Arden and Kagehana were meticulously preparing their plans to overthrow Nihad. For two days, they analyzed the palace's weak points, troop movements, and Nihad's probable countermoves. Arden tasked the black knights and master assassins under his command with neutralizing the guards loyal to Nihad. These individuals were skilled enough to silently take down even the King's most trusted soldiers.
Kagehana was trying to suppress the rage burning within him. His desire for revenge clouded his mind, but Arden's warnings kept his focus sharp: "This is not a war of revenge, Kagehana. This is a revolution. If you surrender to your emotions, Nihad will destroy us."
Kagehana replied with a deep breath: "I will show Nihad that I am stronger than him. I will make him pay for every moment he wounded my honor."
Over two days, they perfected their plan. The attack on the palace was set for midnight; the soldiers would be tired, and the element of surprise would be absolute. Kagehana and Arden would lead the front to confront Nihad, overthrow the King, and win the trust of the people.
Midnight had arrived. Arden's assassins and black knights began silently neutralizing the palace guards. Every step was pre-planned. By the time Nihad's loyalist soldiers realized what was happening, the palace corridors were already soaked in blood.
Kagehana was at the forefront of the assault. Using his lightning powers, he shattered soldiers' armor, stunning and swiftly neutralizing them. "Make way!" he shouted, sparks of vengeance in his eyes.
Arden followed close behind. He held a shield made of light, easily parrying incoming arrows and sword strikes. "Our target is the throne room," he said coldly.
Shortly after, Arden and Kagehana reached the throne room. Nihad sat calmly on his throne. With the self-confidence of a king wielding the power of the Water God, he looked down at the traitors with contempt.
"I'm surprised you made it this far," he said mockingly. "But tell me, why? Why this betrayal?"
Arden stepped forward and replied sternly: "This throne has become corrupt with you, Nihad. You have lost the trust of your people. The time for your era to end has come."
Kagehana drew his sword and added: "And with you, I will take revenge for the day you wounded my honor!"
Nihad rose from his throne. A flash of anger mixed with a momentary sadness flickered in his eyes. He raised his hands, and the power of the Water God filled every corner of the room. "In return for your betrayal, I will drown you here!" he bellowed.
Nihad created a massive wave of water and hurled it at Kagehana and Arden. Arden used his light power as a shield to deflect the attack, but Nihad's water power was so dense that the shield began to crack.
Kagehana used his lightning power to shatter the water wave and charged at Nihad. "Stop underestimating me, Nihad!" he roared. He swung his lightning-clad sword, but Nihad blocked the strike with a wall of water.
Nihad fixed his gaze on Kagehana: "Your power has grown, Kagehana. But you are still no match for me!"
Meanwhile, Arden concentrated his light power and sent an energy blast toward Nihad. Nihad noticed the blast and formed a water shield to protect himself. However, the shield began to fracture.
"Attacking both at once?" Nihad said, smiling slightly. "You must be truly desperate."
Despite their exhaustion, Arden and Kagehana continued their coordinated attacks. While Kagehana kept Nihad on the defensive with lightning-fast strikes, Arden used his light power to throw Nihad off balance.
However, Nihad decided to fully unleash the power of the Water God. He raised his hands, and the floor of the room filled with water. He created a water vortex that swept Kagehana and Arden away.
Arden fell to the ground, gasping for air. "I didn't know he was this strong," he muttered.
Kagehana stood up, wounded. "This isn't over yet!" he cried out, launching a final attack charged with lightning.
Nihad moved swiftly to parry the attack and countered. But at that moment, the sounds of the battle outside reached the throne room. Nihad's soldiers were still resisting, but Arden's plan was working.
The battle was becoming increasingly deadly for both sides. However, Kagehana managed to distract Nihad, creating an opening for Arden. Nihad realized at that moment the depth of their plan.
Nihad stood in the center of the room with the might of the Water God, expertly parrying every strike. But Kagehana and Arden pressed on, fueled by rage and determination. The throne room had turned into a battlefield. The walls were cracked, and the floor was torn apart by water and lightning.
