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THE SIAMA ALLIANCE
Upon crossing back into the village’s protective wards, a frantic bustle immediately seized the settlement. The commoners rushed to tend to the wounds of the surviving defenders. Night slowly descended like a pitch-black shroud, carrying a piercing chill that slipped through the gaps in the ancient trees. The atmosphere, previously rent by the screams of battle, gradually quieted, leaving behind only exhausted sighs and stifled moans.
A bonfire blazed in the center of the main courtyard. Its tongues of flame danced, casting a gentle, trembling amber glow upon the visages of the weary warriors. Ken sat in solitude a short distance away. The youth remained as still as a statue, his gaze fixed intently on the smoldering embers, as though harboring profound secrets unreadable to mortal eyes.
From a distance, Chief Darma kept a watchful eye on him. The old man’s gaze was sharp, brimming with profound curiosity. He then leaned in, whispering to the Tavern Uncle standing by his side.
”Chief Tu… where exactly does that youth come from?” Chief Darma asked in a hushed tone.
The Tavern Uncle turned, his visage painted with surprise. “A-ah, him… I have absolutely no idea, Sir,” he replied, taking a step closer. “Earlier, he merely stopped by my tavern to fill his stomach. When the Crimson Axe hounds invaded, I rushed off and left him to his own devices,” he explained, anxiety radiating from his features.
”So, you only met him today as well?” Chief Darma probed, his tone flat yet deeply calculating.
”Indeed, Sir!” the Uncle replied with an awkward smile, wiping a bead of cold sweat from his temple. “Is there a problem, Sir?” he asked hesitantly.
Chief Darma shifted his gaze back to Ken’s silhouette against the bonfire. “Chief Tu, do you not realize… if a youth possessing such heaven-defying strength is willing to side with us, this meager faction might actually stand a chance of surviving,” he stated gravely. His voice was heavy, carrying a glimmer of hope that had long since been extinguished.
The Uncle fell silent for a moment, digesting those words. “A-ah… what you say is true. B-but…” he stammered hesitantly.
”But what, Chief Tu?” Chief Darma turned, demanding clarity.
”I believe he is no ordinary youth, Sir,” the Uncle noted, stroking his graying beard, his gaze reflecting profound caution. “Seeing his absolute serenity as he butchered the Crimson Axe commanders, it is highly likely he harbors his own agenda.”
Chief Darma nodded slowly, acknowledging the assessment. “Is that so…? Nevertheless, there is no harm in attempting to approach him, Chief Tu.”
”Understood, Sir. In that case, I will try to speak with him,” the Uncle concluded, acutely aware of the burden resting upon his leader’s shoulders.
The two men walked side-by-side toward Ken. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows across their visages—faces etched with the heavy burden of years of suffering.
”Young Man, as you can see, this is the pitiful state of our village,” the Uncle greeted, taking a seat on a wooden log beside Ken.
”Yes, Uncle,” Ken replied briefly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, though his eyes never wavered from the dancing flames.
”Ah, by the way, we haven’t even formally introduced ourselves,” the Uncle noted, suddenly realizing the oversight. “My name is Tubagus. The folks around here usually call me Uncle Tu… or Tavern Owner Tu. Sometimes, they even address me as Chief Tu,” he explained with a light chuckle, attempting to thaw the icy silence. “And this gentleman is Chief Darma, the protector and leader of our faction.” He gestured to the imposing man beside him. “What about you, Young Man? May we know your name?”
Ken lifted his gaze, looking at the two men in turn. “A pleasure. My name is Ken,” he stated, his voice quiet yet carrying absolute clarity.
”Ohh, Ken… a fine name,” Uncle Tu responded.
”Thank you, Uncle,” Ken replied courteously.
Uncle Tu observed Ken’s visage meticulously. The youth’s countenance was chillingly cold, tranquil, and sparing with words. He took a deep breath, deciding to cut straight to the heart of the matter.
”It’s like this, Ken… If you haven’t bound yourself to a specific destination in your wandering, Chief Darma and I would like to invite you to stay and settle in this village,” he stated candidly.
