The tension in the air was palpable as Lumumba, Amara, Jon, and William gathered in their usual meeting spot—a small, dimly lit room in the back of the inn. The battle against the fissure creatures was still fresh in their minds, but now the real battle loomed on the horizon: a war of political intrigue and manipulation. Baron Ardyn and the council were deeply tied to the fissures and, more importantly, to the Sovereign—the true force behind the chaos spreading across the land.
Lumumba leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, watching William closely. Over the past few weeks, he had seen cracks forming in William's usual confidence, the weight of his father's control starting to bear down on him. This was the moment Lumumba had been waiting for—a chance to plant a seed of doubt in William's mind, to turn him against the very system that had raised him.
"So, William," Lumumba began casually, his tone light but with an edge of seriousness, "how long are you going to let your father run your life?"
William frowned, glancing up from the map they were studying. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lumumba shrugged, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I mean, you're out here fighting creatures, helping us save this city, but what's your old man doing? Sitting up in his fancy estate, pulling strings, working with the Sovereign. Doesn't that bother you?"
William's face hardened. "Of course it bothers me. But it's not that simple. My father's got more power than you can imagine. If I stand against him, I'd be crushed before I even make a move."
Lumumba leaned forward, his tone softening, but his words sharp. "What if it didn't have to be like that? What if you weren't just one of his pawns? What if you could take the power for yourself?"
The room went silent. Amara and Jon exchanged uneasy glances, clearly picking up on where Lumumba was going with this. William, for his part, stared at Lumumba, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.
"Take the power?" William repeated slowly, as if the idea was foreign to him.
Lumumba smiled, the kind of smile that promised trouble. "Think about it. Your father controls the trade routes, the council, the military. If you could take that power—if you could turn the tide—you'd be the one in control. You wouldn't just be following orders anymore. You'd be the one giving them."
Amara shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Lumumba, are you suggesting..."
"A coup," Lumumba finished, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Think about it, William. Your father's grip on this kingdom is strong, but it's not unbreakable. And right now, the nobles are distracted by the fissures and the chaos they've caused. They're vulnerable. If you moved against them now, you could take everything."
William's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and intrigue playing across his face. "You're talking about a rebellion. Against my own father?"
"Not just your father," Lumumba said, his tone now deadly serious. "The entire council. They're working with the Sovereign, using the fissures as weapons. They're trading the future of this kingdom for power. And you know as well as I do that once they've gotten what they want, they won't need you. You'll be cast aside, just like everyone else. But if you act now—if you take the power before they can—you can stop them. You can take control."
The room fell into silence again, the weight of Lumumba's words sinking in. William looked down at his hands, clearly struggling with the idea. He had always been loyal to his father, but that loyalty had been tested over and over again. Now, Lumumba was offering him a way out—an opportunity to seize control, to be more than just a pawn in his father's game.
Amara finally broke the silence, her voice tense. "This is dangerous, Lumumba. We're talking about overthrowing the most powerful man in the kingdom. You can't just expect William to turn against his father like that."
Lumumba shot her a quick glance. "He's already halfway there, Amara. His father's been using him for years. I'm just pointing out the obvious. If William doesn't act, he's going to be destroyed along with everyone else when this all blows up."
Jon, who had been quiet up until now, leaned forward. "Lumumba's right. The fissures, the Sovereign's influence, it's all connected. If we can cut the head off the snake—take control of the council—we can stop this madness. But we can't do it alone. We need someone on the inside."
William looked up, his expression conflicted. "And you think I'm that someone? That I can just walk into my father's house and take over?"
Lumumba's grin returned. "Not alone, you can't. But with us? With the people on your side? It's possible. And trust me, William, once you start moving against your father, others will follow. The nobles are cowards. They'll fall in line the moment they see someone strong enough to challenge the old order."
William was silent for a long moment, staring at the map on the table as if he were seeing it for the first time. Then, slowly, he nodded. "I need time. Time to think this through."
Lumumba nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "Of course. But don't take too long. The fissures are getting worse, and the Sovereign's influence is growing. We don't have much time."
That night, after William had left the room, Amara confronted Lumumba. Her voice was sharp, but low, careful not to wake the others. "You're playing a dangerous game, Lumumba. Pushing William into something like this? He's not ready. And if he turns on his father, the entire kingdom could spiral into chaos."
Lumumba shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Chaos is inevitable, Amara. This kingdom is already on the brink. The fissures, the Sovereign's plan, it's all going to come crashing down sooner or later. All I'm doing is giving William the chance to take control of the wreckage."
Amara's eyes narrowed. "And what happens when he fails? When the nobles strike back?"
Lumumba's grin returned, but it was more cynical this time. "Then we improvise. Like we always do."
In the days that followed, Lumumba and his group continued their investigation into the council. Through whispered conversations and carefully placed bribes, they began to uncover the full extent of the council's involvement with the fissures. It wasn't just about political gain—the council was using the fissures as a way to weaponize the chaos. They were deliberately opening the fissures in key areas, causing destruction and unrest, only to swoop in with military might to "restore order." It was a power play, and the Sovereign was at the center of it.
Lumumba, Amara, Jon, and William gathered the information they needed, slowly building a case against the council. But all the while, the tension between William and his father grew. Baron Ardyn was becoming more suspicious, more paranoid. He knew something was coming, and he was tightening his grip on the kingdom.
Finally, the moment came. One evening, as the group sat around the table, William spoke, his voice firm.
"I've made my decision," he said, his eyes locking with Lumumba's. "I'm in. We take the council. We take my father down."
Lumumba's grin widened. "Good. Then let's get started."