Chương 8: 008-Feelings
Zephorix absorbed the life force of the Sacred Tree, causing it to wither and die. As the tree decayed, the stealth barrier that had long protected the forest from outsiders began to fade. With the barrier gone, the once-vibrant elven forest started to wither as well. The trees dried out, and homes built among their branches crumbled into ruins.
The elves watched in despair as their sanctuary, sustained by the very trees that were now perishing, collapsed before their eyes. Alzard, the arrogant Elf Queen, stood frozen in disbelief and anger as she witnessed the devastation of her once-glorious forest and the lifeless remains of the Sacred Tree. Her mind raced, searching for an explanation, unable to comprehend how such destruction could occur.
Then, it struck her—the memory of sacrificing Zephorix to the Sacred Tree in a ritual meant to strengthen it. She couldn't believe that a mere human could have brought down such a powerful entity. Panic replaced doubt as she rushed toward the Sacred Tree, desperate to confirm the truth for herself. Unwilling to accept that a mere human could cause such catastrophe, Alzard leaped upward with grace and urgency, her heart pounding as she ascended to the edge of the withered tree. Each swift movement brought new questions and doubts, but she pushed them aside, determined to uncover the truth.
As soon as she reached the top, she froze in disbelief. There, sitting on a throne crafted from the very roots of the once-powerful tree, was Zephorix, calmly waiting for her. His presence radiated an unsettling power, and the realization dawned on her—he had claimed the throne, upending everything she once controlled.
Alzard's voice trembled with anger and frustration as she commanded, "Move from my throne!"
Zephorix tilted his head mockingly. "Huh?"
Infuriated, Alzard's eyes blazed with fury. "I said, move away from my throne!" she shouted as she leaped toward him, her rage fueling the attack.
But before she could reach him, Zephorix unleashed a powerful, menacing aura that slammed into her like a force of nature, sending her hurtling backward through the air. She crashed into the branches below, stunned and humiliated by the sheer power he wielded so effortlessly.
As Alzard lay there, struck by the overwhelming aura, a chilling recognition dawned on her. She had felt this aura before—its sinister energy, its dark and powerful presence. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "This disgusting aura... I can't forget it."
Memories flooded back to her. She recalled sensing this same vile, menacing force a century ago when it had filled the air with all the misfortunes of the world. It was the aura of the Ant Kings.
Her eyes widened in horror as the truth set in—the figure sitting on her throne wasn't a mere human. He was the King of the Ants, cloaked in the guise of a man, and far more dangerous than she had imagined.
"You… You're the King of the Chimera Ants," Alzard said, her voice trembling.
"Yes, I am the 21st King of the Ants," Zephorix replied calmly. "But don't misunderstand. I'm not like the other Ant Kings. I'm not seeking destruction."
"Instead, I want to build a nation where every race comes together and lives in peace and harmony," Zephorix continued.
"Don't joke with me!" Alzard shouted, her voice filled with anger. "After killing millions of our people and comrades, do you really think we would forgive you?"
"Why would I need your forgiveness?" Zephorix replied in a calm tone. "I didn't do anything wrong. The other Ant Kings did horrible and cruel things to your kind. I wasn't even born at that time, so why should I carry the sins of my species?"
"It's because you are the King of the Ants!" Alzard yelled. "It's because the disgusting blood of the Ant Queen flows in your veins. Even now, look at the forest—this destruction was caused by none other than you, an Ant King!"
"Huh? But you started it. What were you thinking when you tried to sacrifice me? Did you really believe I would just sit there and do nothing?" Zephorix said coldly. "This is the destruction you brought upon yourself."
Zephorix continued, his tone icy, "Listen, when the Ant Queen creates a King, she consumes tens of thousands of species and mixes their DNA to create a single being known as the Ant King. But I was different. I was created primarily with the DNA of hundreds of thousands of humans."
"That's why I'm not the same as the other Chimera Ant Kings. I didn't receive much DNA from other species, which is why I'm more human than Chimera Ant."
"Even though the Chimera Ants never did anything to me personally, I hate them. I don't know why... Maybe it's because of the human within me. I hate Chimera Ants so much that I wanted to annihilate every single one of them. But at the same time, I want to give the peaceful Chimera Ants a place in my nation, even though they caused devastating damage to this world."
Zephorix's voice softened for a moment. "Human emotions are indeed strange and complex. It's fascinating how one can feel hatred simmering within, driven by past hurts or injustices, yet simultaneously harbor deep love and the capacity for forgiveness."
"These conflicting emotions coexist, reflecting the intricate nature of the human mind and the profound depth of human experience within me. They serve as a reminder that humans are multifaceted beings, capable of both darkness and light, and that within us lies the power to choose which emotions to nurture and which to overcome."
"And I, as a Chimera Ant King, have inherited these emotions. I am capable of thinking both good and bad for others. If you become my subject, I promise to bring eternal prosperity to you all. But if you become my enemy, I promise to destroy you mercilessly with everything I have."
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