Rin stood still, watching the trembling boy and girl. The pieces were falling into place.
Earlier, when he'd killed one of the rebels,a snake-tribe fighter from the North,a strange system notification had triggered the moment Rin touched the man's blood. It wasn't about blood purity or soul granules this time.
It showed a connection.
A betrayal.
"That bastard…" Rin muttered, narrowing his eyes. "So that was your plan, Kaelion."
It all made sense now.
Kaelion had orchestrated this. He'd used the rebels to make contact with Aelric Varane, the disgraced noble from the fallen northern kingdom of Droscalin. The deal was simple: smuggle out the two surviving heirs of the Droscalin line, use the rebel attack as a smokescreen, and let Rin die in the chaos.
Afterward, Kaelion would condemn Varane and the North for assassinating a royal. With Rin gone and the last of Droscalin's bloodline crushed, Kaelion would rise as a hero, the North would collapse, and no one would question it.
Rin's lip curled. "You're an idiot."
Varane flinched. "What…?"
"You risked your king's life. Why didn't you flee the moment the battle started?"
"I thought your guards were dead. I thought you were wounded ,dying. I took a chance. For them."
"For them," Rin echoed, his voice turning cold. "And you thought that would be enough?"
His faint smile vanished, leaving only steel.
"Well. Lucky for you… your stupidity might actually work out."
Varane blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm at odds with Kaelion," Rin said, stepping forward. "And I don't like what he did to your kingdom. So here's my offer: I'll support the return of your royal line. But you? You're unnecessary."
Varane's eyes widened. "Why should I believe you?"
"You don't have to. But your king's life is in my hands."
"If you harm him, even if I die, I'll—"
Rin's eyes gleamed. "That's going to be a problem. Because you do need to die today."
Varane's voice cracked. "What are you saying?"
"I'll help your people. I'll help Droscalin rise again. But your part in this ends here."
"Why?!"
Rin raised two fingers.
"One—you're reckless. You acted without confirming anything and nearly got your king killed. Two—I need a scapegoat. I can't afford to be seen as the one who orchestrated this slaughter."
He gestured toward the battlefield.
"Nearly everyone here was dragon-blooded. A few exceptions, just enough to pin this on your kingdom. The story is simple. You led a failed uprising. You used a soul bomb. You tried to assassinate me."
The children cried out behind him.
"Please! Don't kill him! He saved us!"
Rin turned to them. His voice softened, just a little.
"I'm not going to kill you."
They froze, uncertain.
"I'm going to give you power."
His palm glowed silver. Two drops of blood floated in the air.
He stepped forward and held them out.
"You're direct descendants of the Droscalin line. That means you qualify to inherit this. You have two options. One: walk away and live quietly. Two: take this, and I'll give you power, time, and resources,enough to rise. Enough to make your people rise."
The two were hesitant … then reached out.
Rin didn't force them. If they weren't willing, they'd only get in his way.
They drank.
The change was immediate. Their bodies convulsed. The boy dropped to his knees. The girl clenched her teeth, glowing veins streaking under her skin. Their bloodlines awakened violently,painfully. But what filled them wasn't just strength.
It was purpose.
Aelric watched, eyes full of emotion. And grief.
"You… You're serious. You gave them the Dragon Wing Blood. The Solas never give that away."
The solas only have two of them,and varane believed that rin wouldn't do too much yo trick a half dead man. The people who received the blood were always the most trusted person to that royal, and if they die it will affect the owner of the blood, for these reasons varane relaxed.
Rin turned. "Trust me. Your people will rise again."
"But you still want me dead."
"Yes. "
Varane looked to the children. They stared back,changed. Stronger. Silent.
He smiled softly. "Good. That's good. Your Highness… thank you."
Then he turned toward the corpses. "What now?"
"Make it look real," Rin said. "Cut off your own head. Burn the body. I'll make sure no one finds your soul."
Varane nodded. "If my king lives… I die at peace."
He walked to the blackened corpses and knelt.
Rin watched. "Do it."
Before the flames touched him, Varane turned back. The children stood a few feet away, staring,confused, afraid, still trembling from the power rushing through their veins.
He forced a smile.
"Hey."
They looked up.
"I know this doesn't make sense. I know it hurts. But you have to be strong now. You carry the last of our line. You have a future. A chance. Don't waste it."
The girl tried to speak, but couldn't.
Varane stepped closer, his voice low.
"Don't trust anyone too easily. Not even him," he said, glancing at Rin. "But if he helps you grow… take it. Learn. Endure. Survive."
He placed a hand on the boy's head. "You'll have to lead one day. Protect your sister. Protect your people."
To the girl, he said gently, "And you,be fierce. Be the flame. Don't forget who you are."
They were crying now.
"I'm proud of you both," he whispered. "Live. That's all I ask."
He stepped back, turned once more, and knelt among the corpses.
A blade rose.
Then fell.
The flames came soon after. Rin said nothing.
The children stood in silence, their hands clenched.
Their path had begun.