44 years ago, a young man with long blond hair entered the throne room in haste. "Father, allow me to end this rebellion". The emperor sitting on his throne said: "You are only 17 years old, and you are still my only heir, I cannot let the blood of the Aquarion dynasty die with me. You will stay here until further notice." The impetuous young man was Mordret at 17 years old, while the emperor was his father Marion Valheim Artal Aquarion. At that time, the empire of Nannu was not as vast as it is today, it was only a kingdom, bordering the tribes of beastmen to the north, Elaria lands to the east, the kingdom of Tenai to the south and the kingdom of Volkaron to the west.

Despite his impatient youth, Mordret knew better than anyone that he should not disobey his father. But the rebellion represented a serious threat that worried him greatly. For months, scattered groups of rebels had been fomenting agitation among remote cities near the kingdom's borders. Their actions became bolder - burning farms, ambushing tax collectors, even holding lesser nobles hostage.

News had recently arrived that the largest insurgent group, led by a renegade bandit named Dagen, had gathered an army on the Naramat plains. They terrorized the region, gaining more recruits with each village and farm they looted. The emperor's armies were stretched thin, fighting to defend several fronts at once since from that time, the kingdom of Volkaron was already Nannu's sworn enemy.

Mordret walked calmly in the royal garden, mentally reviewing battle plans. He believed a swift and decisive strike was needed to crush the insurrection before it could spread. But without his father's permission, his hands were tied. All he could do now was train and wait for permission to depart. Little did he know how the winds of change were blowing in distant corners of the kingdom, or that in a few years, the empire's fate would be in his young hands.

The days passed and young Mordret often saw the advisors and scouts bringing bad news about the state of the kingdom to his father Marion. Mordret knew that if this continued, the other cities and villages could join the insurgents due to his father's weakness and passivity. Dagen gathered more men every day and, due to the poor management of the troops, the empire of Nannu that was still only a kingdom was rapidly losing borders.

Marion refused to take more drastic measures, believing the situation could still be resolved through diplomacy. However, Dagen's attacks were becoming increasingly violent, his army grew in number and bravery. The people, fearful, began to lose faith in the kingdom, seeing it unable to guarantee their safety. One night, while Mordret trained alone in the palace courtyards, he was approached by three veteran generals. They said they understood his anger and frustration with the emperor's indolence. However, they had found a way to once and for all put an end to Dagen's rebellion: a surprise attack on Dagen's encampment in the Highlong mountains.

In the generals' risky plan, an elite troop would attack at dawn, relying on the element of surprise. Without waiting for daylight or reinforcements, they should massacre as many as possible before retreating. They knew the risks, but believed it was the only chance, before the whole province was lost. Mordret listened in silence, pensive. It would be open rebellion to disobey his father outright. However, he would also see the kingdom, his home, succumb to anarchy if nothing was done. A difficult decision awaited him that night.

That night, young Mordret met with the generals and took some good, trustworthy men. Mordret was already the bearer of his family's sacred artifacts, the Wavebringer spear and the Leviathan breastplate. However, since he was going against his father's orders, Mordret left the artifacts in the family's guarded chamber and left with the men for Mount Highlong, believing he would be stripped of the Aquarion name and exiled or even killed for treason. They traveled under the cover of darkness, avoiding the busier roads. Although he trusted the men by his side, Mordret was well aware of the risks of his venture. If captured in open rebellion against the Emperor, he would suffer the worst consequences. But the young heir felt this was the only way to defend his homeland and people from the growing threat.

Upon reaching Mount Highlong, their previously agreed meeting point, Mordret's three hundred elite warrior troops were already awaiting him. In an inflamed speech, he exposed to them the desperate situation the Kingdom found itself in and the need for immediate action to curb Dagen's insurrection. At the end, all swore allegiance over Mordret's banner, willing to follow him even if it meant treason. With his newly formed army, Mordret began planning a daring operation to strike at the heart of the enemy forces before they became invincible. It would be a risky blow, but perhaps the only hope of sealing victory and proving to the Emperor that he was right all along.

Having mapped the rebel army of Dagen's movements through spies, Mordret knew they were encamped in the Mount Highlong area, surrounded only by weak guards at night. His plan was to lead a daring feat in the middle of the early morning darkness, when all would be less prepared. He divided his men into three companies: The vanguard, led by himself, would attack the encampment from one side, creating a breach in the perimeter guard. A second company would attack from another side almost simultaneously, increasing the confusion and chaos. The remaining company would remain in reserve, ready to advance and exploit any openings that arose.

With surprise on his side and taking advantage of the night's fear element, Mordret believed they could launch panic into the enemy ranks and perhaps even capture or assassinate Dagen. If lucky, he may even crush most of the rebel forces in a single blow. It would be a reckless plan, but it may be the only chance for Mordret to prove his worth and turn the tide of war in one fell swoop. It remained to be seen if all would go as hoped in the darkness of battle.

