"I was hoping we could have some privacy to talk," Mara requested, her voice laced with urgency. She desperately wanted everyone to leave, just the two of them, so she could speak freely. She knew what she was about to say was dangerous, something no one else should hear. If it got out, she would be the one to suffer the most, perhaps even face death.
Karl, however, didn't seem to care if their conversation leaked. He knew he wouldn't be the one facing the consequences. He was just an advisor, and even if his advice led to Mara's downfall, he wouldn't be held responsible. The worst that could happen to him was being banished from the kingdom, something he didn't mind too much. He was already wealthy, and even if he was exiled, he could still build a new life and become even richer. Meanwhile, Mara would be left to face the brutal consequences, possibly even being stoned or burned to death.
"What kind of language do you understand? So I can make you understand that no one is leaving this room because of you! Is that clear? If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, leave!" Karl demanded, his face hardening into a stern mask.
Mara swallowed hard, nodding her head in agreement. "Alright then, I need to talk to you about our agreement. We had a deal, and you're breaking it. Let me tell you.... by doing all this you are bringing a war you can't possibly stand!"
"If the payment I promised was too small for you, just tell me and I'll double it! I'll make you incredibly wealthy..." Mara pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. She was willing to offer him anything, anything at all, to get him to change his mind and vacate the throne in peace. But Karl simply shook his head, his eyes cold and unreadable.
"I'm already very rich," he said, his voice smooth and condescending. "What would I need your fortune for? You really think I did all this for the things you can offer? Please. I've never been interested in your promises, I was only making my own plans." He nodded his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he watched Mara's face crumple with despair.
She couldn't believe she had been so easily manipulated. She had betrayed her own family, believing his promises, and now she saw the truth. The guilt was overwhelming, the memory of her father's death and the betrayal of her best friend, who had tried to warn her, gnawed at her soul.
"Yes, I know you're rich, but I can equally offer you a kingdom! A place to rule, more armies, more power than you can imagine..." Mara continued, her voice cracking with emotion. But again, Karl cut her off.
"Why would I need another kingdom? Why would I need to rule a particular kingdom when I can rule over them all from this throne? Why would I need a specific army when I can command all the armies in the realm? You're overthinking this, girl! Relax and wait for the match tomorrow." He leaned back in his throne, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
Mara's frustration had reached its peak. She was exhausted, her anger a tangible force that pulsed beneath her skin. She took a deep breath, her eyes burning with a newfound determination. She stepped closer to Karl, her gaze locking onto his, and whispered, "You will regret this, Karl. You will regret everything you've done."
"You still have the chance to think about everything I just told you and we can settle this in peace without anyone getting hurt, but if you refuses...." She said taking a breath.
"Then go ahead and send your son into the arena tomorrow, to fight my brother and then you will obviously not have him alive again!" She threatened and then looked up at him as she gives out a damaging smirk. 
Karl was stunned. Mara's words, laced with a chilling intensity, sent a shiver down his spine. He knew her well, knew the depths of her cunning, and the threat in her voice was unmistakable. He watched as she smiled, a dangerous, almost predatory smile, and then slowly backed away, her movements graceful yet filled with a silent menace.
"Think about everything I've said," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "The fight tomorrow... you have time to change your mind. You know where to find me when you're ready. Or you can be arrogant and send your son to his death." She turned and walked away, leaving Karl standing alone in the hall, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure.
"Call me Taylor!" Karl barked immediately she left the room, his voice laced with fury. He couldn't believe she had dared to threaten him, but her words echoed in his mind, stirring a sense of unease. A moment later, Taylor, who became one of his captain, rushed into the hall.
Taylor bowed low, his eyes filled with respect. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady and calm.
Karl's frustration was palpable as he confronted Taylor. "You called for me" Taylor asked, his voice steady but his heart racing. Karl nodded, his gaze sweeping across the hall, silently commanding everyone to leave except for Taylor.
"Where is the sword? The godkiller sword?" he demanded, his tone sharp. Taylor fumbled with his belt, only to realize with horror that the sword was missing. It was supposed to be there, always at his side, and the realization hit him like a cold wave.
"Where is it...?" Karl's voice was low, but the tension in the air was thick with his barely contained rage. He knew that Mara's threat was serious, and the absence of the sword only deepened his unease.
"I'm... I think I forgot it down..." Taylor stammered, his voice cracking under the pressure. Confusion clouded his mind as he struggled to recall where he might have misplaced the weapon. But he is very sure that he never allows that weapon out of his belt so he was totally so surprised to see that it's missing.
"Keep quiet!" Karl snapped, his anger boiling over. "The sword has been stolen! How could someone steal something from your waist and you didn't even notice! How is that even possible?" His voice rose, echoing off the stone walls, filled with disbelief and fury.
Karl's suspicion was growing with each passing moment. Taylor, a seasoned soldier, a sworn protector, how could he have been so careless? The thought of betrayal gnawed at him, a bitter seed of doubt taking root in his mind.
"Taylor, you swore allegiance to me," Karl said, his voice cold and hard. "You promised to stand by me, to serve me. And I believe I made it clear what happens to betrayers. Betray me, and you won't see another day. Just pray and hope this wasn't an act of betrayal, it was just a mistake" He paused, his gaze piercing Taylor, a silent demand for an answer.
"Yes sir... I..." Taylor began, but Karl cut him off, his voice laced with anger. "Silence! You are a traitor! That's the simplest explanation. But you have a chance to prove me wrong. You have until dawn to find that sword and bring it back to me, exactly as I were given to you. Or the consequences will be dire."
Taylor's face pale with fear, nodded silently and rushed out of the room. The weight of Karl's accusation pressed down on him, and the urgency of his task was clear. He had to find the sword, and fast.
Karl's frustration exploded in a torrent of rage. "Damn it!" he roared, kicking the throne with such force that it shook the entire room. He was trapped, caught between a rock and a hard place. He'd already promised the people he wouldn't claim the throne that it was just for his son, and backing out of the fight now would mean abdicating. But how could he let the fight continue knowing that Mara had the godkiller sword and that his son, Myth, was its target?
Myth is not just his son but the only son he had and whenever he looks at him, the weight of his betrayal presses down on him. He'd slept with Genesis's wife, the woman who had become his closest friend, and fathered Myth. Genesis, unaware of the truth, had returned to find his wife dead, a victim of the birth of her son, Myth. Karl, consumed by guilt and fear, had kept the truth hidden, never revealing Myth's existence to his father or even Myth himself.
The consequences of his actions were now coming back to haunt him. Mara, fueled by vengeance was poised to strike, right away she was already working for Peter's win. And Karl, the man who had built his life on deceit and betrayal, was left with nothing but the chilling reality of his own creation.
This is a turning point for Karl. What will he do? Will he try to stop Mara? or cancel the flight? and when exactly is he going to tell Myth the truth about himself.