The grand throne room of the human kingdom gleamed with luxury. Ornate fabrics adorned the walls. Polished marble reflected the torchlight, casting dancing shadows across the vast chamber.
But tension hung thick in the air.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
King Kael rose from his throne. The rich cloth of his robe swished softly as he stood, the sound muted in the charged atmosphere.
"Prepare for our immediate departure."
His voice resonated through the chamber, commanding the attention of every soldier present. They snapped to attention in perfect unison. Armor clanked as they saluted, then marched away.
A white-robed figure materialized beside the king. No sound accompanied its arrival. No warning preceded it. The figure stood there like morning mist given form.
The robed figure whispered something meant only for royal ears. Words lost to the air, swallowed by the looming silence that invaded the room. With a single nod from the king, the figure vanished, leaving no trace of its presence behind.
Kael's eyes fixed on a distant point beyond the throne room walls. His brow furrowed with concern deeper than the lines on his face suggested.
Bang!
The throne room doors burst open with tremendous force. A lone adventurer stumbled through the entrance. Sweat glistened on his brow and across his weathered face. His eyes darted around the room with barely contained panic.
Steel sang as guards drew their weapons. The remaining soldiers bristled, blades pointed at the intruder who had dared enter without permission.
"Stand down," Kael commanded with a subtle gesture.
The weapons lowered reluctantly. The tension remained. Every guard watched the adventurer with suspicion, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
The adventurer collapsed onto his knees before the throne. Words tumbled from his lips in an incomprehensible jumble at first. The parchment in his hands crinkled, trembling in his grip as exhaustion and urgency warred within him.
"Breathe."
One word from the king. It cut through his panic.
The man steadied himself, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "Forgive me, Your Majesty." His voice was steadier now.
"The VIP System user... he's been seen attacking the Elven Forest."
Silence.
Complete.
Absolute.
The words seemed to suck the air from the throne room.
Kael closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. His neck popped softly as he rolled his head in a slow, deliberate circle. When he opened his eyes again, the full weight of kingship showed in every line of his face.
Scrape!
The Aurora Paladin surged to her feet. Her heavy shield dragged against the floor, the sound echoing through the chamber like the toll of a great bell. Her armor gleamed amber in the flickering light, intricate patterns etched into its surface casting wild reflections on the walls.
Lady Kiara lifted her head to meet the king's gaze. The lines on her face, and worry deepened as she regarded her sovereign.
"We cannot intervene."
Kael's response was measured, each word carefully chosen.
"The risks to the kingdom are too great, despite what's at stake."
He exhaled heavily. His chest rose and fell with a burden only rulers truly understand. The decision had been made, but that didn't make it any easier to bear.
"But the Silver Manes might have other ideas."
His gaze shifted to the Aurora Paladin, eyes hardening with purpose. The question hung between them for a moment before he voiced it.
"Can you handle them, Aurora?"
A fierce smile spread across her face.
"Consider it done."
She turned with military precision. Her cape swirled dramatically behind her. Then she let out a sharp whistle that pierced the chamber. Its note hung in everyone's ears long after it ended.
Movement beside the throne caught everyone's attention. A magnificent griffin stirred from where it had been resting unnoticed. Its eagle head snapped up. Golden eyes blazed with intelligence and primal intensity. Powerful muscles rippled beneath its feathered coat as the creature bounded across the room.
The griffin moved.
Wild.
Untamed.
A low rumble escaped its beak. The sound reverberated through the throne room.
Aurora dismissed her shield with a thought. The massive construct of metal and magic dissolved into dancing motes of light. They sparkled in the air, danced for a moment, then disappeared entirely. Her gauntleted hand found the griffin's mane. Coarse yet silky feathers brushed against metal as she ran her fingers through them.
In a single graceful motion, she vaulted onto the griffin's back. She settled atop the creature with ease.
The griffin's powerful wings unfurled. Individual feathers rustled with a sound like the gentle applause of a thousand hands. A gust of wind swept through the room as the wings beat the air. Tapestries fluttered against the walls. Everyone felt the gust on their skin, cool and refreshing after the oppressive tension.
With a mighty thrust of its legs, the griffin launched through the high windows. They disappeared into the sky beyond, leaving only a lingering breeze in their wake.
Gone.
Kael turned his attention back to the adventurer still kneeling before him.
"Your service to the kingdom is noted and appreciated."
With a subtle gesture, he summoned another white-robed figure. It glided forward from the edges of perception. Robes rustled barely louder than a whisper. The figure placed a heavy coin purse before the kneeling man. Metal clinked against metal inside.
The adventurer bowed deeply. His hands trembled slightly as he scooped up the reward, no doubt in awe of the king's gesture. He backed away respectfully into the shadows of the grand hall.
Footsteps approached from the side entrance. A soldier in ceremonial armor stopped before the throne and saluted.
"Everything is prepared for your departure, Your Majesty."
Kael nodded and began descending the steps. His cape swished behind him with every step, the sound of decisions made and actions set in motion.
"I won't let the new generation take all the credit."
Fire returned to his voice.
Old fire.
Burning.
The kind that had built kingdoms and won wars. The determination that had made him king in the first place.
"My fears have lingered long enough."
He paused at the bottom step, his hand resting on the pommel of his ceremonial sword.
"Now, it's time to see this through."