Intruders

[The palace of Wallachia]

Alison's frustration and desperation mounted as her attempts to call upon the shadows yielded no results. Her once-potent powers seemed to have been drained or blocked by an invisible force, leaving her in a state of helplessness and anger. In her emotional turmoil, she hurled a nearby vase to the ground, the sound of shattering porcelain echoing through the room.

"Damn it!" Alison's voice reverberated with frustration; her words were a testament to her growing desperation. She paced back and forth, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the sudden loss of her abilities.

Ino, who had been silently observing the queen's turmoil, remained nearby, her gaze lowered in deference to her ruler. She understood the gravity of the situation and the queen's distress, yet she found herself at a loss for words to comfort her.