”Indeed, Young Man,” Chief Darma chimed in, his voice brimming with sincerity. “Our village is in desperate need of an expert with your caliber of strength.”
Ken lowered his head once more, staring into the dying embers. “Uncle, Chief Darma… I am grateful for your offer,” he said softly. “But as for settling down, I cannot. I still have crucial matters I must attend to.”
Chief Darma closed his eyes for a fleeting second, then nodded in understanding. “Very well, I completely understand,” he replied, a veiled disappointment washing over his features. “However, as you witnessed firsthand today, this is the reality of our lives beneath the oppressive shadow of the Fire Kingdom. Almost across the entire continent, the common folk are butchered by their lackeys. And the absolute nadir of this chaos began with the collapse of the Sky Kingdom’s prestige.”
Hearing this, Ken’s gaze sharpened. He turned fully toward Chief Darma. “What exactly transpired within the Sky Kingdom? Why haven’t they dispatched forces to protect the citizens within their own realm?”
Chief Darma drew a long breath, exhaling the stifling night air. “The Sky Kingdom’s turmoil is far more convoluted than it appears on the surface,” he recounted softly, as if reopening an old wound. “Ever since King Zi decided to go into seclusion, the kingdom has been entirely commandeered by traitors from within.”
Seclusion? Why would a king choose such a path? Ken pondered inwardly. “Why did King Zi suddenly seal himself away from the outside world, Uncle?”
”No commoner knows the absolute truth behind it,” Chief Darma replied slowly, his eyes staring into the distance. “But it all began with a tragic incident ten years ago that befell his immediate royal family. Following that event, the Emperor began withdrawing from the affairs of state. Rumors whisper that his cultivation foundation deteriorated drastically. It was precisely during this upheaval that the Fire Kingdom sank their claws in, exploiting the chink in the armor to subjugate the Sky Kingdom from the shadows.”
Ken lowered his head slightly, contemplating this revelation. “I never imagined the Sky Kingdom could fall to such a pathetic state.”
”Indeed… furthermore, they are now utterly fragmented,” Chief Darma continued. “Currently, the kingdom’s military core is completely dominated by General Noma—a loyal hound appointed directly by the Fire Kingdom. Meanwhile, King Lukah, who ascended the throne to replace King Zi, is nothing more than a powerless puppet.”
General Noma? Since when did the Sky Kingdom harbor such a treacherous general? Ken thought, his brows knitting deeply. “Is the current might of the Fire Kingdom truly so terrifying that no one dares to rebel?” he asked in disbelief.
”Beyond terrifying…” Chief Darma replied, his voice trembling with suppressed dread. “Ever since their legions were taken over by existences known as the Ten Dragon Kings, the power hierarchy of the realm was irrevocably altered. It is rumored that each of their individual strengths has reached the mythical level of God King. Even the other five great kingdoms tremble in fear, not daring to provoke them. Thus, you could say that our rebel faction is merely a gathering of fools digging our own graves. If even one of those Fire Kings were to personally intervene… within a single night, we would all be ground into dust.”
Ken locked eyes with the old man. “If the looming threat is that astronomical, why do you and the others continue to choose this path of death? Why keep fighting?”
Chief Darma met his gaze, then offered a bitter smile. “As for that… I am merely following the path of the sword inherited from my Master,” he said slowly, his voice dripping with profound yearning and absolute reverence. “He was an unparalleled martial artist. The peak of his cultivation was equivalent to a God-level Star Seal—in fact, many believed he had touched the boundary of a God King.”
Darma tilted his head back, staring into the pitch-black, starless night sky. “My Master was once the absolute pillar protecting the Sky Kingdom. He always stood at the vanguard, challenging tyranny… until ultimately, the cunning demons of the Fire Kingdom successfully ambushed and murdered him, along with his entire clan.”
”So, it is the inherited will of your Master that drove you to forge this resistance faction?” Ken asked softly, beginning to grasp the unfathomable depths of the man’s wounds.
”Yes…” Chief Darma answered bitterly. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned a ghostly white. “Besides, living as a commoner these days holds no future regardless. They force the men into slave labor until they drop dead, shackle the children as thralls, and mercilessly strip away the innocence of the young women.”
