Dais entered Laika's chamber with a slow, mocking stride.

  "Well, well, well...

  The High Commander of the Guild of Fools.

  Former head of the royal court.

  Today, history will record your arrest."

  He glanced at the paintings.

  "Ah, dear Laika...

  I'll take these portraits for you."

  Laika's eyes narrowed. A red aura flared around her.

  "Touch them...

  And I'll burn you alive."

  "How terrifying," Dais sneered.

  "You repulsive little witch."

  Laika's voice was calm.

  "Are you done insulting me?

  What do you want now?

  I'll surrender soon enough.

  The storm? A clever move."

  —

  Outside, Prince Asser approached Varon with his royal guards.

  "You?

  Are you the new personal guard I requested?"

  Varon bowed.

  "Yes, Your Majesty.

  Appointed by the royal court—specifically for the princess."

  Asser eyed Varon's dark attire.

  "You'll need to change.

  That black cloak will frighten her.

  In this palace, we value skill—and appearance."

  "Understood, Your Majesty."

  Asser paused.

  "Strange..."

  A court advisor stepped forward.

  "Your Majesty?"

  "I recall asking for the old guards from the Mercenary Guild—Fares and Faisal."

  Varon's eyes flickered.

  "I intended them to protect Princess Sarah and Princess Kasrahh.

  But no matter..."

  A royal guard stepped forward.

  "Your Majesty...

  The old guards were killed yesterday."

  Asser's eyes widened.

  "What?!"

  Another advisor interjected.

  "Yes, Your Majesty.

  They were assassinated...

  While attempting to steal gold during the storm."

  Varon raised his head, voice steady.

  "That's not true."

  The advisors froze.

  "What did you say?" Asser asked.

  "I saw them yesterday.

  They died protecting children and defending the people.

  When strangers breached the city gates...

  They held the line.

  They forced the invaders to retreat—sacrificing themselves."

  The advisors' faces shifted.

  Asser's voice softened.

  "Then they died a noble death.

  I'll attend their funeral."

  He turned to a court official.

  "Take guards.

  Retrieve their bodies.

  They'll be buried in the royal cemetery—with honor."

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  Asser looked to Varon.

  "Raise your head.

  What's your name?"

  "Varon."

  "Varon...

  It's an honor.

  I entrust my sister's life to you.

  She's reckless—she leads with her heart.

  Protect her.

  Never let her grieve."

  "I will, Your Majesty."

  Asser turned toward the Mage Guild.

  —

  Inside, Dais laughed.

  "Easy now..."

  Batalos whispered.

  "She's powerful.

  I sense a dangerous aura.

  She's preparing to fight."

  Dais continued.

  "Tell me...

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Where is it?

  Where's the sword?"

  Laika's voice was ice.

  "Not even in your dreams.

  What lies between us...

  Is in that painting."

  She pointed to the portrait of the three royal children.

  Dais chuckled.

  "It wouldn't be wise to fight here, would it?

  You'll die in prison.

  We'll say you took your own life.

  The former court head...

  The High Commander of the Guild...

  Humiliated to death.

  A perfect ending."

  Laika sat at her desk.

  "It doesn't matter."

  "This man," Dais said, gesturing to Batalos,

  "Will become the new Guild Commander the moment you're arrested."

  Laika looked at Batalos.

  "How absurd.

  You know who you're placing.

  You truly excel at weakening this institution."

  "I can't tell if she's praising me or insulting me," Batalos muttered.

  Dais raised his hand.

  "Tell me where the sword is.

  Or I'll kill someone with a single gesture."

  Laika's face hardened.

  "I'll kill you, you bastard.

  How dare you—"

  "Where is the sw—"

  The door burst open.

  Prince Asser entered with his guards.

  "I see the arrests are proceeding smoothly.

  Dais?

  What are you doing here?"

  Laika stood, stunned.

  "Asser?

  I mean... Prince Asser?"

  Dais bowed, eyes flashing.

  "I was asking Miss Laika to hand over her duties to the new commander."

  Asser turned to Batalos.

  "A pleasure to meet you, sir...?"

