Solomon's smile faltered as he gazed out at the sea of joyful faces. Something nagged at the edge of his consciousness, a faint sense of unease.
"Henry, do you feel that?" Solomon whispered, his eyes scanning the hall.
Henry's brow furrowed. "Feel what?"
Solomon's voice barely rose above a whisper. "I don't know. It's like... a shadow lurking just out of sight."
Henry's expression turned serious. "I sense it too. But what is it?"
Ariel's laughter echoed through the hall, but her eyes flickered toward Solomon and Henry, sensing their unease.
Damian, lost in conversation with Nahar's friend Reina, felt an inexplicable shiver run down his spine.
As the music swelled, Solomon's unease grew. He excused himself, stepping outside into the cool night air.
The castle walls seemed to loom over him, casting long, ominous shadows.
"Henry," Solomon called out, his voice low and urgent.
Henry joined him, their eyes scanning the darkness.
Suddenly, a faint rustling echoed from the eastern gate.
"Guards!" Henry whispered, drawing his sword.
Solomon's heart quickened. "Something's wrong."
A figure emerged from the shadows – a bloodied guard, stumbling toward them.
"Your Highnesses... the gate... it's been breached..."
Solomon's face set in a determined mask. "Sound the alarm. We're under attack."
As the warning bell tolled, the Persian army surged forward, their battle cry echoing through the night.
Mesh, commander of the Persian army, gazed up at the castle. "Emberhaven will burn tonight."
Lyra, hidden in the shadows, watched the chaos unfold. Her eyes locked onto Ariel, a whispered incantation on her lips.
"Ariel's visions will soon be clear. The prophecy unfolds."
The night erupted into chaos as Emberhaven's defenders rushed to repel the invasion.
As Solomon and Henry charged toward the battle-scarred gates, Ezra emerged from the shadows, his eyes aglow with an otherworldly intensity.
"Stop!" Ezra commanded, his voice echoing through the chaos.
Solomon and Henry halted, their swords poised mid-air.
"What are you doing, Ezra?" Solomon demanded.
Ezra's gaze locked onto the brothers. "You cannot win this battle. Not now. Not like this."
Henry's face darkened. "We can't abandon our people."
Ezra's expression turned grave. "You will lose everything if you fight. Your lives, your powers, your destiny. The prophecy of the reincarnates will remain unfulfilled."
Solomon's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Ezra's voice took on a sense of urgency. "You must leave Emberhaven, now. Take your wives, Damian, and anyone you can find. Search for the last dragon in Eldrida and the last phoenix in Calanthor."
Ariel's eyes widened. "The ancient creatures?"
Ezra nodded. "They hold the key to controlling your powers. Without them, you risk unleashing destruction upon the world."
Henry's grip on his sword tightened. "But what about General Thorn?"
Ezra's eyes filled with a hint of sorrow and anger. "General Thorn is the traitor. He's the last Nightwalker, a master of darkness and deception."
Solomon's face paled. "Impossible. He's been our trusted advisor..."
Ezra's voice dripped with venom. "Thorn has secretly filled Emberhaven with spies, manipulating events from within. Tonight's attack is not just from outside, but from within your own walls."
Damian's eyes widened in shock. "That's why the gates were breached so easily..."
Nahar's voice trembled. "How could we have trusted him?"
Ezra's expression turned resolute. "You must leave now. Thorn's plan is to eliminate you and claim the throne. Aika will ensure his distraction, but you must focus on your quest."
Ariel's eyes flashed with determination. "We'll gather our belongings and leave. We won't let Thorn succeed."
"Reina" Damian spoke
"Yes my lord" Reina replied
"You come with us" Damian spoke, demanding she did.
As the group prepared to depart, Ezra's voice whispered in Solomon's ear.
"Remember, control is key. Your powers, the ancient creatures, the prophecy... everything hinges on your success. And beware, Nightwalkers are cunning and ruthless. Thorn will stop at nothing."
With Ezra's words echoing in their minds, the group vanished into the night, leaving Emberhaven to its fate.