A season of four months passed following the events of Jordyn's trial of worthiness through his wargames with the brothers Marcus D. and James B. Campaign. During this time, he was under the medical care of Dr. Heinrich Kissinger, who spearheaded the dispatch of his star medical technician. Suppose it wasn't for his shadow, one Branolk Moorhelm Nihlhassteiner, with expertise in his critical thinking, tends to his operation of quickhanded surgical precision, assists in implementing extensive physical therapy, and consistent medical dosing to fine-tune and install a mechanical marvel in medical engineering and mechanics. Amid the due processes of his community peers, Branolk designed and engineered a carbon-based steel prosthetic shoulder and platinum titanium facial implants the likes of the world could ever conceive.

  While bedridden for four months, Jordyn became acquainted with Dr. Heinrich Kissinger's daughter, Cpl. Hilde Kissinger. Who oversaw his medical treatment, augmentation of his arm, and the reconstruction of his face. Heinrich and Branolk could carry out hands-on procedures during the day. However, by nightfall, Hilde volunteered to watch over his well-being as his premier assistant and guardian at his bedside. Every night, they began learning more about each other and what they wanted out of life until he fell asleep. Anything from deep interpersonal issues to things they enjoyed. Hilde seemed to be the first one that Jordyn, before becoming Zeletzyn, let his guard down for.

  Expressing all types of being, from laughter and contentment to otherwise feelings of anguish, grief, and fear, most common in the dead of night, were his night terrors triggered by his PTSD. From knowing him through all this time, she didn't see anyone wishing to be Führer. In her intuition, she sensed that outside forces were compelling him to become Führer by the gaslit twisting of his intentions. Unsure of the extent to which these forces hold within his conscience. She would then convict Jordyn's heart, vowing with honor and reverence for who he ought to be. No matter what was to happen, he took the vow to claim the role trusted upon him as Führer. She would give her life to watch over him, to the extent of being his trusted emissary, his eyes and ears, and to be the one to protect who she'd known him to be. Deep in her heart, she felt an endearing love, a desire to protect and serve a man broken and heavily laden with chaos. That desire grew in their time together every night after his operations and the physical treatment done to him by her father and his apprentice. However, as for Heinrich, he, too, began to delve deep into who Jordyn was. In their time together, he grew to trust him with his daughter's help, who continued to care for him night by night.

  The reign of lordship that followed thereafter, Führer Sir Zeletzyn, came to pass after that. Meanwhile, Hilde pushed to rise through military ranks to become one of the top one percent of women in the conscripted army. Promoted to head secretary of honor guards in her rank of Major in Zeletzyn's Leviathan Legionate. During the golden era of the Imperial Age. She kept her promise from what felt so long ago and continued watching over his physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Meanwhile, as Fuhrer Zeletzyn, Jordyn later bestowed a personalized moniker, "Serena," as she was the serenity of his consistent chaos.

  However, after becoming accustomed to his prosthetics and implants, which were far ahead of their time. Jordyn returns to the Sakla Coven's isolated Castle Compound to present himself to the Grandmaster, Lucius. Along with War Chief Skelig?r and, finally, the Rogue Britannian Major, Daniel H. Johanzen. Within the sanctuary, Maj. Daniel spoke first: "Jordyn! I must say that both of my prodigies, Marcus and James, told me about the events of the wargame! They've confirmed your promising potential in leadership and what they described as your abilities. I'd be honored to be your peer from tonight." Major Daniel says this while shaking his hand with a subtle salute. War chief Skelig?r said, "Agreed. I wasn't surprised by what I've observed in your upbringing that you'd be in a glorious leadership standing."Finally, they stand aside, with Dr. Heinrich Kissinger following behind Jordyn. Grandmaster Lucius comes forth and speaks.