  "Batalos.

  The great Batalos, Your Majesty."

  "Batalos?

  Very well."

  "Your Majesty," Dais began,

  "I'd like to—"

  "Before we arrest her, I want to speak with her alone.

  Everyone, leave."

  Dais hesitated.

  "Now."

  Dais bowed and exited, casting a smug glance at Laika.

  Only Asser and Laika remained.

  He sat, studying the paintings.

  "You may sit, Laika."

  She sat.

  "Asser? What is it?"

  He looked at her.

  "I want to know..."

  —

  Elsewhere, in the Emerald Tavern, Jabir, Sylvanas, Mulham, Jawaher, and Karras gathered.

  "Here's the plan," Jabir said.

  "Jawaher and Mulham—you stay here.

  Gather intel on the Black Order's agents in the kingdom."

  "Karras, return to the tunnels.

  Organize your men.

  We may need them soon."

  "I'm doing this for Aurik.

  For Commander Dillen.

  For—"

  "Enough. Go."

  "Damn you," Karras muttered, leaving.

  Jabir turned to Mulham.

  "Of course," Mulham said.

  Jabir smiled.

  "Sylvanas and I will infiltrate the palace.

  We'll speak with Princess Kasrahh.

  Maybe reach Sarah or Asser.

  We need to uncover the source of this corruption."

  "I'll provide the timing and entry points," Mulham said, handing over a parchment.

  "This is incredible," Jabir said.

  "A map of the palace.

  It's perfect."

  Sylvanas nodded.

  "I bought it at a secret auction in the black market," Mulham explained.

  "It cost me dearly.

  The seller was a traitorous guard.

  Someone tried to buy it—looked like one of the strangers.

  I stopped him."

  Sylvanas smiled.

  "We all fight in our own way.

  You fought—and won."

  "Thank you, miss."

  "Why don't you praise me like that?" Jabir grumbled.

  "Go to the palace," Jawaher said.

  Mulham laughed.

  Sylvanas pulled Jabir toward the door.

  "This isn't fair!"

  Mulham's face darkened.

  "Jabir..."

  "What is it?"

  "The royal guards...

  They were killed.

  They delayed the Black Order.

  It cost them their lives."

  Jawaher covered her mouth.

  Sylvanas looked at Jabir.

  Jabir clenched his fists.

  "Fares... Faisal...

  Your sacrifice was not in vain.

  I swear it."

  He left with Sylvanas.

  Mulham cleaned the glasses. Jawaher sat quietly.

  "The tavern opens tomorrow," Mulham said.

  "Shall we craft a drink to celebrate?"

  "Alright," Jawaher replied.

  *************

  The Crimson Reckoning - A Message Delivered

  Fouad arrived at the Mage Guild, watching as one mage after another was dragged away in chains.

  He slipped behind the building, climbed through a narrow window—and promptly fell on his head.

  "Old building," he muttered, brushing dust from his cloak.

  "Jawaher was right... they can't even afford a renovation."

  From below, a voice rang out:

  "Prince Asser is coming! Double the guard!"

  "Of course he is," Fouad whispered.

  "Why is it always like this?"

  He clutched the message tightly, recalling Mulham's instructions.

  "Second floor... left door... Research and Development."

  He reached the hallway.

  "This is it."

  Five guards surrounded him.

  Fouad tossed a stone toward a distant window. The sound drew them away.

  He slipped through the door.

  "You! What are you doing here? That's an assassin's cloak!"

  Fouad raised a finger to his lips.

  "Quiet!"

  "Why should I—"

  A guard entered.

  "What's going on?

  Are you talking to yourself?"

  "I... I'm sorry," the mage stammered.

  "Gather your things.

  Your cell awaits."

  Fouad hid behind a shelf.

  "You can come out now," the mage whispered.

  Fouad exhaled.

  "Finally."

  "You have terrible luck.

  The head of the royal court is here.

  Prince Asser is on his way.

  This place will be crawling with guards.

  You're the dumbest assassin I've ever seen—coming here to steal today?"

  "I didn't come to steal," Fouad said quietly.

  "I came for this."

