Chapter 20: The Decision
Riven stood at the edge of the rooftop, the wind whipping through his hair, his eyes scanning the horizon. The city sprawled beneath him, its sprawling architecture glowing under the moonlight. The capital was alive with movement, but to Riven, it felt like a city suffocating beneath its own weight. Its towers, majestic yet oppressive, were a symbol of the very system he sought to destroy.
Tonight had been a turning point.
The mission Rhaegar had assigned him—the disruption of the shipment—had been a success, but it had come at a cost. It wasn't just the physical toll; it was the realization that the game he was playing was far more dangerous than he had anticipated. The family whose shipment he had interrupted was not just any noble family. They were deeply connected to the political forces that held the capital together. The ripple effects of his actions had already started to show.
The first response had been swift—an immediate tightening of security, whispers of retribution. Riven knew this was only the beginning. The higher echelons of power would not take this lightly, and the ramifications would be felt far beyond the immediate response. His actions had ignited a spark, but the flames that would follow could consume him if he wasn't careful.
And that's what terrified him.
Riven turned away from the edge, his gaze drifting down to the courtyard below where Nyx waited. The large, dark shape of the beast stood silently, its sharp eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Nyx had been by his side through everything, a constant presence, a reminder of the bond that tied them together. Yet, even Nyx could not protect him from what was to come. This battle was bigger than any beast, any creature. It was a fight for control, for freedom, for power, and Riven was realizing that he couldn't take the next step without fully committing to the path he had started down.
He took a deep breath, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
*Am I ready for this?*
The question had plagued him since he had started down this road. From the moment he disrupted that shipment, he had crossed a line—there was no going back. The system would hunt him now, the forces that controlled the capital wouldn't let him interfere without consequence. Yet, there was no other option. Riven had always known that the path of change would not be easy, but the weight of the decision was heavier than he had expected.
*What's the cost of victory?*
He thought back to the events that had led him here—the struggle, the uncertainty, the losses he had already endured. He had seen what this system did to the people who lived under its oppressive thumb. He had witnessed the cruelty of those who wielded power, the manipulation of beasts, and the destruction of lives for the sake of control. Riven knew that he couldn't simply stand by and allow it to continue. He had already chosen his path.
But the question still lingered—*Could he afford the price?*
"Riven."
Elara's voice broke through the quiet night, steady and calm. He hadn't heard her approach, but he wasn't surprised. She had become an ever-present force in his life, guiding him, pushing him forward.
"I know what you're thinking," Elara continued, her voice soft but firm. She stepped closer, her gaze searching his face for answers. "You're questioning whether you're ready. Whether you can handle what's coming. But the truth is, no one ever is. No one ever knows if they're truly ready for the war they're about to fight until they're in it."
Riven didn't turn to face her right away. Instead, he stared down at the courtyard, his mind still racing.
"I've never been sure of anything in my life," he said finally, his voice low. "But what I'm sure of now is that I can't back out. I can't let this system continue. I've seen what it does, and I won't be another pawn in their game."
Elara was silent for a moment, her eyes softening with understanding. Then, she stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him in the moment.
"You've already taken the first step, Riven," she said, her voice reassuring. "You've made your decision. You've committed to something bigger than yourself. There's no turning back now, and you shouldn't want to."
He looked at her then, his expression conflicted. "But I'm not ready for this. I don't know if I'm ready to fight the entire system. There are people who have been playing this game for years—decades, even—and I'm just a... a kid with a beast by my side."
"You're not a kid anymore," Elara responded, her tone firm. "You've grown. You've learned. And you've already proven that you're capable of more than you think. Look at how far you've come. You've disrupted an entire network, shaken the foundations of their control. They know who you are now, Riven. And they fear you."
Her words hit him harder than he expected. He had seen it in their eyes—those who were part of the system, the elites, the ones who controlled everything. They feared change. They feared someone like him, someone who was willing to challenge their hold over the capital, over the beasts, over everything.
"You have the potential to lead," Elara continued. "But potential means nothing if you don't act on it. You can't wait until you're 'ready.' You have to make the decision now. Are you willing to fight for this freedom, for the future of the beasts and the people who suffer under this system? Or will you let fear stop you?"
Riven closed his eyes, the weight of her words pressing down on him.
For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to feel the fear. The fear of losing, of failing, of losing the very thing he was fighting for. But in that moment, Riven also realized something else—the fear didn't control him. He had the power to control it. To turn it into something else.
"I'm ready," he said, his voice steady. He opened his eyes and turned to face her, the resolve in his expression hardening. "I'll fight. I'll do whatever it takes. For the beasts, for the people, for my future. I won't back down."
Elara smiled, her approval evident in her eyes. "Good. Because this is just the beginning. And from here on out, you'll need allies. Trust in those who stand with you, and they'll stand by you when the time comes. But remember, Riven—this isn't just about defeating the system. It's about reshaping it. Making it something better, something that will truly free the beasts and the people who've been enslaved by it. And that... is going to take more than just strength."
Riven nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility settling into his chest. He had made his decision, and there was no going back now. The path ahead would be filled with challenges, with sacrifices, and with moments of doubt. But for the first time in his life, Riven knew that he was ready to face them. He was ready to fight for something greater than himself.
The future of the capital—and the beasts—was in his hands.
And he wouldn't let it slip away.
End of Chapter 20.