CHAPTER 4
WRITER COLLINS COLLEX
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Darius glanced at the messenger and instructed, "Read the letter." As the letter was opened, its royal seal became visible, and the messenger began to read aloud:
"Dear Lord Darius,
I hope this message finds you well and that the winter has been kind to Ember's Keep. I write to extend an invitation for you to come to the capital city in the coming days, where we have urgent matters to discuss. Your presence is requested.
King Meli IV."
After hearing the letter, Darius felt a shift in the air. His father had often told him that a direct summons from the king was a rare event, usually signaling something of great consequence.
CAPITAL CITY OF IRON PEAKS
Four days later, Darius arrived at the castle, dressed in his lord knight's attire, his family crest—a bolt of lightning—proudly displayed. Even at forty-two, his noble presence, accentuated by his long white hair, commanded respect. As he moved through the castle, soldiers and mages alike bowed in reverence. Upon entering the throne room, Darius stood tall and addressed the aging king without bowing. "My king, Darius Arclight is here." Ten royal guards stood, eyes locked on him, their attention unwavering.
The king chuckled softly. "This family never fails to surprise me. Pride, strength, power… and still so audacious. Even the younger generation doesn't fear me, despite my position as the highest authority in the land. An SSS-rank with a familiar of the same rank… I suppose I'm not as intimidating as I once was." With a knowing smile, he waved off the guards.
Once they had left, the king turned to Darius.
"I need your help, son." Darius responded immediately, "I will do whatever is necessary to aid the kingdom, as my family always has." The king smiled, touched by the young man's steadfast loyalty.
"My time is running out," the king said solemnly.
"A poison, slow and deadly, will soon take my life. But my real worry is the war that looms ahead." His eyes locked with Darius's. "I haven't seen the prophecy of the Conqueror," King Meli continued. "The tale of power. Your great-grandfather, who was also my teacher, once found a prophecy about a child destined to change the world—a child who would unite the three human kingdoms and the elven kingdoms. This child will build a mighty empire to fight against our forgotten enemies: the demons."
The king sighed. "I would have lived to fight in this war, but now my own survival is uncertain." His gaze grew grave as he looked at Darius. "My two grandsons are about to go to war with one another for the throne. I don't know which one will rule justly. If they prove to be tyrants, don't hesitate to remove them from power."
The king's voice softened, filled with regret. "I long for the time when my generation could have played a part in the coming war." He then shared more about the prophecy and entrusted Darius with the royal family's ancient sword, urging him to protect it. As Darius left the throne room, an overwhelming sense of foreboding settled over him. The shadows of the war ahead stretched far into his future.