• New Tower •
The sprawling estate, known simply as "Karl's Compound, was a testament to the family's immense wealth. It was one of the most opulent homes in the entire kingdom, filled with treasures and luxuries beyond imagination. Yet, Karl, the patriarch, yearned for something more than mere material possessions. He craved power, the kind that came with etching one's name onto the golden stone of the Genesis Kingdom's rulers. He envisioned his son, Myth, ascending to the throne, securing their legacy for generations to come.
Inside the compound, the family gathered, their faces illuminated by the flickering firelight. They were in the midst of a heated discussion, their voices hushed but filled with anticipation. The air crackled with excitement as they strategized their next move, their eyes fixed on the ultimate prize: the throne.
"Father, the rumors are swirling throughout the city," Myth began, his voice laced with urgency. "They say Dara, the king's son, murdered his own father and fled for his life. He's no longer in the palace, leaving only his sister and brother behind. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to seize the throne?"
Karl nodded, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "There could be no better time, my son. The princess is incapable of ruling, and King Genesis, in his wisdom, named Dara as his successor. But now, with Dara gone, you are the rightful heir. We must go to the people, reveal the truth about Dara's treachery, and claim what is rightfully yours."
Myth's eyes widened with excitement. He couldn't wait to become the youngest king in the history of the Genesis Kingdom, a feat that would etch his name in the annals of their golden history. The prospect of wielding such power, of shaping the destiny of the kingdom, filled him with a thrilling mix of fear and anticipation.
"Father," Maria began, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension, "I thought it was the sister who actually killed the king and was trying to frame Dara. What if she tells everyone the truth? What if she reveals that you manipulated everything, that you..." She trailed off, unable to voice the full accusation. Her eyes darted to her father, her head shaking slightly, but he understood the unspoken words.
Karl's expression remained calm, his eyes betraying no hint of worry. "I've already considered that possibility, my daughter," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "She wouldn't dare publicly accuse me of manipulating her to kill her father and then frame her brother. Do you truly believe she'd risk the consequences? and what do you think it's going to be the consequences for her of the people finds out?"
"Death, of course," Myth interjected, a smirk playing on his lips. He seemed to relish the thought of such a swift and brutal end.
"And what would our punishment be as accomplices?" Karl asked, his gaze fixed on Maria. He wanted to gauge her understanding of the game they were playing, to see if she truly grasped the stakes involved. Myth, eager to answer, was silenced by a raised hand.
Karl was testing his daughter, the question was meant for her to answer, pushing her to think strategically. He knew that one day, he wouldn't be there to guide her, to shield her from the harsh realities of power. She would have to navigate these treacherous waters alone. This was politics, a game where cunning and ruthlessness were essential tools for survival.
Maria furrowed her brow in thought, looked down at the floor, her mind racing. Then, a flicker of understanding crossed her face. "Banishment," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Karl's lips curved into a satisfied smile. He clapped his hands together, a gesture of approval. Myth, mirroring his father, also clapped, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and admiration.
"You see," Karl explained, his voice laced with a hint of smug satisfaction, "if she speaks out, she'll be executed along with her brother. We, on the other hand, will only be banished. We'll still be alive, even if we're forced to leave the kingdom. She knows the stakes are higher for her, so she'll be forced to back down."
Maria, her eyes sparkling with admiration, smiled at her father. "Wow, Dad," she exclaimed, taking a sip of wine, "you're truly amazing. I've never met anyone as smart as you in my entire life."
The family gathered around the dining table, their conversation punctuated by the clinking of silverware and the murmur of excited voices. They were a unit, bound by ambition and a shared desire for power.
"So, what's our next move now that Dara is out of the picture?" Maria asked, her voice tinged with urgency.
"We must act quickly," Karl declared, his face hardening into a mask of determination. "Dara didn't kill the king, and the truth will eventually come out. We need to seize the throne before that happens. We ride to the golden castle as soon as possible."
Maria and Myth nodded in agreement, their eyes reflecting the same hunger for power that burned within their father. The time was ripe, the opportunity golden. They had to act swiftly, decisively, and without hesitation. The throne was within their grasp, and they were ready to claim it.
                • Ruth At The Stream •
Ruth submerged her hands in the cool water of the stream, scrubbed furiously at a pile of soiled clothes. Two guards stood watch, their eyes scanning the surrounding woods, their presence a silent promise of protection against the unseen dangers that lurked in the shadows.
