Shadows lingered unnaturally deep within the obsidian walls of the Silent King's fortress, whispering secrets that only he could hear. The Umbreon ruler sat firmly on his throne, his fingers tapping his cold armpits, his mind awash in doubt and suspicion.
"They're getting closer," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The prophecy... it's slipping from my grasp."
Across the chamber, his scout knelt, head bowed. "My lord, our agents report that they have seen the scholar and the princess in the ruins of Solmara. They are searching for the shard."
The Silent King's masked face betrayed nothing, but his fingers twitched slightly. "And the assassin?"
"Nyx is already in pursuit," the scout assured him. "She will not fail."
Yet doubt crept deep within the king's darkened heart. The whispers in the darkness grew louder, their insidious voices whispering betrayal within his own ranks. Even his most trusted advisors seemed suspicious, their loyalties wavering under the weight of the coming storm.
"Call a war council," the Silent King said, rising from his throne. "We cannot allow them to join the fragments."
The spy hesitated. "If I may, my lord... do you truly believe in the prophecy? That one will rise to wield the full power of the Heartstone?"
The Silent King stared into the infinite darkness of the chamber, where horrors lurked unseen beyond the flickering torchlight. "Belief is of no importance. Fear is what drives men. I will make sure they fear me above all else."
A few moments later, a council of war was assembled - generals, assassins, and scholars, each bowing respectfully. The Silent King's sharp, calculating gaze swept over them. "The time has come to solidify our power. I want the northern borders sealed and the traitors within us eradicated."
One of the generals shifted uneasily. "But, my lord, we risk alienating the other kingdoms. If we act quickly..."
The Silent King's voice was like a blade. "Are you questioning me?"
The general turned pale, and bowed low. "No, my lord."
"Very well," the king whispered, running his fingers along the silver edge of his mask. "Because the true enemy is not yet known to us. Until we find them, everyone is a danger."
A tense silence fell over the chamber, broken only by the rustling of cloaks and the distant sound of a night bell. The silent King leaned forward, his voice barely audible.
"Find the scholar. Find the princess. Bring me their heads."
---
Meanwhile, deep within the castle, Nyx moved through the corridors like a ghost, her steps silent, her presence unfelt. She had heard every word, her own loyalty wavering in the shadows. Watching, waiting.
"The King is afraid," she whispered to herself. "And fear makes men careless."
As she leaped into the night, she couldn't help but wonder: Was the Silent King truly Elarion's greatest threat... or was there something worse he hadn't even foreseen?