After slaughtering nearly the entire population of Migase, leaving only a few women and children as captives, Billok stood at the center of the ravaged village. What should have been a glorious victory instead left him restless—an unease he couldn't quite hide. His eyes, sharp and searching, scanned every smoking ruin, looking for something—or someone—that wasn't there.
Rogg.
"Foolish," he muttered, kicking a charred piece of timber at his feet. "How can I savor this victory if my true enemy isn't even here?"
His heart roiled with unrest. Rogg—his rival, the one who had once humiliated him and stained the name of the great Billok—had not shown up. Not even as Migase, his homeland, was reduced to ash without a real fight. Instead of sweet satisfaction, Rogg's absence left the victory hollow. Worse, it planted a seed of fear in Billok's chest. What is Rogg planning out there? he wondered.
Far away, deep in the eastern lands of Megido, Rogg was preparing for the long journey home to Whiteheaven. His body was covered in wounds, and his warriors—equally battered—looked more like ghosts than men. Some could barely stand. The Mozkdu Forest had witnessed their grim triumph over the entire Lagosh force and the revenge they wrought upon Galosh. But the cost had been immense. Of all the Migase soldiers who had set out, only a quarter had returned. Some had chosen to stay behind in Mozkdu, starting new lives with women from the Naavi tribe.
Back in Migase, Billok's fury continued to boil over.
"Did any of you see the commander of their army? Rogg! The one who defeated me before!" Billok shouted at his soldiers.
"No, sir. We didn't see him at all. None of Migase's warriors are left," one soldier replied, his voice trembling slightly.
"Make sure! Find out! Maybe he was crushed by Daguda! Go—pursue Daguda's force in the upper valley!" Billok barked, his voice laced with frustration.
"Yes, sir! We'll find out immediately!" The troops rushed off toward the Kavusi cliffs, the site of the last battle between the Migase warriors and the other Balevad forces led by Daguda.
Meanwhile, young Balaraniyan—son of Bala—was hiding in the heights of a coconut tree. The child's tears streamed down his face as he watched the massacre unfold below. His body trembled, not only from fear, but from the stinging bites of black ants crawling over his skin. He bit his lip to keep from making a sound. From his perch, he saw the Balevad soldiers ensuring that not a single house was spared from the flames.
After they finished looting, the Balevad army began to move on, hauling away their spoils and prisoners. But Billok remained, motionless, staring out at the ruins. There was only one thing he still hoped for: that Rogg would appear, so he could finally settle the score.
"Sir, night is falling. We should set up camp on the cliffs. The troops are waiting," one of the soldiers reminded him.
"I'm not leaving until I see Rogg! He will face me!" Billok clenched his fists, his eyes burning with hatred.
"Daguda acted harshly, my lord. He even killed some of our soldiers, claiming we didn't give him proper support. He's furious."
Billok's expression changed instantly."What?! Daguda dared to kill my soldiers? Is he looking for trouble with me?!" he roared, his voice seething with rage.
Without wasting another second, Billok and his forces rushed toward the cliffs of Kavusi. A confrontation with Daguda was clearly about to ignite a new chapter in this escalating conflict.
Yet amidst it all, the shadow of Rogg continued to haunt Billok's mind. Where is he? What is he planning? The mix of anger and unease gnawed at him like poison, fueling the tension as they left Migase's valley behind and climbed toward the cliffside encampment.
Upon arriving, Billok was met with a scene that made his blood boil. Daguda stood in the middle of the camp, massive and furious, clutching one of Billok's soldiers by the collar. The man was already badly beaten, and the rest of Billok's troops stood frozen in place, too afraid to intervene—none dared to defy Daguda. Even with thousands under Billok's command, the savage reputation of Daguda struck fear into them all.
Billok approached, his steps heavy, eyes ablaze with fury."Daguda! Release my soldier at once!" he shouted.
Daguda turned with a mocking laugh."Billok. So you finally showed your face. You marched into the valley with your army and refused to help me—now you think you have the right to give me orders?"
"What you're doing is unacceptable. The battle is over, Daguda. He's one of my men!"
"Unacceptable?" Daguda snarled. "The only thing unacceptable here is you, Billok! You left me to fight alone while you looted the valley. You let my men be slaughtered! You even took spoils that should have been mine! And now you dare speak of what's proper?"With a snarl, Daguda hurled the soldier to the ground.
Billok clenched his fists, his breath sharp and fast."I warn you, Daguda. Don't stir trouble in my camp."
Daguda stepped closer, voice dripping with scorn."Or what, Billok? You think I'm afraid of you? If you're truly a warrior, let's settle this right now. One-on-one, in a Balaidos Duel. Right here. Right now."
Billok paused. He knew Daguda's strength was far above average. A duel with him would be a deadly gamble. He had no desire to throw away his life in a moment of rage. But he couldn't afford to show hesitation either."I don't have time for your ego, Daguda. But if you keep pushing things here, you'll regret it."
Daguda laughed coldly."You're a coward, Billok! Afraid to lose in front of your own men, aren't you?"
Billok remained silent, but his mind raced. Daguda's too powerful to face head-on. I'll need another way to get rid of him.
That night, Billok set his plan into motion. He ordered his soldiers to slaughter Daguda's entire unit while they slept. The attack was swift and merciless. Caught off guard, Daguda's remaining fifty men were helpless against the overwhelming numbers of Billok's forces. In minutes, they were wiped out.
