As Zuhak left the resurrection place, going down the stairs towards the burning lava who melted everything in its way, he looked upon the world he once ruled. After a few hours of wandering, Zuhak met a group of wild arrow-men. They were of Turkish origin, terrorized of what went on around them. The volcano was not a safe place to be in. Enormous giants and other monsterous beings lured in these lands. The Turkish arrow-men were surprised over Zuhak’s appearence. As a result from the resurrection, Zuhak reappeared in a double large shape. One man approached Zuhak, and asked him what he was. Zuhak told him about his legacy and plans. The common enemy of the Turks and Zuhak was clear, so the Arrow-men decided to join the cause of Zuhak. They told Zuhak about how the Turkish people was divided between clans after being banned by Kardox’s new state. Zuhak’s heart, burned with anger and hatred, and he knew that to exact his revenge, he needed a powerful army at his command. He set his sights on the banished Turks in the north, each fiercely known for their strenght and power in battle. Zuhak believed that by uniting these clans under his banner, he would create an unstoppable force that could crush his enemies. He and the Arrow Men first met the Wolf Clan, a group of Turkish wild bandits with enormous wolfs at their command. For Zuhak, the control of this group would be a key, for their ferocity and skills in battle. Zuhak approached their territory and sought an audience with the Wolf Clan Leader, Özik. He proved himself worthy by proving his mettle in combat against their fiercest warriors and surviving numerous trials that tested his endurance and cunning. Zuhak went through all tests, and were now accepted as a member of the Wolf Clan. This was one of the largest clans there, it was without doubt the most feared ones. The clan numbered totally around 40 000 men, all split in different places looking for resources for Özik who ruled them with his feared wolf. These wolf were all enormous with the most wild teeth ever seen, but Özik’s wolf were most brutal of them all. Zuhak realized that he needed to get that wolf out of the way first, before he could strike the leader, so he made sure to get himself his own wolf. Through one of the Wolf Tamers, he got his hands on a wolf, previosly owned by a fallen fighter. The wolf were tired and injured, but Zuhak took the wolf in, fed him and made sure he recovered his strenght. When the wolf finally did recover, Zuhak went a few miles away from the rest of his clan, bringing his wolf with him and performed some mystic dark sorcery on his new companion. Within seconds, the wolfs eyes turned completely red, his claws and teeths turned into the most sharp ones ever seen and the wolf grew into an unrealistic large size. Everyone who looked at that beast, could see that it was thirsty for blood. That was exactly what Zuhak called his beast, Blood!

Once Zuhak and Blood went back to the clan, Özik directly spotted the beast, jealous and furious over Zuhak’s new power object. He immediately saw a threat, and had to deal with it. Özik went forward, followed by his wolf. He approached Zuhak and asked “Bow down”. Zuhak just stared at Özik, without answering, he turned his back and started to pet Blood. “Do you challenge me? Zuhak turned towards Özik, looked at the people who had gathered around them, and then back at Özik. Let’s do this, he said. Özik’s eyebrows reacted angerly. He pointed towards a large field, almost looking like an arena. The people had already started moving there. It was here the battle would take place, and the winner would either keep or take over the role as the clan leader of the Wolf Clan. As the dire-wolf prowled the battlefield, the earth trembled under its colossal paws. Muscles rippled beneath its thick fur, and its jaws were capable of delivering a bone-crushing bite. The strenght of Blood was unmatched, but he would face an opponent with another strenght, for on the other side of the battlefield, Özik’s wolf was a marvel of grace and swiftness. Its coat was a blend of russet browns and golds, perfectly camouflaging it amidst the forest surroundings. Its eyes were sharp, ever watchful, and its movements were a dance of agility. The speed wolf was a master of hit-and-run tactics, darting in and out of the shadows with lightning speed. It relied on its unmatched reflexes and cunning to outmaneuver opponents, and few could match its ability to strike and retreat before anyone could react. For the first time, after many challenges towards Özik, the people did not know who would actually win this. People were circulating around them, ready for the most epic battle they would ever see. 

