Cedric's hands trembled as he gripped the hilt of his sword. His knuckles were white, his breath uneven.
For too long, he had followed Magnus, convinced that power was the only thing that mattered. Convinced that Magnus would lead Eldoria to greatness.
But now, standing at the edge of the battle, watching Lucian carve through men like a demon unleashed, Cedric felt something shift inside him.
Loyalty could be blinding.
And he had been blind for too long.
Magnus had gone too far. Kidnapping Eva. Torturing his own men. Tainting Eldoria with blood and greed.
And Cedric? He had been complicit.
No more.
He turned, his gaze locking onto Magnus, who stood at the top of the castle steps, watching the battle unfold like a man admiring his masterpiece.
Cedric's jaw clenched.
It was time.
The Battle Within the Walls
The castle was chaos.
Lucian and his men had stormed through the gates, cutting down Magnus' soldiers like wheat in a harvest. The corridors ran red with blood, the air thick with the scent of iron and death.
Lucian fought like a beast possessed. His blade flashed under the torchlight, striking down anyone who dared to stand between him and Eva.
Tobias was right behind him, his fists doing just as much damage as his sword. Gareth moved with cold precision, dispatching soldiers without hesitation.
But Magnus had prepared for this.
Reinforcements poured in. The battle tightened. For every soldier Lucian cut down, another took his place.
And then—
A scream.
Not a scream of pain.
A scream of defiance.
Lucian's heart slammed against his ribs.
Eva.
She was here.
He turned sharply, cutting down a guard as he stormed through the hallway. His breath was heavy, his body aching from the wounds he had sustained, but none of it mattered.
He had to reach her.
Then—
A figure blocked his path.
Cedric.
Lucian's grip tightened on his sword.
"You," he growled.
Cedric had been Magnus' right hand since the beginning. If anyone was to blame for Eva's suffering, it was him.
Lucian moved to strike—
But Cedric dropped his weapon.
Lucian froze.
"I'm done," Cedric said, his voice steady despite the battle raging around them. "I'm done serving a madman."
Lucian hesitated. He didn't trust easily. Especially not Cedric.
But before he could speak, Cedric stepped aside, revealing a hidden passage.
"Eva is inside," Cedric said. "Go."
Lucian didn't wait.
He ran.
The Final Confrontation
Eva was bound to a chair, her wrists bruised, but her eyes—her fire—were still there.
Lucian exhaled sharply, relief crashing over him.
She was alive.
"Lucian," she whispered.
He stepped forward, cutting her restraints, his fingers brushing against her skin. It was supposed to be a brief touch, but it lingered—longer than it should have.
Then—
A slow clap.
Lucian's body went rigid.
Magnus.
He stood in the doorway, smirking.
"You just can't stay away, can you, Valemont?" Magnus sneered. "Tell me, what is it about her that turns you into a rabid beast?"
Lucian lunged.
Their swords met with a deafening clash. Sparks flew. Magnus was strong, but Lucian was furious. Every strike was filled with the weight of his rage, the depth of his unspoken love for Eva.
But Magnus was cunning.
He parried, twisting sharply—
And then—
A knife buried itself in his side.
Cedric.
Magnus staggered. Blood seeped through his cloak, his face twisting in pain and betrayal.
"You?" he hissed.
Cedric didn't flinch. "You never deserved this kingdom."
Magnus' eyes flickered—calculating. And then—
Smoke.
A distraction.
Lucian cursed as Magnus vanished into the shadows.
He had escaped.
But Eva was safe.
And that was all that mattered.