The future king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sword of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the center of the feast, Kael stood proudly beside the throne in black royal armor lined with silver dragons. A long scar crossed one side of his jaw, earned during battle when he was sixteen. Most nobles considered the scar beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Royal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Edric watched his son with visible pride from the throne above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou fought well,\u201d the king announced loudly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nobles erupted into applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goblets slammed against tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLong live Prince Kael!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLong live Ashkar!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael smirked slightly and raised his wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But deep beneath the noise\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
he felt nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The northern campaign haunted him more than anyone knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Villages burned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children crying beside dead fathers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound of steel entering flesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At night, Kael still heard screaming whenever silence lingered too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But princes were not allowed weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So he smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the kingdom celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the palace doors opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creeeeeeak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The music faltered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cold wind swept into the banquet hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rainwater slid slowly across the marble floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every noble turned toward the entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And a child walked inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No older than ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His clothes were torn and soaked with mud and rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A black cloth covered both of his eyes completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boy carried no weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hall burst into laughter almost immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA blind beggar?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho allowed this filth inside?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThrow him out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several guards began approaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the child continued walking calmly through the center of the hall as if he belonged there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His bare feet left faint wet footprints across the marble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he stopped directly beneath the throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence spread slowly across the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Edric frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow did this child enter my palace?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because no one knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The outer gates were impossible to breach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thousands of soldiers guarded the royal fortress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet somehow\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the blind child had walked through all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prince Kael stepped forward slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is your name, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The child remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael\u2019s expression darkened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou stand before the king of Ashkar. Answer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But strangely\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the boy tilted his head slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like he was listening to something far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then one old noble suddenly froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord Varian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The oldest minister in the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His wrinkled face lost all color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because he recognized the black cloth covering the child\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And terror filled him instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo\u2026\u201d the old man whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince glanced back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord Varian trembled violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat cloth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old noble staggered backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen it before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room slowly quieted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Edric narrowed his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExplain yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Varian swallowed hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwenty years ago\u2026 before your reign\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old man\u2019s voice cracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was a prophecy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The banquet hall became deathly silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one in Ashkar spoke lightly about prophecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially ancient ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Varian stared at the blind child in horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe monks of Mount Velkar spoke of a child born without sight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA child who would one day judge the hearts of kings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nervous laughter spread across several tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Varian did not laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe would wear darkness over his eyes,\u201d the old man whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd wherever he walked\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmpires would fall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prince Kael laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sharp cold laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou fear a starving blind orphan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nobles quickly joined his laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tension broke slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael drew his sword in one smooth motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SHIIIIING.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silver steel gleamed beneath candlelight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince pointed the blade directly at the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou entered my feast uninvited.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His voice echoed across the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo entertain us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blind child did not move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOr are you truly helpless?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the prince attacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BOOOOOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His armored boots exploded against marble as he lunged forward with terrifying speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael was one of the deadliest swordsmen in Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even veteran generals feared him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His blade flashed toward the child\u2019s throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gasps erupted across the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But at the final second\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the boy moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effortlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like drifting smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sword missed by less than an inch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael\u2019s eyes widened slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The child stepped sideways calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still blindfolded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still expressionless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nobles stopped laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael attacked again instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SHING.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SHING.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SHING.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every strike cut only empty air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blind child moved like flowing water between the prince\u2019s attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never hurried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never panicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost graceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Candle flames trembled violently every time Kael\u2019s blade passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hall became silent except for steel slicing wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One minister whispered nervously:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow is he doing that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another noble crossed himself in fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael\u2019s frustration grew rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one had ever humiliated him like this before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially not a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mock me?\u201d the prince snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boy finally spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His voice was soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hear your anger before your sword moves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A chill swept across the banquet hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael roared and charged harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time his strikes became brutal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More violent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marble cracked beneath his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tables splintered apart from the force of missed blows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet the child avoided every attack with impossible precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like he could sense the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the blind boy stopped moving entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael saw his chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince leaped high into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both hands gripping his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He brought the blade crashing downward with enough force to split stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDIE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the child raised one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BOOOOOOOOOOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A devastating shockwave exploded through the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince was launched backward like a rag doll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He crashed through three banquet tables before slamming into a marble pillar hard enough to crack the stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gold plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything exploded across the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire banquet hall shook violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complete silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dust drifted slowly through flickering candlelight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prince Kael lay motionless beneath shattered wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And standing alone in the center of the ruined hall\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
