Under the shroud of darkness, Jayce, Poppy, Karma, Baby Kali, Lucian, Master Yi, Elise, and Riven stealthily arrived in Ashendell, the capital of the Fire Kingdom as they sought their rightful pardons that would grant them the opportunity to reclaim their former positions at the esteemed Fyre Academy. Riven, with her magical sense, had a crucial task—to detect the hidden spies of Duke Kassadin lurking within the palace.
They began to suspect that something was wrong when the gates of the city are left unguarded allowing them to waltz in unchecked.
They move quickly through the empty streets of Ashendell and after crossing the bridge taking them to the Western part of the city which held the Capitol Hill, the site of the Royal Palace, they see the trail of smoke coming from it.
The palace was on fire.
As they approached the palace gates, anticipation mingled with trepidation, their breaths held in anticipation of what awaited them.
Jayce's voice resounded with determination, his words firm and resolute. "Master Yi, Riven, Elise, I need you to stay with my mother, Karma, and protect little Kali," he instructed, the weight of responsibility evident in his tone. "We'll find the king, hopefully, he can still grant us our pardons."
Yi and Elise nodded in agreement. "May the gods guide your steps," Riven prayed.
Jayce, Poppy, and Lucian slipped into the palace, feeling their blood rush and their breath quicken as they faced the unknown.
They stepped into the spacious plaza, feeling the cold marble under their feet. The place was deserted, a stark contrast to the usual bustle of servants, nobles, and diplomats in fine clothes. The only witness to their presence was the statue of the horseman, standing tall and proud in the center. They wished to meet the King and receive his pardon, but they were not the only ones there. Guards clad in red and gold, donning the golden phoenix badge of the palace guards, emerged from behind the pillars and columns, wielding their swords and spears.
Jayce and Lucian reacted in an instant, Jayce drawing his sword, 'Morning Star' and Lucian brandishing two gauntlets before engaging the guards.
Jayce glided through the air, avoiding and hitting with accuracy and agility, while Lucian used his fists to fight against weapon-wielding foes, demonstrating his immense force and might.
The noise of metal striking against metal echoed in the grand halls, creating a harmony of destruction and disorder. The guards fell to the ground one after another, defeated by Jayce and Lucian's superior skills.
With unwavering resolve, they finally found King Ignacius, Princess Guinevere, and Prince Hecarim in the King's private study. Prince Hecarim wielded a sword and was poised to attack until he recognized Jayce's familiar face.
They arrived too late—the king was dead, his body in a motionless pile on the floor.
Princess Guinevere bent over her father's corpse, crying uncontrollably.
Through her sobs, she revealed the devastating truth—Duke Kassadin had learned of their discovery, that he was responsible for the former queen's death, and had struck preemptively. Guinevere and Hecarim had managed to survive, but the current queen, Solara, was nowhere to be found, her absence a chilling mystery.
She looked up at Jayce, Poppy, and Lucian, her eyes blazing with anger and hatred. "I swear, if I ever see her face again, I'll make her pay for her treachery. She's no queen of mine. She's a traitor and a coward."
United in their grief and determination, Prince Hecarim, Jayce, and Lucian rallied, their purpose clear. They swiftly gathered the remaining guards who remained loyal to the fallen king, seizing control of the once-burning palace. Together, they extinguished the flames that threatened to consume the symbol of their kingdom's power.
In the aftermath of the turmoil, the night air carried with it a potent mix of sorrow and determination.
The atmosphere in the regal throne room grew somber and heavy as Jayce, Princess Guinevere, Prince Hecarim, Lucian, Master Yi, Elise, Karma holding Baby Kali, and Riven gathered around the lifeless body of their fallen monarch, King Ignacius.
King Ignacius lay in state, his body resting upon a decorated bier adorned with rich velvet drapes and golden accents. The flickering candlelight cast a soft glow upon his face, highlighting the lines of wisdom and experience etched upon his features. The room was filled with the scent of burning incense, its fragrance mingling with the weight of grief.