EUGENE
"ARE YOU SURE THIS IS GOING TO WORK?" Arthur questioned queerly.
"Shut up, Arthur," Eugene mumbled as he waved his hand over one of her shawls.
"If it is a strand of hair you need, I have several—" Artizea cut in.
Eugene toned out the world in focus. He was searching for something specific, for it is sometimes what the human cannot see, nor what the human hand was not meant to touch, and something about uncovering it anyway, that is most… fascinating. "Aha—" he exclaimed upon finding the scent.
"I'm not sure I like the sound of you happy…" Arthur said softly.
Eugene rolled his eyes.
"Guard the palace gates—" Artizea commanded Sir James. "No one leaves without proper identification."
"The gardens and stables, especially," Arthur added.
The knightguards bowed and dispersed.
Eugene tossed a satchel around his neck, "She never came to the stables," he reported.
Arthur blinked, "How can you—"
"Stolas is not missing, which means she left on foot."
Arthur shook it off. "The outer corridors—"
"Clear as well."
Arthur threw up his hands. "Okay, what the fuck, is happening right now?"
Eugene's brow furrowed. "Whatever she's doing, she's far from here. I have a scent."
"What does that mean?" Artizea asked in genuine interest.
"…It is not an actual scent one can breathe in; it is tied to one's soul radiation, though the wind can change it all the same."
Artizea's jaw tightened. "Then we widen the search." She patted the neck of her black mare, then turned to Arthur. "I know I said not to jump to conclusions, but… what if someone took her?"
"Then gods help them," Arthur grunted as he swung himself onto his horse, fury sharpening his movements. With a click of his tongue, he spurred the beast forward. Artizea followed closely, and together they slipped through a side gate, avoiding the eyes of the knightguards loyal to their parents.
Hours passed while the siblings scoured the woods, calling Elaine's name in hushed tones. Eugene raised a hand to stop them.
"She's nearby," he asked, his voice low.
Artizea and Arthur inhaled, following their brother's lead, and they came across a clearing where a small campfire flickered.
Arthur dismounted first, scanning the area. "Elaine?" he called softly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Arthur?"
Elaine stepped into the firelight, her dress torn and her face streaked with dirt. Relief washed over her siblings, but it quickly turned to anger.
"What in God's name were you thinking?" Artizea demanded, striding forward.
Elaine looked down, guilt flashing across her face. "I… thought I heard someone calling me."
Arthur's fists clenched, "As soon as we get back home, I swear on mother's roses, you are so grounded—" he was cut off by Eugene's raised hand, signaling for calm.
"Sh—" Eugene said, "I hear something," taking a whiff of the area, his eyes widened.
"What is it?' Artizea asked.
Eugene shot a worried glance at her, unable to find the right words.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the ruins, carrying with it an ominous hum. The once-familiar woods were now shrouded in an eerie glow, celestial magic weaving through the air like predatory tendrils.
Artizea could feel the oppressive weight of it pressing against her chest, each breath harder to draw than the last.
Arthur's expression instantly tensed. "Everyone, saddle up!"
They did as told.
Arthur swung Elaine onto his horse before vaulting up behind her.
"I never thought I would say this," he muttered, "but Eugene… I permit thee to nerd out."
Eugene's eyes darted to the shadows, "Whatever it is, it can hear our heartbeats through heat manipulation." his voice dropped low, "I do not know why it did not sense Elaine, but it can definitely sense us, and now that there are four of us, our heat signatures must be through the roof—"
Arthur scowled. "I change my mind, summarize!"
"— We need to go, now!"
The siblings stilled as another bone-deep screech rattled through the trees, louder this time.
"What is the probability of survival?'
"8%" Eugene said calmly.
"I can work with that," Arthur, gripping his reins, called out, "Anyone remember the tag game?"
Artizea shot him a glare. "Does this look like the time to play tag?"
Then a gut-wrenching howl surrounded the area, too menacing to be a wolf and too loud not to be —a burst of fog marinated through the trees beside them. Their horses reared in fear. She turned sharply, scanning the shadows that moved like predators circling their prey.
Arthur cursed under his breath. "We need to split up."
She whipped her head toward him. "We stay together!"
His eyes met hers, but the shadow turned its attention toward them, its form elongating with a terrifying screech. "Just trust me!" He shouted back. "On my mark, I will tag you, then you tag Eugene. We confuse it by switching targets. Keep it moving!
"Arthur—" she yelled.
"Not yet!" he barked, while securing Elaine.
The fog around them clogged the area as a beastly bear three times its size it should be charged at them.
Artizea's heart pounded. "Arthur!"
"Not yet!"
The bear roared, its form twisting into something almost humanoid but brimming with raw, unbridled energy. It leaped forward, and Artizea screamed, "ARTHUR!"
"NOW!"
At his command, they split. Arthur and Elaine veered left, while Artizea and Eugene darted right. The bear roared again, torn between targets. Its claws raked the earth as it shifted its focus, energy crackling in its wake.
Eugene's eyes shot open. This was no ordinary bear…
Arthur urged his horse forward, narrowly dodging one of the entity's lashing tendrils. He leaned across his saddle and slapped Artizea's arm. "Tag! You're it!"
