On the outskirts of Threnafell, everyone waits and feels that the Queen and the others have taken too long, fearing the worst. The perimeter is heavily guarded. Suddenly, they hear horses approaching. It is a group of Legionnaires guarding Claire, Rivett, and company. Everyone rushed to help them, mainly Grislett, as Lucas had requested immediate assistance. Montecristo and Alistar took Grislett, who is still unconscious, and began to treat her.
"Her vital links are too weak. We can't save her here. We must take her to the sentinels!" exclaimed Zen, who was a master of healing spells. Rivett and Lucas wanted to leave immediately. Sakura approached Claire and Margott.
"Claire, Margott, how fortunate that you are safe, but where are Kiett and Marth?" asked Sakura.
Claire and Margott looked at each other worriedly, as if they were nowhere to be seen, and the Queen had not returned. They were thinking the worst when they heard more horses approaching and saw the group that accompanied the Queen, but they noticed that her horse was stained with blood. Claire's blood ran cold when she saw only Marth with them. Margott began to tremble when they saw who the Queen was carrying and that all the blood was Kiett's.
"Kiett!" Claire screamed as she ran desperately toward the Queen, who was carrying her brother in her arms and laid him on the ground to continue using a healing spell that is remarkably powerful. Claire fell on her knees, taking Kiett's head and placing it on her lap. Margott also approached, crying, and took Kiett's right hand.
"Kiett, please, please wake up, don't leave me, my brother!" Claire cried out between tears, her voice broken, desperate to the point that the sound of the rain and her screamed were the only echoes that could be heard amid so much death. Margott just stared at Kiett's face, frozen, crying silently. Fiora tried everything, but the bleeding didn't stop.
"We won't achieve anything here. Leave everything, take the wounded and head for Averford. Use the rune!" ordered the Queen, and everyone obeyed. Sakura approached Marth and caressed his face. Marth was frightened and recoiled, waving his arms as if trying to free himself from something, but Sakura calmed him down and hugged him, making Marth cry.
"It's okay, it's over, you're safe!" Sakura exclaimed. The two young men, Liliam, Alistar, and Montecristo gave instructions and helped carry the wounded. They were forced to leave behind the bodies they managed to rescue, and everyone began their journey back to Averford as quickly as they could. Claire could not hold back her tears.
―Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Averford―
Princess Sonia waits expectantly for her mother's return through the runic ark when a young apprentice of the Sentinels approaches her.
"Your Majesty how are you?" asked the young Cosette, seeing the great concern on her face. Sonia looked at the young woman and her voice breaks.
"I'm scared, I fear for my mother and for a good friend!" Sonia replied, then the ark began to glow, a sign that they were about to cross the translation portal.
"Guards, be ready, your Queen is returning!" Sonia ordered. Many people gathered around the runic ark, many parents, mothers, brothers and sisters waiting for the return of their loved ones, but many will not return.
Legionnaires began to emerge from the rune portal carrying the wounded. There are many, and the crowd surrounding the rune chest begins to despair. Princess Sonia was immediately alarmed and sent for the sentries in an emergency call.
"Bring Callaghan! Get the sentinels here immediately! Code black!" shouted the young princess, and she is obeyed immediately.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is here!" exclaimed Cosette.
Sonia turned to see her mother carrying a young man covered in blood. Behind them Claire, Margott, Lucas, Marth, and Rivett, carrying the dying Grislett appeared.
"What has happened?" asked Sonia, terrified. The sentinels quickly arrived, carrying scrolls and approached the wounded, very nervous. Callaghan approached Fiora to attend Kiett.
"Everyone else, create a rune circle, heavenly healing!" shouted Callaghan. "This circle will slowly heal the wounded and nourish their life links."
"It's very bad, the wound is deep and one of his lungs has collapsed!" exclaimed the Queen.
Claire and Margott lay nearby, holding hands and hoping for a miracle. Marth and Sakura also remain by their side. All the survivors who are not seriously injured search for their families and reunite with them. Callaghan cuts Kiett's clothes to reveal his chest and his face turned horrified. Fiora is stunned.
"It's a big wound; he's lost a lot of blood!" Callaghan exclaimed as he began to cast a spell called WOHLWOLLEN.
