[Alista's POV]
The transition from the bustling, chaotic streets of the Outer Settlement to the stifling silence of the alleyway was jarring. Alista Tudor followed Nephis deeper into the shadows, his hand resting casually—but intentionally—near the hilt of his sword.
As they walked, the crowds thinned until they were nonexistent. The stone walls here were high and slick with the eternal dampness of the Dark City. It was a perfect place for a conversation you didn't want overheard. It was also a perfect place for an ambush.
Alista's senses were dialed to their maximum. He watched the Changing Star's back, analyzing her gait. She walked with the confidence of someone who believed the world would naturally part for her.
Finally, they reached a dead end. Nephis turned around, her silver hair catching the dim light of the artificial sky. Her face was a mask of porcelain perfection, devoid of warmth.
Alista leaned against the damp wall, crossing his arms. "We are far enough from prying ears. What do you want, Nephis?"
Nephis looked at him, her gaze piercing. "I want you to join us."
Alista raised an eyebrow. "Join you? In what capacity?"
"For the upcoming expedition," Nephis clarified, her voice cold and resolute. "We are going to traverse the depths of the Forgotten Shore. After that expedition is complete, I will return to take down the Bright Castle, kill Gunlaug, and then lay siege to the Crimson Spire itself."
Alista paused, processing the audacity of the plan. 'She is inviting me? The man who publicly snubbed her? Why?'
"An ambitious plan," Alista noted dryly. "But here is the question: If I join, who leads? Who gives the orders?"
"Me," Nephis replied instantly. There was no hesitation, no room for debate in her tone.
Alista frowned, a scoff escaping his lips. "Why?"
"Because I have a plan," Nephis stated, her conviction radiating like heat. "And I possess the keys necessary to escape this Dream Realm. You do not. What do you have, Blood Emperor? You have strength, yes. But do you have a path forward?"
Alista smirked, pushing himself off the wall. "I have something you clearly lack, Changing Star."
Nephis tilted her head slightly. "And what is that?"
"Common sense."
Nephis didn't react visibly, but the air around her seemed to freeze.
Alista continued, stepping closer. "Why me? Your cohort is already balanced. You have a tank, a scout, a duelist, and an oracle. You don't need me to clear a path. So, tell me the condition."
Nephis held his gaze. "We are venturing into extremely dangerous areas. We need additional battle strength of the highest caliber. But... only you should come. Not your cohort. Not the Pathfinder, not the Archer, and not the Healer."
Alista's internal alarm bells began to ring deafeningly loud.
'She wants me isolated. A King without his guard is just a man with a target on his back. If I go alone, surrounded by her, Sunny, Caster, and Effie... an "accident" would be very easy to arrange.'
Alista shook his head, a dark chuckle bubbling up from his chest. "No."
Nephis narrowed her eyes. "You refuse? Do you not wish to escape this place?"
"I'm not refusing because I want to stay in this hellhole," Alista said, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I am refusing because I will not follow you, Nephis. It's as simple as that."
He stepped sideways, preparing to leave. "You are more than meets the eye, aren't you? You act like a saint, a savior descended to lead the sheep. But deep down, you are just using these people as fuel for your own goals. Am I right?"
Nephis didn't answer. She didn't have to.
"I would rather puke than follow a hypocrite," Alista spat. "Good luck with your run."
He turned his back on the Changing Star and walked away. He could feel her cold gaze burning a hole between his shoulder blades until he turned the corner, back into the safety of the crowds.
Alista moved through the settlement with a brisk, angry pace. He didn't stop until he reached his private quarters.
Leon, one of his trusted guards, stood by the entrance.
"Lord Emperor?" Leon asked, noting Alista's dark mood.
"Call Fors Wall," Alista commanded. "Now."
Leon nodded and sprinted off. Alista entered his room, pacing back and forth as his mind raced through the implications of Nephis's offer. 'She knows I'm a threat. She's trying to remove me from the board before she makes her play for the Castle.'
Minutes later, the door opened. Fors walked in, followed by Leon. She was still wearing her leather training armor, sweat glistening on her forehead. She had clearly been pulled straight from a spar.
"What is it?" Fors asked, wiping her hands on a rag.
Alista looked at Leon. "Wait outside. Make sure no one gets within ten meters of this door."
Leon bowed and left, sealing the room.
Fors's relaxed demeanor vanished instantly. She dropped the rag and crossed her arms. "Serious talk. I'm listening."
Alista recounted the meeting in the alley—the invitation, the demand for leadership, and the specific condition that he come alone.
Fors let out a low whistle. "She's planning to kill you. Definitely."
"I know," Alista said, leaning against his table. "But why now? Is it really just because I'm competition for the throne? Or does she suspect we know about the Shards?"
"Maybe both," Fors mused. "But her expedition is starting soon. That leaves the settlement wide open. Do you have a plan?"
"I have the start of one," Alista admitted.
"I have a better one," Fors said, a dangerous smirk playing on her lips. "While the 'Hero' and her cohort are off playing explorer in the wilderness... I say we attack Gunlaug."
Alista looked at her, impressed. "A coup while the city is distracted. It creates a power vacuum that we fill before she even gets back."
"Exactly," Fors nodded. "Lesser bloodshed. We strike hard and fast while the Bright Castle is relaxed."
"It is a good idea," Alista agreed, tapping his finger on the table. "But I still need to increase my strength. Gunlaug isn't just a man in armor; he has that Echo. I need a method to deal with it."
He stood up, his eyes burning with resolve. "And moreover... I want to show that autistic blowtorch what a True King actually looks like. She wants to lead? I'll show her how to rule."
"We have time," Fors reminded him. "We've collected almost all the possible Shards into the city. Only the Lord of the Dead is left, and we can plan that out carefully."
"Not yet," Alista corrected. "There is one loose end I need to tie up before we move on the Castle. A specific Memory that will change the game."
He walked to the window, looking out at the dark horizon.
"It is time to hunt a Fallen Devil."
[Nephis's Lodge]
Nephis returned to her headquarters, her face a mask of absolute neutrality. She walked past the bustling guards and entered the inner sanctum where Cassie was waiting.
Several lower-ranking members were talking to the blind girl. Nephis gestured for them to leave. They scrambled out, sensing the heavy atmosphere.
Once the door clicked shut, Cassie spoke, her voice soft but echoing in the silence. "Did you talk to him?"
"Yeah," Nephis replied, sitting down heavily. "He denied the offer. Simply put, he wasn't willing to follow."
Cassie sighed, her fingers tightening around her staff. "It was a gamble. We tried to convince our new recruits to infiltrate his ranks, but that failed. Now the direct approach has failed."
"We have bigger concerns," Nephis said. "We need the Shards."
"They will be there," Cassie assured her. "Only we know the approximate locations. The visions haven't changed regarding that."
The dramatic irony hung thick in the room. They believed they were the sole architects of fate, unaware that the Blood Emperor had already looted the very treasures they sought.
"After we defeat Gunlaug, we can deal with Alista," Cassie continued, her voice turning cold. "We have two Shards in our possession. That leaves five. We will collect them during the expedition."
"And if Alista interferes?" Nephis asked.
"Then we kill him," Cassie stated simply. "Our window is closing. We need to reach the First Bright Lord's corpse"
Nephis stood up, her resolve hardening. "Cassie, summon the people."
==============
Kindly review the chapter and comments it out