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

The valley was chaos. Steel rang against steel. The cries of the wounded mingled with the clash of blades and the roar of the horn that had called new warriors to the fight.

The newcomers struck the Scourge from behind with ferocity. Their leader, a woman in a dark green cloak, wielded a curved blade that flashed like lightning in the torchlight.

Aron saw her through the haze of battle.

Lina, bloodied but unbowed, shook her head. "I don't know. But they're with us — that's all that matters."

The Scourge reeled under the surprise attack. Their line buckled, caught between the rebels and these unknown allies.

Garron surged forward, axe swinging with renewed strength.

"Drive them back! Break their line!"

The rebels rallied. Together with the newcomers, they pushed the Scourge toward the valley's mouth.

At the ridge above, Jaren watched, silver mask gleaming in the torchlight. His hands clenched tight on the reins of his black steed.

"So be it," he hissed. "Let them have this field. The game is long."

With a gesture, he signaled his captains. The Scourge began to retreat, their discipline holding even in defeat.

The valley fell silent save for the moans of the wounded and the crackle of dying torches.

The woman in green approached the rebels, pulling back her hood. Her face was scarred but proud, her eyes sharp as a hawk's.

"I am Seris," she said. "Of the Free Blades. We fight those who would chain the world."

"Then you are welcome here, Seris. We owe you our lives."

The rebels and the Free Blades worked through the night, tending the fallen, burying the dead.

And as dawn broke, soft and golden over the bloodied valley, Aron stood with Seris and Lina atop a stone rib, gazing toward the horizon.

"The mask will come again," Seris said.

Aron nodded. "Let him. We will be ready."

Chapter 50 — The Break in the Storm