Soulless and Hellbound: Chapter 3 – God Forsaken

Chapter 3 – God Forsaken

Thanks to my black flames, I’m able to conjure a chariot so getting to my destination isn’t much of a hassle. Also, picking treasures off random people I come across keeps my eyes on the road and my mind off my recent defeat. I then arrive at the place where my black flame sprung to life. A place of demonic energy and a place where the old me died. The old memories come back like the feeling of a night of drinking too much.

I remember that shy failure of a girl who tried her best to become a naval officer for the Church that she devoted herself to all too well. If only I could forget her after so many years of trying. She was nothing but a failure at every turn. A waste of space that could only turn heads when she was messing up. No accomplishment could make her superiors or family proud of her. Coming here killed her so that the Queen of the Seas could be born. They say one of the gates to Hell is here because of the dark rituals that are done here or at least were done here.

It looks like the Church raided this place and destroyed everything useful in drawing out the power of the black flame. Everything, but the ritual marks and symbols, which are covered by blessed objects that slowly erode them. I wish I had the sword that was pierced through me so I wouldn’t have to keep using my own black flames to create weapons. These black flame weapons break as soon as they touch the holy objects, but the holy objects themselves break after much effort. With the seal broken, the power within the dark symbols engulfs me and drags me into a realm of dark fire and suffering. This truly looks like Hell from what I can see.

I say this because I can hardly see anything despite the many black flames around the area. This is the black flame at its purest. It’s a light that darkens and a flame that freezes, but for some reason, the demons move away from me. Maybe my black flame has yet to be perfected. Ah! I can use their fear of my flame against them.

“Hear me, fallen angels! Lend me your power so I can bring more souls to Hell and destroy the Church you despise so much,” I say.

The demons whisper to one another before they begin to swirl around me. Yes! I can feel the chill of the black flame. I can feel its power! Wait, where am I going? The floor below me opened up and I fall all the way to what feels like the arctic. It’s so dark and unbelievably cold that I can’t even move or see myself.

“G-give me your power! I nee-need it! We can help each other!” I say to the demons wherever they are.

Why are they laughing at me? They helped me before, why not now? I hear more whispering. This time it’s a familiar voice that sounds like it’s getting closer. Suddenly, visions and people from my past come to me and there’s no way for me not to see and ignore them.

“You’re a failure of a daughter. Failure of a sister.”

“A failure of a faithful.”

“You commit atrocities to cover for your mistakes. Because you want to be remembered.”

“Because you want to be a legend.”

“How pathetic.”

“Queen of the Seas, queen of murder, queen of plunder, queen of self-pity.”

“Queen of jealousy.”

“How pathetic.”

“Shut up! You will give me what I came for!” I say to the demons while using my black flames to freeze everything around me.

I can hear them screaming. There’s also laughter among them.

“This will not change anything.”

“Foolish girl still has a trace of the divine in her flames.”

“You repented before you were thrown into the sea.”

“You will not be the legend that you wanted to be.”

“You will not be remembered.”

“Not in Heaven nor in Hell.”

“The black flame is not welcomed here. Only corrupted.”

“Foolish girl. How pathetic.”

“Shut up!”

Using my black flames, I scorch and freeze all that I can without rest until I am propelled out of the dark dimension and back into reality. The place where the symbols and marks were are now gone. I wasted my time with the demons. My old crew was always more reliable than them anyway, but I can’t even rely on them. I can only rely on myself. Can I even do that? The dawn is almost here and my power will go back to what it once was. It’s possible that I could grow my crew back to what it once was, but my sullied reputation has made even my old crew and others turn their back on me. There is one last thing I could do to give myself a small chance at respect. Mother, sister, I’m coming back home.

Soulless and Hellbound: Chapter 2 – One Versus a Thousand

Chapter 2 – One Versus a Thousand

My first target is Ecclesia, the capital city of the Church. Taking the head off the Church will drastically reduce everyone’s faith and reduce the power of those who wield the Flame of Cognizance in return. With my newly acquired power, my singular ship has grown into a fleet of flames. Nothing can stop me from taking what’s rightfully mine! Let’s start this off with a bang.

“Burn them to ashes and freeze them solid!” I command my ships of fire.

My ships and their crew leap from the sea and onto land to destroy whatever they touch. Fire and ice given purpose kill everything in their path and plunder whatever has any value for me. As I step on the docks, I watch as a bishop crawls away from his burning ship with his valuables. He has various burns on his skin with the black flame leaking from his body. It doesn’t surprise me that even a bishop uses the black flame instead of the Divine Flame. I put him out of his misery and take his valuables for myself.

