Restart: the ultimate system

A City Under Siege

The morning after the raid, the city of Eldoria was no longer the same.

The streets that had once bustled with merchants and travelers were now filled with soldiers in black armor, the Duke's personal enforcers. Patrols marched in pairs, their boots pounding against cobblestone.

Every entrance to the underground tunnels had been sealed or set on fire. The resistance had struck first, but the Duke's retaliation was swift and merciless.

From their hidden base beneath the city, Kai, Lyra, and the others listened as news of the crackdown reached them.

"They're locking down the entire district," a scout reported, breathless from running. "Curfews. Random house searches. Anyone suspected of being with us—executed on the spot."

Vale clenched his fists. "This was expected. The Duke was never going to take this lightly."

Lyra cursed under her breath. "If this keeps up, we won't be able to move supplies without being caught."

Kai remained silent, his mind racing. They had struck the first blow—but now they needed to survive the Duke's counterattack.

The Duke's Announcement

That afternoon, the city's central plaza filled with people—not by choice, but by force. Soldiers lined the perimeter, keeping the crowd in place as a platform was set up at the front.

Duke Alistair Ravencourt stepped onto the stage. He wore a regal black coat, embroidered with silver, his sharp features exuding control and authority. This was a man who ruled through fear.

The murmurs of the crowd died down as he raised a gloved hand.

"People of Eldoria," his voice echoed across the plaza, calm and cold. "I have been lenient. I have allowed rebellion to fester beneath my city. No longer."

With a snap of his fingers, several bound prisoners were dragged onto the stage—citizens, accused of aiding the resistance.

The crowd gasped. Some whispered in horror.

Kai, watching from a rooftop nearby, recognized two of them. They were messengers who had helped transport supplies to the underground.

The Duke turned to face the prisoners. "Treason is not tolerated in my city."

Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand—and shadows surged forward, consuming the prisoners in an instant.

Their bodies turned to ash.

Screams rang out. Some people tried to run, only to be forced back by the guards.

The Duke's voice remained steady. "This is your fate if you stand against me."

Then he looked directly at the rooftop where Kai was hidden.

For a split second, their eyes met.

A cruel smirk tugged at the Duke's lips.

He knew.

Escaping the Trap

Kai didn't wait. "MOVE!"

Before the words were fully out of his mouth, arrows rained down on them.

Edric tackled him out of the way, the arrow barely missing his chest. "Damn it, he set us up!"

Vale raised his staff, summoning a wave of force that knocked the archers off balance. "We need to get out—NOW."

Lyra was already moving. "Follow me!"

They leaped from rooftop to rooftop, dodging arrows and spells as the Duke's forces closed in from all sides.

Kai cursed under his breath. He had underestimated the Duke's information network.

By the time they reached the edge of the district, the exits were blocked.

"Trapped," Edric muttered, gripping his sword. "What now?"

Kai's mind raced. There had to be a way out.

Then he spotted it—a covered wagon rolling through the checkpoint.

He turned to the others. "We take the wagon. Get ready to run."

They waited for the perfect moment. As the guards were distracted by another group of civilians, Kai and the others sprinted toward the moving cart—

And leaped inside.

The moment they landed, Lyra stabbed the driver through the back, pushing his body off the cart.

Kai grabbed the reins. "Hang on!"

With a sharp snap, the horses surged forward—just as the guards realized what was happening.

"STOP THEM!"

The chase began.

The Underground Strikes Back

Back at the hideout, Kai slammed his fist against the table.

"The Duke's baiting us," he growled. "He wants to force us into action, make us reckless."

Lyra wiped the blood from her dagger. "Then let's not play his game."

Kai shook his head. "We have to strike back—but on our terms."

Edric leaned against the wall. "And what exactly are our terms?"

A dangerous glint appeared in Kai's eyes.

"The Duke thinks he owns this city." He turned to Vale. "How do you feel about bringing down his entire supply chain?"

Vale grinned. "Now we're talking."

Meanwhile…

Deep within Ravencourt Manor, the Duke stood before a massive iron door, hidden beneath his estate.

With a whispered incantation, the door unlocked.

Inside, a single figure sat in the darkness, chained to the walls.

The Duke smiled.

"It's time for you to wake up."

The Duke's Secret Weapon

The Man in Chains

Deep beneath Ravencourt Manor, in a chamber untouched by time, sat a man chained to the walls. His long, silver hair was matted with dust, and his clothes—once regal—were torn and stained.

His eyes, a piercing shade of violet, snapped open as the door creaked. He had been waiting.

Duke Alistair Ravencourt stepped into the dimly lit cell, his expression unreadable.

"You've been down here long enough," the Duke said.

The chained man smirked, his voice hoarse but full of mocking amusement. "And whose fault is that, dear brother?"

Kai would have been shocked to hear those words—because the man before him was none other than Lucian Ravencourt, the Duke's long-forgotten sibling.

A Brother's Betrayal

Lucian had once been next in line for the Ravencourt legacy. He was a gifted warrior and mage, a man loved by the people—until he challenged his brother's right to rule.

Alistair had crushed that challenge.

With forbidden magic, he had sealed Lucian away, ensuring his own dominance over the city and their noble house.

Lucian yanked at his chains, his smirk growing. "So tell me, Alistair—why now?"

The Duke's smile was cold. "The city is in chaos. The rebellion grows bold. I need you."

Lucian laughed—a deep, sharp sound. "You? Needing me? Now that's a first."

The Duke took a step closer, his shadow magic coiling around his fingertips.

"I did not come to ask. Either you serve me—" His fingers snapped, and the chains began to tighten around Lucian's limbs.

"—or you stay here and rot."

For a moment, the tension hung between them.

Then, Lucian's lips curled into a dangerous grin.

"You always did like playing king, brother." His violet eyes gleamed. "Fine. I'll play along—for now."

With a whisper of dark magic, the chains shattered.

Lucian was free.

Kai's Next Move

Back in the resistance's hideout, Kai, Lyra, Edric, and Vale gathered around a map.

Kai traced a line along the parchment. "The Duke controls the eastern supply routes—caravans carrying gold, weapons, and magical artifacts from the capital. If we take them out, we cripple his ability to fight a long war."

Lyra leaned over the table. "We'll need to move fast. The Duke won't just sit back and watch."

Vale nodded. "Especially since he knows we're out here now."

Edric grinned. "So? Let him come. We'll hit him harder."

Kai's gaze darkened. He knew this was no longer just a battle of survival—it was a war.

And war demanded sacrifice.

A Deadly Warning

Just as their strategy took shape, a loud commotion erupted outside the hideout.

Shouts. A scream.

Kai rushed outside—just in time to see one of their scouts collapse to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

Pinned to the scout's chest was a black dagger—the unmistakable mark of an assassin.

Vale crouched beside the body, face grim. "This was meant to send a message."

Kai clenched his fists. "And we just received it."

The Duke was coming.

And this time, he wasn't alone.