The Thing had sparked the flame of a revolution in the outer zone—in just one night.
But this flame wasn't like any other.
It was a dark light, igniting something deep within the people.
And now, that light had begun to reach even the golden walls of the palace.
Queen Ezha, seated safely on her silk-embroidered throne in the heart of the inner city, felt something crack inside her as the news arrived.
What happened at the tavern wasn't just a rebellion—it was the first fracture in her control.
She rose slowly.
Letting the jeweled goblet slip from her hand.
Wine spilled across the marble floor, spreading like blood.
Red.
Just like the danger approaching...
Queen Ezha (coldly):
> "Quickly… bring me Natal.
If he's still alive… this ends with him."
---
Palace Dungeons – Damp and Silent
The guard's footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.
The stone walls were damp, chains rusted, and the air thick with mold.
Natal was still there.
Knees drawn up, back resting against the wall.
His eyes open—not sleeping—waiting.
The guard hesitated as he opened the cell door.
Guard:
> "Hey! Get up… orders from above."
Natal didn't respond.
He simply turned his head, giving the guard a cold, piercing stare—
Sharper than any blade.
Guard (clearing his throat):
> "W–why are you looking at me like that?"
Natal (slowly):
> "Why are you stuttering?
Did you just feel… death breathing down your neck?"
The guard's hand trembled.
He grabbed the chains and yanked hard.
Natal stood.
The sound of his chains defied the silence.
---
Throne Room – Past and Resentment
Queen Ezha waited calmly on her throne,
But her gaze was ice.
When Natal stepped into the room,
The air was filled with the bitter breath of their shared history.
Queen Ezha:
> "Time… it's cruel.
The last time I saw you, your eyes were much brighter."
Natal:
> "And the last time I heard you, your voice wasn't this venomous."
Her lips tightened.
The palace fell silent.
Tension thickened like a fog between them.
Queen Ezha:
> "So your tongue is still sharp.
You know the price for such insolence—
Thirty lashes. With thorns."
Natal raised an eyebrow, speaking calmly.
Natal:
> "Wait.
That creature you speak of...
I've seen him.
I can help you."
Her expression shifted.
She leaned slightly forward.
Now, she wanted to hear more.
Queen Ezha:
> "He's a sorcerer.
He doesn't strike with blades like yours, but with words—with minds.
Do you really think you can track something like that?"
Natal:
> "To fight someone like him,
you must first know the darkness he walks in.
And I know the dark... very well."
Queen Ezha:
> "Fine. But under one condition:
If you stop him, half your sentence is erased.
If you kill him… you'll be free."
Natal bowed his head.
And so, the darkness moved again.
---
Outer Zone – Heart of a Rotting Kingdom
At dawn, The Thing moved.
He had a target now:
The one feared by the feared.
The sky was still gray.
Among the sand stood the ruins of ancient temples, broken columns, soot-covered walls.
Massive, muscular men wandered around—
Some stoking fires, others staring at the collapsed houses.
The Thing walked toward them.
His voice was calm,
But every word struck like a stone.
The Thing:
> "I wish to speak to your leader."
At first, the men looked at him with hostility.
But then… they noticed something strange about him.
Words fell silent.
A path was cleared.
---
The Leader's Hall – Strength in Simplicity
The chamber was modest, but powerful.
A stone seat at its center, surrounded by dozens of men.
The Thing stepped forward slowly.
Leader:
> "So you're the magician from the tavern?"
The Thing:
> "Yes.
But I haven't shown anything yet."
Leader:
> "What do you want?"
The Thing (without breaking eye contact):
> "I want to awaken the outer people."
Silence.
Then... laughter.
Leader:
> "So you're not just a magician.
You're a comedian too!
Go on—how's that supposed to happen?"
The Thing:
> "We will infiltrate the inner zone.
And we will destroy them all."
The laughter stopped.
Replaced by a cold fear.
Eyes widened.
Heartbeats grew louder.
Leader:
> "We're too few.
How would we even manage that?"
The Thing:
> "I will help.
Magic… loves chaos."
Leader:
> "Prove it.
Fight my strongest man.
If you win, I'll believe you.
If not… you die right here."
---
Chains dragged.
A man emerged from the shadows—a walking wall.
Arms and legs like stone.
His eyes empty, but rage spilled from every movement.
He grabbed the weakest man in the crowd,
Lifted him by the shoulders…
And snapped his ribcage apart.
Silence.
But The Thing smiled.
He had never felt energy this close before.
The giant charged with a roar.
The Thing simply snapped his fingers.
The massive warrior dropped instantly.
He was alive.
He could feel and hear—
But not move a single muscle.
His body was paralyzed.
With the same gesture,
The shattered body of the weak man reassembled.
Whole again.
Breathing.
Shock.
Fear.
And then...
Applause.
Leader:
> "You are a tree…
And we are now your seeds.
Please...
Show us the path."
The Thing raised his head slightly.
The Thing:
> "Suffering will end.
As long as you stop staring into the darkness—
And look at me instead."
---
By the end of that morning,
the revolution was no longer whispered.
It had begun.