Going through the wreckage I’ve caused is nostalgic and a feeling that never grows old. The fear and loss of faith that I’ve caused fuels my flames and makes their burns icier. A knife then comes out of nowhere and hits me in the back of my head. I take it out and break the blade of it by squeezing it with my bare hands. This scares off the assassins of the Church, the white doves.

“Ha! Pathetic,” I say while throwing the blade aside.

I then go to the main cathedral where I find people praying and the archbishop, who is the head of the Church. My appearance scares some while making others pray harder. I cut, kill, and steal to scare more people, and believe it or not, there are people who don’t stop praying.

“Your God won’t protect you from me. His holy power couldn’t even keep me trapped on the bottom of the sea!” I say to them.

More of the so-called faithful leave while others give me their valuables and beg for their lives.

“Thank you for your gifts, but I’m here for a greater prize, the head of the Church,” I say while taking the sword out of my chest and pointing it at the archbishop who has his back turned to me as he prays near the alter with his two bodyguards who are also praying. “What? Nothing to say to me or are you praying for salvation? Let me answer your prayer for you because God isn’t listening.”

My black flames rush towards the archbishop, but his guards hold them back from consuming him. That’s fine. I want to shove the blade of this sword through his throat while he’s still alive anyway, but before I can do that, the guards break through my flames as the Flame of Cognizance burns within them. Finally! A real test for my new flames. I spread my flames around the guards while spawning creatures of flame to distract them. This allows me to get in close to pick them off one by one. When the final one falls, more people from the cathedral leave with very few remaining.

“God will not save you, but I can! Swear your loyalty to me and you will be spared!” I say to those who have lost their faith.

“Enough!” the archbishop says as he finally turns to me and walks to me with a limp.

“Are you finally going to do something? What are you going to do, old man? I gave you that limp you’re walking with and those scars from my flames.”

“I was a foolish sinner even when I became archbishop and the Flame of Cognizance was renewed, but Tenebris’ example showed me what true faith really was. How even a devilish sinner like him could be made into a hero.”

“I don’t want to hear his name ever again!”

I attack the archbishop but my flames melt as they get close. What? Clearly, his faith isn’t completely shaken so I try to kill the rest of the people in the cathedral.

“You will not harm them any longer!” the archbishop says as he shoots out a small flame from his mouth that sends me flying out of the cathedral.

What was that? What did he do to me? I shouldn’t be struggling to stand up. I shouldn’t be feeling any pain. I shouldn’t be losing this fight!

“I may not be the most faithful man, but even my mustard seed of faith has produced a flame that has defeated you and given you your own limp. Walk away and repent while you still have a chance,” the archbishop says with his faithful around him.

“Haha, I’m already dead! There’s no reason for me to repent. My soul is hellbound if I still have one. My Heaven and glory are found here. I will not be denied it and I will not be embarrassed by the likes of you!”

The archbishop sends me flying away again with another small fireball that knocks me down for a time. His white doves take me to him in a secluded place. I’m unable to use my flames and even lift my sword against him.

“What are you waiting for? Finish me off if you can. Fight me fairly without that Flame of yours,” I say.

“If I wanted this to go my way, I would’ve killed you for your atrocities, but the Divine Flame has chosen to spare you rather than engulf and burn you to ash. Take this as a sign of God’s mercy to humble you so that you can repent.”

I’m knocked out by the archbishop's flame and I wake up in a graveyard far from Ecclesia. Bastard denied me my victory. At least I destroyed a good portion of the city and killed a good number of his flock. I need more power if I want to defeat people like him and I know just where to get it. My very demons hidden inside the black flames will bend to my desire.

Soulless and Hellbound: Chapter 1 – Back from the Depths

Chapter 1 – Back from the Depths

There was no greater threat on the ocean than I Procella, the Queen of the Sea, and there never will be any queen greater than I. I forged my crown with blood and fire. My wealth was made by taking it from the most powerful kings and queens. No one could defeat my fleet of ships. Not the mythical beasts of the sea nor the armies of the kingdoms that I fought. I am not entirely without mercy despite my violent nature. I won’t plunder, burn, or kill if I’m paid and my demands are met. The Church and other kingdoms do the same, so what does it matter if I do the same?

