《Cursed Chance》 Aurif The sun had just begun to set, casting its warm orange light across the city of Aurif. Inside a small, humble room in the palace, a young man lay sprawled on his bed, eyes half-lidded, barely hanging onto his consciousness. His brother, Aren, stood at the edge of the room, a stack of books in his hand. ¡°You know, Lethe, I don¡¯t know why you always do this. The history of our kingdom is important,¡± Aren muttered as he skimmed through a page of one of the many history books he had spread across the table. Lethe, on the other hand, yawned lazily, a lazy smirk spreading across his face. ¡°Yeah, yeah, history and all that. I¡¯d rather do something useful.¡± Lethe shifted in his bed, pulling the covers up a little higher, his gaze trailing lazily to the window. Outside, the sounds of the kingdom preparing for the grand festival echoed through the streets. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the city prepared for the upcoming celebration, but Lethe couldn¡¯t care less about it for the moment. Aren shook his head, clearly unimpressed with his brother¡¯s lack of enthusiasm. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, Lethe. We live in the kingdom of Aurif, and its history shapes everything we do. The kingdom was founded centuries ago by the mighty Emperor Auris, the one who unified the fractured clans and established the powerful bloodlines that rule this land.¡± Aren paused for a moment, staring at his brother. ¡°The Empire is known for its mighty warriors and brilliant mages¡ªpeople who¡¯ve shaped history, made legends of themselves.¡± Lethe yawned again, his mind drifting off. ¡°Legends are overrated.¡± Aren couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°One day, Lethe, you might realize you¡¯re part of a living legend. Not everyone is lucky enough to be born into the Aurif bloodline.¡± He let that hang in the air for a moment, hoping to provoke a response, but Lethe just let out another uninterested sigh. With a sigh, Aren decided to move on, sensing that his brother wasn¡¯t in the mood for history lessons. ¡°Anyway, enough about that. The festival¡¯s starting soon. You might want to get up. Everyone¡¯s going.¡± Lethe mumbled under his breath, clearly not paying attention. ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of all the crowds, but¡­ I guess.¡± --- Part 2: Heading to the Festival It didn¡¯t take long for Aren to pull Lethe out of bed, despite his protests. The two of them headed out of their small quarters within the palace. The narrow hallways echoed with the laughter and chatter of the servants and the occasional royal guard. The festival preparations had everyone in high spirits, and Lethe couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of excitement¡ªthough he wasn¡¯t about to admit it to Aren. As they walked through the palace gates, they were greeted by the sight of bustling streets filled with vendors, performers, and people from all walks of life. Colorful banners adorned every corner, and the air smelled of fresh bread, roasted meats, and sweet pastries. Stalls lined the streets with merchants hawking their wares¡ªeverything from magical trinkets to fine silks. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The warm golden hue of the setting sun bathed the kingdom in a peaceful glow, and Lethe found himself momentarily lost in the lively atmosphere. The air was thick with energy¡ªpeople laughing, shouting, and celebrating as they prepared for the evening''s events. The city of Aurif felt alive, like it had a pulse of its own, and for a brief moment, Lethe felt like he was a part of something bigger than himself. As they walked through the crowd, a familiar voice called out from a nearby vendor stall. ¡°Aren! Hey, thanks for the other day! Your advice helped me fix my stall!¡± The vendor, an older man with a thick mustache, waved enthusiastically. Aren turned to smile at the man. ¡°No problem at all,¡± Aren replied, his usual friendly demeanor on full display. ¡°Glad to be of help.¡± He patted the vendor on the back before continuing down the street with Lethe following closely behind. Lethe glanced at his brother. ¡°You¡¯re really the king of the street, huh?¡± Aren chuckled. ¡°You never know when you can help someone out. Besides, it¡¯s nice to be recognized for doing something good once in a while.