Lionel, Kross, Bennett, and Costel sought refuge in a nearby shelter amidst the chaos that had engulfed the realm Of Grace the night before, tensions ran high among the group. Lionel, ever the protector, leaned into Kross, prompting her to check on her mother. However, Kross hesitated, reluctant to confront the strained relationship between herself and her mother, with no intention of mending it.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Bennett and Costel, who bid their farewells and offered their condolences to the Realm of Grace. They explained their need to return to Leisure quickly, fearing that their realm might suffer a similar fate if they delayed.
Understanding the urgency of their departure, Lionel and Kross exchanged solemn nods with Bennett and Costel, acknowledging the Guardian promise they all made to their respective Realms. Despite the parting of ways, there was a sense of camaraderie among the guardians, a shared vision to protect their respective rulers and uncover the truth behind the attacks.
As Bennett and Costel made their exit, Lionel and Kross were left to contemplate their next move in the face of uncertainty.
Alone once more, Lionel pressed Kross again to check on her mother, emotions stirred within her, reaching a boiling point of contention. With a sudden surge of frustration, Kross shot to her feet, firmly telling Lionel to leave the matter alone.
The weight of her strained relationship with her mother weighed heavily on her, and she was not ready to confront it, especially amidst the chaos and destruction surrounding them.
Lionel felt a surge of guilt suddenly flow through him for pushing the issue, realizing that he couldn't fully understand Kross's emotions as he himself had no family. His intentions had been to mentor Kross and offer support, but he now saw that he had overstepped his bounds. "And what of your affections for the Queen? Since you find it necessary to pry into my personal life", she trembled with a slight disgust in her voice, turning away from Lionel to hide her overwhelming emotions.
With a tear rolling down her cheek, Kross abruptly exited the shelter, her footsteps echoing in the silence that enveloped them. Lionel followed close behind, his own heart heavy with sorrow as they both witnessed the true extent of the destruction that had befallen their homeland, and the truth of feelings toward Grace.
Kross's anger consumes her as she expresses her intent to find a way to put an end to the immortal's reign, believing that no one should hold such immense power. "It's not fair" she pleads with a deep sadness in her voice, lamenting at the division of the world and its four realms, "the fate of our lives are dictated by beings who will outlive us all anyway" she continues, "Tell me, how is that fair?".
Lionel, sensing Kross's turmoil, tries to offer comfort, but his words fall short in the face of her deep-seated anger and frustration. He struggles with his own conflicted emotions, torn between his desire to help Kross and his unspoken love for Queen Grace.
When Kross turns to him and asks what to do next, Lionel finds himself at a loss. He knows that he should support Kross and help her find a way forward, but his feelings for Queen Grace cloud his judgment. His own inner turmoil threatens to consume him as he grapples with the weight of the responsibility he feels towards both Kross and his Queen.
In that moment of uncertainty, Lionel realizes that he must set aside his personal feelings and focus on what is best for the realm. "I'm with you Kross, I always have been" he assures her with a heartfelt stare, resolving to support Kross in her quest for justice and equality, knowing that it is the right thing to do, regardless of his own desires.
Taking a deep breath, Kross meets Lionel's gaze with hope, reigniting their long-standing trust.
The Guardians console each other, as a sense of unease lingers in the air. Over Lionel's shoulder, the stranger from the bridge reappears, its presence casting a shadow over the moment of solace. This time, its demeanor is ambiguous, and a voice penetrates Kross's mind with chilling clarity: "You know who I am."
Frustrated and filled with a sense of foreboding, Kross pushes past Lionel, her heart pounding with courageous fury. Drawing her sword, she marches toward the stranger, her grip tightening on the hilt with each step. With a swift and decisive motion, she slashes down, but the stranger dissipates into the wind before her blade can make contact.
Despite the physical absence of the stranger, its presence lingers in Kross's mind, haunting her with whispered words that fill her with dread. She turns back to Lionel, her expression grave, knowing that they are facing a threat beyond that of the Imortes.
Lionel and Kross cautiously make their way back and through the crumbling castle.
Upon reaching the throne room once more, they embark on a thorough search, their eyes scanning every corner for any clue that may shed light on Queen Grace's whereabouts. After what feels like an eternity of searching, Lionel's keen eyes spot a small, weathered letter tucked away in a hidden compartment.
With steady hands, he retrieves the letter and reads its contents aloud to Kross.
The letter, written by King Torment, stirs fear in the Guardians as it reveals his intentions to unite their realms. A sense of dread washes over them as they realize that something beyond their understanding is at play, suspecting that Torment may have kidnapped Queen Grace to further his agenda.
