"No, no! That cannot be possible, my lord. This is impossible! How can such a thing be true?! Ten thousand years…" One of the men exclaimed in fear. "That's nearly half more than the expected time!?"
"What do you mean? Are you saying that Lord Asahi's return is breaking and going against the prophecy?" Another asked, confused.
"That can't be right! Alaunus' prophecies are never to be broken!"
As confusion spread about the prophecy and their lord's return, Asahi stepped back and examined the glowing inscription. The letters were indecipherable, even to him. Resolute, he faced his followers. "I will seek guidance and unravel this mystery," he declared, reassuring the crowd.
"Telos…" He mumbled under his tongue. "When will you explain all of this?"
And yet, no response came to mind. Asahi was left to deal with his followers alone.
Confusion churned within him—ancient golems, a hidden place thought destroyed, missing attire, and Kendra. He still wasn't sure what Alaunus was.
Despite the storm of thoughts, Asahi stayed strong. Though he'd wept over memories of his parents, he refused to surrender to chaos.
So, taking it step by step, Asahi cleared his mind and focused only on the situation in front of him. No longer distracted by the crowd's panic, he prepared to address them.
"People, people!"
Asahi ordered his followers formally.
"I know this may be all too overwhelming for you, but I understand. We all have experienced loss and pain over the years, and I share that with you. But together, our shared hope for a brighter future can lead us through this darkness," he said.
As Asahi looked out at his followers, he felt their unity and strength. With a deep conviction, he promised, "I will be your guide through these shadows, committed to protecting each one of you as we stride toward the light."
With each passing moment, he saw their silent suffering transformed into a collective determination. Raising his hands to bring them together, he introduced a simple yet profound chant:
"In hope, we heal; in unity, we rise."
The crowd began to echo back, slowly at first, then with growing confidence and volume, "In hope, we heal; in unity, we rise." The shared affirmation sparked renewed trust —a binding force that uplifted their spirits.
As he stared into the landscape around the crowd, Asahi felt a painful, burning feeling blister in his heart.
Memories of the calamity flashed into his mind. Purple lightning. A sea of flames and ash.
The wall of light.
He remembered it all.
And so, in hopes of settling them down, Asahi decided to share his perspective.
"I… also feel guilty. On abandoning you all. Everybody. On that day."
Everyone in the group fell silent, staring at him with disbelief and confusion.
"I watched this world burn and be engulfed in flames. There was nothing my family and I could do to fend it off. Even with our abilities, it was a power from the unknown. An ancient power without explanation."
Regret and sorrow surfaced as fragmented memories of family flickered through his mind.
A young, cheerful, and optimistic silver-haired girl who smiled at her parents as they peacefully passed lush mountains, gazing at their beautiful world.
A beautiful white-haired woman who guided Asahi and Aletha through their massive kingdom, showing them the ways of their race and the world below.
A strong, snow-haired man who taught them to fend off the darkness and evils of life, while also finding courage and building the honor of their character
The memories were mere shadows, haunting him. Though he kept a brave front, tears welled in his eyes.
"My family has a burden that we have yet to understand, and it is a burden we share with all of you, my kindred spirits, bound by fate," he said, hands clenched.
"We lived long, distant lives just like all of you. Everyone here. Just because my family and I harness immeasurable power, which makes us the rulers of an entire world conquered by several kingdoms, does not mean that we fail to find happiness in our lives.
We are all tied to the same destiny, and in this shared journey, we will find the strength to overcome any trials we face."
As a considerable number of people continued to gather around Asahi, he stepped forward, clenched his chest, and raised his voice in confidence.
"Though we have our differences, we all share one thing in common. Rulers, Humans, everyone."
With a smile on his face, Asahi hollered out with his ground-echoing voice.
"That we all pursue this STRIVE to find happiness in our lives. From the moment we are born, we have been on a pursuit of happiness. So who is it to say that we have to stop?"
Feeling courage coursing through his veins and seeing the thousands of cultists gather around him, Asahi pointed his finger hastily to the cavern's ceiling above them, with luminescent hints of the sun's rays shining down on his head like a spotlight.
