"A King's Absence" [Part 5] Leonida's Quest - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 5 of Leonidas' quest. We will be following the story of how he became one of the most formidable leaders in history and all of the trials and challenges he faced in his lifetime to get to the pinnacle of life. It started when he was a young boy and had some incredible moments in his life, which led him to be the incredible leader he is today.

However, there is a goddess who has taken hold of his heart, which has caused him many problems in life, and now he must make difficult decisions to fix his errors.

🔷 Summary of Part 4:  “A Crown and a Heart”

Leonidas finds himself trapped between the pull of a mysterious goddess’s love and his unwavering duty to his kingdom, his mind and heart slowly unraveling as both worlds demand his soul. As his men’s trust begins to crack and his leadership falters, he realizes a painful truth—something must give, but the cost of either choice feels unbearable.

🔷 Part 5: “A King’s Absence” 

Leonidas found himself drawn back to the misty forest, where the goddess waited. Her presence was no longer a whisper—it was a roar in his soul, a burning need he couldn’t resist. One evening, without a word to his council, he vanished into the woods, leaving behind his armor, his crown, and his responsibilities. His heart beat faster as he entered the clearing where she appeared to him, radiant and ethereal.

“You came back,” she murmured, her voice a soothing balm to his restless mind.

“I couldn’t stay away,” Leonidas admitted, his voice barely more than a breath.

Time blurred. The world beyond her touch ceased to matter. He lost himself in her warmth, her promises of peace, and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, he felt free. Days passed in a haze of passion and tranquility. He didn’t think about his men, his kingdom, or the looming war. He didn’t care.

But Sparta did.

The goblins struck under the cover of night, an endless swarm of snarling creatures that poured into the camp like a wave of living darkness. Leaderless and disoriented, the Spartan warriors fought valiantly, but they were scattered and overwhelmed. Darius rallied as many as he could, holding the line for hours, but it wasn’t enough. Leandros fell in the thick of the fighting, his young voice silenced forever. The camp burned, and when dawn broke, the once-great Spartan legion was broken and bloodied.

Leonidas returned days later, his heart still soaring from his time with the goddess. He expected to find his people waiting, his men training, his kingdom enduring. Instead, he was met with smoke and death.

His throat tightened. The air was thick with the stench of burning wood and flesh. Bodies lined the dirt roads—men he had fought beside, laughed with, bled with. He stumbled through the wreckage, his voice hoarse as he called for Darius, for anyone.

Darius emerged from the ruins, his face hardened by grief and fury. His armor was dented, his sword chipped, and his eyes burned with betrayal.

“You left us,” Darius spat, his voice low and trembling. “While you chased dreams and whispers, we bled. They died.”

Leonidas tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. His gaze dropped to Leandros’ lifeless body, the boy’s face frozen in a look of determination. Guilt stabbed through him like a spear.

“I... I didn’t know,” Leonidas whispered, his voice hollow.

“You should have,” Darius growled. “A king doesn’t get to disappear. Not when his people need him.”

The remaining Spartans gathered around, their expressions cold and unforgiving. Once, they would have died for him without hesitation. Now, they looked at him as though he were a stranger.

“You’re no king of ours,” one man muttered bitterly.

Shunned and broken, Leonidas sank to his knees among the ruins of his failure. The goddess’s touch still lingered on his skin, but it felt hollow now—a distant, mocking reminder of what his selfishness had cost. He had to make it right.

With his heart heavy and his soul aflame with guilt, Leonidas rose. He would earn their trust again, or he would die trying.

📄 Recap Questions

How will Leonidas ever recover from such a horrendous error?

Will he be able to regain the love and trust of his people after abandoning his men and country?

🔷 Conclusion

Leonidas has made his decision, and it will have more consequences than he would have ever realized. This choice will lead to a cascade of problems that he will now have to try and fix.

His journey will be an uphill battle to win back the approval of his people. 

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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