RISE OF THE ORIGINAL

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 52              THE PATH OF FIRE AND JADE

Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance General Bale stood at the foot of the grand palace of Lord Azril, his gaze sweeping over the architectural wonder before him. The palace loomed high above the mist-laden mountains, an imposing testament to power and divine rule. Towering pagoda-style roofs curved like dragon’s wings, their gilded edges reflecting the crimson hues of the setting sun. Enormous red and black columns carved with swirling motifs of serpents and celestial warriors stood in unwavering silence, bearing witness to centuries of conquest and ambition.A vast staircase of jade and granite led to the palace entrance, each step polished to a sheen, worn slightly from the passage of time. Intricate carvings of past warlords and celestial deities lined the railings, their eternal gazes seeming to judge those who ascended. At every tier, large bronze braziers flickered with fragrant incense, the curling smoke rising like ancestral spirits whispering in the wind. The sc

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    Episode 51             THE EMPEROR'S SUMMONING 

Previously, on Sword of VengeanceA bitter, hollow laughter slipped from her lips, her shoulders trembling under the weight of emotions she could no longer hold back. It was almost laughable—no, it was laughable—that after everything she had said, after all the explanations, he still didn’t trust her.She sniffed, rolling her eyes as she wiped away the traitorous tears that had dared to fall.Then, she turned her back to him."You don't believe me?"Her voice carried no trace of surprise. Just exhaustion. A resigned scoff escaped her lips.She tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly. Then, with a long sigh, she straightened her back, as if steeling herself against the weight of her own memories."I feel so tired."She exhaled, turning her head slightly—just enough to see him from the corner of her eye. It was as if she was gazing through him rather than at him."That day…" she began.The words hung in the air for a moment, he

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 50                       CHAINS OF DUTY

Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance Then he was being dragged away, his feet scraping against the cold stone floor. But even as he was hauled backwards, his eyes remained locked on Princess Lirl. His gaze was cold, unforgiving. A silent promise of retribution. As for Princess Lirl, she didn’t flinch. She didn’t look away. And yet, the weight of his stare lingered long after his silhouette vanished around the corner.The heavy door slammed shut behind him and the chamber was left in oppressive silence. But it didn’t last.A sudden, thunderous boom echoed through the vast hall as the grand entrance swung open, spilling golden sunlight across the marble floor. Dust swirled in the illuminated air, casting long shadows across the space."The Messenger of the Emperor is here!"The voice rang out, sharp and commanding, silencing the murmurs that had begun to rise.A procession entered; dozens of men moving with purpose, their steps synchronized, their presence suffocating. Fla

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 49                      WHISPERS OF TREACHERY 

Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance Xena's vision cleared slowly, revealing the elderly man saddling the carriage, his gaze shifting cautiously between Xena and the fleeing silhouette of Princess Lirl.He climbed down from the carriage, the weight of a thousand unspoken words pressing down on him. He turned to face the old man, lowering his head in a stiff bow before trudging toward the gate.Just as he approached, a maid emerged from the distance, flanked by two armoured warriors. Her steps were purposeful, her eyes fixed ahead. Confused, Xena halted instinctively, shifting aside to let her pass. But she moved close enough that her sleeve brushed against him, leaving a lingering hint of lavender and something bitter underneath. Xena's eyes followed her as she stopped at the gate to hand the old man a token, then returned with a glance that lingered a moment too long.He barely had time to make sense of it when warriors clad in silver armour with black and crimson acc

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 48 HOLLOW ECHOES

Previously, on Sword Of VengeanceThey stopped before a stall, where baskets of fresh fruits gleamed under the sun's rays.While Princess Lirl was busy negotiating with the merchant over the price of Jujube, Xena’s eyes were drawn to a small white paper pinned to the wall. On it was an inscription: 符 (Fú), made of 竹 (bamboo radical) above 付 (to give), its symmetrical strokes both delicate and powerful.Xena’s gaze narrowed, his eyes tracing each curve of the characters. He tried to decipher the meaning, but no matter how hard he focused, the symbols remained foreign. Frustration simmered beneath his calm facade. He took a deep, quivering breath, tearing his eyes away. The realization cut deeper than he expected.His inability to understand the inscription was a bitter reminder that he was far from the peak he once reached.His hands trembled with barely contained fury, fingers curling into fists. The void in his memory taunted him, each blank fragment a wound that refu

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL     EPISODE 47 SHADOWS AND SILVER

Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance At the end of the line, where the vast cavalry stretched across the horizon, a young warrior rode forward, dust swirling in his wake. In one hand, he gripped the reins of his destrier; in the other, he led another riderless destrier, its coat gleaming under the dawn."Congratulations, sire," The warrior saluted, fist crossing his heart, voice steady yet reverent.Agello barely glanced at him, eyes shadowed and distant. "Yeah,"He muttered, mounting his destrier with a fluid motion. His gaze drifted once more to the temple behind them, its spires clawing at the sky, ominous and unyielding before he tore his eyes away, spurring his destrier forward without another word.The cavalry hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances before following, the silence between them heavy with questions unasked.---General Bale's eyes snapped open, in a sharp inhale breaking the stillness.For a moment, he stared at the carved ceiling above, disoriented. His hands moved

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 46 DARK COMMUNION

Previously, on Sword Of VengeanceBut should he care?Tonight, this night when everything changes.The scent of arousal is a wicked temptation, thick with sin and laced with an intoxicating darkness. It coils in the air around him, a forbidden spell, heavy with dusk and heat. Rich and primal, it whispers of indulgences beyond comparison.His pulse thrums beneath his skin, each beat a drum of yearning and dread. Agello's breaths come shallow, unsteady, torn between the hunger clawing at his core and the shadow of guilt curling at the edges of his mind. His eyes flicker with something raw, something desperate as if searching for a sign that this isn’t the damnation it feels like.But Murtha's gaze is relentless, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light that seems to pierce through him. Seeing the darkness he tries to hide, the weakness that shames him. There is a flicker of something in her eyes too.Regret, or perhaps hesitation. Before it’s smothered beneath a veil

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 45 RITUAL OF THE DAMNED

RISE OF THE ORIGINAL    EPISODE 44 WRATH OF THE FATHER

Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance Under a barren night sky, thousands of warriors clad in red armour sat astride their destriers, arranged in precise formations. Beside each formation stood long iron poles, painted in slick black. Their tips, designed like baskets, cradled burning flames. As the cold, misty wind swept through, the flames flickered, casting shadows over the warriors' faces and breastplates, while the rest of their figures remained buried in darkness. The men sat motionless, faces concealed by enclosed helmets, their identities hidden in secrecy. Occasional sparks flew from the torches, dancing into the air and causing the destriers to shift uneasily. From the opposite end, six priests draped in black hoods lined with red trim advanced forward. Their faces were obscured by menacing black masks as they approached an extraordinarily dark temple, its towering peak stretching into the sky. That seemed to exude a dull red light from within, a foreboding glow amidst