Leaving his daughter's almost untouched room, Kailan carefully closed the door and slowly walked down the corridor, clutching a small silver hairpin in his hand. Although Aurelia had been taken when she was just one month old, this hairpin had been prepared as a gift for her naming ritual. It had remained unused, a quiet reminder of a celebration that never happened.
The Emperor's footsteps echoed through the empty corridors. The phantom image of the girl and the black hand pulling her into darkness lingered in his mind. Yet, hope warmed his chest: if the call was real, it meant Aurelia was alive.
Suddenly, as he rounded a corner, he noticed a familiar figure by the window. White hair, a slender frame draped in a light cloak—it was Empress Evelina. She stood leaning on the windowsill, gazing at the distant moonlight.
Hearing his steps, Evelina turned. Her eyes reflected the faint torchlight, her face a mixture of worry and quiet joy. When she saw her husband, a smile touched her lips, but the concern didn't fade.
"Kailan," she said softly, taking a step toward him. "I was looking for you."
The Emperor slowed his pace. Her familiar gentle glow, a trait of her saintly nature, emanated faintly around her. He felt a growing urge to share everything that had happened.
"You're not asleep?" His voice was quiet, but there was an undercurrent of unease. "Did something happen? Did you feel anything?"
"I felt a flare, Kailan. It was like something tore into my soul. Fear, or perhaps..." her voice faltered as she looked at him. "Was it her? Our daughter?"
Kailan nodded, exhaling heavily. "Yes, it was her. The call was so vivid that I can't dismiss it as an illusion. I saw her phantom, Evelina," his voice broke, "but a shadow seized her and took her away. If she's in the hands of dark mages, who knows what they've done to her?"
Kailan's words resonated with the pain in Evelina's heart. For six years, she had lived between faith and despair. Since Aurelia had been taken as an infant, no search had yielded any results. Yet deep down, Evelina had always felt a faint thread telling her their daughter was alive.
"Thank the heavens if that's true," she whispered. "Then there's still hope. But why now? What caused her powers to manifest?"
"The mage at the tower, Abel Lafaris, believes the barrier hiding her might have weakened. Or she may have unconsciously awakened herself," Kailan replied. "I've already spoken with him. He wants to conduct a tracking ritual. For that, we need something connected to her—and I found the hairpin we intended to give her at the naming ritual."
Evelina's trembling hand touched the cold metal peeking out from her husband's palm. Memories of the time when their home was filled with the joy of their daughter's birth flooded back to her.
For a moment, silence enveloped them. They stood in the corridor, as though outside of time, while the torchlight reflected in Evelina's tears.
"Tell me about the ritual, Kailan," she said, her voice steadier than her emotions. "What will it involve? How dangerous is it?"
Kailan averted his gaze, striving to maintain a calm tone. "Abel plans to use the tower's crystals to channel magic and 'capture' the aura trace left on this hairpin. The problem is, whoever is holding Aurelia—or the spell cast on her—might detect our attempt."
"If we can learn even the slightest detail, even just the area where she might be..." Evelina sighed, trying to contain a surge of emotion. "When? When does he plan to start the ritual?"
"Preparations began tonight. He expects to be ready by dawn. I wanted to keep this discreet, to avoid causing panic."
Evelina's gaze was resolute, though her eyes were filled with pain. "I'm going with you," she said firmly, her voice unwavering and filled with determination. "Don't even think of stopping me. My holy power isn't just a gift, Kailan. It's our shield, our chance to counter dark magic. Without it, the ritual might fail. Together, we can succeed."
Kailan knew how much Evelina suffered and how unbearable it was for her to wait idly. Moreover, her divine power could indeed enhance their defenses.
"Very well," he nodded, pulling her into a protective embrace. "Together, we stand a better chance. But please, don't let word of this spread too early. Rumors about us suddenly searching for Aurelia could stir unrest."
"I understand. If my prayers for peace in the north can serve as a cover, I'll use that. But you know, Kailan, my prayers will not only be for the north. I'll pray for the ritual's success, for us to find her."
They stood in the dim corridor, holding each other. Their hearts were heavy with worry but also warmed by the faint glimmer of hope.
"My soul's other half," Evelina whispered. "If this works, we'll bring our daughter back. If not..."
