"Warning. Warning. Warning. Security breach detected in the maze perimeter."
"There has been an attack inside the test area. Head for the nearest exit. I repeat, there has been an attack inside the test area. Please evacuate immediately."
Chaos erupted throughout the test arena. Alarms rang from every corner.
Elite guards rushed in to restore control, but panic had already spread through the crowd.
Spectators pushed past one another in wild confusion, their voices swallowed by sirens and sharp commands.
The royal family was about to evacuate when the clan leaders were ordered to hold their positions and await further instructions, while the king, his son, and some royal guards stayed behind to regain control.
King Prime the VII stayed seated while his son Prince Hawk watched the chaos unfold with unwavering eyes.
"Status report."
With a sharp command from the king, a guard stepped forward to answer.
"Your Majesty, someone has breached the maze with one confirmed intruder and possibly more."
The guard finished his sentence, then Hawk stood from his seat. Without hesitation, he drew his epic-type Chakram, Eclipse, and sliced the guard in two. The guard collapsed to the ground.
A wave of gasps moved through the room.
The king's gaze hardened.
"Why, my son? Why execute a man loyal to us?"
Hawk turned to his father, voice calm but sharp.
"He showed weakness."
When the king met his son's gaze, he recognized the fierce fire burning within him, the very same fire King Prime VII had spent his entire life trying to suppress.
With a single motion, Hawk shrugged off his royal cloak, letting it fall. Underneath, sleek black armor fit him perfectly, built for combat.
Hawk stepped forward, eyes cold.
"Father, send the guards to seal the city. Those who dare strike while I'm here will regret the day they were born."
The king paused, eyes briefly closing. Silence gripped the room. Then, without a word, he stood and raised a hand.
"You heard the prince. Follow his orders."
Hawk offered a twisted smile, then dropped to one knee before his father.
"Thank you, Father."
Just then, the chamber doors opened. The clan leaders entered, each lowering to one knee before the king.
They all got down on their knee before Hawk and King Prime the Seventh and yelled simultaneously.
"WE ARE AT YOUR SERVICE, YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Hawk turned to them, slowly pacing with Eclipse spinning through his fingers.
"Tell me... who failed to protect the royal family and let the test grounds fall apart?"
No one answered.
Tension blanketed the room like smoke. Everyone kept their eyes low. The slightest wrong word would give Hawk an excuse to kill. He was provoking them, and they all knew it.
At last, Thomas spoke up.
"May I speak, young prince?"
Hawk chuckled.
"Ah, Thomas. Be careful you're the one I'd most enjoy ripping apart."
Thomas bowed his head.
"I apologize on behalf of my city and my people. This disgrace should never have unfolded in the royal family's presence. I'll personally investigate the breach and bring you the one responsible."
YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn this world where people have crystal powers, fate chose Kai to once again reunite the seven clans, who are in a constant civil war with each other for centuries. Although Kai were chosen, his path is full of despair and pain, but a voice keeps te...
