Hey, it’s V again.
So, a lot happened after the last chapter, and all was not good. The author went AWOL, then returned to the office smelling like cheap cigarettes, wearing a wife beater and a whole bottle of Johnnie Crawler never left his hand. He also shaved his head and got a swastika tattoo on his forehead.
Should I be worried?
The narrator smoked his fifth joint in less than three hours, grew dreads, and wore that weird Jamaican hat. He keeps telling us he’s not an addict, and almost every time I question him, he swears weed is healthy. Also, he converted to Buddhism for some reason.
Then there’s Rohan. The trauma still haunts him, and I try to be a good listener whenever I can. The narrator told me hugs fix emotions, so I went and tried to hug Rohan. At first, he didn’t accept it, but I convinced him. I hugged him for a long time, and he seemed calmer and more relaxed.
Then out of nowhere, he started touching my dick and told me I smelled nice. We both knew at that moment he was broken, and there was none to blame but Leth.
Long story short, my dear reader, the crew is back together; hopefully, they don’t end up on a watchlist.
Later, in the Supreme Court.
After Rohan recovered from his mental scarring, he set out to the dwarven court again. This time, he aimed to officially unite them under the moon’s banner by making the new emperor take a new oath, unlike his predecessors. Once that was done, it was official that three races had joined the moon’s banner.
There was the glaring issue of Leth’s energy core, which was an unsolvable issue for now. Even though Rohan wanted to destroy it, that would’ve meant leaving the dwarves defenseless against aggression and killing them slowly, as that same power was the thing that supplied them with air.
From what Emperor Cormac informed them, the dwarves lost their mountain territories to the Djinn and their above-ground habitats to the elves, and now, they’re fighting to keep their last stronghold, which was the underground territory. The only way to destroy the core without harmful effects was to build the dwarves a new homeland once again. Initially, the dwarves agreed to move into Rohan’s new kingdom and help develop it with the promise of having their districts.
Rohan vehemently refused this idea. If the dwarves had their districts, the other races would also demand the same. It was also considerable that this was a ticking time bomb for civil unrest. The only way for the kingdom to survive and last was by bringing all the moon’s creations together under one banner.
That said, Rohan still had to visit the Ghoul empire and unite them. The dwarves may have joined by Rohan putting the fear of Manat into their hearts, but ghouls were a different matter. Yet, the dwarves had complete faith that Rohan could end the protracted conflict once and for all. If no side chooses peace, they’ll be forced to choose it. It was a known fact if a race detached itself from one of the two faiths: the sun and the moon. It would become the enemy of both.
After the court concluded, Rohan, V, and Limuru returned to the T-shaped crossing to complete the final step in their mission. Rohan saw the path where they came from and said, “I’m starting to miss sunlight.” V passed him and said, “Enough with the blasphemy, Servant! We have a nation to unite.” Rohan followed him and chuckled. Limuru jumped out of Rohan’s satchel, walked beside Rohan, and said, “I must confess something, Servant Rohan.”
Rohan looked at him and asked, “What?” Limuru looked at the floor while he walked and said, “I know why the other races hunted the dwarves.” Rohan looked forward and said, “I tapped into Leth’s mind; I know what you’re about to say.” “Then can we keep Leth’s sphere intact?” Limuru asked.
“No,” Rohan flatly answered. “But Servant, It’s a holy relic!” Limuru pleaded. Rohan glared at him and said, “No, Limuru! If you were keen on preserving a relic of true value, look after my kingdom. Unlike that damn sphere that brought suffering upon the dwarves and discord among the creation, my kingdom aims to unite them.” Limuru sighed in sadness. Rohan looked forward and said, “Loyalty and faith belong to the moon, not her servants, the dead or the living.”
After a long walk, V’s senses picked up the presence of ghouls. He looked at Rohan, nodded in their direction, and whispered, “Rohan.” Rohan took the lead, and Limuru swiftly hid in his pouch. He approached their location and announced, “I’m a servant of the moon. I demand you all take me to your emperor!”
The ghouls stepped out, and they looked human. Their appearance was Arab-looking, and their eyes were glowing red. V sighed in relief, held his chest and said, “Thank the moon. They don’t look like those characters from that crappy anime!”
