Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

In a hidden underground meeting room, several key figures from various factions sat in a circle around a large table. The room wasn't very spacious, but it was enough to accommodate the notable individuals gathered there. At one end of the table sat an elderly man in modern attire, his gaze sharp and discerning. Beside him, an older woman with silver hair and a cold demeanor observed the heated discussions among several younger men in their thirties, full of ambition.

"We can't allow Archemidas Evernoir to stay alive. He's a major threat to the current balance of power!" exclaimed one of the more passionate men. His name was Reiner, an influential figure in this group who held sway over one of the territories that once belonged to the Evernoir Kingdom.

"But he's still young and might not fully grasp what's happening. If we can capture him, he could become a useful pawn," countered another man seated on the right side of the table. His name was Jareth, a more diplomatic type, representing the faction that wanted to use the last prince for their political advantage.

The elderly woman, who had remained silent at the end of the table, finally spoke up, her voice cold yet filled with experience. "Don't underestimate the blood of Evernoir. The boy may seem helpless now, but we all know what could happen if he grows up and gains political power. Remember how his family's strength once reshaped the political landscape of this continent. If he's allowed to live, we're all in danger."

Reiner nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Lady Adrianna. The young prince must be eliminated before he becomes a symbol of resistance. We know all too well what happened when the Evernoir kingdom fell. The old power still lingers, and those loyal to that family might be waiting for the right moment to rise again."

Jareth shot a sharp look at Reiner. "But killing him doesn't solve the problem. Without a legitimate leader, we'll only create more chaos. The remnants of that kingdom are still looking for a figure they can rally behind. If we can capture Archemidas and utilize him, we can control the factions that might rise."

Another man, Marcus, who had remained calm throughout, added, "Moreover, we still don't know the whereabouts of his two sisters, Ellora and Lily. If they're alive and find out that their brother has been killed, we could face even more trouble. We should consider the fact that they could also pose a significant threat."

Adrianna smirked slightly, scoffing at Marcus. "Their existence is merely speculation. It's been years, and there's not a single clue about them. We should focus on the target right in front of us: Archemidas."

"Speculation or not," Marcus retorted, "Ellora is known to be very clever, and if Lily inherits even a fraction of the Evernoir talent, we can't underestimate them. We've already failed to track them down, and who knows what they're planning?"

The meeting grew increasingly heated as everyone began voicing their opinions. Some favored the idea of killing Archemidas, considering it a necessary precaution, while others argued that using him as a political pawn was the wiser move.

The meeting's leader, a man with a wise yet cold expression, remained silent. He was the most influential person in the room, and every word that came from his mouth was always regarded as the final decision. This time, however, he chose to listen, allowing the disagreements and debates to flow freely in the room.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the room, a slightly older, sturdy-looking man named Jonathan watched the exchange anxiously. He understood how perilous the situation was. When political battles heated up like this, one wrong decision could destroy everything. Jonathan knew that despite his youth, Archemidas carried strong Evernoir blood, and killing him could create a ripple effect that they might not be able to control.

"I understand your concerns," Jonathan finally spoke, his voice deep but firm. "But we must remember that we're not just talking about a child. We're talking about a symbol. If Archemidas is killed, he will become a martyr for those still loyal to the old kingdom. We need a more cunning strategy than just eliminating him."

For a moment, the room fell silent. Some people seemed to ponder Jonathan's words. However, Lady Adrianna broke the silence with her sarcastic tone. "Overthinking can also be a weakness. We can't keep living in fear that this boy will become something more than just a fallen prince. If we're too cautious, we might lose the opportunity to eradicate this threat once and for all."

"And if we act too hastily," Jareth interjected, "we might create a bigger enemy. The world is still watching. We must be smart in our actions, not reckless."

Tension continued to rise. Marcus, seeing the situation grow more complicated, let out a quiet sigh. "We haven't even found his sisters yet. We don't know what they're doing or what they're planning. Killing Archemidas will only make them harder to track. We need to think further ahead."

