Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)

Shadow Reckoning - Chapter 128

"I apologize if that question took you by surprise, Zach. It was certainly unexpected," Gargeal said, his voice steady and composed despite the weight of his inquiry. "But I need you to answer me honestly. Do you still possess the Tome of Shrouded Fates?"

Zach hesitated before responding, his thoughts racing as he grappled with the implications of Gargeal's question. "Ye--- Yes, I still have it," he finally admitted.

Gargeal nodded, his expression unreadable as he continued to probe Zach's intentions. "Now, let us return to the matter at hand. Is the desire for a simple life truly your own, or is it merely influenced by the contents of the book?"

Zach lowered his gaze, a heavy sigh escaping him as he wrestled with his inner turmoil. "Yes, it is what I want. It is not dictated by the book," he affirmed, though uncertainty lingered in his voice.

Gargeal pressed on, his curiosity piqued by Zach's cryptic remark. "Can you elaborate that? Because I need to know."

"I've reached the book's conclusion, or at least, it left me hanging," Zach explained.

"Where did it stop? At what point did the narrative halt?" Gargeal inquired further.

"At the directive to find Ruby'ck, alone in the mountain forest. It just... ended," Zach admitted, perplexed by the sudden cessation.

Gargeal's expression turned pensive, his mind processing the implications of Zach's revelation. "It seems your resolve faltered, causing the narrative to cease. The book's tale unfolds only as long as the reader's determination holds."

"You possess the strength and capability to see it through to the end unchanged. Yet, something hindered your will," Gargeal observed.

"Did the relentless cycle of violence and manipulation wear you down? Were the sacrifices demanded by the quest for freedom too burdensome?"

"Indeed, it feels as though I left a part of myself behind amidst the chaos of battle. I lost sight of who I was... in that turmoil," Zach confessed, his words heavy with the weight of his experiences.

"It's as if the more I fought for freedom, the more shackled I became by the chains of conflict," Zach continued, his voice tinged with regret. "I yearned for liberation, yet found myself ensnared in a cycle of violence and despair. But now, as I stand here amidst the tranquility of Ember Wind Village, I realize that true freedom lies not in the midst of chaos, but in the simplicity of peace."

"I've come to understand that the greatest battles are not fought with swords and shields, but with hearts and minds," Zach whispered, his words heavy with emotion. "And it's time for me to lay down my arms and seek solace in the embrace of a world where love triumphs over hate, and where the scars of the past fade in the light of a hopeful future."

"You hold the power to break this endless cycle," Gargeal urged, his voice filled with a solemn conviction. "Only you possess the strength needed to bring about change. Find the courage within yourself, Zach, to rise once more. Your actions will not only shape your own destiny but will also liberate countless others who remain unaware of their plight."

"Gargeal..." Zach's voice trembled, his emotions raw as he absorbed the weight of Gargeal's revelation.

"It was my brother who created that book for the sole purpose of ending the endless and continuous chain of manipulation," Gargeal continued, his tone somber yet resolute. "He saw great potential in you, with your own goal being the same as his."

As Zach listened, memories flooded back, recalling fragments of his past and the journey that led him to this pivotal moment.

"So when before he died due to a tragic and unexpected disease, he gave me his own creation. The Tome of Shrouded Fates," Gargeal revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Zach's mind raced, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what Gargeal was telling him. It was as if the pieces of a puzzle were finally falling into place, revealing a greater purpose that had eluded him for so long.

"And now, it falls upon you to end the cycle," Gargeal concluded, his gaze unwavering as he fixed Zach with a penetrating stare. "Regain your courage and will to do what you did before. It's not just for you, but for those who are clueless that they are under an endless cycle."

"For too long, we have been trapped in the shadows of our own making," Gargeal continued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "But you, Zach, you possess the strength to break free from the chains that bind us. You hold the key to our salvation. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future."

Gargeal's words echoed in the air, carrying with them the weight of an entire world's hopes and dreams. But Zach's heart felt heavy with the burden of responsibility, his resolve wavering under the weight of his past traumas.

"I can't do it anymore," Zach confessed, his voice laced with sorrow. "I've fought for so long, endured so much pain and suffering. But I can't bear it any longer. I've reached my limit."

Gargeal's gaze softened with understanding, yet he persisted, his voice gentle but insistent. "I know it's difficult, Zach. But you're stronger than you realize. You've overcome countless trials and tribulations in the past. You have the power within you to persevere, to make a difference."

Tears welled up in Zach's eyes as he shook his head in defeat. "I've lost too much of myself along the way," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "I can't risk losing any more. I just want to live a peaceful life, free from the burdens of the past."

Gargeal placed a comforting hand on Zach's shoulder, offering him solace in his moment of despair. "I understand your pain, Zach. But running away from your destiny won't make it disappear. Sometimes, we must face our fears head-on, no matter how daunting they may seem."

Gargeal's voice was gentle yet firm as he spoke, his words carrying the weight of his conviction. "Zach, I know it's not easy, but think about all the innocent lives that have been lost to the kingdoms' tyranny. Your actions could save countless others from suffering the same fate. You have the power to make a difference, to bring about real change in this world. Don't let your weariness extinguish the flame of hope that still burns within you."

Zach's shoulders sagged as he struggled to reconcile his desires with his sense of duty. Each word he spoke carried the weight of countless battles fought and lives lost. "I don't know if I have the strength to continue," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, choked with the weight of his exhaustion. "I'm tired, Gargeal. So tired. So tired of fighting, so tired of spilling blood, so tired of witnessing war."

Gargeal's voice was steady, his words carrying the weight of conviction. "People need you, Zach. They need your strength, your courage, and your unwavering determination to stand against injustice. You may feel tired and weary, but remember, your actions have the power to change lives, to inspire others to rise up and fight for a better tomorrow. To leave behind a legacy of courage and compassion that will echo through the ages. Don't underestimate the impact of your actions, for they have the power to shape the course of history and bring about lasting change."

Zach's tears flowed freely now, his resolve warring with his exhaustion. Gargeal's hand remained steady on his shoulder, a silent reminder of the support and strength that surrounded him. With a trembling breath, Zach wiped away his tears, his gaze meeting Gargeal's with newfound determination. "I'll try," he whispered, the words a vow to himself and to those who depended on him. "But after this final mission, Gargeal, we'll all find peace. We'll live our lives without the specter of war looming over us. That's a promise I intend to keep."

Gargeal nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting Zach's unwavering resolve. "We'll do whatever it takes to make that promise a reality," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Together, we'll forge a path to peace, one step at a time."

Zach's voice wavered as he spoke, the weight of his words carrying the burden of countless lives lost in the name of conflict. "But there's no need for further blood spilled," he murmured, his tone heavy with sorrow. "We've already seen enough suffering, enough pain. It's time to put an end to the cycle of violence, to find another way forward."