Immense power, Chapter - 3

Chapter 3 — Execution Day Approaches The road to the kingdom was silent. Too silent. Arjun walked at the front, his footsteps steady, unhurried. Lyra followed a few steps behind him, clutching her cloak tighter as the forest slowly thinned into muddy plains. The dark trees faded, replaced by broken stone markers and rusted swords half-buried in the ground. A battlefield. “People died here,” Lyra said softly. “Yes,” Arjun replied. “And they were forgotten.” She looked at him. “You speak like you’ve seen this before.” Arjun didn’t answer. He had—in memories that weren’t his. The original Arjun Noctis had been dragged through this very road in chains, beaten, spat on, and mocked. A noble by birth, reduced to a criminal by decree. Executed for a crime he never committed. Three days. That was how much time remained. A presence brushed against Arjun’s senses. He stopped. Lyra nearly walked into him. “What is it?” “Someone’s watching us,” he said calmly. The air rippled. From behind a shattered stone arch stepped three figures clad in white armor etched with golden runes. Their helms bore the symbol of the Solaris Church—a blazing eye wrapped in chains. Inquisitors. Lyra’s face drained of color. “T-they found us already?” One of the inquisitors stepped forward. His voice echoed unnaturally, amplified by magic. “By decree of the Holy Church, the cursed half-blood is to be taken for purification.” His gaze shifted to Arjun. “And the Black Star bearer… is to be erased.” Arjun sighed. “So dramatic.” ⟡ Threat Assessment ⟡ Targets: 3 Holy Inquisitors Estimated Rank: A–S Outcome Prediction: Total Annihilation Lyra grabbed his sleeve. “Arjun, please—don’t—” He placed a hand on her head. “Close your eyes.” She hesitated. Then trusted him. The inquisitors raised their weapons, holy light blazing. “By the will of—” They never finished. The ground beneath them collapsed into shadow. Black spikes erupted upward, impaling two inquisitors instantly. Their holy barriers shattered like paper. The third screamed, trying to escape— Arjun appeared before him. Too fast. His fingers closed around the inquisitor’s throat. “You worship gods,” Arjun said quietly, black eyes glowing. “Tell them this.” He tightened his grip. The body turned to ash. Silence returned. Lyra opened her eyes slowly. The battlefield was empty. No blood. No bodies. Just scorched earth and lingering darkness. She looked at Arjun—not with fear. But awe. “…You’re terrifying,” she whispered. “Good,” Arjun replied. “That means they’ll hesitate.” That night, they reached the outskirts of the kingdom. Massive stone walls loomed ahead, banners fluttering in the wind. The capital of Valenfall—a city of law, order… and lies. From a hill overlooking the city, Arjun stared at the distant gallows being constructed in the central square. Lyra followed his gaze. “…That’s for you, isn’t it?” “Yes.” Her hands trembled. “Then we should run.” Arjun shook his head. “No.” He turned toward the city, darkness coiling subtly around him. “If I run, they’ll hunt me forever.” He smiled faintly. “But if I walk in willingly…” Lyra swallowed. “You’ll die.” “Not this time.” She stepped closer to him. “Then I’m coming with you.” Arjun frowned. “It’s dangerous.” “I know,” she said firmly. “But you saved me. So let me stand with you.” For a moment, Arjun saw something he hadn’t expected. Resolve. “…Fine,” he said at last. “But stay close.” Her lips curved into a soft smile. High above the city, inside the royal palace, alarms rang. A noble knelt before the throne, shaking. “M-my lord… Arjun Noctis has been sighted.” The king’s fingers tightened on the armrest. “Impossible. He should be in chains.” A robed figure stepped forward from the shadows. “Whether chained or free,” the figure said coldly, “the execution will proceed.” Black clouds gathered faintly above Valenfall. The night before execution day had begun.