he air in the cellar was thick with smoke and secrets. Faces turned toward me, eyes wary but hungry for change. The woman who'd spoken introduced herself as Liora—sharp, fierce, and as mysterious as the night.
"We don't trust easily," she said, voice low. "And neither should you. The Black Veil has survived this long by watching our backs and striking hard when the time is right."
I studied the room — broken nobles, exiled soldiers, and commoners burned by the crown's cruelty. They weren't just rebels; they were the kingdom's discarded, ready to tear down the corrupt from within.
Liora's gaze locked on mine. "We want you to join us, Alex. Your knowledge, your strength… it could turn the tide."
But doubt gnawed at me. Allies meant debts. And debts meant chains.
"What's the catch?" I asked.
She smiled — sharp and knowing. "You'll owe us your first strike. A mission to prove your loyalty. Fail, and you'll die alone."
A chill ran down my spine, but the fire inside me burned hotter.
"I'm in."
That night, as I left the cellar, shadows followed. Not all enemies wore crowns.
The game had changed. And I was ready to play—no longer a pawn, but a player who would rewrite the rules.