The sanctuary felt colder that morning, the weight of its ancient magic pressing down on Akin as he rose from his fitful sleep. The others were already stirring, but there was a heavy silence in the air, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for the next move. The faint light filtering through the cracks in the stone walls barely did anything to lift the oppressive mood.
Akin's mind hadn't stopped racing all night. Questions plagued him—about the rebellion, about Jarek, and most of all, about Seraphina. His sister was still out there, and every second she remained in the hands of the rebels was a second too long.
Elyndra stood at the far end of the sanctuary, quietly speaking with one of Akin's soldiers. She had been nothing but helpful so far, but Akin still couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't telling him everything. He had no choice but to trust her, at least for now. She was their only link to what was happening outside this cursed forest.
As Akin gathered his thoughts, Garrick's absence gnawed at him. The captain had been like a brother to him, always at his side. Now he was gone, and the hole he left behind felt impossibly large. Akin had always believed he could rely on his most trusted men, but after the events in Eldoria, he wasn't sure who to trust anymore.
With a deep breath, Akin walked over to Elyndra, his eyes narrowing as he approached. "We need to move soon," he said, trying to keep the edge out of his voice. "The rebels will be tightening their hold on the capital."
Elyndra turned, her expression calm but unreadable. "I know. But you need more than a handful of men to take back the capital."
Akin clenched his fists. He knew she was right, but it didn't make the truth any easier to swallow. "Do you have any idea where Seraphina might be? I can't leave her with them."
Elyndra's eyes softened slightly, though her tone remained steady. "I don't know where they're holding her. But I do know that the rebellion is fractured—there are different factions fighting for control. If we can find a way to exploit those divisions, it may give us an opportunity to act."
Akin frowned. "Factions? The rebels are splitting?"
Elyndra nodded. "Yes, it seems that whoever is leading the rebellion isn't able to keep everyone unified. Some of the noble houses that joined the rebellion did so out of fear or self-interest. Others see this as an opportunity to carve out their own power."
The information caught Akin off guard. He had assumed the rebellion was a single, cohesive force, but if they were fractured, it could be the opening he needed.
"There's more," Elyndra added. "The mastermind behind this rebellion is not just aiming for power. He wants something deeper. He wants to destroy the Valion line entirely."
Akin's blood turned cold. "Who is he?"
Elyndra hesitated, her eyes flickering with something Akin couldn't place—fear, perhaps, or maybe guilt. "I don't know his name, but I know his motive. He holds a grudge against your family, a vendetta that goes back years. He's been waiting for this moment, biding his time."
Akin's mind raced. Whoever this person was, they had gone to extreme lengths to orchestrate the fall of Eldoria, to drive the Valion family to the brink of extinction. And now, his sister was a pawn in this deadly game.
"We need to exploit the divisions within the rebellion," Elyndra continued, her tone more urgent now. "If we can turn some of the noble houses back to your side, we might stand a chance."
Akin nodded, though his thoughts were still consumed by the idea of this mysterious mastermind. "What's the plan?" he asked, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.
Elyndra stepped closer, her voice lowering. "There's a noble house in the northern provinces, loyal to your family but afraid to act. Lord Greyer. If we can convince him to lend his forces, we'll have enough men to retake the capital."
"Lord Greyer," Akin muttered, recognizing the name. Greyer had always been an ally of his father, but he had remained quiet in recent years, preferring to keep his distance from the court.
"Will he help?" Akin asked, his eyes narrowing.
Elyndra shrugged slightly. "He's cautious, but I believe he'll listen to reason. He knows that if the rebels win, they'll come for him eventually."
Akin nodded, though the plan seemed fragile at best. Greyer was known for his reluctance to commit to anything without seeing a clear path to victory. But if Akin could persuade him, they might have a chance.
"We leave for the north, then," Akin said, his resolve hardening. "We'll make our move before the rebels can regroup."
Elyndra nodded, but her eyes remained distant, as if she were holding something back. Akin noticed the slight hesitation, the flicker of doubt that crossed her face, but he didn't push her. He had enough to worry about.
---
The ride to Lord Greyer's estate was filled with tension. Akin couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, even as he pushed forward with his remaining soldiers and Elyndra by his side. The memory of the ambush that had nearly claimed Lord Greyer's life was still fresh in his mind. They had saved him from the rebel forces, but since then, Greyer had withdrawn to his estate in the north, keeping his distance from the chaos engulfing the capital.
Akin had hoped that rescuing Greyer would have solidified his loyalty to the Valion family, but weeks had passed with no word from him. Now, Akin was heading straight into Greyer's territory, hoping to rally his forces. Yet, the silence surrounding Greyer's actions gnawed at him.
Elyndra walked alongside Akin, her gaze steady and calculating. "Greyer has always been cautious. His silence could mean he's simply weighing his options."
Akin glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "Or it could mean the rebels have gotten to him. They're consolidating power quickly, and Greyer's forces are crucial to either side. If he's wavered…"
He trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought. If Greyer had switched sides or chosen neutrality, it would leave Akin without a vital ally in the fight to retake the capital.
The northern provinces were rugged, the terrain harsher than in the southern regions, where Eldoria lay in ruins. The trees grew thick and tall here, casting long shadows over the road. The sky above was gray and overcast, a constant reminder of the storm brewing both outside and within Akin's mind.
