chapter 68 : Destiny , an undying force

In the opulent Kingdom of Zebha...

Doom General Iver lounged in his chambers within the opulent royal palace, an air of authority surrounding him. Morgan, in a state of focused meditation on the floor nearby, became acutely aware of Iver's gaze penetrating the tranquil space. As if sensing the weight of Iver's scrutiny, Morgan interrupted his meditative state and rose to his feet. An undercurrent of trepidation flickered in his eyes.

Iver, breaking the silence that hung in the air, approached Morgan with an enigmatic smile. "I forgot to congratulate you on planting your seed and becoming a Konqueror. You are now attuned to the fire element, one of the most destructive known elements. Additionally, your strides in the body tempering arts I provided have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations. I have a surprise for you," Iver conveyed, his words carrying a mixture of acknowledgment and intrigue, unsettling Morgan's uneasy demeanor.

"Th-thank you. Pray, what revelation awaits me?" Morgan, in a moment of vulnerability, queried after a pregnant pause.

Observing Morgan's disquiet, Iver, without divulging further details, subtly shook his head, choosing to leave the mystery unaddressed. "Follow me," Iver directed, prompting them to exit the palace under the vigilant scrutiny of the palace guards. Outside, a guard with a protective hand over a griffin acknowledged Iver's presence with a bow before discreetly withdrawing.

Iver mounted the steed waiting nearby, and Morgan followed suit. The steed ascended into the skies, navigating towards a secluded corner of the capital. Their journey led them to the outskirts, where a rocky mountain served as their destination. Disembarking from the steed, Iver gestured for Morgan to accompany him up the rugged terrain.The rocky ascent unfolded, guided by Iver's silent gestures. The air grew crisp as they climbed, and the panoramic view expanded with each step.

The aura of secrecy enveloped the rocky mountain, setting the stage for the revelation of Iver's concealed surprise.

Morgan, gripped by an undercurrent of fear, maintained a silent vigil behind Iver as they ascended the rocky mountain. Iver's focused gaze remained fixed on the uneven terrain ahead, an aura of anticipation lingering in the crisp mountain air. Eventually, a sigh escaped Iver's lips, punctuating the solemnity of the ascent.

"Do you fear me now?" Iver's question, laden with a touch of sadness, disrupted the quiet climb. Caught off guard, Morgan hastily responded, "No, I do not. But I fear your nurturing methods; they are... bizarre." The admission hung in the air, revealing the unease beneath Morgan's composed exterior.

Iver, without breaking his stride, tilted his head slightly, studying Morgan with an inscrutable expression. In response, Morgan involuntarily flinched back, a reaction that elicited a chuckle from Iver. "I see," Iver remarked, his lone response carrying an enigmatic weight.

Undeterred, they pressed on, ascending the rocky mountain for hours until they reached its zenith. At the mountain's peak, an awe-inspiring sight awaited them—a pool of molten lava, its fiery glow casting an otherworldly ambiance. Morgan's eyes widened at the revelation, his thoughts racing as he discerned the unspoken expectation lingering in the air. He understood, in that moment, what Iver intended for him to do amidst the primal intensity of the lava pool

Iver, undeterred by the searing heat, stopped before the molten pool and knelt down, submerging his hand into the fiery abyss. The scent of scorching meat permeated the air, yet Iver's countenance remained unyielding. When he withdrew his hand, only the skeletal framework remained, the flesh utterly consumed by the intense heat. A few steps back, he turned to Morgan, whose anxiety manifested in beads of sweat.

"It seems like you do fear me after all, Morgan," Iver remarked, pausing as if probing the depths of Morgan's gaze for an unspoken truth.

As Morgan grappled with the intensity of the demonstration, Iver proceeded to elucidate the profound power of a fire elemental Konqueror. "Your flames have the potential to reduce a full-grown man to a skeletal system within moments. However, currently, your flames lack a crucial element that renders them ineffective against other Konquerors."

Morgan, intrigued, shook his head in response to Iver's inquiry. Iver, in a moment of shared understanding, smiled before unraveling the essence of his teachings. "Your flames lack rage. The elemental soul within you is a deep connection between you and your element. Typically, fire Konquerors are characterized by rage and self-destructive tendencies. However, I envision a different path for you—a fire elemental Konqueror whose flames embody both creation and destruction."

