Chapter 11: Chapter. 11: Interlude: Grand Empire Of Arkaram

Ar'ken Ta’urc Urzam ⁠— That was his proud name, one that he carried like a banner everywhere he went. The empire had been expanding, it expanded everywhere leaving no rock unturned. In his life as a general no one saw more success than him, commanding one of the elite troops of the Grand Empire of Arkaram. Oh how proud had he been when the new emperor took over, he could still remember that day as if it was yesterday.

The day was overcast and rain poured down as if the whole planet was rebelling against the ceremony. Tall banners rose at the main avenue, the gothic and spiked buildings serving as nothing more than background for the main event. Everwood war-horns resounded through the empire that day. A rare-relic from a long extinct species of mammals. Its predecessors still roamed the planet.

The sky thundered, and at that moment a carriage passed as the new crowned emperor saluted his new empire. Everyone cheered and he smiled back, his mystifying golden eyes smiting everyone that laid eyes upon him, and his horns were like a crown that he wore everywhere⁠. His skin unlike the others’ was a dark shade of blue like the sky. Ar'ken couldn’t have been happier to serve that man, at first he was skeptical. But strength was everything and the strong protected the weak.

Ar'ken knew no man under the heavens that was stronger than his emperor. As his second in command he lost in nothing more than five move exchanges. Moreover, after every punch, parry, kick⁠— after every move his bones protested in pain. His emperor was different, his emperor was a man worth following.

The empire was nothing more than a country in the large world of Ragna, countless empires existed. But so what? Ar'ken knew in his long life of two-hundred years that change did not come forth easily. And his emperor would make everything possible, everything would come to be with time. He could still remember that day he was called to his office.

There were no doors, for the strong were always prepared. At the end of the dark hall, on one of the darkest days he saw his emperor. The man that would reign, he looked out of the window with an indescribable expression of disinterest.

“Ar'ken,” he called. “You’re my most trustworthy subordinate.”

Ar'ken knelt. “Yes…” He couldn’t help but shake from excitement. “I’d die for you.”

His Majesty, the emperor, paid no attention and continued. “What do you think my current goals are?”

He couldn’t help but pause. Goals? He never thought about it, his only duty was to serve. “Forgive me, but I do not know the scope of your plan.”

“The whole world.”

“Excuse me?” Ar'ken asked, unsure if he had heard right.

The emperor turned to him, looking down. “The whole world of Ragna shall be mine.”

That gaze of his, resolute and impervious to all feelings. Ar'ken remembered what he felt at that moment, and ever since then his loyalty never wavered. He knew what he wanted in life. It was to make that man shine, it was to be that man’s right hand⁠ ⁠— his tool. In Ragna there was no greater honor to a warrior than serving the strongest. Of course, during his early years Ar'ken always held contempt, saying that one day he’d be the strongest. But after so many decades he had sharpened himself, and he simply knew that this current emperor was the one.

The last emperor was simply too weak, assassinated in the middle of the night. No one questioned it when a new emperor wore the royal robes and lived in the palace. It was such the nature of life⁠— if one wanted the position, one just had to, take it. Many tried, and so many failed. And just like with many emperors it happened all over again, however there was a difference.

The new emperor was benevolent, sparing every single attacker. Normally the penalty was death, but all he requested was loyalty. Oh, Ar'ken could praise him to the orbit and back. That was why when the war started he didn’t hesitate to offer his body and very soul to the cause. Even though he was the Emperor’s right-hand man he still had to earn the respect of the army.

Bloodied battle after bloodied battle, eventually different empires toppled under their might. Eventually Ar'ken rose to be the number one general, and was knighted. Crowned as the second strongest, as the right hand man. And that was why he was given the names ‘Ta’urc’ and ‘Urzam’. Names bestowed by the emperor himself. He didn’t know their meaning, but that didn’t matter ⁠— it was a great honor.

Eventually, after seventy-five years of non-stop war the last empire fell. Those who did not believe in his majesty’s reign were executed, and those who pledged their loyalty were quickly managed and sorted. The emperor had great vision, something that Ar'ken already knew but was still surprised. As soon as the whole world fell under his hand, he began to optimize, he began to try harder than ever before. Before, he never had time for females or carnal desires, and now even less. He gazed beyond the horizon, beyond any other desire but his ambition.

He spoke of an old prophet, his ancestor, he spoke about the stars and what laid beyond. And Ar'ken could clearly see it. The ambition in the emperor’s eyes, it was just the beginning. But first they needed to prepare, they needed something that was called Equilibrium according to the emperor. Something that was unachievable without world domination.

Years passed, and the emperor carefully monitored. There was a small period of time of one year, but eventually he executed exactly 391 people; unloyal prisoners of war that had been kept alive for decades. But once that was done, the emperor smiled and retired to his palace. Once more, that night. Ar'ken Ta’urc Urzam had been summoned.

“Ar'ken,” the emperor called. Excitement evident in his voice. “Do you know what happens next?”

“No…” He replied ashamed.

The emperor turned with a deep grin he had never seen before. “The universe shall fall under our hands. The great prophet arranged for this, our greatest ancestor.”

Ar'ken didn’t know what that meant, but he praised regardless. “I shall follow you even if the whole world collapses.”

“It shall collapse sooner than you think.” The emperor mused before dismissing him. “Seek me once initiation begins, bring your strongest squad.

Ar'ken didn’t know what that meant but continued his service. Years passed and eventually, it happened.

[Initiation Complete.]