Kailan gently interrupted her, covering her hand with his own. "We will succeed. I vowed to myself six years ago that I wouldn't stop until I found her. No matter how late, no matter how hard, we're closer than ever."
"Yes. And if need be, I'll lead the charge against the dark forces myself," Evelina's eyes burned with saintly determination.
Kailan's mind began calculating the resources they'd need if they had to travel beyond the capital. The north seemed to be the epicenter of dark magic. How many knights to take? How to ensure secrecy? Lord Derrington was already stationed at the borders, reporting on the alarming anomalies.
"If the ritual reveals that Aurelia is there," he said aloud, "we'll assemble a small elite unit of mages and knights. We'll head north quietly and find her."
"Lord Derrington can help," Evelina added. "He knows those lands better than most. And we can trust him."
The two continued down the corridor, preparing for the pivotal day ahead.
At the end of the corridor, Evelina paused and turned to her husband:
"What if her mind has changed over these years? She was just an infant when she was taken..."
A sharp pain struck Kailan's heart as he imagined how harsh her life might have been. Perhaps their daughter wouldn't even remember their faces, having been too young when she was abducted. But he forced himself to set these thoughts aside:
"No matter how she has grown, we will find her and bring her back. I believe that our blood, our love, and the divine blessing she inherited from you will not let her fall into darkness."
Evelina nodded, barely holding back tears.
"I hope it's not too late to use our strength for good."
They moved on, speaking of trivial matters, attempting to steer away from darker thoughts. Both understood that the night would be restless and the day ahead could be decisive in their lives. But it was better to move forward than to linger in fruitless despair.
As they approached the guard post, Kailan quickly composed himself, once again assuming the role of Emperor. The guards snapped to attention, allowing the ruling couple to pass.
Kailan and Evelina's hearts were still heavy with thoughts of Aurelia, but they felt comfort in knowing they weren't alone in this journey. Now that a thread of hope had emerged, nothing could stop them.
At last, they reached the branching corridor where their paths temporarily diverged. Evelina was heading back to her chambers to focus on her prayers and prepare for the ritual, while Kailan intended to meet with Abel to finalize the details.
"We'll meet at the tower soon," said the Emperor, leaning down to touch his forehead to his wife's. "I'm sure luck will smile on us."
"I believe it too," Evelina replied with a gentle smile, feeling a sense of calm from his warmth. "For our daughter, we will do everything."
They froze for a moment in each other's arms before parting to prepare for the coming trial. The night was still deep, but dawn loomed on the horizon, promising change.
***The Morning of the Trial
The morning at the palace was chaotic: reports, advisors, and messengers bustled about. Yet Kailan and Evelina discreetly made their way to the magic tower, avoiding unnecessary attention.
"Once the ritual is complete, we'll need to hold a brief audience," Kailan said quietly as he walked beside his wife. "Otherwise, the council will start speculating about where we've gone and what's happening."
"We'll keep it brief," Evelina replied softly. "If we manage to learn even roughly where Aurelia might be, we'll need to act quickly."
They passed the guards and soon reached the massive doors of the magic tower. Two knights stood silently on watch.
Inside, it was quiet. The faint bluish glow of torches and magical runes on the floor and walls indicated that the ritual preparations were nearly complete.
Abel Lafaris waited for them in the center of the hall. Though he had barely slept through the night, he looked focused and alert. When he saw the Emperor and Empress, he bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty, Lady Evelina, I'm glad to see you. Preparations are 90% complete—just a few final adjustments remain."
Kailan nodded, retrieving the hairpin from his inner pocket.
"Show me what's ready so far."
Abel led them to the center of the hall, where a circle of crystals was arranged. In the middle stood a small altar etched with intricate symbols. Four mages in cloaks stood nearby, holding additional artifacts to support the ritual.
"We're calibrating the crystals to 'amplify' the magical trace in the hairpin," Abel explained, running his hand over the shimmering surface of one of the crystals. "But any external interference, especially from dark sorcerers, could disrupt the process."
"We'll protect the ritual," Evelina said firmly, her voice carrying the weight of a vow. "I'll create a holy barrier around the circle. No one will interfere as long as I'm here."
"Good," Abel nodded, his gaze respectful. "Your light is our hope. Without it, we cannot succeed."
