The Warrior and the Princess (on hold)

Chapter 1

The young King glared at the four warriors standing before him, his brow furrowed, and his lips pressed into a tight line. Rage simmered beneath his cool exterior. These men had dared to defy him—an act worthy of death. Especially the War General, who stood just ahead of the others, meeting the King's gaze with defiance. He didn't flinch, didn't waver, as if the King's authority meant so little. The King's word should be law, his power should be absolute.

He was Aires, ruler of Ashyra, the most powerful kingdom on earth. No one had the right to challenge his decisions. And yet, as he opened his mouth to speak again, he hesitated. Though he loathed to admit it, the General terrified him. The man was the strongest of the warriors—fearless, ruthless, and revered across the kingdom and beyond. He had led countless victories in battle, slaughtered thousands, and commanded the unwavering loyalty of the entire army.

The King's fury flared again, but behind it, there was fear.

Aires clenched his fists, the weight of his crown feeling heavier than ever. Despite the power of his birthright, he had yet to earn the respect of those who served him. The Palace Councils still saw him as the spoiled, reckless prince he had once been. Even after six months on the throne, their opinion hadn't changed. They whispered behind his back, convinced he could never live up to the legacy of his father—a king whose greatness seemed impossible to match.

The four men before him bore grim news. The Kingdom of Eridian had allied with Bahian, preparing to launch an attack on Ashyra. The trusted informants reported that enemy ships—thousands of them—were being readied. Each vessel was loaded with weapons, firebombs, arrows, swords, and an army a hundred thousand strong. Worse, there were rumors that Eridian now possessed a weapon that could be launched from thousands of kilometers away. The weapon could destroy an entire village they said. And the invasion was only a month away.

Now, these men awaited his command.

His instinct was to fight back, to rally every soldier and warrior, to arm the villagers and defend Ashyra with every ounce of strength they had. Yet, to his surprise, the War General advised a different course. He suggested gathering the villagers and moving them to safety near the border. The General's words struck Aires like a slap in the face. The idea of retreat, of hiding, was unthinkable. Ashyra was the greatest kingdom on earth, a land feared by all. How could he, Aires the King, allow his kingdom to be seen as weak, to flee in the face of danger? Would they become the laughingstock of heaven and earth?

His rage burned hotter, but so did his doubt. He had to decide, and soon.

His wanted to say that his Kingdom would fight back. But there was this doubt that came from his lacking in self-confidence in making such crucial decisions.

The tension in the room remained thick as smoke. The War General, Caleth, stepped forward with the slow, deliberate movements of a predator stalking its prey. His stern expression sent a chill down Aires' spine. When Caleth finally spoke, his voice was low and composed, yet it cut through the air like a blade. "Your Highness," he began, the words showed a hint of frustration of the hours they had spent arguing.

Aires, desperate to maintain his composure, nodded with a forced calm. "Yes, General. You may speak."

Caleth's gaze didn't waver. "This war is unavoidable," he said, his tone as measured as ever. "It is important that we protect our people. Get them to safety."

Caleth was a man of few words. Always cold and indifferent, he spoke so rarely that when he did, his voice commanded attention. Though only six years older than Aires, he exuded a presence far beyond his years—a mixture of power, wisdom, and the kind of confidence that made others bend to his will without question.