Your gateway to endless inspiration
Imagine if the timeline in Runeweaver happened a bit differently so that Zaine's ability to read the rune book stayed the same but the king died later instead.
The runeweavers banish Zaine to the Circle of Dreams, assuming he'll disappear soon enough. Several months later, the king dies, competition for the crown begins. To everyone watching's horror, Zaine can be seen in the circle. His greatest fear is being trapped alone in the circle, therefore he hasn't been turned into a rock or rune book. He is living his greatest fear there every day.
Seeing other people for the first time in months breaks through the dull fear, loneliness and apathy - but now there is something to lose. As familiar faces are struck down, Zaine is angry and desperate enough to tear the Circle of Dreams apart.
On the outside, some runeweavers think Zaine's survival must be a fluke, but most of them are now terrified of him for not only surviving in the Circle for several months but destroying it too. And he's had plenty of time to learn more runes and spells.