"The system won't stop alerting me about the wyvern attack! And to make matters worse, this quest to rescue the baby wyvern trapped in the palace is still active. Are you kidding me?! You're telling me to complete this quest, but what am I supposed to do when I've got a monster like Ezekiel beside me, who's cast a spell to prevent me from escaping?! Can't you see I'm trapped?! Do something about this! Give me a way to break free from this spell or do something about Ezekiel, or else I'll never be able to complete this quest!
The system's alerts and the quest prompt seemed to mock me, reminding me of my helplessness. I was stuck, bound by magic, and unable to move. The wyverns were closing in, and the baby wyvern's fate hung in the balance. I needed a solution, and fast.
The roar echoed through the distance, a deafening signal of their arrival. The wyverns are here, and they're furious! Who wouldn't be when their child has been taken and imprisoned? This world is a mess, and the emperor's system is a joke! Can't they see that their precious 'balance' is nothing but a facade, a thin veil hiding the cruelty and injustice that festers beneath?
Why can't they do something to make things right? Why can't they create a system that protects the innocent instead of perpetuating suffering and pain? The wyverns are just trying to rescue their young, and yet they're met with hostility and aggression. It's all so broken.
The wyverns' angry roars grew louder, closer, and I knew I had to act fast. But what could I do, trapped as I was, bound by Ezekiel's spell? The system's failures seemed to mock me, and I felt powerless to change anything.
"Your Highness, the wyverns are attacking the palace! We must act swiftly. Summon the knights and evacuate our guests to a safe location immediately. Lord Ezekiel, Lady Celina, come with me now. We cannot delay."
"But, Your Highness, I have Lady Ravenwood with me. How can I leave her alone in this perilous situation?" He protested.
"Lord Ezekiel, your primary duty is to protect the emperor," the prince replied firmly. "I will assign a trusted guard to ensure Lady Ravenwood's safety. You cannot prioritize her over the emperor's well-being."
Ezekiel's grip on my arm tightened, his eyes gleaming with a mix of concern and calculation. "Very well, Your Highness. I will accompany you. But I warn you, Lady Ravenwood's safety is not to be taken lightly."
The prince nodded curtly. "I will not forget. Now, let us proceed. We have no time to waste."
"My lady, follow me! We must evacuate at once. We're exposed and vulnerable out here. The system has sent a message - the spell of restriction has been temporarily lifted, and I've been granted the skill of Stealth. Our mission is to find the baby wyvern."
I glanced at the system window, my heart racing with excitement and fear. "The rewards for completing this quest are incredible, but I have only 45 minutes to succeed. The system has provided a map of the palace, highlighting the baby wyvern's location. I must act swiftly before Ezekiel or anyone else notices our absence."
With the clock ticking down, I set off towards my destination. I had to be quick, silent, and precise. The fate of the baby wyvern and our survival depended on it. I wove through the chaos, avoiding detection as we navigated the treacherous palace corridors. Every second counted.
Why is the baby wyvern so far from the banquet hall? I was in the main wing, and they're keeping him in the basement of the annex. If I didn't have this system, I would have been screwed. Luckily, the way leading to the annex is clear. The people of this world could really benefit from the technology of my previous world. It's ridiculous that the emperor thinks only the nobles should have access to education.
I turned a corner, following the system's directions. "Turn right, and you'll reach your destination." The system's power was incredible, but it only made me more aware of my own limitations. "If only I were stronger, I could utilize all its capabilities."
I sighed, focusing on the task at hand. I had to find the baby wyvern and escape before time ran out. The system's guidance was invaluable, but I knew I couldn't rely on it forever. I needed to grow stronger, to become more self-sufficient. But for now, I had to trust in the system and myself.
As I opened the door, a faint sliver of light pierced the darkness, illuminating the horrific scene before me. The baby wyvern was chained up, his small body covered in gruesome cuts and gashes. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. How could anyone inflict such cruelty on a creature so innocent and vulnerable?
The sight of the wyvern's suffering brought back painful memories of my own past, when the Marquis family had chained me up and tortured me. I felt a deep connection to this little creature, and I knew I had to act fast to save him.
"Hey, it's okay, I'm here to help you," I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. "Can you hear me? We need to leave now, before someone finds us. Your mom is here to save you."
I rushed towards him, my hands shaking as I worked to undo the chains. The wyvern's eyes flickered open, and he gazed up at me with a mix of fear and trust. I knew I had to get him out of there, and fast. We were running out of time.
"It's okay, little one, you can trust me. I won't hurt you. I'm just like you - broken and hurt. But you don't need to worry, because I'm going to take you to your mom, and you'll be safe. Don't be afraid. It's okay."
I spoke softly, trying to reassure him, and slowly but surely, he began to crawl towards me. His big, round eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a glimmer of trust there. This little wyvern reminded me of my own puppy, whom I had lost long ago. The same vulnerability, the same need for comfort and protection.
As he drew closer, I gently scooped him up, cradling him in my arms. He nuzzled his head into my chest, and I felt a surge of maternal instinct. I would do anything to keep him safe, to reunite him with his mother. We were both broken, but together, we could find healing.
"Let's go, we need to move fast! We only have 20 minutes left. The system is showing a shortcut that leads directly to the wyverns' location. It's a short run, but I know it won't be easy. This little guy weighs over 70 kg, and even for a baby, that's a lot of weight. But I've lifted heavier loads before, so he's not going to hold me back."
I gritted my teeth, adjusting my grip on the baby wyvern. I had to push through the strain, no matter how much my muscles screamed in protest. I thought back to my past when I had to lift heavy weights. Compared to that, this little wyvern was nothing.
"Come on, baby wyvern, let's go see your mom. We're almost there." I took off in a sprint, my legs pumping as I followed the shortcut. The system's guidance led me through winding corridors and hidden passages, and I could feel the minutes ticking away. But I refused to give up. I had to reunite this little one with his mother, no matter what.
"Baby, stay awake! Please, be strong for me. I need you to hold on just a little longer. We're almost there, I promise."
As we emerged from the passage, the sounds of chaos and clashing steel filled the air. The herd of wyverns was under attack by the crown prince's knights. My heart racing, I scanned the scene, searching for the baby wyvern's mother.
"Baby, who's your mom? Can you recognize her? If you do, you have to go to her alone. I can't go with you - there's someone who'll hurt me if he sees me out here instead of staying inside. Don't forget me, okay?"
I gently set the baby wyvern down, my hands shaking with fear and adrenaline. He looked up at me with big, round eyes, and I knew he understood.
"Go, baby! Call your mom! She'll keep you safe!"
With a tiny roar, the baby wyvern took off, stumbling at first, but then gaining speed as he hurtled towards the fray. I watched, my heart in my throat, as he dodged knights and leapt over obstacles, his eyes fixed on a magnificent wyvern in the distance. His mother.
As I watched the baby wyvern reunite with his mother, a long-forgotten ache stirred inside me. I hadn't thought about my own family since they abandoned me, but seeing this little one's joy brought up memories I thought were long buried. Yet, as I gazed at the wyvern pair, I felt a sense of happiness wash over me. This little guy had found his family, and that was all that mattered.
The baby wyvern's call had been like a beacon, and his mother had responded instantly. She moved towards him with fierce determination, her wings spread wide and her claws extended. The rest of the herd closed ranks, forming a protective barrier between the knights and the reunited pair. The knights, undeterred, continued their attack, but the wyverns held firm, refusing to let them harm the baby or his mother.
In that moment, I felt a pang of envy. This little wyvern had found his family, and they would do anything to protect him. I, on the other hand, had lost mine and was still searching for a place to belong.
To be continued.