Nereon's face was etched with despair as he lamented their impending doom, "We've been fortunate that the Kraken has yet to attack our village, but it's only a matter of time before it turns its wrath upon us."
"It's wrath? What do you mean? Why would it be angry at us?" Asher asked with furrowed brows.
Nereon's expression turned even grimmer as he revealed the true cause behind the chaos, "T-The Umbralfiends have returned, Your Highness. They're the ones waging war to claim these lands, and based on the tales of the past, the Kraken was their guardian, which the Ravager forcibly tamed to make it serve our kingdom. I don't know if this is really true, but if it is, then we are truly finished!"
"The Umbralfiends?" Asher's shock was palpable, for he only had a vague understanding of this ancient race, having believed them to be long extinct.
He did know that the Umbralfiends had once held dominion over the seas in the days when the Bloodburn Kingdom was first established. However, the Ravager, brother of the Devourer who later on became the first lord of House Thorne, had banished them to the darkest depths of the ocean, ensuring their imprisonment would last 10,000 years and sealing their ultimate demise.
But barely 7,000 years had passed, and they had already resurfaced? It simply didn't add up. How could they free themselves while being repressed for so long?
"How could a race believed to be long gone suddenly reemerge?" Asher asked Nereon, his voice filled with disbelief.
Nereon shook his head, equally perplexed. "I don't know, but the Umbralfiends are the only ones capable of wresting control of the Kraken and possibly even bending it to their will. They have returned to reclaim the lands they claim to have ruled during the Crimson Dawn Era."
The implications of the Umbralfiends' return weighed heavily on Asher, but another question burned in his mind, "But what about the rebellion? How could the people afford to go against the kingdom without knowing the consequences?"
Nereon's eyes flickered with fear as he said, "Your Highness, I believe the Umbralfiends or their connections have been laying the groundwork for this rebellion for some time, subtly manipulating events from the shadows."
He sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him, "As you know, our people have been struggling here. They feel neglected and believe the queen has turned a blind eye to their suffering. Despite her efforts to improve their lives, her actions are viewed as mere token gestures by many. I understand that the queen has been doing her best to care for the entire kingdom, and the loss of our king just two years ago has made things even more difficult. But most of the people here can't see it because they have been blinded by their misery, suffering, fear-mongering and the manipulation of the Umbralfiends. In the end, all of us, including them, only care about not dropping dead all of a sudden."
Nereon added with a look of sadness, "They've been swayed by the Umbralfiends' empty promises of a brighter future, a future where their needs are met and their voices heard. The Umbralfiends claim to empathize with the plight of the northern people, exploiting their desperation and dissatisfaction to fight for them. Village after village, tribe after tribe, our people have taken up arms to join the Umbralfiends, blindly believing in a better tomorrow. Even if the Umbralfiends truly keep their promise, a lot of people are going to die, and I don't think it is worth it. Some of the tribes are neutral, but the situation is still looking very bad."
The gravity of the situation was palpable, as Asher considered Nereon's words. It was evident that the conflict had been long in the making.
However, he never expected that it was a long-dead race manipulating everything in the shadows. This explained the poisoning of the waters. It was only something they could be capable of doing without revealing themselves.
For the Ravager to banish them, it could only mean the Umbralfiends were no pushover.
Their cunning manipulation of the desperate northern people and the sudden control over the Kraken created an unprecedented threat that had to be addressed quickly, before the entire Bloodburn Kingdom was plunged into chaos.
Losing the northern lands would mean losing almost 1/3rd of the Bloodburn Kingdom's strength, and that would be a blow this kingdom may not recover from.
Nereon inhaled deeply, the gravity of their situation apparent on his weary face, "What do you suggest we do, Your Highness?" he asked, desperate for a plan of action.
Asher's brow furrowed in determination as he met Nereon's gaze, "Our first priority is to fight back and crush the Umbralfiends. We can address the rebellion and its root causes afterward."
His voice gained an urgent edge as he continued, "I need you to rally every man and woman capable of wielding a weapon. Time is of the essence. The battle we face today will not only determine the fate of the northern lands, but the very future of this kingdom itself."
The air between them crackled with intensity, charged by the weight of Asher's words. Nereon's eyes sparked with newfound resolve, understanding the importance of the task at hand. He nodded firmly, ready to take action.
"I'll gather our people and prepare them for battle," Nereon said, his voice steady and resolute, "We will stand by your side, Your Highness, though we would need even large armies to fight back, especially when only a few of us are against this rebellion."
Asher subtly smiled as he said confidently, "Don't worry about it. My Dragon Legion is on the way as we speak, and even more, will be sent right after by the crown."
