The room was quiet, lit only by the warm glow of lanterns. Outside, the festival lights flickered faintly, but inside, the atmosphere was heavy with thought. Alex, Riven, Edrin, Kael, Saphira, and Lady Marriane sat around a large table, the weight of what they had learned pressing on each of them.
Alex leaned forward, hands clasped. "We've seen what Lord Darius plans… the mystical beasts he's corrupting. We can't allow innocent people to die for a revenge plan, no matter how justified it might feel."
Riven's gaze swept the room, steady but sharp. "I don't support the King's crimes either. But killing innocents isn't the answer. We need a plan that protects people and stops the monsters."
Saphira nodded, her voice calm but firm. "So, we're clear. We oppose the King's actions… and we oppose indiscriminate revenge. That's our stance."
Lady Marriane's eyes glimmered with approval. "Then we act carefully. We cannot act blindly, but we must act wisely. That begins with allies—dukes who can wield influence and military might."
Alex's expression grew determined. "We have to tell them everything. My father, Riven's parents, Kael's father… they need to understand the truth about the King, the corruption of the mystical beasts, and Lord Darius' plan. They need to be ready to defend the Kingdom of Hensville."
Riven's lips curved slightly. "We tell them the facts. Not just the monsters… but the King's crimes, the source of the kingdom's mana, and why the Dukedom of Veymore was destroyed. Why Darius was exiled. All of it."
Edrin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So we gather the evidence, inform the dukes, and prepare defenses. That's… a lot, but it's the right thing to do."
Kael's quiet voice broke the silence. "We also need information. Proof against the King—documents, records, anything that can reveal the truth. If the people knew, if the dukes knew… maybe we could prevent further tragedy."
Edrin's eyes flicked toward Kael, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm glad you're with us on this," he said softly.
Kael met his gaze, a subtle nod in response, the faintest hint of a shared understanding passing between them. It was quiet, almost imperceptible, but it carried weight—a trust forming, a bond growing stronger in the shadows of the challenges ahead.
Alex nodded. "Exactly. We don't fight blindly. We prepare, gather evidence, and rally those we trust to protect the Kingdom. We stop the monsters, defend innocents, and make sure the truth comes to light."
Riven reached across the table, placing a firm hand over Alex's. "We'll do it together. Step by step, carefully, without losing sight of what matters. That's how we protect the innocents… and still honor the truth."
Lady Marriane inclined her head. "Then let us begin. Tomorrow, we inform the dukes. We organize intelligence. And we prepare Hensville for what is coming."
The group shared a silent understanding. The festival outside continued, oblivious to the looming threat, but inside that small room, a plan was forming—a plan to save lives, uncover the truth, and prepare for the reckoning ahead.