Dais left the palace, moving like a silent tempest.
His speed was unnatural—swift, quiet, unnoticed by the guards.
Outside, the storm raged on.
Winds battered the palace walls. Air scraped against windows. The sky was a canvas of swirling black clouds.
—
Inside the royal kitchen, Prince Asser found Qadir washing dishes.
He knocked gently, then leaned against the doorway.
"I want you to prepare a special cake for Princess Kasrahh.
Her birthday is in two days.
Make two—one for the grand hall, so the people of Aurik can celebrate.
We'll open the palace gates for the first time in years."
Qadir lit up.
"Of course!
I'll prepare a feast worthy of Aurik.
They deserve it—after all they've endured.
That's generous of you, my prince."
"I also want a private cake.
For a quiet celebration in Kasrahh's room.
Just the three of us—me, Sarah, and Kasrahh.
Candles. A few dishes. Something simple."
Qadir nodded, still scrubbing.
"A wonderful idea."
Asser stepped closer.
"Why are you still washing dishes?
You're the head chef.
Let the others handle it."
Qadir's voice dropped—cold, steady.
"Not after what happened."
Asser frowned.
"You still believe he was poisoned?
Don't be so hard on yourself."
"No," Qadir said.
"I'm certain he was."
Asser stared.
"King Caesar trusted only my food.
He'd eat without question—just hearing my name.
They exploited that trust.
That gap.
That moment."
"Who?" Asser asked.
Qadir turned, eyes dark.
"The same ones who walk your lands.
The same ones who spread fear among your people.
The same ones who reached your father."
Asser's eyes widened.
"Qadir... are you mad?"
"No, Your Highness.
I speak truth.
They are the ones your father warned you about.
The ones he fought in secret.
The true enemies of your bloodline.
Of your grandmother—Princess Layla."
Asser's face went cold.
"Are you finished?"
Qadir dried his hands.
For the first time, he didn't smile.
His face was carved with sorrow and rage.
"No.
They're the same ones...
Holding your sister captive."
Asser froze.
"What?"
"I've visited her many times.
She doesn't eat.
She sits at her desk, eyes wide open.
She doesn't blink.
Saliva drips from her mouth.
Every meal sent to her is thrown away.
Even the cake—
The only thing she never refused."
Asser clenched his fists.
His breath trembled.
The storm outside howled louder.
And inside the kitchen, the truth had finally broken through.
The Hidden Hand - Storm Over Aurik
Qadir's voice trembled, but his eyes burned with certainty.
"It's the royal advisors...
They're behind it all.
They forged the documents.
They issued the decrees."
He locked eyes with Prince Asser.
"Your Highness...
Every decision made since your father vanished—
None came from Princess Sarah.
They came directly from the royal court.
From the advisors."
"I tried to warn you...
But I feared it would tear the palace apart.
They're dangerous.
I feared they'd harm you... and Kasrahh.
I see her trying...
But you silence her."
"This is your chance.
They want you to arrest Laika—your last line of defense.
They'll replace her with a fool."
"They've weakened the army for years.
My friends—guards, mages, loyal to your father—
All removed.
Slowly.
Quietly."
"I noticed it in the kitchen.
The food I prepared...
Less and less each day.
Until barely anything remained."
Asser stood frozen.
Tears welled in his eyes.
His face was pale, his gaze hollow.
Qadir's own tears fell freely.
"This is your moment.
You have someone strong beside you—Jabir.
He's your cousin, not your enemy.
Don't let them destroy what your father fought for.
It's you.
It's your people.
I'm tired of watching it all fall apart."
Asser whispered, voice shaking.
"That's... impossible.
Every order...
Every decree...
It bore Sarah's signature..."
Qadir slammed the table.
"There are sorcerers in the royal court!
They force her to sign—her hand moves unnaturally.
I saw it once.
They threatened to kill me.
I was just delivering food."
"Her room is always locked.
No one allowed near.
Even the guards are banned."
Asser's voice cracked.
"Enough!
That's enough!"
He turned and stormed out.
The storm outside raged on.
Rain fell in slow, steady drops.
And inside the palace, the silence was no longer safe.
The Storm Within - The Awakening of Asser
Prince Asser stormed through the silent halls of the Mage Guild—once vibrant, now hollow.
