The wind gently caressed his face, causing his hair to dance behind him like fluttering banners in the breeze. Saldeon maintained his focus on the path ahead, narrowing his eyes to shield them from the bright suns that bathed the rugged terrain in their radiant intensity.
The comforting sound of hooves pounding hard and rhythmically echoed as they journeyed across the rugged terrain. Saldeon found solace in his horse's steady gait, mirroring the inner calm he sought to foster. Despite his composed exterior, Saldeon's mind never ceased its relentless whirl.
His brother’s words echoed in his thoughts, stirring a mix of anger and uncertainty. Gulinar had always been quick to assume that war was the answer, that the only way to prove strength was through force—an ideology that the Lethos Empire abandoned long after the Great Conquest was completed. Saldeon couldn’t afford that mindset—he couldn’t lead the empire based on brute strength alone. It was his ability to think ahead, to see the bigger picture, that set him apart.
They rode in silence, Gulinar keeping pace on his own mount. The wind picked up as they neared the chasm, a shallow crevice in the earth that marked the border between their empire and the Beastfolk territory. It was deep enough to serve as a natural divide, yet shallow enough that crossing it was not impossible. A skilled Augmentation Sorcerer would make the leap, though it would be hard. The same cannot be said if they were to fall, as death was nothing but inevitable.
A bridge used to exist at Mevena's Scar, free for any merchants and travelers to cross, yet it had been destroyed by the Beastfolk. Now, only the remnants of that bridge remained—a series of stone posts and broken ropes that swayed with the wind, a grim reminder of what once was.
Saldeon’s gaze lingered on the ruins as they approached the edge. Far away, he saw a figure sitting near the chasm, watching them approach at a gallop. Gulinar noticed this as well, frowning at the creature before them.
The wind roared through the chasm as Saldeon dismounted, his boots crunching against the gravel. His brother followed suit, and they both calmly walked forward. The black tiger remained seated, watching their approach with its cold, impassive eyes. Its ears swiveled to them, but it didn't stand. Its tail didn't even flicker.
Its sleek, muscular frame stood out even at this distance, its fur an almost unnatural void against the backdrop of the rocky terrain. Its eyes glowed faintly, golden orbs that seemed to pierce through the divide, locking onto him. The black tiger's armour was clearly handmade, little more than tooled straps holding flat discs of metal at its torso. A pair of baggy, dark blue pants held by a leather belt also accompanied the look, yet the creature wore it without a care, its fur keeping it comfortable in the sun's heat.
Other than its striking appearance and unusual silence, there was a sinister aura that the black tiger emitted. A tidal wave of sapphire-blue mana encroached the area, radiating from the black tiger like an unseen storm that would swallow anyone that dared approach. With so much mana being emitted, the black tiger had to be around the level of an Advanced Sorcerer, at most in the middle stage.
"It is trying to intimidate us," Gulinar said.
"It is," Saldeon replied as he continued to stride forward. "Therefore, we must stay strong."
Even from a distance, the black tiger's mana pressed against his shoulders as if three grown men were on them. Nonetheless, his steps were steady and unwavering. It was not a feeling he was unfamiliar with—in fact, he experienced this feeling more often than not—but it didn't make the experience any less worrisome. A relaxed posture and a neutral expression were critical when it came to serious situations.
They reached the edge of Mevena's Scar, daring not to step their toes past the stones that surrounded it. Saldeon looked down the chasm, noting how far down it went before turning his gaze back to the black tiger.
"You’ve been watching us," he said, his voice calm yet firm, carrying over the roar of the wind. "What is your purpose here, Beastfolk?"
A smirk appeared on the black tiger's face, revealing rows of sharp canines. Suddenly, the creature rose to its feet, its movements fluid and deliberate, exuding a predator’s grace. The wind seemed to still for a moment as the black tiger stood to its full height, towering over even the tallest men. Its golden eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and sharp intelligence, locking onto Saldeon like a hunter sizing up its prey.
"You must be the Two Suns!"
