Chapter 1 --The Siege of Veyrin
Smoke twisted like black serpents around the shattered towers of the Veyrin estate. Pillars that had once held the family library, where masters of the blade had studied for generations, now lay fractured and crumbled, their stone carved into jagged teeth. The scent of fire, iron, and death hung thick in the air. Broken banners flapped limply, their colors streaked with ash and blood.
Amidst the chaos, the youngest son of House Veyrin Kael Veyrin stood, small, lean, but alive with the fierce pulse of a beast that had been caged for too long. Every inch of his body bore the marks of battle scratches along his forearms, scorched armor, bruises spreading like ink across pale skin but his eyes, sharp and unyielding, burned brighter than any fire around him.
He looked to the courtyard, littered with bodies, both friend and foe, and clenched his fists around the hilt of his sword. The clang of steel rang in his ears, mingling with the cries of the dying and the roar of collapsing stone.
"Clever… but cleverness will not save the dead," said a voice, smooth and grinding, like stone scraping against stone.
Godfrey, the empire's greatest sword, emerged from the haze. Massive in frame, clad in blackened steel that shimmered faintly with magic, he wielded a giant greatsword that hummed with killing intent . His eyes swept the battlefield, pausing on the boy with the precision of a hunter sizing up its prey.
The boy's gaze shifted. Among the advancing soldiers, his older brother stood smiling coldly, a spark of cruel satisfaction in his eyes. The Kael's chest tightened. Rage ignited like wildfire.
"I'll be finally free from the grasps of this family" Kael said to himself understanding this was his last chance to break free.
Steel rang as Kael lunged, his rapier flashing in the firelight. He thrust for Godfrey's throat, but godfrey parried with a brutal sweep, the greatsword shrieking against the slender blade.
Kael twisted, spun low, and struck again—a quick stab at the thigh. Godfrey pivoted, steel sliding across steel, sparks flaring.
A third exchange occurred Kael feinted left, darted right, the sword darting for the visor gap.
Godfrey snapped his head aside; the point grazed the helm, leaving only a scratch.
Kael pressed on with a fourth desperate strike, driving the rapier straight for Godfrey's chest. The greatsword crashed down. With a sharp crack, Kael's weapon snapped in two, the broken shard clattering across the stones.
Godfrey surged forward before Kael could recover. The greatsword punched through his chest, steel bursting between his shoulder blades.
Kael gasped, blood bubbling at his lips, eyes locking on the night sky as Godfrey wrenched the blade free and let him collapse.
"you are not even worthy of receiving a fast death," he muttered, turning away, leaving Kael broken amidst the ruins of his own house.
Alone, Kael lay amid the rubble, the castle stones cold beneath him. Blood pooled, warmth draining from his limbs. Darkness closed in, and only the whispers of the void kept him company.
"Marlin, follow. We need to retrieve…" Godfrey commanded, retreating into the Veyrin estate.