SKY_0408

Sun City, once the heart of the greatest kingdom, burns under the hand of a masked villain. The man behind the silver mask — once known as Jaren — was betrayed by the very empire he served. Now, he brings ruin to the land that cast him aside.

As the city falls, young Prince Aron escapes with nothing but his will to survive. Hunted, broken, and alone, he swears to one day tear the Puppet Master’s mask from his face.

But in this game of shadows, who is the puppet — and who is the master?

Villain Mask: The Puppet Master’s Game

Night fell heavy over the quarry. The fires of battle had burned low, and the air stank of smoke and scorched stone. The rebels tended their wounded, gathered their dead, and waited for the next storm.

Aron stood upon a ledge, staring out into the night. The hills beyond were dark, but he could feel Jaren's eyes upon him — the gaze of the mask that watched, and waited, and planned.

Beside him, Lina wiped soot from her face. "He'll strike again. Soon. And harder."

Aron nodded. "He will. But so will we."

The next morning, scouts brought grim news.

"Jaren moves again," said one, breathless from the run. "But not with his army. He sends smaller bands — raiders. They burn the villages that still shelter us. They take prisoners. They leave no one standing."

A hush fell over the gathered rebels.

Garron's fists clenched. "Coward's work. Slaughtering farmers, torching homes."

Mara's voice was soft, but fierce. "We have to stop them. Or there will be nothing left to fight for."

Aron's eyes burned with resolve. "Then we ride. Tonight. We strike his raiders before they can do more harm."

Before the moon rose, Aron led a band from the quarry — Lina at his side, Garron close behind. They moved swift and silent, ghosts upon the scarred land.

The first raider band fell beneath their blades before the enemy even knew they had come. Fires were smothered, prisoners freed, and the Scourge's banners cast down into the mud.

But the cost was rising — every strike drew Jaren's gaze closer. Every victory pulled the noose tighter.

When they returned to the quarry, word awaited them:

A village to the south, one that had fed the rebels, was gone — burned to ash. The survivors had been taken by the Scourge.

Aron stood in silence as the scout spoke. When at last he answered, his voice was like steel drawn in the dark.

"Then we'll bring them back. Or we'll bring down Jaren's walls trying."

Far upon his black hill, Jaren watched the flames on the horizon — the work of his raiders, the smoke of his cruelty.

His silver mask gleamed in the firelight.

"Run, little prince," he whispered. "Chase shadows. Each step you take, you walk into my trap."

Chapter 30 — Shadows in the Dark