¡± Lethe didn¡¯t respond, his mind already wandering off again as they continued their walk through the kingdom. The streets were lined with all sorts of characters¡ªadventurers, traders, nobles, and even some of the royal guards. The festival was truly a sight to behold, and though Lethe wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the event, he couldn¡¯t help but admire the skill and craftsmanship that had gone into the decorations. --- Part 3: Princess Aery¡¯s Perspective Meanwhile, far from the lively festivities, Princess Aery stood at the balcony of the royal palace, watching the scene unfold below. She had always preferred a quieter life, despite her royal duties. But even she couldn¡¯t help but be moved by the sight of the city so full of life, so full of joy. The festival was a time for the people to come together, to celebrate the unity of the kingdom and the prosperity it had enjoyed for centuries under the rule of the emperor. Her pale blue eyes, calm and serene, scanned the crowd below. Her hair, a cascade of silver, shimmered in the sunlight, and her presence, though quiet and humble, was magnetic. She wasn¡¯t the type to flaunt her status¡ªshe was a princess, yes, but she often preferred blending in with the common folk, listening to their stories, and observing the kingdom she loved so much. "Your Highness," a voice from behind interrupted her thoughts. It was one of her attendants, bowing slightly. "The festival has begun. It¡¯s time to head down to the arena." Princess Aery nodded with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ll be down shortly.¡± She turned back to the balcony for one last moment of peace before entering the fray of the festival. The roar of the crowd reached her ears, signaling the start of the day¡¯s main event¡ªThe Duel. --- Part 4: The Duel Rundown As the day transitioned into night, the arena came alive with energy. Massive torches lit the stadium, casting long shadows over the excited crowd. The seats were packed with nobles, commoners, and curious onlookers alike. At the center of the arena, a massive stage had been set up for the duel¡ªa traditional event held every year to celebrate the kingdom''s strength and honor. Aren and Lethe stood at the edge of the arena, watching the preparations. Aren, despite his earlier teasing about the history of the kingdom, had a serious look on his face now. His eyes scanned the arena, taking in every detail as he prepared for the duel. ¡°Alright, Lethe,¡± Aren said, his tone shifting into one of authority. ¡°Here¡¯s the rundown. This duel isn¡¯t just for show. It¡¯s a test of everything¡ªstrength, skill, and power. The rules are simple: first to knock their opponent out of the ring, or incapacitate them, wins.¡± Lethe looked at him with a half-smile. ¡°Yeah, yeah. I know. Knock ¡®em out. But it¡¯s more than just strength, right?¡± Aren gave him a nod. ¡°Exactly. This is where the bloodlines matter. Mages and Fighters all have different strategies, and those with the most control over their abilities usually have the upper hand. Specialists, on the other hand, can mix things up¡ªbut they have a higher risk. Their abilities are unpredictable.¡± He glanced back at the competitors lining up, their bloodlines clearly written across their faces¡ªsome with magical symbols glowing faintly on their skin, others with more defined, muscular physiques, ready to unleash their raw power. ¡°There¡¯s one more thing,¡± Aren continued, ¡°there are no real limits here. You can use your bloodline abilities, but it¡¯s up to you how you use them. Strategy is key.¡± Lethe nodded, his eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. He wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the fight itself, but he understood the importance of it. After all, everyone here was testing their potential, their strength, and their abilities. And no matter how much he tried to act indifferent, Lethe couldn¡¯t help but feel that the festival¡ªand the duel¡ªwould play a significant role in the future that awaited him. The Duel The Duel A cold shiver ran down Lethe¡¯s spine. A feeling of agony and fear twisted in his chest, making his stomach churn. His vision blurred, mind clouded¡ª And then, a voice. "Prove me wrong." Lethe¡¯s eyes snapped open. "Hey. Snap back to reality," Aren¡¯s voice cut through the haze. Lethe blinked, the training chamber around him coming back into focus. Aren stood over him, arms crossed. "Get ready for the duel," his brother said flatly. Lethe exhaled, shaking