He continued, imparting a unique vision for Morgan's elemental prowess. "I want your flames to resemble that of a phoenix, wielding the dual powers of creation and destruction. This requires a calm state of mind. Tomorrow, you will embark on a journey to the mountains of the hidden sage. Upon reaching the summit, scream out 'He who sees has sent me,' and I will place my mark on you, ensuring your safety."

In the crucible of the rocky mountain, Iver unveiled not only the ferocity of elemental power but also a transformative path for Morgan, setting the stage for a destiny entwined with the enigmatic currents of the hidden sage's mountains.

Morgan, profoundly shaken by the display of elemental power, refrained from voicing his astonishment, opting for a silent nod that seemed to resonate with the depths of his newfound understanding. Iver acknowledged this silent acknowledgment with a smile, appreciating the gravity of the revelation.

Morgan's gaze, now fixated on Iver's skeletal hand, did not escape Iver's notice. Following Morgan's line of sight, Iver chuckled, breaking the tension with a light-hearted remark. "I had forgotten about that." In an instant, right before Morgan's eyes, Iver's hand underwent a miraculous regeneration—from muscle tissue to the nervous system, and finally, the restoration of flesh.

Morgan's expression mirrored a spectrum of emotions, his fear of Iver escalating to unprecedented heights. Yet, intertwined with that fear, a newfound level of respect blossomed within him. Iver, unaffected by the intensity of the moment, simply smiled, ushering in a moment of understanding.

With a serene demeanor, Iver began elucidating further details to Morgan, who stood on the precipice of his own journey—a journey infused with elemental revelations and the enigmatic allure of the mountains of the hidden sage. The echoes of molten flames and the regenerative dance of power lingered in the mountain air, marking the inception of Morgan's transformative odyssey under Iver's tutelage.

Still reeling, Morgan stammered, "What is your overarching objective in orchestrating this, General Iver?"

Iver's gaze intensified, flames within his eyes mirroring the fiery element he commanded. "The world teeters on the precipice of upheaval, Morgan. Konquerors, such as yourself, wield the key to sculpting our realm's destiny. I aspire to usher in a new era, where elements and Konquerors coalesce in harmonious symbiosis. Yet, achieving this delicate equilibrium demands sacrifice and evolutionary transcendence."

As the weight of Iver's pronouncements settled, Morgan's mind swirled with uncertainty. Yet, a flicker of determination gleamed in his eyes—a silent acceptance of the journey ahead.

...

Within the ethereal expanse of the Spirit Glades...

Shrouded in resplendent white mage robes adorned with gilded accents, Zenoki stood with an air of expectancy amidst the fog-draped glades. The ethereal mist, a tapestry of secrets, commenced its delicate retreat, revealing a woman with alabaster skin and flowing raven-black hair. Features veiled by the fog, save for hollow eye sockets that peered into the essence of being. Zenoki, cognizant of his place in the presence of a mysterious force, knelt in reverence.

"Hail, Master," he intoned, head bowed in unwavering deference, refusing to meet the enigmatic woman's gaze.

"Rise, my Deacon," her voice, an ethereal whisper, commanded. Drifting towards Zenoki with preternatural grace, she extended an intangible boon, inquiring of his desires. Zenoki, imbued with profound admiration, humbly expressed contentment in the service rendered. Impressed, the woman bestowed upon him a quest—"You impress me, and I believe I should reward you. What do you want?" the woman's ethereal voice resonated through the fog-laden air, enveloping Zenoki in its mystic cadence.

"I want nothing, master; being able to serve you is more than I can ask for," Zenoki replied, his voice a reverent whisper, carrying the weight of genuine admiration.

The floating woman, her form obscured by the ethereal mist, appeared momentarily taken aback by Zenoki's selfless response. As if contemplating the sincerity in his words, she lingered in silence, her hollow eye sockets casting an inscrutable gaze upon him. Eventually, breaking the stillness, she uttered a low, enigmatic "I see."