That night, Mordret successfully executed his daring plan. His vanguard, led by himself, made their way to the heart of the encampment in search of Dagen. Mordret was an extremely skilled and daring warrior in warfare. His companions admired him in battles, so they followed him, defeating all in their path until they reached Dagen's tent. Victorious, Mordret entered the tent alone, intending to kill Dagen right there. However, he found a surprise: the warrior standing inside the tent was actually Dagen, with long brown hair and deep brown eyes. Her posture revealed a powerful warrior.

Before Mordret could react, Dagen drew her sword quickly and attacked. However, Mordret was an excellent swordsman and managed to deflect the blows, immobilizing Dagen shortly after. Turning to him, Dagen said in a challenging tone: "Fight me, Prince of Nannu, and you will see I am a worthy adversary". Intrigued by that warrior woman, Mordret pondered her unexpected proposal.

"I could never imagine you were a woman," said Mordret. "Don't underestimate me, prince," said Dagen with a gruff voice. Mordret had already immobilized her and, leaving the tent with her tied up, all his men cheered his name as they left. He put her on his horse and they returned to the capital. After this victory, Mordret thought the insurgents should calm down. However, that rough and unmannerly woman continued to intrigue him. During the return journey, Mordret remained silent, still surprised. Dagen remained proud and inflexible, despite being captive. Upon arriving at the capital, Mordret took Dagen directly to the royal palace dungeons, still unsure what to do with her.

As the guards took the prisoner away, Mordret was received as a hero by nobles and the Emperor himself, his father. He recounted details of the battle and presented evidence of Dagen's defeat. The Emperor then granted Mordret pardon for his rebellion, seeing that it had brought victory. Finally, Mordret concluded that he would keep Dagen imprisoned, at least until deciding her fate. But deep inside, the bravery and daring spirit of that warrior continued to arouse his curiosity.

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Mordret went down to the dungeons to visit Dagen, bringing fresh fruits.

"This is for you," he said.

"I don't want your alms," Dagen retorted, spitting on the floor.

"You have no power now, why don't you surrender?".

Then Dagen looked at him and spat again, this time on his face. Mordret just smiled and left, saying he would return the next day.

King Marion, Mordret's father, had trouble bearing children. Even trying for many years, he never managed to have heirs with his queen. It is said that during one of his campaigns on the border with Volkaron, Marion fell in love with a commoner with whom he conceived an illegitimate son. That son was Mordret. As the King feared not having legitimate descendants, he acknowledged Mordret as heir to the throne despite his origins, thinking the young man could be the survival of the Aquarion dynasty. Although seen as a bastard by some, Mordret grew up valued by the people and protected by his father, which aroused envy in some courtiers.

As time passed, many nobles who initially did not accept a bastard on the throne began to change their minds. This was because the young Mordret grew not only in martial skill, but also in beauty and charisma, hallmarks of the Aquarion lineage. His strategic intelligence and potential as a leader stood out more and more, coming to surpass even King Marion's qualities. Such prowess made many lords and chieftains begin to see him as truly deserving to occupy the throne of the First Hero, founder of the Empire. While the common people already idolized him, now part of the nobility itself began to accept and support the young man as the legitimate heir, instead of the hypothetical son of King. This new respect helped Mordret consolidate his position, despite the controversial origins.

Determined to prove his worth more and more, Mordret went down again to confront the indomitable prisoner Dagen in the dungeons. This time, Mordret brought fresh water and clean clothes for Dagen, who once again arrogantly refused all his advances. Mordret only promised that he would return every day until she told him why she formed an army to dethrone his father, Marion. For 42 days, Mordret went down there every morning and, every morning, Dagen rejected him. But on the 43rd day, however, Mordret brought something different: a sweet made from a fruit called "mountain fruit", found only in the small mountains that marked the border between Nannu and Volkaron.

When receiving the sweet and water, Dagen held the fruit as if remembering something, with tearful eyes. Unable to resist, she grabbed and quickly ate it. "I'm glad you accepted my gift this time," said Mordret, noting her reaction. Could this humble fruit hold the key to unraveling part of Dagen's enigmatic past? Determined to know more, Mordret awaited an answer.

"How impertinent you are," said Dagen.

Mordret just smiled and asked, "Tell me, why did you become leader of the insurgency?"

Dagen remained silent for a few seconds and said, "I lived with my family, my father, my mother and my younger brother in the mountains, the place of origin of this fruit. They belonged to Volkaron, but were taken by your father." She continued, "When Nannu's troops arrived, we thought we could have a better life under new leadership. However, your guards were worse than Volkaron's. They raped women and killed those who spoke against them."

"I was only 14 years old when your men murdered my entire family before my eyes. I swore to avenge myself and trained for 6 years to manage to do so."

"I gathered unhappy men with your kingdom and we created the insurgency."

Mordret was shocked that his father's men could do something like that. Then he asked:

"Did my father at least know about this?"

