Chapter 14: The power of the old chief

 "People! The day has come!" The powerful voice of the masked man resounded in the clear morning air, breaking the silence with the energy of a storm.

The square was packed as never before. Women, men, the elderly and children crowded around the makeshift stage, their hopeful eyes turned toward the figure they had, in time, begun to call “savior” or  “avenger.”

"Today we move to forge an alliance that will bring us only benefits! I will make this village the largest and strongest in the entire region! But remember... I do this only for you!"

A roar of applause and enthusiastic shouts erupted from the crowd.

“Great Avenger!”

“Make us proud!”

“We are with you!”

“You are our hero!”

The masked man smiled under his covered face, clenching his fists discreetly. Those voices, that warmth-they were the recognition he had always longed for. But it was not just about glory. There was much more behind his every gesture.

He turned around. Adrian, his long blond hair falling over his shoulders like strands of gold, was waiting for him at the foot of the steps.

“So, are we ready?”

"Yes, sir. The troops are already deployed. But... we're just going to talk, right?" he asked in a cautious tone.

The avenger nodded with a light laugh. "Of course, Adrian. We will only fight if it is unavoidable."

"Good. I'll give the signal then."

With a firm nod, Adrian raised his arm and the troops mounted their horses in perfect synchrony. The sound of hooves and armor created a solemn, almost sacred rhythm.

“My people, I am leaving!” shouted the avenger, addressing the crowd once again. "But you... continue to take care of this village! Because when I return... it will be even more ours!"

Applause. Tears. Hope. Then the group set out, heading north. The wind blew lightly, caressing the riders' hoods, while the morning sun cast long shadows on the still dewy grass.

It was not long before an expanse of cultivated fields, neat and lush, emerged on the horizon. Tall, well-built houses stood out like sentinels among the fields. From afar the clangour of swords could be heard, the rhythmic shout of trainings. It was a village alive, strong... and ready.

"Wow... Adrian, you were right. It is impressive."

"It really is, sir. Credit to their leader. He is old, but they say he is a legendary warrior."

"Interesting. Let's not waste time. I want to talk to him before the sun is down."

They dismounted from their horses and crossed the first paved streets of the city. Passersby stopped to watch them, intrigued by the small delegation that had come from afar.

“Excuse me,” the two approached a man carrying a sack of grain on his shoulders. “Can you tell me where I can find your leader?”

The man paused, wiping his sweaty forehead with his shirt sleeve.

"The chief? To talk to him you have to go through the guards, foreigners."

“I see... thank you anyway.” he took a step back and huffed. “These people hardly seem to know where they are...”

Adrian calmly intervened, “Maybe we'd better go after the guards directly, sir.”

"Yeah... you're right. Let's go."

Soon after, they found two soldiers in light armor standing still in the shadow of a turret. The two looked at them suspiciously, but not hostilely.

“Hello!” began Adrian. "We are here to speak with your leader. We come from a village not far from here. We are growing rapidly, and we would like to form an alliance."

The two exchanged a quick glance, then one of them nodded.

"An alliance, you say? It could be beneficial... follow us."

A small, satisfied smile formed under the avenger's mask.

“Adrian...everything seems to be going smoothly.”

"Yes, sir. Perhaps better than expected."

The two led them inside an imposing building, the stone stairs lit by torches and the sun's rays filtering through the tall windows. The air inside was cool, but pregnant with solemnity.

"Go up the stairs. The first door on the right is our leader's room."

"Thank you. You have been very kind." the cruel one laid a hand on Adrian's shoulder. “Now let's see if this boss is really as they say.”

“I'm curious, too...”

And with measured steps, the two began to ascend. The real negotiation...was about to begin.

The door was colossal. As tall as two men placed on top of each other, with golden inlays weaving along the dark wood, as if it guarded a world no one was meant to see. In front of it, even the masked man was silent for a moment.

"But... it's gigantic!" whispered Adrian, his voice cracked with astonishment.

“I-I've never seen one that big...” he added, clasping his hands nervously.

“Come on, let's knock.”

The masked man advanced. His every step echoed in the stone hallway until he lifted his hand and knocked. Three sharp knocks.

