In the aftermath of the gala, the halls of Amsberg Castle stood motionless, but beneath the placid exterior, war drums were beating already. Having established himself as the undisputed Crown Prince, Vincent withdrew to his personal study. With fresh orders to strengthen their positions, his allies had departed for their separate homes in anticipation of the approaching storm. And the primary character was initiating his move at the center of it.
Sitting behind the enormous oak desk, gazing at a map of Avalonia that was placed in front of him, Vincent could hear the crackling of the hearth fire. Arlen Stormrider's forces and strongholds were marked by tiny red markers strewn throughout the kingdom. The first protagonist's arrival had been prophesied almost a month ago, and the smell of an approaching battle pervaded the air.
The voice of the system resounded in his thoughts. Arlen Stormrider, the first protagonist, is the chosen son of fate. Vincent, he won't give up easily. As we speak, his strength increases."
With a calculating gleam in his eyes, Vincent traced the edge of the map with his fingers. His lips slightly pursed in a smile, "Arlen believes in honor, in justice, in righteousness," he muttered. "And those are the exact ideals that will lead him to his downfall."
His thoughts were cut off when there was a soft knock on the door. Selene Nightveil was visible when it opened, her dark eyes glistening in the dim light. Silently, she crossed the room, her long robes dancing in the firelight like shadows.
With a whisper, Selene said, "The network has spoken, Your Highness," coming closer. "Arlen is in motion. His army has departed from the Stormrider base. He will arrive at the borderlands in a few days."
Vincent grinned more broadly. "All right. Permit him to believe he's surprising us. Let him think he has the upper hand while we play this game."
With a slight tilt of her head, Selene observed him intently. And the friends you made at the gala? Are they going to be sufficient?"
After saying, "They will have to be," Vincent got up from his chair and went over to the window. Looking out, he saw the lights of the city below twinkling in the distance. "I have already communicated with Elise, Reinhardt, and the others. Arlen will meet us in the combat zone. But that's not where the real fight will take place."
Selene's eyebrow went up. "Then where will it be fought?"
"In their minds," Vincent stated, turning to look at her with a calculating and icy expression. "Arlen thinks he is the story's protagonist. We'll see to it that his belief brings him downfall. We're going to crush his dreams and crush his soul. We'll crush him when he's at his most vulnerable."
Arlen Stormrider was standing in the great hall of his ancestral home across the kingdom, surrounded by his most trusted advisors. His eyes shone with a virtuous fire, his young face etched with determination. It sickened him to hear the rumors of Vincent's increasing influence and the worry that the Amsberg family was taking over Avalonia. Growing up, Arlen was told tales of his family's illustrious history and their obligation to defend the defenseless and resist oppression. His destiny now beckoned him to carry out that obligation.
"We march at dawn," Arlen said, his voice echoing through the corridor. "Vincent's reign of terror ends now."
Although his advisors gave a nod, there was a sense of unease in the room. They had been told tales of Vincent's cold ambition, cunning, and ruthlessness. Uncle Arlen, Roderick Stormrider, was taken away in chains, and it was unclear what became of him. Arlen was now approaching the lion's den on foot.
An older knight who had worked for Arlen's family for many years, Sir Gareth, warned his lord to exercise caution. "You should not undervalue Vincent. He engages in a different kind of deceit and manipulation. He won't fight you in a fair manner."
Arlen's face became sterner. Vincent is not a threat to me. I have justice, which is far more powerful than any trick he can pull. The populace will unite in support of me, and together we will overthrow the Amsberg dictatorship."
Sir Gareth bowed, a flicker of doubt visible in his eyes. "May the gods guide you, my lord."
Vincent was in the war room at Amsberg Castle with Reinhardt Blackthorne and Elise Ravenshade, discussing their battle plan with a palpable sense of tension.
Reinhardt growled, "Arlen has gathered significant forces," his deep voice resonating against the stone walls. "He is not an idiot. He is arriving ready for a full-scale conflict."
Vincent quickly studied the map, his keen eye already identifying the routes leading to success. "Reinhardt, it's not his army that worries me. It's him. The system has alerted me to the fact that Arlen's power increases as our fight draws near. The hand of fate is in his favor."
Elise gave a gentle sneer, her golden eyes sparkling. "Mistress destiny can be cruel at times. Arlen is gravely mistaken if he believes that he will be protected by righteousness. We'll see to it that his principles bring him to ruin."
"Exactly," Vincent uttered in a quiet yet assertive tone. "Arlen battles for justice, but in the world I'm creating, justice is irrelevant. His faith in a greater purpose gives him strength. Piece by piece, that will be removed."
With a grunt of agreement, Reinhardt crossed his arms over his enormous chest. "What's the plan, then?
A dark light glittered in Vincent's eyes. "We'll first trick him into believing he is in control. We'll give him a taste of victory and allow him to march into a false victory. Then we'll attack—cut him off from his allies, isolate him on the battlefield—when he gets overconfident. However, that is only the start."
Selene was standing in the shadows, listening intently, when he turned to face her. "Selene, you'll play a crucial part. Confusion is what you want to plant throughout his ranks. Make them see shadows and ghosts of their past transgressions. We require their skepticism and doubts about Arlen's leadership."
With a menacing grin flirting with her lips, Selene nodded. "Consider it done.
Vincent turned his hard gaze to each of his allies one by one. This is more than just a struggle for dominance over Avalonia. The security of our future—my future—is at stake here. Arlen is a symbol for all that stands between us and the last remaining pieces of a dying world. We will destroy him, and we will create something new out of his ashes."
As the impact of Vincent's remarks set in, the room fell silent for a while.
Then, with a determined fist clenched, Reinhardt stepped forward. "In honor of Amsberg. For the win."
Elise trailed behind, her eyes bright with excitement. "For the future."
Though Selene's voice was barely audible, it was full of chilling finality. "For the fall of the Stormriders"
With a chilly smile back on his face, Vincent turned back to the map. "Arlen is coming. And we'll be prepared when he arrives."
Arlen Stormrider led his army and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword as the sun rose far to the east. Knowing that he was fighting for justice and the people of Avalonia filled him with determination.
But there was a whisper in the air, one that made him uneasy and warned of a darkness he had not yet faced, as the winds changed and took on the scent of battle.
They were about to engage in their first battle, and both sides knew that only one would win.
The battle for Avalonia was under way.