  "You three, Daniel, Skelig?r, Heinrich. They are the ones to be the first in bearing the begotten witness to the death of a mere man being born again as the Führer elect for the world's chance for order. To be the sword of a just cause against Hareth's corrupted kings. The forebearer of a grand and globally sovereign republic built up to harken the dawn of a new age for all mankind. An age of order, peace, ingenuity, and mass human advancement. I slit this viper's neck and anoint you by the serpent blood. By its essence, your past self has gone to die, and from my dagger, I scrape away your hair to cut it as short as it was when you were young."

  Lucius followed by scraping Jordyn's hair with the Sakla coven's ceremonial dagger. Lucius' melodies are in an unknown tongue for all the others present. Once shaved and anointed with viper blood, Lucius grabs a golden chalice filled with enchanted blood-infused wine and bestows it on Jordyn. Then, moving back to his position in the circle, Lucius approves of Jordyn drinking the wine and accepting his place of power. He drinks, and if his body receives it without vomiting, the ritual is complete. He finishes the challenge, fighting the urge to gag and spit it out, but gulps it down. Lifting the chalice above his head, he rises from his knees and stands, as in parallel unison, the three witnesses surrounding him all kneel, and together they chant, "We hail to our Lord Führer elect, Sir Zeletzyn the risen champion!" Lucius finishes by speaking, "May the man laid to rest now, give rise to the man born again, Sir Zeletzyn, our championing Führer, for my sovereignty deems you worthy of such stature and praise." These were the very events to unfold as the advent of Jordyn's rise to be deemed worthy of bearing the title upon his newly given name, one Ironclad Lord Führer, Sir Zeletzyn.

  As the newly risen Sir Zeletzyn, the Lord Führer, stood bare and naked before Lucius and Skelig?r, Lucius then escorted Zeletzyn to be bathed, his bandage wraps and prosthetic arm removed, his battle scars washed and cleaned, and he soaked in the mineral bath chamber within the castle dormitory bathhouse. When he finished bathing, they sought to bestow upon Zeletzyn his royal garments in his private quarters. Once Zeletzyn entered his room, he stood stunned, displayed on a rack within an insulated glass enclosure, and hung his garments, armor, sword, and sheath. A hooded cape made with the finest aged linen cloth, it is dyed black, supple, and smooth. Paired with dark gray linen and cotton-mixed jerkin and trousers. Its breastplate armor was masterfully crafted with a lightweight but impeccably durable design. Made with titanium plates, between the plates were segmented scales of tungsten with a chrome overlay. The titanium plate was lined with carbon steel fiber and painted with a deep garnet. His right-hand gauntlet is made from multi-layered linen fabric armor with carbon steel armored knuckles. His boots, both hardened steel-toed snakeskin leather, were layered with silver steel plates all around the legs of the long boots, the leather-colored black. The sword's blade is masterfully forged steel with engraved mystic runes. The rain guard, cross guard, and pommel are made from shimmering platinum steel with carbon fiber. The grip is wrapped intricately with darkened leather straps braided together and branded patterns of mystical runes, like the blade. The locket and chape of the sheath are made with platinum, while the scabbard sports exquisite carvings, showing its craftsmanship throughout its polished dark walnut varnish. After this final night at Sakla Castle, Jordyn adorned the garments and gear made for the man he ought to be thereafter, Sir Zeletzyn. In this moment, he centered himself, humbled with conviction for accepting the passing of the life before him. He then acted as the Führer and herald of the Kingdom's Age's end and received his new lordship in the coven's cauldron.

  Following the events of Lucius orchestrating the contest to be deemed worthy of such a feat in authority. Jordyn, his adept acolyte, faced the Campaign brothers, mentored by Daniel, to select the one most suitable for the role of the people's fuhrer. In the year 3830 GMC, Zeletzyn has mastered his steel prosthetic with exceptional precision, guided by the very Judge of War, Dominion & Wrath within him, Kyeshmahkt. Acting as the inward persona of his newfound power. He aims to subjugate the Kingdom of Britannia and secure the moniker "Butcher of Von Bosch" among his troops.

