"Well, it's finally the day we've been waiting for! Time to wake up!" Jock announced loudly as he paced among the soldiers wearing white masks. His tone rang out with resolve, but one soldier remained deeply asleep, oblivious to the call.
"Just a little longer..." murmured the young soldier, clinging stubbornly to his rest. Jock observed him for a moment before approaching stealthily. With a mischievous smile, he leaned in close and shouted right by the boy's ear.
The youth leaped so high it seemed as though a spring had propelled him. Dazed, he shot upright and nervously adjusted the white mask over his face. It was clear he was one of the youngest recruits.
"Yes, sir! I'm awake now!" he exclaimed, trembling as he tried to regain his composure.
Jock looked at him with a mix of severity and amusement before addressing the group. "Alright, everyone. Our lord—the Lord of the Golden Mask, our leader—has something important to say."
At that moment, the man with the golden mask entered. His imposing presence filled the room as he began to speak, delivering a purposeful speech. Meanwhile, Jock kept his gaze fixed on his companions. Slowly, he removed his own mask, revealing a mature face marked by years, with silver hair gleaming under the dim light.
"Pay attention to what our leader says," Jock commanded, and all noise ceased as they listened intently.
"Thank you, Jock," said the Lord of the Golden Mask in a gesture of gratitude. He cleared his throat before continuing. "Today, we will achieve liberation for our people. This map contains a hidden route that will be key to reaching our goal." He unfolded a worn parchment before them, pointing out strategic locations.
"Well said," Jock added, nodding firmly. "What we are about to undertake today is crucial. I expect each of you to give your best and prepare yourselves for action."
"Yes!" the soldiers responded in unison, their voices vibrating with emotion.
"Good. Go fetch your weapons," Jock concluded, bringing the meeting to an end.
"Will you be joining us as well, my lord?" Jock asked, turning toward the leader.
"I will," replied the Lord of the Golden Mask with determination.
"But, my lord… if this is a trap, you could lose your life," Jock countered, concern evident in his voice.
"Don't worry, Jock. I won't fall. Besides, we have our trusted allies, including the great Rodelos and his company," the leader assured, instilling calm into the atmosphere.
Everyone began preparing, adjusting their weapons and mentally bracing themselves for the battle ahead. Without further delay, they set off in formation toward the dark forest, where the shadows seemed to whisper ancient secrets.
"Wow, are there at least fifty of them?" Ron remarked, quickly counting the group.
"Yes, but I hope they're strong enough for what lies ahead," 'X' responded, his serious tone resonating among the others.
"My lord, are you truly going as well?" Ludra asked, stepping closer to the leader.
"Of course, I must go. I need to stretch my legs and take part in the fight. Plus, I'm eager to meet this Paltio," 'X' affirmed with conviction.
"Very well, I'll accompany you," Ludra replied without hesitation.
"All right, everyone's ready," Alita declared, glancing around. "It's time to depart, Lord Rodelos."
"Yes, young lady. Let's go. I long to see my grandson and find out how he's been; I haven't seen him in seven years," Rodelos said wistfully.
"Ha! Well, my lord, you're not missing much. He's still just as lost and dreamy as ever," Alita teased, provoking laughter from the group.
"Typical of that boy!" Rodelos chuckled, shaking his head fondly.
"Come on, Nakia," Alita instructed, the bird fluttering nearby. Both she and Nakia headed toward where Ron stood.
"And… where's that mangy dog?" Ron asked, scanning the area for Chiki. Before he could finish his sentence, a shrill voice rang out behind him.
"Who are you calling a mangy dog, porcupine-head?" Chiki snapped, appearing suddenly and delivering a swift kick straight to Ron's rear.
"Ouch! That hurt, you stupid mutt!" Ron protested, rubbing the sore spot with an expression of pain.
"Hey, you two! Stop fighting—it's time to go," Alita intervened, as Nakia squawked in agreement.
"Yes, let's go, Alita," Ron replied, still rubbing his backside. "Remember, we need to contact the professor. For that, we'll need the carriage Paltio is traveling in."