The muscles in its thick arms went taut as it hunched over, bending its legs. In one fell swoop, it lurched forward, soaring across the chasm with ease. Saldeon's mouth fell agape as he craned his neck upward, his eyes following its progress until the black tiger landed firmly on the other side of the chasm. A cloud of dust rose into the air from the impact, and it took a moment before it settled down, revealing stone that cracked under the tiger's weight.
By Sthito's graces! The strength of these creatures is no laughing matter. It closed the distance with nothing but its physical abilities!
A low growl rumbled from the beast as Saldeon felt his heart pound, a frantic rhythm against his ribs, his eyes locked on its massive form. Now was not the time to be in awe of its strength. In front of him stood a creature that few could witness firsthand, let alone engage with directly. It was the perfect chance to glean insight into the Beastfolk—into their power, their motives, and perhaps even their weaknesses.
Gulinar was the first to act. By the time the beast landed, his sword was already out—a runic blade of medium length and thin, its curved gold crossguard gleaming even in the dimmest of rooms. Most would consider it a mere ceremonial sword, but the Imperial Court witnessed its capabilities firsthand and knew it was anything but.
"Do you have any idea what you have done, creature?" Gulinar snarled, pointing his sword at it. "Crossing Mevena's Scar without so much as forewarning is seen as an act of war. I take it your passing was purposeful, given the circumstances. You made a mistake crossing into our lands."
The black tiger bared its teeth in a grin and spoke in a deep growl. "Yes... You two are definitely the Two Suns. King Murus has warned us about the emperor's cubs. The fact that you stand here, unfazed by my strength, means you're a more formidable opponent than I had hoped."
The tiger leaned forward, licking its maw in a rather chilling way. "My blood boils just thinking of taking you two on—worthy heads of gifting to King Murus. Alas, I cannot sate my desire to fight, not until the Skaura."
The Skaura? If I recall, that is a trial members of the black tigers undergo every ten years. It's a brutal test of strength and cunning, a rite of passage that solidified a black tiger's place within their hierarchy. It is also determined if a new King of Beastfolk is crowned. Why bring that up now when the next begins in six years?
Tossing aside that question for now, there was another matter that Saldeon had been keeping track. Back in the Wasteful Wetlands, there was a dark sorcerer that held the power to manipulate the minds of others. It was a skill only those with a great affinity for the dark element possessed, and that worried him so.
Furthermore, a handful of Beastfolk were transported into the Wasteful Wetlands with the help of Scourge. Given that the dark sorcerer was a Beastfolk itself, and a black tiger at that, a haunting possibility loomed large in Saldeon’s mind, a shadow stretching over every interaction with the Beastfolk. The idea that King Murus—or even the tiger standing before him—might not act of their own volition was a troubling notion, but not farfetched given the circumstances.
For an ally of the Lethos Empire to suddenly cease relations and grow hostile without clear provocation was unusual, if not suspicious. The Beastfolk, though fierce and proud, had always maintained a cautious balance with the empire. The abrupt shift could not be coincidence—it reeked of deeper machinations.
The involvement of Scourge—now a known facilitator of forbidden practices—only deepened Saldeon’s unease. If the dark sorcerer had indeed gained influence over King Murus or his council, then this was no simple political maneuver. It was a calculated strike to destabilize both the empire and the Beastfolk.
The black tiger before him, however, did not seem like a pawn. Saldeon scrutinized the creature’s movements, its words. Everything about it radiated purpose, pride, and an unsettling intelligence. If it was under the sorcerer’s control, the manipulation was masterful, devoid of the usual telltale signs—hesitation, blankness, and most importantly, pupils that radiated shadows. None of those symptoms were evident on this beast, who stared back at him with eyes as sharp as knives, like two golden orbs that saw straight through him.
His thoughts were interrupted as Gulinar, ever impatient, barked: "A Beastfolk refusing a challenge? Hah! Don't make me laugh. Brother, you have seen its transgressions with your very own eyes. Even a beast knows when not to cross another's territory, expecting to leave unscathed."
Saldeon held his arm in front of Gulinar, stopping him from charging forward. "Hold, Gulinar. Before we act, let us ask this black tiger some questions. This is a rare occurrence of meeting one face-to-face."
Gulinar looked at him incredulously, yet he didn't protest, and his grip on his sword loosened as he gave an annoyed exhale. Though Gulinar's mind was cluttered with unfavorable ideas, he too, could see the potential this opportunity offered.