was the blind child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head lowered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black cloth still covering his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nobles stared in absolute horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one understood what they had just witnessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the child turned slightly toward the throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And spoke quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour kingdom smells like blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A freezing silence consumed the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Edric slowly stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow dare you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou built your throne upon screams,\u201d the boy interrupted softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The king\u2019s face darkened instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeize him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of royal guards charged forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spears raised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steel drawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But before they reached him\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the palace torches suddenly extinguished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every single one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Darkness swallowed the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Screams erupted immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat happened?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLight the fires!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
footsteps echoed softly through the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bare feet against marble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The guards panicked blindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steel clashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men collided into one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some screamed in terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And through the chaos\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the child\u2019s calm voice echoed everywhere at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou cannot fight what you cannot understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the torches reignited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the boy was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Completely gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hall erupted into panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prince Kael slowly pulled himself from the wreckage, clutching his chest painfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His heartbeat thundered violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not from pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because during that final moment\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
when the child\u2019s hand struck him\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael had seen something impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A burning city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And himself kneeling before thousands of dead bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince said nothing about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that vision haunted him immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael could not sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every time he closed his eyes\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
he saw flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dead children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Broken walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the blind child standing silently in the middle of the destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watching him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judging him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By dawn, the prince had enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He gathered soldiers immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe find the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The king agreed instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No child could humiliate the royal family and survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So hundreds of soldiers spread across Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Searching streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But no one could find him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was like the child never existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until three nights later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A soldier burst into the throne room pale with fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe found him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prince Kael immediately rose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soldier swallowed hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the old lower district.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe plague ruins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room became silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one willingly entered the plague district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thousands died there years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The area was abandoned afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael armed himself immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
he would not underestimate the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rain hammered the ruined streets as the prince and fifty soldiers entered the forgotten district beneath torchlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Broken houses leaned crookedly beside flooded alleys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The smell of rot filled the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And somewhere in the darkness\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a flute played softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soldiers froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound was beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost heartbreaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael followed the melody through the ruins until they reached an old temple swallowed by ivy and darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the blind child sat alone beside a candle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing the flute calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like he had been expecting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The music stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou came,\u201d the child said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael stepped forward carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boy lowered the flute slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy name is Ash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ash tilted his head slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA mirror.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prince felt uneasy immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou speak in riddles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ash smiled faintly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n the child spoke words that froze Kael\u2019s blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou still hear the northern village burning every night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince\u2019s face lost color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one knew about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash continued softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou killed the rebel leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut you also killed his daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael staggered backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The memory hit him instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A little girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrong place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrong time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince had buried that memory deep inside himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow do you know that?\u201d Kael whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash touched the black cloth over his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do not see faces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence consumed the ruined temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rain poured endlessly outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Ash spoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are not evil, Prince Kael.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut your father is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael\u2019s expression hardened instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCareful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash slowly stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou think your father united Ashkar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash shook his head softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe slaughtered his way to the throne.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAsk him what happened to the previous royal bloodline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince froze slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because that part of history was strangely unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old royal family had supposedly died during a rebellion before King Edric rose to power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But records were missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Witnesses vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one spoke of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash stepped closer slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe murdered children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael drew his sword instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But strangely\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n his voice lacked certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because somewhere deep inside\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n fear had already begun growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash did not flinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe fears me because he remembers what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince\u2019s breathing became uneven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe knows exactly who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Kael could answer\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n arrows suddenly exploded through the temple windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THUNK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THUNK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THUNK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Royal soldiers flooded the ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But not Kael\u2019s men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These soldiers wore black armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king\u2019s private execution guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince Kael turned in shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric himself entered the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holding a sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for the first time in years\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n the king looked terrified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Terrified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKill the boy,\u201d Edric ordered immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFather\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNOW!