Auryn didn't move. Just watched, the golden aura blazing ahead like a second sun.
Nika Crowley.
The name carried weight. In the novel. In this world. Everywhere. The Hero of the people, slayer of tyrants. Champion of the oppressed.
The protagonist of the story.
And Auryn? The villain who stole his legendary weapon before he knew to claim it.
This should be interesting. He thought.
He spurred his horse forward. Down the slope. Toward the golden light.
The distance closed. Soon half a mile was merely a few hundred feet. The figure ahead stopped walking and turned.
Auryn's breath hitched slightly.
Even from here—two hundred feet maybe—the presence was overwhelming. Not necessarily oppressive but different.
It felt gravitational like standing near something that bent reality around it simply by existing.
The man wore simple traveling clothes—leather vest, worn boots, no noble crest.
He had sharp, green and intense eyes.
Watching Auryn approach with the focus of a predator assessing threat.
His hand rested on a sword hilt by his hip casually. Measuring each of Auryn's movements.
Auryn reined in his horse. Twenty feet away. Close enough to talk but far enough to react.
"You're blocking the road," the man said. His voice even without hostility.
Auryn's lips twitched. Almost smiled. "I could say the same."
The man's eyes narrowed. Studying him.
Taking in the silver hair visible beneath the hood. The blood-stained cloak. The way Auryn sat—wounded, exhausted but upright.
"You're hurt," the man observed.
"I'll live."
"That's not what I asked."
Auryn met his gaze and held it. "And I didn't ask for a healer."
A calming silence emerged after the quick exchange.
Suddenly there was movement behind the man. A pair emerged from near-by trees where they'd been waiting.
Of course he has backup. Protagonist doesn't travel alone. Fantasy 101.
First was a woman. Light amber eyes, crimson hair with white streak bangs. She wore robes marking her as a mage. A smug grin on her face revealing mid-sized fangs.
Ghoul-born. Half-vampire.
This was Lyssa. The one who escaped the Dominion with Nika's help.
Author's Eyes activated. Confirming a Yellow aura. She was conflicted but owed Nika.
Next was a burly man. His chest was large enough to fit small villages. He had a shield and sword strapped to his back.
Garran. Former mercenary for the dwarves.
Silver aura. Absolute loyalty to Nika. Author's eyes show perspective that matched another central character of the story. The protagonist.
The woman's eyes widened as she looked at Auryn. "That's—"
"Third Prince," Nika finished quietly. Still watching Auryn. "Auryn Ignisar."
"You know who I am," Auryn said. Not a question.
"Hard not to. Your family's reputation precedes you."
The way he said 'family' carried judgment and it wasn't subtle.
Auryn's jaw tightened. "My brothers' sins aren't mine."
"Aren't they?" Nika's hand stayed on his sword. "You carry the same blood. Sit the same throne. Hoard the same power."
Ah. There it is. Auryn thought. He'd wanted to have this conversation since he began reading the original novel.
"Is that what you think?" Auryn kept his voice level. "That all nobles are the same?"
"Prove me wrong." Nika said
The challenge hung in the air.
Lyssa stepped forward sensing the building tension.
"Nika, he's wounded. Look at him—"
"I am looking…" Nika didn't break eye contact with Auryn. "I see a dragon prince. Alone. On a road he shouldn't be traveling. Covered in blood that probably isn't his."
"Some of it is," Auryn said dryly.
"That supposed to make me trust you?"
"I don't need your trust. Just the road." Auryn retorted.
Nika's eyes flickered. His expression shifted. Surprise in his countenance.
"You're not trying to convince me?"
"Would it work?"
"No."
"Then why waste my time?"
—---
Nika stepped aside. Gestured to the road ahead. "You may."
Auryn's eyes narrowed. That easy?
"Just like that?" His voice searching.
"Unless you'd prefer a fight." Nika's hand tightened on his hilt. "I've heard you're the weakest prince. Rank 2. Barely holding your territory."
The words stung. Truth usually did.
"You heard correctly," Auryn said.
Lyssa blinked surprised. "You're admitting it?"
"Why lie? Everyone knows." Auryn met Nika's gaze. "I'm weak. My territory's struggling. My brothers want me dead."
"And yet you're still here," Nika observed.
"Stubbornness is a virtue." Auryn whispered.
The corner of Nika's mouth twitched. Almost a smile.
"Or stupidity."
"Sometimes both."
Garran laughed. The exchange went from hot to cold and vice versa.
"He's got spine at least." His coarse voice echoed.
Nika didn't look away from Auryn. "What are you doing out here?You should be at your castle. Guarded."
"Could ask you the same."
"I don't answer to nobles."
"And I don't answer to heroes."
Nika's stance shifted. Less aggressive. Still wary but... More curious.
"You're different than I expected," he said.
"How so?"
"Most nobles I meet try to either bribe me, threaten me, or pretend I don't exist."
Nika's eyes swept over Auryn again. "You're just... talking."
"That is strange?"
"For a dragon prince? Yes."
Auryn shrugged. Winced as his ribs protested. "Maybe I'm just a terrible noble."
"Or maybe you're smart enough to know I'd gut you if you tried either of the first two options."
"That too." Auryn shrugged. From the novel. He knew exactly how Nika's mind worked and he was smart enough to work around it.
Lyssa shook her head. Muttered something in a language Auryn didn't recognize. Her sharp senses catch subtle changes in Auryn's Aura.
Nika tilted his head. "Where are you coming from? There's nothing east of here but ruins and borderlands."
