The steady rhythm of hooves on earth had been the only sound for hours. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, leaving the dense forest bathed in silver moonlight and long, whispering shadows. Cool night air brushed against the travelers' faces, and the scent of pine and damp soil filled their lungs.
Ryo yawned as the party came to a slow halt beside a crystal-clear riverbank that curved between ancient trees. The water sparkled beneath the moonlight, breaking only slightly with the lazy flow of the current. The horses whinnied softly, relieved to rest.
"We'll stop here for an hour," Ophelia declared, dismounting gracefully. "The horses need water—and so do we."
Ryo slid off his horse, nearly tripping as he landed. "Thank the gods. I thought my legs were gonna fuse together."
Theodosia stretched her arms above her head, joints popping audibly. "You complain more than a noble at a commoner's wedding."
"I am not built for long rides," Ryo muttered, stomping over to the river. "Especially not when your bony elbows are stabbing into my ribs every five minutes."
Theodosia narrowed her eyes. "You should be honored to be my steed."
Ryo shot her a look but didn't reply, kneeling at the water's edge and splashing his face. The cool touch revived his senses. Kiel had already dunked his entire head into the river, emerging with his soaked hair sticking out like wild grass.
"This is nice," Kiel said, grinning. "Not often we get to stop without something trying to kill us."
"Might be the calm before the storm," Lysa replied, kneeling beside him and sipping from a waterskin.
As the group enjoyed the brief reprieve, Ardyn dismounted silently and drifted toward the woods, his steps making no sound on the mossy ground.
"I'll return shortly," he said softly, almost to himself.
No one questioned it. He often wandered on his own.
---
Deep within the forest, far from the flickering firelight of their camp, Ardyn moved through the trees like a phantom. He came to a small clearing where the moonlight fell in slender shafts through the branches. There, finally alone, he paused, inhaling deeply.
His gaze lifted to the sky, stars glittering above like indifferent gods.
"I despise them," he whispered, his voice tinged with venom.
His tone shifted—softer, colder. "The Thanatos Heirs... beloved by the people, chosen by fate, draped in prophecy. And for what? Bloodline? Power they did nothing to earn? Every time I look at them, I remember what I was denied."
He stepped forward, shadows curling at his feet like hounds sensing their master's will.
"They live with purpose simply handed to them. I had to build mine."
Ardyn raised one delicate hand—and with a snap of his fingers, the forest darkened. Not from clouds or nightfall, but from shadows gathering unnaturally. They slithered across tree trunks, coiled like smoke, and then rose—forming figures.
In an instant, four spectral beings stood before him. They were humanoid, but far from human—tall and lithe, made entirely of flickering black mist, with piercing violet eyes glowing within their featureless faces. They wore armor shaped like twisted thorns, and their movements were smooth and predatory.
"Phantom Servants," Ardyn said softly. "The first style I perfected."
The largest of the servants dropped to one knee, bowing its head. The others followed.
"Your command?" it asked in a hollow, echoing voice.
"Two targets," Ardyn said, and his eyes narrowed. "The Thanatos heirs—Ryo and Kiel. Eliminate them. Make it clean. Make it cruel. But leave the princesses alive. I want them to remember."
The servants bowed again. "It shall be done."
Ardyn turned away, the corners of his robe flicking through the grass like ink in water. "Be quick. I'd rather not return to camp late and suspicious."
As the phantoms vanished into the treetops, melting into the darkness like snakes in water, Ardyn closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out, his lips curling in a ghost of a smile.
"You two may be the chosen heirs… but fate has always had a terrible sense of humor."
---
Back at the riverbank, Ryo and Kiel were lounging beside the fire, having finished a modest ration meal. Ryo leaned back on his elbows, staring at the stars.
"Y'know," he said, "I used to think only royals got to see skies like this. Guess I was wrong."
Kiel grinned. "You are riding with a royal pain."
Lysa kicked a pebble at him. "You're lucky I haven't fed you to the horse yet."
Theodosia laughed softly but then turned to look toward the forest. "Where's Ardyn? He's been gone a while."
Before anyone could respond, a cold wind sliced through the clearing—sharp and unnatural. The fire sputtered. The horses bucked in panic.
And then, they appeared.
Four Phantom Servants, stepping out of the tree line, silent and menacing, weapons forming from their own shadows.
Ryo leapt to his feet, eyes wide. "What the hell are those?!"
"Something bad," Kiel muttered, drawing his dagger.
The lead phantom pointed at them. "Ryo Thanatos. Kiel Thanatos. Your lives end here."
Theodosia stepped forward, sword half-drawn. "Who sent you?!"
But the shadows were already charging.
Ryo raised his greatsword, adrenaline hitting like lightning. "Guess dinner break's over!"
The night erupted into battle—steel clashing against shadow, firelight flickering against a new, silent enemy.
And far away, hidden among the trees, Ardyn watched silently, a smile on his face, as chaos unfolded just as he planned.