Chapter 15: A Rescue Plan

The wind howled over the rolling green hills as Lito spurred his horse faster.

The kingdom of Eden rose ahead, its towering gates bathed in the soft morning light.

The newly built waterwheels churned gently by the riverside, and the streets beyond the walls shimmered with the golden glow of the light artifacts.

It was a scene of hope, of peace.

And yet, Lito's heart was heavy.

He had seen what waited beyond Eden's borders.

And he knew that peace was fragile.

He urged his horse forward, galloping down the cobblestone road toward the castle at the heart of the city.

The citizens turned, waving and cheering as they saw their young king return.

But Lito barely noticed.

He had no time to celebrate.

The real battle was only beginning.

---

Inside the castle, the Guardians were already waiting.

Luna, Yune, Nia, Gark, Luminos, and Truth stood gathered around the round table in the council chamber.

Their faces were tense, worried.

When Lito entered, cloaked in travel dust, their expressions turned to relief—and then sharpened in concern when they saw the grave look in his eyes.

"Lito!" Luna cried, rushing toward him. "You're safe!"

He offered her a tired smile, touching her hand briefly in reassurance.

"I made it back," he said. "But there's much we must discuss."

Without waiting, he strode to the center of the room.

The Guardians closed in, their eyes never leaving him.

"Tell us everything," Yune said firmly, her arms crossed, her green eyes serious.

Lito nodded grimly.

"I entered Grandtenia in secret," he began. "The kingdom is in turmoil. Their king—King Albrecht—is gravely ill. Bedridden, unable to govern."

Gasps echoed around the table.

"And without his leadership," Lito continued, "the nobles are tearing the kingdom apart. There are factions fighting for control.

Some seek only to enrich themselves. Others prepare for war."

Nia clenched her fists.

"That's why they attacked Blackroot," she said, anger burning in her voice. "They want to steal resources, take land!"

Lito nodded.

"Yes. And worse—" He hesitated, his throat tightening.

"I discovered something else."

The room fell silent.

He took a deep breath.

"In the heart of Grandtenia, hidden from the nobles' feasts and battles, are the forgotten—the abandoned children of the city.

Orphans, left to starve in the streets.

And among them, a protector… a girl named Wufia."

He spoke then of the black-cloaked wolf girl.

Of her fierce courage.

Of the way she shielded dozens of children in an old ruin beneath the city.

Of her kindness and the glimmer of hope she still carried.

Truth wiped at her eyes quietly, while Luminos bowed his head in sorrow.

Even Gark, fierce as he was, growled low in his throat.

"Children," he muttered. "Left to rot… disgraceful."

Yune's voice trembled with emotion.

"What do you want to do, Lito?" she asked.

He looked at them all, each in turn.

"I made Wufia a promise," he said.

"That I would not forget them. That Eden would not turn a blind eye."

He clenched his fist over his heart.

"I want to rescue them," he said. "Wufia and the orphans. I want to bring them here—to Eden—where they can live safely, freely."

The room was silent for a heartbeat.

Then Luna stepped forward, her silver hair shining like moonlight.

"You have my full support," she said softly.

"And my magic."

Yune nodded, her bow slung across her back.

"I'll fight for them."

"I'll burn down any walls they hide behind!" Nia declared fiercely, fire flickering in her eyes.

"I will protect the children," Luminos said quietly, his voice steady.

Gark slammed his fist into his palm, a wicked grin splitting his face.

"Let's smash some nobles."

Finally, Truth, shy and quiet as ever, raised her small hand.

"I… I'll build anything we need to bring them home," she whispered.

Lito felt a rush of warmth surge through him.

This was why Eden thrived.

Not because of walls or weapons.

But because of hearts like these.

---

They spent the next hours planning.

Lito drew maps of Grandtenia's layout from memory.

He marked the safe paths, the hidden tunnels Wufia had shown him.

"We can't march an army," Lito said. "That would provoke a war."

Luna agreed. "We need stealth. Speed."

"A small team," Yune said. "Just enough to move quickly—and protect the children."

Nia leaned over the map, tapping it with her finger.

"We'll need a diversion at the gates to get out unnoticed."

"I can create a light illusion," Truth offered, her voice gaining confidence. "Something bright enough to distract the guards."

"And I can summon mist to cover our escape," Luminos added thoughtfully.

Plans formed rapidly—routes, signals, fallback points.

They worked like the family they had become, their skills blending seamlessly.

---

As dusk fell over Eden, Lito stood at the highest balcony of the castle, gazing out over the sparkling lights of his kingdom.

He held the simple light ring Wufia had accepted from him, feeling its soft warmth against his palm.

A promise.

Not just to her—but to himself.

To protect the innocent.

To be a king not of conquest, but of compassion.

Luna joined him quietly, slipping her hand into his.

"You're doing the right thing," she said gently.

He smiled at her.

"I hope so."

She rested her head against his shoulder.

"You are," she whispered. "You always have been."

They stood together in the growing twilight, the stars beginning to scatter across the sky.

Tomorrow, they would ride into danger once more.

Not for power.

Not for pride.

But for the forgotten children of a broken kingdom.

And for the dream that Eden could be more—a beacon of hope in a darkening world.

To Be Continue....