The palace walls were tall, newly built on the lives of multiple people.
Within those walls, rumors were spreading. Today, Rin escaped death,escaped a soul bomb.
He stood beside Dren in the medical wing, freshly bandaged, pain still gnawing at his ribs. Dren, pale and stiff, leaned slightly on a cane. The emergency soul repair rituals had done their job. They were breathing. That was all the story needed.
A panel of senior guild officials, nobles, and intelligence officers stood across from them. Their faces were tense. Their silence sharp.
"Tell us what happened," one of them said.
Dren bowed slightly, voice rough but steady.
"We were ambushed. Four unknowns. Strong,General-class strength, at least."
A ripple passed through the room,half disbelief, half dread.
"We fought. I held them back as best I could. Then that filthy bastard Aelric Varane of Droscalin arrived."
Everyone straightened at the name.
"He brought two children. Said they were his treasure."
Dren paused,just long enough to let the room lean in.
"But before anything else happened, they turned on him. Killed the children. Burnt them to ashes.Then came after us."
Shock. Murmurs. One of the older nobles clenched his fist.
"The Prince was already wounded. I was spent. Then I saw Varane pull something from his robes in desperation."
Dren's eyes swept across the room.
"A soul bomb."
Gasps. Someone cursed under their breath.
"That's impossible," one officer said. "That's our tech."
"Money changes hands," another replied. "Before Lord Valen destroyed them he mighf have gotten one,he is a noble after all."
Dren nodded. "When I saw it, I knew. I grabbed His Highness and ran. When the light hit, I threw him clear."
His voice cracked, right on cue. "I felt my soul tear apart. I thought I died. Woke up later. Found him, barely alive. We came back as soon as we could."
The room went still.
Then, slowly, they bowed their heads toward Rin. Respect mingled with awe.
The boy who'd survived a soul bomb. The myth was taking root.
Some of them realized that things aren't as simple as they appear.
---
Later that night
Rin and Dren sat alone in a quiet chamber. A small table between them. Three vials filled with a dark, viscous liquid glinted under the lantern light.
Rin handed two of them over.
"Blood-lake water," he said. "Infused with remnants of ancient dragon lines. It'll push their growth,but only if their bodies and souls are strong enough to take it."
He gave dren a good amount of the lake to push him and the kids.
Dren studied the vials, cautious. "For the children?"
Rin nodded. "Train them. Keep them hidden. When the time comes, I'll use them."
Dren bowed his head. "And you?"
"I'm leaving."
"Where?"
"The Emperor's dominion."
Dren stiffened. "You'll be safe there… Even Kaelion wouldn't dare follow."
"Exactly. That's why I'm going."
Rin faced him fully now, voice calm but sharp.
"I'll say it's for recovery. Soul damage. They'll believe it. But while I'm there, I'll be building."
"Building what?"
Rin smiled.
"Power and Influence."
Dren tilted his head. Rin continued.
"Before the Solas Empire unified the East, there were seven great royal families. When the empire formed, those families lost their thrones,but not their roots.Their blood runs deep."
Dren's expression darkened with understanding. "you are planning on forming an alliance with one of them?"
"Exactly," Rin said. "specifically the noble familythat used to rule Kaelion's territory."
Dren gave a short bow. "Then your rise has already begun."
Rin turned back to the map, his eyes sharp.
"My brother wants a game? Fine. We'll play it."
"But this time, we use my rules."