Chapter 129 The heir returns

Chapter 129 The heir returns

Marvin led them through a hidden path that had once been used by members of the royal family. The passage was narrow and partly damaged, but it allowed them to avoid the main roads where Caius's soldiers were stationed. As they walked, Marvin quietly explained everything that had happened since Viktor disappeared, and with every piece of information, Viktor became more determined to reclaim the kingdom.

"Caius changed everything," Marvin said. "He removed your family's supporters from positions of power and replaced them with people who were loyal only to him. He also changed the laws so that anyone who questioned his right to the throne could be arrested."

"Does anyone still believe my father was the rightful king?" Viktor asked.

Marvin looked at him. "They never stopped."

Viktor's expression softened slightly. "They were simply afraid to say it."

"Then we'll make sure they don't have to be afraid anymore."

They eventually reached a hidden room beneath an old building near the palace. Several people were already waiting there, and the moment Marvin entered with Viktor, they all turned toward him.

Nobody spoke.
An older woman slowly stepped forward.

She stared at Viktor's face, then covered her mouth with one hand. "Is it really you?"

Viktor didn't know her at first, but something about her voice stirred another memory. "Amara?"

The woman began crying. "You remember."

Viktor nodded but deep in his mind he was grateful for Maui's memories.

"You used to bring me sweets when my father wasn't looking."

A faint smile appeared on her face. "You were always getting into trouble."

The room slowly filled with emotional murmurs as more people approached him. Some remembered him immediately, while others simply stared because they had spent years believing the royal family was gone.

Viktor looked at all of them.
"I know you suffered because of Caius."

Nobody interrupted.

"I know many of you lost family members, homes, and everything you had because of what he did. I can't change what happened, but I can promise you one thing."

He paused. "I won't allow him to continue."

The people exchanged uncertain looks.
One man stepped forward.

"And what happens when Caius comes for us?"

Viktor looked directly at him. "Then he comes for me first."

The man stared at him.

Viktor's voice became stronger. "You've spent years hiding because you believed there was no one left to fight for you. I'm telling you that there is."

Marvin looked around the room. "The prince has returned."

A few people bowed their heads.
Others began whispering.

For the first time, the hidden resistance had something they hadn't had in years.

A reason to believe they could win.
Then a loud horn sounded outside making everyone freeze on their spot.

Marvin's expression changed. "What is that?"

He rushed toward the small window and his face turned pale.

"He's here."

Viktor stood. "Caius?"

Marvin nodded. "Someone must have discovered where we are."

Ellie reached for his weapon. "How many soldiers?"

"Too many."

Viktor walked toward the window.
He could hear them.
Hundreds of footsteps.

Commands were being shouted throughout the streets, and soldiers were surrounding the building from every direction.

Elara walked toward him. "Viktor, we need to get out before they surround us."

Viktor looked toward the palace. "No."

Elara frowned. "No?"

"We're done running." He turned toward everyone in the room. "Stay here."

Marvin shook his head. "My prince—"

"Stay here and protect the people."

Viktor walked toward the exit.

Ellie immediately followed.
"You don't seriously think we're letting you go alone."

Joyce picked up her weapon. "He's right."

Elara looked at Viktor. "And you know I'm coming."

Viktor gave her a small smile. "I was hoping you would."

They stepped outside together and to their shock, the streets were filled with soldiers.

At the far end stood Caius.

He was surrounded by armed men, but he wasn't holding a weapon. He simply stood there watching Viktor with a strange expression on his face.

Then he smiled. "So you finally decided to pick a fight.”

Viktor stopped. "You knew I would."

"I knew eventually you'd come looking for what you believed belonged to you."

Viktor looked toward the palace. "It doesn't belong to me because I believe it does." His eyes settled on Caius. "It belongs to my family."

Caius laughed softly. "You've been away for too long. You don't know these people anymore."

"I know enough."

Caius looked at Viktor's palm and the bright smile on his face slowly disappeared.

"So Maui really gave you his power."

Viktor's expression hardened. "You knew what he was."

"I knew exactly what he was."

"And you still killed him."

Caius's eyes narrowed. "Maui chose to die."

"He chose to protect me." Viktor took a step forward. "And that's something you'll never understand."

Caius raised his hand.

The soldiers immediately surrounded Viktor, Elara, Ellie, and Joyce.

"Kill them."

The soldiers charged towards them chanting their war song but Viktor didn't move.

He raised his hand, and suddenly, every soldier stopped.

Their bodies became rigid. Weapons fell from their hands.

Caius stared at them in disbelief.

Viktor slowly lowered his hand, and the soldiers dropped to their knees.

The people watching from the surrounding buildings began whispering.

Caius looked around. "What are you doing?"

Viktor smiled and walked toward him. "I'm taking back my home." He scoffed, “What else does it look like I am doing…”

Caius stepped backward. "You think this power will make you king?"

"No." Viktor's eyes glowed red. "My blood makes me the heir."

The words spread through the streets.

Marvin and the others emerged from the building behind him.

Marvin raised his sword. "Long live the rightful heir."

One person shouted from the crowd. "Long live Prince Viktor!"

Another voice joined.
Then another.

Within moments, the street was filled with people calling Viktor's name.

Caius's face twisted with anger. "Silence!"

Nobody listened.

Viktor stared at him. "This kingdom was taken through fear." He stepped closer. "But you can't rule people who no longer fear you."

Caius suddenly drew his sword and charged.

Elara shouted Viktor's name, but Viktor remained where he was until Caius was almost upon him. At the last moment, he moved aside, caught Caius's wrist, and sent him crashing against the stone wall.

Caius struggled to stand as Viktor approached him slowly, never taking his eyes off him. "You should have killed me when you had the chance. It was a mistake sending me to the human world."

Caius wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled. "You still don't understand."

Viktor stopped then caius looked at the mark on his palm. "Maui didn't simply give you his strength."

Viktor's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Caius laughed quietly. "You have no idea what that mark truly means.” Just after saying that, he suddenly disappeared.

Viktor looked around in fright and annoyance. “Caius!!!! Don't be a coward, show yourself.”.

Elara rushed toward him "Where did he go?"

Viktor closed his eyes and searched through the kingdom with his heightened senses. He could hear thousands of heartbeats, the movement of soldiers, the voices of frightened people, and the sound of the palace gates closing.

Then he felt something else.

A strange, powerful and ancient presence. And it was coming from inside the palace.

Viktor opened his eyes. "He didn't run."

Marvin looked at him. "Then where is he?"

Viktor stared toward the palace. "Inside."

Elara moved beside him. "Why would he go there?"

Viktor's expression hardened. "Because whatever he's hiding..." He looked at the palace where his father had once ruled. "...has been waiting for me."

The palace gates slowly opened. Viktor’s lip slowly curved into a smile then he took a step forward.

He had finally returned to the kingdom that had been stolen from his family, but instead of feeling victorious, he knew he had only uncovered another part of the truth. Whatever Caius had been protecting all these years was now waiting for him inside the palace, and Viktor knew there was no turning back.