Episode 3

It was a beautiful Thursday morning in Asteria. The sky above the kingdom glowed in a clear blue haze, birds chirped joyfully across the gardens, and the cobbled streets bustled with life. Traders shouting, children giggling, guards marching with polished armor. Asteria, in all its glory shined beautifully .

But within the palace walls of Asteria, the calm morning was shattered like glass.

A high-pitched scream rang through the corridors of the royal kitchen.

“Lily! What have you done?!” Nina, one of the senior maids, shouted in horror.

Kiara currently disguised as ‘Lily’, a maid stood amid a wreckage caused by her. The kitchen looked like a battlefield: pots overturned, flour clouds rising into the air, vegetables rolling on the floor and hanging on the walls, and somehow… a pot was lodged on the ceiling.

She blinked, tilting her head as if inspecting a crime scene."If I were back home", she thought with a scowl, "you wouldn’t even dare to raise your voice at me. They shouldn’t even blame me—I’m a warrior, not a cook".

Snapping out of her inner grumbling, Kiara tuned back in just as another maid wailed, “The royal family’s breakfast! It’s going to be late!”

“And worse,” someone groaned, “the queen is due to come in any moment how are we gonna clean this all mess.”

Rin, a petite and sharp-tongued maid, stepped forward, arms crossed. “Lily… are you okay? Have you suddenly forgotten how to cook or something?”.Kiara blinked, quickly slipping into character. “I think I… bumped my head?” she said with a weak smile. “Maybe I forgot? I don’t know…”

“Who forgets how to cook?!” Rin exclaimed, pulling at her apron. “You know what? I don’t care. From now on, you stay far, far, farrrrrr away from the kitchen, alright?”

Kiara nodded solemnly, hiding a grin. Gladly.

Just then, the doors creaked open and every maid fell silent. The queen had arrived.She entered slowly, wheeled in by her personal maid yes she uses a wheelchair, her soft lavender gown trailing behind. Queen Helen was a vision of quiet strength, her face looked calm yet marked with years of pain. Her eyes scanned the kitchen, and for a brief moment, Kiara saw something sadness.

“What happened here?” the queen asked, her voice gentle but firm.

All the maids bowed instantly. Kiara, caught off guard, hesitated until a nearby maid smacked the back of her head and hissed, “Bow!”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Kiara began, stepping forward nervously. “It was me. I—I was trying to help and… I messed up please forgive me your majesty. I’ll accept any punishment you give.”

The queen studied her for a long moment, then unexpectedly smiled.

“It’s alright,” she said softly. “Mistakes can be made. Plus I don't mind waiting for Breakfast, We can wait a little more.” As she asked them to rise as the all started there cleaning and cooking.

And just like that, she wheeled away, leaving a room full of happy maids behind.

Later that morning, Kiara and Rin were elbow-deep in soapy water, scrubbing dirty dishes. The scent of burnt dough, rice and spices still lingered.

Kiara glanced around, then leaned closer. “Hey… why does the queen seem so sad? And why do the king and his kids act like strangers? Did they have a fight, what exactly happened?”. During the two days she's been there the obvious distance between the royal family was extremely clear to her.

Rin froze, slowly setting a dish down. She stared at Kiara like she’d grown a second head. “Wait. Did you really lose your memory Or… were you spelled?”

Kiara let out an awkward laugh. “Of course not. I just—well, I told you I fell down and lost part of my memory,why is that hard to believe .”

Rin sighed deeply, glancing over her shoulder. “Or your pretending to forget, Alright… I’ll tell you. But don't say it out loud to others before you get your head chopped off.”

She dried her hands and began.

“Years ago, the king and queen got married not for love, but because their parents arranged it. Still, it looked like things were fine, especially when their first son, Prince Daniel, was born. He was bright, and intelligent… a perfect heir.”

Kiara listened quietly, eyes focused.

