Kael shot up from his bed, his breath ragged, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. The memory of flames, blood, and an eerie whisper still clung to him like a ghost.
"Thank God… just a nightmare," he muttered, exhaling deeply.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the window as he pulled himself together and stepped out of his room. His mind was still hazy, but his body instinctively moved forward—until he saw her.
Standing just a few feet away, Rose.
She was in her nightwear—thin, silky fabric draped loosely over her frame, just enough to leave little to the imagination. Her silver hair cascaded down, catching the morning light, making her look almost ethereal. A goddess among mortals.
Kael blinked. What a beauty.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Rose tilted her head.
Kael instantly snapped out of his trance. "Nope! Not a thing! Just... clearing my throat. Yep."
Rose gave him a suspicious glance but shrugged. "Anyway, I spoke to the Elders. They know about your mission to assassinate the Monarch."
Kael froze. "...You what?"
"They've summoned you for a meeting. They're against it."
Kael's jaw clenched. "Are you dumb?! Who told you to—this was my personal mission!"
Before Rose could reply, two more figures emerged from behind him. Lucas and Yue.
Lucas smirked. "Not personal anymore, buddy."
"Indeed," Yue added, arms crossed. "This concerns the entire nation."
Kael inhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Nope. Not happening. I am NOT going to a meeting where a bunch of old geezers will fry my brain like an omelet."
With that, he spun on his heels and bolted.
"Kael—!"
Too late. He was gone.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Or so he thought.
The Great Capture
Kael's escape was short-lived. He had barely reached the main hallway when a shadow loomed over him. Rose.
With the grace of a panther, she lunged.
Damn it—!
Before he could react, her leg swept his feet from under him, sending him crashing onto the ground.
Kael groaned. "Ow—okay, okay, let's talk this out—"
Rose smirked. "Are you faster than me?"
Kael barely had time to blink before Lucas and Yue pinned him down.
"Oh, come on! This is betrayal! Karma is real, and I WILL have my revenge!" he yelled as they tied him up like a helpless lamb.
Lucas chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, cry about it later, little prince."
With the ropes secured, Rose dusted her hands off and exchanged glances with the others. "Alright, let's deliver him."
Kael thrashed. "I will NOT forgive this treachery! You all are worse than evil itself!"
Yue just sighed. "He talks too much."
"Agreed." Rose and Lucas nodded.
Before Kael could retort, he felt himself lifted off the ground.
Lucas and Rose hoisted him up like a damn piece of cargo, balancing him on their shoulders like he was nothing more than a pipe. A human pipe.
"OYE! This is humiliating! PUT ME DOWN!"
Lucas snickered. "Aww, don't cry, little Kael."
Kael seethed. "I swear, I'm gonna—"
At that moment, Selene—who had been silently watching from a distance—let out a small chuckle. Her piercing gaze followed the group as they carried their tied-up leader toward the grand hall.
Kael caught her gaze, his face turning redder. "ET TU, SELENE?!"
She simply smirked.
The Council of Elders
Kael was bouncing. Literally.
His tied-up form was plopped onto a raised wooden stage in front of the Council of Elders. Every movement made the ropes tighten, causing him to boing slightly with each breath.
A long silence. Then—
One of the elders chuckled. "Isn't he just the cutest little warrior? He looks like a child in his cradle."
The entire hall erupted in laughter.
Kael's eye twitched. This is it. My villain arc begins now.
Rose, Lucas, and Yue were dying laughing.
Kael glared at them. "I. Will. Not. Forgive. You."
Lucas wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh, come on, you gotta admit—this is hilarious."
Kael inhaled deeply, exhaled sharply. Patience. Breathe. I am a warrior. I will endure this humiliation and—
"Hey, Kael?" Rose grinned.
"What?"
She reached out and poked his cheek.
Kael twitched violently.
The elders burst out laughing again.
He was DONE.
"I'M GONNA BREAK OUT OF THESE ROPES AND WRECK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!" Kael roared, shaking in his binds.
An elder coughed, finally regaining composure. "Ahem. Now, now, young one, enough playtime. We have something important to discuss."
Kael scowled. "You mean the part where you try to talk me out of this mission?"
The elder's gaze darkened. "That, and something else."
Silence fell over the room. The tension thickened.
Kael's humor faded as he stared back at them. Something else?
A storm was brewing. And Kael was right in its eye.
