The sun's rays had barely dawned in the sky when the bells of the Eternal Fountain Cathedral rang thunderously, warning of something important. In his room, Kal woke with a start to the emphatic knocking at the door. They were the guards, with serious expressions. They brought a message from the Emperor, requesting Kal's immediate presence at a royal council meeting. Without wasting time, Clara also woke up frightened. Before they left, they came across Suzannah in the hallway.
"What happened?" - she asked, noticing the apprehension on their faces.
"I was summoned by the Emperor," - Kal explained.
"Don't worry, I'm going with you!" - said Suzannah.
Kal nodded. Following the hurried guards, they saw Relon and Lilla along the way.
"Kal! Wait!", Relon called out. But there was no time to lose. The guards went ahead, with Kal, Clara and Suzannah in tow heading to the council chamber.
Relon and Lilla, worried, could only watch Kal move away quickly down the hall. Lilla couldn't follow Kal because that day the great final of the tournament was to be held and she needed to focus on her last preparations and trainings, with Relon's help. Reaching the doors of the council chamber, the guards announced Kal's entrance. However, when Suzannah made a motion to accompany him, one of the guards raised his hand, preventing her passage.
"Only the summoned can enter," he said.
But Suzannah looked at him firmly and responded:
"You're really going to try to stop the Red Queen from entering?"
The guard paled when he recognized her. Quickly lowering his hand, he bowed reverently, letting her pass without batting an eye.
Inside, only the Emperor's closest generals and commanders were present, including Tiberius. Emperor Mordret awaited them with a serious air, ready to address the subject of that emergency meeting. The emperor noticed Suzannah's presence and decided to confront her:
"Red Queen, I see you also answered my summons. I believe you have more valuable information to share about this mysterious boy" - he said, referring to Kal.
Suzannah briefly pondered before replying:
"My lord, there are indications that he may be a powerful ally. However, I believe his abilities are still a mystery, even to himself. I suggest letting him go to the land of the fox-men, where they may find answers."
But Mordett was already suspicious of Suzannah's manipulations.
"Don't think I haven't noticed your manipulations, old witch. You know more than you reveal and seek to protect him. But if he represents a threat, I must be cautious," he responded seriously.
Suzannah was surprised to see that her attempts at dissimulation had not worked on the shrewd emperor. The situation now seemed to become delicate.
The tension increased in the council chamber. Then Mordret turned his attention to Kal:
"You, boy, are you an ally of Nannu or a threat?"
Kal looked at Emperor Mordret firmly, but before responding his eyes turned to Tiberius, surprised to see him also present. Crossing glances, a painful memory seemed to haunt Tiberius, perhaps something that happened in Nannu's Heart.
Quickly, he turned and said:
"These lands are the home of my friends and family. I am and will always be a warrior of Nannu, I am no threat."
Then General Marcus whispered something in Emperor Mordret's ear, which seemed to intrigue him. Could it be Kal's demonstrated deeds in the tournament, like his potential danger?
Mordret was carefully weighing the situation, surrounded by still unsolved mysteries about that young man. A wrong decision could have serious consequences for Nannu's fate. Before Mordret made a decision, the door opened again. It was the heir prince Morfrey, still leaning on crutches.
"Father, I ask to participate in this council," he said with a bow.
Mordret smiled, happy to see his son walking, even if not fully recovered. He nodded his head, allowing his presence. Meanwhile, Suzannah noticed Tiberius turning his face when their glances crossed. She found his attitude strange, having been his mentor for years and shared intimacy. Already seated beside the emperor, Morfrey suggested:
"Kal has demonstrated loyalty to Nannu. We must give him a chance to develop his gifts. Let him remain in Alnnum, where he can train safely under our tutelage."
Would this be a wise solution to such an impasse? Mordret seemed to carefully consider his son and heir's proposal to the throne.
Suzannah spoke up:
"No one in this city knows the true extent of Kal's gifts. If he remains in captivity, he will never awaken his full potential!"