He remembered walking beside his father, the guild alive with mages of every age. Now it was cold. Haunted. Cracked.
"Laika!" he shouted.
Laika's eyes snapped open.
"Asser?!"
She rushed out, startled.
"The storm... I—"
Then she saw his face.
A prince broken.
Eyes rimmed with tears. Rage barely contained.
"Your Highness... what happened?
Is Princess Kasrahh safe?"
Asser's voice was low, trembling.
"Come with me."
Laika followed, heart pounding.
"What's going on?
What happened?"
"The palace...
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Sarah...
We must help her.
You must help her."
Laika's face shifted—shock to fury.
"Princess Sarah..."
They ran.
Rain whispered through the air. Cold winds sang through the stone corridors. Clouds gathered like omens.
Asser reached Sarah's chamber.
He tried the door.
A royal advisor rushed forward.
"Your Highness!
The princess is asleep!"
Asser turned.
His eyes glowed crimson.
A fiery aura flared around him.
His voice was quiet. Deadly.
"Silence...
You wretch."
Laika froze, stunned by the transformation.
"Laika," Asser said,
"Kill him."
The advisor launched a dark orb.
Laika raised her hand—deflected it.
Then summoned volcanic fire.
The blast struck him down.
Asser roared.
"The door is sealed!"
"Step back," Laika said.
"I'll melt it."
She unleashed fire.
The door dissolved.
Smoke cleared.
Inside—
Princess Sarah sat motionless.
Eyes wide. White.
Saliva dripping.
A cake untouched.
Rotting food. Mold on the floor. Dust on the bed.
Laika gasped.
Asser stared.
Years of silence.
And now—this.
"Sarah!" he cried, rushing to her.
Laika's eyes flared.
She cast a wave of volcanic magic, destroying hidden sigils and traps around the room.
"Damn them!" she shouted.
Asser held Sarah.
Tears streamed down his face.
He trembled.
"No...
I'm the fool.
I'm the idiot.
I didn't see it.
I let it happen..."
Laika watched, tears in her own eyes.
"It's my fault..."
"No!" Asser sobbed.
"It's mine!
I failed her.
I failed all of you!"
He lifted Sarah.
"Where are you going?" Laika asked.
"To my chamber."
He turned, voice raw.
"Arrest them all.
Every advisor.
Anyone who resists—kill them.
You are the High Commander of the Mage Guild."
Laika saw the fire around him.
He walked away.
"Fix the door," he said.
"Fix what?" Laika whispered.
He was gone.
—
Outside the Chamber
Varon heard footsteps.
Advisors and guards approached, weapons drawn.
"Step aside," one barked.
Varon raised an eyebrow.
Drew his sword.
"Or what?"
—
In Asser's Chamber
He laid Sarah on the bed.
"It's okay...
You're breathing.
I'll heal you.
I'm here.
Your brother is here..."
—
In the Rain-Drenched Streets of Aurik
Jabir stopped.
Daies stood before him.
A black aura swirled around him.
Jabir smirked.
"Well, well.
I didn't expect you to come in person."
"You know," he continued,
"I don't have a place for tea tonight.
But I could offer you some fine wine instead."
Dais didn't move.
"What's wrong?
Are you bored?
Or are you here to crash the tea party?
It's raining, you know.
Not the best time for drama.
Or... did you come for something else?"
The Ember and the Storm - The Rise of Aurik's Flame
Prince Asser opened one of his father's old tomes, flipping through pages with trembling hands. He placed a green gem beside Princess Sarah's head.
She trembled.
Her breath deepened.
Asser gently stroked her hair.
"It's alright...
It might hurt a little.
Laika will break the spell.
You know... I discovered everything.
After I failed at the Leona summit.
I imprisoned every mage.
I think they all hate me now."
He laughed bitterly.
"I succeeded...
At proving I'm a complete failure."
Suddenly, Sarah moved her head.
Asser's tears fell freely.
"I'll tell you everything when I return.
Just wait for me.
This gem will nourish you."
He opened a chest.
For the first time, he wore the royal armor—his father's legacy.
He took the jeweled sword, its red gems gleaming like fire.
He stepped out.
Laika stood before him.
