Breaker of Divine Chains

Desperation and Hope in the North Kingdom

When Solve and Vermithor were sent back to their homeland, the North Kingdom, by the power of God, the stillness around them strangely disturbed them. This was their place, the kingdom where they were born and raised, where they fought alongside Lordhair. However, Lordhair was not here. He was now in another dimension, serving his sentence in prison.

As Solve wandered the stone corridors of the palace, he paused for a moment and looked out at the open sky. The sky was as calm and blue as usual; their world seemed peaceful, yet a storm raged within his soul.

"Everything here is normal," Solve muttered, throwing himself next to Vermithor. "But this is a false peace. Standing here while Lordhair is not... it tears me apart."

Vermithor stood at the head of a large map in the throne room. He was studying the corners of his kingdom carefully, as if trying to find an escape route on the map. But his fists were clenched, resting on the edge of the table, and his face wore a clear expression of desperation.

"I can't accept it," Vermithor said with a hint of anger. "He is still fighting over there. And we... we’re just waiting. We know we can’t oppose God, Solve. But standing here like this... I can’t accept it."

Solve shook his head and slumped into a nearby chair. "I can’t accept it either, but what can we do? Going against God’s will is beyond our limits. I want to save him. But the fact that there is nothing we can do... it’s suffocating me."

Vermithor’s eyes moved from the map to Solve. "But we have to do something," he said in a low voice. "We can’t pretend we’ve forgotten him. We can’t just sit here and wait, Solve. We have to find a way. Even if we can’t go against God’s will, it’s our responsibility as his friends."

Solve looked at Vermithor’s determination with a glimmer of hope. What made this hopeless situation more bearable was their loyalty to Lordhair. "You’re right," Solve said. "We shouldn’t leave him alone there. Maybe we can’t oppose God directly... but watching over him, giving him moral support, trying something... these might be the things we can do."

Vermithor took a deep breath and walked away from the table toward the window. As he looked at the clear sky of the North, a wave of hope seemed to rise within him. He knew that Lordhair was a strong being, and he would fight to get through this trial. But still, the thought of being unable to help him left a deep wound in his soul.

"Then we’ll just wait," Vermithor finally said, a mix of hopelessness and hope in his voice. "But we won’t accept this waiting as a silent defeat. We will do whatever we can within the limits God has set for us."

Vermithor and Solve were deep in thought, searching for a solution for Lordhair, as they stood in the palace’s large stone hall in a profound silence. Solve held the map of the palace with his hands, while Vermithor anxiously paced around the room. Both of their faces carried the heavy burden of wanting to save their friend, with the painful reality that they were limited by God’s will.

Solve scratched his head as he looked at the map. "How can we reach God’s dimensions? Or Nira herself… Could she give us an answer?"

Vermithor struck the floor with force, creating small cracks in the stone. "We have to find an answer, Solve. Lordhair shouldn’t be alone."

At that moment, a fierce wind suddenly roared in the sky. Dark clouds began to gather quickly over the palace. Solve and Vermithor jumped in surprise, looking out the window. A lightning bolt struck the palace with a blinding brilliance, the light flooding everything with a dazzling whiteness.

The lightning had struck the large stone courtyard of the palace. As the bright light slowly faded, a figure appeared, surrounded by a long, pure light. Nira, with her wings open and shining brilliantly, stood in the courtyard. She walked toward Solve and Vermithor with a calm yet stern expression. With every step, the stones of the palace trembled from the sacred energy surrounding Nira.

Solve took a step back in astonishment. "Is this... Nira?"

Vermithor quickly regained himself and stepped forward. "Nira! Why are you here? What have you brought us?"

Nira stood with silent authority and glanced around. Every movement of hers reminded them of how powerful and divine she was. She gazed at both of them, then spoke in a cold but clear voice: "You have no right to question God’s will. But since you desired to reach me, I have come. Lordhair’s pain weakens you here; I see you are trying to find a way."

Vermithor took an angry step toward her. "That’s right! But we can’t help him. God’s will leaves us no chance. Lordhair is our friend. Leaving him alone there... it breaks our hearts!"

Nira smiled faintly and looked at Solve, then glanced back at both of them. "Waiting and patience, sometimes, are actions. You will stay here. Lordhair’s punishment will test his will; your test will be accepting his fate. Sometimes, accepting something is less exhausting than striving to change it."

Vermithor: "But I don’t understand. He just helped my kingdom in war?"

