The palace of the Kingdom of Altekhna maintained an outward appearance of peace, but behind its walls, an invisible power struggle was unfolding. Archmage Ortai, ever loyal to the realm, had always strived to uphold order. Yet lately, he had begun to question the change in Queen Sylvia's demeanor.
Young and ambitious, Queen Sylvia—mother to the youngest prince—was prepared to do whatever it took to secure her son's claim to the throne. However, her heart had grown increasingly restless. Once a ruler who heeded Ortai's counsel, she now longed for power beyond what tradition or wisdom could offer. She saw herself as the protector of the kingdom's future—and would stop at nothing to claim that role.
One early morning, the Queen sat alone in the royal library, weighed down by her thoughts. Her resolve—to risk anything for her son's future—was intensifying by the minute. At that moment, a cloaked stranger stepped through a hidden passage. Though he appeared to be a noble loyal to the kingdom, he was, in truth, a member of the Shadow Collective—a secretive faction devoted to resurrecting the powers of ancient gods.
"Your Majesty," the stranger began, his voice smooth and persuasive, "I've heard you seek greater strength."
His words slipped into her mind like smoke in the dark, subtle and poisonous.
Queen Sylvia eyed him warily. "Who are you? And how do you know what it is I desire?"
The man offered a thin smile. "I am someone who can help your son ascend to the throne. But in return, we ask only for… a fragment of the kingdom. More precisely, a power tied to its ancient faith."
The Queen could not look away from the dark orb the man now revealed. A pale glow pulsed within it—mysterious and deeply alluring.
She hesitated. 'What price will this power demand?' the thought echoed in her mind. And yet, her yearning for her son's future drowned out all doubts.
"No matter the cost," she whispered. "If this power ensures my son's ascension, then I am ready."
The stranger's smile widened as he placed the orb in her hands. It hummed with energy, dark and compelling.
"This will grant you what you seek," he said. "But it will take time. Use that time wisely, and your son will sit upon the throne unopposed."
Sylvia closed her hand around the orb, and as the power surged into her, her fears began to fade—replaced by a cold, resolute ambition.
In the days that followed, her demeanor grew distant. Her gaze hardened. Ortai sensed it immediately and came to see her.
"Your Majesty," he said carefully, "is something troubling you? You've seemed… different as of late. If there's anything I can do—"
"There is nothing to worry about, Archmage," Sylvia said, her voice clipped and cold. "Everything is proceeding as it should. Focus on your own duties."
Ortai's eyes narrowed slightly. The tone, the look in her eyes—this wasn't the Queen he once knew.
'She's changed,' he thought. 'She's drawn power from somewhere else… and it's not natural.'
Bowing respectfully, he replied, "Very well. But should you need anything, I remain at your service."
As he left, Ortai knew he could not ignore this. He began laying plans to uncover the truth, convinced that whatever the Queen had embraced could one day endanger the entire kingdom.
Alone once more, Sylvia held the orb in her palm. Its glow pulsed in time with her heartbeat. 'If this power is what will raise my son…' she whispered to herself.
Still, deep within, a quiet voice warned her: that this path might end in ruin.
But she silenced it.
Everything… was for the kingdom. And for her son.
Even if the kingdom had to burn for him to rule it.
****
The King's Movements
Once, King Kailus had elevated the name of the Kingdom of Altekhna with his wisdom and valor. Under his reign, the kingdom had flourished. But no one can defy the flow of time. Now, King Kailus's body and mind were gradually succumbing to the weight of the years.
In the grand conference hall where critical royal meetings were held, the king—who once commanded the room with sheer charisma—now sat heavily in his chair. Throughout the meeting, his eyelids drooped frequently, and at times, he even seemed to doze off. Watching the king struggle to stay alert, the attending nobles and officials began to feel a subtle sense of unease.
Even as discussions on national defense and the economy unfolded, the king often missed key points or repeatedly asked about matters that had already been addressed. His voice remained deep and resonant, but the strength behind it had noticeably waned.
Chancellor Bellomore kept a close eye on the king's declining condition. He was doing everything in his power to prevent news of the king's frailty from spreading both within and beyond the palace walls. In an effort to maintain order, Bellomore moved the meeting along swiftly, supplementing the king's remarks and steering the conversation as needed.
