Edlin, Joshua, and Albert, a group of three , set off on a new adventure.
Two days ago, a very strange place.
Commander Relai and Commander Zack, along with their companions, had reached the snowy mountains where Khandak reigns.
The Snowy Mountains are a place located within the Aria Kingdom, yet they are not ruled by King Elvin. Despite being part of the Aria Kingdom, these mountains are home to some of the tallest peaks in the world. Khandak rules this region because his ancestors made the Snowy Mountains their home long ago. At that time, they made a pact with the king of the Aria Kingdom, agreeing that they could live there and, in return, the orcs would always come to their aid.
Commander Relai and Commander Zack were seated in a palace-like chamber, waiting for someone. The atmosphere was tense. Around them stood about ten orcs, their expressions fierce and eyes burning with anger—it was clear they were not pleased.
And then, a voice echoed from the door behind them—a voice so powerful and commanding that it could strike fear into anyone's heart .
"Well, look who has arrived at my humble abode," the voice said, laced with a mocking tone and undeniable authority.
It was none other than the ruler of the land himself—King Khandak.
Khandak stepped into the grand, palace-like chamber, his presence commanding immediate respect. As he entered, all the orcs standing in the room bowed their heads low in greeting. Even Commander Zack and Commander Relai rose to their feet and respectfully greeted the king.
Khandak, his voice edged with anger, said,
Khandak - There's no need for this show, Zack and Relai. You both know very well how I prefer to meet .
And then, without warning, Khandak drew his massive, heavy sword and lunged at Relai. But Relai, without a moment's hesitation, unsheathed his own blade, meeting Khandak's strike with a powerful clash. The force of their swords colliding sent shockwaves through the chamber, rattling everything around them and throwing nearby objects into disarray.
Just then, Zack smirked slightly and said,
Zack - Hmph… old habits."
Khandak burst into loud laughter and said,
Khandak - Yes, the same old habit indeed!
Relai, visibly angry, snapped,
Relai - You damn fool! Have you lost your mind? Show some restraint—you're not just some random adventurer anymore. You're a king now!"
Khandak - Watch your tongue, Relai,"
(Khandak growled, his tone suddenly turning cold and sharp.)
"Alright, enough of this,"
( Zack interjected firmly.)
Zack - Let's put an end to the drama and get to the matter we actually came here for.
Relai, still fuming, said sharply,
Relai - Yes, let's get to the real issue. So tell me, Khandak—oh sorry, King Khandak—can't you even control your own brother?"
Khandak, his voice deep and heavy, replied,
Khandan - My brother paid for his actions with his life—that was his punishment. And as for control... yes, that failure was mine."
"But let me make one thing clear,"
Khandak continued, his voice steady yet filled with weight,
Khandak - My brother may have hated humans—he always wanted to attack them—but he was never the kind to do something like this without telling me first.
Zack - Then why did he do it? He attacked two human villages—tried to wipe them out completely. If Edlin hadn't been with me that day, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
Khandak - Hmm… I have an answer for that too, (Khandak said calmly. ) But this Edlin… he's the one who brought my brother to his end, isn't he? Don't worry, I'll meet him—eventually. I just want to see the courage of the one who stood against an orc prince.
Relai - "Yes, he's the one,But remember this, Khandak—if anything happens to him, I won't hesitate to forget our friendship.
Khandak - Whatever the case, we'll deal with that later, Khandak said, his tone turning serious.
But the truth is—yes, my brother attacked, but he wasn't in his right mind. Someone else had control over him. Relai, Zack… I'm sure you've heard of The Shadows.
Relai's eyes widened with disbelief.
Relai - No, this can't be true. Are you talking about The Shadows?
Khandak - Yes, Shadows, do you know that I gave my brother everything so that he would never feel alone after our father was martyred in the war? And when Khanda found out about it, he blamed humans for it. So I did everything I could to reduce his hatred towards humans. But look at what has happened today. And I can say this with certainty — my brother doesn't tell me anything anymore.
Come with me, I have something to show you all.
Before Relai could say anything, Zack signaled to him, making him understand that he should agree to go with Khandak and accompany him.
Relai - Ok .
Khandak takes them to a place that looks like a prison. Inside one of the cells, an Orc is locked up — in a very terrible condition. Seeing this, Zack says...
Zack - Khandak, what is this? You have an Orc imprisoned — and in such a horrible condition too?
Khandak looks at Zack and says,
Khnadak - You still have that old habit of interrupting, don't you?"
"First, listen to me. This Orc is no ordinary one — he is my most loyal soldier. I had sent him with Khanda. His name is Khalel. When Khanda first attacked the village and the villagers somehow managed to drive him away, that's when Khalel got separated from them and came running straight here. His condition was extremely bad. And when I saw him, do you know what I saw?"
Guess what I saw .
(Relai says angrily.)
Relai - Keep going, you bastard — don't create suspense!
Khandak looks at him angrily and says,
Khandak - Yes, listen, you bastard. When I saw Khalel closely, his eyes were completely dull. And when I took him to my doctor, we found a strange black mark on the back of his neck. When I investigated this mark, I discovered that it appears only when a being has been possessed by a Shadow — and then somehow manages to break free from its control. This mark naturally forms on the body of the one who was possessed.
"If you don't believe me, check for yourself."
Relai and Zack examine the Orc closely — and just as Khandak had said, everything turns out to be true. The black mark is clearly visible, and Khalel's eyes still carry the haunting trace of what he's been through.
Just then, Relai begins to speak:
Relai - The Shadows disappeared 400 years ago... and if this is true, then the world is about to change. If they've returned, there will be massacres — rivers of blood will flow. Khandak, we need to do something — and we need to do it fast.
Zack - Relai is right," Khandak . "The Shadows' goal must have been to create a rift between humans and Orcs — but because of Edlin, they failed. And now, we must warn everyone. This message needs to reach all eight kingdoms as soon as possible. The time has come... for us to call a meeting.
Khandak - "I'm ready," Relai . "You go to King Elvin. Give him my respects — and tell him everything. As soon as possible. We cannot take the Shadows lightly. What happened 400 years ago must not happen again. I will give everything I have to stop them… so they can't bring their lord back. Because if their lord returns—consider it the beginning of the end.
Without saying a word, Relai signals Zack to move quickly — and just like that, they all begin to leave. They don't even say goodbye to Khandak. Relai, his knights, and Zack's soldiers all ride off, heading straight toward the White Castle.
Khandak - "Those ungrateful ones didn't even say goodbye to me… hmm."
"Looks like I'll be keeping busy now — I have to meet Edlin, and visit the village where Khanda attacked. I need to see for myself who it was that managed to drive him away. And then… I have a meeting to attend as well."
"Hmm… feels like chaos is about to erupt."
To be continue...