"We have to believe he's still loyal," Elyndra said, her tone firm. "You saved his life. That has to count for something."
Akin gave a short nod, but his doubts remained. "We'll find out soon enough."
As they neared Greyer's estate, the towering stone walls came into view, their presence both imposing and unnerving. The estate was built like a fortress, its high walls lined with watchtowers that overlooked the surrounding countryside. It was clear Greyer valued his security, but the eerie stillness in the air sent a shiver down Akin's spine.
There were no banners flying, no signs of life at the gate. Akin signaled for his men to halt as they approached the entrance.
"We need to be cautious," Akin muttered to Elyndra. "Something feels off."
Elyndra's sharp eyes scanned the walls, and she nodded in agreement. "It's too quiet."
Akin approached the gate cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I'm Lord Akin Valion," he called to the guards. "I request an audience with Lord Greyer."
For a moment, there was only silence. Akin's heart began to race, but then the gate slowly creaked open, revealing two guards standing at attention. Their faces were impassive, offering no clue as to what awaited them inside.
"Lord Greyer has been expecting you," one of the guards said, his voice flat.
Akin exchanged a glance with Elyndra, his unease deepening. They were being led into the estate, but something about the guards' behavior felt wrong—detached, robotic. He had been to Greyer's estate before, and while his guards were disciplined, they weren't this cold.
As they moved through the courtyard, Akin's suspicions grew. The estate was too quiet. There were no servants bustling about, no soldiers training in the yard. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive, as though the entire estate was holding its breath.
Elyndra placed a hand on Akin's arm, her voice barely a whisper. "Be ready for anything."
Akin nodded, his grip tightening on his sword's hilt. They were led into the grand hall, a vast room with high ceilings and dark wooden beams stretching overhead. At the far end of the hall, Lord Greyer stood waiting, his face unreadable.
But it wasn't Greyer that caught Akin's attention—it was the men standing behind him. Five figures clad in the armor of the rebel forces, their eyes cold and calculating. The sight sent a wave of dread crashing over Akin.
This was a trap.
"Welcome, Lord Akin," Greyer said, his voice steady but lacking its usual warmth. "It's been some time."
Akin's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "Greyer… what's going on here?"
Greyer's expression remained neutral, but Akin saw the flicker of something—regret, perhaps?—in his eyes. "Times have changed, Akin. The kingdom is in chaos, and survival requires difficult choices."
Akin's pulse quickened, his heart pounding in his chest. "You can't be serious. After everything… after I saved you from those rebels, you're siding with them?"
The room was deathly silent, the tension thick enough to choke on. Greyer didn't respond immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor for the briefest of moments before he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Akin," Greyer said quietly. "But I have no choice. The rebellion… it's too strong. They control too much of the kingdom now. And if I don't align myself with them, they'll destroy everything I've built."
Akin's blood boiled, anger coursing through his veins. "So you're betraying your king? Betraying the Valion family?"
Greyer flinched, but his face hardened. "It's not a betrayal, Akin. It's survival."
Akin took a step forward, his voice trembling with fury. "You coward."
The rebel soldiers behind Greyer tensed, their hands resting on their weapons, ready for a fight. Akin's men, still standing at the entrance of the hall, shifted uneasily, their own hands drifting toward their swords.
Elyndra stepped forward, her voice cold and sharp. "You're making a mistake, Greyer. The rebels will turn on you the moment they've secured their power. They don't care about you or your estate. You're just a pawn to them."
Greyer's expression faltered, but he stood his ground. "I know what I'm doing."
"No," Akin said, his voice filled with steel. "You're handing the kingdom over to traitors."
Before Greyer could respond, one of the rebel soldiers stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain. "Enough of this. Lord Akin, you are under arrest for crimes against the rebellion. Surrender now, and we might spare your life."
Akin's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't move. His sword remained sheathed at his side, but he was ready—ready to strike if it came to that. His men stood tense at the entrance, waiting for his signal.
"I'll never surrender," Akin said through gritted teeth.
The rebel soldier smirked. "Then you'll die here."
The room exploded into chaos.
Akin drew his sword in a flash, charging at the nearest rebel. The clash of steel echoed through the hall as his blade met the soldier's, the force of the blow reverberating up his arm. The soldier staggered, but quickly recovered, slashing at Akin with brutal force.
Elyndra was beside him in an instant, her movements swift and lethal. Her twin daggers flashed in the dim light, cutting through the air with deadly precision. She took down two rebels in quick succession, her strikes precise and unyielding.
Akin's men surged forward, joining the fray as they fought their way toward the rebel soldiers. The hall was a cacophony of metal on metal, shouts and grunts filling the air as the battle raged.
Akin's mind raced as he parried another blow. Greyer had betrayed him—betrayed his family. But there was no time to dwell on it now. He had to survive.
"Push them back!" Akin shouted to his men as he slashed through another rebel soldier.
The rebel forces fought fiercely, but Akin's rage fueled his every strike. With each swing of his sword, he cut through the enemy, his determination unwavering.
Greyer had retreated to the far end of the hall, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected Akin to fight back so fiercely.
"Greyer!" Akin shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "This is your last chance. Surrender, and I'll spare you."
Greyer hesitated, his face torn between fear and pride. But before he could respond, one of the rebel soldiers lunged at Akin, forcing him to parry and step back.
The fight continued, but Akin's eyes never left Greyer.