One of the guards gaze fixed on the dense foliage, noticed a strange movement. It was a subtle tremor, a ripple in the undergrowth, like a phantom shifting in the breeze. He squinted, his brow furrowing in confusion. There was nothing there, just the rustling of leaves and the murmur of the stream. It must have been an illusion, a trick of the light. He looked away, dismissing it as a figment of his imagination.
But the movement returned, more pronounced this time, accompanied by a faint, almost inaudible, sound. The guard's instincts screamed at him, urging him to investigate. Before he could react, a whistling arrow shot through the air, piercing his eye and emerging from the back of his skull. He crumpled to the ground, his lifeless body a stark contrast to the vibrant green of the forest floor.
"Ah!!!" Ruth started screaming in fear immediately, it was so horrifying to her and it's the first time she's witnessing such.
The other guard, startled by the sudden violence, roared in anger and charged forward, his sword drawn. But it was too late. Dara, the very man they had been searching for, stood before them, his face grim, his eyes cold and calculating.
Ruth's heart pounding in her chest, understood the gravity of the situation. Dara was here, and he meant to kill them all. Panic surged through her veins, threatening to overwhelm her. She stumbled back, her feet slipping on the wet stones, and fell into the icy water. Scrambling to her feet, she crawled backward, her eyes wide with terror, her mind racing for a way to escape.
The remaining guard, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, lunged at Dara. But Dara was quicker, nimbler. He ducked, a swift kick sending the soldier sprawling onto the ground. The soldier's body tumbled, his head striking a jagged stone with a sickening thud. Blood splattered, a crimson stain against the green backdrop, some of it landing on Ruth like a chilling rain.
"Aah!" Ruth screamed louder, her voice echoing through the valley. Terror propelled her forward, her feet pounding the ground as she fled, her screams piercing the air.
The remaining soldier, his face contorted with rage, stood his ground. He knew he was outmatched, but he wouldn't give up without a fight. He charged at Dara, his sword raised high, but Dara was too fast, too skilled. He disarmed the soldier with a swift move, the sword clattering to the ground. Then, with a single, powerful punch, he sent the soldier crashing to the ground, his face contorted in pain. The soldier tried to rise, but Dara was already upon him, his dagger flashing in the sunlight. With a swift, decisive thrust, he ended the soldier's life, leaving him sprawled on the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Dara turned, his gaze fixed on Ruth, who was still running, her figure a distant silhouette against the backdrop of the forest. A cruel smile played on his lips. The hunt was far from over.
"Wait... wait..." Dara called out, his voice ragged with exertion as he chased after Ruth. She didn't slow down, didn't even glance back. Fear propelled her forward, her legs pumping, her lungs burning.
Dara, desperate, spotted a discarded rope lying on the ground. He snatched it up, a cruel plan forming in his mind. With a swift, practiced throw, he sent the rope flying, ensnaring Ruth's legs. She stumbled, her body tumbling forward. Her head struck a rock with a sickening crunch, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Then Dara immediately catch up, but just then he heard the sound of approaching footsteps and sounds. He knew it was Taylor and the other soldiers, alerted by Ruth's screams. He quickly dragged Ruth into the shadows of a nearby thicket, concealing himself and his captive.
As Taylor and his men emerged, Dara watched, a cold fury burning in his eyes. He saw the God-killer sword in Taylor's hand, a symbol of the betrayal that had been inflicted upon him. He wasn't surprised, not really. He knew Mara was capable of anything, but he had never imagined that Taylor, his trusted servant, his friend, would be the one to betray him.
Dara's mind raced. Had Taylor always harbored resentment? Was he simply greedy for power and wealth, lured by Mara's promises? Or was there something more, something deeper, that had driven him to this act of treachery?
Dara, the rightful heir to the throne, the true king of the kingdom, could have easily afforded whatever Mara had promised Taylor. He could have paid double, triple the price as a royalty gift if Taylor had come to him and tell him everything. But why had Taylor chosen this path? What had motivated him to turn against his friend, his master who had been nothing but good to him?
"I think Dara is here! There’s no one else who could have done such a thing. I’m certain he’s still nearby, so everyone should start searching the area immediately!" Taylor commanded, and the soldiers quickly entered the forest, beginning their search. Meanwhile, Taylor made his way directly to the spot where Dara was hiding with Ruth's unconscious body.
Taylor had always excelled in this kind of work, which was precisely why Dara had chosen him as his personal guard. He was heading straight to the exact position where he is hiding.