(The Heart of Dominion, once a bastion of absolute control, begins to fracture. While Cassius and his group have seeded the first signs of chaos among the ruling nobles, they never expected what would come next—a full-scale rebellion. The lower-ranking nobles, merchants, and commoners, long oppressed and used as pawns, finally see an opportunity. And they take it. What was meant to be a subtle act of destabilization erupts into something much greater, something Raziel can no longer ignore.)

  This chapter contains civil unrest, violent rebellion, and the consequences of oppression. Themes of the illusion of power, revolution, and the struggle for freedom are heavily present. Reader discretion is advised.

  ?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? UNEXPECTED EVENT DETECTED: CIVIL UNREST ESCALATING. ? MORTAL FACTIONS TURNING AGAINST EACH OTHER. ? WARNING: FULL-SCALE UPRISING LIKELY.

  Cassius and his group watched from the rooftops, unnoticed shadows above the city.

  Below them, something dangerous had begun.

  "We didn’t plan this."

  Lorien’s voice was steady, but there was an edge of surprise.

  Cassius narrowed his eyes.

  "No. We didn’t."

  And yet, the city was already burning.

  It started with whispers.

  Then it became shouts.

  Then it became a movement.

  The lower-ranking nobles, once obedient pawns of the greater houses, had begun to break rank.

  "The Valcrest family hoards wealth while we suffer!"

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  "Hawthorne sends our sons to die in his wars while he feasts in gold-plated halls!"

  "Evanna sells our own people like cattle!"

  The merchants—tired of being strangled by taxation—added their voices.

  The commoners—living in squalor while nobles drowned in excess— picked up arms.

  And suddenly, for the first time in centuries, the Heart of Dominion was no longer united under Raziel’s rule.

  ?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? RIOT STATUS: OUT OF CONTROL. ? NOBLE HOUSES LOSING CONTROL OVER LOWER FACTIONS. ? WARNING: RAZIEL’S ATTENTION MAY SOON TURN TO THIS CITY.

  Cassius exhaled slowly, watching flames rise in the distance.

  "This is going to get worse."

  Lorien nodded.

  "Better for us."

  Cassius didn’t disagree.

  "Let’s make sure it stays that way."

  If the nobles weren’t already tearing each other apart, they would be soon.

  All it needed was one final push.

  ?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? REBELLION LEVEL: CRITICAL. ? A NEW POWER STRUGGLE BEGINS.

  In the streets, chaos reigned.

  Soldiers loyal to Hawthorne’s faction were already clashing with the rebels.

  Valcrest’s personal guards were attempting to flee, abandoning their master to the mob.

  Lady Evanna’s supporters were losing ground fast, her estates already being stormed.

  "This is it," Cassius murmured. "The Heart of Dominion is crumbling."

  Lorien’s lips curled into a smirk.

  "And Raziel will be forced to watch his kingdom fall apart."

  ?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HEART OF DOMINION IN FREEFALL. ? REBELLION OUTSIDE OF HOST’S CONTROL. ? WARNING: A RESPONSE FROM RAZIEL IS NOW INEVITABLE.

  End of Chapter 15: The Spark of Uprising

  ?? Author's Note: This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and settings are purely imaginary. This novel contains dark themes meant to enhance the story and character development. Reader discretion is advised.