A blue light came out of Callaghan's hands and enveloped Kiett's chest as if it were water.
"Do you think it will be enough?" Fiora asked. Callaghan looks at her with great concern.
"Please, heal my brother, I beg you!" Claire cried out. Callaghan asked her to calm down. Margott was also saddened and hugged Claire, trying to calm her down, even though she was also very scared.
"What's happening with the rune circle?" Callaghan shouted. The sentinels rushed to finish the circle with symbols that some of them barely understood.
"The circle is complete, begin the chant!" Callaghan exclaimed.
All the sentinels began to recite the chant in unison...
"GESEGNET SEI DER GEIST DES KRIEGERS"
"GESEGNET SIND DIE WUNDEN, DIE ES BEGLEITEN"
"WIR BETEN, DASS DER REGEN IHREN KöRPER REINIGT"
"WIEDERHERSTELLUNG"
As the sentinels recited this chant, the symbols in the rune circle emitted a strong white light, and the circle enclosed all the wounded. Little by little, their gasps of pain ceased.
"It's working, Callaghan!" exclaimed Fiora with a smile.
Claire and the others rejoiced, but suddenly, something began to happen. A kind of black smoke began to emanate from the wounds of all the injured. Fiora, Callaghan, and the others were perplexed. In addition, the blue glow of the rune circle changed to an intense red...
"What's happening now?" asked Fiora, Callaghan, and the other Cantilenas as they step back, Kiett began to scream in pain.
"Little brother!" cried Claire desperately, trying to get closer.
But Margott stopped her. Claire begged Margott to let her go, but she didn't obey. The black smoke emanating from all the wounded began to form a black ball in the middle of the red-light rune circle.
"Everyone, get out of here now! Legionnaires, contain the circle! Use IMMATERIALLE KRAFT!" ordered Fiora.
Immediately, the Legionnaires surrounded them, draw their swords, and stabbed them into the ground, reciting in unison, "IMMATERIAL KRAFT," thus creating a dome that enclosed the wounded within the circle. But before the dome was completed, the dark sphere expanded and exploded. This created such a big shockwave that broke the Legionnaires' swords and destroyed some of the pillars of the rune ark. Due to the powerful wave, everyone nearby was left dazed.
Everyone tries to get up quickly without success. Claire crawls to Kiett, who is unconscious and bleeding from his wound, but she cannot stay on her feet and falls unconscious. A sound is heard, people talking, but it is not understandable. She hears shouting and running, then awakens, Claire found herself on a bed in the center of the Sentinels. She tries to sit up, but her arm hurts and she sees that it is bandaged.
"What happened, Kiett?!" Claire exclaimed, turning to look for her brother, but she only saw Margott, still unconscious on a bed next to her. Marth approached her.
"You're awake! I'll call the doctors!" Marth exclaimed, and as he was walking to look for them, Claire stopped him.
"Where's Kiett? Why isn't he in one of these beds?" Claire asked. Marth looked at her and sat down beside her.
"Both Grislett and Kiett were the most seriously injured. Callaghan and the Queen took them to another place!" Marth replied. Claire asked him why and where that place is, but Marth could only answer that he didn't know their location.
"Where's my uncle? Did he go with them?" Claire asked, and just as Marth was about to answer, he was interrupted by her uncle, Joel Montecristo.
"Claire, I need to talk to you alone!" Montecristo exclaimed, asking Marth to leave them alone to talk. Claire watched Montecristo as he sat down; when he did, Claire hugged him, and Montecristo hugged her back.
"I'm scared, Uncle, I don't want to lose my brother!" Claire exclaimed. Montecristo comforted her by stroking her hair.
"Your brother, like Grislett, is unwell. His Majesty has had him taken to his chambers, along with Grislett and Tanner. They will be looked after differently than here!" Montecristo explained, Claire asked to go with her brother while trying to stifle her urge to cry.
"You'll have to forgive me, but I can't take you with me. I'll go see them. Wait here, I'll come back for you!" Montecristo exclaimed, then he kissed Claire on the forehead before leaving. Claire has no choice but to obey and wait there, her tears and cries falling for Margott, who began to ramble while unconscious.
