Evergreen

Vortex landed on Azrael's shoulder, its urgent croak punctuating the air. "Westwards! Westwards! We have to go to the west my god!" Azrael gently petted Vortex's head. "Yes, I understand, my little raven."

They journeyed westward for another three days until they finally stood atop the hill the men had spoken of. "I can see it in the distance," Azrael remarked, Vortex nodding in agreement. The village was small, likely comprising around a hundred people. "I wonder if Aric and Varian are already here. Tomorrow marks the five-year timeline." "Let's go now!"

They descended the hill and made their way towards Evergreen. Before reaching the village, they encountered a picturesque river that they both crossed. Standing at the village's entrance, they paused to take in the scene. "Go, Vortex." "Yes, my master!"

Vortex soared into the village sky, catching the attention of a young girl. "Hey, what is that, dad?" she exclaimed. The father's gaze shot upward, his instincts kicking in as he swiftly scooped up the girl and hurried her into their house.

At the sight of the bird, a wave of caution spread through the village, prompting everyone who caught a glimpse of it to quickly retreat into their homes.

"Hear me! Hear me!" The proclamation echoed through the village, carried by a voice that resonated with conviction. "I am a herald of our Lord and Savior, our God, our rescuer, our Supreme God!"

"Lord Azrael has chosen to bless you with his presence!"

A door swiftly swung open, revealing a middle-aged knight who appeared without hesitation. "I! I am here! I am your servant!" he declared with fervor. "I am Aric! I followed your commands, I returned. I am here to serve you, my god!"

Just a moment later, Varian burst forth, his presence commanding attention. "I am here, my Azrael!" he declared with unwavering devotion. "I heard your call!"

The raven observed the two with keen eyes. "Azrael will soon arrive," it announced with an air of anticipation.

In that precise moment, Azrael materialized, striding down the path toward the village center. His presence radiated an aura of overwhelming glory, a force that emanated from his very being.

"Aric! Varian!" Azrael's steps carried him toward the two, and he halted before them. In response, both knights bowed deeply, their expressions reverent. "My lord," they spoke in unison, their voices echoing with loyalty and respect.

"I entrusted you with a sacred task, a holy mission!" Azrael's voice resonated with authority. "Now, show forth my followers!"

Varian shouted with commanding force, "Reveal yourselves, followers of Azrael!" Gradually, as if answering Varian's call, several individuals emerged from their homes, each stepping forward and bowing before Azrael in a display of reverence and submission.

A multitude of individuals stood before Azrael, their number reaching at least two hundred—two hundred devoted followers, two hundred true believers in his cause.

"Excellent! Excellent! Both of you have performed admirably, my devoted servants! Well done!" Azrael exclaimed with genuine approval.

"Thank you, my Lord!" Varian shouted, his voice resounding with gratitude and fervor.

In return, Aric answered calmly, "I am yours to command, my savior," his words carrying an unwavering loyalty that matched his demeanor.

"Now, my esteemed followers," Azrael's voice carried a tone of authority that resonated through the gathering, "I stand before you to convey a command of great importance." His gaze swept over the assembled crowd, a sense of purpose emanating from his every word.

"I command you to follow me," he declared, his words both a directive and an invitation. "Together, we shall embark on a journey—a quest to discover a suitable place where we can erect a shrine in my name." The weight of his proclamation hung in the air, a call to action that held profound significance.

"We shall search far and wide, guided by the hand of destiny and the aspirations of our faith," Azrael continued, his voice imbued with a sense of purpose and determination. "In this endeavor, we shall forge a testament to our devotion, a sanctuary that shall stand as a beacon of our unwavering belief."

He looked into the eyes of each follower, a silent exchange that conveyed his commitment to their shared cause. "With your unwavering support, my faithful ones, we shall create a place of reverence, a hallowed ground where my presence shall be honored for generations to come."

A resounding chorus of affirmation echoed through the crowd, a collective response that spoke volumes of their dedication. Azrael's presence held them in rapt attention, his vision inspiring a shared sense of purpose and unity among his devoted followers.

In a moment that seemed to hang suspended in time, Azrael's voice resonated with a sense of gravity and authority, capturing the attention of every individual gathered before him. The air seemed to still, carrying the weight of his imminent declaration. His gaze, a mirror of unwavering determination, swept across the faces of his followers, each pair of eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and reverence.