Artizea urged her horse forward, her mind racing as the sounds of pursuit echoed behind them. She zig-zagged through the trees, evading the shadow's attacks with serpentine precision, then leaned low to tag Eugene. Eugene swiftly caught the rhythm, veering off and leading the monster away before doubling back and tagging Arthur. The siblings' synchronized movements, honed from years of training and sibling rivalry, made them unpredictable, just as Arthur said.
Artizea shouted over the chaos, "This better work, Arthur!"
"We will make it—" he promised.
Eugene clutched her waist tightly, his voice barely audible over the chaos. "I can create a barrier, but it will not hold long!"
"Do it!" Artizea shouted; she did not waste the chance, urging her horse faster through the dense forest.
On the left path, Arthur kept glancing between the path and back at Elaine. "Hold on tight!"
"I'm sorry," Elaine whispered inaudibly.
Artizea spun her horse sharply, drawing the monster's gaze one last time. With a daring maneuver, "Now Eugene!" She baited it forward, just long enough for Eugene to then raise his free hand, golden light flowing from his fingers while a shimmering dome formed behind them, momentarily halting the creature. The creature recoiled with a guttural hiss. Eugene's brow furrowed. For a moment, he swore he could hear something almost human. A demon? Then, as quickly as it had come, it retreated into the shadows.
Arthur steered his horse alongside hers for a brief moment upon nearing the gates. "Almost there!" he shouted, spurring his horse toward the open gate.
Eugene skidded his horse to a halt and slapped Arthur on the back. "Tag! You're it!" he called with a smirk before darting inside the city walls, urging his horse into a narrow ravine, the others close on his heels, the pounding of hooves echoing against the pavement.
In the safety of the palace walls, Artizea slid off her horse, panting. "Tag? Really?"
Arthur dismounted and grinned, "It worked, did it not?" he shrugged
Eugene shook his head. "If you were not my brother, I would call you insane."
"What can I say? Odds are my thing," he smiled widely.
"Next time, I am coming up with the plan," Artizea muttered,
Arthur gave her a playful nudge. "Be my royal guest, but can it top that?"
She rolled her eyes but allowed herself a small smile.
"Everyone in one piece?" Arthur asked, his sword still drawn.
"For now," Artizea replied, her voice sharp with adrenaline.
Elaine had been quiet.
Arthur rushed to her, sheathing his sword, his breathing heavy.
"Wait, brother—I know I messed up and I'm sorry, but please don't—"
Arthur pulled her into a hug before she could finish, holding her so tightly she squeaked. Artizea joined in, brushing a damp strand of hair from Elaine's face.
"Elaine, what happened?" Artizea said softly, her tone firm but gentle.
Elaine sniffled, voice trembling. "I… I have this friend."
Arthur's head snapped up. "A boy?!"
"We are just friends! I swear on mother's roses! Please, please—do not tell Father."
Arthur groaned, he already feeling another gray hair coming in. he dropped onto the floor in defeat.
Artizea's mind raced. Relief flooded her that Elaine had not been targeted directly—but something about the ambush gnawed at her. Something was not right.
Eugene, of course, chose that moment to chime in. "I'm getting a sense this is tied to demonic origins—"
Artizea rose sharply, cutting her gaze to Arthur, still brooding on the floor. "We cannot tell Mother and Father."
Arthur frowned. "You have got to be kidding me. You're kidding me, right? This is exactly the kind of thing they need to know!"
"But—" Elaine butted in
"Mmhmmhmm—" Arthur closed his eyes, "Thin ice… very thin ice."
"Father will see this as a personal attack on his sovereignty, regardless of what we tell him," Artizea pressed.
"Worse," Arthur's jaw hardened. "It is a personal attack on the kingdom and on his children."
"Which is exactly why Mother will take up Excalibur again without hesitation," Artizea added.
That made Arthur go silent. He breathed in, then out, resting his hand, tightening around the hilt of his sword, shifting his gaze from her and Elaine. "So, what is the plan? Pretend nothing happened?" he asked.
"No," Artizea said firmly. "We investigate. Quietly." We cannot risk escalating this into a war until we know who we are dealing with." She said.
Elaine clung to Artizea's arm.
Arthur sighed, his jaw tight with frustration. "Fine. But if this spirals out of control, I cannot protect you this time, Tizea."
Artizea nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then let us make sure it does not."
Arthur studied her, then finally nodded. "You are going to the healers. They will test if you are being deceived. If not, I will tell Father myself. Am I clear?"
Elaine nodded.
"And I want to meet this… friend," Arthur added in disgust.
"I do not think you can…"
"The hell not—"
She hesitated. "Because…" she paused. "I have not seen him in months. When I thought it was him, I—I was not thinking."
Artizea's eyes met Arthur's, a silent agreement passing between them."I am sure Arthur will take you to search under supervision."
"Does Arthur have a say!" Arthur exclaimed.
"No, Arthur does not—" She commanded. "Eugene, you're with me."
"Really?" Eugene shot up in surprise.
Arthur groaned in acceptance, guiding Elaine toward the palace. When he passed Eugene, he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Looks like someone has been dipping into the genie pool."
"Gene…" Eugene attempted to say, exhaling through his nose, "whatever."
Arthur chuckled, "Good work out there. Be safe," he added with a rare softness.
"I will…" Eugene said hesitantly, showing away his elder brother's hand.
Arthur chukled, his grip tightened briefly before he stepped away.
Artizea watched them go, then turned to Eugene, "Ready, Little Brother?"
"Ready," he replied.