Dagen replied:

"Kings are usually too busy with their feasts and meetings to worry about the weakest and poorest."

Mordret felt Dagen's pain at that moment. Angrily, he said:

"One day I will be king, and I promise you that I will unify these lands and end acts like those of your family."

Then Mordret knelt with his head on the ground and pleaded:

"Forgive me for everything we did to you."

Dagen realized that this 18-year-old boy was not so bad after all.

From that day on, Mordret began visiting Dagen daily in prison. She went from being closed and arrogant to opening up more and chatting freely with him. They would exchange stories of their lives, families, dreams and aspirations. Mordret began to see beyond the daring warrior, and glimpse the woman behind the rigid facade. Without realizing it, Mordret fell deeply in love with Dagen. And she, who once nurtured hatred against Nannu, also seemed to be yielding to the charisma and compassion of the prince.

Amidst the growing connection, a doubt arose in Mordret's mind. How could he one day sit on the throne without first freeing and redeeming the one who was once his enemy but now awakened such strong feelings in his heart? A difficult choice presented itself for the heir of Nannu. Mordret convinced Emperor, his father, to free Dagen on the condition that she become his sword fighting partner. Dagen still nurtured hatred for Nannu, but accepted to remain close to Mordret, who awakened unprecedented feelings in her heart.

During their training sessions, Dagen told Mordret that the lands where she lived had been given to the nobleman Jutan Mabak. And that the men responsible for the massacre of her family were henchmen of that nobleman. She revealed how Mabak cruelly exploited his people, charging high taxes that led many to hunger and misery. Mordret realized that his father's kindness as a ruler left room for abuses by the nobility. Determined to right the wrongs of the past, Mordret decided to personally go to Dagen's village to investigate the situation. But he feared that Jutan Mabak would not accept interference, leading to a possible confrontation. Was it already time for Mordret to assume the commitment to fight for the oppressed?

Stealthily, Mordret and Dagen left at night, hooded and on horseback, in a hurry to reach Dagen's hometown. What Mordret found there shocked him profoundly. Misery and filth were seen throughout the once prosperous village. Men who rebelled against Mabak were impaled in punishment, while children lay dead in the ruins. Women prostituted themselves on the street, the only option to survive. Dagen took him to the remains of her home, where they would spend some uncertain days. Her hatred for the nobleman only grew.

"We need to free my people from this tyranny!", declared Dagen, with clenched fists. Mordret agreed, but knew confronting Mabak directly would have consequences.

It would be better to act discreetly and with planning. With the help of the few survivors, he quickly plotted a bold plan to depose the oppressor without shedding more blood. A silent battle was beginning. For days, Mordret and Dagen watched over the village in disguise, with nothing notable occurring. Until weeks later, an envoy from Volkaron arrived at Jutan Mabak's property. Using her mastery of arcane magic, Dagen cast the "Silent Step" spell on both of them, allowing them to follow the man stealthily.

In the shadows, they heard Jutan sell Nannu's information to the enemy. Then Mordret understood the reason for his father's setbacks: the "nobleman" was actually a spy! They knew they could not confront Mabak and his army there. But now with the man's clear betrayal, they would ride back to the capital quickly. There, Mordret would gather some trusted guards to return to the village. This time, they would spare no effort to arrest Jutan Mabak and bring him to trial. The traitor's intrigues would soon come to an end.

However, they would still have to face the fact that the Emperor might not believe their mere words against an influential Lord. In the capital, Mordret warned his father about Jutan, but without concrete proof nothing could be done. Hidden away, he gathered 300 loyal warriors to assist Dagen, as before Mordret had gathered some men to face Dagen for love of Nannu, now he would secretly gather men again, but this time it would be for love of Dagen. With strategic brilliance, he spread false information that left Jutan alarmed. Upon calling the envoy again, he was surprised by Mordret in disguise.

During the meeting, Jutan sensed something was wrong. But when he tried to react, Mordret's men had already surrounded the place. Before he could escape, Mordret executed Jutan for treason, along with his accomplices. The village witnessed in celebration the fall of the tyrant. Dagen finally avenged her family, thanks to Mordret's courage. However, they feared the consequences of openly challenging the nobility and the Emperor.

This time, King Marion merely accepted Mordret's actions, seeing in his son a natural leader whose attitudes would raise him in the people's esteem. However, some ambitious nobles were no longer tolerating his outbursts in Dagen's name, the rebellious outsider. Fulfilling his promise, Mordret returned to the village with Dagen, where they remained for three years helping with reconstruction and training the inhabitants. During this period, their love blossomed. Mordret had finally found in Dagen the reason to fight and support to realize his ideals of justice. Meanwhile, the nobles' intrigues against them were strengthening. It was only a matter of time before they were openly challenged. The war between old structures and Mordret's new path was about to erupt. But now he had by his side the woman for whom he would hesitate to give his life without.