Note : first few chapters might seem slow if you prefer fast paced chapter , this novel will have this type of writing till ch 7
( This is the first arc , it will go untill main character enters the academy )
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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
— Thomas A. Edison
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The Palace of Valdric was filled with smoke and ash.
Beyond the palace outer walls, the Azure Legion assembled like an endless ocean of blue. cannon muzzles glowing faintly from unceasing fire. The air tasted of sulfur
These were soldiers of the Durvane Empire.
Inside, the defenders of Valdric — men in black uniforms — clung to the last barricade. Smoke clung to their faces;
They spoke no words, only loading, aiming, and firing. Every shot fired was a struggle for defenders
High above, in the shattered throne room, Emperor Maximus von Valdric was seated on his throne room drinking wine from his collection
The sound of gunfire was dimmly audible in the background
"Your Majesty," said General Kael, in his military uniform full of medal , "the inner wall is gone. They're flooding the courtyard. We can still detonate the East Wing — trap them inside with us."
Maximus didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted to the far end of the hall — where his five-year-old son, Leon who was in the hands of his nanny , clutched a wooden horse to his chest, fingers trembling.
The Emperor's voice was confidential, but steady.
"How long until reinforcements arrive?"
Kael's eyes flickered. "Too long. Hours, perhaps. The Eastern troops are silent maybe they have already surrender "
A tremor ran through the marble floors, dust raining from the ornate ceiling.
Empress Liora appeared with several maids and soldiers behind . "They're inside the servants' hall," she gasped. "Maximus, the East Wing— it's—"
A deafening explosion cut her words short. A tower collapsed outside, carrying a rolling wave of screams with the wind.
Maximus but nonchalantly continued drinking his wine , ignoring all chaos , . "So it ends," he whispered.
Kael placed the detonator box on the table to the side — and said "One pull, sire, and the Palace of Valdric will never fall into enemy hands. We die as men should — on our own terms."
Maximus just continued staring at the location where box was , contemplating the decision
"Seal the charges," Maximus murmured, "but do not ignite them. Not unless I command it."
Kael hesitated. "Sire—"
"That's an order," Maximus snapped.
Suddenly the door to throne room opened and soldiers of valdric were retreating inside the throne room
All maids panicked and chaos came but maximus stayed on his throne , his wine bottle has already been finished but he still kept staring the glass in his hands contemplating where things went wrong
Then maximus drew his revolver; its shine dulled beneath the soot-darkened light. "Raise white flags , i want to talk with their General "
Everyone was shocked but accepted it , wounded soldiers raised white flags and seeing this gunfire finally halted
They came like shadows in blue. The Azure Legion came in hall in full discipline and guarded the door , their hands were ready to draw their guns in case valdric soldier tried something funny . Black-coated defenders were in the same stance but with less morale , bleeding into the marble floors of their own palace.
Then, calm amid chaos, a tall figure entered: General Draven, commander of the Azure Legion. His cobalt coat gleamed as though untouched by the ruin around him. Soldiers parted as if he commanded the air itself.
Maximus kept his eyes on his revolver and did not even gave the enemy commander a glance and said In a commanding tone . " i surender, you won but spare my heir as even devils like you won't harm a child would you "
He said the last line while talking eye to eye with commander from his throne
Draven's voice was a knife of calm. " you still are arrogant but worry not we soldiers of Durvane , do not harm innocents and that child is innocent in our vision "
Liora sighed in relief from behind
...
Three days later, under a gray dawn, Maximus was executed in the courtyard of his ancestors. Liora stood beside him, serene despite her chains. Kael, last of the black-coated generals, stood bound at their side.
Before them, the Azure Legion awaited. Leon, held back by guards, stared red-eyed from the balcony.
"Live," Maximus whispered. "Live free of war."
A volley fired. Smoke engulfed the morning.
Then — everything froze and screen became dim .
BAD ENDING 34
THE END OF A EMPIRE
...
A chair scraped violently.
"Are you kidding me?!"
A dark room came into focus: monitors glowing orange, cables snaking across a desk littered with energy drink cans. Player: AidenCross98 blinked from the interface.
Aiden ripped off his headset, face flushed with frustration. " i choose the denoter ending not this aurafarming ending "
On screen, the Palace of Valdric burned, but Maximus was lifeless, the same cutscene looping with bad ending sign in the background
"This game was a waste of time " Aiden slammed the desk. Then the screen flickered. With a new prompt on the screen
"Hidden route detected. Would you like to join?"
" YES " OR " YES "
"Wha—what kind of choice is that?"
The option automatically selected: YES.
The screen them went black with sound of thunder echoing in the background