Darius paused, his eyes dangerous as they locked onto Darwin. Just a day ago, this man was his guard—someone sworn to protect him with his life. Darwin wasn't just any soldier; he was a seasoned veteran of countless battlefields.

He and Darwin had walked through fire together, taken missions where death was certain, and survived. From his early years as a prodigy, Darius had grown alongside Darwin, who had risen to become a peak Planetary Realm soldier. Over time, Darwin had become more than a bodyguard—he was a friend. But now, the two stood on opposite sides of a rift that could shatter everything.

They weren't just comrades anymore. They were brothers—now enemies.

"Brother…" A soft female voice broke the silence, snapping everyone's attention to Seraphina.

"I have decided," she said firmly, her gaze shifting toward Darwin. "Darwin is right. Yes, I understand what's at stake, but… is Theron really the one fit to be king?" She walked across the stage, coming to Darwin's side.

"Powerful, brave, and direct. I like that, brother. You have my support," Seraphina declared.

Darwin smiled, a rare warmth on his face. "Little sister, I'll be glad and honored to have you by my side."

"Seraphina, how dare you?" Theron's face darkened. "Why would you—"

But he was cut off.

"I too have something to say," another voice rang out. Vaelen stepped forward, calm but resolute. "Darwin is right. Why must it be you, Theron? Do you remember what you told me? Well, maybe you're the one who needs that pep talk now." He crossed the stage and joined Darwin as well.

With two siblings by his side, Darwin suddenly had the strength and legitimacy to challenge for the throne.

Theron let out a chilling laugh. "Hahahahaha! Really? Is that it?" His voice boomed as every eyebrow around the venue rose.

"Look around you! They are all here to watch me become king. I have the support. I have the influence. And you—" he pointed a finger at Darwin, his voice dripping with venom—"think you can just appear out of nowhere, claim to be my long-lost twin, and expect me to bow just because you're older? You're wrong. Dead wrong."

His tone grew sharper, commanding, filled with fury.

"Me becoming a king may be delayed, but it is inevitable. And you? You're nothing but a pawn. An ant who dares dream of sitting on my father's throne. Seraphina—cunning as always. I knew you never wanted to side with me. And Vaelen—you betrayed me too." Theron lowered his head, shadows covering his expression.

"Who's left? WHO ELSE WANTS TO BETRAY ME? SPEAK NOW!" His roar thundered through the hall, and silence fell like a shroud.

Citizens in the audience swallowed hard, their hearts pounding. None of them had expected the coronation to unravel like this.

Caius stood frozen. A twin brother had appeared out of nowhere. His siblings were turning on one another. The throne, once within reach, was slipping further into chaos.

At this rate, everything returns to the beginning… back to nothing.

Fifth Ancestor, what is your goal? Did the forefathers want this? For us to destroy ourselves so they can return and claim everything?

His thoughts boiled until they broke free.

"Isn't this exactly what they want?" Caius suddenly spoke, his voice sharp enough to cut the tension.

Theron and Darwin both froze. The hall went silent.

"For us to fight? To bleed each other dry for the throne? And then what? One of you takes the crown, but in the process, our geniuses die, our future leaders are wasted, and humanity is left crippled. Maybe my gut was right all along…" Caius' expression turned cold.

"I'm tired of watching you fight like children. Tired of this reckless struggle that only leaves corpses behind. Enough." He stepped forward, each footfall heavy, unshakable.

Standing at the center of the platform, Caius raised his head high and declared word by word:

"This is an open challenge to everyone. I will take the throne. The coronation will be held, and any of you may challenge me."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

"No way…"

"He wouldn't…"

"What is this turning into? Twist after twist!"

The audience was stunned. They had come expecting a coronation. Instead, they were witnessing betrayal, secrets revealed, and now—an unexpected claim from the eldest prince himself.

Darwin's eyes widened. "You… you mean this?" It was hard to believe. Wasn't this the same Caius who had always been talentless? Where did this newfound confidence come from?

"Caius, this is no time for jokes," Theron growled, equally shocked. "We are serious here."

"You're wasting time," Caius replied coldly. He turned to the old man in ceremonial robes. "Kingmaker, you know what to do."

The Kingmaker swallowed and nodded. That single motion made everyone's hearts lurch. Caius was dead serious.

At first, there was shock. Then—excitement.

Rumors had spread for months that the once-ordinary eldest prince had somehow been transformed by the Dreadborne Organization. That his talent had risen to the level of a prodigy, rivaling even Darius. Now, the truth would be revealed.

Theron, Darius, Darwin, and Vaelen all exchanged looks. None of them had expected Caius to seize the stage like this. And yet, the fire in his eyes left no doubt—he wasn't bluffing.

"Fine. I'll go first."

The voice cut through the murmurs. Vaelen stepped forward.

"The third prince wishes to fight the eldest?" someone whispered.

"No—he's the fourth now," another corrected.

The murmurs grew louder as anticipation filled the air.

"Alright then, General Drezan," Caius said.

From the crowd, a battle-hardened man stepped forward, smiling knowingly.

"I'm here," General Drezan said, already aware of Caius' intent.

"I entrust the supervision of this battle to you. Do not stop it until one side yields or is knocked unconscious," Caius commanded.

"As you wish, Eldest Prince," Drezan's voice boomed across the federation.

Everyone gulped. This was no play. The royal siblings were dead serious. The fight for the throne would be settled not with words—but with fists.

And now, the world would see whether Caius truly had the strength to back his claim.

***************************************************

ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ n0velfire.net