After Dark

The revelation of the Crimson Flower lingered in the room like an unspoken truth waiting to be unraveled. Everyone's eyes were on King Snow, who sat propped against his pillows, his once-powerful frame weakened by illness. 

Xander leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "You say it's a myth, Your Majesty, but if our enemies are searching for it, then they must believe it's real." 

Beside him, Emeney nodded. "Why would they think we have it?" 

The King exhaled, his fingers drumming weakly against the silk sheets. "We don't know. What little we've gathered about the Crimson Flower is centuries old, faded records, scattered mentions in ancient texts" 

"A legendary artifact" The King's Advisor mused, stroking his beard. "Something powerful enough to elevate a mere C-Class mage to an S-Class…if it truly exists" 

Rayne, who had been leaning against the far wall, remained quiet. His arms were crossed, and his face unreadable. Unlike the others, he did not seem surprised, only intrigued and curious for the information. 

Only the King noticed this, staring unnoticeable at him. The King narrowed his eyes at Rayne but chose not to press the matter. Instead, he continued, "It is said the flower can grant a second awakening to a mage, unlocking power beyond their natural limit" 

"A second awakening…" Xander echoed. "That would explain why they're after it" 

Emeney frowned. "If no one has ever seen it, how do we even know it's real?" 

"We don't" The King admitted. "But that hasn't stopped people from searching for it. Many have died chasing this legend" 

Xander clenched his jaw. "And now we're at the center of this hunt" 

The Advisor folded his arms. "If the Dark Mages are willing to attack Arcania over this, it means they think we have something that leads to it"

Rayne finally spoke. "Then the question isn't just why they think that…" He tilted his head slightly, his voice calm yet sharp. "…but what they know that we don't"

Silence followed. 

Emeney's mind raced. The Dark Mages must have a lead, something that convinced them Arcania held the key. If they were right, then the kingdom was in more danger than they realized. 

King Snow coughed lightly, breaking the silence. His exhaustion was evident, his breathing more labored than before. Seeing this, Emeney straightened. "We should let you rest, Father." She turned to the others. "We need to focus on securing the palace, and handling the damage done to the city" 

Xander stood immediately. "Agreed. We need to strengthen our defenses before they strike again" 

Rayne gave a small, unreadable smile. "Good idea. Wouldn't want another ambush while we're distracted" 

Emeney cast him a glance, but before she could say anything, the King spoke again. 

"Emeney" 

She turned back to him. His weak hand reached for hers, and she grasped it gently. 

"Be careful" He whispered. "There are forces at play here that we do not yet understand" 

She nodded. "I will" 

The King gave a faint smile before closing his eyes, his strength spent. 

With that, Emeney, Xander, Rayne, and the Advisor exited the King's quarters, the weight of the Crimson Flower's mystery pressing down on them. 

Whatever the Dark Mages were searching for, they had only just begun to uncover the truth. 

As the heavy doors to the King's quarters shut behind them, Princess Emeney exhaled, shaking off the emotions weighing on her. There was no time to dwell, Arcania needed her. She turned sharply to Rayne, her gaze firm. "You're with the King's Guards now. Report to Commander Dion, he'll give you your orders" 

Rayne arched a brow, his usual smirk appearing. "Sending me off already, Princess?" 

Emeney narrowed her eyes. "We all have roles to play. Xander and I will be handling the people and damages inside and outside the castle. You'll be with the physically strongest guards. I assume that won't be a problem?" 

Rayne shrugged lazily. "Not at all" But there was something in his eyes, something unreadable, as if he already knew more than he was letting on. 

Xander, standing beside Emeney, crossed his arms. "Just follow orders, B-Class" His voice was laced with irritation. 

Rayne barely spared him a glance before turning on his heel. "Of course" 

With that, he strode away, disappearing down the hall to join the other King's Guards. Emeney rolled her shoulders, preparing herself for the long night ahead. She looked at Xander, determination settling in her eyes. "Let's go" 

Xander nodded. "We have a lot of work to do" 

Without another word, the two of them made their way through the castle, ready to face the aftermath of the attack.

***

The palace was finally quiet and calm, but the air still and thick with the weight of exhaustion from the long, grueling day. Inside Princess Emeney's chamber, the only sound was her steady breathing as she lay on her bed, deep in sleep. She had fallen asleep quite easily after being exhausted from the events leading up to that moment. She hadn't had real time to rest until now. They had managed to help and sort things out just before midnight. And now she was finally asleep. The flickering candlelight from the far corner of the room cast faint shadows along the walls, but none as dark as the one that suddenly materialized. 

A hooded figure phased through the wall, its form shifting like liquid darkness. Cloaked in swirling smoke as it crossed in through the wall, and then his figure solidified again into that of a cloaked man. It's presence was unnatural. He made no sound as it walked stealthily toward the bed, its unseen eyes locked onto the sleeping princess. 

The moment he reached her bedside, the air around it grew colder. A whisper of dark energy crackled as a blackened blade of pure magic materialized in its grip. The sword pulsed with an eerie glow, a weapon crafted for one purposeto end a life. 

The figure raised the blade high above Emeney, its movements deliberate and void of hesitation. Then, in one swift motion, it struck downward.