The golden light of the setting sun cast a warm glow on the towering stone walls of the kingdom's grand gates as we entered Aeravelle. The city stretched out before us like something out of a dream, with cobbled streets lined with bustling vendors selling exotic fruits and handcrafted goods. People went about their business, unaware of the strange newcomers among them.
As we walked, the others couldn't help but marvel at the city. It was peaceful — maybe too peaceful. There was a heaviness in the air, a sense that the world was holding its breath. I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
"Keep your wits about you," I murmured to the others. "This place is almost too perfect. I don't trust it."
They all nodded, but their gazes were far more focused on the kingdom itself. They were still adjusting to being here, to the idea that we had found refuge — or at least, that's what they thought.
Soon, we came upon the grand gates of the palace. Guards stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the fading light. When we approached, they eyed us warily, hands resting near their weapons. We weren't exactly a normal-looking group — a mix of teens from different parts of the world, all with strange abilities.
"State your business," one of the guards barked.
"We're... travelers," I replied, doing my best to sound confident despite the nagging doubt in the pit of my stomach. "We've come seeking shelter."
The guard raised an eyebrow. "Travelers? From where?"
I met his gaze evenly. "Does it really matter? We're not here to fight."
He hesitated, then signaled for another guard to run inside. We stood in silence for several minutes, tension thick in the air. I could hear the faint clinking of armor as the other guards watched us closely. It didn't take long before the heavy palace doors creaked open, and out stepped Princess Elira Velmira.
She was a striking figure, regal but with an air of sadness clinging to her. Her violet eyes scanned us, her expression unreadable. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something else about her that made my instincts flare.
"You've come far," she said, her voice soft but steady. "But we are not in a position to offer shelter to just anyone."
"Then why come out to meet us?" I asked. "Why not let us turn back at the gates?"
Her gaze shifted, and I could tell she was calculating her words. "We are a kingdom, not a fortress. But the Fracture... changes things."
The Fracture. I had heard the term before, whispered among the group. It wasn't just a battle; it was a force, something far bigger than any of us. But what did it mean to the kingdom? What were they hiding?
Before I could ask, King Dareth Velmira, the ruler of the kingdom, emerged from behind the princess. His tall, imposing figure stood out like a shadow in the light. He didn't smile. His stern expression told me everything I needed to know: he was a king accustomed to the weight of responsibility, but also to the harshness of reality.
"I see we have new guests," the king said, his voice deep and unwavering. "But understand this: our kingdom is not a sanctuary. It is a battleground. The Fracture touches us all, and you will have to prove yourselves if you wish to stay."
"Prove ourselves?" I repeated, my arms crossed. "By fighting?"
"Yes," the king said simply, his gaze hardening. "If you wish to survive here, you must prove your worth."
"Fine," I muttered, turning to face the others. "We'll fight."
But before anyone could say anything else, the ground beneath us trembled. A crack ran through the palace walls, and a terrifying rumble filled the air. Dust and debris fell from the sky as the front wall of the kingdom was shattered — obliterated in an instant.
A figure emerged from the dust. I recognized him immediately. It was Jerry. He stood tall, hands raised, his smug grin plastered across his face. His eyes gleamed with dark amusement, and the air around him rippled with destructive energy.
"Well, well, well," Jerry drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "What have we here? A little royal kingdom, a bunch of hopefuls thinking they're safe? How adorable."
Before any of us could react, the ground shook once more, but this time, it wasn't Jerry who caused it. A strange hum filled the air, and two figures appeared out of nowhere, dropping from above with mechanical precision. The first was tall and lean, dressed in a combat suit that looked as if it belonged in the future, while the second was much shorter, her messy hair falling over her eyes, a grin spread across her face like a predator sensing its prey.
It was N and Uzi.
Uzi landed with a thud, her boots cracking the stone beneath her. She looked around, taking in the destruction with a scowl. "Seriously? We leave for five minutes, and someone else decides to blow up the place?"
N touched down beside her, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Well, it's certainly... dramatic. But maybe we can talk this out?"
Jerry merely tilted his head, his grin widening. "Ah, a murder drone and a daddy issue worker drone great. How delightful. You think you can stop me? What a joke." His voice was filled with disdain as he waved them off. "You're nothing but a blip in the game. I'll handle you later."
Uzi stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "You've got a lot of nerve, saying and showing up like that."
N raised a hand, trying to mediate. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe there's a peaceful solution?"
Jerry's grin didn't falter. "I'll give you a challenge... but I don't have time for this." He snapped his fingers, and his body shimmered before he vanished in a burst of light.
A chill ran through me as his voice echoed across the battlefield. "The truth is simple," Jerry said coldly. "Everyone is expendable. Even me."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I thought we were all working toward the same goal, that we had some common ground. But Jerry's betrayal when we got here still ran deeper than I realized.
As he disappeared into the distance, the others remained silent, processing the weight of his words. The drones were already back on their feet, their grins never faltering.
"We'll catch him," Uzi said with a smile, her eyes burning with determination. "No one messes with us that easily."
But for now, the threat of Jerry loomed over us. And I couldn't help but wonder what game he was playing — and how much we had left to lose.