The Black Tiger Citadel changed overnight.
Where there had once been a clan hall there now stood a throne room vast, carved with roaring tigers.
Torches lit the edges with living flame,
Guards lined the walls.
Every elder, steward, and warrior stood in
attendance.
awaiting its king.
Whispers rolled through the chamber as Jon entered with Riya and Rasha at his sides.
"That's him…"
"The one who killed six White Tiger assassins alone."
"The new ruler."
"No the chosen Host."
felt united.
And afraid.
QUEST COMPLETED
Reward: Authority Core unlocked
New quest Available: Attack and Take over the White Tiger Bloodline.
He sat on the throne.
Elder Harun stepped forward, bowing.
"My Lord… we are all yours room is yours. The Clan Council awaits your first decree."
Jon scanned the hall.
"The Black Tiger Bloodline will no longer hide. We will no longer crawl. From today on… we hunt."
A roar of approval erupted deep and loyal.
System Online
Incoming presence detected.
New Individual APPROACHING throne room.
Threat Level:High
Jon raised an eyebrow.
Rasha instantly stepped in front of him, claws half drawn.
Riya's eyes glowed.
Then the doors opened.
And she entered.
She was young maybe 18 with a long white hair that reached her waist.
She wore a cloak torn at the edge, stained with dirt from long travel.
Instant uproar.
"Traitor!"
"Seize her!"
"She's a spy!"
But she raised both hands, trembling, and bowed deeply before Jon alone.
"I'm not here to fight," she said softly.
"I'm here to defect… and to serve the new Black Tiger Lord."
Every elder froze.
Rasha growled.
Riya narrowed her eyes.
Jon leaned forward on the throne, voice low.
"And who are you?"
She lifted her face.
"
My name is Selene… daughter of White
Tiger Elder Marow."
Her voice cracked. "And I came because…
you are the only one who can destroy them."
The entire throne room exploded into noise.
Even the elders began shouting.
Jon simply stared silent, calculating.
Rasha's hand went to her dagger.
"She's lying."
Riya stepped closer to Jon.
"We should interrogate her first."
But Jon lifted his hand.
"Let her speak."
Selene swallowed and dropped to one knee.
"The White Tiger Clan plans to purge all mixed purity Bloodliners.
They already executed hundreds last night.
My mother tried to protect me… and they killed her too."
Her hands trembled violently.
"So I ran. And I came here because…" She lifted her teary, furious eyes to Jon.
"…because you're the only one who has ever made them afraid."
Rasha flinched.
Riya's expression softened with sympathy.
She continued
"I know every White Tiger weak point, every secret passage, every forbidden vault, every elder's personal guard.
I know where their assassins train and where their children sleep."
Her breath shook.
"And I know the exact day they plan to wipe out the Black Tiger Bloodline."
The hall froze.
Elder Harun whispered hoarsely, "This information… it could shift the entire war."
It could do more than that.
It could end it.
Rasha approached her slowly, circling her.
"You came here alone. You crossed enemy borders. And you don't expect us to kill you?"
Selene didn't move.
"If killing me avenges my mother, then so be it. But if letting me live helps you destroy them… then that's the answer you already know."
Her voice didn't waver.
She was terrified
But determined.
Riya stepped closer.
"Jon… what do you think?"
Jon rose from the throne.
Every elder watched breathlessly.
He walked toward Selene.
Stopped in front of her.
Lifted her chin.
"You want to serve me?" he asked calmly.
Selene nodded.
"Yes."
"You want revenge?"
"Yes."
"You want to betray your entire bloodline?"
She whispered
"…I want them to burn."
Jon exhaled slowly.
Then turned his back to her and returned to the throne.
"Then I accept your allegiance."
Rasha's eyes widened.
Riya blinked in surprise.
The elders broke into murmurs.
But Jon wasn't finished.
"Selene," he said, "from today on, you are under my protection. And your knowledge will be the key to crushing the White Tigers."
Selene lowered her forehead to the ground.
"My life is yours, Lord Jon."
When the hall finally dismissed, only Jon, Riya, Rasha, and Selene remained.
Rasha crossed her arms, tail flicking sharply.
"Don't trust her too quickly."
Riya stepped beside her.
"She's hurting. But… she's telling the truth."
Jon smiled.
"I know she is."
He looked at Selene.
Riya leaned close and whispered,
"Another girl who may fall for you…"
"That's not my priority."
But Rasha muttered,
"You say that… yet every girl who approaches you looks at you like that."
Riya elbowed her lightly, laughing.
But Rasha's cheeks turned pink.
Selene watched their banter with wide eyes.
"…Are these your companions?"
Riya smiled warmly.
"Yes."
Rasha grumbled,
"And we're watching you."
Selene bowed again respectfully.
"Then I hope one day… I can earn a place beside you too."
Rasha huffed.
Riya blinked.
Jon raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
Very interesting.