"Beloved companions, steadfast devotees of my cause, hear me now as I make a proclamation of great significance," Azrael's words carried a resonance that seemed to vibrate through the very air, wrapping those in his presence in an intangible shroud of attention and respect. The cadence of his speech was deliberate, each syllable holding a weight that belied the simplicity of its formation.

"In the days to come, as I venture forth upon the path that destiny has woven for me, I bestow upon one among you a mantle of authority, a charge of utmost importance," Azrael's voice held a regal quality, a reminder of the grandeur of his purpose and the magnitude of the moment.

"Aric," he spoke the name with a reverence that conveyed both trust and esteem, "in my absence, I entrust you with a sacred responsibility—a role that is both honor and duty combined. You shall assume the mantle of command over my followers, guiding them with wisdom, fostering unity, and preserving the flame of devotion that burns within each heart."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle, his gaze locked onto Aric with a sense of shared understanding. "Your steadfast dedication, your unyielding loyalty, and your unwavering commitment have earned you this privilege, Aric. As you stand at the helm in my stead, know that you carry not just my authority, but the aspirations and dreams of those who have chosen to rally beneath my banner."

A collective hush seemed to envelop the gathering, a tangible silence that held a reverence for the moment and the solemnity of the declaration. Azrael's words resonated within each individual, a shared understanding of the gravity of the trust that had been placed upon Aric's shoulders.

"Together," Azrael's voice swelled with a blend of determination and camaraderie, "we shall forge onward, guided by the unwavering light of our purpose. As I embark upon the path that beckons, I do so with the utmost faith that my legacy is in capable hands."

His gaze swept once more across the assembly, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that united them all. "Let it be known," his voice held a note of finality, a seal upon the proclamation he had made, "that Aric shall stand as the beacon of leadership in my stead, a guardian of our collective aspirations and a champion of our shared destiny."

With those words, the air seemed to stir once more, a sense of anticipation and determination rekindled among those who had listened. Azrael's declaration had woven a tapestry of responsibility and purpose, a tapestry that Aric now held within his grasp, ready to shape and guide in the days yet to come.

"Come now, my devoted servants! Walk with me," Azrael beckoned, his voice infused with a sense of purpose and anticipation. The assembly of two hundred individuals stirred, a collective energy coursing through their ranks as they responded to his call. With synchronized steps and hearts alight with reverence, they fell into formation behind their revered leader.

"Feel the earth beneath your feet," Azrael's voice carried over the assembled throng, a reminder to ground themselves in the present moment and the significance of their pilgrimage. "We are bound not only by our devotion, but by the very essence of this world that cradles us."

Each step became a symbol, a testament to their commitment, as they traversed the terrain together. The journey held its own magic, a quiet communion between leader and followers, a shared pursuit of a destination both physical and spiritual.

After a time of steady progress, their path unveiled a breathtaking spectacle—a majestic mountain of colossal proportions, enveloped by a deep and wondrous valley that seemed to stretch into infinity. The assembly of devoted followers halted in awe, their collective gaze fixed upon the imposing peak that towered above them.

"Behold," Azrael's voice resonated, its timbre carrying a mixture of admiration and humility. "This, my cherished followers, is a place of significance, a sanctuary of both earth and sky."

"The valley, a haven of life and vitality," Azrael continued "This, my steadfast followers, is the canvas upon which we shall etch our legacy," Azrael's words carried a weight that resonated deep within each heart. "A future home, a haven where our devotion shall flourish and our unity shall thrive."

"We shall build not merely structures of stone and wood," Azrael's voice carried a resonance that seemed to resonate with the very earth beneath their feet, "but a sanctuary of spirit, a testament to the enduring power of faith."

"With every brick laid, with every wall raised," Azrael's voice carried a note of fervor, "we shall inscribe our dedication into these very stones. Our sweat and toil, our hopes and dreams, shall become the mortar that binds us to this land."

He extended his arms outward, his stance one of both invitation and declaration. "Let the valley echo with the sounds of progress, let the mountain bear witness to our resolve. This, my devoted followers, is the future we shall create together."

In that pivotal moment, beneath the expanse of sky and amidst the embrace of the valley, they embarked upon a journey towards building their new home.