Ar'ken shook, it was in the middle of the night when it happened. But he had gone over the possible scenarios in his head multiple times, enough to at least keep calm, the life of luxury in the royal palace did not dull his edge at all. The voice that appeared was still new to him. But as an elite of the Grand Empire of Arkaram, he knew better. In under a minute he gathered his elites and rushed to the highest floor where the emperor stared out of the window. He had his armor and weapons ready.

“Good, you’ve made it.” The emperor turned with a smile, his fangs more than evident. “Prepare for a new era, and a new Ragna.” He raised his sword.

Before Ar'ken could ask anything, white light engulfed his vision.

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Ar'ken did his utmost effort to understand everything the God said, and eventually he found himself in a forest. His Majesty, right beside him.

“Hmm, the rest of the empire should be far, far away,” he said as if he already knew. “In this Skirmish what we must do is seize advantages.”

Ar'ken simply followed the instructions of the emperor to the letter. Luring monsters and killing them in groups, eventually the emperor himself also acted. It was a beast from Ragna, an Everwood Moose, yet the emperor took it down in a one on one duel with nothing but the highly ornamented royal sword, moreover he did not sweat either. The emperor seemed unsatisfied.

“Level, 1, huh?” He shook his head. “No matter.”

The killing continued over the night and into the day, though even if they were the elites, they still needed rest. Eventually their efforts had been paid, and after some killing and help from their emperor they got a hand of what ‘The System’ was. Ar'ken Ta’urc Urzam was overjoyed that he could grow stronger, and assist his majesty with much more ease.

Name: Ar'ken Ta’urc Urzam | Level: 2

Race: Daem Demon (E-Grade)

Feats: NaN

Basic skills: Universal Understanding (NaN),

Universal Inquiry (NaN)

Free attribute points: 0

VIG: 25 | END: 34 |

STR: 41 | AGI: 26 |

WPR: 23 | WIS: 18 |

Prime Currency: 100

Though, the joy was short lived. He was looking for prey with his squad when the ground trembled. He didn’t know what happened but a tree fell, and killed one of their members. In an instant, the outermost person of the formation was felled by the wood before anyone could do anything. A muffled scream was all it came before the man stopped flailing under the wood, they tried to help him but the tree was immovable. Each tree was as high as their cathedrals, yet they toppled as if they were made out of sticks. He barely saw the shadow of an enemy in the distance, and did his best to inquire about it. Immediately he felt his blood run cold from the result.

[Knell Boar. Lvl. 7]

The words of the emperor resounded in his head. Remember, there is one beast from Ragna, that we should stay away from at all costs. One whose fear we’ve forgotten. The Knell Boar, what would otherwise be nothing but cattle; here it will be your death-sentence. Run if you see one. This is an absolute order. That was the first time Ar'ken had heard such an order from His Majesty, moreover this situation also fit the second rule he was imposed. Do not fight any beast that is more than one level higher than you.

Ar'ken did hand signals of retreat for the first time in what felt like decades, it was humiliating but everyone listened and stayed very far away. As far away as they could, just close enough to hear when the battle ended. He didn’t know how long had passed, but sometimes the sounds would come closer and they’d have to flee, other times they’d go farther and they would need to follow. But eventually it all went quiet.

The scout tried to investigate but Ar'ken stopped him. He couldn’t risk it. Whatever was fighting the Knell Boar was surely dead, they needed to wait for the Knell Boar to leave the area. With that in mind the scout was tasked to make sure the Knell Boar didn’t head in their direction, but no matter how long they waited, there was nothing.

As they were about to approach, a subdued bang went off, quiet but powerful. The enemy was nearby, and it was someone they didn’t want to engage. Thankfully it didn’t take long before they left, as reported by their scout whose hearing had been trained since childhood.

Ar'ken honoring his title as the second strongest in the empire marched forth. The strong protected the weak. His cloak fluttered through the wind as he saw the lake. And there, he saw the remainders of a campfire as well as an odd animal dead on the ground. It didn’t take more than a brief look to tell it had been instantly killed by being pierced from some sort of war weapon. Whoever their opponent was, was clearly armed. He touched the ashes to look for any clue, then he turned to the forest where the destruction was.

It was as if a section of the forest had been chopped down, and it all happened in nothing but an hour. So many trees had fallen, and he could see some blood. Which needed to be investigated. With that in mind he signaled with bated breath and commanded his team.

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The results of the report came, and Ar'ken had to go check with his own eyes. A few minutes of walking and he saw it. The Knell Boar. The beast that the emperor was wary of, was squashed under a tree, ugly cuts littered its neck and body. He didn’t want to believe but sections of the forest had been covered in crimson. Whoever had caused this was dangerous. Dangerous enough for him to order immediate retreat and tell His Majesty what had transpired. Arrowheads littered the forest, but he didn’t believe the Knell Boar would be slain by mere arrows. Its hide had been tough, too tough to pierce for his sword, unless he used all his strength for it.

Whoever killed the Knell Boar was as strong as His Majesty. He couldn’t allow it, no⁠— he couldn’t believe it. Was this what His Majesty was so thrilled about? A wider world?

He couldn’t help but admire the man even more. His great strength and foresight was one of a kind. Even if this thing killed the Knell Boar, he was sure it couldn’t compare to His Majesty. Surely, His Majesty could kill a Knell Boar too!

His name was Ar'ken Ta’urc Urzam, a name granted by the emperor of the Grand Empire of Arkaram. And he would follow the emperor till his death.

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