The clang of swords against swords fell upon Morning Star Gate like a chorus of thunder.Flames from nearby siege engines danced against the black plate armor of soldiers on both sides.The conspiracy was no longer a hidden conspiracy — it was a full-frontal assault, a showdown destined to resolve itself in blood and steel.
Kaelith pressed forward, her sword a shimmering arc in the dim light, cutting through soldiers and making a path forward toward Thalia and Viscount Elric.The soldiers who tried to block her fell without ceremony; a warrior queen made manifest by love and loyalty.Behind her, King Corven remained on the wall, arrow after arrow striking enemies from above, protecting her back in a literal and figurative sense.For the first time, ruler and queen were united in their resolve — two halves made whole in the face of danger.
Suddenly, Thalia raised her voice above the chaos — a piercing, icy command — "Hold!"The soldiers faltered, the clang of swords faltering for a moment.
She stepped forward, wearing a crown made of obsidian — a dark symbol of her ambitions — and addressed Kaelith directly."Your reign is a lie. Your marriage, a sham. The king fell for a woman who is not his match, a woman who stole power meant for the true ruler of Ravencourt!"
Kaelith remained silent for a moment, letting Thalia's words hang in the air.Then she raised her sword and pressed its tip against Thalia's crown."With love and unity, we conquer.With betrayal and conspiracy, we destroy ourselves.Your path leads to chaos.Mine… to renewal."
Viscount Elric drew his blade and rushed forward, attempting a killing blow, but Kaelith turned gracefully, parrying his attack and sending him sprawling in the dirt.As soldiers tried to come to his aid, King Corven struck again — a single arrow piercing the shoulder of the nearest soldier — sending the rest into disarray.
For a moment, silence fell — a dramatic pause in the battle — as the king and queen stood united against those who tried to destroy their reign.
Then, Thalia made a dramatic move.She drew a hidden poison dart from her sleeve and hurled it toward Kaelith.The dart flew true — a needle-like arrow meant for the queen's heart — but in a shimmering movement, King Corven fell from the wall and intercepted it with his own shoulder.
"Corven!" Kaelith cried, dropping her sword and rushing to him.He staggered in her arms, poison already spreading through his veins."It's… it's not… fatal… if we… find… antidote in time."He pressed a small, encrypted parchment into her hands — a key to the conspiracy's greatest weak spot — then fell unconscious.
As Thalia tried to withdraw and disappear into the chaos, Kaelith turned, a newfound rage glimmering in her eyes."For love.For unity.For my king."She raised her sword once more — not in blind rage, but in icy resolve — and made her way toward Thalia, the true showdown about to unfold.