Mordret's tone rose in anger:
"Be silent! You've already hidden information from me, do you think I'll trust your words now?"
He ordered the guards to imprison Kal in his quarters until further notice. Kal was taken away, amid Suzannah's protests.
"Tiberius, you know I can help. Why don't you speak up for me?"
Tiberius gave her a cruel smile.
"The boy will stay with us, witch. We will personally take care of him."
Suzannah realized the strange change in her former pupil. What happened to that studious and helpful young man? She opted for silence, seeing that nothing would be accomplished in that moment. But she would not rest until Kal was freed.
Suzannah hurriedly left the council, discreetly calling Clara, Katara and her brother Orem to meet her in her chambers at the Academy. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, the crowd's excitement was rising for the much-awaited tournament final. Despite the end of the Water Festival celebrations, the tournament still promised exciting moments. In the final battle, Lilla meditated in maximum concentration to face her opponent, daughter of the noble Lord Felwave. The elite of Alnnum awaited anxiously for the outcome of this fight between the princess and the rival.
Relon sought news of Kal, intrigued by his sudden disappearance after the events in the royal council. He felt that something bigger was being plotted behind the scenes. At the meeting organized by Suzannah. The morning advanced and the group gathered in search of a solution.
"We need to get Kal out of captivity as soon as possible," declared Suzannah, with a heavy expression.
"We could return the artifact that awakened his gifts before, so he can free himself by his own means," suggested Katara.
"Great idea. You'll take care of that," agreed the Red Queen.
Meanwhile, she herself would investigate the reasons behind Tiberius' sudden change, which occurred at the council that morning. Something there did not fit, and she needed to get to the bottom of the issue.
"Also keep an eye on the tournament final. Something tells me Princess Lilla and her brother Relon will still be useful," she recommended to Clara and Orem.
Plan devised, the group set out to put the action plan into practice as soon as possible. It would be a race against time before something bad could happen to Kal in his castle captivity. In the arena, the tension was growing for the emblematic final confrontation. Lilla prepared in the dressing rooms, pensive. Oblivious to the crowd's excitement, she recalled how she used her abilities in the last fight and how she managed to overcome her limits. She knew that only victory could represent her freedom before the nobles and people. It was then that Shiera Felwave entered the place, scornful look for the princess.
"My father always says we receive the most powerful blood of this Empire," she said.
"In your veins, however, the blood of the last hero runs weak. Only your older brother can inherit such a title. I hope you do not disappoint us today, little princess."
Shiera left, leaving Lilla in silence. She knew the whole nobility awaited seeing her fail, to belittle her house. She could not fail, even though her main focus was her freedom, she understood she would never be heard humiliating her family. In the stands, Relon watched anxiously, hoping his sister would emerge victorious from this challenge.
The investigation began on two simultaneous fronts:
While in the palace the climate of tension was greater, with more guards now patrolling the perimeter by order of the Emperor, Suzannah stealthily entered Tiberius' chambers using her 5th Circle Arcana Magic: Arcane Mantle, which guaranteed invisibility to the witch. Rummaging through his belongings, she found ancient books of black magic, only increasing her suspicions about Tiberius' true motives. Tiberius now seemed involved in the dark arts up to his neck.
Katara, Orem and Clara also tried to infiltrate the castle to rescue Kal, but with all that extra imposing security, they knew they would only survive that challenge using all their cunning. They decided to find a loophole and await the right moment to act. Meanwhile, the final battle of the tournament was already unfolding in the arena caldron, and with it Lilla's hopes of proving her worth to the nobility.
The arena boiled with anticipation for the final match. When Lilla entered the site, she was received with euphoria by the humblest layers of the people, who even dubbed her "Sunflower of Aquarion". On the other hand, Shiera entered amid more contained applause, coming primarily from nobles who nurtured resentments against the imperial house or tiredness from Mordret's belligerent incursions. Silently, they hoped to see the emperor's daughter humiliated, to belittle her house.