Saldeon took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Why have you come here, black tiger? As my brother has said, crossing our borders, when tensions are high because of your kind, doesn't seem wise. What game are you playing here?"
"Why have I come here?" it repeated. "Perhaps I wanted to see the empire’s little cubs with my own eyes. The Two Suns... so much light, yet so easily dwarfed by what awaits them. So full of light and life... and yet here you are, two tiny specs standing at the edge of a chasm. A drop in the ocean... an ant in the land."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Your king sends you to our border to deliver riddles?" Saldeon pressed, his voice unyielding. "If that is the case, take your games elsewhere. We have no patience for theatrics."
The black tiger chuckled, a guttural sound that rumbled like distant thunder. "Riddles? The truth often sounds like one when you’re too blind to see it." It stepped forward slightly, its claws scratching against the stone. "But very well, if you wish for something more direct—King Murus does not send me. I come of my own accord."
Gulinar stiffened at this, his grip on his sword tightening once more. "A rogue, then," he muttered under his breath.
Saldeon ignored his brother’s comment, narrowing his eyes at the black tiger. "And yet you speak of the Skaura as if it binds your actions. If you are not here under your king’s orders, what compels you to stand before us now?"
"The Skaura is more than a trial," the black tiger continued, its grin faltering. "It is a reckoning, a time when the strong rise and the weak fall. I very much enjoy partaking in the Skaura. Yet this time, a gnat dares to interfere with what was... pure."
It clicked to Saldeon where the black tiger was going with in its statement. "I take it you are aware a dark sorcerer has infiltrated your ranks?"
"Aye, I do," the black tiger said, its tone darkening. Its claws flexed reflexively, and its eyes gleamed with barely restrained fury. "A sorcerer that sullies the Skaura with its cowardly tricks and manipulations. This... thing twists what should be a trial of purity into a mockery. Even King Murus has fallen to its power."
So we were right! We are here because King Murus is being controlled by the dark sorcerer. It all makes sense now: the sudden lack of communication between the two factions, the Beastfolk's newfound aggression, and the presence of Scourge. All of these coincided with the dark sorcerer's interference. I must tell Father quickly!
"Gulinar, this was the information we—"
The crown prince noticed too late what transpired next. Underneath the black tiger's hulking body, its shadow squirmed. In a blink of an eye, solid black tendrils zoomed forward, coiling around Saldeon's torso in an instant. The dark appendages dragged him across the stones, carrying him forward and toward the black tiger.
Saldeon's body glowed with power as golden light erupted from him, his natural affinity igniting in a desperate attempt to counter the ambush. The radiant glow burned against the tendrils, their grip loosening slightly, but not enough to free him. He gritted his teeth, channeling his energy into his limbs to resist the relentless pull.
"Saldeon!" Gulinar roared, his sword already alight with runes as he charged forward. With a practiced motion, he swung his blade, unleashing a procession of golden arcs toward the tendrils. The strike cut true, severing the dark appendages and sending Saldeon tumbling to the ground.
Before they could attack further, the ground beneath them writhed. From the shadows cast by the chasm's edge, more tendrils emerged, writhing and snapping like serpents. They encircled the brothers, cutting off their escape as the black tiger's silhouette loomed ever closer.
Saldeon whirled around, facing the black tiger. What used to be regular pupils were now inky abysses, hallmarks of a being under control. How could they have missed this? Were they really this stupid? The dark sorcerer had used the black tiger as a distraction. This entire exchange was bait—an ambush set to draw them out, to lower their guard!
The shadow underneath the black tiger expanded, spreading like an ink spill across the stone floor, twisting and writhing unnaturally. From its depths emerged not just tendrils but shapes—amorphous at first, then solidifying into a humanoid figure. A masked face appeared, then the rest of the body followed. It took the form of a cloaked man, a human figure, yet it lacked the aura of a normal human. This was a man tainted by dark magic.
"We meet at last, Two Suns," said the dark sorcerer. "I will admit, I did not expect for Johan's sons to fall for such a paltry trap."