  His agenda is now inching ever closer to the advent of the Imperial Age through the expanses of Hareth. Lucius, meanwhile, viewed this as a chance to bolster his sway, expanding his cauldron's reach of dominion across the realms of greater Britannia. Their Unionist Confederacy continued gaining traction and was given special attention as he hastened towards the capital city. Zeletzyn, meanwhile, ascends to the helm of his notable militia, aided by the Campaign brothers in his midst. Managing to attract interest from lower echelons of a neglected Britannian Royal Army of outsourced conscripts. Over many epochs, the Sakla Coven amassed great wealth, now channeled into erecting a colossal industrial titan, a testament to the world that the advancement of mechanical engineering is essential for ushering in the next era of civilization. To this point in history, monarchs of the known world had deemed such exploitation of mineral material and unseen elements as forbidden, a mere ploy to hinder the progress of society.

  Moreover, this era of stagnation aimed at preserving the dynasties' corrupt familial dominion, continuing to oppress the populace who wished to enhance human ingenuity. These were the foundational catalysts of the brewing civil war; citizens under the Britannian banner witnessed revolts festering nationwide as these future issues were evident, turning the tide of power. When a pivotal choice came for the Britannian people: endorse the Confederate Unionists or denounce it, enabling a neglectful regime? The people shall consider society's stakes before acting, during which these Unionists and their allies grew and became the cogs in the Unionists' automaton of power, hastening its prevalence. Loomed like a great shadow over Britannia, set to determine the course of history.

  [A Fuhrer's Calling]

  Moving further in the seasons of time, the then 27-year-old Jordyn, renamed Zeletzyn, had become the confederacy's magnum opus of the revolution as its Fuhrer. He rose in his role and planted his first steps to show the world who he was worthy of being, first towards Britannia, next to the nations of known civilization at large, as he was not without the influence of the Sakla Coven's representatives. However, his unwavering determination led him to join forces with like-minded militants, including Daniel H. Johanzen and the Campaign brothers, Marcus D. and James B. Together, they formed a united front, championing an anti-feudalist movement under the guidance of the Coven's representative and Grandmaster Lucius. To determine the most capable leader for the movement, Lucius previously proposed a contest between Jordyn, his talented protégé, and the Campaign brothers, Daniel's protégés. After their fierce battle, Jordyn emerged as the victor, a testament to his indomitable will. Despite losing his arm in their war game, he persevered and replaced it with a steel prosthetic arm. His transformation into Zeletzyn after consuming enchanted blood wine marked the beginning of a new era filled with bold determination. Fast forward to now three years since then, in the year 3830GMC, and a now 30-year-old Zeletzyn has honed his skills to use his steel prosthetic arm with great precision, transfigured, thanks to the Judge of War, Dominion & Wrath, Kyeshmahkt, who embodied his inner essence as the persona of his willpower. With such a will came the conception of his Leviathan Legionate; being conceived by his newfound authority, he sought to bring the Kingdom of Britannia to its knees and earn the title "Butcher of von Bosch" amongst his loyal legionaries. This title was bestowed as a symbol of his resilient show of force against the Britannian royal dynasty. The story that follows such events is now ever closer to the dawn of the Imperial Age, curated by the Sakla Coven, as the Kingdom Age fades to the bowels of history across the known reaches of Hareth. The propositions and planning for such a feat continue.

