Sometimes the unknowns push us into the hurricane of bewilderment, but let that not push us deep into the voids.
~Walor Viz Ahnay, The emperor of Hivar.
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In the season of Zelos, at the month of Crol-21, in Gezareal Hivar.

That particular dezae in Hivar had the thick shine of their Lord Iansig. His hot springs drenched the air to let his sultry, febrile beams pierce the marbles and skins. Thankfully, the palace was built with polished white stones. Hence, most of the scorched waves were refracted, letting the place feel less bitten by his furious arms.

Walor was engaged with his beautiful daughter and the busy court ordeals of the day. 

Anyway, the war might not happen. His thoughts promised him because of his faith in Rominia.

But that doesn't mean that he could take care of the court in his usual proceedings. Something from within asked Walor to be ready. He couldn't comprehend, but he had to listen to his conscience.

"Shall we begin?"

The minister arrived to accompany him to the court. 

But who will look after her in my absence?

"Don't worry about her, your highness."

The minister was so prudent and had brought his wife to take care of the baby until he would be back. Walor beamed as he handed over the slumbering sprog to her, and thanked her for the commitment. Her eyes widened, and the agape mouth expressed her timid jitters. She was surprised by his act. It was a rarity in the imperialistic family to thank others for their ordinary ordeals, but Walor was never a domineer.

"Make sure there is milk with four or five spoons of water when she wakes. One spoon before the feed and one after. The rest are just nothing but backups. Basically, she demands things you know. Same as her mother." Walor peeked out a grin. The minister's wife nodded.

"But our empress is never demanding." The minister remarked.

"Maybe not. Then that trait of hers should be from me."

"Don't worry, your highness. I will take good care of her. My husband told me she loves good takes, and I have already kept a few stories ready. You can take care of the court without any worries about her." The wife stated as she cradled her.

"That would be more helpful! She would love her time."

He sped his steps to the court, to which he was running late. Reaching the entrance, he earned his respect as they stood till he walked to his seat. When he gave his nod, the commotion started as soon as he was seated in his royal chair. The proceedings were planned as usual. Once the general etiquettes were settled, the regal council began. The discussions about how they were going to face Zwisk and his heartless, mighty army were about to be deliberated.

It's never to be forgotten that he had become the beast awaiting to capture the Hivar and its pride. As the king of Ambodia Volana, his fury would never recede. The kingdom, along with its numerous, powerful, and unstoppable army of demonic warriors, would strengthen his chances for a defeatless defence.

So people in Hivar were worried to face his men, but that doesn't mean that they are submissive. Hivar had the best commander of the Lumas dynasty, Rivard Rochelt Avir. His Avirian ancestors were the only clan to be the commander in chief for the Hivar. As the discussion of warfare were about to begin, Walor summoned him.

"You shall not be kept waiting, your highness. I'm here."

A well-built, muscular man peeked out from the corner of a lion-carved pillar. He had black, shining eyes, and his features were chiseled in appropriate depth, just as fine as his adroit adventure that add to his fame.

"Oh! My dear saviour. Welcome. You never stop sneaking out whenever I summon you. Haahaa alright! Anyways. As you would know, we await a ruthless issue. It's been a long time since we witnessed a war, and now Hivar needs your help. I'm excited to hear your command and witness your authority on the battlefield. Are we ready?" Walor held on to his enthusiasm to conceal his worries.

"Thank you so much, your highness. As the commander of the Hivar, it is very prestigious for me to be under your command. I always await your orders to serve you with all my might. Even if it has been a long time, we are ready. Hivar has the best men to protect it at all costs." He stated it with a beaming smile in a curious tone.

This was not a wonderment to anyone who was a part of Hivar's court because everyone knew about the comradely friendship they shared. From childhood, they were trained together under the same master, Vilok Thapic Dethu, the only one who chose his students without any discrimination on the grounds of birth. Being trained by him wasn't something anyone could achieve. But them, along with Zwisk, had the opportunity to be his disciples. His preachings were the command poles they shared. The three were like real brothers than friends, even when they were born in different homes.

Till the Adhipa Utsav, it was very easy for them to hang out as friends without any restrictions. Even Rolec, Walor's father, had no objections to that. To his eyes, their friendship was a symbol of great welfare for the Hivar. After Walor was crowned and Rivard was appointed in charge of the Hivar's huge army force, their worlds diverged. New ordeals and new commitments filled them.

Even then, at the time when Zwisk left him and the late death of Rolec, Rivard stood beside Walor as a strong pillar, patting his curled trunk. He was always with him and never failed to abide by him and guide him at the right moments. But as an emperor and a commander, they weren't allowed to face others except for the court, palace, or war grounds. Still, they never give up on each other. Whenever Walor wishes to see him, he will either summon him to the court or he will run to the training ground in the name of inspection to catch a casual glimpse of him.

"Have you brought us any plans regarding the battle with the Ambodian army?"

"Nothing new, your highness. We will follow our same statistics and-"

"I'm concerned, why are we using the same statistics? We shall never forget that we're facing the one who knows us too much than he should. We should have tactics when it comes to him. You know that as well, commander."

