Rin Solas stood on a rooftop overlooking the ruined capital, the wind cold and sharp against his face.
He wasn't looking at the people rebuilding the shattered kingdom below.
He was looking at them,the two shadows that followed him everywhere.
The two guards Kaelion had sent.
Every day, every night, they watched. They spoke little, but their presence was suffocating. They were stronger. Smarter. Older. Loyal only to his brother.
And Rin wanted nothing more than to tear them apart.
But he couldn't.
He wasn't strong enough.
"Not yet," he muttered.
He knew he couldn't wait forever. The longer he lingered, the more likely they'd find the right "accident" to stage his death. The north was vast, isolated, and chaotic,a perfect place to bury a royal corpse without a trace.
So Rin made a plan.
A risky, stupid, reckless plan.
But better to die trying, than to die waiting.
---
A month had passed since they had arrived.
The ruins were slowly being rebuilt. Citizens were worked like beasts, but they obeyed. Fear was stronger than hope. The flags of the Solas family flew over both kingdoms now,Droscalin and Kareth-Thorne ,new provinces of the Empire.
Everything was going too smoothly.
Too quiet.
Then, the summons came.
Master Arkan wanted to see him.
Inside the largest warship, Arkan sat before a large tactical screen. Several generals stood around, reviewing troop deployments. Arkan's gaze was distant as if already thinking about his return to the capital.
"My work here is done," Arkan said without turning. "I waited, assuming a soul expert would emerge from the ruins… but nothing. A waste." The generals had already left.
Rin felt his chest tighten.
If Arkan leaves now… I'm finished.
He stepped forward.
"Master… may I speak with you in private?"
The room went still.
The two guards stiffened, but before they could say anything, Arkan raised a hand.
"Step back," he said coldly.
They hesitated,but obeyed.
Arkan turned to Rin slowly, curious.
"Speak."
Rin met his eyes.
"I think it's obvious what's happening to me."
Arkan didn't react.
"Solas bloodlines defy all logic," he said. "You'll either break through… or die. I won't interfere with family matters."
"Kaelion waited for me to leave," Arkan continued. "And when he does THAT, he'll present 'evidence.' Your words mean nothing without power or proof. If you can't overcome this, then you're not ready for anything beyond it."
Rin was silent.
The words were true, and cruel.
Then he bowed his head.
"I understand that the Master does not get involved in the wars between Solas brothers. But… he helps those who help the family."
Arkan narrowed his eyes.
"So what are you offering?"
Without a word, Rin stepped forward and placed a small glass vial in Arkan's palm.
Inside was a glowing crimson liquid,thick like blood, shimmering like fire.
Arkan studied it.
"What is this?"
Rin smiled faintly.
"The fact that you don't know… is what makes it valuable."
He explained how he had tracked down an old ruin , how he suspected a Western spy was trying to extract something ancient and powerful. He hadn't known what it was at the time, but he felt it. And when he claimed it, the energy had scorched his hand for days.
Arkan's expression darkened.
"If the West has a method to detect ancient relics… if they're already reclaiming lost powers…"
"Your claim is massive," he said. "But there is no way to verify it now."
Rin bowed again.
"I ask nothing from younow,except this. Just remove the two guards… for five minutes. Let me go where I wish."
The room was silent.
Arkan looked at him long and hard.
"You're not foolish enough to think you can escape them in five minutes," he said. "So what's your plan?"
Rin met his eyes.
"Please, sir."
No answer. No details. Just trust.
Arkan stared for a moment longer.
Then, slowly, he stood.
"Very well."
He gestured.
"Five minutes."
Rin turned, the weight of those words cutting into his bones like a blade.
This was it.
His only chance.