As the guard brought the message, there was a hint of relief on Prince Arion's face.
"What did they say?" the prince asked.
The guard replied while sweating, head down, "They want to talk with His Majesty."
"I didn't think they would talk to Father by themselves... well, this is better," Arion muttered to himself and opened the throne room door.
"What is it?" the king asked.
"They want to talk with you, Father," Arion replied, kneeling.
The guard knelt and placed a device on the table—it looked like a smooth, dark stone.
"Very well. I was pissed, but let's start." As the king spoke, the device began projecting light and shadow.
A voice emerged from the projector: "KING OF THE FOR, ONE OF THE FIFTEEN KINGDOMS, KING ARAYON! WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT?"
The voice was low yet loud. In the projection, there was only darkness, but if you blinked, you could catch glimpses of an almost unnoticeable shadow moving within.
"It looks like my message didn't reach you, but it's an honor to talk to you directly. I won't waste your time—I need your help," the king said, his demand sounding almost like a request.
"WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK FROM ME?" the voice asked.
"I need power. My kingdom betrayed me—they started a rebellion against me," the king replied.
"THE KING WHO CAN'T EVEN CONTROL HIS KINGDOM! HAH, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE THE KING. TAKE YOUR TITLE DOWN, ARAYON. IT'S THE ONLY WAY."
The words were mocking, but they sounded like an order—or a warning.
"Are you kidding me?! Do you think this is some kind of joke?!" the king erupted in fury.
Prince Arion remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to make a sound or move. The guard had already left. What do they think they're asking? he thought, tension gripping him.
"IT LIKE YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. IT'S NOT A REQUEST—IT'S AN ORDER, ARAYON! THIS IS A GRAVE INCIDENT, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW. A KINGDOM GOING AGAINST ITS KING MEANS YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE KING."
The voice was angry yet eerily calm.
"I am ready if you want a battle, but I am not going to take my title down," the king said, his voice steady.
"LOOKS LIKE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GO AGAINST US?"
Their fury was palpable. As they spoke, the air in the room became heavy. Arion and the king's eyes widened.
What is this pressure? I can't breathe, Arion thought, sweat beading on his forehead. There was a hint of fear on the king's face.
"THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE, ARAYON! MAKE YOUR DECISION NOW!"
"I refuse! I will not go down," the king said with a serious look, ready to face whatever was coming.
"VERY WELL."
The projector turned off.
Prince Arion looked ahead, sweating. "Father..."
—
Scene shift to the room where Lex and the others were recovering.
Lex's eyes slowly opened. "Ah, where am I?" He looked around and noticed Luo and Lon sleeping, wrapped in bandages. His face darkened. "No... did I do that again?" he started sweating.
"No, you idiot," Lon said, opening his eyes. "This was because of the battle." He sat up.
"Yeah, don't worry over little things," Luo added, who had been awake but pretending to sleep. She got up as well.
"Ah, guys! Thank god you're okay," Lex said, tears streaming down his face. "But did we win? Where is Rayn?"
"This?" Luo pointed at Rayn, who was wrapped head-to-toe in bandages.
"Yeah, that's him," Lon added.
"No way! What happened to him?" Lex asked, wiping his tears.
Suddenly, Zen teleported into the room.
"Whoa! Who are you? How did you get here?" Lex said, shocked.
"A child," Lon added flatly.
"Huh? HUH? You jerks! I was the one who saved you! Who dares call me a child? It's just my height!" Zen replied furiously, in a funny way that showed just how pissed off he was.
"Sorry about my friend, but who are you?" Luo asked seriously.
"I'm the vice captain," Zen added, still annoyed.
"Oh, I see. Rayn was talking about you," Lex replied.
"Anyway, did he wake up?" Zen looked at Rayn, who was still unconscious.
"I don't think so, but how did he get so many wounds?" Lon asked.
"It's from the battle with Ren," Zen said, looking at Rayn with concern.
"Don't you have a doctor with healing abilities?" Luo asked.
"We were not allowed to have a doctor. It was a rule set by King Arayon," Zen replied.
"What a jerk," Lex said.
"Don't worry. Soon he'll be on the ground," Zen said with determination in his face.