  The rise of Führer Sir Zeletzyn, during which he had emerged as a prominent and influential figure. Grandmaster Lucius of the Sakla Coven saw this as his opportunity to strengthen their influence and expand their reach through the northern provinces of greater Britannia. They did so by proposing the establishment of a 'United World Confederacy' in the future, a proposal that aimed to unite the various nations under a single banner, thereby challenging the existing power structures. The 'United World Confederacy' was not just a political entity but a symbol of unity and a beacon of hope for those who sought to break free from the shackles of feudalist leaders amongst the noble class. The popularity of this proposal continued to grow as they hastened their presence towards the capital. Zeletzyn soon became the leader of his prominent militia with the help of the Campaign brothers. Together, they could appeal to the lower ranks of the Britannian Royal Army soldiers, who were intrigued by the idea of dissenting against the royal dynasty and joining the Unionist coalition. This growing support set the stage for the conflict, as citizens under the Britannian seal learned of the coming change and the fate of the future that it would bring. They were presented with a critical decision: whether to embrace the Confederate Union or reject it outright. The risks and rewards of such a decision were clear, and people had to weigh them carefully before taking action. The fate of the future hung in the balance as the Unionists and their growing allies continued to expand their influence and strengthen their foothold across the provincial states of the northern region. For better or worse, change was coming, and it was up to the people of Britannia to decide how they wanted to shape it. The Sakla Coven's wealth was amassed through the passing years and eras spanning many millennia, and it was reached to construct a mass industrialized powerhouse. A means to show the world that the development of technology and engineering to achieve the next generation of civilization was a must. To this point, the kings of the known world had come to believe that exploiting nature and matter of the unseen plain was taboo. Nothing more than a cunning stance to further stunt the growth of civilization and an era of stagnation became far too prevalent across the world in their preservation of corrupt power, further crippling the masses wishing the advance human ingenuity and prowess. Thus, this show of force shall be the downfall of these very kings, breaking the feudalist party nobles' chains upon the masses shackled by the impotence imposed upon them by superstition.

  Lucius gathers the members of the Coven and his magistrates of authority, Skeligear, Zeletzyn, Daniel, and Heinrich. He goes into detail about how to thwart the hold of authority the Von Bosch dynasty has in the region after usurping the entirety of the East Coast provinces and quickly moving westward to the capital. They pondered their course and stated, "We will use our amassed wealth to build such a formidable force the likes of the kingdoms will ever see. Soon, very soon, the grand plan will be in place. Skeligear your thoughts?" "It can be done, with our sources of amassing a mass of army to match that of the royal guard; it will be done, my liege." Lucius responds, "No, Skeligaer, this isn't some landlord or noble. It's the king, for Sakla's sake; making an army to match the state would take centuries more time! Daniel, your thoughts?"

  "As much as I respect your ruling in response to Skeligear's plan, however, grandmaster, I insist on engineering material to show the world the purpose of such a force. If we are to insist we bring advancement, we must show it. Take our time to exploit our current territory and build ourselves up." "Heinrich, your thoughts?" "Ah yes, I support Daniel most, sir, in building ourselves up. Weapons, armor, training, and the like. However, it will spread us too thin and take too long to do all our forces. We must hone ourselves in a strategic force capable of standing on its prowess!" Lucius takes account of these suggestions, pondering with a heavy-laden conscience. "Damn that, Charles, your right, Heinrich, but how must we go about this?! Zeletzyn, I appointed you as my Fuhrer; what is your suggestion?" Zeletzyn paces, head bowed, pondering all three suggestions and figuring the best course of action.

  "My master, I do have to say I have to agree with these suggestions. However, the best considerations would go to all three." "How do you mean, Zeletzyn?" "I mean that for Charles to see us a force to be reckoned with, we must gather a force considerable to his standing, not a grand army solely for taking Britannia but one amassed to demand reverence simply. We show his forces that we mean to harken a force of the future so cunning and frightening to the sights of ordinary soldiers. Heinrich and his peers designed and engineered my mechanical arm and facial reconstruction." "And what just made him the head of amassing a force capable? That's Skeligear's MO", "And so we should show them the course of changing capabilities. I would be very intrigued by the prospect of using mechanical engineering to our advantage. Heinrich and his counsel are our answer to such a feat. If I were in your appointed position, master, I would give us the means for discovery and growth beyond our means to harken something greater than ever conceived." "So, how long should we take?" "About nine months, a year from now till invasion. Until then, we recruit, train, design, and develop my force, keep order and the infrastructure running in the provinces, and hit the capitol when they least expect it. Present a treaty of separation to bide our time as our contingency plan for if the worst comes to pass. That is our best course of action, and I will volunteer to take the helm of invasion and be willingly responsible for anything that goes awry, my master."