Nira: "I told you, Vermithor, you know nothing."

Vermithor: "What do you mean?"

Solve (reluctantly rolling his eyes and anxiously nodding): "She’s right. Lordhair and I actually changed the past of this world, we rewrote its fate."

Vermithor frowned. "Were you hiding this from me?"

Solve: "That wasn’t our goal. Everything happened so suddenly. You could have learned it if everything had stayed normal."

Solve: "And you, Nira? Have you been deceiving us all this time by saying we’re a flaw of this dimension? What is your goal?"

Nira: "I am only bound to fulfill my god’s commands. This was one of them. He saw Lordhair’s potential and sent me and Mycrhon to observe him closely. Lordhair is not an ordinary being. People like him only come once in a thousand years. Our God cannot kill or control him without his consent or without him committing a grave crime. The last event wasn’t enough for him to kill him. But he can imprison him, force him, make him suffer. But he cannot take his life."

Solve and Vermithor, in great shock, asked, "What do you mean?"

Nira: "There are times when God’s power is uncontrollable; times when God’s power goes out of control, and the fabric of the universe itself cracks. A thousand-year cycle. The break symbolizes both the shaking of God’s authority and the birth of a new entity."

"We call these times 'Veyrhan.' It means ‘Independent will’ or ‘Breaker of Divine Chains.'"

Solve and Vermithor stood in stunned silence for a while. Nira’s words echoed in their ears, creating a weight they couldn’t fully grasp. Vermithor clenched his fist, stepping forward, his eyes fixed on Nira.

Vermithor: "What... what does this mean? Are you saying that God’s power cannot be controlled during this cycle? How could this cycle be connected to Lordhair?"

Nira paused for a moment, slowly took a deep breath, and slightly raised her wings as she responded with an air of wisdom: "Veyrhan is not a flaw in the order of God, Vermithor. It is a cycle; it is necessary for the balance of the universe. Every thousand years, the Divine Order is questioned. This is also a reminder of the beings in the universe, of free will and independence. However, every cycle has a focal point—a being... Lordhair, the one at the center of this cycle."

Solve was completely stunned by what he heard. Without being able to control his will, he took a step forward and shouted at Nira in confusion: "So Lordhair didn't just change his fate... but is he a being who can challenge the power of a God? And you knew this! What about us? Why were you deceiving us, why didn’t you tell us the truth?"

Nira calmly looked at Solve. There was neither regret nor pride in her eyes; only the expression of someone who had fulfilled their duty. "What would knowing the truth bring you, Solve? Lordhair’s choices put the Divine Will to the test. But this test is not only for him, it is also a test for you. Your will, your commitment to him, and your patience are part of this cycle. I am an envoy of my God. It was not my decision to conceal or reveal the truth; this was a move in God’s game."

Vermithor remained silent for a while. He clenched his jaw, his eyes locked on Nira. Then he spoke slowly: "This cycle, this... Veyrhan. If this is Lordhair’s fate, what can we do? Just watch? Do we have no chance to break this cycle?"

Nira answered with a slight bow of her head: "Veyrhan can break a chain, but it depends on how you interpret those chains. Lordhair’s fate gains meaning when it merges with your will. But in this process, you cannot directly oppose the Divine Order. You must accept His will and give Lordhair time to understand the limits of his power."

Solve wanted to scream, but the words felt stuck in his throat. He merely turned his head and focused on the blue, calm sky. Beneath that calmness, he felt a complex war raging. Vermithor, however, was still searching for a solution, though deep down, he had begun to accept that Nira might be right.

Nira: After Lordhair has endured the punishments he must, he can come to you using the alter, if he wishes. He has been granted this permission.

Nira, accepting their silence as approval, slowly retreated. She opened her wings again and began to ascend towards the sky. Before leaving, she spoke one last time: "Lordhair’s fate will complete this cycle. Even if you are not by his side here, your will will nourish the power within him. Remember, sometimes waiting is the greatest sacrifice."

And with a brilliant light, Nira disappeared into the sky. Solve and Vermithor were, simply put, in shock.

Solve: It’s very clear that there’s nothing we can do, I’ll wait and hope he contacts me.

Vermithor: That’s probably the best course of action.

Solve: Nira's story explains why God didn't destroy Phantom before.

