The Throne Beyond Tavara

Location: Enemy Flagship – Kael's Cabin

Damien's hand tensed slightly around his weapon. His eyes didn't blink.

"What do you mean?" he asked, voice low and deadly. "What throne?"

Kael leaned back, placing his hands behind his head as if the weight of history itself was no longer his to carry.

"The Crown of Eldros," he said. "It predates Tavara by centuries. A monarchy lost to time, wiped off maps by those who feared its prophecy."

Damien's jaw tightened. "And what does this crown have to do with my family?"

Kael smirked. "Everything. The Kane bloodline isn't just powerful because of business empires or military connections. You're descendants of Eldros royalty. Your father—Lucien Kane—was the last known heir."

Damien's heart skipped a beat. He didn't respond.

Kael continued. "The council that rules behind the curtain… the same group that branded your mother a threat and forced her into exile… they feared what the Kane line might awaken."

"Awaken what?"

"A unity that threatens their fractured control," Kael whispered. "Your rise, Damien, was never coincidence. It was design—yours and theirs. You were always going to be a storm. But now you must choose what kind."

Damien lowered his weapon slightly. Not out of trust—but calculation.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Kael," he said. "Why tell me this?"

Kael stood slowly, walking to a wall where an ancient, sealed map was mounted. With a flick, it opened to reveal an unfamiliar continent.

"Because the war in Tavara is a prelude," Kael said grimly. "The real war… starts here."

---

Location: Blackwing Command, Tavara West

Victor Kane stood in front of a glowing map board, surrounded by his elite operatives. The air was tense.

"Kael Morvan has resurfaced," one of his lieutenants informed him. "Intercepted by Damien during the naval assault."

Victor's expression didn't change. "He's a problem."

"He might also be a key," General Talin added from the side. "Kael holds deep archives. His network used to serve the Citadel."

Victor nodded slowly. "Send word to Nora. Tell her to secure the Astralis Codex before midnight. We'll need it if Kael's claims are true."

"And if he's lying?" Talin asked.

Victor's voice was ice.

"Then he dies."

---

Location: Mountain Fortress – Hidden Chamber

Nora placed her hand over a glowing tablet. The moment she did, the sealed door before her cracked open with a hiss of ancient air. Inside, walls of floating glass panels lit up with lines of cryptic scripture.

"The Astralis Codex," she whispered.

Lines began to rearrange, revealing a sequence—a bloodline chart.

And at the top, glowing in gold: House Kane.

Nora's heart stopped.

A small device in her pocket buzzed. Damien's voice came through.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

She smiled faintly.

"I am. And I think it's time we stop playing defense."