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Chapter 6: Malric's Counterstrike
News of Kael's victories reached Malric's court. The usurper king sat on the gilded throne of Eryndor, his face darkened with fury.
"The boy lives," Malric growled. "And he's rallying the clans against me. How is this possible?"
His spymaster, a wiry man named Orin, bowed low. "He is more than just a boy, my king. The prophecy foretold his return, and now it is coming to pass. But he is still vulnerable. If we act swiftly, we can crush his rebellion before it spreads further."
Malric's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Then let the hunt begin. I want him brought to me—alive or dead."
He summoned his generals and ordered them to lead a relentless campaign to crush the rebellion.