"I agree with that. But hear me out with some patience, your highness. The first day of the war will commence with warfare negotiations and protocols. But we can never expect him to be straight. From his first battle with Jamedigs, it's clear that Zwisk uses his special tool, which he never mentions in the negotiations in any way, and that is the most dangerous than any of the weapons ever made and any power ever envisioned."

"Special tool? What would that be? Your highness, are you aware of this?" One of the ministers asked in a nervous tone.

"I know this could be more worrisome. Sometimes the unknowns push us into the hurricane of bewilderment, but let that not push us deep into the voids. I will suggest Rivard to discuss about it rather than me saying it." 

Walor's words added more suspicion. The minister threw a stupified glance at him and shifted his eyes to Rivard's side. Everyone was seated with keen ears to hear what was to be revealed.

"I shall take it forward, your highness. This is new to the ones who aren't aware and a reminder to the ones who already know. Zwisk, the emperor of Ambodia Volana, from the land of horrendous beasts, always uses the treasure of his land in his war grounds." 

This baffled everyone, and they were into a noisy mind that was putting forth numerous questions.

"Now that many of you would have guessed, his battling trickery involves the beasts. His men were trained to command those wicked and vicious beasts to act the way they wanted them to. So confronting Zwisk involves confronting those fiendish beasts controlled by his virtuous powers."

His words echoed like thunder in their ears. It's very common to hear about the mighty and fastest animals in war, but the use of these cunning creatures wasn't easy to bear.

"What? Wolves in war? This is not fair." The minister yelled in utter confusion.

"Everything is fair in love and war. The warfare ordeals allow the use of any animal, and there are no restrictions laid upon that. He takes pride in them, as he considers them to be prestigious possessions. Hence, he shall never deny any chance that lets him put them to use." Rivard added.

"Then how are we going to confront him?"

"That's not to be worried about, minister. I have my tactics to resolve this." Rivard said he was least disturbed by their queries. Surely Walor had a hint. If not, he wouldn't stay so calm and composed on this unusual issue.

"As we all know, whenever there exists a thing, there is an entity of opposite equality on the other end. Just like the light has the dark, the night has the day, so the evil has the good. On that basis, we're going to use our protected treasure against those diabolic creatures." 

"Our treasure? You mean?"

"Yes. We're going to recruit the valorous animals that are respected even by the lions and barracudas of the claustrophobic forests. They're the pride of the wild, and for me, they're the most innocent child. They are the paragon of resoluteness as they combine the strength of demons and the wisdom of angels." His words hinted then to arrive at that one name that's fearsome even to be said. He could sense that, and he continued.

"Are we talking about it, commander? Is it wise?"

"We're honoured to engage the mettlesome and venturesome Yazhi of our territory against them." That was the expected answer, but the spell of its name alarmed them all.

Yazhi was a magisterial and sovereign animal that's thought to be very dangerous to handle when it's enraged. No animal is ever said to have attacked these wild- beasts because of their highest authority amongst all. They had the athletic build of a lion with the tusk and trunk of a mammoth. They also have serpentine fangs in their mouths that's so sharply pointed that even one shallow sting could be enough to make anyone fall to the hands of demonic death, with crucial pain erupting in its poignant poison. Their tail also had a serpentine look, and on the whole, they were built enough to scare the spectators with their spectacular look. They could crush, crumple, and clout to contage, writing the final fate of the enemy before.

"That might seem like a great idea. But how are we going to do this? Maybe we have the men, but not the beasts. Nor do we have time for it, even if we could fetch them. For the war on the brink of  dawn he can't train them all starting now." The minister added.

"Yes! That's a valuable point. Rivard, what's your answer?" Walor spoke in an intrigued tone.

"This might sound impossible. But never forget my abilities. I'm well known for my way with animals! They bend to me in friendship. They shower their love on me when I take care of them, but for others, it looks more like obedience. I train them in my way of defence just like I do with my men, but this too is misunderstood as me and them playing."

His every word was directed towards Walor, and he was already stuck between the meanings it held. He knew well that Rivard could communicate with any animal and could make them do anything at his command. It was one of the best traits that some members of his Avirian bloodline possessed. But Walor never knew that he used that to train them. 

Training the Yazhi? Those majestic yet obedient creatures. He never thought he had such a fascinating power.

"Are you sure? You were training them to be under your command? I thought you used to simply play with them using your powers, Rivard. How foolish of me to have not hinted at it." Walor made his statement.

"So you were aware of his courage with the Yazhi, your highness?" The minister wanted to know more. It's a rare case, and that made it draw everyone's attention.

"Ah, partly, yes. I have seen him with them from far away, but I never thought he was this well into them. I didn't see this coming." Walor put them all in a spin.

"But, your highness, the entire piece of information is a puzzle to us! Ah, it is alright to be knowing it late. But only he can handle them, not the others. Still, this part needs some consultation." The minister looked keen on it.

