Endiá was packing up his father's belongings.

The room was dusty, untouched for a month already. His dear sheets were faded by light and dirt. A barely smoked cigar lay in the ashtray. The air was thick, almost unbearable; Endiáthetos struggled to breathe. It was also due to the emotions that choked him.

During this long month of denial, he had hardly done anything, at first. He had first wallowed in his corner, suppressing as many tears as possible, wiping away those that managed to escape and trickle down his soft cheeks. His moist eyes refused to close, and when they did, two events followed. Sometimes, he managed to find sleep. A restless sleep, a haunted sleep.

Nightmares filled his mind, bringing him back to the reception hall of the castle where hell had taken hold. He saw all the dead guests lying on the floor. He experienced once again the disappearance of his only remaining family, his brother Astós, and his sister Kyria.

And often, after a few hours, Morpheus chased him from his embrace, back to his pain and loneliness.

After about twenty days, he had become active. Endiáthetos rose, but his sadness had turned into anger. He had to avenge himself, kill the Dnophos who had taken everything from him, and destroy her too.

He had researched how to eliminate her. He found nothing, of course, only reports of entire villages' deaths reaching him. But this morning, upon waking up, he remembered a story he had heard in his youth.

It was said that shadow creatures, endowed with supernatural powers, had been eliminated by a fire being. Someone capable of taming flames to defeat the enemy.

Endiá immediately went to the archives, the section on tales and legends, to confirm this story. Unfortunately, nothing. The prince then thought that his father, adept of all his fantasies, might have a similar story in his private library. And there he found himself, in a room that might be haunted, poring over children's storybooks.

The books scattered at his feet had beautiful covers, with titles gilded in fine gold. He sat cross-legged among them, his eyes scanning the books. They briefly stopped on a manuscript, with a leather cover and a lace to close it. Endiáthetos paid it no attention at first. Then, after a moment, he reconsidered and took the book in his hands. He examined it from every angle. The leather cover was very detailed, the artisan's punch had been handled with care, and the reliefs were simply perfect.

Endiá pulled on the leather lace, and what a surprise it was when he read the signature on the first page.

Dikaios Basileus

Tears filled the prince's eyes at the reading of his late father's name. He stared at the first page of the manuscript for long minutes, unable to move. A raven bumped into the window of the room before flying away, and that's how Endiá snapped out of it.

He turned the first page, his heart heavy.

February 14th

I can't take it anymore. If I write in this place, it's because I no longer have the strength to continue alone. I am gradually sinking into madness. Convinced of the inexplicable, and questioning reality.

Since Anastasis left us, I have struggled to manage everything. The children, the kingdom, it's very complicated. Furthermore, the hunt for the Dnophos continues, my fight against this species, which, I am sure, caused the loss of my beloved wife, we are getting closer to the goal.

I have resorted to every possible and unimaginable help. The greatest sorcerers, the bravest soldiers, I couldn't do anything. However, rumors are circulating. It is said that in the west of the map, a very young warrior knows how to wield flames, she is called "Phlóx Oléthrios": The Destructive Flame.

I sent a missionary to her land to negotiate her services. I may be crazy to believe in it. Crazy to insist on exterminating this people of vile creatures, but nothing will quench my thirst for vengeance, except punishment itself.

Just this morning, my most faithful guard, aware of my plans, asked me:

"And what if you're wrong about the culprit, sir? And her highness really left us in an accident. I mean, why look for a culprit when there isn't one? What I believe, sir, is that you just want to calm your rage and sadness, by any means necessary.

I tell you again, the Dnophos are not to blame, her highness's body was found with almost all of her blood, it's not the work of the Dnophos. You know it well and don't need me to tell you, something is driving you to act this way. I want to know."

I then sent him back to where he came from, to stand guard at the gates.

He didn't know everything, he's no one to speak, period. He doesn't know my story, this painful past that has haunted me since I was a child. When you live in the kingdom, with all the strangeness that populates it, it is rare to have known only happiness.

I didn't escape the rule.

When I was a child, my royal parents entrusted me to my grandparents (on my mother's side). They lived in a small remote village. The number of inhabitants was very limited, but the atmosphere was familial, I loved this place.

I will always love it if only...

One night, I heard very loud screams outside. It woke me up. When I went downstairs, the little house was empty, my grandparents were gone. So, I did the same.

BIG MISTAKE

Outside, at the bonfire in the center of the village, the inhabitants were all sitting on wooden benches, motionless. I recognized my grandparents from behind, and I went to tug on grandma's sleeve. Barely touched, she collapsed backward, her eyes rolled back. Her face was even more wrinkled than usual. Then, I noticed that all the people wore the same expression. I screamed.

Then I ran, as far away as possible from that scene of horror. I ran for my life, and I walked back to the castle. When I later learned that it was the Dnophos who were behind the murder of my grandparents, an immeasurable hatred grew in me. Becoming a little stronger every day. I promised myself that when I would be king, I would do everything to make this species perish.

I promised myself to eliminate them, every last one.

Endiáthetos turned the page, intrigued.

February 15

Last night, I fell asleep in the middle of writing, which is why I couldn't finish putting my plans on paper. I should mention that the sun has just disappeared, far away on the horizon. Today, my messenger returned, handing me a letter.

Too impatient, I dismissed everyone present in the room at that time. I tore open the envelope, and a smile immediately appeared on my lips: Phlóx had responded.

She said she was more than happy to help me, that it was an honor for her. She also informed me that she would set out by tonight, time for her to retrieve her equipment.

In the letter I had sent her, I didn't exactly mention the Dnophos; I referred to them as a "recalcitrant threat greatly jeopardizing the city's security." She didn't need to know more for the moment. And if she was as strong as they claimed, she would know how to adapt. It was necessary.

The page ended like this, without further explanations.

At that precise moment, someone knocked on the door, then peeked their head inside. Without thinking, Endiáthetos quickly hid the journal behind his back.

"Sir, it's getting late, you should go back to rest. You must be ready for tomorrow's event, the coronation, it's no small matter."

It's true, the coronation. Endiá almost forgot.

"Thank you, Colonel, you're right, I'll go back. I'll tidy up this mess, and then I'll be there."

The prince complied as the guard left the room, making sure not to part with his father's precious journal. He left the room exactly as he found it. Except for his father's book, which left a small empty space where it had been just a few minutes earlier.

Once back in his own room, after dinner, he flipped through his father's writings again, skipping two pages that didn't contain anything interesting.

Today was a great day. Phlóx — named Kyneos in her daily life — has finally arrived. In truth, she arrived at the palace in the night. I first asked her a few questions to see if she was trustworthy and strong enough for my project. I wasn't disappointed: this teenager is simply exceptional.

I briefed her on my history and motivations first. Then I discussed the plan; she immediately showed enthusiasm. I don't know what this girl has been through in her short life, but she only has hatred and rage in her eyes. She is a concentration of resentment; I don't know whether I should worry about it or not.

She then demonstrated her skills to me, and I was amazed, although not surprised, of course. The rumors were true; she truly masters the flames.

I opened the castle's underground passages for her, so she could train quietly and away from prying eyes for a week. In seven days, at dusk, we will go destroy the Dnophos' camp that I stumbled upon by chance during a walk in the woods; fortunately, they were all out hunting. Well... fortunate for me, but that day, we counted no less than fifty deaths in the neighboring area.

I only ask for their death, to avenge all the lives sacrificed because of them. Isn't that too much to ask for?