The coward soldier runs to the castle. As soon as he enters the castle, he starts to call out the king while catching his breath.
Coward Soldier: "King Kronox… King Kronox…"
While he was trying to catch his breath, Sharith saw him and he ran towards him.
Sharith: "What are you doing here? Where is my money bag?"
Coward Soldier: "Sir… We weren't able to get it back… The rest they…"
Sharith: "WHAT?! I thought I told you not to return until you get my money back…"
Coward Soldier: "But sir… my fellow soldiers are dead… Aren't you concerned…"
Sharith: "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK BACK AT ME!"
While they were in an argument…
???: "Enough!"
As they looked up, they saw King Kronox walking down the stairs.
Kronox: "What's the matter?"
Sharith: "Sire… this man right here has disobeyed what I've ordered him… He-"
Kronox: "There's no need to raise your voice… I've heard it all… And you… explain… now…"
Coward Soldier: "We were chasing that boy through the woods… but we…"
Sharith: "You what?"
Coward Soldier: "We came across with the Revenant…"
Both the King and Sharith were shocked to hear that.
Sharith: "The Revenant?!"
Coward Soldier: "He turned on us for no reason… the rest weren't able to make it… only I was able to flee alive…"
Kronox: "I see…"
Kronox narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to the trembling soldier. His deep voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight.
Kronox: "The revenant… Are you certain?"
The soldier swallowed hard and nodded.
Coward Soldier: "Y-yes, Your Majesty. He cut through us like we were nothing. I barely escaped with my life…"
Sharith clenched his fists, his frustration turning into unease.
Sharith: "If what you've said is true… this changes everything."
Kronox turned away, deep in thought. The Revenant, the rumor seems to be true. The unknown warrior who was said to have perished long ago, was a legend whispered among soldiers and the citizens. If he was real, if he had returned… it meant trouble.
After a moment of silence, Kronox spoke.
Kronox: "We cannot ignore this. If he has awakened, we must know why. Send out scouts to confirm his whereabouts."
Sharith hesitated.
Sharith: "And what of the money, sire? The boy still has it."
Kronox: "The boy is secondary. What we need to be concerned about is the Revenant. I want you to stay alert about him, but do not act recklessly."
Sharith: "As you wish, sire."
Kronox turned back to the soldier.
Kronox: "You are lucky to be alive. But mark my words… If you ever flee from a mission again, I will not tolerate it."
The soldier paled and bowed deeply as he left.
In the meantime at Gloria's house.
Gloria: "YOU MET WHO?!"
Elzan: "The… Re..venant…?"
Elzan sat at the wooden table, his hands still trembling from the encounter. His heart pounded as he recalled the events that had just unfolded.
Elzan: "H-He just appeared out of nowhere and…he saved me, Grandma. He took down those soldiers like they were nothing…"
His grandmother's eyes darkened with worry. She sat down across from him.
Gloria: "Elzan… first you got in trouble with Sharith… Now you met with the revenant… Do you have any idea what this means?"
Elzan: "I don't… But, I've heard stories before and I know you've told me too, but they're just myths, right?"
His grandmother shook her head.
Gloria: "No, child. The Revenant is real… Some say he was cursed, doomed to wander in the shadows of this world. Others believe he was betrayed and left for dead. But no one knows his true story or identity…"
Elzan: "But… why would he help me?"
His grandmother took a deep breath.
Gloria: "That… I do not know. But if he has chosen to reveal himself after all these years, it is no small matter."
She reached over and grabbed the tattered money bag Elzan had been clutching.
Gloria: "And this… are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why would you do such a foolish thing?"
Elzan: "I didn't have a choice… We barely survived last month… They were taxing us and the village into starvation! We can't go on like this…"
His grandmother sighed, placing a gentle but firm hand on his.
Gloria: "I understand your heart, child. But Sharith is a dangerous man. And now, with the Revenant involved… things are going to change."
Elzan nodded as he rethought his actions. He gives his grandmother a warm hug. As the night passes, Elzan couldn't stop thinking about today's incident. His thoughts are compressed by the revenant as his curiosity grows.