The lake of blood had been divided. Five bottles in total, sealed with dragonsteel, and humming faintly with an ancient power. Rin knew their worth.
Two had already been given to Dren, as promised.
Three remained in his possession.
And of those three, one was meant for his master.
Arkan had been in the capital ever since he left the North. Quiet. Hidden. Watching. Rin had waited long enough,this was not a time for hesitation. Kaelion's web of influence was vast, and Rin knew he was running against the clock. Every move had to be deliberate. Sharp. Deadly.
The next morning, after confirming Arkan's residence with the estate's butler, Rin set out. The mansion was tucked away within the noble district,old, heavily guarded, and wrapped in a cold pressure that discouraged the uninvited.
Before he could even knock, a familiar voice echoed from within.
"Enter, Prince Rin."
The guards stepped aside without question. No interruptions. No delays. He was expected.
Rin entered and followed the energy that pulled at him like a silent tide. Soon, he stood before a grand chamber,a study draped in velvet shadows, its walls lined with ancient books and war artifacts. At the far end was a massive desk, and behind it sat Arkan.
The Soul-Stage giant. The man who had raised him through fire and hell.
Arkan gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."
Rin obeyed, bowing slightly as he lowered himself into the seat.
"I bring a gift," he said. "Something of great value."
He placed the sealed bottle on the desk with care.
Arkan's crimson eyes studied it. A quiet hum escaped his throat.
"The blood lake water… I looked into its origin."
"And?"
"It's terrifying. This substance… If someone talented had this and the right support, it would only take a few years to reach the peak of Blood Refinement. If our enemies acquired it, it would shift the balance of the continent."
Rin nodded. "That's why I'm giving it to you."
Arkan leaned back, arms crossed. "Your contribution is worth more than five minutes of my time, it seems."
"Thank you, Master," Rin said sincerely. "But I didn't come just to gift you a bottle. I want to offer you more. Much more. In exchange for your help."
Arkan raised a brow. "I'm listening."
"I used to have three bottles. Two were lost during the assassination attempt. The one at base thai reservedfor me , I'm giving it to you… for you. If you help me with what I ask."
Arkan's interest piqued. He lifted the bottle, weighed it with his senses, and gave a quiet nod of appreciation. "This is a serious offer. Speak."
Rin's eyes sharpened.
"Is it true Kaelion is holding four men hostage? From the Varros family?"
Arkan didn't hesitate. "Yes. It's true."
"Then I want you to kill them."
A cold silence stretched between them.
Arkan slowly exhaled. "That is… difficult."
Rin stood up, eyes blazing with urgency and bitterness. "Master, think. With the blood lake water, with the right people, you can build an army. Forge monsters. Are you really comparing a few hostages to what this can become?"
Arkan's gaze darkened. "This isn't about the hostages. It's about Kaelion. I told you before,I will not meddle in your family's internal war. Your brother has held this nation together for over a decade. He is its spine. If I interfere, chaos will follow."
Rin's voice dropped. Cold. Calculating.
"It won't be chaos. Varros family aren't fools. They'll align with potential,and Solas blood. I am that blood. This will give me balance against Kaelion. Without it… I die."
Arkan stared at him for a long moment.
Then he placed the bottle back on the desk.
"It's not enough."
Rin hesitated.
Then, with a deep breath, he reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed pouch. Inside were ten tiny glowing fragments,soul granules, radiant like starlight. He had more back at the base, but these were his emergency reserve. His last thread of hope.
He placed them gently beside the bottle.
"I was keeping these for myself," Rin said, his voice cracking. "But I'm at the edge. I can't go forward anymore. I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind."
He played the part well—half mad with desperation. Eyes sunken, breathing uneven. The weight of everything pressing in.
Arkan blinked.
He reached forward and touched the granules,the ones that absorbed the dead bodies soul and for the first time Rin had ever seen, the Soul-Stage master's face changed.
Shock. Joy. Awe.
He whispered, "These… Where did you…?"
Rin didn't answer. He didn't have to.arkan can guess it was from the same source as the blood lake.
Arkan's face split into a wide, toothy grin. He stood suddenly, laughter erupting from his chest with such force that the walls trembled. Glass cracked. The maids in the halls collapsed instantly,dead.
Even Rin winced. His ears rang. Blood trickled from his nose.
But Arkan was laughing.
Louder than ever before.
"You… you are worth more than I imagined," Arkan said, voice echoing like thunder. "You deserve more than my help. You deserve everything."
He picked up the granules, eyes still glowing.
"I will do it but why killing them? if you helped them they will forever be grateful for you."
Rin said quietly, "If I spare them, they'll forget everything I did for them and side with Kaelion. He'll offer them a better deal,I know how he works. But if I strike through revenge, if I make them bleed for what they've lost, they'll forget him. They'll kneel to me, not for gold or promises, but to avenge their sons. So please, Master… don't say I asked you for this and give me proofs that they are dead."
Arkan studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"You're colder than you used to be," he said. "But maybe that's what it takes to survive in your brother's shadow." He paused, then added, "Just don't forget who you are while chasing who you want to become."
Rin exhaled deeply, shoulders falling.
He had won this round.