Kailan approached the altar and carefully placed the silver hairpin upon it. At his touch, the crystals quivered faintly, glowing with a bluish light. Behind Abel, the mages began murmuring incantations, activating the intricate rune diagram.
"Once we begin," Abel said, "you may feel something akin to a mental 'bridge' connecting to the princess's aura. Essentially, we'll try to 'knock' on the part of her consciousness where the familial bond remains."
The Emperor tensed, recalling how, the previous night, he had almost seen Aurelia, only for the vision to break apart.
"This time, I won't let the darkness win," Kailan declared resolutely. "If anything foreign appears, I'll destroy it to protect us."
"And I," Evelina added, her voice trembling but her eyes ablaze with determination. "We can't wait. Let's begin?"
Abel glanced around to ensure all the mages were in position, then slowly raised his hands.
A soft radiance poured from the crystals, flooding the space around the altar. The rune circles glowed with silvery-blue patterns, and the air began to hum faintly, as if resonating with an unseen force. Evelina closed her eyes and focused on creating a protective barrier: golden sparks flickered above her hands, weaving into a shimmering dome that encased the ritual's space.
Kailan, standing by the altar, felt the familiar warmth stir in his chest. It was gentle, almost comforting, but beneath it lay a deep sense of unease. Aurelia... Are you calling me? Is it you? Or is this a trap? His thoughts swirled like a storm. He almost heard faint breaths, as if an invisible child stood beside him—both reassuring and unnerving.
The air in the magic tower trembled from the interplay of two forces: the mysterious aura of the missing princess and the golden field of protection woven by Evelina and the court mages. Kailan closed his eyes and focused on the warmth emanating from the hairpin. That warmth seemed to attune his mind to a distant echo—faint yet familiar.
Aurelia... he called out mentally, trying to hold onto the fragile sensation. In response, one of the symbols on the hairpin (a small family crest) began to glow pale blue. Within the misty light, the faint silhouette of a child emerged—a fragile figure with a bowed head and delicate hands, as if trying to push through a veil.
"Kailan, I see her too," Evelina's voice was hushed, trembling with emotion and awe. The Empress stood beside him, channeling her divine power into the flow of magic. Her eyes shone with golden light.
The silhouette slowly raised its head, and familiar features began to emerge—a forehead like Kailan's, a delicate oval face reminiscent of Evelina's. But before they could make out the girl's face, one of the crystals dimmed momentarily, and a ripple spread through the circle—a clear sign of interference.
Darkness, at first a thin wisp, began to surround the child's image, then took on the form of a sinister shadow with crimson flashes for eyes. Evelina felt a chill, as if an icy hand had touched her heart. Her mind flooded with questions: How long has she lived in this darkness? Has she been able to hold onto herself? Or has the darkness consumed her completely? The thought burned her more fiercely than any cold, and her heart wavered with fear for her daughter.
"This... isn't just darkness," Abel murmured, frowning deeply. He stood slightly to the side, maintaining the primary flow of the ritual. "It feels like a foreign energy, something that's been tied to the princess for a long time."
"Residual..." one of the mage assistants exhaled. "Residual energy?"
***The Shadow of Past Evil
Kailan narrowed his eyes as the silhouette of the child faded behind a new figure. The darkness thickened, shrouding the girl. "Not now!" the Emperor thought desperately, summoning all the strength of his aura. He attempted to push the shadow aside with a soft surge of energy, but it responded with an eerie vibration, pulsating in time with a heartbeat.
The Empress felt it distinctly—this energy was unlike the dark magic of foreign sorcerers they had fought before. It was laced with pain, malice, and... familiar madness. Evelina's lips trembled as a whirlwind of memories suddenly surged through her mind.
Selena. The name echoed in her thoughts. Selena—the cunning woman who had once attempted Evelina's life out of jealousy. Selena, whose name had long ceased to be spoken at court, for she had been exiled and presumed dead. But now, it seemed that her fragmented will was clinging to Aurelia.
For a moment, the shadow seemed to part, revealing a clearer form. Within it, faint outlines of a female figure could be seen—not as small as Aurelia, but unnaturally distorted. Familiar fragments of Selena's image flashed in the parents' minds: her former hair color, her elegant silhouette, now engulfed in dark radiance and crimson sparks where her eyes should have been.
