Chapter 293

Chapter 293
Kaiden pov

The guards grip my arms tightly, their hands like iron shackles around my wrists as they drag me through the cold, dark corridors beneath the building. I don’t fight them. What’s the point? The king, my father, has already made his decision. I’m nothing more than a threat to him now. A problem that needs to be locked away.

They shove me into a cell, the iron bars slam shut with a loud clang. I stumble forward, barely catching myself before hitting the damp stone floor. The cell is cold, the air thick with the stench of sweat and despair. Around me, the other prisoners laugh, their voices echo through the dimly lit dungeon.

“Well, well,” one of them sneers. “The mighty prince, locked up like the rest of us.”

“Not so high and mighty now, are you?” Another chimes in, his voice filled with venom. “Just another piece of filth.”

Their laughter grates on me, their voices sharp and mocking. They hurl insults, their words slicing through my already weak composure.

I keep my head down, trying to block them out, but it’s no use. Their words seep in, feeding the storm brewing inside me. The anger is growing, bubbling up like a volcano ready to erupt. I can feel the magic stirring within me, restless and itching to be unleashed.

“You’re nothing,” one of the prisoners spits. “A prince who couldn’t even keep his place.”

That’s it. Something inside me snaps. The little bit of control I had left shatters. I lift my head, my eyes burning with a dark, dangerous light.

“Enough,” I growl, my voice low and deadly.

The magic bursts from me in a wave of raw power. The air crackles around me, the walls trembling as I unleash everything. The prisoners’ laughter turns to screams as I lash out, my magic tearing through them. They fall one by one, their bodies crumpling to the ground like broken dolls.

I don’t stop. I can’t stop. The guards rush in, their armor clinking as they try to stop me. But they’re no match for me. I strike them down, my anger blinds me to everything else. By the time it’s over, the cells are silent, the floor littered with the bodies of prisoners and guards alike.

Breathing heavily, I step over the carnage, my heart pounding in my chest. There’s no turning back now. The last shred of humanity in me is gone, burned away by my anger.

I walk out of the cells, leaving the blood-soaked floor behind me. Each step echoes in the eerie silence.

I’ve made my choice, and there’s no room for regret. If my father wants to call me a threat, I’ll show him what a real threat looks like. The kingdom, the Council, even Ashley - they’ve all turned their backs on me. They wanted a monster, and now they’ve got one.

The air is cold against my skin as I leave the castle grounds and head for the woods. The forest stretches out before me. I move through it with purpose, my mind racing. I need an army, and I know exactly where to find one. The rogues - outcasts like me, with nothing to lose. They’ll follow me, especially when they see what I can offer them.

The journey through the woods is long and quiet, the stillness only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant howl of a wolf. My thoughts swirl as I walk, a mix of anger, determination, and something darker. I’ve lost everything - my family, my kingdom, my place in the world.

But in losing it all, I’ve gained something far more valuable: freedom. No more rules, no more expectations. Just me and my power.

It doesn’t take long to find a rogue. He’s lurking near the edge of the woods, his silhouette barely visible in the shadows. His eyes dart around like a predator searching for prey. When he spots me, he tenses, his hand moving to the hilt of a dagger at his side.

“I’m not here to fight,” I say, raising my hands in a gesture of peace. “I have a proposition for you.”

The rogue narrows his eyes, his stance still defensive. “What kind of proposition?”

I step closer, letting a small flicker of my magic dance in my palm. The pale light illuminates the hunger in his gaze, the desire for power. “Do you want to know how real power tastes?”

The rogue’s eyes widen, the suspicion in his expression melting into curiosity. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” I say smoothly. “Join me, and you’ll have power beyond your wildest dreams. But I need more than just you. Gather as many rogues as you can - at least five hundred. Bring them to the border as soon as possible.”

The rogue hesitates, his fingers twitching at his side. Finally, he nods. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Good,” I say, a cold smile spreading across my face. “And when you return, we’ll begin. The kingdom won’t know what hit them.”

The rogue disappears into the night, his figure swallowed by the darkness. I watch him go, the weight of what I’ve done settling on my shoulders. But I don’t feel regret. Only a burning desire for revenge.

I continue through the woods, my steps steady and deliberate. My mind churns with plans and possibilities. The rogues will be the first step, but they won’t be the last. I’ll gather more allies, more power. I’ll build an army strong enough to crush anyone who stands in my way.

The memories of the dungeon linger in my mind, the screams of the prisoners and guards echoing like a haunting melody. But I don’t dwell on them. What’s done is done. They made their choice when they turned against me. Now, it’s my turn to make mine.

As the first rays of dawn break through the canopy of trees, I reach a clearing. The light paints the forest in shades of gold and green, a stark contrast to the darkness inside me. I take a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling my lungs. It’s a new day, a new beginning.

The kingdom, the Council, Ashley - they all wanted to see me fall. But they underestimated me. They thought they could break me, that they could chain me like some wild beast. They were wrong.
This is my war now. And I’ll stop at nothing to win.