A City on Edge
The Iron Raven estate was reduced to ash.
By morning, Rookhaven knew.
The sky was still streaked with smoke, and the scent of burnt wood and blood hung thick in the air. People whispered in hushed voices, eyes darting to the blackened ruins at the edge of the city.
Caden was dead.
His power? Broken.
And everyone knew exactly who did it.
Jarek walked through the streets, his hood pulled low, listening.
"The Iron Ravens are gone."
"They say a new force is rising."
"Who could take down Caden like that?"
Jarek smirked.
Good. Let them talk.
Let the city fear the unknown.
But as he walked, he noticed something else.
Not just fear.
Eyes. Watching him.
Valric's men.
The Duke was waiting.
The Summons
Jarek didn't bother resisting.
By midday, he stood in Valric's estate, the air heavy with expectation.
The Duke was seated at the same grand desk, a goblet of wine in his hand, watching Jarek like a man who had just won a long bet.
"Efficient," Valric murmured. "You work faster than I expected."
Jarek leaned against a pillar. "You don't look surprised."
Valric smiled. "Because I'm not."
Jarek exhaled. "Alright. You got what you wanted. Caden's gone."
Valric swirled his wine. "Yes, but that was merely the first step."
Jarek's jaw tightened. "I knew it wouldn't be that simple."
Valric leaned forward, his voice smooth. "The power vacuum left behind? It needs to be filled."
Jarek's eyes narrowed. "Let me guess. You want me to fill it."
Valric's smile widened. "Exactly."
The Choice
Jarek paced the study, the weight of the offer pressing down on him.
He had spent years chasing his own revenge, taking down the men who had destroyed his past.
Now?
He was being asked to replace one of them.
To take Caden's empire.
"You're hesitating," Valric observed. "Curious."
Jarek stopped. "I'm not a crime lord."
Valric chuckled. "You're a killer, a strategist, a leader. What else do you call that?"
Jarek exhaled through his nose. "You really think I'll just become your puppet?"
Valric's smile never wavered. "If I wanted a puppet, I'd have chosen someone else."
Jarek folded his arms. "What's in it for you?"
Valric's fingers tapped against the desk. "Stability."
Jarek raised an eyebrow.
Valric leaned back. "Rookhaven cannot afford chaos. Caden's rule was messy, full of vendettas and reckless ambition. You, however… you could rule with purpose."
Jarek stayed silent.
"You'd have my support," Valric added. "Gold. Weapons. Authority."
Tobias spoke up from the corner. "And a leash."
Valric's gaze flicked toward Tobias. "A partnership."
Sylva cut in. "More like a deal with the devil."
Valric chuckled. "That depends on your perspective."
Jarek's fists clenched. He had fought his entire life to be free.
And now, he was being asked to wear a different kind of chain.
Was he really willing to trade one master for another?
A Third Option
Jarek finally grinned.
"You're expecting me to say yes," he said.
Valric smiled. "Because you have no better option."
Jarek tilted his head. "What if I do?"
Valric's smile faltered—just slightly. "Go on."
Jarek turned toward Sylva and Tobias. "Caden's dead. His men are scattered. The Ravens are finished."
He faced Valric. "But that doesn't mean I have to take his place."
Valric's fingers stilled. "I see."
Jarek smirked. "I'll run things, but not as a crime lord. Not under your thumb."
Valric exhaled, then laughed softly.
"Ambitious," he murmured. "What, then? A revolution? A hero's quest to clean up the streets?"
Jarek's grin widened. "Not a hero. Just a man with a plan."
He stepped forward, resting his hands on Valric's desk. "Rookhaven has been ruled by people like Caden for too long. You want stability? Then let's build something better."
Valric studied him, interest flickering in his cold blue eyes. "And how do you propose to do that?"
Jarek grinned.
"By making sure no one ever dares to rule it like Caden did again."
The Duke's Decision
Silence stretched between them.
Then, Valric sighed.
"You truly are an interesting man, Jarek Thorn."
Jarek tilted his head. "So… do we have a deal?"
Valric stood, walking to the window. "I should kill you for defying me."
Sylva tensed.
Tobias' hand moved toward his dagger.
Jarek held up a hand.
Valric turned back.
Then, to everyone's surprise, he smiled.
"Very well," he said. "Consider this… an experiment."
Jarek raised an eyebrow.
Valric chuckled. "You will have the resources you need. For now."
Jarek knew what that meant.
Valric was letting him move for now—but the second he failed?
The Duke would crush him.
But that was fine.
Because Jarek never planned to fail.
He extended his hand.
Valric took it.
The deal was struck.
The First Steps of an Empire
Jarek walked out of the Duke's estate with more power than he had ever held before.
The game had changed.
No longer just a lone rogue hunting for revenge.
Now?
He was a force to be reckoned with.
"Well," Tobias said, stretching. "That was terrifying."
Sylva sighed. "And reckless."
Jarek smirked. "That's what makes it fun."
Cassian shook his head. "So what now?"
Jarek stopped in the middle of the street, looking up at the smoke-filled sky.
He had an army to build.
A city to shape.
An empire to forge.
And enemies to crush.
Jarek took a deep breath.
Then, he turned to his crew.
"Now? We start playing for keeps."