The only real defeat I’ve had was at the hands of Tenebris the Tender of the Flame of Cognizance when I went to take the Flame for myself because what greater treasure is there than to have power over man’s sense of good and evil? Everything was going well until I faced him by myself. He didn’t say a word despite the many things I said to him to get him off his guard. I’ll never forget that stoic look on his face. He defeated me and the forces I had with me when he used the Flame of Cognizance against us. Tenebris then used the Flame to see into our souls to judge us and give us our punishment.

Some of my crew were executed while the rest were given life sentences of servitude for the kingdoms we raided. I, on the other hand, was given special treatment by having a holy sword thrust into my chest as I was thrown into the bottom of the sea. They knew that I can’t easily die because I use the black flame, the power of the human soul, raw humanity to become nearly immortal. The holy sword has pinned me here for who knows how long, but those fools should’ve known that the power of the black flame should not be underestimated. When the black sun, the moon, shows its dark side and envelops the areas that it shadows, the black flame in the souls of all humanity is at its most powerful. This day finally comes and thanks to the black flame, the holy sword is corrupted. After wading through the water, I come to the shore and puke out buckets and buckets of water. It’s an unpleasant feeling, to say the least, but nothing compared to the exhilaration I feel from being free from my watery prison.

“I live again!” I yell at the world, “The Queen of the Sea has risen. There’s nothing you can do to stop me! The world will be mine! Hahaha!”

If my memory is correct, there should be a shipyard around here. Sure enough, I find it, but my ship is nowhere to be seen. Maybe they gave it to Tenebris or some kingdom to show off in a museum. They better not be using her or have destroyed her! Well, I guess it’s time to make my triumphant return.

“Make way! The Queen of the Sea, Procella, enters your presence!” I say to get everyone’s attention.

They scatter and scream in fear with few being so afraid that they are frozen in place.

“Boo!” I say to get them going.

I then get on one of the ships and tell its crew to take me to where my old crew should be. The ship’s crew are too afraid to disagree with me, so they agree and then leave the ship once we get to our destination and spread the news of my return. Using this as a distraction, I find my way to the prison and then blow my way through with my black flames.

Entering the prison, I say, “I’ve returned from the sea. It is time to retake what is mine, what is ours. Come with me my crewmates and those who want glory and treasure! Together, we’ll put fear and respect back into the hearts of everyone we come across and take the world for ourselves!”

…huh. No one looks excited to join me. I approach one of my most loyal crewmates, and it looks like she wanted to leave without me noticing.

“I assume that you are trying to come to me because it’d be foolish of you to walk away,” I say to her.

“I…I have some other jobs waiting for me, boss. Sorry,” she says.

“That was a terrible lie, and you know the price of lying to me. Tell me why you aren’t joining me or else.”

“Because…because we were defeated when I thought that we were invincible. That black flame of yours is useless against those blessed by the Flame of Cognizance.”

“What are you talking about? The black flame is how I got out of my watery prison.”

“It’s only because the black sun is showing its dark side today. You’ll be powerful for the night, but that’s it and the Flame of Cognizance is still more powerful.”

“We’ve beat people who wielded it before.”

“Only because we broke their faith.”

“Thanks to the power of the black flame.”

“But no one can use the black flame like you can because we aren’t as sinful as you.”

“We can change that.”

“It’s not going to be worth it. Our impact on the world is gone in the five months that you were in the sea. It was all for nothing.”

“How dare you say that! How dare you have such little faith in me! What about the rest of you? Will you not join me?”

Everyone I can see walks away and a few even run. More people including my old crew are leaving if they already haven’t left when I wasn’t paying attention. I will not forgive them for this insult!

“If you won’t join me, then you can all burn!” I say as I envelop the prison in black flames.

I then burn the rest of the surrounding area with flames to the point where my flames start to freeze everyone and everything it touches. This is something that the Flame of Cognizance can’t do and this is what the black flame is supposed to do at full power. My flames can burn and freeze now, so I won’t need anyone’s help in taking back the world.

“Hear me, you fools! Tonight marks my glorious return, so tremble in fear. Get on your knees and witness the return of the Queen of the Sea as I take back what is rightfully mine in a single night.”

I laugh as I reach up to the moon with both my hands and grip my hands around it as if taking it out of the sky as my black flames grow. Using these flames, I create a ship of black flames with a crew of creatures made of the same flame. The Flame of Cognizance may be the original flame that takes its power from God, but those who wield it aren’t able to do anything unless God wills it. I am not restrained by such rules when the black flame is at its peak. With this power, I can do anything I want, take anything I want, destroy anything I want. Watch out, you who doubted me. I’m coming for you first.

