The final piece

12 YEARS AGO

Maxim ran out of the sapphire ring pack once again, panting frantically as he dashed into the woods, running as fast as his feet could carry him. His head hung low in shame, his furry tail dangling between his legs. Having been stung with the bitter taste of defeat yet again,. 

Maxim was a blood-hungry expansionist who would do anything to get the power he craved. It didn't matter who he had to lie to or deceive; he was determined to do whatever needed to be done to rise up the social ladder.

Maxim was unfortunate enough to be born second to his twin, so he couldn't inherit the throne. It didn't matter that there was only a two-minute interval between the twins' births; tradition was tradition, and the throne belonged to the firstborn son. He had no choice but to accept it. Or so everyone thought.