Rohan glared at him and whispered angrily, “V!!!” V smirked, shrugged, and said, “What? I’m just glad they don’t look fruity and don’t have white hair. Hopefully, they live off meat instead of coffee.” “Damn it V!! How often do I have to remind you about the iron rule!!?” Rohan snarled.
One of the ghouls approached and said, “We’re omnivores. Although we enjoy hot drinks such as coffee and tea from time to time.” Rohan looked at the ghoul and said, “Excuse my companion, what’s your name? My name is servant Rohan.”
The ghoul scratched his neck and said, “My name is Nasir.” Rohan smiled at him and said, “Nasir, would you take us to your emperor?” Nasir furrowed his eyebrows and asked, “Are you truthful about being a servant?” Rohan nodded and said, “I am.”
Nasir grabbed one of his friends, pushed him towards Rohan, and said, “I heard servants can heal the faithful.” He pointed at his friend and said, “My friend, Marwan, has stepped on a landmine and lost his leg. Give it back to him, and I’ll take you to the emperor.”
Rohan approached Marwan, held his shoulder, stared at his amputated leg, looked at him, and said, “If you had your leg, the healing would be light, but giving it back to you from scratch would cost you years of your lifespan. Are you ready for that?” Marwan took a deep breath and said, “Yes, I won’t tolerate my people calling me a fool for losing a leg.” Rohan placed his right hand on Marwan’s forehead and began healing him. The leg slowly grew back and was fully restored after a moment. The ghouls gasped, and one muttered, “Praises to the moon.”
Rohan stepped back, looked at Nasir, and asked, “Will you keep your word?” Nasir smiled and said, “Yes, follow me.”
Weirdly enough, the encounter with the ghouls went smoother than the dwarves. The young ghouls took Rohan and V to their grand city, which was impressive since ghouls weren’t known for their architecture. The city had giant walls with arrow holes in them; it was a way to counter the bullets of the dwarves. After passing the gates, the city's interior was of simple design: wide streets, colorful rectangular houses, and a bustling population. It gave the impression of an authentic medieval town, unlike the cyberpunk design of the dwarves.
They soon reached a great castle and went inside. They entered the imperial hall of the ghouls, with the emperor sitting in the middle while his advisors and ministers were standing. Nasir approached the emperor, touched his heart, and said, “Emperor Qasim, the man I brought is the moon’s servant named Rohan.”
Emperor Qasim had a bulky physique, a full face, glaring red eyes, thick eyebrows, and a long beard. He wore simple yellow robes and a white turban. Emperor Qasim looked at Rohan and said, “As a servant, I’m sure you know the trail of recognition, Rohan. Prove your authenticity to us.”
Rohan approached and said, “The ghouls never had a set trail like the orcs.” Qasim smiled at him and asked, “You’ve visited the orcs?” “The Slimes, orcs, and dwarves. They’ve all renewed their allegiance to the moon,” Rohan said.
Qasim leaned forward and asked, “What have you done to get the dwarves on your side?” Rohan looked at him with a blank expression and said, “I killed Emperor Liam and his followers. Those heretics are more loyal to a servant than his goddess.”
“Claims hold no value to us, but a servant never lies to the faithful,” Qasim said. Rohan opened a small portal, grabbed Liam’s disfigured head, and threw it at Qasim’s feet. In awe, Qasim stared at Liam’s head, and his court whispered loudly. Rohan crossed his arms behind his back and said, “Those heretics will never have the honor of a funeral.”
Qasim stood, widened his eyes, looked at Rohan, and said, “I’ve been trying to kill those innovators for decades, and you brought me the head of their emperor unharmed.” Nasir approached him and said, “Father, I’ve already tested his claim by making him heal Marwan. I’ve witnessed my friend have his leg brought back.”
Qasim looked at Nasir in awe, then Rohan, and said, “Rohan, I’m on the edge of recognizing you as the moon’s servant. Put my heart at ease and show me your mark.” Rohan showed him his palm and displayed the moon’s glowing mark. Qasim sighed in relief, sat on his throne, and said, “Thank the moon.”