Iron Kingdom One Month Later (Time Is Running Faster and  From here on, the Iron Kingdom narratives will be about what happened when Lordhair lived in the other dimension. It is not a mistake ): 

After the Phantom’s destruction, a strange silence hovered inside the laboratory. Khan’s eyes scanned the soldiers remaining inside. As he took a deep breath, he wondered how he had not sensed their presence. Meanwhile, one of the soldiers, unnerved by Khan's focused gaze, gave a subtle signal to the others.

The leader of the soldiers raised his weapon and shouted in a brave yet tense voice: "That’s enough! Stop him!"

At the command, the soldiers activated the laboratory's defense systems. Beams of light from laser rifles started firing at Khan. However, the attack was weak enough to be ineffective against a divine power. The lasers struck an energy barrier surrounding Khan and were rendered useless.

Without hesitation, Khan began to walk toward the soldiers, each step causing a deep vibration on the ground. One soldier activated an emergency code and sent a message to Jorah Iron.

"Emergency! Post-Phantom attack! Threat level—" the message said, but before it could be completed, an energy wave from Khan struck the soldier, silently removing him from existence.

Jorah Iron, sitting in his palace and reviewing the daily matters of the Iron Kingdom, was startled by the alarm sound from his device. The soldier’s message had been cut off, but just a few words were enough for him to understand the situation. His expression hardened as he stood up. With a single command, he locked the coordinates of the laboratory.

"The laboratory..." he muttered in a low voice. "No one can do as they please in my lands."

With a flick of his hand, he activated the energy transfer mechanism. In an instant, he disappeared into a burst of light and reappeared in the center of the laboratory. Khan paused at Jorah’s sudden arrival, and the two faced off like two giants in the dark corridors of the laboratory.

Jorah’s eyes were fixed on Khan. The king's voice echoed in the room, carrying a cold threat: "I don’t know who you are or what your purpose is here, but you cannot kill my soldiers without reason. You cannot question the sovereignty of the Iron King like this."

Khan turned to Jorah with a confident expression and spoke: "Sovereignty can only be tested by strength. The will of God is supreme here, Iron King."

This confrontation ignited the fuse of a battle between two great powers. The laboratory was about to become a heated battleground.

Inside the laboratory, a tense silence hung in the air. Jorah Iron and Khan locked eyes, testing each other’s power. The energy in the atmosphere was causing the air to vibrate. Jorah raised his hand, challenging Khan with a surge of power like rising iron walls.

"Who are you to challenge my will here?" Jorah shouted.

Khan took a step forward. His confident stance showcased his divine power. "Sovereignty can only be tested by strength. Come, show your power, Iron King."

These words sparked the clash between them. Jorah raised his iron axe and hurled it toward Khan. The axe was charged with intense energy, powerful enough to crack the laboratory floor. However, Khan formed an energy barrier and easily stopped the axe. The sound of the axe hitting the ground signaled that the battle was just beginning.

Khan responded by clasping his hands together, sending a powerful energy wave toward Jorah. Jorah quickly leapt to avoid it, but the wave tore through the laboratory walls, leaving an energy trail behind. Khan, without a smile but with a show of power, said, "Is this the will of the Iron Kingdom, King?"

Jorah retorted angrily. Drawing energy from the iron around the laboratory, he created a series of iron arrows and fired them at Khan. "I will challenge your order, envoy of God!" he shouted. However, Khan detonated an energy blast that destroyed the arrows in midair.

The battle grew more intense. Jorah was pushing the limits of his iron and physical strength, while Khan showed no hesitation in demonstrating his control over energy and divine superiority. Each energy wave, each attack, was tearing apart the laboratory, transforming the environment into a battlefield. Neither of them was retreating, each pushing the other further with every assault.

Eventually, Khan paused. He took a step back and, looking at Jorah coldly but with significant words, spoke: "Your son is as strong as you."

These words briefly softened the stern expression on Jorah’s face, but before he could fully understand their meaning, Khan disappeared in a burst of light.

Jorah stared at the spot where Khan had vanished for a moment before scanning the destroyed laboratory.

Jorah Iron took a deep breath as he surveyed the devastation. His hands were clenched into fists, but he composed himself. He activated his communication device and spoke in a powerful voice:

"A major attack occurred in the laboratory. All systems are damaged. I need an emergency repair team sent immediately. The best engineers should be here. Don’t miss any details."

A brief silence echoed from the device before an approval signal came through. Jorah took a deep breath and shut off the device. His eyes once again surveyed the wreckage. Everything was shattered, but what really occupied his mind were Khan’s final words. His eyes narrowed as he thought, but without sharing his thoughts, he deactivated the device. While waiting for the repair teams, he began to make plans in his mind regarding the consequences of this confrontation.