As the two wolves locked eyes, a moment of tension hung in the air. The dire-wolf let out a deep, rumbling growl, asserting its dominance. In response, the speed wolf circled, sizing up its formidable opponent, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. 

With a sudden burst of speed, the speed wolf lunged forward, attempting to outflank the larger dire-wolf. But Zuhak’s loyal companion was not easily caught off guard. It pivoted on its hind legs, using its massive bulk as a shield, and countered with a mighty swipe of its forepaws. The battle raged on, a fierce dance of strategy and adaptation. The speed wolf’s swiftness allowed it to evade the dire-wolf’s powerful blows, while the latter’s strength made it nearly invulnerable to the speed wolf’s attempts to inflict damage. As the fight intensified, the dire-wolf attempted to pin down the speed wolf with its weight, but the agile creature slipped out of its grasp effortlessly. Each move and countermove demonstrated the skills of both combatants, leaving spectators in awe of their abilities. As the moon ascended, bathing the battlefield in its silvery glow, the speed wolf found an opening. With impeccable timing, it darted under the dire-wolf’s guard, delivering a series of lightning-fast bites to its legs, seeking to cripple its movements. The dire-wolf roared in pain, but it did not falter. Instead, it summoned its last reserve of strength, managing to land a powerful blow that sent the speed wolf tumbling across the ground. With the speed wolf momentarily immobilized, the dire-wolf did not relent. It used its immense strength to once again slam the speed wolf to the ground with a thunderous force. Each calculated strike sought to weaken the speed wolf’s defenses, leaving it vulnerable and unable to regain its footing. As the dust settled, the dire-wolf stood victorious, its heaving chest and battle-scarred frame a testament to the intensity of the fight. Özik was furious, he brought his war axe and strated to move towards Zuhak. Zuhak ordered Blood to sit, knowing that he could not involve his wolf into this personal fight. He had to defeat Özik himself.

Özik roared, his eyes burning with intensity, as he charged towards Zuhak with astounding speed. His battle-worn muscles rippled under his tanned skin as he swung his massive war axe with deadly precision. The ground shook with each powerful step he took. Zuhak knew that facing Özik head-on in hand-to-hand combat could be his undoing, so he continued to keep his distance, using his magic to create barriers and illusions to confound his opponent. Yet, Özik’s tenacity was unmatched, and he relentlessly pursued Zuhak, refusing to let the sorcerer escape his reach. Zuhak soon found himself cornered, with Özik closing in on him. With a final surge of adrenaline and a desperate concentration of energy, Zuhak saw a critical opening in Özik’s defense. With a calculated move, he disarmed the wild clan leader, sending his war axe flying into the distance. With the advantage now in his favor, Zuhak pressed his attack. He advanced with unyielding determination, forcing Özik to retreat. The wild clan leader found himself on the precipice, dangerously close to the molten lava below. As Zuhak’s sword drew closer to Özik, the wild clan leader knew that he faced a life-or-death decision. He could either submit to Zuhak’s leadership, accepting defeat with honor, or he could refuse, plunging to a fiery demise. Özik’s pride consumed him, and he defiantly refused to yield. With a furious roar, he lunged at Zuhak, seeking one final, desperate strike. But Zuhak, his heart heavy with the burden of leadership, countered with swift precision. With a single, devastating blow, Zuhak’s flaming sword found its mark. Özik’s war axe was not there to defend him, and he stumbled, losing his balance. Zuhak seized the opportunity and grappled with Özik, using his sorcerous strength to overpower him. As Özik teetered on the edge, Zuhak held his head over the heat of the lava, his face inches from the searing inferno. In a moment that would resonate through history, Özik’s face burned into nothingness, turning to dust before their eyes. Zuhak stood, the victor and the leader of the wolf clan, his heart heavy with the weight of the battle’s outcome. The power of the northern volcanos had claimed Özik, but it had also granted Zuhak the leadership he desired. In the aftermath of the fateful duel, the wolf clan submitted to Zuhak’s authority, recognizing his strength and acknowledging him as their rightful leader. Zuhak now controlled thousands of men, but he was still to unite the rest of the Turks. His next confrontation was with the infamous Jash Leader. Both men had their hearts set on a shared goal: bringing down the Kurdish kingdom and seeking revenge against King Kardox, the man responsible for the Jash Leader’s banishment. It was in the heart Volcano that Zuhak and the Jash Leader first crossed paths. The Jash Leader, consumed by anger and vengeful thoughts, sought refuge from the scouts of Kurdistan who had hunted him into the warm mountains, now, fate led him to the camp of the wolf clan. When Zuhak learned of the Jash Leader’s exile, he saw a kindred spirit, someone who had been wronged by the same kingdom he sought to bring down. Despite their initial differences, a mutual understanding began to form, fueled by their shared ambition for vengeance. As days turned to weeks, Zuhak and the Jash Leader found themselves drawn to each other. Zuhak recognized the potential in the Jash Leader, seeing the fire in his eyes and his determination for retribution. Sensing an opportunity for an alliance, Zuhak proposed a pact of mutual respect and cooperation. The Jash Leader, eager for revenge and drawn to the wisdom of his newfound mentor, agreed to the alliance. Zuhak took the Jash Leader under his wing. He shared his knowledge of the sorcerous arts, teaching the Jash Leader the basics of it. Under Zuhak’s guidance, the Jash Leader honed his newfound abilities, channeling his anger into focused energy. Beyond sorcery, Zuhak also taught the Jash Leader the art of strategy and tactics. He imparted the wisdom he had acquired through years of leadership, showing him how to harness his passion for revenge into calculated actions. Fuelled by a desire for power and revenge, Zuhak began meticulously preparing for the invasion of Kurdistan. But before starting the invasion, he would send The Jash Leader away, with the objective to meet Arabian clans south of Kurdistan. Zuhak had a deal to the people who once conquered the southern and western parts of Kurdistan.

