Kael stormed into Vinzo's castle, determined to confront Lucas.
"Lucas!" Kael's voice echoed through the halls.
Lucas emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable.
"Kael, what brings you here?"
Kael's eyes blazed with intensity. "I know about Vinzo's family."
Lucas's gaze flickered, betraying his calm demeanor.
"What do you think you know?" Lucas asked.
"The truth," Kael spat. "That Vinzo's family wasn't slaughtered by rivals."
Lucas's jaw clenched. "Who told you?"
"Alethea," Kael replied. "Now, tell me the rest."
Lucas's eyes seemed to weigh his options.
"Vinzo's family was betrayed... by one of their own," Lucas said finally.
Kael's eyes widened. "Who?"
Lucas's gaze locked onto Kael. "Vinzo's own brother."
Kael's mind reeled. "Why?"
Lucas's voice dropped to a whisper. "For power, Kael. The same reason you seek to destroy Vinzo."
Kael's eyes blazed with fury. "Vinzo's own brother? That's unthinkable."
Lucas's expression remained stoic. "The truth is often painful, Kael."
Kael's voice dripped with venom. "And what about Vinzo's role in Elara's death?"
Lucas's gaze faltered for a moment before regaining composure. "Vinzo didn't order Elara's death."
Kael's skepticism deepened. "But he knew, didn't he?"
Lucas's silence spoke volumes.
Kael's determination hardened. "I'll make sure Vinzo pays for his sins."
Lucas's eyes flashed with warning. "Kael, don't let your desire for revenge consume you."
Kael's laughter echoed through the hall. "Too late for that, Lucas."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Vinzo appeared, his gaze locked onto Kael.
"Kael, our conversation is long overdue."
Vinzo's gaze seemed to pierce Kael's soul. "You seek to destroy me, Kael."
Kael's jaw clenched. "You've earned your fate, Vinzo."
Lucas stepped forward, his voice calm. "Vinzo, perhaps—"
Vinzo's raised hand silenced Lucas. "No, Lucas. Kael and I will settle this."
Vinzo's eyes locked onto Kael. "You think you know the truth about my family."
Kael's smile was cold. "I know enough."
Vinzo's laughter echoed through the hall. "You know nothing."
Suddenly, Vinzo's eyes flashed with fury. "You will never take my throne."
Kael's eyes blazed with determination. "Watch me."
The air was thick with tension as the two enemies faced off.
Vinzo sneered. "You're no match for me, Kael."
Kael's smile was fierce. "We'll see about that."
With a swift motion, Kael drew his sword.
Vinzo laughed, unsheathing his own. "You'll never leave this castle alive."
The clash of steel on steel echoed through the hall.
Lucas watched, his expression unreadable.
"I will kill Eliana, the human you seem to have been fooling around with recently". Karl said.
Vinzo's expression softening.
Kael seized the distraction.
With a swift strike, Kael sent Vinzo's sword flying.
Vinzo's eyes widened.
Vinzo's gaze locked onto Kael, fury burning within.
"You'll pay for that," Vinzo snarled.
Kael stood firm, sword poised.
"It's over, Vinzo," Kael declared.
For a moment, Kael saw a glimmer of the man Vinzo once was.
Then, Vinzo's face hardened.
"Guards!" Vinzo roared.
The sound of approaching armor echoed through the hall.
Kael's grip on his sword tightened.
He knew he had to end this, now.
Kael charged forward, sword flashing in the dim light.
Vinzo drew a dagger, its blade glinting with venom.
The guards arrived, surrounding Kael.
Lucas stepped forward, his voice calm.
"Enough. This ends now."
With a swift motion, Lucas dispatched the guards.
Vinzo's eyes widened.
"Lucas, you traitor!" Vinzo spat.
Lucas's gaze locked onto Vinzo.
"I protected you for years, Vinzo. No more."
Kael seized the opening.
With a swift strike, Kael knocked Vinzo to the ground.
Vinzo glared up, defeated.
"It's over," Kael declared.
Kael stood over Vinzo, his chest heaving.
Lucas approached Kael, his eyes somber.
"Well done, Kael. But this is only the beginning."
Kael's gaze narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Lucas's expression turned grim.
"Vinzo's downfall will spark chaos. Power struggles will ensue."
Kael's jaw clenched.
"I'm ready for whatever comes next."
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.
Shouts and screams echoed through the corridors.
"What's happening?"
Lucas's face darkened.
"It seems the news of Vinzo's defeat has spread."
Vinzo's gaze fell to the floor, his mind reeling as he reflected on his life. How did it come to this?
He thought of his brother, his family, his legacy. All lost.
Vinzo's thoughts turned to Elara, his heart heavy. Her death haunted him still.
Vinzo's eyes rose to Kael.
"You win, Kael," Vinzo whispered. "But at what cost?"
Kael's expression remained stoic.
"Justice has been served, Vinzo."
Vinzo's laughter echoed through the hall.
"Justice? You know nothing of justice, Kael."
Vinzo's eyes dropped, his voice barely audible.
"I'm sorry, Eliana. For everything." He muttered to himself
Vinzo's thoughts drifted to his past, to the choices that led him here.
He remembered his brother's words: "Power corrupts, Vinzo."
Vinzo's laughter echoed, bitter and cold.
"I never listened," Vinzo whispered.
Lucas approached, his eyes somber.
"Vinzo, it's time," Lucas said.
Vinzo nodded, resignation etched on his face.
As Lucas led him away, Vinzo glanced back.
At his subjects, at Kael, at the ruins of his empire.
Vinzo's voice barely carried.
"I should have chosen differently."