Arthur finally arrived at the great gate of Valeria. The gate stood tall and shining like gold, surrounded by the sound of the wind and the quiet voices of people whispering from afar. His heart was heavy with anger and sorrow. The city he once called home was now covered with silence and fear.
Arthur walked toward the gate with calm but firm steps. The guards who saw him could not believe their eyes. The man they once served as prince was now called a traitor. They felt his power, stronger than before, and none of them dared to stop him.
As Arthur reached the door of his mansion, he felt something strange. A cold presence was watching him from somewhere unseen. He slowly pushed open the door, his hand on his sword. Suddenly, several figures jumped out from the shadows.
The mysterious group attacked without warning. Arthur reacted instantly. He moved faster than they could see, his sword flashing through the air. One by one the attackers fell to the ground. Only one man remained alive. Arthur pressed the tip of his sword at the man's neck and demanded an answer.
Arthur said, Who sent you. The man smiled weakly and whispered, You will know soon enough. Before Arthur could say another word, the man bit something hidden in his mouth and fell dead. Arthur closed his eyes and whispered in anger, I will find out who did this.
The next morning, Arthur walked through the streets wearing a cloak. He noticed people whispering and pointing at him. He looked at a poster on a nearby wall and froze. It was his own face. The words on the poster said, Arthur Valtreign, Wanted, One Hundred Twenty Gold Coins.
Arthur stared at it with disbelief. Then a voice called his name. Arthur turned and saw his old friend.
Rick said, Arthur, it is really you. You are alive. The whole kingdom believes you are dead.
Arthur asked with a hard voice, Rick, why am I being hunted.
Rick's face was filled with worry. He said, You really do not know. After you left, a man named Nyx appeared in the royal court. He came from nowhere and became very close to the king. But not long after, everything started to change. The king became weaker each day, and soon Nyx declared that you had betrayed the crown.
Arthur looked at him, shocked. That is impossible, he said.
Rick nodded quickly. I know it is. I have known you all my life. You would never betray the kingdom. But Nyx had proof. He brought papers, witnesses, even the royal seal. Everyone believed him.
Arthur clenched his fists. So he took everything from me.
Rick nodded again and said, Arthur, you are not only a knight. You are the true prince of Valeria. Nyx framed you so that he could take your place.
Arthur's voice grew cold. Then I will take it back.
Rick placed a hand on his shoulder. Please be careful. Nyx is not an ordinary man. There is something dark in him. I saw it myself. You cannot face him alone.
Arthur looked straight into his friend's eyes. I have faced worse. Tell my father I am coming home.
Arthur entered the castle. The place that once shone with peace now felt empty and lifeless. When he reached the throne room, his heart almost stopped.
His mother and father hanging around and on the throne Nyx sitting at the throne, smiling calmly.
Nyx said, Welcome back, Arthur. I have been waiting for you. I even prepared a gift.
Arthur felt his blood boil. He shouted, Nyx, you will pay for everything you have done.
He ran forward, his sword glowing with light, but Nyx simply lifted his hand. Soldiers in armor, the royal paladins, came running from the sides. Arthur faced them without fear.
The battle inside the throne room was fierce. The sound of steel filled the air. Arthur's sword cut through armor with ease. The power he gained from his training with Wis made him unstoppable. In moments, all the paladins were defeated.
Arthur jumped high, his sword aimed at Nyx, shouting, This ends here.
Suddenly, his body froze in midair. He could not move. Nyx stood up slowly and smiled.
Nyx said, Arthur, you have grown strong, but compared to me, you are still a child.
Arthur struggled to move. What kind of power is this, he shouted.
Nyx raised his hand, and a dark light swirled around him. I was once like you, weak and bound by duty. But then I met someone. A man from the shadows. He showed me the truth. He gave me power that no mortal could have. In exchange, I gave him my soul.
Arthur shouted, You betrayed everything for power.
Nyx laughed quietly. And look where it got me. I have the throne, the kingdom, and your parents. What did your honor give you.
Arthur's anger grew until his aura burned like golden fire. The power holding him vanished, and Nyx stepped back in surprise.
Arthur shouted, You will pay for every tear, every drop of blood you caused.
Their swords met with a sound that shook the walls. Sparks of light and shadow filled the room. Each strike sent waves of energy across the floor.
Nyx used dark magic, filling the room with black flames. Arthur broke through it with his strength and faith. Nyx disappeared and attacked from behind, but Arthur blocked without turning. Their fight lasted long, destroying pillars and breaking walls.
Nyx shouted, Why do you fight me, Arthur. You could join me. Together we could rule this world.
Arthur shouted back, I will never become a monster like you.
Arthur's sword pierced through Nyx's chest. Nyx screamed, but Arthur did not stop. He kept striking again and again until Nyx fell. Even when Nyx was dead, Arthur kept hitting him, unable to control his anger.
Finally, his strength left him, and he fell beside Nyx's body, breathing heavily.
When the smoke cleared, the paladins who survived slowly opened their eyes. The darkness that controlled them was gone.
One of them knelt beside Arthur and said softly, It is the prince. He is alive.
Another said, Help him quickly. The true heir has returned.
They lifted Arthur's body with care and carried him out of the broken throne room. Outside, the morning sun began to rise over the kingdom of Valeria. The long night of darkness was finally over.