Nihad sat in the dark depths of the dungeon. The chains on his hands were heavy, but the weight of responsibility on his shoulders was far greater. He wanted to prove the king's evil—to reveal how the king exploited his people and mercilessly destroyed the innocent. He was not seeking revenge; he wanted justice. But he could not achieve that while rotting in a dungeon. He had to escape.
One night, the sound of water dripping from the damp dungeon walls caught his attention. But these drops were different from the others. They seemed to follow a rhythm, as if trying to tell him something. When he listened carefully, he heard a deep, echoing voice.
"You… the soul who fights for truth… you can hear me, can't you?"
Nihad shuddered. Perhaps it was a hallucination, or a cruel trick of the dungeon. But the voice felt too real to ignore.
"Who are you? Who is speaking to me?" he asked, scanning the darkness.
The voice echoed again.
"I am Fereydun, the god of waters and flow. I am bound to a power imprisoned deep within this dungeon. I can feel your determination and your faith in justice. You possess a spirit strong enough to reach me. But if you ask something from me, know that there will be a price."
Nihad knew he could not break free from the chains on his own. But this opportunity might give him a chance to prove the king's cruelty and reveal the truth.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"I seek justice, Fereydun. I want to expose how the king has corrupted the people and abused their trust. I must leave this place to do that. Help me."
This time, the water god's voice returned with a stronger echo.
"I can give you my power, Nihad. You will be able to control the flow and might of water. But we must make an agreement. I will grant you a portion of my power, and you will use it only to reveal the truth. When your task is complete, however, your soul will belong to me. Water never stops flowing—this will be your fate as well. Do you accept?"
Nihad hesitated. But the screams of innocent people from his village echoed in his mind. The price was heavy, but it was a sacrifice worth making for the freedom of his people and the truth.
He closed his eyes and answered.
"I accept. If this power will help reveal the king's true face, I will give you my soul."
Suddenly, the water droplets on the dungeon walls began to move. Small streams flowed toward Nihad's chains. The water circled around them, slowly eroding the metal.
In an instant, the chains fell to the ground, crumbling into grains of sand.
Nihad felt a cold but powerful energy spreading through his hands. Water had become a part of him. He tried forming a small wave with his hands, and the water obeyed him.
The voice of the water god echoed once more.
"Now the power of water flows through your veins. But remember—this power exists to reveal the truth. If you use it for any other purpose, our agreement will break, and your soul will become mine instantly."
Nihad nodded and began climbing out of the depths of the dungeon. Water guided him, opening paths before him. When guards tried to capture him, water shields pushed them back. The stone walls of the dungeon split apart under the force of the water he controlled, giving him a path to freedom.
After escaping, Nihad followed the guidance of water and quickly made his way toward the palace. He was forming a plan to prove the king's cruelty and how he had exploited his people. His goal was not to kill the king, but to reveal the king's true face to the people.
The power given by the water was both a blessing and a curse. Fereydun's words echoed in his mind with every step.
Using the power of water, Nihad would expose the king's secrets and free his people once again. And for that, he was ready to sacrifice his own soul.
"The way to overthrow the king's throne is to bring his darkness into the light," he murmured to himself.
His eyes were fixed firmly on the palace.
Soon, the truth would flow everywhere like water.
---
Nahid had barely survived the deadly battle against the demon. His body was exhausted, and his mind was filled with conflicting emotions. The betrayal of his brother and the cruelty of the king had shaken his faith. But this defeat gave birth to a new determination within him.
He had to rise again and become stronger to fulfill his purpose.
Taking a deep breath, Nahid gathered himself and began searching for his master—the one who had once trained him at the temple. His master had taught him the limits of flame power, but also the dangers that came with it.
For days, Nahid traveled while tending to his wounds. At last, he reached the temple hidden deep within the forest.
When his master saw Nahid wounded and exhausted, he was surprised. Yet there was also pride in his eyes, because Nahid's survival proved his determination and faith.
Nahid stepped before his master and knelt.
"Master… train me again. I must become stronger. My power is not enough to protect the people and the truth."
His master spoke in a calm but deep voice.
"Nahid, you must never forget that the flames that carried you this far can also destroy you. Seeking more power on this path is a decision with a heavy price. But if you are determined, I will teach you one final technique."
Nahid's eyes shone with determination.
"I am ready to pay any price, Master."
The master remained silent for a moment, then told him about a forbidden flame technique called "The Apocalypse of Flames."
This technique would allow Nahid to gather all of his flame power and detonate his own body like a bomb. The explosion would spread across a 13-kilometer radius, powerful enough to turn everything to ash.
But if Nahid used it, all of his flame power would be completely exhausted and would never return. It would be the final manifestation of his power.
Nahid hesitated for a moment, but the determination burning in his eyes did not fade.
"If this power will expose the king's mask and end this evil, then I accept the price—whatever it may be."
His master began training him.
Days and nights passed as Nahid pushed his limits and mastered the control of The Apocalypse of Flames. He was stronger now, but he was fully aware of the danger of using this power.
Meanwhile, Nicat had reached the palace.
Having mastered dark magic, Nicat was brought before the king. The king greeted him with surprise—and suspicion.
Nicat bowed calmly and began to speak.
"Your Majesty, I have a proposal."
The king frowned.
"What kind of proposal? And why should I listen to you, Nicat?"
Nicat continued confidently.
"If you cooperate with me, I promise to protect you from every threat. My power has merged with the power of demons. There is no threat left that can stand against me. I will do anything for you—as long as I serve under your command."
Although the king was impressed by Nicat's power, he did not accept immediately.
"And what is the price of this cooperation?" the king asked suspiciously. "Someone like you would not offer loyalty for nothing."
A sinister smile appeared on Nicat's face.
"Yes, I want something in return. I will destroy every threat that stands against you… but you will give me complete authority. Whatever I want, you will allow."
The king did not like those words. He was about to refuse the offer when Nicat spoke again in a cold voice.
"Your Majesty… I must warn you about something. Nihad, who has gained power from the water god, is coming here. His goal is to reveal all your evil deeds and overthrow your throne. His power is far beyond that of an ordinary warrior. He wants to show the people that you are a monster."
The king flinched at these words.
Nicat continued, making his warning even more frightening.
"And Nihad is not alone. He has also learned a forbidden flame power. If he comes to the palace with that power, he will destroy not only you—but the entire kingdom. With such a threat approaching, you need an ally like me."
The king realized he had no other choice.
He had to accept Nicat's offer.
Yet in his mind, he had his own plan. If Nicat's power ever became uncontrollable, he would find a way to eliminate him.
Meanwhile, Nahid was moving toward the palace with even greater determination, strengthened by the training of his master and the power of the water god.
He was no longer just a warrior.
He had become the bearer of truth.
Nahid's goal was not to kill the king, but to reveal his true face to the people. However, when he learned about Nicat's betrayal and the king's acceptance of this dangerous alliance, he realized he would need to prepare for an even greater battle.
While the king prepared to use Nicat's dark power to protect his throne and reputation, Nahid approached the gates of the palace, ready to shatter all of their plans.
The truth would soon emerge—within the smoke of war.