“But when the queen became pregnant again,with Prince Austine and that's when everything changed. The king accused her of cheating, claiming the baby wasn’t his. He wanted her gone, but his mother the former Queen refused. So the present queen stayed… but he made her life hell and also austine's .”

Kiara’s shocked but was glad to be entertained.

“Even little Daniel, just four at the time, tried to protect them. But he was too small and young. Years passed. Then one night, when Daniel was six and Austine was four… the queen and Austine were kidnapped by there enemies. The king didn’t lift a finger.”

Kiara a little annoyed. “He did nothing?”

“Nothing,” Rin said bitterly. “Until Daniel barefoot and heartbroken, snuck out of the palace to find his mother and brother. The king only acted then, thinking Daniel had been taken too.”

Kiara’s himmed carrying a slice of apple.

“Where the were captured,the queen managed to escape and searched for her son only to see him being used as a test subject for new poison ideas as she managed rescue him. But while fleeing, their enemies caught up. Right as the king’s guards appeared, one of the attackers shot the queen with a poisonous arrows on her body. And Austine? They threw him into a pit full of poisonous snakes, plants and beasts hoping if they couldn't succeed in killing all the family members, the can get reed of two.”

Kiara gasped. “Gods… am out of apple slices”,Rin just looked at her annoyed.

“ Little Daniel arrived just in time to see it. He blamed the king, screamed in rage anger consuming him. But then… Austine climbed out crying and calling for his brother and mother. He was alive,scarred and covered in bites and scratches. The guards rushed them to the palace for treatment.”

Rin’s voice dropped to a whisper now. “The royal doctor examined them and told the king that the queen had lost her ability to walk, and that it turned out someone had already been feeding him little poisons for long and with the mix of many venoms he got injected with in the pit had some how made him immune thanks to the help of his rare blood type. The king wasn't surprised as the Dr and healer had told him about austine's rare blood in the past which assured him that the queen had betrayed him. But then, the doctor broke down, he couldn't take it anymore he was ready to confess his sins even if it meant he will die, he had betrayed the queen his friend just for his gains and now an innocent lady and her children will suffer for it He confessed everything.Austine is his child. Both boys have rare bloodline,the rare blood came from their ancient ancestors. The queen never cheated. It was all a lie,A liecrafted by the king’s first love to ruin her.”

Kiara was silent, and a little mad.

“The king was furious and wanted to kill the dr right there and now. But it was too late the damage had been done. He broke his wife emotionally, physically and mentally. His first son hates him. His second child barely spoke to him. And the queen distant herself away from him in any way possible… she tried to leave with her sons, but she’d already given birth to two heirs. She was trapped. And the king, was once again terrified about his son's, Asteria has a history of heirs killing and fighting each other for the throne.

Kiara’s voice was low. “He’s a coward.”

Rin’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you crazy?! You can’t say that!”

Kiara shrugged. “If I were his child, I’d overthrow him and Banish him when older.”

“Lily!” Rin hissed. “You’re scaring me! You sound like a different person!”

Kiara blinked… then laughed, waving her hand. “Relax. I’m just joking.”

But at that moment, a plate slipped from kiara's hand and shattered on the floor.

Rin buried her face in her palms. “That’s it. We’re taking you to the palace doctor. I swear you’ve been spelled.”

Kiara laughed nervously again, wiping her hands. Behind her smile, her thoughts drifted far beyond the palace and kingdom of Asteria .

Brother… she thought, staring out the kitchen window. I wonder if you are more fun than me?

Back in Lunaria, the palace was bathed in a serene hush. Morning sunlight filtered gently through the towering windows of the eastern wing, casting golden reflections on the marble floors. Birds chirped quietly in the distance, as if cautious not to disturb the quiet power that ruled within.

Seated in his private study,Was prince Jayson. His arms were busy turning pages of files, his gaze icy and unreadable as he scanned reports and stamped decisions. The silence in the room was sacred,until it was broken by a knock.

