Over seven years, the body of young Xerxez was forged by his vengeance against the king of Moonatoria. He trained in the forest to become a warrior with Matheros, who was older than him, and they formed a rebellion movement. Xerxez now proves to us that he too is an instrument of war—it is sad to think that war will truly disgrace hurt and defeated hearts.
Xerxez led those who joined the rebellion, secretly entering other districts of Thallerion to incite the slaves. Day and night, the slaves sweated blood that they could not wipe away with their own hands. The once abundant were starved, the once robust were thirsty, those who were once fragrant now wore stinking rags. Women's dignity was trampled upon, the elderly were forced to work—how long would they endure, if their teeth were already worn down?
The land chosen by Orion wept blood under the Bear's iron hand. Every day, they complained of the whip's lashes, like thorns endlessly struck by the Moonatorian soldiers. Whenever they saw the slaves writhing in pain, they would chuckle.
Thallerion had long been groping in the darkness for the sun to rise again, but the night was still long. They were cold like a statue that could do nothing about the vines binding them but merely watch the thickening grass. But if there is night, surely the star will also shine in the sky!
When the Bear is inside its cave, it sleeps soundly. So, when night fell, the Thallerion slaves united with Xerxez's plan: to revolt against Moonatoria. However, the Moonatorian soldiers only laughed, saying that Xerxez's challenge to the king was merely like poking a sleeping Bear in Thallerion. If the Bear awoke, they thought Xerxez would just run away. Nevertheless, Xerxez bravely challenged the King of Moonatoria to reclaim the race and nation of Thallerion because King Hedromus's oppression of Thallerion was too much.
When the King of Moonatoria discovered that the son of the Thallerion King was still alive, he did not refuse Xerxez's challenge; in fact, he really intended to kill him. In the place located between the districts of Mintaka and Rigil, which is now a full-fledged gladiatorial amphitheater, the blood-pact for a strong wager took place.
"Instead of a war, why don't we just make it a game—a duel between the two of us?" King Hedromus said to all who listened, raising his belt and sitting on a seat carried by slaves who almost groaned under the weight; weapons bound his waist. "Listen, everyone! Whoever is slain between us two—will be considered the winner." Every soldier, as well as ordinary people, listened to King Hedromus's words. "Here is the agreement: If Xerxez wins, he will reclaim the kingdom of Thallerion; but if I triumph in the battle—all of the Thallerion race will forever pull the ropes of my magnificent carriage!!!" He snickered boastfully, showing off his huge body, and picked up a spicy chicken thigh and ate it in front of Xerxez's allies, a shocking insult to all of Thallerion. The bodies of the Thallerion trembled at the Moonatorian king's challenge.
King Hedromus was highly confident he would win the duel because of his mountainous body, and he definitely had more fighting experience than a youth like Xerxez, nor could his mastery of the sword and fighting be denied. However, arrogance was his twin; he underestimated Xerxez's ability. In King Hedromus's mind, Xerxez's life was already numbered.
"I accept!!!" Xerxez replied. Xerxez stepped forward to show that he accepted the king's agreement, and he took the dagger from his waist and raised it. His palm-sized dagger glittered in the eyes of the people. Then, Xerxez slit his palm, feeling the pain of the wound as living blood flowed, but it was not visible on his face. But the eyes of his allies seemed to bulge and their mouths hung open at his decision.
All of the Thallerion felt a heavy burden, like a meteor about to fall before them. Even in dreams, they could not find hope in Xerxez's decision. They felt as if the star they looked up to at midnight would merely commit suicide in the Bear's mouth. But how could the bear bite Xerxez if its sword was already arrayed in its mouth?
Unfortunately, fate's judgment was reversed; between Moonatoria and Thallerion, they witnessed how fate judged—it did not side with the king of Moonatoria.
The fat Bear was slain by Xerxez while everyone looked up at him, turning to stone with mouths agape. Moonatoria's weapons were like dead hair that fell to the ground. He stood atop the bear, holding the impaled sword. The entire Bear's army trembled and ran like rats as the Thallerion soldiers rejoiced, many surrendered and accepted the clear defeat because that was the agreement.
"The chain that binds the land chosen by Orion is broken!!!" shouted a soldier. "Thallerion has triumphed!!! Praise Xerxez!!!" Xerxez was like a trophy, paraded and lifted by thousands of hands.