"Please, don't take them away, don't hurt them, please!" Margott whispered, still unconscious.
"Whispers all around... Where am I? Why can't I move? I can't feel my body…"
Kiett's eyes fluttered open. The first thing he saw was the ornate ceiling of an unfamiliar room. It was elegant, almost too elegant. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest and abdomen, forcing a groan from his lips. Before he could try again, two Sentinels noticed his awakening and rushed to his side.
"Stop, don't move! You're hurting yourself!!" Callaghan, a blond-haired man, exclaimed, stepping closer. Beside him was Cosette, who approached with visible relief. "Kiett, thank the heavens it worked! It was a success!!" Cosette said excitedly, reaching for his hand.
"Where… where am I!?" Kiett asked while his eyes were darting around the room.
Callaghan quickly reassured him. "You're in Queen Fiora's chambers."
Kiett's breath hitched in surprise. "What!? Why am I here!? Where's my sister!?"
Attempting to rise again, Kiett winced as pain flared through his body. Fiora, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, urging him to stay still. "Calm down, boy. Don't push yourself. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet," Fiora said in a soothing tone. Kiett looked up at her and found warmth in her gaze.
"Y-Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you," Kiett stammered nervously.
Fiora smiled, and Kiett immediately felt more at ease. Meanwhile, Cosette retrieved a book and placed her hand above Kiett's body.
"OFFENBARE MIR DIE WAHRHEIT!!" she invoked.
A soft glow enveloped Kiett as the spell took effect. Cosette carefully observed the magic's response, relieved to see that the wound was healing properly and that the venom that had previously resisted all healing spells was completely gone.
"Everything is in order, but you'll have to stay here a little longer!" Cosette informed him. "For how long?" Kiett asked impatiently.
Fiora placed a comforting hand on his head, playfully ruffling his hair. "Have patience. You'll recover in time. You're strong and incredibly brave," she said warmly. Kiett smiled slightly before his expression turned serious again. "Where is my sister!?"
Fiora stood and reassured him. "I've already sent for her."
Almost on cue, the doors swung open, revealing Claire, a wide smile lighting up her face. She hurried forward, bowing respectfully to Fiora before throwing herself at her brother.
"My brother… my little brother!!" She exclaimed. Kiett cried, holding onto Claire tightly. Fiora watched the reunion with a smile, but her moment of peace was interrupted when Callaghan burst into the room. "Your Majesty! You must come with me immediately!" said Callaghan, the Master of the Sentinels, urged with a tense expression. Fiora's smile faded, replaced by a serious, almost grim look. Without hesitation, she followed him out of the chamber.
"Grislett has awakened and requests to speak with you about the incident!" Callaghan informed her as they hurried through the halls. They reached Princess Sonia's chambers, where Grislett was resting. As Fiora pushed the door open, she accidentally knocked onto a young Sentinel apprentice carrying a stack of scrolls, causing her to stumble and scatter the papers across the floor.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!" Fiora exclaimed, immediately bending down to help. The girl, Senna, turned pale, overwhelmed by being so close to the Queen. "Y-Your Majesty, it's an honor!!" she stammered, hastily gathering the scrolls. Fiora quickly assisted her before Senna excused herself and hurriedly left the room. Meanwhile, Grislett, who had been lying in bed, attempted to sit up upon seeing Fiora.
"Don't move! You'll hurt yourself!!" Fiora warned.
Grislett greeted the Queen with a hand over her heart. "Your Majesty, it's an honor to stand before you. Thank you for saving us!!" Fiora shook her head. "You should be thanking Rivett and the other recruits. They came up with one of the most reckless plans I've ever seen."
Grislett looked surprised. "To be honest, I don't remember much about that… but I do remember what happened when we were ambushed."
Fiora's expression darkened. "Everyone, leave the room," she ordered. Once they were alone, she turned back to Grislett. "Tell me everything." Grislett hesitated but, unable to hold back, suddenly burst into tears.
"Grislett, it's okay. Let it out" Fiora said softly, wrapping her in an embrace. Grislett clung to her, pressing her cheek against Fiora's shoulder. "I couldn't save them… all the children were devoured in front of me!!" Grislett cried, inconsolable. Fiora gently lifted her face, wiping away her tears. "Tell me everything."