"Selena?!" Kailan gasped, his voice breaking. The chill that pierced his heart was replaced by fury. "She's here again. Trying once more to take what I hold dear. But how? Why is she clinging to Aurelia? Did we fail to erase her completely?" Bitterness and rage surged within him, but he forced himself to focus on his daughter.
Evelina raised her hand, emitting divine energy as if to disperse the shadow. Light streamed from her palms in soft golden waves, but as it touched the strange substance, it trembled and recoiled. Selena's remnant seemed to reject all pure forces.
"We can't break through it so easily!" Evelina exclaimed, her voice trembling with strain. "This darkness binds her like chains. Any blunt attack might shatter her consciousness!"
Abel and the other mages intensified the ritual pattern, trying to bypass the shadow and reach the child's aura. But at that moment, the tower quaked under a powerful surge of energy reflected by the shadowy entity. One of the crystals shattered with a sharp crack, scattering shards across the floor.
"Fall back!" Abel commanded, shielding the assistants with a wave of his hand. "If we keep forcing it, we'll risk harming the princess herself!"
Kailan saw the spectral image of the girl reappear behind the shadow, as if reaching out to her parents. His heart ached. "I'm here, Aurelia, I'm here..." He thought he could almost hear the faint sobs of a child. But then Selena's residual essence wrapped around the girl like a wing, engulfing her in a single mass of darkness.
"No!" the Emperor shouted, surging forward, but a wave of energy threw him back. The shards of a second crystal cracked under his boots.
Evelina struggled to maintain the barrier, but the shadow was already absorbing nearly the entire ritual's flow, preventing them from pinpointing Aurelia's location. For a brief moment, their gazes met through the veil of magic: Kailan and Evelina both understood that they were on the brink of losing contact with their daughter entirely. Evelina poured her remaining strength into a prayer, sending a pulse of love and hope. But the darkness surged outward, erupting in a violent wave, shattering the third crystal before vanishing in a cloud of black smoke, taking the child's image with it.
Blinded by the flash, the mages staggered, and the ritual circle collapsed, scattering dim sparks across the floor. Silence enveloped the room, broken only by the labored breathing of those present.
"My apologies, Your Majesty," Abel whispered, sinking to his knees and closing his eyes in despair. "We couldn't break through... I couldn't even lock onto her coordinates."
Evelina, clutching her trembling hands to her chest, stared at the fading runes. Her eyes held such pain that Kailan felt a sharp pang of guilt and despair.
"It was..." Evelina's voice quivered, "her... Selena. A fragment of her. How is this possible?"
Abel looked up at the Emperor, clutching the fractured crystal in his hand.
"It's likely that when Aurelia was taken, part of Selena's lingering malice and magical essence intertwined with the protective charms or curses around her. Now it's a fragment of consciousness that's preventing us from reaching the princess."
Kailan exhaled bitterly.
"Then to save Aurelia, we'll have to do more than just find her. We'll have to sever her ties to the darkness that's taken root in her. Perhaps we'll find answers in the places where Selena once operated. Or where it all began."
He clenched his fingers around the hairpin still resting on the altar, its warmth now marred by a faint crack running through its metal.
"But at least we know one thing," the Emperor said, his voice breaking. "Aurelia is alive. I... I saw her."
"And with her..." Evelina struggled to look away from the hairpin's faint glow, "Selena. Or a part of her."
The silence was broken by the clink of a shattered shard. The mages, their heads bowed, understood that the ritual had failed, and the path to the princess had become even more challenging. Yet within this defeat, they found a new purpose: to sever the connection between Aurelia and Selena. Kailan and Evelina knew that ahead of them lay not only a search but battles against those still hiding in the shadows of the past.
Kailan looked at the hairpin—it remained intact, but a delicate fracture marked its surface, as though from a blow struck from within.
"We won't give up," he muttered, clenching his fists. "We may not have found her location this time, but we'll find a way. I won't let Selena steal Aurelia from us again."
Evelina nodded quietly, wiping away her tears. The same holy fire that had once helped her overcome Selena's treachery now reignited within her. Nearby, still kneeling, Abel swore silently to do everything in his power to help the rulers reunite with their daughter. Ahead lay new searches, new battles—and new hope.