EPISODE 7: THE SHADOW OF DOUBT

Henrique's defeat in the Tournament of Power still echoed in everyone's hearts, but no one seemed to grasp the true weight it carried for the Prince of Darkness. Neythan, always peaceful and understanding, tried to lift his spirits, but something was stirring within Henrique. The pain of defeat did not fade, and the emptiness in his chest seemed to grow with each passing day.

On one of the tournament's rest days, while Neythan prepared to face his next opponent, Henrique wandered off, seeking a moment of solitude. However, his mind refused to find peace. He was restless, still haunted by the humiliation of being defeated so abruptly in front of all the kingdoms.

It was then, in a secluded place, that Henrique encountered a shadowy figure. Macrona, the Destroyer of Worlds, appeared before him, her presence filling the air with a strange power. Her eyes gleamed with a subtle malice, but her smile was enigmatic, as if she knew something Henrique did not yet understand.

"You're feeling weak, aren't you, Prince Henrique?" Macrona asked, her voice soft but sharp. "Everyone was watching you, laughing at your fall. The great promise, the Prince of Darkness… and you lost so pathetically."

Henrique stood still, his eyes fixed on Macrona, feeling a shiver run down his spine. He didn't want to hear it, but something in her voice made the words cling to his mind.

"Today's defeat was not just a loss in the tournament, Henrique," Macrona continued, her eyes piercing into his soul. "It was a loss of dignity. You are a prince who failed in front of all your subjects. And now, you wonder: how can you be a leader if you can't even win a simple battle?"

Henrique tried to push the words away, but Macrona had already planted the seed of doubt. The shadow of frustration grew denser in his heart, and he silently recalled the image of his subjects laughing at his defeat. Were they really laughing at me? Was my failure truly that great?

Macrona sensed the hesitation in his eyes and pressed further, her words like daggers. "The others, Neythan… he doesn't understand what you're going through. He is strong, but perhaps not enough to grasp your pain. He has never been humiliated before the world. And who is he, really? The prince of peace, always trying to be the hero… while you fight alone, waiting for a chance to prove your worth."

Henrique, his eyes empty, absorbed every word. He tried to resist, but her words seeped in, carving a hollow space in the confidence he once had. The idea of being a leader seemed more distant than ever, and the image of Neythan, with his unshakable calmness, made him wonder if he was truly in tune with his own emotions.

"You don't have to follow the path of a failed prince," Macrona said, her voice lower now, almost whispering. "I can show you how easy it is to claim power. What do you have to lose?"

Henrique did not answer immediately. His mind was drowning in a sea of conflicting thoughts. He wanted to believe Neythan's words—that true strength lay in never giving up. But now, something inside Henrique was changing. Macrona had touched a deep wound, and he found himself torn between the path of peace and the path of vengeance.

"I… I need more than this," Henrique murmured, unsure if he was speaking to himself or to Macrona. "I need to prove to everyone that I am stronger. I need to show that I am worthy."

Macrona's cruel smile deepened. "Prove it to them. But first, prove it to yourself. True power begins when you stop caring about others. And soon, true darkness will become your ally."

Henrique looked down, still silent. Macrona's words spread through his mind like dark seeds, taking root. He knew he was being manipulated, but the doubt and pain he felt were so intense that resistance seemed impossible.

"I will do whatever it takes," Henrique said, his voice now cold and determined. "I will no longer be the weak prince. I will show them that I am more than they think."

Macrona slowly stepped back, leaving Henrique alone—but not before giving him one last look.

"Darkness is patient, Henrique. And you, my prince, are just beginning to learn how to use it."

TO BE CONTINUED IN EPISODE 8...