The meeting leader, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Enough." His voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. Everyone in the room immediately fell silent and turned their attention to him. "We will take a break. Return in one hour. After that, we will make a more definitive decision."

The participants exchanged glances, and one by one, they began to rise from their seats, leaving the room to take a break. Jonathan took a deep breath as he stepped out, the ongoing discussion still swirling in his mind.

Once outside the meeting room, Jonathan pulled out his communication device, a small yet sophisticated tool. He pressed a few buttons and waited for a moment before hearing a familiar voice on the other end.

"Yes?" asked the voice, cold and formal.

"We have a problem," Jonathan said, frustration lacing his tone. "This discussion is becoming increasingly unclear. There's a divide among the members. Some want to kill Archemidas, while others want to capture him alive. And we still know nothing about his sisters."

The voice on the other end was silent for a moment before responding firmly, "We can't delay too long. Our time is limited. If they can't make a decision quickly, we may need to take matters into our own hands."

Jonathan nodded, even though the person on the other end couldn't see him. "I understand. But we must be careful. One wrong step, and this could backfire on us."

"We've already waited too long. Don't let excessive caution ruin everything."

Jonathan ended the communication, reflecting on the words he had just heard. One thing was clear: they were all on the brink of a significant decision. One choice that could determine Archemidas's fate, and perhaps their own as well.

Jonathan stood in the narrow hallway just outside the meeting room he had just exited. His mind was still reeling from the conflicting views that had emerged during the discussions. He leaned against the wall, staring straight ahead but lost in thought. The voices of the debate echoed in his head—talking about Archemidas's fate, the whereabouts of his missing siblings, and the lingering threat from factions that might still be loyal to the Evernoir Kingdom.

As he sank deeper into his thoughts, the sound of approaching footsteps broke his reverie. An older man, one of the participants from the meeting, approached Jonathan. It was Lord Darius, a respected elder in this circle, known for his cynical and calculating nature.

"Jonathan," Darius greeted, his voice gravelly yet authoritative. "I'm curious about your thoughts on the meeting. Do you really believe that boy is as big a threat as some claim?"

Jonathan turned to face him, examining Darius's weathered face marked by life's trials. "Archemidas?" He nodded slowly before responding. "Of course, he's not just any child. The blood of Evernoir runs in his veins, and we all know how powerful that lineage can be. But the problem is, we don't know how much of a threat he actually is. Many of us are trapped in fear of the shadows of the past."

Darius nodded in agreement, looking thoughtful. "But those shadows can quickly become reality, Jonathan. Remember, this kingdom may have fallen, but the remnants of the old power never completely disappeared. There are always those waiting for the chance to rise again."

Jonathan stared at the floor, mulling over that point. "That's true. But simply killing Archemidas... could be a reckless move. I'm not against caution, Darius. We know that the resistance factions still loyal to Evernoir might be operating in the shadows, even if they're not visible. But killing that boy could provoke them into action sooner than we expect."

Darius crossed his arms over his chest and sighed heavily. "What about his siblings? Ellora and Lily? They are even more mysterious than Archemidas. There hasn't been a single clue about their whereabouts for three years. If they're still alive, we might be in greater danger than we realize."

Jonathan pondered for a moment before answering. "I agree. Ellora, in particular, is known for her intelligence. She resembles her father more than her siblings. If she's still alive, she won't just sit quietly. She could be plotting something. We don't know what, but if she returns to the political stage, it could spell disaster."

Darius looked at him intently. "And you think we should just wait for them to show themselves?"

"That's not what I mean," Jonathan replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I just think we shouldn't rush into anything. We have limited information. We know Archemidas is in the hands of someone highly trained—the mysterious girl. And they seem to be moving cautiously. But this might be our one chance to capture him alive and gather more information, including about his siblings."

Darius smiled slightly, though his eyes remained cold. "You sound like Jareth. Always thinking about the long-term benefits. But not everyone in that meeting shared your approach."

