One at a Time. (Epilogue)

Wenju, the Eternal Citadel, an almighty bastion that seperated the north and south by plugging the huge gaping canyon of the sister mountains of Wen and Ju. It had for centuries stand independent and unconquered until last week.

*STOMP* *STOMP* *STOMP*

*WOOOM*

Countless soldiers march uncontested among the cowering crowds and destroyed buildings while a massive bird of steel similar yet unique to the mighty Ships of the now fallen Aologi Empire fly across the conquered territory.

Watching from above the tallest summit, a man in his late thirties stand triumphant as his red cape flutter and at his hands he holds a bloodied crown split in twine. He looks up and felt hopeful. They may have conquered the bastion but they only manage to topple the authority recently.

No matter how high the fires of war rise, snow will still fall to blanket the scorched earth and heal it. And when the snow thaws, people will say,

"Here begins the rise of Geom."

"My prince- I mean, Hail Sword King!"

A man arrive carrying a great sword with a single edge, fluttering in his step a little before he regain his footing to clasp his hand and bow.

"Ah, what is it, Commander Hak?"

"We just receive a new word from... Them."

"Finally, we're getting restless waiting here. Did he finally arrived to lead our forces?"

"Actually... No."

"Pardon?"

"We are actually told to continue our push to the kingdom of Ri. Most of the Gods from Heaven seems to return and now's our only chance."

"I have no clue what they are planning but we reach this far thanks to them so I won't complain. But is there more to what they said?"

"Yes, this is as far south as we go. Because we now have a new ally to the south to do the conquering- sorry, pacifying. And that kingdom will be the one to receive his help..."

"That make sense since he comes from down there. But, who is our ally?"

"The kingdom of Silla."

"Huh?"

"And their commander in chief is none other than the Living legend and one of the heroes that stopped the coalition, The Guardian of Silla himself, Angae Song-Iseon."

"Hahaha... AHAHAHA!!! Interesting, not the current king but the hero? Are they planning a coup? But then again they are the victim of the coalition and their current king is pretty unpopular. So, I'm sure they're more than itching and have the best justification to conquer- sorry, pacify the countries that participated in the coalition that refuse to pay reparations which is the entire south past Wenju.

This is getting much more interesting, I wonder how us the corner countries will get along? I suppose it is best I learn a bit more of our distant neighbor, they did suffer like us as the odd ones out. Very well, station Chwa-Kin's army here. We'll quickly head back up north and reduce our front lines."

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Since he's not helping us, it seems they are sending someone else to help along."

"Oh?"

"They told us to look forward to it."

"I wonder how many surprises are they going to show us? Seeing how they deem this individual as important as the previous God of War, I wonder what kind of individual he is?"

*************************************

"Pichu!"

*Splash*

I sneeze and wonder what just happened when Juha who's sitting beside me says,

"Bless you."

"Huh? T-Thanks?"

*Thump* *Thump*

Sitting in the corner from the prying eyes of the crowd... The scent of soap, floral, and bouquet permeates. Even without my in depth sense of hearing I could hear, no I could easily feel my heart beating uncontrollably as I try to think how to escape or at least survive this.

"Ahaha!"

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

*Splash* *Splash*

"Hey! No running!", "Woah! How did you make your hair like that? What salon did you go to? Or are the salons open already?", "Did you hear? So-Yuk got a porch bag for the coming Suwah festival. Aaah! I'm so jealous! I wish my husband got one for me too!", "Haaah! My back hurts so much!", "That's because you spent the entire time sitting with a bad posture, Jun-Reon.", "Hey, hey, look at the girl at the corner of that bath. That long blonde hair, isn't she the recently famous Star Child?"

(Hooh, boy... Let's try and get things over with).