“Have I gained your recognition, Emperor Qasim?” Rohan asked. Qasim looked at him and said, “Yes, you have, Servant Rohan.” He looked at his court and announced, “Spread the word to my people. The goddess blessed us with the emergence of a servant in our land.”
The court attendees exited the castle in compliance with the emperor’s order. Yet, Rohan noticed the emperor’s eyes had something hidden within them. After the court’s gate closed, Rohan asked, “Is there something you wanted to discuss privately?”
Qasim stood, walked away, and said, “Follow me.” Rohan, V, and Nasir followed him deeper into the castle. They reached a grim-looking door and went inside. It was a room with padded walls to block sound leaking outside. Though it was empty, they could only stand in it. They stood in a circle, and Qasim looked at them.
He sighed and said, “I know it’s wrong to talk badly about servants, but this is a discussion we must have, Rohan.” Rohan glanced at V, looked at Qasim, and said, “You have permission to speak freely, Emperor Qasim.”
“It’s about servant Leth,” Qasim said. Rohan rubbed his forehead and muttered, “For fuck’s sake!” Qasim became frustrated and shouted, “What the actual fuck!!? How is that fucking degenerate a servant of the moon!!”
“I know, emperor,” Rohan said. Qasim pointed at Rohan and shouted, “You don’t understand the effects he left!! He single-handedly almost tore the faith apart!” He rested his hand and said, “The servants were always keepers of the pact, never reformers! But that man always found loopholes and twisted them to his advantage.”
Rohan crossed his arms and said, “I know about his tremendous fuck ups, but to be fair to everyone, he never broke the pact.” Qasim approached and said, “I’ve warned him about leaving relics. I’ve warned him about the effects of changing a race’s way of life. My throat dried from pleading with him. What did the ghouls get in return? He made us outcasts! While that fucking pervert was busy holding orgies every Sunday!”
Rohan stayed silent. Qasim stepped back, sighed, and said, “The only solution I had was to pray that this plague would be removed, and my calls were answered. The elves killed him with his artifact and did a favor upon the moon’s creation.”
Rohan looked at him in displeasure and asked, “Does that mean the ghouls aren’t in favor of having another Servant?” Qasim opened his arms and said, “Not at all. After all, we were the first race to make a pact with the moon, the most faithful from the creation.” He pointed at Rohan and said, “But that doesn’t mean they’ll forgive and forget. My people need compensation, which will prove to them that the goddess cares about them.”
“What do you suggest, emperor?” Rohan asked. Qasim crossed his arms and said, “You’ve already achieved a milestone in gaining the ghoul’s trust by slaying the innovators. That proved to them what kind of servant you are. Now, you must exonerate them from the shame Leth brought upon us.”
“There’s only one way to do it without displaying favoritism,” Rohan said. “It’s the only way,” Qasim said. Rohan rubbed his neck, sighed, and said, “I already told the orcs I’m going to marry one of their women.”
“Marry another; no race ever objected to polygamy,” Qasim said. “It’s not about marrying; it’s about my servant’s wish. I asked for a kingdom with an orc woman as its queen,” Rohan said.
V said, “Let me save you all the trouble of a tiring debate.” They looked at him. V placed his hands on his waist, looked at Rohan, and said, “The term Queen in your mind is associated with authority, but it doesn’t always have to be the case.”
Rohan looked at V and asked, “What if the orcs objected?” V smirked at Rohan and said, “If they did, they’d contradict themselves. In all their history, power was always in the hands of the Chief, never their wives. Even when the chiefs were killed, the authority was passed to the general till a successor was chosen.”
Rohan rubbed his chin, hummed, and said, “So a queen can simply be an honorary title. That works.” He looked at Qasim and asked, “Good?” Qasim touched his heart and said, “The ghouls never cared about ruling the creation. We only cared about honor.”
Rohan extended his hand and said, “Let’s shake hands on that, emperor.” Qasim shook his hand roughly and said, “I don’t blame you for being suspicious of me. Unlike those dwarves, we say what’s in our hearts.” Rohan smiled at him and said, “And this servant vouches for that.”
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The End
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