Back at the West Kingdom*
After Ani had taken her bath, she joined Mama Dories and her husband at the dining table. The smell of warm stew filled the small room. Mama Dories smiled warmly. "Come, eat, dear."
Ani sat quietly, observing them.
"Can you tell me about the West Kingdom?" she asked, her voice sweet but calculated. "There's not much I remember."
Mama Dories tilted her head slightly. "But why do you want to know about the kingdom, dear? With time, you'll remember what matters."
Ani forced a smile. *These people won't talk,* the demon inside her hissed. *Looks like I'll have to do it my way.*
Beneath the table, her fingers began to stretch unnaturally—long and thin like creeping vines. She raised her hand and whispered in a voice laced with dark power, "Sleep… but speak."
The air shimmered.
Mama Dories and her husband blinked, their eyes glassy. Then, like puppets on strings, they began to speak in unison:
*"The West Kingdom is one of the four major gates of the Hive. It is known as the 'Kingdom of Knowledge.'"*
*"The West Kingdom is one of the most advanced regions in the Hive. While we are known for our knowledge and connection to the wind, we train in all four elements—Air, Water, Earth, and Fire."*
*"Elemental mastery begins in childhood. Each child is tested for affinity, then trained in all elements to develop balance. Speed, precision, and control are key."*
*"Our warriors are not just strong—they are swift, strategic, and unpredictable."*
*"The elite force, known as the Silver Guard, trains near the mountain ridge. They rotate across the gate towers weekly to prevent familiarity and infiltration."*
*"our warriors don't fight blindly—they analyze, adapt, and strike with precision."*
*"our king is General Verin—not just a scholar, but a former war hero. ."*
*"we rely on old and modern systems. We use both enchanted weapons and enhanced tech from the outside world, customized to Hive protocol."*
*"our weakness? Loyalty. Once someone is trusted, they rarely question them again."*
*"And our greatest risk—curiosity. We want to understand everything… even darkness."*
As the spell faded, Mama Dories blinked as if nothing had happened. "Eat, dear, you'll need your strength."
Ani smiled darkly. *They're strong,* the demon whispered, *but strong minds are the easiest to manipulate once they think they've figured you out.*
*This will be fun.*
*A Small Bar in the Northern District — Late Evening*
The tavern buzzed with drunken laughter and clinking mugs. Nathan sat hunched between the young soldiers, nursing his second drink, eyes sharp beneath his relaxed expression.
"So," he said casually, swirling the dark liquid in his cup, "you lads seem to know your way around. I've been gone too long — grew up in the Hive Palace. Don't know much about the North anymore."
One of them squinted at him. "You were born here?"
"Yeah," Nathan nodded. "But my father took me away young. Been in training ever since. Just got transferred back last week."
The group exchanged glances, hesitant.
"I know a lot about this place," one of them finally said, leaning back. "But why should I trust you with that kind of info?"
Nathan gave a slow smirk. "Fair point," he said, setting his mug down.
Then — with no more words — he reached for his neck, fingertips brushing the edge of the collarbone. A strange, black mist curled from his lips as he whispered in a low, ancient tongue. The shadows in the room pulsed.
The soldier's eyes widened. Before they could speak, their faces grew still.
"You'll tell me everything I need to know about the North," Nathan said calmly, his voice echoing unnaturally in their minds.
Their bodies twitched. One by one, they leaned forward, eyes glassy — their wills no longer their own.
One of the drunken soldiers, his voice slurred but full of pride, leaned in and said:
*"The Northern Kingdom… one of the four major gates of the Hive. It's not just a place—it's a creed. Discipline is everything."*
He took another swig from his mug and continued, the others nodding silently in agreement.
*"they train their youth from the moment they can walk. Every child is taught to control the four elements—earth, water, fire, and air. But unlike the others, we don't just teach them how to fight… we teach them when. And why. That's what makes us different."*
Another soldier chimed in, slightly more sober.
*"Children born with the mark of strength, that is a tattoo of a Phoenix are sent to the Hive Military Academy—some as early as 15 . While the whole Hive trains warriors, we prioritize control. One wrong move in battle can destroy an entire unit. Here, even breathing is measured. Rage is a weakness. Precision is power."*
Nathan watched closely, the demon within him silently absorbing every word.
*"In the North, they don't just raise soldiers. They forge weapons. Living weapons. That's why the Hive Council sends their elite here. Their fortress walls are carved from the bones of fallen giants, and our training grounds stretch into the storm fields. If you survive here, you can survive anything."*
Then the first soldier, his eyes briefly clearing as if remembering something painful, added:
*"And if you fail? You're cast out into the ice. The storm takes you. No second chances. That's the North."*
Nathan smirked. "Interesting," the demon whispered through his thoughts. *"A kingdom that sharpens its children into blades... how poetic. Let's see what happens when the blade is turned against its master."*