---
Chapter 7: The First Strike
---
The early morning fog clung to the ground, casting an eerie silence over the castle grounds. Ren was awake before dawn, his mind already churning with plans and calculations. The time for passive resistance was over; it was time to take action, to give the emissaries a taste of the force building right under their noses.
The past weeks had been filled with endless training, quiet conversations, and the steady growth of the Shadow Guard. Each day Ren grew stronger, hiding his true potential from the emissaries, who were oblivious to his rapidly growing network of loyal fighters. The people of Arden, from knights to scholars, even some castle servants, had slowly started to rally around him.
But Ren knew that true victory wouldn't come from patience alone. He had to push forward, to throw the first stone in this silent war. His plan was simple: send a message to the emissaries and their masters — Arden was no longer theirs to control.
---
The sun rose over the hills, casting a pale light over the training grounds where Ren and the emissaries gathered. The emissaries waited, clad in armor and brimming with the arrogance that came from years of unchallenged power. Sir Garath, the sternest of them all, narrowed his eyes at Ren.
"Today's training will test your endurance," he announced, his voice sharp. "A true hero must be capable of fighting for days without rest."
Ren nodded, feigning respect. "Of course, Sir Garath. I'll do my best."
Sir Garath smirked, clearly convinced of Ren's supposed obedience. But Ren had already planned his move for the day — one that would catch even the sharp-eyed emissary off guard.
The training was brutal, as always. The emissaries pushed Ren to the edge, forcing him to channel his strength, agility, and magical skills. But this time, he let himself falter just a little, letting the emissaries think they had the upper hand. As the sun climbed higher, Ren made a show of slowing down, stumbling, allowing himself to appear just tired enough that they would underestimate him.
It was near midday when the true test began. Sir Garath, overseeing Ren's every move, suddenly tossed a sword at his feet.
"Pick it up," Garath ordered, crossing his arms. "Show me what you've learned."
Ren obliged, lifting the blade and shifting into a ready stance. He could feel his heart pounding, but not from nerves; it was excitement, the thrill of finally putting his plan into action.
They sparred, Garath pushing Ren harder and harder with each strike. As Ren deflected each blow, he could feel the old man's irritation growing. Garath was a warrior who hated weakness, who saw obedience as a virtue, and it was this weakness that Ren used against him. With each block, Ren allowed his posture to falter ever so slightly, allowing the older man to see him as just another young, unprepared boy.
And then, he struck.
With a feint to the right, Ren spun quickly, his blade cutting through the air with precision. Garath barely managed to block, his eyes widening with shock at the force behind Ren's strike. The young hero wasn't holding back, and Garath felt the weight of his fury in every clash of their swords.
"What are you doing?" Garath spat, staggering back, his face flushed.
Ren's expression hardened. "I'm done playing the obedient hero."
Before Garath could react, Ren lunged forward, disarming him with a swift kick and knocking the man to the ground. Silence fell over the training grounds as the other emissaries stared in shock, watching as Garath struggled to rise.
Ren stood over him, his gaze cold and unyielding. "I'm no puppet for you to control."
Garath's face twisted with rage, and he stumbled to his feet, furious. But Ren didn't give him the chance to retaliate. With a quick glance around, he noted the crowd gathering, the astonished guards and servants who had witnessed the scene.
This was his moment.
"I am Ren, hero of Arden," he announced, his voice ringing out across the courtyard. "And I will not be used by those who seek to destroy my kingdom."
The crowd gasped, murmurs spreading through the onlookers. This was not the compliant hero they had seen in training sessions; this was someone different, someone with purpose and defiance.
Ren turned to the other emissaries, their faces a mix of shock and fury. "You don't control me anymore. And if you ever try to harm Arden, know that you will face me."
Sir Garath, still seething, took a step forward. "You insolent child! Do you have any idea what you're doing? You're jeopardizing everything."
Ren's gaze remained steely. "The only thing I'm jeopardizing is your control. Arden will no longer be a pawn in your game."
With that, he turned on his heel, leaving the emissaries to fume in the wake of his rebellion. The crowd parted as he walked through, whispers filling the air. Some of the guards, knights loyal to Arden, gave him nods of respect. Others looked uncertain, torn between duty and the growing respect they felt for their young hero.
---
Elara and Selene found him later that night in the secluded gardens behind the castle. Both princesses looked anxious but impressed, their eyes filled with admiration and a hint of concern.
