Jason: *smiles softly* "Maybe one day I'll get my own happy ending."
Steven: "Don't worry, Jason. You'll get there...oh hey look who finally decided to join us!"
Jasmine and Grace were following Maya towards the ballroom doors, trying to get away from the large crowd.
Jasmine: "Shut up!"
Maya: *pauses* "You wanna get out for a while?"
Jason: "Beats standing here."
Maya: "The royal garden is supposed to look really beautiful this time of day."
Jason: *looks at Maya with a grin* "I think that sounds perfect. Grace, Jasmine-what do you say? A little break from all the crowds?"
Jasmine: *nods* "At least it won't be as loud."
Grace: "I haven't seen the royal garden before."
Jason: *grins* "Well, you're in for a treat. It's the perfect place to relax. Let's go, before the ceremony gets even more stuffy."
Jasmine: *smirks* "And I won't have to pretend to be interested anymore."
Maya: *with a knowing smile* "That's why you'll fit in just fine."
The group made their way toward the royal garden, leaving the bustling ballroom behind. The sun was setting, casting a golden light over the manicured flowers and peaceful pathways. The air smelled of fresh blooms, and the sound of a nearby fountain added to the serene atmosphere.
Jasmine: *takes a deep breath* "Ah, this is much better."
Jason: "No need for fancy speeches or crowds. Just good company."
Grace: *looks around in awe* "Wow, this garden is beautiful."
Jason: *glances at Grace* "It is, isn't it?"
Grace: *smiles softly* "Yeah."
Steven: *pulls Jason away* "Alright, alright. I think it's time for you to leave your girlfriend alone for a while."
Grace: "When did Jason get a girlfriend?"
Jason: "But I...she just-"
Steven: "Can you go back to the Ballroom and sneak some and cake and cookies for us?"
Jason: *complains* "Why me?"
Jasmine: *from a distance* "This is my break from people! Also make sure you bring extra cookies for me."
Grace: "Im not going. Too many people."
Maya: "I don't wanna put up with the song requests."
Steven.: "I just don't wanna go."
Jason: *rolls his eyes* "Alright, fine. I'll go back to the ballroom and get the cookies. But I'm not doing it for you, Steven." *grins* "I'm doing it for Grace. And Jasmine, since you've demanded extra cookies."
Grace: "Make sure you bring back the best cookies."
Jason: *winks* "You got it."
Steven: *teases* "Just don't come back empty-handed, or I'll never let you hear the end of it."
Jason: *mock-seriously* "I'm getting them, don't worry. And when I do, you'll all owe me." *starts walking back toward the ballroom*
A few moments later...
Jasmine: "He's been gone a while now, hasn't he?"
Maya: *sigh* "Maybe he's gotten distracted. Can't say I blame him. There are a lot of delicious things in there."
Grace: "True. And who knows, he might be tasting everything before bringing it back."
Steven: *grins* "I told him to bring the best cookies. Maybe he's just making sure they're perfect."
Jasmine: "Perfect? Knowing Jason, he probably forgot about the cookies by now and is chasing after something else."
Maya: "Something else? Like what?"
Jasmine: *shrug* "Who knows? A dance, a conversation... or more likely, finding a way to be the center of attention."
Grace: "He is full of surprises."
The group fell into a comfortable silence, with only the sound of the fountain breaking the quiet. After a few more minutes, they began to wonder if Jason had gotten lost in the crowd or was intentionally taking longer than needed.
Steven: *teases* "Should we go find him and drag him back?"
Jasmine: *sigh* "I suppose we should. Don't want him to be out there missing all the fun."
Grace: *stands up* "We could check the kitchen again. He probably made himself at home."
Maya: "Well, if we must go find him, we might as well make it an adventure. I'm curious to see what he's up to now."
The group stood up and headed back toward the castle, ready for whatever antics Jason had gotten into this time. But when they went inside, something felt off. As they walked through the castle, the sight was horrible! Dead bodies covered the floor and blood was splattered on the walls.
Suddenly, they heard a crying noise. They ran to the ballroom. Which it seemed to be coming from. And there was Flint, holding Linda in his arms. Grace stares in horror. Maya quickly runs to Flint's side.
Maya: "Flint what happened?"
Flint: *shakes his head* "They killed everyone. I tried to save her, but...I was too late."
Jason: *stumbles out of hiding* "Is he gone?"
They all stare in surprise and disbelief.
Flint: *stands up slowly* "Oh! It's a miracle! The prince has survived!"
Steven: *quickly runs to catch Jason as he falls to the ground*
Jason: *murmurs* "Are Jasmine...and Grace... okay...?"
Steven: "Jasmine's fine. And so is your girlfriend."
Flint: "But let's not worry about them now. You're severely injured."
Jasmine: *looks at Flint, then at Grace*
Only two people were left, still living inside the castle. Either two of those people were a possible imposter, or they somehow survived.
The silence in the blood-soaked ballroom was suffocating. Jasmine stood frozen, her wide magenta eyes darting between Flint, Jason, and the carnage around them. Maya clutched her flute tightly, trembling as she stared at Linda's lifeless form.
Grace: *kneeling beside Jason, her voice shaking* "We need to get him help. He's losing too much blood."
Steven: *gritting his teeth* "Grace is right. Let's focus on getting Jason out of here first."
As Flint carefully lifted Jason, the group hurried through the desolate halls of the castle, their footsteps echoing eerily. Every shadow seemed to stretch and twist, making their journey all the more harrowing.
Jasmine: *quietly to herself* "This wasn't just an attack...it was a massacre."
Maya: *softly* "And someone wanted to make sure there were no survivors."
Grace: *voice shaking* "But why? What could anyone gain from this?"
Steven: *gritting his teeth* "That's what we're going to find out."
When they reached the infirmary, it was empty but untouched. Flint placed Jason on a cot while Maya worked to stop the bleeding using whatever supplies were available. Flint looked around, trying to find a few supplies to take care of his own injuries.
Steven: "Whoever did this will regret the day they were born!"
Flint: "That shouldn't be necessary -"
Steven: "Why? He was like a brother to me! Don't you understand?"
Flint: *sternly* "I understand, Steven. But acting recklessly won't bring anyone back. We need to be smart about this."
Maya: "He's right. We'll make them pay, but we need to stay alive first."
Jason drifted in and out of consciousness, his lips pale, his breaths shallow. Maya worked tirelessly, her hands steady but her heart racing as she tried to keep him stable.
Later that night, as the others rested, Steven found himself wandering the blood-stained halls, unable to shake the unease creeping through him. He reached the ballroom again, the scene replaying in his mind like a nightmare.
Flint: "Can't sleep?"
Steven: "No."
Flint: *picks up a nearby blade and examines it* "It seems Crystaline had a traitor in their midst."
Steven: *steps closer to get a better look of the blade* "What do you mean?"
Flint: "Well, my dear brother, this being wasn't just on a killing spree, they were trying to rule the whole Crystaline Kingdom."
Steven: "Well I won't let them!"
Flint: *stabs Steven, leaving him breathless* "I know you won't, dear brother. Don't worry about a thing now. No one cared for your life anyway."