Soul Sword : The empire's last game

Chapter 6: 1.5 Forgotten Prince



The wind shrieked through the garden of the Kingdom of Ruin, bringing with it the aroma of icy metal and forsaken dreams. Snow covered the ground in a silvery layer—gentle yet uninviting. It was a harsh winter, fierce and relentless, whispering through the bare branches of lifeless trees like the phantoms of fallen warriors.

High above the frozen earth, a solitary figure rested on the limb of a colossal tree, his outline contrasting against the faint glow of the palace lights.

Soren Ruin.

The second prince of the realm. A shadow of aristocracy pushed aside.

His royal attire glimmered softly under the moon's rays, interwoven with threads of gold and silver—a mockery of his position. He idly twirled the hilt of his sword, the sharp blade reflecting the light like a shard of ice. Even though he appeared no older than sixteen, his presence suggested otherwise. Power wrapped around him, a silent tempest, concealed yet inescapable.

His striking green eyes, frigid and unyielding, burned with an authority that did not befit a boy.

Soren's gaze wandered towards the Palace of Ruin, a monument of splendor and falsehood. Laughter and conversation spilled from its magnificent halls, warm and abundant, as nobles reveled in their feasting. Red and green gemstones embedded in the palace walls shimmered like captured embers, flickering beneath the torchlight. The world within was vibrant, infused with the warmth of dancing chandeliers, golden wine, and silk-draped deceptions.

Yet beyond those confines, their second prince lingered alone, engulfed by the snow.

His black hair, dusted white by the snowfall, framed his defined features, yet not a single tremor coursed through his body. He had long become impervious to the elements. Severe rain, fierce thunder, the sound of battle—he had withstood them all. He had been conditioned to endure them all.

A hand absently brushed against the side of his neck, where a dark mark lay—a sigil, a curse. It pulsed beneath his touch, icy despite the warmth of his own skin. He did not need to see it to know its form. It was burned into his recollection, etched into his destiny.

It had shaped him from the moment he was born.

Not as a child. Not as a prince. But as a weapon.

A surge of anger blossomed within him, slow and smoldering, like embers poised to ignite. His grip on the sword's hilt tightened as he gazed toward the training fields. The space where he had bled. Where he had battled. Where he had been molded into something unearthly.

The anger. The sorrow. The years of bitterness clawed at his throat.

Then, something changed.

A force uncoiled within him, sharp and ancient.

For a brief instant, his emerald eyes sparkled—vivid, untamed, like raw magic distilled into a single glance. The atmosphere grew dense. The ground shuddered beneath some unseen power. A sharp wind sliced through the stillness.

And then—

Boom.

A shockwave erupted from his very essence.

The world shivered.

The Palace of Ruin shuddered. Stone splintered, walls broke apart, and a portion of the eastern tower tumbled down in a cloud of dust and debris. The magnificent halls where laughter had once resonated now displayed the marks of devastation.

Then silence.

A deafening, empty silence.

Soren exhaled, his breath visible in the cold air. His hands shook—not out of fear, but with the primal, uncontrollable power that had surged within him.

He raised his gaze to the sky.

The stars above appeared remote—unattainable, unreachable. A bitter smile flickered across his lips.

Then—

Pain.

A sharp, intense suffering pierced through his body, slicing through his veins like molten fire.

His breath faltered.

His heartbeat thundered like a war drum, chaotic and uneven. The mark on his neck seared, glowing a deep, unnatural green. His vision faded, dark spots swirling in the corners of his sight. The world tipped, the tree branch beneath him felt miles away.

Through the fog, he noticed it—

A sword.

It rested before him, stuck in the snow, shimmering with an otherworldly light.

Not regular steel. Not crafted by human hands. It beckoned to him. The runes along its blade throbbed like a heartbeat, murmuring in a tongue older than the kingdom itself.

Then—

A voice.

Ancient. Powerful. Inhuman.

"You are chosen. "

"A throne awaits. "

"A challenge begins. "

"Will you claim your fate? "

The words resounded within his mind, a demand, a prophecy, a curse.

Soren's lips parted, his breath quivering. He recognized these words. He had listened to them spoken in legends, in forbidden writings, in the terrified whispers of scholars who feared to say them aloud.

"The Emperor's Game," he murmured.

A harsh laugh slipped from his throat.

Fate was merciless. The very thing his family had dreaded was now upon them.

Gradually, he rose. His fingers curled around the sword in his hand as he turned to confront the ruined palace. His emerald eyes glowed with quiet rage, with an unspoken yet absolute vow.

"If I become Emperor…" he whispered, his tone laced with venom. "I will make you suffer as you have made me suffer. "

The wind howled as he moved forward. His sword rested against his shoulder, the weight of destiny bearing down on him.

Then, with steadfast determination, he declared.

"I, Soren Ruin, accept the challenge. "

A surge of energy blossomed from the sword before him. The runes ignited, dazzling in their brilliance. The ground beneath him fractured, the very air trembling as the ancient magic awakened.

A torrent of blinding light consumed his vision, engulfing the world entirely.

The last sound he heard was a high-pitched voice, resonating with power—

" Welcome, Challenger, The Emperor's Game. "

———————

So just like I promised the schedule is here, though I promised to send it yesterday.....sorry school didn't let me.

Monday To Wednesday : 4:00am

Thursday To Friday : 5h00am

Saturday To Friday : 4:30am

Soo....the schedule starts tomorrow, and I'll sure I stick to it. But sometimes when I'm sick there're will breaks!!! Right!

I love you all happy reading


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.