The Third Prince Of Darkness

Alpshar sat at his place across the board and motioned for me to sit with a nod. As I tried to digest the absurdity of the situation, I took my seat. Alpshar lightly tapped his fingers on the board as he glanced over its arranged pieces. Even this rhythmic gesture seemed to carry some sort of threat, or at least, that's how I felt.

"Go ahead, make the first move," he said.

There was a tone of challenge in his voice, yet it also felt like a game. In every movement and word of Alpshar, there was both a deadly seriousness and a strange enjoyment.

I took a deep breath, selected a piece, and placed it on the board. As I made my move, my mind began working quickly. I knew this wasn't just a game. Alpshar's eyes were carefully watching my every move. Maybe, on this seemingly simple board, he was trying to learn something.

As soon as I completed my move, Alpshar responded with a graceful yet decisive move. "You know, Ethan," he said, studying the pieces on the board, "fighting you have always been interesting. But I've noticed something: you might be a brilliant strategist on the battlefield, but the chaos in your mind weakens you."

His words tightened my nerves. I could feel that Alpshar was trying to figure me out. But I kept my composure and made my next move. "And you've always had a habit of complicating the game with unnecessary chatter," I said coolly.

Alpshar smiled slightly. "Maybe you're right," he said. But his smile vanished instantly, and his voice grew more serious. "But I must tell you, every move you make in this game reveals your strategies and intentions on the battlefield. That's why I love this game so much. Here, we can truly see each other."

I looked at the pieces on the board and thought about the truth in his words. Alpshar was using this game to learn something about me. But in the same way, I could analyze him too. As we made our moves, we were engaging in a mental battle, much like the real conflicts on the battlefield.

As time passed, the game became more complex. Alpshar tried to gain the upper hand with every move, while I stayed on the defensive, looking for an opportunity. As the game progressed, the pieces on the board shifted like soldiers on the battlefield. Each piece symbolized a decision, a strategy, or a sacrifice.

"I have a question, Ethan," Alpshar suddenly broke the silence. "Do you think you could really defeat me one day? And do you think you can ever save the people of Asina from this darkness?"

These words sparked a flame inside me. My eyes shifted from the board to him, and I responded without losing my composure. "If defeating you is the only way to save my people, I'll do whatever it takes. But if you offer me a reasonable deal, I might accept it." In truth, my major goal was to protect my loved ones and myself, but I didn't want Alpshar to find my weakest point.

Alpshar lifted a piece, paused to examine it, and then placed it back on the board, turning his gaze back to me.

"A reasonable deal?" he said, his voice carrying a tone of mockery. "Actually, I have a deal. After this war, I plan to move north, plundering and taking full control. The only state I won't plunder is the Tiamat Empire, which will become my vassal…"

"...So, you want me to be your vassal?"

Alpshar replied with a slight smile, but it wasn't one of friendship—it was a cold expression of superiority. "Yes, Ethan. Just like Tiamat, Asina can find peace under my authority. Just think, your people will be free from the destruction of war, trade routes will open, and a prosperous era will begin. But that means you'll have to follow my rules."

I listened carefully to Alpshar's words, my face betraying no emotion. To reveal my weaknesses to someone like him would be like signing my death sentence. He was preaching peace, trade, and prosperity under his rule, but all I saw was his attempt to satisfy his personal hunger for power. Alpshar's brilliant intellect only made him more dangerous.

"A reasonable offer," I said in a calm and neutral tone.

But inside, another thought lingered: A king's offer of peace often hides chains beneath it. Someone like Alpshar wouldn't save the weak just for their own good. In his vision, peace was merely a tool to solidify his own domination.

Considering my position of helplessness, directly challenging him would be foolish. I had been defeated, and now the main coalition army was about to be defeated as well. But this loss wouldn't be my end. If captivity was to be my reality, I had to learn how to use it as a weapon.

"I can't deny that peace has its value," I said, my voice steady. "But I need to carefully consider what I must sacrifice to bring peace to my people. If I accept this, the people of Asina might think I'm weak. Even in your eyes, doesn't that signal weakness?"

Alpshar narrowed his eyes and studied me. His response to this question might give me insight into his character. To turn his silence to my advantage, I placed another piece on the board. My position was defensive, much like my real-life situation. But behind every defense, there's an opportunity, much like my real-life situation

"Weakness?" Alpshar repeated, in a mocking tone. "Ethan, weakness only kills a leader on the battlefield. But at a table, weakness can be cleverly concealed. Maybe that's why I enjoy playing this game with you. You're playing to hide yourself, rather than reveal yourself."

I slightly bowed my head, offering a look of agreement with his words. His praise of my game was just a part of the mask I presented. "You might be right," I said. "But doesn't a leader have to think ahead, even in defeat? I know I've lost. But the moment I accept my defeat, I begin to look for ways to recover."

Alpshar paused for a moment, then placed the piece on the board with a calm smile. "Then let me make you an offer, Ethan. If you accept to be my vassal, you can continue to govern Asina yourself. Of course, with my permission. Isn't that a reasonable solution to save your people?"

"And what do I have to do in return?" I asked. Such an offer always carried obligations. I wanted to see the strings behind Alpshar's veil of kindness.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Simple," said Alpshar. "You'll meet my demands. Sometimes I might ask for gold, sometimes for soldiers. Also, I want you to break off your engagement with the Tamerid princess."

"Do you want to do something to Evangeline? I can break off the engagement, but I don't want Evangeline to be harmed."

Alpshar shook his head slightly, the calmness in his voice reflecting his belief in the correctness of his words. "No, Ethan. I have no intention of harming Evangeline. Her power will not serve my interests. However, your bond with her is something I do not want."

Alpshar was probably worried that, because of Evangeline, I might claim land in the Tamerid Empire and cause him problems in the future.

But I knew he wouldn't miss this detail. It wasn't hard to understand that Alpshar was trying to impose something on me with his words. Discover more stories at empire

"I don't think Evangeline is a threat to you," I said in a calm tone. "But from what I understand, you're worried that this bond with the Tamerid will interfere with your plans."

Alpshar smiled. This time, his smile wasn't mocking but rather reflected the satisfaction of a hunter setting a trap. "I don't think Tamerid is a threat to me, Ethan. I simply don't want to be more involved with the North in the future, that's all."

Alpshar's intelligence and power made me feel that with every move, there were hidden purposes behind this agreement. But right now, there was no other choice. As my hands slid along the edge of the board, I took a deep breath. I had to do this. Given my current weakness, I had no other option to protect my family and loved ones, and Alpshar wasn't leaving me any alternatives. If I accepted this deal, perhaps one day I could reclaim the war I had lost.

I lifted my head, looked at Alpshar, and, calming the turmoil inside me, I replied.

"Fine," I said, my voice cool and resolute. "I accept to become your vassal. But remember, If the welfare of my people is threatened, this agreement will end."

I saw a brief glint of satisfaction in Alpshar's eyes. He smiled slowly, and this smile carried the cold victory of someone who had won.

"Wise decision, Ethan," he said, placing the piece on the board once again. "If you follow the rules, the people of Asina can truly remain under your rule. And who knows, maybe Asina's salvation from this darkness will come through your leadership."

The "peace" that Alpshar offered was only a fingertip away, but I knew the power behind it was just as dangerous. Still, for now, the only thing I could do was accept this agreement.

The war would end, but at least losing would no longer mean putting my entire family and people in danger.