Kazi felt a rush of terror as she glanced at the scissors. Whoever was orchestrating this, would not be so careless as to leave evidence lying around. It was a hint, an intentional tease. The orchestrator was saying, 'Let's see if you are smart to discover who I am, General.'
But the clue suggested something else. The scissors were more than just a display of knowledge; they were significant. Kazi's mind raced as she attempted to piece together broken memories. The orphanage attack, the changeling she had stabbed there...
"The orphanage!" she said, the realisation flooding over her. The royal family was being detained in the devastated building, which was full of innocents! Of course. Whoever planned this was no fool; they would not leave a weapon that was used to harm them lying about. It was a message.
Kazi burst out of the room, colliding with Ren, his face furrowed with concern. "Where are you going, Kazi?"
"The orphanage!" Kazi repeated. "That is where the changeling was killed. That is where the royal family must be."
Ren's jaw clenched. "I will come with you."
Kazi shook her head and spoke firmly. "No. Lead the soldiers, Ren. Hold the line against changelings and break the spells on maids and slaves. The changelings will prey on civilians and anybody who is vulnerable. Protect them."
Ren paused, his eyes seeking hers. "Be careful, General," he said, his voice steady. "We will hold them off here. You find the royals."
"Thank you, Ren," Kazi said, giving him a firm nod. Ren's worry warmed a small portion of her heart amidst the commotion, even if she did not need to be reminded of the dangers that lay ahead.
With a final nod, Kazi dashed out of the palace, Althea's fate weighing heavily on her shoulders. Time was of the essence. The sky continued its descent into darkness. She would not let Althea fall, would not let whoever was behind this succeed. The fate of an entire kingdom, the lives of the royal family – it all depended on this desperate race against time.
Kazi ran to her horse, already saddled and waiting. With a leap, she swung herself into the saddle and urged the steed forward. The wind whipped at her face, burning with cold and tugging at her clothes as they raced across the once-bustling streets of Althea. The city was silent, eerily empty except for the occasional cries of soldiers and the clash of steel. She could feel the weight of the world bearing down on her, the knowledge that every moment counted.
Kazi ignored the basic need to slow down and examine the situation, focusing on her goal. Her sword slashed through the air, narrowly missing the changeling as it leapt toward her, its claws outstretched. With a grunt of effort, she spun her horse around, using its body as a shield as she parried another attack. The changeling hissed and snapped at her, its claws shining in the moonlight.
Another changeling charged from the side, but Kazi countered the attack with ease, the years of training and experience flowing through her muscles like water. The changeling reeled back, its body smoking from the impact of her blows. She wheeled her horse around once more, scanning the alley they had entered, her gaze darting from one shadowy corner to the next. The air was thick with tension, the sound of clashing steel and snarling changelings echoing off the stone walls.
The journey to the orphanage seemed to take an eternity. Every corner contained a fresh hazard, and every shadow hid an opponent ready to pounce. Kazi's horse battled through the darkness, its hooves pounding on the cobblestones as they sped to their objective. She could feel the thing beneath her, its muscles contracting and relaxing with each tremendous stride. The wind howled in her ears, and the cold bit at her skin, but she ignored it all and concentrated on the work at hand.
Finally, she reached the orphanage. And the scene made her blood run cold. Bodies littered the courtyard, changelings and the angels of althea alike, their blood staining the cobblestones.
Kazi dismounted her horse, her heart heavy with despair. A deep growl echoed across the air, and Kazi's gaze shifted to the building's door. Kazi walked to the door and opened the door of the orphanage. There inside stood, not one, but two changelings.
A humourless chuckle escaped Kazi's lips. Someone had anticipated her arrival. This was not just about holding the royal family hostage; it was about drawing her out, eliminating the one obstacle that stood in the way of complete control.
Kazi drew her sword and then one of the changelings attacked her. She parried the attack and countered with a strike of her own, slicing through the creature's chest. It fell to the ground, lifeless. The other changeling hesitated for a moment, its eyes wide with fear, before charging at her. She spun out of the way and thrust her sword into its back, killing it as well.
