Zensa

After being betrayed and executed by his most trusted general, Emperor Ezra  awakens ten years in the past—inside the prison where his downfall began.

Armed with memories of betrayal and a mysterious system granting him power,  Ezra refuses to be a victim again. This time, he won’t beg for mercy. He will rewrite history.

Escaping the dungeon is just the first step. To reclaim his throne, Ezra must outmaneuver old enemies, recruit new allies, and crush the traitors before they strike.

But as he grows stronger, he realizes something terrifying—he wasn’t the only one who regressed.

The Emperor Return

The forest was silent now, except for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. The assassin's body lay motionless at my feet, blood pooling into the dirt.

I crouched down, searching the corpse. If the Black Serpent Assassins were involved, they wouldn't just send one. This was a test. A scout, meant to confirm my whereabouts. That meant more were coming.

My fingers brushed against something inside the assassin's cloak—a small metal insignia. I turned it over in my palm, my jaw tightening.

It was a serpent, coiled around a dagger. Caius's personal sigil.

That bastard had tried to erase me from history once. Now, he was making sure I stayed dead.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

▶ [Hidden Quest Unlocked: The First Counterattack]

▶ Objective: Send a message to Caius.

▶ Reward: Stealth (F), +3 Strength

I had spent my past life on the run, begging for allies, waiting for the perfect moment to fight back. Not this time.

I sheathed my dagger and moved. My body was still weak, but my agility had improved. My steps were lighter, my awareness sharper.

The Blackwood Tavern wasn't far now. If my memory was correct, Damon Varik would be there, drowning himself in cheap ale, trying to forget the empire that betrayed him.

But as I neared the clearing, I heard voices—low, urgent whispers.

I slowed, pressing myself against the shadows of the trees. Torches flickered ahead.

A group of men stood outside the tavern, their armor battered but familiar.

I counted six. One of them—**a tall man with a scar across his cheek—**leaned against the wall, flipping a coin between his fingers.

"Still no sign of him?" one of them muttered.

The scarred man scoffed. "Tch. The 'Exiled Knight'? You really think he's worth this trouble?"

Someone else wanted him before I could reach him.

I exhaled slowly. It didn't matter.

I stepped forward, letting the torchlight catch my face.

The mercenaries turned—confused at first. Then, their eyes widened in recognition.

My dagger sliced through the first man's throat before he could draw his sword. Blood sprayed across the dirt.

The others reacted too late. I was already moving. My foot slammed into the second man's chest, sending him crashing into a barrel.

The scarred leader snarled, drawing his blade. "Who the hell—"

Then his eyes locked onto mine. Recognition. Fear.

I grinned. "You're going to deliver a message for me."

His mouth opened—to curse me, to beg—I didn't care. I grabbed him by the collar and drove my knee into his ribs, knocking the breath from his lungs.

He crumpled to the ground, gasping.

I crouched beside him, gripping his hair and whispering into his ear.

"Tell Caius... The Forgotten Emperor has returned."

Then, I slammed his head into the dirt and stood.

A man stepped out, his silver hair messy, his eyes dull with exhaustion. He scanned the carnage before him, then sighed.

"You're a damn idiot," Damon Varik muttered. "You just made my life a lot more complicated."

I smirked. "Then you better sober up, old man. We have a kingdom to take back."

Silents