Duskvaria Palace ____
Zeph stepped into the grand throne chamber of Duskvaria. At the far end, seated lazily on a blackened obsidian throne, was Azrael Nyxhart, the Devil King. His eyes were unreadable, his expression calm yet cunning.
Zeph bowed deeply before speaking.
"We've searched everywhere, my Lord. The princess is not in any of the nearby regions. We've also alerted the other six countries. They're all on the lookout."
Azrael didn't look up immediately. He stared at the ancient map spread across his lap. After a pause, he murmured,
"If my calculations are correct... she and her little squad must be in Daemeryn by now."
Zeph's brow furrowed.
"Daemeryn? But the security there is tight. There's no way she could've slipped through without leaving a trace."
Azrael finally raised his gaze, locking eyes with Zeph. A slow, dangerous smirk tugged at his lips.
"No way, hmm? Then tell me… what about the Forest of Death?"
Zeph hesitated. The name alone brought a chill.
"That forest is lethal. I don't think the princess would be foolish enough to venture through such a place."
Azrael leaned forward slightly, still smiling.
"And what do you call someone who is testing my patience, Zeph?"
Zeph's face tensed.
"I... understand. You believe she's there."
"Of course, she is," Azrael said sharply, his voice cold and commanding.
"And if she is… then the Shadow Masters may already be closing in on her."
There was a brief silence before Azrael gave his order.
"Inform all the Shadow Masters immediately. If they find her— do not harm her. Capture her alive."
He paused, then added,
"Also, gather a battalion. Have them wait in the Valley of the Blue Mountains. Don't miss her this time."
Zeph bowed again.
"Understood, my Lord."
With a swift turn, he exited the chamber.
Once alone, Azrael reached beside his throne and lifted a delicate object — a crown of moonflowers. He stared at it quietly for a long moment, the smirk fading into a rare, unreadable softness.
"You're too stubborn for your own good, Luna".
***************************
The Forest of Death ___
The seven fairies flapped their delicate wings and flew up from the deep trap one by one. Luna and Meli stayed below, waiting patiently.
A few minutes later, the fairies returned, holding a long, sturdy vine they had tied into a makeshift rope.
"Hold on tight!" called out Lira.
With the fairies' help, Luna and Meli climbed out of the hole. As soon as they reached solid ground, Luna looked around and nodded firmly.
"Let's move. We can't stay here any longer."
Their carriage was wrecked beyond repair, so they had no choice but to walk. The thick forest loomed around them, the path unclear, danger lingering in every shadow. Step after step, their pace grew slower.
Suddenly, Meli paused and crouched beside a patch of dirt.
"These are fresh tracks... hoofprints and boot marks," she said seriously, brushing her fingers over the soil. "A group of Shadow Masters passed through here not long ago. We need to hurry."
Groans echoed behind her.
"Ugh, more walking? My legs are jelly!" Sole whined.
"And I'm starving!" added Crysie, throwing her hands up dramatically.
Meli let out a long sigh.
Lira turned toward the two with a sharp look, just about to scold them—
But then, the heavy sound of galloping hooves echoed behind them.
"Shh!" Meli hissed, eyes wide. "Someone's coming!"
They turned quickly.
From behind the curve of twisted trees and shadowy thickets, a large group on horseback emerged. An army. The sound of armor clinking and hooves crushing dry leaves filled the air.
At the center of the formation rode a man unlike the others.
His presence was commanding — terrifying yet impossible to look away from.
His upper body was bare under a layered black and crimson robe draped across one shoulder. Muscles strong and sculpted. Long black hair flowed past his shoulders, slightly tousled by the wind. His eyes — pitch black, lined with an eerie, sharp eyeliner — locked onto Luna.
A strange chill passed through her. She couldn't look away.
"Shadow Master..." Meli whispered, stepping closer to Luna protectively.
The fairies quickly ducked behind Luna, their wings fluttering nervously.
The man's expression didn't change. His horse slowed, his dark gaze fixed on Luna.
He raised a brow — curious.
Silence.
No one dared to breathe.
One of the armored men stepped forward, his gaze sharp and suspicious. His hand rested near the hilt of his sword as he eyed the group carefully.
"What are you girls doing in the Forest of Death?" he asked in a deep, commanding tone.
