⚔️ Chapter 7 – Breaking Point

“After the fire... all that remains is ash or legend.”


🕊️ Scene: The Silent Morning
The next day was unlike any other.
After a night stained by blood and loss, the village awakened without its usual colors.  The birds didn’t sing. The farmers didn’t tend the fields. The mothers didn’t weave.  The windows remained shut.  It was as if the world had forgotten how to breathe.
But more than a man had died.  Drag—guardian, friend, father—had taken with him the sweetness of an entire people… and part of the hearts of three children.


🏠 Scene: The Central House – Residence of Drag
Zareth descended the stairs with a satchel slung over his shoulder.
At the table, Sefir and Dyor sat silently, watching as the essence that once gave them a home began to walk away.
—Where are you going, Zareth? —asked Sefir.
—I’m leaving the village —Zareth answered gravely— I don’t want to cause more problems.
Dyor glared at him, anger barely contained:
—You’re abandoning us? And the village too? I never thought you were a coward…
Zareth said nothing. He kept descending.  Sefir shot to her feet.
—Dyor, don’t speak to him like that! Zareth isn’t to blame for what happened.
But Zareth cut in:
—It’s alright, Sefir… maybe I am a coward. But I won’t let you suffer because of me.
Sefir slapped him.  Her eyes welled with tears.
—Since when do you call yourself a coward? Don’t ever say that again!
Zareth stood stunned, holding his cheek.  Then he spoke slowly—slower than ever:
—I need to tell you something… but you must keep it secret.


👁️ Revelation: The Heart of a Lost Kingdom
Zareth breathed in. The air thickened.  The wind rattled the windows—as if the world leaned in to listen.
—Last night… while Dyor and I were hiding… I saw a man.  He stood beside me.  He said he was my father.  He touched my chest—right here.
—My heartbeat surged. I thought it would explode.
—Then… I saw a kingdom.  A place of harmony.  Where no one was enslaved.  Where those without essence lived in peace.
—And in a flash… that kingdom burned.  Consumed by flames of essence.  Its king… betrayed by six equals.
—Six swords pierced him.  But his essence… did not die.  It now lives within me.
Sefir and Dyor remained silent.
Zareth continued:
—He said the fate of the world rests on my shoulders.  I felt warmth envelop my body.  And somehow… the guards were already dead.
—Since then… I feel different.  That’s why I must leave.  I can’t let the village suffer again… for what I am.
Sefir stepped forward, firm:
—Then we’re going with you. Dyor and I.
Dyor jumped to his feet:
—No, no, no! I’m not going anywhere.  If you want to go—fine.  But I’m staying.  I’ll protect the village.
Sefir responded with a determined smile:
—Then the three of us will go on an adventure.
Zareth, serious:
—No, Sefir. I have to do this alone.
Sefir stood in front of him.
—We’re coming with you. Whether you want us to or not.
Zareth lowered his gaze.  —Fine…
Sefir bounced with excitement.
—It’s settled! We’re leaving right now!
But Dyor interrupted with an empty stare:
—I’m not going.  This village was Father’s home.  I won’t leave it behind…
Sefir’s smile faded.
—You’re right… but we know we can’t stay.  Not after what happened…
—And what about the village? Do we just abandon it?! —Dyor snapped—. I’m staying.
Zareth stayed quiet.  Sefir said:
—Brother… we’ll come back for you. Just be careful.  Remember what Father always said:  > “If you see guards… hide your essence.  > Especially you two, Zareth and Dyor.  > Because of your black hair.”
Now… they knew why.
Dyor crossed his arms.  Zareth and Sefir left through the door.

🛡️ Scene: Rural Village – The Storm Returns
Back in the village, Dyor began to take on his father's role.  People swept debris. Repaired doors.  Tried to rebuild.
But then…  In the distance… a stampede.
The ground trembled.  The wind carried dust and dread.
A storm of dirt rose.  And within it… the Essence Guard, furious horses, marching soldiers.
The village froze.
They knew the previous night wasn’t the end.
Once there… they surrounded the village.  Foot soldiers began dragging people from their homes.  Children screamed.  Women pleaded.  Men armed themselves with whatever they could find.
Dyor stood in the center of the plaza, surrounded by villagers.  They carried shovels, rakes, picks.  It was all they had.  But their eyes burned with fire.
The guards struck.  Bound them.  Crushed resistance.
Villagers lay face-down in the dirt.


👑 Scene: The Arrival of Olimpus
A golden carriage halted.
From it stepped General Olimpus.
Polished armor.  Arrogant stance.  Eyes full of twisted justice.
He strode into the plaza and spoke with cruel tone:
—So these are the rats…  The ones who took down that useless Tacithus.
—I thank you. You rid me of that fool before I had to.
—But now… I’ve come for the black-haired boy myself.
His eyes locked on Dyor, convinced he was the one.
—Was it really that hard, Tacithus? —he spat—.  A worthless child without essence… and you still failed.
Dyor tried to raise his head, but a guard pressed him down.
> Inner thought:  > “To avenge Father… I’ll have to destroy this evil from within.”
Olimpus lifted his hand.
—Take them all.  —Children. Women. Men.  —Mark anyone without essence!
Then… his final order:
—The elders… eliminate them.  —Useless filth must be purged.