"Defend or Pursue” [Part 7] Tengu Origins - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 7 of my new Tengu series. 

This will be inspired by the new release of Tengu in our game and incorporating his legend within the realm of Norheim.  His story will be roughly based on his historical legend with a twist from within the game we know and love.

I will be bringing 1 or 2 new episodes per week so stay tuned for more!

🔷 Recap Part 6:  “Between Steel and Flame”

Tengu clashed with Cid’s advancing soldiers on the beach, using wind and precision to break their formation while protecting villagers caught in the battle. As fires spread through the village, Tengu faced a critical choice between pursuing Cid or saving the trapped civilians.

🔷 Part 7:  “Defend or Pursue”

The scream from within the burning huts broke the stillness of Tengu’s decision.

Flames crawled along the dry wood of the village roofs. Smoke rolled thick across the sand and into the forest edge. The wind tugged harder at his cloak as if urging him toward the fire.

Across the beach El Cid still watched him.

For a moment neither moved.

Then Tengu turned away.

The wind carried him across the sand in a sudden rush. He passed the front line of soldiers before they could react. Heat struck his face as he reached the first burning hut. The doorway had collapsed inward and sparks poured out with the smoke.

Inside he could hear coughing.

Tengu lifted his staff and drove the end of it beneath the broken beam. Wind surged around him in a tight spiral. The current lifted the charred wood just enough for him to shove it aside. He stepped through the doorway and vanished into the smoke.

Two villagers huddled inside. A mother shielded a small child beneath her arms. Flames crept along the wall behind them.

Tengu knelt and wrapped one arm around them both.

The wind answered his call again. A narrow current pushed outward from the hut, clearing the thick smoke just long enough for him to move. He carried the pair through the doorway and into the open air.

The soldiers nearby hesitated.

For a moment they watched the winged guardian place the villagers gently in the sand near the forest roots.

Then the command came.

“Advance.”

Cid had not raised his voice. He did not need to.

The line of shields began to move again, slower than before but steady. Instead of charging the guardian they split into two forces. One pressed toward the village center while the other turned toward the treeline.

Tengu saw the movement as he turned back toward the fire.

Another cry rose from deeper within the huts.

He ran again.

The wind followed close behind him. It wrapped low along the ground and tore sparks away from the burning roofs. Each step carried him farther into the smoke. He kicked open a door and found two fishermen trapped beneath a fallen beam.

His blade flashed once. The rope that held their nets snapped apart and the beam rolled free.

Outside the soldiers continued their advance.

Cid walked among them with the calm patience of a hunter. His gaze followed the guardian moving from hut to hut.

He had seen enough.

The winged warrior would not abandon the helpless.

Cid lifted his sword and pointed it toward the forest.

Half the soldiers changed direction immediately. Their shields shifted as they marched toward the treeline where villagers gathered in frightened clusters.

The other half kept pressure on the burning village.

Tengu emerged from the smoke carrying another survivor. He set the man beside the others and finally looked across the widening battlefield.

The soldiers were no longer focused on him.

They were spreading past him.

The line moving toward the forest was already halfway across the sand.

Tengu felt the wind tighten around his shoulders.

Cid had not needed to defeat him.

He had only needed to understand him.

Far across the beach the commander lowered his sword and met the guardian’s eyes once more.

This time the signal had already been given.

The battle had become two battles.

And Tengu could not be in both places at once.

📄 Recap Questions

1. Why did Tengu choose to turn away from El Cid and rush into the burning village?
2. What strategy did El Cid use after realizing Tengu would always protect the villagers?

🔷 Conclusion

Tengu saved many lives within the burning huts, but his mercy opened the battlefield in a dangerous way. As Cid’s forces split and advanced toward the forest, the guardian now faced a new challenge that would test both his strength and his resolve.

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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