The palace grew more magnificent with every step they took. Golden carvings adorned the marble walls, reflecting the glow of countless crystal lamps. Finally, Kaiden stopped before a grand door and pushed it open with calm authority.
Behind it… was not what anyone expected.
A young girl — no older than twelve — sat upon a throne made of shining crystal. Her royal dress shimmered faintly, embroidered with strange runes that pulsed with light.
Kaiden bowed slightly.
Kaiden: "This is Her Highness… Princess Hina."
The girl looked up at them. Her eyes gleamed with a serene wisdom far beyond her age.
Hina: "Welcome, chosen ones."
Ren blinked in disbelief.
Ren: "Wait… the princess is a child?"
Kaiden smiled faintly.
Kaiden: "We are not humans. Our kind matures differently — we age slowly, and when the time comes, we evolve all at once."
Linya sighed wistfully.
Linya: "I wish I had that ability…"
Younes chuckled.
Younes: "Sorry, you're human. You'll have to grow up the old-fashioned way."
Linya's face turned red instantly as she looked away.
Then, Princess Hina lifted a necklace — a bright, sky-blue gem glowing at its center.
Hina: "You came for the stone, didn't you?"
Ethan's eyes lit up.
Ethan: "Then let's take it!"
Kaiden raised his hand sharply.
Kaiden: "Not so fast. You must first prove yourselves. Come — to the training grounds."
Ethan grinned.
Ethan: "So we're fighting?"
Eliot sighed softly.
Eliot: "Do you ever not look forward to battles?"
Kaiden smiled faintly.
Kaiden: "What you learn today will decide whether you are worthy of the stone."
---
Scene: The Training Grounds
They stepped outside into a vast courtyard bathed in sunlight. The golden sand glimmered beneath their boots. Kaiden stood firm, his hands behind his back.
Kaiden: "Listen carefully. Every fighter can strike from close range… but what if your enemy keeps his distance? Today, you will learn to project your energy outward — form it into a sphere in your palm, and release it."
The team nodded. Silence fell.
Energy flared across the field —
Younes's energy glowed green and steady.
Ren's crackled blue like ocean lightning.
Linya's shimmered soft pink.
Ethan's burned red and fierce.
Eliot's shone bright yellow, warm as sunlight.
Kaiden's lips curved in approval.
Kaiden: "Good. Now… aim at the target and release!"
Balls of energy shot forward, exploding on impact. Dust filled the air as waves of power rippled through the courtyard.
Kaiden: "Excellent. Keep practicing until it becomes instinct."
Hours passed. The sun dipped low, painting the sky orange.
Kaiden: "Enough. You've done well for today."
Eliot wiped the sweat from his brow.
Eliot: "We can still go on—"
Kaiden: "No. That's an order. Rest."
They walked back through the long corridor, light from the sunset spilling through the tall windows.
Ren laughed loudly.
Ren: "Ha! Did you see my energy blast? Best one out there!"
Linya giggled.
Linya: "Yeah — right before it almost blew up in your face!"
Ethan: "You were this close to losing your eyebrows, genius."
Ren: "At least I have eyebrows. Some people's faces don't even move when they fight!"
He grinned at Eliot.
Eliot: (calmly) "Focus doesn't need expression. What matters is precision."
Younes: "We all did great today. For a first attempt, that's impressive."
Linya: (softly, staring at her palm) "That energy… it felt different. Like something alive."
Ren: "That just means I'm gifted — and stylish."
Ethan: (dryly) "Or just loud."
They laughed together, walking back into the grand hall.
---
Scene: The Royal Banquet
The long table was filled with dishes none of them had seen before.
Linya: "What is this? Some kind of foreign food?"
Younes: "Is it even edible?"
Ren had already started eating.
Younes: "Well, if he's still alive, we're safe."
Princess Hina smiled.
Hina: "I'm glad it pleases you."
Ethan: "It's delicious."
Younes looked at her with curiosity.
Younes: "How did your people get the stone?"
Hina: "The chosen ones before you hid the Seven Stones within the Seventh World — the safest place of all. Our kingdom was chosen to guard one."
Ethan: "Which stone is it?"
Kaiden: "The Stone of Protection."
Linya: "Do you know where the others are?"
Kaiden: "No one does. But in time… they will reveal themselves."
---
Scene: The Attack
Night fell. The palace grew quiet.
Outside, where light met shadow — a dark figure appeared, cloaked and still. His eyes glowed faintly beneath the hood.
Unknown Man (whispers): "It's time…"
A thunderous explosion shook the palace. Sirens blared.
Guards: "We're under attack!"
Ren burst out of his room.
Ren: "Finally! Action!"
Younes: "Let's move — defend the palace!"
They raced through the corridors — but Younes suddenly stopped. His gaze fixed on a dark hallway.
Linya: "Younes? What's wrong?"
Younes: "Go with them… I need to check something."
She hesitated, then nodded and ran ahead.
At the front gate, chaos reigned.
Guards fought desperately against a small group of cloaked attackers, each surrounded by a dark, pulsing aura that devoured the light.
Eliot: "What should we do?"
Ethan: (clenching his fists) "What do you think? We fight."
A black energy orb flew toward them, exploding on impact.
Linya: "Then let's show them what we've learned!"
Energy flared — the battle began.
To be continued
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