Khanuk Delkhii Yertöns

The smell of burning flesh filled the ger as Khanuk's glowed a deep red, each emitting a thin wisp of dark smoke. His ears twitched wildly as he was thrown back into his millennia-old memories. He once again recalled the brutal end his Süns-Ezen had met at the hands of the Döyadd. The only acceptable repentance for the murder would be an equally brutal death. Khanuk exhaled through his large nostrils and his eyes began to roll back, he felt his consciousness eased into the notorious barbaric rage that had served him well in years past. His descent was quickly halted by the fear he sensed from Oktai and his eyes met the boy's face, finding it drawn and painted with unease. “Easy, Süns-Ezen, you will meet no harm from me as long as my heart is my own.”

“Forgive me, Khaan, I rarely find myself in the company of such powerful beings.” Khanuk chuckled deeply and the conversation faded into a gentle silence for a few moments. The burning wood crackle and the tongues of flame licked the edges of the dugout fire pit.

“The Döyadd could not pose much of a threat. The force within this camp could surely lay waste to a weak village,” Khanuk said. He watched as Oktai’s eyebrows drew together before he spoke.

“Much has changed since you have walked with us,” The boy spoke softly and solemnly. “The Döyadd seized control of multiple small clans seasons past and have forced scores of people to forsake the true ways of the Ezen. They seek to unite all of Iilgon under their godless banner.” Khanuk’s eyes darkened as he let out a low grunt. “One would need to amass an army in order to even pose an annoyance to the Döyadd in their current state of power, ” the boy continued. “One would need to harness powers beyond that of the Ezen.” Khanuk nodded, realizing what he needed to do, and allowed his eyes to slide closed as he began to recite.

“Four spirits

Four seasons

Four idols and masters

As the world turns

And the gods burn

Iilgon shall be torn

By union forged from scorn

Between those foul and those lowborn

With the vestige of divinities

With the force of four elements

The union will be broken

Drawn from the land

As infection from flesh

The Star of Oyuunchimeg

Enkhtaivny Iveel

Mother of Sky

Upon a mountain

Who kisses the heavens

The Star shines

With a light to blind

The untrained mind

The Heart of Sarnai

Khün Büriig Khairla

Temptress of Stream

Within a pool

Whose shallows are ever chased by moonlight

The Heartbeats

Embraced by the will to halt

The blood of those at fault,”

Khanuk opened his eyes as he heard Oktai's voice rise to join him as both uttered the ancient prophecy. Oktai's eyes glittered with excitement and a small smile danced across his lips. Khanuk felt his ears flap as they began his stanzas.

“The Staff of Khanuk

Delkhii Yertöns

Champion of Man

Engulfed in flame

Who burns eternally upon the steppe

The Staff waits

Acting as shield and slayer

The wielder feels no pain as affrayer

The Blade of Sukhbataar

Agnuuryn Udirdagch

Father of Earth

Buried in the ground

A cavern who meets no light

The Blade gleams

Reflecting the true face

And stunning the foul in place

Unite these powers

And reveal hidden answers

Free Iilgon

So we may dance in the light of the moon,”

As the prophecy ended the ger faded into silence, a heavy silence weighed down by expectations of the unavoidable task set before the pair. “Khanuk, do you know the location of these idols and weapons?” Oktai asked.

“Of course, boy. I had a fair hand in the hiding, ” Khanuk replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his thick, bovine mouth.