Chapter two

The palace was a sight to behold, gleaming with its most prized possessions displayed in every corner. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement as the grand coronation of the new emperor approached. Addison, the soon-to-be emperor, found himself in his private chambers, diligently preparing for the momentous event.

Focusing on the task at hand, Addison adjusted his gloves, ensuring that every detail of his appearance was immaculate. Eager for confirmation, he turned to his aide and asked if their anticipated visitors were en route.

With a respectful bow, the aide responded, assuring Addison that their guests were indeed on their way. Satisfied with the answer, Addison couldn't resist sharing his excitement with his father, who was seated on his magnificent throne.

"Father, today the Adelstein will die by our hands. The Adelstein's relentless pursuit of power and influence has plagued our family for far too long," Addison continued, a glint of steely determination flashing in his eyes. "Their insatiable hunger for dominance threatens the very foundation of our kingdom. We cannot allow them to manipulate and undermine our authority any longer."

The king's eyes gleamed with a fierce resolve. "It is time to show them that the imperial family will not be trifled with. Their ambitions will be quashed, and their influence over the realm will be broken once and for all," he pronounced with an air of unyielding authority.

Addison's expression mirrored his father's determination as he nodded in agreement. "We will not falter, Father. Today, we send a clear message that the throne will remain unyielding against any who dare challenge it."

With a knowing look, the king placed a hand on his son's shoulder, conveying a silent understanding and unspoken bond between them. "Our ancestors built this kingdom with unwavering resolve, and it is our duty to protect it at any cost," he stated, his tone emphasizing the weight of their greediness for the throne.

Both father and son knew that the Adelstein had been plotting a rebellion under the guise of the coronation festivities. Determined to thwart their plans, the king and Addison had devised a strategy to catch them off guard

Before leaving his chambers, Addison retrieved his prized azure sword, a symbol of his authority and readiness to defend his kingdom. As they stepped out of the palace, they were greeted by a line of imperial knights, resplendent in their armor, each holding a gleaming sword, mounted on majestic horses..

Meanwhile, within the halls of the Adelstein residence, a sense of urgency pervaded the air as the family made their final preparations for the impending rebellion. The Duke of Adelstein fervently sharpened his sword when a breathless knight burst into the chamber.

"Grand Duke, the imperial knights, the king, and Prince Addison are en route," the knight announced with urgency.

The grand duke's eyes widened in alarm as he immediately summoned everyone to make ready. He hastily gathered Lucas and his son, and with a grave tone, informed them of the impending arrival of the imperial forces.

"We've been betrayed," the grand duke of Adelstein growled, his eyes burning with defiance. "But they won't catch us off guard. Prepare yourselves; they're almost here."

The twins and Chandler swiftly retrieved their swords, while Lucas called upon their allies. As tension mounted, Lucas underwent a haunting transformation, assuming the menacing form of a silver werewolf. The entire household hastily assembled at the main gate, bracing themselves for the arrival of the imperial knights and the impending showdown.

"Shoot!" The Adelstein knight shouted upon seeing the imperial knights, and a rain of arrows was released into the air. The imperial knights were startled, and many of them were struck down by the arrows, some tumbling from their horses.

"Attack!" ordered Addison, and the surviving imperial knights advanced toward the Adelstein residence.

Lucas and the allied packs moved together, their shapes darting through the chaos as the arrows kept coming. The imperial knights were thrown into confusion by the unexpected appearance of the wolves, especially the imposing silver werewolf.

"It's a cursed one!" exclaimed an imperial knight, looking at the king and the imperial prince.

The king quickly understood—it was his illegitimate son, bearing the family's curse, a secret concealed due to being a second-born.

"Addison, use your azure sword," the king told his Addison, before rushing to join the knights in the fierce clash against the Adelstein forces and their formidable wolf allies.

Addison used his azure sword to attack the wolves, their blades clashing with each other. The atmosphere was intense as the sound of metal against metal filled the air. Many knights were injured, and some were dead due to their wounds.