Jonathan let out a bitter laugh. "We all see this world differently, Darius. Reiner and the others just want to eliminate threats quickly—with violence. They're too obsessed with the possibility of Evernoir rising again, as if it could happen overnight."

"Are they wrong?" Darius asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Maybe not entirely wrong," Jonathan conceded, "but killing Archemidas won't solve everything. It could actually worsen the situation. Right now, Archemidas is the focus, but we can't forget about Ellora and Lily. We need to factor them into our plans."

Darius tilted his head, considering Jonathan's words. "So what do you propose? Capture Archemidas and let his siblings come to light later?"

"We don't have many options, do we?" Jonathan replied calmly. "Archemidas is the key to unlocking information about Ellora and Lily. If we kill him, we lose our chance to discover where they are or what they're planning."

Darius sighed. "You might be right. But there's one more thing we need to consider, Jonathan. You know well that the factions loyal to Evernoir are not entirely gone. They may be silent, but they are not dead. If we capture Archemidas, those factions might mobilize."

Jonathan nodded in agreement. "And if we kill him, they will mobilize even faster. Making him a martyr will only hasten their resurgence. That's why I feel we should capture him alive. We can control him, use his position to anticipate the enemy's movements."

Darius stared at Jonathan deeply. "And you believe that if we capture him, we can suppress the resistance before they can act?"

"We can certainly try," Jonathan said, his tone optimistic yet realistic. "At least we'd have more time and information to work with. Right now, we're operating in the dark."

Darius reflected on this. "Maybe you're right. But remember, Jonathan, time is not on our side. That boy won't stay under the radar for long. We must act swiftly, whatever the final decision is."

"Yes, I understand," Jonathan replied. "And that's my concern. If we rush and make the wrong move, we could destroy our chances."

Before they could continue their conversation, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard. Several other members of the meeting began to exit the room for a break. The hallway grew busier, but the tension lingered.

Darius regarded the crowd emerging from the meeting room with a suspicious expression. "Do you think they all understand what's really going on?"

Jonathan glanced at them for a moment, then turned back to Darius. "They understand what they want, Darius. Everyone here has their own agenda. Some seek power, some want to maintain stability, and some simply want to eliminate a threat. But do they really grasp what we're up against? I don't think so."

Darius chuckled softly. "I hope you're wrong, Jonathan. If not, we'll find ourselves in a much bigger problem than just dealing with a missing prince."

Jonathan smiled faintly. "I hope I'm wrong too."

They stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts while the world around them continued to move. This mission, and how they handled it, would determine much—not just for Archemidas and his siblings, but also for the future of political power in the region.

After his conversation with Darius concluded, Jonathan nodded slowly. Darius stepped away, leaving Jonathan alone in the hallway. He let out a long breath, feeling the tension in his chest, but there was no time to rest. Too much was at stake in this mission. He realized that one wrong move could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Jonathan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his personal communication device—a small gadget far more advanced than the standard ones used by those around him. With a few taps on the screen, he connected directly to Sierra One, the leader of the operation to capture Archemidas Evernoir.

A deep, authoritative voice came through the earpiece. "Sierra One reporting, Sir."

Jonathan got straight to the point. "What's the status of the mission in Lilac? Are you still tracking the target?"

"Affirmative," Sierra One replied without hesitation. "The field team is maintaining a safe distance. They're following a motorcycle being ridden by the prince and an unidentified woman. So far, there's been nothing suspicious, but we're staying vigilant."

Jonathan furrowed his brow. "The woman—do you have any details on who she is? It seems strange for Archemidas to be traveling with someone unregistered."

"We've checked several sources, but so far, there's no record of her," Sierra One said. "It appears she's deliberately keeping a low profile. We suspect she's a highly trained asset, possibly linked to the network protecting Evernoir."

"Linked to Evernoir?" Jonathan repeated, carefully considering the information. "Is there a chance she could be one of the factions still loyal to the kingdom?"