Kagehana lunged forward with a fire of vengeance in his eyes. Concentrating his lightning power into his sword, he rushed toward Nihad. "This time, I will take you down!" he shouted. His lightning-covered blade sliced through the air toward Nihad.
Nihad suddenly condensed his water power into a sphere, stopping Kagehana's blade. He then moved his hands quickly to detonate the water sphere, and the shockwave threw Kagehana back several meters. "Kagehana, you are but a toy," Nihad said coldly.
Arden noticed Nihad's attention was fixed on Kagehana and shaped his light power into a spear. Channeling all his energy into the weapon, he threw it with full force. "You won't be able to defend this time, Nihad!" he shouted.
Nihad noticed the spear at the last second and condensed water to form a shield. However, the spear shattered the shield and grazed his shoulder. The mocking expression on Nihad's face vanished instantly. He slowly touched his shoulder; blood stained his hand.
"You actually managed to wound me," he said with a cold fury. The glow of the Water God's power intensified in his eyes. "But you will pay dearly for this!"
Nihad released the full power of the Water God. Water rose from every corner of the room; whirlpools and massive waves filled the throne room. Arden and Kagehana were forced to retreat before this overwhelming force. "Now, I will show you the true majesty of water!" Nihad screamed.
Arden was forced to focus his light power entirely on defense. Water waves squeezed him from all sides, making movement difficult. Kagehana tried to evaporate the water using his lightning, but Nihad's attacks were so intense that he struggled even to breathe.
Kagehana retreated for a moment to catch his breath and called out to Nihad: "This throne has blinded you! You have forgotten your people! That is why we must stop you here!"
Nihad formed a water spout and hurled it at Kagehana. The spout slammed Kagehana against the wall, opening a deep wound. "Forgotten my people?" Nihad asked mockingly. "I sacrificed everything for this throne. And you, traitors, seek to destroy it!"
Arden decided to concentrate his light power one last time to create a massive explosion. This blast could distract Nihad and provide Kagehana with an opportunity. He whispered to himself: "This will be my final strike."
Light power filled the entire room. Nihad squinted his eyes at Arden. "What are you trying to do, Arden?" he asked, unable to hide the hint of concern in his voice.
Arden lunged at Nihad, releasing his power completely. A blinding brilliance filled the room. However, Nihad condensed his water power into a shield and repelled the attack. Arden collapsed to the ground, heavily wounded by the impact.
"You are fearless, Arden," Nihad said, looking down at Arden's motionless body. "But fearlessness did not delay your death."
Arden's attack provided Kagehana with the opening he needed. He channeled his lightning power into his sword; this would be his final assault. Despite all his wounds and exhaustion, he stood up one last time to stop Nihad.
"Nihad, this will be your end!" he shouted, charging toward Nihad with blinding speed.
Nihad saw the determination in Kagehana's eyes. He condensed his water power to form a wall, but Kagehana pierced through the wall with his lightning sword and shattered Nihad's armor.
Nihad retreated, clutching his chest; he had taken a deep wound. Yet, he managed to stay on his feet. "Kagehana... You are strong indeed. But do not think you have won this war!"
A heavy silence fell over the battle-torn room. Arden lay wounded on the floor, Kagehana was exhausted from his final attack, and Nihad was struggling to stay upright with the power of the Water God. All three were spent and battered, but the winner of the war was not yet clear.
At that moment, the sounds of the conflict outside echoed into the throne room. Nihad's soldiers and Arden's assassins and knights were still locked in combat. This war was raging not just in the throne room, but in every corner of the palace.
Nihad looked at Kagehana and said, "This war does not end here. There will be many more reckonings."
Kagehana, breathless and wounded, retreated. "I will finish this with you later, Nihad," he muttered. He then took Arden and tried to leave the throne room. However, one question remained in his mind: how could they ever truly overcome the power of the Water God?
The war continued, but the true final reckoning was still yet to come.