CASPIAN'S POV:
The sun hasn't even risen over the kingdom of Veridia. But Caspian prepared himself for the journey to the Astral Nexus.
It is a place that exists between dimensions. And it is a place accessible only to those with magical abilities.
Caspian took a deep breath and stepped into the portal. And he felt the familiar sensation of being between dimensions.
He could see a gathering of powerful mystics. Their robes shimmered with magical essence.
High Archmage Ilyana Stormweaver acknowledged Caspian's presence with a bow.
She is the wise and powerful leader of the council, "Greetings, your Majesty. How may we serve you?"
Caspian replied with a respectful bow. Then he directed what's bothering him straightforward.
"Esteemed members of the council, I seek your counsel and knowledge. Recently, I encountered a SoulStone Absorber. It was attached to an Umbrathrax."
The council members exchanged intrigued glances.
High Druid Eamon Wildwood leaned forward. "An Umbrathrax, you say, your Majesty? Those are rare and untamed creatures. It is no small feat to encounter one, let alone attach a meticulous SoulStone Absorber to it."
Caspian nodded his head. A glimpse of his strange encounter with the red-haired lady entered his mind.
She had tamed the Umbrathrax so effortlessly.
'Could she be one of them?' he wondered inwardly, but immediately dismissed the idea.
'No, that can't be right. She was the one who wanted to remove the stone from the Umbrathrax.'
"It is primarily created to amplify energy for healing and restoration. I don't see a reason why someone would use it on an Umbrathrax. I have never heard it done before." High Archmage Ilyana pondered out loud.
"Unless someone has an evil intent with it," Archmage Silas Ravensong interrupted them. "If the person who attached the stone know the forces that an Umbrathrax carries, he has something evil up his sleeves."
He is an expert in ancient and forbidden magic.
"What do you mean?" Caspian's heart quickened.
"Can I see the stone, your Majesty?" Archmange Silas asked.
Caspian immediately nodded his head. And he brought it out for the Council to see.
The gem's deep-purple hue and ethereal wisps of energy swirling within seemed to mesmerize them.
"Such craftsmanship," High Druid Eamon remarked.
"These symbols could hold clues to its origin," Archmage Silas pointed to the intricate details.
He then took out a parchment and searched for something on it.
"I have also examined the Soulstone Absorber thoroughly," Caspian said while they were doing so.
"I looked for any residual traces of magical energy or lingering essence left behind by the one who attached it. But there isn't any. It's as if the Umbrathrax willingly accepted it."
High Archmage Ilyana stroked her chin thoughtfully. "It's rare for such powerful magic to leave no trace. This suggests a level of skill and finesse in the process."
Caspian nodded.
"Exactly. And that only deepens the mystery. We need to find out who is behind this, and if they have any sinister intentions."
Archmage Silas' hands trembled, and his words cut through the air like an icy wind.
"Sire, I think the stone has harnessed the Roaring Inferno from the Umbrathrax!"
Caspian's heart quickened, but his face remained a mask of regal composure.
"The Roaring Inferno?" He glanced at the gemstone, its purple hue seeming to pulse with hidden power.
"Yes, your Majesty," Silas continued, his voice edged with urgency. "An Umbrathrax energy mixed with fire energy can create the Roaring Inferno."
Caspian's mind raced, grappling with the weight of Silas' revelation.
He knew of the Umbrathrax, ancient sources of shadowy power said to lie dormant beneath the kingdom's depths.
To think that such a force had been harnessed, entwined with the fury of fire, sent a chill down his spine.
Silas shifted uneasily, his worry apparent. "Your Majesty, this is a challenge unlike any we've faced. The Roaring Inferno's energy can facilitate the creation of machinery and land management—"
"—and bring devastation to all it touches," Caspian finished.
"Who dares wield such potent energy without my say?" Caspian's voice rumbled, his eyes flashing with a fire of their own.
The air seemed to thicken, charged with an unspoken tension that made the council's breaths shallow.
Each of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats, exchanging uneasy glances.
"It could be harnessed for a greater purpose."
"Yes, your Majesty. Maybe they will use it as a renewable resource management. Or as a traditional fuel source."
"It is fortunate that you found it first, your Majesty. They cannot use it anymore, for whatever reason."
Each one tried to pacify their King.
But Caspian has already made a resolution.
"I will look for the one who did that to the Umbrathrax and find out his motive myself."
Caspian then concluded the meeting with the Veridian Council of Mystics. And he returned to the palace.
His mind was still preoccupied with the Soulstone Absorber when he passed by the Veridian guards.
He spotted the one he had assigned to keep an eye on the young lady whom he had encountered in the groves.
"Guard," Caspian called out, his voice steady and commanding.
The guard quickly approached, his expression filled with dread.
"Your Majesty, I apologize deeply," he said with a bow. "I have lost sight of the young lady. She disappeared without a trace."
Caspian furrowed his brow, feeling a hint of frustration. "Explain what happened. How did she manage to slip away unnoticed?"
The guard looked uneasy as he recounted the events.
"I had her under surveillance as you instructed, Your Majesty. But she moved with incredible agility and vanished amidst the trees. It was as if she possessed an uncanny ability to evade detection."
Caspian couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as he learned about the lady's disappearance.
Disappointment washed over him, knowing that he had no idea where she had gone.
But at the same time, he found himself slightly amused that she had managed to elude his guard's keen eye.
"It's not impossible though," he thought to himself, "knowing how defiant she is."
He sighed. The mysterious young lady proved to be more elusive than he had anticipated.
"She certainly has a knack for evading capture," he mused inwardly. "It's both impressive and frustrating."
The guard asked, "Your Majesty, should we continue the search for her?"
Caspian paused for a moment, considering his options. He knew he couldn't let her slip away without a trace.
"Yes," he replied firmly, "we must find her. Gather a team of skilled guards."
The guard nodded, understanding the urgency in Caspian's tone. "Right away, Your Majesty. I'll assemble the best guards we have."
Caspian appreciated the guard's dedication and efficiency.
"Thank you," he said, his voice steady and composed. "Time is of the essence, and I want to leave no stone unturned in your search."