However, for the common people, Lilla represented hope and inspiration. They knew of her generous heart that, even behind her father's own rigid facade, still sought to bring justice to the most vulnerable. That's why they acclaimed her so fervently. In the noble boxes, the energies were diverse. While Relon cheered for his sister, figures like Lord Visgano, Shiera's father, flashed malicious smiles in the face of what they judged to be the princess's likely fate.
In Tiberius' chambers, Suzannah's investigation advanced steadily. Rummaging through all of Tiberius' belongings, she found a peculiar scroll, sealed by a gem that she herself had given her former pupil as a graduation gift years ago. She immediately put it away with the other findings, sensing it would contain crucial answers. But when preparing to leave, she spotted a discreet crack between two bookshelves full of books.
Using 1st Circle Elemental Fire Magic: Flame, she lit a spark in her hand to illuminate the place and saw a hidden opening in the rocky wall. Without hesitation, she squeezed between the volumes to reach the crevice, noting it was a secret passage. Her investigative instinct prevailed, and she risked venturing into the secluded hideout, praying not to be seen. What she might find there could unravel the mystery surrounding her former pupil's actions. Caution, she began exploring the secrets of that chamber in search of answers.
In Aquarion Palace, Katara acted skillfully and cleverly. Using her hereditary magic, she transformed herself completely into a fox, incorporating all the small and cunning animal's features. Holding the mysterious artifact between her jaws, she stealthily made her way through the palace gardens towards the living quarters wing. Always attentive and careful not to be seen by the reinforced patrols.
When she reached the windows of the rooms where Kal was confined, she instinctively raised her ears and sniffed the air, making sure there were no guards nearby. Then she released the artifact in front of the opening, hoping the young warrior would understand the message and use his power for a secret escape from there. Her part in the rescue operation had been carried out with mastery. Now it was up to Kal to act and find the way to freedom again. Katara disappeared silently into the shadows, back in human form, anxious for news of who they considered a deity.
In the arena the balanced clash was happening in the initial moments, without either of the gladiators managing to land concrete blows. Shiera seemed to be studying Lilla, waiting for the right moment. Tired of her opponent's apparent passivity, Lilla chose to use her greatest ability: "Step on the waters", she moved and slid over the ring's water surface as if walking on it, accelerating the attack.
Shiera had her feet trapped under the princess's magic, which now immobilized her legs under water. The crowd applauded the daring maneuver, witnessing again the secret power of the "Sunflower of Aquarion". Enjoying the shock in Shiera's eyes, Lilla smiled. By her opponent's expression, she knew she had finally managed to surprise her. It would be the turning point of the fight? The princess increased intimidation, pressing the attack to try to knock Shiera down once and for all.
Shiera skillfully counterattacked her opponent. Invoking her ancestral magic "Blood Magic: Crimson Chrysanthemums!", she created a scarlet whirlwind formed by crimson droplets around herself. The red vortex repelled the water manipulated by Lilla, freeing the girl's legs and allowing her to move again.
"Do you really think you can defeat me with these silly tricks, little princess?" - provoked Shiera.
"You can't reach me anymore!"
Lilla frowned, concerned. The blood barrier moved constantly, making it difficult to break through. She would need to think fast to counter that spell and win the fight. While the crowd vibrated with the turn of events, the imperial heir looked for inspiration to deliver a decisive blow against Shiera's Crimson Chrysanthemums protection. Victory hung on determination and ingenuity.
In Tiberius' secret passage, the mystery only deepened in the sinister chamber. As Suzannah ventured further, a nauseating odor intensified, making her wrinkle her nose in reflex. Reaching a curve, she found a severed arm thrown on the floor. The feeling of horrors only grew. And she was not prepared for what she saw ahead: the dismembered and distributed body of Bernstein, the court's other great mage.