"Continue to attack," Addison said, while clashing with the wolves. He also saw his father fighting alongside other Adelstein knights. Looking around, he noticed the grand duke of Adelstein and headed in his direction.

The grand duke of Adelstein spotted Addison approaching and quickly finished off an imperial knight to confront him. Addison swiftly attacked the grand duke, and they exchanged counterattacks, but Addison, using the azure sword, brought the grand duke of Adelstein to his knees and Addison used that opportunity to kill the grand duke of Adelstein.

"Father!" the twins cried out desperately, rushing to his motionless form. Blood soaked his once regal attire, marking the tragic end of the grand duke of Adelstein. Panic flooded Elliot's eyes as he attempted to use his magic to restrain Addison, but his efforts were futile.

Chandler and the twins' hearts shattered as they witnessed their father's life being brutally taken by Addison. Fueled by a mix of grief and rage, they charged to attack Addison, hoping to avenge their fallen father. Their swords clashed in a tumultuous symphony of steel, but Chandler and the twins found themselves outmatched. Skillfully wielding the azure sword, Addison swiftly overpowered them.

Each strike was executed with ruthless precision, as if Addison were the embodiment of a dark storm. His blade sliced through the twins' defenses, leaving deep cuts that seeped crimson. Waves of pain crashed upon their bodies, their thoughts consumed by determination to defend their family's honor.

In a final, ferocious attack, Addison's sword found its mark. The azure blade pierced through Chandler's defenses, plunging into his side. Chandler gasped, his breath escaping in ragged gasps, as the world spun out of focus. He collapsed to his knees, his life force slowly slipping away.

With a cold, empty expression, Addison withdrew his sword from Chandler's body. The reality of what had transpired hung heavily in the air, the room now draped in suffocating silence. The grand duke of Adelstein, once a symbol of power and nobility, now lay motionless in death, a casualty of the sibling rivalry that had torn their world apart.

Lucas looked around the battlefield and saw the bodies of the Grand Duke of Adelstein, Chandler, and the twins. He felt a surge of anger and started heading in the direction of Addison, the king. However, before he could get close to him, the king aimed his sword at Lucas. He managed to dodge the attack, but when he looked around, he saw that the Adelstein knight and his companions were already weakened. It was a devastating sight - everyone was dead, and his distraction allowed the king to injure him.

"Pathetic is the man who betrays his own family," the king's voice crackled with fury. "You have tarnished the honor of our house, Lucas. You have chosen the wrong path."

"Wrong path? No, I simply chose the path of truth, of justice," Lucas responded, his defiance clear in his voice. "It's a path you should have taken long ago, father."

The king's eyes blazed with anger. "You have been led astray by Delvin Adelstein, a traitor to the kingdom. You will pay for your treachery."

"Delvin Adelstein was a better man than you'll ever be," Lucas retorted, refusing to show fear in the face of his father's rage. "He cared for the people, for the kingdom, unlike you, consumed by your thirst for power."

As the tension between the king and Lucas escalated, Addison, the future emperor who had orchestrated the treacherous attack, observed the exchange with a satisfied smirk, reveling in the chaos he had sown.

"Your squabbles are of no interest to me," Addison interjected, his voice dripping with arrogance. "It matters not now, for the throne is mine. You and Adelstein are pawns in my grand game."

Lucas shot a defiant glare at Addison. "You'll rule over empty lands and broken souls. The people will never accept a usurper like you."

Addison's smirk widened. "The people will accept what I offer them. Power, stability, and a new era for our kingdom. Whether they like it or not. Waste your breath with futile hopes if you wish. None of you will see the light of freedom again. The kingdom belongs to me now, and nothing will stand in my way. Arrest everyone!"

Soon, Lucas and the others were seized and taken to prison. The heavy doors closed behind them, leaving them to contemplate their situation in the dim, foreboding atmosphere of the prison. They were left with the sounds of battle still echoing in their minds, a stark reminder of the cost of their failure.