Chereads / Between Worlds: The Mystery of the Door / Chapter 11 - A Cult at the Kingdom's Feet

Chapter 11 - A Cult at the Kingdom's Feet

Night falls over the castle, and Alex ventures to investigate the suspicious movements of the nobles. After hours of no success, he discovers a group of them meeting in secret. Intrigued, he follows their steps and, upon entering an apparently empty room, notices a highlighted book on a shelf.

Moving the book reveals a secret passage with stairs descending into the unknown. As he goes down, the atmosphere becomes ominous: flaming candelabras light up walls covered in blood and demonic symbols. He finds the corpse of a giant demon, tied up and bleeding into a chalice.

Hooded nobles perform a macabre ritual. Thalrion, the elder sorcerer, leads the ceremony: "The power we seek is within reach. Tonight will be our triumph." He reveals his involvement in the royal court and the plan to strengthen the nobles, as well as the kidnapping of Lyria to sow hatred towards humans.

Thalrion, sensing his presence, sends his followers to capture him. Hooded guards approach Alex: "Stop! We will not allow you to ruin our plans." Although captured, thanks to his bond with his panther, Alex breaks free and confronts his captors. The bond with the panther gives Alex strength: "You won't stop me that easily!"

Thalrion appears, using magic to transport Alex to a cell in his cult. "Your resistance is futile. Soon you will see the success of our cause." As he imprisons him, he reveals his malevolent plans and warns that Lyria is being kidnapped that very night. "Lyria will be our key to victory. And you, a prisoner without hope." In desperation, the bond with his panther intensifies, communicating strength and courage to Alex: "Together, we will overcome any adversity. You are not alone, Alex."

As Lyria and Elren look for Alex, the castle is suddenly plunged into chaos. A group of hooded figures burst in, sowing confusion and disorder. Thalrion, hiding his true identity, approaches Lyria: "Princess, quick! Follow me! I will take you to a safe place." Lyria, momentarily trusting the hooded figure, follows him. However, Thalrion takes the opportunity to cast a sleep spell on her, plunging her into a deep sleep.

Simultaneously, Elren, believing the hooded figures to be bandits threatening the castle, fights against them to protect the princess. After the confrontation, Thalrion returns and meets Elren: "Elren, something terrible has happened! The princess has been kidnapped. We must find her!"

As Thalrion and Elren, along with the royal guard, frantically search for the princess, the entire city is plunged into growing chaos. False evidence, carefully planted by the cult, suggests that Lyria is in a hut on the coast next to a human ship.

Thalrion, with a persuasive voice, points with determination at Alex: "He is the one who has unleashed this chaos. He attracted the bandits to our castle. That is the truth!" He presents manipulated evidence, including the unconscious human ship, to support his claims.

Elren, however, shows doubts about the accusation. "I'm not sure Alex is responsible for this. Something doesn't add up," he murmurs as he observes the evidence.

Thalrion, insistent, orders the royal guard to capture Alex and take him to the dungeon to face trial. "We must ensure he pays for his crimes!" declares Thalrion, hiding his true role in the plot.

In the darkness of the dungeon, Alex, freeing himself from the chains that imprisoned him, faces the difficult task of proving his innocence. The plot thickens even more, weaving a web of deception and confusion, while the fate of Lyria hangs in a delicate balance.