Sierra One fell silent for a moment, weighing his answer. "It's possible. She could be an independent agent or even a remnant of the nobility that we've overlooked. We're trying to investigate further. In the meantime, our team is monitoring from a safe distance to avoid raising any suspicions."

Jonathan sighed, a bit frustrated. "I wish you could get more information faster. This woman could be the deciding factor in whether this mission succeeds or fails."

"Yes, Sir. We're aware of that," Sierra One said with a serious tone. "But we need to be cautious. The target and the woman seem aware of something. They've started to veer off the main road and into quieter areas. That could indicate they know they're being followed."

Jonathan rubbed his temples with one hand. This situation was getting more complicated. "How far is your team from them now?"

"We're maintaining a distance of about 900 meters," Sierra One replied. "Far enough to avoid drawing attention, but close enough to act if necessary."

"Good," Jonathan said. "Keep your distance. I don't want them to feel cornered too soon. But if there are any signs they might attempt to flee, take action immediately."

Sierra One nodded, even though Jonathan couldn't see him. "Understood, Sir. We're ready if they try to escape."

Jonathan shifted to his next question. "What about support? Are you close to the location if things don't go as planned?"

"I'm a few kilometers away from the field team," Sierra One answered. "If the situation escalates and they need assistance, I can reach them in under five minutes."

Jonathan nodded slowly. "Alright. Make sure you stay alert. We can't afford to lose them, especially Archemidas. He's the key to all of this. If you see things turning bad, handle it as quickly as possible."

"Ready, Sir," Sierra One replied seriously. "But I have a question, Sir. What was the outcome of the meeting? I heard there were some debates about whether Archemidas should be captured alive or…"

Jonathan sighed deeply before answering. "The meeting didn't result in a definitive decision. There were many arguments, as you heard. Some factions want him captured alive for further interrogation, while others want to end it all with a single shot. The situation is still too complicated, and not everyone agrees on the steps to take."

Sierra One paused before asking again. "And your own opinion, Sir?"

"I believe capturing him alive is the best option," Jonathan answered without hesitation. "We need more information about Ellora and Lily. If we kill Archemidas now, we lose a significant chance to track them down. We don't know if they're still alive, but one thing is certain: Archemidas might know something we don't."

"I agree, Sir," Sierra One said. "That's why we haven't made any rash moves so far. We're ensuring that there's no direct confrontation unless absolutely necessary."

"Good," Jonathan said, feeling somewhat relieved that Sierra One shared his views. "We can't rush. A small mistake could cost us everything."

Sierra One listened intently. "Of course, Sir. But is there a possibility that the meeting's decision could change? There's a lot of pressure from certain parties, and I'm worried they might influence the course of this mission."

Jonathan nodded, even though Sierra One couldn't see it. "I've seen that tension as well. Some of them want to eliminate the Evernoir threat quickly, but they don't understand the magnitude of this situation. We're facing the legacy of a powerful dynasty, and they're only thinking about wrapping it up as fast as possible without considering the long-term consequences."

Sierra One was silent for a moment before responding. "I hope you can convince them to stick to this plan, Sir. Otherwise, we might have to act swiftly under conflicting orders."

Jonathan sighed again. "I'll do my best. But in the meantime, I want you to focus on your mission. Don't let the unfinished meeting decisions influence you. You and your team need to stick to the original plan."

"Understood, Sir," Sierra One replied. "We'll continue to report any developments. For now, we'll keep following them without interference."

"Good," Jonathan said, his tone firmer now. "Make sure you keep monitoring. If there are any signs of danger, you need to be ready to act."

Sierra One gave one last nod before ending the communication. Jonathan stared at his device with a serious expression, then tucked it back into his pocket. There were too many variables in this mission, and while he had faith in the field team leading the operation, he knew that things could change very quickly.

As he walked back to the meeting room, Jonathan's mind continued to spin. He had to ensure that everyone involved understood what was at stake here. One wrong move—whether in the field or in the meeting room—could end it all.

***