He stepped out of the inky pool, strutting forward as his cloak billowed around him. A wave of his hand sent the tendrils to attack, lashing out at Saldeon and Gulinar. The two dodged and parried the dark appendages, counterattacking when they got close.
A burst of light exploded from Saldeon's palms, blinding the shadow tendrils and halting their advance for a moment. The radiant energy seared through the blackness, causing the tendrils to writhe and retract. Gulinar seized the opportunity, his runic blade glowing brilliantly as he charged at the dark sorcerer with a ferocious battle cry.
The sorcerer, however, remained calm. With a lazy flick of his wrist, a barrier of crackling dark energy materialized, absorbing Gulinar’s strike effortlessly. The force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, but the sorcerer stood his ground.
"You are spirited, I’ll give you that," the sorcerer drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "But spirit alone won’t save you."
Saldeon joined the fray, his golden aura blazing as he unleashed a barrage of Light Bolts. Each one struck the barrier with devastating force, cracks forming across its surface. The sorcerer’s grin faltered for a moment as the onslaught continued, and he finally leaped back, dissolving his shield before it shattered entirely.
More shadowy tendrils lashed out toward the two. They rolled out of the way as they regained their feet, Saldeon narrowly avoiding the attack, while Gulinar avoided the tendrils, slicing through them with a blast of radiant energy from his sword.
One pair of tendrils shot forward. Saldeon raised his hand upward in its direction, and a wall of golden light rose before it, disintegrating it with ease. As he stepped back, another tendril came up behind him, slithering up his body and coiling around his neck. Gulinar sliced it in half just in time, and the dark appendage dissolved into black vapor. Just for good measure, Saldeon constructed more walls of light, surrounding them in a dome as high as seven feet.
"Thank you," Saldeon mumbled, rubbing his neck.
Gulinar sniffed. "See where your quest for peace has led you? Because of you, we were led into an ambush. What I don't understand is how we are being pushed back by one singular sorcerer."
“It is filled with shadows, and thus offers a limitless supply of power to those who wield the dark element. The deeper the connection to darkness, the more this place amplifies their strength,” Saldeon explained, his voice strained as a barrage of tendrils struck the dome. "We must flee this place using Lightstep, Gulinar, far from the chasm. Father must know what has happened here."
Before Gulinar had a chance to speak, the ground below them began to rumble. Suddenly, a sizable crack formed, and a massive arm emerged from the fissure, as thick as a log. Just in the nick of time, Saldeon managed to evade the attack, narrowly avoiding a claw that grazed his leg, leaving a cut in his pant leg. As the black tiger landed nearby, its eyes now filled with a sinister dark energy, Saldeon let out a grunt.
Those eyes... The sorcerer has taken its control of the beast! Escaping will be even more troublesome now.
As he thought that, the light in the beast's eyes flickered, and for a moment, it returned to its normal hue. A hint of lucidity returned to its gaze as it shook its head around, disoriented. Its teeth snapped as it looked down at its claws.
"What fierce willpower this one has..."
Like last time, the dark sorcerer appeared from the shadows. He lay a hand on the beast's head, and immediately after, the beast stiffened, its eyes once again pitch black. It stood up straight, turning to face the two brothers blankly.
"Although I would suggest disregarding what you have just witnessed, it holds no significance. Ultimately, both of you will be under my control."
Saldeon frowned. "As we suspected. You intend to sow discord between our nations, driving us to war through mind control. King Murus must be under your influence, and you intend to have us join in your sinful quest. All of this for what? Why do you seek ruin!?"
"How perceptive of you," the sorcerer said sarcastically. "War is the ultimate tumult, a fertile ground for our retribution. The bloodshed, the despair—it will feed into the birth of the founder. A new Progenitor will walk the lands, and a new age will be brought forth."
"There is no place for those that break the laws of the world," Saldeon growled. "We will stop you."
"You? Stop me?" The sorcerer interrupted with a sneer. "Your light is strong, Saldeon, but you are far from Johan's strength. Surely the Two Suns aren't foolhardy enough to believe they can stop us?"
"We must try, nonetheless. Gulinar, are you ready?" When no answer came, Saldeon turned to his brother, who stood eerily still, his sword lowered. "Gulinar?" Saldeon prompted, concern creeping into his voice.
