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The fool of a baron had practically served him his chance on a silver platter. Eager to charge into battle against goblins, Lord Morcant left no heir and returned from the field barely breathing. The young noble was soon gone, and the empty title lingered— tempting, within reach.

Henderson made his move then, discarding his former allegiances and his own scruples alike. The baron’s widowed mother, desperate and weary, still held enough sway to make him legitimate. He endured her, swallowing down his revulsion with a flirty smile, coaxing her with promises he never intended to keep. Her loneliness and his persistence made for an ugly, if convenient, alliance.

Several times, he felt like throwing his guts out for getting himself into something so… drastic, but she had what he didn’t— and that was magic.

But today, as he watched the city, the satisfaction of having the city in his palm faded, and a shadow crossed his face. He shut his eyes, the muscles in his jaw tense.

"Something troubling you?" came a voice from behind.

He felt arms slide around his waist, and he forced his scowl into a smile, the act as rehearsed as breathing to him. Beside him stood Lady Esmira, the previous baron’s ageing mother, the current partner of his life. Her face was weathered with lines that even the dimming light couldn’t soften. Her once-rich hair had thinned, and she bore the years openly— a continuous reminder of the price he’d paid.

With feigned warmth, he let her take his hand, his thumb grazing over her paper-thin skin as he looked down into her eager gaze.

"Only the usual worries, my dear," he sighed, feigning a look of exhaustion. "You know how hard I’ve worked for this city since your son’s passing, every day, every night."

Esmira’s hand tightened on his, her eyes soft with sympathy as she took in his words. "You’ve sacrificed so much. I know it."

"And yet," Henderson continued, bitterness cutting into his voice, "our claim to Verdis remains fragile. The King has betrayed us, giving this city to the son of some distant Duke, who knows nothing of its people or its struggles." His gaze darkened. "Even men like Zorgar have turned on me, too blind to see that I’m the one who’s kept Verdis from ruin. I’m the only one who truly cares about it."

Esmira’s hand rested gently on Henderson’s cheek, the warmth of her palm sending a shiver through him that he quickly suppressed. His jaw clenched at her touch. "You don’t have to worry," she reassured him, her voice like honey syrup. "You’ve already reached out to the nearby nobles, even Duke Lucian Kellius. I’ve heard whispers that he has little love for his brother, so surely he will support us."

Henderson nodded, though a sense of doubt crossed his face. "Yes, but I haven’t received any response yet. I’ve written to the first prince as well, but… nothing. They’re ignoring me." His tone grew tense, the frustration evident. "I need their support to establish a claim before I can even approach the crown. I’m certain they’d grant it, but…"

Her eyes softened as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "For sure they will, but for now, we must hold against Arzan Kellius’ forces. He’s a Mage, and though I believe my experience will give me the upper hand, the rumours about him stopping a beast wave make me nervous."

Henderson chuckled, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Don’t fret. Everyone knows his exploits are exaggerated. Just a year ago, he was known as nothing more than a wastrel— no one changes so drastically. The Duke Blackwood’s forces were the real power behind him, not his own. The magical creations left by his mother may have helped him, but I’ve heard those are fixed to the walls." He leaned closer, confidence radiating from him. "We’ll be fine. We simply have to hold against him in a siege battle until we get support. Our walls are sturdy as—"

His words were cut off by a deafening explosion that shattered the stillness, the sound rolling across the landscape like thunder. Henderson’s grip on the railing tightened as he turned, his eyes wide in disbelief.

A plume of smoke spiralled into the evening sky, darkening the horizon, and a section of the city wall crumbled, sending a shower of debris raining down like an ominous omen. The ground trembled slightly beneath his feet, and for a moment, he lost his balance, reeling back as the sight registered in his mind.

Esmira gasped beside him, her eyes wide with shock. "That was a… spell. Nothing else could cause such a reaction." Her hands immediately went to her thin lips.