“Come in!” replied a rough but strong voice from inside.

The door opened slowly, creaking as if it had not been opened for some time. Inside, a surprisingly simple room awaited them. A desk set in the center, with a large window behind it. Two bookcases, one on each side, loaded with dusty tomes. Nothing else. No opulence, no symbols of power.

And sitting behind that desk, an elderly man. His snow-white hair tied back in a neat ponytail, a green robe falling softly over his shoulders, like the branches of a centuries-old tree. His eyes, however, were sharper than any sword.

The man took a step forward. His voice was calm but firm.

"Hello. I am the chief of a village near here. We have come to offer you an alliance."

An air-laden silence settled in the room for a moment. Then, the elder burst into thunderous laughter.

"Ahahahah! Kid... you just show up like that, in that tone, talking to me? An alliance? I don't need anything from you. Go away."

Anger rose like a wave in his chest. His voice became sharp.

“You old shit, how dare you!”

The elder stood up, barely shaking out his robe. His eyes were steely.

"Kid, I'll give you two minutes to get out of my room. After that... I do not guarantee your safety."

The avenger clenched his fists. "You have understood nothing. We came with peaceful intentions, but you rejected us before even listening to us. Then you will be the one to know our wrath."

“Sure, sure...” made the man in a mocking tone. “Guards!”

Immediately, the doors opened behind him, and a dozen armed men burst into the room, surrounding the two visitors.

The two did not flinch.

"Good. I see your guards are quick. But now they will die with you."

"Of course. They are all yours." sneered the elder.

The mask lit up. A dark, almost otherworldly light spread through the room like an invisible wave.

But the guards-they remained standing.

The cruel avenger took a step back in disbelief. "W-what...? Why aren't you dead?"

The elder took a few steps toward him, his hands behind his back. "Kid...you really don't understand who you're dealing with. That technique of yours, that damned ‘Painless Death’ -- did you really think it would work here? I spent my life studying how to counter it. I sensed your intent right away. And I neutralized it."

“N-no one had ever been able to counter it!” the voice trembled.

"You attacked the wrong village. I could kill you now. But I'm a generous man."

“Adrian... do something!” cried the masked man, turning around.

But what he saw froze the blood in his veins. Adrian was on the ground. His body was bent over on its side, and a scarlet puddle widened beneath him. A deep cut ran through his stomach. His breath was broken, his eyes already half-closed.

"A-Adrian?! W-What did you do to him, you old bastard?!"

"He tried to protect you. And I showed him what it really means to strike. He paid the price... for you. You can leave now. And take him with you. At least give his sacrifice some meaning."

The avenger approached, trembling. His hands rested on Adrian's body.

"No... Adrian... We were only here for an alliance... Why? Why?!"

Tears fell, silent, behind his mask. “You will have a worthy burial, I promise.”

“Good boy,” said the elder. “Remember, he is the one who saved you.”

“Don't you dare talk about Adrian!” he growled. "I will kill you. With my own hands. I swear!"

"Yes, yes. But now... go away."

Clutching Adrian's body in his arms, the avenger turned away. No words. Only the sound of his footsteps, of heavy breathing. The world around him was muffled. As if death had stolen even the sounds.

Outside, the knights were waiting for them.

"Chief?! A-Adrian?!"

“W-What happened?!”

But there was no answer. "Let's go... Let's go back to the village. This man has done so much-he deserved so much more. And because of me ... he died."

“Sir, but...”

“I said let's go!”

The knights climbed into the saddle, their eyes downcast. No one dared to speak. Only the sound of hooves on the ground accompanied the silent march.

The leader stared into the void. His arms trembled, but he did not release his grip on Adrian's body.

"That's what it feels like... to see someone who matters to you die. Now I know what those people felt...when I annihilated their village..."

"Adrian... I will avenge you. I swear it."

The village, upon their arrival, was plunged into silence. The once lively streets were now populated by dull stares. Astonished faces, downcast looks. Sadness, anger, fear... all mingled in a muted murmur.

But the most difficult test was yet to come: facing Adrian's family.