The moon's silvery glow bathed the palace grounds, highlighting the intricate stone carvings and creating a mystical atmosphere. The night air carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of nocturnal creatures.
Kae stood before a polished bronze mirror in his lavish chamber, adjusting his attire for the grand feast. The servants had dressed him in a finely woven tunic of silver and black, embellished with shimmering embroidery that resembled the stars.
The fabric felt luxurious against his skin, and its color complemented his emerald eyes. He smoothed out any tangles in his white hair and tied it back with a leather thong, while a sprinkle of silver dust on his shoulders added a touch of elegance. The scent of blooming wildflowers lingered from the perfume applied to his wrists.
As he slipped on his supple leather boots, Kae felt a sense of transformation. He then made his way to the grand hallway, where the other competitors, similarly attired, had gathered. The hallway was adorned with crystal chandeliers and ornate tapestries, creating a grand setting for the upcoming event.
The moment the other competitors noticed Kae, they gathered around him.
"Thank you for saving us," one man said excitedly. "I never thought I would make it out of the illusion world alive."
"Yeah, I never imagined someone could defeat Malumbra so quickly without us all losing limbs," another added.
"I didn't defeat Malumbra alone," Kae replied modestly. "We all did. I was just fortunate to locate its core in time, but it was a team effort."
The competitors nodded in agreement, showing their respect for Kae.
"Hey!" Tharros greeted Kae with a smile as he approached.
The other competitors left Kae and Tharros to chat.
"I'm feeling nervous," Kae admitted.
Tharros shared his concerns. "We're meeting the queen tonight, and our fate will be decided. We'll likely be named Her Majesty's royal consorts, considering we didn't suffer the same fate as past competitors who lost limbs and were sold as slaves." He paused, then added grimly, "But being the queen's consort doesn't mean you've avoided death."
"They've all come to terms with their fate. They don't appear to be worried about it at all," Kae remarked, observing the other competitors, who seemed unfazed by what lay ahead.
"Of course! What else can we do?" Tharros replied with a burst of laughter. "The only thing is that I would never want to be born in this world in my next life. We all owe our lives to you for getting us out of the illusion world alive." Tharros smiled. "But I am curious—how did you manage to defeat Malumbra, retrieve its core, and destroy it?" He raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
"I honestly don't know how I defeated Malumbra," Kae responded with a forced smile. "It just... happened."
"I can't say you learned magic," Tharros mused. "There's no way to learn magic here; it's strictly prohibited. Even those who once possessed magical abilities had them stripped away when the female monsters arrived. We can only read about magic in books, but never practice it. The only skill we're allowed to develop is sword fighting." Tharros's frustration was evident.
The maidservants who had dressed the competitors guided them through the palace corridors, while Kae and the others marveled at the lavish surroundings. They eventually arrived at a golden gate, where female guards with pointed ears and silver armor stood watch.
The competitors heard the sounds of drums and singing from beyond the gate, making them believe they had arrived at their destination. However, the servants' hesitation prompted questioning looks.
"What's happening?" Tharros whispered, looking puzzled. "Are we supposed to have the feast outside the gate?"
"I'm not sure," Kae replied, also gazing at the golden gate along with the other competitors. "Maybe we're waiting for someone."
As they waited, the golden gate remained closed, and the competitors exchanged curious glances. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the other side of the gate, and the sounds of drums and singing grew louder.
The gate soon swung open, revealing Commander Aethera in all her glory. She was no longer in her silver armor but wore a stunning gown of midnight blue silk, embellished with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered like stars. Her long, raven-black hair flowed down her back like a waterfall, and her emerald eyes sparkled with an intense inner light.
The competitors were awestruck by Commander Aethera's transformation. Kae's eyes widened in amazement; Tharros's mouth hung open. Even the usually stoic guards couldn't help but stare.
Commander Aethera's gown accentuated her athletic figure, and the silver embroidery seemed to move across the fabric, captivating the onlookers. A delicate silver circlet adorned her head, and her lips were painted a deep crimson—both alluring and enigmatic.
As she advanced, the competitors made way for her, showing respect. "Greetings, competitors," she greeted them with a confident, husky voice. "Tonight, you will have the honor of meeting Her Majesty, Queen Lyraea. Remember to display the utmost respect and courtesy."
The competitors responded with a slight bow and were guided into the transformed courtyard.
The courtyard had been turned into a magnificent dining hall, with elegant tables set with fine linens, crystal glasses, and golden cutlery. The warm, golden glow of candles and lanterns filled the air with the sweet scent of exotic spices and soft music.
