The moon cast a cold glow over Velmora, its silver light spilling into the chambers where Rose lay, restless. She turned in bed, her mind a battlefield of thoughts. What if Kael doesn't return? What if this mission is his last? The weight of these thoughts pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

  She tried to shake off the fear, imagining Kael's triumphant return. What if he sweeps me into his arms like a victorious knight? Her face flushed at the thought. A wedding… kids… grandkids— She quickly snapped out of it, shaking her head violently. "What am I thinking?!" she whispered, covering her face with a pillow.

  But no matter how hard she tried, worry gnawed at her. What if he doesn't return? What if this mission is the last time she ever sees him? She had seen countless warriors leave for battle, and not all of them came back. Her stomach twisted at the thought. Even as she clenched her fists to steady herself, she couldn't silence the fear whispering at the back of her mind.

  Meanwhile, in the underground armory of Velmora's elite headquarters, Kael stood surrounded by his three chosen warriors—Dravis, Leon, and Selene. The dim torchlight flickered across the cold stone walls, casting long shadows over the racks of weapons and armor. The scent of oil and metal filled the air, mixing with the distant echo of water dripping from the cavern's ceiling. A silent testament to the battle ahead.

  Kael exhaled, his expression sharp and calculating. "We have 60 days. That's all the time we get to sneak into Rhinestone, build a rebel force, and assassinate the monarch."

  Selene crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Are you insane? Four people against an empire?"

  Kael smirked. "Who said we're only four?"

  Dravis frowned. "You got an army we don't know about?"

  Kael nodded. "The people of Rhinestone are starving. The nobles hoard everything while the poor suffer. They HATE their king. We're going to turn that hatred into a weapon."

  Leon's eyes widened. "You're talking about a rebellion."

  Kael grinned. "No, I'm talking about Alpha."

  He stepped forward, his voice heavy with conviction. "We will name our force Alpha. They will be our shield and our sword. To the world, they will be justice. A nameless shadow army that will strike down corruption. But make no mistake… this is a double-edged sword."

  The air in the room grew tense.

  Kael's voice dropped lower, more menacing. "This sword not only helps us hide our identity… but if the Elders of Velmora ever grow corrupt, we will unleash it upon them as well."

  The room fell silent. Selene stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, she chuckled, shaking her head. "You're something else, Kael."

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  Dravis let out a low whistle. "This is crazy."

  Kael's smirk deepened. "Crazy enough to work."

  Leon exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Alright. I'm in."

  Dravis shrugged. "I was never out."

  Selene smirked. "Well, I can't let you boys have all the fun."

  Kael turned to the weapons before them. "Tomorrow night, we charge. We cross the border, we infiltrate Rhinestone, we find the rebels, and we prepare for the festival. That's when we strike."

  His voice turned sharp, filled with cold vengeance. "We'll break into their land and slaughter their king where he stands."

  Rhinestone: The Land of Despair

  As Kael spoke, his mind drifted to the lands of Rhinestone—a kingdom built on the bones of the weak. He had seen reports, heard whispers. The streets were filled with beggars, their ribs visible beneath torn rags, their eyes hollow with hunger. Merchants lined the alleys, selling rotten bread for the price of gold, while nobles feasted on delicacies imported from foreign lands. Justice was a myth there, and the commoners knew only one truth—survival.

  Children scavenged for scraps, their hands shaking as they dug through the filth. Those who failed to find food simply collapsed where they stood, their bodies left to rot in the alleys. The city guards did not bother moving them; they were just another stain in a kingdom drowning in its own filth.

  The nobility, untouched by suffering, paraded through the streets in their jeweled carriages. Their laughter rang through the air, a cruel mockery of those who barely clung to life. And at the heart of it all sat the monarch—a man who ruled with an iron grip, his greed bleeding the country dry.

  Kael clenched his fists. This kingdom deserved to fall.

  The Plan Begins

  Back in the armory, the team stood in silence, absorbing the gravity of what lay ahead. Dravis, ever the strategist, tapped his fingers against the hilt of his sword. "Alright, let's say we do get inside. How do we reach the monarch? His castle is more secure than a damn fortress."

  Kael smirked. "Who said we're killing him in his castle?"

  Selene narrowed her eyes. "Then where?"

  Kael's gaze darkened. "We kill him in public."

  A stunned silence followed. Even Dravis, who had seen his fair share of reckless plans, looked taken aback. "You're joking."

  Kael shook his head. "The monarch rarely appears in public. But there's one event he never misses—the anniversary of his country's founding. He makes a grand appearance to remind the people of his 'greatness.' That's when we strike."

  Leon let out a slow breath. "That's… bold."

  Dravis frowned. "How do we get close? His guards will be everywhere."

  Kael's smirk deepened. "We take their place."

  He stepped toward the center of the room, his voice filled with unwavering confidence. "The Rhinestone border forces are our way in. Their ranks are corrupt—they take bribes, they sell information. We'll eliminate one of their generals, steal his identity, and infiltrate from within. In Rhinestone, only names and titles matter. No one questions a high-ranking officer."

  Dravis rubbed his chin. "That… that could actually work."

  Kael nodded. "And once we're in position, we wait for the anniversary. The moment he steps into public view, we strike him down before the eyes of his people."

  The room remained silent, tension thick in the air. Then, one by one, they nodded.

  Leon cracked his knuckles. "I like it."

  Selene smirked. "It's insane, but I'm in."

  Dravis sighed. "Looks like we're all going to hell together."

  Kael turned to the weapons before them. "Tomorrow night, we move. We cross the border. We infiltrate Rhinestone. We take their forces. And when the time comes…"

  His eyes burned with vengeance, his voice sharp as a blade. "We strike. We break into their land and cut off the head of the snake."

  Selene watched him for a long moment before whispering, "He's something else."

  Kael's smirk never wavered. "Get ready."

  The war had begun.