…
Elsewhere, atop a tower overlooking the turbulent seas and the chaos brewing below, stood a middle-aged man with a long, white beard. His tall, sturdy frame was cloaked in a dark blue robe adorned with the symbol of a creature resembling a crab upon his chest.
The man's pale face was a mask of severity, his sunken eyes and uncanny red irises striking fear into the hearts of any who met his gaze. He was Thorin Thorne, Lord of House Thorne and the highest authority in the northern lands.
His icy expression surveyed the scene of rebellion and strife, watching as the people fought back against the guards, determined to make their demands heard.
Edmund approached his father from behind, resentment simmering in his voice, "These peasants are ungrateful, Father. Allow me to handle this. I'll use our forces to crush this pitiful uprising within hours and ensure they learn their lesson through fear. Then we will deal with those Umbralfiends."
Thorin turned his cold gaze upon his son, his voice laced with disdain, "Do not speak like a fool, Edmund. Without these people, the northern lands would wither and die. We would be the ones to suffer in the end," He paused before continuing, "Your duty is to gather more troops and coordinate with our vassals to help defend against any imminent attack. Your sister and mother are already in the fray. Do your part. There is no telling when the Kraken will appear again," As he said the final sentence, Thorin's voice became even more grave.
Edmund seethed internally, feeling belittled by his father's assignment of menial tasks. But he dared not protest. With a stiff bow, he managed to say, "As you wish, Father. I will see to it."
However, inwardly he was already brewing plans of his own. This was a good opportunity to gain himself more fame.
…
In the once-secure halls of the Demonstone Castle, unease had settled like an unwelcome guest, gripping the hearts of the nobility and officials alike.
Rowena, though resolved to maintain her composure, found herself haunted by a growing sense of foreboding. Her dreams were troubled, filled with dark visions of her kingdom consumed by a storm, and an unseen menace that seemed to stalk her every step.
And right now, she presided over a gathering of her most dependable vassals, officials, and military commanders.
Seron, her royal advisor, and his son Silvan stood on one side of the table along with Rebecca.
Rowena turned her gaze to Lord Stormrider, a towering figure from the Dracovore race, and inquired, "Are your Dreadwings ready, Lord Stormrider?"
Rowena knew Dreadwings were smaller and less powerful than dragons, but their advantage in numbers would provide invaluable aerial support, and it was easier to control them.
Lord Stormrider thumped his chest proudly, his powerful and firm voice resonating throughout the room, "Your Majesty, the Dreadwings stand prepared for your command."
Satisfied, Rowena looked to Seron, who, anticipating her question, leaned forward, "Your Majesty, the Crimson Army, 50,000 strong, awaits your orders. Furthermore, the Shadow Stalkers have already been dispatched to gather intel on the Umbralfiends."
Rowena nodded, recognizing the strategic value of the stealthy and well-trained Shadow Stalkers, particularly their expertise in reconnaissance.
Silvan spoke up next with an earnest look, "Your Majesty, I have assumed temporary leadership of the Infernal Guards in my brother's absence. We will vigilantly guard the northern borders to prevent the rebellion from seeping outside the north."
Rebecca's eyes momentarily hardened upon hearing his words before returning to normal.
Other lords from various houses pledged their support, assuring Queen Rowena that their forces were prepared to confront the uprising.
Rowena addressed the assembled crowd, her voice firm and resolute, "Our top priority is to vanquish the Umbralfiends, regain control of the Kraken with the help of House Thorne, and protect the people of the northern lands. We must minimize the loss of our people as much as possible, even if we are at war."
Rebecca suddenly leaned forward, seeking permission, "May I, Your Majesty?"
Rowena granted it with a nod, and Rebecca crossed her arms, offering her own strategy, "Your Majesty, why not deploy our dragons as a show of force? The sight alone would strike fear into the hearts of the Umbralfiends and rebels, causing them to lay down their arms."
Rowena shook her head, "Our dragons are powerful, but they cannot best the Kraken in its domain, the sea. Additionally, their immense power is difficult to control, and we risk significant collateral damage in the middle of a war. However, if the situation worsens, I won't hesitate to utilize them."
Rebecca furrowed her brow but nodded with a slight smile as she said, "You're right, Your Majesty. Your plan is indeed the wisest course of action. I stand ready to follow any orders you give."
Despite gathering all these powerful lords and people here to fight this war, Rowena couldn't shake off the uneasiness, especially since the Kraken was not in their control. The Umbralfiends was also a powerful race with ancient origins, and she could only pray this war doesn't last too long. She knew some of their history and how they were once considered to be the strongest race that ruled the northern seas along with their guardian, the Kraken.
Other than that, her kingdom had never gone to a war of this scale for centuries, and so she couldn't help but feel worried for the future of the kingdom.
Asher being out there was also a cause of uneasiness for her. But at the same time, him being out there was a source of hope for her.
