism capable of sealing the portal from which Hirano summoned the creatures. However, to gather the necessary energy for the seal, the four races had to sacrifice a tremendous amount of their own life force. Finally, the portal was sealed, and over time, the monsters were defeated. The battle against Hirano was fierce. He caused many deaths, but in the end, he was defeated and slain.

The ring, being indestructible, was stored in a secret and secure location, known only to the leaders of the four races. They vowed to keep the ring sealed forever.

In an effort to restore trust among the races after the disaster caused by Hirano, the Elementalists decided to fragment the key to the seal into four crystals. Each crystal was entrusted to a leader of one of the four races, ensuring that no single person could have control over the seal.

"But what happened to these races? I've never seen them in my entire life."

Gregory took a deep breath, leaning back in his chair and looking at Elion with a serious expression.

"After the war, the four races were weakened and became targets of human hatred. The humans wrongly blamed them for the monster attacks. Even with the Elementalists sending warriors to help, the humans waged another war against them."

"The war was cruel and unbalanced. The races fought with almost no power left. One by one, they were defeated. The Elementalists fought bravely, but in the end, they fell."

"The legends created by humans painted the four races as evil sorcerers, further fueling their hatred. Over time, these races were nearly wiped out. Only a few managed to escape to places inaccessible to humans."

Gregory lowered his gaze, allowing the weight of the tragedy to fill the room, leaving behind a heavy silence.

"Gregory, how do you know all this?"

With slow, precise movements, Gregory began removing the crown and the band that adorned his head, while Elion watched him intently, not looking away.

When Gregory finally exposed his ears, Elion's eyes widened in shock.

"Those ears… you're an elf?"

"Yes, Elion. More specifically, I am the son of an elf and a human."

Elion could barely process what he was hearing.

"How did you manage to hide for so long and even become king?"

"In the past, I helped the former prince, and we became close friends. When he took the throne, I became his advisor. Before his death, he named me king." Gregory lowered his gaze, recalling his past. "Since I rarely left the capital, I devised a strategy to hide my true identity. Inside the castle, I was the king; in the city, I disguised myself as my own son. With youthful clothing, an altered voice, and a carefree demeanor, everyone believed that the king's son was taking over the throne."

"But what about now that you're older?"

"Now that I can no longer pass for a young prince, I started frequently changing servants and guards so that no one would suspect my true identity."

Elion understood Gregory's reasoning, but a shadow of sadness settled over his heart.

"I see… So does this mean the portal has been reopened?"

Gregory shook his head.

"The portal has not been reopened. If it had, a horde of monsters would have already attacked. But these creatures are different. They seem to think and plan, whereas those that emerge from the portal seek only destruction, killing whatever they see."

Elion felt a slight relief at hearing this, but the confusion remained.

"Then what's happening?"

"To be honest, I have no idea. But it's possible that someone has discovered how to create these creatures and is searching for the four stones to reopen the portal."

"If you're a descendant of the elves, do you have one of the stones?"

"Unfortunately, no. Only direct descendants of the original leaders protected the stones. When I was younger, I explored, trying to understand the past of the four races. I uncovered the history of the great war and spent much of my life searching for the stones, but I never found a single clue to their whereabouts."

"These monsters are attacking other villages and killing people. We have to send more soldiers to eliminate them. They seem weak against fire. My flaming sword killed one with ease."

"It's not as simple as you think." Gregory glanced at Elion's sword, leaning against the wall. "You were only able to kill that monster because your sword possesses a hidden power, highly effective against these creatures."

"Hidden power?"

"While researching, I found a document about special weapons from the war. They had nearly invisible symbols on the blade, the mark of the Dwarf who forged them. When I saw this sword, I recognized the symbol and knew it was one of those weapons. After becoming king, I gave it to a great friend of mine, your grandfather."

"Then that's why it has been passed down from generation to generation in my family."

Elion's eyes filled with admiration as he looked at the sword, but soon his attention returned to the urgency of the current situation.

"We have to help these people somehow!"

Cough, cough!

However, his exultation was interrupted by a severe coughing fit.

"I warned you to stay calm. Now your wounds have reopened." He turned slightly toward the door. "GUARDS! Call Cristina to change his bandages!"

"Yes, sir!"

"But, Gregory, she'll see your ears."

"It doesn't matter. Cristina has known my true identity for many years. She is an orphan I found stealing food in the city when she was just a little child."

A few moments later, Cristina entered the room carrying a tray with water and clean cloths. With care and delicacy, she began removing the bloodstained bandages from Elion's head and chest, working with the precision and tenderness of someone who knew exactly what to do.

"Gregory, I'm going to finish off those monsters!"

"No! Now, we have to find those stones before they do. With just one, we'd have the advantage. But if they find all of them first, chaos will engulf the world. Without the four races to help, it will be a massacre with no one to stop it."

"I'll set out tomorrow!"

"Are you crazy?!" He grabbed a small mirror from the nearby table and threw it onto Elion's bed. "Look at yourself."

Elion took the mirror reluctantly, and upon seeing his reflection, a shock raced through his body like lightning. That devastated face barely looked like his own, and panic seized him as he saw the exposed parts of his skull.

"Fortunately, you haven't lost sight in your left eye. Your recovery was complicated, with infections and fever that nearly killed you. The doctors worked nonstop to stabilize you. You're still weak and it will be hard to get out of bed for a few days. Wait until you're better before setting out." Gregory sighed, running his hand over his face. "Cristina, take good care of him."

"Alright." The maid began cleaning Elion's wounds tenderly.

Gregory stood up, adjusted the band around his head, put on his crown, and walked toward the door.

"Perhaps he is the only person who can save this world from destruction…" he whispered softly. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his chest. He knew that Elion was strong, but what was to come was something no one could have predicted.