I drew my spear and shield, readying myself by the door as I watched it slowly open. A hand grasped the edge of the wood, and as soon as the figure emerged, I felt myself relax. "Elysia," I said, holstering my spear and shield. She looked at me, confused, scanning the area before stepping inside the room.

  "Ryker, what's wrong? What's going on?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. I quickly grabbed her hands. She was wearing a loose nightgown and slippers, looking as if she had just woken up.

  "Was anyone outside?" I asked urgently, closing the door and ushering her to the other side of the room.

  "No, everyone is still asleep. I heard you stirring in here and came to check on you," she replied.

  I sat her down on the bed, glancing behind me one more time before continuing. "Listen to me. I went to the beach for a walk, and I saw Boltar and two other men talking. It sounded like they were planning to kill me and overthrow you."

  She stared at me for a moment before laughing. "I'm sure you misheard them."

  I knelt in front of her. "Please, Elysia, you have to trust me. Just get your armor on and get ready. I’m telling you—they are planning something. Boltar told the other two men to get ready and meet just inside the gate."

  She thought for a moment before turning to me. "Okay, I’ll entertain this for the time being, but you better be right." She stood up and walked toward the door.

  "I really hope I'm not," I said, following her.

  Elysia peeked out and motioned for me to follow as we headed toward her bedroom. She gestured for me to stay outside as she entered and closed the door behind her. I stood, pacing and keeping a watchful eye on the doorway. Then, I heard the handle turn and quickly ducked down, concealing myself behind the throne. I peeked out, seeing Boltar enter the room and scan the area.

  I watched as he walked slowly toward my door and drew a knife before entering. Just then, Elysia emerged from her room, fully armored and ready for battle. I put a finger to my lips in a hushing gesture and pointed toward my room. She nodded and concealed herself behind a nearby stone pillar.

  We waited in silence for a few minutes, and soon Boltar emerged, the knife now sheathed at his side. He scanned the room briefly before heading toward Elysia's room. He knocked loudly on the door. "Elysia, there's a situation. I need to see you outside at once."

  He waited for a moment, then knocked again. "Elysia, wake up—it's urgent."

  After a longer pause, he entered her room. Shortly after, he stormed out and headed straight for the large double doors Slamming them as he exited.

  I quickly emerged from cover and rushed over to Elysia. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into her bedroom. Approaching a bookshelf, she pulled a latch that released, revealing a hidden pathway behind it.

  "Go. This will lead you out into the courtyard, but to the side of the main entrance."

  I hesitated. "I'm not running away."

  She quickly stopped me. "I'm not asking you to. There's a lightning rod next to the main entrance. I need you to focus your lightning magic into it. It will shoot a bolt into the sky, alerting the soldiers who are still loyal to me to come to my aid."

  I glanced at the passageway, then back at her. "What are you going to do?"

  She moved toward the door. "I will distract them. You just make sure you send that signal."

  Before I could protest, she was out the door, and I hurried into the passage.

  It was pitch black inside, and I had to feel my way through the twists and turns. I bumped into the wall several times before finally coming to a small crack that led outside. I barely fit through, sliding out and staying low as I made my way into the open. Thankfully, both moons were glowing brightly in the sky, illuminating the area enough for me to see.

  I scanned the surroundings, looking for the lightning rod, and my heart sank when I spotted it. Two soldiers were standing next to it, actively pulling it from the ground. I started toward them but stopped when they managed to uproot it and throw it over the wall.

  "Fuck," I thought, retreating back against the stone wall. I peeked around the side of the building, spotting around twenty soldiers lined up in formation outside. Boltar was speaking to them.

  "So, this half of you will search the left side of the island, and the other half will search the right side. When you find her, tell her there is an urgent matter that requires her attention, then bring her back here."

  The soldiers all nodded, and just then, Elysia opened the doors and stood at the entrance. "I'm here," she said, and Boltar spun around, visibly shocked. Everyone was quiet for a moment before Elysia continued.

  She shut the doors behind her and slowly made her way down the steps.

  Boltar spoke. "Where is the chosen?"

  Elysia shrugged her shoulders. "I assume he's still asleep."

  Boltar shook his head. "He is not in his room."

  Elysia's eyebrows raised slightly. "Oh, so you decided to go check on him. How sweet of you, Boltar." She stopped a few steps above him and continued, "So, what is all this?" She waved her hand at the soldiers. "Have you called a midnight training session?"

  Boltar just stood there for a moment, and I could see the lightning in his eyes from where I stood. "We are here to give you the option to step down."

  Elysia thought for a moment. "Now, why would I do that?" She asked, putting her finger to her chin as if actually pondering the question.

  Boltar continued, "You are putting us all in danger to serve the agenda of a chosen."

  Elysia quickly shouted him down. "I serve the agenda of Stormpeak!"

  Boltar shook his head. "This chosen has clouded your judgment and made you willing to sacrifice your own people."

  Elysia put her hands behind her back. "Why didn't you come with me to duel Darian?"