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  After hearing Zeletzyn's counsel, Lucius stands silently, thinking about the possibility of such a strategy. He chuckles, then laughs in amusement and excitement at the suggestion. Clap his hands. "You see all of you; that is why he's my Fuhrer; it's bold, calculated, cunning, and just crazy enough to work when they least expect it! Bravo Zeletzyn! Now, Skeligear, Daniel, Heinrich, responses to Sir Zeletzyn's marvelous plan?" "I have to say, I'm greatly impressed, Sir Fuhrer. No wonder you were able to thwart both of my shadowing prodigies. I'm with you!" "Likewise, and trust me, grandmaster, I will not disappoint you, nor will I go back on my word to your stoic acolyte!" "Hmph... It's not as bold as my suggestion, but I see your reasoning; I'll concede to what you see fit, sovereign." "Oh, trust me, Skeligear, with Zeletzyn at the helm of our march to make civilization's destiny manifest to glorious possibilities. Soon, all the kings of this old and outdated age will utter the same as you do now in naming me their sovereign. Enough flattery. This meeting is adjourned, and all of you are dismissed to go whence you came. You, Zeletzyn, however, you stay; I wish to speak with you privately." "As you wish, my master." "Good, now come."

  [Zeletzyn Learns of His Family's Fate]

  Following in step with his grandmaster, Lucius laid his hand upon Zeletzyn's shoulder with a presentation of warm hospitality. Giving the sense of him being so very special and the apple of his eyes, Lucius begins to speak personally as they move down the corridors.

  "I've seen you grow so strong and capable of such great feats since I first saw you. You've changed to become a great leader. You bested the greatest stars of Daniel's Legion. You expertly established wisdom and insight in that meeting, giving me pride in knowing that you were the best amongst my elected consulate." Intense emotions wash over Zeletzyn's shoulders in a proud humility of accomplishment and approval. "I sincerely thank you; in your due diligence, master, you and Skeligear have taught me well. Your pride humbles me and makes me strive for more remarkable feats." Quickly, Lucius mid-stride turns to face him, "Oh trust me, I believe in all my confidence that you'll become a much more capable leader in the field than Skeligear-" They continue forward, "but I must ask you, did I ever mention to you the story of how I saw such great potential in you; where you came from?" A mental fog clouds Zeletzyn's awareness of the past eighteen years preceding his life. "No, I don't think you have; in all honesty, master, I'm unclear of where I came from, pains me to say," Lucius smirks. "I'd assume so; I doubt the counselors would have the insight to bring you up to speed, and Skeligear, well, between you and me, I see him fail to possess such social intellect to have you learn your roots in your training as he quite often fails to be personable with others amongst himself as you saw so clearly in the meeting." they slow their stride as they commune in private conversation. "How did I get to be here anyway? I have recurring nightmares of what may have occurred, but please, I wish to know for certain. Do you have an answer?" Lucius, with a face of pity, lets off a heavy sigh and says, "Your family was woefully impoverished. I saw you came from a low standing; your mother and father wished the best for you, and they were desperate for you to thrive. To give you the best life they could. However, as it was a harsh winter when they sought my guidance, with low harvests troubling them, they would have starved. I presented them with a solution. I came along with the skeligans and showed them that I would humbly take up your residence, protect you, and have you thrive, a means to live securely under my wing. Giving them a chance to live on through the winter with our protection. But they eventually sought new opportunities and moved towards the capitol once harassment grew to a tipping point from raiders ransacking their crop and livelihoods. We ensured them safe passage to Britannia; however, not all survived, except the women and children. It was a pitiful sight to behold with such a lovely place Sylvekya was before being lost to the raiders that raped such a land of people to live. I'm so sorry for what happened to you; it must be so tragic, but I wish for the day to come when you can reunite with your mother and dearest sister. You aren't bothered, are you? What would those wretched raiders do to rip your family away? Your father was a stoic man. Such a shame his life laid wasted away under their savage hands." Zeletzyn stops in his tracks; Lucius's hand is lifted from his shoulder, and he stands silent. "Does it bother you, Zeletzyn?" Lucius senses it, and he winces his eyes. "I know your pain, child, your family, torn from you. Yes, I know it well. It hurts knowing, doesn't it?" A trembling wrath fills Zeletzyns heart, and he stares at the floor, his hands clenching, eyes in a fury. "where do the raiders live?" A toothful grin is raised upon Lucius' face, "fifteen miles southeast, they stand armed to the teeth. But you, as fuhrer, I'm sure they won't live to see the light of day upon them. Show them the power you've begotten; take your steed and make haste; do not hesitate; show them no mercy. Avenge your father's sacrifice in his honor." Zeletzyn's left eye morphs by his blood-boiling rage, "I surely will do so, my master; I won't be long." "I assumed as much; now, show them such unbridled fury!" Zeltzyn, in a quick haste, storms off to his horse. Galloping southeast towards the alleged raiders' encampment along the inland forest near the coast.