―Grislett's Flashback―
"We entered the Blue Wasteland searching for the White Serpent—that was our mission. But almost immediately, we were swallowed by an impenetrable fog. I lost sight of my men, I shouted their names, until I heard the most horrific screams.
I ran as fast as I could… but by the time I reached them, all I saw was mutilated bodies. Dante had been split in half. There was so much blood—arms and heads scattered on the ground. I heard another scream and ran, but a Scarlet rammed into me, knocking me off my horse. Before I could react, another one bit into me. From within its jaws, I saw Dorian being torn apart by two Scarlets. I didn't even feel the pain until I realized my pelvis had been crushed.
I thought it was over… but instead of devouring me, the beast simply… left me there."
―End of Grislett's Flashback―
As the memory faded, the silence in the room returned like a shroud. Fiora stood by the window, staring at the blue banners fluttering over the castle walls.
"Watching them die was the greatest pain I've ever felt. I still hear their screams… I'll never forget it," Grislett whispered, tears streaming down her face. Fiora turned to her. "I know what happened was beyond horrifying… but you must remain strong. You are a warrior."
Despite her words, Fiora couldn't shake one unsettling thought, why had the Scarlet left Grislett alive?
Grislett sniffled. "There's… something else."
"What is it?" Fiora asked, sitting beside her again.
"They weren't just attacking randomly. They were looking for something… or someone."
Fiora's face hardened at those words. Without another word, she turned to leave. "Your Majesty! What are those beasts? Where do they come from!?" Grislett asked desperately. Fiora hesitated for only a moment before stepping through the doorway. "Rest. Get better," she said, shutting the door behind her with a firm, almost furious click.
As she strode through the castle halls, her blue cape billowed behind her. She called for Magnus, her trusted servant. "Your Majesty, at your service!" Magnus responded promptly. Fiora continued walking without slowing down. "Send a message to the Four Families. The Queen summons them to their seats. There is an urgent matter to discuss. They are to meet in the Great Hall at dawn."
Magnus bowed and hurried away.
Left alone, Fiora ascended to her throne, her face set with pure rage.
"Damn you. Damn you forever, I will never forgive this" The young Queen exclaimed; her face filled with fury.
Then, the doors swung open once more, and Princess Liliam entered, accompanied by her son, Prince Lon. As they reached Fiora, Lon bowed respectfully, but Liliam did not.
"What's going on, Fiora? Why have you summoned the nobles?" Liliam asked.
Fiora rose from her throne and stepped forward, motioning for Lon to stand as he did so.
"Lon, I'm so happy you're safe. Give me a hug!" Fiora exclaimed. Lon obeyed and embraced her, bringing a smile to Liliam's face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I owe it all to the hunter who led us!" Lon declared.
Liliam smiled, while Fiora turned and began walking, with Liliam and Lon following close behind.
"Give yourself some credit—you are brave and skilled. You've learned a lot!" Fiora remarked.
Lon blushed at the compliment.
When Fiora reached her throne, she turned to Lon.
"Young Prince, I need you to be present at the meeting I've convened." Fiora announced.
This surprised Lon and visibly unsettled Liliam.
"What are you saying, Fiora? What are you planning? My son doesn't need to be here, that's why I am!" Liliam objected.
Fiora regarded her calmly.
"I need you in your seat. I want your son to take the Bright Family's seat." Fiora declared.
"Your Majesty, are you sure about this? Don't you think I'm still too young?" Lon asked hesitantly.
Fiora stepped closer, gently placing a hand on his left shoulder.
"You are old enough, and you must learn these things. You are a prince." Fiora said firmly, then turned and took her seat on the throne.
"Tomorrow morning, we will have the meeting. Be prepared." Fiora stated.
Liliam and Lon bowed before taking their leave.
Fiora watched her sister, Liliam, and her nephew, Lon, leave the throne hall as the guards closed the great doors behind them. Once she felt completely alone, she sat on her throne and removed her crown. She gazed at it with quiet nostalgia.
"Father, what should I do?" the young queen wondered.
TO BE CONTINUED…