off the strange feeling. He pushed himself up, stretching his arms. No time for distractions. The coliseum buzzed with anticipation as his name flashed across the holographic display. "Lethe Riven vs. Iron Calder!" Iron, a towering figure of muscle, cracked his knuckles. His movements were slow but deliberate, like a mountain shifting before an avalanche. Lethe rolled his shoulders. No hesitation. The signal flashed. The Duel ¨C Lethe vs. Iron Lethe charged forward at full speed, aiming for Iron¡¯s solar plexus. His strike landed cleanly¡ª But Iron barely flinched. Instead, he found an opening¡ªa blind spot on Lethe¡¯s left side. With a sharp push, Iron sent Lethe stumbling backward. For a split second, Lethe was stunned. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Iron didn¡¯t waste time. He lunged forward, raising both arms for a crushing downward slam. Lethe reacted. Palm to the ground. A burst of manipulation magic reinforced his movement. He twisted in the air, flipping backward onto his feet. Iron narrowed his eyes. This wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Round Two Begins Iron adjusted his stance. His sheer strength and endurance made him an immovable wall. Lethe had speed¡ªbut speed alone wouldn¡¯t win this. The signal flashed. Iron struck first¡ªa powerful, finishing blow. Lethe moved. A precise kick¡ªstraight to Iron¡¯s knee. The impact sent shockwaves through Iron¡¯s stance. His balance wavered. His own momentum betrayed him. His footing slipped. A second later¡ªhe crashed to the ground. Lethe was already there. Hand flat. Fingers aimed at Iron¡¯s throat. Silence. The match was decided. Interrupted Victory The crowd roared. Cheers erupted from all sides. The announcer¡¯s voice boomed: "Would you look at that¡ªLethe Riven wins the first round! You just love to see it¡ª" A gust of cold air swept through the arena. Lethe¡¯s instincts flared. He turned. Aery March stepped onto the battlefield, her ice-blue gaze locked onto him. "This match is over," she said, her tone absolute. "I¡¯ll be your opponent now." The Duel ¨C Lethe vs. Aery Lethe barely had time to process before the signal flashed. Aery moved instantly. A wave of cold air spread from her, ice creeping along the arena floor. Lethe adjusted, his steps careful. She was forcing him into a battle on her terms. Lethe dashed forward, aiming a feint to her right¡ª Ice formed beneath his foot. His step slowed for half a second. That was all she needed. Aery¡¯s fist slammed into his ribs. A pulse of cold magic spread through him¡ªnot to freeze, but to slow him down. Lethe gritted his teeth, twisting to counter with an elbow strike. Aery dodged, flowing effortlessly around the attack. Lethe used manipulation magic to force himself into a spin, gaining momentum for a sweeping kick¡ª Blocked. Aery grabbed his leg and slammed her palm into his shoulder, sending a shock of ice through his body. His limbs felt heavy. He needed to push back. Lethe faked a stumble. Aery closed in. A perfect opening. With all his force, Lethe lunged forward, fist aiming for her midsection. For a split second, Aery¡¯s eyes narrowed. She adjusted instantly. Her hand caught his wrist. In a single fluid motion, she twisted¡ªLethe¡¯s balance collapsed. Before he could react, she had him locked in place, ice creeping up his limbs. Three seconds. The match was over. Aftermath Lethe lay on the cold arena floor, his breath steady despite the lingering chill in his limbs. Aery¡¯s magic still clung to him, like frost refusing to melt. The crowd erupted. Some cheered for Aery, but others whispered about Lethe¡¯s performance. He had landed hits. He had forced her to adjust. The announcer¡¯s voice boomed: "And that settles it! Aery March wins the duel! But what a fight¡ªLethe Riven didn¡¯t go down easily! A solid display of skill against the princess herself!" Lethe exhaled, pushing himself up. His body felt heavier, but he wasn¡¯t broken. He glanced at Aery. She was already walking away, composed as ever. He relaxed after the freezing sensation ended. "Fair play." A shadow loomed over him. Aren. His older brother crouched slightly, offering a hand. Lethe took it without hesitation. Aren smirked. "You lasted longer than I expected." Lethe said nothing. Aren crossed his arms. "You weren¡¯t far off. But ¡®not far¡¯ is still losing." Lethe didn¡¯t argue. He knew that already. Aren glanced at Aery, who had already disappeared from the arena floor. "She acknowledged you, though." His smirk widened. "That means you¡¯re worth fighting again." "Sure..." Shadows Chapter 3 - Shadows Lethe stepped out of the arena, the lingering echoes of the match fading behind him. The air was crisp, carrying the distant murmurs of the crowd still dispersing. Aren walked beside him, arms crossed, his usual cocky smirk absent for once. ¡°That guy you fought,¡± Aren muttered, glancing at Lethe. ¡°He was tougher than expected but hey you still defeated him.