Chapter 12: Into the Lion’s Den

**First Person (Ruijerd's POV)**

The night before the meeting, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced, playing out countless scenarios of what might happen. Would the figure greet me as an ally, or was this all a ruse to trap me? I had to be ready for anything. My decision had been made, but the uncertainty gnawed at me.

Roxy lay beside me, her breathing steady and soft. She had been my anchor through all this, but I knew that if things went south, I had to ensure she and Rudeus were safe. I hadn't told her all the details of the figure's message. Part of me wanted to protect her from the full scope of what was to come, but I knew I couldn't shield her forever.

"Ruijerd?" she whispered in the dark, as if sensing my thoughts. Her voice was calm, but I could hear the underlying tension.

"Yes?"

"You're sure you want to do this?" she asked, her hand reaching for mine. "There's still time to change your mind. We could find another way."

I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. "I have to, Roxy. We can't stay in the dark about what's coming. The only way to protect our future is to understand what we're facing."

She was quiet for a moment, and then she sighed softly. "I trust you. But please, be careful. I don't want to lose you."

I pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "You won't lose me. I promise."

But even as I said the words, I couldn't help but wonder if I could keep that promise.

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**Third Person (Narrator)**

The day of the meeting arrived quickly. Ruijerd left the estate alone, telling Roxy and Rudeus that he would return by nightfall. They had protested, of course, but he had insisted that this was something he needed to do alone. If things went wrong, he didn't want them caught in the crossfire.

He traveled to the agreed meeting place—a remote forest on the outskirts of the city. The trees were dense, their branches casting long shadows over the path. It was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. Too quiet.

Ruijerd's hand hovered near the hilt of his sword as he moved deeper into the forest, his senses on high alert. He could feel the presence of others nearby—watching, waiting. They were skilled at concealing themselves, but not skilled enough to escape his trained instincts.

Finally, he reached a clearing, and there, standing in the center, was the figure from his past. They were cloaked in the same dark robe as before, their face hidden by the hood. But this time, they weren't alone.

A group of armed men and women stood behind them, their weapons drawn but held at their sides. They didn't move to attack, but their presence was a clear message—this wasn't a friendly negotiation.

"Ruijerd," the figure said, their voice carrying across the clearing. "I see you've come alone. That's wise."

Ruijerd's eyes narrowed. "I'm here to hear what you have to say. But don't mistake my presence for trust."

The figure chuckled, a low, almost mocking sound. "I wouldn't dream of it. But I'm glad you've come. It shows that you're not as naïve as I feared."

Ruijerd kept his distance, his hand never leaving the hilt of his sword. "You wanted to talk. So talk."

The figure lowered their hood, revealing a face Ruijerd hadn't seen in years—a face he had hoped to never see again.

It was Lyle, an old comrade from his mercenary days. A man he had once fought beside, but who had fallen into darkness, consumed by power and ambition.

"Lyle," Ruijerd said, his voice cold. "I should have known."

"Surprised?" Lyle smirked. "You shouldn't be. You know me better than that."

"I know you're dangerous. And I know you don't do anything without a plan. So what's your play here?"

Lyle's smile faded, his expression growing serious. "There's a war coming, Ruijerd. A war that will sweep across the continent and change everything. The old powers are crumbling, and new ones are rising to take their place. You can either be part of that change or be swept away by it."

"And you expect me to join you?" Ruijerd asked, his voice hard.

Lyle nodded. "Why not? We fought together once. We were brothers in arms. We could be again. You have power, Ruijerd. Power that this world needs. Together, we could shape the future."

Ruijerd shook his head. "I left that life behind for a reason. I'm not interested in your power games."

"This isn't about games," Lyle snapped, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is about survival. The world is changing, whether you like it or not. You think you can hide away with your family and pretend the war won't touch you? You're wrong. It will find you, no matter where you go. The only way to protect the ones you love is to take control of the situation before it's too late."

Ruijerd clenched his fists. He hated that Lyle's words held a sliver of truth. The war was coming, and no matter how much he wanted to avoid it, he couldn't ignore the fact that it would affect him, Roxy, and Rudeus.

But aligning with Lyle? That was a step he wasn't willing to take.

"What do you want from me, Lyle?" Ruijerd asked, his voice low.

"I want you to fight with us," Lyle said, stepping forward. "I want you to help me overthrow the corrupt powers that have ruled this continent for too long. With you on our side, we could end this war before it even begins. We could build a new world, one where the strong lead and the weak are protected."

Ruijerd stared at him for a long moment, his mind racing. The offer was tempting in its own way—he did want to protect the people he loved. And the thought of ending the war before it reached his doorstep was appealing.

But at what cost?

"I'll think about it," Ruijerd said, finally.

Lyle raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that response. "You will?"

"I need more information," Ruijerd continued. "I'm not making any decisions until I know exactly what I'd be getting into."

Lyle smirked, clearly pleased. "Fair enough. I'll give you the information you need. But don't take too long to decide. The tides are shifting, and soon, you'll have to choose a side."

Ruijerd nodded, his mind already racing with the implications of this meeting. He turned and walked away from the clearing, aware that Lyle's eyes were on him the whole time.

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**First Person (Ruijerd's POV)**

As I made my way back through the forest, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just walked into something far bigger than I'd imagined. Lyle's words echoed in my mind—about the war, about the changing world, and about the choices I would soon have to make.

I didn't trust him, but I couldn't deny that he had a point. The world was changing, and I couldn't pretend it wouldn't affect us.

But what was I willing to sacrifice to protect the ones I loved?

By the time I reached the estate, the sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the grounds. Roxy was waiting for me at the entrance, her expression tense with worry.

"What happened?" she asked as soon as she saw me.

"I met with them," I said, keeping my voice calm. "It was... Lyle."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Lyle? From your mercenary days?"

I nodded. "He's leading a faction that wants to overthrow the ruling powers. He says the war is inevitable, and he wants me to join him."

"And what did you say?"

"I told him I'd think about it."

Roxy looked at me, her expression searching. "Are you really considering it?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know. I hate the idea of fighting again, but I can't ignore the fact that this war will reach us, whether we want it to or not. I need more information before I make a decision."

Roxy nodded, her face serious. "Then we'll get that information. Together."

I felt a surge of gratitude for her, for her unwavering support. No matter what happened, I knew I wouldn't have to face it alone.

But even as we stood there, I couldn't shake the feeling that the choice I would soon have to make would change everything.

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**Author's Note**:

**Chapter 12** delves deeper into Ruijerd's internal conflict as he confronts Lyle, a figure from his past who offers him a path that could alter the course of the coming war. The chapter explores the tension between Ruijerd's desire to protect his family and his reluctance to return to the life of a warrior.