The forest was dense, its towering trees casting long shadows under the fading light of dusk. Rohan crouched low behind a cluster of bushes, his sharp eyes fixed on the small mercenary party setting up camp. Ten men, heavily armed, spoke in hushed tones around a makeshift fire. Their faces were hardened, weathered by years of violence, and their laughter carried the weight of overconfidence.
He listened carefully, catching fragments of their conversation.
"We've tracked him this far," one of them said, a burly man with a jagged scar across his jaw. "The prince can't be far now. With the Church's bounty, we'll be living like kings for the rest of our lives."
Another chuckled, sharpening his blade. "Kings? More like gods. They're paying a fortune for his head—and if he's alive, even better. Heard he might be carrying something... special."
Rohan's fists clenched. The Rule Indescribable pulsed within him, a latent force waiting to be unleashed. He understood the core of its power: anyone who saw him or learned his true name would die in unimaginable agony. But there was a catch—they had to encounter him after his rebirth for the rule to take effect.
This was both his advantage and his dilemma. These mercenaries had never seen him in his new body, but they would the moment they confronted him. That moment would seal their fate. Still, he couldn't afford to be reckless. If even one of them escaped or uncovered his weaknesses, it could lead to disaster.
He needed a plan.
His mind raced as he considered his options. The group was well-trained, and a frontal attack would be suicide. He needed to manipulate them, guide their actions like a puppeteer until they sealed their own doom. Slowly, a strategy began to form.
---
Around the fire, the mercenaries continued their banter.
"We should split up," suggested a wiry man with a crooked nose. "Cover more ground before the trail gets cold."
"Split up?" the leader scoffed. "Are you mad? He's got the blood of Atlantia in his veins, and the Churches wouldn't be after him if he weren't dangerous. We stick together."
"You're just scared," the wiry man muttered, but he didn't argue further.
"Enough," the leader growled. "We'll rest here for the night and move at dawn. The prince can't run forever."
---
From his hiding spot, Rohan observed their dynamics. The leader was authoritative but cautious, the wiry man impatient and brash. The rest followed orders without question, a mix of loyalty and fear keeping them in line. This was the crack he needed to exploit.
Rohan reached for a stone and hurled it into the underbrush on the opposite side of the camp. The rustling noise drew the mercenaries' attention.
"What was that?" one of them asked, reaching for his weapon.
"Probably an animal," the leader said, though his hand hovered near his sword.
"Or him," the wiry man said, grinning. "Let's flush him out."
"Stay where you are," the leader snapped. "No one moves until I say so."
But Rohan had already moved to another position, carefully circling the camp. He repeated the tactic, creating more noise at another point. The tension in the group grew palpable.
"Fine," the leader relented. "You two—go check it out. The rest of you, stay alert."
Two mercenaries reluctantly ventured into the darkness, their torches flickering. Rohan trailed them silently, his breath steady. When he was sure they were far enough from the camp, he stepped into the light.
The mercenaries froze, their eyes widening as they saw him.Heard a voice
" My name is Arthur atlantia,you shall know my true name as Rohan Arthur atlantia"
"Who—"
The words choked in their throats as their bodies convulsed. Blood streamed from their eyes, and their screams echoed through the forest before they collapsed, lifeless.
Rohan quickly moved back into the shadows. The Rule Indescribable had worked perfectly, but he couldn't stop now. The remaining mercenaries would investigate, and he needed them to see him one by one.
---
Back at the camp, the leader barked orders.
"They've been gone too long. You three—go after them. The rest of you, stay here and guard the camp."
As the second group ventured into the forest, Rohan prepared to repeat his tactics, carefully laying traps and using the darkness to his advantage. He wouldn't stop until every one of them had seen him, sealing their fates with their own curiosity and arrogance.
The hunt had begun, and Rohan intended to make it their last.