Jackim's heart pounded in his chest as he ran, Tielen's pace quickening ahead of him. The forest seemed to close in around them, the shadows lengthening, twisting with every turn they made. The air was thick with tension, a feeling of dread creeping over Jackim as he glanced back toward the figures that pursued them—figures cloaked in dark robes, moving with an unnatural fluidity.
"Keep running!" Tielen shouted, his voice sharp as he led Jackim through the dense undergrowth.
The sound of pursuit echoed behind them, the mysterious figures gaining on them with every step. Jackim's breath came in ragged gasps, his legs burning as he pushed his body to the limit. But the forest seemed endless, and the shadows were closing in.
"We won't make it!" Jackim gasped, his voice filled with desperation.
"Not if you keep doubting me!" Tielen's voice was unwavering. "The ones chasing us are agents of the Black Hand. They'll stop at nothing to see you dead. The throne isn't just a title—it's power, and power is a dangerous thing."
Jackim's thoughts were clouded by fear and confusion. He had no idea who these Black Hand agents were, but he could feel the danger in their pursuit. Every instinct told him that he needed to survive, but a part of him still doubted Tielen. Could he truly trust the man guiding him, or was there a darker truth hiding beneath the surface?
Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and the shadows in the forest seemed to flicker and warp. A figure stepped forward from behind a cluster of trees—tall, regal, and dressed in a flowing cloak of deep blue. Her presence was commanding, and even the forest seemed to bow in her presence.
"You should have listened to your friend, Jackim," the woman said, her voice smooth and melodic, yet laced with a quiet, dangerous authority.
Tielen stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he stepped protectively in front of Jackim. "Lady Selena," he spat. "You've come at last."
The woman—Lady Selena—smiled, but it was a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You know why I'm here, Tielen. And you know it's only a matter of time before I have what's mine."
Jackim's eyes darted between the two, his mind racing. "What do you mean?" he demanded, his voice tinged with fear. "Who are you?"
Lady Selena's gaze turned to him, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. "I'm the one who should be sitting on the throne, Jackim," she said, her voice cold. "Not you. You are a pawn, a tool to be used, and once I have what I need, you will be nothing more than a forgotten memory."
Jackim stumbled back, his mind reeling. "No... That's impossible."
Tielen stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Selena, you can't have him. The throne doesn't belong to you. It's his by birthright."
"By birthright?" Selena laughed, a sound that was both beautiful and terrifying. "You fool. The throne belongs to the strongest. And you're not strong enough, Tielen. Not anymore."
Jackim's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. Who was this woman? And why did she claim to have a right to the throne? He could feel the weight of her words, the dangerous power she exuded. There was something about her that made him want to back away, but he knew that he couldn't. His life, and perhaps the future of the kingdom, depended on the choices he made now.
"Leave him alone," Jackim said, his voice shaky but defiant. "I won't let you take my throne."
Selena's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Your throne?" she purred. "You don't even know what it truly means to be a ruler, Jackim. The throne is not a gift—it's a burden. A curse. A responsibility you will never be ready for."
"Enough!" Tielen shouted, drawing a sword from his side. The blade gleamed in the dim light, its edge sharp and deadly. "You want the throne, Selena? You'll have to fight for it."
Before Jackim could react, a blur of motion flashed past him. Another figure, tall and cloaked in a dark hood, appeared beside Selena. The figure's eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, and a chilling laugh echoed through the trees.
"Well, well," the new arrival said, his voice smooth and confident. "It seems we're all in the same game now, aren't we?"
Jackim's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. "Jeff?" he whispered, disbelief filling his chest.
Jeff stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips as he joined Selena's side. "I told you, Jackim. I was trying to protect you. But some things can't be helped."
Jackim felt the ground shift beneath him. His oldest friend—now standing with the woman who had just threatened his life—had betrayed him. The weight of the situation crashed over him, the shock and betrayal too much to bear.
"Jeff, no..." Jackim whispered, his voice breaking.
"You should have listened to me," Jeff said, his tone cold. "You were never meant to sit on the throne, Jackim. The kingdom isn't ready for you. But it's not just about the kingdom. It's about power. And I, too, will have my share."
Tielen's eyes burned with fury, but he knew the fight was no longer just about Jackim. It was about survival. "You've made a mistake, Jeff. A dangerous mistake."
Jackim stood frozen, caught between the man who had been his friend and the new enemies who surrounded him. There was no way out, no easy solution. The only thing Jackim knew for sure was that nothing would ever be the same again.