Henderson’s heart raced as he stared at the devastation. A spell? The realisation hit him like a cold wave. "But how?" he muttered, panic creeping into his voice. "How could he have breached our defences so quickly?"

He stepped closer to the edge, peering into the distance where chaos was beginning to unfold. Figures in armour moved with purpose, and the banners of Arzan Kellius snapped in the wind, signalling the march of a formidable force. Henderson’s earlier confidence began to fray at the edges, replaced by a growing sense of dread.

"What are we going to do?" Esmira asked, her voice trembling now, the illusion of control slipping through their fingers.

"Hold fast!" Henderson barked, though his own heart was pounding with uncertainty. The sound of the explosion still echoed in his ears. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he stomped his foot against the floor. "They’re here," he declared. "We need to go fight him!"

His voice was loud enough to send a tremor through his own body. He grasped Esmira’s hand, his grip firm yet desperate, and looked into her eyes. "My beloved, you need to contend against him. We cannot let him take what’s rightfully ours."

Esmira met his gaze, her face turned to a frown. Uncertainty, that’s what was written on her face. "I will do my best," she replied, but there was a clear hesitation in her voice, a quiver that hinted at her fear. Henderson chose to ignore it, shoving aside his own doubts. This was not the time for weakness.

Just then, a knight burst into the room, his armour clanking with urgency. "Lord Henderson! We are under attack by Count Arzan’s forces!"

Henderson’s heart raced as he straightened, his mind sharpening. "I heard that," he replied, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. "Get every available force out there! If anyone can fight, they need to battle— if not, kill them yourself! I’ll be there in a minute."

The knight nodded and hurried out, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

As soon as the door slammed shut behind him, Henderson walked inside his room and rushed toward a cabinet in the corner of the room. He flung it open, frantically rummaging through the letters and documents stashed inside.

"I hope that noble bastard is as dumb as the rumours from a year ago," he muttered under his breath, a plan beginning to form in his mind. A backup plan he had made a while back.

Perhaps I can buy enough time to secure the city for myself.

He pulled out several letters. Henderson’s fingers trembled with a mixture of anxiety and determination as he looked at them. If I can just get this matter to the capital, I might turn this battle in my favour.

As he turned back to Esmira, her brow was furrowed in concentration, her lips pressed together in a tight line. "Do you really think you can sway them?" she asked, her voice edged with doubt.

"They will see the truth," he replied, his tone fierce with conviction. "They must! This city belongs to me—to us! We cannot let Arzan Kellius take it."

"And if they don’t?"

Henderson’s heart raced at the thought, but he forced a confident smile. "Then we’ll fight, and we’ll show them exactly why I deserve this city. Now, go and prepare yourself. When the time comes, I need you to be ready. I have a plan, and it’s going to work."

As she turned to leave, Henderson gathered the letters, the urgency of the situation pushing him forward.

***

Kai stood on the outskirts of the current battlefield, his heart pounding with both pride and disbelief as he watched the brutal efficiency of his Enforcers.

He had known they had grown stronger, their skills sharpened by the relentless pressure of the recent beast wave and the artefacts they wielded. Yet, he hadn’t fully grasped how immense the chasm between them and the ordinary guards truly was.

Before him unfolded a scene of chaotic carnage. His Enforcers surged forward, a tidal wave of lethal grace and precision, cutting down any guard that dared to oppose them. The walls of Verdis had fallen easily enough, thanks to Killian’s powerful [Lightning Strike]. Yet, it was the guards of Verdis who proved even easier to dispatch.

At the front, Killian unleashed his lightning affinity in blinding bursts. His blade crackled with electric arcs, each swing discharging bolts that leapt from one guard to another, lighting them up in violent jerks before they collapsed.

He surged into clusters of defenders, his movements a blur of electric blue as his [Lightning Step] made him faster, leaving charred bodies in his wake with every flash of his sword. The thrill of battle was visible in his usually neutral eyes as he advanced without hesitation, drawing the guards’ attention only to leave them staring into nothingness.

