Arkan had been so sure. Kaelion would survive; their father's gift guaranteed it. That's why he'd sent Ryvaris's man to finish him off. But Rin? Rin wasn't supposed to live. Not after that explosion. Arkan had been away during the fight, trying to avoid the soul connection, but the roar of the blast had dragged him back, forcing him to block the worst of the aftermath. He'd expected to see Rin dead and Kaelion fall to Ryvaris's man.
Yet, here Rin was, not only alive but walking.
Arkan snapped orders for his men to retrieve Kaelion immediately. As for Orien and Selvara, he'd personally brought them to his estate. He figured with Rin alive, they'd prove useful in the future.
Now, in his private chambers, Arkan paced in tight, agitated circles. He'd paid a steep price. He'd gambled away years of his life, risked his standing with the imperial court, and sacrificed more than anyone knew.
And both were still alive.
He stopped, took a long, shuddering breath, and muttered, "It's fine. I'll save Kaelion. They'll fight again. The test wasn't complete. No one truly won."
He repeated it, a desperate mantra.
"It's okay."
A soft knock at the door.
"What now?" he barked, his voice raw.
A terrified maid peeked in. "S-sir... you have a guest."
"Who?"
"Prince Rin."
The name hit him like a lightning bolt. Arkan's jaw tightened. "Let him in."
Rin entered without a sound. No words. He simply walked over and settled himself very politely in a chair.
Arkan, forcing a strained calm into his voice, began, "It was the Second Prince. I've checked everything. I will confront him. You have my word. This won't just go, I'll make sure to get you answers."
Rin stared at him, his gaze unnervingly calm and cold. "I know who did it. I'm not stupid."
Then, without turning, he spoke again. "You can come in now."
The door opened slowly, revealing a figure Arkan hadn't expected.
Orien stepped inside.
Arkan stood, utterly stunned. "You? What are you doing here?"
Rin didn't answer. Instead, he simply said, "Kneel."
Orien dropped to one knee. "Orien greets the future Emperor of the Solas family. Ruler of the North and East."
Rin chuckled, a chilling sound. "Good. Very good."
Arkan was beyond stunned. "What is going on?"
Rin pulled out a red orb. "This was the test, right? Retrieve the soul bomb and survive. I have it. Orien gave it to me, and I was the only one standing. That means your support now belongs to me."
Arkan felt it immediately. His very soul groaned,a tether forming. His subconscious, bound by the Emperor's ancient will, accepted Rin.
He bowed his head slightly. "How did you do it?"
Rin smiled. "I didn't know for sure. I just didn't believe that my father had absolute control over you, so I chose Orien for a reason. Loyalty. I knew you'd trust him. I told him to let you think you were using him. Let you believe Selvara was your key."
He leaned forward.
"But Orien was always mine. He even went through the pain of the dragon wing extraction so you'd believe it. And the orb? It was always with him."
Arkan stared, speechless. He couldn't fathom Rin letting his wing endure such an experiment. It was supposedly impossible for high-level souls, and the success rate for lower levels was abysmal. He'd never imagined Rin would sacrifice his wing, let alone his wife.
"Did I suspect you?" Rin said, a hint of something unreadable in his tone. "Not really. Orien was just a backup. But that explosion nearly killed me. That won't happen again."
He rose, walked to Arkan's vacated seat, and sat down. Rin felt the connection solidify; the system confirmed he now had control over Arkan.
"Now that your soul has accepted me..."
His voice was steady, unwavering.
"Pale Flame Arkan. Kneel."
Arkan hesitated, but his legs moved on their own, betraying his will.
He dropped to one knee.
And the balance of power shifted forever.