Pausing for a contemplative moment, the woman, compelled by a mysterious impulse, decided to bestow a reward upon Zenoki. "But I'm going to give you a reward anyway. Travel to the mountain of the hidden sage, and when you get there, yell out 'the Danish Hyldemoer ("Elder-Mother") has sent me.' He will welcome you," she revealed, her voice weaving through the mist with an otherworldly resonance.

Believing in Zenoki's strength to navigate the challenges that lay ahead, she forewent the customary act of placing a mark upon him. Instead, she entrusted him with a verbal key, a passphrase that would unlock the hidden sage's welcome. The air, thick with the arcane, carried the weight of destiny as Zenoki absorbed the cryptic instructions.

Zenoki, embracing the bestowed mission, ascended gracefully from his bow, a cascade of contemplation enveloping his thoughts. The woman, unveiling her foresight into Faro's impending corruption, alluded to faro's pivotal role in the unfolding destiny. Directing him to journey north without deviation, she underscored destiny's omnipotence—an ancient force that invariably prevailed."The corruption has begun its insidious journey into Faro's mind. Soon, he will be fully consumed, and at that point, I shall align him with you. His abilities, a tapestry of fascination, harbor immense potential—a pivotal asset in my grand designs. Travel north without deviation; persist on the northern trajectory. The mountain, shrouded in mystery, reveals itself solely to its earnest seekers. Resist the allure of a revealed location; true growth lies in the pursuit of the unknown,"the elder mother's enigmatic voice echoed, resonating through the mist-laden Spirit Glades.

"But what if I falter upon this path? What if the challenges prove insurmountable?" Zenoki, grappling with doubt yet fortified by determination, voiced his query.

The woman's gaze, devoid of pupils, seemed to penetrate Zenoki's very soul. "Your journey is a crucible, Zenoki. In confronting adversity, you shall forge the fortitude to withstand forthcoming trials. Destiny, though fraught with challenges, recognizes resilience and determination. Trust in the path you tread, and answers shall unveil in due course."

Zenoki, fortified by her cryptic wisdom, nodded solemnly, shouldering the weight of his destiny. The woman, content with his response, continued her guidance.

"As you journey north, entities defying the norms of our realm shall cross your path. Embrace the unfamiliar, for therein lies the crucible of true growth. The mountain of the hidden sage serves as a nexus, where threads of destiny interweave. Seek it, and discover not only answers but a revelation of your authentic self."

As the enigmatic elder mother concluded her revelations, she dissipated into the ephemeral mist, the fog weaving itself around her departing essence. With her departure, the ethereal fog, once scattered, coalesced again, veiling the Spirit Glades in a shroud of mystery.

Zenoki, concealed behind his demon mask, bore a subtle smile—a silent acknowledgment of the intricate dance of destiny he found himself entwined in. Leaving the glades on foot, each step echoed with a purpose, a resolve to confront the enigmatic mountain of the hidden sage that beckoned from the northern horizon.

Destiny, an omnipotent force born from the primordial fabric of reality, cast its unyielding influence upon the unfolding narratives of both Morgan and Zenoki. A force beyond mortal comprehension, it wove intricate threads through the tapestry of existence, guiding their steps on divergent yet interconnected paths.

The departing echoes of Zenoki's footfalls resonated with the inevitability of destiny, an unspoken recognition that the journey ahead would be a testament to resilience and fortitude. For destiny, like an unseen hand, steered the course of their odysseys, orchestrating encounters, challenges, and revelations that would shape the very core of their beings.

As Zenoki ventured forth into the unknown, the Spirit Glades remained draped in an enigmatic mist, concealing the timeless secrets embedded within its ethereal confines. The air pulsated with the essence of destiny, an ever-present force that, despite the veils of uncertainty, promised an unraveling of truths and a convergence of fates.

In the grand tapestry of Zebha's kingdom, where fire and sacrifice, destiny and choice, entwined in a delicate balance, the echoes of departing footsteps and the lingering smoke bore witness to the inescapable currents of fate. Destiny, an undying force, prevailed over the intricacies of mortal endeavors, leaving Morgan and Zenoki poised at the threshold of transformative destinies, their futures intricately interwoven in the threads of the unknown.