Michael, his trusted advisor, stepped in carefully, bowing low as he approached with a file in hand. “Your Highness,” he said, his voice taut with restrained concern. “There has been... an incident.”

Jayson tilted his head, an eyebrow raised. “Speak.”

Michael placed the file down before the prince, opening it to reveal a hastily written report. “A small town near the Central District, called Raven , was attacked in the early hours of this morning. Two hundred confirmed dead, over a hundred injured, and roughly Three hundred and fifty properties owned by the individuals living there were destroyed.”

The prince’s expression didn’t change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

“We initially assumed it was rebels,” Michael continued. “Or enemies of your reign, perhaps testing boundaries. But… the survivors reported something else.”

Jayson leaned back slightly, folding his arms. “And?”

“They said it wasn’t humans who attacked. According to the villagers, they were creatures. Monstrous. Unrecognizable. Their descriptions are… difficult to believe many think the might have gone crazy.”

“How long did the attack last?” Jayson asked, voice calm but sharp as blades.

“An hour. That’s what the reports say. One hour… and this much damage.”

“Why wasn’t I informed sooner?”

Michael bowed his head and sighed. “It happened in the middle of the night, and confirmation was delayed due to the sheer chaos.”

There was a pause. Then Jayson stood, Removing his coat. “This may turn out to be a fun day after all,” he said with a little grin. “Gather a small troop. We’re going to investigate. And prepare aid for the victims. They definitely need that right now.”

Michael bowed deeply. “At once, Your Highness.

Meanwhile – Solnaria Institute

It had been two days since Amanda’s last public outburst of cruelty toward humans, and somehow, Sophie had managed to avoid her

until now.She stood quietly in the locker room, adjusting her sportswear for the athletic tryouts that were set to begin. The school was buzzing with excitement. Today, first-year students would be tested—speed, strength, strategy, agility and quick thinking.Sophie smiled as she wanted to show everyone how weak she was.

Outside the locker room, loud laughter broke her thoughts.

And obviously Amanda's laugh was the most audible again.

Sophie stepped out cautiously and her stomach turned.Amanda and her entourage stood in a circle, sneering at an elderly woman who was cleaning obviously she worked in the school.The girls spilled their drinks on the floor deliberately and were waving towards the woman with mockery. “Clean it up, worthless dog.”

The old woman—frail and visibly tired—bent slowly with her mop, her hands trembling in little rage.

And That was all Sophie needed to see.

She stormed over, eyes burning. “What is wrong with you?! She’s old! Don’t you have any shame?”

Amanda turned, visibly annoyed. “Oh, the little rat shows up again.”But Sophie wasn’t looking at her anymore. She turned to the old woman and her heart froze.

It was the same woman who’d offer her smiles and shared quiet conversations after long shifts in work. A human, like her, who never stopped being kind.

“Sophie, dear,” the woman said weakly, before smirking a little saying. “These girls… they’ve been mocking me since dawn. My back’s hurting so much, I can hardly walk thanks to these witches”.

Amanda gasped a little angry"Witches us! me" Sophie slightly laughed then controlled herself.

Amanda rolled her eyes obviously wanting to quarrel but stopped as she wanted to save her energy. “Oh, save the soap opera. I have a race to win. No time to deal with rodents.”

Then with a wicked grin, she lifted a bucket of water and dumped it on Sophie.The cold soaked her to the bone. Her clothes clung to her skin.

“Oops,” Amanda said with a laugh. “Only fifteen minutes to the race, sweetheart. Better get something decent on.”

And then she vanished down the corridor, her minions giggling behind her.

The old woman gasped, pulling a handkerchief from her apron. “I’m so sorry Sophie, o my look at your dress those girls will definitely regret this soon she smiled softly with care!”

Sophie blinked back the sting in her eyes. “Don't apologize grandmother, I knew something like this would happen " .