Now, Daguda sat at the center of the camp, his body battered, wrists and ankles bound tightly by Billok's soldiers. His head hung low, but the fire in his eyes still burned.
"Billok... I never thought you'd stoop this low. Killing my men in their sleep? You truly are a coward," Daguda said in a low, seething voice.
Billok gave him a cruel smile."I have nothing to prove to you, Daguda. You lost, and I won. That's all that matters."
Daguda raised his head, eyes sharp with defiance."If you're truly a warrior, then I challenge you—fight me in the Balaidos Duel. One-on-one. Prove your courage!"
Billok chuckled softly, looking down at Daguda like he was a broken toy."Why should I grant your wish, Daguda? Haven't I already given you what you wanted?"
Daguda growled."You gave me the spoils only to hide your fear. You know damn well you could never defeat me."
Billok leaned closer, his voice low and taunting."And you enjoyed it, didn't you? That woman... how did she feel, Daguda? Did she please you before I destroyed you?"
Daguda's bound fists clenched, his whole body trembling with fury."You tricked me, Billok! You gave me that woman just to weaken my guard. You're a filthy snake!"
Billok's smirk widened."Minora? Oh, she was a precious gift, wasn't she? Beautiful, skilled... I knew she'd distract you. And I was right, Daguda. You were far too easy to manipulate."
Daguda let out a furious roar, struggling against his restraints."You'll pay for this, Billok! I swear, if I ever get out of here, I'll crush you with my bare hands!"
"You should've known, Daguda," Billok said coldly. "This won't go unanswered."
The dagger in his hand gleamed under the torchlight, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he drove its tip into Daguda's chest.
Daguda winced in pain. His sharp eyes still burned with hatred, but he couldn't move—his body was bound tightly. Crimson blood poured from the wound in his chest, soaking the earth beneath them. He collapsed to his knees as the world around him began to spin.
"Billok… you bastard!" Daguda shouted, gasping for air, struggling to lift himself despite the searing pain. "You tricked me! You coward! Fight me like a man, if you truly have the guts!"
Billok stood tall, his face expressionless. His eyes looked down on Daguda with pure contempt."Fair?" Billok said softly, his voice cutting through Daguda like a bolt of lightning. "You speak of fairness after what you've done? After you slaughtered so many of my men—was that fair? You talk of duels, but you're not even worthy to be my opponent."
With a swift motion, Billok pulled out his dagger and took a step back."You're not on my level, Daguda. I am a prince. A leader born and raised in power—not a common thug foolish enough to challenge me with muscle and false bravery."
Daguda coughed up blood, his face flushed with fury and pain."Don't you dare belittle me, Billok. If you're so mighty, then why not fight me barehanded? Why use such filth and treachery to defeat me?"
Billok gave a cold smirk."Because, Daguda, that's how you survive. A true leader chooses the battles he must win. And I always win. You? You were just another obstacle that needed to be removed."
Behind them, Billok's young soldiers stood frozen, unsure of how to react. They had never seen anything like this. Conflicted and anxious, they kept their eyes on their commander who had already made his choice.
Billok turned to them, his voice commanding and clear."Have any of you ever been in real battle? Have you ever felt the weight of driving a sword through a commander's chest? If not—today is your first."
Their eyes widened in fear. It was an order, one they could not refuse, no matter how much terror filled their hearts. They had seen how Billok dealt with his enemies—merciless and cold. Now, they would witness how he ended Daguda.
Billok looked into the eyes of each young warrior."You will learn what it feels like to take a life. To end the reign of a leader. If you want to be part of this army, you must be ready. There is no room for hesitation."
Still on the ground, Daguda lifted his head."Are you all blind? Don't follow someone like Billok! He's a traitor! He's lied to every one of you!"
But Daguda's voice was nothing more than a dying whisper in the ears of Billok's troops. One by one, they stepped forward. And one by one, they drove their swords into Daguda's body. Their faces were painted with terror, confusion, and guilt.
Daguda screamed, thrashing against his bonds, but his strength was fading fast. Each stab tore through him until his great body collapsed, torn apart by blades he never imagined would turn against him.
Billok stood motionless, watching the gruesome death with cold, unreadable eyes."Take his body and feed it to the beast," he ordered calmly, his voice laced with authority. "The rest of you—prepare to return. This is over."
Without delay, several soldiers dragged what was left of Daguda's shredded corpse to the massive hyena they kept as a war pet. The beast, starved and savage, tore into the body eagerly, leaving behind only tattered remnants of flesh.
Around them, Billok's army began packing up, their minds accepting Daguda's end as a settled fate. But even after eliminating one of his greatest threats, something still gnawed at Billok—Rogg.
He stood at the edge of the camp, his eyes staring into the distance."I've destroyed Migase, slain Daguda, and completed every mission I was given," he said to himself. But a flicker of unease lingered. "Then why do I still feel unsettled? Where is Rogg?"
Rogg's shadow clung to his thoughts like a curse. Billok knew that despite all his victories, nothing would ever be complete until Rogg was brought down.
"Rogg... where are you?" he murmured, the words echoing with an emptiness only he could feel. "I know you'll come. And this time, I'll make sure there's no escape."
Then, Billok laughed quietly and turned away, leaving behind not even bones of Daguda. That night, he felt triumphant—not just because of his army's strength, but because of the brutal cunning that had once again restored his place at the top.