?Vulak let out a heavy sigh. "In truth, I followed his order to the letter. I sensed from the gravity in his voice that my sister was in a state I was never meant to witness. Had I struck the ice then, my rage would have consumed me; I would have marched upon the demon realms, destined to be either the butcher or the butchered. But what truly severed my ties with the squad was his hollow conduct after Rose was laid to rest."
?"What did he do?" Andrei asked, leaning in.
?"Let us return to that somber moment," Vulak began, his eyes clouded by memory. "The air was thick with grief. Tears flowed until eyes ran dry. The tribal leader stood over Rin’s grave, a man shattered by loss. Yet, he swallowed his agony, composed his features, and spoke: 'The hour has come to stem our tears and look to the future of the tribes. As you know, we are the stewards of the healing arts, a legacy passed through generations. My daughter was my pride—the pride of all tribes—and the final heir. She is gone, and the necklace has not yet kindled for its next master. I know the earth over her grave is not yet dry, but our laws are absolute: we must find a new bearer immediately, that the burden of protection may be upheld.'"
?"He reached into his pocket, withdrew the necklace, and walked toward an ancient, gnarled tree. Hanging it upon a withered branch, he declared: 'The trial must begin anew. Let the necklace choose its own.'"
?"A heavy silence fell as everyone waited for a spark of light, but the necklace remained cold and dark. For hours, the tribes stood in hushed anticipation, but to no avail. The Soul watched from the shadows, whispering: 'So, the necklace has chosen its final bearer... or rather, its true owner: Rose. Even the relic mourns you; it refuses to grace any throat but yours.'"
?"Then, amidst the collective breathlessness, the Ice Lord stepped forward. To the horror of the crowd, he snatched the necklace and fastened it around his own neck as if it were his birthright."
?"'Ice King, what is the meaning of this?' a voice cried out."
?"The Ice King replied with a chilling calm, 'As you see, if the relic chooses no one, then it requires a guardian. That guardian shall be me.'"
?"'A guardian?' another spat. 'With those words, you insult centuries of tribal protection! You claim we have failed our charge!'"
?"Vulak’s blood boiled, yet he fought to keep his voice steady. 'The bearer was not found; the relic must be returned to the tribal leader.'"
?"'The consensus is with me,' the Ice King retorted."
?"'Consensus?' Vulak shouted. 'How can you claim agreement when not a soul has spoken?'"
?"The Ice King’s gaze was unwavering. 'Because they know I am one of the Seven Knights. They know I can protect it better than any man here.'"
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?"At that, Vulak’s restraint snapped. 'Protect it? Do not mock me! Where was your protection when the demons razed our villages? Where was your shield when the town cried out for you? Where was your strength when my sister—your ward—sacrificed her very life to save us because you were absent? Answer me! You slew the monster, yes, but what of the demons? If you are as peerless as you claim, why were you late? Why did my only sister have to pay the price for your delay?' Tears began to trail down Vulak's face, unbidden and bitter."
?"'I am sorry, Vulak,' the Ice King said softly."
?"That single word was the spark in a powder keg. 'Sorry? Do not waste that word on me! Say it to the villagers! Tell Rose, "I am sorry I failed you!" Or better yet, let me say it: I am sorry I ever followed a leader who cannot protect a single soul!'"
?"Iris shrieked, 'Vulak! What are you saying?'"
?"He turned on her, his eyes blazing with fury. 'Do you condone this? Do you covet my rank? Take it, then! It is clear Rose meant nothing to you!'"
?"Iris recoiled as if struck. 'She meant everything to me, but—'"
?"Vulak cut her off. 'I care not for your excuses.' He turned back to the King. 'Return the necklace, or draw your steel!'"
?"'You wish to fight me? Are you certain?'"
?"'Beyond a doubt! Power of Light! Absolute Radiance!' Vulak unleashed a colossal beam that cleaved the mountainside. The Dark Lord darted aside, only to be met by a hail of light blades. He froze them in mid-air. Suddenly, Vulak was behind him, his palm inches from the King’s face: 'Power of Light! Piercing Radiance!'"
?"'I would advise against this, Vulak,' the King whispered."
?"Vulak laughed, a jagged, hollow sound. 'Advise against it? You are the one whose life ends here!'"
?"In a blur of motion, a blade of ice descended, severing Vulak’s hand. He let out a gut-wrenching scream, and in the next heartbeat, the Ice Lord delivered a crushing blow that plummeted him into unconsciousness."
?"'Does anyone else object?' the King asked, his voice echoing in the silence."
?"Zephyr, Vulak’s father, stepped forward. He knelt by his son, retrieved the severed limb, and pressed it into the snow to preserve it. He looked up at the Ice Lord with eyes full of betrayal. 'I believed you were our salvation. But alas, you Knights see us as nothing more than collateral—worthless pawns in your grand missions. You would spend our lives to check a box. But mark my words: the People of the Ice are not cattle to be humiliated while we stand idly by!'"
?"The tribes rose as one, weapons drawn. But their hearts sank when they saw Iris, Julian, and Harold step forward—not to join them, but to shield the Ice Lord."
?"'After all he has done, you stand with him? Even you, my daughter?' Zephyr whispered."
?"Iris gritted her teeth, her knuckles white. 'I am sorry you still call me daughter, father. But the circumstances leave me no choice.'"
?"Zephyr’s voice turned to stone. 'And I am a father who will not stand by while his children are desecrated. From this moment on, stay far from these lands. If I find you within our borders again, I will not hesitate to strike you down!'"
?"The tribes murmured in shock. 'Zephyr, listen! These are the children of our village! Would you truly spill their blood?'"
?"'What of the Ice Lord?' Zephyr replied. 'They have made their choice. And heaven help them for it.'"
?"And that," Vulak concluded, "is how I broke from the squad."
?"But how did you regain your hand?" Andrei asked.
?"A healer—an acquaintance of Emily’s mother—mended it."
?Andrei fell silent, contemplating. "I still cannot fathom why Rose chose to sacrifice herself. Life is the ultimate treasure; even the greatest heroes tremble when death knocks. Yet, through all that agony and pressure, she never wavered."
?Vulak stared into the distance. "Believe me, Andrei... that is the very question that haunts my nights. Why did she choose that path? I only hope that one day, I find the answer."
?A note to my fellow students: You are the ones who truly understand. I’m currently buried in exams and a very difficult period, so please forgive my silence! A new chapter is on the way. I hope for your continued support to keep me going. Sorry again for the delay!