The old lady's face brightened. “You're such a sweet girl darling," holding Sophie's cheeks as she smiles."Wait here,I have an extra set of gym clothes. I got for my grandkids. I’ll fetch it!” as she ran before Sophie could speak as she wondered how her energy had shifted from tired old lady to an energetic one.

We move into Raven town

The town was charred and broken, thick smoke rising like ghosts from the ruins many individuals were trying their best to clear out the damages with sadness in their eyes.

Prince Jayson Jumped off his flying horse and so did the guards and knights as well. His presence alone silenced what little noise the town still made. The people bowed or fled.

He walked around silently observing the ruins till his eyes stopped spotting a man,who stood ranting at a group of terrified villagers.

“Where’s the royal family now, eh? Sitting pretty while half-breeds die! the don't really care about us! Stop having hopes on the rich and...”

The villagers glanced around in panic.

Jayson stepped forward.

The man wondered why the villagers were giving him warning signs. He turned slowly… and saw the prince’s piercing gaze.

He collapsed instantly fear washing over him. “M-my lord! Forgive me!”

Jayson’s lips curled in a dry smirk. “Get up, old man. I’m not here for trouble. I want information on what happened here.”

With trembling hands, the man began to explain.

Everything happened at midnight,The creatures had appeared out of nowhere.The weren't much probably in their tenths and twenty's no one knew the exact number. They came in silence, and the monsters brought hell with them. Their eyes glowed green, bodies lined with sharp bones , the were extremely scary and terrifying,We all ran out of our houses in search for safety .

"Some of the villagers tried to fight them,” the man whispered. “They were all torn in two.”

Jayson unfazed you didn't see anyone did you,he looked at the villagers or did they take anything in particular he asked while collecting some of the scales,claw marks and slimes at the scene as a guard was taking some pics in his crystal cam. Some said the heard nothing some said the wind blew heavy a little with a strange laugh before the event unfolded .

Then came another voice.

“two of them… they broke into the town square. Pulled a gem from the statue’s eye. Looked at it like it was searching for something. Then shattered it and growled as if angry.”

Jayson’s eyes narrowed. “Show me.”which they did.The broken statue stood like a grieving sentinel in the town center. He took the gem fragments carefully in an evidence bag. Something was definitely wrong. As he said"whatever Jew the were looking for the obviously couldn't get it cause this is definitely a fake".

Suddenly, a child stepped forward.

“My sister took a picture,” he said quietly, handing over a crystal tablet.Jayson knelt, analyzing the distorted image. What he saw sent a flicker of tension through his usually emotionless face.

These weren’t any beast or monster, they were unknown and unrecorded but it's obvious that Someone, Some being had sent them and Jayson was more concerned on why they caused a massacre over a gem even though it's a fake something was definitely hidden to them for now.

That’s when a guard arrived in panic as he drew out his tablet to Jayson in which a knight had important info to tell him.

The knight spoke , looking worried “ Your highness some strange creatures are heading to Solnaria University the broke through the central district border, out of nowhere the killed some of our men, I have never seen such creatures in my life,” a knight choked before collapsing as he grabbed the tablet from the other knight. “Monsters… coming…kids in danger”.

Gasps broke out and everyone started whispering and panicking,fear clearly visible.A woman ran and dropped to her knees crying, clutching Jayson’s leg .

“Please your highness! I beg of you My daughter!, She attends that university!, please Save her ... save them please shes the only one I have left, I can't lose her I beg of you! She shivered and cried”.

Jayson turned to Michael, eyes hard as steel.

Solnaria Stadium

The crowd was electric. Cheers filled the air as students lined the track. The race was about to begin.

Sophie appeared just in time, dressed in the spare gym clothes slightly baggy, but clean. She stood at the line, breath steady, mind calm.

Amanda was two lanes down, sneering. “Try not to fall on your face.”

Sophie said nothing.

The referee lifted the flag. “On your marks!”

The runners crouched.

“Get set!”

Then—BOOM.

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