Chapter 52
Imperial's reckless confrontation with a royal captain is interrupted by the Common Association, a group dedicated to protecting the common people. Vince, the leader of the association, reveals their mission and offers Imperial, Ari, and Tracey safe passage out of the empire with special ID cards. As they leave, Imperial's actions to help a stranger earn him Vince's trust, and the group continues their journey toward Solaria.
Scene: Throne Room of the Pyronis Empire
The grand hall is silent—dimly lit, save for the flickering crimson flames lining the stone walls. A lone figure sits on the massive throne carved from obsidian and molten rock—Queen Celestia of the Pyronis Empire, her expression cold and unreadable.
Only one person stands before her: the General, clad in black armor with the symbol of a burning phoenix etched across his chest.
Queen Celestia (calmly):
"Have they returned from the dungeon?"
General (bowing slightly):
"Yes, my lady... but only Vice General John made it back alive."
Queen Celestia (eyes narrowing):
"I care not for their lives. What of the crystal? Bring it to me—now."
General (hesitant):
"My lady… there's a problem. John… he returned empty-handed. The crystal was… destroyed. Apparently by a royal soldier of the Central Empire."
A dangerous silence.
Celestia's fingers twitch on the throne's armrest. Then her voice cuts like a blade:
Queen Celestia (coldly furious):
"He dared return without the crystal? He has the audacity to walk into my palace without the one thing I asked for?"
She rises from her throne, her presence radiating suffocating heat.
Queen Celestia:
"Summon him. Now."
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Moments Later: Vice General John Enters
John kneels the moment he steps into the chamber. Sweat beads down his face.
Queen Celestia (approaching slowly):
"How… could this happen, John? You had three captains with you. How did you fail?"
John (nervously):
"My lady, we secured the crystal. I flew back immediately… but someone was following us. A soldier from the Central Empire. He attacked mid-flight. In the clash… the crystal shattered."
Queen Celestia stands directly before him now.
John dares not look up.
She places her hand gently on his shoulder.
Queen Celestia (quietly):
"You should have died protecting it."
Suddenly—a stream of black smoke oozes from her palm. John's body jerks.
In a blink—he explodes.
Blood splashes across the stone walls. His form is completely erased, as if he never existed.
General (gulping, to nearby guards):
"Clean this up."
As the guards rush in silently, Queen Celestia turns, her expression unreadable.
Queen Celestia (thoughts):
"So... the Central Empire knows. About that power. I underestimated that foolish Emperor. But how does he know? How much does he know?"
"I will ask him myself. Soon."
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Scene Shift: On the Road Near the Forest
We see Imperial, Ari, and Tracey traveling on two large riding beasts, following a dirt path just outside the capital, heading toward the borderlands.
Ari (casually):
"Hey Tracey, how long until we reach the border?"
Tracey (calculating):
"If we rest at night like usual… probably two or three days. It's about the same distance as from my village to the capital, because of the symmetrical empire layout."
They keep alert, riding through dense trees.
Suddenly—Imperial halts. His eyes narrow.
Imperial (tense):
"Someone's coming."
Seconds later, a blur bursts through the trees—a girl, wielding an iron rod, swinging straight at Imperial.
He blocks the strike in time. Ari and Tracey draw their weapons instinctively.
Unknown Girl (to Ari and Tracey):
"Run! That guy—he's dangerous! He's not what you think!"
Ari (confused):
"...What?!"
Tracey (baffled):
"What is she even talking about?!"
The girl chants quickly:
"Water Magic: Cyclone Vortex!"
A swirling torrent of water and dust engulfs Imperial, blinding him, trapping him.
She dashes toward Ari and Tracey.
Girl (urgently):
"Come on! I'll show you a safe place to hide—just trust me!"
Ari (frowning, points back at the trapped Imperial):
"The only one who decides where we go… is him."
Girl (desperate):
"He's dangerous! Why can't you see that?!"
Tracey (stepping forward):
"We know. We've seen him fight. We've also seen him get his head stuck in a bee net and scream like a child."
Ari (smiling faintly):
"...Twice."
Quick flashbacks:
– Imperial covered in bees, running while flailing.
– Imperial fiercely fighting royal guards after the arena incident.
Tracey (firmly):
"He's our friend. What's your deal?"
The cyclone fades. Imperial walks out, dust-covered, glaring.
Imperial:
"Friend… huh?"
Girl (eyes wide):
"...how long do you know him?"
Tracey (shrugging):
"I've known him for a week."
Ari (quietly):
"More than a year."
Girl (in awe):
"How? I don't understand…"
Tracey (bluntly):
"What's your name?"
Girl (softly):
"...Dawn. I'm… sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."
She bows to Imperial.
Imperial (calmly):
"Why'd you think I was dangerous?"
Dawn (serious):
"You have… a dark aura. Like something is possessing you. Or like you're… cursed."
Ari stiffens at that.
Ari (thinking):
"That explains the strange magical pulses I've been sensing at night…"
Dawn (nervously):
"Can I… travel with you for a while? My village is not far—on the same route as the border."
Imperial (nods):
"Sure."
Dawn retrieves a large bag from behind the trees. She mounts the beast behind Ari, and Imperial rides behind Tracey.
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Later That Evening – Campsite
They stop in a clearing. The sun has just set.
Imperial:
"This is a good place to rest."
Tracey and Imperial begin setting up tents. Ari starts preparing food. Dawn helps her.
Ari (curious):
"What's in your bag?"
Dawn:
"Provisions. Food from my village. Nothing special."
They gather around a small fire.
Dawn (casually):
"What brings you all to the borderlands?"
Ari and Tracey exchange wary glances.
Imperial (from a tree branch):
"We're travelers from the Central Empire. Disguised as members of a common association."
Ari and Tracey (forced smile):
"Yep. Totally."
Imperial (smirking):
"Relax. I trust her. She was honest about sensing something in me. That counts for something."
Dawn (smiling slightly):
"Thank you. And now, since you trust me... I'll share something too."
She leans forward, lowering her voice.
Dawn:
"Listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you… is a secret known only to me—and my village. A secret we've kept hidden for generations."