Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

A grand gate rose before the group, partially hidden by a mantle of moving clouds, as if they were nearing the entrance to the realm of the dead, where their ancestors resided. A few of the barbarians glanced at each other, their eyes wide with unease, shivering. They were not afraid of dying in battle, but they were deeply superstitious and feared angering their ancestors and being unable to dine at their table in the afterlife.

Henry could hear the fearful whispers of the barbarians behind him as they momentarily stopped in their tracks, unsure if they should continue. He also paused to analyze the two stone hammers before him, which seemed to have some ancient runes inscribed on them. However, time had practically destroyed these inscriptions, leaving their meanings lost to history. Boris walked to the front of the gates and, after a moment of hesitation, he banged his fist powerfully on them three times, causing a metallic sound to resonate. Despite the strength of the dwarf's fists, the gates only trembled slightly. Then, he took a few steps back and waited by Henry's side as Leier stood behind them, ready to protect her king if needed. "They will be here shortly, hero's descendant" - Boris explained, trying to reassure Henry. Leier, watching the gates closely for any strange movements, couldn't help but ask - "Do you have no guards watching the gates, dwarf?"- She couldn't see any archers protecting the entrance, which seemed odd given the size of the gates.

Boris scratched his head and looked at the stern human female before him, who had seemed eager to cut his head off every step of the way - "Hairless woman, we've been here for hundreds of years. Apart from those ice-headed giants, we've never encountered other living beings for decades. Even if someone came down the valley, it's nearly impossible to find the village on their own."

Leier nodded in understanding, recalling the dozens of turns and difficult terrain they had traversed to reach the gates. They had even walked on the edge of an abyss, something most wouldn't attempt unless they knew they were searching for something specific. Furthermore, it was impossible for the Ice Giants to reach this place due to their immense size, which explained the lack of guards. She wanted to press the insolent dwarf further, questioning how their people had been kidnapped and their possessions stolen if they were so hidden and safe here. However, she stopped when the metallic sound of the gates being opened echoed. The sound traveled through the Screaming Valley, and at that moment, the howls of the Ice Giants, which hadn't reached them since they ascended, echoed simultaneously, making the mountain tremble. The gates opened, and Henry and his troops felt a wave of warmth emanating from within the cave. Behind the gates, they could see the bright and strong light of a grand burning furnace, which seemed to be lit by magma from a volcano. The silhouette of houses carved in the walls of the mountain could also be seen.

Followed by this image and warmth, five dwarves emerged from the gate. All five had beards nearly touching the ground, white as the snow covering the mountain. They wore full metal armor and held war hammers. One of the elders, standing in the middle, wielded a war hammer as silvery as the moon, with small lightning bolts crackling around it. The five elders seemed ready to fight.

"Boris! You wretched and hairless dwarf!" - the elder with the silvery hammer shouted upon seeing the hundreds of humans before them - "Three knocks on the gates… ye dare to bring strangers, no… despicable humans here! Ye must be prepared to be punished with the Furnace, right? "Boris!" - The elder with the silvery hammer in his hands shouted as he saw the hundreds of humans before them - "Three knocks on the gates…you dare to bring stranger, no…despicable humans here! You have to be prepared to be punished with the Furnace, right?"

"Wait, Elder Chief Yngvi! He is the descend-" - Boris wanted to explain himself, but before he could even finish a blade was already on his throat, threatening to end his life yet again.

"You dare to betray us, dwarf!" - Leier shouted furiously, swiftly pressing the blade closer to Boris's neck. She positioned him directly in front of Henry, ready to defend her king with her own body if necessary. There seemed to be no archers, only the five elder dwarves emerging from the gates, as if they were sufficient to face the intruders. Henry shook his head and raised his hand to calm Leier, his eyes fixed on the Elder Chief - "My name is Henry von Stahl, descendant of Garret von Stahl and the rightful owner of the throne of Stahl" - he introduced himself, hoping to calm the situation with his status. At Henry's words, Chief Yngvi's eyes burned with fury - "Ye miserable human… how dare ye sully the name and blood of our Hero! The Son of Fire and Anvil had no children and no descendants!" - He stepped forward, his hammer shimmering with intense silver lightning, reflecting his rage. Seeing Yngvi take a threatening step forward, Leier pressed the dagger harder against Boris's throat, drawing blood - "Stop, or we will let these dwarves' blood moisten the mountain's ice and storm into your village!" - Her tone was as sharp as her blade, no fear in her eyes.

The barbarians understood her intent and placed their axes at the necks of the other two unconscious dwarves. These gates were no door for their ancestor's realm and only a door for another battle. And, they had no fear of it.

Yngvi's eyes blazed with even greater fury - "Ye despicable humans! Ye dare to threaten us again like this! Ye have forgotten the honor of Hero Garret! I will end ye all!"- He shouted, unable to contain his temper.

He raised his war hammer toward the sky, and suddenly, a powerful lightning bolt struck down upon Henry, the daring human who claimed to be the descendant of their hero.