Kenji sat alone, a hollow ache where his wife used to be. "I'm left alone in this world," he muttered. "She was the only one there for me, and now she's gone, too."
His advisor, Haruto, entered the throne room, his face grim. "My king, the people of this kingdom seem to be planning something."
Kenji scoffed, not bothering to look up. "Let them. They are just bugs; they can't do anything to me."
Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed through the halls, a sound like a battering ram hitting the main doors.
Kenji shot up from his throne. "What's happening? Who's at the door?"
The great doors splintered and fell inward, revealing a furious mob of people from the kingdom.
"We've had enough of you!" someone from the front shouted. "We will not tolerate this any longer. You are no longer our king!"
"Guards!" Kenji bellowed. "Capture them!"
The royal guards charged, clashing with the angry crowd. Swords rang against shields, and the shouts of battle filled the air. But the sheer number of rebels was overwhelming, and soon, the people of the kingdom stood victorious.
As they turned to face the throne, they were shocked to find it empty. The king was gone. Then, a voice from the crowd cried out, "Look! The king's crown is here!" The glittering crown lay on the floor just outside the king's private chambers.
Niko: a rebel leader, stepped forward. "He must have gone inside his room. Find him!"
The rebels tried the door, but it was locked. They broke it down, only to find the room was empty.
"He must be somewhere here. Search everywhere!" Niko commanded.
Amid the frantic search, one rebel's hand brushed against a book on a shelf. It clicked, and the bookshelf swung inward, revealing a dark, secret passage.