¡± Lethe simply nodded. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk. The fight had been closer than he liked. He hated feeling like he was barely keeping up. Then, just as they turned into a quieter street, a glimpse of movement caught Lethe¡¯s eye. A group of men, cloaked in dark robes, slipped into the alley ahead. The way they moved¡ªcalm, calculated¡ªfelt¡­ off. He slowed his pace. ¡°You saw that too?¡± Aren whispered. Lethe nodded again. Aren exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be around in case things get messy.¡± Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into the shadows. Lethe followed the men at a distance, his steps light. They moved in a way that told him they were used to being unnoticed, slipping through streets with a quiet confidence. But Lethe wasn¡¯t just anyone. He had been trained for this. At least, that¡¯s what he thought. Because after a few minutes, he noticed something strange. The streets were empty. No late-night merchants, no wandering citizens. Just him and them. And the men ahead? They weren¡¯t going anywhere. They were leading him in circles. He stopped. One of them, the tallest of the group, turned his head slightly, just enough for Lethe to see the smirk hidden beneath his hood. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. They knew he was following them. ¡°Tch.¡± Lethe¡¯s fingers twitched, but he stayed calm. They were trying to waste his time, lure him into a trap. He wasn¡¯t going to let that happen. Then, as if sensing his thoughts, the tall man stopped walking. Slowly, he turned fully to face Lethe, pulling back his hood. His face was sharp, his eyes filled with amusement. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said. His voice was smooth, almost mocking. ¡°But not good enough.¡± The other two men turned as well, forming a loose triangle around Lethe. One of them drew a short blade, the other cracked his knuckles. The tall man simply smiled. Lethe sighed. Fine. If they wanted a fight, he had to give them one. In an instant, he dashed forward, his fist slamming into the closest assassin¡¯s gut. The man gasped, staggering backward before Lethe spun and drove his elbow into his temple. He collapsed without a sound. The second man lunged, his blade flashing. Lethe barely tilted his head, dodging the strike by inches. He grabbed the assassin¡¯s wrist, twisted it sharply, and snapped it with a sickening crack. A choked scream, then silence. Two down. Only the tall man remained, still smiling. ¡°Uh,¡± the assassin mused, tilting his head. ¡°You¡¯re pretty strong.¡± Lethe didn¡¯t respond. He just stepped forward. The assassin sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Shame.¡± Then he turned and ran. Lethe cursed under his breath and bolted after him. The chase wove through the streets, past stunned civilians and darkened alleyways. The man was fast, but Lethe was faster. He gained ground, closing the distance step by step. Then, just as he reached out to grab the assassin¡¯s shoulder¡ª A blinding light. A sudden, sharp pain. Lethe stumbled, his vision spinning. His body felt¡­ heavy. What the hell? The assassin turned, a glowing sigil fading from his palm. A spell? No¡ªsomething more. Lethe could feel it clawing at his insides, dragging his body down. A curse. The assassin chuckled, breathing hard. ¡°Should¡¯ve known you¡¯d catch up.¡± Lethe forced his legs to move, fighting against the unnatural weight pressing on him. The assassin¡¯s smirk faded. ¡°Still moving, huh?¡± Lethe didn¡¯t answer. He just clenched his fist. The assassin cursed, reaching for another spell¡ª Too late. Lethe¡¯s punch slammed into his stomach, lifting him off the ground. The assassin gagged, his breath stolen. Before he could recover, Lethe grabbed his collar and drove his knee into his ribs. Bone cracked. The assassin collapsed. Lethe exhaled, his body still sluggish from the curse. He crouched, grabbing the man by his shirt. ¡°Who sent you?