Appeal to Virtue

We make the mistake of believing light and darkness are two equal forces, because of day and night, but when we took a glimpse into the universe, we understood that darkness is a far more vast ocean. We moonwalkers know how to swim in it.

Kalakala is defeated, her king is on the run. Her people have been subdued, so for many other kingdoms. The only ones left are Gosha and Ti'gen, too little to even be seen as an opposition, but their ability to hold back even the devil has always preceded their reputation. And this case is no different. With a well calculated approach, in a well advantageous landscape, they cannot proceed any further, neither can they be forced backwards, camped in a narrow corridor, the forces of Arida cannot withstand the defense of the Gosha giants, and cannot proceed towards the people of Ti'gen who have united with them. One thing is certain, Arida has won, but they cannot have the last two kingdoms, and this is contempt for the minority.

ARIDA PALACE COURT.

King Dilis stands before Arida people and addresses them,

"People of Arida, once again, we have united Bloodrock under one banner like in the old days before my father, and the one before him. Of course there are always bound to be the likes of Gosha, insignificant but still stubborn in their little numbers. They have hidden themselves like chickens within the narrow corridors to keep us from penetrating them. They are fortified with men and magic, warriors and weapons, but all the same, it is only a matter of time. Once the virgins are given to Gudi in 12 nights from now, we shall be prepared to advance beyond those corridors and seize what is left. Your king is no weakling, and he shall not be denied his ambition."

Someone speaks with a loud voice,

" All hail the king!"

Everyone replies continuous,

" All hail the king."

Dilis smiles upon watching this as he looks to his generals, and then to Mavin who is by his right, with the look of a miserable queen, who would give anything to be just a commoner.

Later on, Dilis is with his chiefs and generals discussing kingdom issues, with Mavin sitting by his side.

"We have a reason to believe the Moonwalkers are up to something. They've all been called home according to our sources, and have been gathering resources. We have not heard of a Moonwalker army assembled for centuries now. But from what we hear, there is a strong possibility one will be raised and marched somewhere soon", says a general as Dilis asks,

" The maidens have been left unchecked for too long. How about we do something about this? I believe it is time they started answering to Arida."

" My king, in as much as this would gladden you if actualized, the Moonwalkers are not to be taken likely or treated like any other enemy we can easily subdue. The best we can do is make them allies. A war with their ranks would mean unforseen catastrophe on our path", Gen. Eudax says as Dilis thinks about this. And then, Galguntan speaks,

"The general speaks truth my king. We long expected the arrival of a Moonwalker but for some reason, this was delayed. It shows we are somewhat already on the other side of their blade. We should try our best to get to the good side. And if our attempts to do so fail, then we can prepare for an even greater battle."

Dilis rubs his jaws and speaks,

" We will send word to Onelo, we will ask for her alliance and in return, more girls to join their ranks, and more freedom to walk the land without opposition. Eudax, prepare a messenger to give this message, and take the finest of stones with you when you go."

" Yes my king."

And just when the meeting is almost at a close, a surprise entrance is made by a not so expected character, the long unseen brother of Dilis, Osino.

"My king, you have an unexpected presence," says a guard who had come into the hall from outside. He continues,

"It is non other than..."

Osino, younger brother to the King walks in, interrupting the introduction,

"...I, Osino, Prince of Arida, brother to the King."

Everyone is surprised as Dilis speaks,

"Osino, you are...here!" He says this in puzzle and surprise as Osino replies cheerfully,

"Of course! After a long tour outside of Bloodrock, beyond the greatest of oceans, I have finally returned from what was at a point thought to be an endless journey to the edge of the world."

" Outside...of Bloodrock? What is outside of Bloodrock?" Dilis asks as Osino replies,

" A lot brother, enough to keep you journeying for a lifetime."

" And yet, you returned. Well, I hope you are in good health."

Osino comes closer and smiles while replying,

"I am brother, I am."

SLAVER'S MINE.

Yakoza is subjected to hard labour amongst those digging for precious stones. He works with all that's left of his fading strength, still holding on to the necklace on him. He turns right and sees a familiar face, carrying a bowl of heavy stones on her head. Lo and behold, it is the face of Egliti, Yunu's mother.

Yakoza is surprised and tries to get to her but stops immediately he sees one of the guards turning his way.

"Back to work you dirty pig," says the guard as he whips Yaki so hard his skin is pilled off. He stares at a sword resting not so far away from his grip, in rage, adrenaline pushing him to take a drastic action, but just as he's about to make the move, another slave touches him and whispers to him,

"Don't. You won't make it. Don't do it."

And then, Yaki lets go of his plan to get himself killed miserably. The slave continues,

"We have a plan to escape. You can join us."

" Who's us?" Yaki asks as the slave shows him a few others behind him and then, he nods and gets back to work.

ALANOR

A young moonwalker by name, Kora is having a training session with an elder moonwalker, Bena, a moonwalker in her 40s. They battle with their swords as Bena oppresses Kora and speaks,

"Every battle has the potential of claiming your head. For every ally, a moonwalker has twice as many foes. We are not as loved as the world shows us to be and so, you must fight not to die, but to live."

Bena brushes Kora off the ground as Kora gets really tired.

"That's enough for the hour", Bena says as Kora replies,

" No, let's go again."

"That's... enough Kora."

