Titan King: Ascension of the Giant-Chapter 781: Stagnant Strength

"I understand," Orion said, his voice level. "The Commander and the Deputy Commander have always aided me greatly. In that moment of despair... yes, the resentment was strong. But I’ve had time to think. If I had fallen then, it would only have meant that I was not yet strong enough."

He spoke with an unflinching honesty. When dealing with old wolves like Alexander and Leonidas, truth was the only currency that mattered. Deception was a fool’s game.

"Yes," Alexander said softly. "The only one you can truly rely on... is yourself."

Orion’s head snapped toward him, surprised. The very same thought had just crossed his own mind.

"What, are you shocked?" Alexander asked, a rare, faint smile touching his lips. "Did you think you were the only one to have such a revelation? Heh. The desperate situations that I, Leonidas, and Arthas have faced are beyond counting. We did not reach the peak of the Archlord rank by finding a quiet corner of the universe and meditating for a few centuries."

He turned, meeting Orion’s gaze. In the depths of Alexander’s eyes, Orion saw not the cold killer, but a profound calm, an acceptance of the world as it is, and beneath it all, a flicker of inexplicable warmth.

"In truth, we often overthink these things," Alexander continued, turning away again. He stared toward the distant mountains, his expression serene, almost beatific. "Stare down death, and meet defiance with battle. That is all."

He began to walk, his stride long and purposeful.

Stare down death, and meet defiance with battle? Orion chewed on the words, pondering their deep, simple truth. After a moment, he shook his head and strode to catch up.

"Once you have the Spring of Life," Alexander said as they approached the mountain pass, his voice once more the quiet murmur of the wind. "Go into seclusion. Settle your mind. You have the heart of a true predator. I have no doubt you will forge your body of faith and ascend to the rank of Archlord."

It was both a reminder and a statement of expectation. And it was the last thing he said before they entered the mountains, and silence fell between them once more.

Dusk Continent, the Kadira Hills.

The name was new, chosen by the giants for the lands they now called home. In their tongue, Kadira meant ’The Conquered Place’. It was a vast territory, encompassing the thousand leagues of land surrounding Red Moon Valley.

In the most populated part of Kadira, a colossal tent had been raised. It was the Chieftain’s Tent, built by the giants in honor of their king, Orion. For what is a tribe of giants without a tent for their lord? Though Orion had not yet taken up residence, its presence was a powerful symbol.

Nearly every evening, hunting parties would return and gather in the open space before it, lighting great bonfires that roared against the encroaching dark. The flames lit the night, but they also kindled a growing fire of unity in the hearts of the people.

Here, giants from a dozen different clans and tribes found a shared sense of belonging. They gathered around the flames, sharing their kills, boasting of their deeds on the battlefield. The deep call of war horns and the reedy tune of bone flutes would often rise, and the people would dance and celebrate, their joy uninhibited.

"It has been a long time since I have felt so alive," Rendall said, lowering the great horn from his lips. It was his call that had echoed through the party moments before. The horns of the giants were massive, and it took one whose veins flowed with immense vitality to make them sing.

"I can count the memories this bright on one hand," he continued, a happy, distant smile on his face. "The most vivid was when Orion and Clymene ascended to the Alpha-rank. For three days and three nights, the bonfires never died, and the ale and meat never stopped flowing. That was the way, back then. Any time one of our own reached that rank, we feasted."

The memory was a warmth that never faded.

"I was not yet a man then, not allowed on the hunts," said Fergus, handing Rendall a sizzling cut of roasted meat and a horn of ale. "Like the other youths, I knew the bite of hunger more often than not. The winters in the Black Forest were so cold... so hungry." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"But after Orion ascended, our bellies were full," Fergus went on, his own eyes gleaming with the memory. "I remember that winter... my first taste of an Alpha-beast’s flesh. It was tough and chewy and full of fire. After I ate it, a heat filled my body, and I could not sleep for two days and two nights."

He fell silent for a moment, the memory bittersweet. Clymene had still been alive then.

"Heh, I remember mine, too," Thundar rumbled from Rendall’s other side. "The tribe celebrated for three days when I ascended."

He raised his cask of ale and clanked it against Rendall’s. "And look at us now! These young ones have nothing to do but make more young ones, and the Tribe itself will raise them! Food, training, shelter... they want for nothing. This is the greatest era in the history of the giants."

Rendall looked out at the warriors performing a war dance around the fire, his eyes half-closed. The flickering light and the blurring shapes of his people filled his vision.

"Arch-Elder," Thundar said, "we must have more nights like this."

He was right. In an atmosphere like this, warriors found partners. It was one of the surest ways to grow their numbers. That was Rendall’s purpose here: to give his people the time, the security, and the resources to multiply.

The three old friends drank deeply. After some time, when Rendall and Thundar were swaying with drink, Fergus leaned close to the Arch-Elder.

"Arch-Elder," he whispered, "I saw her at the front lines. Clymene. She has ascended. She is a Lord now... powerful, proud, more majestic than ever before."

"She who was your greatest student(disciple)... she who took me in when I was a lost orphan... If you wish to see her, you could travel to Marshlight Sanctuary."

Rendall did not reply. He merely gave a great, drunken belch, leaned back against a giant log, and began to snore.

Fergus watched him for a moment, unconcerned. An Alpha-rank warrior like Rendall could not truly get drunk, and even if he could, his senses would remain sharp.

The Arch-Elder’s silence was its own answer. Fergus rose and walked away.

Only when he was gone did Rendall open his eyes. He stared up at the misty sky that veiled the stars.

So, Clymene too has advanced, he thought, a familiar ache in his heart. Good... that is good... Now, it is only my strength that remains stagnant...

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