He worried deeply. "For the sake of the kingdom's stability, the king's weakness must not be exposed…" Bellomore understood the weight of his role and did his utmost to conceal the present turmoil.
Once the meeting ended, Chancellor Bellomore turned to the gathered nobles and officials with a calm smile. "His Majesty continues to reflect deeply on the wellbeing of the realm. Today's meeting was part of that ongoing contemplation. Let us all do our best to honor his will."
The nobles nodded in agreement, reassured on the surface that the kingdom's order remained intact, and slowly exited the chamber. But Bellomore could see the flicker of concern in their eyes. They may not have witnessed the king's full decline, but they could sense something was wrong.
Throughout the meeting, Prince Alexander had remained silently seated, watching his father. Ever since he was a child, Alexander had admired King Kailus deeply—but now, seeing his father's withered and diminished state, the shock was undeniable. He had always known that someday he would have to succeed the throne. What he hadn't expected was how soon that day might come.
"The time is approaching when Father will no longer be able to lead this kingdom…" Alexander thought, a heavy weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He was unsure how to fulfill his role in the current climate, or how to fill the void that would be left behind.
Yet, something else troubled him even more—a different concern entirely. It was about his younger half-brother, Prince Lukas, the child of Queen Silvia. Though Lukas was still young, he was clever and perceptive. And more importantly, it seemed their mother, Queen Silvia, was already devising a plan to see her son on the throne.
Alexander harbored complicated feelings toward Lukas. He cared for his younger brother, but he couldn't ignore the growing political tension surrounding the succession. "It would be a relief if Lukas truly had no desire for the throne… but can I believe that?" The reality, he feared, was more complicated. Queen Silvia's ambition was well known, and Lukas was surely not immune to her influence.
Lukas's youth offered Alexander some momentary comfort—but he knew it wouldn't last. He would need to prepare to fill their father's shoes, while also considering how to manage his relationship with his younger brother.
His thoughts drifted to memories of the past—sword training with his father, their campaigns together on the battlefield. "Father was always strong… wise… Am I truly capable of becoming a king like him?" Doubt lingered in his heart, but one thing was clear—he knew what had to be done for the sake of the kingdom's stability.
When King Kailus returned to his private chambers to rest, Queen Silvia approached him. Her expression was calm, yet the ambition lurking beneath was clear in her tone.
"You seem more tired these days, Your Majesty," Silvia said gently. "You've borne the burdens of the kingdom for so long—it must be exhausting."
Kailus responded without opening his eyes, his voice heavy with fatigue.
"Yes, Silvia. As time passes, both my body and mind grow weary. I can no longer deny it."
Silvia fell into a brief silence, as if waiting for the right moment. She had already decided—now was the time to take the first step in enacting her plans.
"Then perhaps it's time for the next generation to begin preparing to lead the kingdom. I believe our son, Lukas, possesses the qualities needed to take on that role."
At her words, King Kailus slowly opened his eyes.
"Isn't Lukas still too young for such a burden, Silvia? Ruling a kingdom is no easy task. Alexander has already learned much and is nearly ready."
Queen Silvia smiled inwardly, having anticipated that exact reaction.
"Of course, Alexander is a fine candidate. But Lukas has shown great promise for the future of the kingdom. Even at his young age, he exhibits insight and a genuine interest in state affairs."
Kailus fell silent, thinking deeply. He had always known Lukas to be intelligent and capable, but never seriously considered him for succession due to his age. Still, Silvia's words carried a certain weight.
"Even so… isn't it too soon? We must also consider his relationship with Alexander…"
Silvia gave a soft smile and gently took the king's hand.
"Your Majesty, I believe Alexander and Lukas can respect each other and work together. With time and guidance, Lukas will gain the wisdom he needs. If you consider his future, I'm certain he will become a great asset to the kingdom."
The king mulled over her words, deeply conflicted. He loved both his sons. He understood that they each had roles to play in the kingdom's future, but which of them should ultimately inherit the throne?
"When I'm gone… who will truly lead this kingdom into peace? Who will be the right choice?"