  He handed her the message.

  "A girl named Ledra...

  She lives in a ruined library in the Valley of Wonders.

  She asked me to deliver this.

  To this address."

  The mage's eyes widened.

  "Ledra?

  My sister?

  Is she safe?"

  "She's fine.

  Keep your voice down."

  "I'm Viola.

  Mage Viola.

  Ledra's older sister."

  Her voice cracked.

  "I refused to leave during the raid on the library.

  I had to abandon her.

  We used magical letters to stay in touch...

  Until they banned our magic.

  We were expelled from the palace.

  Our spells were blocked.

  Her messages...

  They shattered before reaching me."

  Tears streamed down her face.

  "I left her alone.

  I didn't mean to."

  Fouad shifted uncomfortably.

  "I didn't expect the message to bring tears.

  I didn't mean to stir old wounds."

  Viola wiped her face.

  "It's alright.

  Thank you.

  You risked your life to deliver this before I'm imprisoned."

  "She's safe," Fouad said.

  "She's kind.

  She healed me when I needed help."

  "You were in the Valley of Wonders?

  That place is terrifying."

  Fouad blushed.

  "I'm used to it."

  Viola's expression hardened.

  "The message's contents...

  You must tell Laika.

  Immediately."

  "Why?

  What's in it?"

  "The boy.

  The one you brought here.

  Where is he?"

  Fouad's face darkened.

  "He was taken."

  "By who?"

  "The Black Order."

  Viola stood abruptly.

  "Damn it.

  We have to find him.

  But..."

  "What is it?

  Everyone keeps talking about him.

  He's just a child—with a pure heart."

  Viola's voice dropped.

  "If that child falls into the wrong hands...

  He could end every life on this planet.

  Or...

  He could be the key to defeating the invaders."

  Fouad looked down.

  "It's my fault."

  "Don't be cruel to yourself.

  Ledra didn't tell you because she was protecting you."

  She continued.

  "That child is not from this world.

  He can connect with Silva's forces—directly or indirectly.

  He's a weapon.

  He was meant to meet King Caesar.

  But everything fell apart."

  "They poisoned the king before I could find a cure.

  I searched endlessly.

  Even the villagers of the Luminous Tree helped.

  But we couldn't break the disease.

  He died...

  In the desert...

  On the day the Guild calls the Crimson Catastrophe.

  The day we failed.

  The day we lost our king."

  "Laika locked herself in her office for a month after that."

  Fouad stood in stunned silence.

  Viola pointed to a pile of books and papers.

  "All of these...

  Failed attempts.

  Left untouched for years."

  She walked to the door.

  "Please.

  Tell Laika.

  I must surrender now."

  "Why?

  I can help you escape."

  Viola's face was resolute.

  "Laika ordered us to obey.

  I won't become a traitor."

  "Then I salute your honor."

  "Go.

  Wait for the right moment.

  Tell her everything.

  They plan to destroy this world.

  To claim it."

  Viola surrendered herself.

  Fouad slipped away, waiting in silence.

  He whispered to himself:

  "Wait for me, boy.

  I'll save you.

  I promise.

  You carry a burden too heavy for your age.

  I know you're fighting.

  I'm sorry..."

  *****************

  Beneath the Gilded Walls - The Whisper Before the Storm

  At the edge of the royal palace, Sylvanas vaulted over the outer wall, landing silently in the shadows. She scanned the courtyard, then signaled.

  Jabir followed, landing with a grunt.

  "Damn... I didn't expect to jump like that," he muttered.

  "Come on," Sylvanas whispered.

  Jabir unfolded Mulham's map.

  "Kasrahh's chamber is here.

  We can reach it through a hidden tunnel—built for emergencies."

  "A secret tunnel? On a map?" Sylvanas raised an eyebrow.

  Jabir chuckled softly.

  "Watch how spies move..."

  He hurled a large stone toward a thicket.

  "No! Not like that!" Sylvanas hissed.

  "It's too loud! They'll come straight to us!"

  They ducked behind a hedge.

  "They're supposed to investigate the sound, not the source," she whispered.

  "Now they'll know someone threw it."