¡± he asked, his voice low. The assassin chuckled weakly, blood trailing from his mouth. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he rasped. ¡°I already lost.¡± Lethe¡¯s eyes narrowed. Then, without warning, the assassin¡¯s body began to glow. Lethe immediately stepped back, but it was already happening. The assassin¡¯s form flickered, his skin turning translucent, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Then¡ªnothing. The body vanished. Lethe clenched his fists. He had seen death before, but this was different. This wasn¡¯t natural. A soul contract. Footsteps approached. Aren. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Aren asked, staring at the empty space where the body had been. Lethe didn¡¯t answer. He just turned, his mind racing. This wasn¡¯t just some random attack. Whoever was behind this¡­ they were watching... Oath in Blood Chapter 4: Oath in Blood --- [Scene: The Knight Station ¨C Reporting Back] Lethe stands in a small, dimly lit room, facing Sergeant Orlen. The older man looks exhausted but focused. Orlen: ¡°So, you chased them?¡± Lethe: ¡°Yes. Took down two. The third got away.¡± Orlen (frowning): ¡°And the bodies?¡± Lethe (shrugging): ¡°Gone. No blood, no trace. Like they were never there.¡± Orlen exhales sharply, then slams his hand on the desk. Orlen: ¡°Damn cartel. Has to be them. They use soul contracts.¡± Lethe: ¡°I know what those are, but never the details.¡± Orlen leans forward. Orlen: ¡°A soul contract binds you for life. If the conditions break¡ªdeath, failure, or betrayal¡ªyour body and soul vanish. No evidence, no loose ends. The cartel¡¯s way of keeping secrets.¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Lethe¡¯s expression hardens. Lethe: ¡°Then they know. And they¡¯ll come for me.¡± Orlen sighs. Orlen: ¡°I¡¯m sending this up the chain. The Crown needs to hear it.¡± A young knight rushes out. Moments later, distant footsteps echo as the message is relayed. --- [Scene: The Royal Throne Room] Lethe enters the grand hall. The King sits on his throne, Princess Aery standing beside him. A royal scholar watches silently. King: ¡°Lethe Riven, step forward.¡± Lethe kneels. King: ¡°Tell me everything.¡± Lethe speaks clearly. Lethe: ¡°Three assassins. I cut down two. Their bodies vanished¡ªsoul contract. Whoever made it knows I stopped them.¡± The King leans forward. King: ¡°A soul contract erases failure. That means you¡¯ve made an enemy¡ªone who doesn¡¯t tolerate mistakes.¡± The scholar steps forward, voice measured. Scholar: ¡°Your bloodline swore an oath long ago. Should you ever fail, your body and soul will vanish¡ªsame as them.¡± Lethe¡¯s hands tighten, but his voice remains steady. Lethe: ¡°I won¡¯t fail.¡± The King watches him, then nods. King: ¡°Because of this, you will serve directly under Princess Aery. No further trials. Your actions prove your worth.¡± Aery¡¯s gaze meets Lethe¡¯s¡ªcalm, unreadable. Aery (quietly): ¡°I expected no less.¡± Lethe inclines his head. Lethe: ¡°Understood.¡± The King¡¯s tone grows firm. King: ¡°This is more than duty. You¡¯re a target now. The cartel will retaliate. Protect the Crown. Protect your people.¡± The scholar lifts a scroll, the family crest stamped in red wax. Scholar: ¡°The Riven line has upheld this oath for generations. Honor it.¡± Lethe takes a breath, then nods. Lethe: ¡°I will.¡± --- [Scene: Lethe¡¯s Quarters ¨C The Message] Later that night, Lethe sits in his small room. A sleek holographic console hums softly on his desk. Without warning, the screen flickers. A single message appears in bold red text: ¡°One life for one mistake.¡± Lethe stares at it for a long moment. His expression doesn¡¯t change. Lethe (quietly): ¡°Fair play.¡± The screen goes dark. He leans back, eyes closed for just a second. He knows what this means. The cartel has marked him. --- [Scene: Outside the Throne Room] Lethe steps into the corridor where Orlen waits, arms crossed. Orlen: ¡°Well? What did they say?¡± Lethe: ¡°I¡¯m assigned to the princess¡¯s guard. Effective immediately.¡± Orlen lets out a low chuckle. Orlen: ¡°Straight to the top, huh? Guess you made an impression.¡± Lethe doesn¡¯t respond. Orlen sighs, then speaks again. Orlen: ¡°They say you kicked the hornet¡¯s nest today. That cartel¡ªwhen they strike back, it won¡¯t be subtle.¡± Lethe meets his gaze. Lethe: ¡°Then I¡¯ll be ready.¡± Orlen smirks. Orlen: ¡°Just don¡¯t get erased.¡± ---