Cover made by @An_dres_art (on Twitter)

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939747

In a beautiful crystal world, there is a world war between two kinds of dolls, the Flos and Crystallis. A mother and her son are caught in the conflict and the son is afflicted with a spell that will shatter him unless she gets to the springs, where all dolls came from. This mother will have to fight both nature and other dolls to help her son and do what a mother is supposed to for her child.

Nikolay Panev and I have created a short story that you can download for free!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1086759

A king has died fighting tyranny and giving his life for those he loved and his son, Bane, takes his place. In this land where kingdoms are founded on various fields of knowledge, Bane will try to make allies in this new world free of tyranny and understand each kingdom, even the kingdom where his father's killer was from. This book is created by Nikolay Panev and written by Albert Oon.

Bane of Gnosis: Chapter 5 – Open-Mindedness and Willful Ignorance

Chapter 5 – Open-Mindedness and Willful Ignorance

By the time Bane and Andreas arrive in the capital of Honestus, it’s been a few days since the civil war started and their guards have since led many assassins away from them. The capital itself is unlike other kingdoms in that it takes sides by splitting the capital as both sides try to work harder and better than the others with few fights happening as people are busy producing the goods that they sell to all kingdoms to get their continued support. Dissimilar from other capitals, this one is comprised of small towns that focus on several fields of work knowledge instead of one large city. Some goods are no longer sold to one group while another may obtain more goods than before now that their side has more support. This is one of the many things that cause fights to erupt in the capital. Bane and Andreas are praised by most of the population with Andreas, in particular, getting the most praise.

“They sure do love you here,” Bane says.

“Commonfolk understand each other. Both Virtus and Honestus were slave workers to the other kingdoms so we were the closest allies because of it,” Andreas explains.

“It’s a genius move really what your brother did. Take away their food and labor and the other kingdoms will have to listen to your demands.”

“Are you actually complimenting my brother?”

“Just that one move of his. Using violence and force is the stupidest thing that he did that ruined everything.”

“Oh, and here I thought we were about to understand each other better.”

“We will in due time.” Bane can hear the sound of a familiar voice in the distance that people are going to. “Driver, get to where the crowd is heading!”

When they get to where the crowd is gathering, Bane’s suspicions are proven true. He sees his brother guarded by his soldiers as he tries to convince the people of Honestus to join him.

“Brother!” Bane says as Andreas and he approaches his brother.

“There you are, traitor! I see that you’ve also brought our father’s killer with you too. I knew it was a mistake that you became king as soon as you started putting in your new policies,” Bane’s brother says.

“You are the one who’s mistaken. Look at what you’ve done. You’ve been splitting kingdoms and families in two because of your hatred for Virtus. I came here to enlist the help of the people of Honestus, but since you are here, I’ll have to bring you to justice here and now.”

“Bring me to justice? For what?”

“For the crimes of; attempted framing of another for your crime, the attempted assassination of me, and willful ignorance. You’ll be lucky to spend the rest of your days in jail for willful ignorance, which is universally the worst crime of all in this land.”

“You’ll have to kill me to bring me in.”

“If that’s how you want to do this…then so be it,” Bane says as he hesitates to take out his sword before Andreas stops him. “What is it?”

“I’ll fight your brother. Family should not be fighting each other to the death.”

“That may be a belief in your kingdom, but it’s not one in mine.”

“I can tell that you don’t want to do this.”

“…fine.”

“Thank you. Can I borrow your shield cape?”

Bane hands Andreas his shield cape.

Andreas then approaches Bane’s brother with his sword drawn as he says, “I will fight you instead.”

“Good. I prefer this actually so I can avenge my father and do what my younger brother was supposed to do.”

The two clash swords and the fight goes similarly to how the fight between Bane and Andreas went, however, with the aid of Bane’s cape shield the odds are in his favor even as Bane’s brother extends his sword to be more like a spear. Eventually, the fight comes to a quick close as Andreas deflects Bane’s brother's attacks to catch him off guard before stabbing him in the chest. With Bane’s cape, Andreas tries to hide the sight of Bane’s brother’s body. The surrounding crowd cheers for Andreas’ victory with some disagreeing and starting fights.

“It’s done,” Andreas says.