  Bloodshot wrath envelopes his person through Kyeshmakt within him. Hilde, taking care of his horse, is startled by him yanking the reins from her, his horse neighing; in her confusion and concern, she yells to beckon him, "Wait, Jordyn!! Where are you going this late?! Jordyn!!!" He angrily shouts in response, "Don't follow me!" and races forthwith from Sakla Castle to ensure his vengeance brought upon them by Zeletzyn's overwhelming pain and chaos. His raging heart was fanned by its flame and encouraged by his master, Lucius. She felt a sick gut feeling, and her intuition would be correct, for this would not be a battle but a slaughter. She rushes to her quarters to gear up and finds her horse. Though delayed, she hurries to follow behind him as she has secretly promised to guard his heart with honor. Back at the castle, on the balcony, Lucius looked down upon her, following far behind Zeletzyn. An ephemeral voice speaks to Lucius, "She's trouble and a burden to him," and responds in malice, " I agree, but don't you worry; I'll be sure to have you taken care of in due time. Miss Hilde Kissinger. Follow him if you see fit, but it will only hurt you. Because I will be sure you won't change him. By any means necessary, even by your very fragile life." Glaring his eyes in anger in her direction, Lucius clinches his fist, and at that exact moment, a large tree in her path tumbles and plummets, smashing into the pathway in front of her. Quickly, she vaulted over and was shaken, attempting not to fall off her horse; she slowed and steadied herself, calming her horse before continuing. Seeing this display, Lucius smugly smirked and, to the ephemeral figure with him, stated, "Hmph. She may be persistent but woefully naive. Loving such a man as he meant to follow me first and foremost." "See to it that she doesn't tarnish our grand plan, Lucius. Do this if sovereignty shall be ours. If he learns the truth and turns on us, don't let her survive to be with him." With that said, Lucius returns inside the castle's confines, the figure enveloped in a void, and chaos dissipates into the air. The night and Hilde's fateful future are sealed as she is now in Lucius's crosshairs.

  Meanwhile, Zeletzyn and his steed, fueled by his persona, Kyeshmakt, continue to race toward where he was told these rogue raiders live, with not much further to go until he is fated to arrive without their knowledge and unaware of what's to befall them on their fateful night. His tears were shed and flowing in the brisk wind as he rode. Hilde continues trying to close the distance in a race against the fate behind him. To save him from what he ought to do.