Not long after Queen Silvia left, Chancellor Bellomore entered the king's private chamber. Though he hadn't overheard the earlier conversation, he had long since sensed the queen's ambitions. And as one tasked with preserving the kingdom's stability, he believed it was his duty to keep those ambitions in check.
"Your Majesty, may I have a moment of your time?" Bellomore asked respectfully.
King Kailus, still lost in thought, gave a slow nod.
"Yes, Bellomore. What is it?"
The chancellor approached cautiously before speaking.
"Your Majesty, we are at a turning point. It's time we consider a clear plan for the kingdom's future. The issue of succession… must be handled with utmost care."
King Kailus looked at Bellomore, knowing he always spoke with rare clarity and insight. He awaited the chancellor's counsel.
"Prince Alexander has been preparing diligently and has already gained much knowledge and experience. I believe he is ready to assume the responsibilities of the crown. However… I suspect Queen Silvia has other intentions."
The king let out a weary sigh.
"I've thought about that too, Bellomore. Silvia believes Lukas is capable of leading, but I… I haven't reached a decision yet."
Bellomore paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Your Majesty, I have the utmost respect for both princes. But I believe Alexander's succession would best serve the kingdom's stability. Lukas may one day play a significant role—but appointing him as successor now could lead to great unrest."
King Kailus absorbed the chancellor's words in silence. He loved both sons dearly, yet the question of who would be the rightful heir continued to weigh heavily on him.
He thought back to his earlier conversation with Silvia. The way she had spoken, the timing, her tone—everything had been calculated. Her ambition was not born of mere pride, but of an unyielding will to shape the kingdom's future in her vision.
And that, Kailus knew, could lead to either salvation—or ruin.
He decided he needed time with his sons. Time to truly see who they were becoming. Summoning Queen Silvia, Prince Alexander, and young Prince Lukas, he gathered them to speak frankly about what lay ahead.
"Silvia. Alexander. Lukas. The time has come for us to prepare for the future of this kingdom. I have protected it for many years… but now, it is you who must prepare to carry that burden."
His voice carried both sorrow and determination.
Alexander listened quietly, feeling the weight of those words settle on his shoulders. He glanced toward Lukas, his younger brother, and struggled to suppress the storm of emotion inside him.
"What must I do for the kingdom… and how will I face my brother in the days to come?"
Lukas, still too young to fully grasp the conversation, looked back and forth between his father and brother. But even at that age, he could feel something shift in the air—something that would one day define his fate. He had always taken an interest in the affairs of the realm, largely due to his mother's influence. Now, a subtle sense of anticipation stirred in his heart.
Kailus looked at both of his sons, sensing the weight they, too, would one day carry.
"I want to give you all that I can… but now, you must begin forging your own paths."
Queen Silvia, watching from the side, allowed herself the faintest smile. Her ambition had not yet come to fruition—but she knew the pieces were moving in the direction she desired.
The complex situation unfolding within the royal family soon began to ripple outward into the noble court. The subtle tension between supporters of Prince Alexander and those who saw potential in Prince Lukas became increasingly difficult to ignore.
Some nobles backed Alexander, firmly believing that he was the right heir to ensure the kingdom's continued stability. His experience, maturity, and visible dedication made him a reassuring choice in uncertain times.
But others began to place their hopes in Lukas. Despite his young age, they saw in him a rare intelligence and charisma—an untapped potential that, if guided properly, could bring about a new golden age. Influenced by Queen Silvia's quiet lobbying, this faction slowly grew in number and confidence.
The kingdom itself began to feel the pressure. Rumors spread in courtly whispers. Tensions simmered in strategy rooms and palace hallways. The once-unified foundation of the realm now showed faint signs of fracture.
King Kailus could feel it too. He sat alone at night, staring at the flickering candlelight, haunted by the decisions he could no longer delay. His love for both sons only deepened the burden. He knew his reign was nearing its end.
And he wondered—when he was gone, would his kingdom endure?
Would it fall into chaos, torn between two heirs?
Or would one rise above, not just to claim the throne, but to unite it?
The future of Altekna no longer rested in his hands.
A new era was coming.
And time would be the only judge of the choices they made.