Chapter 11: A Foundation in the Ruins
Kael stood at the crumbling edge of the fortress, his gaze sweeping over the vast wasteland that stretched out before him. This place, once a proud stronghold, was now nothing more than a broken relic of the past. Yet, it was here that his journey to power would begin. He wasn't naive—he knew that rebuilding from nothing would take time, but that would not deter him. His mind was already at work, crafting a plan for the future.
Beside him, Roderick, his first general, stood quietly, waiting for Kael to speak. The ruins were silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind, but Kael could feel the tension in the air, a silent promise of the storms to come.
"Roderick," Kael began, his voice low but determined, "We're starting from nothing. This fortress, these broken walls—they won't protect us. Not yet."
Roderick nodded, a look of understanding crossing his face. "We will need more than just this place, my lord. What is your plan?"
Kael's eyes narrowed as he looked out over the desolate land. "We need to build an army—one that can grow quickly and strike with the force of a storm. But we won't start with hundreds of men. We'll begin small. The nearby villages, the ones abandoned by their lords, are our first targets. There are people out there who've lost everything. We'll offer them a new beginning."
"Mercenaries, deserters, and the like?" Roderick asked, already beginning to see the outline of Kael's plan.
"Exactly," Kael replied. "Men and women who are desperate, who have nowhere else to turn. They'll follow power, and we'll give them that power. But we won't just be recruiting warriors. We'll need scouts, spies, people who can gather information, track down resources. There are always those who are willing to serve—if the price is right."
Roderick's brow furrowed slightly. "And how will we feed them, arm them? We can't run on nothing."
Kael gave a small, knowing smile. "We won't. There are caches of supplies left over from the last war. We'll send out scouts to find them. And we'll take what we need from those who have more than enough. The world is full of places like this—hidden away, forgotten by time. We'll rebuild our strength by taking what's already there."
"And the banner?" Roderick asked, his voice steady with the weight of Kael's vision. "We'll need a banner, a symbol for those who follow you."
Kael thought for a moment, the image of the broken banners flapping weakly in the wind. His mind worked quickly, finding clarity in the midst of the uncertainty. "We'll call ourselves the Forsaken Legion. The name will speak to those who have been abandoned, to those who have no one but themselves. We'll rise from the ruins, and we'll show them that even the forsaken can become powerful."
Roderick nodded solemnly. "The Forsaken Legion. A fitting name."
Kael's gaze hardened as he turned back to face the ruin. "Yes. And it will be the first of many steps. We'll recruit, train, and prepare. Soon, we'll have an army—not just of soldiers, but of those who believe in what we're building. The world will know the name of Kael, but first, we need to start with these first few steps."
Roderick bowed his head in acknowledgement. "It will be done, my lord."
Kael watched the horizon, feeling the weight of the task ahead. It wouldn't be easy. But he was determined. The Forsaken Legion would rise, and soon, the world would hear their name. They would have their vengeance, and with it, a future forged in blood and iron.