Chapter 19: The First Step Toward the Alliance
The cheers from the arena still echoed in Riven's ears as he made his way through the narrow corridors beneath the coliseum. His body was weary, aching from the brutal contest, but his mind was alive, firing in all directions. The creature was subdued, the crowd was satisfied, and for a moment, Riven felt like he had accomplished something monumental. But the emptiness gnawed at him.
He had won, yes. But winning this battle hadn't won him the war. And more importantly, it had made him realize just how much more he needed to do. The battle wasn't just about defeating beasts or proving his strength. It was about breaking the chains of the system that controlled everything—the system that used creatures like the one he had just fought as pawns in a game of power.
"You did well." Elara's voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see her standing at the entrance to the corridor, her sharp eyes scanning him. She looked unchanged, always composed, as if the battle he had just fought was nothing more than a fleeting moment. "I'm impressed, Riven. That was a well-executed strategy."
Riven nodded but didn't speak at first. His mind was still racing. Elara's praise felt distant, almost irrelevant. What he needed now was action, not words.
"Elara," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "This wasn't just a fight. This was a message. A message to everyone watching, and a message to me."
She arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "A message?"
Riven's eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his words carrying the weight of his newfound resolve. "The system is broken. The way they control the beasts, the way they use them as weapons... It's wrong. I need to do something about it. But I can't do it alone."
Elara regarded him for a long moment, her face inscrutable. She was calculating, always calculating, but there was something in her eyes now—a flicker of understanding. She wasn't just observing him; she was assessing whether he was ready for what was to come.
"I agree," she said finally, her voice low and measured. "You can't take on the system alone. But there are others who feel the same way. People who are tired of the way things are, people who have the power to make a real change. You're not the first to recognize the need for a shift. What you need now is the right allies."
Riven's heart began to beat faster. The words that Elara had spoken were exactly what he had been hoping to hear. Allies. He needed them—people who shared his vision, who understood the stakes. But where would he find them? The capital was filled with factions, and each one had its own agenda. Who could he trust?
"You have a few contacts, don't you?" Riven asked, looking directly at her. "People who might be able to help?"
Elara gave a brief, thoughtful nod. "I do. There are a few people who are well-positioned, but they won't act unless they're certain of what you stand for. You need to show them that you're serious. You need to demonstrate that you're not just another tamer looking for fame or power."
Riven's gaze hardened with determination. "I'm not looking for fame or power. I'm looking for freedom. For me, and for everyone who's been oppressed by this system. I'm done playing their game."
Elara studied him for a moment longer before turning to lead him down the hall. "Then let's make sure you're ready. We'll need to start building the foundation of your alliance, but first, you need to understand who we're dealing with."
They walked through the winding corridors of the coliseum, past a series of ornate doors and security checkpoints, until they reached an unmarked door at the end of the hall. Elara knocked twice before entering without waiting for a response. Riven followed her inside, and they were met by the stern gaze of a man seated at a large wooden table.
He was older than Riven, his face marked by lines of experience, but his posture was one of quiet strength. His eyes were sharp, his presence commanding.
"Riven, this is Rhaegar," Elara introduced him. "He's the one who can help you get started. He's got the connections you'll need to begin making your move in the capital."
Rhaegar rose to his feet slowly, studying Riven as if he were sizing him up. There was no warmth in his expression, only the cold calculation of someone who had seen enough to know when to trust and when to strike.
"So, you're the one who thinks he can change the system," Rhaegar said in a gravelly voice. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But you'll need more than guts to pull this off."
Riven met his gaze, unwavering. "I've got more than that. I've got a plan."
Rhaegar nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. "Everyone has a plan. But plans don't mean much without the right people behind them. And in this city, the right people are harder to find than you might think."
Elara stepped forward. "He's got Nyx, and he's got me. That's a start."
Rhaegar looked at her for a moment before turning back to Riven. "Fine. But just so we're clear, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this because I have my own reasons for wanting to see the system fall. If you're serious, if you're really ready to make this move, then we'll talk. But be warned—this isn't a game. We're going up against powerful people. People who won't hesitate to crush anyone who stands in their way."
Riven took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Rhaegar's lips curled into a thin smile. "We'll see. But first, you need to prove it. I've got a task for you. It won't be easy, and it won't be clean, but it'll show me whether you're ready to lead."
Riven nodded without hesitation. He didn't care about the task—he cared about the outcome. If this was the price he had to pay to show he was serious, then he would pay it without question.
"Tell me what I need to do."
Rhaegar turned toward a map spread across the table. He pointed to a small, out-of-the-way district in the capital. "There's a shipment of goods coming in tonight. It's heavily guarded, and no one outside the right circles knows about it. I need you to get to it before it reaches the intended destination."
Riven frowned. "You want me to steal something?"
"Not steal. Disrupt," Rhaegar corrected, his voice cold. "The goods are part of a deal with one of the most powerful families in the capital. If you disrupt this shipment, it'll send a message—a message that the people in power aren't as untouchable as they think. If you succeed, we'll know you're ready to take the next step."
Riven's heart raced with anticipation. This was it—the first real test, the first step in creating his alliance. He wasn't just going to fight beasts and prove his worth anymore. He was going to challenge the very foundations of the system that held the capital in its grip.
"I'll do it," he said firmly.
Rhaegar nodded, his expression still unreadable. "Good. Then prepare yourself. We move tonight."
End of Chapter 19.