Tormentor_of_peace

In a world where heroes are praised and monsters are feared, Valen Veridian walks a path darker than either.

Born as the heir to a mighty house, Valen was raised to be a ruler — yet shaped into a weapon by his own bloodline. In a crumbling empire filled with betrayal, ambition, and divine blessings, he wears the mask of a savior while hiding a heart consumed by chains he forged himself.

With ancient gods whispering from the shadows and a forgotten bloodline rising from the ashes, Valen must face the one man capable of shattering his carefully crafted world — Marcus Alderwood, the last heir to a fallen dynasty.

When truth and lies collide, who will remain standing — the hero, the villain, or the broken boy hiding behind them all?

The Shattered Chains of the Fallen Emperor —
Not all kings were born to rule. Some were born... to fall.

Shattered Chains of The Fallen Emperor

As the dust settled from the attack, the black clouds began to fade. The aftermath of the battle was revealed on the ground—burned soil, scorched trees, and marks of a powerful storm. Yet the allies of Micheal—and Micheal himself—were nowhere to be seen. The lightning radiating from Lucian's body began to die down.

"Where are you, Hurricane… or should I say, Hermes' Chosen One? Your Lackeys have been defeated. Now join us, or you'll feel the same wrath your teammates did."

He spoke with a voice that echoed power, and confidence—but under it, the tension of battle still lingered.

Suddenly, laughter rang out, bouncing between the hills and ruins.

"Bahahaha… You really think I'm the same as those weaklings?"

Micheal's voice returned, sarcastic and mocking.

"You could only attack because you got close. That flashy little trick of yours took a toll—you don't have enough mana left to pull it off again. And what's with this 'Chosen One of the God of Lightning' nonsense? You're not special, buddy. It takes more than talent to win wars."

The words had barely left his mouth when Valen moved like a blur, gripping his sword and appearing behind Micheal to strike. His blade swung clean through the figure—only for the image to glitch and distort like fog.

Micheal laughed again, a wide grin stretching across his illusory face.

"Aha, so you sacrificed 99.99% of your brain for two blessings… but fortunately, I did not. The body you're seeing is not real. It's a hologram created from simulation energy of this phase."

"You might want to check your Ally," Micheal added with a smirk.

Valen turned quickly—and saw it. A beast born of simulation energy, a lion with vast wings and glowing eyes, already mid-leap toward Lucian. Without hesitation, Valen joined him, the two charging in to intercept it.

So this is his plan… Valen thought. He's exhausting us using this creature. He's manipulating the entire simulation field like it's nothing. A real strategist.

Despite the toll from their earlier fight, both warriors fought fiercely. The beast was powerful, but it was nothing compared to the synergy of Valen and Lucian.

"You really are skilled, Micheal… to stand against both of us at once. But I'm sorry—it ends here."

Valen's energy surged into his blade. Black energy condensed into a single deadly point.

The sword sliced cleanly through the beast. It roared once before fading into particles.

Valen looked up. "So… what now?"

Micheal's voice returned, lazy and amused.

"Meh. Nothing. After this, you find my real body—it'll waste more of your time. Then you fight me. Waste even more time. After all that? Sure, I'll join you."

Lucian's face twitched in disbelief.

Valen sheathed his sword slowly. The storm had passed, but tension still hung in the air.

They felt it—four distinct energies moving quickly in their direction. Each presence had its own signature, sharp and undeniable.

The Strategiest