"That was… bold," Elara said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ren shrugged. "They needed a reminder. They think they can control me, but they're wrong. Today was just the beginning."
Selene grinned, her usual fiery spirit gleaming in her eyes. "I can't believe you did that in front of everyone. You've shaken them to the core, Ren."
"That was the idea," Ren replied, his expression serious. "They needed to see that I'm not their puppet."
Elara nodded thoughtfully. "But this also means they'll be watching you even more closely now. They're not going to just let this go."
"I know," Ren said, his tone resolute. "But that's exactly what I want. Let them keep their eyes on me. Meanwhile, we'll continue strengthening Arden from within."
The three of them discussed their next steps, each of them bringing new ideas and strategies to the table. Elara suggested strengthening their information network, ensuring they stayed one step ahead of the emissaries' plans. Selene proposed expanding the Shadow Guard's training, preparing them for the inevitable conflicts to come.
But even as they spoke, Ren knew that his rebellion today had only been a warning shot. The emissaries would respond, and they would respond harshly.
---
The next morning, Ren wasn't surprised to be summoned to a private meeting with the emissaries. As he entered the grand hall, the air was thick with tension. All five emissaries were there, standing in a semicircle around Sir Garath, whose face was still flushed with anger from the previous day.
"Ren," Garath began, his tone cold and furious. "Your behavior yesterday was unacceptable. You are the hero, and you will obey our commands."
Ren met his gaze without a trace of fear. "I am the hero of Arden, not your servant."
The emissaries exchanged dark looks, their expressions a mix of anger and frustration. Lady Seraphine, one of the more composed emissaries, spoke up, her voice laced with barely contained fury.
"Do you understand what you're risking, Ren?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "If you defy us, you will lose everything we've given you."
"I don't need anything from you," Ren replied coolly. "Arden is my home, and I'll protect it with or without your approval."
Garath's patience snapped. He took a step forward, his fists clenched. "You arrogant boy! We could end you with a single command!"
Ren didn't flinch. "Then try it."
For a moment, the hall was silent, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. The emissaries exchanged wary glances, uncertain of how to proceed. Ren knew they were grappling with a dilemma: if they tried to eliminate him, it would only confirm their intentions to those loyal to Arden. But if they allowed him to continue his defiance, they would lose their grip on him entirely.
After a long pause, Lady Seraphine spoke again, her voice carefully controlled. "We will overlook yesterday's incident, but let this be a warning, Ren. Defy us again, and there will be consequences."
Ren inclined his head slightly, hiding the smirk threatening to appear. "Understood."
As he turned to leave, he could feel their eyes boring into his back, their frustration and anger palpable. But he was undeterred. His display had shaken them, forcing them to confront the reality that he was no longer their pawn.
---
That evening, Ren gathered with Elara, Selene, and the Shadow Guard in a hidden chamber beneath the castle. The mood was electric, a sense of triumph mingling with the anticipation of what lay ahead.
Ren addressed his allies, his voice steady and determined. "Today was just the beginning. The emissaries may control the nations, but Arden is ours. Together, we'll strengthen our defenses, build our alliances, and ensure that they never have power over us again."
The Shadow Guard, now numbering over a dozen, nodded in unison, their faces reflecting the same fierce loyalty that Ren felt. They were all united by a single purpose: to protect Arden from those who sought to control it.
As the meeting came to an end, Elara pulled Ren aside, her expression serious. "You've made powerful enemies, Ren. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Ren looked into Elara's concerned eyes, his expression unyielding. "I've been ready since the day they betrayed me in my last life. This time, I'll be the one holding the power — not them."
Elara's gaze softened, though a trace of worry remained. "Then we'll stand by you, Ren. No matter what."
Selene joined them, her usual fire shining in her eyes. "They think they can intimidate us, but they have no idea what we're capable of. We're with you all the way."
Ren felt a surge of gratitude as he looked at the two princesses, his oldest friends and allies. He knew that the coming days would be challenging and that the emissaries would not hesitate to retaliate, but with Elara and Selene by his side, he felt stronger than ever.
Turning back to the Shadow Guard, he raised his voice, his words filled with conviction. "They may call me a hero, but I am more than that. Together, we'll build a kingdom that no one can conquer. Arden will be free."
The Shadow Guard, Elara, and Selene all shared his determination, their voices echoing in the dimly lit chamber.
And with that, Ren took his first true step toward the throne — a step toward reclaiming his life, his kingdom, and the future of Arden.