  Boltar didn’t answer immediately. He swallowed before speaking. "I had to oversee the training of the soldiers."

  Elysia smiled and nodded. "Ah yes, of course. See, the funny thing is, I just searched your room and found this." She held out a folded piece of paper.

  Boltar shook his head.

  Elysia continued, "In case your memory slipped, it's a letter from, who I assume, is Darian. It describes in detail your plans to send me to my death so you can become the ruler of Stormpeak."

  The soldiers all looked at each other, exchanging glances as she continued.

  "In return, you will send our men to conquer other islands to be added to his rule."

  Boltar’s eyes glowed with anger. "Lies!" He shouted, turning to the soldiers.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Elysia smiled and continued, "Let the men see the letter for themselves."

  Boltar turned back to Elysia. "No! You will either step down or die here and now!"

  The soldiers hesitated, and Boltar turned back to them. "It's a lie! She wrote that letter. As I said before, the chosen has corrupted her mind! Now, let’s do what we came here to do, men!"

  The soldiers whispered among themselves, slowly preparing for action.

  Elysia spoke again, her voice firm. "I will not step down, and as soon as the soldiers still loyal to me catch wind of what’s going on here, you will all suffer the consequences. This is your last chance to stop this. You have my word that you will all be spared, and only Boltar will suffer the punishment."

  I knew this was her way of signaling me to send the alert. I looked around desperately for something to use to warn the others.

  I made my way over to the wooden wall, clenched my fist, and summoned a small flame. With a focused motion, I pushed my hand forward, sending a blast of fire into it.

  I held my hand there shooting flames into the wood. As soon as the soldiers saw me they began to charge my position.

  I saw Boltar thrust his spear at Elysia and she dodged it returning a follow up blow.

  I kept shooting flames with one hand while pulling my spear out of its sheath with the other. As soon as the soldiers were in striking range I retracted my hand and quickly grabbed my shield preparing to fight.

  The first soldier charged and as he thrust his spear, I bashed his hand with my shield sending his weapon flying from his grasp. He scrambled to get it and I thrust my spear into the back of his head.

  I quickly retracted and 2 more were in striking distance. As they got close A notification popped up in the side of my vision.

  Spear mastery increased to level 3 to reach level 4 kill 5 opponents within 10 seconds with your spear.

  I quickly blinked away the notification and and ducked under one of the soldiers spear thrust and stabbing my spear upwards into his chin and out of the top of his head.

  The second soldier thrust his spear opening a large gash in my upper right arm. My adrenaline spiked as the pain shot through me and I quickly opened and closed my fist and thrust my arm forward and blasting him with flames until he fell to the ground dead.

  I pulled my spear out of the mans head and turned to the wall. It was ablaze, but the fire was still growing as it slowly consumed the wall. I turned back to see Elysia still fighting with Boltar. She seemed to be holding her own and I noticed Boltar had some blood pooling on his thigh and limped slightly with every step.

  I ran toward the fight and at least 15 or so soldiers ran to meet me.

  As they rushed in I slung my arm behind me and shot a wall of flames in their direction. Most of them raised their shields blocking the blast but 4 of them weren't quick enough and were consumed. They patted and rolled on the ground trying to extinguish the flames but their efforts were in vain as the life left them.

  A notification popped up

  Fire magic increased to level 5. To reach level 6 kill 10 enemies within 30 seconds.

  I quickly tried blinking it away but a new notification popped up taking its place. New fire magic ability unlocked. Please choose your level 5 ability.

  I was knocked to the ground by blast of lightning from one of the guards.

  I desperately blinked my eyes until the notifications were out of my vision.

  as I tried to get to my feet a spear found its way into my side. I screamed in pain as the soldier twisted and then yanked it back out.

  I managed to stand up and get into a defensive stance. The soldiers just watched, waiting for me to either attack or succumb to my wound.

  I put my hand over the wound and started releasing healing magic as discreetly as I could.

  I looked again at Elysia and she seemed to be struggling. Her and Boltar both were exhausted, however, with a powerful kick to her chest she fell and he had the upper hand.

  My anger and adrenaline flowing fully at this point, I stopped healing and gripped my spear. I threw it at one of the soldiers and it stuck deep in his head. He fell back, limp onto the ground, I drew my sword and charged at the rest of the soldiers who stood in a defensive posture waiting.

  I rammed into one with my shield pushing him back and thrust my sword over his shield and into his neck killing him. Another soldier from my side thrust and I swung my sword in a fluid motion decapitating him.

  In a rage filled fury I ran through the guards slicing and cutting with my sword taking advantage of every opportunity I could. I was surrounded but I just kept fighting. Soldier after soldier fell to my sword until one of my strikes got stuck in the mans armor as he fell.

  I tried to pull it free but had to let it go as one of the soldiers attacked again. I used my shield this time and bashed and blocked every strike that came at me and when they fell I would bring the shield down on their throats crushing their windpipes.

  As I fought notifications were popping up but I put them out of my mind and just kept blinking them away as I continued my assault.