"Sorry... I was listening."
"You'll be punished when this is over," Asser said coldly.
"Execution—for eavesdropping.
For betraying the crown.
Seal the chamber."
"What?"
Laika cast a volcanic seal around the door, encasing the room in protective flame.
—
They moved swiftly.
Dead guards littered the halls.
"They've moved," Laika said.
"Kasrahh may be in danger."
"Varon is there," Asser replied.
They arrived.
Varon stood over the last fallen attacker, blood soaking the floor.
Laika's eyes narrowed.
"They're royal advisors..."
Asser nodded.
"Well done.
I owe you, my life."
Varon stared at Asser's armor, then glanced at Laika.
Asser entered Kasrahh's room, lifted her gently.
"Where to?" Varon asked.
"Somewhere safe."
Varon glanced at Sarah's open chamber.
His eyes widened.
Laika watched him—her gaze molten.
Asser placed Kasrahh beside Sarah.
He sealed the door.
"Thank you for not obeying me, Laika.
I was furious.
Tomorrow, we'll do what's right.
But tonight...
I'll do what must be done."
Laika smiled softly.
"Come with me," Asser said.
"But—"
"Varon will guard them.
If he dares anything...
He'll learn what happens next."
Varon whispered to himself.
"He knows..."
Asser walked beside Laika.
"Where are we going?"
"The prison."
Laika's eyes widened.
The storm outside raged.
Rain fell in soft, steady drops.
Laika watched Asser's back as he walked.
She saw King Caesar in his place.
She whispered through her tears:
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
She raised her hand.
A crimson volcanic blast lit the sky.
"What are you doing?" Asser asked.
"Following the orders of Aurik's king."
Suddenly—Kras leapt in front of them, landing dramatically.
He looked around.
"Where are the enemies?"
Laika smirked.
"No enemies.
The plan has changed.
It's a rescue mission—for the mages."
From the shadows, Sylvanas stepped forward.
"Very well.
We'll follow your lead."
Laika turned to Asser.
He walked forward.
—
Elsewhere in Aurik's Rain-Drenched Streets
Dais lunged at Jabir.
Jabir flipped backward, drew his weapon, and fired a deadly blue beam.
He glanced at the sky, smiling.
"Perfect.
The plan worked—just like me."
Dais dodged.
"Strange...
Where's the fire of that old man?
Aren't you royal blood?"
Jabir fired again—blue bolts streaking through the rain.
"I'll take that as a compliment.
I'm always mysterious.
Always raising questions.
I'm a long story.
Want a drink while I tell it?"
Dais slammed the ground.
Dark fire surged toward Jabir.
Jabir countered—firing into the earth, switching his gem mid-motion.
Dais appeared before him.
Jabir grinned.
He fired a wave of blue energy, leapt back, and sent Dais flying.
He landed atop a rooftop.
Then—a shadow strike grazed his cheek.
Blood trickled.
Jabir wiped it.
Smiled.
"Ha...?" Scary...
The Ember Rebellion - The Day Aurik Ignited
Varon stood guard before Prince Asser's sealed chamber, the pulsing volcanic enchantment of Laika glowing behind him.
Then—he heard it.
A scream.
"Kasrahh!"
Her voice cracked with grief.
"Sarah!"
Varon stepped forward.
"Kasrahh! I'm here—outside the door.
Your brother brought you here while you slept.
Everything will be alright!"
Silence.
Then—quiet sobs.
Varon sighed.
"This is... boring."
—
Elsewhere, Prince Asser walked through the palace corridors, clad in his father's royal armor. The crimson gems on his sword shimmered with ancient fire. Beside him strode Laika, the High Commander of the Mage Guild. Behind them marched Sylvanas, Kras, and the warriors of the Korta tunnels—mercenaries and assassins alike.
Guards watched in stunned silence.
Above, black clouds churned.
Cold winds swept through the stone.
Rain fell in soft, steady rhythm.
From windows and alleyways, citizens watched.
Children. Elders. Families.
"Is this a coup?" one man whispered.
"Are Korta's men escorting the prince out?
What happened to the princesses?"
A child cried out:
"Laika! She's alive!"
All eyes turned.
A warm aura radiated from Prince Asser—crimson, steady, comforting.