"Yes," everyone echoed in unison.
The group began walking through the vast, dark forest, its branches whispering secrets to the wind. What they didn't know was that someone was watching them from afar, hidden among the trees.
"They're heading exactly where we told them to. This is going according to plan," the hooded figure muttered to himself before pulling a conch shell from one of his pockets. He brought it to his lips and blew it softly, activating a magical connection.
"My lord, the targets are moving toward the designated location," he reported in a low but clear voice.
"Good. Keep watching them, boy, and keep me informed," replied a cold, authoritative voice from the other end of the line.
"I will, my lord Blaget," the hooded figure confirmed before vanishing into the shadows of the forest like a ghost.
Elsewhere, in a room illuminated by flickering candlelight, Blaget smiled with satisfaction.
"Well, Godar, who would have thought your plan was unfolding so perfectly?" he remarked sarcastically.
"Naturally, I only serve in the shadows, my friend," Godar responded, bowing slightly. His demeanor was servile, but there was a calculating glint in his eyes.
"Who would've thought an avocado like you would betray your own kind? Why do you do it? Revenge? Power? Or something else?" Blaget asked, scrutinizing him carefully.
"It's quite simple, my lord. I want to be on the winning side when this is all over. Besides, they promised me great riches and a bit of power from Lord Urugas," Godar explained without hesitation.
"Ah! You're a damn sellout, half-breed. You probably don't fit in with the other avocados, do you?" Blaget sneered, revealing his true opinion of him.
"Perhaps yes, perhaps no. You'll find out soon enough, my colleague," Godar retorted with an enigmatic smile. "But let's stop talking and focus on what's coming. If we eliminate the entire rebel army of Reedalia, your lord Blajon will be very pleased. Besides, the Marine Dawn is approaching. Only six days remain, according to that giant hourglass on the wall."
"Well said. But tell me, what about the little prince? Do you think he'll find the last piece in time?" Blaget asked mockingly.
"The little prince? That brat isn't even fit to be a fourth-rate prince. He's weak, always lost in his thoughts, daydreaming. I should be the next monarch," Godar declared arrogantly.
"But, unfortunately, around here, succession only works through bloodlines, doesn't it?" Blaget countered with a mocking tone.
"Exactly. But when Urugas arrives, those rules will change. They promised me I'd be the new king, and that's why I'm supporting this plan," Godar affirmed with determination.
"What a predictable villain you turned out to be. Plus, you spilled all your plans without batting an eye. Is it really worth betraying your people? You're scum, Godar," Blaget concluded with a taunting laugh. "Ha, ha. I like you."
"Well then, what about you, Blaget? You played your part well with the little prince, making him believe you were good. But in reality, you're something else entirely," Godar remarked with a crooked smile as he studied his companion.
"It's all part of the job," Blaget replied indifferently, at the same time callously stepping on a captured Reedalian soldier who lay helpless on the ground.
Both men erupted into laughter—cold, merciless laughs that echoed through the room like whispers from a dark abyss. They were two of a kind, figures whose cruelty seemed to feed off each other.
"Ah, before we leave, my lord Blajon gave me this for you," Blaget said, pulling a ring from one of his pockets. "He said it would be an honor for you to wear it."
"Is it from the great leader of the Black Shadows?" Godar asked, taking the object with reverence. He examined the strange inscriptions engraved in the center of the ring, which seemed to vibrate with a sinister glow under the dim light. "I'll wear it with honor," he declared, slipping it onto his finger with poorly concealed pride.
"We're leaving, then," Blaget announced, adjusting his dark cape as he headed toward the exit.
Godar nodded silently, following his companion. Before crossing the threshold, Blaget paused in front of the soldier who still gasped weakly on the floor. Without a word, he executed the prisoner with a swift and brutal motion, leaving behind a trail of blood that gleamed eerily under the fading light.
"Foolish avocados," Blaget thought as he closed the door behind him. "They'll all pay for thinking themselves superior. I'll exterminate them like the terror of the Black Shadows that I am."