The road to the Zaiden Kingdom was long and veiled in frost, but for the first time in years, Riven felt a strange warmth. Not from the cold sun above or the flickering torch Arion carried, but from the weightless silence between them.
Redia connects with Capital by the NEW DIVINE bridge. The one and only bridge which connect the land of internal conflict with Capital. From there, Capital connects with Zaiden state by the NEW LUCAS bridge. After passing both bridges they enter in the Ziden state.
The stone halls of Zaiden's royal palace echoed with quiet footsteps. Riven walked beside Arion, silent, sharp-eyed, the weight of past choices resting heavily on his back.
They entered the main hall—clean, vast, no decoration beyond what purpose demanded.
At its center stood King Louis VI. Not draped in gold or jeweled robes—just the blue and silver of Zaiden, the crown absent from his head, as if power alone was enough.
He turned as Riven approached. "You've come far."
"I've gone farther," Riven replied.
Louis smiled gently. "Then you must be close to something."
Arion gave the King a respectful nod. "He's ready to listen."
Louis gestured toward a modest table. Warm bread, fire-roasted meat, and Zaiden's sharp-root tea sat steaming under the lanternlight.
They sat in silence for a few moments.
Then Louis began, his voice calm. "I know your name. Riven of the old blood. Former heir to Redia's throne."
Riven didn't flinch. "That title means nothing now."
"It meant something once," Louis said. "And it still echoes."
"I lost," Riven said flatly. "She became Queen. I walked away."
"Not out of peace," Louis noted. "But purpose."
Riven's fingers tightened slightly around his cup. "Call it what you want. I didn't stay to watch her rule what we both bled for."
Louis nodded slowly. "And now you're here—stronger. Hungry."
"I didn't come here to reminisce."
"Then let's not," Louis replied. "I'll speak plainly. There's something I want. And I believe you're the one who can take it."
He pulled a scroll from beneath the table.
"Four generations ago, near the end of the Second Ancient War, an artifact was sealed deep within land of internal conflicts. That artifact is the reason that ended your land's internal conflict. The red box."
Riven frowned. "What's inside?"
Louis looked him in the eye. "I don't know. And I don't care to guess."
Riven studied him for a long moment. "Then why risk it?"
"Because it was never theirs to begin with," Louis replied. "It belongs to Zaiden kingdom. That thing was lost due to the King Arthur Zaiden and now it is under Redia's watch."
He leaned back, voice still composed. "Bring it to me. Quietly and safely. And I'll open the doors you're trying to break down."
Riven looked down at the scroll, then back at the King.
"You mean my sister."
"I mean what lies beyond her. Her court. Her allies. Whatever you seek—answers, challenge, redemption—I won't give it to you. But I can clear the path. I will help you to became king."
Silence returned. Riven finally stood.
"I'll get your box."
Louis stood as well. "You'll have support. Quiet. Unseen."
"But if this starts a fire in Redia," Riven said quietly, "I won't let it burn me."
Louis's gaze didn't waver. "Then walk carefully, Riven. Power never comes without heat."
Riven turned away, cloak trailing behind him, thoughts already racing ahead to the eastern temples.
The crown was no longer in sight.
But perhaps… something greater was.