The king raged, shouting commands. Maids scurried, horses thundered through the dark streets, soldiers held torches, and across the city and forest, they searched relentlessly—for someone, for something.
Zephyr entered his room to find Septh and Ki seated, their expressions grim.
"What's the matter?" he asked, unable to joke in this tension.
"The king gave the order," Ki said, voice dark. Zephyr's stomach tightened.
Bang! A loud crash erupted from the next room—Ki's. Bang! Another, from Septh's. Their eyes met, already knowing what would come next.
Four cloaked men gathered outside Zephyr's door. One kicked it open. Bang! They rushed inside, scanning for any sign of their targets. One stood guard at the door, watching for witnesses. Two rushed to the balcony; the fourth wandered the room. Suddenly, he heard muffled struggles. A shadow loomed behind him, and before he could react, Ki slammed the door shut.
Meanwhile, the king dined with three men: a priest, a cloaked figure, and a gentleman in formal attire. A knock interrupted them. A soldier entered, bowing, and whispered into the king's ear. Richard slammed his fist on the table.
"YOU'RE ALL USELESS! GO AND FIND THEM!" he bellowed.
"What's the matter, sire?" the gentleman asked calmly.
The king's eyes darted to the cloaked man. "Your people failed."
"Hmm, I suppose I underestimated them," the mysterious figure said.
"Not underestimated—they are trained and aware of our plan. This is what happens when you ignore me," the priest snapped.
Richard stormed out, leaving the three behind. The mysterious man followed as the king cursed under his breath.
"What's your plan now?" the gentleman asked.
"I'll catch them myself," the priest replied. He raised his hand, and a knight in shining silver armor entered, kneeling. Blond-haired with a youthful, almost innocent face, the knight was commanded, "Catch them." The knight bowed, then left with unwavering confidence.
Sophie woke to the commotion. She crossed her dark room and opened the door. Maids rushed past, panicking. She stopped one.
"The king ordered us to search for Ki, Zephyr, and Septh," the maid explained before darting away. Sophie smiled faintly and returned to her room.
Outside, soldiers rode through the city and forests, torches raised. Citizens peeked from windows, witnessing the chaos. The kingdom's massive gate closed behind them, guarded by soldiers ready to intercept any attempt to escape.
Kenji moved through the shadows, cloak drawn tight, as soldiers passed. In the distance, a bar glowed warmly. He approached and rang the doorbell. Every eye in the bar turned to him.
He seated himself at the counter and ordered a beer. When it was served, he drank deeply, then slammed the mug on the table.
"Now's the time," he declared.
The patrons cheered, "Yeah!" and hurried out. Kenji followed them into the night.
Sophie walked through the dense forest, two soldiers holding torches behind her.
"Stop!" a voice called from the shadows.
A young man stepped forward—it was Zephyr. Sophie smiled at him. His eyes widened.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"Follow me," Sophie said, grabbing his hand. Zephyr froze.
"You're leaving?" he asked, hesitant.
"I know," she interrupted gently, stepping closer. "I'll help."
Zephyr's heart raced. "But this... your father..."
"He has never been impressed by me anyway," she whispered, leaning close. "I'd rather help the person I love."
Their moment was broken by the laughter of two soldiers in the distance.
"Hey, is that a bird? Hehehe," one said.
"Oh, I thought it was a squirrel," the other replied.
A rustle in the branches drew their attention. Ki sat perched above them in a tree; below, Septh blushed, hiding behind another.
"Someone's coming," Ki warned, glancing toward the approaching torches.
Zephyr grabbed the torch from one of Sophie's guards and extinguished it. They all melted into the shadows of the trees and bushes.
The soldiers approached, torches sweeping through the forest.
"Are you sure you saw a light here?" one asked.
"I swear, I saw it for a second," another replied.
"This part of the forest is deep. We shouldn't risk the Mystic Forest," a third warned.
"Ha! You actually believe in that myth?" teased his companion.
Their voices faded into the distance.
Ki, Septh, Sophie, and Zephyr emerged from hiding. Sophie squeezed Zephyr's hand.
"Please, let me help," she pleaded.
"How can we trust you? You're his daughter," Ki said.
"That's true, but…" Sophie's gaze dropped. Zephyr stepped forward.
"Let's trust her... for now," he said.
Ki and Septh exchanged glances. "Fine," Ki sighed.
Sophie led them to a massive wall marking their path to freedom. A soldier waited there. Zephyr recognized him as a friend.
"Don't forget about me once you're out," the soldier teased, clasping hands with Zephyr.
"I won't," Zephyr replied, smiling.
The soldier whistled, and a rope dropped from the top. Septh climbed first, guided by two soldiers to the other side.
Zephyr turned to Sophie. "Come with us."
She leaned on his chest. "I'm sorry, but… I'm the king's daughter. I can't."
Zephyr understood. Taking her would alert the king and intensify the hunt.
"Then…" he touched her face gently. "I'll come back for you."
Tears streamed down Sophie's cheeks as she hugged him. Zephyr climbed the wall.
At the bottom, Septh saw a carriage waiting, stocked with food and drinks. A merchant with white hair, a tophat, and a matching mustache greeted her.
"Please, hop in," he said. She waited for Zephyr and Ki.
Zephyr reached the bottom, but Ki was nowhere in sight. The rope had already been pulled up. Septh remembered Ki's warning.
"No… no, please no," she whispered.
Zephyr grabbed Septh's hand and pulled her toward the carriage.
"Zephyr, what are you doing?" she shouted, struggling. "Let's wait! He promised me! He did!"
"He won't!" Zephyr yelled.
Tears welled in Septh's eyes. "He's your friend! How can you leave him?"
"You're right. He is my friend," Zephyr said softly. "And I trust him."
He climbed into the carriage first. The merchant urged them to keep quiet. With no choice, Septh followed.
The horses began to pull the carriage away. Both Septh and Zephyr's faces were etched with pain and sorrow as they rode off into the night, silence stretching between them.