The moon hung low over the ruins of Stormhaven’s border fort, its light catching on the shattered stone like cold glass. The squad had been tracking their target for three nights: an officer rumored to be ferrying invasion orders through the burnt corridor north of Kharrow Vale.They moved without torches. Only Reyna’s soft gestures guided them through the mist. Kael followed close behind, his fingers brushing the cold edge of his blade. Every sound pressed tight against his nerves.Reyna glanced back. “We clear?”Kael nodded once. “Footsteps ahead. Two, maybe three.”Kyna whispered, “Scouts?”“Could be,” Reyna murmured. “Or bait.”Drax’s voice crackled faintly through the comm bead. “Keep the formation. Don’t engage until confirmation.”They inched forward. The rebels appeared first as silhouettes: thin, bent shapes framed by moonlight. Kael’s hand hovered near the hilt, but Reyna lifted hers. Wait.When the fi

¶One week later¶The council chamber was dim.Archon stood near the window, rain streaking the glass. “He’s gathering pieces,” he said quietly. “The boy’s smarter than Darius gave him credit for.”Across the table, Lord Eryndor folded his hands. His rings caught the firelight. “You should be more grateful. My son’s been feeding you reports for weeks. He’s done his part.”Archon smiled faintly. “Jared’s loyalty bends easily, like his father’s.”Eryndor’s jaw flexed. “You’d best watch your tone, Archon.”“You’re a politician,” Archon said. “I’m a soldier. You watch mine.”The tension hung sharp as glass.Then Archon leaned back. “Veridale needs a purge, Eryndor. A cleansing before the throne falls into weakness. Darius was a start. Kael will be the reminder.”“And the King?” Eryndor asked.Archon’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “He’ll thank me when it’s done. Or he won’t. Either way, I’ll be here.

The Grand Hall of Veridale’s Academy had never been so silent. Rows of soldiers and students lined the marble floor, banners drawn back to reveal the royal crest. What once symbolised honour now loomed like a verdict.Kael stood between two guards, wrists bound in silver thread that dulled his Rift’s pull. Reyna was beside him, her posture steady but eyes sharp, her every breath measured.Archon stood at the dais, flanked by Lord Eryndor and the royal emissary. King Elric himself sat upon the high chair, robes trimmed in gold. His gaze, cold and formal, did not meet Kael’s.Reyna leaned close. “This isn’t a trial,” she whispered. “It’s theatre.”Kael’s jaw flexed. “Then let’s play our parts.”When Archon stepped forward, the crowd quieted. His voice carried easily across the chamber. “Cadets Kael Estaran and Reyna Thorne are charged with conspiracy, falsification of state documents, and unauthorised contact with Stormhaven operatives. The evidence is clear and irrefutable.”Kyna, stat

The path south wound through cliffs so narrow that only the morning wind fit between them. Reyna led the way, her steps sure despite the exhaustion. Kael followed a few paces behind, cloak drawn tight, eyes flicking from ridge to ridge.“Tracks died out two miles back,” Reyna said. “If Archon’s trackers are still on us, they’re taking the long route.”Kael gave a faint nod. “Elara knew how to throw them off. I don’t think she’d lie about that.”“Maybe not,” Reyna murmured, “but people don’t risk their lives for strangers.”“Then she’s not a stranger.”Reyna glanced at him, eyebrow raised. “You’re thinking about what she said.”Kael didn’t answer. Rhea. The name lingered in his mind like a wound reopened.They reached the edge of a dense forest by dusk. Smoke drifted faintly through the trees.Reyna crouched, scanning the underbrush. “There. Lantern light. Could be the Refuge.”“Or a trap.”“Onl

Kael sat opposite Elara. Reyna folded her arms and leaned against a pillar, watching the two with wary curiosity.“You’ve seen the inside of Archon’s shadow,” Elara began, her tone measured but heavy. “You’ve bled under his orders, obeyed his voice. Tell me, Kael… how deep does his rot go?”Kael met her gaze. “Deep enough to choke the kingdom. He hides behind loyalty, but everything he does leads to ruin. The more I learn, the more I realise Darius was right.”Reyna stepped forward. “And we’ll finish what he started.”Elara tilted her head, her silver hair falling in waves. “That’s a fine declaration, girl, but words are wind. What you plan now will brand you traitors.”“We’ve already been branded as traitors, so it doesn't make much of a difference,” Kael said quietly. “If Veridale burns from within, I’d rather light the match than pretend the smoke isn’t there.”The older woman’s eyes softened, then hardened again. “You speak l