Knock. Creak.
The treehouse door lurched open. A figure swept in, shrouded in black robes, face carved in the half-shadows beneath his hood.
Lex's body went rigid. His eyes narrowed, muscles coiling.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The stranger lifted his hood. White hair gleamed against midnight robes. His stern face bore the lines of countless battles; a sheathed katana rested at his side.
Venges startled, voice cracking through the tense air.
"Captain Rayn…?! What are you doing here?"
Rayn inclined his head, gaze unwavering. "Pardon my uninvited presence. I came to speak with the three of you."
Lon's eyes sharpened—cool steel, sizing up an equal. "You're the one who rescued the citizens?"
Rayn's reply was simple, almost detached. "Just doing my duty as captain of the Royal Guard."
Without further ceremony, Rayn stepped inside and sat facing them, arms folding across his chest.
"Let's skip to the point, shall we?"
Luo's whisper barely reached the others.
"His presence—it's so still… I can't sense anything from him…"
Lex, Lon, and Luo sat down, each one wary, every movement measured.
Rayn focused his gaze.
"First—who are you, and where are you from?"
Lex answered, voice steady. "I'm Lex. This is Luo, and that's Lon. We're from NOR."
Rayn considered the answer, then nodded with a shadow of understanding.
"…I see."
He closed his eyes, briefly lost in thought.
"What you did in the plaza… No one has ever dared to raise a hand against royalty. To knock the prince unconscious—right in front of the city."
His eyes snapped open, cold and unblinking.
"I must admit—I'm surprised. And… intrigued."
Lon leaned forward. "Say what you came to say."
Rayn paused—a single, heavy heartbeat—then spoke:
"I want your help to overthrow the Kingdom of FOR."
Silence fell. Tension pressed in so thick it felt impossible to breathe.
Lex, Luo, Lon, and even Venges stared at him, jaws set. Lon's lips parted. Luo's hands trembled beneath the table.
Luo finally whispered, voice hoarse. "What did you say?"
Rayn met her gaze, voice like stone. "You heard me."
Venges stood abruptly, face pale.
"Captain—do you realize what you're suggesting? Challenging the kingdom means… declaring war on the entire Unity Alliance!"
Rayn remained calm, a sorrowful edge behind his words.
"I've lived under this system longer than any of you. I've seen what happens to the people while nobles sing of 'peace.' The Unity symbol is a lie. This kingdom is rotting from the inside."
Luo's voice wavered. "But how could you—you, of all people—turn against them?"
Lex's fist clenched. His answer came clearly, without hesitation.
"I'll help."
Lon spun, glaring. "Idiot. What are you saying?"
Lex held his ground, eyes burning.
"You saw what happened. Innocent people—hurt, terrified, abandoned—while the prince played god. I'm done watching people suffer and pretending it's okay."
Rayn stared at Lex, the first hint of genuine surprise flickering across his stoic mask. Slowly, he nodded.
"You have my thanks, Lex."
He turned to Lon and Luo. "And you two?"
For a moment, neither spoke. Just exchanged glances—uncertainty, fear, and a spark of shared resolve.
Luo exhaled, shoulders dropping. "What choice do we have now?"
Lon shrugged, lips twisting into a half-smile. "Tch. Like I'd let this idiot go off alone."
Something eased in Rayn's posture—almost, relief.
"Then it's settled," he said quietly.
He rose, brushing off his cloak.
"We overthrow the Kingdom of FOR."
Scene Shift
Wind howled across the rooftops of the royal citadel.
On the highest tower, five cloaked figures stood, their porcelain masks riveted on the glittering city below.
A low, unified voice echoed beneath the cold stars:
"The traitor has moved."