LUCION The Veil of Whispers

Chapter 1 The clergy

''Konan, son of the Earthly realm, you stand accused of heinous crimes against the people of Elda," the king intoned, his voice grave with authority.

"How do you plead?" Konan remained silent, chained to the ground, his jaw clenched in defiance as he met the king's gaze with a steely resolve. The court murmured with anticipation, waiting for his response. The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense as Konan, bound in chains, stood before the king of Manaheim.

His eyes burned fiery as he gazed upon the faces of those who held the fate of his village in their hands. Konan, the skilled warrior full of hatred and anger for these people, scanned the room keenly, searching for any sign of his elusive target. But Eugene was nowhere to be found among the assembled nobles and rulers.

As the trial commenced, Konan remained silent, his jaw clenched in determination as he listened to the accusations against him. The nobles demanded answers, but Konan remained steadfast, refusing to give voice to the pain and rage that consumed him. Suddenly, Konan spoke, his voice low and filled with a quiet resolve. "Who is holding you on trial for what you've done?" he asked, his words echoing through the halls like a thunderclap.

The council erupted into shouts and demands for Konan's execution, their voices filled with malice and contempt. But Konan stood unmoved, his gaze locked on the rulers before him. "You came into my village, unprovoked, and slaughtered my people without mercy," he continued, his voice heavy with grief.

"Among them was my wife, who was to bear my child. And you ask why I did the same to your people?" The king of Manaheim looked on in shock, his expression of disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice confused. "I didn't give any orders to my soldiers to attack your village. We were supposed to discuss the fate of your village yesterday before you barged in and killed my people!" Konan's eyes narrowed as he listened to the king's words, his heart pounding with fury. "So, you were already planning it?" he demanded, his voice dripping with contempt.

"How dare you use such a tone on a King!" roared Taurak, his voice booming like thunder. "I have no respect for your kind. I've dealt with your kind before and know you only listen to one language, war." Konan met Taurak's gaze with a steely resolve, steadfast in the face of the Primate King's intimidating presence. "Who do you think you are to decide the fate of people who have not harmed or provoked you in any way? Last I checked, there was only one God!" he challenged, his voice filled with righteous anger.

"Give me Eugene, the coward who was behind my village's massacre and retreated." Konan demanded, his words cutting through the tension like a blade. "And in return, I'll let you all keep your lives." "Blasphemy!" cried one council member, his voice filled with outrage as he turned to the king for guidance. The king's expression darkened as he contemplated Konan's offer. He summoned his guards and ordered Eugene to be brought before the court. Eugene arrived at the trial, his face a mask of defiance as he stood before the king. But when the king learned of Eugene's involvement in the massacre, he refused Konan's offer, his decision final and unwavering. ''I'm sorry for your loss, but that is not how we do things here. I'll see to it that Eugene receives punishment for his actions.

And in the meantime, I'd like to discuss your punishment.'' The council members, their faces twisted with malice, cheered at the king's decision, their thirst for vengeance unquenchable. And Taurak, his eyes flashing with menace, loomed over Konan like a dark shadow, his presence a chilling reminder of the power within the kingdoms of Elda. But Konan remained undaunted, his resolve unbroken as he faced his adversaries head-on.

As the king refused Konan's offer, a sinister smile curled upon Konan's lips, sending shivers down the spines of those in the courtroom. ''I was hoping you'd refuse!'' he said, staring at the king. His eyes, once filled with grief and rage, turned pitch black, reflecting the darkness that now consumed his soul. His skin took on a pale grey hue as if drained of all life and warmth.