Close behind, Gareth moved like a shadow come to life, slipping from one patch of darkness to another, his form barely a suggestion of movement.

With his shadow affinity, he seemed to dissolve and reappear behind guards, his dagger sliding between armour joints. The guards barely sensed him, feeling only the chill of steel at their throats as Gareth’s blade struck, and then he was gone, leaving only collapsed bodies and loud screams from those who fell. All the time, Kai noticed the small grin playing across his face.

Feroy charged headlong into the thick of battle, his body a living flame.

Fire crackled from his spear and every time every blow erupted in a searing blaze that sent guards sprawling with scorched armour and blistered skin.

His laughter was fierce and unrestrained as he looked down onto the fallen opponent. He barreled into formations of men like a battering ram, swinging his flaming spear with wild glee, scattering soldiers as if they were nothing. He moved through the lines with the relentless force of a wildfire, every shout and scream seeming to only fuel his furious momentum.

Bord and Talon swept through the ranks in perfect tandem, their wind affinities an elegant, swirling chaos. Bord’s swings from his sword summoned gusts that disoriented and scattered the guards, their footing lost as they stumbled into Talon’s waiting dagger.

Talon’s movements were nearly invisible, slipping past sword strikes and weaving through attacks like the wind itself, his spear flashing like lightning as he struck at any exposed weak spot. A cyclone—that’s what they remind me, Kai thought to himself.

With a heavy strike to the ground, Clement sent tremors rolling through the battlefield, unsteadying the guards and making them easy prey for his massive hammer. Beside him, Bran’s every blow landed with the force of an avalanche, armour crumpling and bones shattering under his assault.

And then there was Lyra, advancing with a glacial calm that contrasted sharply with the frenzy of battle around her. Her affinity for ice left a trail of frost on every surface she touched with her sword, her enemies’ limbs locking and freezing as she hit them anywhere she could reach.

A guard lunged at her, only to find his arms encased in thick ice, his scream cut short as Lyra shattered him with a single swing. "Bastard!" She spat on him without a thought and moved towards her next victim.

On the opposite side of the chaos, Kai’s ordinary guards moved strategically, prioritising the protection of the civilians caught in the crossfire. They formed a protective line, doing their best to shield the innocent from the brutal conflict unfolding around them, while their legion advanced toward the castle looming in the heart of the city.

Zorgar stood beside Kai, his face pale as he struggled to comprehend the ferocity of the assault. His eyes seemed glued to the battlefield, as if they might fall from their sockets at any moment. "I never expected there could be such a small but lethal force," he muttered, awe-mixing with disbelief as he watched Killian unleash a series of rapid lightning strikes that highlighted the chaos.

Kai turned to him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "They train hard," he replied, pride swelling in his chest.

Zorgar’s finger pointed shakily toward Killian, who was now standing amidst a pile of defeated guards, their forms smoking and twitching on the ground. "Is Knight Killian a Mage? Not only him, the other knights are Mages too?" he asked, genuine curiosity lacing his tone.

Kai shook his head, the smile fading slightly. "No. Look at his sword," he instructed, gesturing to the glowing weapon in Killian’s hand. "It’s an artefact embedded with Atheum. He’s channelling the energy through that."

Zorgar nodded, seemingly accepting Kai’s explanation about the Enforcers and their artefacts.

That lie should hold on for some more time, Kai thought, knowing the secrecy surrounding the Enforcer’s source of strength was advantageous right now. He had plans to reveal it, but not in a way that other nobles would be able to make use of it.

As the clash intensified, the opposing guards attempted to form a defensive line, raising their shields in a desperate bid to stop the advancing wave of Enforcers. However, it was as if they stood against an unyielding tide— every clash against the Enforcers’ onslaught resulted in splintering wood and shattered metal. They kept moving, reaching the edge of the castle.