  Soon one of the straps on my shield broke loose and as I blocked an attack the soldier was able to rip it from my grasp.

  With my weapons gone I turned to my fists. I dodged and weaved through attacks, some landing and leaving bloody gashes, but this only infuriated me more.

  I punched and tackled and broke bones as an uncaged beast let loose upon my prey. This went on for a few minutes before I blinded a soldier with my thumbs and then snapped his neck instantly killing him.

  I turned and surveyed my surroundings to see the carnage laid out before me.

  Every soldier in that courtyard lay dead. My adrenaline started to fade and then the pain set in. I had several wounds all over my body.

  I quickly limped to the stairs leading to the stone building to find Boltar on his knees with Elysia standing over him, her spear to his throat.

  "It didn't have to be this way." She said as he fought to catch his breath. blood running down the side of his head and mouth. He turned to me with a shocked expression. He quickly scanned the area and seem to lose all sense of hope at the sight of the slaughtered soldiers. He turned back to Elysia. "Get on with it." She hesitated a moment and then in a quick motion stuck her spear through his throat and pulled it back. He gargled blood for a bit before falling over and going silent.

  Elysia turned to me, standing in awe at the bodies that littered the ground. She didn’t say anything—she just looked at me with concern. The pain grew more intense, and I felt my legs give out, dropping to my knees.

  Elysia quickly dropped her spear and ran over to me, starting to use healing magic. I stopped her. "No, let me do it," I said, focusing as a green mist emerged from my hands and surrounded my body. I concentrated on the healing for several minutes until the pain finally ceased, and then I stopped.

  A new notification popped up, but I quickly blinked it away before I could read it. I stood to my feet and turned around to see several soldiers running through the gate. Weapons at the ready, they looked down at the bodies of their slain brethren. The large wooden fence was now burning brightly on one side, lighting up the night and sending plumes of smoke into the air.

  "What is going on here?" one of the guards said, fixing his gaze on me.

  Elysia raised her hand. "Everything is fine, soldier. Ryker here has saved all of you."

  The soldiers looked confused and then Elysia raised both her hands to the sky. Her eyes began glowing, and dark clouds started to form above us. Lightning shot across the sky, followed by a loud thunderclap, and rain began pouring down. The fire consuming the giant fence started to fizzle out.

  Her eyes returned to normal, and she turned back to the soldiers. "Boltar tried to spark an uprising. Ryker here caught wind of his plans, and together we were able to stop it."

  The soldiers looked around as she continued, "As you can imagine, we are both very tired. Please deal with this and give these men proper burials. As for their families, tell them they are welcome to stay—provided they understand why their loved ones had to die."

  The soldiers nodded and began picking up the bodies, carrying them out of the gates. I walked around a bit, retrieving my weapons and shield. They were a little banged up but still felt just as solid as when I first received them.

  Elysia motioned for me to follow, and we made our way inside the building. As soon as she closed the doors, she turned and grabbed me, pulling me into a tight hug. She began shaking a bit, and I could tell she was crying. I held her tight and waited for a few moments as she regained her composure.

  She pulled back and simply said, "Thank you."

  I nodded, I knew this betrayal from her trusted second was hitting her hard and without speaking further on the matter, we made our way to our separate bedrooms.

  I closed the door to my room behind me and dragged a small chair in front of it, wedging the door shut. I removed my armor and placed it on the mannequin, then collapsed face-first onto the bed. Just then, I noticed a blinking exclamation mark in the corner of my vision. I sighed, blinked three times, and pulled up my menu.

  Blocking increased to level 6 to reach level 7 disarm 10 opponents with a shield bash.

  Strength increased to level 5 to reach level 6 kill 10 opponents with bare hands

  Swordplay increased to level 5 to reach level 6 kill 10 opponents in 20 seconds with sword.

  Healing magic increased to level 3 to reach level 4 heal yourself or 2 others from a fatal wound.

  Fire magic level 5 ability unlocked please choose a new ability.

  I scrolled down the list and their were 5 to choose from

  1.Cinder storm-Summon a storm of falling embers that burns enemies over a wide area.

  2.Firenado-Create a powerful whirlwind of fire that pulls in enemies and burns them with intense heat.

  3.Fire walk-Walk through flames without taking damage.

  4.Flame breath- Exhale a long, powerful stream of fire.

  5.Eruption-Cause the ground to erupt in fiery blasts, damaging anyone within the area.

  thought for a moment as I went through the list. Cinder Storm must have been what the Warden used against us when we fled into the forest. I remembered that night and how the fire rained down on us. It had been incredibly powerful.

  I thought about the battle to come. If I could use that ability against his forces, I could do some serious damage. However, Firenado could also be a good choice and would cause a lot of destruction to an army. Fire Walk would keep me safe from any fire damage. Flame Breath could also be useful—if I was busy fighting, it would give me another way to deal damage without sacrificing one of my hands. Eruption seemed like a solid ability against an army as well.

  I quickly blinked three times and closed the menu. I was exhausted and decided to get some sleep before making such an important decision. I got comfortable and drifted off.