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Scene: Shadowspire's Throne Room
The cold stone walls of Shadowspire were eerily silent, the only sound the faint hum of magical wards protecting the fortress from outside threats. Mordryn stood at the center of the room, his staff resting beside him, eyes fixed on an ancient map of Valendar. His fingers traced the edges of the realm, stopping at the dark regions where the Shadowrealm's influence was growing.
Suddenly, his head jerked up. The air shifted, the wards buzzed. Something—or someone—had entered his domain.
Mordryn:
softly, narrowing his eyes
"They've come…"
A moment later, the towering doors to the throne room creaked open. Five figures stepped inside, each cloaked in the deep, flowing robes of the Council of Arcanists. Leading them was Caldris, his once jet-black hair now streaked with silver. His icy blue eyes locked onto Mordryn's with a cold, calculating stare.
Caldris:
smirking
"Mordryn. Still hiding away in this fortress of yours, I see."
Mordryn's grip tightened on his staff, his face impassive. He hadn't seen Caldris or the other council members in years—not since they had cast him out.
Mordryn:
"Caldris. To what do I owe this... visit?"
Caldris stepped forward, his long robes sweeping across the stone floor, the other council members flanking him. Each of their gazes was filled with a mixture of disdain and unease.
Caldris:
voice dripping with condescension
"The council has been monitoring your activities, Mordryn. We know of your... questionable methods in protecting the kingdom. The villagers speak of you as a hero now, but we know better."
Mordryn's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement.
Mordryn:
scoffing
"Hero? That's not a word I've ever heard attached to my name."
Council Member 1:
frowning
"You dabble in forbidden magics, Mordryn. You wield power that should never have been touched."
Council Member 2:
"Your recklessness could bring ruin to all of Valendar."
Mordryn's expression darkened. He had heard these arguments before. The council had never understood what was necessary to keep the Shadowrealm at bay. They were too blinded by their own rules, too afraid to push beyond their limits.
Mordryn:
gritting his teeth
"You fear what you do not understand. The Shadowrealm's creatures grow stronger every day. You think the old ways will stop them? Your council is deluding itself if it believes that."
Caldris's smirk faded, his eyes hardening.
Caldris:
"Enough of this, Mordryn. The council has decided. You will surrender your power and return to the council's custody. Your magic will be sealed."
Mordryn's eyes widened, disbelief washing over him for a moment before it was replaced by cold anger.
Mordryn:
Surrender my power?
"You have no idea what you're asking. The creatures I've been fighting—"
Caldris:
cutting him off
"We are fully aware of the Shadowrealm's forces, but your methods endanger the balance. You've become as much of a threat as the creatures themselves."
Mordryn's staff crackled with dark energy, his voice rising with frustration.
Mordryn:
"You can't fight what's coming! Without my magic, the barriers will fall! Valendar will be overrun!"
Caldris:
calmly, but with cold authority
"That is not for you to decide. The council will take over the defense of the kingdom. You've done enough damage."
The room seemed to pulse with tension. The other council members shifted uneasily, sensing the growing power in the air as Mordryn's anger threatened to spill over. But he kept his emotions in check, his voice lowering to a dangerous calm.
Mordryn:
"If you seal my magic, if you strip me of my power... Valendar will fall."
Caldris met his gaze with a chilling certainty.
Caldris:
"That is a risk the council is willing to take."
Mordryn stood still, the weight of their betrayal sinking in. After everything he had done to protect them—after the sacrifices he had made—they were casting him aside. Again.
His gaze darkened, and the air around him thickened with raw magical energy. The council members tensed, their hands twitching toward their own staffs, prepared to defend themselves if necessary.
Mordryn:
quietly, with controlled fury
"You will regret this."
Caldris stepped forward, his voice low but firm.
Caldris:
"I suggest you come willingly, Mordryn. You know you cannot face the council alone."
For a moment, the room was deathly silent. Mordryn stood still, his eyes scanning the faces of the council members—once his allies, now his enemies. Slowly, he raised his staff.
Mordryn:
softly
"You're right. I can't face you all... alone."
Suddenly, the runes on the walls of the throne room flared to life, casting an eerie glow over the room. The council members looked around in alarm, realizing too late that they had walked into a trap.
Council Member 1:
"W-what is this?!"
Caldris:
snarling
"Mordryn! What are you—?"
Mordryn slammed the butt of his staff into the floor, and a wave of dark energy surged through the room. The council members were thrown back, their magical defenses faltering as Mordryn's power overwhelmed them.
Mordryn:
eyes blazing
"This is the power you fear. The power you'll never understand."
The energy crackled through the air, and the council members scrambled to their feet, trying to summon their own magic to counter him. But Mordryn was too strong, too prepared.
Council Member 2:
desperate
"We... we can't stop him!"
Caldris, his face twisted in fury, raised his staff, casting a powerful spell toward Mordryn. But the dark mage raised his hand, effortlessly deflecting the attack.
Mordryn:
voice booming
"Leave now, or I'll make sure you never return."
The council members hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes. They had underestimated Mordryn, and now they were paying the price.
Caldris, seething with rage, stepped back, his gaze burning with hatred.
Caldris:
"This isn't over, Mordryn. You'll regret defying us."
Mordryn lowered his staff, his eyes cold and unyielding.
Mordryn:
"No. You will."
With that, the council members retreated, leaving Shadowspire in a rush. As the heavy doors closed behind them, Mordryn stood alone in the center of the room, his chest heaving with the weight of what had just transpired.
They had betrayed him once before, but this time... they had declared war.
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End of Chapter 2