CHAPTER 66: THE SIX BLADES WHO PROTECTS

[Scene: Empire's Northern Town Exit]

Tracey and Dawn stood under the looming town gate, growing restless as the minutes dragged on.

TRACEY (frowning): "She said she'd meet us here... What's taking her so long?"

Just then, Imperial arrived, walking briskly toward them with urgency written all over his face.

IMPERIAL: "She's not in the market."

DAWN (alarmed): "What? But she left way earlier than us! We've been waiting here for ages… And now you're saying she's not there either?"

TRACEY: "So where the hell is she then? Don't tell me she got lost?"

Imperial didn't respond immediately. His eyes narrowed as something clicked in his mind.

IMPERIAL (muttering): "Maybe... I can find her with that."

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused. The hum of magic resonated faintly around him as his senses extended outward. A spark of light flared in his mind—faint, but definitely her.

His eyes snapped open.

IMPERIAL (urgently): "Tracey! Summon the traveling beasts—NOW!"

Without hesitation, Tracey raised his hand and summoned two massive beasts, sturdy and swift, perfect for long-distance pursuit.

Imperial leapt onto one of the creatures, already pointing north.

IMPERIAL: "Fast, buddy. As fast as you can go!"

DAWN (climbing up behind): "Imperial! What's going on? Talk to us!"

TRACEY (concerned): "Yeah, what are we doing? Shouldn't we wait for Ari a little longer?"

IMPERIAL (serious): "No time. She's not in the town anymore. She's moving north… near the northern port."

DAWN (shocked): "The northern port? But… that's a restricted area."

TRACEY: "What?! A port?"

DAWN (explaining): "There are two ports in this empire. The southern port is for commoners and tourists. But the northern port—it's used only by the royal army and high-ranking merchants. No one else is even allowed near it."

TRACEY (confused): "Why would Ari go there? If she needed supplies that badly, she would've told us. She wouldn't go alone."

IMPERIAL (grimly): "She's not going alone. She's been taken."

TRACEY (wide-eyed): "Taken? You're saying... she was kidnapped?!"

DAWN (quietly): "It makes sense… She wouldn't just vanish without telling us. And if someone's trying to sneak her out of the empire, that port would be the perfect way."

TRACEY: "Imperial, how far are they from us?"

IMPERIAL: "If we push harder and increase our speed, we can catch up. But if they keep up a fast pace… they'll reach the port by sundown."

DAWN: "Then we ride like hell."

The rain began to pour, cold and hard, but it didn't slow them down. They raced through muddy paths, pushing the beasts to their limits, the urgency of their mission burning hotter than any storm.

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[Scene Shift – Inside the Covered Cart]

Ari lay unconscious, her body swaying slightly with every bump on the road. Outside, the rain battered the canopy.

Inside the cart, a few cloaked individuals sat, whispering among themselves.

ROGUE #1 (curious): "So… this is Ari Hale. The youngest member of the Bladehex."

ROGUE #2 (skeptical): "She doesn't look like much. Are we sure she's really that strong?"

CAPTAIN (the one who cast the spell): "Don't underestimate her. The Bladehex aren't ordinary warriors. If she were conscious, you'd be dead before you blink."

The cart swayed again as thunder cracked overhead. Rain poured in sheets now, making the road slippery and dangerous.

DRIVER (nervously): "Captain, it's getting worse. We can't keep moving like this. The roads are too muddy, and the ship isn't sailing in this weather. We need to stop."

The captain growled, eyes sharp with tension.

CAPTAIN: "We don't have time. The only safe place for us right now is the ship. Do you have any idea who's following us?"

ROGUE #3 (female): "What are you talking about?"

VICE-CAPTAIN (tense): "The captain's right. There's someone powerful behind us. I can feel it... strong magic, getting closer every second."

ROGUE #1 (grinning): "Then let us fight! We'll finish them off right here."

CAPTAIN: "This isn't just about fighting. Our mission is to deliver this girl to our empire. That takes priority. Do you understand?"

The others nodded reluctantly, tightening their grips on their weapons as they continued pushing forward through the storm.

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[Flashback: Years Ago – The Bladehex Academy Grounds]

A younger Ari—bright-eyed, determined, and full of fire—stood in the training arena, golden hair slicked back with sweat, a wooden training blade gripped tightly in her hands.

Around her were other children her age, all practicing sword forms under the watchful eye of their instructor.

INSTRUCTOR (loudly): "Alright, take your seats!"

The children sat on either side of a small dueling arena. Soldiers stood nearby, watching silently as a woman arrived, escorted by guards.

INSTRUCTOR (bowing): "Welcome, Lady."

Lady nodded and took a seat. Then, one by one, children were called to the arena to spar in front of her.

After several duels, that Lady Wispered something to the instructor.

INSTRUCTOR (calling out): "Ari Hale! Aden !"

The golden-haired girl stood. Across from her, a boy with white hair walked calmly into the ring. The two bowed.

MATCH BEGINS.

Within seconds, Ari launched forward, a blur of motion. One swift strike—thwack!—and the boy was down.

The audience of children gasped, and then erupted in cheers.

That Lady stood, clearly impressed. She whispered something to her guard and then left the arena.

Later that day, as the children returned home, Ari walked into a massive estate—almost royal in appearance.

ARI: "I'm home, Mom! Dad!"

She passed through the grand halls to a garden where a man stood, waiting.

ARI (bowing): "Greetings, Master."

SWORDMASTER ALEX: "Welcome back, Ari."

They began training together, refining her stances, strikes, and magical movements. Hours passed before he finally stepped back.

ALEX: "It's getting late. I'll head home."

ARI (smiling): "Thank you, Master."

As he left, he was stopped by a well-dressed couple—Lord Zech and Lady Kira.

ZECH: "How is she progressing, Sir Alex?"

ALEX: "Ah, greetings, Lord Zech, Lady Kira. Ari is... a prodigy. And now that we've confirmed she can use light magic as well... there's no doubt. She's destined to be the Light Blade of the Bladehex."

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[Back to Present – In the Cart]

The captain stared at Ari's unconscious form, her peaceful face unaffected by the chaos around them.

CAPTAIN (to himself): "So this is the girl... the prodigy of Bladehex. But why is she so important? Why now?"

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the cart for a brief second.

And somewhere not too far behind—Imperial and the others were closing in.