Ch-3: A looming Shadow......

One evening, after their daily sword practice, Mirajane and Erza were approached by a shady figure cloaked in darkness, "Your Highnesses, I've heard your concerns regarding the prophecy of the cursed prince," the figure whispered, "I may have a way to protect your father and the kingdom."

Mirajane looked skeptical, while Erza's grip on her sword tightened. "Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded.

The figure emerged slightly from the shadows, revealing a hint of a wry smile. "I am but a humble servant of the kingdom, seeking to preserve its peace and prosperity. I have heard of your mother's... unique magic. I believe that with the right guidance and resources, you could find a way to protect your father and your people from the impending doom that Prince Karan represents."

Mirajane and Erza exchanged glances, the wheels of thought turning in their young minds. Mirajane spoke up first, her voice cautious yet hopeful. "What is this way you speak of? And what resources would we need to accomplish such a task?"

The shadowy figure stepped closer, the moonlight glinting off something metallic in their hand. "The resource I speak of is a rare artifact known as the 'Seal of Silence'. It can suppress and even negate the effects of a powerful curse, if used correctly. As for the guidance, I am more than capable of instructing you in the ancient rituals needed to wield it. But beware, this is no ordinary task. It requires pure intentions and a strong bond between siblings."

Erza's eyes narrowed. "What do we have to do?"

The shadowy figure leaned in even closer, dropping their voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You must first find the Seal of Silence. It's hidden in the ancient library of the Great Sage Ahir, located deep within the Whispering Woods. The journey is perilous, but I believe you are both strong enough to retrieve it. With it, you can protect your father and the kingdom."

Mirajane's bright eyes searched the masked face, trying to gauge the stranger's sincerity. "But what of the bond you mentioned? How will that help us?"

The figure chuckled lowly. "Ah, you see, the Seal of Silence requires the unshakeable bond of siblings to activate its full potential. The love and trust you share with each other is the key to its power. Without it, the seal will be as useful as a pebble thrown at a dragon."

Erza considered the proposal. "If we do this, we must keep it a secret from our father and the Queen. We can't risk them stopping us. This is for their own good, and for the kingdom."

Mirajane nodded solemnly, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on her heart. "But what if we're wrong about the prophecy?" she murmured, her voice laced with doubt.

The figure remained unfazed. "Your mother's dying wish was for her daughters to protect the kingdom, was it not? This is your chance to honor her memory and ensure her sacrifice wasn't in vain."

The twins looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination. They had heard whispers of the prophecy and the dark look in the bishop's eyes when he spoke of their brother. They had seen the fear in the people's faces and the way the nobles whispered about the curse. They had felt the weight of their mother's loss and the burden of their new family. They made their decision.

"We'll do it," Erza said firmly. "We'll find this Seal of Silence and save our father and the kingdom."

Mirajane nodded in agreement, her smile replaced by a look of steely resolve. "We'll get through this together, Erza. Like always."

The shadowy figure handed them a parchment with a map drawn in an eerie blue ink, the lines seeming to pulse with an unseen energy. "Here is the path to the Great Sage Ahir's library. The Seal of Silence is guarded by ancient spirits, so be prepared to face trials that will test your bond and your worthiness."

The twins took the map and studied it under the moonlight, the gravity of their decision settling in. Mirajane spoke up, her voice quivering slightly, "We will do our best to retrieve the Seal and save our father's kingdom." Erza nodded firmly, her grip tightening around the handle of her sword.

With the map in hand, Mirajane and Erza set out on their quest, the whispers of the shady figure echoing in their minds. They traveled through the night, the stars above them guiding their way. As dawn approached, they reached the outskirts of the Whispering Woods. The trees loomed tall and ancient, their branches intertwined like the whispers of secrets that had been carried for centuries.

The twins looked at each other, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Are you ready, Mira?" Erza asked, her hand resting on the pommel of her sword.

Mirajane took a deep breath, clutching the map tightly in her hand. "As ready as I'll ever be, Erza. We'll do this together."

They ventured into the Whispering Woods, their footsteps muffled by the dense carpet of leaves beneath their boots. The forest was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the distant calls of nocturnal creatures and the occasional rustle of branches. The air grew colder, the shadows deeper, and the whispers grew louder as they progressed. The twins could feel the ancient magic that suffused the woods, a presence that seemed to watch them, judge them, as they sought the hidden library.

The map led them through winding paths and across babbling brooks, each step taking them closer to their goal. The trials began almost immediately, as they encountered the first spirit guardian—a spectral wolf with eyes that burned like blue flames. It snarled at their approach, baring teeth that gleamed in the early morning light. Erza stepped forward, her hand on her sword. "We mean no harm," she called out, her voice steady.

Mirajane held up her hand, a gentle smile on her lips. "We're here for the Seal of Silence," she said softly. "We wish to protect our father's kingdom."

The spectral wolf tilted its head, the fire in its eyes flickering with curiosity. It circled the twins, sniffing the air around them before it spoke in a ghostly howl that seemed to resonate through the very fabric of the woods. "You bear the scent of the Wolford line, yet you carry fear and doubt. Show me your bond, and I shall grant you passage."

Mirajane looked to Erza, her heart racing. They had never been so close to an ancient spirit before. Erza stepped forward, her sword unsheathed but held loosely by her side. "We have always been there for each other," she said, her voice firm. "Our bond is unbreakable, as strong as the steel of our swords."

Mirajane nodded, taking a step towards the wolf. "We are twins, born of the same mother's love. We share her strength, her wisdom, and her will to protect."