" I can hang on for another 10 minutes."

"Says the girl who cannot summon her chaos", says one out of three other moonwalkers walking passed her and Bena who speaks to Kora, ignoring the other girls,

"I don't need you to...hang on, I need you at your best, so I can properly strain you. Like they said, you cannot summon your chaos yet, meaning you need to do better, so you can hold your own without it, until you can summon your chaos."

Kora looks disappointed, and then sites Rona sharpening her sword, afar off. She then asks Bena,

"Why is it that asides you and Onelo, there aren't older moonwalkers? Did they all meet a terrible fate?"

Bena stares at Rona and replies Kora,

"Story for another day little one."

"I wonder how it would be, taking lessons from the butterfly."

Bena grins and responds,

"Rona of Ti'gen is a lone wolf. She has no friends, no allies. Out on the field, she is a beast you would want on your side and not against you. But that aside, she is bad business, and no moonwalker has ever been known to do good by her. Focus on your thing, and summoning your chaos, and leave the bitch alone."

Bena walks away while the young girl comes towards Rona who notices her staring, stares back intimidatingly and walks away.

It is not surprising that my kind of person does not fancy the concept of socializing, but how could you really understand where I am coming from? One glimpse into my life and you think you know me. You can never. The best you can do is keep on observing those little letters, and those little pictures painted in your mind, for that is all you can comprehend on the butterfly moonwalker.

Still on the scene, the moonwalkers are payed a visit by the messenger of the king of Arida, surprising them as they all stare at the stranger who approaches their mountain.

"Praise Gudi! A mountain full of caves full of maidens, what more could a man ask the gods for?" The messenger says, getting to the entrance. He is blocked by moonwalkers on guard as one ask in a feisty tone,

"State your business here."

The messenger replies,

" I bring message from King Dilis of Arida and Ruler of Bloodrock, ordained by Gudi, to deliver to your master, Onelo."

" Then you must understand that your life is not guaranteed once you step your foot into our territory, your life is ours. And so, I advise you be of best behavior."

" I have no reason to do otherwise."

ONELO'S QUARTERS

Onelo sits in the comfort of her condo, sipping tea and studying a map of Bloodrock. And then, a moonwalker walks in and speaks to her,

" There is a messenger outside from Arida, here to see you Onelo."

Onelo smiles and replies,

" Send him in, and gather the maidens."

Moments later, the messenger is before Onelo, inside of a large space in one of the caves, surrounded by moonwalkers in their hundreds.

Onelo speaks to the messenger,

"Deliver your message messenger."

The messenger speaks,

" Great moonwalker leader and master, I have been sent here by the king of Arida to appeal to your virtue..."

" Appeal!" A moonwalker blurts out in amaze, intimidating the messenger who continues,

"Ye...yes! To..."

"In other words, plead!" same moonwalker says as a few chuckle to this while the messenger replies, a little uneasy,

"More to the likeness in word to propose and not plead, my king pleads nothing from no one..."

" Not even a moonwalker! Because we're so little!?" Another asks as Rona smiles while the messenger gets even more terrified and replies,

"That is not what I imply..."

"You represent a king so powerful, and he lets you come alone into the snakes' hole!?"

The messenger at this point is unsure of what exactly to say as another moonwalker asks,

"Tell me son of Arida, do you find my skin fascinating? Would you want to see all of it?"

" As tempting as that would be, all I have to offer is my message, and not my rod."

" So, that is what we are to you, whores?" Bena asks, leaving the messenger dumbfounded as Bena speaks to Onelo,

"Sending one messenger to us is definitely an insult. They mistake our identity. I'd say we send his head and...rod back to Dilis as a token. Besides, he came without gifts. It would only be fair to take his life as gift."

Onelo smiles and replies,

" Hmmm! Fascinating. But I still am interested in what Dilis has to say. Messenger, deliver your full message as you have been instructed to. We are all ears."

" Thank you Onelo. King Dilis appeals to your virtue to merge forces with his to secure all of Bloodrock, and in exchange, moonwalkers will have an irrevocable pass through any territory without any context, and more girls given to your course."

" First of, Dilis certainly doesn't need moonwalker forces to conquer Bloodrock. He simply wants us to turn a blind eye, or kiss his feet. Secondly, we enjoy the hospitality we are shown wherever we set foot on, and thirdly, we do not need anyone scouting out moonwalkers for us. And so, this is my response to him. The moonwalkers will consider his appeal to our virtue when he sends a more appropriate convoy to Alanor, with more reasonable offers. And finally, you will not deliver this message in one piece. We will keep your heart, and return one testicle to Arida through a raven, while the rest of your body will be given to the hyenas to feed. Perhaps in death, you might just remember forever that your king doomed you, but your tongue sealed your fate."

The messenger is terrified and just before he could even plead for his life or blurt out a word, a sword pierces through his heart from behind, a fine thrust delivered by a moonwalker who swiftly withdraws her blade and stick her hand into his chest and pull off his heart, while his lifeless body falls to the ground. And then, the moonwalker walks towards Onelo while other moonwalkers stare in excitement, like feisty lionesses ready to pounce on their prey. The moonwalker brings the heart to Onelo who takes it and feels it as she speaks,

"It is time we show Bloodrock that no man can hold such power in the land, as long as this fortress stands, and Luna still shines the skies of the night. We go to war."