  "We have to defy expectations," Jabir grinned.

  "You've certainly defied mine," she muttered.

  They crept forward.

  "No time for jokes," Jabir said.

  "They'll find us."

  "Did they see us?" Sylvanas asked.

  "No... but they might follow my irresistible cologne."

  "Focus."

  "Alright, alright.

  We're here.

  The cellar door should be beneath these branches."

  He pulled back the foliage, revealing a weathered wooden hatch.

  "Impressive," Sylvanas said.

  "You actually know how to use a map."

  "I used to visit this castle often, my dear."

  A guard's voice echoed nearby.

  "There's a disturbance here..."

  Sylvanas tossed a pebble toward a distant corridor. The guard turned and followed the sound.

  "No time for tricks," Jabir whispered.

  "Let's go."

  He pulled Sylvanas through the hatch and shut it behind them.

  They descended into the abandoned tunnels.

  "Can you light the way?"

  Sylvanas raised her hand. A soft glow bloomed from her palm, illuminating the stone path.

  Jabir studied the map.

  "We head right.

  Then take the left passage—it leads to the palace kitchen.

  From there, we circle the main hall and reach Kasrahh's chamber."

  "Jabir," Sylvanas said, pointing.

  Strange violet symbols glowed faintly on the walls.

  "Damn..."

  "What is it?"

  "The Black Order knows about this tunnel.

  They've rigged it to collapse during emergencies—to trap or kill intruders."

  "Expected," Sylvanas said calmly.

  "Let's keep moving."

  —

  Elsewhere in the palace, Varon changed into the royal guard's uniform.

  "Disgusting...

  I'm not used to this."

  A nearby guard stared.

  "Ahem," Varon cleared his throat.

  "It suits you," the guard said.

  "Thanks..."

  Varon walked slowly through the corridor.

  A royal advisor approached.

  "Why did you defend the old guards?"

  "Fares and Faisal?"

  "Yes. They weren't—"

  "They fought bravely," Varon interrupted.

  "Their end shouldn't be tarnished."

  —

  In the palace kitchen, Jabir and Sylvanas emerged from a storage cabinet.

  The chef gasped.

  Sylvanas stared at a cake.

  "That's... beautiful."

  "Jabir?

  The merchant?

  What are you doing here?" the chef asked.

  "Ah, Qadir!

  It's been a while."

  Qadir smiled.

  "Indeed!

  What's this?

  Are you a sorcerer now?

  Or is this some kind of magic show?

  You just came out of a cabinet!"

  Sylvanas blinked.

  "No, no.

  We're here to help," Jabir said.

  He eyed the cake.

  "Wow.

  As always, Qadir—you make the finest desserts."

  "Thank you.

  It's for Prince Asser."

  "We need to speak with Princess Kasrahh."

  "She's in her chamber.

  You'd better hurry—her new personal guard is on the way."

  "Personal guard?"

  Qadir nodded, decorating the cake.

  "Yes.

  Prince Asser ordered it after she left the palace without permission.

  The head of the royal court chose the guard himself."

  Jabir sighed.

  "We need to move."

  "Hide here.

  I'll distract the guards."

  Jabir and Sylvanas crouched behind a cabinet of dishes and cookware.

  "The food smells amazing," Sylvanas whispered.

  "It's Qadir," Jabir said.

  "He feeds the royal family.

  It's his pride...

  And his greatest burden."

  Qadir stepped outside.

  "You there!

  Why aren't you helping?

  I've finished a delicious dish!

  Come taste it!"

  "It's Qadir!

  Let's go!

  His food doesn't even need tasting!"

  Qadir smiled.

  Jabir and Sylvanas slipped out, darting through the hall and into Kasrahh's chamber.

  She turned, startled.

  "Jabir?!

  What are you doing here?"

  Jabir shut the door, panting.

  "I came for the tea party."

  Sylvanas punched him in the stomach.

  "I mean...

  There's something important.

  We need to know what's happening in this castle.

  Jawaher told us what she learned.

  Is there anything else we should know?"

  Kasrahh clenched her fists.

  "Yes..."