"Above us is a world, a different world bathed in sunlight. A beautiful world teeming with life that my family doesn't conquer. A world that doesn't kneel before the darkness' dominion. It is a world with the freedom of choice."
Looking back and forth at the massive expanse of rock, vegetation, and structures, both ruined and intact, visions of the same kingdoms invaded Asahi's mind, bathed in sunlight where grass remained lively and fertile, where people and animals wandered freely and built what they believed would make them happy.
Frustration simmered as he looked at the darkness, but he steadied himself, breathed deeply, and pressed on as the crowd cheered.
"I know how much of you all strive to see light again. To touch upon its warmth and feel the wind carry scents… and I'm here to say. That I, your beloved lord, Asahi Adtraic, will bring you to this world!"
The cavern erupted in cheers —a sight Asahi had never witnessed —as he gazed at the ceiling and remembered that these people had not seen sunlight in millennia.
But knowing that billions of people were still here, unseen on the surface, concerned him.
(What if there truly is no escape for them?) The intrusive thoughts of Asahi whispered to him as he tried to maintain his fugitive, intangible charm. (What if you're trapped here as well?
What would happen to Aletha when she finds out that you are gone? What would happen to Toivo and the others? How would they react? What if it had been thousands of years since you fell and everyone died?)
Although the intrusive thoughts may have reached his mind, at least they hadn't reached his heart. He quickly shook those thoughts away, and with one loud appraisal, he screamed with a loud voice.
"May all see the light again!"
And with that, the massive gathering of people broke out into a thunderous applause.
. . .
(But like they all say, easier said than done.)
After the announcement, Asahi and Kirei returned to the village. He warned that finding an exit would take time, but many followers trailed behind him. For now, his other goals took priority.
Now, he had to focus on finding Kendra and, secondly, his top attire.
Accompanying the ancient cities weathered in stone and dust was an expanse of stone pillars, attached from the bottom of the abyss to the ceiling of the immense cavern.
After some time wandering around, Asahi couldn't resist his own curiosity. He turned back to the group who had been watching him closely, with their faces shining in delight.
The look on his face transformed into one of worry as he remembered the blue-haired maid clearly.
Though she was but a stranger to him, Asahi couldn't fathom the idea of abandoning a person.
As the crowd murmured back and forth, Asahi snapped his fingers and announced.
"Now then, my followers... There is something... and rather, someone I am seeking." He shut his eyes and tried to form a picture of her in his mind, keeping his formal tone in his voice.
"A young woman with light blue hair, glistening azure eyes, wearing a slightly torn dress, who looked like a maid."
Asahi opened his eyes again and looked around, drawing his attention to the people around him, who had become more excited and agitated than ever. Asahi noticed that they seemed to be waiting for something significant from their leader regarding recent events.
"Yes... I believe that among this crowd, one knows or has seen who I am seeking. Considering that another had also taken its descent from the 'heavens' as well, I expect the same hospitality for her as I do."
Asahi continued to stare at his followers. He knew that the only way he could get answers to his questions was through them.
"So, is anyone here familiar with the whereabouts of a certain young woman with light blue hair?"
The crowd grew silent and looked at each other in confusion. Many of them shook their heads in denial, while others whispered to one another. Finally, one of the women spoke up.
"Lord Asahi, I do not think we should be discussing such matters in front of our fellow believers. They only care for you and the other members of the family. Not some stranger that has no significance."
She stood up from the circle of people and approached Asahi with caution.
"We must respect the sanctity of the cult and its members. I fear that some of the less fortunate may take offense."
"But the whereabouts of this certain woman is important." A quick flash of realization flew before his face as he recollected what someone of the Adtraic Cult said. "How dare you degrade such an ally of mine!?"
The follower reeled back and bowed down, apologizing to his lord as others stared at them with confusion.
"I'm sorry for saying that… my lord." He said with quivering legs, "It is my mistake that I have said such things."
After a silence flowed within the cavern, Asahi crossed his arms and noticed another inscription carved deep into the stone wall. It read…
[Thou shalt follow the light of Alaunus and not resist. For what lies ahead is a promised land underneath a perpetually dark sky.]
