Ember Throne: Rise of the Forgotten Prince

The imperial palace at night was a thing of haunting beauty. Its towering spires pierced the starry sky, their marble facades glowing softly in the moonlight. Yet beneath its splendor, a current of unease rippled through its corridors. Arian could feel it in the way servants whispered, their eyes darting toward shadows that seemed deeper than usual.

The revelation from the Forbidden Archives clung to his mind like an ominous shroud. The Hollows were already within Aldenor's borders. Trust no one. Those whispered warnings echoed in his thoughts as he navigated the labyrinthine halls back to his chambers.

But something was wrong tonight. Arian could sense it, a subtle shift in the air. It was as if the palace itself was holding its breath.

The first sign of danger came as Arian neared the hallway leading to his quarters. He noticed the absence of guards stationed at their usual posts. Their halberds, typically gleaming under torchlight, leaned abandoned against the wall.

Arian froze, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his ceremonial dagger. It was more a symbol of status than a weapon of practical use, but it was all he had.

"Something isn't right," he muttered to himself.

The corridor stretched ahead, its length shrouded in shadow. A faint sound a soft shuffle of boots against stone reached his ears. Arian's heartbeat quickened. Someone was there.

He pressed himself against the cold stone wall, straining to hear more. The shuffling grew louder, accompanied by the faint clink of metal. Whoever it was, they weren't trying very hard to hide their presence.

Arian's grip on his dagger tightened. He peeked around the corner and caught a glimpse of movement a figure cloaked in black, their face obscured by a mask.

A Hollow assassin.

The whispered warnings from the Forbidden Archives screamed in his mind. The Hollows were here.

The Pursuit

Arian took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He couldn't confront the assassin head-on. His training in combat was rudimentary at best, and this was no ordinary opponent.

He took a cautious step backward, careful not to make a sound. The assassin moved with an almost predatory grace, their movements fluid and deliberate. They seemed to be searching for something or someone.

Arian's pulse raced. They're looking for me.

Without thinking, he turned and ran. The sound of his boots against the stone floor echoed loudly in the silent hall, and he cursed himself for the noise.

Behind him, he heard the assassin's pace quicken, their pursuit relentless. Arian's mind raced as he navigated the twisting corridors, his familiarity with the palace his only advantage.

He darted down a narrow passage, its walls lined with ancient tapestries depicting the glories of Aldenor's past. At the end of the passage, he spotted a small door one that led to the servants' quarters.

Arian flung the door open and slipped inside, closing it as quietly as he could. He pressed his back against the door, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The servants' quarters were dark and cramped, a stark contrast to the opulence of the main palace. Arian crept through the narrow corridors, his ears straining for any sound of pursuit.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over his mouth, and he was pulled into a small alcove. Arian struggled instinctively, but his assailant's grip was firm.

"Quiet, Your Highness," a familiar voice whispered.

Arian stopped struggling, his eyes widening as he recognized Solenne, the Shadow Archivist. She released her grip and stepped back, her green eyes glinting in the dim light.

"What are you doing here?" Arian demanded in a hushed tone.

"I could ask you the same," Solenne replied, her voice calm but edged with urgency. "You're being hunted."

"I noticed," Arian muttered.

Solenne's expression darkened. "The Hollows have infiltrated the palace. They're after more than just you they're looking for the archives."

Arian's stomach churned. If the Hollows gained access to the Forbidden Archives, the knowledge they could exploit would be catastrophic.

"We have to stop them," he said.

Solenne arched an eyebrow. "We? You're brave, Your Highness, but bravery won't save you from an assassin's blade."

Arian bristled at her tone but knew she was right. "What's your plan?"

Solenne led Arian through the labyrinth of the servants' quarters, her movements precise and deliberate. They emerged in a dimly lit storage room, where she handed him a short sword.

"It's better than that decorative blade you're carrying," she said.

Arian took the weapon, its weight unfamiliar in his hand. "What now?"

"We set a trap," Solenne said simply.

They didn't have to wait long. The assassin's silhouette appeared in the doorway, their movements cautious but purposeful.

Solenne acted first, hurling a small vial at the assassin's feet. The vial shattered, releasing a cloud of smoke that filled the room.

Arian lunged, his heart pounding. His strike was clumsy, but it forced the assassin to dodge, buying Solenne enough time to draw her own blade.

The fight was brutal and chaotic, the confined space making every movement a gamble. Arian's lack of experience showed, but he held his ground, his desperation fueling his determination.

Finally, with a swift, precise strike, Solenne disarmed the assassin. The masked figure staggered, their movements faltering.

Before Arian could react, Solenne thrust her blade into the assassin's chest. They collapsed to the ground, their mask slipping off to reveal a face marked with strange symbols.

Arian stared at the lifeless body, his hands trembling.

"This is just the beginning," Solenne said, wiping her blade clean. "The Hollows won't stop until they've achieved their goal."

"What do they want?" Arian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Solenne's expression was grim. "Power. Control. Chaos. They'll tear this empire apart if we let them."

Arian's resolve hardened. He had seen enough death and destruction in his past life to know that he couldn't stand idly by.

"We have to warn my father," he said.

Solenne shook her head. "Not yet. We don't know how deep their infiltration goes. For now, we stay vigilant and gather information."

Arian nodded, though the weight of their task pressed heavily on his shoulders. The Hollows were a shadowy, insidious threat, and he was just beginning to understand the magnitude of their danger.

As they left the storage room, Arian couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the start of a much larger conflict. The whispers from the Forbidden Archives echoed in his mind once more.

Trust no one.