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The execution guards charged forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash remained motionless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n the blindfold slipped slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And beneath the cloth\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael saw glowing silver light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The air inside the temple trembled violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candles extinguished instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldiers stopped moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every single one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like invisible hands gripped their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fear spread rapidly across the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric stumbled backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash slowly lifted his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for the first time\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n emotion entered his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou remember me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king\u2019s face collapsed completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael stared between them in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then the king whispered words that shattered reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash smiled sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric trembled violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s impossible\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael looked at his father in disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king backed away slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twenty years of buried terror resurfaced inside him all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because he remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The night he slaughtered the old royal bloodline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The previous king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every heir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every witness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All except one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A baby boy hidden beneath burning floorboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edric thought the fire killed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash slowly removed the black cloth completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silver light glowed inside empty scarred eye sockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The room gasped in horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash spoke softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour soldiers blinded me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king collapsed backward against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I was a child\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash\u2019s voice trembled slightly for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey burned my family alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael\u2019s heart pounded violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No no no\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou told the kingdom the old bloodline was cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king shook uncontrollably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou slaughtered innocent children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael stared at his father in horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n everything made sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The missing records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disappearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash looked directly toward the prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou asked who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The silver light intensified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am the son of the king your father murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Absolute silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince Kael felt his entire world collapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric suddenly roared desperately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKILL HIM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The execution guards broke free and charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Kael moved first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHIIIIING.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His sword flashed instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One guard fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince turned toward his own soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStand down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKael\u2026\u201d Edric whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince looked at his father slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for the first time in his life\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n he saw the monster beneath the crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou lied to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edric stepped forward desperately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI did it for the kingdom!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou murdered children!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was necessary!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael\u2019s voice broke violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo kingdom built on dead children deserves to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king\u2019s expression hardened instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then rage consumed him completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou weak fool.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edric drew his own sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you will not protect this throne\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king attacked his son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steel exploded through the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Father against son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their blades clashed violently beneath thunder and rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael fought desperately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Edric was still stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More ruthless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king slashed across Kael\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood splattered the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou were never fit to rule,\u201d Edric snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael staggered backward painfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blind prince stepped between them calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And placed one hand against King Edric\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instantly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n the king froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His eyes widened in terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n he could see every person he had ever killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every scream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every burning home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edric collapsed screaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visions consumed him entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo\u2014 STOP\u2014 PLEASE\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He clawed at his own face desperately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Begging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash stood silently over him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI told you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His voice was soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king\u2019s screams echoed through the ruins for several moments longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then slowly\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n they stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric lay unconscious on the stone floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Broken completely by his own guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rain poured softly outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince Kael stared at Ash in disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou could have killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash lowered his head slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blind prince smiled faintly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause revenge would make me become him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael felt something inside his chest break apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All his life\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n he believed strength came from fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From domination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this blind child\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n this ruined orphan\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n was stronger than every king in Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The surviving soldiers slowly knelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not before Edric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Ash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The true heir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Ash turned toward Kael instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou protected me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael shook his head painfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t deserve forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash was quiet for a long moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then he stepped forward slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And embraced him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince Kael froze completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou were a child too,\u201d Ash whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prince\u2019s eyes filled instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because no one had ever said that to him before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weeks later\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edric abdicated the throne publicly after confessing his crimes before the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The people of Ashkar were horrified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many demanded his execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Ash refused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet him live with what he remembers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, the former king was exiled alone beyond the eastern sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And when the kingdom finally demanded the true prince reclaim the throne\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash refused again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nobles were stunned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are the rightful king.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash smiled softly beneath sunlight pouring through the palace windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then he turned toward Kael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire throne room fell silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kael stared at him in shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou cannot mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash stepped closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know what darkness looks like now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blind prince touched his own scarred eyes gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat means you will never create it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Months later\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince Kael was crowned king of Ashkar beneath golden banners and ringing bells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But during the ceremony\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n people noticed something strange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blind child who saved the kingdom was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Completely vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No guards saw him leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No servant opened the gates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He simply disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some believed he returned to the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Others claimed he was never human at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But years later\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Kael still remembered one final thing Ash told him before leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe world blinded me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut losing my eyes allowed me to see souls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And from that day forward\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashkar never again built its future upon fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the kingdom would always remember the blind child who defeated a prince\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without ever opening his eyes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The royal banquet hall of Ashkar glittered like a second sun beneath the night sky. Golden chandeliers blazed overhead. Music thundered through marble pillars carved with ancient… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2638"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638\/revisions\/2640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-638.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n