The dawn broke with an eerie stillness over the capital. The usual hustle and bustle of the marketplace was quiet, the air thick with anticipation. In the shadows of the city, murmurs of rebellion echoed through the streets as Lumumba, Amara, Jon, and William made their final preparations.
The plan was simple, but execution was everything. William would confront his father, Baron Ardyn, at the council meeting, backed by a handful of key military leaders. Meanwhile, Lumumba would ensure the people were outside, ready to apply pressure. The council would be left with little choice but to submit—or face a full-blown uprising.
"You ready for this?" Lumumba asked, turning to William as they approached the council chamber. The building loomed before them, its towering spires casting long shadows in the early morning light.
William, dressed in the full military regalia of his family, hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I've never been more ready."
Lumumba clapped him on the back, flashing a grin. "Good. Just remember, no matter what happens in there, we've got your back. Don't let them see you waver."
Amara stepped forward, her eyes serious. "Once we're inside, we'll have to move quickly. The council isn't just going to hand over power. You need to make your case, and make it hard."
William took a deep breath, nodding again. He knew what was at stake. His father controlled the council, the trade routes, and the military—but today, that would change. Today, he would take control.
Inside the council chamber, the atmosphere was tense. The nobles—clad in luxurious robes and seated at a long, ornate table—whispered amongst themselves, clearly uneasy about the day's proceedings. They had heard the rumors. The fissures, the unrest among the people, the whispers of rebellion—all of it was hanging over them like a storm cloud.
At the head of the table sat Baron Ardyn, his sharp gaze fixed on the door. He knew something was coming. He could feel it.
When the doors swung open and William entered, followed closely by Lumumba, Amara, and Jon, the room fell into a heavy silence. Ardyn's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of his son.
"William," he said coldly, his voice cutting through the silence. "What is this? What are you doing here with them?"
William stepped forward, his jaw set. "I'm here to put an end to this madness, Father. You've aligned yourself with the Sovereign, used the fissures for your own gain, and let the kingdom fall into chaos. It's over."
The nobles exchanged nervous glances. Ardyn, however, remained calm, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "You're playing a dangerous game, boy. You don't know what you're talking about. The Sovereign's influence is what's keeping this kingdom alive. Without him, without our control over the fissures, this entire land would collapse."
Lumumba, standing just behind William, couldn't help but smirk. "Ah, yes. The classic 'I'm saving you by destroying you' routine. I love that one. But we're done playing your game, Ardyn. The people are fed up, and your soldiers? Well, they're not quite as loyal as you think."
Ardyn's eyes flicked toward the doors just as Garth and Valla, the two military captains William had spoken to, stepped inside. Behind them, more soldiers appeared—men and women who had served under Ardyn for years. But today, they weren't standing with him. They were standing with William.
"This is a coup," Ardyn said softly, his voice laced with fury. "You're turning against your own blood."
William's expression hardened. "I'm saving the kingdom from you. The people deserve better than to be pawns in your political games. You've lost sight of what matters. You've lost sight of why we fight."
The council murmured, the tension in the room rising as they realized what was happening. Ardyn, however, remained calm, his eyes boring into his son's.
"You think you can control the kingdom?" Ardyn asked, his voice low and dangerous. "You have no idea what's at stake. The Sovereign's power reaches far beyond this city. Far beyond this kingdom. If you take me down, you'll have to answer to him. And when that time comes, you'll wish you had stayed in line."
William's hand clenched at his side, but his voice was steady. "I'll deal with the Sovereign when the time comes. Right now, we're dealing with you. Step down, Father. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
The room fell silent again, every eye on Ardyn. For a moment, it seemed as though he might listen—that he might concede. But then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"You really think I'm going to step aside and let a child take control?" Ardyn said softly. "No, William. You've made your choice. Now you'll face the consequences."
In one swift motion, Ardyn stood from his seat and raised his hand. The room seemed to darken as the fissures responded to his command, a low rumbling shaking the very foundations of the building.
"He's triggering the fissures!" Amara shouted, her eyes wide with alarm.
Lumumba's grin didn't falter. If anything, it widened. "Of course he is. I knew this wouldn't be that easy."
The ground shook violently as cracks began to form in the marble floor, dark energy seeping through like veins of corruption. The nobles scrambled from their seats, panic setting in as they realized what was happening.
"Father, stop this!" William shouted, but Ardyn's eyes were wild, his power growing as the fissures responded to his will.
Lumumba grabbed William by the arm, pulling him back. "Forget him. He's lost it. We need to contain this before it gets worse."
Amara was already gathering her magic, her hands glowing with energy as she tried to close the cracks forming in the floor. But the power of the fissures was overwhelming, the dark energy surging through the room with uncontrollable force.
"We need to cut off his control!" Jon yelled over the chaos, unsheathing his sword. "If we don't stop him now, the whole city will be swallowed up!"
Lumumba's eyes locked onto Ardyn, his mind racing. He knew what had to be done. "William!" he shouted, grabbing his attention. "This is your moment. You have to stop him. Now."
William hesitated, his gaze torn between the father he had once idolized and the man who was now threatening to destroy everything. Lumumba could see the internal struggle playing out behind his eyes, the weight of the decision crushing down on him.
"He's not your father anymore," Lumumba said quietly, stepping closer. "He's part of the chaos. If you don't end this, everything we've worked for will fall apart."
William clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage and sorrow. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he made his decision.
With a single, swift motion, William unsheathed his sword and stepped toward his father.
"I'm sorry, Father," William said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it's over."
Before Ardyn could react, William plunged his sword into his father's chest. The room fell deathly silent as Ardyn's eyes widened in shock, his power faltering as the energy of the fissures began to dissipate.
For a moment, Ardyn stood there, staring at his son with a mixture of anger and sorrow. Then, slowly, he crumpled to the ground, the dark energy around him fading away into nothingness.
The room was still. The fissures had closed, the cracks in the floor sealed, and the nobles stood frozen in place, too shocked to move.
Lumumba, standing beside William, let out a slow breath. "It's done."
William, still holding his sword, stared down at his father's lifeless body, his face pale. He had done what needed to be done, but the weight of it was crushing.
Amara stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did the right thing, William. The kingdom is safe now."
William didn't respond, his eyes distant. He had won, but at a cost he hadn't expected.
Lumumba, ever the pragmatist, turned to the council. "Alright, folks, here's how this is going to go. William is in charge now. You're going to back him, and we're going to put this kingdom back together. Understood?"
The nobles, still in shock, nodded quickly. They knew they had no choice.
"Good," Lumumba said with a grin. "Now, let's get to work. We've got a kingdom to run."