Dawn broke over the crystal city of Oephidia, the first rays of sunlight casting a golden glow on the shimmering spires and intricate facades. The grand festivities of Veridian's coronation had finally died down, leaving the streets eerily quiet compared to the previous day's celebrations. The city, once filled with jubilant music and laughter, now lay in a tranquil stillness, as if holding its breath in the calm before an impending storm.
The grand hall of Oephidia was filled with an air of anticipation as the council meeting began. High-ranking officials and advisors, their serpentine tails coiled up around their seats, and the guardians gathered, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of enchanted torches, casting dancing shadows on the ornate walls.
Kael, Mieza, Zola, and Zym stood at the back, their expressions guarded. They had spent time meticulously planning their approach, gathering proof, and formulating a strategy to expose Veridian.
At the head of the room, Veridian sat, his crimson serpent tail coiled upon the obsidian throne, exuding an air of calm authority. His crimson eyes scanned the assembly, and he offered a serene smile. "Welcome, esteemed members of the council. We gather today to discuss the future of our great kingdom."
Kael, his eyes now a piercing gold stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. "Your Majesty, before we proceed with the usual matters, we have a grave concern that needs to be addressed."
Veridian raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "A grave concern, you say? Speak, Kael. What troubles you?"
Kael exchanged a quick glance with his companions before continuing. "We have reason to believe that there are forces at work seeking to destabilize Oephidia. Forces that have gone to great lengths to sow discord and manipulate events for their gain."
The murmurs in the room grew louder, and Veridian's smile faltered slightly. "We know that from the recent events and the death of the queen, there are, Kael. Have you discovered who is behind everything and do you have proof to support your claims?"
Mieza stepped forward, holding a scroll. "We have gathered information and discovered traces of dark magic linked to clandestine meetings held by someone within the palace walls. Meetings that align with the times of critical events, including the theft of the Eye of Naga, the death of the Queen and the subsequent conflict with the Garudas."
Zola added, "We also have reports from sources who witnessed suspicious activities involving teleportation spells, dark magic and secret exchange of information."
Veridian's eyes narrowed, his calm demeanor wavering. "And who do you accuse of these actions?"
Kael spoke up, his voice unwavering. "Veridian, we believe you are the one orchestrating these events."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall. Veridian's face darkened, and he stood, his voice cold and menacing. "How dare you accuse a king of such treachery? These are baseless claims meant to undermine my rule."
Kael held his ground. "These accusations are not made lightly. The evidence is compelling, and the patterns are too consistent to ignore. We are prepared to present our findings to the council."
Before Veridian could respond, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the hall. The doors swung open, and a Naga warrior stumbled in, supported by two Naga guards. It was one of the palace guards, breathless and disheveled.
"Your Majesty! Guardians!" the guard called out, his voice filled with urgency. "There's been an attack outside the Palace. The Najas have launched a surprise assault, and our forces are currently holding them back."
The room erupted into chaos as council members exchanged worried glances and whispered among themselves. Veridian's eyes flashed with anger and desperation.
Mieza seized the moment and spoke up. "This attack is no coincidence. It aligns perfectly with our suspicions. Veridian, you have orchestrated this to divert attention and play the victim."
Veridian's fury was palpable, but he struggled to maintain his composure. "This is madness. I would never betray Oephidia and besides, the council knows how loyal I've always been to the crown, I would never betray my own people."
Kael stepped forward, his voice cutting through the din. "Then prove your loyalty, Veridian. Tell us where you went last night when you teleported out of your chambers. We found traces of dark magic within the palace walls. Tell us why we found you at the courtyard on the night the Naja leader and his followers were conspiring. Tell us why Queen Melinoe was attacked under your watch and why you chose to be her personal guard her on the day she was attacked and killed. Tell us why on the day the eye of the Naja went missing, the same traces of dark teleportation magic used to steal the eye were detected in your chambers. Also, tell us why your coronation went without a hitch when normally the Najas would've attacked to stop your coronation if they were really the ones after the throne."
Veridian's eyes bore into Kael's, but he knew he was cornered. With a clenched jaw, he nodded reluctantly. "Very well. Last night I was attacked by Kazu in my chambers, he teleported into my chambers and tried to kill me. I managed to fight him off but I didn't say anything about it because it was my coronation day, I didn't want to ruin the festivities. The traces of the dark teleportation magic you found were Kazu's. He's the one responsible for the death of the queen. He and the Najas. I have dispatched a secret team of warriors for his immediate capture. When they're back, I will prove it."
As Veridian finished speaking, the tension in the room began to dissipate. The guardians knew this was only the beginning of their battle to uncover the full extent of Veridian's treachery. They had taken a crucial step, Veridian was cunning but they had to be smarter to be able outsmart him.
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Back in Kragnir, Melinoe slowly regained her consciousness and her strength under the care of King Eothis and the healers. Her wounds were healing fast, but the scars of her ordeal ran deep.
Eothis entered the room, his wings rustling softly. "How are you feeling today, Melinoe?"
Melinoe managed a weak smile, her voice still fragile. "Better, thanks to you and your healers. I feel stronger."
Eothis pulled a chair closer to her bed and sat down. "I'm glad to hear that. You've been through so much. When you're ready, I'd like to hear what happened. We need to understand everything to help you and your kingdom."
Melinoe took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting the pain of her memories. "Veridian betrayed us. He gave information to the Najas to attack the palace and then they knocked me out and imprisoned me. He planted the body of another Naga who was placed under a powerful illusion spell to make her look like me and with that, he faked my death. He did this to secure his rule so that he could wage war on you and your people. I managed to escape, but not without injury."
Eothis' eyes narrowed, his voice filled with anger. "That treacherous serpent. We had suspicions, but hearing it confirmed... it's infuriating. How did you escape?"
Melinoe closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I was kept in a place guarded day and night. After Veridian became king, he revealed to me that he was the mastermind behind everything and he told of his plan all along and that he was planning an attack on you and your people. I knew I had to act. I had been gathering my strength to break free from the chains and the seals that I was bound by, but Veridian caught wind of my escape. He shot me with a poisoned arrow as I fled."
Eothis reached out, gently taking her hand. "You're incredibly brave, Melinoe. The strength it took to escape, even when injured... it's remarkable."
Melinoe's grip tightened on his hand, her voice trembling. "I had to survive. For my people, for Oephidia. I can't let Veridian destroy everything I've built."
Eothis nodded, his expression resolute. "We Garudas will stand with you, Melinoe. Your strength and courage have brought you this far. Together, we'll find a way to expose Veridian and restore peace to your kingdom."
Melinoe's eyes glistened with determination. "Thank you, Eothis. With allies like you, I believe we can overcome any obstacle. We must stop him before he causes more harm."
Eothis smiled, his hand still clasping hers. "We will. Rest now, and regain your strength. We have a battle ahead, and we'll face it together."