  [Blood & Tears: The Beckoning of Two Hearts]

  The howling wind bellowed through the frosted inland forest near the coastline, where charred ruins lay to rest; the rogues squatted upon the lands to their leisure. Zeletzyn, swallowed by rage, hastens forthwith thither. In the moments leading to their eventual demise, the rogues captured travelers, men, women, and children, to be sold into serfdom. Beligerantly drunk and harassing their prisoners, the rogues bellowed out with their racket amidst their campfire. A diluted mockery of the captives's fearful display of compliance, lest they be either murdered or raped. They will soon witness their savior in the coming moments of their anguish, but not one in the likeness they would imagine. One who would come on their terms, not for the reason of saving them. Zeletzyn silently hitches his steed in the thicket, grabbing his bloodless blade for its first taste of treacherous flesh. He starts to stalk the encampment, seeing they're large in number, around twenty-five, split between fifteen men, seven women, and three child slaves. As for the captured, there were twelve, two families. Sickened by this display, Zeletzyn snuck behind a tent, unsheathed his double-edged sword, and, for its first kill, swiftly impaled by surprise one of the rogue raiders. Making his presence known, alerting the encampment, the child slaves commanded to rush in to escort the captives to secure cages, followed by hiding themselves in the tall marshes of grass and weeds.

  When seeing the two families, impoverished, starving, and helplessly bound up by their ropes and fear. Zeletzyn's conscience zaps to remembering what Lucius told him, "-not all survived; It was a pitiful sight to behold that lovely place being lost to the raiders that raped such a land of its people." Zapping back to the moment the raiders see the glinting of his blood-crimson eye, clenching his teeth, he thrusts and penetrates his blade through another; when one of the female raiders with an axe, strikes at his steel prosthetic shoulder, Zeletzyn shifts his glaring gaze and grins, quickly grips at her neck with the prosthetic and Kyeshmakt through this blood rage, crushed the windpipe and drops her. Impaling her chest upon the mud. The other raiders gang on him but prove futile against the championed fuhrer of the new world, the captives, and slave children witnessing the carnage in disbelief. Wailing at the prospect rushing through their heads of themselves possibly going to perish or worse. They considered him a monster of the night because of his show of supernaturally charged force and non-segregated wrathful brutality. He continues penetrating and cleaving apart the rogues, writhing in anguish. The last of them was dealt their final blow. The air around him seeped with Kyeshmakt's air of death, and the winds morphed into a storm. His bloodied gaze was transfixed on the captives and slaves. Cowering in their fear and quietly weeping as he slowly stepped forward toward them. He stood still, the captives unsure what would happen, witnessing his grip upon his sword trembling as it rose in a slashing position. The inner voice of Kyeshmakt beckons, speaking, "Spill the woeful blood and set them free; end their pitiful lives with dignity." The two fathers and two mothers of the families shielded like a hedge around the seven children, trembling as they wept. Zeletzyn, again, zaps to remember Lucius speaking into his conscience words that would continue to echo in his mind: "Do not hesitate; show them no mercy."

  Glaring his eyes, he shouts a wrathful yell and swings down his blade. Not one moment too late, as they scream out in anguished fear. Hilde, who raced behind him, finally closed the distance between them and shouted a bellowing and heartwrenching scream. Seeing what is to happen, "JORDYN STOP!!! Please, Jordyn, Stop!! I love you!" she wails with wreckless abandon, breathless weeping, and innermost suffering to not let him do what he was about to do, knowing his pain of helpless isolation and the overbearing weight of expectation upon his shoulders, knowing his innermost burden of chaos. Zeletzyn's bloodied blade stops inches from cleaving the captives. His eye morphs back to his natural greyish-green color as he gasps and turns his head toward her direction and back towards the cowering captives. Slowly raising his sword away, he drops it to the ground. The captives, stunned, slowly peer behind themselves to look, seeing a sorrowfully pitiful Zeletzyn fall to his knees in disbelief at what he was driven to do, with a belief he would've been no better than the men who he heard butchered his long lost father. The harsh rain brought upon by his persona pelts at his shoulders. Hilde, in tears, rushed to him and gave a wholehearted embrace as they wept. They wept til the rain stopped, signaling the departure of Kyeshmakt's influence upon nature and the land in their midst. Shortly after Hilde releases the bonds from the captives, they leave alongside the enslaved children to migrate toward a life far from the potential serfdom befalling them. Though fearful in their shock, they were humbly grateful and left them, never to be seen again as they melded back among the populace.

