Saamu had always thought power was the key to everything especially victory, control, respect. After all, his father had wielded power on the battlefield, and Saamu had admired him for it. But now, standing in the ruins of the world he had once known, he began to question everything.
The sun had risen once more, but it did little to ease the weight in Saamu's chest. The kingdom he sought to build, a kingdom born of blood and destruction was taking shape around him, but it felt hollow. The beast within him was louder now, more insistent. The river goddess whispered her promises in his ear, urging him to claim what was rightfully his.
"The world will bend to your will, Saamu. You are a king, and they will serve you."
Saamu's eyes narrowed as he looked out over the scattered remnants of the village. He had spent the last few days consolidating his power, using the river goddess's magic to subdue any remaining resistance. He was unstoppable and no army could defeat him, no kingdom could rival his might. And yet, he felt more alone than ever before.
The girl, who had once offered him hope, had left the camp with the other survivors, her words still echoing in his mind. "A king of light, not shadows." Her plea had stayed with him, piercing through the darkness in his heart. But the beast inside him was stronger than ever, urging him to cast aside any weakness.
Saamu paced back and forth, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. His power, his strength, his ability to control everything and everyone, it was intoxicating, but it was also dangerous. He could feel it, the emptiness that came with ruling through fear, the constant gnawing hunger for more. It was never enough.
A rustle behind him broke his thoughts. Saamu turned to see the man who had guided him, standing quietly at the edge of the camp. The man's face was grim, his eyes clouded with worry.
"I see you're still wrestling with yourself," the man said quietly, his voice low and measured.
Saamu didn't respond at first, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do anymore," he finally admitted, the words tasting foreign on his tongue. "I have all the power I could ever want, but I can't shake the feeling that something is missing."
The man stepped closer, his expression softening. "You have power, yes. But it's not the power you need to be a true king. A king rules with wisdom, with compassion. Power without purpose is just destruction. You need something more than the beast, Saamu. You need a heart that guides the power, not a thirst for domination."
Saamu clenched his fists, the river goddess's voice rising within him in a rush of fury. "You are the king, Saamu. Don't listen to him. He speaks of weakness. You are above all of them!"
But Saamu's gaze faltered, and for the first time in days, doubt crept into his heart. He had used the beast to crush his enemies, to silence the voices of those who challenged him. But now, the weight of his decisions felt like a crushing burden. He could feel the river goddess's power very strong and uncontrollable flowing through him, but it wasn't enough to fill the emptiness inside.
"You're right," Saamu muttered, his voice strained. "I've ruled through fear, through power. But I'm starting to see that it's not the kind of king I want to be. The beast within me is powerful, but it's not the answer."
The man nodded, a faint smile crossing his lips. "It's good to see you recognize that. Power is a tool, Saamu, but it must be wielded with a clear purpose. The choices you make now will shape the world you rule. You still have time to choose the kind of king you will be."
Saamu looked out over the ruined village, his heart heavy with the weight of his choices. His power had come at a great cost, but there was still time to make a different decision. The river goddess's power surged within him, whispering promises of domination and control. It was a temptation he couldn't ignore, but for the first time, he felt the pull of something deeper.
"What if I choose a different path?" he thought, the question lingering in his mind like a faint whisper. What if he could be a king who ruled with strength, but also with compassion? What if he could use his power to build, not destroy?
But as the beast inside him roared in response to the question, Saamu knew it wouldn't be easy. The darkness inside him was strong, and the river goddess would not relinquish her hold on him without a fight. He would have to fight against the very thing that had made him what he was.
And yet, the possibility of something more lingered, like a flicker of light in the depths of his soul.
Saamu took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to steady his thoughts. The beast was still there, but he wasn't ready to let it consume him. Not yet.
"Thank you," Saamu said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll make my choice."
The man nodded, placing a hand on Saamu's shoulder. "It's not too late. You can still change the world, Saamu. But first, you must change yourself."
Saamu nodded, the weight of his decision still heavy on his heart. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: the path ahead would be difficult. The beast within him would fight to be free, but Saamu had learned something important in the days since his village had fallen. Power wasn't everything. Strength wasn't enough.
He needed to find the balance in between the king he could be and the monster he feared becoming.
As the wind picked up, Saamu turned back to face the horizon. The kingdom he sought to build was still within his grasp, but the true question was not whether he could conquer the world, but whether he could conquer himself.
The journey was far from over.
And Saamu was ready to face whatever came next.