Declaration of War

"It's the Monster Elitists. They seem to have been wiped out."

Princess Kayla staggered back and put her hand over her mouth as she choked out, "Aunty Vex, is she…?"

The guard shook his head, which caused Princess Kayla to almost faint, but the guard quickly clarified.

"We don't know if she's dead or not; her house has been burned down, and her life spark has vanished. But that doesn't necessarily mean she's dead. She-"

"That's why we must find her as soon as possible, to make sure she's safe of course." The Crown Prince, Matros, interjected.

Enzo stared at the Crown Prince with undisguised hatred, which was bared teeth in his small dragon form.

Matros didn't even glance at Enzo. He smiled sadly at his sister, Kayla, and hugged her.

Enzzo wasn't surprised that Matros was trying to comfort Kayla. By the way Matros acted, he knew he was trying to brainwash or somehow control Kayla.

He knew the attack on the Beast Elitists had to be the Crown Prince. This hadn't happened in his previous life, so this must be due to the quest Madame Vex had issued Enzo.

Thinking, he pulled up the quest, seeing it was still active.

'That means Madame Vex is still alive. Good, I would hate to lose such a good quest.'

Enzo padded along silently behind Princess Kayla and Prince Matros as they made their way through the ruins of the upper district. The guards seemed to suspiciously fall silent at the Crown Prince's appearance and simply let them pass.

The acrid smell of smoke and ash hung heavy in the air, and debris crunched beneath their feet with each step.

Princess Kayla's eyes were red-rimmed from crying, her hands trembling as she clung to her brother's arm. Prince Matros maintained a stoic expression, but Enzo caught the slight twitch of his lips, a hint of satisfaction poorly concealed.

"It's horrible," Kayla whispered, her voice breaking. "Who could have done this?"

Matros patted her hand. "We'll find out, dear sister. And we'll make them pay."

Enzo growled low in his throat, earning a sharp look from the prince. He knew exactly who was responsible, but even if his dragon blood was screaming at him to act, he wasn't suicidal.

Honestly, this was already pushing it, as this might attract Matros's ire.

As they rounded a corner, Enzo's keen dragon senses picked up on something. A faint scent, familiar and distinct, wafted from the ruins of what had once been an ornate townhouse. He recognized it as Madame Vex's perfume.

While the royal siblings continued down the main street, Enzo slipped away unnoticed. He scampered through the charred remains of the building, following the scent trail. In a back room, mostly untouched by the flames, he found a small writing desk.

Enzo's claws clicked against the wood as he searched the drawers. In the bottom one, he discovered a folded piece of parchment. As he unfolded it with his talons, his eyes widened.

The message was written in a code he recognized.

"Little beast, if you're reading this, I'm in hiding. Find me where the clock strikes twelve, and girls are aplenty. – V"

Enzo's mind raced. The Midnight Spa was a high-end establishment in the lower district known for its luxurious treatments and discretion. He remembered revealing to Madame Vex that he knew she was the Mistress of the establishment.

A shout from outside startled him. "Clarence! Where are you?"

Princess Kayla's voice. Enzo quickly destroyed the note with a snort of void energy. He darted out of the ruined house just as Kayla rounded the corner.

"There you are!" She tried to scoop him up and cradle him against her chest but failed. "Holy system! How could you be so heavy! Lay off the potato chips, kid!"

Enzo snorted and walked with Princess Kayla back to where Prince Matros waited, his expression dark.

"We should return to the palace," Matros said. "It's not safe out here, and we need to strategize our next move."

As they made their way back, Enzo's mind whirled with plans. He needed to find a way to slip away and get to the Midnight Spa. Madame Vex was waiting for him there, hidden in plain sight as Mistress Vex, the head of the establishment.

He glanced up at Prince Matros, noting the calculating look in his eyes.

"I'll leave you here, sister. I have business to attend to." Matros left Kayla, Enzo, and Jenna at the palace's gates. Before he left, he signaled to the guards to follow him.

Watching Matros leave with the guards, Enzo knew that his next step was to visit Madame Vex and then grind his way to Tier-2 before the Tournament of the Searing Flames.

Enzo waited until nightfall before making his move. The palace halls were quiet; most of the staff and residents were asleep. He slipped out of Princess Kayla's chambers, his small dragon form allowing him to move silently through the shadows.

Once outside, Enzo transformed into his human form and made his way through the city streets. The lower district was still bustling with activity, even at this late hour. He navigated the winding alleys until he reached the Midnight Spa.

The building was elegant, with soft light spilling from its windows. Enzo approached the entrance, where a stern-looking woman stood guard.

"I'm here to see the Mistress," Enzo said, his voice low.

The woman eyed him suspiciously. "Do you have an appointment?"

Enzo leaned in closer. "Tell her the little beast is here."

Her eyes widened slightly, and she nodded. "Wait here."

A few moments later, the guard returned and ushered Enzo inside. She led him through a maze of corridors until they reached a hidden door.

"Enter," a familiar voice called from within.

Enzo stepped into a luxurious office. Madame Vex, or rather Mistress Vex in this setting, sat behind a large desk. She looked as elegant as ever, though there was a weariness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Ah, my clever little beast. I knew you'd figure it out." She gestured for him to sit.

Enzo took a seat across from her. "What's going on, Madame Vex? The attack on the Monster Elitists-"

"Is just the beginning," she interrupted, her expression grim. "We're at war, young one. The Monster Elitists are in an all-out conflict with the Alveron Kingdom."

Enzo leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "With the Crown Prince, you mean."

Madame Vex raised her eyebrows. "He is the Kingdom. Prince Matros has been consolidating power for years, eliminating anyone he sees as a threat. This has made him the center of power, even more influential than the King. The Monster Elitists have long been a thorn in his side, advocating for the rights of magical creatures and beasts."

"Did he find out about me and the quest?" Enzo asked.

"Yes." Madame Vex nodded somomly. "He's put a bounty on your head."

Enzo snarled. "I think you're right, Mistress Vex."

"This is war."