The Start of the Invasion:

As winter began to tighten its icy grip on the land, Zuhak’s forces, clad in fur-lined armor, made their way through the treacherous north snowy mountains of Bakur. The harsh weather and treacherous terrain tested their endurance, but their determination was unwavering. Their war cries echoed through the frozen valleys as they pressed forward, driven by Zuhak’s fervent ambition. The mountains posed a formidable challenge, but his warriors were resolute, fueled by the promise of victory and the dreams of conquest. As Zuhak’s forces approached the northern borders of Kurdistan, they encountered a group of skilled Kurdish scouts. These scouts were known for their stealth and their mastery of the rugged terrain, making them formidable adversaries. The confrontation began as a battle of wits and cunning. The Kurdish scouts used hit-and-run tactics, utilizing their knowledge of the land to strike swiftly and then disappear into the snow-covered wilderness. Also, they recognized the many thousands of soldiers that were approaching them, and that they who were only a hundred scouts, would never be able to do anything here. A dousin scouts were sent away immediately to warn the kingdom about what was going on, and the rest used the mentioned hit-and-run tactics to take out as many as possible. Zuhak’s forces struggled to pin them down, facing relentless ambushes that tested their vigilance. As the clashes continued, Zuhak adapted his strategies, using his sorcerers to create magical barriers and illusions to confound the Kurdish scouts. He sent out small squads to track and neutralize them, slowly gaining ground in the snowy mountains. As the invasion progressed, Zuhak suddenly ordered the hundreds of wolves to attack, they were faster and could easily kill all the Kurdish scouts, who did not manage to take out one single wolf as they are were killed in the northern moutains. 

The invasion of Kurdistan was just beginning, and the snowy mountains of Bakur were only the first hurdle on Zuhak’s path to conquest. The confrontation with the Kurdish scouts taught him valuable lessons about the challenges he would face, and the price he would have to pay for his ambitions. As he pressed on, Zuhak’s true test as a leader was yet to come. The snowy mountains were just the first step in a long and arduous journey towards the fulfillment of his desires. But whether Zuhak’s ambition would lead to greatness or bring about his downfall remained uncertain, as the unpredictable winds of fate continued to blow in the frosty lands of Kurdistan. Zuhak looked from the peak of the northern mountains, seeing a view over the beautiful lands of Bakur, he then turned to his 120 000 strong army, and said to himself: It is time!