Suzannah felt her stomach turn at the grisly scene. There were signs that the murder had been committed right there. And this evidence directly pointed to her former pupil, Tiberius. Unable to believe what she saw, she approached the door emitting the putrid stench of death. She knew that by crossing it, she would discover the truth behind the sinister plot. Taking a deep breath to steel her courage, she finally crossed through.
Kal's escape was beginning to take shape. As soon as he touched the magical artifact, his consciousness rose, bringing back his acquired abilities. When he focused his power, he passed through the sealed door of the dungeon without difficulty, as if floating on clouds. The alert guards were startled by the sight, finding the young warrior free from the shackles of prison. But they noticed something different about Kal. His eyes shone like dusk, and when he powerfully ordered "Get out of my way", the sentinels knelt in reverence and fear, clearing a path.
With a noble and powerful air, Kal moved forward. It seemed he had awakened greater gifts after incarceration, becoming an almost divine presence in that place. Was the escape then? His objectives were only beginning to unfold. Outside the palace, Katara and Orem's conversation about grabbing Kal and immediately leaving the capital was interrupted by Clara, who realized it was not time for a hasty escape.
"We can't leave the capital without the others. There is still much to be clarified," argued the wise young woman.
However, to her surprise, Orem advanced on her with superhuman speed, knocking her out with a precise blow. The girl fell unconscious on the ground.
"You won't be coming with us either, girl," Katara said indifferently to the inert body.
It was clear the siblings disdained outside opinions. Only concerned with their mutual security, they prepared to flee the capital taking only Kal, without considering the other allies and the still unsolved mysteries of that place. Orem's hostile act against Clara showed they were willing to do anything to accomplish their goals. But without their brave helper, the fate of the remaining ones became more uncertain amid that land of secrets and dangers.
Back in the arena the fight was nearing its conclusion, with Lilla increasingly wounded and tired against the unshakeable Shiera. Then the imperial heir took a desperate measure. She released all her magical energy at once, activating her most powerful special ability: "Unprecedented Ability: Princess Who Walks on Water." Her body began to move at the speed of thought, as if floating on invisible waves.
Shiera barely had time to react when Lilla, with a precise blow, invaded her blood protection. A thrust pierced her opponent's body, tearing a sharp cry of pain from her lips. For the first time in the fight, Shiera was bleeding. The crowd went wild seeing the "Sunflower of Aquarion" had finally found an opening in the other fighter's defense. Would this be the final blow to crown her as champion?
Kal let himself be taken in by Katara and Orem's ruse, who deceived him by saying they were acting on Suzannah's orders to urgently flee. Without time for questioning, he touched the two of them and used his power of instantaneous passage again, leaving the capital in the blink of an eye. Deep down, he felt something precious was left behind. But now his being was empty of emotions, focused only on fulfilling what he believed to be his destiny. Without realizing it, he had become just another pawn in the siblings' manipulations, used for their own benefit.
In an instant, Aquarion was left behind, with Clara unconscious, Suzannah and the others unaware of his sudden departure. And the great tournament left unfinished, with the outcome of the final fight still pending. Katara and Orem silently celebrated the successful escape, yet dark designs still loomed over all in that kingdom of magics and plots.
In the chamber of Tiberius' quarters, with a prepared gesture, Suzannah used her magical energy to open the sinister door. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight that met her eyes. An enormous underground chamber covered almost the entire palace basement. Damp, dark and flooded with congealed blood. In the center, an altar erected for macabre forbidden magics. The rotting, dismembered bodies of children and women lay around. The stench of death was almost unbearable.
Suzannah felt a chill in her soul before this abomination. This went far beyond Salacia's summoned shadows. It was a plan architected over time, a nefarious cult occurring under the palace foundations. The horror was too much for her fortitude. She turned and vomited, disgusted and terrified by what she had witnessed. The evil was much more deeply rooted in that land than they believed. And Tiberius, as feared as Salacia, was certainly neck-deep involved in this sacrilege.