  As the captives moved on, the rainfall began to cease, and with the air of evil dispersed, the weeping calmed; in the still atmosphere, Zeletzyn slowly and cautiously wrapped his arms as Hilde's embrace over him stayed, refusing to let go; she would continue by clinging to the sides of his head and drilled into him her bold eyes like that of piercing ice and crystalline water, in her mesmerizing sapphire eyes, he would lose the sense of his woeful sorrow whirling chaos in his heart. With her gaze upon him, she would look upon his shameful condemnation as she convicted his heart and conscience to know otherwise, stating confidently, "Stop and listen; just look into my eyes and breathe; I won't leave you, even when rage drives you away from me. Don't ever think you'll be alone in your grief and fear. You have me and my father, first and foremost, in service and life. Lest our vision for the future fails, don't accept the festering lies overwhelmed by fear, anger, or hate. I beg this of you, as it's, in truth, who we know you to be as the man we witnessed of honorable courage to stand strong in your convictions and the honorable humility you possess in your standing to rule and lead your subordinates that made the man I grew to love. I want you to accept that I am always there to guard your heart with honor and all my strength. But also will show you love when you lose yourself in your burden." Hilde stands up and picks up Zeletzyn's sword. "Seems the downpour ended; you must be pretty cold, so what you say, permission to return from whence we came? We'll need a bath to warm up, sir Fuhrer." She reached out with her free hand down to Zeletzyn and beckoned him to accompany her back to Sakla Castle.

  Zeletzyn grips Hilde's sturdy wrist and stands. "Agreed, let's go back. I'll take my sword back." She smiles softly. " Well, go ahead; I'll follow your lead." Sheathing his blade, they beckon a piercing whistle with their mouths, and their horses follow in unison. As they mount their steeds and return in stride, the heavy clouds slowly part away as they cantered, letting the soft moonlight of Apollos and Lunaria flourish. Their tears began to dry as they left this yard behind them in the cold night.

  Later in the night, as the hours fell since they left, they returned to Sakla Castle; the stablemaster hurriedly met them outside the entrance and took the reins as they dismounted. Hilde's father, Heinrich, knows of his daughter leaving amidst the storm to beckon Zeletzyn back. He covered them with furs and led them to the castle's bathhouse chamber. Frantically trying to keep quiet, he spoke to them both. "Listen, you two should not be seen together, but get yourselves to the bathhouse. Don't disturb anyone; they're asleep 'cept for the grandmaster. Watch yourselves. I met him while you were gone, and I fear for you both if you are seen in private together. Now hurry and get yourselves warm now; I'll stall him as long as possible!" Zeletzyn, shivering, trudges onto the baths. Hilde hangs back to speak with her father.

  "But Dad, I don't want to endanger you if it's coming to this!" "No, I see what you're trying to do for him. I knew the moment you rushed on for him in the storm; trust me, as your father, he needs this, and I'm proud of you and approve of it as it's genuine. He doesn't have anyone to show him love. I'll guard you both for your sakes, whether you like it or not." Hilde was stunned in her choked-up gratitude. "Wow, thank you. I won't forget what you do for me; thank you for seeing the same dormant good deep in him I have seen." "Oh please, Hilde, I may be flawed myself, but I'm still a good man, and I know how to see evil or good in someone; I know there's good in him, and I trust you to be the one to bring it out of hiding in fear. Go do what you vowed in honor!" Embarresmant rushes in a blush upon Hilde's face, "Wait, you know about that?" Her father grins a mischievous smirk and nods, "A father knows his daughter. You are so much like your mother, trying to keep stoic, but I know that lovely side of a woman occasionally comes out. Hey, now, don't waste any time. Go, I see you shivering like crazy!" Hilde nods and says, "Thank you, Dad," as she turns and hurries to get warm as this night of hardship is put to a close.