"Territorial inspection," Auryn said simply. "Bandits have been hitting farms. I wanted to see for myself."
"Alone?"
"Of course…"
Nika's eyes narrowed. "But you said your brothers are trying to kill you."
"Did I?"
Nika ignored his games. "And you're just... accepting their attempts?"
"I'm surviving it." Auryn's voice hardened. "There's a difference."
Nika studied him for a long moment. Then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I suppose there is."
---
"Are you heading to the council?" Nika asked.
"Eventually."
"Why?"
Auryn frowned. "Because it's mandatory."
"No." Nika stepped closer. Close enough to attack if he wanted.
"Why participate in a system that's trying to kill you? Why not walk away?"
"To where? The empire spans a dimension. There's nowhere to go." MyAuryn raised a brow.
"The other dimensions—"
"Are just as corrupt. Just different flavors of rot." Auryn met his gaze. "You know this. You've seen it."
Nika's jaw tightened. "So you admit the empire is rotten."
"I'm not blind."
"Then why defend it?"
"I'm not defending the empire," Auryn said quietly. "I'm defending my people stuck in it."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Lyssa's eyes widened. Garran shifted uncomfortably.
Nika stared. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe." Auryn's exhaustion was bleeding through now. Too tired to maintain masks. "You asked. I answered."
"Pretty words," Nika said. "But I've heard you nobles talk before. It's all pretty words until the taxes come. Until your guards show up. And villages burn because someone didn't bow low enough."
"You're right."
Nika blinked. "What?"
"You're right," Auryn repeated. "Words are cheap. Only actions matter."
"Then what are you doing? What actions?"
Auryn thought of Rue. The street kid. Five gold coins. Gray aura flickering brighter.
"Small things," he said. "What I can manage for now."
"Small things." Nika's voice dripped skepticism. "While you hoard power. While your brothers play games. While people suffer."
"Yes." Auryn's voice stayed level. "Because I'm Rank 2. Weak, barely holding my territory. Remember?"
"So get stronger."
"I'm trying."
"Try harder."
Auryn's hands tightened on the reins. He felt the pain from his burnt palms. "You think I'm not? You think I'm sitting in a palace eating grapes?"
"I think you're a dragon prince. With resources I'll never have. Magic I'll never touch. Power handed to you by blood."
"Power that's trying to kill me," Auryn shot back. "Power that costs more than you know."
He held up his hands. Showed the bandages. Blood seeping through.
"I fought for this. Bled for it. Nearly died for it." His voice was cold now. Tired.
"Don't lecture me about trying harder when you don't know what I've sacrificed."
Nika's eyes dropped to the bandages. Then back to Auryn's face.
He saw something there. The exhaustion. The scars on the forearms visible beneath rolled sleeves. The way Auryn held himself—wounded but refusing to bow.
"What happened to you?" Nika asked quietly.
"I survived." Auryn lowered his hands. "That's all that matters."
The silence between them lingered longer than usual. Then Nika stepped fully aside.
"The road's clear."
Auryn studied him. "You changed your mind"
"You're not what I expected." Nika's hand left his sword hilt. "Still don't trust you. Still think you nobles are parasites. But..."
"But?"
"You're different. Don't know if that makes you better or just a better liar." Nika's eyes were hard. "But I won't kill you today."
"Quite generous."
"Don't make me regret it."
Auryn spurred his horse forward. Passed between Nika and his companions.
As he drew level with Nika, he paused. "For what it's worth? You're right. The system is rotten. But burning it down without a plan, creates nothing."
"And hoarding power while people suffer creates what?" Nika countered.
"A chance to build something better. Eventually."
"Eventually." Nika's voice was bitter. "People are dying now."
"I know." Auryn met his eyes one last time. "Why do you think I'm riding myself to death to get back?"
He rode on. Didn't look back.
Behind him, he left them speechless
Lyssa spoke calmly . "What do you think?"
Nika didn't answer immediately.
"Dangerous." He answered finally.
"Will you kill him?"
"...No. Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Because he looked me in the eye and didn't flinch. Didn't lie. Didn't beg." Nika's voice was thoughtful.
"He's either the best actor I've ever met or he actually believes what he said."
"And if he believes it?"
"Then he's more dangerous than I thought. Because believers are the ones who change the world." He paused.
"For better or worse."
Garran grunted. "You already let him go."
"I'm watching him," Nika corrected. "There's a difference."
Auryn rode for another hour before the adrenaline faded. The conversation he'd wanted to always have since he began really reading the novel.
I just met the Hero. The protagonist. And lived.
His hands trembled on the reins. He wasn't afraid. Merely relieved.
In the novel, their first meeting was different. At chapter 47, Nika attacked Auryn on sight. Thought he'd massacred a village.
But I changed it. Intercepted before my brother can start his games.
The timeline was shifting. Seems each decision he took had butterfly effects.
Did I make an ally? An enemy? Or just delay the inevitable?
He didn't have any answers. Only a long road ahead and a persistent.
Countdown.
[TIME REMAINING: 38:47:22]
Less than two days.
He pushed the horse faster. The capital waited—
A/N:
This conversation has been in my head since I started planning this story. Watching these two ideologies clash—knowing neither is completely right—is exactly the kind of moral complexity I love writing.
Question for you: Team Nika (burn the system) or Team Auryn (reform from within)?
Drop a comment. I'm genuinely curious where you all stand.
And if you're enjoying the ride—power stones, likes, collections, reviews—you know the drill.
Every bit of support helps me keep writing these philosophical knife fights disguised as fantasy conversations.