Rise of Yahunyens: Origin

Episode 51: Drums Of Declaration

Fheniz's body trembled as if his very essence was unraveling. His hands clutched his forehead, pressing against the unbearable weight of his thoughts. He was seated on a weathered chair near the heavy door that led out of the Hall of the Gate of Ehayor. The ancient hall, dimly lit and echoing with the silent history of countless tales, seemed to close in on him, magnifying the turmoil within. Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes had managed to bring him back from the ward, where he had been spiraling further into his despair, but calming him was another battle entirely.

As his trembling gaze wandered, it fell upon Orngea, who hovered eerily in the corner. The entity's cloak billowed gently, as if in mockery of the storm brewing within Fheniz. The sight of him, this intruder who had once been a harbinger of doom, stirred something in Fheniz—a mixture of anger, exhaustion, and dark amusement. His voice, though shaky, cut through the silence with a biting edge. "I forgot to notice you, from how long are you here? I am too weak right now, so won't you try to kill me?"

Orngea floated in his usual manner, his presence almost humorous in its contrast to the tense atmosphere. He let out a soft, whispering response, his tone laden with an odd mix of self-pity and detachment. "Umm, I usually go unnoticed because there's no value in my existence, but that's alright, I am used to it. I am here to talk, but I haven't been able to because of your backstory that felt more like an eternity."

A sharp laugh escaped Fheniz, though it was more bitter than amused. "Talk what? You gonna blabber some bullshit that you always blabber before starting your wars? I am quite sick of it and I don't need that anymore, so if you aren't here to kill me, can I kill you?" The words were laced with a blend of sarcasm and genuine malice, the kind that hinted at the true depths of his pain. It was the sort of statement that teetered on the edge of humor and brutality, a dangerous mix that only someone who had seen and lost as much as Fheniz could muster.

Malaes, sensing the rising tension and the dangerous edge to Fheniz's tone, quickly stepped in. Her voice was gentle but firm, carrying a soothing quality that she hoped would calm the storm raging within Fheniz. "Sorry, none are in their right mind right now. Though he might get serious about killing you." She offered him a cup of tea, the warm liquid a far cry from the druggy Ophoen he craved.

Fheniz stared into the cup, his expression one of utter disgust. The tea, made from the extract of a simple plant native to Ehayor, was meant to soothe his nerves, but it was a poor substitute for the relief he sought. He took a tentative sip and winced, his face twisting in revulsion. "Never liked this," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

"Take it for now," Malaes insisted, her tone firm but kind. "You were the one who asked me to bring this, so that you can calm down."

"I KNOW! BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT IT'S TASTELESS AND DISGUSTING," Fheniz retorted, his voice rising in frustration. The exchange, while tinged with humor, was underscored by the heavy tension in the room.

"Just finish this! And you can continue with your backstory," Malaes urged, hoping to steer him back to a more stable state.

Fheniz took another reluctant sip before setting the cup down with a sigh. "That's the end of it."

Malaes blinked, surprised by his sudden statement.

Yesdar, who had been listening intently, leaned forward, eager to hear more saying, "That's the end of it? What about your life in Ehayor then?" despite the heavy sadness he felt for the loss of Burohagikun, Mr. Palket, and all the people of Gerwanis, he couldn't help but be drawn into Fheniz's tale. Griswa, on the other hand, sat far back, as if he didn't want to be near Fheniz right now.

Fheniz's expression hardened, the bitterness in his voice unmistakable. "You asked me why I don't consider Aeartha as my world anymore. Now I have told you everything. Last time, I only gave you a brief history; this time, I gave you a thorough detail of each event. What I have done in Ehayor has made me what you see today. Just meeting Master Ehayor and training and stuff, nothing that much. I'll save the rest for some other day when we have time for chit-chat with a stupid bonfire."