Chapter 2: The Beginning of War

The sky was slowly fading into orange and purple as the sun dipped behind the distant mountains. Shadows stretched longer across the land with dusk approaching.

Raye turned to his men.

“Their next target could be Ashveil,” he said. “We ride there next.”

Just as he was about to give the command to move out, something caught Raye’s attention—just at the edge of his vision. A subtle movement in the nearby bushes. He turned his head slowly, eyes scanning the area.

Leaves rustled slightly.

But the wind was light, not strong enough to move the thick branches like that.

He narrowed his eyes. Something wasn’t right.

Still, he didn’t react strongly. He remained calm.

“Kael,” Raye said, keeping his tone casual, “I think we should rest here tonight and leave at first light.”

Kael blinked, surprised. “Here? But we’re not far from—” He paused as Raye gave him a quick glance that said everything.

Kael nodded without question. “Understood.”

He turned to the rest of the group. “Set up camp. Prepare for the night!”

The soldiers, tired and dusty, quickly moved to their tasks. Tents were raised. Fires were lit in small circles. The smell of stew and roasted meat slowly filled the ruined village, mixing with the lingering ash in the air.

Once the area seemed settled, Raye leaned closer to Kael and whispered under his breath.

“Someone is watching us. In the trees.”

Kael’s face darkened. “Are you sure?”

“I saw movement. And it wasn’t the wind. But whoever it is—they didn’t attack. That means they’re either gathering information… or waiting.”

Kael scanned the treeline casually, trying not to draw attention. “Should we send scouts?”

Raye shook his head slightly. “No. Not yet. Let them think we haven’t noticed. If they strike, we’ll be ready. If not, we’ll follow them.”

Hours passed. The sky turned dark. Stars flickered above the ruined village. Most of the men were resting, some taking turns for night watch. Raye sat by a small fire, polishing his sword in silence.

Midnight had arrived.

The fire cracked softly. Crickets chirped. And somewhere, just beyond the trees...

…a branch snapped.

A sudden whistle cut through the air.

An arrow struck the ground just inches from the fire, followed by a loud shout in the distance.

“AMBUSH!” one of the soldiers yelled.

Figures in dark cloaks rushed in from the shadows, blades drawn, torches lighting their paths. The attackers moved quickly, but they hadn’t expected the Fire Kingdom’s warriors to be ready.

Raye drew his sword in one swift motion. The steel gleamed under the moonlight. With calm steps, he moved straight into the chaos, cutting through the enemy ranks with precise, clean strikes. Each swing was fast, measured—not a single wasted movement.

Kael fought beside him, his axe spinning through the attackers with powerful blows.

The Fire soldiers, though surprised, quickly formed their positions. They defended one another in pairs, just like Raye had trained them. Their formation held strong.

Raye spun around, ducked a wild swing, and sliced through an enemy’s leg, disarming him before pushing forward to another target.

In less than ten minutes, the fight was over.

The attackers lay dead.

No casualties on their side.

Raye stood in the center of the battlefield, breathing steady. Blood dripped from his blade, but not a single drop stained his armour.

One enemy remained alive—clearly their leader. Raye had struck him down but spared his life. The man now knelt on the ground, wounded, his arm broken and blood running from his mouth.

Raye walked over and grabbed the enemy by the collar, lifting his head.

“Didn’t we exterminate your tribe years ago?” Raye asked coldly.

The enemy leader grinned despite his pain. His teeth were bloodied.

“We are not ones to be exterminated so easily,” he said, voice rough and proud.

Raye’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so? Then why now? Why wait all these years?”

The man’s expression twisted. “For revenge,” he said. “We waited for the right time.”

Raye’s grip tightened. “Who’s backing you? Answer me—or lose your life.”

The leader coughed a laugh. “You’re right… someone stronger than your kingdom gave us this chance.”

Raye’s voice turned sharp. “Who are they?”

The man smirked, looking him dead in the eye.

“Don’t worry, Prince Raye. You’ll find out… very soon.”

Raye said nothing for a moment, then quietly pulled back his sword.

“I see.”

And in one swift motion—he beheaded him.

The body slumped to the ground.

Kael approached from behind. “He wasn’t going to say more, huh?”

Raye cleaned his blade and looked toward the forest, still silent and dark.

“No. But we have our answer. This is bigger than we thought.”

They returned to the village. The scent of ash and blood still hung in the air, but a strange calm had settled over the land—quiet, heavy, and painful.

“Dig graves for the fallen,” Raye said, his voice low but steady. “We will bury them now.”

The soldiers nodded. No one asked questions. They simply obeyed.

A few minutes later, Raye stepped toward them. He had taken off his armour, setting it gently beside his sword. Without a word, he picked up a shovel and joined them in the dirt.

He wasn’t a prince in that moment—just a man honouring the lives they couldn’t save.

Kael walked over, wiping dirt off his gloves. “Raye… you should rest. You’ve done more than enough.”

But Raye kept digging, his expression steady. “These people lived here believing we would protect them. They trusted our kingdom. They trusted me.”

He paused, driving the shovel back into the ground.

“We failed them. So the least I can do now is honour them with my own hands.”

Kael didn’t argue again.

By the time the last grave was covered, the sky had already begun to lighten. A soft orange hue spread over the horizon. The night had ended with silence and mourning.

The fallen were given proper burial. No longer left in ruin.

Now, they turned back toward the capital to report everything.

They had only ridden for a little while when a distant sound of hooves echoed from the direction of the kingdom.

A lone horse galloped toward them at full speed.

“Who’s that?” Kael asked, narrowing his eyes.

The rider wore Fire Kingdom armour—but it was covered in blood.

“Stop!” Raye shouted.

The rider reached them but barely managed to slow down. He collapsed from his horse and fell into the dirt.

Raye was already off his horse, rushing over. Kael followed close behind.

The soldier was young, face pale, his body soaked in blood. His breathing was shallow.

“My lord…” the soldier groaned, trying to lift his head.

Raye held him gently. “I’m here. Speak.”

The soldier’s lips trembled, eyes filled with pain and fear.

“Our kingdom… it’s been attacked…”

Raye’s heart dropped.

The soldier gasped, his voice cracking. “We lost…”

His hand went limp.

Raye stared at him in disbelief for a moment. The weight of the words hit him like fire.

Kael looked stunned. “What do you mean we lost? How?! Who would dare—”

Raye’s grip tightened on the fallen soldier.

“This isn’t just revenge anymore,” he said quietly.

His eyes turned cold.

“This… is war.”