The group emerged from the throne room, the heavy doors closing behind them with a resonant thud. The air outside felt lighter, though no less charged with purpose. Tsubasa led the way, her mind racing with the implications of their meeting. Her father’s words had cut deep, both as a challenge and a reminder of the stakes.

"We’re going back to the training grounds, aren’t we?" Kemo asked, her spinning axes clinking softly as she adjusted them on her back.

"Not yet," Tsubasa replied, her tone firm. "First, we need to strategize. If there’s a bigger threat out there, we need to be ready for it. That means understanding what we’re up against."

Solomon yawned, her steps lazy but her eyes sharper than usual. "You mean finding out what those adventurers took, right? ‘Cause something tells me that’s where this is heading."

"Exactly." Tsubasa stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned to face them. "We don’t have time to wait for scouts to return. The adventurers are already a step ahead, and if they’ve uncovered something powerful, they won’t keep it to themselves for long."

Gwendoline frowned, her expression thoughtful. "How do you propose we track them? If they’ve returned to their kingdom, we’ll need more than determination to cross those borders unnoticed."

"Leave that to me," Vazeth’s voice rang out as she stepped into the hallway, her regal presence commanding immediate attention. She moved with the grace of a predator, her sharp gaze settling on Tsubasa. "You’re right to act quickly. I’ve already sent my spies to gather intelligence on the adventurers’ movements. You’ll have their report within the hour."

Tsubasa nodded, her respect for her mother unwavering. "Thank you, Mother."

"Don’t thank me yet," Vazeth replied, her tone clipped but not unkind. "This mission will be dangerous, more so than anything you’ve faced before. The humans won’t hesitate to defend what they believe is theirs. And if they’ve taken something cursed or unstable, you may be walking into a trap."

"We’re ready for it," Tsubasa said, glancing at her companions. Each of them nodded in turn, their resolve clear.

"Good," Vazeth said, a small, approving smile playing on her lips. "Meet me in the war room when you’re ready. I’ll ensure you have the tools and information you need."

With that, Vazeth turned and disappeared down the corridor, leaving the group to absorb her words.

Constantia broke the silence, her talons clicking against the stone floor as she shifted uneasily. "Do you think the humans even realize what they’ve taken? If it’s tied to the dungeon boss’s transformation, it could be more dangerous than they know."

"Or they know exactly what it is," Solomon said darkly, her eyes narrowing. "And they’re planning to use it against us."

"Either way," Tsubasa said, her voice steady, "we can’t let them keep it. Whatever that artifact is, it belongs to Vasheen."

As they made their way to the war room, the group’s mood grew increasingly somber. The weight of their mission settled over them like a heavy cloak, but none of them faltered. This was more than a test of their strength—it was a test of their unity and resolve.

When they entered the war room, Vazeth was already there, poring over a map with several advisors. She looked up as they approached and gestured for them to come closer.

"The adventurers were last seen traveling south, toward the border of their kingdom," she said, pointing to a marked location on the map. "My scouts intercepted them briefly but couldn’t engage without drawing attention. They believe the adventurers are heading for the capital, likely to deliver whatever they’ve found to their leaders."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"How do we intercept them without causing an international incident?" Gwendoline asked, her brow furrowed.

"You’ll need to be swift and subtle," Vazeth replied. "I’ve arranged for a transport team to get you across the border undetected. Once there, you’ll be on your own. Your goal is to retrieve the artifact and return it to Vasheen—preferably without bloodshed."

"Preferably," Kemo echoed with a mischievous grin, her axes gleaming in the light.

"Control yourself," Vazeth said sharply, her gaze piercing. "This is a delicate mission, and recklessness will get you all killed—or worse."

Kemo’s grin faltered, and she nodded.

Tsubasa stepped forward, her voice firm. "We’ll retrieve the artifact and uncover whatever secrets it holds. You have my word, Mother."

Vazeth’s expression softened slightly. "I know you will. Just remember: this isn’t just about the artifact. It’s about proving that Vasheen is stronger and smarter than those who would challenge us. Do not let me—or yourselves—down."

With their mission set and their path clear, the group left the war room, their determination burning brighter than ever. They would face whatever dangers lay ahead together, knowing that the fate of their kingdom—and perhaps more—rested on their shoulders.

As the transport team prepared to take them to the border, Tsubasa glanced at her companions, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and gratitude. They were more than her friends—they were her family. And together, they would face the shadows stirring on the horizon.

The transport team led the group to a hidden alcove within the castle grounds, where a sleek, dark carriage awaited. Its surface shimmered faintly, a clear sign that it was cloaked in magic. A pair of powerful shadow-wolves stood harnessed to it, their glowing eyes scanning the area with sharp vigilance.

"Impressive," Solomon murmured, running her fingers along the carriage’s polished surface. "Vazeth doesn’t play around."

Tsubasa nodded, appreciating her mother’s attention to detail. The driver, a stoic figure clad in black, gave them a silent nod as they approached. Without a word, the group climbed into the carriage, settling into the plush interior. The magical wards on the walls hummed softly, enveloping them in an almost tangible sense of security.

Once they were inside, the driver cracked the reins, and the shadow-wolves took off at an astounding speed. The landscape blurred past the windows as the carriage navigated secret routes known only to Vasheen’s elite. The silence inside was heavy, each of them lost in their thoughts.

After several hours, the carriage slowed, the driver’s voice breaking the quiet. "We’re approaching the border. From here, you’ll need to continue on foot. The enchantments will cloak your presence, but use caution. The humans patrol this area heavily."

The group disembarked, their boots crunching softly against the forest floor. The air was cool and crisp, the dense trees around them casting long shadows. Tsubasa turned to the driver. "Thank you. We’ll take it from here."

The driver nodded once before guiding the shadow-wolves and the carriage back into the woods, disappearing as swiftly as they had come. The group stood in silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of the forest.

"Alright," Tsubasa said, adjusting her weapons. "Let’s move. Stay close and keep your eyes open."

They moved as a unit, their steps silent as they navigated the dense underbrush. The magical wards surrounding them made their presence almost undetectable, but Tsubasa knew better than to rely solely on magic. The humans were cunning, and this close to their border, vigilance was their best ally.

As they neared the edge of the forest, Gwendoline raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. She pointed ahead, where a group of human soldiers was stationed near a checkpoint. Their armor glinted faintly in the moonlight, and their voices carried through the still night.

"We need to get past them," Gwendoline whispered, her voice barely audible. "But there’s no way around without being spotted."

"Leave it to me," Kemo said with a grin, her tail wagging slightly. Before anyone could stop her, she darted off into the shadows, her movements silent and fluid.

"Kemo—" Tsubasa hissed, but it was too late.

The group watched as Kemo crept up behind the soldiers, her small frame practically invisible in the darkness. Moments later, a soft rustling noise came from the opposite direction, drawing the soldiers’ attention.

"What was that?" one of them muttered, gripping his weapon.

"Check it out," another said, gesturing toward the noise.

As the soldiers moved toward the sound, Kemo slipped back to the group, her grin wide. "Told you I got this."

Tsubasa sighed, shaking her head but unable to suppress a small smile. "Let’s go."

They moved quickly and quietly, slipping past the distracted soldiers and into human territory. The air seemed to grow heavier as they crossed the border, the weight of their mission pressing down on them.