"He is right. How are we going to use an animal against the crazy troup of havoc?"

"Not to worry about that either. I have a few men, passionately picked from our army, who were given the necessary training they need. Everything started as an act to engage my powers to reap something useful. But it had made this enormous deed easy. Now we are ready for the war, even if it's meant to start at the very hasoih."

"What? A bunch of men with their beasts? How did you even manage to do that?" Walor asked in utter shock. 

"Nothing is difficult until we have this dark, mysterious, and thick forest in our possession. I did it in there and on the dark nights when everyone was busy sleeping. No one was harmed or disturbed. It was done in my free hours. Just because I wanted more commitments, I collected a few men who shared the same curiosity and involved them." Rivard spoke in a selfless tone.

Those words rang so high in frequency in every ear. Everyone was so happy to know that, at last, their commander had sorted out their issue as swiftly as a breeze. From some corner of the palace, an energetic roar was heard. If they weren't informed by now, they would have panicked hysterically. But now they were ready to witness what they must.

Walor got up from his throne in a sudden burst. Everyone followed him and stood with their heads lowered to the floor. Rivard was a bit nervous about what he would decide because this was a secret that shouldn't be kept on hold, at least not to the emperor. But Walor looked at it differently.

He joined his two palms and let them fill the air with the air with their noise as an act of appreciation. He had a full smile on his face and marched towards him, gave him a great hug, and patted him on the shoulders.

"Well done, my friend. You have once again proved yourself. But.. keeping the secret about such an issue is a crime." His words confused everyone. His happiness sloped into a serious expression.

"But, your highness, he had done nothing wrong! Even if it's a crime, if it's done for a good reason, it's seen as an honour." The minister tried to ease the heat of the issue.

"Kindly don't interrupt me, minister. I can understand your concern. But if it's left unnoticed, the future will be questionable. So as an emperor, I must give him a punishment." Everybody fell silent, and Rivard bowed his head in submission. He knew this might happen and was ready for it as well.

"From today, I order you to establish an official special force for the Hivar. You shall be the chief of warfare. With that your rank shall be increased to tenfold, and hence your duties shall get tightened. You wanted more commitment, right? May you have no complaints."

Even before completing his sentence, he gave him a tear-filled hug, and Rivard tightened this joyful embrace around him for a long time.

"I gladly accept that punishment, your highness. If it's all settled, can you give your approval by visiting our soldiers? It's a humble request, and they're already awaiting you for so long."

Walor gave him a questioning look, and Rivard turned in the direction from which the roar was heard, some mowoh back. In no time, everyone assembled on the palace balcony to witness the quarter of their ground filled with Yazhis and their instructors sitting on them, waving to Walor with their fullest energy. 

"To the Hivar and its mighty emperor..." Rivard shouted with his clenched fist in the air. 

The men and their beasts replied to him in a quacking growl that vibrated in everyone's ears. All were happy to see their strong army getting mightier. Walor noticed that one beast stood in the leading row with an empty back.

"So that must be yours. Isn't it? Don't get me wrong, is it a he?"

Rivard nodded back to him in a hurry, just like a kid. Walor sighed deeply; in a way, he could come to a solution. His eyes thanked the heavens. But his newfound peace couldn't last long. 

Even in such an involving moment, Walor could hear some fast-pacing footsteps and rushed in that direction. He saw the woman rush to him with his daughter in her hand. She had began her unsettling cries, and that was the reason the woman had to run to him. 

He took her into his warm arms and cooed to her. Yet she kept crying louder than before. 

"Any tricks to help you here, your highness?"

"Ah, she loves new sounds. Noises calm her more than any silence could." 

"A baby that loves noises? In the name of saints, did I hear it right?"

Walor wasn't willing to answer him. He was busy trying to find something to distract her. He gave a quick look around but had nothing new except those herds of beasts around. So with no choice left, he turned her to them and looked at Rivard. He knew what to do. He again commanded a part of the troupe, and once more, the roar filled the winds. It was less terrific than before. He thought he had worsened the situation and feared that he would need to spend hours convincing his shattered daughter. But to his wonderment, his daughter let out a soft giggle, kicking her arms and legs in joy.

"Oh, my goodness. She likes them! Your highness, I must say she's so different and is one of a kind." Rivard made his note. Everyone nodded, and a few surprised comments lightened his heart. Something within Walor wished that the world would acknowledge her soon. 

He awaited Rominia's arrival. It's already time, and she should have been there. But he could sense nothing of that sort. So he quickly tried to connect to her through his thoughts. But he couldn't get any response. He was shaken. He tried again, but nothing changed. 

Saints! What could be wrong with her? 

He condemned himself for letting her go. He kept trying, but everything failed.

Walor looked at his daughter's face with a worried expression. She suddenly gripped his little finger with her entire palm and gave him an enthralling smile. That, in turn, earned his smile. In his little moments, he ,et his worries sink, to let him forget the storms raving inward. He felt peace and joy after a very long time. Between his calm and confusions, all he could do was to wish for a better dawn.