Chapter 138: A Nation Divided

"King Tanaka." Tharven stayed on one knee. "We have come with our choice." Tanaka looked over the warriors that had gathered behind him. There were more than the last time he had seen them. Commanders. Warriors. Representatives of Varkesh. Some held weapons. While others came empty handed. Many of the monsters looked upon Tanaka with fear while others refused to even look him in the eye. Tanaka waited. "Speak."

Tharven slowly pulled himself to his feet. "Varkesh has chosen." Tharven hesitated. "Unfortunately, we could not choose together." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?" Tharven looked past him. "We are divided." A murmur rose from the gathered monsters. Tharven continued. "Some of us believe Varkesh should accept your offer." A few of the monsters stepped forward. "They believe continuing to fight will only destroy what’s left of the kingdom." Tharven turned to the other side. "Others refuse." A number of warriors immediately raised their heads. One of them walked forward.

"We will not become subjects of the king who killed Rhazek." His voice echoed up and down the street. "You may have defeated our king but we acknowledge your power. However, we will not abandon everything he built." Another warrior joined him. "Varkesh belongs to Varkesh." A number of the other monsters nodded in agreement. Tanaka studied them. They did not look like they were putting on a brave show. They truly believed what they were saying.

Tharven looked back at Tanaka. "Some want to join Eldoris." He pointed towards one side of the gathered monsters. "Others want Varkesh to remain independent." Another warrior spoke up. "And some want to continue the war." Tanaka’s expression changed. "Continue?" The warrior nodded. "Rhazek is dead but that does not mean his death should go unanswered." A number of the surrounding monsters growled in agreement. "We lost because our king fought alone. Give us another chance and we will gather the remaining warriors and we can still strike Eldoris."

Razer stepped forward. Tanaka raised a hand. Razer stopped. Tanaka looked at the warrior. "How many soldiers do you have left?" The warrior hesitated. "Enough." "That’s not a number." Silence stretched between them. Tanaka continued. "How many?" The warrior lowered his head. "Less than a thousand." Tanaka looked around the ruined city. "And how many are wounded?" No answer. "How much of your kingdom is destroyed?" Still nothing.

Tanaka nodded. "So you want another war because you can’t accept losing the first one." The warrior’s face tightened. "You killed our king." "My kingdom was attacked by yours." Tanaka’s voice remained even. "He came for my people. He brought his army to my borders. He fought me because that’s what he wanted. To take what belonged to Eldoris."

The warrior clenched his fists. "And you think that gives you the right to rule us?" Tanaka shook his head. "I never said I wanted to rule Varkesh." This caught the attention of several of the monsters. Tanaka continued. "I gave you a choice because I don’t want to spend the next ten years fighting the same war." Tharven listened carefully. Tanaka pointed at the ruined city.

"Look at your kingdom." The monsters turned to look. "You’re at war with each other." Tanaka’s voice grew colder. "There are dead men in the street. Your people are cowering in their homes. Your soldiers have taken your armories. Your commanders are fighting over who gets to lead your forces. And you want to take what’s left of this kingdom and throw it into another war?" No one answered.

One of the elder warriors stepped forward. "We refuse to kneel." Tanaka looked at him. "Then don’t." The monster blinked. Tanaka continued. "I didn’t ask you to kneel." He looked towards the group that wanted to join Eldoris. "I asked if you wanted to survive." This caused another murmur to ripple through the gathered monsters. A young warrior from the other side stepped forward.

"If we join you, what happens to us?" Tanaka answered immediately. "You keep your homes." "What about our warriors?" "They keep fighting." "Under your command?" "When necessary." The warrior hesitated. "And our king?" Tanaka’s smile faded. "You don’t have one." No one had to say anything. It was obvious. Tanaka continued.

"You lost Rhazek." There was no mockery in his voice. "He was your king and I understand that." Tanaka looked the kingdom over. "But he is gone." A heavy silence fell over the battlefield. "You can’t keep building your future on someone who is dead." A few monsters lowered their heads. Others looked angry.

One of the warriors from the opposing faction stepped forward. "What happens to those who refuse?" Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "I already told you." "Destroyed." "Yes." The warrior swallowed hard. "You mean you’ll kill us?" Tanaka did not answer immediately. When he did, his voice was quiet. "If you choose to fight Eldoris, I will treat you as enemies." The warrior’s eyes widened. Tanaka’s voice remained cold.

"I won’t hunt you down for disagreeing with me." He pointed at the ruins of the city. "But if you raise an army and strike at Eldoris, I will stop you." That was the message. There would be no revenge for refusing. But there would be punishment for defying him.

Tharven finally stepped forward. "That is where we have reached our impasse." Tanaka looked at him. "Explain." "The warriors who wish to join Eldoris have come to an agreement." Tharven pointed to them. "They will accept your rule." He turned to the others. "Those who refuse are requesting independence." Tanaka nodded. "And those who wish to fight?" Tharven’s expression darkened. "They have begun to gather."

Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "Where?" "The eastern district." Razer immediately turned to look at Raishin. The Kijin warrior’s face was impassive. "How many?" Tharven shook his head. "We don’t know." Tanaka looked towards the sky. The sun was setting. They had exhausted one war and now they were about to begin another. Tanaka turned to look at Raishin. "How long?" Raishin understood immediately. "Until they make their move?" "Yes." The warrior closed his eyes for a moment. "Not long." Tanaka nodded.

Then looked back to Tharven. "I understand your choice." Tharven’s shoulders relaxed for a fraction of a second. Tanaka continued. "But I won’t accept three Varkeshes." Tharven went still. Tanaka looked the opposing forces over. "There will be one."

The entire street fell silent. Tanaka’s aura slowly seeped outwards, not enough to harm anyone, but just enough to remind everyone who was present. "You can choose to join Eldoris." He looked at one side of the battlefield. "You can choose to remain independent." He looked at the other. "But if you choose to fight..." His eyes burned with silent fury. "...you will have to fight me."

There was a long pause. Then a great bellowing sound echoed from the eastern district. Weapons were raised. The sounds of battle drifted across the battlefield. A great horn sounded. Tharven’s face changed. "They’ve begun." Tanaka turned to face the sound. The country had made its decision. And Varkesh had chosen war.