"If the continent of Man and Swords has the Rakaru Family, then the Continent of Gods has the Sanctum Draconis. Both of us are the strongest forces on each continent, and because of that, I understand them."
William guided his grandson through the halls. He held his hand as gently as he could, although his pace was a bit fast.
Ethan walked through the family halls, where their history had been engraved, each head of the Rakaru Family, who had elevated the family to great heights. Each one, a legend in their own time, had done what no man could.
They walked past each of their portraits. William slowed down here, almost as if he wanted Ethan to look at them all, to analyze them.
The First head of the Rakaru Family, Ramiris Rakaru, The Progenitor of their family.
The Second Head, the Aloof Scholar, Emanuel Rakaru, the Lazy Genius, who had won all wars that questioned the creation of the Rakaru Family, the Genius who died in a library. A man with a set of spectacles as wide as his hands, an over-imposing nose, and smooth black hair.
"We have our differences, but we are the same, whether you like it or not. Both of us crave one thing."
William continued to explain as they went through the hall, under the eyes of every portrait.
The Third Head, The Barbarian, Brutus Rakaru, the opposite of his father. A man as tall as three men and possessing the strength of a hundred. The Mountain Cleaver, who had expanded the Rakaru Territory until the Emperor himself had to intervene. A man with red hair and a fiendish face, he was known to be especially kind until you pissed him off.
"Battle, we both crave a duel with a worthy foe. The Rakaru Knights and the Dragon Knights are the same. Which is why I can stop these invasions."
Ethan silently listened.
The Fourth Head, Elliot Rakaru, the Drunken Genius, who was known more for his philanthropic adventures than military conquests, but reached the stage of 'Paragon' at thirty merely to drive back those who carried ill intentions towards the Rakaru's. A lazy man with brown hair and a great jaw. Considered to be the most handsome Rakaru, if he wasn't so drunk all the time.
"The primary force behind the invasions is the Sanctum Draconis; they fund them and were also the ones who had begun it all. The Sanctum Draconis has no care for conquest, only for worthy opponents."
The Fifth Head of the Rakaru Family, Bobby Rakaru, the man who had solidified the Rakaru family in politics after the catastrophe that was his father. He was the one who had smoothed the relations with other noble families and established trade routes with the other two superpowers. A relatively ordinary-looking man with a strong taste for older women. The man who had rebuilt the Iron Mountain Range.
"They come here for a single reason, us. And cause as much destruction as needed to draw us out. Similarly, the Rakaru knights also go out on the invasions to fight as much as they can. We both seek each other out for duels."
The Sixth Head of the Rakaru Family, Fischer Rakaru, the Serpent, was a man who had solidified the shaky trade routes and strengthened connections with the continent. A man who had strengthened the Knight system and the Rakaru Military, a man with white hair and a strict expression on his face all the time.
"The guys who fund the invasions, the guys who encourage everyone to participate, have only one goal. Find and fight a Rakaru Knight.
What will happen if they don't find any? What will happen if they lose their motivation to come?"
The Seventh head of the Rakaru Family, George Rakaru, the man who had participated the most in the invasions, and funded research institutes all around Vakuma to find a way to Alapur.
"It's already happened, the moment I stopped the Rakaru Knights from the invasions, and insinuated the rumours that we do not want to participate anymore. The number of Draconis Knights plummeted; the invasions weren't something to fear anymore without them. The Beastly Aris as well are reducing... Slowly, but surely, the worst enemy is disappearing."
He was followed by his successors, George the Second, and Kiriel Rakaru, the eighth and ninth heads of the Rakaru Family, who were extremely active in the invasions.
And finally, the Tenth head of the Rakaru Family, William Rakaru, the man who had brought it all down. The man who was called the first disgrace of the Rakaru Family.
"I can stop the Rakaru Knights, and by doing so, I will prevent the deaths of millions of Vakumans. I will find a way to end this war, I will save this damn continent even if it hates me to the bone because of it."
He bent on one knee and placed both hands on Ethan's shoulders.
"I know you hate me. I'm the reason they call you so many bad things. But listen, the moment I end these, I will go out there and end all those bastards that dare to call us such things.
I will stop this damn thousand-year-long war. No matter what."
The portraits all seemed to look down on him, somehow. But Ethan never realized it.