The grand hall of Hensville's central keep was filled to the brim, banners fluttering, chandeliers sparkling, and nobles murmuring among themselves. The kingdom had gathered for the anniversary of the King's thirty-first year of reign, an event meant to celebrate order, power, and legacy. Yet today, it would witness something entirely unexpected.
At the center of the hall stood Lord Darius, flanked by his son Callum Dareth, the dukes—Henry Rosetta, Valerian Havana, and Lucien Skyrim—Princess Selene, Lady Marriane, and the gang. Alex felt the weight of the moment settle on him, but he also felt a sense of unity. Every ally present was committed to revealing the truth.
Alex stepped forward first. "Today, the people of Hensville will learn the reality behind the monarchy. The King's power, the so‑called source of our Mana… the truth has been hidden for far too long."
He motioned toward a concealed section of the hall. The hidden chambers were revealed, and the crowd gasped as a powerful mystical beast, chained and drained of its Mana, came into view. The once-majestic creature trembled, weak from years of siphoning. Whispers spread like wildfire among the nobles.
Princess Selene's voice echoed, steady but commanding. "This creature is the true source of our kingdom's Mana. For decades, the King and past Dukes have imprisoned and drained it, passing the Mana to their descendants. This is the source—not the gods, but this living being."
Even the Crown Prince shifted uncomfortably. "That… that cannot be true. My father… these claims are lies," he stammered, though doubt flickered across his face.
Lady Marriane stepped forward, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "The evidence is here. Hidden chambers, records, and witnesses. The time for deception is over."
The murmurs escalated into chaos as Queen Amelia crumpled to the floor, tears streaking her face, unable to process the betrayal.
The King, seeing the tide of revelation and disbelief, grew furious. His distorted visage twisted with rage, and he lunged toward Lord Darius, dark Mana crackling around him.
Lord Darius met the attack, their clash sending sparks of energy throughout the hall. The fight escalated rapidly, a blur of Mana, fists, and desperate precision. The King, realizing his facade was unraveling, pushed Lord Darius toward the edge of the hall, the struggle intensifying.
In a sudden, tragic move, the King's hand shot out, striking Lord Darius in a vital organ. The older man stumbled, shock and pain flashing across his face. Callum rushed to his father's side, cradling him as his dark eyes flickered with anguish.
"Father!" Callum shouted.
Lord Darius smiled faintly, blood streaking his lips. "Callum… my son… I am happy… you've seen the truth… promise me… live well. Do not let revenge consume you as it did me. Find peace… and know that I will see your other father, Alaric, on the other side."
Tears streamed down Callum's face. "I promise, Father… I swear."
The King, frantic and enraged, made one final, reckless assault. In the desperate exchange the King faltered—and in that moment, his life ended. As he crumpled, the hall watched, stunned; the roar of confrontation collapsed into an awed silence. With his last breath his distorted, fabricated face slipped away, and the monarch's appearance reverted back to his original, true self—the man who had wielded deception and power for decades laid bare in his final, unmasked form.
The hall fell silent, the weight of truth settling over everyone present.
Outside, the powerful mystical beast, though drained and chained, remained alive. The people of Hensville had witnessed the collapse of centuries of lies, and for the first time, the reality of their kingdom's foundation was laid bare.
The King's reign ended not with fanfare, but with the bitter echo of deceit, loss, and the heavy cost of unchecked ambition. And in the aftermath, a new path began to take shape—a path where justice, truth, and unity could finally begin to reclaim the kingdom.