“Thank you. I guess this makes us even then,” Bane slightly jokes as he tries to hide his sadness.

Bane then sees the fights in the crowd and gets their attention.

He says, “This is the price of ignorance and assumptions so we shouldn’t be clapping or fighting. Ignorance and assumptions can fill us with hatred and makes us turn on those we love. My father was a man who built bridges to understand his enemies and gave his life for this purpose. Though being able to completely understand and not make assumptions about others sounds like a fantasy, we will make it a reality. Already King Andreas and I are working together, despite the fact that our loved ones killed one another. So, will you stand with us to make a better tomorrow?”

The crowd takes a second to think about it before they cheer for the kings. Word of what happened spreads quickly through all the kingdoms. Bane’s family disowns him and goes into the far reaches of the world away from the other kingdoms as they gather their allies who agree with them to live in their own echo chamber. Meanwhile, Virtus is finally able to be taken seriously by the other kingdoms as they all have talks to foster love and understanding. Though Bane has his methods that might seem rash, unwise, or even deluded, he achieves what most people say to be the unthinkable just like his father.

 

The End

Bane of Gnosis: Chapter 4 – Royalty and Rogues

Chapter 4 – Royalty and Rogues

Bane and Andreas come to the kingdom of Regium after two days of travel.

With the capital of the kingdom in sight, Bane says, “Try not to make this look stranger than it already does.”

“How can I not?” Andreas legitimately asks.

Bane’s fairytale prince looks with his golden hair and deep blue eyes contrast Andreas brooding appearance with his dark long hair and beard. Both appear to be so different that it’s as they were from different stories and this contrast strikes the citizens of Regium who see both of them in their carriage as some citizens become worried and question why the two are riding together. Those in the kingdom who are used to being friendly with their political enemies accept this and think as positively as they can as they continue celebrating the arrival of Bane with music. At the castle, Bane and Andreas are met by the council high ranking royalty in the kingdom with most of them talking to each other and only one of them silently thinking about what he should do.

“Uncle,” Bane says as he knees and bows.

Bane hits Andreas’ arm so that he bows similarly to show respect. This brings a smile to his uncle’s face.

“It’s good to see where your loyalties lie. Do you see this? My nephew is still with us.”

“Uncle, I must bring an urgent manner to your attention.”

“Besides the fact that you’ve tamed this wild beast?”

Bane sees that Andreas is aggravated and touches his shoulder to calm him down before saying, “An assassin almost took my life and we managed to make them confess that they came from here, despite saying at first that they were from Virtus.”

“What method did you use to make the assassin confess? Was it the black rose?”

“It was.”

“That flower can make people tell the truth, but it also makes them act drunk, so they may lie like a drunk. Let’s talk more about this manner in private.”

Bane, his uncle, Andreas, and the council go to a courtroom where people from the outside are staring at them from.

“Is all this attention really necessary, uncle? I thought you said that it would be private?” Bane says.

“This is private. The crowd nor the council behind me can intervene in our discussion. Unlike the politics of other kingdoms, we are very transparent in our affairs. The criticism we get is one of the reasons why we are the kingdom where the knowledge of business and statecraft shines the brightest.”

“It’s also one of the reasons how father was able to build his own kingdom.”

“Scitus…my brother loved fantasy and fairy tales so much that I thought that he’d never amount to anything when he said that he would build his own kingdom that cherished all forms of knowledge and save the world. Now, I think that he was more realistic than I was, but what isn’t realistic is the idea that someone from this kingdom would try to frame Virtus for an attempted assassination on your life. As you can see, we are completely transparent even in matters such as this.”

Bane and Andreas look outside to see this is true as people talk to one another and send out people to confirm the claim of the attempted assassination.

“You can trust me on this, uncle. I wouldn’t have come here with this claim otherwise.”

“Why did you bring that animal of a man with you then?”

“This animal can speak for himself,” Andreas says.

“Andreas!”

“No, let the animal speak.”

“I came here to know why my kingdom was being framed for an attempted assassination after being humbled by defeat and my attempts to redeem our name.”

“You will find nothing here. What redemption is there for your kingdom other than letting your people live lives of penance? Your kingdom has always been a savage one for its reliance on the knowledge of battle and violence.”

“My kingdom has also been known for honor, transparency, and strength. We have been the slaves and soldiers for all kingdoms in an attempt to show our worth.”

“Tell me, how did it start, uncle,” Bane interjects, “Did Virtus start as slaves to other kingdoms or as a kingdom of domination and violence?”

