Omega Ascension System[BL]

Lucian glanced back at the guards in front of the golden doors of the war room, letting his eyes linger on them for a moment before dragging them back to Aurora. "If I were planning something extreme... Why shouldn’t I go along with it? Why should I listen to you at all?" He tilted his head with a whisper. "What line could I possibly cross that surpasses what father did? Or rather, what he’s actively doing?" Aurora’s expression became tense as her eyes flicked to the guards briefly before narrowing on Lucian. "We don’t know why he did what he did with the Dark Hand. He—" "You mean sponsoring them?" Lucian sniggered softly, although his voice was still low. Aurora’s eyes widened. "Lucian! What the heck has gotten into you?" She hit him on the shoulder with a nervous tone, glancing again at the guards. "We need to keep that a secret and you know it." Oh, he knows it all right. But then again, if Kyren already knew about it, why should he bother himself with keeping his father’s dirty secrets? "Enough of this." Lucian shook his head, turning away from her. "Right now my priority is getting Elian back. One way or the other." He could feel his sister’s eye roll behind him, but ignored it as he waltzed to the doors, opening them. His eyes landed on those already gathered around the rectangular table, their eyes falling on him when he stepped in and closed the doors behind him. At the head of the metal table was his father, standing tall and donned in a kingly gold and blue robe, as if he hadn’t pummeled the shit out of Lucian earlier today. Beside him was Beta Axel who stared at Lucian with an unreadable light in his eyes. Finally, there was also Gamma Drax with his thick white beard and Delta Reina with her sharp gaze that immediately seemed to judge him. "Alright, you called for a meeting and I’m here." Lucian clapped once, walking to the opposite end of the table and smiling cockily, scanning his eyes on everyone present. "Who are we smiting today? Any... Treacherous rulers?" He smirked coldly at his father with that last line, drumming his fingers on the table. He noticed the confused glances the Delta and Gamma gave themselves but he couldn’t care less. He’ll be the prince of chaos if he must. "As we all know," The Alpha king began, ignoring Lucian completely. "Arcadia launched an attack on Gravethorn City. A border city of the Dark Lands. They broke through their walls and defences and managed to slaughter tens of civilians." He swiped his hand across the table, causing a holographic projection of a city to flicker to life.

Gravethorn. He zoomed in on the image, pointing at the walls. "Sending scouts is one thing. But attacking a border city so close to Arcadia? That’s a clear act of war and I doubt the Rogue king will ignore it." Lucian leaned back, his silver eyes narrowing at the shimmering projection of Gravethorn. The blood-stained streets. The broken wall. The heavy silence from the table made it almost too easy for him to slip in a grin. "Of course, he won’t ignore it," Lucian finally said, clearing his throat. "The Rogue King never misses an opportunity to play the victim. You’ll see before the sun sets, he’ll make sure the whole continent knows Arcadia drew first blood." Axel’s jaw tightened, his fingers drumming faintly against the table. "It’s not about appearances, Lucian. People died. Families are already displaced." "And yet," Lucian cut in smoothly, lifting a brow, "this is a gift to Kyren Nochthane. Now he gets to posture as the saviour of his people while sharpening his blade against Arcadia. Meanwhile, we... " He motioned lazily between himself and his father, "... Get dragged into his desert drama if we aren’t careful." The King’s sharp gaze speared him, cold enough to silence even Delta Reina’s quiet scoff. "Mind your tongue, boy. Whether we like it or not, war at our neighbour’s doorstep threatens Lunaria. Refugees will spill over borders. Arcadian witches won’t stop at Gravethorn." Lucian tapped his fingers faster, his smirk never faltering. "Or perhaps that’s exactly what we need. Let the rogue king bleed his land dry in war, and when both sides are weak, then we decide who deserves our aid." "That is reckless." Delta Reina’s voice was like steel, her sharp features set in disapproval. "Waiting for both sides to weaken could allow Arcadia to gain momentum. And if they win? The Dark Lands fall and Arcadia becomes our direct border threat. That is not an outcome Lunaria can afford." Gamma Drax gave a low grunt, stroking his beard. "She’s right. If Arcadia dares strike again, their arrogance won’t stop with whatever they’re after in the Dark Lands. The witches will take more, and they will test us next." Lucian fought the urge to roll his eyes. He knew where this was going... the same old loyalist rhetoric, the same "protect our borders at all costs" nonsense. But then his father spoke again, his voice heavier this time. "Lord Kyren will no doubt call for the dukes of his realm to convene. He’ll want to rally them, push for retaliation." His gaze swept across the table before settling on Lucian like a blade. "And when he does, we must decide if Lunaria stands beside him... or watches." Lucian chuckled under his breath, ignoring Axel’s glare. "What a pretty way of saying ’we’re about to be dragged into the Dark Land’s war.’" "Enough, Lucian!" The King snapped, slamming a palm against the table. The holographic projection flickered. "This is not the time for your games. We are balancing on the edge of a blade. One wrong move, and Lunaria burns alongside the Dark Lands." Lucian’s smirk only deepened, though inside, his mind spun like wildfire. Perfect. Exactly what he needed.

Estella’s words echoed in his head. If Kyren really had kidnapped her and Magnus from Lunarian soil, then he’d already crossed a line. Now, with Arcadia’s attack serving as the perfect excuse for war, the Rogue King could sweep his own sins under the rug while uniting the continent against a common enemy. Unless Lucian got ahead of him. He leaned forward, his voice soft but cutting. "Then perhaps we should ensure the Rogue king doesn’t control the narrative. If we let him announce this war to the continent first, he’ll paint himself as the hero and us as passive fools. But if Lunaria delivers the story?" He tilted his head, silver eyes glinting. "Then we dictate the truth." For a heartbeat, silence reigned. His father’s jaw clenched. Axel looked frustrated at the whole thing, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Reina frowned deeply, but Drax... Drax actually seemed to consider it. Lucian’s grin widened. He knew he’d struck a chord. The Alpha King finally spoke, his tone cold as frost. "Careful, Lucian. Truth is a dangerous weapon, and lies even more so." Lucian only leaned back again, feigning innocence. "Oh, father. In times like these, the two are often the same thing." He was playing the villain in this, but in reality, the Rogue King and his father were the real players. And he’d enjoy exposing them soon enough.