"Truth at Last" [Part 17] Tengu Origins - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 17 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 16: “Echoes of the Past”

After returning home from the Trial of Thorns, Tengu is welcomed back to the village and admired for the powerful Thorn Armor he now wears. Later that night, a mysterious vision erupts from the armor, showing an ancient battle between the Briar Titan and a terrifying shadow creature. Tengu also sees a younger Ninetails witnessing the titan's fall, revealing that she has been hiding important truths from him. Furious over her secrecy, Tengu confronts her and demands answers, declaring that there will be no more secrets between them. 

🔷 Part 17: “Truth at Last”

Tengu's anger lingered in the air long after his words faded.

The Thorn Armor shifted across his body. Black vines curled along the edges of the metal as if responding to his frustration. Moonlight reflected from the dark thorns, casting twisted shadows across the forest floor.

Ninetails remained silent for several moments.

Then she sighed.

"You deserve answers."

Tengu folded his arms and waited.

The fox spirit slowly lifted her gaze toward the stars above.

"Long before humans built kingdoms, before villages spread across the land, powerful guardian spirits watched over the world."

"The Briar Titan was one of them?"

Ninetails nodded.

"One of the greatest."

The forest grew quiet as she spoke.

"There were many guardians in those ancient days. Some ruled the mountains. Others protected the seas, the skies, and the forests. The Briar Titan watched over the wild lands where life flourished."

Tengu listened carefully.

"What happened to them?"

Ninetails lowered her eyes.

"A war."

The single word carried a weight that made the air feel heavier.

"A terrible war."

Images from the vision flashed through Tengu's mind. The burning mountains. The shattered armies. The endless destruction.

"The creature made of shadows."

Ninetails stiffened.

Even now, speaking of it seemed difficult.

"We called it the Devourer."

The name sent a chill through Tengu's body.

"It was not a spirit. It was not a beast. It was something far older. Something that fed upon power itself."

The leaves around them rustled as a cold wind swept through the trees.

"It consumed guardians one by one. Entire regions fell into ruin wherever it appeared. The strongest spirits united to stop it."

"And the Briar Titan fought it."

"Yes."

Tengu thought back to the vision.

The impossible clash.

The earth breaking apart.

The dying titan.

"I saw the end."

Ninetails nodded slowly.

"You saw its final battle."

Pain flickered across her face.

"I was there."

For the first time, Tengu saw genuine sorrow in her eyes.

"I fought beside the Briar Titan. Many of us did."

Her voice softened.

"But even together, we could not stop the Devourer."

The silence that followed felt endless.

Finally, Tengu asked the question that had haunted him since the vision.

"The Briar Titan died."

"Yes."

The answer came quietly.

"But that is not the entire truth."

Tengu frowned.

Ninetails stepped closer.

"The guardians knew defeat was possible. Long before the final battle, they prepared for the worst."

The silver lights surrounding her tails brightened slightly.

"The Briar Titan gave up a fragment of its soul."

Tengu's eyes widened.

"What?"

"That fragment was hidden away. Preserved for a future age."

The armor around his chest suddenly felt heavier.

A realization slowly formed in his mind.

Ninetails saw it immediately.

"Yes."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"The fragment chose you."

Tengu stared at the Thorn Armor.

The dark metal seemed almost alive beneath the moonlight.

"The armor..."

"It is more than armor."

The black thorns trembled.

"The Briar Titan's soul still lives within it."

For several seconds, Tengu could not speak.

Everything suddenly made sense.

The visions.

The power.

The trial.

The titan had not truly vanished.

Part of it remained.

Then the armor pulsed.

Once.

Twice.

A deep vibration spread through Tengu's body.

The forest fell completely silent.

Even the wind stopped moving.

Ninetails froze.

Her eyes widened with fear.

The glow within the Thorn Armor intensified.

A voice echoed inside Tengu's mind.

Ancient.

Powerful.

Awake.

"The darkness stirs once more."

The light vanished.

Tengu's heart pounded against his chest.

Ninetails stared at him in horror.

Because she knew exactly what those words meant.

And somewhere far beyond the safety of the village, something had begun to awaken.

📄 Recap Questions

1. What was the name of the ancient shadow creature that defeated the Briar Titan?
2. What surprising truth did Ninetails reveal about the Thorn Armor?

🔷 Conclusion

Ninetails finally reveals the truth behind the Briar Titan and the ancient war that nearly destroyed the world. Tengu learns that the Thorn Armor contains a fragment of the titan's soul, and when the armor suddenly awakens, an ancient voice warns that a long forgotten darkness may be returning. 

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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