“I would say that they started as savages, but to be fair, that knowledge is unfortunately lost to time.”

“Why make an assumption then about them?”

“Because of the way they act, their punishment, and their past deeds speak for themselves. Your father too said to not assume anything about them. It’s why he included some of their people in your kingdom and tried to change their minds.”

“I have made assumptions about the other kingdoms as well,” Andreas says, “But I am trying to move beyond them by working with other kings such as King Bane whose father was my brother’s killer and who brought my kingdom right back down to where it was before. Making assumptions about other people is what my brother did and you are no different than him if you do the same.”

“How dare you compare the ruler of kings to a tyrant!” a queen from behind Bane’s uncle says as the rest of the room becomes rowdy.

Bane then says as loud as he can, “You’re proving his point!” This silences the council as Bane’s uncle attentively listens to his nephew, “The only reason my father managed to overthrow the tyrant was by understanding other fields of knowledge and bringing everyone together to stand up against him. Even though King Andreas and I hardly understand each other’s ways, we are willing to put aside our differences so that both our people can prosper. Shouldn’t you do the same? Isn’t knowledge, isn’t the truth the most valuable thing we cherish?”

“It is,” Bane’s uncle responds confidently and proud of his nephew’s boldness.

“Then act like it. Help me find the people who tried to frame Virtus for an assassination attempt on my life and together we can all gain greater knowledge and understanding together.

The room is silent before Bane’s uncle claps for him along with the rest of the council.

“I agree to help you. Your father would be proud of you,” Bane’s uncle says with a smile.

The council then plans what to do with many in the council begrudgingly working with Andreas. Some arguments break out because he gives them advice and suggestions. After one particular argument that lasts longer than the last, Bane’s uncle notices that two of the council are missing. His question of their location is quickly answered as a group of kings and queens enters the courtroom with their servants with them and the two missing council members among them.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Bane’s uncle says.

“You have lost your way and become blinded by your familial bonds, King Callidus. Arrest that dog of a king or have him killed on the spot. This is your chance to avenge your brother,” one of the royalty demands.

“Are you the people who planned the assassination of my nephew?! Lie, and your lives are forfeit and your families disgraced for generations.”

“What is the harm in doing no harm in a fake assassination attempt especially when they’re coming from orders from our wise superiors?”

“I did not order you to do this!”

“No, but his brother did along with the other members of his family and the council.”

“What?!” both Bane and Callidus say.

“It’s true,” another royal confirms.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on you through our spies,” yet another says, “You did give him some power over your kingdom and he wisely used it.”

“Stand down! All of you! This will not solve any of our problems!” Callidus commands.

“If you’re on the side of your brother’s killer, then we don’t take orders from you. Take their heads!”

The royals approach them with weapons along with their servants. Bane and Callidus draw their weapons, but Andreas steps forward without one.

He says, “Do you really think that you are different than my brother who you call a tyrant? You use subterfuge and violence to force your way onto others just as he did, and there is also you who are from Virtus. Would you turn against your home just because you’re accepted by these people who turn against each other? You are nothing more than traitorous fools, but you can be redeemed if you fight with us.”

Andreas’ speech rallies some of the royalty and servants to his side as they turn against each other. Word of what is going on spreads like wildfire through the capital and even beyond as messengers are sent to other kingdoms to inform the others of what is happening. Sides are taken, arguments are had, and blood is shed as a small civil war happens within the kingdom.

“I didn’t know that you could make your brother sound so bad without saying anything bad about him,” Bane points out.

“I knew comparing them to him would get under their skin especially since it’s true, and no, I wasn’t trying to make him sound bad,” Andreas says.

“What do we do now, uncle?”

“We should rally our forces and try to stop as much violence as possible by setting up debates.”

“I have allies in all kingdoms, but I haven’t visited the worker’s kingdom, Honestus.”

“Then you should go there this instant while I rally my supporters here.”

“I have many friends in Honestus,” Andreas mentions, “They’ll definitely join our side when they see us working together.”

“That doesn’t surprise me since they were integral in your brother’s plan in starting his war just like how Astutia was integral to ours, but I digress. Bane, if you happen to see your brother again, try your best to change his mind.”

“I will, uncle.”

Bane and Andreas are transported by Bane’s and Callidus’ guards out of the capital and to the kingdom of Honestus where Bane’s brother just happens to be going at the same time.