Echoes of the past were resurfacing:

Marc Slaw silently walked over the cracked stones of the ruins. With each step, his footprints vanished amidst the traces of the past, his gaze thoughtful but dark as he scanned the surroundings. For him, the Frozen Ruins were not just a meeting point but a place that once housed the spirit of power and rebellion. Mythos was waiting a little farther away. When he heard Marc’s footsteps, he sighed for a moment, then looked at him thoughtfully.

"Since the rebellion, our friendship has continued in this silence, Marc," Mythos said, briefly turning his eyes to the dark sky. "But how long will this silence last? In this world where the skies have changed, is it right to remain silent?"

Marc moved closer to Mythos and stood by his side. "Sometimes silence is the strongest weapon, Mythos. But this sky... its red glow and dark sun are powerful enough to silence even silence itself."

Mythos nodded, sensing the weight behind Marc’s words. "The red sky deeply affects everyone’s soul. And that dark sun... it seems like it casts a shadow over the world."

Marc smiled slightly, but the smile was far from warm; it was completely thoughtful. "That dark sun suits the Shadow Realm, don’t you think, Mythos?"

Mythos nodded in agreement, and the two of them fell silent for a moment.

Marc Slaw and Mythos stood in the cold, eerie place, carrying the traces of the past with them. A wordless silence reinforced their old bond of friendship. However, this silence did not prevent Mythos from glancing at Marc. His eyes briefly shifted to Marc’s chest and furrowed his brows slightly.

"I haven’t seen your medallion in a long time," Mythos said with mild curiosity. Though his tone seemed like just a friendly question, there was an underlying suspicion.

Marc paused for a moment. He looked at Mythos with a slight smile. "That medallion is no longer mine," he said calmly. With those words, his smile transformed into a deep, meaningful expression. "Someone thirstier for blood has claimed it. My son."

Mythos lowered his head slightly, sensing the heavy meaning behind Marc’s response. His eyes briefly dropped to the ground, then he stepped forward and spoke: "Gareth Silhou... heir to the Shadow Realm. Do you remember what you gave up to raise him, Marc?"

Marc momentarily drifted off, memories of Gareth as a child appearing in his mind. He thought of how he had trained him in the shadows, showing him the world’s darkness. With a slight breath, Marc turned to Mythos.

"I remember," Marc said in a tone heavy with the weight of a shadow. "He grew up in my shadows. Everything I taught him, he took and created his own will. But this world only required me to leave him the shadows. The Shadow Realm and the medallion now adorn his neck. It wasn’t my decision; it was the result that the world demanded."

Mythos sensed the determination behind Marc’s deep expression. "Do you believe he has replaced you?" he asked, his tone both curious and filled with concern for his friend.

Marc tilted his head slightly. "Gareth is not a leader like me. But he embraced the power the shadows gave him. He doesn't need to be like me. He became a leader with his own darkness. And that dark sun is like a crown for him."

Mythos frowned in surprise. "Gareth. How do you see his role in the coming war?"

Marc spoke seriously: "Gareth will be a key figure in the coming war. The shadows and the dark sun will amplify his power. But this power holds both an opportunity and a danger."

Mythos continued to reflect on Marc's words. "What he does in this war will be very important. Is the bond he built with the shadows that strong?"

Marc shook his head. "Gareth doesn’t just use the shadows; he commands them. But where will this control lead him? That’s the big question."

A silence fell between them. Mythos finally sighed and spoke: "Marc, we’ve been friends for years, but I’ve never asked you why you’re so against the Iron Kingdom. Why Jorah?"

Marc’s face changed, his expression darkened as he looked at Mythos, carrying the weight of the past. "It’s not Jorah," he said quietly. "It’s his father. His father killed our fathers in a war. In that war where we were allies, he became our enemy and took our fathers from us. That day, I swore revenge, but no matter what I’ve done, I couldn’t succeed against the Iron Kingdom."

Mythos felt the weight in Marc’s words and lowered his eyes. "Do you want to change this with Gareth?"

Marc looked at Mythos coldly. "Gareth can't change the past. But he can shape the future. His decisions will determine who wins this war."

The wind swept through the ruins as both of them silently thought about what was to come. The dark sun in the sky was a sign of the uncertainty ahead.