Meli, who had been shivering moments ago, swallowed her fear. She took a shaky step forward, quickly composed herself, and gave a respectful bow.
"This is my lady, Lyra Vale," she said clearly, gesturing toward Luna. "And I am her maid. We are here on personal business under the authority of Lord Azarian Dread of Drakorith. My lady is… his beloved."
There was a flicker of silence.
"We mean no trouble," Meli continued, her voice steadier now. "We trust our presence won't be a problem."
Just as Meli finished speaking, one of the guards from the army group stepped forward with narrowed eyes. His tone was harsh, laced with irritation.
"Even if you're the lover of Lord Azarian Dread, that doesn't give you the right to disrespect our master. Why is that girl not bowing? How rude!" he snapped, pointing toward Luna.
Luna, caught off guard, immediately stepped forward, lowering her gaze. She was just about to bow when—
"Stop!"
A small, glowing light zipped out from Luna's ginger hair.
It was Sole, her tiny fairy companion, her wings shimmering like stardust. She hovered in front of Luna, arms crossed, her voice fierce for her size.
"She is the princess! She doesn't bow to anyone!" Sole declared, eyes blazing with pride.
Gasps echoed.
Meli's eyes widened in horror.
Crysie slapped her forehead.
The fairies froze.
The truth had slipped out—completely ruining their cover.
The tall man with long black hair and dark, kohl-lined eyes raised one brow. His gaze stayed fixed on the little fairy glowing defiantly before Luna.
He gave a slight, intrigued smirk.
Something about that glow… that girl… was different.
Meli slowly turned her head toward Sole, her stare sharp.
"Sole…" she said in a low warning tone.
Sole froze mid-air, realizing what she'd just done.
"Hssss… s-s-sorry!" she hissed, shrinking back with an awkward chuckle.
"I-I got emotional!"
The black-haired man raised his hand.
"Capture her," he commanded coldly.
In an instant, the guards moved. They surrounded Luna and the fairies in a tight circle, their weapons drawn and eyes locked onto her.
One of the guards reached out to grab Luna's arm.
But just then—a blinding silver and gold light burst out from the ground below, the same power that had appeared during the trap. It surged upward, forming a radiant protective wall around Luna.
BOOM!
The pressure threw all the surrounding guards backward, flinging them several meters away. They hit the ground hard, groaning in shock.
Gasps filled the forest.
Everyone stared at Luna.
Whispers began among the soldiers.
"It was her… she was the source of that power."
"That light... it wasn't magic—it was something else."
Luna turned around quickly as she heard a voice cry out behind her.
"Luna!"
Her eyes widened.
Meli and Sole were now trapped inside a glowing black magic wall, hovering midair. The spell crackled with a sinister energy.
Standing just a few feet away, with one hand raised, was the black-haired man. His dark eyes locked with Luna's as he slowly walked toward her, calm and unbothered.
He stopped just a breath away, his gaze piercing.
"Who are you?" he asked in a deep, velvety voice.
Luna didn't respond. She simply stared into his eyes—unflinching, unreadable.
Seeing her silence, the guards recovered and came forward again. This time, two of them grabbed her arms. A sharp clink echoed through the air as they locked thick metal chains around Luna's and Meli's wrists—like prisoners.
"Stop it! Don't touch her!" Sole shouted, flying in angry circles.
But Luna turned her head slightly.
"Sole. Quiet." Her voice was calm but firm.
Sole froze mid-air, blinking. Then with a pout, she flew over and sat heavily on Luna's shoulder, still fuming.
The guards around them exchanged glances, clearly unnerved by the glowing, winged creature.
"What is that thing?" one of them murmured.
"A spirit? A pet?"
The black-haired man remained silent, watching everything without blinking.
With a final command, the army began moving again.
Luna, Meli, and Sole walked in the center, surrounded on all sides.
Two long rows of guards flanked them—one in front, one behind, and others walking beside them.
The mysterious man walked silently at the rear, his eyes never leaving Luna.
Sole muttered in a low grumble, arms crossed, eyes darting around.
"Tch... Treating us like criminals. How rude... Who even are these people?"
Luna gave no reply. But the weight of her silence, her thoughts, and her growing power hung thick in the air.