Too late did he realize his mistake. A tendril, not from the sorcerer but from Gulinar’s own shadow, lashed out and coiled around Saldeon’s wrist. The golden light that emanated from him dimmed momentarily as shock registered across his face. Pain wracked his body as the mana within him leaked from his body, quickly sucked up by the tendril. The blood drained from his face as he fell to one knee, his body losing all its strength.
That damn sorcerer used Gulinar's shadow to strike! I can feel my body growing weaker!
“Gulinar!” Saldeon barked, attempting to pull free. “What are you doing?”
Gulinar turned slowly, his expression unreadable, but his grip on his sword tightening. A plethora of tendrils wrapped around him, coiling around him like ropes that bounded his limbs. He was thrust onto the ground, pinned down without mercy.
No matter how hard he struggled or willed himself to release the light element, it would not answer to his command. His body felt like a leaden weight, his head pounded, and his vision swam as the tendrils drained away his mana, slowly sapping the strength from his body. The light dome disappeared, and the sorcerer chuckled, clearly pleased by their defeat.
The dark sorcerer approached Saldeon, towering over his fallen form. "Betrayal from none other than your own brother. Quite the amusing development. Then again, it was expected. Family bonds are such fragile things, aren’t they? Easily twisted, easily shattered when you give them what they want."
He then regarded the silent Gulinar with a nod. "You wish for a war between the Lethos Empire and the Beastfolk Kingdom. I assume it's for purposes related to succeeding your father. I will grant you that wish if you pledge your allegiance to me."
At his words, Gulinar finally faced him. "Don't kill him. It will be suspicious if I return to the warcamp alone. Do what I ask, and you'll get your war."
"Gulinar," Saldeon croaked. "You can fight his control. I know you can. Don’t let him manipulate you!"
Slowly, Gulinar turned, and his face was a mask of cold determination. "Manipulation? You think this is the work of the sorcerer? No, Saldeon. This is my choice. You only have yourself to blame for prolonging what was inevitable."
The words struck harder than any blow. Saldeon’s breath hitched, his mind racing to make sense of it. "Your... choice?"
"You’ve always been the favorite," Gulinar began. "The shining star. The one destined to inherit the throne, while I remain in your shadow, receiving your scraps. I won’t allow it any longer. The war the sorcerer promises—it’s an opportunity to claim the path I’ve been denied."
"This war will bring nothing but needless deaths. Is that the legacy you want? What would Father think of your actions?"
Gulinar hesitated for a fraction of a second, his jaw set. Then, with a deep breath, he steadied himself. "It’s the price I’m willing to pay for the throne. For my future. Alter his mind, dark sorcerer, so that memories of this conversation never happened, and that he himself starts war. We will remain here at the border, refusing to meet the emperor in person."
"As you wish, Crown Prince Gulinar," the enemy said, crouching over Saldeon.
Saldeon glared at the dark sorcerer. "You will not have your way. Father will know something is amiss sooner or later. Only then will your plan crumble."
"Perhaps. Either way, Johan will find out too late to be able to do anything about it. Now, relax and submit to the power granted to me by my master."
In a swift motion, he clamped his palm over Saldeon's face, unleashing a torrent of shadows. Everything went dark. A rush of pain shot through Saldeon’s mind, sharp and invasive, as if a thousand claws were piercing his thoughts. He thrashed against the sorcerer's grip, his golden light flickering like a candle in a storm. Shadows surged into his consciousness, twisting and reshaping his memories like clay in the hands of a sculptor.
"Make it quick," said Gulinar, his voice distorted as if heard from miles away.
Memories of their journey to the border twisted, replaced with false narratives. In these false recollections, Saldeon was driven by fury, not peace—a crown prince enraged by the Beastfolk’s aggression, intent on delivering justice with his own hands.
Visions of the black tiger attacking him and Gulinar faded away. Despite the intense battle, they successfully banished the creature to its original realm, but not without sustaining injuries from its razor-sharp claws. The sorcerer's dark hand had planted the seeds of war in his mind.
Exhausted, the crown prince finally succumbed to the ground, his last surge of magic spent.