"Why are there no guards here, guys?" Rayna whispered, bewildered. Her eyes scanned the towering structure in front of them.
"Such a big palace... there should be guards."
"It's too quiet here," Yunxi murmured, his gaze flicking nervously to the shadows.
The palace stood tall, built of rugged, weather-worn stone that looked both ancient and sturdy. The entrance was huge, high. There was no door, only an open archway leading inside.
Soren, his golden eyes narrowing. "Strange... there should be guards. Normally they're here."
"Anyways, let's go in. Maybe they're inside," Ezra said, motioning toward the arch.
As they stepped into the palace, the wide hallway stretched out before them. Along the sides, torches burned steadily in iron brackets, lighting the way with a warm flicker of fire.
"Where should we go further from here?" Rayna asked, glancing around the towering stone walls.
"Just a bit further ahead, then we need to take the hallway to the right," Soren replied firmly, though his eyes kept scanning the shadows.
The faint crackle of fire was the only sound, the silence pressing in heavier with each step they took.
Rayna's gaze wandered as they walked, taking in the sheer size of the stone walls and the high ceilings. "Wow... the palace is huge and so well made," she whispered in awe.
Her steps slowed when her eyes fell on a large portrait hanging against the wall. The figure in it was regal, powerful, painted with sharp strokes that made him seem alive.
"Oh... what's that?" she asked, stopping mid-step.
Soren followed her gaze and his expression shifted. "That's the Patriarch," he said quietly.
"The head of all beastmen," Soren explained. "He's above all in terms of power in the Beast City. The lord who governs this Beast City right now is his son."
Rayna's brows lifted. "Interesting..."
"Something doesn't feel right..." Yunxi said suddenly, his eyes darting around the empty hallway.
"Oh, don't worry, Yunxi," Ezra said with a lazy grin, though his voice carried a hint of unease. "What could possibly go wrong here? We're in the Beast Lord's palace, after all."
Rayna nodded, though her gaze lingered on the towering stone walls.
As they continued to walk Rayna asked, "That's true... By the way, Soren—what's his beast form? I couldn't tell from the portrait."
Soren opened his mouth to answer. "Well, he is—"
Then—just as they turned the corner Soren had mentioned—dark figures emerged from the shadows.
Before Rayna could even gasp, rough hands grabbed Soren from behind.
"Soren!" she screamed.
The others reacted instantly, but more beastmen appeared, circling them in tight formation. Their movements were swift.
Two of the larger beastmen stepped forward and firmly caught Soren by the arms, locking them behind his back in a hold that was secure.
Rayna's heart pounded in her chest. The sight of him bound so suddenly made her panic.
"Soren!" she cried, reaching out, only to find herself shielded by Ezra and Yunxi.
The air turned heavy with tension as the trap closed around them.
"Leave him this instant, or I'll—" Rayna's voice rang sharp, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Soren only frowned. "No, wait, Rayna... they're not here to hurt us. I suppose." His glare, cold and cutting, made the two burly beastmen holding him stiffen. Still, they didn't let go.
"We... we have orders," one muttered.
"The Patriarch and the Lord want to meet you. Urgently."
"And this"—Soren's tone dripped disdain as he tugged lightly against his bindings—"is how you bring me to them?"
The guards shrank a little under his gaze. "They said you committed a grave crime... so we must bring you like this."
Rayna's mind spun.
Soren... committing a crime?
My straight-faced, intelligent, cool-headed, maddeningly handsome Soren? No way.
Before she could protest further, Soren's calm voice cut through her thoughts.
"Very well then. Lead the way."
"But, Soren—" Rayna began, bewildered.
"You all need to come with us as well," one beastman interrupted.
"Seriously? Like this?" Rayna snapped at the guards, looking at Soren.
Soren sighed, his tone softening only for her.
"Calm down, my love. I'm sure they won't harm us."
"Though..." his jaw tightened, his words edged with distaste, "I too am curious why they're treating me like this. So let's go meet their Lord... and the Patriarch."
Ezra and Yunxi exchanged uneasy looks, their bodies instinctively edging closer to Rayna as if shielding her, though they made sure to keep a wary distance from the guards.
"Rayna, shall we?" Ezra asked gently, his amber eyes scanning her face.
She nodded slowly, though her fists clenched. "If Soren says so... then let's go."
But as she followed, her heart churned.
A crime? What could it be?
Desertion? Betrayal?
The very thought was absurd.
Yet the word echoed in her ears, gnawing at her nerves.
What could Soren have possibly done to warrant this?