Chapter 1 The Betrayal

The sound of swords filled the royal palace. Seven-year-old Marcus stood behind his parents, his body shaking with fear.

"Brother Cassian, why are you doing this?" his mother Helena asked. Her voice was full of pain.

Cassian laughed. It was a cold, evil laugh. The uncle who used to tell Marcus stories now looked like a monster. His eyes showed only hate and greed.

"Why? Sister, the throne should be mine!" Cassian shouted. "Father gave it to your husband instead of me, his own son. Do you know how that feels?"

Alexander, Marcus's father, stepped forward. "Cassian, I never wanted the throne. I was going to give it to you when you turned twenty-one. You didn't need to do this."

"Lies! No one gives up power!" Cassian yelled. "I will not wait. I will take what is mine today!"

He raised his hand. Hundreds of soldiers moved forward with their weapons. These men had served the kingdom for years. Now they wanted to kill their king.

Marcus felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "Marcus, stay with your mother. No matter what happens, don't leave her."

"Father, I'm scared," Marcus whispered.

His father looked into his eyes. "Being scared is okay. But you must be brave now. Can you do that for me?"

Marcus nodded, even though tears filled his eyes.

Alexander drew his sword. The blade was black with silver markings that seemed to glow. "Helena, take Marcus and run. I will clear a path."

"No!" Helena grabbed his arm. "If you die, I die with you. We are husband and wife."

"Think of our son!" Alexander said urgently. "If we both die, who will get justice for us? But if you live and protect Marcus, our story continues. Please, live for our son."

Before Helena could answer, Alexander used his power to push them back. Then he ran at the soldiers.

"Kill them!" Cassian ordered.

The soldiers rushed forward. Alexander moved through them like a wild animal. His sword flashed and men fell. Blood covered the white marble floor. But there were too many enemies. For every soldier he killed, more came.

A spear hit his shoulder. Alexander broke it with his hands and kept fighting. A sword cut his leg, but he didn't stop.

"Father!" Marcus screamed.

His mother held him tight. "No, Marcus! We must go. Don't waste your father's sacrifice!"

They ran. Behind them, the fighting continued. Marcus looked back and saw his father surrounded by enemies. Weapons stabbed him from all sides, but he still fought.

They reached the palace gates. Alexander had made a gap in the enemy lines. When Helena looked back, her husband was on his knees. He used his sword to stay upright. Blood poured from many wounds.

"Go!" Alexander shouted. "Go now!"

Cassian walked behind him with a green sword. Poison dripped from it. "Brother, I cannot let you live. Nothing personal."

"Cassian," Alexander coughed blood. "You will regret this. My son will grow strong. He will return. And you will pay."

"Big words from a dying man," Cassian said. "Don't worry. Your wife and son will join you soon."

The poisoned sword stabbed through Alexander's back into his heart. Marcus felt his chest hurt as he watched his father fall.

"No! Father!" Marcus screamed.

His mother picked him up and ran faster. Tears covered both their faces. Behind them, Cassian was shouting orders.

"Find them! Bring them back, dead or alive!"

They ran through the city. People looked away, too afraid to help. The few who tried were killed by soldiers.

Helena was breathing hard. She wasn't a warrior like her husband. She was getting tired. But she kept running because stopping meant death.

They reached the edge of the city. In front was the Tiber River, wide and dark. A bridge crossed it, but soldiers were coming from both sides.

They were trapped.

Helena put Marcus down and pulled out a short sword. "Marcus, listen. No matter what happens, you must survive. You must live and grow strong. One day, you will avenge us."

"Mother, what are you doing?" Marcus asked, fear in his voice.

Helena smiled, but tears ran down her face. "I'm making sure you escape."

The soldiers got closer. Their leader, a fat general named Brutus, laughed. "Lady Helena, surrender. If you do, I promise your death will be quick."

Helena's eyes turned ice cold. "You want me to surrender? Never!"

She moved fast. Her sword cut the ropes holding the bridge. Then she grabbed Marcus and pushed him over the edge.

"Mother, no!" Marcus reached for her, but he was falling.

The river was far below. Marcus hit the water hard. The cold shocked him. The river pulled him under, and he couldn't breathe.

When his head came up, he looked at the bridge. His mother was fighting the soldiers. Her sword left trails of frost in the air. For a moment, she looked like she might win.

Then spears stabbed her from behind.

"Mother!" Marcus screamed, but water filled his mouth.

The last thing he saw was his mother's smile. Even dying, she smiled at him. Then the river carried him away.

Marcus tried to swim, but the current was too strong. His small body was thrown around. Water filled his lungs. Rocks hit his head. Everything went dark.

His last thought was a promise: *I will survive. I will grow strong. And I will make them all pay.*