Arin's departure from the palace had been a turning point in his life. He had been forced to rely on his wits and cunning to survive, and he had quickly learned to navigate the treacherous underworld of the kingdom.

He had started small, taking on odd jobs and building a reputation as a reliable and skilled operative. But as his skills and confidence grew, so did his ambition.

Arin had always been driven by a desire to prove himself, to show the world that he was more than just a commoner. And so, he had set his sights on the ultimate goal: to become the leader of the Shadowhand Clan, the most feared and respected organization in the kingdom.

It had taken years of hard work and strategic planning, but eventually, Arin had achieved his goal. He had become the Archon, the leader of the Shadowhand Clan, and he had earned the respect and loyalty of his peers.

As the Archon, Arin had continued to build his reputation, taking on high-stakes missions and eliminating threats to the kingdom. He had become a ghost, a shadowy figure who haunted the fringes of society.

But despite his success, Arin had never forgotten his past. He had never forgotten the friendship he had shared with Cassius or the pain of their betrayal.

And now, as he watched Cassius rise to power, Arin couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that Cassius was not the same man he had once been, that he had been consumed by his ambition and greed.

But Arin also knew that he couldn't turn his back on Cassius. Not yet, at least. He had a plan, a plan to use his position as the Archon to manipulate Cassius, to guide him down a path that would ultimately lead to his downfall.

It was a delicate balancing act, but Arin was confident in his abilities. He had spent years honing his skills, and he knew exactly how to play the game.