CHAPTER 42: AFTERMATH AND CONSEQUENCES
Kai slammed his fist into the ground. "DOMAIN: EXPAND – 'REALM OF SOULS'!"
The Domain opened instantly, a white, translucent sphere swallowing the hunters. Inside, all of Gong and Raveon's power, their will, was nullified. Five seconds later, when Kai closed the Domain, the scene he left behind was horrifying. All that remained of the two hunters were breathing bodies, their eyes devoid of any light, any soul—dried-out, empty shells.
The moment Kai closed his Domain, he collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. Sweat dripped from his brow.
"Ahhh... That Domain... it nearly drains all my energy," he muttered, his voice strained. He looked at his hands; they were trembling slightly. "But it was worth it. Those two scum got what they deserved."
He took a deep breath and stood up. He glanced around the silent forest. The shadows were lengthening; sunset was near.
"Anyway... I need to get back to Nexan before it's too late."
Gathering his thoughts, he pooled a portion of his remaining energy. A pale, bluish platform made of spiritual energy formed beneath his feet. He stepped onto it and began to glide away, soaring over the treetops like an arrow.
Meanwhile, Hunter Hawk had reached the base of the glacial ridge where King Task had made camp. The Ice Kingdom's guards immediately escorted him to Task's temporary headquarters.
The headquarters was a cold, spacious cave carved into the glacier. Task sat on a simple ice throne, with Flower and Flem standing on either side. Hawk entered and gave a slight bow.
"Greetings, King Task."
Task raised his head. His eyes held a cold curiosity.
"What do you want, hunter?"
Hawk began speaking in an official, expressionless tone:
"I don't want anything. I've come to deliver a message from the World Government. Here is the message:"
Hawk pulled a sealed parchment from his pocket and began to read, his voice echoing in the cave:
"King Task, for violating World Government laws and attacking the Ashura Kingdom without any justifiable cause, the Ice Kingdom is hereby formally expelled from the World Union. Henceforth, the Ice Kingdom shall not benefit from any military support, financial aid, food resources, trade privileges, or the security guarantees provided by the Union. And finally, we no longer recognize you. If you intentionally cause chaos in the world order once more, the World Government will intervene directly and decisively. Signed: The World Government High Council."
Hawk folded the parchment and put it back in his pocket. Silence fell.
King Task was inwardly screaming with victory. This is it! Exactly what I wanted! We're free from their bonds! However, he showed no sign of joy on his face. On the contrary, he frowned, adopting the demeanor of an angry king.
Hawk continued:
"Before I leave, I must ask: Is there anything you wish to convey to the World Government?"
Task took a feigned deep breath, as if greatly wronged.
"You may tell them that I do not look kindly upon the World Government's ruthless and unjust stance. We were merely defending ourselves. That is all I have to say."
Hawk gave a slight nod. "Your message will be delivered," he said, then turned and left the ice cave.
The moment the door closed, the mask of anger fell from King Task's face, replaced by a pure, arrogant smile of triumph. He raised his fist in the air.
"This is it, Flower! This is it, Flem! The first half of the plan is successfully complete! Now for the second half... that is, Nexan!"
Flower asked with a slightly concerned expression:
"My King, the plan succeeded, yes. But the World Government no longer recognizes us. How will we manage this? And they mentioned they will intervene if we attack Nexan."
Task smiled faintly, tapping the arm of his ice throne:
"Don't worry, Flower. It doesn't work like that. At most, they'll send an admiral and a fleet. We can easily fend that off. Besides..." A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. "...we still have a weapon. Morde. As long as he exists, no one can stop the Ice Kingdom."
Then he turned to Flem, genuine appreciation in his voice:
"Flem, I congratulate you once again. For finding Morde. If you hadn't tracked that century cycle and found him, we couldn't be doing any of this right now." Task looked into the distance, toward an imaginary target. "Soon... even a great kingdom like Nexan will be ours."
And he turned his face toward the horizon where Layern Valley lay. His eyes were filled with boundless ambition and zeal.
NEXAN CAPITAL, URUG:
Two guards were running, breathless, down the stone-paved main avenue of the city. Their faces showed both exhaustion and urgency. When they reached the front of Nexan's massive, intricately carved palace, the sentry guards stopped them.
"What's going on? Why the rush?" asked the head sentry, his hand going to his sword hilt.
The two guards immediately began speaking, drenched in sweat:
"Open the way immediately! The war between Ashura and the Ice Kingdom is over! We must report this to King Swain at once!"
The sentries looked at each other, then asked for their military identification cards. After checking, they allowed the two guards to enter the palace.
The two guards hurried through the massive corridors toward the main council chamber. Finally, they reached the heavy stone door. The guards at the door opened it at a signal from within.
The two guards entered and immediately knelt. In the room stood King Swain, Captain Terex, and Po. The air was tense with anticipation.
Swain asked immediately, his brows furrowed:
"What happened? What's with this state?"