The stink of burning flesh and changeling blood filled the air as Kazi surveyed the carnage before her. The orphanage was no more; it had been reduced to a charred ruin, the bodies of the children and innocent angels strewn about like so many discarded toys. She felt a deep, gnawing pain in her chest, as if a piece of her own soul had been torn away. But there was no time to mourn. She had to find the royal family, and fast.
Desperation bit at her. She inspected the ruins of the orphanage, searching for any signs of survivors. Her heart raced as she called out, her voice echoing through the empty halls. The silence that followed was deafening. She spun around, her sword at the ready, expecting an ambush at any moment. But the shadows appeared to be nothing but the dust and cinders of death.
Just as the weight of frustration threatened to overwhelm her, she heard the smallest sound - a muffled groan. Following the sound, she approached a wall, its surface charred and warped from the intense heat. She placed her hand against it, feeling it warm to the touch, and then heard another groan. With renewed determination, she brushed her fingertips against the uneven surface, searching for a weak spot.
With a surge of adrenaline, she pressed down, and the wall opened inward, revealing a hidden chamber within. Light spilled out from a makeshift torch, revealing the hidden passage.
Kazi entered the passage, her heart hammering, the air thick with dust and the acrid stench of smoke. She moved cautiously, her sword at the ready, her senses on high alert. The torch's light flickered, casting dancing shadows across the rough stone walls, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The floor was uneven, littered with the debris of fallen stone and dirt, and she had to be careful not to trip.
The short passage twisted and turned, taking her deeper into the heart of the fortress. The air grew colder and damper, and she could hear the distant sound of rushing water. The floor was covered in a thick layer of silt, making her footsteps silent as she crept forward. Her heart pounded in her chest as she wondered how much further she had to go.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she stepped into a hidden chamber. She was startled by what she saw. A black light emitted from a book held by Layil in the centre of the room... The once meek wife of Prince Aradiel now radiated a dark energy, her eyes burning with unholy power. So, the traitor was Lady Layil all along. Kazi cursed under her breath, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
But before she could formulate a plan, her clumsiness betrayed her. Stepping back in shock, she collided with something solid. She spun around slowly, bracing herself for yet another changeling attack.
Instead, a strange figure - half man, half shadow - stood before her, its one yellow eye flashing with hate. The figure shrieked and locked its claws on Kazi's arm, its cold, grasping fingers digging into her flesh and dragged her to Layil.
Layil, her eyes glittering with wicked glee, looked up from her dark magic book. "Well, well, General Kazi, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She sneered, her voice dripping with contempt.
Kazi rolled her eyes, despite the dire situation. "Honestly," she spat, "I do not care why you are doing this, Layil. But this is the end of it."
Layil smiled, a cruel twist of her lips. "End?" she scoffed. "Why would I end it just because you told me to? My work is far from over." Her voice rose in pitch, becoming almost manic. "You cannot possibly understand what I have seen, what I have been through. The knowledge I have gained... It changes a person. And I will not let it go."
She turned a page of the book, dark threads of energy whirling around her fingers. "Not until I see King Kiyoshi of Ivamis grovel at my feet.
Kazi's eyes widened with realisation. So, this was not simply about vengeance against Althea. It was about a darker, evil plot. A wicked smirk spread across her face. "King Kiyoshi, huh?" she drawled.
Layil's eyes narrowed, her expression souring. "Your brother-in-law..." She chuckled darkly. "You understand why this must be done. He killed my father!" She slammed her hand down on the book, sending up a cloud of dust. "He destroyed my life, and I will not rest until I have made him pay.
"My brother-in-law did what was right," Kazi said, her voice calm despite the danger. "He put down your father's reign of terror. Your father was a monster, Layil. He enslaved innocent children both from Niameda and Ivamis, turning them into his puppets. King Kiyoshi saved them, and he is a hero, not a villain. And you..." She paused, glancing at the shadowy figure that held her arm. "You are a fool to believe in whatever lies your father fed you. You are not strong because you can read that book. You are a tool, just like all of those children were."
Layil's eyes flashed with rage. "You dare to call my father a monster? You dare to defend my family's murderer?" She pointed a shaking finger at Kazi. The dark magic around Layil became more intense, the air crackling with energy. "You are blind! You have no idea what you are talking about!"
Kazi smirked; this was just the reaction she wanted....