There was an earthquake. Then thunder roared across the sky.
Everyone saw her…
Citizen: "It's her… the goddess! Why is she here?!!"
Everything stopped suddenly.
An arrow shot through the air fast, precise and struck King Platy directly in the head.
He died instantly.
Chaos erupted everywhere. Citizens screamed and ran in every direction.
Hairo felt his vision blur. His body gave up, and he fell hard onto the ground, unconscious.
On the stage, death moved quickly. One by one, royal guards, captains even Commander Neler was killed before they could react.
The attackers moved like shadows.
Within moments Hairo was gone.
No one knew who they were.
No one knew where they came from.
Neler lay on the ground, barely breathing. Blood spread beneath him.
A surviving soldier knelt beside him.
Neler: "Th-they… we…re the… ban…da… bandats… of… bu…"
His voice faded.
Soldier: "Bandits… of Bugo… They must have taken him back to Bugo… I must report to the queen…"
Hairo slowly opened his eyes.
He was in a cave.
The air smelled of blood.
Dim light flickered along the walls.
A voice came from the corner.
Strange Man: "So… you're awake?"
Hairo turned quickly, fear rising in his chest.
Hairo: "Who… who are you?"
His voice trembled.
Hairo: "Are you… Cartal?"
The man stepped forward slightly.
Strange Man: "So… you got the note?"
Hairo's expression softened just a little.
Hairo: "Thank you for saving me, sir."
Cartal: "Don't thank me. Your mother told me everything."
Hairo froze.
Shock filled his face.
Hairo: "You… know my mother?"
Cartal: "She's here. Guarding the gate."
Hairo's eyes widened.
Hairo: "I want to meet her."
Cartal: "Don't worry. We're going to her now."
Outside the cave Hairo saw her.
Alice stood there, holding a large sword, alert and ready.
Cartal: "Alice… someone is worried about you."
Alice turned And everything else disappeared.
Alice: "Oh… my boy…"
She dropped her sword and ran toward him.
She pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him like she would never let go. Tears streamed down her face.
Alice: "Are you hurt? Tell me what did they do to you?"
Hairo: "I'm fine… just my throat hurts from the rope…"
Alice held him even tighter.
Alice: "I'm sorry… I left you alone…"
She didn't let go.
Cartal: "We should move. We have to reach Miso."
A woman nearby suddenly turned, alert.
Erish: "Someone is coming this way."
Hairo leaned closer to his mother and whispered.
Hairo: "Who is she?"
Cartal: "Wait here. We'll check."
Alice: "Okay."
She looked at Hairo.
Alice: "She's Erish… your father's sister. Your aunt."
Hairo's curiosity rose instantly.
Hairo: "Then… is father here too?"
Alice's expression changed slightly.
Alice: "No… he's not with us."
Hairo: "Where is he then? He's been missing for a year…"
Alice: "We don't know… but we're searching for him and"
Cartal returned, cutting her off.
Cartal: "We have to go. Now."
He wiped blood off his blade.
Cartal: "The path is long. We'll have to find the horses we lost in the wild."
In the palace Queen Weleia stood in silence.
Queen Weleia: "The bandits of Bugo will not stay quiet after this. My husband is dead… Now my elder son will take the throne."
She turned sharply.
Queen Weleia: "Make sure this news does not reach Nisag."
Soldier: "Yes, my queen."
Queen Weleia: "Everything must go perfectly for the crowning ceremony."
Rolio entered.
Rolio: "You called me, mother?"
Queen Weleia: "Yes. Did you hear the news?"
Rolio: "Yes… about father's death…"
Queen Weleia: "You must take control of the nation now. Are you ready?"
Rolio straightened.
Rolio: "Yes, mother. I am ready. I will do my duty… and I will not let them escape."