He turned, gazing into Ken’s eyes with desperate plea. “Young Man, it is for all these reasons that I vehemently beseech you to stay… Join our ranks.”
”Join?” Ken echoed, his tone devoid of inflection.
”Indeed,” Chief Darma replied with absolute certainty. “With your heaven-defying combat prowess, at the very least, this faction would have the wings to weather the storm. You could become the invincible blade that shields the defenseless.”
Is destiny forcing me to begin my conquest from this minuscule speck of a place? Ken deliberated in his heart. He inhaled deeply, letting the freezing night air temper his mind. “Uncle, as I stated before, I am still bound by a blood feud and matters I must resolve,” he declared firmly.
The light in Chief Darma’s eyes dimmed. He forced a gentle, resigned smile. “Yes… of course. I have no right to force your hand.”
Ken stared at the flames swaying against the wind, and then, his voice slowly pierced the dead silence. “However, that does not mean I will not lend my strength.”
Chief Darma and Uncle Tu’s eyes instantly widened. Both men held their breath. “Hah!? Wh-what? Is that true?!” Chief Darma exclaimed, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs.
”Yes,” Ken answered without a shred of hesitation. “I am willing to join. But, there is one fundamental aspect we must alter.”
”Absolutely! Speak your mind, whatever it may be!” Chief Darma responded, his eyes blazing with renewed hope.
Ken slowly rose to his feet. The roaring light of the bonfire illuminated his back, casting a towering silhouette that exuded an invisible, crushing aura of pressure. “I will join,” he declared, his voice as calm yet as razor-sharp as a legendary blade. “But I intend to seize the position of supreme leader in this faction. In exchange, I shall bear the weight of your lives. I will be the one to protect and guarantee the absolute safety of this faction beneath my banner.”
Absolute silence instantly blanketed the area. Even the howling night wind seemed to cease, yielding space to the immense weight of the youth’s decree.
”Haa… a-assume the position of supreme leader?” Chief Darma was stunned, barely able to trust his own ears.
Ken nodded with unwavering conviction. “Indeed. Truthfully, I too harbor ambitions to forge a faction to shelter those who require sanctuary,” he elaborated, his authoritative tone rendering any thought of defiance utterly impossible.
Chief Darma stared at the youth for a long epoch, measuring the sheer gravity of his aura—an aura that felt entirely on par with a veteran warlord. Slowly, a smile of profound relief bloomed across his weathered visage. “A-aaa… of course! There is absolutely no issue with that,” he finally said, his voice brimming with conviction. “In fact, I am overwhelmingly grateful that a young dragon such as yourself dares to shoulder such a colossal burden. What are your thoughts, Tu?”
Uncle Tu, who had been holding his breath the entire time, nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I agree one hundred percent! I have always favored youths possessing such unadulterated valor!” he proclaimed, flashing Ken a spirited thumbs-up.
Chief Darma patted Ken’s shoulder with pride. “Excellent! Then the agreement is set in stone. This very night, I shall assemble all the commoners and our defensive vanguard!”
Wasting no time, that very evening, Chief Darma and Uncle Tu swiftly rallied the villagers. The hurried thud of footsteps, murmurs fraught with questions, and the simultaneous flare of blazing torches instantly shattered the tranquility of the village square. Hundreds of pairs of eyes now converged, staring with burning curiosity toward the wooden platform in the center of the courtyard.
”Everyone, please gather and maintain your silence! I have an announcement of utmost importance!” Chief Darma roared, his voice echoing across every corner, amplified by his inner qi.
”What’s going on at this ungodly hour?”
“Are the Crimson Axe hounds returning?” whispered the huddled masses, their hearts gripped by apprehension.
”I demand your full attention!” Chief Darma asserted, crushing their rising panic. “There is a crucial decree I must deliver!”
He swept his authoritative gaze over the crowd, which had now fallen into a breathless hush. “From this precise moment, there will be a monumental shift in the destiny of our village and our rebel faction. As you all witnessed this afternoon, beside me stands the martial expert who single-handedly snatched us from the lethal jaws of the Crimson Axe.”