Asahi squinted at the text once more to ensure that he wasn't seeing things. Fortunately for him, though, Kirei stepped in and clarified the situation.
"That right there, Asahi, is one of the old prophecies written by Alaunus." He said as he trailed his fingers down against the stone, "It is one of the first prophecies the mighty and wise dragon had written."
As Kirei and Asahi stared at the inscription, a woman with dark hair and crimson eyes, wearing a mask cut in half, stepped forward and intervened.
"When the sky darkened, Alaunus was one of the only ancient creatures left in the world. They offered guidance to the lost people by emitting a light so bright it matched the intensity of sunlight's flares. Not only that…"
The woman pointed to the rest of the inscription glowing on her face.
"Alaunus had also carved a path for all of us to follow. The expanse you see before us is all sculpted from the sharp and strong claws of the mighty dragon."
Asahi's eyes broadened in shock.
"Really?"
"Indeed, my lord."
The woman said as she nodded.
"Every corner, every mountain you see surrounding us was all made thanks to Alaunus' strength. They were indeed… one of our saviors. And not only that, they were also healers.
In times of great catastrophe and despair, Alaunus used the remnants of their healing powers to recover and restore the strength of the weak."
Asahi found it hard to imagine how a dragon could heal. But knowing such a beast had existed in his world and that he had not recalled seeing it, coupled with the sheer idea of others being healed by its grasp, fascinated Asahi.
"I give you my greatest gratitude, follower."
As the people watched Asahi stand in place, thinking of what to do next, a shrill, high-piercing noise resounded over the cavern's walls.
"HELP!"
It was a familiar, feminine-sounding voice.
One he had heard on the surface.
A blue-haired girl was seen kneeling in prayer, surrounded by a large birdcage. Her eyes welled up with tears of despair as others, wearing completely shrouded brown robes, surrounded her.
Asahi felt a sense of panic and anger rise inside him. He would have never thought he would witness a kind and optimistic girl cry in a cage.
With a swift pace, Asahi hurried to the cage, but was immediately blocked by Kirei, who had also seemed worried. He whispered to his ear in a trembling voice.
"My lord, it would seem those people are from a different faction of The Adtraic Cult."
"Different factions?" Asahi asked, confused.
"Indeed, my lord," Kirei replied as he slowly took his wooden mask off, revealing his radiant face. "Those are the Ancients; a hostile and extremely obsessive form of the Adtraic cult that only desires their client's attention. They will stop at nothing to receive attention from their lord."
As his blue eyes cruised over to Asahi's exposed torso, he gulped and crossed his arms.
"I have high suspicions that they were the ones who stole your attire, my lord."
"Oh, really?" Asahi said, fists clenched in anger. "Then why is it that they are not listening to me?"
While the others stood there silently, clutching and securing the bird cage, Kirei leaned over to Asahi and made a recommendation.
"I suggest that you approach them with absolute caution, my lord. There are other factions of the cult that worship other members of the Adtraic family. And the ancients, worship your mother, Achlys."
"My mother?" Asahi said with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, so if that's the case…"
As the followers of Asahi followed behind them, flinching with alert, Asahi stepped forward and asked the Ancients.
"My followers…" Immediately, the cloaked individuals stepped back, preparing to launch an attack. "I demand you bring that young woman to me. Yes, that one over there… trapped in the cage. Bring them to…"
Without warning, one of the cloaked individuals dashed over to Asahi with two daggers, striking him with aggression. Asahi returned the failed attempt with a direct strike from his Sword of Eventide, cutting the individual in half with one swing.
Asahi paused, his voice carrying over the chaos,
"Though my actions seem harsh, understand this: I act not out of malice but necessity. Resistance to our path threatens not just me, but the hope and future we seek together.
Unity among us is vital; it fortifies our resolve and leads us toward our shared goal."
He dragged his sword.
"As challenging as it may be, those who stand against this must recognize the consequences, for our vision of reclaiming light and freedom is defined by unwavering commitment and clear moral guidance.
Know that those who remain loyal and steadfast are cherished and protected.
Together, we will endure and prevail."
This, followed by the actions that preceded it, quickly sparked a battle among the factions.