He reached the prison gates.
Two guards stood firm.
Asser raised his sword.
"Kill them."
Sylvanas readied her bow—
But Laika struck first.
A blast of molten fury melted them where they stood.
Sylvanas glanced at her, impressed.
—
Inside the prison, Asser grimaced.
"The stench...
They've turned this place into something else."
He clenched his fist.
"Traps and defensive spells everywhere," Sylvanas warned.
"We should go first, Your Highness."
"No," Asser said coldly.
"Let me lead," Laika said.
"Let me fulfill my promise to your father."
Asser nodded.
Laika stepped forward, volcanic fire erupting from her boots, revealing hidden sigils—glowing violet runes etched into the stone.
Sylvanas fired enchanted arrows, one glowing yellow to light the path.
Laika advanced, a sphere of molten judgment in her hand.
Asser followed.
—
They reached the central chamber.
The door slammed shut.
Laika melted it with a single blast.
Inside—
A vast circular room.
Cells stacked high, iron bars twisted.
Mages imprisoned.
Some tortured.
Some drained of power.
Laika's face darkened.
"They controlled the prison..."
Then—a gate opened.
From its depths emerged agents of the Black Order.
And at their center—a towering knight in obsidian armor.
Asser stepped forward.
"So this...
This is what my father fought."
He raised his voice.
"All forces—prepare yourselves!"
Laika's hands ignited.
Molten fire dripped from her fingers.
The Korta mercenaries and assassins drew their weapons, eyes fixed on Asser.
His body glowed with a crimson aura—warm, fierce, unyielding.
They felt it.
Not just heat.
Hope.
Asser raised his sword.
"Today is the day foretold.
The day Aurik blazes anew.
The day of the Ember Kingdom!"
"Attack!"
The Merchant and the Shadow - Duel Beneath the Storm
Jabir wiped the blood from his cheek.
Dais appeared before him, smiling.
He struck.
Jabir blocked the blow with his bare hand, sliding back across the wet stone.
"Oh, that's terrifying," Jabir muttered.
"The High Royal Advisor is angry?
Strange... I didn't know Aurik's advisors were warriors.
How odd."
Dais smirked.
"And I didn't know merchants could fight like this."
Jabir laughed.
"Finally!
Someone who appreciates the greatness of my power!"
Dais unleashed a wave of black fire.
Jabir countered with a single, roaring blast of blue magic.
He leapt into the air, firing rapid shots.
Dais followed—dodging, weaving, hurling shadow spheres.
Jabir deflected, retaliated.
From the streets below, guards and citizens watched in awe.
The sky churned.
Rain fell in gentle rhythm.
The duel looked like a natural phenomenon—light and shadow colliding.
"So," Jabir called,
"What's the story with the child?
Why keep him?
Is he really that important?"
Dais's face darkened.
"That's none of your concern."
They clashed again.
Dais conjured a flaming shadow rope, lashing it toward Jabir.
"This power...
Isn't it from Leonithra?"
Jabir's eyes widened.
"You're clever, aren't you?"
He shattered the rope, fired a devastating blast.
Dais blocked with a dark barrier, skidding back.
"I grew up among pirates in Leonithra," Jabir said.
"Became a merchant later.
Isn't that a beautiful story?"
Dais sneered.
"So you're a stray.
Cast out.
A footnote in forgotten history.
Your blood means nothing."
Jabir's expression shifted.
Then—he smiled again.
"Look how I've ruined your palace.
But when the Black Swan arrived...
It shattered your plans."
He stepped forward, voice calm, mocking.
"I'm your nightmare, Royal Advisor.
The merchant who writes his own laws—
Just to break them next."
"One day I sail Silva's oceans.
The next, I cross its deadliest deserts.
And you?
You're unlucky enough to meet me."
His aura flared—blue fire dancing around him.
"As a seasoned, humble merchant...
I'd like to buy the child.
Officially, of course."
He grinned.
"Or...
Would you prefer the old way?
Pirate terms?"
"I'll protect that child.
Because everyone seems to want him.
And fate...
Brought him to me."
Jabir raised his weapon.
His body ignited with blue energy.
Dais's face twisted.
His own aura surged—black, violent, monstrous.
He raised his hand.