He turned to his right, gesturing with deep respect. “His name is Lord Ken. A wandering cultivator blessed with the mythical power equivalent to a Giant Gold aura!”
Upon hearing the invocation of such a legendary power, roars of admiration and awestruck whispers instantly detonated throughout the ranks of the commoners.
”And tonight, before all of you, I declare that Lord Ken has agreed to join our ranks!” Darma continued.
”Hooo! Excellent! The Heavens have blessed us!”
“Long live Lord Ken!” The commoners erupted in a frenzy of absolute jubilation.
”Silence!” Chief Darma commanded, raising both his arms high. “There is one final matter.”
He inhaled deeply, then unleashed his ultimate decree. “Lord Ken is not merely joining us… starting today, he will assume absolute command as the supreme leader of this faction.”
”Hah!? Become the supreme leader?!” gasped a majority of the village elders.
“Is this true!? Replacing Chief Darma?!” the warriors chimed in, equally shell-shocked and bewildered by such an abrupt transition of power.
”Yes, it is the absolute truth!” Chief Darma declared, unyielding. “Chief Tu and I have mutually agreed to pass the baton of command to him. What say you all?”
The commoners and warriors exchanged rapid, hushed glances. Recalling the terrifying might of the enemy that Ken had effortlessly pulverized earlier that day, any lingering shreds of doubt in their hearts evaporated. One of the vanguard commanders took a step forward, slamming his fist against his chest as he roared, “If Chief Darma and Chief Tu place their absolute faith in him, then we, too, are ready to raise our swords and follow Lord Ken’s command!”
A thunderous roar of cheers and applause shattered the stillness of the night. The bonfire blazed even brighter, as if the heavens themselves were welcoming the dawn of a new era for the village.
”Very well,” Chief Darma stated, stepping back to yield the stage. “In that case, from this second onward, Lord Ken is officially our Supreme Leader. Please, My Lord, deliver your first decree.”
Ken strode forward. He stood tall upon a massive stone platform, ensuring every single gaze in the courtyard was anchored upon him. His tyrannical aura rolled outward, crushing all ambient noise until the courtyard plunged into a deathly, absolute silence.
”I thank you for the trust of your lives that you now place upon my shoulders,” he began. His voice was not loud, yet it resonated in every corner with an absolute, undeniable authority. “I hereby decree that Chief Darma and Uncle Tu shall retain their positions as guiding elders within this faction.”
He locked eyes with the sea of humanity before him. “As your new leader, there are edicts that must be strictly observed. First, the core objective of our faction is to forge ourselves into a blade that protects the oppressed, and an absolute aegis for the weak. Second, the gates of this village are now open to anyone—from any corner of the realm—who seeks sanctuary and wishes to bleed beneath our banner.”
Ken paused for a heartbeat, allowing the weight of his laws to sear themselves into their minds. “Third, every single member of the militia will undergo rigorous selection and grueling martial conditioning. We must forge an impenetrable vanguard to ensure that meaningless sacrifices are completely eradicated from the battlefield.”
The night wind howled anew, sweeping through the youth’s hair. “And lastly…” Ken tilted his head up, gazing at the endless expanse of stars that seemed to stand as silent witnesses to the birth of a legend. “…this faction is no longer a gathering of nameless rebels. We require an identity.”
”We are listening, Lord!” the warriors roared in perfect unison, their chests puffing with newfound pride.
Chief Darma smiled broadly, his blood boiling once more with the forgotten fervor of his youth. “Then, what identity shall we bear from this night forth, My Lord?”
Ken slowly lowered his head, his piercing gaze locking dead ahead. His voice echoed with a profound depth, vibrating within the very souls of all who heard it.
”The name of our faction shall be… SIAMA.”
A deafening silence hung in the air for a single breath. Then, like a violently erupting volcano, every commoner and warrior simultaneously thrust their weapons into the heavens, screaming that name with every fiber of their being.
”SIAMA!! LONG LIVE SIAMA!!”
The roar of triumph and absolute oaths of loyalty echoed far and wide, piercing the very clouds of the night. The bonfire flared with a wild, untamed fury, and for the first time in the last decade—the true pulse of life and a sliver of absolute hope began to beat once more within the village.