The commotion had finally died down after an exhaustive search of the ruined town. The dust from the collapsed buildings still hung in the air like a lingering whisper of the chaos that had unfolded just hours before.
Vorian hovered silently above the ground, his deep blue robes billowing in the evening breeze. His eyes, usually calm and calculating, were shut tightly as his senses stretched across the town, his mana reaching every crack and crevice.
His power flowed like a river through the debris, wrapping around fallen stones, battered trees, and broken homes. When his mana brushed against a living presence, it glowed faintly, revealing no more than frightened townsfolk and the remnants of soldiers returning from the battle.
He found nothing of the creature.
His frustration simmered beneath the surface as his eyes snapped open, a flicker of disappointment shadowing his sharp features. Slowly, Vorian descended to the ground, his boots landing with a soft thud in the dust.
"General Rubios," he called out, his voice carrying over the distance with authority, "Cease the search in the town. Send the soldiers into the forest. Whatever attacked this place is long gone."
The general, a hardened man with graying hair and eyes that had seen far too many battles, nodded. "At once, Lord Vorian." Without another word, he turned, barking commands to the soldiers still combing through the wreckage.
With the town still on edge but the search now shifted, Vorian made his way to the inn where the royal family had taken refuge. As he pushed through the door, he was greeted by the sight of the inn's common room filled with nervous servants and guards standing protectively around Selena, Zeph, Anastasia, and Eregon. Their presence was suffocating, but necessary. The tension in the air was palpable.
Vorian waved them off with a calm but firm gesture. "The threat has passed," he declared. "Return to your posts. There's no danger here."
The guards hesitated for only a second before they bowed and filed out of the room, the weight of Vorian's words driving their movements. Selena sat by the fire, still flushed from their desperate flight earlier. Sweat glistened on her brow as she cradled Zeph in her arms, her dark eyes filled with worry.
Anastasia, usually composed, had a hint of exhaustion in her posture, her eyes betraying the fear she tried so hard to mask. Eregon, the youngest, clutched the hand of his maid, Elya, his face pale with terror.
"Zeph has a fever," Selena said, her voice barely more than a whisper as she gently brushed a hand over the boy's forehead. "He's so warm… what if the creature attacked him, afterall the soldier's body was found near zeph's room"
"I'll send for a healer," Vorian interrupted, his voice steady, his gaze flicking briefly over Zeph's sleeping form. Though he had only been in the child's life for a short time, he felt an odd sense of responsibility toward him.
Turning to Elara lingering by the door, Vorian instructed, "Elara, fetch a healer immediately."
As the servant hurried out, Selena looked up, her face a mixture of fear and guilt. "I couldn't protect him…" she whispered, more to herself than to Vorian. Her hand shook as she held her child, her maternal instincts torn between relief and despair.
"He'll be fine," Vorian reassured, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Take him upstairs. He needs rest."
Without hesitation, Selena rose, holding Zeph close as she hurried toward the staircase, Anastasia following closely behind. The footsteps echoed faintly as they disappeared into the shadows of the upper floor.
Vorian's attention then shifted to Eregon, who stood stiffly beside Elya, his fear poorly masked by the thin veneer of pride and determination. Vorian approached him, his voice soft but firm. "You should be with the soldiers, Eregon. There's much to learn from General Rubios. Experience is the best teacher for someone of your rank."
Eregon swallowed hard, nodding. He glanced up at Elya for reassurance before he muttered, "I'll do my best." His maid gave him a slight, encouraging smile before they both made their way out of the room.
Vorian watched them leave, then settled into a chair by the window, his eyes drifting over the ruins outside. The weight of the day's events bore heavily on him, though he maintained his usual calm. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted toward him, and he took a sip, allowing the warmth of the drink to ease his tired mind.
His thoughts circled back to the creature—why had it attacked? And why had it left Zeph alive when it had slaughtered so many others? The questions gnawed at him like a shadow that refused to be dispelled.
Moments later, Elara returned with the healer in tow. The healer, an older man with a reputation for his skill in light magic, bowed before Vorian before making his way upstairs to tend to Zeph.
Elara lingered by the door, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. Her face was pale, her eyes downcast as if unable to meet Vorian's gaze. He could sense the self-loathing radiating from her—the guilt of leaving the young prince unprotected weighed heavily on her shoulders.
She felt she had failed.
Vorian said nothing at first, observing her from the corner of his eye. "It wasn't your fault," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "If the creature truly wanted to kill him, none of us would have been able to stop it."
Elara flinched slightly at his words, her fists tightening. She didn't respond, but the turmoil in her expression was impossible to miss.
Upstairs, the healer worked quickly. His light magic swirled gently around Zeph's body, cocooning him in a soft glow. Selena stood nearby, her eyes never leaving her son's face as the healer murmured incantations.
Slowly, the light faded, and the healer pulled back, wiping a hand across his brow. "His body is recovering. It seems his mana has been drained, which caused the fever. But he's no longer in danger. All he needs now is rest."
Selena's shoulders sagged with relief, though the fear still clung to her voice as she asked, "Was it the same creature that attacked the town?"
The healer's face darkened, and he nodded grimly. "I believe so. But rest assured, the prince is safe for now."
Tears welled up in Selena's eyes, but they were a mix of both gratitude and lingering fear. Anastasia sat close to selena, offering silent comfort as the healer bowed and left the room.
Downstairs, the healer approached Vorian, recounting his findings. Vorian nodded thoughtfully, though his expression remained troubled. "It doesn't make sense," he muttered to himself. "Why would it leave him alive?"
The healer bowed once more before taking his leave, leaving Vorian alone with his thoughts. He stared out at the rubble-strewn streets, his mind swirling with unanswered questions and a creeping sensation.