Zorgar glanced over at Kai, confidence seeping into his voice. "At this rate, I believe it will be easy enough to take over Verdis. The only problem would be Mage Es—"

Before he could finish, a deafening crack of thunder echoed across the battlefield, momentarily drowning out the sounds of chaos.

A figure appeared on the castle balcony, silhouetted against the stormy sky. Her long, white hair whipped around her face like lightning itself, and her eyes crackled with the same energy. The Mage, old yet regal, radiated a palpable aura of power.

Behind her stood a man with striking blonde hair, armour gleaming, and a sword held at the ready— an imposing figure bolstering her formidable presence.

Zorgar squinted, recognition dawning in his expression. "That’s Lady Esmira—a second circle Mage and the strongest person in the city—and Henderson, the traitor."

With a voice that thundered like the storm around her, Esmira yelled, "Who dares to attack Verdis?! This territory belongs to my late son, and I now rule over it with my knight! You have intruded upon my domain, and any noble who attempts to lay claim to it will be met with the full force of my thunder! Do you think yourselves strong enough to challenge my authority? My power is vast, and the skies themselves will respond to my command!"

She gestured dramatically, and lightning flickered ominously in the clouds, illuminating her fierce expression. "I will not hesitate to crush those who threaten my son’s legacy! Stand down, or prepare to feel the wrath of a grieving mother who has lost too much to let any would-be usurper take what is rightfully hers!" Her voice trembled with the weight of her conviction, the atmosphere crackling with tension as she awaited a response, daring anyone to step forward and defy her.

Kai stood tall, his demeanour calm and unflinching. He smirked, the challenge igniting a spark of excitement in his chest. "Why don’t you try?" he replied, his voice steady as the storm roared around them.

"What did you just say, you… imbecile!"

Without letting Kai reply, she summoned a bolt of lightning that arced towards him. It was a bright streak of raw energy that aimed to kill him. But as it flew through the air, a gust of wind rose from beneath him, forming a shield that deflected the strike harmlessly into the sky.

Behind him, Zorgar shivered, almost falling on the ground due to the clash of spells.

Kai looked back for a second before deciding that she wasn’t strong enough for him to waste a lot of time on her. "Thunder is a good party trick," he called out, lifting into the air with the wind’s aid. The strain of the [Soar] spell was heavy on his recovering body, but he reckoned he could give a good show to the watching citizens. In the end, the spell was similar to [Flight], but wasn’t as flexible. "It might scare kids… I’ll give you that. But it’s nothing against someone like me."

With a swift motion, he unleashed a flurry of [Wind Blades], sharp and glistening like daggers in the stormy light. The old Mage’s eyes widened in shock as she summoned lightning to defend herself, but the onslaught was too rapid. The blades zipped through the air, cutting through the static energy she wielded with ease.

One of the blades struck true, slicing into her neck. Esmira gasped, eyes wide with disbelief, and blood sprayed from the wound as she crumpled to the ground, the once fearsome figure now lifeless at the edge of the balcony.

It was anticlimactic at best.

Henderson stood frozen, wide-eyed, his face pale as he absorbed the scene unfolding before him. His jaw hung open, shock etching deeper lines into his features.

"I assume you are Henderson," Kai began, a mocking edge to his tone. "I’ve heard you’ve been ruling like a tyrant in my territory. I’d have to take you in and put you on trial before giving you a swift death."

Henderson’s bravado faltered under what had just happened, and he instinctively took a step back, the confidence he’d tried to muster dissipating like smoke in the wind. His chest heaved up and down rapidly.

"Why don’t you just—"

Before Henderson could finish his sentence and send out [Infernal Whip] to capture him, the man spoke.

"Wait! I have letters from Prince Eldric and Princess Amara that recognize me as the official Baron of this place! If you want to fight for it, we need to move to the capital and request King Sullivan for a solution."

Kai was about to scoff and capture Henderson, but a voice echoed across the battlefield before he could do that. "I don’t remember issuing such a letter."