One of the guards, catching his breath, spoke:
"My King! The war between Ashura and the Ice Kingdom has ended, due to the intervention of Kai and the World Government!"
"What?!" Swain, Po, and Terex exclaimed simultaneously.
Swain's face tightened:
"Kai intervened in the war? I only told him to observe, to gather intelligence! Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, My King!" replied the other guard. "The information is one hundred percent accurate. It came directly from our own intelligence network."
Swain shook his head, gritting his teeth.
"Ahhh, that Kai... He sticks his nose into everything. He'll be directly on the World Government's radar now."
"M-My King," the first guard murmured hesitantly. "That's not all. Our intelligence division... reported something else."
Swain looked up with curiosity and concern:
"What is it?"
"K-Kai, he... he..."
"Speak, man!" Swain commanded, his voice rising.
The guard swallowed:
"My King, Kai... killed the two World Government hunters who went after him... without batting an eye, in just five seconds."
This time, it wasn't silence but an explosion of shock.
"WHAT?! ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?!" Terex's voice echoed in the room. Po's face had turned pale.
Swain, however, remained silent. His face showed no expression, but his eyes had turned to ice. Slowly, like a brewing storm, he turned to Po.
"You see, Po? I told you we shouldn't have sent him! What now? The moment the World Government learns of this, they'll come after Kai and me!" Swain's voice rose. "No one wants to be enemies with the World Government, you can be sure of that. You haven't seen what I've seen. They have... terrifying weapons. If we become enemies, we're finished!"
Swain took a breath and turned back to the two guards, his voice regaining control:
"You," he ordered. "Where is Kai?"
The guard bowed his head:
"My King, he is heading toward Nexan. He's coming at high speed using some strange vehicle made of spiritual energy. He'll be here soon."
A brief look of relief crossed Swain's face, then it turned serious again.
"Oh, good. Alright, you are dismissed."
The guards left the room. Swain took a deep breath and shouted:
"Amper! Get in here!"
The door opened again, and in came Head Guard Commander Amper with his massive frame. Kneeling, he said, "Command me, My King."
"Kai is approaching Nexan from the west. Inform Sun to receive him. Have him escort Kai to the palace. Keep an eye on him."
Amper nodded:
"As you command, My King." He left the room, quickly moving to carry out the order.
ILEIAN CAPITAL, RISK:
At the same time, in the east, two more messengers were hurrying with great urgency. The city streets still bore the scars of the destructive clash between King Tsur and the rebel Riot. Buildings under repair, patched-up roads... The shadow of war had not fully lifted yet.
Messengers Rez and Lion passed through the ruined main plaza gate and finally reached the palace entrance. The guards stopped them.
"What's with you? Why the rush?"
Rez answered breathlessly:
"The war between Ashura and the Ice Kingdom is over! We've come to report this to King Tsur!"
The guards' eyes widened, and they immediately opened the gates. The two messengers rushed inside. The palace retained its grandeur; ornate walls, massive columns, soldiers on guard everywhere...
"Ah, Lion," Rez murmured as they ran through the corridors. "It's been a long time since we've been to this palace, hasn't it?"
Lion replied:
"You're right, Rez. Working as messengers on the border, we never had the chance to come to the palace."
Chatting, they finally reached the door to the main throne room. They knocked and entered.
King Tsur sat with all his majesty on his intricately carved throne. In the room were also the wise mage Asewr and Commander Kair.
The two messengers immediately knelt.
King Tsur spoke in a clear, authoritative voice:
"Speak."
Rez raised his head:
"My King, the war between Ashura and the Ice Kingdom has ended."
Tsur immediately stood up:
"Who won?"
"My lord, according to information from our messengers... Ashura was about to win the war when World Government hunters and a man named 'Kai' intervened. But the clear information is this: If not for that intervention, the Ashura Kingdom would have won the war with overwhelming superiority."
Tsur's eyes gleamed with interest. He slowly sat back on his throne.
"Is that so... Investigate this man named 'Kai.' I want to know everything about him—his past, the source of his power, everything."
"As you command, My King," both messengers said in unison and left the room.
Tsur turned to the wise Asewr:
"What do you think, Asewr? After all, you are very wise."
Asewr stroked his beard thoughtfully. His eyes shone with deep wisdom.
"King Tsur, if this man 'Kai' is powerful enough to intervene and stop a war... we should try to bring him to our side. After all, the world is changing. Strong alliances are the wisest choice."
King Tsur nodded with a slight smile:
"Exactly as I expected from you, Asewr. I thought the same. Find him. And convey to him... that the doors of the Ileian Kingdom are always open to friends."
NEXAN CAPITAL, URUG – PALACE COUNCIL CHAMBER:
A knock came at the chamber's heavy stone door.
Swain snapped out of his deep thoughts.
"Enter," he commanded, his voice tired but strong.
The door opened. The one who entered was Kai, standing tall, but the weariness on his face and in his body was evident. He was covered in dust, his clothes torn in places, but the sharp, unwavering determination was still in his eyes.
He stepped into the room, and the door closed silently behind him.