The Turks…
Even the words of historical figures are more than enough to describe them.
"There are two unknowns in the world. One is the poles, the other is the Turks." — Albert Sorel
"You won't find another soldier anywhere who can smile at death like a Turk. All he needs is a good commander." — Mulman
"Anyone who wishes to truly savor the taste of war must fight against the Turks." — Townsend (British commander)
"Be friends with the Turks, but never make them your enemies." — Gianni de Michelis
It is nearly impossible to find another nation in human history so bound to war.
The Turks' passion for battle was so immense that it became their racial trait—unchanging throughout history. Their fervor was so contagious it even influenced the neighboring Kurds, whose own racial trait evolved into the so-called War Mind.
And so, the Turks' unique racial ability came to be known as: Resonance.
Resonance: a racial trait possessed by every Turk. It drives a Turk into a trance-like state, pushing their body to its absolute limits whenever they find themselves in battle against a non-Turk. An almost otherworldly, war-obsessed ability.
It's because of this trait that Turks have often been called Madmen Turks. Like every race, however, the Turks have a majority and a minority.
The majority are called Madmen. Their Resonance is too uncontrollable to master. When faced with hostility, they surrender to it completely, letting it guide them into battle. This makes them uncontrollable on the battlefield and practically impossible to reason with.
The minority, however, are called the Broken. But don't mistake their name for weakness. Every Turk who has ever carved their name into history was a Broken.
The Broken are considered the pinnacle of their race in terms of intelligence and strategy. Their Resonance remains dormant by birth; they cannot tap into it unless they first experience a moment of true trauma—a break.
And when they do break… they become unstoppable.
They gain full control over their Resonance, which allows them to command themselves—and others—on the battlefield. With their innate brilliance and tactical mastery, they rule at the table and dominate on the field.
And Baran… was one of these Broken.Like most of his kind, he had failed to awaken his Resonance—until now.The duel with Arabella…The explosion of the arrow in his hand…That was the moment Baran broke.
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh… it hurts… it hurts so much… someone… help me… please…
These were but fragments of the words screaming in his mind as the pain shattered his sanity.The agony was so overwhelming that he almost lost his mind completely.But in that instant of breaking… Baran awakened his Resonance.
And when his Resonance awakened, it seized control of his body, leaving him in a trance.The pain no longer mattered—his entire being was now singularly focused on one thing: destroying the one who hurt him. Arabella.
Even though it was the Resonance of a Broken, since this was his first awakening, it took full control, moving to eliminate its target. After all, this was the racial trait of a people who loved nothing more than war. And with Baran's intent to kill so clear, nothing could hold it back.
As the mist around him dispersed, Baran's killing intent leaked out.When the fog cleared completely, his Resonance glared at Arabella.In that trance, Baran smiled at her, unbidden.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The laughter of his Resonance was far more feral, far more terrifying than before.And with the bow still in his hand, Baran began walking toward Arabella.
Solely with the intent to kill.