The tables were laden with delicacies from all corners of the realm: roasted meats, steaming vegetables, and delicate pastries. Servants moved efficiently, attending to the competitors' needs, refilling glasses and plates.
Guarding the area were females with long ears and attractive figures, clad in silver armor and armed with various weapons like bows and swords.
Kae found himself seated next to Tharros as servants attended to their needs. The competitors were entertained by dancers moving gracefully to the music, dressed in flowing silks and adorned with jewels.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the courtyard as the music stopped and the dancers froze. Commander Aethera stepped forward, her eyes shining with anticipation, focused on the entrance.
The courtyard resounded with the sound of trumpets as the golden gates swung open once more. A group of noblewomen, adorned in elegant gowns, emerged from the shadows, their faces illuminated by candlelight.
At the forefront of the group was Queen Lyraea, radiating like a star. Her gown, a work of art in silk and silver, was embellished with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer in the light. Her flowing golden hair cascaded down her back, and a diamond crown adorned her head, accentuating her piercing blue eyes that exuded a royal aura.
As she entered the courtyard, the competitors stood in reverence, captivated by her presence. Queen Lyraea's arrival brought a warm, golden light to the space, like a sunrise.
Her gaze swept over the crowd, pausing on each competitor before settling on Kae. A faint smile graced her lips, causing Kae's heart to race.
"She's so beautiful," Tharros murmured under his breath, and Kae nodded in agreement.
With regal poise, Queen Lyraea approached a throne crafted from gold and diamonds, her noblewomen following closely. Commander Aethera bowed deeply, and the competitors followed suit, expressing their respect with a unified chant of "Long Live Your Highness."
As the queen sat down, the competitors and noblewomen also took their seats, all eyes on her.
"I welcome you all to this feast," Queen Lyraea began, smiling gently. "A feast to celebrate the success of my brave men in defeating Malumbra in the illusion hall. Although everything was an illusion but still they showed their bravery."
"To honor everyone here, I have prepared a wine brewed by my own hand," Queen Lyraea announced.
Female servants in flowing blue gowns with long ears brought trays of wine jugs to each competitor, helping them pour a glass.
Queen Lyraea also received a glass, as did the other noble ladies present.
"It's water." Commander Aethera murmured under her breath as she held her glass but remained composed as she knew the queen knows what she's doing.
"This wine is called 'Moonfall's Kiss,'" Queen Lyraea revealed, her voice mysterious. "It is made with rare ingredients and infused with the essence of the moonflower, which blooms only once a year under the full moon."
Kae felt a sense of foreboding at the name, sensing a deeper meaning.
"Drinking 'Moonfall's Kiss' will grant you your darkest memories... your fears except you have no fear though," Queen Lyraea warned, her eyes gleaming.
As Queen Lyraea raised her glass, the competitors followed suit, their eyes fixed on the mysterious wine. Kae hesitated, his mind racing with doubts, but Tharros's encouraging nod prompted him to take a sip.
The taste was like nothing Kae had ever experienced – sweet, bitter, and earthy flavors swirled together, leaving him breathless. As he swallowed, visions burst forth in his mind like a floodgate opening.
Glimpses of the past assaulted him – memories that weren't his own. He saw himself chained in a dark, shallow place, tortured by lightning. He witnessed different Elyria, surrounded by them in a palace of darkness. Kae's mind reeled as the visions faded, leaving him disoriented and gasping for air.
Tharros's concerned expression mirrored Kae's shock. "Kae, what's wrong?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the music.
Kae shook his head, struggling to process the visions. "I...I don't know," he stammered.
The other competitors seemed unaffected by the wine as well as Tharros. But Commander Aethera's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed intently on Kae. She sensed something was amiss.
Only Queen Lyraea's gaze suggested she knew something, as if she had anticipated Kae's reaction. In that moment, Kae questioned whether he had been manipulated—if the wine had been a test and he had failed.
Kae quickly regained his composure, not wanting to arouse suspicion. The intensity of Queen Lyraea's stare indicated she was aware of everything that had happened.
'But whose memories were those? They were not mine.'
Suddenly, a man spoke up, his voice laced with disdain. "Your Highness, why did I not experience any memories?" he complained. "You called this wine 'Moonfall's Kiss' and said it would bring memories, yet I felt nothing."
Queen Lyraea's smile faltered, her eyes flashing red like molten lava. Her skin darkened, becoming scaly, and two horns emerged from her head. The room fell silent, the competitors exchanging fearful glances.
In an instant, Queen Lyraea grasped the man's neck, a red light emanating from her hand. The man's eyes widened in terror as his energy was drained, his body turning to stone.