Even more curious, that they were on the same mission to Leisure as a direct order from the Queen, what did she know? Why did she send her two best defenders?
However, Lionel's thoughts wander as he recalls the romantic embrace between Queen Grace and King Torment that they witnessed the night before, and doubt creeps into his mind. "If she was with Torment willingly, why would he orchestrate such a devastating attack on the Realm of Grace?" He muttered to himself.
The unanswered questions weigh on both their minds as they grapple with the unsettling truth that their realm may be caught in the midst of a larger power struggle.
The Guardians manage to navigate the castle's harsh grip, avoiding falling debris and exiting through broken doors, reasonably unharmed.
Suddenly, tension fills the air once more as Valerie snatches the letter from Lionel's hand, leaving the Guardians stunned and wary of her sudden actions. Amex's joyful introduction only adds to the confusion, and Kross's attempts to retrieve the letter back are met with resistance as Valerie deftly avoids her grasp.
Frustration mounts as Valerie draws her sword, holding it dangerously close to Kross's throat. The Guardians tense, their hearts pounding with uncertainty as Lionel's protective instinct kicks in, his eyes narrowing with a fierce protective stare as he prepares to defend his companion.
Amex reassures the Guardians that no harm will come to them as long as they cooperate and share what they know about the attack on Grace. Lionel hesitates, torn between his loyalty to his fellow Guardians and the need to protect Queen Grace and Kross.
With Valerie's blade poised dangerously close, Lionel's resolve wavers, and he reluctantly reveals the truth about Torment's involvement in Queen Grace's kidnapping. With her other hand, Valerie opens the letter in front of everyone, still holding Kross by the sword's edge as Amex reads aloud.
Revealing its contents, a sense of disbelief washes over the strange pair. The request for unity contained within the letter contradicts their previous assumptions about Torment's intentions, leaving them reeling with confusion.
Amex and Valerie, anchored by distrust and suspicion, turn accusatory gazes toward Lionel and Kross. Amex questions the validity of Queen Grace's alleged kidnapping, citing her status as an immortal and casting doubt on the Guardians' claims.
Valerie's mocking nod and smile only serve to deepen the rift between them, her skepticism evident in her demeanor. Despite Lionel's attempts to sway their opinion and convince them of the truth, his words fall empty as Amex and Valerie remain steadfast in their disbelief.
With a sharp sigh, Lionel watches as Valerie lowers her sword, signaling their departure.
Kross steps forward to confront Amex and Valerie, demanding to know their true identities, and tension once again rises in the air. Amex pauses and reveals that they are mercenaries, belonging to no realm.
This only serves to deepen the mystery surrounding their true allegiance.
Regardless of the blatant lies, Kross senses a familiarity in their demeanor and the way they carry themselves, a nagging suspicion that they may indeed be Guardians, but from an unknown origin. Her need to uncover the truth drives her forward, but Lionel intervenes, urging caution and restraint.
With a firm voice, Lionel expresses his distrust of Amex and Valerie, emphasizing that their presence is not a welcome one. Uncertainty hangs over them, but Lionel's words resonate with conviction.
Amex and Valerie turn to leave again, heading toward the unknown, Lionel and Kross head in the opposite direction, toward their original destination, the Realm of Lesiure, in hopes of forming an alliance with Queen Lesiure to insist she joins them in their quest to save their Imortes Grace.
If Bennett and Costel were telling the truth, then both Guardian parties were sent to seek counsel with each other's Imortes in hopes of finding a peaceful common ground.
As Kross and Lionel embark on their journey to the Realm of Leisure, a cloud of darkness hangs over Kross, fueled by her conflicted thoughts and fears regarding Valerie and Amex's true allegiance. The weight of their recent encounter triggers mistrust, casting doubt on their entire mission and their ability to save the Queen.
Despite Lionel's attempts to comfort her, Kross remains distant, her thoughts consumed by doubt. As she walks ahead, her muttered words betray her inner turmoil, "Maybe the Queen is exactly where she needs to be, why are immortals allowed to live forever?" She says, muttering to herself.
Lionel, sensing Kross's distress, reaches out to stop her, his grip firm as he demands an explanation for her sudden change in demeanor. "What has gotten into you?" He presses, their eyes meet and a silent exchange of emotions passes between the pair, both grappling with the weight of their shared burden.
In a moment of defiance, Kross breaks free from Lionel's hold, her resolve remaining unyielding as she forges ahead on their journey. The tension that lingers between them, but both Guardians remain steadfast in their commitment.
Kross turns and takes one last look back at her homeland, watching Lionel pass without concern. She buries her feelings and turns to follow his lead.