EARLIER IN THE ROOM SHE WAS LOCKED IN.
Wake up!" she commanded, and Evan's eyes opened. He yawned and stretched, blinking several times before reality set in. He checked himself for injuries.
"Welcome back, Evan," Ella said with teary eyes. Evan gave her a puzzled look, scanning the room. Ella squatted in front of him, accompanied by a handsome man in a deep V-neck jacket with a fur collar. On the ground lay a man, devoid of limbs and covered in blood. Evan's heart raced, but he maintained a neutral expression as he looked at the two before him.
"Who are you, and how did I end up here?" he inquired.
"Evan, it's me—Samuel Bassett," Ella said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I may not understand how we got here, but I am absolutely certain that Samuel is a boy."
She glanced at her outfit, letting out a chuckle. Sniffing and wiping away tears, another fresh batch streamed down her eyes. "I aced the CBT exams, befriended a half-Indian boy, and teamed up with four others to find a golden egg under a cradle," she shared. "He defended me from bullies, but then I shot you," she added, choking on her words. Evan, shocked, stammered, "You're a girl." Ella nodded, tears still flowing.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Milli is coming," Velder interjected. Evan asked, "Who's that?" Velder replied, "I'll explain later," hiding in her shadow.
PRESENT:
Cyrus, Acher, Chen, and Simon stealthily navigated empty hallways. Chen pulled Acher back, spotting guards. "Let me," he said. The younger guard asked nervously, "Are we going to survive this?" Suddenly, the elder guard exploded, and the younger one, covered in blood, met the same fate. "All clear," Cyrus declared, leading the way.
Trent moved through the hallways guided by the engagement ring he used to propose to Ella. Dodging an ice arrow, he faced Lancelot, a man with a crossbow. "I'm here to take you all to hell," Trent declared. Lancelot, realizing his mistake, shot an ice arrow, but Trent blurred out of sight. Appearing near him, Trent stabbed him and said, "I need to go save my woman."
Lance craned his neck to look at Trent, who twisted the dagger deeper into his abdomen, eliciting more blood. "You are her son?" Lance forced the words through the pain. "No, I told you she's not," Trent replied as Lance dropped to the ground.
Outside the mansion, the elders and high officials faced challenges. Romulus and Romeos used their abilities at a distance. Elder Potter's dragon unleashed a flame ball, but it was engulfed by a massive wave. Elder, atop her flying whale, confronted the water clan.
Aurelia's volcano beads repelled rogues. Alfric touched the ground, causing a giant plant to sprout, visible even in the distant capital. In a bustling city, cars honked due to halted traffic. A little girl pointed out a giant umbrella-shaped object, observed by curious onlookers.
People gathered around to look at the giant mushroom from afar.
The childlike elder ran to Romulus, asking about it. "Find Brianiac Shiro, tell him to instruct everyone to cover their noses!" Romulus urgently shouted. The childlike elder sped across the land, delivering the message.
Shiro connected wires to his mini-monitor, instructing HOJ agents to use helmets to protect their noses as the mushroom opened. Amorah, anxious, paced in a dimly lit room. The clicking heels alerted her to someone's presence, and she frowned upon seeing the newcomer.
"Amorah asked Fiona Potter, 'What are you doing here?' Fiona inquired, 'Have you forgotten what you promised me?' 'Of course, I remembered. I will make you the queen of the world, the woman standing beside Trent, and I will appoint your brother as the head of the Flame Clan. Now, where is the contract?' Amorah stretched out her hand. Fiona smiled, producing the contract. However, when Amorah reached for it, Fiona retracted her hand, and a scowl appeared on Amorah's face.
'What's that about?' Amorah fumed. 'I need to know if you won't go back on your word,' Fiona explained. Amorah sighed. 'Alex! Get the red worm!' Fiona was surprised, not sensing another person's presence. Alex brought a small wooden box. Amorah opened it, revealing a red tiny worm wiggling in her hand. She muttered some magic spells. "I, Amorah Castle, promise to make you the woman and queen standing by my son, and I promise to appoint your brother as the head of the Dragon Flame Clan."
Amorah dropped the worm on her wrist, and it pierced into her, entering her bloodstream. "If I break my promise, the worm will enter my heart and kill me," Amorah explained to Fiona. "Besides, I need someone from your family to control the dragon." Fiona, reassured, handed over the scroll.
"Why do you need the dragon?" Fiona asked. Amorah replied, "Do you know why the Potter family is respected and feared? Your blood manipulation ability and your contracted dragon, even the royal family were willing to marry off two of their daughters into your family. It is because the Dragon Flame, cannot be turned off."
The head of the water clan smiled at Elder Potter, but her happiness was short-lived as the flame rekindled and struck her flying whale, causing a crash. Elder Potter heard the message through his Bluetooth, "All HOJ agents! Use your helmets to shield your nose! I repeat, use your helmets to shield your nose!"